:t "
KM
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
•
NAVAL, CHRONICLE".
VOL
XII.
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eubluhal <fi Ittc.i3o4. *v J.GM MJ flioe Lant Tltet Strtet .
THE
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FOR 1805:
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GENERAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
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VOLUME THE TWELFTH.
(FROM JULY TO
In Native Vigour bold, by Freedom led,
No path of Honour have they fail'd to tread :
But whilst th'.-y wisely plan, and bravely dare,
Their own Achievements are their latest care.
HAYL ET.
Honfcon :
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TO
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WILLIAM HENRY
BUKJE OF CJLAHENCE,
THIS TWELFTH VOLUME OF THE
jftatmi Chronicle
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY THE EDITORS.
6iW*.
fr *.
i4' ; --;?==
•
P R E F A C
TO THE TWELFTH VOLUME.
'UR posliminious Preface to the present Volume,
must in the first place express our thanks for that
increase of Patronage we receive; and also for the
Communications, and Hints, which have arrived
from different Correspondents, who thus impart an
addition of interest, and of importance, to the
NAVAL CHRONICLE.
We have seldom witnessed a period when such
** a variety of Naval Events has swelled the annals of
every month, as that whieh the present Volume com-
prises ; and it has been with the utmost difficulty,
that we could discharge our duty in this respect,
without entirely devoting the greater part of each
VI PREFACE.
Number to chronicle facts, which otherwise would
soon be lost amidst the enterprise and energy that
prevails.
Notwithstanding alt our diligence, and the good
Look-out we uniformly preserve, we find that some
facts occasionally drift by us, and are carried away
by the current. Such was the case with the inte^
resting letter of Lieut. Hardinge to his Uncle, dated
April 1804, which appears first in this Volume in
the current Naval History of the Year. We request
our Readers to assist us in this respect ; and shall
consider it as a favour, if they would forward to our
Publisher, Mr. GOLD, whatever in the redundant
columns of the Public Prints may have escaped our
notice, or not been deemed by us sufficiently worthy
of preservation.
\Ve are glad that so many of our Readers, particu-
larly those who are not employed on the Home Sta-
tions, approve of our printing any late intelligence
of importance, on the second page of the Wrapper :
whence it is afterwards incorporated with the body
of the Work. Bv this means we are enabled to insert
tt
Gazette Letters, and communications from our
1'Yiends, to the moment previous to publication.
The most painful part of our labours in this Volume,
has been the task of recording so many distressful
Shipwrecks. The first Court Martial in the succeed-
ing pages, was held on tin.1 loss of the Apollo; and
PREFACE. Vl.l
since that event, to the dreadful scene we have nar-
rated in Torbay, what an alarming portion of our
Wooden Walls has been destroyed ! No blame can be
imputed to their Commanders ; but why the Western
Squadron at so late a season of the year, should resort
to Torbay, must perhaps be answered, by the peculiar
emergency of the times. We fear only, that the per-
severing and gallant Corn wall is will injure his own
health, as well as his Fleet. The Station, indeed, is
most desirable to any Commander who is driven from
off Brest; but unless Government will expend the
comparatively trifling sum of money, that would ren-
der Torbay a secure Harbour, the truth of the old
Axiom will be often exemplified by those who enter
it during the winter months :
*' Incidit in Scyllam, qui vult evitare Charybdim."
The Biography of the present Volume has not been
deficient in either interest or variety. Sometimes we
can only give an Outline or an unfinished Sketch,
which we leave to our Correspondents, and future
Biographical Memoirs, to complete. A periodical
Work, like the Tide, will stay for no man • we are
therefore obliged to shove off' when our monthly
Freight is ready. The Life of Commissioner Coffin
might furnish further particulars elucidating the Na-
val History, could they be procured ;-— as well as
those of Sir Peter Parker, and Sir Richard King ;
V1U PREFACE.
and in many instances these subsequent additions
have been, and will again be, supplied. The Life of
Lieutenant Hunter in our next Volume will throw
additional light on the character, not only of Admiral
Coffin, but of the late Admiral Peyton, and other
Officers. We however particularly wish that our
Friends would assist us with further particulars of
such Officers as appear in our Biography. This
department of the Work has given great satisfaction
on the Continent, particularly in Russia and the East
Indies : any communications towards its improve-
ment will therefore be thankfully received. The
Memoir of Commodore Dance is written by a gen-
tleman who had not previously honoured our CHRO-
NICLE by his exertions.
Amidst the Communications we have received
on other subjects, and which appear in this Vo-
lume, our thanks are principally due, among others,
for the " Sketch of the Maritime Progress of
the Ru:-::i«.::3," signed X. (page 18.)— The two
-letters signed B. A., (page 117,) respecting "An
Attempt in 1741 to discover a North West Passage
to China.' — The " Remarks given in to Lord Mel-
ville by Capt R.Willis/' signed C. (page 122).-" Fur-
ther particulars of the late Capt. Martin Neville,''
(page 18?,) signed G. T. — Communications of Mr.
James Mitchell, (page 193,) respecting his " Patent
for manufacturing Cables, Hawsers, and other Cor-
3
r RE FACE. IX
dage." — The excellent Ballad, Duke Williams Ram-
ble, (page 228,) signed Amor, which we had in vain so
long sought for, from the time we inserted the original
anecdote in our second Volume (page SO?). — The
" interesting Letter from Lieutenant Spearing of
Greenwich Hospital," (page 281). — An account of
"Captain GoodalL's Escape from France, "(page 286,)
signed R.T. — the Letter (at page 290,) signed J.M. —
That from Mr. George Matthews, (same page,) con-
taining " Hints for improving our Navy." — With a
translation of " The French Account of the Capture
of the Corvette le Curieux" (page 380). The limits
of this Preface will not allow us to add more than
our thanks to G. T. for his four Drawings, and to
O '
an acquaintance of the late Admiral Sir C. Knowles,
for his " Correspondence on Ship Building," which
shall appear as soon as the press of other articles
will allow.
The introduction of PORTRAITS Jias given our
Chronicle an additional value : in this Volume
we have inserted one, by an artist of considerable
celebrity, J. Fitler, R.A.S., Marine Engraver to his
Majesty. We could have wished, indeed, with many
of our Readers, that this Print had not been so slight ;
but can only affirm, no expense was spared, since
the Plate on the whole amounted to twenty guineas.
The Frontispiece is done by Mr. Lee, the same gen-
tleman who engraved the last, and who was recom-
mended to us by Mr. Landseer. It is taken from an
X PREFACE,
»
original Drawing made on the spot, by our ingenious
Friend F. W. The HEAD PIECE to the Volume repre-
sents three different Vessels, from an hasty Sketch with
a pen by Mr. Pocock, for the late Mr. Fry of Bristol,
who was accustomed to prefix them to Ship Adver-
tisements in the Bristol Paper: they were sent us by
one of Mr. Fry's Sons, and \ve trust Air. Pocock, who
still continues to render our work the most essential
service, will not be offended, by our wish to preserve
even this relic ; the wood Engraving has not done
the Drawing the justice which it merited : but this
neglect will be prevented in our future Volumes.
We have received some beautiful Drawings from
Mr. Pocock, and have to apologize to our Readers,
that none are inserted in the present Volume. A more
full description of Mr. Samuel Daniell's View of the
Cape of Good Hope would have appeared, had that
gentleman sent it us in time: the objects in the Fore-
ground consist of a dead whale and some pieces of
Ice.
Owing to the unavoidable absence of the gentle-
man who furnished us in this, and the preceding
Volume, with an HISTORICAL LIST OF THE ROYAL
NAVY, we have not been able to complete that List
as we intended ; it will however be shortly continued :
and our Readers may then bind up the remaining
numbers of that Appendix, cither in the present or
in the subsequent Volume.
PREFACE. XI
The ensuing Year promises, on many accounts, to
be eventful, and decisive. The British Lion, who so
long lias remained quiet, and been only watching for
his prey, is at length upon his feet, exerting his
utmost energy to free Europe from the ravages of the
Beasts of Prey. An Expedition, whose original des-
tination is wisely kept a profound secret, is on the
eve of taking place: and if we may judge from the
truly formidable and unusual manner in which the
preparations for it are carrried on, the Country will
have reason to be satisfied with the event. The
Usurper NAPOLEON has reached the summit of his
ambition; but he seems to feel his Imperial Crown as
uneasy as his predecessor MACBETH. The threatened
Invasion of ENGLANDwillprobablyend in its ultimate
security and prosperity ; and as in that case we shall
in some measure owe these blessings to the wily Cor-
sican, we would suggest the following, as a proper
Motto to his Diadem; a translation of it occurs in a
SACRED BOOK, which his obsequious Slave the POPE
seems to have forgotten :
MENE, MEXE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
BELSIIAZZAR, the King, says DANIEL, made a
great Feast ; and in the same hour came forth the
fingers of a man's hand, and wrote the above words
upon the wall of the King's Palace.
PLATES IN VOLUME Xil.
From Original Designs.
PLATE
Pagf
HEAD PIECE to Vol. XII, engraved on Wood, represents three
different Vessels, and is taken from a hasty Sketch made
with a Pen by Mr. POCOCK, in the Year 1770, for the late
Mr. FRY, who prefixed them to Ship Advertisements in
the Bristol Paper. It was sent to the Publisher of the
NAVAL CHRONICLE by one of Mr, FRY'S Sons ... a
CLV. PORTRAIT of Sir ISAAC COFFIN, Bart., Rear-Admiral
of the White Squadron. Engraved by RIDLEY, from
an original Miniature . . . . z
CLVI. RAMSGATE PIER, with distant VIEW of SANDWICH,
DOVER CASTLE, and FLEET in the Downs. Engraved by
GRUG, from an original Drawing by ARNALD ... 49
CLVII. PORTRAIT of the Hon. GEORGE CRANFIELDBERKELEY,
Rear- Admiral of the Red Squadron. Engraved by RIDLEY,
from an original Miniature Painting by Miss PAGE . . 89
CLVIII. BRIDLINGTON BAY, on the Eastern Coast of Yorkshire.
Engraved by WELLS from an original Drawing by F. W. 117
CLIX. PORTRAIT of Sir PETER PARKER, Bart., Admiral of the
Flee;. Engraved by RIDLEY, by permission of VALES-
' EN, Esq. from his Mezzotlnto Engraving from
a Painting by ABBOT 169
CLX. REPRESENTATION of two Methods of trying the Strength
of Cfjles. Engraved by MEDLAND, from a Drawing by
JAMES MITCHELL, Esq 105
CLXI. PORTRAIT of the late Si)- PETER WARREN, K.B., Vice-
Admiral of the Red Squadron. Engraved by RIDLEY . 257
REPRESENTATION of a Ship with five Masts. Engraved
on Wood, by LEE 294
CLXII. VIEW of the EDDYSTOKE LIGHT HOUSE, taken from the
Westward. In the Distance are the Cornish and Devon-
shire Coasts. A Sloop ot War is introduced in chase of a
Smuggling Lugger. Engraved by WELLS .... 297
CLXIII. PORTRAIT of SIR NATHANIEL DANCE, Knt., Commo-
dore in the Honourable East India Company's Service.
Engraved by JAMES FITTLER, Associate Engraver, from
a Drawing by GEORGE DANCE, Esq., R. A 345
CLXIV. A VIEW of the CAPE OF GOOD HOPF, with a South-
Sea Wnaler in the Fore -ground Engraved by MEDLAND,
from an original Drawing by S. DANIELL 381
CLXV. PORTRAIT of Sir RICHARD KING, JBirt., Admiral of the
White Squadron. Engraved by RIDLEY . . . 433
CLXVI. VIEW of DUNNOSF., BEMERIDGE POINT, and CULVER
CLIFF, Isle of Wight. Drawn and Engraved by W. J.
BENNF.T 465
CLXVII. FRONTISPIECE to the Twelfth Volume : being a correct
Representaucn of the Tomb erected in FULHAM Church-
yard, >o the Memory of Sir ANDREW SNAPE DOUGLAS,
Knt Engraved bv Lri-, from an original Drawing by
F. W.
SIR ISAAC
7/,,/;
COFFIN EA
)
/;'//
/'»/• /'// /'<••. •/,/ .1/1.'. I:,,,,e.l.A<t.iik't ISO 4
THE
NAVAL CHRONICLE.
We present the above Engraving as a curiosity to our Subscribers, as it is
copied from a Drawing we much prize, made by Mr. POCOCK, in the Year
1770.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
SIR ISAAC COFFIN, BART.
REAR-ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE SQUADROX.
Genius of Albion ! still 'tis thine
To wield the sceptre of the main ;
Ev'n though the embattled world combine
To wrest it, the attempt proves vain*
ANON.
withdraw the obscurity, which too frequently envelopes
the professional lives of our Naval Officers, and thereby
to narrate the meritorious exertions of bravery and fortitude,
is a task of some labour, and entitled to commendation.
Rear-Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart, to whose services
our attention is now directed, is an American by birth ;
and, from the ardour with which the spirit of liberty was
cherished in that part of the world, he early imbibed a love
for our Country and her glorious Constitution : born of
British parents, and in the territories of his Britannic Ma-
jesty, he has every requisite claim to the honourable appel-
lation of BRITON.
, fflol. XII. *
i BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
Mr. Isaac Coffin was born at Boston, in North-America*
In the year 1760; and, having first been brought forward by
the friendship of Lieutenant Hunter, of Greenwich Hospital,
he entered, as early as May, 1773, into his Majesty's service,
•under the patronage of Rear-Admiral John Montagu. His
first cruize was in the Gaspee brig ; and, after passing the sum-
mer in that vessel, he went from Rhode Island to Boston; com-
pleted his studies in mathematics on board the Captain, and
then was turned over to the King's Fisher, commanded by
Captain (now Admiral) George Montagu. From the King's
Fisher Mr. Coffin passed into the Fowey ; and, from that
Ship, on her return from Virginia where she remained two
years, cruizing in Boston Bay, during the winter of 1776,
he went from Halifax to Newfoundland, to join Admiral
Montagu in the Romney. After this, Mr. Coffin was, for
a short time, in the Diligent Brig, with Lieutenant (now
Admiral) Dod.
At the expiration of two years, our Officer was, in July,
1778, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and appointed to
the Placerttia Cutter, at St. John's, where he wintered. In
the Spring following, on the arrival of the Sybil, Captain
(now Sir Thomas) Paisley, he embarked as a Volunteer ;
and, when Admiral Edwards came out, lie was appointed
by that Officer to the command of h Pinion armed Ship,
then lying at Chateau Bay, on the coast of Labrador. In
this Ship, owing to the negligence of the Master who had
charge of her, Lieutenant Coffin was cast away. Immedi-
ately after this accident, he returned to St. John's, where he
was tried by a Court Martial, and honourably acquitted ;
his conduct being considered that of an Officer and Seaman,
wholly free from blame.
Mr. Coffin now came to England, and, in November,
1779, was appointed Second Lieutenant of the Adamant,
then about to be launched at Liverpool. In the preparations
for getting this Ship ready for sea, Lieutenant Coffin en-
countered several accidents; but, at length, in June, 1780,
the Adamant sailed for Plymouth under jury masts ) and in
4
OF SIR ISAAC COFFIN, BART. 3
the month of August following, she was ordered with a
convoy to New York. On her passage they luckily escaped
the combined fleets, by falling in with a Dutchrnan who had
left them the day before.
In the winter of 1780 Lieutenant Coffin was removed into
the London, of 98 guns, the Flag-Ship of Rear-Admiral
Graves, then second in command on the North America
station : and immediately from the London, our Officer was
removed into the Royal Oak, under Vice -Admiral Arbuth-
not, Commander in Chief.
In March, 1781, Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot's Squadron
sailed in quest of the French fleet, under the command of
M. de Ternay, which had got out of Rhode Island two
days before. On -the i6th of the month, about fourteen
leagues from Cape Henry, they were descried ; and at two,
P. M. a partial engagement commenced, the brunt of which
fell chiefly on the Robust, Europe, and Ardent, until the
rest of the van and centre could cqme up to their assistance.
The action then became more general, and continued till
three o'clock, when the enemy bore up and ran to leeward.
The very crippled condition of our three van Ships prevented
Admiral Arbuthnot from pursuing the enemy ; and, on the
following day, our squadron anchored in Lynn Haven Bay,
to repair the damages which it had sustained. The Royal
Oak had only three men wounded ; but the total loss sus-
tained by the English was thirty killed and seventy- three,
wounded.
Lieutenant Coffin was Signal Officer on this occasion ;
and, as it may be considered his first essay, his disappoint-
ment at witnessing the escape of the enemy must have been
acutely felt. In the gay days of youth, in the " hey-day of
the blood," when all is feverish expectation — when the. heart
glows with the anticipations ot Victory— a reverse of fortune
falls more heavily than at a later period of life. The youthful
mind, however, is not subdued by Hope prolonged ; it looks
forward with confidence to a more distant period, and js
4 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR.
buoyed up by a Dream, which some Officers are so happy as
to realize.
We should have remarked, that the Royal Oak, in pass-
ing from the North to the East River, on her return to
New York, ran aground, and received so much damage,
that she was obliged to go to Halifax, to be hove down,
attended by the Medea, Captain Duncan.
Admiral Arbuthnot sailed for England. The Royal Oak
having received the requisite repairs, she was returning to
New York, when, in July, she fell in with Admiral Graves,
on whom had devolved the command of the fleet.
Finding that he was made Master and Commander, our
Officer offered his services to Admiral Graves, and served as
a voluuteei until the fleet arrived at New York, where he
took the command 01 the Avenger Sloop. Captain Coffin,
immediately manned this vessel, and proceeding up the North
River, remained some months at the advanced post ; and, in
January, 1782, exchanged with Captain Alexander Cochrane,
in the iachahunter Sloop.
Captain Coffin left New York in the Prince William,
and arrived at Barbadoes, where he found Sir Samuel (now
Lord) Hood about to depart for St. Kilt's in quest of the
French fleet. Captain Coffin was received on board the Bar-
fleur as a volunteer, and assisted in doing the duty of the
Ship and Fleet with Captain Alexander Hood. — The English
Fleet shortly after sailed, with the spirited view of attacking
the Fleet of de Grasse at anchor. This event afforded Cap-
tain Coffin an opportunity of participating in some splendid
service. The details of this extraordinary and glorious
achievement are very fully given in our Memoir of Lord
Hood ; but, for the requisite connexion of the present nar-
rative, we shall take the liberty of quoting a concise account
of the proceedings, as given in SCHOMBERG'S Naval Chro-
nology. The vi riter of that useful work says : —
Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood remained in Carlisle Bay, Barha-
does, with his Fleet moored in order of battle, in daily expectation
OF SIR ISAAC COFFIN, BART; . £
of a visit from the French, whom he learnt had sailed from Martinique
in great force for the attack of that island. On the I4th of January
the Admiral received intelligence, that the Comte de Grasse, after
beating to windward for some days, without being able to gain ground,
from the strength of the winds, had relinquished his plan, and bore
away for St. Christophers. On his arrival at that island, the Mar-
quis of Boullie landed with Sooo troops, and took possession of the
greater part of the island. General Fraser, with his small army of
600 men, were obliged to retire into the fort of Brimstone Hill. Sir
Samuel Hood, notwithstanding the superiority of the enemy, resolved,
by a sudden and unusual bold stroke, to sail and attack the enemy's
fleet at anchor. For this purpose he put to sea from Carlisle Bay,
with 22 Sail of the Line, and proceeded to Antigua, where he took
on board some provisions, with the 28th, and two companies of the
4 jth regiment of foot, under the command of General Prescot. On
the evening of the 23-!, the Rear- Admiral sajled from St. John's
Road, and stood under an easy sail for Basse Terre, preceded by
the Convert and Lizard Frigates. At the break of day the signal
was made to form the line of battle, for the purpose of bearing down
the more effectually to attack the enemy* who were at anchor in the
Road. Unfortunately the Alfred ran foul of the Nymph Frigate in
the night, and received so much damage, that it became necessary
for the fleet to lye by the whole day to repair it. The Nymph was
in a much worse condition, being almost cut in two : she was ordered
to return to Antigua. The advanced Frigates chased and captured
the Espion, a large French Cutter, laden with shells and ordnance
stores for the besieging army. The delay occasioned by the above
accident gave the French Admiral timely notice of the approach of
the British Fleet. The Comte de Grasse instantly got under weigh
and stood to sea, thinking thereby to secure all the advantages which
his superiority in numbers would give him.
At day -light on the 25th, the enemy's fleet was observed about
three leagues to leeward, formed in order of battle, consisting of
twenty-nine sail of the line. Sir Samuel Hood instantly perceived
the great advantages to be derived from this movement, and carried
en every appearance of an immediate and determined attack, which
drove the enemy further to leeward, and at a greater distance from the
shore. By this excellent and well-judged manoeuvre, the British Ad-
miral pushed for Basse Terre, and in the evening anchored his Fleet
in line of battle a-head in Frigate Bay. The Comte de Grasse,
disappointed in his object, and apprehensive that all communication
might be cut off from the army, made a most furious attack upon the
jrear of the British Fleet, commanded by Commodore Affleck ; but
6 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
that gallant Officer made so noble a defence, and was so ably snp«
ported by his seconds, the Honourable Captain Cornwallis, in the
Canada, and Lord Robert Manners, in the Resolution, who kept
up an incessant fire, covering the other Ships of the division while
they brought up in their stations ; particularly the Prudent, whose
wheel was shot away, and the rudder choaked by a shot which ha4
lodged bef.veen it and the stern-post. The enemy finding they could
not make any impression on the resolute firmness of the British Com-
jnanders, bore up and stood to sea. The Solebay Frigate, of 28
guns, Captain Charles Holmes Everett, being closely pursued by a
French Ship of the line, ran a-shore on Nevis Point. The French
Admiral ordered two Frigates in to attack her, upon which Captain
Everett retired with his crew a-shore and set fire to the Ship ; she
soon after blew up.
The next morning at eight o'clock the French Fleet stood in, as
if determined to force the British line, which they attacked with great
violence from van to rear, without making the least visible impression
on it ; they then wore and stood to sea. Sir Samuel Hood, having
observed that the rear of his Fleet was too much exposed, took this
opportunity to change their position, and directed the seven Ships
In his rear to extend themselves in a line towards the town of Basse
Terre, forming an obtuse angle, by which means no one part of the
Fleet could suffer a partial attack. The Comte de Grasse, not yet
discouraged, renewed the engagement in the afternoon, directing his
attack principally against the centre and rear divisions : he was again
repulsed, and suffered more material damage than in the preceding
battle. The Ville de Paris was seen the next morning upon a heel
for several hours, repairing and plugging up the shot holes which she
had received between wind and water. The loss on board the French,
Ships must have been considerable; it is said above one thousand/
wounded men were sent to St. Eustatius. The British had seventy-
two men killed, and two hundred and forty-four wounded.
Captain Coffin returned to Antigua, to join his Sloop,
in the Fortunee, Captain Christian, in company with a
Frigate, commanded by Captain (now Sir Henry) Hervey.
On their passage, they fell in with the French Ship Tri-
omphant, and the Braave Fngate : the Braave exchanged
Broadsides in passing, but our Ships got safely into bt,
John's Road.
Shortly after the memorable action of the j2th of April,
Captain Coffin went with part of the crew of the Santa
OF SIR ISAAC COFFIN, BART. 7
Atnmonica, which had been lost offTortola, to Jamaica ;
Where, through the influence of his friend, Lord Hood, he
was appointed, by Admiral Rodney, Post-Captain of the
Shrewsbury, a seventy-four gun Ship. Very soon after
this, however, he met with one of those circumstances,
which, if they are not to be classed with the misfortunes of
a professional life, must at least be reckoned amongst its
attendant vexations. Captain Coffin having solicited Ad-
miral Rodney to give three young men an order to pass, who
had been improperly appointed, that Officer thought proper
to bring him to a Court Martial for the offence. The
Court decided, that the appointment by commission was
irregular, and contrary to the established mode of service ;
but acquitted Captain Coffin of disobedience and con-
tempt.
In December, 1782, our Officer exchanged with Captain
Hotchley, of the Hydra, and sailed for England, in company
with the Ardent : he arrived, after a tempestuous passage
of nine weeks ; the Ardent was obliged to bear up for
Antigua.
Early in 1783 a general Peace having taken place between
Great Britain, France, Spain, and America, Captain Coffin
was paid off. He then went to France, for the purpose of
acquiring the French language ; and, after remaining some
time in that country, returned to England.
The next command which our Officer enjoyed was in
1786, when he was appointed to the Thisbe Frigate, and
directed to take Lord Dorchester and his family to Quebec.
On the Qth of September he left Scilly; on the loth of
October following he got into the Gulf of St. Lawrence ;
and, on the 23d, he arrived at Quebec. At the latter place
Captain Coffin staid but two days, and reached Halifax on
the 9th of November. There he wintered; and, in the
Spring of 1787, returned to Canada, where he remained
about a twelvemonth.
In May, 1788, Captain Coffin again went to Halifax,
being ordered to be tried by a Court Martial, for false
8 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
musters, in bearing two of Lord Dorchester's sons on the
Ship's book, and for lending his Cook to Colonel Dundass,
a Commissioner of American Claims *. The Court found
the charge proved, though they had no Muster-book pro-
duced ; " but it appearing to the Court," says Schomberg,
" that it (the charge) was grounded chiefly on private
pique and resentment against Captain Coffin, without any
intention of defrauding his Majesty, w-iich they were clearly
of opinion took off a great part of the crime of false muster,
it sentenced him only to be dismissed from the command of
the Thisbe. Upon the arrival of Captain Coffin in Eng-
land," proceeds Schomberg, "and the sentence of the Court
Martial being made known to the Board of Admiralty, it
was so highly disapproved of by Earl Howe, the then First
Lord, from its not being agreeable to the spirit of the 3 1st
article of war, which says, * Every Officer, or other person
in the Fleet, who shall knowingly make or sign a false mus-1
ter, or muster book, &c. upon proof of any such offence
being made before a Court Martial, shall be cashiered, and
rendered incapable of further employment in his Majesty's
naval service.' The Botrd of Admiralty accordingly took
upon them to give an order to strike Captain Coffin's name
off the list of Post Captains."
In despair at this harsh, and, as he conceived, unmerited
treatment, our Officer went over to Flanders, and entered
into the service of the Brabant Patriots.
The proceeding which had been adopted against Captain
Coffin was, however, considered extremely arbitrary, and
his case was laid before his Majesty, who yras most graciously
pleased, with the consent of his Privy Council, to direct the
Twelve Judges to give their opinion, — Whether the Admiralty
have a power of setting aside the judgment of a Court Martial?
• The Court Martial, which was holJen on board his Majesty's Ship Dido,
wa» composed of the following Members;— Captain Charles Sandys, President;
Sir James Barclay, Bart.; Samuel Hood, £s<j. ; Paul Minchin, I.sq,; and Ed-
ward Eullcr, Esq.
OF SIR ISAAC COFFIN, BART. 9
After due deliberation on this interesting point, the fol-
lowing was given in as the opinion of the Judges :—
TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
May it phase Your Majesty ,
1 1ST obedience to the order of your Majesty in Council, we have
taken into our consideration the charge exhibited against Is .ac
Coffin, Esq. the sentence of the Court-Martial, and also the resolu-
tion of the Board of Admiralty thereupon.
And we are of opinion that the said sentence is not legal ; and that
the punishment directed to be inflicted by an Act of the zzd of the
Reign of his late Majesty King George the Second, Cap. 33, upon
persons convicted of the offence specified in the jist Article of War,
established by the said Act, cannot be inflicted, or judgment there-
upon be pronounced, or supplied by any other authority than that of
the Court Martial which tried the offender.
(Signed)
KENYON. LOUGHBOROUGH.
EYRE. BULLER.
GOULD. ASHURST.
HOTHAM. WILSON.
GROSE. THOMPSON.
Captain Coffin was of course reinstated in his rank as
Post Captain in the Navy. At the period when the joyful
news of his restoration reached him, he was preparing to
march to the Brabant Patriot's Head Quarters, as a Captain
of Artillery. On finding, however, that the sentence of
the Court Martial and the act of the Admiralty against him,
liad been found illegal, he returned to England, where his
arrears of pay were made up ; and, at the Spanish Arma-
ment in 1790, he was appointed to the Alligator, of twenty-
eight guns.
At this period, while lying at the Nore, the wind blowing
strong, a man fell overboard : Captain Coffin, impelled by
a generous and disinterested spirit of humanity, leaped in
after him, and preserved him from the watery grave, which
otherwise would have received him. The man was nearly
drowned, the Surgeon experiencing the greatest difficulty
in restoring him. Our Officer's humanity on this occasion,
. ffloI.XII. c
IO BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
however, cost him dearly, as the exertion caused a severe
rupture.
From the Nore Captain Coffin went to Spithead, and
thence to Ceuta, where he had Admiral Cosby's Flag on
board ; and, when the Fame arrived, his Ship was ordered
to cruize off the Western part of Ireland, to intercept the
men coming home from Newfoundland.
In the month of October, however, a Convention was
signed at the Escurial, between their Britannic and Catholic
Majesties, wherein it was agreed, that the British subjects
should be re-established in the possession of their lands,
buildings, vessels, merchandise, and other property which
the Spaniards had dispossessed them of at Nootka Sound,
and other ports on the coast of North-west America, or a
just compensation made to them for the losses which they
might have sustained. In consequence of this agreement,
the armaments were discontinued, and several Ships of war
were ordered to be paid off.
In the Spring following (1791) Captain Coffin sailed in
the Alligator for Halifax, where he arrived on the i4th of
April. From Halifax Captain Coffin went to Quebec,
where he received Lord Dorchester and his family on board,
and thence returned to England. In the month of September
he arrived at Spithead.
Shortly after this, the Alligator was ordered up the river
and paid off at Dcptford.
During the peace, our Officer, anxious to acquire infor-
mation, and, as an agreeable relaxation after the fatigues of
the service, embraced the opportunity of visiting the coun-
tries of Sweden, Denmark, and Russia.
In 1793, at the commencement of the late war, Captain
Coffin was appointed to the Melampus Frigate, of thirty-six
guns, and received instructi<Jns to proceed to Quebec with
Lord Dorchester. Another arrangement, however, took
place, and he was ordered back to Plymouth, where his men.
were turned over into the Severn, and he was left to get
the Melampus re-manned, in the best manner that his
OF SIR ISAAC COFFIN, BART. It
judgment might suggest. With only twelve seamen and a
hundred and twenty landmen, the Melampus proceeded to
Liverpool, where, in the course of three weeks, Captain
Coffin obtained as complete a Ship's company as ever
sailed.
Our Commander returned to Plymouth, whence he con-
veyed eighty Officers and a quantity of artillery to Guern-
sey, for the purpose of joining the expedition under the
command of Lord Moira, to which the Melampus was for
some time attached.
On Captain Coffin's return to Spithrad, he was ordered to
Plymouth, with the Active, Captain Magic, under his com-
mand, to join Sir James Wallace.- They soon left Spithead ;
and, in their way down Channel, fell in with a Squadron
of five French Frigat-s, a Corvette, and a Cotter. The
English Frigates, however, out-mana'uvered them, and
escaped.
The Melampus shortly after proceeded to cruize in the
chops of the Channel, in company with the Monarch and
Active; when, one night, by exerting himself too violently,
Captain Coffin became ruptured on both sides, which
obliged him to quit his Ship, and, for four months, he re-
mained literally a cripple.
On his recovery, in the Spring of 1795, Captain Coffin
went to Leith, in Scotland, on the regulating service ; and,
in the month or" October, he sailed for Corsica, as one of
his Majesty's Commissioners of the Royal Navy. While
on this station, he went, on naval business, to Naples, Flo-
rence, and Leghorn; and, when Corsica was evacuated *, he
sailed for Porto Feriajo, the Island of Elba, and thence to
* The restless and turbulent spiric of the Corslcans, had, for some time, ma-
nifested a disposition to shake off their £ew allegiance. For thib purpose, they
found means to co-operate with the French who were on the island; and soon
became so formidable, that -Sir Gilbert Elliot, the Viceroy, found it necessary
to intimate to them, that he should withdraw the Brirsh forces, and leave them
to their former masters. Accordingly, on the 1.501 of October, 1796, the Bri-
tish evacuated the island.
32 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF SIR fSAAC COFFIN, BART.
Lisbon, where he was for two years actively employed in
the service of the Fleet.
When the island of Minorca fell into our possession *, it
was considered by the Naval Administration, that the services
of Captain Coffin might be found important ; and accord-
ingly, on a proposal from Earl St. Vincent, that Gentleman
proceeded to Mahon, where he remained for some months,
when lie was recalled for the purpose of being sent to Hali-
fax, in Nova Scotia. Having remained there during the
Winter, Captain Coffin returned home, and took charge of
the King's yard at Sheerness.
After fulfilling the arduous, but far from brilliant, duties
of a Commissioner, at that place, for four years, our Officer
was promoted, on the 23d of April last, to the rank which
he now holds; — that of Rear-Admiral of the White Squa-
dron. Subsequently to this, he was. appointed Second in
Command at Portsmouth, where he now remains.
As a farther mark of his Sovereign's favour, and for his
unremitting zeal and persevering efforts for the good of his
Majesty's Navy, Rear- Admiral Coffin was, on the igth of
May, advanced to the dignity of a Baronet of the United
Kingdom ot Great Britain and Ireland.
We have thus far presented our readers with a faithful
outline of all the material transactions which have occurred
in the professional life of our Officer; but this, we trust,
wi;l not be considered as a final notice respecting him ; for,
having escaped from the obscure situation of a Commissioner
of the Navy, he is now in the road to acquire fresh Jaurels,
which, as the frien-Js of merit, we shall ever feel happy in
cherishing. In recording the future actions of Sir Isaac
Coffin, we indulge the pleasing hope of being enabled to add
new lustre to our Country's fame !
• This event took place on the Jjth of November, 1798.
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &c.
NANTES IN GURGJTE VASTO.
Mons. Maillet) in kit TEL LI A MED, 'which was translated and pub-
lished in 8<vo. by Osborxe, 1750, among his curious and singular Re-
marks respecting the Diminution of the Seat and the Formation of the
Earth, has the following : —
FULGOSE, an Italian author, relates, that in 1460, there was
found in the canton of Berne, in a place where Miners were
working, and a hundred fathoms deep, a whole Ship, almost like
those then used : and in this Ship, in which the marks of the Sails,
Cordage, and Anchors were still observable, were the bodies or bones
of forty persons. This Ship, which then made a great noise in Swit-
zerland, and even in the whole Christian World, was seen by an in-
credible number of witnesses. Bertazzalo also relates, that in laying
the foundation of the Sluice of Governola, in the territories of Man-
tua, in digging the earth, several pieces of Ships, and a large quantity
of sea rushes and herbs were found.
It is very common for those who travel through the sandy deserts of
Lybia and Africa, to find, in digging wells, small pieces of petrified
Ships, which were no doubt wrecked when the sea covered these
parts. They also find there a great many pieces of petrified wood,
which are probably the wrecks of some other similar Ships. About a
day and a half, or at most two days' journey to the westward of
Cairo, there is, in the middle of a desert of sand, a pretty long valley,
bounded and interspersed with rocks, and at present partly filled with
sand : this place is by the Arabs called Bakur Balaama, that is, •with-
out 'water, because the plain is dried up. In it are found a great many
Barks and Ships, which had been formerly wrecked, and are now petri-
fied : we there find masts and yards, many of which are entire.
METHOD OF OBTAINING THE LONGITUDE.
MR. EZEKIEL WALKER recommends, as the best method of obtain-
ing the Longitude at sea, that five or six time-keepers be taken in the
same Ship, and that the longitude be computed by each separated,
end the means qf their results taken, 'which, even at the end of three
or four months, will be found exceedingly near the truth,.
1
14 NAVAL ANECDOTES,
MINIATURE PUNCH BOWL.
ON the 2 jth of October, 1694, a bowl of punch was made at the
Right Honourable Edward Russel's, when he was Captain -General
and Commander in Chief of Ins Majesty's Forces in the Mediterranean
Seas. It was made in a fountain in a garden, in the middle of four
walks, all covered over-head with lemon and orange trees; and in
every walk was a table the whole length of it, covered with cold col-
lations, &c. In the said fountain were the following ingredients, viz.
four hogsheads of brandy, 8 hogsheads of water, 25,000 lemons, 20
gallons of lime juice, 1300 weight of fine white Lisbon sugar, 5
pounds of grated nutmegs, 300 toasted biscuits, and last, a pipe of
dry mountain Malaga. Over the fountain was a large canopy, butlt
to keep off the rain ; and there was built on purpose a little boat,
wherein was a boy belonging to the Fleet, who rowed round the foun-
tain, arid filled the cups to the company ; and in all probability, more
thaa 6000 men drank thereof.
ANECDOTE OF THE LATE EARL HOWE.
WHEN Lord Howe commanded on the American station, it was
a regulation in the Flett for the Marine Officers to keep watch with
the Lieutenants of the Navy. His Lordship once remarking at his
table, that Pursers, Surgeons, and even Chaplains, might occasionally
be employed on that duty ; a son of the Church who was present op-
posed the doctrine : " What," cries his Lotdship, " cannot ye watch
as well as pray ?"
ANECDOTE OF ADMIRAL HARDY.
IN the reign of Queen Anne, Captain Hardy, whose Ship wa*
stationed at Lagos Bay, happened to receive undoubted intelligence
of the arrival of the Spanish G.deons, under the convoy of seventeen
Men of War, in the harbour of Vigo, and without any warrant for so
doing set sail and came up with Sir George Rooke, who was then
Admiral and Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean, and gave
him such intelligence as induced him to make the best of his way to
Vigo, where all the before-mentioned Galeons and Men of War were
either taken or destroyed. Sir George was sensible of the importance
of the advice and the successful expedition of the Captain : but after
the fight was over, the victory obtained, and the proptr advantages
made of it, the Admiral ordered Captain Hardy OB board, and with a
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C. 1$
stern countenance said, " You have done, Sir, a very important
piece of service to the throne : you have added to the honour and
riches of your country by your diligence ; but don't you know, that
you are liable at this instant to be shot for quitting your station ?"— -
" He is unworthy of bearing a commission under her Majesty," re-
plied the Captain, " who holds his life as aught, when the glory and
interest of his Queen and Country require him to hazard it !" On this
heroic answer, he was dispatched home with the first news of the
victory, and letters of recommendation to the Queen, who instantly
knighted him, and afterwards made him a Rear- Admiral.
The following curious Report cwas made by the General of Brigade, Pre-
fect of the Department of Morbihan, to the Grand "Judge, respecting
CAPTAIN WRIGHT, of the Royal Navy,
Citizen Grand Judge, Cannes, May If, 1804.
AN English Corvette was taken a few days ago by our Gun-boats,
at the entrance of the Morbihan ; and having yesterday learned that
the Officers and crew of this vessel had reached Vannes, on their way
to Epinal, I had an interview with the Captain, with the intention of
obtaining, by artifice, some admission, or accounts, relative to the
Traitors who might be aiding him on the coast ; or of the accom-
plices in the conspiracy, who might have secreted themselves aboard
his Vessel, to escape, as I suspected, to England. I soon discovered
this Captain to be a person of some importance : he is a Mr. Wright,
who landed Georges, Pichfgru, and their accomplices, on the coast of
Dieppe. I knew him well in Egypt, where he was the Lieutenant
of Sir Sydney Smith, and charged by that Commodore with all his ne-
gociations with the French Army. I thought he might make some
useful discoveries, or at least might acquit himself, by avowing that
it was by order of his Government, that he disembarked on our coast
that band of assassins ; and might thus furnish a new and authentic
proof of the participation of the British Cabinet in this atrocity. I
have, therefore, sent him offby the Diligence, and under the escort of
the Gens d' Armerie ; recommending you, however, to pay him the
respect due to a prisoner of war. Mr. Wright is the same person who,
some years since, escaped from the Temple with Sir Sydney Smith ;
he is very reserved and cunning ; a fanatical enemy of the French ;
vain enough to consider himself destined to play a considerable part ;
and so insolent as to believe that his situation secures him from danger.
But as this may fail, if he is placed in the alternative, of throwing the
blame of his mission upon his Government, or of passing for an os-
l6 NAVAL ANECDOTES,
tcnsiblc Conspirator, and so liable to justice; I thought proper to
state my own opinion on this subject. He will set off this evening in
the Diligence from Renncs, and will arrive at Paris almost as SOOB
as my letter : he is accompanied by a very young Nephew, and hii
domestic, whom I did not think proper to separate from him.
Although I wished to conceal from him the motive of the extraor-
dinary measure adop'ed towards him, he was not to be duped ; and I
have reason to believe, from my conversation with him, that he had
studied his part; and is determined to remain silent, on the principle,
that he ought only to render an account of his military operations to
his own Government. Nevertheless, whatever measures you may
take respecting him, I thought, at all events, it would be of impor-
tance to send you a man, who has acted so conspicuously in the fright-
ful Conspiracy which has struck all France with alarm ; and which
Providence, always propitious, seems to have thrown (as a new ex-
ample of its benevolence towards Buonaparte) on the coast of Morbi-
han ; where his well-armed Ship was destined to be taken by simple
Gun-boats, and himself to be discovered amidst a crowd of Prisoners,
amongst whom, in any other part than here, he might have remained
undiscovered. I hope, Citizen Minister, you will approve of the
measure I have taken.
I have the honour to salute you.
JULIEM.
SPANISH FRIENDSHIP.
Account of the Capture of the Ship Miantinomoy in the Port of Conception,
South America, 'written by HENRY PERKINS, one of the Officers
of the said Ship.
HAVING completed the sealing business on the island of Massasure,
and taken all our skins on board by the 2 8th of September, 1801, we
left the above island for the port of Conception, where we arrived
on the 25th instant, for the purpose of supplying the Ship with pro-
visions, and refitting her for the N. W. coast. Soon after coming to
anchor, the boat was hoisted out and manned, for the purpose of carry,
ing Captain Swaine on shore. On his landing on the beach, he was
met by some of the Spanish Officers, and ordered on board, with
which order he complied. On the morning of the 26th, a Spanish
boat came off, and informed the Captain he had liberty to go on shore :
the boat was then manned ; but no sooner had he landed, than he and
his boat's crew were taken by a guard of soldiers and conducted to
prison ; the rawl was thea taken by the soldiers and carried to the fort :
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C. 17
at the same time they sent off a large boat full of soldiers and took
possession of the Ship : the Officer who commanded this detachment>
OQ his coming on board, ordered all the sails to be unbent, and the
cannon to be dismounted and sent on shore. In this situation we re»
mained on board, prisoners, as the Captain and crew were on shore
for the space of a month ; at the expiration of that time the Spaniards
came off to search the Ship : they began with sending all our skins on
shore ; after which they overhauled all our goods, which were
intended for the N. W. trade, and sent them on shore : after
they had got through with this, they plundered our chests and
trunks of all our books, papers, sea instruments, charts, and several
articles of our cloathing ; none of which they ever returned. After
they had taken away every thing from us, they sent us ashore up to
city of Conception, where we were confined in prison until the igth
of February ; we were then ordered down to the port, for the purpose
of sending us to Valpariso. On the 2Oth of February, 1802, the
Captain, with part of the Officers, were sent on board the Jupiter,
a Spanish Frigate ; the remainder were sent on board the Miantinomo,
which was manned by the Spaniards, and the First Lieutenant of the
Jupiter, as Prize-Master. The same afternoon we got under weigh,
and left this port for Valpariso, where we arrived on the 24th instant ;
we were then taken out of the Ship, and sent to the Castle of St. Jo-
eeph. After we had been here confined for about two months, we
were told by the Commandant of the port that we had liberty to
leave the country. While we remained in the port, we saw the Ame-
rican flag on board the Miantinomo hoisted union down under the Spa-
nish colours. On the 2d of May we left the port of Valpariso for Lima,
where we arrived on the 23d of the same month. Here we remained
until the 3 ist of July, 1^02 ; at which time there being two Ameri-
can whalemen about to leave the coast for Bristol, Captain Swaine and
two Officers took passage in one of them for that port.
The place where Captain Swaine was kept confined in Conception,
was a small room built of mud and clay, with one small window in it
with iron grates ; he was never allowed to walk out to take the air, a
thing so necessary in this warm climate, especially to men worn down
with fatigue and misfortunes. The consequence might have been
fatal to some of us had we remained in confinement much longer. The
crew of the Ship were treated much worse, being thrown into prison
with a number of convicts and murderers, and not allowed to come
out. In this prison they had to cook, &c ; and thought themselves
fortunate if they pas;ed the day without being beaten by the soldiers
with their drawn cutlasses.
We were taken out of the Ship, robbed, plundered, and put into
<£$ron, (Hol.XII. P
l8 CORRESPONDENCE.
prison, set at liberty, and ordered to leave the country, without ever
finding out what we had done to cause them to treat us in this manner.
In vain did we try to find out the cause. Perhaps many will say, that
we are smugglers, and that they had cause to take us : to such it
may be answered, that there was not one article sold out of the Ship;
all that we had on board was for the N. W. trade, and there w*
were bound as soon as we had got a supply of provisions.
CORRESPONDENCE.
TO 'THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE
SIR,
AT a period when the Russians, under the auspices of the Emperor
Alexander, seem actuated by an enterprizing and laudable spirit
of discovery, it may perhaps be gratifying to some of your readers tp
meet with a brief sketch of their maritime progress in exploring dis-
tant regions.
The history of Russia, in its earlier stages, is involved in much ob-
scurity: it was not until the year 1554 that any English vessel is
known to have touched upon the Russian coast ; and, previously to the
reign of Peter the Great, the real founder of the empire, that exten-
sive country makes but an indifferent figure in the annals of com-
merce and navigation. Since that period, however, the Russians
have not been by any means deficient in nautical exertion. It is re-
markable, that at the very time when the English and French discovered
islands in the South Seas, which till then were totally unknown to all
the rest of the world, namely, in the years 1/64, 65, 66, and 67,
the Russians discovered new lands in the utmost limits of the North,
and found a cluster of inhabited islands, unknown to them and to the
whole world.
Does it not seem, that at certain periods a spirit of discovery arises,
which excites universal emulation in different parts of the globe ?— •
We are naturally led into this train of thinking when we consider,
that formerly, when the new hemisphere of America was discovered
by the Spaniards, the Portuguese and Dutch began, at the same,
time, to think of navigating from Europe to the East Indies. It is
equally remarkable, that the art of making gunpowder was discovered
in Germany, on the Danube, just at the time when the art of printing
was found out on the Rhine, and when literature and the polite
arts were revived in Italy, after they had lain dormant for so r.
centuries.
CORRESPONDENCE. 'ig
About, or soon after the time above mentioned, the Czar Iwan
Wasiljewitsch II laid the foundation for the discovery of those new
islands, which are so many in number, that they have since been ap-
propriately termed, The New Archipelago. After he had made him-
self master of all Siberia, he wished to be acquainted with the fron-
tlets of that country to the North and East, and with the inhabitants
of those parts. For that purpose he sent several Prikastschuke, or
Commissaries, to the different frontiers, who, on their return, after
his death, during the reign of his son and successor, the Czar Feodor
Iwanowitsch, brought the first account that Siberia was bounded by
the frozen Sea to the North, and by the ocean to the East.
The celebrated Counsellor Miller, in his Account of the DtiCOVtrift
made by the Russians, has shewn that, from the records of a town in
Siberia, it appears, that an important attempt to penetrate into the
Frozen Sea, had already been made in the course of this expedition,
which had sailed along the coast towards the north-east ; and that
one of the smallest vessels of these navigators had got safe round the
farthest promontory of Tshukotskoi-Noss, into the sea of Kamts-
chatka, commonly called the Pacific Sea, and had landed in Lower
Xamtschatka.
The farther prosecution of this discovery was prevented by the
troubles in Russia, under the usurpation of the powerful Czar Boris
GoduiiofF, and the succeeding false Demetrians : they even obliterated
the very memory of this transaction for many years.
Peter the Great first resumed this important inquiry. He sent out
several Sea Officers, from the mouths of the rivers Lena, Indigirka,
and Kolyma* Some were ordered to coast along the north-east, and
north of Siberia, and to try whether they could get round the pro-
montories of Swetoi-Noss, Talatschoi-Noss, or Tschukotskoi-Noss,
into the Pacific Ocean ; some others to undertake, in an opposite di-
rection to the former, the navigation from Kamtschatka towards the
north-west, and to examine the sea in those parts, and observe what
lands or islands they could discover. Amongst the latter was Captain
Behring ; who, soon after the death of Peter the Great, in the year
1728, got into the bay of Anadirsk, in the 66th degree of northern
latitude, came back safe to Kamtschatka, and returned to St. Peters-
burgh in 1730, in the reign of the Empress Anne ; where he gave the
Court a circumstantial account of his expedition.
Scarcely a year before his return to St. Petersbnrgh, the Russians
knew so little of those lands and islands, that, from an account annexed
to the Supplement to the Petersburgh Geographical Almanack for the
year. 1729, it was impossible to make out, whether Kamtschatka was
*O CORRESPONDENCE.
an island or a peninsula ; or whether it were not the country called
Jedso.
The Court, after having received such important information from.
Captain Behring, immediately came to a resolution to appoint an ex-
pedition, purposely to examine farther into the state and situation of
Kamtschatka, and the neighbouring sea, called the Sea of Kamt-
schatka, or the Pacific Ocean ; together with the lands and islands
lying beyond it, to the east, the south, and the north. This expe-
dition was sent out from St. Petersburgh in the Summer of 1734, and
was called the Kamtschatka Expedition.
A full account of this expedition is to be met with in the excellent
Collection of Russian Transactions, published in 1758, by Mr. Miller.
In the third volume, which treats of .voyages, &c. the author informs
TJS how far the Russians had carried their discoveries into the Pacific
Ocean, to the north, the east, and the south. He relates, that Beh-
ring discovered seveial islands to the north-east; and one in particular
on which he was shipwrecked, died, and was buried by his fellow
travellers, who gave it the name of Bebrings Island. He farther
tells us, that Captain Tschirikoff sailed eastward to the American
coasts, and found a shorter cut from Kamtschatka to America than
could ever have been imagined : and that Captain Spangenberg, who
had been sent to the south-east, discovered a multitude of islands,
called the Kuril! Islands ; and, beyond these, some large ones, inha-
bited by Japanese, which are in fact the outskirts of Japan.
This important expedition, in which the Academy of Sciences at
St. Petersburgh had engaged a Professor of Astronomy, M. de Lisle
de la Croyere, with an Assistant, named Krasilnikoffj a Professor of
History, the celebrated Mr. Miller, and his Assistant, Mr. Fischer,
who was afterwards Professor for the collecting of Facts from the Re-
cords of Siberia, and the Description of Nations ; and a Professor of
Natural History and Botany, Mr. Gmelin, with two Assistants, Kras.
cheninnikoff and Steller, some draughtsmen, 8cc'. ended soon after the
accession of the Empress Elizabeth. Most of the persons who had
been out upon this expedition returned, one after another, in 1743
and the following year ; but the maps which they had drawn up were
first engraven under the direction of the Academy of St. Petersburgh
in 1758, by order of the Grand Duchess, afterwards the Empress
Catherine II.
The Russian Government being now sufficiently informed of th«
nature and situation of those seas, lands, islands, and people, tha
matter rested there.
Catherine II, when she came to the crown, iavited some Russian
CORRESPONDENCE. 21
Merchants to extend their trade to these distant regions, offering them
her protection, and the assistance of the Governors and Commanders
in the different parts of Siberia; and, in the first years of her reign,
she was rewarded for her zeal, by the discovery of some new islands,
opposite to the gulf of Olutora *, which afforded choice furs of
black foxes and beavers.
To the immortal honour of Catherine II, the way to new discove-
ries was ROW opened afresh ; but it required both resolution and per-
severance to pursue it, to the emolument and glory of Russia ; and to
extend her trade in those seas, which lay at so great a distance,
though contiguous to the Russian dominions. This resolution and
perseverance, the Empress found means to excite and support, by in-
stituting a commercial company, composed of Russian Merchants, to
whom she granted special privileges, for the carrying on their trade
and navigation in the new-discovered parts : she likewise honoured
the twelve first members with a gold medal, struck for that purpose,
which they were to wear hung to their necks by a blue ribbon, as a
mark of her high favour.
Farther to promote this end, the Admiralty Office at Ochotskoi,
on the sea of Pensinsk, or of Ochotskoi, had orders from her Ma-
jesty to assist this trading company of Kamtschatka, in the prosecu-
tion of their undertaking ; to provide them with convoys ; and to
endeavour to procure all possible information relative to the islands
and coasts which they intended to visit, to the north and north-east,
beyond Kamtschatka. In the year 1764, they accordingly sailed,
from the harbour of Ochotskoi, 'with some two-masted galliots, and
single- masted vessels of Siberia, called Doschtschenik, a kind of covered
barges, under a convoy from the aforesaid Admiralty Office, com-
manded by the Lieutenant, Mr. Syndo. They passed the sea of Och-
otskoi ; went round the southern cape of Kamtschatka, into the
Pacific Ocean ; steered along the eastern coast, keeping northward ;
and at last came to an anchor in the harbour of Peter Paul, and winter-
ed in the Ostrog, or pallisadoed village, belonging to it. The next year
they puisued their voyage farther northward ; and in that and the
following years, 1765 and 1766, by degrees discovered a whole Archi-
pelago of islands of different sizes, which increased upon them the
farther they went, between the 56th and 67th degrees of north lati-
tude; and they returned safe in the year 1767. The reports which
they made to the Government's Chancery at Irkutsk, and from
* This gu.f, and the islands that were discovered over against it, derive
their name from the river Oiutora, which runs into this bay from the
west.
±i CORRESPONDENCE.
thence sent to the Directory Senate, together with the maps arfd
charts thereto annexed, make a considerable alteration in the regions
of the sea of Anadir, and in the situation of the opposite coast of
America, and give them quite a different appearance from that which
they exhibited in the map that was engraven in the year 1758. This
difference is apparent, by comparing it with the amended map, pub-
lished in J77J» by the Academy of Sciences, and is still more visible
in a very accurate little map of the new northern Archipelago, pub-
lished in London in 1774.
This new cluster of islands was considered, by Professor Staehlln,
as being composed of three divisions ; the first containing the islands
discovered by Behring and TschirikofF, in the sea of Kamtschatka, or
Pacific Ocean, between the $cth and 56th degrees of norch latitude ;
such as Behring's Island, Mednoi, St* Theodor^ St. Abraham, St.
Macarius, &c. ; the second, comprehending the islands of Olu-
tora, over against the gulf of that name, between the j6th and
6oth degrees, together with the islands of Aleuta, which lie far-
ther south-east, discovered by the Russian Trading Company, in the
course of their navigation; the third, the islands of Anadir; ?•«!•«
those discovered in the years 1765 and 1766, farther north and east,
from the 6oth to the 6;th degrees of north latitude. Of these islands,
those which are situated from the 5<Dth to the 55th degree resemble
the islands of Kurili, with regard to the weather, the productions of
sea and land, beasts and fish ; as also in the figure, appearance,
clothing, food, way of life, and manners of the inhabitants ; whereas
those from the 5£th to the 6oth degree, which are the islands of
Olutora and Aleuta, are, in all these particulars, very like Kamt-
schatka. Those of the third division have a different aspect, and are
situated from the 6oth to the 67th degree of north latitude. Tfae
former, which are like Karrrtschatka, are full of mountains and vol-
canoes, have no woods, and but few plains. The more northern
islands abound in woods and fields, and consequently in wild beasts.
As to the savage natives, they are but one remove from brutes,
being the very reverse of the friendly and hospitable people of Ota-
heite.
It is now obvious to all who are in the least conversant with the
history of nations, that Russia is daily improving in civilization and
the polite arts ; and that, under the auspices of her present enlight-
ened Emperor, there is every probability of her becoming one of the
most enterprizing nations in Europe. The Russian voyage *, which
* Vide the NAVAL CHRONICIE, Vol. XI, p. z;8.
Sec. 23
is now In such successful progress, will doubtlessly tend to throw
considerable light on nautical science, and must claim the attention
of all who are friendly to the spirit of maritime discovery,
I am, Sir,
Yours. &c.
jftafral -Reform,
FOURTH REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
OF NAVAL INQUIRY.
[Continued from Vol. XI, page 464.3
were furnished with an instance of the payment of shares to
Officers, before any notification of distribution, in the evidence
of Mr. Aubin *, It there appears that the Requin was captured in
1795, and that the proceeds, amounting to one thousand five hun-
t T/ie Examination of John Aubin, Esq. taken vpon Oath the ZVtb
of April, 1 803.
Was you employed as prize-agent in the late war ?— I was.
For what captures ? — For the re-capture of the Perseverance by the Squadron
lender the command of Admiral Montagu, and for the Requin French Brig,
captured by the Thalia, in company with the Fleet under Lord Howe's
command.
What do you suppose was their value ? — I think the Requin sold for about
1,500!. I do not recollect what was the amount of the salvage for the Perse-
verance Merchant Ship.
Has distribution taken place upon both of them ? — The proceeds of th,e Per-
teverance have been distributed, the other has not.
Why has it not ? — The Requin was taken by the Thalia in the presence of the
Fleet, consisting of near fifty pendants. At the time of the capture, I wa«
given to understand by many of the principal Officers in the Fbet, that they
would give up their proportion of that Ship, as she was not worth dividing
among so many ; and as I was upon the point of giving the prize-money to the
Thalia, I was prevented by several Officers of the Fleet, who had changed
their minds, and said they did not like to establish such a precedent; by which
time the Fleet was divided all over the world, and the Captains have not sent
me any of their prize-lists, or powers of attorney ; and it remains in my hands
ready for distribution.
When was this capture made ? — It was in February, 1795.
Could you not have obtained prize-lists at the Navy Office at a trifling Ex~
gense ?— I wrote to Mr. Stranger, my agent, who told me they would not
grant prize-lists, unless foj Shipi that were abroad.
J4 FOURTH REPORT OF THB
dred pounds, except the shares of the Commander in Chief and the
junior Admirals, which were paid without any previous notification
of distribution) still remain undistributed, and not paid over to
Greenwich Hospital. A material observation arises from this case.
Mr. Aubin assigns, as a reason for not having made a general distri-
bution, that he has not been able to obtain prize-lists, owing to the
ships of the fleet entitled to ihare having been ordered on different
stations, and the crews having been dispersed. Admitting this plea
as an excuse for his not having distributed, it will hardly justify his
withholding of the money from Greenwich Hospital ; though, ac-
cording to the strict letter of the law, the duty to pay over unclaimed
Have you not been applied to by several of the captors to make a distribution f
•—I believe 1 have had a letter from Captain Bedford, signed by Sir Charles
Pole, and two or three more Officers; to which I answered, that I would not
have had any thing to do with it, had I known that it was not to be given up
exclusively to the Thalia.
Have you given notice of distribution in the Gazette, as directed by the
Prize Act ? — \o, I could not.
Have you not paid the Admirals their proportion* of the proceeds of the
prize ? — I have.
State the Sums, and to whom paid ? — Earl Howe, Lord Bridport, Sir Alan
Gardner, Lord Graves, and other Admirals. The share of the junior Admiral*
was, I believe, eleven guineas. The share of the Commander in Chief was
eighty.
Have you paid any of the Captains their shares ? — Not one.
"What has been your object in holding the money so long, without making
distribution ? — The cause of it was the want of prize lists, and the trouble at-
tending the division of so small a sum among a large Fleet.
Why have you not paid it into Greenwich Hospital, as much more than three
years have elapsed since you ought to have notified payment in the Gazette? —
I understood unclaimed prize-money was not to be paid into Greenwich Hos-
pital until three years after its being advertised.
Has an account of the sales been lodged in Doctors' Commons ? — I suppose
•o ; Mr. Stanger, my agent, managed the whole business for me.
Have you any other unclaimed shares of prize-money in your hands ?— No.
Where are the proceeds of the Requin lodged?— They are in my possession,
and I am ready to deliver them up to any person, including the agency, who
will undertake to distribute it to the i-leet, and will give him all the information
in my power ; and this I have repeatedly declared to such Officers of the Fleet
as have made such claims, as 1 should be happy to have this unpleasant business
off my mind. Or, if the Navy Board will direct prize-lists to be made out,
and the j owers of attorney can be dispensed with, I will use my best endeavours
to bring it to a distribution.
J. AUBIN.
T^L-an Low*
John ferd.
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQJJIRY. 2$
shares does not arise till three years after notification of distribution.
We apprehend, that the Treasurer of the Hospital, under the parti-
cular circumstances of this case, might and would have received this
prize-money at the end of three years from the condemnation of the
capture; but, if we are mistaken in this, the law, limiting the period
from notification of distribution, requires some alteration or addition.
It cannot be admitted, in any case, that difficulties in proceeding to
distribution should enable the agent to hold the money against the
captors and the Hospital.
This irregularity in paying or advancing shares of prize-money
before notification of distribution, and that not partially, but to the
seamen as well as Officers, is farther instanced in the evidence of Mr.
Brouncker *, according to whose account, it seems to be a general
* The Examination of John Brouncker, Esq. taken upon Oath the 27 th
cf June, 1803.
How long have you acted as prize-agent ? —From the latter end of the
year 1795.
What was your situation when you was first employed as prize-agent ?— I was
Secretary to Admiral Rainier.
For what number of King's Ship? was you the agent ?— I was joint-agent for
the Suffolk, Centurion, Resistance, Orpheus, and Swift, for the capture of two
Dutch Brigs, the Harlequin and Splinter , in all other cases I was only agent
for the Admiral's proportion, joined with the house of Tulloh.
Where was you when so employed? -In the East Indies. I arrived there in
April, 1794, and left it in October, 18 I.
How are Ships, captured or detained, brought to adjudication there ? — There
was not any Vice-Admiralty or other Court that took cogn zauce of prize con-
cerns in the East Indies; but we were obliged to send home the papers and in-
structions for condemnation in the Court here.
Was there any examination taken, upon standing interrogatories or otherwise,
of the Officers and crews of vessels captured, previously to sending the pa-
pers home? — None that I know of, excepting in cases of i>euttal vessels
detained.
How were the captured and detained vessels and cargoes disposed of, upon
being brought in? — Vessels under enemy's colours, w.th their cargoes, were
sold. I do not know what was done with neutral vessels detuned, as I
never acted as agent in such au instance ; but have no doubt of their being
sold.
Was it the practice in the East Indies to make distribution of the proceeds of
vessels captured under enemy's colours, pri-vious to condemnation ? — ,s-o, not
to my knowledge ; but in the instance of the Splinter, I mule ihc '^esi calcu-
lation I could of the amount of the shares, and lent to the Officers and men what
I conceived they would eventually be entitled to.
Was such the general practice with the prize-agents in the £a»t Indies ?— I
conceire it was.
f5»ato. Sfcron. OtoI.XII. £
46 fOtTRTK RETORT OF THE
practice with the prize-agents in the East Indies. Probably it has
arisen from a circumstance stated by him, namely, that there was not
any Vice- Admiralty Court, or other Court there, which had cogni-
jtance of prize concerns, and the captors were obliged to send home
the papers and instructions for condemnation in the High Court of
Admiralty. The deNy is, of course, very considerable between the
capture and condemnation.
Where were the prizes sold for which you was agent? — The Harlequin was
purchased for his Majesty's service, at Ambo;, na; and the Splinter was sold at
the same place to the East India (. ompany.
Were such prizes sold by public auction or by private contract ?— They were
surveyed and valued by the proper Officers of the F'ert.
• What notice of the distribution of prize-money is given in the East Indies ? —
Advertisements in the public papers, and notices are generally put up at tl.e
public places.
In what specie has prize-money been paid by you in the East Indies? — In the
current coin of the different settlements.
Where have you made recalls of prize-money ? — In Madras for the Harlequin,
and in England fcr the Splinter.
Have you been in the practice of making advances on account of prize-money .'
— Only in the way I have described.
Have you been in the practice of discharging prize money to accounts current I
— Yes, I believe I have clone so in two or three instances.
Have you regularly, within three years and three months, paid over to the
Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital, or his Deputy, the forfeited and unclaimed
shares of prize-money ? — In the Harlequin it rather exceeded it, as I had not
• time to make up the account ; and in the other, the time is not yet expired.
Have you, in paying over the unclaimed shares of prize-money to Greenwich
Hospital, deducted the money you may have advanced on account of such
shares? — The only case in which I advanced money was the Splinter, and the
flncUimed shares are not yet become due.
What is the amount of unclaimed shares of prize-money now in your hands .'
— I suppose about 150).
Where have you deposited the account of sales of prizes ? — In Doctors' Com-
mons; and for the Harlequin, at Greenwich.
What commission have you been in the practice of charging ? — Five per cent,
upon the grots proceeds.
Have you had any other profits arising from the business of prize-agency than
the comrr.Usion ? — None.
\Vho was the acting and efficient agent for the two prizes in which you have
been concerned ? — I was the acting agent.
What proportion of the commission did you receive ?- About three fifths ;
the other agents were Chase and Co. at Madras, and Mr. Jackson ; and Mr.
Tulloh w»s joined with me for the Admiral's share.
I* there much inconvenience in the business of prize agency, arising from the
circumstance of there being no Vice-Admiralty or other Court in the East
Indies, to take cognizance of prize concern's ? — Inasmuch as the seamen are
prevented receiving their shares until the decision of the Admiralty Court here
may be known.
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQUIRY. 3J
The time allowed for registering letters of attorney by agents, ap-
pears to us unnecessarily long. In six mouths after condemnation
ihey may be expected to have performed the greatest pait of their
duty, except in cases of appeal; and the time, most proper forgiving
public notice of thtir employment, seems to be at the first outset. If,
it be said, that they may not always be provided with powers of attor-
ney in the first stage of the business, it may be answered, that, as
notoriety is the object, they might be directed, instead of registering
their powers of attorney, to make an entry with the Registrar of their
names, their places of abode, the captors employing them, and the
prize, before they take any step in the cause.
In the Evidence of Mr. Bate *, the Deputy Treasurer of Green-
wich Hospital, an inconvenience is stated to have arisen from the
agents abroad having ihe option of paying the forfeited and unclaimed
shares to the Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital, or to his Deputies
abroad. If the plan hereafter recommended, by winch we propose to
secure more effectually the interests of the Hospital, should not be
adopted, it will be proper that this option should be done away, and
that the agents abroad should be obliged to make these payments to
the Deputy Treasurers on the spot.
We have now closed our account of those instances of Abuses, Irre-
gularities, and Defects, in the present System, which have appeared
to deserve notice in the course of our enquiry If it should be thought
that they are less numerous, or less important than might .have been
expected, it may be observed, that it is an extremely difficult and in-
vidious task to draw a discovery of incorrect or illegal transactions
from parties interested or concerned in them 5 and that the Statute
Is it the practice for the agents in the East Indies to hold the proceeds of pri-
zes in their hands until condemnation is known ? — Only in the instance of vessels
.taken under neutral colours. The specie, spices, and other articles captured at
the Moluccas and Malacca, were sold to the East India Company, and paid for
in their bonds, bearing interest; which, together with the advanrag-c on the
sa'e of the bonds for the Molucca capture, has been carried to the account of
the captors, and has amounted to nearly thirty per cent, upon the original
proceeds.
What was the highest rate of interest paid by the East India Companv during
the time you was in the East Indies '—Twelve per cent.
JOHN BRQUNCKER.
a. M. Poio.
Eivan Lav>.
John Ford.
Henry Nicbolls.
IV. MackivortL Praed.
» See page 458.
28 FOURTH REPORT OF THt
from which our powers are derived, discountenances enquiries which
tend to make the parties examined criminate themselves, or to expose
them to pains or penalties.
The same observation applies, if it should he objected, that our
enquiry has not led to a copious disclosure of gross and abominable
frauds practised upon sailors with respect to their prize-money ; be-
sides, it should be remembered, that many of the frauds by which
they suffer do not so much arise in the business of prize-agency, as in
the tricks and impositions of persons not engaged in that business,
and consequently not within the scope of our enquiry. StM the ge-
neral complaint, that sailors are often cheated by anticipation of all
their future prize-money, leads us to suggest, that possibly this
might in some measure be prevented, if it were eracted, that no trans-
fer by deed, will, or otherwise, or agreement for a transfer of any
share of prize money, executed or made before notification of distri-
bution of the prize, upon any consideration whatever, should be valid.
By such a provision, the sailor would at least have an opportunity of
knowing the amount of what he gives in exchange for what he re-
ceives ; and if such a law should be objected to as a new attempt to
restrain the freedom of alienation, it may be answered, that the re-
straint is temporary, calculated to protect the sailor's interest ; and at
all events, would not obstruct the tide of his next of kin, if he should
happen to die before notification.
Whether this restraint should be general, or limited, as to the
classes of men, or amount of prize-money to be affected by it, would
be a consideration fit for the Legislature, if a law of this sort
should be thought advisable : our design in this suggestion is to
point out a mode of protection for the Petty Officers, be smei^ and
Marines.
The remainder of this Report will be employed in proposing re-
medies for the evils before noticed. It is not a new idea, that a gene,
ral Pri/^-Office established by Government would be an institution
of public utility. Such an institution has been thought necessary by
many persons well versed in prize affairs, and by some Naval Cha-
racters of great talent and respectability *. It appears to us the only
• The Examination of Vice Admiral Lord Viscount NfUon, K.B.
Duke of Bronte ; taken upon Oath the 1st of April, 1803.
From my own knowledge and experience I am warranted in observing, That
prize money doe* not get into the pockets of the captors so expeditiously as it
^ many instances not at all ; great sums of money having been lost
by the failure of agents.
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQUIRY. 29
plan from which the abolition, or effectual reform of the irregularities
lam of opinion, that prize-agents should be appointed by the captors, as at
present ; but at the time of registering their powers of attorney in the Admi-
ralty and Vice-Admiralty Courts, they should give security in the sum of two
or three thousand pounds, for the purpose of securing a faithful discharge of their
duty, and excluding improper persons from acting as agents.
That Government should establish a general Prize Agency Office in London,
and an Agent or Receiver at each of the foreign stations.
That no prize-money, or prize-goods, should be liable to the debts of agents.
That if the agents make the distribution within three months from the day
of the condemnation, they should be allowed the full commission of five per
cent.; and at the expiration of that period, deliver into the prize-office (or, if
abroad, to the receiver,) an account of sales, and pay over the amount of the
unclaimed shares remaining in their hands.
That if the prize shall have been disposed of, and distribution made not in
three months, the agents should deliver an account of sales to the prize-office
or receiver as aforesaid, and pay over the whole of the net proceeds, with a de-
duction of from the rate of the commission allowed him, unless lie
shall have heen prevented making distribution by the absence of the t'hip on
service; in which case, should her return into port be soon expected by the
Commander in Chief, the prize agents shall, on a certificate from him to
that effect, be allowed a further time of six weeks for making such distri-
bution.
If the prize, or the whole of the goods, shall not be sold, he should pay over
the amount of the money in his hands, and give his reasons for not having sold
the whole, which, if satisfactory, a further time, not exceeding three months,
should be allowed him to dispose of the remainder.
If in that time he does not finally close his accounts, or give good and suffi-
cient reasons to the Prize-office or Receiver for not doing so, he should then be
allowed only two and a half per cent, and be subject to penalties, or the busi-
ness taken out of his hands.
The agent's commission should be calculated upon the net and not upon the
gross amount of the proceeds of prizes.
In cases of appeal, no distribution should be made until a final decision ; and
in the event of the decree being reversed, the claimants should only be entitled
to the net proceeds, and the captor exonerated from all expenses incurred by
the erroneous decisions of the judges who are appointed by Government.
All neutral property, whether captured by the King's Ships or by Privateers,
should he lodged in the hands of the Officers appointed by Government, until
final decision.
The Agents of the Navy, Victualling, and Sick and Hurt Boards abroad,
should be directed to take up the money necessary for the carrying on the
Naval Service from the receivers of prize-money.
The Treasurer ef the Ma vy to be at the head of the Prize Board.
NELSON & BRONTE.
Cb. M. Pole.
Eivan Laiu.
John Ford.
H,*ry NitMk.
30 FOtTRTH REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS, &C.
and abuses in the present system of £rize-agency, can reasonably be
expected.
We bave therefore directed our thoughts to the formation of S'ich
an Office, the regulations by which it should be governed, the ex-
penses which would probably attend the establishment, and the funds
by which those expenses might be dcfiay^d. The plan proposed by
us is as follows :
'J hat a Prize-Office should be established in London, under the
management of three Commissioners, who should "have Agents or
Correspondents at Plymouth, Portsmouth, Sheerness, and at Yar-
mouth, if occasion should require ; the expense of which establish-
ment should be provided for in the manner hereafter mentioned.
That one Agent only, or two or more, being general partners in
business, should be appointed to manage the interests of the captors,
to be nominated by the Ship actually making the capture ; and that
no person should receive any part of the commission charged by agents,
or derive any benefit therefrom, except the persons who should " bona.
fde" act as such in the real management of the business. And that
every prize-agent allowing of such participation, and Lvt-ry person so
participating, should respectively forfeit five hundred pounds for every
such offence.
That before a prize-agent be allowed to act, he should give security
in the High Court of Admiralty at home, or in the Courts of Vice-
Admiralty abroad, in the sum of five thousand pounds, for the due
discharge of the trusts reposed in him: and in every suit at the time
of commencing proceedings in the High Court of Admiralty, or Vice-
Admiralty Courts, he should give in his name and place of abode to
the Registrar of the Court, which should be regularly transmitted
every three months by the Registiar to the Commissioners for Prizes,
with the names of the capturing and captured vessels, and an account
of all decrees given ia prize causes within that period, whether of
acquittal or condemnation.
That the commission of agency be five per cent, upon the nctt pro-
ceeds, to be appropriated as hereafter directed.
That where no appeals shall be entered against the condemnation of
prizes at home, and the agent siould not mate distribution within
WT months from the time of such condemnation, the amount of the
proceeds should be paid over to the Commissioners for Prize?, nnles-,
upon a representation from the Agent to the Commissioners, the pro-
eceds should be permitted to remain in bis hands for a longer period,
mot exceeding three months.
I 3' ]
P R E M I U M S
OFFERtD 3Y THE SOCIETY INSTITUTED AT LONDON FOR THE
ENCOU RAUEMKNT OF ARTS. MANUFACTURES, AND
COMMERCE, FOK. THE YEAR. lSo<j..
By inserting the following selection of Premiums, all of them relating,
in a nearer or more remote degree, to the welfare of the British Navy^
kvtjtaiftr ourselves that ive miy gratify manj of our Readers^ be in-
• sirumental in farthering the <V'IMDS of an extensively useful and respec-
table Society, render considerable service to our na<val aid comnifrc'ial
interest i, and thus conduce tu Iht prosperity of our Country at lar?e.
i« A CORNS. — For having set, between the first of October, 1802,
f*1 and the first of April, 1803, the greatest quantity of land,
not less than ten acres, with acorns, with or without seeds, cuttings,
or plants of oilier trees, at the option of the candidate ; and for effec-
tually fencing and preserving the same, in order to raise timber ; — the
gold medal.
2. For the second greatest quantity of land, not less than five
acres, set agreeably to the above conditions ; — the silver medal.
Certificates of setting, agreeably to the above conditions, and that
there are not fewer than three hundred young oaks on each acre, to be
delivered to the Society on or before the first Tuesday in December,
1804.
3.- RAISING OAKS. — To die person who shall have raised, since
the year 1800, the greatest number of oaks, not fewer than five thou-
sand, either from young plants or acorns, in order to secure a succes-
sion of oak timber in this kingdom ; — the gold medal.
4. For the next greatest numler, not fewei than three thousand;—
the silver medal.
Certifi<ates that there were on the land at least the number of young
oak-trees required, in a thriving condition, two years after the plant-
ing, with an account of the methods pursued in making and managing
the plantation, to be produced to the Society on or before the first
Tuesday in January, 1 805.
5. ASCERTAINING THE BEST METHOD OF RAISING OAKS. — To
the person who shall ascertain in the bt-st manner, by actual experi-
ments, the comparative merits of the differen^modes of raising -oaks
for timber, cither from acorns set on land properly dug or tilled,
from acorns set by the spade or dibble, without digging or tillage,
32 PREMIUMS OFFERED BY THE SOCIETY
cither on a smooth surface, or among bushes, fern, or other cover ;
or from among young plants previously raised in nurseries, and trans-
planted ; regard being had to the expense, growth, and other respec-
tive advantages of the several methods ; — the gold medal.
The Accounts and proper Certificates, that not less than one acre has
been cultivated in each mode, to be produced to the Society on or
before the first Tuesday in November, 1804.
97. SUBSTITUTE FOR TAR. — To the person who shall invent and
discover to the Society the best substitute for Stockholm tar, equal
in all its properties to the best of that kind, and prepared from mate-
rials the produce of Great Britain ; — the gold medal, or one hundred
guineas.
A quantity of the substitute, not less than one hundred weight,
with Certificates, that at least one ton has been manufactured, and
that it can be afforded at a price not exceeding that of the best foreign
tar, together with an account of the process, to be delivered to the
Society on or before the first Tuesday in March, 1805.
no PRESERVING IRON FROM RUST. — To the person who shall
invent and discover to the Society a cheap composition, superior to
any now in use, which shall effectually preserve wrought iron from
rust ; — the gold medal, or fifty guineas.
A full description of the method of preparing the composition,
with Certificates that it has stood at least two years unimpaired, being
exposed to the atmosphere during the whole time, to be produced to
the Society, with ten pounds weight of the composition, on or before
the first Tuesday in January, 1 805.
157. TRANSIT INSTRUMENT. — To the person who shall invent
and produce to the Society a cheap and portable transit-instrument,
which may easily be converted into a zenith-sector, capable of being
accurately and expeditiously adjusted, for the purpose of finding the
latitudes and longitudes of places, and superior to any portable transit-
instrument now in use ;— the gold medal, or forty guineas. To be
produced on or before the last Tuesday in January, i8oy.
158. TAKING WHALES BJT THE GUN-HARPOON. — To the per-
son who, in the year 1804, shall strike the greatest number of whales,
not fewer than three, with the gun-harpoon ; — ten guineas. Proper
Certificate* of the striking such whales, and that they were actually
taken in the year 1804, signed by the Master, or by the Mate when,
the claim is made by the Master, to be produced to the Society on or
before the last Tuesday in December, 1804.
175. TAKING PORPOISES — To the people in any boat or vesse^
who, in the year 1804, shall take the greatest number of porpoises
on the coast of Great Britain or Ireland, by gun, harpoon, or any
FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF ARTS, &C. 33
other method, not fewer than thirty, for the purpose of extracting
oil from them ; — the gold medal, or thirty pounds. Certificates of the
number, signed by the persons to whom they have been sold or de-
livered for the purpose of extracting the oil, to be produced to the
Society on or before the last Tuesday in January, i8oj.
187. DESTROYING THE INSECT COMMONLY CALLED THE
BORER. — To the person who shall discover to the Society an effectual
method of destroying the insect commonly called the Borer, which
has of late years been so destructive to the sugar-canes in the West
India islands, the British settlements on the coast of Africa, and the
several islands adjacent thereto ; — the gold medal, or fifty guineas.
1 he discovery to be ascertained by satisfactory Certificates, under the
hand and seal of the Governor or Commander in Chief, for the time
being, and of some other respectable persons, inhabitants of the islands
or other place in which the remedy has been successfully applied ;
such Certificates to be delivered to the Society on or before the first
Tuesday in January, 1805.
188. CULTIVATION OF HEMP IN UPPER AND LOWER CANADA.
— To the person who shall sow with hemp the greatest quantity of
land in the province of Upper Canada, not less than six arpents,
(each four-fifths of a statute acre,) in the year 1804; and shall, at
proper seasons, cause to be plucked the summer hemp, (or male hemp
bearing no seed,) and continue the winter hemp (or female hemp
beating seed,) on the ground until the seed is ripe ; — the gold medal,
or one hundred dollars.
189. To the person who shall sow with hemp the next greatest
quantity of land in the same province of Upper Canada, not less than
five arpents, in the year 1804, in the manner above mentioned ; — the
silver medal, or eighty dollars.
I go. For the next greatest quantity of land in the same province,
and in a similar manner, not less than four atpents; — sixty dollars.
191. For the next greatest quantity of land in the same province,
and in a similar manner, not less than three arpents; — forty dollars.
192. For the next greatest quantity of land in the same province,
and in a similar manner, not less than one arpent ; — twenty dollars.
Certificates of the number of arpents, the method of culture, of the
plucking the hemp, with a general account whether sown broad-cast
or in drills, the expense, soil, cultivation, and produce, to be trans-
mitted to the Society, certified under the hand and seal of the Gover-
nor, or Lieutenant Governor, together with 2 Bib. cf the hemp, and
two quarts of the seed, on or before the last Tuesday in November,
1805.
*93» '94> 195, 196, 197. The sa'me premiums are extended
Rab. £{>nm. CJoI.XII. r
£4 PREMIUMS OFFERED BY THE SOCIETY, &C.
one year farther. Certificates, &c. as before mentioned, to be trans-
mitted to the Society on or before the last Tuesday in November,
1806.
198 to 2o3. Premiums exactly similar in all respects to those held
out for the province of Upper Canada, are also offered for the pro-
vince of Lower Canada, and are extended to the same period.
209. IMPORTATIONS OF HEMP FROM UPPER CANADA. — To the
Master of that Vessel which shall bring to this country the greatest
quantity of marketable hemp, not less than one hundred tons, in the
year 1804, the produce of Upper or Lower Canada ;— the gold
medal.
210. To the Master of that Vessel which shall bring the next
quantity, not less than fifty tons ; — the silver medal. Certificates,
satisfactory to the Society, to be produced by the Master of the
Vessel, on or before the first Tuesday in February, 1805, to testify
that such hemp was grown and prepared in Canada.
21 it 212. The same premiums are extended one year farther.
Certificates to be produced on or before' the first Tuesday in February,
1806.
NAVAL LITERATURE.
A Brief Inquiry into the present Condition of the Navy of Great Britain,
and its Resources : followed by some Suggestions, calculated to remedy
the Evils, tks Existence of 'which is made apparent in the Course of tht
Investigation. 8vo. pp. 56, 1804.
E are sorry to observe that spirit of party and abuse,
which has at length burst forth against the conduct
of the late Board of Admiralty, and particularly the Noble
Earl who presided at its head. Notwithstanding all his
faults, there was a grandeur in his character, which even his
enemies ought to have respected. Though we have often
felt and lamented the rigid system which he established, we
also witnessed the energy which he thus imparted to the dif-
ferent departments in the British Navy. He saw, and repro-
bated, the spirit of peculation and indolence which had as-
sumed a commanding aspect in our Dock -yards ; and if, in
order to restore health to the Body Politic of the Marine, he
NAVAL LITERATURE. 35
has taken a\vay too much of its corrupted blood, 'let us not
too hastily join in abusing the Man, who dared to cleanse
the Augean Stable, which our Dock Yards had for year*
presented.
Yet at the same time that we assert this, we must acknow-
ledge thru it proceeds more from our liberality and aversion
to party abuse, than from any partiality we bear towards the
character in question : but whatever may be our private
opinion of an Individual, when that individual possesses
great and acknowledged merit, and has also descended from
the high station which called forth so much envy, we feel
a powerful impulse in his favour ; and are apt to consider
the abuse that is poured forth against him with a suspicious
eye, lest it should prove to be merely incense that is offered
to his Successor.
Such, however, is not the case with the Author of the pre-
sent Pamphlet ; who, though a professed enemy to the pro-
ceedings of the late Board, appears to have been inimical on
principle. In some few instances, indeed, his attack is not
conducted with an equal ability ; but, on the whole, he dis-
plays the character of an experienced and able Officer, whose
rank and information demand, and will receive, attention.
In committing to the press the following observations on the pre-
sent condition of the British Navy, the writer professes to have been
influenced by a single motive— that of exciting the present Board of
Admiralty to those exertions which alone can arouse our Marine from
the torpid and enfeebled state into which it has fallen. ...... It has
heen impossible for him to accomplish the aim he has had i;i view,
without the production of many facts which it has been painful to him
to adduce ; but under circumstances of so pressing, and, indeed, of so
alarming a nature, every other consideration has yielded to that of the
public benefit.
One fault, which pervades this pamphlet, is the spirit of
Alarm it is too much calculated to excite, and the confidence
it may in consequence impart to our enemies : we cannot
agree with the Author, that the nation was about to be plun-
ged into dangers, or that the errors of the late Board were so
36 NAVAL LITERATURE.
very gross and fatal. We know that this is roundly asserted
by the first characters in the Service; but whilst we are
aware of the benefit which the Marine has received from that
reform and spirit, which the late Board introduced, we can-
not assent to such assertions. We are also at variance with
our Author respecting the excellence of Ships that are built
by contract in Private Yards. How can any individual afford
to season timber in the manner it may be done in the King's
Yards ? The private Builder, however upright and honest,
cannot be expected to work with the liberal and disinterested
spirit of Government : or if he does, a leaven of peculation
and plunder must exist in the. King's Yards, which ought
immediately to be destroyed even by the rod of iron which
the late Board is accused of having wielded without remorse.
Our Author must be aware, that the passion for Contract,
which our Government too generally indulges, has long been
reprobated throughout the Profession. For what reason is
the rigging of the British Ships so inferior to that of our
enemies, but the avarice of Contractors ? What but this fills
the store-room of the Purser with tainted and inferior Provi-
sions ? The Profession has too long been a prey to Contrac-
tors. If the period is really arrived, as our Author is inclined
to think, when a Ship can be built of better and sounder
materials in a Private Yard than in the King's Docks, we
augur but a short duration to the Wooden Bulwarks of our
Country. In these respects we differ from our Author ; and
we sincerely lament, that a person of his experience and
information should have given such a sanction to Con-
tractors.
It has of late become the fashion to disapprove of the ar-
duous service which a continual blockade of the enemy's
ports demand : and our Author* supports this opinion with
his usual ability.
How far the Blockade which has been attempted was to be jus-
tified on motives of State Policy, at the breaking out of hostilities,
is a question which does not apply to the immediate circumstances of
the war j when the enthusiastic ardour displayed by all ranks of British
NAVAL LITERATURE. 37
subjects has given such a tone of vigour to our military preparations,
that we feel the fullest confidence in the defensive means we should be
enabled to assemble, if the enemy should effect a landing, at any point,
of the formidable forces collected for attack. Were it indeed pobsiblc
to keep so strict a watch on the hostile shores, that every effort of th«
enemy to escape from his ports would be unavailing ; that the fortuitous
circumstances of calms, fogs, gales ; the obscurity of the night, &c.
would not in any degree advance his purposes ; then would the eventual
mischiefs, inseparable from a blockade, by which our Marine is threat-
ened, rind a compensation in our immediate security. But until this
can be effected with a certainty of success, the National Interests
ought not to be compromised, and our future offensive and defensive
means unnecessary abridged.
The blockade of Brest ; the expediency of which, in the first in-
stance, is not to be controverted, has been followed up with a persis-
tence which wou{d have been creditable to a more discreet cause. It
has already cost us one Ship of the Line, the 'Magnificent ; but this is
a- trivial loss, compared with that by which we are threatened. If this
rigorous system should be still pursued, theie is little doubt but that
some ,of our Ships, now in a most deplorable condition, both with re-'
spect to their hulls and stores, must be exposed to extreme risk. In
the interim, what is the state of the Crews ? Harassed by continual
watching and fatigues, the numbers of the sick have been augmented
to a very alarming degree ; insomuch that it has been found necessary
to dispatch Dr. Baird, the Naval Inspector of Hospitals, to apply
the best remedy in his power to this very Serious and growing cala-
mity. In the North Sea, one of our Frigates, the Crescent, lately
had 36 of her crew ill of the Sea-scurvy. An instance of this nature
did not occur during the entire progress of the last war. If the Crews
of the Ships employed in the Blockade labour under these physical de-
rangements, the sufferings and privations to which they are exposed,
by night and day, must have an equally baneful effect on the feelings
both of the Officers and men. Fiom the irritation of the latter, whose
anxiety and impatience must be wrought to the highest pitch, we
have at least to apprehend that they may eventually become disgusted
with a service which has been to them both painful and unprofitable.
Without dwelling, however, on the probable future consequences of
the measures which have been pursued, it may not be amiss to observe,
that at the present time we can as ill afford to lose our Seamen * as
* It is not surprizing that so many difficulties occurred, at the breaking out of
hostilities, in manning our Fleets. The spirit of emigration among the British
Seamen, and the encouragements proffered to them by our politic Enemy, were
$8 JCAVAL LITERATURE.
oar Ships ; and it is painful to reflect, for a moment even, on the
Josses with which we are threatened, by the growth and progress
of disease in our Blockading Squadrons. 1 aking into this account
the destruction of the Ships, which, however solid their materials may
be, cannot withstand much longer a service of such a nature, the pro-
•pect before us would be truly alarming, if we had not reason to re-
pose every confidence in those who have been chosen to extricate us
from our difficulties. The task will be theirs to ascertain how far,
and in what practicable mode, the blockade can be still pursued,
without a manifest detriment to ourselves, and a risk of our most
valuable interests. The better protection of our own shores, by expe-
dients effectually adapted to frustrate the views of the enemy, will,
without doubt, be one of the earliest objects of their enquiry.
Respecting the King's Dock Yards, our Author gives us
the following information, which is throughout marked with
his prejudice against them. His evidence, however, cer-
tainly tends to prove, that all is not right in these depart-
ments. .
In the six dock yards of Fortimnnth, Plymouth, Chatham,
th) and Saeerness, thirteen Ships of the Line are either build-
ing, cr have been ordered to be builr. Of these, three are First
Rates; four, Second Rates ; and six, Third Rates, or Ships to carry
seventy-four guns. It is some consolation to know, that one of the
First Kates, the Hibernia, building at Plymouth, is planked up, and
may be launched this year. But our future prospects are not quite so
cheering: the Ocean, of 98 guns, a Second Rate, has b-en in pro-
gress in Woolivtch yard upwards of twelve years, and is, notwithstand-
ing, still in her frame. The Boyne, likewise, a Second Rate, is
building at Portsmouth ; at which place the Scipio, of 74 guns, has
been in progress more than six years, and observes nearly the same
ratio of dispatch as the Ocean ; a part only of her frame being cut
out. The Invincible, of the same rate, building at Woolwich, has
been in progress upwards of two yeais, but her keel is not ytt laid.
A First Rate, the Queen Charlotte, has been three years in progress
»uch, that more than 10,000 arc said to have emigrated from the port of London
alone. The progress of this alarming defection of our Seamen was well known
at the time ; but we cannot find that any attempt was made to apply a remedy.
The Economical System (for the prudence and policy of which we refer to the
Extract of Earl St. Vincent's Speech in 1783) to be acted on, forbade the adop-
tion of any measure which could have a tendency to keep them at home, and t*
ensure their future services.
NAVAL LITERATURE. 39
at Deptford; and the most that can be said respecting her isi that a
few of her timbers have been cut out. The Fame, 74 guns, build-
ing in the same yard, has a part of her frame up. At Chatham, the
Impregnable, a Second Rate, is in her frame ; the Revenge, 74. guns,
has a part of her frame up ; and the Warspite, of the same force, is in
progress. The Caledonia, a First Rate, to be bui't at Plymouth, has
been ordered several years, but her keel is not yet laid. The Union,
98 guns, is under the same circumstances in that yard ; as is likewise
the Bombay, a Third Rate, at Dfptford. Four Frigates, which are
now constructing, and are in a greater or less state of forwardness,
make up the sum total of the operations, as they refer to new Ships
in the King's Yards In one of the smaller of our dock
yards, that of Woolwich, there is at this time a deficiency of one hun-
dred and twenty five shipwrights, and ninety labourers. It has been
found necessary to hire a certain number of the soldiers doing duty in
that vicinity, to perform, as far as they maybe competent to that
purpose, the tasks assigned to the latter ; but the services of the for-
mer, who may be considered, in their particular line, as artists of a
vtry valuable description, cannot be so easily replaced. If they are
equally short of complement in the other dock yards, it is demonstra-
ble that there cannot be a sufficient number * of hands to meet the
exigencies of the common repairs which the war has rendered indis-
pensably requisite. At Deptford, likewise, the labourers fall conside-
rably short in their numbers. They are, in their relative operations,
as necessary as the shipwrights themselves; and when the proportion
of them is reduced to a certain extent, the labour to be performed
mast be commensurately impeded ! !
We shall conclude our notice of this interesting Pamphlet
with our Author's account of the scarcity of Timber in the
dock yards ; a subject to which we had previously given our
attention; and on which, had we known the Author, we
could have thrown additional light. We can only lament,
that the information we were long since promised by an
emirtent Timber Merchant has never arrived.
But a short interval has elapsed since the Navy Board made a com-
munication to the late Admiralty, to state, that, as it had been re-
« This subject was considered at large in the Naval Debates, Vol. VIIJ»
j». 507 and 50.
4O NAVAL LITERATURE.
presented to have been the fault of that Board, that the Timber in
the dock yards had been, as it then actually was, reduced to the tx-
penaiture of a few months only, it became necessary for them, the
Members of the Navy Board, publicly to refute the charge, and to
prove that the whole of the difficulty, and the consrqucnces which
might result from it, arose from tht conduct of their Lordships, re-
specting the receipt of timber, and the treatment which those who had
contracted with them had received on its delivery. That, therefore, in
justice to themselves, they bad to request, that a Committee of the Haute
of Commons should be appointed to inquire into their conduct on this
occasion.
That Sir William Rule had returned without the smallest success,
the Timber Dealers having entered into an engagement not to supply
the Board ; and that, for what might have been purchased twtlve
months since at the price of 4!. 53. 6d., — iol., and even more, were
now demanded.
It would scarcely be believed, (adds ouf Author,) if
the Artificers and other persons belonging to the dock yard at Ports-
mouth were not ready to attest the Fact, that on the 4th of the present
month (May), not a single four inch plank was to be found in that
yard In proportion as scanty supplies of Timber were obtained, it
was instantly applied to the Ships ; and, on the arrival of a load, there
was so much scrambling for it, more especially for the crooked timber,
that disturbances were nearly excited among the workmen. In the
case of a part of the crooked timber, the leaves were still green ! 1
A Voyage rf Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean : in <w^ich the Coast
of Asia, from the Lat. of 35° North to the Lot. of 52° Xortb, the
Island of I HSU, (commonly known by the Name of the Land of Jesso),
the North, South, and East Coasts of Japan, the Lieuchieux and the
adjacent Isles, as ive.i as the Cou.t of Corea, have betn examined and
surveyed. Performed in his Majesty's Sloop Frowdence and ktr
Tender, in the Tears 1795, 1796, '797> 1798- By William Robert
Broughton. 4to. pp. 394. 1804.
T})REV1OUSLY to our attempting any analysis of the
work before us, we shall present our readers with an
extract from its Preface, in order that they may form an
estimate of what they are entitled to expect.
It should be remembered (says Captain Broughton), that, in the
third volume of Cooke's last work, Captain King observes, that the
NAVAL LITERATUR1. 4!
navigation of the sea between Japan and China afforded the largest
field for discovery ; and the survey of this unknown part of the North
Pacific Ocean was particularly recommended by the Honourable Dailies
Barrington*, in his Miscellanies, where he says, " The coast of Corea,
the northern part of Japan, and the Lieuchieux Islands, should be
explored." Captain Varicouvcrt remarks, "that the Asiatic coast,
from about the latitude of 35° to 52° North, is at present very ill
defined ; and the American coast, from about the latitude of 44°
South, to the southern extremity of Terra del Fuego, is veiy little
known."
Such suggestions and observations as these would have their due
weight with a navigator who was zealous to extend the bounds of
geography, and who was well aware that little was to be done in other
parts of the Pacific Ocean, except that of settling the position of some
few islands, in themselves of little consequence. He might indeed
have hesitated to which survey he should give the preference, either
that of the Asiatic coast, from 35° to 54° N. latitude, or of the
American coast, about 44° S. latitude, to Terra del Fuego, had he
not been convinced that Captain Vancouver would have completed the
last by his returning to England round Cape Horn. Yet here the
cursory and fastidious reader may observe, that however laudable the
design of the following journal may have been, yet it can claim no
merit from the novelty ot its discoveries, as that is already pre-occupied
by La Perouse. In answer to such an observation, it is to be hoped
that a little attention to this work would convince him of his mistake,
and induce him- to allow, that although the same seas may have been
explored by the two navigators, yet their separate discoveries and
surveys stamp a peculiar and characteristic difference between the
voyages. Even had the same tiack been followed entirely, great
advantage might have arisen by it to the interests of science and geo-
graphy : the errors of the former, if any, might have been cor-
rected by the latter navigator ; and the merit of his discoveries have
been more completely established by later observations tending to con-
firm their authenticity. This advantage, it is presumed, may be
found in the present work ; and as the English Commander could not
possibly have known the instructions given to La Perouse by the
French Government, he is perfectly clear of the charge of imitation.
If, however, the idea should still prevail, that La Pprouse's voyage
has superseded the necessity of the present publication, perhaps a
brief statement of the discoveries or surveys made by both navigators
* s« page 8 of the Preface. f See his id Vol. page 4^9.
ol. XII. c
4± *AVAL
in the same seas may remove such ill-founded prejudices, and ascef*
tain the degree of merit due to each voyage separately.
The French editor remarks, that '* the examination of the eastern
coast of Tartary, and the discovery, as it may be called, of one of
the most extensive islands on the globe *, separated from the continent
by a strait which was traversed in all directions, gave La Perouse's
voyage importance and individuality j but here it may be observed,
without any undue presumption, that the eastern coast of Tartary has
been examined also by the English Commander, and that the survey
of the extensive island of Tchoka or Segeleen is not superior in point
of general interest to that which has been made by him of Chica,
Jesso, or Insu, to the south of it ; an island, indeed, of less extent,
but more an objeet of curiosity to Europeans. The cause of geogra-
phy, in respect to these hitherto undefined parts, seems to have been
equally benefitted by the two navigators ; for their separate surveys will
mutually correct the errors relative to these two islands, which have
been laid down with such little attention to accuracy in former maps
of the world.
By the passage of La Perouse through the straits which bear his
name, the insularity of Tchoka was determined ; as that of Chica or
Insu was also by the sailing of the Providence through the straits of
Sangaar. The western coast of Insu was surveyed by the Providence,
which La Perouse omitted by going through his own straits. And
in their progress to 52° N. latitude, the boat of the English vessel
went fifteen miles further than those of Perouse ; nor did its crews re-
lax from their surreys till they were in two fathom water, and the
shoals, together with the nearness of the surrounding shores, prevented
any farther advance. As to their respective surveys of the Kurile
island, Marikan seems to have been the boundary of both.
So far it has been thought necessary to introduce this brief state-
ment ; but the surveys of the north, south, and east coasts of Japan*
the Lienchieux, and the adjacent isles of Madgicosemah, together
with the examination of the coast of Corea, belong exclusively to the
following journal ; for La Perouse, when he left Kamtschatka, gave
up the idea of exploring any more the gulf of Tartary or the Japan-
ese seas, but pursued his course to Masuna, one of the Navigator
islands.
The loss of La Perouse will ever be a source of regret, and his ex-
ertions ensure to his memory the admiration of all civilized nations.
The respect he shews to our immortal Cooke, and other navigators
who preceded him in his honourable employment, sufficiently prove the
* Tchoka, or
NAVAL LITERATURE. 43
candour of his mind, and superiority to national prejudices. Nor,
while this just tribute of applause is paid to his liberality, shouM we,
as Englishmen, forget the interest which his Government took in the
success of Captain Cooke's voyage. The benevolent will ever with
pleasure recollect, that, even amidst the horrors of war, an exemption
from them was allowed in favour of an enterprise which was intended
to promote a further knowledge of the globe, to soften the ferocity
of our unenlightened fellow- creatures, enlarge the intercourse of man-
kind, and bind together the remotest nations by the connexions of
commerce. The extreme caution of the Japanese, and their inflexible
obstinacy in excluding any foreigners, except the Dutch, from landing
on their territories, are sufficient apologies for the want of knowledge
in that empire, observable in the voyages of both the French and
English navigators. And if La Perouse was fearful of intruding on
these coasts, though commanding two Frigates requisite for defence,
and manned with numerous crews, the apprehensions of the English
are more allowable, when it is recollected that, after the wreck of
the Providence Sloop, her tender had but thirty-five men as her com-
plement, and might, from the smallness of her size, have been mis-
taken by the Japanese for a Pirate. The same unremitting jealousy
of foreigners seems to have pervaded every place in those seas where
the Providence touched at : and, although the desires of the crew for
wood and water were readily complied with, yet any wish of exploring
the interior of the country, and of gaining a more perfect knowledge
of its government, produce, and manners, was invariably and perti-
naciously resisted.
Kempser, in his description of Japan, dwells much upon the stormy
nature of the seas which surround it ; and they have been proverbially
reckoned the most dangerous in the world. La Perouse, though he
made his voyage in the midst of Summer, in two large Frigates full of
boats, and furnished with every necessary for such voyages, complains
much of the thick fogs and bad weather, and of the danger of being
embayed before his return. After the loss of the Providence Sloop,
the English navigator had only a Schooner of 80 tons, with one small
boat, to encounter such perils, and that not in the Summer season,
but in the midst of equinoctial gales, and the most unfavourable time
of the year.
After this short summary of what it has done for the promotion
of geography and navigation, the following voyage is submitted to
the public. It is a true unexaggerated statement of nautical occur-
rences; nor are there any inserted which are not founded on fact, and
the strictest regard to veracity. If the reader only looks for amuse-
ment, he will probably be disappointed ; but it is presumed that he
44 NAVAL LITERATURE.
may gain some nautical information. Such voyages as those in the
collection of Prevost, for instance, are defective by their omission of
astronomical and nautical remarks, which, though they may be de-
tailed with dry, minute, and scrupulous accuracy, are never-failing
sources of instruction to the navigator and the man of science.
The Providence Sloop of War was of 400 tons in burthen, carried
16 guns, and her complement was 115 men. On her leaving England
she was supplied with every necessary article that was required. Every
thing, which in similar voyages had been found of utility, was libe-
rally granted by the Admiralty, in regard to articles of barter, and the
preservation of the seamen's health ; and it is only to be lamented that
the unfortunate shipwreck of the Providence, by the loss of so many
irretrievable requisites for such a voyage, should have rendered it in
any degree incomplete,
[To be continue^
The Heart's remote recesses to explore,
And touch its Springs, when Prose avail'd no more,
FALCONER.
EPILOGUE
TO THI
SEA . SIDE HERO.
BY THE AUTHOR.
To Be spcktn In the Character of a Mermaid.
LESS me ! who's this ? a Sea Maid on our shore I
•AJJ I hear you say — I ne'er saw one before. —
No common care impels her from the wave,
She comes to know the fate of Paul the brave,
Our SEA SIDE HERO — gentle fair ones, shovr
Whether our favourite is yours, of no.—
Yours! — who can doubt it ? for the British Fair
Protect their Champion with the warmest prayer;
And, as for you — who here attend to view
What Britons can, and what they mean to do ;
You will not check, I'm sure, that very spirit,
Which, as a gift from Heav'n, you all iuhf rit,
NAVAL POETRY. 4f
So much for Paul. — Dear ! what a place this is ! [Looking about
I really scarce can see one homely phiz. her,
How light and fine ! — it is delight to view it ;
Why lud ! our coral waves are nothing to it !
Ladies! pray just stand up, and let me see
Whether you all have fishy tails like me. [Turning round,
Oh ! no, on second thoughts that cannot be ;
For, as upon its tip I wriggled here,
A Bond Street Lounger thus address'd my ear:—
" Demme ! she's very pretty all above,
" Ton honour, Fred ! I'm almost half in love :
'* She's pretty, poz." Then giving him a pinch,
Says Fred. " To love her but another inch,
" You must possess the stomach of a Whale,
41 For demme, all below is Fish and Tail !"
Then, just awake at mid-day, in her chariot,
Stopping for Songs and Novels, Lady Hatriett
.Nodded, and, with a soft expiring air,
Thus spoke the languid Fashionable Fair :
" I wonder what you Mermaids do below,
" You have no Fashions, and you make no shew ;
" I hear you Sea Girls sing, but what is that i
" A Dillitanti Concert is but flat,
*' Unless, when it is o'er, the party taste
" A dear delicious bit of Pic-Nick Paste.
" You have no Fun, for Scandal never comes
" To brighten up your Coral Drawing Rooms ;
" Useless for you to split the triple straw,
u You cannot dance, and know not how to draw :
« How through the tedious Morning can you wade ?
" Not by sweet fancies for the Masquerade,
" Or cutting out, with tiny patent Sheers,
*' Warm flannel Breeches for the Volunteers :
" You have no tender Spouse to give a trimming,
*' You have but one amusement, and tbaPt Swimming,
" In short, Miss Mermaid, you'll excuse my laughter,
*? It must be monstrous gloomy under water."
This having said, the Peeress lisp'd Adieu.
All this, said I, is far from being true.
We have allotted joys as well as you.
'Tis ours in Storms, when the stout bosom shrinks,
To- catch the shipwreck'd Hero as he sinks ;
Then, unless Heay'n that blissful task withstand*
46 NATAL POETRY.
To waft him living through the Surf to Land ;
Or, if forbidden, as we wish, to save,
We bear him through a troubled World of Wave,
And place his relics in some shelly cave :
There, proud to shield him in death's sacred sleep,
Cull for his Shrine the Treasures of the Deep.
Know too, sweet Sisters of the Shore, like you
We oft pull caps about our Favourites too :
Each has her living Hero — at hej^ufck
She fondly wears a Shell without a Speck ;
On which engrav'd, the gazer may explore
• Names fam'd as Nelson's, and an hundred more.
—And now you wish to know my Hero — well !
I'll puzzle you a bit before I tell.
Three are his Names (which Neptune often, blesses), •
A W. I give you, and two S. S.*,
And here's a piece of Pearl for her who guesses.
[Holding out a piece,
Adieu !— I'm call'd— the Moon has kiss'd the
You'll find him out before I find my Cave.
SONG
IN THE OPERA OF THE ENGLISH FLEET.
I.
'HEN Vulcan forg'd the bolts of Jove
In .^Etna's roaring glow,
Neptune petition'd he might prove
Their use and power below :
But finding in the boundless deep
Such Thunders would but idly sleep,
He with them arm'd Britannia's hand,
To guard from Foes her Native Land.
II.
Long may she hold the awful right !
And when thro' circling flame
She darts her Vengeance in the fight,
May Justice guide her aim.
* Sir William Sydney Smith.
NAVAL POETRY. 47
While, if assail'd in future Wars,
Her Soldiers brave, and gallant Tars
Shall launch her fires from ev'ry hand,
On ev'ry foe to Britain's Land.
SONG.
BY THE SAME.
I.
RITISH Sailors have a knack;
Haul away ! yeo ho, Boys !
Of pulling down a Frenchman's Jack,
'Gainst any odds you know, Boys.
Come three to one, right sure am I,
If .we can't beat 'em, still we'll try,
To make old England's Colours fly,
Haul away ! Yeo ho, Boys !
II.
British Sailors, when at Sea,
Haul away ! Yeo ho, Boys !
Pipe all hands with merry glee,
While up aloft they go, Boys !
And, when with pretty Girls on shore,
Their Cash is gone, and not before,
They wisely go to Sea for more,
Haul away ! Yeo ho, Boys !
III.
British Sailors love their King,
Haul away ! Yeo ho, Boys !
And round the Bowl they love to sing,
And drink his health, you know, Boys !
Then, while his Standard owns a rag,
The World combin'd shall never brag
They made us strike The British Flag,
Haul away ! Yeo ho. Boys !
C 48 }
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE CLVI.
annexed Plate exhibits a view of Ramsgate, in the Isle of
Thanet, and its celebrated Pier, with Dover Castle, and the
towns of Deal and Sandwich in the distance.
Ramsgate was anciently a poor fishing town ; in the reign of Qiieen
Elizabeth it contained only twenty-five houses, with a proportionate
population; but, a little more than a century ago, its inhabitants
participating largely in the trade to Russia and the East country, it
began to emerge from its original insignificance ; and, since it became
known and frequented as a bathing place, the old houses have not only
been improved, but many new and handsome buildings have been
erected. About twenty years ago its population amounted to 1810 ;
but in the year 1801, the return made to Parliament was 3,300: an
astonishing increase, and a striking proof of the rapidly improving
prosperity of the town.
The pier, which forms the favourite promenade for «ompany, is one
oF the most magnificent structures in the kingdom, is built of Port-
land and Purbeck stone, and may be considered the principal beauty
of the place. This great work, which has been erected at the expense
of some hundred thousand pounds, was begun in the year 1749; it
extends about eight hundred feet into the sea before it forms an angle,
and is twenty-six feet broad at the top, including the parapet. The
south front is a polygon, its angles four hundred and fifty feet each,
with octagons of sixty feet at the ends, and of two hundred feet at the
entrance. The harbour, which is protected by a fort, on which a
flag is seen flying, contains an area of forty-six acres, which after the
pier was finished, according to the first design, became choaked up
with mud, for want of a back water. Td remedy this defect, Mr.
Smeaton, the celebrated Engineer, was called in ; and, by erecting,
in the uppermost part of the harbour, ? cross wall with sluices, which
is conspicuous in the engraving, and extending the pier four hundred
feet from the extremity of the last head, effected all that was wanted,
and facilitated the entrance of Ships in hard gales of wind, for whose
reception and safety on this exposed coast the whole was originally
undertaken. A dry dock has also been formed, and storehouses have
been erected for every necessary purpose.
In addition to these improvements, within the last ten years, a new
stone light-house, which is nearly the centre object in the plate, has
been built on the west head, furnished with Argand's lamps and re-
flectors, a handsome house for the Harbour- master, a watch-house,
and other appropriate appendages to this immense national work ; and
4
MON'THLY REGISTER OF NAVAL EVENTS. 49
is said, that the Trustees have it farther in contemplation, to form
a jpaciotK wet dock.
The harbour, though originally intended for Ships of three Inm-
drH ton burthen nn.l under, has been so much improved, that it is
now capable of receiving vessels of four and even five hundred ton-.
During a dreadful gale in 1791, upwards of a hundred and thirty sail
took shelter here ; and, since that time, three hundred Ships at once
have bought this asylum.
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
(June-July.)
RETROSPECTIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS.
A MIDST the Naval Pamphlets that have lately appeared, we particularly
direct the attention of our readers to, I. " Strictures on the Necessity of
inviolably maintaining the Navigation and Colonial System of Great Britain,"
(8vo. pp. €5 ) by Lord Sheffield z. " The Independence of Great Britain, as
the first of Mali time s oxvers, essential to, and the Existence of France, in its
present State, incompatible with, the Prosperity and Preservation of all Euro-
pean Nations," 8vo. By the Rev. li. Hankie, M. A 3 " The Report of the
Evidence and other Proceedings in- Parliament reacting t!:e Invention of the
Life Boat, &c." By Henry Greathead. 4. " The Opportunity, or Reasons fo*
an immediate Alliance with -St Domingo " By the Author of the Crisis
We also reserve this first article in our Naval Histdry of the present Year, to
retrieve whatever may have escaped us in our preceding Numbers. Amidst the
press of other articles we have not hitherto h.id .in opportunity of giving the
following interesting Letter by Lieutenant Hardinge to his Uncle; which was
printed 4nd sent round to many of the Members of both Houses of Parliament.
MY EVER DEAREST FRIEND, H. Af.S. Scorpion, Atril, 1804.
I AM en my way to the Nore, after six days of severe but unrepcnted fatigue,
and have MXty Dutch prisoners on board : we are accompanied by the Atalante,
a Dutch War : rig of 16 guns, prize to us. — I was ordered on the z8th to re-
connoitre at Vlie, and perceived a couple of the enemy's Brigs at anchor in the
Roads. Dff.pairing to reach them with my Ship, on account of the shoals that
surrounded the entrance, I determined upon a dash at the outermost one in the
boats, if a good opportunity could be made or found. It came unsolicited, March
31. Preparing to embark, we accidentally were joined by the Beaver Sloop,
who offered usher boats to act in concert with ours. We accepted the reinforce-
ment, under an impression that it would spare lives on both sides, and would
shorten the contest. At half.past nine in the evening we began the enterprise,
jn three boats from " Scorpion," and in two from the Beaver. Captain Pclly
(a very intelligent and spirited Officer) did me the honour to serve under me at
a Volunteer in one of his boats. We had near 60 men, including Officers, beaded
JI2a\ Scnon. tHo'.XIJ. H
50 MONTHLY REGISTER
by your humble Servant in the foremost boat. As we rowed with tide flood,
we arrived along-side the enemy at half past eleven. I had the good fortune, or
(as by some it has been considered) the Honour, to be the first man who boarded
her. She was prepared for us-, with Board Nettings up, and with all the other
customary implements of defence. But the noise, the alarm, &c. so i'ltimidated
her crew, that many of them ran below in a panic, leaving to us the painful
duty of combating those whom we respected the most. The decks were slippery
in consequence of rain ; so that, in grappling with my first opponent, a Mate of
the watch, i fell, but recovered my position — fought him upon equal terms,
and killed him. I then engaged the Captain, as brave a man as any service ever
•boasted; he had almost killed one of my seamen. To my shame be it spoken,
he disarmed me ! and was on the point of killing me — when a <=eaman of mine
came up, rescued me at the peril of his own life, and enabled me to recover my
sword. — At this time all the men were come from the boats, and were in pos-
session of the deck : two were going to fall upon the Captain at once — I ran up
— held them back — and then adjured him to accept Quarter. With inflexible
heroism he disdained the gifc, kept us at bay, ami compelled us to kill him ; — he
fell covered with honourable wounds. The Vessel was ours, and we secured
the hatches; which, headed by a Lieutenant, who has received a desperate
•wout.d, they attempted repeatedly to foice.
Thus far we had been fortunate : but we had another Enemy to fight— it wr. •
the Element. A sudden gaL-, which shifted against us, impeded all the efforts
we could make. But, as we had made the cap-ure, we determined at all events
to sustain it, or to perish. We made the Dutch below surrender; put forty of
them into their own irons, and stationed our cwn men at their guns; brought
the powder up, and made all the necessiry arrangements to attack the other
Brig. But as the day broke, and without abatement of the wind, she was off;
at such a distance, and in such a position, that \ve had no chance to reach her.
In this extremity'of peril we remained eight and forty hours. Two of the boats
had broke adrift from us; two had swamped alongside. The wind shifted
again, and we made a push to extricate ourselves, but found the navigation so
difficult, that it required the intense labour of three days to accomplish it. We
carried the point at last, and were commended by the Admiral fur our perse-
verance. You will see in the Gazette * my Letter to him. I aimed at modesty,
and am a little afraid, thst in the pursuit of this object, 1 may have Itft material
facts a little too indefinite, if not obscure. The Atalante's Captain and four
others were killed ; eleven are wounded, and so dreadfully, that our Surgeon
thinks every one of them will die.
To the end of my existence I shall regret the Captain. He vras a perfect
Hero ; and if his crew had been like him, critical indeed would have been our
peril. The Atahnte is much larger than my Vessel ; and she mounted 16 long-
Il-pounders : we have not a single Brig that is equal to that calibre. Her in-
tended complement was aoo men ; but she had only ~6 on board. I expect
your joy by return of post.
P. S. In two days after the Captain's death, he was buried with all the Naval
Honours in my power to bestow upon him : during the ceremony of his inter-
ment, the English colours disappeared, and the Dutch were hoisted in their
* See Vol. XI, p. 409.
OF NAVAL EVENTS. 5!
place. All the Dutch Officers were liberated— one of them pronounced an eloge
on the Hero they had lost — and we fired three vollies over hun as he descended
into the deep.
Ever affectionately and gratefully yours,
G.-ORGli M. HARDINGE*,
Yarmouth, May 7, This forenoon his Majesty's Sloop Helena was launched
at this place, amidst the acclamations of hundreds of people, assembled to witness
a sight (for the size and construction of the Ves«el) quite novel at this port.
The Lieutenants who were appointed by the late Admiralty B^ard to com-
mand the Revenue Cutters, have been removed by the new Board, and the
Masters of these Vessels restored to their command.
Two Frigates, and as many Sloops, are ordered to be built immediately
in each of the King's Yards, and every private yard also capable of laying
them down.
There are now building in the ports of Holland eleven Sail of the Line and
several Frigates ; in all the ports of France and Flanders Ships of War of every
description are on the stocks, and in a state of great forwardness.
On the I3th of June the Princess Augusta hired Cutter, of 8 guns, com-
manded by Lieutenant Tracey, fell in with, off Huntcliff, a French Privateer
of 14 guns, full of men ; which she engaged from two o'clock in the afternoon
until near six in the eve-ning ; when, by the approach of the Sea Fencibles off
Redcar, in two Schooners, which they had taken possession of for the assistance
of the Cutter, she sheered off. — During the engagement, the Cutter received
several shots near the water's edge, and is much shattered in her rigging, and
had three men wounded. It is reported that the Privateer has since taken
three Vessels.
An Article from Brest, dated the ist, says, that the East India Company's
Ship taken by Admiral Linois, is of 1500 tons burthen, laden with 7,533 bales
cf cotton, and 4,539 bags of rice.
Surinam is decidedly the most valuable of the Dutch Settlements in the
West Indies. . It is situated on the continent of South America, on a river of the
same name ; and the plantations have been extended by the Dutch near thirty
leagues above the mouth of this river. Its trade consists chiefly in sugar, cotton,
coffee, tobacco, flax, skins, and dyeing drugs; and its possession, though it may
be again relinquished as a make-weight in the scale of peace, will prove at
least a temporary benefit to us, while it cuts off another of the enemy's sources
of commercial advantage, and makes them still more sensible of the destructive
consequences of a warfare with Britain.
The Dutch troops sent out after the peace to occupy Surinam amounted to
1500 men. Of the effective remainder of these, not more 'than 250 were at
head quarters. Our land-forces employed in the expedition amounted to 1500,
so that the conquest was happily accomplished with very little effusion of
blood.
A great portion of the plunder of St. Domingo, which had been deposited ia
Surinam by the Agents of Buonaparte, has fallen into the possession of our army.
* At present a Post Captain. This Officer was also attached to the Egyptian
Expedition, and received the Grand Signior's Medal.
5* MONTHLY REGISTER
A letter from an Officer on board the British Squadron off Ferrol states,
that the Spaniards have seven sail of tltt line ready tor sea in the basrn there,
and that the crews during the day work in the arsenal, and sleep on board at
night.
Extract of a Letter from tic Squadron off" Ferrol.
" The French seem to have given over every idea of escape, and now apply
rhemselvrs to the repair of therr Ships, whilst we are wearing out ours. The
order prohibit 'iig English Officers from going to Ferrol, i>r farther than a mile
from the btach, seems to have lost much of its asperity. Several of the Officers
6f the Squadron have been lately both at Ferrol and Corunna, and have experi-
enced some civilities from the Spanish and French Officers; hovvevsr, it is evi-
dent the Government is dissatisfied at our occupying this bay; which, though
of the utmost consequence towards the preservation of FerroJ-, ?eems neglected
and of no account ; the few insignificant batteries, formerly erected for its de-
fence, are mouldering into ruins. It does not appear thit ever a Spanish hip of
the Line has anchored here ; though it is capable of containing half the British
Fleet, has good anchorage, and is secured from almost all winds.
The Castor Frigate, stationed as a Block-ship it Liverpool, is to'be fitted for
service, and join the Channel Fleet.
The Retribution, Iris, Vestal, acd Unite, Frigates, which have been stationed
at the enh-ance cf the Thames, as Block-ships, are ordered to be fitted at Dept-
ford and Woolwich for immediate service,
Lately, at Dunbar. an occurrence took place which will probably be the sub-
ject of some future discussion. A Lieutenant belonging to a Alan of VTar, sta-
tioned off Aberlady, in the Firth, came on shore in the evening of Wednesday
se'nnight, and scaled the wall of the fort or battery, without opposition from
the guard, whom they made prisoner, and, it is said, hoisted the French Flag,
which caused a great alarm. On a discovery of the real state of things, intelli-
gence was immediately sent to General Don, the Commander of that District,
who has ordered the 1 ieutenant into confinement for his conduct. The Lieu-
tenant defended himself on the ground of trying an experiment with his men,
and that he had observed the place not so well defended as appeared necessary.
The Committee for managing the Patriotic Fund have presented three of the
SicorJs they had vottd. as btr.crary marki of ' distinction^ to t!ie following Officers :
Captain Austin Bind, cf his Majesty's Ship Racoon.
Captain JJOIVCH, R. N. (one of the Commissioners of the Transport Board),
for his Son, Lieutenant Bo-wen, of his Majesty's Ship la Loire.
Captain Watt, for his Son, Lieutenant Watt, of his Majesty's Ship Ville de
Paris; the two letter Officers being absent on his Majesty's service.
Letters have been received in town by the friends of Lieutenant Grant, who
commanded the hired armed Cutter Hawke, and was taken after gallantly at-
tempting the re capture of an English Vessel in the Weser. It seems he was
wounded in six different places; thrice with musket balls, twice with bayonets,
and in the face with a cutlass. Two of his brave attendants fell by his side, killed
out- right ; three were desperately wounded, leaving six out of twelve to combat
forty of the enemy lying in ambuth on board the contested vessel, with a French
army in a situation to assist.
We learn, that on the i5th instant the Hannah armed Ship, of t6 guns, of
Liverpool, Captain Davk from Jimaica, wag chased b}r a French Privateer,
OF NAVAL EVENTS. 53
wf 14 guns, off Cape Clear, which fired some shot at her at so great a distance,
that they fell considerably short. The Hannah shortened sail with a view to
engage her ; but when the Frenchman came so near her as to perceive that the
chase was a Ship of force, she crowded sail, and sheered off. On the zzd of
May, in latitude 5:° 49', longitude 68°, Captain Davis boarded an American
Ship, Lane, from Martinique to Boston, which gave an account of the arrival
from France of three French Frigates full of troops, at St. Pierre's, a few days
before. This important intelligence was brought this morning to our Office
by William Finliyson, Esq. a respectable Gentleman, who was a passenger in
the Hannah, and was put on shore at Kinsile, by a Hooker, on Tuesday morn-
ing.— (Cork Advertiser.)
Tom Paine, like all the shallow politicians of the present day, considers the
successful invasion of this country as a work by no means difficult. He has lately
published a letter on this subject in one of the American papers, from which the
following passage is extracted :
" The original plan formed in the time of t'le Directory (but now much. more
extensive), was to build icoo boats, each 60 feet long, 16 feet broad, to draw
about two feet water, to carry a 14 or a 36 pounder in the head, and a field-
piece in the stern, to run out as soon as they touched ground. Each boat was
to carry a hundred nun, making in the whole one hundred thousand, and to
row with twenty or twenty-five oars on a side. Buonaparte was appointed to
command, and, by an agreement between him and me, / -was to accompany bimt
as tbe intention of tbe expedition "was to give the peoble of England an opportunity ef
forming a Government for themselves, and thereby bring about a peace. I have no
reason co suppose this part of the plan is altered, because there is nothing better
Buonaparte can do. As to the clamour spread by some of the English newspaper*,
that he comes for plunder, it is absurd; Buonaparte is too good a General to un-
discipline and dissolute his army by plundering; and too good a Politician, as
well as too much accustomed to great achievements, to make plunder his object.
He goes against the Government that his declared war against him.
" As the expedition could choose its time of setting off, either after a storm,
when the English Fleet would be blown off, or in a calm, or in a fog; and as
thirty-six hours' rowing would be able to carry them over, the probability is,
it would arrive, and when arrived, no Ship of the Line or large Frigate could
approach it, on account of the shoalness of the coast. And besides this, the
boats would form a floating battery, close in with the shore, of a thousand
pieces of heavy artillery; and the attempt of Nelson against the Gun-boats at
Boulogne shows the insufficiency of Ships in such situations. About two hun-
dred and fifty Gun-boats were built, when the expedition was abandoned for
that of Egypt, to which the preparations had served as a feint.
Imperial parliament
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
NAVAL DEBATES CONTINUED.
MONDAY, JUNE 25.
"TV/TR. ROSE moved the order of the day for the House taking into further COB.
sideration the report on the Liverpool East India Prize Goods Bill.
After a long conversation, in which various opinions were urged as to the ie-
54 IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
galJty of permitting East India prize goods to be disposed of in Liverpool, Jri-
stcad of being brought as usual to the general market in the city of London, th*
several amendments suggested in the report were agreed to, and the Bill, with
the amendments, were ordered to be engrossed, and to be read a third time to-
morrow,
•WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27.
Mr. Jerv'u moved that the order of the day be now read for the second read-
ing of the Prize- Agency Bill. The order being read,
Mr. Jer-vh rose, and expressed his regret, that from the proceedings upon
this Bill having been postponed so frequently from day to dayf and from the
many important objects for consideration which it involved, and the very ad-
vanced period of the Session, rendered it almost impracticable now to carry it
into adoption. He hid, however, the strong assurance that it was in the con-
templation of his Majesty'* present Ministers to bring forward, early in the next
Session, another Bill, having similar objects in view ; and for the present,
therefore, he should move that this Bill be read the second time this day three
months.
Sir Charles Pole expressed extreme regret that the Honourable Member should
withdraw the Bill, even late as it was in the Session, when he reflected how
very enormous and oppressive the grievances were which that Bill was calcu-
lated to remedy, and how loudly and urgently they called for Parliamentary
interference ; and he thought, that whatever were the defects of the present
Bill, they might be easily remedied in a Committee, rather than postponed till
next Session; a measure so indispensably necessary to check a series of the
most flagitious fraud and oppression, upon a gallant and meritorious set of men,
the Officers and Seamen of our Navy. He had in his hand documents to shew
some of the most flagitious instances of such fraud and oppression practised by
the Prize-Courts and Prize-Agents in the West Indies, as were scarcely credible
without the clearest testimony. A paper was sent to him from the West Indies
by a gallant young Friend, now no more, the son of a worthy Member of this
House, Admiral Davers; and this account stated, that upon the proceedings for
the condemnation of 31 prizes, the produce of which was but 8 63, cool , the
charges in the Prize-Court amounted to 51,000!.; and besides this, the charges
for agency amounted to 50,000!. more ! His gallant young Friend, Captain
Davers, who wrote this account but a few hours before he expired, stated fur-
ther, that he had been for a series of eight years endeavouring to obtain justice
and the payment of the prize-money due to himself and his gallant Ship's com-.
panics, but in vain. Was this, he would ask, to be tolerated towards that loya 1
and gallant class of men who composed the British Navy, and whose bravery
and endurance of every danger and hardship were so cheerfully and indefatiga-
bly exerted in the cause of the country ? Or was it a case that should admit of
del^y, or be preceded by any other object for Parliamentary consideration ? It
was a question of public justice, and not of party, and therefore he saw the less
pretence for postponing the adoption of the measure, and must sincerely regret
it. He understood now, that his Majesty's Chancellor of the Exchequer had a
measure in contemplation, for similar objects, to be introduced early in the next
Session. He hoped its objects would be really similar, and not calculated to
shelter peculation, in which case he would warmly oppose it. It might be
said, with a view to palliate these grievances, that they had existed heretofore,
but should not do so again ; biu this he considered no redress to those who had
l
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. 5$
Wen «o flagrantly injured, and to whom justice and retribution was certainly-
due. The practices of which he now complained, were not confined to. the
We-=t Indies; he had many instances to complain of in the Prize-Courts at home;
and, amongst others, one- case of a capture of twelve fishing boats, by the Isis,
oil the breaking out of the present war, of which the nett proceeds of sale were
J,0ool. , the charges of court fees and agency upon which were 579!.
Mr. Dicienson supported the motion for postponing the Dill, on the ground
stated by Mr. Jervis : beside?, the Bill had defects that were materially and
radically objectionable ; and it was seldom practicable to amend satisfactorily
in a Committee, defects which were radical in thi principles of a Bill, and which
would be more easily obviated by bringing in a new Bill.
Sir Wm. Elford disliked the present Bill, because it was formed upon the illibe-
ral and unjubt principle of supposing all mankind thieves and robbers, and guard-
ing against them as such. He would not deny, that in almost every class of
society individuals might be found whose conduct and principles were dis-
graceful to the rank they filled ; this might be the case with respect to the
Prize Agents, and even with respect to Commissioners of the Admiralty : but
was it therefore to be contended, that all were equally bad, and equally obnox-
ious to suspicion and severity i Another principle for which he disliked the Bill
was, that it went directly to take away from four-fifths of the classes of men on
board Ships of War, the right of appointing their o%vn agents, and this for a
reason that was pretty obvious.
Mr. Francis wholly -disapproved of withdrawing the present Bill, and had
heard no reason assigned for so doing, that appeared to him satisfactory, after
the detail of frauds and grievances stated by the Honourable Gentleman who
brought in the Bill, on its first introduction, and which called loudly for the
speediest possible interference of Parliament.
Mr. Jervit explained, by repeating the motives he had already assigned.
The Advocate General said, there was no doubt whatever on the part of his
Majesty's Government, that very flagitious frauds and grievances had existed
in the West Indies, as stated by the Honourable Admiral; but it was not to be
concluded, that because the present Bill was withdrawn, fpr the motives as-
signed by the Honourable Gentleman, in order to the introduction of another
Bill, for similar purposes, early in the next Session, that Government had taken
no steps to check the mischiefs complained of; the truth was, that Government
had taken the most effectual means in its power, by lessening the number of
prize-ports, limiting the fees payable in prize-courts, obliging the agents to pay
into the offices of Government the net proceeds of th'e prizes sold by them ; and
thus taking out of their hands the temptation to protract proceedings, which a
possession of the money was apt to create. Of the resulc of those measures he
hoped there would be speedy and satisfactory accounts ; and with respect to the
circumstance of the twelve fishing boats stated by the Honourable Admiral, it
did happen, that a copy of that very document was some days since laid beford
the principal Judge of the Admiralty Court, for his consideration ; and that
Learned Judge, and not Parliament, in the first instance, was the proper source
whither to resort for redress, which, he was confident, that learned Judge
would be ready to grant, if just ; but which, if he refused, there would then be
time enough to appeal to Parliamentary authority. He himself could, however,
tell the Honourable Admiral, that the only fee charged in that Court on con-
demnation of those boats, was six guineas each, and that the remainder of the
50" IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
expenses were incurred at out ports, and by the expense of prize-keepers, as w«!I
as by separate proceedings by different owners, which couid not occur if those
Vessels had been one capture, and not different ones, at different times and
places ; under which circumstances, the expenses incurred were as great as if
they had been twelve Indiamtn.
Mr. Burroughs stated, that similar complaints existed, with respect to prizes
captured in the East Indies; remonstrances upon which subject he kntw had
been long since submitted to Government ; he wished therefore to ask, whether
jmy instructions had been sent out on the subject ?
.Lord Caitlcreagb said, that from the complete annihilation of the enemy's
commerce in the Indian seas, there could be lull; apprehension of inconvenience
rising to our Ships from any captures to be made there. This answer, how-
ever, he admitted, was nothing to the purpose ; but he couU assure the iloa.
Member, that the India Company had the matter in contemplation ; and though
no instructions were yet sent out, they would speedily be forwaidcd.
Mr. jfcrvit's motion was then put and agreed to.
JUNE 2.8.
Counsel were heard at the Bar against the Liverpool Prize Goods Bill ; and
after some conversation, it was read the third time and passed.
Mr. IV. Dickenion gave notice, that he would, in the (.'ommittee of Supply, on
Monday next, move for the production of additional Navy Estimates.
JULY a.
In a Committee of Supply, Mr. Dickenson moved thai the sum of 312,030!. be
granted to his Majesty for the use of the Commissioners of the Navy, which,
after a few words from Mr. Johnstone, was agreed to.
31ttteIIigence»
COURT OF EXCHEQUER, JUNE 27.
ADMIRAL BERKELEY V. WHITING AND OTHERS.
was an action for a libel upon the character of Admiral Berkeley, which
-"- appeared in a weekly paper, called Tie Royal Standard. The action was
•gainst the Publisher and Proprietors. The libel was contained in a letter signed
Ait Old Sailor, in which the Admiral is represented as " a shy cock," and acting
upon the Hudibrastic principle of
'• He who fights and runs away,
" May live to fight another day ;"
and went on to accuse him of sculking when he commanded the Marlborough
on the ist of |une, and running into the- cock-pit, when he had only a bloody
nose, by running one block i. e. his head) against another.
Mr. Erskinc made a most eloquent speech on the value of character, more
particularly the character of public, military, and naval men. Having proved
the libel, he called Captain Montague, First Lieutenant of the Marlborough
on the 1st of June, and two Surgeons, who proved that Admiral Berkeley re-
ceived a wound from a splinter in the action, which, of necessity, compelled him
to go down below.
Mr. Dallas exerted himself for the defendants, and insisted it was not suffi-
ciently clear, that the libel was meant to point to Admiral Berkeley, as he
was not named, and the circumstances from which it was inferred it was in-
tended to be levelled at him, applied to others equally with the plaintiff.
The Jury found a verdict for the plaintiff — Damages i,oool.
NAVAL COURIS MARTIAL. 57
COURT Oi' KING'S BUNCH, JUNE 30.
HARVEY <v. MILNE.
THE plaintiff, Admiral Sir Henry Harvey, was Commander in Chief on the
I.eeward Island Station in 1796, and the defendant commanded, under the
Admiral, la Pique l-'rigatf. Being off Demerara, Captain Miine was peti-
•ioned hy the planters and merchants of that settlement to convoy their trade to
.St. Kitt's. Captain Milne did so, and arrived in Basseterre Roads on; the gth of
August. These roads were exceedingly dangerous at that period of the year,
no Ships remaining alter the beginning of August, and the Captain proceeded
to England with the convoy, having previously left dispatches tor the Admiral,
acquainting him with what he had done. In the month of October, when La
Pique was coming up Channel with the convoy, she captured two Vessels be-
longing ti> the enemy, which were condemned as lawful prizes Admiral Har-
vey, therefore, brought this action to recover one-eighth of the net proceeds,
being 4251!. 45. 8d. — By his Majesty's Proclamation of 1795, respecting cap-
tures, it is ordered that the Captain shall have three-eighths, " unless there
be a Flag officer on board, or directing and assisting in the capture."
Mr. Gibl> was proceeding to address the Jury for the cefendant, and to argue
that the plaintiff could have no right in terms of the Proclamation ; when Lord
Klienborough observed, that the matter at issue was now a mere question at
law. He had an opinion on the subject, which, however, he should not state.
His Lordship dsiired a special case to be drawn up for the opinion of the
[udges.
Courts; partial.
TUESDAY, MAY" 22.
\ COURT MARTI A I. was held at Portsmouth, to inquire into the cause and
•** circumstances of the loss of his Majesty's Ship Apollo, Rear-Admiral Sir 1.
Coffin, Bart, l-resident. The Court agreed ""that ..lihe loss of his Majesty's
tihip Apollo was caused by her running on shore near Cape Mondego, on the
coast of Portugal, on the ad of April, hy means of an error in her reckoning ;
but th'-u no blame was imputable to the surviving Officers and Company for.
their conduct on that occasion, and didadjur!ge them to be acquitted.
SllEEf. NESS, JUNE 8.
The Court was composed of Rear-Arlmiral Rowley, President; Captains
Martin, oftheGlory; Mitchell, of the-Zealand ; Broughton, of the Penelope;
Owen, of the Imniortalite ; and Scater, of the Leyden ; Jud^e Advocate, Mr.
G. Mauder. — The charges against Captain Campbell were for not having done
his duty in -in action with four Dutch Vessels off the coast of Norway. — O;t the
opening of the Court, he was asktd if he had any thing to say against his Offi-
cers, and he answered in the negative. On the Officers he-ing severally interro-
gated, if they had any charge to prefer against any one on board, the First
'• ieutenant and the Lieut^-itr ofx Marines answered, Yes, against Captain
Campbell; the Secc.iiu snd Third Lieutenants, Master, and Surgeon, replied
in the negative.
The evidence of the First Lieutenant, which tended to criminate Captain
Campbell, but which we decline giving, as we are not possessed of the whoie
of the reply to it, lasted five hours.
On Vriday, June 9, the Court assembled on- board the Amethyst, at the
Little Nore. and the prisoner entered on his defence. After some deliberation,
the Court pronounced the charges proved- in part, and sentenced Captain
Camj bell to be discharged the Amethyst, and to be placed at the bottom of
tKe list of Poit Cap/air.s.
£3at). Cfjron. ffloI.XH. i
ADMIRALTY SESSIONS.
JUNE 9.
A Court Marml was held on Captain Le Gros, late of the Hir.dostsn ; when
the Court pronounced him honourably acquitted, and gave him great credit
for his conduct in smothering the fire at a distance of twelve leagues from the
shore, which saved the Jives of the crew.
OLD BAILEY, JULY a, 1804.
"^LTESTERDAY a Session was held at the Old Bailey, for the trial of offences
•"• comn.itted on the High Seas.
Jamtt Moodie and George Bc,otb were indicted for the murder of Mr. George
Spark, on the high seas, within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty
Captain John Seater, of the Leyden Block-ship, was the fir<t witness called
on the part of the prosecution. He deposed, that his Vessel was, on the zoth
of September last, at anchor in the south-west reach of the Swim*, off the coast
of Essex, when the deceased was killed in a duel by the prisoner Moodie, the
other prisoner acting as his second, 'i he deceased, George Spark, was a Mid-
shipman on board the Leyden, and was about 19 year< of age.. He knew the
two prisoners, they having been Mates of the same vessel. On the zcth of
September, Mr. Spark came to the witness, and complained of the conduct of
Moodie, in having seized and forcibly taken away the log-book, when he
(Spark) was writing in it, or copying out of it. The witness on hearing this,
sent for Moodie, who alleged, as the reason for his behaviour, that the deceased
had used abusive language to him. The witness dismissed them both, after a slight
reprimand, and recommended to them a more peaceable conduct in future : he,
however, was more severe upon Moodie than upon the deceased, as he thought
him most in the wrong. He heard nothing more of their quarrel till betwixt
the hours of five and six of the i-ame evening, when the Officer of the Watch
came to him and said, that the Boatswain had informed him, that Mr. Spark
had shot himself in the Cock-pit, and that he had found a pistol lying by his
side, with which it was supposed he had committed this rash action. The wit-
ness immediately desired Mr. Thomas Riddle, the Surgeon of the Vessel, to go
down to visit the de-ceased, and the witness accompanied him: they found
Spark lying quite dead upon the lower gun-deck. On examining the pistol which
had been found lying by him, it was discovered to be charged with a small
quantity of powder, without any ball, and to be upon half-cock- Another
pistol was soon after found, and brought to the witness, and it appeared to him
to have been recently fired ; these pistols were about equal in length, being
about ten inches in the barrel, and were called horse pistols, of the largest
description. He saw Moodie at that time, but did nat say any thing to him :
when he had learnt farther particulars from others who had been witnesses of
what had passed, he sent for him, and charged him with having fired his pistol
at the young man Spark, and said to him, it was in vain to deny the fact. The
prisoner answered, that he really was the unfortunate man, but added, that he
had not the most distant idea that the pbtcl which he had fired was loaded with
ball. He asked Moodie, who were present ? to which he answered, that all
his messmates were present; and when further questioned by the witness, he
named Book, Sadler, Matthews, Sharp, and Wilson. The witness then sent
for those people, and learned that the prisoner and the deceased had been en-
gaged in a duel ; that the other prisoner, Book, was second to Moodie, and
that Mr. Wilson was second to the deceased. He then ordered Moodie and
Book into custody ; the latter of whom said, he thought the whole affair had
been a mere sham, and that he did not imagine Moodie would have fired.
Wilson, the other second, is since dead.
Mr. John Matthews, a Midshipman on board the Leyden, said, that he wa»
in the gun-room on the day alluded to, and that Sadler, Spark, and Wilson,
ADMIRALTY SESSIONS. 59
I
were present with him, when the prisoner Moodie came down, and said, he
had been complained of to the Captain: that some old grievances had been
brought up, and he d — d and b d his messmates who would thus tell tales.
Moodie then took a glass of wine, and drank as a toast, " D — n to all such
rascals." He (Moodie) then turned round to Mr. Spark, and addressing him-
self to him, said, " It was you 1 meant, Mr. Spark, and d — n me if you do
not go into the coal hole this night." Moodie then called the attention of
those around him, by saying to them, " Now, gentlemen, you'll observe, that
in order that .Mr. Spaik may not have it to say that I being nigger and stronger
than he, am inclined to take an advantage of him, 1 expect that he (Mr. Spark)
will meet me." The witness thought that the prisoner was serious when he
spoke thus, but he afterwards altered his opinion, from some expressions he
heard the prisoner use. Spark made answer, that he should be very happy to
meet him any where he pleased. Moodie then said, " Oh, very well," and
walked out of the birth. The witness got up shortly after this and went down
to the cock-pit, where he met with Moodie, Sadler, Sharp, and Wilson.
Moodie having a pair of pistols in his hands, and two musket hall cartridges,
addressed himself to Sadler and said, " Will you be the bearer of my chal-
lenge ?" and then corrected himself by saying, " but it is not mine, it is his to
me; do not laugh, and we'll have some fun." Sadler immediately went out,
and called Mr. Spark, and about five o'clock they both came into the cock-pit
birth. Moodie said to Spark, " I'll expect to meet you." The deceased an-
swered by saying. '« Very well." The prisoner then said to him, " Have you
got your second ?" to which he answered, " No." Moodie then said he had
better get some person. Spark said he would t^ke Mr Book. To this the
prisoner replied, " Mr. Book happens to be mine."' The deceased then said,
he would take the Doctor, meaning Mr. Wilson, who stood near him. Moodie
then held out the two pistols he had provided, and desired Mr. Spark to accept
his pistol. Spark accordingly took one of them, and Moodie retained the
other. The former gave his pistol to Mr. Wilson, and the latter gave his to
Mr. Book. The witness perceived Mr. Wilson load the pistol that had been
given to him with powder only, putting the ball behind him, as he (the wit-
ness) thought in his pocket. Book loaded the pistol which had been given to
him with powder, but the ball beinjr too large, would not fit. Sadler then went
for a knife, and brought one, which he gave to Book, who cut the ball therewith,
and beat it with a piece of wood : and while he was thus employed, he said,
«« D— n and b — t a pair of you," (meaning Moodie and Spark, j and lauj/hed,
as if the matter was not serious. While Book was loading the pistol, he thought
he heard something dropped by him, which he (the witness) imagined was the
ball. The pistols, when loaded in the manner described, were given to the
parties, who, along with the others, went out of the birth. The witness wa»
very unwell at the time, and therefore he went down to iiis bed, which was
situated about two yards from the cock-pit. He heard Moodie siy to Spark,
" Will you own yourself in the wrong ?" to which !ie answered, " No." Moodie
then said, " Are you ready ?" to which the deceased answered in the affirma-
tive. The witness, though he had retired to his cabin, could plainly see both
the pistols (though he only saw Moodiej, they standing so o-lose together that
the pistols overreached each other when they were presented. The witness
shortly after heard the report of a pistol, and saw Mr. Moodie run upon the
deck, while the candle which was in the birth was extinguished by the explo-
sion. The deponent then rose and went up to the gun-room, where he found
the deceased lying dead upon the chest. Neither the deponent, nor any of those
who were present before this unhappy event, had the smallest idea that any
of the pistols were loaded with ball. Wilson, as well as Moodie, spoke as if
they would have some fun. The witness had known Moodie twelve months,
and never was sensible of any impropriety in his conduct.
The witness was here cross-interrogated by Mr. Serjeant Best, as to the name
by which he knew Mr. Spark, it having been discovered in the indictment that
his name was set down George Spark, when in reality he had two Christian
names, and was generally known by George Yark Spark. The deponent said,
that he called Mr. Spark sometimes by the one and sometimes by the other of
these namw, bat that the deceased always wrote his name George Yirle Spark.
6d ADMIRALTY SESSIONS.
The Counsel were proceeding to argue that this was a flaw in the ir.dictment,
but the objection was over-ruled. ."/ .-•
Captain ieater being again called, was questioned as to the general characters
of the prisoners, which, he said, were good.
Mr- fohn Matthews was again questioned, and said, that although he and
the other* present believed that the transaction was not intended to be serious,
yxt Mr. ."-park did not seem to imagine it was a joke.
Mr. Thomas Sadler, Mate on board the Leydtn. corroborated the preceding
testimony, and owned himself to have been the ht&rer of the challenge to ?v!r.
•Spark, but he never thought the parties were serious. Moodie, when he asked
him to bear the challenge, desired him not to laugh, otherwise he would spoil
the fun.
John Birney, Boatswain, said, he was sitting in his cabin when he heard
the report of the pistol ; that he went up to the deceased, and found a pisrol
lying; foe took it up and gave it to the watchman, who took it to the Captain.
He afterwards saw it drawn, and there was no ball in it.
Robert Sharp, the Captain's Clerk, said, that after the event was over,
Moodie came into the mess-room, and laid his head on the table, upon which
the witness enquired of him what was the matter. He (Moodie; then lifttd up
his head and sa;d, " Oh ! he is gone." Soon after this \ir. Spark, the deceased,
was brought into the gun-room. The deponent always thought that IVJoociie
was a civil, humane, and well-disposed man, and never heard him express any
enmity against the deceased.
Mr. Robert Riddle, .Surgeon of the Leyden, deposed to the wound being
the cause of the deceased's death. He had also seen the charge of the other
pistol drawn in the Captain's Cabin, and it was only loaded with a small
quantity of powder, and the pistol itself was on half cock.
The prisoners were here called upon for their defence. Moodie alleged, that
when he fired he did not know that the pistol was loaded. 'J he other prisoner,
Bock, stated in exculpation, that when he loaded the pistol he did not imagine
that Moodie evei had any idea of tiring it.
Several witnesses were then called as to their characters, and all concurred
ill speaking favourably of them.
Sir James Mansfield addresied the Jury, and explained to them very particu-
larly the nature and meaning of the words " Malice ajoreibougbt" on which
their verdict, in this case, was so much to depend. If they thought, from the
whole evidence that had been adduced, that the pistol had been loaded by the
one ptiioner, and fired off by the other, with the malicious intention of killing,
they bhould. find them both equally guilty of murder. If, on the contrary, thtgr
were of opinion that no malice afor e-tbougbt existed, bur that the circumstances,
•weresu&ciently proved to their satisfaction, they should find the prisoners guilty
of manslaughter, as they (the prisoners) must certainly be said to have been guilty
of gross negligence and carelessness, supposing them not to have been serious in
the transaction.
The Jury, after retiring for some time, returned a verdict of— Guilty cj
Manslaughter.— The sentence pronounced by the Court was, that the prisoner.,
should be fined lol. each, and suffer six months' imprisonment.
Midacl Sullivan was next brought to the bar, being charged with adhering to
his jVajesty's enemies on board le Jeune Henri, a French 'Privateer, on the
high seas, he being a natural born subject of his Majesty. The prisoner, on
being taken by the Tartar English Privateer, alleged that he was an American,
but it was soon afcer discovered by his brogue that he was an Irishman, and thae
he was born near Tipperary. He said he had been taken prisoner by the French,
but having made his escape, he got to Ferrol, where he entered as a seaman on
board le Jeune Henri, supposing it to have been a Spanish Vessel, and had never
discovered his mistake till the engagement took place, when he discovered the
French colours flying. — Not Guilty.
C 61 ]
DOWNING STREET, APRIL 27, 18:4.
A Ditpaub, of •uihicli the following is a Copy, was this Day received
by the Right Honourable Lord Holarl, one of /.is Majesty's Principal
Secretaries of State, from Captain Dicks on, commanding his Majesty's
Inconstant*
His Majesty's Ship Tncon:tant, Goree,
MY LOPD, AJrica, March 15, 1804.
T BEG leave to acquaint your Lordship with" the recapture of the island of
•*- Goree, and I ha\$e the honour to enclose you the Articles of Capitulation.
I have appointed Captain William Murray, the enior Officer of the African
corps. Commandant of Goree, until his Maje-ty's pleasure is known ; and as I
had not any directions relative to the cargo ot" the iagi* Storc-slrp, I took the
liberty to open the Ittter addressed to Colonel Frazer, from your Lordship,
and liive given it to Captain Murray, and ordered him to follow, as close as
possible, the directions contained therein. 1 he very ample supply of stores and
provisions this Vessel appears to have brought ouf, and the great strength of the
garrison at present, enables me to asiiire youi Lordship of its perfect security.
Mr. Charles Fickford, my First Lieutenant, an intelligent and deserving
Officer, and v.hom I beg leave to recommend to your Lordship, will have the
honour of presenting this letter. He will be able to inform you very fully of
every particular relative to Goree and its dependencies.
1 hope the arrangement I have made will meet vour Lordship's approbation.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Rhlt Hon. Lord Hobart, EDW. STERLING DICKSON.
Articles rf Capitulation between Lieutenant Ojarles Pifkford, of bis Majesty's Ship
Inconstant, on the Part of b^s Britannic Majesty, anJ Citizen Montmaycur, Resident
Commandant of the Island oj Goree, for the French Republic,
Art. I. The French garrison at the island of Goree shall be allowed to leave
it, drums beating, and with the honours of war.
Art ! I. The effects, baggage, and arms of the troops, sha!,l be given up to
them, as well as the private pro erty of the Officers, the Commandant of the
Garrison, Officers of Administration, Guards of Artillery, and other public
employments.
Art. 111. The convalescents and sick, in a state to be sent to Senegal with
the troops, also such French citizens as wish to leave the island, with their
property, shall be permitted to enjoy the same privilege.
Art. IV. 'ihe Vessels, stores of all kinds, guns, muskets, powder, bullets,
&c. shall be put in the possession of Lieutenant Pickford, with the forts, bat-
teries, barracks, hospitals, and all the dependencies of the island, and thereunto
belonging
Art. V. The property of the Inhabitants, of what nature soever, shall be
respected and preserved.
Done at Goree, this 8th of March, 1804.
(Signed/ C. PICKFORD, Lieutenant.
(Signed) A10NTMAYEUR.
A true copy of the original in my possession,
(Signed) EDW. STERLING DICKSON.
6Z GAZETTE LETTERS.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, APRIL 24.
Copy of a Lett tr from Captain Ed-ward Sterling Dickson, Commander of Its Majesty i
Ship the Inconstant, to William Marutcn, Esq. dated at Goree, March 15, 1804.
SIR,
I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of my Lords Com-
missioners of the Admiralty, of the arrival of his Majesty's Ship under my com-
mand, and the Vessels named in the margin *, off the island of Goree, on the
morning of the 7th of March : but conceiving it possible that it might be in the
possession of the enemy, (although English colours were hoisted on the citadel,
and sentinels cloathed in red placed on the different batteries,} I brought to
with the convoy, and directed Mr. Charles Pickford, my First Lieutenant, to
proceed on shore in the Cutter, and if he found it in the hands of the English,
to make the signal I established for that purpose. At sun-set, not any signal
having been made, nor the appearance of the boat, I came to anchor with ihe
convoy a little out of gun-shot; and deeming it highly necessary to gain some
information with respect to the situation of the Garrison, I ordered, at ten
o'clock, P. M. three boats, manned and armed, under the direction of Mr.
Runciman, Midshipman, to proceed into the harbour, and cut out any of the
Vessels he could find, which he did in a gallant manner, by bringing out a
Ship, under a heavy fire from the batteries, which sunk our cutter and wounded
one man. From her I learned, that the French had been in possession of Goree-
since the i8th of January, and that they had three hundred white and black
troops in the garrison.
On the 8th instant, at day-light, I weighed and stood to the westward of
the island, to prevent any succours being thrown in by sea from Senegal ; and,
on the evening of the same day, being determined to attack it, having ordered
scaling-ladders to be made for that purpose, at nine, P. M. anchored, and or-
dered all the boats of the convoy to be sent on board the Inconstant, and after
embarking as many troops as they could possibly stow, I found they would not
carry a sufficient number to promise success ; I therefore postponed the attack
until the arrival of one of our convoy, which was in sight, standing into the
bay, as her three boats could carry from thirty to forty more men ; at daylight
in the morning of the gth instant, we were agreeably surprized by seeing the
English colours hoisted over the French, and shortly after I received informa-
tion from Lieutenant Pickford, that the garrison had capitulated with him : I
instantly stood into the harbour with the convoy, anchored, and disembarked
the troops. Conceiving it of importance that his Majesty's Ministers should be
made acquainted as soon as possible with the recapture of this island, I have
purchased a small brig, and sent my First Lieutenant, Mr. Charles Pickford,
an intelligent and deserving Officer, to England, who will have the honour to
present my dispatches ; and I beg leave to recommend him in the strongest
manner to their Lordships' favour.
I have appointed Captain William Murray, senior Officer of the troops, to
DC Commandant of Goree, till his Majesty's pleasure is known ; and Mr. Wil-
liam Arnold, Master's Mate, to be Lieutenant of the Inconstant, vice Pickford,
and hope it will meet their Lordships' approbation.
The rhomer.t I can get a sufficient supply of water and provisions landed, and
put the island into a proper state of defence, I shall proceed, and put their Lord-
ships' orders into execution.
1 cannot conclude my letter without assuring their Lordships, that the greatest
cordiality existed between the Officers, Seamen, and Soldiers; and, had an
attack been found necessary, from the handsome manner they volunteered their
services, I am persuaded th«;y would have done honour to their country.
F.nclosed are the Articles of Capitulation +, and the account of the Ordnance
and Military Stores found in the Garrison.
I have the honour to be, &c.
E. S. DICKSON.
* Eagle Store-ship, Hamilton, Venus, Jenny. •}• See preceding page.
I
GAZETTE LETTERS. 6}
A List of Ordnance en tie Island of Goree, ivben taken possession of by the EnglisL,
March II, 1804.
Beach Battery. — i nine-pounder; I six-pounder, the carriage out of repair;
3 four-pounders; 76 shot for the nine-pounders, the platform out of repair; i
lent-stock: ai shot for the 3 four-pounders; II rounds of case shot, for the
nine-pounders; 17 cases of shot for the 3 four-pounders; 20 rounds of shot for
the six-pounders; 2 sponges; 20 hand-spikes.
North-point Battery. — 4 twenty-four-pounders; i nine pounder; 5 sponges;
19 handspikes^ i worm, the carriages of the twenty-tour-pounders out of Re-
pair; 50 shot for the twenty-four-pounders; 2Z small shells; 13 rounds of
double-headed shot, for the twenty-four- pounders; 29 rounds of grape shot;
4 pounds of case shot; 126 rounds of nine-pounds of bar shot for the nine-
pounders.
Flag-staff Battery.— 2 nine-pounders; 2 three-pounders; 2 two-pounders,
mounted; i eighteen-pounder and i three-pounder, dismounted; 158 rounds of
shot for the 2 nine pounders; 144 rounds of shot for the eighteen pounders; 6
rounds of case-shot for the eighteen-pounders; 31 bar shot for the eighteen-
pounders ; 14 rounds of case shot for the nine-pounders ; 17 rounds of grape ;
4 sponges; i lent-stock; 12 handspikes; i ladle; I worm; i powder-horn ;
7 trucks ; 5 wheels for traversing carriages ; 2 barrels of powder and part of
another, and 4 small kegs, in the Magazine in the Flag-staff Battery; 6 mea-
sures of different sizes; aa barrels of powder, and 5 small kegs, in the Great
Magazine.
The Castle Battery out of repair.
South-point Battery. — i nine pounder; 4 handspikes; 52 round shot for the
nine-pounder.
Five-gun Battery.— 4 twenty pounders; I eighteen-pounder; 20 handspikes ;
5 sponges; 2 ladles; i lent-stock; i eight-inch mortar; 300 round shot for
the twenty four pounders ; 20 rounds of case-shot ; 1 6 rounds of grape-shot ;
126 round-shot for the eighteen-pounder; 5 shells ; 17 rounds of bar-shot for
the twenty- four-pounders ; 1 1 rounds of bar-shot for the eighteen-pounder.
Seventy-one rounds of double-headed shot ; 1067 rounds of round-shot; 71
rounds of case-shot, 62 rounds of grape-shot ; 27 rounds of shells.
M. MURRAY, Captain,
commanding the Island of Goree.
J. SIMPSON, Act. Commissary.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, APRIL z8.
Copy of a Letter from Pear-Admiral Sir John Thomas Duck-wortb, K.B. Commander
in Chief of bis Majesty's Ships and Vessels at "Jamaica, to William Marsden, Esq.;
dated March 9, 1804.
SIR,
Herewith I transmit you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, various letters of Privateers captured by the Squadron under
my command.
La Superieure also captured and destroyed the Barge Ic Mardigras, with two
guns and twenty-four white men.
I am, &c.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
Hi; Majesty's Schooner la Superieure, Island of Gouanc,
SIR, -East six or seven Leagues, Feb. 6, 1804.
I have the honour to inform you, that this morning, at ten o'clock, his Ma-
jesty's Schooner under my command chased the French Privateer Schooner
Serpent, which was captured after a chase of two hours.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. C. FROMOW. v
Rear- Admiral Sir J. 7. Dueitvortt, X.B.
We. &e. We.
64
GAZETTE LETTERS.
La De:lrce Cumberland- Harbour,
SIR, February 24, 1804.
Since my letter of the iSth instant, Lieutenant Bream, with the boats of his
Majesty's .Ship under my command, succeeded in capturing, after a chase of
one hour and a half, la Jcune Adele French Row boat Privateer, armed with
niuskets and two swivels, with twelve men, lour of whom escaped, and one
killed in the contest ; was out thirty-two clays from Guadeloupe, and had made
two captures, one of which was ret.iken by la Desiree last cruise. In this afiair
I am sorry to say we, had oae man killed and tliree slightly wounded.
I have the honour to be, &c.
HENkY WH1TBY
Rear Admiral Sir J. T. Duckworth, K.B.
We. We. We.
His Majesty's Sloap Slorl, Port Royal,
SIR, Jurxaica, Feb. 2,8, 1804
I have the pleasure to acquaint you. that his Majesty's >loop under my com-
mand, on tiie 24th instant, fell in wrth and captured, after a chase of two
hundred and sixty-five miles, the French National Schooner Coquette, of two
guns and ninety-five men, commanded by Lieutenant cle Vaisseau Bouchet,
going with dispatches from New Orleans to Ouadalotipe; her passage to which
place had been repeatedly interrupted by different Ships of the Squa.!ron.
'1 have thd honour to be, &c.
(Signed) GEORGE LE GEYT.
Rear- Admiral Sir jf. T. Duct-worth, K.B.
We. We. We.
Cipy of another Letter from Hear Admiral Sir John Thomas Ducl-vort&, K. 8. Com-
mander in Chief of his Majesty's Sb'tpi and Vessels at Jamaica, to William JMariiltut
E:q ; duted the IQtL iitttaiit.
SIR,
I transmit, for the information of the Lords Commissioner? of the Admiralty,
a list of Ships and Vessels captured and destroyed by the i-quadi on under my
command bince the last return by Revolutionaire. •
J am, &c. J. T. DUCKWORTH.
A Hit of Pearls captured, detained, and <fe.'tro\ctt, by bis Majesty '/ Slips and J'c:se!t
employed at and about Jamaica, the Bahama l.lanjs, We. under the Orders
ef Sir Jft'i cll>r>n;as llnck-.i-orib, K..K. Rear-A.mlial of the Red, Commander in
Chief, iince tie Return by Re-vo'.utionaire in December 1803.
French Schooner Rosalie, laden with saltpetre and lignum vitre : captured by
the Vanguard, December 2, 18 3. — Grant and Co agents.
French Schooner St Kos^rio, ill ballast: captured by dicto, s^ms date, and
the same agents.
. niencan Srow Antelope, of ei<;ht men and one hundred and fifty-five tons,
laden wirh provisions, dry goods, wine, staves, hoops, and sundries : captured
by the ./Eolus, February i, 1^.4. — 13. Waterhouse and Co agents.
French Schooner Serpent, ofonegnn, sixty men, and sixty tons, in ballast :
captured by la Superieure, February 6, 1804: the same agents.
Danish Hoop Anna, of six men, laden with sundries : detained by la Desiree,
February 19, 1804; the same agents.
American Brig Kitty, of two hundred and tight tons, laden with sundries:
detained by ditto, February 20, 18:4; the same agents.
Dani-h .-chooner 1'ritnds, of sixty-eight tors, in ballast: detained by ditto,
February 21, 1804 ; the tame agents.
French Felucca la Jeune . \dele, of two Swivels and twelve men : captured
by ditto, same date, and the same agents.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 6$
French Schooner Coquette, of two guns and ninety-five men, commanded by
a Lieutenant de Vaisseau: captured by the Stork, February 38, 1804; the
same agents.
English Sloop Phoenix, from Bermuda: recaptured by la Superieurc; same
date, and the same agents.
French Barge la Mardigras: sunk by ditto; the ciew sent to Jamaica; same
agents.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, MAT I, 1804.
The following are Copies of Letters ivb'tcb Lave been received at this Office from Com*
txodorc Hood, Commander in Chief of bit Majesty's Ships and Vessels at the Leeward
Islands.
Centaur, Diamond Rock, off" Martinique ^
SIR, February 6, 1804.
I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, for the information of the Lords Com-
missioners of the Admiralty, of the capture of the Curious French Corvette,
early in the morning of the 4th instant, of )6 long French six-pounders, and
had on board upwards of one hundred men when attacked by four boats of the
Centaur, containing 60 seamen Snd twelve marines, under the command of
Lieutenant Robert Carthew Reynolds; she was lying close under Fort Edward
at the entrance of the Careenage, Fort Royal Harbour, Martinique : he boarded
on the quarters in a most gallant manner, and was well aided by Lieutenant
Bettesworth, and Mr. Tracey, my Secretary, with the other Officers and men;
the enemy made a warm resistance at the first onset, but the spirited and supe-
rior valour of this brave Officer and his supporters drove them forward, where
a second stand was made, which was carried with equal gallantry : her Captain,
Cordier, leaped overboard, after receiving two sabre wounds, and saved him-
self, with some of the men, in a boat that lay under her bows, and got oa
shore; only one French Officer escaped being either killed or wounded, and he
was below. Fortunately this brilliant service was performed with only the en-
closed list of wounded in the boats. I am surry to add, Lieutenant Reynolds is
of the number, severely, with five wounds ; also Lieutenant Bettesworth and
Mr. Tracey, though not badly.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Sir Evan Nefean, Bart. SAM. HOOD.
JLiit of -wounded in the Centaur's Boats.
Three Officers and six Seamen, one of which is since dead.
In the Curifux.
Forty killed and wounded.
Centaur, Diamond Rock y off" Mart'iittqvtt
SIR, Feb. 21, 1804.
I have the honour to enclose you, for the information of the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty, two letters from Captain Nourse, and two from Cap-
tain Shipley, of his .Majesty's Sloops Cyane and St. Lucia, stating the capture of
four of the enemy's Privateers. 1 cannot too much commend the activity of
those Officers in their exertions in the protection of the trade.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Sir Evan Neftan, Bart. SAM. HOOD.
Hit Majuty's Sloop Cyane, at Sea,
SI R> Jan. 27, 1804.
I beg leave to inform you, his Majesty's Sloop under my command, in the
lat. 15023' North, long. 60° jc/ West, captured 1'Harmonie, French'Privateer
Schooner, of twelve guns and eighty-two men en board; out thirty four days
from Guadaloupe, and had taken the Mercury, a Scotch Ship, last from New
York, laden with lumber, provisions, &c. bound to Demerara.
I am, Sir, &c. JOSEPH BOURSE-
N. B. The Mercury recaptured by the Hippomenes.
70 Cemrnodcft Head, life, fcff. tSV.
. (BoUXIL s
60 GAZHTTE LETTERS.
His Majesty's Sloop St. Lucia, Sarbadtcs,
• I*, Jan. »8, 1804.
I beg leave to inform you, that on the 25th, being off the (iranadines, I
captured Ie Furet, a fast-sailing Privateer, of four guns and forty-five men, be-
longing to Guadaloupe. After landing the prisoners I shall prosecute your
orders.
I have the honour to be, &c.
CONWAY SHIPLEY.
To Samuel Hood, Esq. Commodore and Coat'
wander "in Chief, &c. iS'e, \Sfc.
Hit Majesty's Sloop St. Lucia, Carlisle Bay,
SIX, Feb. 18, 1604
I have the pleasure to inform you, that on the r6th inst. his Majesty's Sloop
tinder my command captured, off Grenada, Ie Bigou French Privateer, of six
guns and sixty men, twenty of which she had put in prizes as per margin.
I have the honour to be, &c. *
CONWAY SHIPLEY.
Good- Intent Brig, from Barbadoes to Demerara, since retaken by the
Guachapin.
Fanny Schooner, from Demerara to Barbadoes.
To Commodore Hood, \$c. \3c. &c.
His Majesty's Sloop Cyane, at Set,
SIR, February 14, 1804.
I beg leave to inform you his Majesty's Sloop under my command fell im
with, and, after a chase of eight hours, captured Ie Recompence French Schoo-
ner Privateer, of ten six-pounders and seventy men, out fifty-five days, and had
captured the Mariana *, from Glasgow, bound to Barbadoes. The Recom-
pence was taken about thirty leagues to windward of Barbadoes; her guns
thrown overboard during the chase.
I am, Sir, &c.
JOSEPH NOURSE.
2"» Commodore Hood, &c. b*c. &c.
Centaur, Diamond, ojf Martinique,
SIR, Feb. 27, 1804.
I beg leave to enclose you copy of a letter I have received from Lieutenant
Carr, commanding his Majesty's Schooner 1'Eclair, giving an account of a most
•pirited action he fought in the said Vessel, of ten guns. and sixty men, against
the Grande Decide French Ship Privateer, of twenty-two guns and two hun-
dred and twenty men, out of Guadaloupe. I cannot sufficiently extol the bril-
liant and gallant conduct of this Officer and crew.
I have the honour to be, &c.
r» Sir Evan Nepean, Batt. SAM. HOOD.
His Majesty 's Schooner I' Eclair, Tortola,
Sin, February IO, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint you, that on my return from convoying the
Packet to the northward in his Majesty's Schooner under my command, on the
Jth instant, at three I'.M., the island of Tortola bearing South, distant about
sixty-eight leagues, saw a strange sail to the southward ; suspecting her to be
an enemy, made all sail in chase; at half past three observed her to be a Ship
standing towards us; at four made the signal No. 375 to her, which not being
answered, shortened sail and cleared for action ; at half past four, being within
musket-shot on our weather-bow, she hauled up her courses, hove to, and
* Retaken by the Hcureur.
GAZETTE LETTERS. j
hoisted French National colours, when I discovered her to be a Ship apparently
just out of port, mounting twenty-two guns, and conclude, from the number
of men s"en on her decks, as also her tops, thtre could not he less than ace.
When we came within pistol shot, she commenced the action by firing her lar-
board broadside and a heavy fire of musketry, which we returned with the wea-
ther broadside and musketry ; wore round, hove to, and fired the starboard
broadside; the fire was kept up without intermission on both bides until a quar-
ter past five, when the enemy began to slacken her fire, filled, bore up, and en*
deavoured to rake us; but upon observing our preparations to board her, by man-
ning the ringing, she ceased firing, and made all sail to the northward, on
which we filled and made sail after her, keeping up a fire of musketry; at seven
found she was getting fast away; at haif past eight lost sight of her; seeing
there was no possibility of coming up, at ten gave over the chase, found great
part of the standing and running ringing shot away, the bulwark, masts, yards,
&c. much damaged. One marine killed, and four seamen wounded, though
the loss on the part of the enemy, I believe, from their apparent confusion,
must be greater.
And, Sir, when I reflect on the great superiority of the enemy in point of
force, I cannot say enough in praise of those brave Officers and men I have the
honour to command, and from whose gallant conduct and zeal on the occasion,
particularly when ordered to prepare to board. I felt perfectly confident of car-
rying the French Ship in a few minutes, on the second attack, had not her su-
perior sailing frustrated our intentions.
I should feel unmindful of my duty, was I to omit representing to you the
great assistance I received from Mr. balnion the Master, on this, as well as on
every other occasion.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Commodore HooJ, Commander In Chief, W. CARR.
&c. Vc. &c.
P. S. Upon my arrival at Tortola, I had information of the exact particulars
•f the French Ship from the President, which he assured me was well ascer-
tained at St. '1 homas's, from which place she sailed on the 4th instant, about
twenty-eight hours btfore we fell in with her. she proves to be the Grande
Decide, Captain Guay, from Guadaloupe, carrying twenty-two nine-pounders,
and two hundred and thirty men, eighty of which were soldiers.
Centaur, Carlitle Bay, Barbadoes^
SIR, March 7, 1804.
The enclosed is a copy- of a letter 1 have received from vJaptain Bland, of his
Majesty's Ship Lieureix, giving an account of the capture of a French Priva-
teer to windward of Barbadoes, with which I beg you to acquaint the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty.
J hsve the honour to be, &c.
Sir Evan Neffaa, Bart. SAM. HOOD.
Hit Majesty's SLip I' Htureux, at S(a,
SIR, February a6, 1804.
I beg to inform you, that this day, in the latitude of Barbadoes, and forty
leagues to windward, his Majesty's Ship under my command fell in with, and,
after a long chase, took possession of the French armed Schooner Flebusticr,
pierced for fourteen guns, had six French sixes, and 68 men on board; she is
new, sails remarkably fast, and was stored for a long cruize, from Guadaloupe;
out fifteen days, and I could not learn she had made a capture.
1 am, Sir, &c.
LOFTUS OTWAY BLAND.
Commodore Hood, Commander in Cblif,
&c. tf«. fcrv.
Centaur, Carlisle Bay, RarbaJaes,
SIR, March 22, 1804
I beg leave to enclose you, for the information of the Lords commissioners
•f the Admiralty, an account from Captain O'Bryen, of his Majesty's Ship
68 GAZETTE LETTER*.
Ship Emerald, and Lieutenant Forrest, of the capture of the
French chooner Privateer, of 10 eightten-pounder carronades, from under the
batterirs, near the Pearl, which was executed in a most *pirited and steady
manner b Lieutenant Forrest, and those that accompanied him in the Fort
liamond, on thi« :,ervice.
I aUo send copy of a letter from Captain Ferris, acting in his Majesty's Ship
BUnnc-im giving an account of two boat' of that Ship: under Lieutenant Fur-
ber attack" g 'he Curicuse French National >chooner, moored, and, 1 hare
Since leained, chaired to the beach, under a battery at *>t. I. ierre's.
I likewise subjoin the copy of a letter from 1 ieutenant King, First of this
Ship, now acting in his Majesty's Sloop Drake, to Captain Nash, commanding
the blockade of the north part of the isUnd of iV! < rtiniquc, giving an account of
his carrying, with thirty men only, the Fort at Trinite, when opposed to much
superior force.
J have the honour to be, eke.
William Marsden, E,q. SAM. HOOD.
His Majesty's S'onf Drake, off Trinite,
SIR, fettuary 25, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint you, that on the night of the i9th instant,
lieutenant i ompston, and Mr. Pobson, Master, voluntarily offered to bring out
of tie harbour of 1 rinite, three .Americin Vessel*, that wc-re takit g in cargoes,
in defiance of the blockade, which they attempted in a very gallant manner,
having possession of t\.o Brig* and a Schooner, under the fire of the fort, for
a considerable time, but from having no wind, could succeed only in bringing
out the chooner.
The anchorage being within pistol shot of tlie fort, I saw no probability of
Success if another effort was made, units* the fort was reduced ; for which pur-
po»e I, la't night, landed with thirty men, including nine marines, and suc-
cerdtd in spiking the guns, three thirty-two pounders, and two field-pieces,
which commanded the entrance into rhe fort.
I am sorry to add, one Seamun expired from his wound this morfiing, and
that Lieutenant Compston «nd one seaman are each wounded in the arm, but
are doing very weil, which are all that were hurt on the occasion.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Captain Najb, fcf.-. &c. &e. SAM. W. KING.
SIR, Blenheim, Martb 5, 1804.
I beg leave to acquaint yo\i, two boats (the Barge and i innace) of his IVfa-
Jesty'» Ship under my command, with fifty Officers and men. under the orders
of Lieutenant Furber. on the night of the 4th. made a most gallant, but unsuc-
cessful attempt, to cut out a French National :-chooner, laying close under a
fort at the town of M i ierr.c. She had made formidab'e preparations; her
boarding nettings beii g traced up to the Jower mast heads, and so fastened,
that it was almost impossible to get in, and her sweeps rigged out on each side:
notwithstanding all this, and the Brach lined with soldiers, the forts, an armed
Sloop, and several other small Vessels nerr, keeping up a heavy fire of guns and
filDtketry, those brave Officers and men in the two boats persevered, and cur her
cables, but it being perfectly calm, she swung and grounded on the beach, when
all hopes of bringing her out were given up, and from the number killed and
\vounded. as per enclosed list, the Commanding Officer very properly ordered
the boats off.
I lament sincerely our loss; but I trust you, Sir, will think the character of
Briti-h .-;eam< n was well supported on this occasion, for surely never was greater
spirit displayed.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Commodore Hood, Commander in CLicf, W. FERRIC .
We fcV &e
A Li'.t of Officers and Men tilled and mounded in tie BltnLeim's Boats.
One Seaman and 2 Marines, killed ; 5 Officers, 1 1 Seamen (three of which
icverciy), and 3 Marines, wounded ; 3 Seamen, missing.
I
OA2.ETTE LETTERS. 69
0/St. Pierre, Martinique, Emerald,
SIR, ' March 13, 18-4.
I h^ve the honour to enclose you a letter I have received from Lieutenant For-
Test, Fir>-t Lieutenant of his Majesty'1; Ship under my command, v,ho I this
morning sent, accompanied by thirty Volunteers, on board the Fort-Diamond
armed Sloop, with directions to wovk to windward seas, to enable the Sloop to
weather the Pearl Reck, and to bear down on an armed Schooner, which had,
finding it impossible to get into St. Pierre's, (this Ship being to leeward,) an-
chored close in shore, under the cover of the battery at Seron. 1 at the same
time sent the bo.its of this i;hip in a different direction, in order to take off the
attention of the battery from the manoeuvre in contemplation, to be performed
by Lieutenant Forrest.
It affords me pa;tirular satisfaction to hear testimony to the handsome and
gallant manner in which this service was performed, Lieutenant Forrest bar-
ing laid the National ."-chooner on board under a heavy fire from her and the
battery.
Jn the performance of this service great judgment was exhibited, as, by the
mode of doing it, a chain, by which she was fastened to the shore, was broke,
twenty feet of which is now hanging to the Schooner's bow. The crew of thit
Vessel, finding it impossible to withstand British intrepidity, jumped overboard
and swam ashore, which they were enabled to do from her being moored
close to it.
It affords me particular pleasure to inform you, Sir, that this gallant service
was performed without any loss on our part, two men only being sLghtly
wounded. I have been rather more circumstantial in this detail, than perhaps
the mere capture of a Privateer justifies, but I feel I should not do justice to the
gallant conduct of Lieutenant Forrest, the judgment he exhibited, the brave
and cool conduct of the petty Officers and men under his command, which he
speaks of in high terms, had I neglected relating every circumstance that took
place, which has excited admiration and emulation in the brrast of the specta-
tors ; and, Sir, I must beg to add, that the general conduct of this Officer, ever
since he has been under my command, has been such as to entitle him to niy
approbation. This captured .-«chooner, whose name I can only guess at from a
letter found on board, the only paper left, is the Mosambique, commanded by
Citizen Vallcntes. pierced tor fourteen guns, ten carronades (eighteen-pounders)
only mounted ; she is from Guadeloupe, and is fitted for a three-months' cruize,
to all appearance perfectly new, copper bottomed and fastened, sails apparently
well, and seems calculated for the King's service.
His Majesty's -hip the Pandour hove in sight, and closed in sufficient time to
gend two boats to join in the diversion intended to be made by those from the
Ships. I have the honour to be, &c.
S. Hoed Esq. Commodore and Commander JAMES O'BRIAN.
in Chief, \£c. \5c. fcfc.
STR, Fort Diamond, March 13, 1804.
I have the honour to inform you, that acting according to your directions, in
his Majesty's armed Sloop Fort-Diamond, I had the good fortune to succeed in
bringing out the enemy's Privateer .Schooner Mosambique from under the bat-
terits contiguous to the Pearl ; she is pierced for fourteen guns, and mounted
with ten eighteen pounders : on' seeing us determined to board, her crew de-
serted her, after discharging her broadside and mut-ketry ; and 1 observed about
sixty whites and blacks in the water after 1 had gained possession ; but as you
were yt\ eye-witness to the service, 1 can do no more than recommend the Offi-
cers and men you did me the honour to place under my command to your most
particular notice, for their gallant and intrepid conduct, while standing through
the enemy's fire, and their activity and orderly behaviour after possession. I
found her secured with two cables and a chain to the shore ; the former we cut,
and the latter she fortunately broke by the shock in boarding. I have the bap-
pi ness to inform you, that we have suffered no loss.
Mr. Hall, Mate, and — — ii** en, Seaman, wounded.
1 have the honour to be, &c.
«T« James O'Brien, Esy. Captain of bit THO. FORREST.
Majeityt Sbip Emerald,
7O 6AZETTI LETTERS.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, MAY 12, I?O4-
Extratt of a Letter from Vice Admiral Rainier, Commander in Chief ef lit Majeify't
Sbifj and Vessel* in the Ea;t Indies, to Sir Evan Nepcan, Bart, dated in Ijtur.hay
Harbour •, December ID, 1803.
SIR,
The Maria Francoise, a French Transport, laden with ordnance stores, and
provisions, has been captured by his Majesty's ship Sheerness.
Cofy of another Letter from Vice- Admiral Rainier, Commander in Chief of bis Jlfa-
jetty' j Ships and Vessels in the East Indict, to Sir Evan Ncfcan, Bart, dated at
Bombay , December 14, 1 803.
SIR,
I herewith e" close, for their Lordships' information, a list of the captures
made by his Majesty's Squadron under my command; and have the honour to
be, &c. PETER RAINIER.
A List ef the Ships of the Enemy fjien, destroyed, and recaptureJ, by Us Majesty '*
Slips under the Command of Vice-Admiral Rainier, in the East Indict.
Bitavian Brig d Haaje, of 6 guns, 33 men, and 246 tons : taken by the Ca-
roline off Cape , August 2, 1803.
Bravian Ship Henerica Johanna, of 6 puns, a6 men, and 473 tons, laden
with sugar, coffee, arrack, &c. : taken by ditto off ditto, Augun 3, 1803.
French Ship Phoenix, of 160 tons, laden with pepper, spices, and bale goods :
taken by the Victor off Frier-'-Hood, September 4, 1803.
French Sh:p Petit* Africaine, of 28 rmn and 160 tons, in ba'last: taken by
the Caroline off ditto, September 7. 1803.
French Brig Maria Francoise, of 250 tons, laden with field artillery, ord-
nance, stores, and provisions : taken by the Sheerucss off ditto, .^eptrmber 8,
,803. PEThR RAINIER.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, MAY 19, 1804.
Copies »f Letters from Commodore Hood, Commander in Chief of his Maje.fy't Shift
and Veiteh in the Leeward Islands, to William Marsden, Esq.
Centaur, Carli:le Bay, Barhadoet,
SIR, March, 1804.
I beg leave to enclose you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, copy of a letter from Lieutenant Ca-r, commanding hs Ma-
jesty's armed Schocner 1'Eclair, giving an account of the cutting out an enemy's
Privateer by Mr. Salmon, the Master, and ten men, in a boat, from under the
batteries of la Hayes, Guadeloupe.
I have the honour to be, &c.
W. MartJen, E,q. SAM. HOOD.
Hit Majtsty's Schooner f Eclair, St. John's
SIR, RoaJt, March IO, 1804
It is with great pleasure T have the honour to acquaint you, that on Tuesday
the 5th instant, at two P. M. passing Englishman's-Head, Guadaloupe, in his
Majesty's Schooner under my command, I discovered a Schooner standing to
the northward; on drawing near her she hoisted a red pendant, stood into the
Hayes, and anchored clone under the batteries. On standing in I discovered
her to be a French Privateer full of men. The wind blowing fresh on shore
from the westward prevented my sending the cutter to attack her. At seven ,
still laying off the Hayes, it fell calm. I then proposed sending the Cutler to
attempt her, when Mr. Salmon, the Master, volunteered tKis service, to which
I consented, from the knowledge I had of his resolution and good conduc*_on
former occasions; and I hope, Sir, you will be of opinion he merits the /t • fi-
deoce placed in him. The boat containing only ten men, himself, ar .
GAZETTE LETTERS. 'Jl
Surgeon, who was also a volunteer. At two A.M. the boat returned, having
captured and brought out the Privateer, who commenced firing on them, as
also the batteries, immediately on tlieir entering their harbour ; the boat per-
severed, boarded, and carried her, after a stout resistance of ten minutes from
the crew, con-isting, when boarded, of forty-nine men, well prepared to receive
them, and obliged afterwards to tow and sweep her out in a ciead calm, under a
heavy fire from the enemy's batteries, as also toe musketry from the shore :
the Master assures me that the very gallant conduct of the men, together with
the assistance of the Surgeon, in opposition to al! difficulties, enabled him to
execute this service. She proves to be la R ose Schooner Privateer, carrying;
fifty men, well armed, and one long brass nine-pounder ; sailj extremely fast,
well found, and victualled complete for three months for fitly men; ju=t going
on a cruize.
I am happy to add that no loss has been sustained on the part of the boat.
On the part of the enemy five men killed and ten wounded, Jour of whom
jumped overboard, including the Captain, who was wounded on the first of
the attack.
I have the honour to be, &c.
To Samuel Hood, Eiq. Commodore and Com- \V. CARR.
tnander in Chief, \5"*. &;. tsfs.
Centaur, Carlitle Bay, Barbadoti,
SIR, March 28, 1^04.
I beg leave to enclose you. for the information of the Lords Comm:ssioners of
the Admiralty, a letter I have received from Captain Younghusband, of his
Majesty's Sloop Osprey, giving an account of a most spirited action he fought
•with the Egyptienne, a I-rench Frigate of thirty-six guns, and two hundred
and sixty men, which must certainly have fallen to his superior skill and bra-
very, had not she availed herself of her sailing to get away. Captain Young-
husband's gallant conduct, with that of his Officers and men, against such su-
perior force, merits my warmest applause.
This Ship was formerly the Railleure, and given to the Merchants of Bour-
deaux, to fit out as a private Ship of War ; she had made several captures, one
of which has been retaken by the Hippomenes.
I have the honour to be, &c.
W.Mandin, Eiq. SAM HOOD.
Hit Majesty's Sloop Ospit ' , Kjrlahes,
SIR, March 28, 1804.
I beg leave to inform yon, that on the 2jd instant I discovered four sail to
'the S. W. quarter; I immediately chased, and upon rearing them, I found them
to be a large Frigate and three Merchant Ships; upon coming within hail of
the Frigate, she hoisted French colours, and fired her broadside, which was
instantly returned, and the two Ships continued in close action for an hour and
twenty minutes, when the enemy ceased firing and began to make off, and her
convoy to separate on different courses ; I then found with regret, that she out-
sailed the Osprey under her topsails upon the cap ; I however continued the
chase, firing our bow-chasers as long as they could reach, but we lost sight of
her during the night.
The French Ship's sails, rigging, and hull, were very much cut; the Osprey
has also suffered very much in her sails and rigging ; ai:d I am sorry to add,
that we have one man killed and sixteen wounded.
Lieutenant Collier, the Officers, and Ship's Company, behaved with the
greatest bravery and activity.
J have further to inform you, that on the 2jth, the Osprey and Hippomene*
retook the Ship Reliance, and I am informed from the French Prize- master,
that the Ship the Osprey engaged, was the Frigate Egyptienne, fitted out as a
Privateer by the Merchants of Bourdeaux, mounting 36 guns, and having OB
board 255 men.
I am, sir, &c.
G. YOUNGHUSBAND.
To Samuel Hood, Esq. Commodore and Cost'
mander in Chief t Ufc. &f. &c.
7* 0A2BTTE LETTERS.
SIR, Centaur, Carlisle Bay, BarbaJoes, MarcL 29, 1804.
I have the satisfaction to send you the copy of a letter I have received from
Captain Shipley, of his Vlajes'y's Sloop Hippomenes, giving an account of the
capture of the Egyptienne French Frigate, of 36 gun?, by that Sloop. The
firmness and perseverance of Captain Shipley in the pursuit of a Ship of such
force, does him, the Officers, and Sloop's Company, the highest credit ; and
being we!l marked with judgment and decision, he so surprized the enemy,
that he struck the moment the Hippomenes came alongside, after three hours'
running fight. No doubt the spirited action of the Osprey contributed; of
which Captain Shipley speaks in the handsomest terms.
I am, &c.
William Mandtn, Esq. SAM. HOOD.
Hit Majesty's Sloop Hippomenes,
SIR, March 29, 18.4.
I have the honour to acquaint you with the capture of 1'Egyptienne French
Privateer (formerly a Republican Frigate1, mounting 36 guns, twelves and
nines, commanded by M. Placiard, and having Z4omen on board, on the even-
ing of the 27th, after an arduous chaoe of fifty-four hours, and a running fight
of three hours and twenty minutes, by his Majesty's Sloop under my command,
for she struck the moment we fairly got alongside of her. I feel much pleasure
in saying, the Officers and men behaved with that coolness and intrepidity in-
herent in Englishmen; and had the enemy allowed them a trial a'ongside, I am
convinced her superior force would not have availed them much. However, I
cannot forbear recommending to your protection my First Lieutenant, for his
good conduct on this as well as on all former occasions. The slight resistance
she made I can only attribute to the fear of being as severely beat as she had been
four days previous by the Osprey, who killed eight of her men and wounded
nineteen, and whose gallantry astonished them. Mr. John Lloyd, Master's
Mate, is the only person hurt on this occasion, and he slightly.
I have further to inform you of the recapture of the Reliance of London,
taken by the above Frigate.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Commodore HcoJ, fcrV. &V. &t. CON WAY SHIPLEY.
Centaur, Carlisle Bay, Barbadoest
SIR, March 31, 1804.
I herewith enclose copy of a letter from Lieutenant King, of this Ship, acting
in command of his Majesty's Sloop Drake, giving an account of his having^
•with that Sloop, recaptured the Enterprize, of Biddeford, loaded with camp
equipage, medicines, &c. for the army; also of two of his boats (after having
drove an enemy's Privateer under the batteries of la Hayes) commanded by
the Master, reciptuted another Ship which the enemy abandoned.
1 also enclose copy of a letter from Captain O'Brien, of his Majesty's Ship
Emerald, stating Lieutenant Gregory, with the boats of that Ship, having de-
stroyed a Schooner and a Sloop at Port Diable, Martinique.
I have the honour to be, &c.
W. Marsdcn, Eij. SAM. HOOD.
His Majesty's Sloop Dralet
8IR, March 17, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint you, on the morning of the i4th instant, off
Englishman's Head, Guadaloupe, I fell in with a French Privateer Schooner,
and a large Ship in company, apparently her prize, but could not come up with
either until the Ship ran on shore near the batteries at the Haye ; I endeavoured
to cut off" the Schooner irom the protection of the fort, but was prevented
doing so by its falling calm, and frequent changes of the wind, and having the
main-top shot away, and the rigging much cut; another Ship appearing in the
Offing, and steering as if intentionally to ran a-shore, 1 made sail after her,
leaving two boats, under the direction of Mr. "Robson, the Master, to watch
the Ship, having perceived her to be off the Shore, and to attack her »houl4
GAZETTE LETTERS. 73
they come out, which was obviated by the enemy's abandoning her at the ap-
proach of the boats, only leaving one of their crew, who had not time to get
into the:r boais. But I am sorry to add, when in possession of the Ship more
than hall an hour, she blew up, by which accident, a Master's Mate, three
Seamen, and one Marine, were lost; Mr. Robson, the Master, expired a few
hours aft~r, and several others much bruised. The name of the Ship 1 could not
learn ; she had eighteen guns mounted, and was a very large Ship.
The other Ship which I recaptured proved to be the Kncerprize, of Biddeford,
taken by the Decide.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Samuel Hood, En]. Commodore and Cam- »\V. KING.
wander in Chief, f3"e. &c. &c.
JJli Mnje'ty's SUp Emerald, of tie.
SIR, Diamond, March 21, 18.4.
I have the honour to inform you, that on the evening of the 2:th of this
month, observing a Sloop and a Schooner at Pnrt-au-Diable, 1 ieutenant Gre-
gory, with the boats of this ^hip, was directed to faring them out, which 'not
being able to do, he set fire to and destroyed them.
I have the honour to remain, &c.
Samuel Hood, Esq. Commodore and Com- J. O'BRIEN.
mander in Chief, &c. l£?c. fsV.
Cepy of a Letter from Rear- Admiral Vaihon, to William Afarsden, Eiy. titttd at
Leitb, tie \/yb instant.
SIR,
You will be pleased to acquaint the I. orris Commissioners of the Admiralty,
that his Majesty'* Ship theEthalion arrived in I,eith Roads yesterday after'post ;
and 1 herewith enclose a letter from Captain Stuart, giving- an account of tiic
capture of the Dutch National Brig 1'LTnion, of 16 guns, which he hus brought
in with him.
I am, &c.
, J. VASHON.
SIR, Ethalion, off Bergm, May IO, 1804.
I beg to acquaint you, that, last night, after six hours* chase, I captured
1'Union, a Dutch National Brig, fitted out by a Company of Merchants at Am-
sterdam, carrying 16 long guns, iz nine, and 4 six-pounders, and eighty one
men, commanded by Captain Charies Theunesse , two days from Bergen.
L'Union is a rema.kabk fine Vessel, about 280 tons, copper fastened, and in
niy opinion calculated for his Majesty's service.
I have great satisfaction in communicating this intelligence, as 1'Union, in
company with 1'lispion, a Dutch Corvette, lately annoyed our trade in this
station.
I have the honour to be, &c,
CHARLES STUART.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, MAY ZZ.
Copy of a Letter from tie Right Hon. Lord Keith. K B Admiral of the Blue, &c.
to WHIiam Marsdeii) E-q. dated at Ramsgaie,' the 20tb instant.
SIR,
I herewith transmit, for the information of their Lordships, a letter which I
have this day received from Commodore Sir Sidney Smith, acquainting me that
the enemy's flotilla at Flushing had been pushed out from that port on the i6th
instant, to form a junction with that at Ostend, and that the greatest part of
them had succeeded in reaching the latter place, notwithstanding the vigorous
measures that were used by the Commodore and his hquadron to resist their
progress ; a circumstance which is to be imputed only to the numerous disad.
vantages to which his Majesty's Ships were subjected in consequence of the
. Cfjron. ftd.XII. L
74 GAZETTE LETTERS.
shallowness of the water, and the effect of the enemy's field attillcry and their
batteries on the shore ; for the Commodore appears to have used every practi-
cable exertion to defeat the design, and to have been very gallantly seconded by
all the Officers serving urder his orders.
I also enclose a list of the killed aud wounded on this occasion ; and have the
honour to be, &.c. KtlYH.
Aniclobe, at Anchor off Gtientf,
MY LORD, ' May 17, 18 4.
Information from all quarters, and the evident sute of readiues^ in which the
enemy's armaments were in Helvoet, tlushing, and Ostend, indicating the
probability of a general movement from those ports, I reinforced Capt-in .Man-
by, off f.elvoet, with one Ship, and directed Captain tiar.cock, of the Cruizer,
stationed in shore, to combine his operations and the Rattler's with the Squadron
of Gun boats stationed off Ostrnd.
The .- ntelope, Penelope, and Aimable, occupied a cer.trical position in sight
both of I lushing and O-rer.d, in anxious expectation of the enemy's r.ppcjrance.
Yesterday at half past five A.M. I received information from Captain Hancock,
then off O-tcnd, that (he enemy's Flotilla was hauling out of that Pier, and had
alreac.y t inty-one one masted Vessels and one Schooner outside in the Roads;
and at half past seven the s-nie morning, I had ti.e satisfaction to see the
Flushii g Flotilla of fifty nine sail, viz. two Ship-rigged i'raams, nineteen
SchoorVis, and thirty-tight Schuyts steering along sh< re from that port to-
ward Ortc-.nd, under circumstances which allowed me to hope I should be <-.ble
to bring them to action. Tht signal was made to the Cruizer and Ruttier lor
an enemy in the £ S. £.,. to call their attention fr«,m CKtend; the :,quadron
•weighed tl.e monitnt the flood made and allowed of the heavier <hip' foltowiog
them over the bai,<:s ; the eigiuls to chase and to engage were obeyed with
alaciiry, spirit, and judgment, by the active and experienced Officers your
Lort'sh.p has done me the honour to place under n:y orders. Captains Hancock;
and M;'.*on attacked this foimidablcJine with the greatest gallantry and address,
attaching thmiseives particularly to the two I raams, both of tb«;m of greater
force than themselves, independent of the cross fire from the Schooners and
Schuyts; I stnt the Ami .ble by signal to support them, 'i he Penelope, (havir.g
an able pilot, Mr. Thornton,) on >ignal being made to engage, Captain Brough-
ton worked up to the centre of the enemy s line, as near as the shoal waier
would allow, while the Antelope went round the Ftroom Sand to cut the van
off fiom < stcnd ; unfortunately our Gun-boats were not in sight, having, as I
have understood since, devoted their attention to preventing the Cstcud aivibion
from moving westward.
The enemy ai tempted to get back to Flushing; but, being harrassed by the
Cruizrr and the Rattler, and the wind coming more easterly againft them,
they were obliged to run the gauntlet to the westward, keeping close to the
beach, under the protection of the batteries.
Having found a passage f;>r the Antelope within the Siroom-sand, she was
enabled to bring her broadside to bear on the headmost schooners before they
got the length of O>tend The leader struck immediately, and her crew de-.
sened her; *he was however recovered by the followers: the artillery from
the town and car p, and the rowing Gun-boats from the pkr, kept up a con-
stant and well-<hrected fire for their support ; our shot, however, whiih went
over the "chooncrs, going on sh< re among the hcr>e artillery, interrupted it in
a drgice: still however it wa> from the shore we received the greatest annoy-
ance ; for t! e Schoonersand ' chuyts crowding along could not bring their j row
guns to bear, without altering their course towards us, which they could not
•venture ; and their side-guns, though numerous and well served, were very
light. In thi- manner tht Penelope and Antelope engaged every part of their
lonjj line from tour till eight, while the Aimable, Cruizcr, and Rattler, con-
tinueu to press their rear. Hnce two o'clock the sternmost Praam struck her
colours and ran on shore; but the artill<-ry-mrn from the ai my got on board,
and she renewed her fire on the Aimable with the precision of a land battery,
GAZETTE LETTERS. 75
from which that Ship suffered much: Captain Bolton speaks much in praise of
Lieutenant Mather, who is wounded.
Several of the Schooners and '•'chuyts immediately under the fire of the Ships
Were driven on shore in like manner, and recovered by the army. At eight,
the tide. falling, and leaving us in little m:>re water than we drew, we were
reluctantly obliged to haul off into deeper water to keep afloat; and the enemy's
Vessels that were not on shore, or too much shattered, were thus able to reach
Ostend ; these and the Ostend d'.vison have hauled into the bason I have an-
chored in such a position as to keep ;.n eye on them ; and I shall endeavour to
close with them again if they move into deeper water. 1 have to regret, that
from the depth of the water in which these Vtsseb move, Gun-boats .tltjne can
act agair.st them with effoct. Fc.ur have joined me, and I I ave sent them in to
sex what they can do with the Praam that is on shore I have great satisfaction
in bearing testimony to your Lordship of the gallant and steady conduct of the
Captains, Commanders, Officers, Seamen, and Marines, under my orders.
Captains Hancock and Mason bore the brunt of the attack, and continued it for
six hours, against a great superiority of fire, particularly from the army on shore,
the howitzer-shtlls annoying them much. These Officers deserve the highest
praise I can give them. They speak of the conduct of their Lieutenants, Offi-
cers, and Crews, in terms of warm panegyric. Messrs. Budd and Dalyell from
the Antelope acted in the absence of two Lieutenants of those Ships. Lieuten-
ants Garrety and Patful, commanding the !;avourite and tag Cutters, did their
besc with their small guns against greater numbers of greiter calibre. Lieuten-
ant Hillier, of the Antelope, gave me all the assistance and support on the
quarter-deck his ill state of health would permit Lieutenant .Stokes and Mr.
Slesscr, Acting Lieutenant, directed the fire on the lower and main decks with
coolness and precision. It would be the highest injustice if 1 omitted to mention
the intrepid conduct of Mr. Lewis, the Master, Mr. Nunn and Mr. Webb,
Pilots, to whose steadiness, skill, and attention, particularly the former, I
shall ever feel myself indebted, for having brought the Antelope into action
within the Sands, where, certainly, the enemy could not expect to be met by a
Ship of her size; and for having allowed her to continue engaged with Com-
modore Verhuel to the last minute it was possible to remain in such shoal water,
with a falling tide. It is but justice to say, the enemy's Commodore pursued a
steady course notwithstanding our fire, and returned it with spirit to the last.
I could not detach open boats into the enemy's line to pKk up those vessels
which had struck, and were deserted, mixed as they were with those still firing.
Captain Hancock sent me one Schuyt that had hauled out of the line and sur-
rendered. .she had a Lieutenant and twenty-three Soldiers of the 48;h regi-
ment, with five Dutch Seamen, on board. She is eo useful here I cannot part
with her yet. Enclosed is a list of our loss, which, though great, is less than
might have been expected, owing to the enemy's directing their fire at our
masts. 'I he Rattler and the Cruizcr have of course suffered most in the latter
respect, but are nearly ready for service agcin. The smoke would not allow us
to see the effect of our shot on the enemy ; but their loss, considering the num-
ber of them under our guns for so long, must be great in proportion. We see
the mast-heads above water of three of the bchoouers and one of the Schuyts
which were suck.
I have the honour to be, &c.
W. SIDNEY SMITH.
Right Hon. Lord Keith, K. B Commander
in Chief, &c. &c. &V.
Return of Killed and Wounded on board Ins Majesty's Slips and fessels under tie Orders
ef Commodore Sir William Sidney Smith, Knt &C. in Action ijutth the Enemy's
flctilta, on its Passage from flushing to OsteaJ, May 16, 1804.
Antelope — ^ Seamen and i private Marine, wounded.
Penelope. — 3 Seamen killed, and 4 Seamen wounded.
76 GAZETTE LETTERS.
Aimable— Mr. Christie, Master's Mate; Mr. Johnson, Midshipman; 4 Sea-
men, and I Boy, killed; i ieutt-nant W. Mather; Mr. Shadwell, Purser; Mr.
Conner, Midshipman; and 1 1 Seamen, wounded.
Ccisizer — i Seaman, killed; Mr. George Ellis, Clerk; and 3 Seamen,
wounded.
Rattler— 2 Seamen killed, and 5 Seamen wounded.
Total -2 ' etty Officers, lo^Seamen, and i Boy killed; i Lieutenant,
I Purser, 4 Petty Officers, 25 Seamen, and i private Marine, wounded.
\V. S. SMITH.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, MAY 29.
Sofy of a Letter from Rear- Admiral Sir John Thomas Duct-worth, K.B. Command*
in Chief of bh Majesty's Shift and feisek at "Jamaica, to William Marsdta. £jy.
dated Port Royal, March 21, 1804.
SIR,
You will herewith receive, for the information of the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, a letter from Captain Ross, of his Majesty's Ship Pique,
stating the capture of the French National Cutter Terreur, on the i8th iastaut,
which arrived at this port last evening.
I am, &c. J. T. DUCKWORTH.
His Majesty's Ship la Pique, off" Jacmce,
SIR, March 1 8, 1804.
*I have the honour to inform you, that, after a chase of five hours, this day
•we came up with and captured the French National Cutter le Terreur, of ten
guns, (six of which they threw overboard in the chase,) and 75 men, com-
manded by*Mon«. Collinet, Lieutenant de Vaisseaa, from Santo Domingo two
days, and had taken nothing.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Sir J. T. Duel-worth, Rear- Admiral of tie % C. B. H. ROSS.
Red, Commander in Cb'uf, &e._&e- &c.
Copy af another Letter from Rear- Admiral Sir John Thomas Duck-worth, K.B. &c.
to William Marsden, Esg. dated at Jamaica the "]tb of April, 1804.
SIR,
I transmit you herewith a letter from Captain Lc Geyts, of his Majesty's Ship
Stork, stating, t! e capture of a Felucca Privateer; there are also two other Pri-
vateers captured since our last, according to the accompanying list, which I beg1
you to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
J am, &c.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
His Majeity's Stoof Stork, ojf Cape Nicola
SIR, Mole, March 30, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint you, that his Majesty's Sloop under my com-
mand has this day captured, after a chase of six hours, the French Felucca Pri-
vateer 1'Hirondelle, of three guns, (two of which were thrown overboard in
the chase,) and forty-four men She has been three months from Guadaloupe,
but list from Banacoa, and had taken nothing.
I have the honour to be, &c.
GEO. LE GEYTS.
7» Sir J. 7. Duck-worth, K.B. Rear- Admiral' of tie
Red, Commander in Chief.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 77
"Return of fessett capture.! and dc trcyed by lit Majesty'* feiSels under the Command
of Rear- Admiral Sir ^. T. Duckivortb, K.B. time tie List encloieJ lOth Martb,
1804.
L'Hirondelle Felucca Privateer, of 3 guns and 44 men ; captured on the 30th
of \Iarch by the Stork.
Le Cazar Felucca ! rivateer, of I six-rounder and 46 men: captured on th«
3d of April by the Fortuuee ; out five days, and had taken nothing.
Je.'.n Baptiste Felucca Privateer, of 28 men : captured on the ad of April by
the Racoon.
Copy of a Letter from Rear- Admiral Diicres to W. Manden, Esq. dated on board tit
Franchhe at Sea, March 27, 1804,
SIR,
Having directed Captain Murray to chase a Schooner which was discovered
a-head of the convoy yesterday afternoon, you will be pleased to acquaint my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that, by half past seven o'clock that
evening, she wai captured by the Franchise, and proves to be la Petite Har-
monic i'rivateer from IViartinique, mounting two four-pound carriage guns,
commanded by Citizen Guerel, and manned with zz men. I have ordered her
to be destroyed, and am, &c. J. R. D ACRES.
ADMIRALTY OFFICt, JUNE 2.
Copy of a Letter from Sir John TLomnt Ducirvorti, K.B. Vice- Admiral of the Blue,
&c. t» IV". Marsden, Esq. dated Port Royal, Jamaica, April 2t 1804.
SIR,
Fcr the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I send you
herewith a letter recently received from Captain Roberts, of the Snake, com-
manding a small. force stationed at New Providence.
J have the honour to be, &c.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
Ilii 3-Iajesiy't S'oop Snale, Salt Key,
SIR, March 18, 1804.
This moment has arrived his Majesty's sloop Lilly, Captain Lyall, from Ber-
muda, who has brought with him the Bataviaii Republic Schooner Draak, com-
manded by a Lieutenant of Frigate, captured on the ist instant. She mounts 4
four, and i three-pounders, and 50 men ; seven weeks from Curacoa, and had
taken nothing.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Rear-Admiral Sir J. T. Duckworth, K.R. W. ROBERTS
\*e. &c. &c.
Csfy of another Letter from Rear -Admiral Sir "join fl/imas Ductwertb, K.B. Com-
mander in Chief of his Majesty'* Ships and Vtneli at Jamaica, to W. Alan Jen, Esj.
dated at Port Royal the -]tb of April, 1804.
SIR,
I transmit, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
an account of French Vessels captured and destroyed by his Majesty's Squadron,
under my command since the return of the loth ultimo.
I am, &c.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
If ht of Ships and Vessels capture! and destroyed by the SquzJrvn under tie Command ef
Rear Admiral Sir J. T. Duct-worth, KB. Jamaiti.
French National Transport PArgo, of 6 guns and 50 men, commanded by a
Lieutenant de Vaisscau, in ballast : captured by the Racoon, Captain Gordon,
March 16, 1804 — B. Waterhouse and Co. agents.
78 GAZETTE LETTERS.
French Felucca Privateer 1'Hirondelle, of 3 guns and 44 men : captured by
the Stork, Captain Le Geyts, off Cape Nicola Mole, March 30, 18-4-. same
agents.
French Felucca Privateer 1'Aventure, of i gun and 28 men : captured by
the Racoon offGreat Henage, April j, 1804; same agents.
Felucca Privateer le Cazar, of i gun, 46 men, and 18 tons, from St. Jago
dc Cuba : captured by the Fortunes ; same date and same agents.
A French Privateer, of 2 guns and 17 men, destroyed by his Majesty's Ship
Blanche.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
His Majesty's Sloop Racoon, of Nevi
SIR, Providence, March 19, 1804.
I have the honour to inform you, that on Friday the i6th, in lat. 26 deg.
51 min. W. Ion. 8c deg. 21 min. N. I captured th* French National Trans-
port 1'ArgOi mounting: 6 guns, commanded by Thomas Dussniel, Enseigne de
Vaisseau, with fifty Troops and 20 Officers and Seamen ; twenty-two days
from New Orleans, bound to France.
I have the honour to be, &c.
H. GORDON.
Rear-Admiral Sir J. T. Ducl-wortl, Coat'
mander in Chief, &c. &"<;. &c.
His Majesty's Skip Raeocn, Ptrt Royal,
SIR, April 5, 1804.
I have the honour to inform you, that on Tuesday, April 3, I captured, off
the Great Henage, after a few hours' chase, the French Felucca 1 rivateer
1'Aventure, commanded by Jean Baptiste Gay, manned with 28 men, mounting
one gun and two Swivels ; seven days out of St. Jago, her first cruize, and had
not taken any thing : and on Wednesday, the 4th, recaptured the American
Schooner Elizabeth, laden with coffee.
I have the honour to be, &c,
H. GORDON.
Sir J. T, Duckworth, K.B Commander
in Chief, &V. fi-f*. CSV.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, JONE IZ.
Copy of a Letter from tie Honourable William Carnival/is, Admiral of the White t CTV.
to W. Marsden, Esq. dated off Usbant, the Jib Instant.
SIR,
I have the honour to enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, the copies of two letters to me from Captain Campbell, of
the Doris, containing an account of his having captured two of the enemy'*
Gun- boats in the bay of Hodierne.
I have the honour to be, Sec.
W. CORNWALLIS.
Hi* Majesty's Ship Doris, off Point du Raze,
SJR, March 10, 1804.
I beg leave to inform you of my having taken and destroyed the French Gun-
Boat No. 351, of the second class, carrying one eighteen-pounder and thirty
men, being one of a small convoy from Quimper to Brest, ultimately to Bou-
logne, laden with ammunition, provisions, &c. : the rest escaped into Hodierne,
owing to my having sprung the main-topmast, and split the sail, in chase.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Tbe Honourable Admiral CoriivelUt, P. CAMPBELL.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 79
His Majesty's Slip Dont, off Point d»
SIR, Rjze, April 30, 1804.
Having observed, on the clearing up of a fog, a number of Gun- Brigs, Boats,
and Ch:'<>e Marces, anchored at the entrance of Hodierne harbour, I stood in
at ni< ht, and anchored as near as I could to protect the boats which were dis-
patcher uiidrr the orders of 1 ieutenaiu Ader on, who succeeded in bringing
out the Gun-Boat No. 360. of the second c.Uss, carrying one eightcen-poundcr
and thirty men, but owing to a rapid and heavy surf wvich broke at the har-
bour's mouth, as well as their being protected by strong batteries, prevented
his bc-in^ more successful.
I am, &c. -
Tie Honourable Admiral Corntvallh. P. CAMPBELL.
ADMI R ALTY-OFFrCE, JUN'ElS
Copy of a Lttter from fiee- Admiral Sir Andrnv Mile/jell, K. P. Commander in Chief
oj bis M. jetty's Ships and Vessels at Xurtb America, to William Marulen, £>q.
dated at Bermuda, April If, 1804.
SIk,
Herewith I transmit two letters from Captain Bradley, of his Majesty's Ship
the Cambrian, giving an account of the capture of two French Privateers on his
passage co Bermuda. I have the honour to be, &c.
A. MITCHELL.
S'R, Cambrian, at Sea, March 21, 18.^4.
1 have to acquaint you, that I have this day captured, in his Majesty's Ship
under my command, le Tison French Privateer Schooner, mounting 6 twelve
and nine-pounders, (which were thrown overboard during the chase ) and 59
men, commanded by Joseph Kastique, belonging to Guadaloupe, had been out
eleven days, and had taken nothing. She held us a cha'e pf 2-5 hours.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Vice- Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell, K.B. W. BRADLEY.
(St. &f«. CSV.
SIR, Cambrian ai Sea, March 26, 1804.
I have to acquaint you, that I this day captured, in h s Majesty's Ship under
my command, 1'Alexandre French Schooner Privare<r, mounting eight guns,
68 men, commanded by Charles la Maique, out eleven days, had not taken
any thing.
I nn, &c.
To Vhe Admiral Sir A. Mitchell. KB. \V. BRADLEY.
Copy ff another Letter from Vice- Admiral Sit Ar^rc-w Mitchell, K.B. Commander in
Chief of bis Majesty's Skips and FesseL in North America, to William Marsdcn,
E:q dated at Bermuda, April 17, 1804.
SIR,
I have the honour to transmit you, for the information of the Lords Commii-
•ioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a letter from Captain Lyall, stating the
capture of the Batavian Republic Schooner Draak by his Majesty's Sloop Lilly,
under hi« command, on the ist of March last, on his passage to the Bahamas.
I am, &c. A. MITCHELL.
Lilly, Salt- Key Anchorage, Nrw Providtneit
SIR, March 2j, 1804.
By a Schooner which sails from this place for Bermuda this evening, I have to
infoim you, in pursuance of your orders of the 3d ultimo, that, on the first in-
z
8o GAZETTE LETTERS.
slant, In' lat. 26 deg. and long. 70 deg 3 min. captured the Batavian Republic
Schooner Draak, of 4 four-pounders, i long three-pounder, and 50 men; com-
manded by Lieutenant Jan Justus Lingemans, from Ciiracoa, out seven weeks,
and uken nothing. She engaged us 15 minutes, and made every preparation
to board. The Corporal of Marines lost his arm, and the Schooner had two
men killed and one severely wounded. She is a very fine Ve*»c-l. coppered,
•ails remarkably fast, well found in every thing, Bermudian built, and four
years old. I have the honour to be, &c.
W. LYALL.
Vice- Admiral Sir A. Mitcbell, K B. &e. &?<:. &e.
ADMIRALTY OfFICE, JONS J.Z.
Copy of a Letter received at ibis Office by Captain Maxiuell from Commodore Hood,
Commander in Chief of bis Majesty's Sbifs and Vessels at the Leeivard Islands, to
William Marsden, Esq.; dated on board bis Majesty's Ship Emerald^ in Surinam
River, the 6tb of May, 1804.
SIR,
I have the honour to inform you, I arrived off this River in the Centaur, with
the Pandour, Serapis, Alligator, Hippomenes, Drake, Unique armed Schooner,
and Transports, having on board near two thousand troops, under Major-Ge-
neral Sir Charles Green, on the 2jth ultimo, after a passage- of twen-y day»
from Barbadoes. when immediate measures were, taken to send a division of the
army, of about seven hundredTnen, to land at War :pa c'reek, under the com-
mand of Brigadier-General Maitland, the direction of which was h ft to Captain
Shipley, of the Hippomenes, who, with that sloop, a transport, and th.ee armed
Vessels, landed the troops on the night of the 3 th, assisted hy Captain VKen-
zie, of his Majesty's Sloop Guachapin, who had with great zeal quitted his
sloop fifty leagues to leeward with ail her boats, en finding from bsfBhig winds
and currents she coiild not get up.
That no time &hoi,!d be lost, Brigadier- General Hughes was ordered on board
the Pandcur, to endeavour to gain possession the next night iaGch) uf Braam'i
Point, and instructions sent to Captain O'Brien, then lying off the 13ar in the
Emerald, to carry this service, in concert with the Brigadier, into execution :
he, with his usual intrepidity, lost not a moment, but as tKe fide flowed, pushed
in over the bar, and anchored close to the battery of seven i8-poundtrs, fol-
lowed by Captain Nash and Ferris, in the ljai>dour and Drake. The fort com-
menced a bris.k fire on the Emerald, but was silenced by a few broadsides, after
the Ships had anchored, without any loss on our side : in it were captured forty
three Officers and men, three of whom were wounded.
Not being able to approach nearer in the Centaur, the General and my?elf
the next morning removed to this Ship at the entrance of the river, and having
summoned the Colony, the answer was received, containing a refusal of the
terms. The moment therefore the tide served, every effort was made to get up
the river, which, from the shallowness of the water, was very difficult, the
Emerald having passed through the mud in three feet less than she drew, and it
was not till las: night we were enabled to get her to this station near the forts,
from the lowncss of the tides.
The Officers of engineers having explored the road through the woods, close
to the Battery of Friderici, which communicated with Leydcn Redoubt, an at-
tack was made on the morning of the 3Oth, by a detachment of troops under
Brigadier-General Hughes, conducted in the boats by Captain Maxwell of the
Centaur, and Captains Ferris and Richardson : they landed at Plantation Reso-
lution, and after a tedious march through woods and swamps, the Brigadier and
detachment, accompanied by the two fir^t-named Captains, with some Officers
and about 30 seamen, carried the battery of Friderici ; and though the enemy
blew up the magazine, by which many of our brave people suffered on entering
the work, they were not delayed in passing a causeway of 700 yards, with five
pieces of cannon bearing thereon, and carried the redoubt of Leyden m^a few
minutes, The gallant conduct of the Brigadier, his Officers and men, will n*
GAZETTE LETTERS. 8l
doubt be sufficiently set forth by the Major-General, but it is impossible to do
justice to their merit; and the Brigadier has spoken in the handsomest terms
of Captain Maxwell, who commanded the Seamen, and Captain Ferris, who
led on with the advanced party, as well as all the Officers and men; and
Captain Richardson, left ready to support them in the boats, gave every aid to
secure the posts.
I subjoin a list of killed and wounded. Amongst the number belonging to
the Centaur, 1 am sorry to add, is Lieutenant Smith, mortally ; Lieutenants
King and Henderson, severely; and Mr. Shuldem, Midshipman, killed; Lieu-
tenant Brand of the Unique, is also severely wounded.
Brigadier- (Jeneral Maitland having come down the river Commowina, and
the Ships all got up near Fridsrici, with the troops advancing, and the enemy's
communication nearly intercepted by the activity of our armed boats, as well as
provisions, stores, and cannon, prepared for attacking Fort Mew Amsterdam,
yesterday the Batavian Commandant, Lieutenant-Colonel Batenburg, thought
proper to send a flag of truce, when a capitulation was soon after signed.
Commodore Bloys Van Treslong, on our claiming the surrender of the Ships,
entered into the terms. He had placed the Proserpine, of 34 guns, 1 8 -poun-
ders, near to Fort New Amsterdam, and extended a line of .iefence across the
l^iver, with the Pylades Corvette, of 18 guns, at the other extreme, about a mile
above the redoubt Purmurent ; three Merchantmen in the centre, from 8 to
iz guns, and a Schooner, of 10 guns, employed to reconnoitre and cover the
*hore at Voorburg, should our troops have attempted to advance by that side,
beside 7 gun-boats stationed as occasion required.
The indefatigable zeal of Captains O'Bryen and Nash, in arranging and for-
warding the supplies, and Captains Maxwell, Ferris, Waring, and Richardson,
in giving aid to the army, as well as Captain Kempt, Agent for Transports,
claims my warmest applause ; as does that of Captain Shipley, in landing
Brigadier-General Maitland's division ; and Captain M'Kenzie, for his services
with fifty seamen, in aiding that part of the army on «•" eir route from the
Warapa Creek. It is with much satisfaction I relate, that the co-operation of
the Army and Navy, employed on this expedition, hus been carried on with an
eager emulation to assist each other, which indeed could but be expected from
the cordial measures adopted by Major-General Sir Charles Green.
Captain Maxwell will have the honour to deliver this dispatch; and from
the able manner he has conducted himself, as my Captain, will, 1 am confident,
give their Lordships every satisfactory information.
I have the honour to be, &c.
SAM. HOOD.
List of killed and tuounHed.
Centaur.— One Midshipman and 2 Seamen, killed ; i Lieutenant mortally
wounded (died the following day) ; a Lieutenants and a Seamen, severely, and
2 Seamen, slightly weunded.
Drake. — i Boatswain, killed.
Pandour. — i Seaman, slightly wounded.
Unique. — i Lieutenant, severely wounded.
Total — 5 killed and 8 wounded.
To bii Excellency the Governor of tbe Colony of Surinam.
A considerable British armament of sea and land forces being arrived in the
river Surinam, We, the Commanders in Chief of the same, judge it expedient
at this crisis to summon the Colony to an immediate surrender to his Britannic
Majesty's arms.
The important situation which we now possess, with the decided superiority
of our force, must, in case resistance be attempted, ensure a speedy and favour-
able issue to our operations; but the motives which have chiefly actuated his
(UoI.XII. M
8z GAZETTE LRTTERS.
Majesty in sending this expedition, and upon the principles of winch we are di-
rected to govern our conduct, induce u* to propose <i capitulation, so highly
beneficial to the interests of the Colony of Surinam, as. to ieave little doubt on
our minds of bv-inj/ joyfully accepted.
But it, contrary to our well -founded expert uions, the offers we now make
should be rejected, it becomes u-> to stale, in the c'earcst manner, that the effu-
sion of blood, an.l a 1 the calamities of war; in particular the destruction ar.d
ruin brought upon private property, which vull be the inevitable consequence,
must hs attributed to you. and not to us.
Bcirg desirous to evince our inclination to allow every possible indulgence to
the Colony, consistent with our duty, and knowing: it may require some time
to assemble the constituted Authorities for th ir decisirn, we arc willing to wait
twelve hours' time for your answer; and, at the expiration of which, should
you not accede to our proposal*, we shall consider it incumbent u; on us to pro-
ceed to such further measures as our instructions point out.
Dated on board his Majesty's Ship Centaur, off Bram's Point, April 27, 1804.
CH.iRi.ES GRi EN.
SAMUEL HOOD.
T proposed by tleir Excellenctet Mjjvr-General Sir Charles Green, and Com*
medere Samuel Hood, CommanJin in Ci iff of his Majesty's Land and Sea Forces t
for the Surrender to iJjc British Government oftbi Colony of Surinam.
Art I. The Colony of Surinam to be surrendered in twenty-four hours, to
the arms and protection of the British Government.
A;:. II. The inhabitants of the Colony shall enjoy full security for their
persons, and the free cxercUe of their religion, with the immediate and entire
possession of their MJvate property, whether on shore or afloat.
Art III. The "Wr *>f tne Colony, as they existed at the period of its
being given up by thx'iiritish Government, ^hall remain in force until his ?.1a-
jesty's pleasure shall h ;nown ; but this Article is not meant to restrict his
Majes:y's Representa; L • from mAing such temporary regulations as may ap-
pear to h>m absolutely necessary for the security and defence of the Colony ; nor
must it be construed to militate against such establishments as may be necessary
for regulating the commerce of the Colony, agreeable to the practice in the
British West India Posses-ions.
Art IV. The different persons at present employed in the Civil Adminis-
tration of the Colony, shall all of them, the Governor exccpted, continue in
Office, provided they take the Oach of Allegiance and Fidelity to the British
Government, and that their conduct is such as to afford no reasonable ground
for suspecting tht.r submission thereto.
Art V. All ."hips of War, Artillery, Provisions, and Stores, In the public
Magazines and VVrat chouses, as well as the Effects of every description belong-
ing to the Batavian Government, shall be given up to his Britannic Majesty in
the state they now art, regular lists being immediately taken by Officers
appointed for the purpose by each of the contracting parties.
Art. V. The Batavian Troops in the different Garrisons of this Colony are
to surrender as Prisoners of War, to remain so until exchanged or released;
they are to deliver up their Arms, Accoutrements, and Ammunition, to the
persons appointed to receive them ; they will be allowed all the usual honours
of war, and the Officers and Men will he allowed to retain their private
Baggage.
Art. VII. The Fort of New Amsterdam is to be delivered upjo the British
Troops before the expiration of the twenty -four hours stipulated in the first
Article, and all the orher I orts and Batteries in the Colony are to be surren-
dered as soon as possible.
On board his Majesty's Ship Centaur, off Braru's Point, the 27th of April,
1804.
I C. GRREN.
SAM. HOOD.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 83
J>r Commissioner-General of the Tiatavlan Republic, &c- &c. &c. to Major- General
i'wV Charles Green., and Cajmnu^on: S .mutl Hooit, Commander' in Chi-f of the Land
and Si'a Forces of his Britannic Majesty, destined against the Colony of Surinam.
G E N T I. E<JV1 E N ,
The proposals which you have ma:le to me are such as I cannot accept.
1 give you this information that you may regulate yourselves accoidingly.
P.
Plantation Noerburg, April ;3, 1804.
On board bis Majesty's Ship Emerald,
SIR, April '.&, 1804
Wo have had the honour to receivr your answer to our summons of yester-
day's date, by which it appears tint you refuse to accept the Verms of Capitu-
lation vve have proposed, and, as on your part no proposals are made, we shall
consider ourselves at liberty to act accordingly.
\Ve have the honour to be, &c.
CHARLES GREEN.
faA.v.UJii, HOOD.
To hii Excellency the Governor of tie
Culony rf Surinam.
(-OPT)
To Lieutenant Colonel B. A. Batenbur^^ commending the Batavian Troops in the Colony
oj ,>iir:natii.
SIR,
We have had the honour to receive the Proposals upon which you offer to
capitulate, and to each Article, as specified by you. we-1 ^ve sent our answer,
and for any further arrangements vie refer you toL.it ..-ant-Colonel Shipley,
6f the Royai Engineers, and Captain Maxwell, of th{*''oyal Navy, the bearer
of thin.
Tbe Lieutenant Colonel in Chief of the $th Battalion of Ba^aii'ian Chasseurs, commanding
the Trvops in the Colony of Surinam, to the Commanders in Chief oj the Land and Sea
Forces, of his Britannic Majesty in and near the River Surinam.
GENTLEMEN',
The force with which .1 have for a considerable time been expecting to he
attacked, has not caused in me any deviation from the duty I owe to my
country.
But with a view to the interests of the inhabitants of this colony, and of the
brave troops under my command, for which I have to answer to the BatavLn
Republic, for an honourable Capitulation, I am induced to propose to you the
following Articles:
Art. 1. That the Garrison shall retain their Arms and their Bnggage, and
inarch out with all the Honours of War.
Answer. — The Garrison shall be allowed to march out with the usual Ho-
nours of War. The Officers to retain their -id.- arm«, and the Officers and
Soldiers their private Baggage 5 but the Soldiers must lay down their Arms.
Art. II. That the Garrison shall be sent over within four weeks to some
port of the Batavian Rt.-public, all ar the expense of his Britannic Majesty.
Answer.— Granted , or as soon as proper Vessels tor that j-.jrpose can be
provided.
Art. III. That they shall be allowed, as soon as they arrive, to serve under
the Batavian Republic, but not against his Britannic .vlajesty, nor any of his
allies.
Answer.— Granted.
Art. IV. Fort New Amsterdam, and the other Posts, together with the
Magazines and Stores in this Colony, shall be delivered up to Commissioners
to be nominated on both sides, to commence within forty-eight hoius from the
signing of the Capitulation.
84 GAZETTE LETT1R5.
Answer. — The principal Gates and Barriers of Fort New Amsterdam must
be put in possession of the British Forces at two o'clock to-morrow after-
noon.
The remainder of this Article is agreed to.
Art. V. That none of the 1 roops under my command shall be engaged into
the service of his Britannic ]\»ajesty.
Answer. — His Britannic Mejesty receives no other Soldiers but such as volun-
tarily enter into his service.
/*rt. VI. All the Articles proposed in the late Summons to the advantage of
the inhabitants shall be fulfilled.
Answer — His Majesty having instructed us to favour the Colony of Surinam
as much as possible, we are willing to grant it the same terms as first proposed.
Art. VII Women and Children, and all persons whatever annexed to the
Garrison, shall be comprehended in this Capitulation, and enjoy all the advan-
tages attached to it.
Answer —Granted.
Flattering myself that I shall be honoured with your answer, I remain with
the greatest respect, Gentlemen, your bervant,
B. A. BATENBURG.
ADDITIONAL ARTICLE proposed on the Part of bis Britannic Maje'.ty.
It is to be clearly understood, that all the Ships, Vessels, and Boats, employed
in the Colony in the Service of the Batavian Republic, are to be delivered up at
the same hour as specified in the 4th Article for the delivering up of the princi-
pal Gates and Barrier* of Fors New Amsterdam, the Oriicers and men to be
placed on the Same footing as tho&f .pf.the Army.
Two hours will be granted for >4jr consideration of these Articles.
Head Quarters of the Army, "six o'clock Afternoon, May 4, 1804.
CHA. GREEN, Maj. Gen.
r—qj— SA"3VI. HOOD, Commodore.
Lieut. Col. Batcnburgs^.^,nander in Cliff of tf/e BAavian Troops in the Colony «/
Surinam, to the Jo,HnA lert in Chief of Lit Britannic Majesty' t Land aiui Sea
forces in and near the i*. r of tie said Colony.
GENTLEMEN,
1 am highly honoured with the Answer which you sent me this evening, to
the Proposals which I have made, and am satisfied with the same, with a few
exceptions, which, with some additions, I now offer for your consideration.
Ait. I. That all the Batavian Troops occupying the Posts in this Colony,
shall be comprehended in the terms of this Capitulation, and that immediate
orders be given to them to surrender the same to the British Troops.
Answer. — Agreed, so far as relates to the Batavian Troops occupying Post*
not yet captured by the British Forces.
Art. II. All that relates to the White and Black Corps of Chasseurs shall be
arranged with the Colonial Government.
Answer. — Agreed.
Article III. With regard to the Fourth Article, a farther delay of twenty-
four hours is required.
Answer. — The principal Gates and Barriers of Fort New Amsterdam must
be put in possession of the British Troops at four o'clock to-morrow afternoon.
The Barracks to remain occupied by the Batavian Troops until they are em-
barked.
Art. IV. That the Corps remain entire under the command of their respec-
tive Officers. They shall receive all arrears of pay due to them from the Ua-
tavian Government.
Answer. — The disposition of the Batavian Troops on board the Ships which
rnay carry them to Holland must be left to Commodore Hood. Certainly all
arrears of pay due to them to be paid as heretofore, but without any claim ou
the British Government.
Art. V. It is to be understood, that the Batavian Troops, already Prisoners
of War, and in the power of his Britannic Majesty, shall; equally with the
others, enjoy all the privileges of this Capitulation.
Answer.— Refused.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 8j
Art. VI. That the Officers of the LSatavian Garrison, immediately on deliv-
ering up of their posts, shall be allowed to go on their Parole, during their stay
in this Colony, to Paramaribo, or elsewhere in the country, having previously
obtained leave from Colonel Batenburg. .
Answer.— Agreed.
Art. Vli. That all Necessaries of Clothing, such as Cloth and Linen Panta-
loons, Shoes, Stockings, &c. now due from the Batavian Government, shall be
issued to them out of the public Stores belore their departure from thi«
Colony.
Answer. — Agreed.
B. A. BATENBURG.
litad Quarters, Fart Netu Amsterdam, May 4, 1804. -
On the part of Major-General Sir Charles Green and Commodore Hood.
CHARLES SHIPLEY, Lieut Col. com-
manding' Royal Engineers W. 1.
MUHRAY MAXWELL, Capt. R. N.
Ratified, CHAS. GREEN.
SAM. HUOD.
ARTICLES of CAPITULATION agreed upon Letiveen the Commandant of the
Batavian Ships in the West Indies, H, 0. Bloys Van Ireslung, commanding the
Frigate Proserpine, lying opposite Fort Nnv "msterdam, in tbe Colony of Surinam,
and the Commanders in Chief of the Land a i ^ \ Forces of bii Britann.c Majc.ty,
•lying near the Forts Purmurent and Lcydei W the River Surinam.
Extract from the Capitulation betwt .1 Lieutenant Colonel Eatenbarg and
the Commanders of his Britannic Majesty's Forces.
" It is to be clearly understood, that all the Ships, Vessels, and Boats, em-
ployed in the Colony in the service of the Batavian K"Duhl;c, are to be delivered
up at the same hour as specified in the Fourth Arr ^,r the delivering up of
the principal Gates and Barriers,of Fort New Anv ,..-ti.ni, the Officers a.ud iVien
to be placed on the same footing as those of the Af :y."
The Commandant of the Batavian Ships in t" _olony, on considering the
Capitulation between Colonel Batenburg and the 1'ommanders of his Britannic
Majesty's Land and Sea Forces, whereby Fort N w Amsterdam and its Depen-
dencies are to be surrendered to the Forces of his Britannic Majesty, is induced
to offer the following Conditions :
Art. I. There are at present in this Colony no Ships belonging to the Bata-
vian Republic, except the Frigate Proserpine and a Corvette, the latter captured
from the English at the commencement of the war, and which not being con-
demned, cannot be said to whom it may yet belong.
Answer. — As it may hereafter be decided
Art. II. The three Merchant Ships and the Schooner George, with their
Cargoes, are private property, and consequently come under the stipulations of
the Sixth Article of the Terms proposed in the Summons concerning the Colony.
Answer. — As it may hereafter be decided, being called private Property by
Commodore Bloys.
Art. III. The Frigate Proserpine, and Sloop of War Pylades, shall, to-mor-
row at four o'clock in the afternoon, be put in possession of his Britannic Ma-
jesty's Forces.
Answer. — Agreed. The Frigate Proserpine and Sloop of War Pylades, to
be delivered up at four o'clock to-morrow afternoon, in the same sute they
now are.
Art. IV. The private Property of the Commandant, Officers, and Crew, in-
cluding the Provisions and Effects in the Naval Hospital, where they now
stand, shall be retained, to secure which the necessary assistance to be given on
the part of the British.
Answer. — Agreed.
Art. V. The Commandant, Officers, and Crews of the two Ships before-
mentioned shall be sent within the period of four Weeks to some Port of the
Batavian Republic, at the expense of his Britannic Majesty.
Answers-Agreed,
86 MONTHLY REGISTER
Art. VI. The Commandant and Officers shall be allowed, on leaving' the
Ships, to wear their Side Arms, and also the Hag and Standard to fly until the
came are evacuated; and the Commandant, Officers, and Crews, shall, on their
arrival in Holland, be permitted to serve, but not against his Britannic Majesty
or his Allies.
Answer. — Agreed.
Art. VII. The Commandant and Officers shall be permitted, after they hare
surrendered, to go to Paramaribo to settle their affairs, and aUo to enjoy the
same privileges granted to the Officers of the Army.
Answer. — Agreed.
Dated at 1 ort New Amsterdam, 4th of May, half past eleven P.M. 1804.
H. O. BLOV S VAN Ik! Si ONG.
OB the Part of Major General Sir Charles Green and Commodore Samuel. ..ood.
CHARLES SHIPLEY, Lieut. Col. com-
manding RoyaL Engineers, VV. I.
MURRAY MAXWELL, Ca^t. R. >i.
Ratified, CHA. GkEIiN, Major Gen.
SAM. HOOD, Commodore.
^Promotions anS appointments.
Captain de Starek is appointe^ > Command the Tartarus Bomb, vice Captain
Temple.
Rear-Admiral Dometr, \\'ifo«fpal ten some time acting as First Captain to
Admiral Cornwallis, off Brest, isl Ved to hoist hi» fiag on board the Ante-
lope, of 50 guns, off Ostend, and V'O have the command of the Ships on that
station.
Captain C. Elphinstone, of the Ariadne, is appointed to the Cleopatra ; and
the Hon. Captain Kif*^'-: ' Command the Ariadne. .Lieut. Rowe is appointed
to the Censor gun-v
Capt. Lawford is appox^ * to the Polyphemus.
The allowance of subsist '•. money to the Officers on the impress service in
London, has been increased .1 35. 6d. to 55. per day.
Capt. Lodrington is appoir ' -1 to the Argo.
Capt. Hammond is appoin •* to the command of the Lively Frigate, launch-
ed at Woolwich the 23d July." She is to be prepared for service immediately.
Captain Johnstone is appointed to the command of the Alert Sloop of War
at Woolwich ; and Lieutenant Young to the Impress service at Swansea.
BIRTH.
At Gloucester place, Mary-le-bone, the Lady of H. T. Hardacre, Esq. of the
Royal Navy, of a sixth daugb*r»,
MARRIAGES.
On Thursday, June 14, at Sheen Church, near Newberry, Berks, Captain
Charles Pelly, R. N. of Upton, Essex, to Miss Mary Bullock, youngest daughter
of the late Francis Brownsword Bullock, Esq.
Captain Holmes, of the Royal Marines, to Miss Harley, niece of the Rev.
Abraham Jobson, Vicar of Wisbech.
At Kilmore, County of Monaghan, William Supple, Esq. to Miss Schomberg,
eldest daughter of the late Sir Alexander Schomberg.
At Edinburgh, Captain Samuel Greig, Commissioner of the Imperial Russian
Navy, to Miss Fairfax, daughter of Rear- Admiral Sir William George Fairfax.
A few days since, at Saint George's Church, in Hanover-square, the Rev.
M. H. Luscombe, of Clemer, near Windsor, to Miss Harmood, daughter of
Harry Harmood, Esq. one of the Commissioners of the Navy, and of New Nor-
folk-street, Grosvenor- square.
On the ipth July, at St. Martin's in the Fields, Captain J. W. Loring, of the
Navy, to Miss Anna Patton, daughter of Vice-Admiral Patton.
On aist July, W. Ravenscroft, Esq. First Lieutenant in his Majesty's Roy/il
Marine Forces, to Miss Hammond, eldest daughter of the late Henry Walniskv
Hammond, Esq. of Hull.
OP NAVAL EVENTS. $7
OBITUARY.
At Hampstead, Gecrge Noble, Esq. of the Royal Navy, in the 48th year of
his age.
Return of Naval Offjccrj, &c. killed or icounded in the assault and capture of Forti
Leyilen and FriJerici, in tie Colony of Surinam ; —
Centaur, i Lieutenant, i Petty Ofiicer, and 2 Seamen, killed; a Lieute-
nants, and 4 Seamen, wounded. — Drake, i Warrant Officer, killed.— Pan-
dour, i Seaman, wounded. — Unique. i Lieutenant, wounded. —Total, i
Lieutenant, I Warrant O cer, i Petty Officer, and z Seamen, killed ; 3 Lieute-
nants, and 5 Seamen, wounded.
The Oflicers killed were — Lieut. Smith, First of the Centaur, mortally wound-
ed, died the following day; W. shuldham, Midshipman of the Centaur; Mr.
— — , Boatswain ot the Drake.
The Officers wounded were — Lteuts. King and Henderson, of the Centaur;
Lieut, l^rand, of the Unique.
Suddenly, in F'almcu'h, on Wednesday, July 4th, John Tipper, a Seaman, who
had been married but sixteen days. This is the same John Tipper, whose name
is so honourably recorded in Capt. Fellowes's narrative of the loss of the Lady
Hobart packet.
The izth July, aged 89, Gilbert Webster, one of the oldest Seamen of New-
castle. He served as a iviidshipman on board the Grenada at the raking of the
Havannah, August 12, iy6z.
The I3th July, at Lewisham Hill, Blac'-J \ Mrs. Hunt, relict of Edward
Hunt, tsq Surveyor and Commissioner o"' :esty's Navy.
Captain B^ker, of the Pelican bloop, w / ..is life in the humane effort to
save the lives of the Spanish schooner th /foul of the Pelican. He was the
son of Mr. W. Baker, late Member for county of Herts : this is the second
gallant son he has unfortunately lost ii tne West Indies, in the service of his
country.
The following is a Copy of a Letter we reef- ' k~ *>he last arrivals from
Jamaica ; —
" His Majesty's Stoop P. ", Pori Royal, June Io, 1804.
" SIR — With the greatest regret I take tl ' erty of informing you, that
yesterday evening, at five o'clock,^ Morant Bay • ' four or five leagues, seeing
a Spanish Schooner bearing down before the \ piade sail to speak her. At
half past five, Captain Baker hailed her, and ., hem to put their helm aport,
and heave to ; they either not understanding, r not wishing to obey the com-
mand, put the helm the contrary way. Our h.-aving all back, to keep clear of
her, rendered our Ship ungovernable-, in whkn situation the Schooner unfortu-
nately fell en board of us on the starboard bow, where she remained for several
minutes, carried away our sprit-sail-yard, her own bowsprit, and her larboard
stove to the water's edge. Captain Baker, with that ardour so conspicuous at
all times in succouring the digressed, jumper1 " ard the Schooner, followed
by Lieutenant Davis, Mr. Butts, the Gunner t- iferal of the Seamen. The
Vessels separated, and, with their assistance;* vvery person belonging to the
Schooner got safe on board the Pelican. On the Vessels separating, the Schoo-
ner drcpt astern ; 1 immediately sent a boat on board to bring them from the
Schooner, she apparently having at that time sunk more than one half her top
sides in the water. Captain Baker, anxious to see every person safe before he
quitted the Vessel, sent the 'whole of the people in our boat, except himself,
Lieutenant Davis, and four men, whom be desired immediately to launch the
Schooner's boat over the side, which they did, and all got into her. At the
moment of shoving off, the Schooner gave a heavy roll, filled, and, in the act
of sinking, caught the boat Captain Baker was in under her main-stay, and took
her to the bottom; though every effort was made on my part, and every other
person on board the Pelican, no signs of them could be seen afterwards. — Thus
ended the life of that most worthy and promising Officer, whose loss will ever be
regretted by, iiir, with the greatest respect, )our devoted humble servant,
W. S. FOLEY, ad Lieutenant.
To Sir J-. 7*. Duckworth. K.B, Commander In Chief, l£c» &(.
THE
a^arine Liat
SHIPS LOST, DESTROYED, CAPTURED, AND RECAPTURED, &c.
FROM APRIL 17 TO 27.
•T-
THE Columbia, Northam, from New York to the Weft
Indies, was taken zsth Tan. off Hifpaniola, by a
French privateer, Cnee retaken "and c.-jried into New Pro-
vidence, where (lie is driven on (hore.
The Ichooner William, King, from Cape Frar-.rois :o
Conaives, was captured bylrhe French or. i5th Jan., re-
taken the uext day, and fer.t into Ne» !'i ;/:Jence. Four
Other American veflels were taken the farr.e day.
The Betfey, Thurlby, from London to Fieune, is re-
ported, to be taken by a privateer, and carried into An-
ccna.
The Sermrarnis, Smith, from Canton to New Yo/V, is
on (hore at Nantuckct. Part of the cargo w> •> d
on the ?th March, and it that period the »
up-ighf.
The Veaius, Oakford, from Charlfton to I.
take.', c«rrie'i into Halifax, and condemned.
Th« Jenny, , from PortfrnTuth
taken by a French privateer, and carried into
Jlft M-ircii.
The Cul!oJen, Wilcox, from New York to the Srrei,
was driven on more on Long Ifland, 3d March,
bilged. '
Captain C'.irke, of"re Leviathan, arrived from the South
Seas, fpoke an America: vtu'el f-n:- - . Cape of Gi«d
Ho;e, who informed him, :••-/ ;, Halcrow;
the Lively, ani Mary, Folger.\\ '• Seas, had
put into the Cape, not knowing <, ji?"W;r ,
The Biack 8'ver, , of *;ffv.. yortd Chartef-
ton to An:.rerp, is luft on \ta GoodwiiJ • Crew
faved.
The Goodwill, Feeie, from WMtehaven,) oals, is
firanded nerj- DuHin. Crew fared.
The Urania, Dobie, of Dytar, for Cope.' got on
the Suvr, ift April, and u full of water .
The Two Friends of Exeter, Croft, is toft.,-n thi Kent
Knoc , near Exeter.
Tlr- Mortiin* Hoop of war has taken in fche Wrchl-
peUgj, a Frer.ch Xebeck privateer of in iJUi »nd 3o
The Elirabef, Scheiderman, from London to Dantyip,
is forced on Oior< by the ice, near Copenhagen, and it
is feared will be left. The cargo expected to be faved.
Frc.-B «v Frmk
Fr-.n ttv Fremt Papfi ji:
The fquadron under Admiral Linn f^~ ~~
oth Nov. in tar. i S. long. 3. E. a (hi. ]
cop-
*-ith
She
aoth Nc
per-bot: uned, bound from Bengal to C
7500 bales of cotton, and 4500 meaf.res '
• the Iflcs of France previous tr/rh*
N.8. Suppofed the Coiinteft of Sutherland.
T.ie Hartinjs, Smith, of 134 tons ; the Catherine, •
of 150 tons, with buiter anrl besf, are taken by le Ven
geur privateer, and carried into Boulogne.
The Pay, , of MO tons, and the Walpole, •
of 230 tons, from London to Newcaftie, are taken and car
Tied fnto Oftenc1.
The Li'boa packet, Jenkins, laden with tea,
the Frieodniip, Simccck, laden with (heet cupper
flour, are taken and carried into Dieppe.
•Tie Margaret, , from Corinth, with 'raifins »nd
dyi g wood, is taken ar.it carried into Trc-piTt-X"
The Johanna Magdaltrna, Dale, from BaUtr|a, is con-
demned at the Cape of Good Hope.
The Di!ice::ce, Bow'and, from London to Africa, is
teiccn ar.a carried Into Goree.
Or. t: e 5th inft. the Adolphe privateer fent into Calais
an Englilh vellel of joo tons, laden with tea, f\igar, and
gunpowder.— ^uppofcd to be the Baflett, Purchar, from
Lon'ton to Fjlmeuth.
The Endeavour, Robinfon, is loft in Bengal river.
Bombay, 316 December. The Bridjewater, from
Botany Bay, wis fpoke off Cape Cameron by the Fame,
Allifon, arrived here on the 25th inft. from Bengal. By
her we letro that the Caro, and a (hip, namt unknown,
which failed in company with the Bndgewater, were
loir, with every perfon on board, in fome, itrei£hts to the
Eaftward.
The M^ria, Bufcii, from Roftock to London, is fuppofed
to be loft, not having been hea/d of iince the loth of De-
c«mber laft.
T.ie brig Succefs, of joo ronv, Captain Hendrick, in bal-
laft, is taken and carried inn uftend.
French papers to the loth inftant ftate, that the Blond
privateer of Bourdcaux has returned into port after a cruise
of 35 days ; during that period (he captured eight vefleis,
four of which are arrived, t.vo of them from Demerara-
On ifti ult. in lat. 48. N. long. jj. 15. w. flie fell in
with the Wootverir.e (loop of war (efcorting a convoy of
eight Ciil for Newfoundland, which efcaped , and after a:i
action of three quarters of an hour, in which thi Wtx>l-
verir.e had To men killed, and one wounded, (he ftruck and
afterwards funk. The crew faved by the pr.vateer.
The James, Page, from Liverpool for New Providence,
I and the William, Ko«x, from Bofton, run foul of each
. other laft month, off Madeira, and the former foundered —
[ Tlic Captain, gunner, and a by drowned.
The Spanifli (hip, Holy Family, from Barcelona, is loft
near Alicant. Cargo faved.
Toe Columbia, Haydon, from Charlefton, got on (hore
going into dock at Liverpool. The (hip and fome part cf
the cargo damaged.
The Three Brothers, Graham, from Cork for Dominica,
as run fnul of aoth April off Filmouth, by the C! riihana
Frances, Trotter, hound to Berbice ; the latter is put intp
Falmoath with kjfs of bowfprit, znu the Captain and crew
of the Three Brothers, on bnard ; which vtflel, it it
feared, has foundered, the being very leaky before they
quitted her.
The Bee, Webber, from Poole to Newfoundland, was
taken too leagues Weft of Scilly, by the Brave French pri-
t?er, (fince captured), anj car icd into Vigo.
The following privateers were on the windward coafl
of Africa, 8th March, 11(04, viz. Egyptie ne ((hip) cf 40
Siur.s ; i, do of 32 do.; Rencjmmce ffc,.co..i:r), of
I ; r . ; Amis do. of 14 do ; Oifcau do. of 10 ao. ; Vigie
Government fchoor.er.— -RolVie was fitti::g out at Goree,
by the Captain of the Fruaente, lately wrecked at Se-
negal.
Straager, Wompra, from London, was blown out
of Madeira 7th March, and feen on i^th with iJl her mai:s
. one ; had n .t returned on ft j-.th.
Captain Brand, of the Oei . Pn-fcott, arriv-i at Dart-
mjuth from Oporto, report^ t..at the Apoiio frigate, and
ten of her convoy, which failed from Cork the j6:h
for the Weft ludies, are loft OB the COift of For-
he Roben, Thurlbeck, from London to Cardiff, wa»
en jgth February by le Vengc^r [.rivatacr, and carried
iJito Dieppe.
The Salisbury, Renedy, from New Bruiifwick to Ja-
maica, has been taken, rcukcn, and arri/ea at Nallau,
New Providence.
The Eclipfe, Chevalier, from Valencia to Guernfey, it
taken by a French privateer of 36 tuns.
The Echo, Ken^al, from Luncon to Antigua, is take*
by a privaieer <,f u guns, and earned into Guadak-upe.
The Sally and Kebeccz, of 11 gurs, and the Rawliufon,
of 18 guns, from Pemcrara to Liverpool, Are taken by
the Blende French privateer, and carried into Vigo.
The following veflels were loft on the Coaft or Portugal,
between Cape Mondego and Aveiro, early in the morning
of the :d of April, viz. Perfeverar.ee, C!,:tfam, from
Briftol to Jamaica; Caledonia, Ge.heifon, from Glafgow
to do ; Mary Ifebella, Harper, from Whiwhaven to do ;
Active, M'-Nicoll, from Giafgow t" do ; crews faved and
par; of their cargoes. Neptune, Mar(h».l, from Briilol i«
Jamaica ; cargo loft, only five people faved.
[To be continued.}
1804. by I.Ocld.i.^,~!hf>t. t.int
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OP
THE HON. GEORGE CRANFIELD BERKELEY,
REAR-ADMIRAL OF THE RED JOJJADRON.
" 1 wish no other herald,
No other speaker of my living actions,
To keep mine honour from corruption,
But such an houest chronicler."
Honourable George Cranfield Berkeley is son to the
late, and brother to the present Earl of Berkeley. The
family is ancient; and, as will be sufficiently evident from
the following account, of honourable origin :— •
According to the custom of those times, when the English, in
imitation of the Normans, began to assume their surnames from the
place of their residence, this of Berkeley was then given to one Roger
de Berkley, in the time of William the Conqueror, whose descendants
did enjoy the same for some time ; but the male line of that noble
family ceasing, we are to observe that Robert Fitz Harding (a pow-
erful man in his time) obtaining a grant of the castle and honour of
the Berkeley from Henry, son of Maud the Empress, possessed him-
self thereof; whereupon his descendants assumed the surname, which,
together with the castle and barony, continues to them in the male
line to this day ; of which Robert, I am to take notice, that his
father is said to have been the youngest son to one of the kings of
Denmark ; or, as others affirm (which differs but little), to be descended
from the royal line of those kings, and that accompanying Duke
William of Normandy, in that signal expedition he made into Eng-
land, was present with him in the memorable battle where king Ha-
rold was slain.
From. this ancient and honourable stock have descended
many great and noble personages, who have, in different
ages, distinguished themselves both as statesmen and war*
riors.
The pride of birth has been repeatedly and deservedly
ridiculed} for, unless the descendant of a noble family inhe-
J. C|jion. ffioLXII. N
9© BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
rit the virtues of his forefathers, those virtues serve only to
render his own degeneracy more conspicuous. On the other
hand, nothing can be more delightful to the man of worth,
than, on beholding the portraits of his ancestors, or on taking
a retrospective survey of their conduct, to feel the glowing
consciousness, that they were " all honourable men'' — In but
few instances can this observation apply more forcibly than
to the subject of this memoir ; and, as the family of Berkeley
has pre-eminently distinguished itself in our naval annals,
we shall not apologize to our readers for presenting them
with- brief sketches of some of its illustrious members, pre-
viously to our entering on the life of the present Admiral.
Sir William Berkeley, lineally descended from the celebrated Robert
Fitz Harding, mentioned above, was the third fon of Sir Charles
Bruton, created Lord Fitz Harding, and treasurer of the household
to King Charles II. He was the brother of the brave Chailes, Earl
of Falmouth, who was killed in the memorable action between the
Duke of York and Opdam.
Sir William, having adopted the naval profession, was appointed
Lieutenant of the Swiftsure, in 1661 ; in 1662, he was removed into
the Assistance ; and, during the same year, he was promoted to com-
mand the Bonadventure. In 1663, he was nominated to the Bristol,
and, in the year following, to the Resolution. In 1665, he was ap-
pointed to command the Swifcsure ; and, notwithstanding his youth, he
being at that time not more than twenty-six years old, was promoted
to be Rear- Admiral of the Red Squadron, under the Duke of York.
On the return of the fleet into port, after the defeat of the Dutch*,
* The memorable engagement here alluded to, began at three o'clock in the
morning, on the jd of June, off LowestofFe, and continued with unabating fury
until noon, without an advantage on either side, when the Earl of Sandwich,
with the Blue Squadron, forced through the centre of the Dutch fleet, and
threw them into such disorder and confusion as brought on a general flight.
The Duke of York, in the Royal Charles, of eighty guns, and Admiral Opdam,
in a SUp of the same force, were closely engaged for some hours. The Earl of
Falmouth, Lord Muskerry, and Mr. Boyle, second son of the Earl of Burling-
ton, were killed standing by the Duke, who received a wound in the head by a
iplinter from Mr. Boyle's head. In the midst of this 'desperate battle, the
Dutch Adn-iral blew up; only five of the crew escaping out of five hundred.
Soon after this fatal accident, four of their best Ships, from sixty to forty guns,
ran foul of each other and were destroyed by a Fire-ship; and three still larger
2 •
OF THE HON. GEORGE CRANFIELD BERKELEY. Q!
he was advanced to be Vice- Admiral of the White, under Sir William
Penn. In 1666, when the fleet was put under the command of
Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle, Sir William went to sea as
Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and led the van of the fleet with his squa-
dron. The separation of the White, under Prince Rupert, from the
Blue and Red Squadrons, which remained with the Duke of AIb2-
marle, and the bloody and desperate conflict * which took place in
consequence of that fatal plan of operations, is well known. Towards
the conclusion of the first day's action, Sir William Berkeley's Ship,
the Swiftsure, a second rate, being, with two others, cut off from our
line, was, after being completely disabled, unfortunately taken. To
aggravate the misfortune, here also fell her brave Commander +. «' High-
ly to be admired," says the author of the life of Van Tromp, " w; s
the resolution of Vice- Admiral Berkeley, who, though cut off from
the line, surrounded by his enemies, great numbeis of his men killed,
his Ship disabled, and boarded on all sides, yet continued fighting,
almost alone, killed several with his own hand, and would accept of no
quarter, till, at length, being shot in the throat with a musket ball, he
retired into the Captain's cabin, where he was found dead, extended
at his full length on a table, and almost covered with his own blood."
Every possible respect was paid to Sir William's memory by the
shared the same fate. The Orange, of 74 guns, was also burnt, and her crew
perished. At four in the afternoon, the Admirals Stillingaurt and Cortmair,
were killed, and their Ships bore out of the line without striking their flags,
which drew many after them, and at length threw the whole into confusion.
Van Tromp still continued to fight bravely, until eight at night, when he was
obliged to give way, and leave the English masters of the sea. This was the
most signal victory ever gained by the English, and the severest defeat that the
Dutch ever experienced. They had eighteen Ships taken and fourteen sunk,
beside such as were burnt. Four thousand men were killed, and two thousand
made prisoners, sixteen of whom were Captains. On the side of the English,
the Charity, of 40 guns, was the only Ship lost. The killed amounted to two
hundred and fifty, among whom were the Vice-Admirals Sampson and Sir John
Lawson, the Captains the Earl of Marlborough and Portland. The wounded
did not exceed three hundred and fifty.
* It was in this engagement that de Witt, who was on board the Dutch Fleet,
is said to have invented chain- shot, which did incredible damage to the rigging
of the English, and was a great means of the Dutch getting the advantage.
f The entire loss sustained by the English in this long and well-fought bat-
tle, is computed at sixteen men of war, ten of which were sunk and six taken.
Between five and six thousand men were killed and wounded. ') he English
•writers mention the Dutch to have lost fifteen men of war, twenty-one Cap-
tains, and five thousand men ; their own authors confess nine bhips to have been
lost, with a prodigious slaughter.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR.
Dutch, his body being embalmed and deposited in the chapel of the
great church at the Hague, by order of the States. A special mes-
senger was sent to England, to King Charles, requesting he would
give the necessary orders for the disposal of it ; a civility which they
professed to owe to his corpse, in respect of the quality of his per*
son, the greatness of his command, and the high courage and valour
which he displayed in that action in which he unfortunately fell.
Another of the present Admiral Berkeley's ancestors, of whom we
are about to speak, was Charles, Lord Berkeley, of Stratton, in the
County of Devon, the eldest son of the well-known Sir John
Berkeley, the faithful servant of Kings Charles I and If. By the
latter Sovereign, in grateful consideration of his eminent services.
and constant attachment to him, Sir John was created a Peer of Great
Britain, by letters patent, dated at Brussells on the igth of May,
1 658. — Charles, at the early age of fourteen, entered on a military life,
and served as a volunteer during two campaigns in the French army.
When sixteen years old he returned to EngL-nd, and was some time
in the horse guards ; but observing that there was little occasion for
his service in that line, he went to sea, where he continued two years.
In that period he made such progress in the art of navigation, and
gave so many testimonies of his skill in maritime affairs, that upon
his return he was honoured, by the King, with the command of the
Tyger. This appointment took place on the 2d of July, 1681.
He was sent soon afterwards to the Strtights, to repress the insolence
of those nests of pirates, Sallee and Algiers ; not long after which he
fell sick of the small-pox, and died in the Mediterranean, on the 6th
of March, 1682, having then only just turned his twentieth year.
His body was embalmed, brought to England, and buried in
great funeral pomp at Twickenham, in the month of September fol-
lowing.
John, Lord Berkeley, the second son of Sir J. Berkeley, succeeded
his brother Charles in the title and eftate. This gentleman was a
Naval Officer of great eminence. He was appointed First Lieutenant
of the Bristol, on the i^th of April, 1685, and was promoted to the
command of the Charles Galley on the gth of July, i68f>. He sailed
soon afterwards to the Mediterranean, where he continued till the
month of May, 1686. Soon after his return from thence he was
appointed (on the 3<Dth of August, 1688) Captain of the Montague;
on the 27th of November following, he received a commission from
Lord Dartmouth, at that time Admiral of the Fleet, to command the
Edgar; and, on the 14:!! of December, he was appointed to act as
Rear-Admiral of the Fleet, under the same Commander. This trust
he faithfully executed, and without incurring censure, even from the
OF THE HON. GEORGE CRANF1ELD BERKELEY. 95
most violent partizans of the exiled James. He was subsequently
appointed Rear-Admiral of the Red, and served in that rank ou
board the Fleet which was fitted out during the ensuing summer, to
oppose the mighty armament of Louis XIV. When the heavier
Ships were brought into port for the winter, Lord Berkeley was
detached, with a strong Squadron to the westward, to cruize at the
entrance of the Channel. He continued on this service, occasionally-
putting into Plymouth to recruit his water and provisions, from the
month of October till the middle of January, when he returned to
Spithead. He does not appear to have holden any command, after
this time, till the year 1693, when he was, on the 8th of February,
promoted to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and very shortly after to
be Vice-Admiral of the Red. He hoisted his flag, first on board the
Neptune, of ninety guns ; and afterwards on board the Victory, a
first rate; when, on the death of Sir John Ashby, on the izth of
July, 1693, he was promoted to succeed him as Admiral of the Blue.
He served in that capacity, during the remainder of the year, under
the joint Admirals, Killegrew, Delaval, and Shovel. — In the ensuing
year, the first projected operation of the Fleet, which was under the
command of Russel, was the attack on Brest. The execution of it
was committed to Lord Berkeley (who had hoisted his flag on board
the Queen), with a very strong division. But the force of the
fnemy, the strength of their fortifications, and the treachery of disaf-
fected persons at home, rendered abortive the utmost efforts of gal-
lantry on the part of the English ; and, by giving the French timely
notice at what point«the meditated blow was to be struck, afforded
them every opportunity of providing for their defence. No part,
however, of that discontent, which a want of success, particularly in
an expedition of such magnitude, never fails to excite, fell on his
Lordship. — The Fleet returned into port immediately after this mis-
fortune ; but, as soon as it was recruited with ammunition and provi-
sions, it sailed on an expedition similar to the former, against Dieppe
and Havre de Grace. Very considerable mischief was in tin's instance
done to the enemy. — Lord Berkeley returned to Portsmouth on the
a 6th of July, and the Fleet, having repaired the inconsiderable damage
which it had sustained in the late encounter, sailed for the Downs, me-
ditating farther mischief. His Lordship himself repaired to London
to consult on such measures as should appear most likely to injure and
distress the enemy. Various measures were proposed, amongst which
was an attack upon Calais, in pursuance of which Lord Berkeley
returned to the Fleet about the middle of August Jo carry it into
pxecution. He sailed on the igth ; but the wind being contrary, and
increasing almpst to a tempest, he was obliged to return into the
94 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
Downs on the same evening. At a subsequent council of war, the
plan was agreed to be impracticable at that advanced season of the
year ; so that the Admiral, seeing no prospect of any farther enter,
prise during the remainder of the season, returned to London on the
271)1 of the same month, resigning the command to Sir Cloudesley
Shovel. — On the I2th of June, 1695, Lord Berkeley hoisted his flag
on board the Shrewsbury, at Portsmouth. The Dutch Ships, under
Lieutenant Admiral Allemonde, together with the bomb-ketches and
small Vessels, joined him at Spithead on the i6th ; and, on the 29th,
the whole Fleet stood over to the coast of France, to renew the depre-
dations of the former year. St. Maloes and Granville being the first
objects of his attack, Lord Berkeley arrived before them on the 4th
of July ; and, having completely executed his commission*, returned
to Spithead on the I2th. — On the 1 8th he sailed for the Downs,
having been directed to make a second attempt on Dunkirk. Unfa-
vourable weather prevented its being made till the beginning of
August, when it proved equally unsuccessful as the former. It is
proper, however, to observe, that not the slightest imputation of neg-
lect or misconduct ever attached to Lord Berkeley, or to any of the
Naval Officers who were present at it. ^Foiled at Dunkirk, the ven-
geance of the English was next directed to Calais, where the mischief
done to the enemy was much greater, and that sustained by the
English and Dutch much lighter, than in the former enterprise f .
The season being considered as too far advanced to warrant an attack
on any other of the enemy's ports, the Fleet returned into the
Downs on the aoth of August. Lord Berkeley struck his flag on
the 1 8th, again leaving the command with Sir Cloudesley Shovel.—
The French government, having projected the invasion of England,
made every pieparation for carrying it into execution early in the
spring. To counteract this menaced ruin, a Fleet of fifty Ships of
the line, English and Dutch, were collected with the utmost expedi-
tion, and sent to sea under the command of Admiral Russel, Lord
* This service, which was executed under the conduct of Captain Benbow,
was so complete, that the greater part of the town of St. Maloes, and also of
Granville, was demolished. The whole force consistrd of owly six English and
four Dutch Ships of war, eight Bomb- Vessels, nine Galliots, fourteen flat-
bottomed Boats, and two Brigantines. The loss sustained amounted to sixty
men killed nnd wounded. The Terrible Bomb was so much shattered that she
was obliged to be suuk, with six or seven of the small craft.
+ Six hundred shells were thrown into the town, and the magazine and
sevral houses were destroyed. Captain Osborne of the Aldboiough Ketch, wa»
the only person killed upon this expedition.
OF THE HON. GEORGE CRANFIELD BERKELEY. 9^
Berkeley, Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and Vice-Admiral Ailmer, at a time
when the French thought it impossible for the combined powers to
have collected ten ships. This Fleet put to sea the latter end of
February, and extended itself in a line from Dunkirk to Boulogne,
completely blocking up the intended armament, and totally frustrating
the preparations and threats of the French. Nothing particular
occurred until May, when Sir George Rooke took the command of
the Fleet, Lord Berkeley continuing to command the Blue Squadron
under him. Towards the end of the same month, Sir George having
been called to the Board of Admiralty, Lord Berkeley was appointed
to succeed him ; and, on the 3d of June, he hoisted the Union flag
on board of the Britannia. On the 24th his Lordship sailed for the
French coast ; on the 4th of July he anchored with the Fleet about
two leagues from Belleisle, and made a descent on the islands of Houat,
Heydic, and Groy, burning the towns and villages, with several
small Vessels, and bringing off fifteen hundred horses and black cat-
tle. The Admiral next dispatched Sir Martin Beckman with a
Squadron, to bombard and destroy the fortifications and magazines on
the islands of Rhe, and town of Ollone, which he effectually per-
formed, and reduced them to ashes. Towards the end of August,
the Ships began to be in want of provisions, and his Lordship, finding
that he could not land in Belleisle with any prospect of success,
returned to Spithead with the Fleet. — The larger Ships were now
ordered into port for the winter; and, before the time of their re-
equipment returned, a pleurisy and fever attacked this brave and truly-
noble Officer, and put a period to his mortal existence on the 27th of
February, 1697. At the time of his decease he was Admiral of the
Fleet, having never resigned that appointment ; Colonel of the
Second Regiment of Marines ; Groom of the Stole to his Royal
Highness Prince George, and the first Gentleman of his bedchamber.
Among the foremost in the hour of danger, his Lordship encouraged
those whom he was sent to command by his personal example ; he
had, on every occasion, the happiness of effecting all that fortitude,
joined to prudence and ability, could possibly hope for ; and died,
with the just reputation of a brave, experienced, and great Comman-
der, at an age when few have had sufficient experience or opportunity
to acquire the slightest celebrity or praise*.
* At the time of his decease he was not more than thirty-four years of age,
during eight of which he had borne the rank of an Admiral. His Lordship
married Jane, daughter of Sir John Temple, of East Sheen, in the County of
fiurry, by whom he left one daughter, who died an infant.
96 BIOGRAPHICAL MKMOf*
James, Earl of Berkeley, was the grandson of George, first EarT of
Berkeley, so created by Charles II in the year 1679. This George
was the lineal descendant, in the twelfth generation, from Maurice
Fitz Harding, the son of Robert Fitz Harding, who died in the year
1 170. — This nobleman, having early manifested an inclination for a
naval life, and having passed through the required gradations of ser-
vice, was, on the 2d of April, 1701, appointed Captain of the Sor-
lings. Not long after the accession of Queen Anne, he \v?.s promoted
to the Litch field, of ^oguns; and, being detached from the main
Fleet, under Sir George Ilooke, to cruize in soundings, he fell in with
and captured, after a smart action, a French Ship of War mounting
36 guns, and a large Vessel, homeward-bound, from Martinico, of
rery considerable value, both of which he brought into Spithead.
He afterwards accompanied Sir Cloudesley Shovel on his expedition
to the Mediterranean, for the proposed relief and succour of the
Cevenois; and on his return from thence, assisted Captain, after-
wards Sir John Norris, in capturing the Hazard, a French Ship of
War, mounting 54 guns. In the beginning of the year 1 704, he was
promoted to the command of the Boyne, of 80 guns. On the yth of
March, in the same year, he was called up to the House of Lords, by
writ, by the title of Lord Dursley, and was soon afterwards gent out,
under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, to reinforce the Fleet already in the >
Streights, commanded by Sir George Rooke. At the memorable
battle off Malaga, he was stationed in the line as one of the Seconds to
Sir John Leake, and behaved with the greatest gallantry, his Ship
(the Boyne) suffering more than any other in the Squadron, except
that of the Admiral, sixty- nine of the Crew being either killed or
desperately wounded.— In 1706, hia Lordship commanded the St.
George, a second rate, one of the Fleet sent to the Mediterranean,
under Sir Cloudesley Shovel. He continued under the same Admiral,
and on the same station, during the following year, in which he par-
ticularly distinguished himself at the siege of Toulon. On his return
to England with Admiral Shovel, in the month of October following,
be almost miraculously escaped being involved in the same unhappy
fate with him. His Ship actually struck on the same ridge of rocks
with the Association ; but the very wave which destroyed that noble
Ship, providentially set the St. George afloat. On the 26th of
January, 1708, although only twenty seven years of age, he was
appointed to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Having hoisted his flag
on board the Berwick, he w?s immediately appointed either second
or third in command, under Sir George Byng, of the Fleet equipped
for the North Sea, to oppose the French armament fitted out at
OF THE HON. GEORGE CRANFIELD BBRtCELKT. 97
Dunkirk to support the cause of the Pretender *. The designs of
the enemy being baffled, the Fleet returned into port about the end
of March, soon after which Lord Dursley was appointed to command
a Squadron in Soundings. On the z6th of June he fell in with three
French Ships of War; but they, being just out of port, and perfectly
clean, which was not the case with his Lordship's Squadron, effected
their escape. In the months of July and August, Vice-Admiral Lord
Dursley held a command under Sir George Byng, in a Fleet which
was employed on the French coast. A body of troops, commanded
by Lieutenant- General Erie, and embarked on board a Fleet of trans-
ports, accompanied this expedition, the object of which was to annoy
the enemy by making a descent on their coast, and thus dividing their
attention from other operations. The alarm having spread, the coast
was lined in all places that were accessible with troops and batteries,
which rendered every attempt to make a descent impracticable. On
the i6th of August, Lord Dursley, in the Orford, with six other Men
of War, Frigates, &c. sailed to the westward to cruize in Soundings ;
but the want of stores and provisions, as well as the foulness of his
Ships, compelling him, after a few days' cruize, to put into Ply-
mouth, nothing farther was effected by the force under his command,
than the capture of a French Merchant Ship bound to Placentia,
•which was taken by the Salisbury. His Squadron having been
refitted, Lord Dursley was again employed, from the latter end of
September to the beginning of November, on the cruizing service.
The indefatigable diligence of his Lordship gave great satisfaction to
the merchants, as it hindered the French Privateers from venturing
near our coasts. On the 2ist of December, Lord Dursley was
advanced to be Vice- Admiral of the White; and, either on the day
that his commission was dated, or on the one which preceded it, his
Lordship again put to sea, and, on the sgth, had sight of two large
French Ships : the enemy, however, by throwing several of their guns
and other heavy articles overboard, escaped, and his Lordship, after a
short- cruize, returned into port with no other prize than an inconsi-
derable Vessel laden with fish from Newfoundland. He again
sailed in the middle of February, 1709, and had scarcely put to sea,
when two French Privateers, mounting twelve guns each, were taken
* The French expedition put to sea on the afternoon of the 6th of March;
but Sir George Byng did not receive intelligence of this till the 9th, when he
pursued, and, on the i^th, got sight of the enemy in the Frith of Forth.
By a manoeuvre, however, the French effected their escape, though not without
the loss of the Salisbury, an English prize then in their service, with several
persons of quality on board, who had followed the fortune* of Kiiij£ James.
13 at, erjicn, ffloi.XII, &
by different Ships of his Squadron. On the zgth of March, hi$
Lordship received orders to see the outward-bound Lisbon Fleet safe
to a certain latitude. He had scarcely fulfilled these instructions, and
parted from his charge, when, on the gth of April, he fell in with the
Achilles, of 70 guns, commanded by M. du Guay Trouin, and the
Glorieux, of 44 guns, which Vessels had only the day before taken
the Bristol, an English Ship of War, mounting 50 guns. His Lord-
ship gave chase, and re-took the Bristol, which, by a shot in her
bread room, sunk soon afterwards ; but her crew, excepting twenty,
were saved. The Glorieux, with three hundred and twelve men, was
taken ; but the Achilles, though much shattered, escaped by her fast
sailing. His Lordship's Squadron had seventy-two men killed and
wounded in the action. He returned to Plymouth from his cruize
on the 1 3th of May, during which, he captured, beside the men of
war, a Privateer of 14 guns and a hundred men, and two or three
Merchantmen. In July, Lord Dursley proceeded, with a small
Squadron, off Schouwen, in Zealand, for the purpose of intercepting
some Ships laden with corn ; but, not being so fortunate as to meet
with them, he returned to Plymouth and resumed his old command.
The Lord High Admiral having received intelligence of the exact
strength, station, and designs of M. du Guay Trouin to intercept our
West India Fleet, Lord Dursley was dispatched, in the beginning of
October, to cruize in the Soundings for its protection. In about
three weeks his Lordship fell in with the Barbadoes Fleet ; and, having
seen them safe into the Channel, returned to his station. On the
3 ist of October, continuing to cruize at the entrance of the Channel,
Lord Dursley took a French Ship from Guadaloupe, said to have
mounted 40 guns, and to have had on board a cargo valued at up-
wards of ico,oool. He also took two or three other inconsiderable
prizes, and afferded the most complete protection and security to the
trade of England. On the I4th of November, Lord Dursley was
advanced to be Vice- Admiral of the Red ; and, in the beginning of
May, 1710, he came into port and struck his flag. After this period,
he appears to have enjoyed a retirement of some years' continuance.
By the death of his father, on the 24th of September, 1710, he be-
came Earl of Berkeley, and was immediately afterwards constituted
Lord Lieutenant of the County of Gloucester, as well as of the city
of Bristol, and cuitos rotulorum : he was also appointed Warden of the
Forest of Dean; and, on the 2ist of November following, High
Steward of the City of Gloucester. His well-known zeal for the
interest of the House of Hanover had so highly recommended him to
the notice of King George I, that, immediately on the accession of
that Monarch, he was appointed one of the Lords of his beddiainbe^
^ ,*.• |&, i
OF THE HON. GEORGE CRANF1ELD BERKELEY. gg
and restored to the offices of Lord Lieutenant of the County of
Gloucester, and City of Bristol, from which he had been removed,
through the influence of party, in the year 1711 : on the i 8th of
December he was also reinstated in the office of cus/os rotulorum of the
county above mentioned, from which he had likewise been displaced.
On the 1 6th of April, 1717, he was sworn a Member of the Privy
Council, and on the same day appointed First Lord Commissioner of
the Admiralty ; which high station he continued to fill, with much
reputation, during the remainder of the reign of King George I.
On the i jth of March, 1719, in consequence of the rupture with
Spain, he was appointed Admiral and Commander in Chief of the
Fleet. Having hoisted his flag on board the Dorsetshire at Spithead,
he sailed from St. Helen's on the 29th of the month, with a Squa-
dron of seven Ships of the Line, to join another of the s?me forcej
under Sir John Norris, which was cruizing between Scilly and the
Lizard. Having stretched as far as Cape Clear, he returned into the
British Channel on the 4th of April ; and coming into Spithead,
struck his flagon the I5th, and repaired to London. After this time
he appears to have retired totally from active service as a Naval Com-
mander. Earl Berkeley was five times one of the Lords Justices of
Great Britain, whilst his Majesty George I went to Hanover ; and
being elected a Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter on
the 3 ist of March, 1718, he was installed on the 30th of April
following, and placed in the fourteenth stall at Windsor.^— His
Lordship departed this life at the Castle of Aubigny, a seat of the
Duke of Richmond, in France, (being there for the benefit of his
health,) on the 17th of August, 1736, and was buried at Berkeley.
His Lordship married the Lady Louisa Lennox, (eldest daughter to
Charles, first Duke of Richmond,) who died of the small- pox on the
I5th of January, 1717, in the twenty-third year of her age, and was
buried at Berkeley. She left issue one son, Augustus, fourth Earl of
Berkeley, (the father of the present Admiral,) and a daughter, Lady
Elizabeth, married in February 1728, to Anthony Henley, of the
Grange, in the County of Southampton, Esq., and dieci in Septem-
ber, 1745. The personal influence and political consequence of
this noble personage were greater than those of any of his contempo-
raries ; but his merits silenced even the breath of envy ; and the most
distinguished naval characters were content to serve under a man, an.
imitation of whose conduct and gallantry was the certain path to
honour, fame, and national veneration.
The Honourable William Berkeley was the second son of the
Right Honourable William, Lord Berkeley, and Frances liis wife,
daughter of Sir John Temple : he was consequently nephew' to those
10O BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
eminent naval characters, John and Charles, Lords Berkeley, alreadf
noticed. Pursuing the steps of those great men, he entered early in.
life into the sea service; and, having passed through the several sub-
ordinate stations, he was, on the nth of December, 1727, appointed
Captain of the Superbe, or, according to some accounts, of the Rip-
pon. This gentleman's life was too short, and the services on which
he was employed too disadvantageous, to permit him to display those
talents which graced his noble ancestors, and which we have no reason
to doubt of his having possessed with undiminished lustre. In 1732,
Be was appointed to the Tyger, and ordered to the coast of Guinea,
whence he was afterwards to proceed to Barbadoes. He unhappily
died at sea, on his passage thither from Africa, on the 25th of March,
»733-
We find mention of another naval gentleman (George) who bore
the family name of Berkeley j but in what degree of consanguinity he
stood we have not been able to ascertain. On the zyth of May, 1 728,
he was appointed Captain of the Bredah ; after which we find no far-
ther mention of him till the year 1740, when he commanded the
Windsor, of 60 guns, one of the Ships employed on the West India
station under Admiral Vernon. He accompanied that gentleman on
the expedition against Carthagena, and returned home in July, 1741,
with Admiral Lestock. His next appointment was to the Revenge,
of 70 guns, in which Ship he was some time afterwards ordered to
the Mediterranean. In the encounter with the French and Spanish
Fleets off Toulon, he was stationed to lead the Fleet on the larboard
tack. As he consequently closed the rear of Admiral Lestock's divi-
sion, he was not in the action itself, and therefore was happily unin-
Yolved in the disgrace which attended it. He did not long survive his.
return from the above station j but died in England on the 1510 of
January, 1746.
It is our most anxious wish, never to conceal the merito-
rious exertions of talent ; but, that we might not too long
detain the reader from the immediate subject of this Memoir,
we have been as brief as possible in our biographical sketches
of the above-mentioned distinguished Characters. Having
paid our humble tribute to departed worth, demanded by
the manes of illustrious men, and by their not less honour-
able descendants, we proceed with our task.
The Honourable George Berkeley was born in the month
OF THE HON. GEORGE CRANFIELD BERKELEY, lot
of August, 1753, and was educated at Eton School, that
respectable seminary to which so many of our greatest men
are indebted for the elements of their knowledge. In 1766,
at little more than twelve years of age, he quitted his scho-
lastic studies, and embarked in the Mary Yacht, under the
Flag of his relation Admiral Keppel, who was appointed to
convoy over the unfortunate Caroline Matilda, then married
to the King of Denmark. Captain Norton, at the particular
request of her Danish Majesty, permitted his young eleve to
accompany the Queen as page, which service he performed,
and afterwards returned to England with the rest of her
suite, in the Mary. Mr. Berkeley next went out in the
Guernsey, of 50 guns, which Ship bore the broad pendant
of Commodore Palliser, then Governor of Newfoundland.
Recommended by his talents, the Commodore placed him
under the care of Mr. Joseph Gilbert, then Master of the
Guernsey, and who afterwards accompanied Captain Cook
round the world. Under the eye of this excellent Officer,
he surveyed the greater part of Newfoundland and the Gulf
of St. Lawrence ; and some parts of the best charts of this
coast are understood to be the performance of his pencil.
On this station he remained two years, and was then sent to
the Mediterranean *, in the Alarm Frigate, commanded by
Captain Jervis, now Earl of St. Vincent. In this situation he
gained the applause of his Captain, and was particularly dis-
tinguished by his exertipns when that Frigate was nearly
lost at Marseilles. From the Alarm he was removed into
the Trident, the Flag Ship of Sir Peter Denys, then com-
manding in the Mediterranean. His conduct on this station
was such as to induce Captain George Watson, of the Pallas
Frigate, to solicit permission for him to act as Lieutenant
on board of that Ship. Here he remained, until September
1772, when he received his first commission as Lieutenant
of the Trident, in which Ship he continued till the allotted
term for the Mediterranean station had expired, in 1774.
'- ,IL,
• In 1769.
iOi BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
On his return to England, Mr. Berkeley presented himself
as a candidate, and stood the great contest for the County of
Gloucester, which cost the parties upwards of ioo,oool.
By thus engaging in politics, and taking part with his friends,
who were then in the opposition, he remained unemployed
till 1778; when his relation, Admiral Keppel, having
hoisted his Flag in the Victory, he was appointed one of his
Lieutenants, and was intrusted by him with the most im-
portant dispatches to Government. At this time some
overtures were made to him by the First Lord of the Admi-
ralty * ; but, not deeming them worthy of attention, he
immediately returned to his Ship. Soon after this, the battle
of the 27th of July, 1778, between the English and French
Fleets, under the respective commands of Keppel and
d'Orvilliers f, was fought ; a battle which, by the peculiar
circumstances which attended it, was subsequently productive
of more party clamour and acrimonious invective, than
perhaps any other event in our naval history.
Almost immediately after this, in September, 1778, Mr.
Berkeley was appointed to command the Firebrand Fireship,
and served in the Channel Fleet under Admirals, Sir Charles
Hardy, Darby, Kempenfelt, &c.
In August, 17/9, l^e combined Fleets of France and
Spain having, by some means, escaped the notice of the
British Fleet, which was then cruizing in the Soundings,
entered the Channel, and, for some days, excited considerable
alarm at Plymouth. At this period the Firebrand was
repairing ; and Mr. Berkeley acted as Ald-de-camp to Admiral
Lord Shuldham, the Commander in Chief at that port. In
this station he displayed so much activity, and was of such
• Lord Sandwich.
+ The subordinate Commanders, on the part of the English, were Sir
Robert Harland and Sir Hugh Palliscr; on that of the French, the Dues de
Chaffault and Chartres. — - For an interesting account of this engagement, *ee
the biographical Memoir of the late Augustus Lord Viscount Keppel, in the
NAVAL CHRONICLE, Vol. VII.
OF THE HON. GEORGE CRANFIELD BERKELEY. IQj
essential service in reconnoitring the enemy, disposing p£
the sea force, and forming other arrangements of defence,
that his professional character was regarded with the warmest
approbation and esteem. In proof of this, we have to men-
tion, that the most pressing letters were written by Lord
Shuldham, to the Admiralty, for his promotion ; in answer
to which, he was given to understand, that Captain Berkeley,
on account of the part which he had taken in politics, could
not be promoted at home, but that he should be sent abroad
with appropriate recommendations. Accordingly, he was
appointed to the Fairy Sloop, of 14 guns, and, in the spring
of 1780, he was sent out express to Newfoundland, by Admi-
ral Edwards, the Governor, to take upon him the command
of the sea forces on that station, and to concert, with the
Commanding Officer of the troops, the best means of de-r
fending the Island against the French, who then menaced it
with an attack. In two months after his arrival, he took
nine sail of Privateers*, of equal force to the Ship which he
commanded ; and so meritorious was one of these actions
considered,- in which he attacked and captured two Privateers
of 14 guns each, which had engaged and taken the Coureur
Sloop of War, that the Admiral made him Post into the
Vestal f Frigate of 28 guns. In this Ship he had the good
fortune to capture and destroy many more of the enemy's
Vessels.
In 178?, our Officer was at the relief of Gibraltar, under
Admiral Darby, where he particularly distinguished himself
Against the gun-boats, two of which he destroyed under the
guns of the fortress of Ceuta.
In 1782, he was appointed to the Recovery, of 32 guns ;
* Among the Ships which were captured this year on the Newfoundland
Station, were, the Phoenix, an American Privateer, of 16 guns and sixty men j
and the Mercury, an American Packet from Philadelphia, on board of which,
was Henry Lauren?, Esq. formerly President of the Congress, bound on aq
embassy to Holland.
•j- previously commanded by Captain George Keppel.
104 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR.
and on the I3th of April, in that year, he sailed from Spit-
head, with a Squadron under the command of Vice- Admiral
Barrington, on a cruize to the westward. The Vice-
Admiral was sent out with this Squadron, which consisted
of twelve Sail of the Line, for the purpose of intercepting a
French convoy, from Brest, bound for the East Indies. On
the 20th of the month, he was so fortunate as to fall in with
the object of his pursuit; and, after a chase of some hours,
one Ship of 74 guns, le Pegasf, was captured by the Fou-
droyant ; as was I* Actlonnairc^ pierced for 64 guns, but
at that time armed en fiutty by the Queen ; and, by other
Ships of the Squadron, ten or eleven of the Transports and
Store-ships, out of eighteen which were in company when
the convoy was first discovered. It was in this action that
the present Earl of St. Vincent, who then commanded the
Foudroyant, so eminently distinguished himself by the cap-
ture of le Pegase*9 for which he was favoured with the par-
ticular notice of his Sovereign, and, in consideration of his
services, was invested with the Most Honourable Order of
the Bath. Captain Berkeley, too, though his name was not
ostentatiously displayed in the public dispatches, had his.
share in the labour and the glory of the day. His conduct
did not pass unnoticed, as, in reward for his activity, he was
promoted to the command of le Pegase.
The Vice- Admiral's Squadron having been much scat-
tered during the chase, and having encountered several hard
gales, as soon as he had collected his Ships together he pro-
ceeded for England, and arrived at Spithead on the 26th of
April, with most of his prizes.
. * Vidt the NAVAL CHRONICLE, Vol. IV, p. 8. It was from the circum-
stances of this action ; — not from his conquests in the West Indies, not front
his protracted blockade of the great naval port of Spain, not even from the
action (one of the most brilliant in the Naval History of this Country) —
that the noble Earl chose to select the supporters of his shield of honour :—
on the dexter side appears the Eagle, with the thunder of Jove, representing
the Foudroyant, which he commanded; and, on the sinister, the offspring of
Medusa, the Pegasus, which be had vanquished.— —Sits.b supporters arc
r tally honourable.
OF THE HON. C20RGB CRANFIELD BERKELEY. 10j[
On the general peace taking place, in 1783, the Channel
Fleet was ordered into port to be reduced and paid off; iri
consequence of which the Seamen at Spithead became very
riotous, manifesting a violent spirit of mutiny, which, on
board of several of the Ships of war, was carried to an
alarming height. The Crews, in opposition to the orders of
the Admiralty and of their Officers, insisted upon their
being paid off at Portsmouth ; and it was not until coercive
measures were resorted to, that the mutiny was quelled*.
At this distressing period, it was highly creditable to the
attention and spirit of Captain Berkeley, that the most per-
fect order and discipline were preserved on board of the
Ship which he had the honour to command. So satisfac-
tory indeed was it, that Lord Howe returned his particular
thanks to our Officer for the due state of subordination in
which he found his Ship's Company.
The next mention that we find of Captain Berkeley is in
the year 1786, when he commanded the Magnificent, of 74
guns, and was particularly chosen, by the Honourable
Admiral Leveson Gower, to practise the evolutions, and
make trial of the new code of signals which are at present
used in the Royal Navy.
In 1786, he was appointed Surveyor General of his Ma-
jesty's Ordnance ; and, in 1792, he commanded the Niger
Frigate, of 32 guns; being at the same time honoured with
* On this occasion, Lord Hervey, Captain of the Raisonable, of 64 gunj,
displayed great firmness and resolution ; his Ship being ordered round to
Chatham, the Crew refused to weigh the anchors, upon which his Lordship
assembled them upon deck, and, after pointing out the impropriety of their
conduct, directed them to execute the orders which he had received. The
men still hesitating in their compliance, he instantly, with his Officers, who
wtre armed, seized on those who appeared to be the ring-leaders, and, having
confined them in his cabin, soon brought the rest of the Crew to obedience.
On the Raisonable's arrival at Sheernes?, the mutineers were tried by a Court
Martial, and four of them were condemned to suffer death. Three were
accordingly executed at Sheerness, on the nth of August, 1783, on board of
the Carnatic, Dictator, and Scipio. The fourth was reprieved, just as he wa$
about .to be executed on board of the Thetis.
. Gtyon. ®o!.XII. r
IO6 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
a commission of the highest importance, as President of a
Board of Engineers and Commissioners, for the purpose of
enquiring into the abuses and frauds committed against
Government in 'the West Indies. This service he per-
formed, with honour to himself, and to the entire satisfaction
of Government.
In 1/93, war commenced between Great Britain and
France ; and, in 1794, the ever memorable battle of the ist
of June was fought between the English and French Fleets.
In this conflict, so glorious to the national character of
Britain, Captain Berkeley commanded the Marlborough, of
74 guns, and bore so distinguished a share in the enter-
prise of the day, as to receive the highest encomiums from
the Commander in Chief, the late Admiral Lord Howe.
Having experienced the exalted satisfaction of seeing two of
the enemy's Ships, PImpetueux, and the Mutius Scaevola,
strike to the Marlborough, he, being most dangerously
wounded in the head and leg, was compelled to quit the
quarter-deck.
After having dwelt at considerable length on this splendid
action, in our memoir of Lord Howe*, it would be super-
fluous here to enter largely into its general merits ; it would,
however, evince a want of candour and of generosity, were
we to pass over unnoticed the particular exertions of Captain
Berkeley. It is known that, on the 2ist of May, Earl
Howe, having obtained certain intelligence that the French
Fleet had some days before put to sea from Brest, and were
then not many leagues to the westward of him, went imme-
diately in quest of them. On the morning of the 28th,
being about 140 leagues west of Ushant, the enemy were
discovered at some distance to windward j it then blowing
fresh from the S. by W. with a rough sea. Upon their per-
ceiving the British Fleet, they bore down in a loose order;
* Vide NAVAL CHROHICLE, Vol. I, p. 19. Sec also the Biographical Me-
moirs of Admiral Sir T. Paisley, and of Captain Harvey, in Vols. Ill and IV of
CHRONICLE.
6
OF THE HON. CEORG'E CRANFIELD BERKELEY. 107
"and soon after, hauling again to the wind, began to form in
order of battle. The British Fleet still continued in the
order of sailing, excepting the Marlborough (Captain Berke-
ley's Ship), the Bellerophon, Leviathan, Audacious, Russell,
and Thunderer, which were advanced a considerable distance
to windward, and were coming fast up with the enemy's rea-.
"About a quarter before two, the British Admiral gave the
signal for a general chase, and to engage the enemy. Towards
the close of the day, Rear-Admiral Paisley, in the Bellero-
phon, closed with the rear Ship of the enemy's line, a three-
decker, on which he commenced a firm and resolute attack,
supported occasionally by the respective Ships in his divi-
sion. The Bellerophon, being soon disabled, fell to Ice-
ward ; at which time the Audacious came up, and continued
to engage the same Ship for two hours without intermission ;
when the enemy's mizen-mast having fallen overboard, her
lower yards and main-top sail-yard having been shot away,
and being otherwise much shattered, she fell athwart hawse
the Audacious. Soon, however, getting clear of each other,
the enemy put before the wind, nor was it in the power of
the Audacious to follow her, her rigging and sails being cut
to pieces, and she being for some time quite unmanageable.
As soon as the Audacious was in a condition to sail, she
wore, and steered down to join the Fleet ; but the night was
so extremely dark, that her Captain (Parker) could not dis-
cern their lights, and by this means she parted company.
In the morning, at day-light, Captain Parker discovered nine
of the enemy's Ships, two of which gave chase, about three
miles to windward of the Audacious. Her situation was for
some time very alarming; but, by the active exertions of the
Officers and Men, she was soon capable of making such sail
as to preserve her distance : the Ship with which she had
been engaged on the preceding evening — afterwards found to
be le Revolutionnaire — was observed about a mile and a
half to windward, totally dismasted. On the 291!), a partial
engagement took place between the hostile Fleets, in which
log BIOGRAPHICAL MIMOIfc
some of the entmy's Ships were much crippled, and the ad-
vantage of the weather-gage was obtained by the English,
Thick foggy weather, for the two following days, prevented
any farther operations on either side, though, at intervals,
the Fleets were in sight of each other, and not many inilei
distant.
On the morning of the 1st of June, both Fleets being
drawn up in order of battle, at half past seven the British
Admiral made the signal to bear up, and for each Ship to
engage her opponent in the enemy's line, which seemed to
wait for the attack with great resolution. In a short tin.e a
most tremendous cannonade commenced from van to rear,
which raged with unceasing fury for about an hour. The
enemy's line was forced through in many places, and they
began to give way. At a little after nine o'clock, the Marl-
borough engaged the French Ship 1'Impetueux, which, after
having been pretty well handled, was relieved by the Mutius
Scasvola. British valour, however, was triumphant} and both
the Frenchmen, after a farther contest, were compelled to,
strike to the Marlborough. Immediately after this event, a,
French Ship, of 120 guns, came under the stern of the
Marlborough, and raked her with a broadside, which killed
and wounded a great number of men, and produced much
other mischief*. It was now that Captain Berkeley bled for
his country. He bled, but he was not conquered. At this
interesting moment, he went up to his First Lieutenant—-
now Captain Montague — his face then streaming with blood,
and bade him take his sword and the command of his Ship.
He was borne from the quarter-deck; but, notwithstanding
his wound was of the most serious nature, after it had been
dressed he attempted to go upon deck. Nature, however,
was exhausted ; he fainted on the cock-pit stairs, and remained
for a long time jn a state of insensibility.
* The entire loss of the Marlboiougb, in this action, was twentj.nine killed,
and ciiKty wounded.
OF THE HOIT. GEORGE CRANFIELD BERKELEY, lOJ
In the course of the action the Marlborough was wholly
Dismasted.
With the subsequent particulars, and general result, our
readers are already acquainted. It will be sufficient, there-
fore, to observe, that the French Admiral, having been
vigorously attacked by the Queen Charlotte, bore up in
great confusion, and was followed by all those of his Ships
which were able to carry sail, leaving the rest, which were
dismasted and crippled, at the mercy of the Englisht On
the clearing up of the smoke, eight or ten of their Ships
were seen, some totally dismasted, and others with only one
mast standing, endeavouring to make off under their sprit-*
sails. Seven of these were taken possession ofj one, le
Vengeur, sunk before the whole of her Crew could be taken
out, not more than two hundred and eighty of whom were
saved. At intervals, a distant and irregular firing was heard,
between the fugitives and their pursuers, till about four in
the afternoon ; by which time the French Admiral had col-
lected most of his remaining Ships, and had steered off to
the eastward. The Queen Charlotte having lost both her
top-masts, the Defence, as well as the Marlborough, being
wholly dismasted, and several others of our Ships being
materially damaged, Earl Howe brought to, for the purpose
of securing his prize?, and of collecting his Fleet together
before night.
On the nth of June, Lord Howe entered the Channel,
with the prizes in tow;* on the following day he ordered
Admiral Graves, with a part of the Fleet, to Plymouth i and
on the 1 3th of the month, his Lordship arrived at Spithead
with the remainder.
Captain Berkeley, in common with the other Officers of
the Fleet, received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament,
for his meritorious services on this occasion; in addition to
which, he was rewarded, at the next promotion of Flag
Officers, by being appointed Colonel of Marines, and was
«ne of the very few Officers in the action of the ist of June,
HO BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
who were honoured with the medal of 'merit , accompanied by
the following letter from Earl Spencer, then First Lord of
the Admiralty : .
SIR,
•* The King having been pleased to order a certain number of gold
medals to be struck, in commemoration of the victory obtained by his
Majesty's Fleet, under the command of Eail Howe, over that of the
enemy, in the actions of the »gth of May, and ist of June, 1794',
I am commanded by his Majesty to present to you one of the medals
above mentioned, and signify his Majesty's pleasure that you should
wear it when in your uniform, in the manner described by the direc-
tion, which (together with the medal arid ribband belonging to it)
I have the honour to transmit to you.
I am also commanded by his Majesty to acquaint you, that had it
been possible for all the Officers on whom his Majesty is pleased to
confer this mark of his approbation, to attend personally in London,
his Majesty would have presented the medal to each of them in per-
son ; but that being, from various causes, at this time impossible,
fcis Majesty, in order to obviate all further delay, has therefore been
pleased to direct them to be forwarded in this manner.
Allow me to express the great satisfaction I feel in being made the
channel of communicating to you so distinguished a mark of his
Majesty's approbation.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Admiralty, yb Nov. 1796. " SPENCER."
In 1795, Captain Berkeley was appointed to command the
Formidable, of 98 guns, in which Ship his discipline and
conduct were such as to procure him the thanks of the Ad-
miralty, as well as of his commanding Officers, particularly
those of Admiral Viscount Duncan, under whose command
lie served in the North Seas. In this Ship he was also under
Admiral Cornwallis's command, the Formidable being one
of his Squadron which blocked up the French Admiral
Richery in the port of Cadiz.
In the spring of 1798, several corps of Sea Fencibles were
raised, agreeably to a plan proposed to the Admiralty by
Captain, now Sir H. R. Popham, consisting of Fishermen^
Seamen employed in Coasters, and other men employed on
O£ THE HON. GEORGE CR.ANFIEL» BERKELEY. Ill
the water, in the different harbours, rivers, and creeks along
the coast*. Captain Berkeley was appointed to command
the corps for the protection of the coast of Sussex, extending
from Emsworth to Beachy-head, and also gave in some plans
for the defence of that part, which were highly approved by
Government, and ordered to be adopted.
On the 14111 of February, 1799) his Majesty was graciously
pleased to advance Captain Berkeley to the rank of Rear-
Admiral of the Blue Squadron. On this promotion, he
hoisted his Flag in the Mars, of 74 guns, commanded by
Captain John Monckton, in which Ship he served in the
Channel Fleet, first under Admiral Lord Bridport, and after-
wards, in 1800, under Earl St. Vincent. By the former of
these Officers he was sent with a Squadron to blockade the
port of Rochefort, in which a Spanish Admiral in a first
rate, with five Ships of the Line, had anchored. This ser-
vice he performed effectually for fourteen weeks.
When Earl St. Vincent assumed the command of the
Channel Fleet, his choice fell upon Rear- Admiral Berkeley
to command the advanced Squadron, when employed in
blockading the force of the enemy, assembled in the harbour
of Brest. This insulated circumstance evinces more strongly
the opinion which Earl St. Vincent must have formed of our
Officer's professional talents, and speaks more forcibly in
their praise, than would the most laboured eulogium from
the warmest panegyrist. — Rear- Admiral Berkeley continued
to perform this arduous duty, till, compelled by a severe
indisposition, (when the Mars was ordered in to refit,) he re-
* These men were to be trained to the ufe of the pike, and exercised at great
guns if any were in the district. A Post Captain, and a certain number of
Commanders, according to the extent of the district, were appointed to com-
mand them. The pay and allowance to the Post Captain were one pound ten
shillings per day, and five shillings for a clerk, stationary and travelling; the
Commanders twenty shillings per day, and |n allowance of one shilling and
ninepence more for contingencies. The men are granted protections from the
Captains of the district, and, at each muster, or exercise, receive one shi
each.
n..' ttdCRAPHlCAt
quested leave of absence, for the purpose of recruiting his
health.— Peace being concluded in the ensuing spring, 1802*
he has not been employed since that time".
On the ist of January, 1801, he was made Rear- Admiral
Of5 the White; and, on the late promotion, April the 23d,
1804, he was advanced to the rank of Rear- Admiral of the
Red Squadron.
A late trial, in which Admiral Berkeley was Plaintiff,
has excited much conversation *. It arose from some politi-
cal resentments, expressed in a weekly publication, against
some of the Parliamentary speeches of the Hon. Admiral,
implicating also his courage as a Naval Officer. Had any
doubt, however, been entertained on this subject, by an im-
partial public, the honourable testimony of Captain Monta-
gue, and others, must have placed his professional charac-
ter beyond the future lash of envy, malignity, or party-
rancour.
The portrait of Admiral Berkeley, which is prefixed to
this memoir, is from an original miniature, recently taken by
a young female artist, of rising celebrity.
HERALDIC PARTICULARS.
Augustus, the fourth Earl Berkeley, (son of James, third Earl
Berktlcy, by Louisa Lennox, eldest daughter of the firsc Duke of
Richmond, aunt to the present Duke,) was born February the i8th,
1716; married, May 7, 1744, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Drax»
of Charborough, in the County of Dorset, Esq. and died Jan. 9,
1755 —By his Lady (who survived his Lordship, and married, Jan. 2,
1757, to her second husband, Robert, late Earl Nugent, and died
June 30, 1792) he had issue, Frederick Augustus, the present Earl:
James, born July 26, 1747, a°d died an infant — Louisa, Elizabeth
and Frances, born July 22, 1748, twins with Louisa, died infants—
Georgiana Augusta, born Sept. 18, 1749; married April 20, 1766,
to George Forbes, Earl of Granard, and had issue ; after whose
death, in 1780, she re-married the Rev. Samuel Little, D.D., by
• Vide NAVAL CHRONICLE, Vol. XII, p. 56.
ttf tHH HON. dEORCB CRANflELD BERKELEY. 1IJ
fyhcitn she has issue, George, born in 1782 — Elizabeth, born in Dec*
1750; married first, May 30, 1767, to William Lord Craven, and
had issue— and secondly, Oct. 13, 1791, at Lisbon, to his Serene
Highness Christian Frederick Charles Alexander, Margrave of Bran-
denburgh, Anspach, and Bayreuth i-^-George Cranfield (the subject of
the preceding memoir), born August, 17 5 J ; married August 23,
1784, Emily Charlotte, daughter of Lord George Lennox, brother
of Charles Duke of Richmond ; and has issue, George Henry
Frederick, born July 9, 1785, now a Lieutenant in the Royal
Regiment of Blues-=-Anne Louisa Emily, born March 18, 1788—
Georgiana Mary, born July 4, 1793 — Mary Caroline, born June iS>
ARMS.] (pules, a chevron between ten crosses pattee, six above
and four below.
C&BST.] On a wreath a mitre, gules, garnished, or, charged with
the paternal coat.
SUPPORTERS.] Two lions, argent, the sinister having the ducal
crown and plain collar and chain, or.
MOT TO. •<*— ./}/«/ a-vec nous,
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &c*
MANTES IN GURGITE VASTOj
BARBARITY OF THE DUTCH AT CEYLON*
THE infamous affair at Amboyna has through the whole world
circulated the eternal disgrace of the Dutch name. Theme is another1
instance of their abominable policy, which is less known in Europe,
but has excited general indignation in the Eastern world. In the
year 1798, Captain Pakenham, of the Resistance, happening to be
vith his Ship jit Timar, one of the Spice Islands lately conquered by
the English, he was invited along with his Officers, by the Dutch
Governor, to an entertainment. Some circumstances prevented the
Captain from accepting the invitation j his Officers however went,
and found, with astonishment and horror, that the Dutch had made
hospitality a pretext to obtain an opportunity of assassinating them.
They were set upon without the least warning, and the First Lieu-
. Cjwn. aol.XII. Q,,
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
tenant, with one or two more, were infamously- murdered, with some
Sepoys, who attempted to defend their Officers. The Surgeon,
however, who was a very strong man, with the assistance of two
Sepoys, fought his way to the beach, and made good his retreat to
his Ship. Upon the Surgeon's representing this barbarous conduct of
the Dutch, Captain Pakenham instantly gave orders to fire upon the
town, and it was in consequence soon reduced to ashes. The Dutch
inhabitants, and all those who were concerned in the massacre, fled
precipitately into the interior of the island. Several of the perpetra-
tors of the crime were afterwards taken, and suffered for their
treachery.
«^^>,^,^
ENCROACHMENT OF THE SEA.
AN Officer many years in the army in the East Indies, being
struck with Mr. Churchman's idea of reducing to a system all the
changes of the land gaining on the sea, and vice versa, lias made
known these facts. He was acquainted with a lady who died at
Madras in the year 1797, at the advanced age of 96 years, who used
to say, that the sea had encroached there about three English miles,
within her remembrance ; that some years ago a row of cocoa nut
trees stood in the place where Ships now ride at anchor. From the
time he left India in 1797, until his return there in 1799, ^ie sea ^ad
encroached so much as to cause the beach-house belonging to the
customs, which stood at the south end of the fort, to be removed
three miles to the north of it, and that the sea at that place continued
to encroach gradually on the land every year.
TELEGRAPHIC ESTABLISHMENT.
A PLAN of a Telegraphic Establishment for Domestic and
Commercial Purposes, having been suggested some time since to
Mr. BOAZ, the ingenious patentee of a Day and Night Telegraph,.
that gentleman has lately submitted proposals for a local expe-
riment*, to the inhabitants of Liverpool. A line of Telegraphs
is, in consequence, about to be established from Liverpool to Holy-
head, for the purpose of announcing the arrival of Ships bound
for Liverpool, and of procuring pilots. Another line has been sug-
gested, from Liverpool to Hull, through Manchester to Leeds ; and
another from Liverpool to London, through Chester and Birming-
ham. These several lines would not cost more than 13,000!. ; and, on
a moderate calculation of the messages which would be sent through
them, at the rate of a guinea for eight words, per 100 miles, there is
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C. 1 1 jf
no doubt but the establishment would, on the average, net an annual
profit of 2 or 309 per cent. The person with whom this plan origi-
nated, hoped to see it executed by Government, and a telegraphic
establishment extended from the metropolis to every market town in
the kingdom; but it is probable that its utility and profit must first
be demonstrated by the experience of private individuals, before the
nation at large can be made to participate in the advantages of so
wonderful a system of conveying intelligence — a system which would
confer a sort of ubiquity on those who might choose to avail them-
selves of it, and which would render the whole of this busy and ex-
tended nation like one concentrated metropolis.
NEW APPARATUS FOR FILTERING WATER.
MESSRS. Harman and Dearn, of Rotherhithe, have invented an
apparatus for filtering water, which will obviate the inconveniences of
the filtering stone. The new apparatus consists of a stone-ware
vessel, perforated with holes, upon which coarse gravel is laid, and
.upon that a stratum of fine gravel, and lastly fine sand. Upon the
top of the sand is laid a perforated and loaded board, or plate of
earthen ware, to prevent the sand from being disturbed when the wa-
ter is poured in. The fineness and depth of the silicious sand will
regulate the perfection and expedition of the process ; and the deli-
cacy of the vessels and sand may be insured by changing the latter
from time to time; for example, once in a fortnight or three weeks.
HAWKINS S POLYGRAPH.
THIS useful Invention, for which Mr. Hawkins, of Oxford Street,
lias recently obtained a patent, consists of a simple, powerful, and
cheap combination of a parallel ruler, suspended by a spring wire, and
moving on small guided brass wheels, on which the apparatus tra-
verses. By means of tubes and connected limbs or joints, two or
more pens are so attached to the movements as to act with the great-
est facility, and one person is thereby enabled to write several copies
of a letter, at the same time, with no more than the usual trouble of
writing one letter. They have already been constructed with two,
three, and five pens ; and more, if necessary, might be managed.
The utility of this machine 13 obyioua in all cases demanding secrecy
and dispatch.
Il5 KAVAL ANECDOTES, &C.
NEW INVENTED JIB.
MR. I. BRAMAH has invented a new jib. The peculiar COB-
Btruction consists in perforating the axis or pillar of the crane, and in
conducting the rope through this perforation, by means of an addi-
tional pulley fixed on the top of the aim of the jib. Thus the rope
proceeds from the goods which are hoisted, through a pulley fixed*
as usual, at the extremity of the jib ; it then passes over another pul-
ley, fixed at the extremity of the jib, to a third fixed at the opposite
extremity of the jib, and is by this pulley conducted through the
perforated axis, or pillar, to another pulley, whence it is immediately
directed to the crane by which the weight is elevated.
LIQJJOR FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES,
M, DRIUZZI has invented a kind of liquor which in certain
cases prevents combustion. Jt consists of two parts of common soda
dissolved in seven pints of water, which is reduced to two- thirds by
ebullition, and strained through a piece of cloth. The liquor has no
more effect on wood, however, than common water; but it is very useful
in extinguishing fires produced by oily, fat, and bituminous sub-
stances.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE CLVIII.
RIDLINGTON Quay, whence this view of the Pier and
Entrance to the Harbour was taken, is about a mile distant from
the large, old, populous Town of the same name, in the East Riding
of Yorkshire, 209 miles from London. The Hatbour affords a good
shelter for Ships against the N.E. and N.W. winds. Seveial Acts of
Parliament have passed for the repair and improvement of this Har-
bour, particularly the last, in 1723; since which it has been much
attended to. It is frequently resorted to by Colliers. A sand called
the Smethick is in the Bay, which greatly tends to break the force
of the Winds and Waves fiom Seaward, and the Lands on the North
shelter it from the Winds off shore. Here is very good anchorage
in 4 to 6 fathoms at low water, and very good going in or out at the
West end of the Saudi and Ships mny eland in to the shore in any
depth, at pleasure.
CORRESPONDENCE.
<TO THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE,
• IK,
TT is of course in your recollection, that, in the year 1741,
a plan was suggested to the Admiralty, by Arthur Dobbs,
Esq. for making an attempt to discover a North- West pas-
sage to China and India. The Board accordingly fitted out
two Vessels, which sailed under the direction of Captain
Middleton, who had been many years a Commander in the
service of the Hudson's Bay Company. The two following
letters, the insertion of which may perhaps gratify some of
your readers, were written by a gentleman on board the
Furnace Bomb, one of the Ships under the command of
Captain Middleton,
I am, Sir, Yours,
B. A.
From on board bis Majesty's Skip tie Furnace, in Churchill River t
North America , June 21, 1742.
THE 27th of June we left the Orkneys. The i6th of July we
made Cape Farewell, about 446 leagues to the westward of the Or/£-
rieyst and about four or five leagues distant from us. The land, which
was rocky and high, was covered with snow. The 2$th of July we
made the island of Resolution t which makes one side of the Straits
Mouth ; and here we were pretty much in danger, on account of the
thick fogs, being close upon the land before we could perceive it, and
having a fresh of wind right in upon the shore : in the Straits we met
with a great many islands of ice, some of them 50 fathomj perpendi-
cular above water, and three times as much under : these islands make
yearly from the northward away to the sonthward, where they melt
and decay. The 3d of August we fell in with a great deal of broken
ice, but soon got clear ef it. On the 5th we saw a large cake or
field of ice, which from the top-mast-head we could not see over ;
but by standing to the windward for 84 hours, we got clear of it, and
the yth of August made the land about Churchill River, which lies in
59° 10' north latitude, and longitude from London, above 83°. The
8th we got into the river's mouth, and moored Ship. Here isan English
settlement or factory, belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company, with
uS CORRESPONDENCE:
a strong fort, where we resolved to winter, seeing the season was theq
too far spent for proceeding on our intended discovery.
The winter sets in here about the beginning of September, and
continues till June, during which the ground is all covered with snow
or ice. But it is impossible to give a just idea of the severity of the
weather, to those who have never personally seen or felt its effects ;
it generally freezes to such a degree that no man whatsoever is able to
face the weather with any part of his body naked or exposed, but in
the shortest space of time he is froze, in such a manner, that the part
turns whitish and solid like ice, and when thawed, blisters like scald-
ing or burning. Several of our men have lost their toes and fingers
by being froze, nay, the spirits of wine or brandy freeze and turn
solid ; our cloathing is a beaver or skin tuggy, above our other
clothes, shoes of deer-skin, with three or four socks of thick
blanketting or warm cloth above our stockings ; mittens of beaver
fined with dufneld or thick cloth ; and a beaver cap with a chin cloth
which covers the greater part of the face ; and when we walk out, we
use a pair of snow shoes, made of thongs of deer-skin, about six feet in
length, and a foot and a half in breadth, to support us from sinking in
the snow ; the ice we found to be seven feet deep in the middle of the
stream in the river. There is no disease or distemper prevails here,
except it be the scurvy, by which we have lost ten of the best of our
Seamen ; there are great plenty of partridges in the winter time,
which are entirely white, and a vast flight of wild geese in the fall
of the spring. We have had no less than 6000 geese killed this spring,
by about 20 Indians, 3000 we have got salted for use, besides 5 or
600 we used fresh. The soil is but a barren kind, though plenty of
wood, such as pine, which is the only tree that grows here. The
native Indians are a very active people, but unmindful of futurity, only
careful for the present ; they are of a swarthy colour, and middle
stature.
They trade in all kinds of fur with the English, for brandy,
tobacco, guns, powder, shot, and little nice fineries, of which they
are very proud ; but opportunity wont allow me to give a particular
description of them. They dwell in tents, and remove from place to
place as best suits their turn. The 1st of June the river broke up,
and in a few days after we got the Ships out of the stream, after two
months unspeakable toil, in cutting them clear of the ice ; and now
we have got all things ready for sea, full of hopes of success, and
desirous to get rid of this dismal country. In case we meet with
success we shall be out another winter, and lie at Calif orniat on the
other side of the Continent*
I am, &c, J. L.
CORRESPONDENCE. n$
The Second Letter.
Orkneys, Sept. ig.
-THE 1st day of July we set out from Churchill Fort, on our in-
tended discovery. The 8th we entered Sir Thomas Roe's Welcome,
which is about 1 4 leagues across ; the 9th we fell in with a vast body
of broken ice, in which we were inveigled three days, being obliged
to ply our warps and grapnels ; the 1 2th, having got amongst thinner
ice, we set sailf and stood over for the north shore. Jn the lat. 65° 10'
we named a high land Cape Dobls> in honour of Squire Dobbs. Ob-
serving an opening to the northward of the Cape, we stood in for it,
designing to .come to an anchor to try the tides ; but finding that it
was the mouth of a great river, we run eight leagues up it, and at
last were obliged to come to an anchor amongst broken ice, where we
rode in the greatest danger. Here several Utquemayt came off in
their canoes, who saluted us with their shrieks and hideous yells, and
brought us some whalebone and train oil, which they gave us for
little bits of iron, of which they are wonderfully fond. They are people
of a very swarthy complexion, well made, vigorous and active ; but
by accounts of them, of savage dispositions, though I think quite
otherwise ; they wander from place to place, and live by hunting and
fishing, at which they are very expert in their own way. During
our stay in the river Wager ; we killed a good many deer ; we were
obliged to stay here for 16 days, and could not possibly put to sea on
account of the prodigious quantity of ice. The 4th of August we
left the river, and stood away for the northward, being blessed with
fine weather ; we had a full prospect of the land on each side ; in the
latitude 66° 30' we saw the land stretch away to the westward, which
gave us great hopes, but afterwards found it to be nothing but a bay,
land all round ; then standing away for another opening on the east side,
we laid the Ship to, and went ashore to take a survey from the top of
a high mountain, when we could see the sea all froze in one solid body
for about 20 leagues to the S.E., and finding at the same time that
the flood tide came from thence, we were fully confirmed that it had
a communication with the east Sea, and that there was no such thing
as a passage to the Western Ocean, as was expected. The 8th of
August we bore away to the southward, and made some further
search about the latitude of 64°. Thus having traversed all along the
bay, the I5th we took our farewell of the bay ; the 2Oth we made
the head of the Straits ; the 26th got clear of them, and lost sight of
the land. In the passage from the Straits we had very strong gales,
though pretty fair. The 1 5th of September we came in at Hoy
d, and anchored in Sternness harbour.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Never were Ships worse manned ; several of our men are deai
in the country, the one half of the remainder so taken with the
scurvy, that they have been incapable of doing duty*
I am, &c. J. L«
ra rire EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
SIR,
S I have long thought that the Articles of War need
some revisal, and as I trust they will one day come
under the consideration of the Legislature, I wish you
would recall' the attention of your readers to the debate on
this subject, which took place in the year 1779, in the
House of Commons.
Thursday, Feb. 25,
Sir Charles Banlury arraigned the zzd of George the Second,
which indiscriminately dooms the Coward, the Disaffected, and the
Negligent Officer to death. Cowardice and disaffection might deserve
such a punishment, but gentlemen would surely think death too
severe a punishment for negligence ; and as the Admiral had dis-
claimed a discretionary power, which, if they have not, they ought to
have, to keep up the forms of the Constitution by acting as a Grand
Jury, he would be glad to place such a power somewhere, that the
Officers of the Navy, who so gallantly fight for their country, might
have some shield for their honour and their lives : He moved, there-
fore, that the Members of Naval Courts Martial, in case of negligence,
might have a discretionary power to inflict a capital or such other
punishment, as from circumstances should appear more proper. Such
a clause as this would have saved the life of an unfortunate man
(Admiral Byng), whose fate, he said, was a reproach to our laws.
Sir William Meredith did not like to hear the law arraigned ; if a
sentence were unjust, there was redress in the mercy of the Sovereign,
which it was as much the right of the Subject to demand, as it was
the prerogative of the Prince to grant ; nor could he admit that
there was any thing in Admiral Byng's case which was a reproach to
the law.
Mr. Byng stood up the champion of his uncle's memory. The
Court Martial, he said, had been unanimous in their recommendation
for mercy ; and such warm debates had passed between the Members,
that a sentinel placed near the door of the room in which they were
CORRESPONDENCE, lit
deliberating1, was removed to a greater distance, that lie might not
•cverhear theft. As to the Royal Mercy, his Uncle had never
applied for it ; he knew it would be in vain. The Admiral was totally
indifferent about his fate ; it was his family that applied for mercy,
not knowing then what he now might venture to say, that the party
to whom they applied was prepossessed ; that he was himself concerned
in the prosecution, and that he had even gone so far as to point out to
the Admiralty the Officers who would be the most proper to form
the Court Martial. He added, that if he was so disposed, he could
unfold a transaction that would astonish the Committee. At present
he would return his thanks to the Hon. Gentleman, for a motion,
which, he hoped, would make the blood of his U«cle the last
innocent blood that should be spilled by the cruel law by which he
perished.
Sir William Meredith would not give up the point ; he still con-
tended that the Admiral's case was not so favourable as was thought j
he declared that the President of the Court Martial had said to hirrtj
"" I am not a hard-hearted man, and yet my eyes were the dryest in
the Court."
Lord Beauchamp wished to put the Courts Martial in the land and
sea service on the same tooting ; in the former, the Court, even in
cases of cowardice and disaffection, can use a dLctetionary pow*er$
and transmute the punishment of death into any other they think
proper.
Mr. Burke, Mr. Fox, and Gen. Comvay, spoke in favour of th»
motion, which was carried without a division.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
SIR,
HP HE following Letter, which appeared in the Gentleman'*
Magazine for May last, is worthy of a place in your
valuable Chronicle.
S.
Permit me to trouble you with a few more last words, respecting the
Survivors of Lord Anson's Expedition. In addition to Mr. Fortei(uet
mentioned in p .227 of your Magazine, Captain James Halls of the Inva-
lids, who sailed round the world with Anson, still survives, at the age
of about 85, or 86. He has resided at, or near Portsmouth, about 40
J538U. er&ron. dcl.XII. *
132 CORHESTONDENCE.
year?. Captain Halls, from two marriages, has a numerous family ; and
his eldest son, James Halls, Esq. of Colchester, in Essex, has nearly or
altogether twelve children. The Halls were originally from Read in
Suffolk ; but two of them, Rohert and John, bred to the profession
of the law, (the one, father of Captain Halls, the other, maternal
grandfather of Mr. Lawrence, the agricultural writer,) settled at
Colchester, in Essex, about a century since. The Rev. John Halls,
the eider brother of Captain Halls, died some few years past, nearly
90 years of age, at Colchester, where he had resided through life,
respected for extensive charities, and for a strength and peculiar
acutcness of intellect. The bulk of his very considerable fortune if
inherited by bis nephew, James, as above mentioned.
•TO THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
SIR,
TTHE following Remarks were lately given in to Lord
Melville, by Captain R. Willis^ of the Royal Navy : —
Vessels on their return to England, eicher do, or ought to
endeavour to strike Soundings in the latitude 49° 2$'. In this
parallel they will have Soundings in about 95 or zoo fathoms, 50
leagues to the westward of Stilly. I conclude that our enemies
generally cruise at no great distance from that parallel, in hopes of
falling in with our outer and homeward-bound Convoys : for the
outer-bound ought not to btar up until they are in the longitude of
12° or 13°, to enable them to weather Cape Fin'uterre, should the
wind come to the westward. Half a dozen cruisers, or more, (the
Captains, -Officers, and Crews, agreeing to share, in all that might
be taken by them, jointly,) might extend themselves to the southward,
Jrom the latitude of 50°, at such distances as to observe Signals ; or
•eight or ten Cruisers might be formed in two divisions on the same
plan. If some such mode of cruising was practised, they would cover
that tract of Sea on which I think Privateers principally hover, in
order to fall in with our Convoys. Such of these Cruisers as fall in
with an homeward-bound Convoy, might, in case of necessity,' proceed
with them to Stilly, and then return to thtir Station. If Cruisers.,
and armed Vtgsels, from the Frith of Forth to Scilfy, were more con-
nected, onr Coast would be more effectually defended,
c.
[ "3 ]
NAVAL LITERATURE.
A Reply to a Pamphlet intituled tf A Brief Inquiry into the preunt
Condition of the Nany of Great Britain : " Wherein is clearly demon-
strated, the Forte of the Enemy, and what -itw opposed to it by the
late Board of Admiralty ; as nvell as the actual Strength possessed by
the King's Dock Tards, and their Ability to keep up and increase the
without the Aid of Merchant Builders. — 8vo. pp. 36,
" Brief Inquiry," to which the pamphlet before us is
" a Reply," has been reviewed in a preceding part of the
present volume of our Chronicle *. We have expressed out
conviction, that the Inquirer wrote from principle ; we are
fully disposed to admit, that his opponent has acted from the
same impulse; and it will be acknowledged, by every
impartial reader, that the latter is completely master of his
subject, and that, in argument, information, and fact, he has
greatly the advantage of the Inquirer. He excites no spirit of
alarm, yet he does not refrain from the disclosure of many
important truths which militate against the mismanagement
of our Royal Dock Yards, &c.
The author of the present pamphlet defends the system of
blockade, and the ^severity of discipline which has been
resorted to ; and contends, that the late Board of Admiralty
has not merited the insinuations which have been thrown
out, of a want of energy in our naval department.
One thousand one hundred and five men (says he) above the vole of
the Houst of Commons for the year, were raised previous to their retiring
from office, independent of an efficient body of Sea Fencibles,
amounting to 3 1^945 meu.
The most exaggerated accounts which havd been received of the
enemy's preparations, state them to consist of 48 Sail of the
Line, 37 Frigates, 22 Corvettes, 4 Praames (or Sloops of War),
1 20 Gun Brigs of the first class, carrying each 6 guns, and 2115
Gun-boats, Schuyts, and Boats and Vessels of every sort or descrip.
* Vldt p. 34.
124 NAVAL LJTBRATURE.
tion; to oppose which there were, on the day the late Admiralty
retired, 88 Sail of the Line, 15 Fifties, 125 Frigates, 92 Sloops,
jS Bombs, 40 Gun Brigs of 12 guns each, 6 Gun-boats, 82 Cutters
and Schooners, 41 armed Ships, and 997 Boats armed with guns, on
the Coast, besides 5 Sail of the Line, i Fifty, 4 Frigates, and 3 Sloops,
which will be ready to commission in the month of June. This
statement includes, as well the enemy's as our own force in every part
of the world; but as the general attention of the country has been
diiected to the threatened invasion, I shall state the force which the
enemy /'/ said to have prepared for that purpose, and also that which
the late Board of Admiralty had allotted to oppose it. From the
Texel to Havre de-Grace the enemy's preparations are said to consist
of 5 Sail of the Line, 6 Frigates, 6 Corvettes, 4 Praamts, 120 Gun-
brigs of 6 guns, and 2115 Gun-boats, Schuyts, and other Boats and
Vessels ; to oppose which there were, under the command of Lord
Keith and Sir James Saumarez, 21 Sail of the Line, 7 Fifties, 36
Frigates, 30 Sloops, 12 Bombs, 29 Gun-brigs of 12 guns each,
41 Cutters and Schooners, and 19 armed Ships, independent of 925
Boats and Craft armed with guns, on the Coast, in the Channel, and
iu the Rivers Thames and Medway.
The above is an important statement, and ought to inspire
confidence in our national strength.
Our author informs us, that, in stating the number of
men, he has followed the same plan as was adopted for
making out the return to the House of Commons j the data
on which that was grounded being the nu;nber of men who
were mustered at the latest period, to which correct returns
bad been made at the Navy Office, and the number raised
since that day at the several rendezvous.
The information here presented relative to the King's
Dock Yards, is highly interesting, and merits the most
serious attention. Our author admits, that the number of"
Ships said to have been launched therefrom, may be correctly
stated by the Inquirer ; Hut observes, that all astonishment
ceases, when the mode of working the men in the King's
Yards is developed. Each gang is composed of the very best,
the middling, and the worst workmen in the Yard, who all
work together and receive wages alike; cqnsequently there
is no stimulus for exertion, and the best me^i art brought
NAVAL LITERATURE. I2J
to the level of the very worst. The actual strength of
the King's Yards, the writer contends, is far greater than
has been supposed ; and, on this subject, he particularly
claims the attention of Administration to the following
statement : —
I am able to assert, from the most accurate Information, that the
number of Shipwrights and Caulkers, exclusive of Apprentices, em-
ployed in ail the Merchants' Yards in England and Scotland, does not
exceed 5329 ; and by the return laid before the House of Common s>
respecting the trade and navigation of the country for the year iSoj,
it appears that in the preceding year 967 Ships, of 104,789 tons, had
been built in the Merchants' Yards, (exclusive of two 6hips of the
Line of 3436 tons for the Navy ;) and that 15,750 Ships of 1,801,458
tons, had been kept in repair. Of these Shipwrights and Caulkers
no more than 1116 are employed in the River Thames, who, besides
the almost exclusive trade of the India Company, amounting to
€9,076 tons, and the building and keeping in repair a full proportion
of the above tonnage of Merchant Ships, are, it is contended, capable
of launching five or six Sail of the Line per year for the Navy.
By the return now before the House, it appears there are 3732
Shipwrights and Caulkers at this time employed in the King's Yards,
of whom 862 are apprentices, which leaves 2870 efficient Shipwrights
and Caulkers, admitted, generally speaking, by all parties, to be far
better workmen than those in the Merchants' Yards.
THE WHOLE NAVY, that is, every Ship or Vessel (exclusive of
such as have been recently purchased) appertaining to the Crown,
including HULKS, PRISON-SHIPS, &c. consists of 160 Sail of the
Line, 22 Fifties, 218 Frigates, and 430 Sloops and smaller Vessels,
making in all 830 Ships and Vessels of about 523,331 tons, of which
about 1 14,000 tons have been taken from the enemy, and, I blush to
say, about 246,000 tons have been built by contract ; leaving, to the
eternal disgrace of the King's Yards, as their produce, notwithstanding
they contain mote than half the number of efficient Shipwrights to
be found in all the Merchants' Yards of this kingdom, no more than
about 163,331 tons! And will it be credited, that the Shipwrights
in the King's Yards were actually paid, during seven years of the late
war, no less a sum than 1,962,6367. l8/. qd.t which is 8o,77j/. 6s. $J.
more than the whole amount of building and making the masts and
yardt of the WHOLE NAVY, (as above stated,) even INCLUDING
ALL THE SHIPS TAKEN FROM THE ENEMY AND BUILT B.Y CON-
TRACT ! I Let it notj however, be supposed that the new Ships
U6 NAVAL LITERATURE.
tuilt in the King's Yards are the only fruit which trie country h»
received for the immense sums of money paid to the Shipwright*
therein : the case is very different : for much of their labour, fettered
and crippled as it is by the mode of working them, which I have be-
fore pointed out, has been applied to the repairs of Ships, and I may-
add, tnottly to those tuilt by contract. Of TWENTY-SIX Sail of the
Line, which were in the action of the ist June, 1794, TEN had betn
built by contract, and cost 324,3 i8/., on which had been expended in
repairs, (previous to the action,) in the King's Yards, no less than
1 71,1247. The repairs of the contract-built Ships which were in the
actions of the J4th February, I797> and ist of August, 1798, bore
a still greater proportion to their original costs, and the EIGHT con-
tract-built Ships which were in the action of the I ith October, I797>
(exclusive of the four India Ships which had never before been at
»ea,) cost 231, 2587., and their repairs in the King's Yards amounted
to 172,4007.
From the foregoing statement, it appears that 5329 Shipwrights
and Caulkers, (exclusive of apprentices,) in tht Merchants' Yards, can
not only keep in repair nearly TWO MILLIONS OF TONS of shipping,
(which are in constant wear, and not lying in the harbours, as one-
third of the Royal Navy has and ever will,) and build upwards of
100,000 tons ptr year, but also add one half to the list of the Navy,
whilst 2870 Shipwrights and Caulkers in the King's Yards have not
kept in repair Jive hundred and twenty-three thousand /-xco hundred and
'thirty-one tons, and have built only 29 Sail of the Line in 24 years.
Moreover, let it be remembered, as a well authenticated fact, that 46
Shipwrights can, without any extraordinary exertion, build a 74 gun-
Ship in twelve months ! to which need only be added what has been
stated by Mr. Wells, " that in the year 17951 he launched from his
yard%ooo tons of shipping more than any three of his Majesty's Yards
together launched in the same period." I find that Mr. Wells has, at
this time, in his Yard, 140 Shipwrights, (apprentices included,) which
is i 7 more than can be found in the employ of any other Merchant-
builder in the kingdom. What conclusion then, let me ask, must be
drawn with respect to the mode of working of the men in the King's
Yard?, and what they ought to perform, when it is known that three of
the King's Yards averaged, during the whole of the year 1795, Two
THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY Shipwrights, appren-
tices included.
The writer of the" Reply" will not believe, that Ships
built by contract are, in general, by any means so well put
together as those which arc built in the King's Yards j and,
NAVAL LITERATURE. lif
in support of this opinion, his reasoning is cogent. — He
thinks, that though there may perhaps, at this instant, be a
deficiency of labourers in the Yards in the River Thames,
occasioned by the high wages given in building the barracks,
and the enormous bounties for the Army of Reserve, Mili-
tia, Sec. yet there is an abundant stock of the most essen-
tial artificers,— SHIPWRIGHTS. This opinion is also sup-
ported by very clear deductions.
On the subject of timber, our author's statements are not
less important. Our limits will not permit us to follow him
through all his observations; but we must remark, that he
has fully succeeded in proving, *< that the failure in having
three years' stock of timber on hand does not rest with the
late Admiralty." On the alledged scarcity of timber, at Sir
William Rule's return from " tree hunting," he says :—
The timber-merchants, well knowing the actual state and necessi-
ties of the Yards, kept aloof: some intended to withdraw from the
service; others were of opinion that timber was to scarce, it was
doubtful whether any could be procured! At last, however, their
obdurate hearts were softened, and they gently yielded to a farther
advance in the price of 10 per cent, with an alteration in the terms of
tfee Contract, of about 7 per cent, more in their favour. When this
billing and cooing with the wood doves was over, and the arrange-
ment was finally settled, the scarcity of timber was no longer talked
of, but twenty Jive thousand loads were offered in a trice, .
One more extract, and we have done :—
Jt was far from my wish to have said any thing respecting ths
measures which the present First Lord of the Admiralty may think
proper or be advised to pursue, with regard to the Navy; nor sh'ould I
have touched on the subject, had not the Brief Inquirer made an
observation, " that the best mode of giving new vigour and energy to
our Marine, consists in the employment of the merchant docks for
the repair of the Ships in ordinary, &c." If any man shall have
given this advice to the present First Lord of the Admiralty, the fol-
lowing statement will shew how unworthy he is, be be 'who be may, of
'tis Lordship's confidence : I have purposely selected the circumstances
attending the Boston, because she was repaired by Mr. Wells, who
his letter by saying, that not one sixpence of his fortune ha*
I4g NATAL LITERATURE.
hitherto been derived from Government ; but that in his futufff
Contracts he means to secure himself what he shall consider as a just
profit.
The Boston, a 32-gun Frigate, of 676 tons, was built by contract
in the River Thames, in the year 1762, for 7,$34/. ; between which
time ai.d 1781, a peiiod of 19 years, there was expended on her in
repairs in the King's Yards the sum of g^-zzL In 1783 she was
repaired by contract in Mr. Perry's Yard for fourteen thousand two hun-
dred and thirty-four pounds; and in the same year the Greyhound, a
32-gun Frigate, of 682 tons, was built by another contractor for
9,8727., and had not one shilling laid out upon her in repair before
1794, a peiiod of n years, whilst the Boston in 1791, after a lapse
of only 8 yeart from the repair by contract, which had cost such an
enormous sum, was again repaired by Mr, Wells, at the expense oft four-
teen thousand four hundred and fifty-three pounds, at which time a new
Ship of her size and class (at the contract price then paid, viz. 12/. 41,
per ton) would have cost no more than 8,^47/. ! ! !
Various other points are elucidated in this tract; and, on
the whole, we cannot but consider it as the most important
publication which has hitherto appeared on either side of
the question.
No Gun-boats, or no Peace ! A Letter from Me to Myself. By the Rev,
'Joshua Larwood. 8vo. pp. 40. is. Stockdalr.
HPHIS little tract evinces much humour, much force of
argument, and much clearness of demonstration. De-
lenda est Flotilla ! is its motto ; and our author observes,
** that there are two ways by which this Deletion may be
effected ;— namely, by Battle, or by Compact. Should the
enemy," he continues, u (and may Heaven in its gracious
benevolence to Britons grant that he may) come out, our tars
will effect it by great guns and small arms. Should the
enemy (which Heaven in the rectitude of its vengeance
forbid !) decline the single-handed contest, then must our
Ministers effect it by Negociation and Treaty."
" In former Treaties of Peace," observes Mr. Larwood,
" it has been usual to establish on each side of the disarming
Powers, reciprocal and respectable Commissioners, to super-
6
NAVAL LITERATURE, lag
Intend and effectuate the mutual disarmament. Heretofore
Such Commissioners were limited to dismantling Ships of the
Lint', but with the enemy's Ships of the Line the danger
does not now rest : a Gun Scat, as an unit of an Armada of
Gun Boats, is an object of more insufferable offence, than
Ja Ville de Paris of three decks j an assassin dwarf, destined
and dispositioned for midnight mischief and murder, is
more perilous to the safety and sanctity of repose, than the
huge noon of day giant, caparisoned for undissembled Field
of Battle contest. Let England unponiard her [the French]
Dwarf Assassins, and she is confident against the Giants of
the World in Arms!"
Our author, and we think with much justice, contends^
that Britain should sacrifice all her colonial conquests*
were they infinitely more numerous and valuable than
they are, without even the redemption of any thing lost
in the course and casualties of war, rather than, at a peace,
she should suffer the French gun boats to remain in even an
tinruddered, unmasted, unordonanced existence. Scuttling,
swamping, even burning will not do, unless they be drawri
up high and dry upon the beach and reduced to ashes.
In reply to the remark, " Suppose the enemy will not accede
to your demand" the letter- writer observes, "the answer is
short, but necessary, Then we will not make peace /"
We could with much satisfaction present a variety of
interesting extracts from this pamphlet $ but, rather than
deprive it of its essence, we wish to recommend it to the
notice of the public in an unmutilated state.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
FRIDAY, JULY 6.
"R. HUSKISSON rose, pursuant to notice, to more forleavtf
to bring in a Bill, enacting certain regulations to be observed
on the opening of the London Docks. It was expected they would
be opened in the beginning of September next, and it was time to fix
. tfjtron. fflol-XII. s
IjO IMPERIAL PARLIAMEKT.
the regulations by which they were to be guided. The object of the
Bill would be to afford additional facilities to trade ; to provide for
the security of that trade, and, at the same time, for the security of
the revenue. These were the three objects of the Bill ; it would
necessarily embrace much detail, with which, however, he should not
now trouble the House. The Right Hon. Gentleman then moved
for leave to bring in a Bill for warehousing goods within the limits of
certain Docks, and for making Regulations for the conduct to be ob-
served with respect to the said Docks.— Leave given.
WEDNESDAY, JULY II.
The Seventh Report from the Commissioners of Naval Inquiry
was presented. —Ordered to lie on the table, and to be printed.
MONDAY, JULY 1 6.
The Eighth Report from the Commissioners of Naval Inquiry
was presented; which was also ordered to lie on the table, and to be
printed.
WEDNESDAY, JULY I 8.
Sir William Dollen, after a few short remarks on the rapid decrease
of growing timber in this country, and the total inadvertence to this
circumstance, in all that immense number of Enclosure Bills which
have been passed within the last two years, and which, in his mind,
should have strictly enjoined the planting of timber trees in the hedge.
rows of all such enclosures, expressed his high approbation of the
Committee instituted some years since under the auspices of his Ma-
jesty's present Chancellor of the Exchequer, to investigate and report
the then state of Timber growing on his Majesty's Woods and Forests,
and the Report of which Committee had been so satisfactory and so
productive of public utility. He gave notice of his intention early
in the next Session to bring forward a proposition on this subject,
and hoped for the aid and support of that Right Hon. Gentleman
who had brought forward the former measure to which he had
alluded.
TUESDAY, JULY 31.
Parliament was prorogued, by his Majesty in person, to Tuesday the
4th of September next.
ADMIRALTY-OrriCE, JUNE 26, 1804.
Extroet of a Letter from V 'he- Admiral Rainier, Commander in Chief of In Majesty* i
Sbipi nnd Vcnth in tot East Indies, to the Secretary of the Admiralty, dated on board
the Trident, in Bombay Harbour, Z4tb January i 804.
»T»HE Albion and Sceptre captured the Clarisse French Privateer, of twelve
guru and one hundred and fiftjr-seven men, on the zist of December, ia
GAZETTE LETTERS. IJI
fet. i° 1 8' South, and long. 93' 20' East. The Clarlsse sailed from the Isle
of France the 24th November, victualled for six months, to cruize in the Bay of
Bengal; she had not made any capture.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY 21, 1804.
Copy of a Letter from Vice Ailmiral Lord Pi: count Nelson, Commander in Chief of hit
Majttty's Ships and Vessels in the Mediterranean, to William Marsden, Esq.; dated
on board the Victory, at Sea, JMay 10,, 1804.
SIR,
I herewith transmit you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, copy of a letter from Captain Pettet, Commander of his Majes-
ty's Sloop Termagant, giving an account of the Boats of that Sloop having, on
the ijth instant, taken possession of the French Chebeck Privateer Felicite, off
Port Favona in Corsica, which it appears the enemy had scuttled previous to
their leaving her, as she soon afterwards sunk.
I am very much pleased with Captain Pettet's exertions in having destroyed
this Vessel, as she was one of the finest Privateers in this country, and had cap-
tured two of our Merchantmen last year, off Tunis.
I am, &c.
NELSON & BRONTE.
Termagant, Port Farma Island, off
MY LORD, Corsica, May 15, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship, that at two P.M. I chased a
strange Sail under the land, but before I could arrive up with her, she got into
the Port Farma, and anchored behind a reef of rocks. I came to, with the
Sloop, and sent the Boats in, who brought her out ; but from the enemy's
having scuttled her, she went down within half a mile of the shore in fourteen
fathoms water; she proved to be the Felicite French Chebeck, commanded by
Captain Felix Podesta, belonging to Ajaccio, mounting two lonjj guns in the
bow, and six brass swivels, besides small arms, &c and I believe 60 men, as she
appears to have rowed 30 oars.
I am sorry to add, that one man was wounded in boarding. I cannot say too
much in praise of the Crew and Officers upon the occasion.
I have the honour to be, &c.
R. PETTET.
The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Nelson, K.B.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY 24.
Copy of a Letter from Captain George .Morris, Ctmmandcr of his Majesty's Sloop the
Penguin, to William Marsden, Esq.; dated cjf Senegal Bar, the l$th of Murtb,
1804.
His Majesty's Sloop Penguin, off Senegal-
SIR, Bar, March 25, 1804.
T beg you will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admi-
ralty, that, cruizing off Senegal, according to their Lordships' orders, on the
1 7th instant, a French Privateer Schooner, in endeavouring to avoid his Majes-
ty's Brig under my command, ran on .«hore on the Bar. where I had great rea-
son to hope, from the surf running high, she would have been destroyed, in
which I was disappointed. The surf continuing, I had no opportuni'y of de«
stroying her till the 24th instant. On the 23d, in the evening, I observed two
armed Schooners had dropped down to the mouth of the river; and on the
morning of the 24th, from the one on shore having shifted her position, I had
reason to believe they were endeavouring to get her off, I therefore stood as
close in shore as the nature of the case would admit, and commenced an
attack on them, ia hopes of driving them up the river, and eventually to
1^1 CAZETTE LETTERS.
burn the one on shore. We exchanged shot for an hour and a half, when
finding I could not get sufficiently close to effect my purpose, J stood off.
' Lieutenants Williams and Rayley, with many of the Crew, having volun-
teered their t>ervicc, and fearing she might be got off and rendered a farther
annoyance to our trade, I was inclined to accept their offers, though the armed
Schooners were then within two cables' length of her, and the turf still running
high, threatened much opposition to their exertions. At ten, P M. 1 dispatched
Lieutenant Williams in the Jolly Boat, (conceiving her best adapted to the
surf,; with orders to destroy her if possible ; at one A.M. I had the satisfaction
to sec her completely on fire, and at day-light totally destroyed. The service
was performed unobserved by the enemy, and reflects great credit on Lieu-
tenant Williams and his party, for the cool and steady manner in which
they conducted the enterprise, and merits my greatest acknowledgments and
thanks.
• I learn she was called la Renommee, a Vessel of large dimensions, com-
manded by Citizen Renaud, mounting twelve six pounders, rwo of which were
pn board when destroyed, and two nines, manned with eighty-seven men, be-
longing to Senegal, from Cayenne, last from Gorec.
I have great pleasure in adding, that not a man was hurt on this occasion.
I have the honour to be, &c.
W. Marsden, Esq. Admiralty. G. MORRIS.
Copy of a Letter from ike Right Hon»uraUe Lord Keith, K.B. Admiral of the Blu;,
&V. to William Marsden, Esq.; dated at Rani'gafe, the lid July.
S|R,
I transmit for their Lordships' information, a copy of a letter from Captain
Owen, of his Majesty's Ship the Immortalite, to Rear- Admiral Louis, acquaint-
ing him that the enemy's flotilla, outside of Boulogne Pier, had been surprised
at their moorings by the late gale of wind, and sustained very considerable lo»s
in attempting to regain their ports.
Their Lordships will not fail tp observe how much Captain Owen expresses
himself to be satisfied with the merits of Captains Jackson and Hey wood, of the
Autumn and Harpy, and Lieutenants Richardson and Price, commanding the
Bloodhound and Archer Gun Brigs.
J have the honour to be, &c
KEITH.
Hli Majesty's Ship Immottalite, Boulogne^
(18, Eait seven or eight Leagues, July-
The wind yesterday set in strong from the N.N.E. and N.L. by N. and mad?
BO much sea, that the enemy's Vessels in the road of Boulogne became very
uneasy; and about eight P.M. the leemost Brigs began to get under weigh, an4
work to windward, whilst some of the Luggers ran down apparently for Ltaples ;
their force was then forty-five Brigs and forty-three Luggers.
1 made a signal to look out on these Vessels, which \\as immediately obeyed
by the Harpy, Bloodhound, and Archer, who closed with them, giving their
fire to such as attempted to stand off from the land ; the Autumn was at this
time getting under weigh, and lost no time in giving her support to the Vessel*
already on this service, and continued with them during the whple weather
tide, to fire, from time to time, on such of the enemy's Vessels as gave them,
ppportunity. At daylight this morcivg there were nineteen Brigs and eight
Luggers only rema ning in the Bay; and about six o'clock these began to slip
single and run to the southward for Ltaples on the River rfomme, the Autumn
and Brigs being then too far to leeward to give them any interruption.
At soon as the tide permitted this Ship and the Leader to weigh, we stood iq
with Boulogne, when I perceived that a Brig, a Lugger, and several large
Boats, were stranded on the beach west of the harbour, the enemy were shipping
and endeavouring to save from them what they could, but I have pot a
GAZETTE LETTERS. JJJ
the rising tide would complete their destruction ; three other Brigs and a Lug-
ger were on the rocks near the village of Portee, totally destroyed ; a Brig and
two Luggers remained at anchor close to the rocks, with whefts up, and the
people huddled together abaft ; the Brig had lost her top-mast, top-sail, an4
lower yards, and one of the Luggers the head of her main-mast; the sea was
making a perfect breach over them, and if the gale continues, their situation i»
hopeless.
The merits of Captains Jackson and Heywood, as well as those of Lieutenants
Richardson and Pr:ce, are so well known to you, that I need only say, they
acted on this occasion with the same decisive promptness they have always
shewn ; and thpugh the night prevented my seeing all that passed, there can-
not be a doubt but that their well-timed attack caused the enemy's confusion,
and occasioned much of their loss, which, taking every circumstance, is,
I doubt not, far beyond what fell within our observation.
J have not yet been able to collect the reports of these Officers, but will for-
ward them the moment that they join me.
I have the honour to be, &c.
^ear-Admiral Limn. JS. W. C. R. OWEN.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY »8.
Copy of a Letter from Captain Robert Dudley Oliver, Commander of hh Majesty's Ship
the Melpomene , to William Marsden, Esq.; dated off Havre, the z^tb Infant.
SIR,
I beg leave to enclose you, for the information of my I ords Commissioners
pf the Admiralty, a copy of my letter to Lord Keith, of this date.
J am, &c.
R. D. OLIVER.
MY LpRD, Melpomtm, off" Havre, July 24, 1804.
Since my letter to your Lordship of the i 7th instant, we had very light and
variable winds for three days, which were succeeded by a gale from the
Northward, when the Bombs had some difficulty to keep clear of the shore.
Yesterday the wind having got to the S.W. I stood in with the Squadron, and
at eleven made the signal for the Bombs to try their range ; they placed them-
selves with the utmost precision immediately off the Her Heads, and at a quarter
past eleven began a most tremendous fire of shells and carcasses, which was conti-
nued without intermission for an hour and a half; in a very few minutes the town
was observed to be on fire, and as the Fier was very full of Vessels, it is impossible
but they must have suffered considerably. The Vessels which had been outside the
Pier, during the bombardment of the i6th, were so much annoyed as to retire,
some into the Pier, and some up the River; one of them was towed on shore
under the batteries, and has been since taken to pieces. The enemy's mortar
batteries have been very considerably increased since the attack of the i6th ; and
although the fire from them on the Bombs was as great as, 1 will venture to say,
was ever experienced, they being considerably within the range, yet it is with
the most inexpressible pleasure I acquaint your Lordship, that not a man has
been hurt. A shell passed through the mizen-stay-sail of the Zebra, another
carried away the spare-top-sail-yard of the Merlin, and two chain plates, and
grazed her side ; and a forty-two pound shot cut he spare-top-mast and some
Other spars, and lodged in the booms of the Hecla; this is all the damage done.
It is impossible for me to fino. words to express iny admiration of the conduct or"
the Captains Sykes, James, Paul, and Beauchamp, and the other Officers and
Crews of the Bombs, for the able manner in which they placed and managed
their Vessels; and also to the Officers and Men of the Royal Artillery
embarked on board of them, for the judicious manner in which they fired the
Shells.
Spm.e Luggers came out of the P.er during the bombardment, and fired their
134. GAZETTE LETTERS.
guns, but they were made to keep at a respectful distance by the vicinity of the
Merlin, Pluto, Locust, and Cutters, which were always ready to give assistance
•where wanted, as were the other Ships in the Squadron in the situations
assigned to them.
I have the honour to be, &r.
ROB. DUDLEY OLIVER.
Right Honourable Lord Keith, K.B.
Copy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Sir John Thomas Ducltuortb, K.B. Commander
in Chief of bis Majesty's Ships and Vessels at Jamaica, to William Marsden,' Esq-i
dated at Port Royal, Jamaica, the loth of June, 1804.
SIR,
Accompanying this you will receive, for the information of the Lords Com-
missioners of the Admiralty, a return of Vessels captured and destroyed by his
Majesty's Ships under my command
I am, &c. J. T. DUCKWORTH.
Return of Vessels captured and destroyed by the Squadron under Rear -Admiral Sir
J. T. Duct-worth, K. B. Commander in Chief at Jamaica.
Schooner Olive Branch : recaptured by the Bellerophon, Captain Loring. —
B. Waterhouse and Co. Agents.
Privateer Cutter la Terreur : captured by la Pique, Captain Ross.-— Same
Agents.
National Armed Schooner Hirondelle: captured by the Stork, Captain le
Geyt. — Same Agents.
Armed Transport Argo : captured by the Raccoon, Captain Gordon. — Same
Agents.
Schooner Elizabeth : recaptured by ditto. — Same Agents.
Brig Union : captured by the Pique, Captain Ross.— Same Agents.
Privateer Felucca Mars : captured by the Fortunee, Captain Vansittart.— •
Same Agents.
British Ship Wadstray : recaptured by the Blanche, Captain Mudge.—
Same Agents.
Privateer Felucca Adventuria : captured by the Racoon, Captain Gordon. —
Same Agents.
Schooner Vulture : recaptured by the Franchise, Captain Murray. — Same
Agents.
Schooner Polly : recaptured by ditto. — Same Agents.
Privateer Schooner Pauline : destroyed by ditto.
British Ship Stranger : recaptured by the Mermaid, Captain Hollis. — Same
Agents.
Ship Mary Ann : recaptured by the Echo, Captain Boger.— Same Agents.
Schooner John and Esey : detained by the Desirec, Captain Whitby.— Same
Agents.
British Armed Ship Minerva : recaptured by the Blanche, Captain Mudge.—
Same Agents.
Privateer Felucca Felicite — Same Agents.
Brig Ranger : found empty at sea, no one on board, by the Gypsey Tender.—
Same Agents.
Danish Schooner Maria : detained by the Blanche, Captain Mudge. — Same
Agcuts.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 135
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY gf.
Copy of a Letter from Commodore HooJ, Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Slif>i
and Vessels in the Leeward Islands, to William Marsdtn, Esq.; dated on board the
Centaur, off Martinique, the iGlb of June, 1804.
SIR,
Enclosed is an extract of a letter from Captain Columbine, of his Majesty's
Ship Ulysses, giving an account of his capturing a small Privateer.
I am, &c. SAM. HOOD.
Extract of a Letter from Captain Columbine, of bis Majesty's Ship Ulysses, to Commo-
dore Hood, dated May 7, 1804.
On the 30th of April we fell in with, off the Bocas, and captured, after a few
hours' chase, le Petit Decide, a French Lugger Privateer, J. Bideau, Master,
with one long brass four-pounder arid twenty-six men; quite new ; had been a
fortnight from Guadaloupe, but had taker, nothing.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUGUST 7.
Copy of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, Bart, to William Manden,
£sq.; doited on heard his Majesty's Ship the San Josef \ off Usbant, August 1 804.
SIR,
Herewith I transmit a letter, for the information of the Lords Commiss'oners
of the Admiralty, from Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Calder, with its enclosures,
giving an account of the destruction of two of the enemy's Corvettes, by his
Majesty's Ship the Aigle, offBourdeaux.
1 have the honour to be, &c.
CHARLES COTTON.
SIR, Prince of Wales, off Rochefort, y«(y 19, 1804.
I have the pleasure to inform you his Majesty's bhip the Aigle (which I had
placed in shore to watch the enemy's motions) fell in with two French
National Corvettes, which Captain Wolfe drove on shore near Bourdeaux and
burnt, having first used every means without effect to get them afloat. The
Aigle found only twenty-six French Officers and men left on board these
Corvettes when they took possession of them ; the rest had made their escape
•n shore.
The names of these Corvettes are la Charante and la Joie; the first a Ship of
twenty guns and one hundred and four men, and the other a Brig, pierced for
fourteen guns, but had only eight mounted, and seventy-five men. They had
on board the ordnance and stores complete for a Corvette just launched at Bay-
onne, to which place they were carrying them.
I here enclose Captain Wolfe's letter to me of his proceedings in the destroy-
ing of these Vessels, and a so a a list of the prisoners he has on board ; these I
have directed to be sent into port by the first opportunity.
1 have the honour to be, &c.
ROB. CALDER.
To tie Honourable William Cornioallis,
&c. &c. Uf*.
SI R , His Majesty's Slip tie Aigle, July 1 6, 1 804.
After passing the Squadron on the gth instant, when at the anchorage No. 5,
was drove to the S.W. by the gale ; on the loth we lost sight of the Hawk.
On the iz'h, when standing in for Cordouan, MI bea'ing up for the rendezvous,
saw a large Brig and Ship with all sail set, steering to the southward. I sup-
posed them to be part of the Squadron from Rochefort. At five P.M. closed
with them, (they never altering their course from our first seeing them,) pre~
pared and expecting, from their manoeuvres and signals, a close action, they
having shortened sail, (with men at their quarters,} when within proper dis-
6
1 36 GAZETTE
tance : but to our great surprise, after firing their starboard broadside at nit
they ran the Ships on the strand, within a stone's cast of each other, and
directly took to their boats, which instantly swamped on touching the beach,
about ten leagues to the south of Cordouan, and some of them were drowned.
The wind being at N.E. and about two points off the land, I had great hopes
of getting one or both of them afloat again, and anchored the Aiglc about a
mile from the beach ; but after a night and part of the next day in fruitless
eJforts, from the very great surf set in by the late western gale, I was obliged to
destroy them by fire, which was effectually done by Mr. Furlonger, Master, and
Mr. Steel the Gunner, as scarcely any part was perceptible when the Aiglfi
made sail.
The prisoners on board the Aigle are John Sanson, Lieutenant de Vaisseao,
the Officers, and eight Soldiers and Sailors of the French National Ship the
Charante, of four hundred and twenty tons, twenty guns, six-pounders, four
swivels, and one hundred and four men.
Benjamin Godobert, Lieutenant de Vaisseau, his Officers, and nine Soldiers
and Sailors of the Krench National Brig la Joie, two hundred and fifti tons,
pierced for fourteen, but only eight twelve pounders mounted, two swivels, and
seventy-five men. La Joie had sixteen six-pounders, a quantity of arms, pow-
der, shot, and other ordnance stores in the hold. They were from Rochefort,
but had sailed in the morning from the Gironde, stealing along shore for Bay-
onne, and intended to return from thence with stores for the French marine at
Rochefort, which I am proud in having prevented, and trust in meeting your
approbation. None of their »hot struck us, nor did ours materially injure them,
as only their masts and sails were a little torn.
Had they come alongside, as expected, the Brig having shifted her guns for
the purpose, I am certain the Crew of the Aigle would have acquitted them-
selves as Englishmen do on those occasions.
I have the honour to be, &c.
GEO. WOLFE.
Sir Robert CalJer, Bart. Viee-^imtral of tit
£luet &f« fc?V. feV. off Rocbefort.
Cofy tfa Litter from Captain Robert Dudley Oliver, Commander of lit fifajfity'f
S&iji the Melp»mtnc, to William M.ande«, £sq.; dated off" Havre, the 'zd Instant.
SIR,
I beg leave to enclose to yon, for the information of my Lords Commission-
ers of the Admiralty, a copy of my letter to Lord Keith, of this date.
I have the honour to be, &c.
R. D. OLIVER.
MT LORD, Melpomene, iff Havre, Aug. a, 1804.
The wind having changed yesterday to the N.E. I determined to make ano-
ther attack en the numerous Vessels in Havre Pier, as well as those which were
moored outside, amounting to twenty-eight Brigs, and as many Luggers, and
stood in with the Squadron, as per margin *. At half past seven, P M. the
Bombs were well placed off the Pier Heads, when they began a well-directed
fire, which was kept up with great spirit for about an hour and a half. The
town was very soon observed to be on fire in two places ; and seven Brigs,
which were on the outside of the Pier, found it necessary to move; one lost her
mainmast. As the wind came more off the land, and a strong ebb tide setting
out, I ordered the Bombs to discontinue firing. At half-past nine we anchored
with the .squadron about five miles from the light houses. As the Explosion
* Melpomene, Ariadne, Trusty, Magnanime, Merlin, and Favorite; Heclar
Meteor, Explosion, and Zebra Bombs ; King George, Hope, Nancy, Couatew
of Elgin, and Locust Cutters.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 137
had fired av/ay all her shells, and the Zebra most of her powder, I had them
supplier! from th^ ?.!eteor; an.i at half-past five this morning g<.t under weigh,
and stood in with the Squadron again Before eight the bombs took up their
position near the Pier Heads, and kept up a constant fire for near three hours
with shells and carcasses; so many shells burst on and about the pier-, that the
«nemy's fire w»» observed latterly to slacken considerably, and it was evident
they were in the greatest confusion; some Brigs and Luggers, however, got
un. . r weigh, and came out to endeavour to annoy the Bombs, but all the
oth •.- Ships and Vessels of the quadron were «o well placed as to give chase
to them in-.mediately ; and it was only by cutting away their boats, which were
a-su*rr>, and retreating very speedily into shoal water, that they escaped, but
not fufore they had run the gauntlet of all the Ships and Cutters, and were very
closely engaged for a considerable time by the Merlin, Favourite, Locust Gun-
Brig, and Hope Cutter: and on this occasion I feel particularly indebted to the
exertions of Captains Brenton and Foot, and Lieutenants Lake and Dobbin,
whose Vessels u'ere very often during the action in very shoal water, with a
falling tide; indeed nothing but the bad sailing of the Merlin prevented Cap*
tain Brenton from cutting off the sternmost Brig
'''he Locust lost her main top mast, but I have not heard of any other los*.
The conduct of the Captains >ykes, James, Paul, and Beauchamp, commanding
the Bombs on both these occasions, was highly meritorious; and although their
Ships were frequently struck, it gives me great pleasure to add that no lives
have been lost. What damage may be done to the enemy by near five hun-
dred shells and carcasses thrown into the town and bason last evening and this
morning, it is im ossible to calculate ; but 1 may without vanity say, that if rhe
exertions ot' the enemy's flotilla be not much greater on our shore than on their
own, we have little to dread from them.
I cannot conclude without expressing my obligations to every Officer add
man employed in this Squadron.
I am, &c.
R. DUDLEY OLIVER.
Right Honeuratte Lord Keith, K B.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUGUST If.
The Court of Directors of the East India Company have transmitted to this
Office an account of an action which took place in the China Seas, on the
I jth of February last, between a division of the Company's Ships and a
French Squadron, of which the following is a copy :
SIR, Earl CiimJen, 6tb Augu't,
For the information of the Honourable Court, I beg leave to acquaint you,
that the Earl Camden was dispatched from Canton by the Select Committee th£
3 1st of January last, and the Ships noted in the margin * were put under my
orders as senior Commander, also the Rolla Botany Bay Ship, and the Country
Ships, as per margin t, were put under my charge to convoy as far as our cour-
ses lay in the same direction. I was also ordered to t<ke under my protection a
Portuguese Europe Ship that was lying in Macao Roads, whose Supra Cargo
had solicited it from the Select Committee.
Our passage down the river was tedious, and the Fleet rniuh dispersed ; the
Ships being under the directions of the.r several Chinese Pilots, I could not keep
them collected as I wished.
* Warley, Alfred, Royal George, Coutts, Wexford, Ganges, Exeter, Earl
of Abergavenny, Henry Addington, Bombay Castle, Cumberland, Hope, Dor-
setshire, Warren Hastings, and Ocean.
+ Lord Castlereagh, Carron, David Scott, Minerva, Ardasein, Charlotte^
Friendship, Shau Kissaroo, Jahaungeer, Gilwell, and Neptune.
j$ at>. Cfjrom ffloI.XII. T
I^S GAZETTE LETTERS.
The Ganges, a fast-sailing Brig, was put under my orders by the Select Com*
mittee to employ in any manner that might tend to the safety or convenience
pf the Fleet, till we had passed the Streights of Malacca ; I was then to dispatch
lur to Bengal.
We passed Macao Roads on the night of the jth of February, and I conceive
the Rolla had anchored so near Macao as not to see the Fleet get under weigh ,
and pass through, although, at the time, I had no idea that could be possible,
especially as J saw the Ocean in shore of us getting under weigh, burning blue
lights, and firing a gun ; the Portuguese Ship I suppose must have been in the
same situation as the Rolla.
During the Night of the jth of February I carried an easy sail, and on the
following day hove-to for above two hours, hoping to see those Ships, but there
was no appearance of them, nor did they ever join the Fleet.
On the I4th of February, at d;-y-break, we saw Pulo Auro, bearing W.S.W.
apd at eight A.M. the Royal George made the signal for seeing four strange
Sail in the S W. I made the signal for the four Ships noted in the margin* to
go down and examine them ; and Lieutenant Fowler, of the Royal Navy, late
Commander of the Porppise, and passenger with me, having handsomely offered
to go in the Ganges Brig, and inspect them nearly, I afterwards sent her down,
likewise ; and from their signals 1 perceived it was an enemy's Squadron, con-
sisting of a Line of Battle Ship, three Frigates, and a Brig
At one P.V. -I recalled the look-out Ships by signal, and formed the line of
battle in close order.
As soon as the enemy could fetch in our wake they put about, we kept on our
course under an easy sail ; at near sun-set they were close in our rear, and I wa$
in momentary expectation of an attack there, and preparing to support them,
but at the "close of the day we perceived them haul to windward. I sent Lieu-
tenant Fowler, in the Ganges Brig, to station the country Ships on our lee bow»
by which means we were between them and the enemy ; and having done so,
he returned with some volunteers from the country Ships.
We lay- to in line of battle all night, our men at their quarters ; at day-break
of the ijth we taw the enemy about three miles to windward, laying-to. — We
hoisted our colours, offering him battle if he chose to come down. The enemy's
four Ships hoisted French colours, the line of-battle Ship carrying a Rear- Ad-
miral's flag ; the Brig was under Batavian colours.
At nine A.M., finding they would not come down, we formed the order of
sailing, and steered our course under an easy sail; the enemy then filled their
sails, and- edged towards us.
At one P M., finding they purposed to attack and endeavour to cut off our
rear, I made tlie signal to tack and bear down on him, and engage in succes-
sion— the Royal George being the leading Ship, the Ganges next, and then the
Earl Carrukn. This manoeuvre was comctly performed, and we stood towards
him under a press of saiL The enemy then formed in a very close line, and
opened their fire on the headmost Ships, which was not returned by us till we
approached him nearer. The Royal George bore the brunt of the action, and
got as near the enemy as he would permit him. The Ganges and Earl Cam-
dtn opened thtir fire as soon as their guns could have effect; but before any
other Miip could get into action, the enemy hauled their wind, and stood away
to the Eastward under all the sail they could set. — At two P.M. I made the sig-
nal for a general chase, and we pursued them till four P.M.; when fearing a
longer pursuit would carry us too far from the mouth of the Streights, and con-
sidering the immense property at stake, I made the signal to tack ; and at eight
P.M. we anchored in a situation to proceed for the entrance of the Streights irj
the morning. As long as we could distinguish the enemy, we perceived him
steering to the Eastward under a press of sail.
The Royal George had one man killed and another wounded, many shot in
her hull, and more in her sails ; but few shot touched either the Camden o4-
Ganges, and the fire of the enemy seemed to be ill directed, his shot either fall,
Jiig short or passing over us.
•— — • . j
* Alfred, Royal George, Bombay Castle, and Hope.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 139
Captain-Timins carried the Royal George into action in the most gallant man-
her. In justice fo my brother Commanders I must state, that every Ship was
clear and prepared for action ; and as I had communication with almost all
of them during the two days we were in presence of the enemy, I found them
unanimous in the determined resolution to defend the valuable property encrusted
to their charge to the last extremity, with a full conviction of the successful
event of their exertions ; and this spirit was fully seconded by the gallant ardour
6f all out Officers and Ships' Companies.
I received great assistance from the advice and exertions of Lieutenant Fowler,
whose meritorious conduct in this instance I hope the Honourable Court will
Communicate to the Lords of the Admiralty.
From Malacca I dispatched Lieutenant Fowler in the Ganges Brig to Pu!o
Penang, with a Packet from the Select Committee to the Captain of any of his
Majesty's Ships, soliciting their convoy to this very valuable Fleet.
On arrival at Malacca we were informed that the Squadron we had engaged
was that of Admiral Linois, consisting of the Marengo, of eighty four guns,
the Belle Poule and Similante heavy Frigates, a Corvette of twenty-eight, and
the Batavian Brig William, of eighteen guns.
The 28th df February, in the Streights of Malacca, lat. 4° 30' N. we fell in,
with his Majesty's Ships Albion and Sceptre; I was then in a very poor state of
health, and Mr. Lance went on board the Albion, and by his very able repre-
sentation to Captain Ferrier of the great National consequence of the Honourable;
Company's Ships, he was induced to take charge of the Fleet.
On the jd of March I dispatched the Ganges Brig with a letter to the Right
Honourable the Governor General, giving an account of our action, to be con-
veyed to the Honourable Court.
We arrived at St. Helena the gth of June, under convoy of his Majesty's Ships
Albion and Sceptre, and sailed the i8th, under convoy of his Majesty's Ship
Plantagenet, with the addition of the Carmarthen, Captain Dobree, and five
whalers.
Accompanying this, I send a chart of the entrance of the Streights of Malacca,
with the situation of the Fleet on the I4th and I5th of February, which will, I
trust, convey a more distinct idea of the action than any written description.
I have the honour to be, &c.
NATH. DANCE,
Names of the Whalers,
William Penning — Brook Watson *- Thomas, or Young Tom — Betsey—-
Eliza — And the Blackhouse, from the Coast of Guinea, joined us at Sea.
The East India Company have mo«t liberally rewarded the Commanders and
•Crews of the Fleet which engaged Linois in the Chinese Seas. Commodore
Dance has been voted the sum of zcoo guineas, and a piece of plate of the value
«f 200; Captain Timins is to receive 1000 guineas, and ico guineas for a piece
of plate ; and each of the other Captains 500 guineas, and a piece of plate of the
value of 100 guineas. The Chief Officers are to hav« 150 guineas; second ditto,
125; third and fourth, 86; fifth and sixth, 50; Pursers and Surgeons, 80; Sur-
geons' Mates, Boatswains, Gunners, and Carpenters, jo; Midshipmen, 30;
other Petty Officers, 15 ; and Seamen and Servants, 6. Lieurenant Fowler
will have 300 guineas for a piece of plate. The total will amount 1050,030!.
The Court of Directors, in addition to their bounty to the Officers and Crews
of the China Fleet, have resolved, that the usual gratuity of 30!. and a pension
from the Poplar Fund, shall be granted to the nearest relative of the Seaman
who fell in the action with Liuois : an action which will ever be remembered
•while British valour, gratitude, and well tiaied generosity, shall have CX-
140 GAZETTE LETTERS.
PATRIOTIC FUND.
Lloyd's, Atigust 14, 7804.
At a General Meeting of the COMMITTFE for managing the PATRIOTIC
FUKD, Joiffb Marryat, Esq in the Chair present,
Sir Francis Faring, Bart.
J. J. Angerstein, Esq.
J. J. Appach, tsq.
Peter Bcgbie, Esq.
Thomson Bonar, Esq.
George Godwin, rsq.
Janits I tines, Fsq.
Richard l.ee, r«j.
Willum Macnis!., Esq.
Jol.n Mangles, E-q.
R. rl. A arttn, Lsq.
Thomas Reid, Ltq.
"William Hoare, Esq.
Read a Letter from Captain Dance, acting as Commodore to the Fleet of
Ships arrived from China, and published in die Gazette.
On a Motion made and seconded.
Resolved unanimously, That the circumstance of an enemy's Fleet of Ships
of War, commanded by an Admiral in an 84-gun Si ::;>, ': rir.£ c.;:f_Jted and
chased bjr a Fleet of Merchantmen, protecting an imnicmf, highly
honourable to the British Naval Character, and affords a brilliant example to
the present and future ages.
Re-solved, That a Sword of lOol. value, with a suitable inscription, be pre-
sented to Captain Nathaniel Dance, of the Earl Caniden, who act'- . 3i Com-
modore on that occasion.
Resolved, That Swords of 50!. value each, with a suitable inscription, be
presented to each of the following Commanders of the remaining 15 : '.ij..s who
were engaged in that action: viz. Captain John F. Timins, of the Royal
George — Captain John Christopher 1 ockner, of the Ocean — Captain John
Kirkpatrick, of the Henry Addington — Captain Archibald Hamilton, of the
Bombay Castle — Captain William Ward Farrer, of ths Cumberland — Captain
"Willism Stanley Clarke, of the Wexford — Captain Henry Meriton, of the Ex-
eter— Captain Thomas I arkins, of the Warren Hastings — Captain James Pen-
dergrass, of the Hope — Captain Robert Hunter Brown, of the Dorsetshire-
Captain Henry WiNon, of the Warley — Captain James Farquharsoo, of the
Alfred— Captain Robert Torin, of the Coutts— Captain William MdFat, of the
Ganges— Captain John Wordsworth, junr. of the Earl of Abci^avenny.
Resolved, That a sword of 50!. value, with an appropriate inscription, be pre-
sented to Lieutenant Fowler, of the Royal Navy, for his able services on that
occasion.
- Resolved, That a Vase of lool. value, with an appropriate inscription, be pre-
sented to Commodore Dance, for his able and successful ««uduct on that me-
morable day.
Resolved, That a Vase of lool. value, with an appropriate inscription, be pre-
sented to Captain Timins, for the gallant manner in which he led the action,
and placed the Royal George aloj;g-side the French Admiral's bhip, the Ma-
rengo, of 84 guns.
Resolved, That a Letter be written to Captain Timins, requesting he would
furnish the Committee with the-name and family of the Seaman killed, and the
name of the Seaman wounded on board his Ship.
J. P. WELSFORD, Secretary.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUGUST l8.
€efy ef a Letter from rice Admiral Lord Viscount Nehon, Commander in Chief of
bit Aiajfty t Shift and Vtueli in tbt Mediterranean, to William Marsden, £tf.{
duttd on btard the Pidory, ojf Toulon, June 8, 1804.
CIK,
I herewith transmit you, for the informal! n of the Lords Comm;«sioners of
the Admiralty, copy of a letter, dated the 3d ultimo, from Captain Loibet, of
GAZETTE LETTERS. I|I
his Majesty's Sloop Bittern, to Captain Schomberg, senior Officer at Malta,
giving an account of his having, on the i8th of April last, captured the French
Privateer 1'Hirondelle, and recaptured the two English Merchant Ships named
in the margin *, her prizes. The conduct of Captain Corbet, the Officers and
Company of the Bittern, entitles them to my warmest thanks for their very
great perseverance and exertions in the capture of the abore Privateer, which
I understand is a remarkable fine Vessel, and had greatly annoyed our trade in
these seas.
I am, &c. NELSON & BRONTE.
His Majesty's Ship Bittern, off Cafe Passaro,
SIR, May 3, 1804.
In execution of your orders of the 27th ultimo, I have great satisfaction in
informing you, that on the morning of the z8th, Cape Passaro bearing N. Em
eight leagues, I got sight of the Privateer you alluded to, then apparently taking
possession of two Brigs. On our appearance they separated. Thinking the ap-
pearance of the weather favourable, I dispatched a boat in chase of each Brig,
and followed the Privateer.
On the evening of the 29th, after a chase of 36 hours in a perfect calm, and
six hours incessant tiring from his stern and our bow chasers, he struck, finding
the Vessel filling fast from a shot- hole under water, which we, however, stopped.
She proves to be 1'Hirondelle, a very fine Cutter, fitted out from Cette,
mounting fourteen la-pounders, his complement 80 men (many of whom were
with prizes), copper bottomed, and just launched.
. On the evening of the 27th he had taken k after an action} the King George,
Malta Government Brig. At the time I had the luck to see him he had cap-
tured the above-mentioned Brigs, and was in chase 01 a Sloop, which we pre-
vented him boarding.
We received no damage from his fire, (chiefly aimed at our masts,) save a
13 pound shot through our starboard bow, between wind and water, and a few
ropes cut.
On hearing of the capture of the King George, (as it still remained calm,) I
dispatched Lieutenant Nicholas in the Launch to Syracuse, hoping to intercept
her; but, after rowing fifteen leagues, he had the disappointment to find her a
few hours arrived. Lieutenant Pette joined me here yesterday with the boats,
having taken the recaptures to Malta. They prove to be the Mentor, of Lon-
don, and the Catharine, of Liverpool, from Messina to Malta to join convoy,
with valuable cargoes.
The persevering exertions of the Ship's Company deserve mention. They
were at the sweeps (to which purpose I had converted all the small spars)
for thirty-six hours without intermission, even to meals, in which time they
swept the Ship 60 miles without an air of wind. Their conduct gives me
much reason to regret the disparity of the enemy's force.
I am, &c. ROBERT CORBET.
C. M. Ssliomberg, Esq. bis Majesty's Ship Madras.
C»fy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Sir Join TLomas Duct-worth, K.B. Commander
in Chief of bh Majesty's Ships and Vessels at Jamaica, to William Marsden, £jy.;
dated at Jamaica, tie l&tb of June, 1804.
SIR,
Herewith you will receive a letter from Captain Tnglefield, of his Majesty's
Brig Hunter, reciting the capture of a small Privateer off the East End of this
Island, which I transmit for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty.
I am, &c.
J T. DUCKWORTH.
•* . . : -
* Mentor and Catharine.
14,2 GAZETTE LETTERS.
His Majetty'i Sloop Hunter, off tit South East Entt
SIR, of Jamaica, lOib of June, 1804.
I have the honour to inform you, his Majesty's Sloop Hunter, under my com-
mand, fell in with, off the East End of Jamaica, at nine o'clock this morning,
and captured, after five hours' chase, la Liberte French Privateer Schooner,
Eticnne Rodney, Captain, armed with one 4-pounder, two swivels, and 1$
stand of small arms, with 37 men, out 14 days from St. Jago de Cuba, and, 1
am happy to add, has not captured any Vessel since she came out.
I am, &c. S. H. INGLEFIELD.
Rear-admiral Sir J. 7. Duclii'ortb, Commander
in Ctieff &£• &c. &c, Jamaica.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AURtTST 21.
Copy of a Letter fron Sir Charles Cotton, Bart. Vice- Admiral of the Wbite, to Wi'-
litim Mar idea t Esq.; dated on board lie San Josef, offUAant^ tie i6tb Instant.
SIR,
Herewith I transmit, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, a letter from Captain Innes, of his Majesty's Sloop Rambler, giving
an account of the capture of two Sloops of the enemy, and of having driven on
;hore the res: of a coasting convoy at St. Gillies.
I am, &c. CHARLES COTTON.
Hit Majesty's Sloop Rambler, at Sta,
SIR, Slugusf 1 6, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint you, that, being between the Isle Dieu and the
Main on the morning of the /th instant, I observed nine sail of Sloops and
Chasses Marges close in shore, steering to the Southward and Eastward. About
nine it fell calm ; I then sent the boats, under the command of Lieutenant Fore-
man and Mr. Cox, Master's Mate, to take possession of them, but, favoured
by a light air, they came to an anchor under the battery of St. Gillies, and
within musket-shot of the shore; notwithstanding which, two of the Sloop.
were got off with great gallantry, under a smart fire from field- pieces and mus-
ketry : the others cut their cables, and ran aground s» near to the pier head it
•was impossible to get them off.
I have the honour to be, &c.
. Sir C. Cotton, Bart. &c. &e. THOMAS INNES.
*** From press of matter we were unable to give, at the end of the
Gazette Letter, p. 86 of the present Volume, the return of killed and
wounded at the taking of Forts Leyden and Frederici, we therefore
insert it here.
Return of the Killed and Wounded of the Royal Navy, tinder tie Command of Commodore
Hood, at the Atsault and Capture of forts Leyden and Frederici, in the Colony of
Surinam, on the Morning of the ^Gib of April, 1804.
Centaur.— One Lieutenant, i Petty Officer, and a Seamen, killed ; a Lieu-
tenants and 4 Seamen, wounded.
Drake.— One Warrant Officer killed.
Pandour. — One Seaman wounded.
Unique. — One Lieutenant wounded.
Total.— One Lieutenant, i Warrant Officer, i Petty Officer, and ^ Sea-
men, killed ; 3 Lieutenants and 5 Seamen wounded.
OJfcen killed.
Lieutenant Smith, First of the Centaur, mortally wounded; died the follow-
ing day.
"W. Shuldham, Midshipman of the Centaur.
Mr. • , boatswain of the Drake.
6
GAZETTE LETTERS. |^j
Officers -wounded.
lieutenants King and Henderson, of the Centaur.
Lieutenant Brand, of the Unique.
JOHN ROBERTSON,
Capt. 6oth Reg. acting Dep. Adj. Gen.
Return of Prisoner i on board the Dutch Ships of War at Surinam, May 6, 1804.
Proserpine, of 32 guns. — One Commodore, i Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 4 Mid-
shipmen, 3 Surgeons, and 158 I etty Officers and Seameu. — j Serjeant, 4 Cor-
porals, and 27 Privates, of marines.
PyJades, of 18 guns.— One Captain, 2 Midshipmen, and 34 Petty Officers
and seamen. — 2 Privates of Marines.
Total.— One Commodore, 2 Captains, 3 Lieutenants, 6 Midshipmen, 3
Surgeons, and 192 Petty Officers and seamen.— One Serjeant, 4 Corporals,
and 29 Privates, of Marines.
N.B. Total number of Prisoners (Troops included), exclusive of Staff and
Departments, it 2c.pi.
JOHN ROBERTSON,
Capt. 6oth Reg. acting Dep. Adj. Gen.
FOREIGN REPORTS,
EAST INDIES,
1 . Vice Admiral P. R A I N I E R .
2. Rear-admiral Sir E. PELLEW, Bart.
June— July.
•jTNTELLIGENCE has been received from the East Indies of the capture of
*- Bencoolen, a town on the N.W. coast of the island of Sumatra, by a French
Squadron, which has also taken an English Frigate in the same direction. The
Naval Force of the enemy in the Eastern Seas has of late become so formidable,
that it is much feared some further disasters of this nature will shortly take
place.
The following Dutch line-of- battle Ships were at the Cape of Good Hope in
March last, under the command of Admiral Decker ; Plut, 64 guns, 800 men,
Rear- Admiral Decker; Cortenour, 64 guns, Captain Teigers; Batto, 74 guns,
Captain Melville ; together with several Frigates, in very good order
The above Ships, it was generally understood, were shortly to sail from the
Cape to cruize off the Island of St. Helena, where it is apprehended they will do
considerable mischief. Six thousand troops were expected at the Cape from
France.
The following particulars have been received relative to the less of the Cato
and his Majesty's armed Ship the Porpoise :
" The Porpoise, commanded by Lieutenant Fowler, in company with the
Cato, Captain Park, and Bridgewater, were on their passage from New f-Jouth
Wales to China. On the I7th of August, the Porpoise struck on a coral reef
of rocks, 208 miles to the N.E. of Sandy Cape, and 735 miles from kidney
Cove, New South Wales, in lat. 22° n' South, and long. Jjj° 35 East. The
waves running high, the surf soon broke over the Ship, and in a short time car-
ried away her foremast : the situation of the ship soon rendered it absolutely
pecessary to cut away her other masts. The Cato was not able to avoid the
rocks, and struck soon after. The situation of the crew on board the Cato was
most distressing: the violence of the waves soon carried away the masts, and
she had not long struck before the sea broke up her decks, and carried almost
every thing away. The only place left for the crew was within the forechains,
to which they clung in the most perilous state during the whole night, the sea
tunning mountains High, and expecting their destruction every instant. — In the
144 FOREIGN REPORTS.
morning they perceived the Bridgewater steering her course aft, to avoid the
rocks, which she fortunately did, and was lost sight of the next day. . During
the day Captain Flinder. who lately commanded the Investigator, and who was
a passenger on board the Porpoise, with the assistance of Lieutenant Fowltr,
launched one of the boats belonging to the Porpoise, and the weather modera-
ting, ?u ceeded in relieving the crew of the Cato, who were landed on a small
sand hank at no great distance, soon after which the Ship went to pieces. The
crew of the Porpoise likewise landed on the sand bank and several days were
spent in getting provisions and covering from the Ship. The crews of both
Ships succeeded hi obt ining a supply of provisions, &c. for about three months,
and the tide faling, left them a large proportion of dry land. On the 26th of
August, it was agreed upon that Captain Flinders and Captain Pa/k should
launch the six-oared cutter that had been saved, and steer for ACW South Wales,
in search of assistance. They accordingly rowed off from the sand bank on that
day, and took with them twelve men and three weeks' provisions. On their
going off the island, the colours, which were hoisted Ui)ion downwards, were
reversed, and their companions gave them three cheers. The Cutter arrived off
Indian Harbour, South Wales, on the a8th of August.
A letter from the Cape of Good Hope, dated Jannary 24th, says. — The
Gcographe French Frigate, which has been three years in search of Pereuse, is
row laying in the bay : she found two Seamen amongst the New Zralanders,
who had been with that Navigator, but they have since died on board. . hey
report that PJrouse's Ship went to pieces, they only surviving the accident, and
the other Ship was previously burnt, when all on board perished.
By accounts from Boston, dated the 24th of .May, a Vessel from Batavia had
arrived there, after a passage of 126 days: she left at Batavia a number of
French and Dutch Ships of War, and an English Frigate, which had been taken
by the French and carried in there. An English Ship, from London, laden
with 3^c,cco dollars, was captured by a French Frigate, and carried into the
Isle of France on the 25th of February.
Admiral Linois's Squadron consists of an 80 gun Ship, two Frigates, and a
Corvette-. The British Squadron in the Indian Seas, under Admiial Rainier, is
composed of six Sail of the Line, twelve Frigates, aud nine Sloops of War. The
French and Dutch Admirals have divided their forces. .One part has gone to
Batavia, the other to Bombay river. 1 inois only left 150 men in posses-ion of
Pondicherry, who offered but 1 rle resistance to the force which retook it.
Several samples of teak-wood from the East Indies have been brought to Eng-
land by the Company's Ships and have, upon trial, been found to be calculat- d
for building Ships of War. Orders are issued for two Frigates to be immediately
built of this wood in his Majesty's dock-yards.
La Clarisse French Privateer is taken by the Albion and Sceptre Men of
War, and carried into Madras. A few days before she left the Mauritius, the
General Duncan, of 24 guns, and Fortune, of 16 guns, had sailed from thence,
their destination unknown.
An American Ship, arrived at Bourdeaux from the Isle de France, reports
that Captain Flinders, and several other English Officers, are detained as pri-
soners in that island ; where arrived, shortly before her departure, 3000 Troopt
from Europe.
We are sorry to remark, that we have cf late been very unfortunate in the
Eastern Sras. 'i he report of an Fxpeditinn to recover the Cape still prevails.
Sir Home Popham is spoken of with confidence as the Commodore. General
Sir A. Clark, K. B., it is said, will have the 01: ce of commanding the expedi-
tion, although Lieutenant- General Dundas will carry out a commission as Go*
vcrnor (in the event of a reduction) of the Cape, to which situation a salary of
la.o'ol. will be attached. Sir Alured will return to Europe as soon as these
important objects are atchicved, -nd General Maitland will become the Civil
Governor of Ba'.avia. The arrangements are going on with energy and rapidity.
Accounts are received, that two Dutch Line-of-battl« Ships, a Frigate, and
a Sloop, sailed from the Cape of Good Hope on the i;th of March, to cruize off
St. Helena.
July 7. Soon after the arrival of the Lisbon Mail, the following Notice ap-
peared at Lloyd's, and on Change.
F0.1EIGX REPORTS. UJ
Lii&on, June 13.
" We have s. report here that Linois' Sqmdron has 1 urnt seven sail of East.-
Indiamen, and caotnred two others, at Prince of Wales's Island. The report
rests upon the authority of a Vessel arrived here two days ago from Bengal/'
WEST INDIES.
1. F"ice-A.lmircJ SIR J. T. DUCKWORTH, K.B.
2. Rear -Admiral I. R. D ACRES.
3. Commodore S. MOOD.
. Tne F-grptienne French Priv.ifeer, which was employed in the capture of
Coree, and has been very successful against our trjde, we are happy to announce
has been captured in the West Indies, by the Hinpomene* Sloop of War, of I 6
guns, after a smart action. She had previously been attacked by the Osprejr
Sloop of War. but made her escape. She lias been carried into Barbadoes, in a
very shattered state.
Extract of a letter from an Officer belonging to his Majesty's Ship Blanche, ,
dated February 27 :
" I am this day returned from the. siege of Curacoj. Our force was not nu-
merous enough to take the place. V/e are not beaten off hut retreated for want
of more men and provisions. The S.'iip is (o stay here to blockade the place, and
the others are to return to Jamaica for more 'men.. and stores, when we shall be
at the enemy again, We beat them in nine different attack*: the last one I
drove them for the distance of three miles, and took twelve of them prisoners.
Our loss, during the siege, is twenty five men killed, and forty-seven wounded.
The enemy's above treble that number."
The Cayenne Sloop of War has sent into, Barbadoe* la Recompense, French
Privateer, of 10 guns and 80 men ; and I'Heiireux has sent in 1« KU'busMer,
pierced for 14, but carrying only 6 six pounders and 63 men, 15 days from
Guadaloupe. The Cayenne rus captured the Westmoreland :iave-ship.
The American papers lately arrived contain the following interesting parti-
culars of the operations of our ciquadrou ag.iin^t the Island of Mariinico : ,
•Pliladtlfiis, April 2.
On Saturday evening last arrived here the Prig Anne, Captain Lord, from
Mart nico, which place he left on the I2t!i of Fc'-ruary. He informs, that he
arrived there on the loth of January ; in the course of fifteen days arrived five
American Vessels, but none afterward1). On the id of February the Brit sh
sent eight boats into Fort Royal, and cut out the Trig Curious, of 20 guns, and
So men on board, ready to sail for France the next day; the Cap ain- General
had taken his pass.igeon bourrl, '.o go to France. The Capta n of the Erig was
on board, and made his c«c&pe out of the cabin window, swam on shore, and
the next day the wounded men were ?ent on shore in a flag of truce. On the 3d
of February the British landed 500 men on the S.W. end of Martinico, who
were repulsed by 200 militia ; 10 of the French were killed, and 8 or 10 wn undid :
6 Englishmen were found dead the next morning. On the 6:h, the British sent
a Cutter Schooner info Port Royal Bay, supposed as a Spy to view the harbour;
the first shot from the fort sen: her to the bottom ; 15 men made their escnpe
JD the boat, as we were informed, and 45 went down with the Vessel. On the
8th, there was an English Schooner eroding the bay of St. Pierre, as we were
informed by a Danish Vessel, that had 65 men on board; as she was in company'
with her, by an accident some fire got to her magazine, and she blew up at
ii A. M. not one of the c.ew saved. The British Commodore sent a Procla-
mation since thote accidents happened, and declares the island in a state of
siege : he has called all h s forces from Guadaloupe to surround the island, and
has erected two batteries on the Diamond Rock end, on the S. W. part of the
inland, and anchors his Ships there. He has at anchor three Ships on the N. W.
»kle, under the lee of the Pearl Rocks.
The Jamaica Gazette, of the yth of April.anncunces the arrival of the London
and Cork Fleets, under convoy of the Franch se ; two of the Ships had been
captured on the passage, but were retaken The Galatea stopped at Barbadaw
. C&ron. Qcl.XU. v
146
The hdmeward-bound Jamaica Fleet sailed from Port Hoyal on the Jth of
April, under charge of the JEolus Frigate, Lord W. Fitrroy. This Fleet sailed
on the sad of March, under convoy of the Duquesne, of 74- guns: but the Du-
quesne, at fcur o'clock in the morning following, got on shore on Morant'*
Quays, where she lost her rudder, sprung a leak, and was obliged to throw her
guns overboard. She returned to Port Royal on the joth, with her convoy;
and the JEolus, which had arrived from a cruize on the 27th, was appointed to-
take charge of them. The Duquesne had a large Quantity of spec e CD board.
The Racoon Sloop of War, on the 5th of April, arrived at Jamaica, w:th a
French Brig from New Orleans for France, with a number of French troops on
board.
The Drake Sloop of War recaptured the Ent'rprize, with naval stores for
Barbadoe*, after she i ad been 1 7 days in possession of a Frenqh Privateer, of 2z
guns and 250 men, from Guadaloupe. This Privateer is stated to have cap.
tared four more of the West India Fleet, and that three other Privateers from
Goadaloupe had earh taken one or more.
The Fortune, on her passage f om Barbadoes to [ama'cs, captured the Mar»,
French Privateer, of one gun and 46 men, off the East-end of Jamaica, and ar-
rived with her at Port Royal on the 6th of ApriL
The Pique has taken la Terreur, a French. National Cutter of 10 guns, and
74 men, from the city of St. Domingo, on a cruize.
The Desiree has captured and sent into Jamaica, la Caridad French Privateer,
of 4 guns aud a 7 men, having on board 25,000 dollars, ajiu a (quantity of dry
goods.
The Echo ^loopof War lately fell in with a Transport off the Floridas, having
350 French Troops on boari, from Cuba, and deeming it unsafe fo allow them
to pass in so large a body, detained them, and put I J or i z on board every home-
ward hound American Vessel she met.
Captain Appleton arrived at Boston from Martin ico, in 28 days, brought
intelligence that that place was closely blockaded by the Bitish Squadron,
and an attack every moment expected. Further advices state, that the Mer-
chants had sent their most valuable property into the country, the politic office*
of Government were removing, and the American Captains were desired to
depart as soon as possible, that they might avoid the inconvcn-iency of a siege,
•which was likely to be protracted to a considerable per od, as the means of de-
fence were great, and the inhabitants were resolute in their determination to
oppose the enemy.
Orders have be- n sent from England to Commodore Hood, and the English
Courts of Vice- Admiralty in America and the West Indies, not to consider any
blockade of the is-landu of Mart nicoand Guadaloupe as existing, unless in respecc
to particular | orts which may be actually invested, and then not to capture ves-
sels bound to such ports, unlew they be previously warned not to enter them.
Captain Foster whoarrived at Newbury Port at the end of May from Guada-
loupe, was boarded by a British Vessel of War, and his register endorsed as
follows, verbatim ; — \"artinico being under blockade, you are frrbid to enter
any port therein on your peril,- or if you do you will become a prize of any of
his Majesty's Ships or Vessels of War. DAVID CAMPBELL,
Gunner of H. M. Sloop Drake.
A British Agent was dispatched from Jamaica on the 3d of January, on bout,d
the Tartar Frigate, with proposals for a treaty, which had for the^r basis the
original agreement between General Maitland and rouseaint, with a few modi-
fications and extensions favourable to the commerce of .* i. Dom ngo. On the
i6th he had an interview with the Governor General, when numerous objec-
tions were made by him to the treaty, and amendments and additions were
suggested, to which it was impossible to accede, so wfy extravagant were' hU
demands. Dessalmes wished to stipulate for universal commerce, and for free-
dom of navigat'ot) round the island to any distance from the coast his vessels
might proceed. He also insisted on being: supplied by us with arms, ammun;.
tion, and what was most extraordinary, with negroes. During five days more,
wh le the British Agent and his colleagues remained at Port au Prince, only
another interview took place. Our Agent returned to Kingston with the pro-
posals of De-salines in writ ng, after a solemn promise that an answer should
be sent from Governor Nugcut at Jamaica, with all possible dispatch. The
FOREIGN REPOXTS. 14-
British Agent did not remain quite a week at K ngston, when he embarked in
f he same l;rigate for St. Domingo with Governor Nugent's ultimatum. With
the exception of some trifling modifications, it differed little from our first pro-
posals. The Governor tlio ght it, however, exped cut to send presents to Des-
ialines and his principal Officers, to the value of several hundred pounds, chiefly
composed of hats, god lace, epaulettes, and sabres. On the loth of February
our Agents were landed at Jcremie, but as Dessal nes was then at Aux. Caves,
no interview took place until his arrival, which was the 2jth. Instead of relax-
ing in the demands he had before made, he renewed all his objections, and even
insi-;ed, as a preliminary, that we should furnish him with one million pounds
of powder, equal to five hundred tons, with fifty thousand muskets and ammu-
nition ; fifty thousand sabres for infantry, five thousand for cavalry, and fifty
barrels of flints. The Agents returned to Kingston, a; d, we understand, fat
in consequence of Governor Nug nt's Dispatches, all idea of a treaty with the
Republic of Hayti is entirely relinquished.
June A Paris piiper (the Publicisre, of the ipt.h,'/ contains some important
rews from St. Domingo. A Proclamation waspu lished by General Dessalines,
on the 14th of January last, ? t Port au Prince, offering a reward of 40 dollars
to Captains of American £h!ps, for every negro "or mulatto belonging to St.
Domingo (or Hayti), which they shall bring to that country from America,
where Dessalines supposes many of them to be now in great want. The next
article ia a Declaration published at Gomivcs on the first of Jan .ary, and signed
by Dessalines, Christophe, Feron, Toussaint, Brove, and several other black
and mulatto Generals ; in which they declare that Hayti shall be an independent
Government; and swear to posterity, and to the- whole universe, to renounce
France for ever, and to die rather than live under her dominion.
There also appears another Proclamation of the same date, in which the
Generals and Chiefs of the Armies of Hayti, pemtrared with gratitude for the
benefits received from the General in Chief, J. Jacques Dessalines, proclaim
him Governor General for .Life of Hayti , swear to submit implicitly to the
laws emanating from his authority; and give to him the right to make peaca
and war, and to name his successor.
General Dessal nes has published a very warm Address to the inhabitants of
St. 1 omingo, tending to excite their further resentment against the French in
general. It is also stated, that he has threatened to send an expedition against
Cuba ; and if he be so disposed, there seem very few impediments in the way
of his success. The motvve urged by Dessalines is. that the Spaniard* give so
much encourag^ ment to the Privateers that infest the coast of i-.t. Domingo.
The 'Duke of Maryborough Packet, from Falmouth to the l.eeward Islands, has
1-een captured to the windward of Barbadoes, by a French Privateer Schooner,
General Ern'coff. after a most desperate action, in which three passengers, Cap-
tain Lull, and 20 men, were killed, and seven wounded
Kingston, dfrili^. iSaturday arrived at Port Royal the Ship Wadstray. She
was one of the Meet which arrived at Barbndoes, and, with four others, sailed
from thence for Demarara. Two of them, with the Wadstray, were captured
,by the Fgyptienne trench Privateer. Off Curacoa, this Ship was retaken by
the Blanche Frigate. When the \Vadstray was off Barbadoes, she discovered
1'Heureux SJoop of War, Captain Bland, engaging a French Frigate, which had
lost ht\ lop-mast in the action. Before she lost sight of them, our Sloop ap-
peared to be gaining fast on tlic Frigate.
21. The t'chooner British Queen arrived here, spoke an American Vessel
from St. Vincent's, and received information that Martinico had been taken
by our forces to windward.
24. Yesterday arrived at Port Royal his Majesty's Ship Stork, from a cruize;
and a French National hchooner, of one gun and fg men* prize to the
Iranchise.
Four 'thousand tons of Shipping are taVen up by Government, for the purpose
of conveying the French prisoners at Jamaica to Europe.
The Recovery, of New Brunswiik, from Jamaica for London, with a cargo
worth 30,000!., was lately captured in lat. 49°, long. 20°, bv the Venus Privateer
cf Nant£, carrying j6 guns and 75 men, and. carried into St. Andero.
Account* from St. Dominica »t?.fe, that the two French Frigates, U Dido and
I|8 FOREIGN' RfPORTS.
rfsabelle, whxh lately arrived at GuaHalorpe wifh tr iop < :~ ora "rat c ', escaped
out of Basseterre Roads on the 8th instant, in sight of his h ajes y s S' ip Blen-
heim, v\hich promptly pursued them, but tinfortunatrly pru ig her fore-top
mast while fast hauling on them. Luckily, at die very ii starr, the Romm j
and Carysfort Frigates hove in sight, and wer; left in chase of lie enemy whui
the Blenheim wfcs obliged to liaul off On the ijth of Mry th- Peterell Sloop
ftf War arrived with 56 Sail under convoy, in 43 days f-om Falmouth.
May 19. Commodore Hood, in the Centaur, arrived in Carlisle Bay fron*
Surinam, with tlie Proserpine and PyJades* prrze*.
A Utter from Viilaret, the Captain-General at Martinico, dated as far
back a.« February 14, boa«ts of having repulsed several attempts of Commodore
Hood, and of the good state of the Colony.
MEDITERRANEAN.
I. AJmlral Lcrd NELSON.
1. Rea-i -Admiral Sir R. BICKER TON.
A letter we hare been favoured with from an Officer on board Lord Nelson'*.
Fleet, dated April 17, says, — The Amazon Frigate, on the gth instant, took a
Brig, laden with corn, almost within shot of three Frigates and the b-ittcr t=.
This so provoked them, that four or five Frigates, and one Line of-bartle Ship,
ceme just clear of the Stpete ; but the Donnegal, .Sir Richard Strachan, and
two or three more of our Ships being near, the enemy would not risk ?.ny farther
• attempt to retake the Amazon's prize. However, three more French fchips of
the Line got under weigh, but all went back before dark.
His Majesty's .c loop Weazle has been lost m the Mediterranean . V,"e are
hap; y, however, to be able to ?dd, that all hands are saved. The Officers are
ordered to join Lord Nehon's Fleet.
A Court-Martial has be^ii held on board the K?nt, of 74 £Hr«, in the Medi-
terranean, for the trial of Captain Swain, for the loss of the Raven Sloop, R ear-
Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, President. After a long investigation, Cap-
tnin Swain and his Officers were acquitted, excepting the Master, who was re-
primanded for not having, the day preceding the loss of the Ship, taken his
•b«crvations
Malta, April 25. The Argo, Captain Hollowell, is just arrived here from
Egypr, where lie landed Elfi Bey, whose conduct ?.t this place, on hU return
from England, has not conciliated opinion in his favour. His extreme reverse
of fortune, however, makes him, in some degree, an object of compassion.
Returning from this place, he landed at Aboukir, and from thence proceeded
to Cairo; but before lie reached the latter place, he was attacked by a strong
Mameluke party, who were posted to intercept him by Osman Bey. liis im-
mense baggage, and the valuable presents with which he was enriched, attracted
the principal attention of his assailants, the plundering of which afforded him
an opportunity of making h s personal escape, in A small boat, across the Nile.
Vpon his landing on the opposite side, he observed a camp of Btdouin Arabs
forme', the Chief of which was his mortal enemy, but who, fortunately for
the fugitive E16, was Absent with Osman Bey, for the express purpose of con-
certing a plan for the more certain destruction of Elfi Ecy, who, on this disco-
very, instantly threw himself on the mercy of these people, and demanded a
horse cf the Chief's wife, wh.'ch was immediately granted I im ; for it is a sacred
*vstom with the Bedouin Arabs, to protect any stranger who throws himse.f on
their mercy, at the hazard of their own lives : on the Chief's return to the camp,
*Bd hearing how Elfi Bey had escaped, he applauded her conduct, and adtkd,
although he himself was anxious for his destruction, if she had violated the
antiect usage of their race, he would have put htr to death by his own dagger.
The last accounts of the "fugitive Elfi liey, stated him to be wandering in Upper
Egypt, endeavouring, if possible, to collect a force sufficient to meet O»mau
Bey in the Deserts.
A letter from Genoa, ofthejOth of May, states, that the Vengeur Ital'aa
Privateer had arrived there a fcv; days befoie, with two English Vessels which
the had captured.
FOREIGN KtfORTS. 149
Besides the three chips of War, building and fitting out at Genoa on account
of the French Government, and which will cost a million of livres, eight other
Ships on the same account arc ordered to be built, and go: ready with all pos-
sible dispatch.
Verona, June i. It is still said, that the House of A mtria will receive the Re-
public of Ragusa, which ha? hitherto been under the protection of the Ottomaa
Porte. By this the Aust-ian Monarchy will obtain a new port, which carries
on a considerable trade by sea, and also the advantage of establishing ,1 com-
plete communication between Dalmatia ai d Cattard, in Albania, ceded to the
Court of Vienna by the Treaty of Luneville, which communication was before
interrupted by the territory ol Ragtisa.
Osman Fey governs Kgypt, which is entirely in his possession, except Alex-
andria and Aboukir-castle. Ali Pacha, with a patty of Tuiks, were cut off on
their march to Cairo. Treachery and massacres are the order of the day in
that devoted country. IVlalta is now in a state lit to repel the united efforts if
ull the enemies of England.
A letter fr< m St. Andcro states, that the Spanish Government has issued an
edict, forbidding prize-goods being landed in any Spanish port. This order is
rigidly obeyed, to the great inconvenience of the French Privateers.
k'erona, June 13. The English who were put under arrest at Leghorn have
o' twined their liberty, as is believed, in consequence of the application of the
Court of Florence to the French Commandant at Leghorn, Admiral Nelson
threatened to bombard Leghorn, and to declare the port in a state of blockade,
if they were not set at liberty. It is said to be certain, that an English flag of
truce brought dispatches to Leghorn, which were immediately forwarded by ex-
press to Florence.
July J- By the Lisbon Mail accounts were received of a partial action be-
tween 1 ord NeUon and the Toulon Fleet. The enemy avoided going to any
great distance from the protection of their o.\n batteries.
AMERICA.
Admiral Sir A. MITCHELL, Halifax.
The George Washington arrived at Philadelphia from Canton, was boarded
in the Straits of Sunda by a French 74 gun Ship, having two Frigates in com-
pany, waiting for the British China Fleet. Captain 1 lays reports some had been
taken ; and as he left 17 at Canton about to sail, it is probable that more of
them will fall into the hands of the French. A Dutch Sloop of War sailed fiom
the Cape of Good Hope on the zoth of January, with four Transport^ having
850 Dutch troops on board, supposed to be bound to Batavia.
The New York Gazette of the ;Sth of May contains a letter from the Ameri-
can Commodore Treble, dated United States Frigate, Syracuse Harbour, Feb.
7, 1804, to the American Consul at Cadiz, in which he announces the capmre
and destruction of the Tripoline Frigate, of 40 guns, late the United State*
Frigate, Philadelphia, by the American Ketch Intrepid, of 4 guns, and 73 men.
The Frigate was so situated that it was impossible to have brought her, out of
the harbour of Tripoli, where the attack was made in the night of the i6ih of
January. Captain De atur, of the Ketch, attacked the Frigate in the most
gallant manner, boarded and carried her against all opposition. He then set
her on fire, and she was totally consumed.
FRANCE.
It is reported, that a commercial treaty has been concluded between the French
aad I;orts:guese Governments.
The three Rear-Admirals, Dacres, Gantheaume, and Vilieneuve, are pro-
moted to be Vice-Admirals.
An Act of Amnesty has been passed in favour of de^rters from the Array
and Navy, who Jidll return to their duty by a certain day.
• Admiral Verheui has caused two Officers of his Fleet to b<- arrested at O»tend,
for not having conducted themselves properly during the hfe engagement with
the F.eet of Sir Sidney Smith. They are sent under an escort to Flushing, there
to be judged by a Council of War.
I$O FOREIGN REPORTS.
Jerome Buonaparte", it is said, is to be created High Admiral of France.
A Gentleman lately arrived from the Continent, is said to have brought the
following List of French Ships of the Line and Frigates building ; or iur which
materials for bu Iding- were collecting1.
T' In tie different Dack-'tards •/ the Batavian Republic —Eleven Ships of the
Line, from 6r to 80 guns; fourteen Frigates, from 24 to 44 guns; besides Cut-
ters, Gun-Boats, &c
These Arsenals and Yards contained a sufficient quantity of timber to
construct double this number : which timber came down the Rhine with the
Fleet to Dordrecht last year Of the above Ships, six of the Line and ten Fri-
gate* were said to belong to France, and were built at her expense. The Dutch
Arsenals and Store Houses were in want of sail-cloth, iron, anchors, and tar:
•fcut by contracts concluded last year in Russia and Sweden, by some Trench
Naval Officers, the Batavian Government expects this Summer to be plentifully
supplied. Should not the Eatavian harbours and rivers be declared in a state of
Blockade ?
2. At j4nt-wcrf> —One 74 gun Ship and three 44 gun Frigates were nearly
finished; and keels were laid for two 74'$, and for two 44 gun Frigates: there
was Timber enough for five 74*5, and as many 44-gun frigates but the Maritime
Prefect caused the People to believe, that he had materials enough to build
twenty 74'$ Great activity prevails at Antwerp to make that city a Naval
Station of equal importance with Brest and Toulon. Three thousand workmen,
besides 400 galley > laves, were occupied daily, Sundays not ezcepted ; ai.d t:ir.-
^er arrived from every part of Brabant and Flanders. Six English or Scotch
Carpenters, and nine British Artificers, were employed there, but chained like
galley slaves for fear of desertion.
3. At Bruges, two 36 gun Frigates were launched, and two others building.
4. At Otttnt/, one Frigate of 40 guns; one of 32 guns ; and one Cutter of iO
guns, were nearly finished.
5. At Dunkirk, two 44-gun Frigates were completed, and three of the same
size building : the dock yards and arsenals there, as well as at Bruges and Ostend,
were ill supplied.
6. At Havre, two 50, and three 44-gun Frigates had been built since the
War ; but there were not materials sufficient to complete one Ship of 50 and:
two of 44 guns They wanted only Sailors to attempt going to the Westward,
and escape the Briti h Cruizers.
7. At Cherbourg, two 44 s have lately been launched, and two were building,
but materials were wanting to fin^h them.
8. At St. Maloet, one 54 gun Ship, and three 44 gun Frigates were ready to
be launched, and there were materials to build as many more.
9. At /'Orient, two 74*8 had lately been launched, and two others were build-
ing, but a uld not be fin shed for want of materials.
10. At Brtit, six Ships of the Line of different rates, from 74 to 120 guns,
were building ; but they had not materials to complete them.
11. At RecLefort, two 50*8, and at la RocbcUt, one 50 and two 44*5 were,
besides three ao-gun Cutters, building. The Arsenals were indifferently supplied.
la. At Bourdcaux, six Frigates, from 32 to 50 guns, were building ; and since
the War four of 32 guns had been launched.
13. At Bayonnt, three 44-gun Frigates, and three 24- gun Cotters, had been
built since the War. The Arsenals in both these ports were well supplied.
14. At Maneitlet, two 44-gun P'rigates, and two iB-gun Cutters, had been
completed since the War ; and one 44 and two Cutters were building.
15. At Toulon, one 80 and one 74 had been launched since the War ; and
one no, two 80, and one 74 were building. The Arsenals at Toulon and
Marseilles were badly supplied. It was reported upon the Exchange of this
latter city, in March, that the French Government had contracted for the
building of six Ships of the Line in Spain, and of seven at Genoa.
In France, as well as in Holland, iron, anchors, sail-cloth, &c. were wanting ;
but expected from Russia, Sweden, Denmark, and America. The Fleets 'at
Toulon and Brest are but indifferently manned, and the Crews of the Gun-
Boats are far from being complete, notwithstanding the Sailors who have been
enticed over from Italy, Spain, and Holland.
FOREIGN REPORTS. I£f
At Toulon, a* virell as at Brest, were several British Carpenter* and Artifi-
,eers, easily known again by wearing chains on one leg, and otherwise treated
as galley slavc>». The D itch Carpenters were in the same situation at Toulon.
It was «aid that Buonaparte had s nt Emissaries to Germany, Denmark, Swe-
den, and America, to procure him Sailors from those Countries.
RUSSIA.
The two R ussian Fleets of Cronstadt and Revel were to have put to sea on the
jist irlt., or ist inst.
A letter Iro'ii Petersburg, dated the jth of June, says, The French Minister
leave* this city this day for Paris, and a,n inferior Agent is left to transact the
remaining affairs before the two Courts, who, people have gone so far as to
say, will remain eventually as Commissioners for prisoners. There are ten
Line-of battle Ships and six Frigates, besides Brigs, Sloops, Provision and Store
Ships, ordered to be got ready, with four months' provisions on board.
In the present admirable state of our naval force, we obviously stand not in
need of any co-operation by Sea from Russia; nor is it at all desirable, as in the
time of the Empress Catherine, (who contented herself with issuing Manifes-
ifoes, without ever sendirrg a single man against France.) to have the Fleets of
Russia in our harbours, deriving every possible advantage from our Naval dis-
cipline and skill, which advantage, it is not improbable, may, as in the case of
the hie Northern Confederacy, be again attempted to be turned against our-
selves
• Government are said to have received advices of undoubted authenticity from
Constantinople and the Black Sea, that Russia is preparing very large arma-
ments in the latter place. The advice; do not state what is the object of these
armaments.
Riga, 'fune 3- In the harbour of Cronstadt are ten Ship; of the Line and se-
veral Frigates, fully equipped, and ready to sail.
NORTH SEA.
t . Admiral Lord KEITH.
Z. Vice Admiral \. Ho I. LO WAY, Do-wnt.
3. Rear-AJmiral B. S. ROWLEY, Sheernesi.
4. Rear- Admiral T. M. RuiSKL, North Tarmoutb.
5. Rear- Admiral E. TuORNBOROUH, Texel.
6. Rear- Admiral Sir J. SAI/MAREZ, Guernsty*
7. Commodore Lord W. STUART, flushing.
$eat> May iQ. Sailed on a cruize off Boulogne, the Vesuvius Bomb, Captain
I iilycrap. rrived from a cruize off Boulogne, Fury, Zebra, and TartAtus
Bombs, and Zephyr Brig.
13 Arrived the Orestes Sloop of War from a cruize, and remains in the
Downs with his V'ajcsty's bhips.
14. Saikd yesterday, after post, the Jamaica and Champion Frigates,
Bonetta, Dart, and Orestes Sloops of War, and Fury Bomb, on a cruize. ThU
morning his Majesty's Ship Monmouth arrived from Portsmouth, and sailed
immediately to Yarmouth. Sailed the Orpheus Frigate to Portsmouth;
King's Fisher Sloop of War to the Webtward; and Perseus Bomb to Sheer-
ness
Yarmouth, May 15. Yesterday sailed the Baltic Fleet, under convoy of aa
armed Ship and two Cutters.
Deal, M,ty 15. Arrived the Lark Sloop of War, Capt. Tower, and the Fly.
by-night Lugger, Lieut. Hunt, from a cruize off Boulogne.
Yarmouth , May i 6. Arrived last night the Monmouth, of 64 guns, from
Portsmouth; arid this morning Admiral Russcl hoisted his dag on board her.
Sailed the Ferritter Gun-brig, on a cruize. The Constant Gun-brig has sent
into this port the Vrovv Anna, Williams, from Kiel, bound to Amsterdam,
with timber.
I£2 HOME REPORT*.
Deal, May 17. \Vind at S.W. This morning sailed to Dun^eness his Majes-
ty's Ship Leopard, and Discovery Bomb. Arrived and brought to anchor in
\V"almer Roads, the Calais Squadron, consisting of the undermentioned Ships,
under the command of Capt. Rose, viz. Jamaica and Champion Frigates, Dait
and Orestes Sloops of War; and Basilisk 'Jun-brigs. Came down from the
River the Cuffnels, for India.
A trench is digging at Dover, in which water is to be kept by means of flood-
gates, so as to prevent the enemy from surprising the town, and paliisades and
gates and chrvaux dc-(rise placed wherever there is a bridge or causeway that
leads into the town from the sea, and the gates are to be guarded every night,
and some formidable batteries are to be made at the heights.
18. Sailed on a cruize off Flushing, the Crescent Frigate, Captain Lord
\Villiam Stewart. Arrived from a cruize off Boulogne his Majesty's thip
Illustrious, Captain wir C. Hamilton.
Yarmouth, May 18. 1 he Afncaine Frigate has detained and sent in here,
after a long chase, in which she fired 42 shots, a Ship of Faversham, in ballast;
she is supposed to be employed by persons in this country to convey intelligence
to the enemy, as four men made their escape from the above Vessel, and landed
on the Dutci coast before she was taken possession of. The Master, who is oil
board, \vi-l undergo an examination.
Deatt May 20. Sailed through the Downs, Lord Eldon, Experiment, and Cuff-
nells, hast Indiamen, (or the East Indies. Sailed yesterday evening the Scourge
Sloop of War, and Alnwick Castle East Indiaman, and rest of outward-bound
Ships, under convoy to Portsmouth. This Morning sailed his Majesty's Ship
Veteran, Captain King, Jamaica and Champion Frigates, Dart Sloop of War, and
Basilisk Gun brig, on a cruize off Boulogne and Flushing; and the Ranger
armed Ship to Ireland. Arrived the Bonetta Sloop of War from a cruize, and
remains in the Downs with his Majesty's Ships.
Tarmnutt, May 23 Arrived yesterday ai'ternoon the Penelope Frigate, from
Sir Sydney Smith's tquadron ; she has brought the men who were wounded in
the late engagement off the French coast. The Penelope has suffered much in
her rigging.
Admiral Thornborough has 'hifted his Flag to the Eagle.
24. Sailed the Vix- n and Constant Gun-brigs, aud Venus Cutter, on a cruize ;
and Penelope Frgate to the Nore to be repaired.
Deal, May 23. ^ esterday evening Vice- Admiral Patten struck his Flag oa
board hi» Majesty *s - hip I'trechr, and this morning proceeded to the Admiralty.
Arrived his Majesty's ^hip Veteran, with Jamaica and Champion Frigates;
Orestes and D-rt loops of W-r; Explosion, Hecla, Fury, Sulphur, aud Vol-
cano Bombs, from a cruize off Boulogne .and Calais.
SbrerHtss, May 25. Came down from Chatham, the Atlas, of 74 guns, Capt.
Hope: she is to be paid bounty and advance on Sunday next, after which *he
proceeds to reinforce the North .'•ea ' quadron.
Deal, Afay 25. Arrived his Majesty's .chip Inflexible, from the Westward;
1'jmmortalite Frigate, Captain Owen; Speedy and Autumn i-loops of War;
Tartarus Bosr.b ; Basilisk, Bloodhound, aud Locust Gun-brigs, from a cruize
off Boulogne-
Eleven Dutch Schuyts, Prizes to the Africaine Frigate, have been sent into
Yarmouth.
The following circumstances are stated in a letter from a person on board the
Africaine Frigate, cruizing off Helvoetsluys :— '• On the 2ift, a Boat belonging
to the Africaine was fired at by two batteries whilst fishing; Captain Manby in-
itantiy detained all the Dutch fishing-boats, to the number of 40, in order to
convince the enemy with what ease our cruizers can always punish them for any
outrage. The smdller Bo^.ts, however, he liberated the morning after they
were captured A Sailor belonging to the Africaine, in one of the Dutch i:oats,
lately lost the Ship in a fog, and -fter being two ^ays adrift, was picked up by
a neutral Vessel, and carried into Schevelling. The French guard at that place
attempted to take him to prison, which the inhabitants prevented by force.
Thr 'Jommandant of'ihe town directly sent him orF to the Africaine, in a flag
of truce, by whi h conveyance he assured Captain Manby how much he lamenc-
<d that the batteries should lire a: his Boat, but that it was the French who gave
HOME REPORTS. l$$
ifce order, and carried it into execution. — Captain Manby, with his usual gene-
rosity and gallantry, sent a large present of porter to the Commandant, ami a
valuable ring to the Dutchman's wife.
Yarmouth, May 26 — The Helena Sloop of War, of 20 guns, was launched
from the Yard of Mr. John Priston, of this place, yesterday morning, about IO
o'clock. Notwithstanding the narrowness of the river, she oime into the water
•without the least accident. Arrived in the harbour several Dutch Schuyts,
taken by the Squadron in the North Sea. Sailed the Rattler Sloop and Snipe
•Gun-brig. Arrived the Ethalion Frigate, witli 1'Umoii Privateer, her prize,,
from Leith. Arrived in the harbour a Gun-boat, No. 98, taken in the late en-
gagement with Sir Sidney Smith.
Deal, May ^J. — Arrived la Seine Frigate, from Dungeness; the Scourge, from
Portsmouth; the Melpomene Transport, commanded by Captain Chanes Wat-
son, of the Royal Navy, and Agent for Transports, in 23 hours from Spithead,
with twelve armed coppered Transports under his direction. Sailed the 1m-
mortalite Frigate and Locust Gun-brig to Sheern->s. Arrived the Bacchante
Sloop of War, and Lady Warren armed Ship, with the undermentioned East
India Company's Ships from the westward, viz. the Earl Howe, Sir Stephen
l.ushington, Admiral Gardner, and Charlton, from the East Indies, and a Heec
of Ships from Jamaica, Lisbon, and Oporto.
31. Wind S.W. Sailed on a cruize off the French coast, the Lark and
Autumn Sloops of War, Hecla and Sulphur Bombs, and Mariner Gun-brig.
Early this morning the Basilisk Gun brig, Lieutenant Patey, Commander, in
thick weather, with rain, ran on shore on the off part of the Goodwin Sand;
«he was got off, and gone to Margate Roads, without damage.
Sheerness, May 31. Arrived his Majesty's Sloop Rattler, Captain Francis
Mason, with the Bruizer and Blazer Gun-brigs. The Terror Bomb has come
down the river to be stationed off .' outhend, in the room of the Winchclsea,
which sails from thence to morrow. The Atlas has sailed for the Texel.
Yarmouth, May 31. Yesterday sailed the Vulture armed Ship, and the Vixen
Gun-brig, on a cruize. This day sailed the Censor Gun-brig on a cruize ; and
the Swift and Champion Cutters, with a Fleet of Transports, for the Fleet under
Admiral Thornborough, cruizing off the Texel.
June 3. This morning sailed his Majesty's Ship Veteran, Captain King, to
Dungeness ; the Jamaica and Champion Frigates; Dart, Bonetta, and Orestes
Sloops of War; Fury and Explosion Bombs; Archer and Bloodhound Gun-
brigs ; Milbrook Schooner, and an armtd Ship on a cruize off Calais.
y»ne 10- Arrived the Fisgard frigate, with a convoy from Lisbon and
Gibraltar, which are sailed for the river — Sailed yesterday the Bonetta and
Rattler Sloops of War, on a cruize.
11. Sailed yesterday the Fisgard Frigate, Capt. Lord M. R. Kerr, and
Scourge sloop of War, Capt. Woolridge, with the outward-bound as per last,
and several other merchant Ships under convoy to Portsmouth. Sailed this
morning on a cruize off Calais, the Jamaica and Champion Frigates, Bonetta,
Harpy, Dart, and Orestes, Sloops of War, Fury Bomb, and several Gun-
brigs. Arrived 1'AimaMe Frigate, Captain W. 13ou!ton, and Jackall Gun-
brig, Lieut. Stewart, from a cruize.
The Fleet under the command of Admiral Thornborough, off the Texe),
consists of the following Ships; — Eagle, Capt. Colehy; Defence, Capt.
G. Hope; Atlas, Capt. W. Hope; Princess of Orange, Capt. B ogers ; Ruby,
Capt. Rowley; Stately, Capt. Scott; Raisonable, Capt. Malcolm; Clyde, Capt.
Larmour. Besides Luggers and Cutters.
12. Sailed yesterday the Speedy and Alonzo' Sloops of War, and Jackall
Gun-brig, on a cruize.
17. Arrived from Portsmouth, the Whitby, Ceres, Crown, and Harmony,
coppered Transports, under command of Captain Watson, convoyed to the
Downs by the Indefatigable, which again sailed to Portsmouth. — Came down
from Sheerness, the Peiu-lope Frigate, and Favourite Sloop, and remain in the
Downs with his Majesty's Ships and Transport? as per last — Sailed the Minx
Gun-brig on a cruize. — Just came down, the Hon. East India Company's Ships
Baring and Meadows, for the £ast ladies.
). CjjIOK. OUI.XII. X
I|J4,
HOME REPORTS.
18. Sailed the Penelope Frigate, on a cruize off Flushing. — Arrived th$
Scflirg' Sloop of War from Portsmouth; and Humber armed Ship, with 4
conv from Falmouth, which are sailed for the river. — Arrived the Jamaica,
Champion. Trusty, and la Seine Frigates ; Dart, Orestes, Bonetta, Harpy, and
Speedy Sloops of War ; Fury Bomb ; Archer, Locust, and Bruizer Gun-brigs,
from a cruize off the French coast, and have sailed again this afternoon, »
resume their stations off Qalais, Dunkirk, &c. — Arrived the Lord Nelson, Ad-
tniral Mitchell, Anacreori, Aurora, Diadem, Perseus, Ranger, and Helder Block
Ships from Ireland.
Sbeerness, June i%. Arrived his Majesty's Ship Dictator, with the Basilisk
Gun-brig. The former will be paid to-morrow, and sail in a day or two to
her station in the Queen's Channel, as a Block Ship, and the latter is taken
into dock, as is also the Immortalite Frigate.
Yarmouth, June 1 8. Sailed the Constant and Ferretter Gun-brigs, on a cruize ;
the Hawke and Lord Nelson Cutters, with provisions for Admiral Thorn-
borouoh's Fleet; Drake and Alert, with letters for the Texel and the Flushing
Fleet.
Deal, June 19. Sailed yesterday afternoon, the Jamaica and Champion Fri-
gates, Dart, Orestes, and Speedy Sloops of War, with a Gun-brig, to their
station off Dunkirk and Calais. Sailed the Bonetta and Favourite bloops on a
cruize to the French coast, bailed the Hon. Fast India Company's packet
Bell, for India. Capt. Searle, of the Navy, has hoisted his pendant on board the
Helder.
20. The Humber armed Ship has a signal for convoy to the westward.
Sailed the Blazer Gun-brig to join the Calais Squadron. — A new Ship of
98 guns, to be called the Bombay Castle, is ordered to be built in the King's
Dock-yard at Deptford.
21. Wind S.W. Arrived the Bloodhound Gun-brig from a cruize. Sailed,
the Vesuvius Bomb to S^heerness.
22. Sailed the Fury Bomb on a cruize to the coast of France, with the
armed Cutters and Luggers. Sailed this afternoon the Humber armed .'-hip,
with the Ranger Naval Transport; United Kingdom, Santer; and Baring,
Meadows, for the East Indies.
Extract of a Letter from an Officer on btard bis Majesty's Sloop Rattler, dated
OtfcnJ.
" To day, after dinner, we saw, close in shore, 25 Sail of the enemy'* Squa-
dron making their way from Ostend. We engaged them for nearly three
hours, and d;\>ve them under the forts, but the incessant fire of their guns from
the batteries, and flying artillery, prevented our making any captures. We
fortunately received no damage in men, but many shot and shells fell on board
us. A boy, named William Langfield, seeing a shell fall on the main-deck
from the batteries, instantly put his hat on it while the fuzee was burning
furiously; took up his hatband shell together and threw them overboard, before
it had time to burst ; by which expedient, he must have been the means of pre-
serving many valuable lives, and, perhaps, the .Ship ; for falling as it did on
the m.iir.deck, it might, according to the common effect of shells, have de-
scended to the magazine, which was directly under it."
JX-j/, June 24. Came down yesterday after post, and sailed through the
Downs without stopping-, Hon. East India Company's Ships Sovereign, Meri-
ton, and Lord Hawkesbuty, for the East Indies. Sai ed his Majesty's chip
Ardent to Dungenes^: Sterling Gun-brig on a cruize.
Tarmoutb, June 24. Yesterday arrived from the Fleet off the Texel, the
Scorpion S'oop of War, and the Sandwich Lugger, with letters from the Fleet
off H:«hing; also arrived the Lively Cutter to collect the Ships here for the
Baltic, and the Swift Cut-er. Sailed the Monkey Gun-brig on a cruize. 1 he
Beivcr is ur.dir sailing orders for Tonningen and the Texel ; and the Scor-
jion, with live stock; also the Champion Cutter, and Sandwich Lugger.
• Dtfie,-, June 25. — Some very heavy firing has been heard from daylight this
morning, until about t/ae o'clock P.M. supposed to be some of the enemy's,
6
HOME REPORTS* irr;
Gun-boats going along shore to Boulogne, where they continue to collect an
immense number of craft of different descriptions for invading us. By a persofi
lately returned from Flushing, we learn that a very great slaughter took place
on board the enemy's flotilla that lately engaged Sir Sidney.; one of the large
Praams had above one hundred killed, and a very considerable number wounded.
The preparations for invasion go on without interruption, and are very consi-
derable; the soldiers in general are very eager to come, in hopes of enriching1
themselves— the Officers are not quite so sanguine. We have a iarge Fleet off
Boulogne.
25. Dispatches were yesterday received at the Admiralty from Lord
William Stuart, Commodore of the Squadron employed in the blockade of
Ostend. They are said to state, that the enemy seemed disposed a few days
since, to make some movements both from that port and Flushing, but were
discouraged from hazarding the attempt by the judicious disposition which
Lord William caused to be made of the Squadron under his command. — The
enemy's flotilla at Ostend is so numerous, and the Vessels so close together, that
it is scarcely possible to ascertain their precise number : 150 were, however,
counted.
Extract of a letter rece'ved yesterday from an Officer on board the Eagle, of
74 guns, off the Texel, dated the zoth inst. — " Admiral Thornborough is inde-
fatigable in obtaining accounts relative to the enemy's preparations in the
Texel ; we yesterday boarded a Vessel under Prussian colours, bound to Cadiz,
from which we learned, that there has been no alteration for the last ten days in the
movements of the Squadron, nor have any troops been embarked. As to the latter
statement, I cannot speak to a certainty; but, from our Ship, it is plainly to be
perceived no alteration has taken place in the movements of the erumy'.s Ships.
The Captain of the Vessel also states, that previous to his leaving the Texel, it
was reported there were in the harbour of Ostend six Praams, seventy Schooners,
and 200 Gun-boats, ready for sea."
Tarmoutb, June 25. Sailed the Monkey Gun-brig, and Champion Cutter, to
the Texel ; Sandwich Lugger, to Flushing. The Beaver Sloop will sa:l this
day with convoy for Tonningen. — Remairi in the road the Monmouth, Beaver,
Censor, Eagle, and Swift.
The whole of the enemy's force now at Flushing, consists of only one Frigate
and three smaller Vessels, the remainder having effected their escape to Ostend
and Boulogne.
At anchor off Boulogne, June 26.— We were yesterday joined by the Leo-
pard, Rear-Admiral Louis, Autumn and Fanny. Our Squadron at anchor here
before that consisted of the Trusty, Regulus, Leda, Seine, Harpy, Bonetta,
Sulphur, Fury, Volcano, Devastation, and Lucifer; Locust, Archer, Flamer,
and Blazer Gun-brigs, and Fly-by-night Lugger. Forty-seven Brigs, and
fifty. six Luggers of the enemy, have been at anchor in the roads since "-atur-
day morning, and were inspected yesterday by the Admiral commanding at
Boulogne. The Barges that accompanied the Admiral, who was in a Cutter
that seemed to be English, were most superbly decorated, and in point of build
and the cut of their sails, resembled as much as possible the Boats of our Ships.
The horse artillery were out at practice yesterday, and fired a great quantity ; .
some of our fa-hips were also practising, and the cannonade will, in all probabi-
lity, be supposed in England to have proceeded from the enemy's batteries.
There is the greatest activity in erecting two new batteries at the low water
mark, upon a very extensive scale, one at Portel, the other at Bomb Poinr ;
they will be finished in a month, and will afford complete protection to their
flotilla while at anchor at low water. There does not seem to be any bustle in
the camps, and sever:! of them are certainly without troops. Fortcl seems to
be head quarters ; and in the camp above it there are not more tban zocO men :
in short, in the entire of the encampments, which are fully adequate to contain
90,000 men, there cannot at present be above 10,000. The flood gates at the
entrance ofVimereux are now finished, and the part of the ilotilla that is in
that harbour are always afloat.
•Deal, June 26. Wind E.N.F.. Sailed yesterday after post, the Airly Castle,. '
M'lntosh, for the East Indies. Arrived the Manner Gun-brig from »
1$6 tfOMR REPORTS.
Stieer nut, Junt 26. Sailed the Amethyst Frigate, Capt. Spranger, to relieve
the Africaine, Capt. Manby, off Heligoland, she having sustained some damage
during her station on that coast. — Saturday last the Romulus, Captain Burton,
was paid six months' wages, after which she sailed to resume her station in the
Queen's Channel, as a Block-ship. — Yesterday the Immortalite Frigate, Capt.
Owen, was taken out of dock, having received the necessary repairs. — The
Vulture, Capt. Green, has the signal flying for a convoy to the Baltic, but is
prevented from sailing by contrary winds.
Harwich, June 27. By a neutral Vessel just arrived, we find that the enemy
have been in motion all along the Dutch coast. She fell in with an American,
from whom she learned that all possible exertion was making to get the
different flotillas to Boulogne, and that it was possible the threatened invasion
would soon be brought to a trial. On board of this Vessel, Johnson, the
Smuggler, who we ui^derstood to have escaped out of prison at Flushing, had
taken his passage to Boston. He appeared to be very ill, and to have suffered
much by long and close <onfinement.
The Dutch Admiral Verheul has received a Brevet of Member of the French
Legion of Honour, for his conduct in his late action with Sir Sydney Smith, off
Ostend, accompanied by the following note from the Grand Chancellor of the
Legion :
" Your glorious conduct, M. Rear-Admiral, excites the admiration of the
French. You come to repel the enemy's Squadrons, a worthy rival of the
Trotnps and the Ruyters. Receive, in the name of victory, the palm which
your valour and ability merit. The Emperor has ordered that you shall make
a fart of the elect of the French nation. I hasten, in execution of the orders
of his In perial Majesty, to send you a Brevet of Member of the Legion of
Honour. 1 really feel happy, M. Rear-Admiral, to he to you the organ of the
good- will of the F.mperor, and of the public gratitude.
" The Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour,
'« DE LA CEPEDE .'»
The Amsterdam Courant of June 23, states, " That an English Frigate ap-
proached close to Scheveningin on the I9th, and sent a boat on shore to deliver
i. letter, which was immediately forwarded to the Government."
Deal, June 29. Came down from Sheerness the Basilisk Cun.brig, and
sail d on a cruize to the Eastward. Arrived the Harpy Sloop of War, Bteod-
hour.d, Locust, and Bruiser Gua-brigs, from a cruize off the French coast. —
Wind S.W.
The military preparations throughout the Eastern District, are perfectly com-
pleted for the reception of the Invading Enemy. All the regiments of the
different brigades are so strictly on the alert, as to be ready to move at »
moment's notice. The whole force of that important district amounts to
32,cco effective meq. A material alteration has been made in the chief Signal
Stations in Essex, conformably to the following notification : —
CoUbeiter, July J, 1804.
SIR,— I have the honour to inform you, by the direction of Lieutenant-
General Sir James Craig, that the Primary Signal Stations are now established>
throughout the County of Eesex, at the following places : —
Colchester Mom's Hedge
Brightlinsea White N'otley
Earls Colne Ongar Park
Gosficld Mefling
Sewer's End Rettendea
Littlebury Danbury
Thaxted Langdon Hill
Hatfield Broad Oak Come Green
A white Flag is constantly flying at the stations merely to point it ont more
clearly to the sentinels on guard at the communicating stations. The hoisting
th« Red Flag is in future to be considered the signal for general alarm, and will
be a sufficient authority for lighting any beacons already established, aud hoist-
HOME REPORTS.
ing the Red Flags that may have been provided at the different towns and vil-
lages for the same purpose.
I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
Xev. H. BATE DUDLEY, T. BIRCH, Lieut. Col. A.QJVf.
Inspector, (sfc. &e. Gen. E. Dt.
Deal, July 4. Sailed the Mariner and Archer Gun-brigs, on a cruize to the
French coast. Came down, the Caledonia, for South Sea. Arrived the Argus
Sloop of War, Captain E. Kittoe, with a convoy from Cork ; Locust Gun brig,
from a cruize off Boulogne, where she took up two French soldiers who had
deserted in a boat, one a Serjeant-major, the other a Drum-major.
Yarmouth, July 4. Sailed the Snipe Gun-brig. Arrived the Vixen Gun-
brig. Sailed the Ferreter Gun-brig, with Transports, having on board stores
for the Squadron off Flushing; and the Mallard for the Downs. Remain ia
the Roads, the Monmouth, of 64 guns; Amethyst, Africaine, and Constance
Frigates; and Vixen Gun-brig. Wind N.W.
Deal, July 5. Wind S.E. Arrived la Seine Frigate ; Fury and Sulphur
Bombs; Harpy Sloop; Archer, Bloodhound, and Bruiser Gun-brigs, from a
cruize off the coast of France. The Viper Cutter has a signal for convoy
to the Westward. Came down from the River, the Justina, Rooke, for
Venice.
A very gallant action has been performed by the Boats of the Regulus, of 44
guns, commanded by Capt. Boys, who cut out two of the enemy's Vessels from
under the batteries near Cape Grisney : they prove, however, to be wretched
craft, of a very bad construction.
NARROW SEAS.
I Admiral Hon. W. CORN WALL* s.
2. Rear-admiral Sir J. SAUMAREZ, Bart. Guernsey.
BRITISH SQUADRON OFF BREST.
Extract of a Letter front on board the fenerable, dated May IO.
*' We came to in a fog last night, close in with the shore, in company with
1'Impetueux, Majestic, and two others of the Line, and the Indefatigable and
1'Aigle Frigates. We looked into Brest some days since, and counted seventeen
Sail of the Line, with Frigates, apparently ready for sea."
From on board the Colossus. May I Z.
" Yesterday added three more Ships to the enemy's line, and we have cer-
"tain information that it now comprises twenty fchips, many of them three-
deckers; they have besides eight Frigates, and several Sloops and smaller
Vessels. Admiral Graves, who commands the inshore Squadron, consisting of
the Colossus, Montague, and Venerable, with 1'Aigle and Santa Margaretta
Frigates, has communicated this circumstance to Admiral Cornwall's, and we
are in hope that the enemy will be encouraged, by the smallness of our Fleet on
this station, to venture out. Our entire present force amounts to no more than
thirteen Sail of the Line and two Frigates ; namely,
Ville de Paris 1 10 Majestic - 74
Britannia - - 100 Terrible 74
Prince - - - 112 Montagu 74
San Jossph 2 - na Venerable 74
Prince George - 98 Colossus 74
Princess Royal - 98 Santa Margaretta ' - 36
Dreadnought 98 L'Aigle - - 36
Spartiate - 74
*' The Neptune, of 98 guns, and Thunderer and Conqueror, of 74, are hourly
looked for to join us, and it is probable a further reinforcement will be sent,
as Admiral Cornwallis has reported to the Admiralty the state of the enemy's
preparations."
falmvutb, May 14. The Amelia Frigate, with the Fleet under convoy for
158 HOME REPORTS.
the West Indies, appeared off this port this morning, and were joined by the Flf
Sloop of War, and 17 Sail from hence. — Wind variable.
Lymington, May 16. Sailed the Eurydice Frigate, with the Fleet under con-
voy for Quebec and Halifax, which put into Yarmouth Roads. .
FalmoL'tb, June 1 . Arrived last evening the Townsend packet, Dodd, with
mails from Lisbon, ten days' passage ; a King's Messenger arrived in her with
dispatches from Madrid ; a Naval Officer has also brought dispatches from Lord
Nelson, off Toulon. This gentleman came from India overland to Alexandria'
(Egypt), where he embarked on board his Majesty's Ship Argo, which also
brought him to Lord Nelson's Fleet, and from thence to Gibraltar.
10. Sailed last evening, his Majesty's Brig Ganet, of 1 8 guns, Capt. Bass,
on a cruize to the Westward : and this day sailed the Prince Ernest Packet,
Petre, with mails of the 6th instant, for New York and Halifax, and the Prin.
cess Augusta, ditto, Thompson, with mails of fame date, for Jamaica and Bar-
badoes. His Majesty's Sloop Rattler, Capt. F. Mason, with the outward-bound
Lisbon and Oporto Fleets, still remain here, waiting the remainder of the con-
voy to join them from Portsmouth, which are hourly expected to appear off this
port.
Falmmtl, June 15. Arrived off this port his Majesty's Ship Ambflscade, 3*
guns, Captain Dunbar, with the Nimble Cutter, 14 guns, having under con-
voy about 80 Sail for Lisbon, Oporto, and the Mediterranean, and were joined
from hence by his Majesty's Ship Wasp, of 16 guns, Honourable Captain Ayl-
mer, and twenty Sail of Merchant Vessels, which proceeded on with a moderate
breeze at S.S.E. Also sailed his Majesty's hired Ship Humber, of 14 guns,
Captain Hill, with a convoy for the Downs. Arrived this evening his Majesty'*
Ship Niobe, of 40 guns, from a cruize, and to get a supply of provisions. The
Townshend Packet, with mails of the I2th instant, for Lisbon, will sail to-mor-
row, if the wind permits. A mail from the Leeward Islands and Jamaica may
be shortly expected by the Duke of Marlborough and Queen Charlotte Packets.
19. Arrived the Niobe Frigate from a cruize. Wind S.W.
An American Ship which arrived on Sunday, July the ist, from Rochefoft,
brings the interesting intelligence of the greatest activity prevailing in that port,
the people working night and day, to complete a flotilla of Gun-boats, of which
a great number are actually finished. Five Sail of the Line and three Frigates
had also quitted the harbour, and got down to the Isle d'Aix, a small island
rear Oleron. They are. in general, wretchedly manned and ill provided, ex-
cepting the Majestueux, of izo guns, which had 1300 men on board. The appa-
rent object of this movement is, if possible, to effect a junction with tjie Ships
in Ferrol ; but ?uch an occurrence, we have not the least doubt, the force under
the command of Rear- Admiral the Hon. A. Cochrane, stationed off the latter
£r,rt, will effectually prevent. His fquadron consists of the Northumberland,
ragon, Ganges, Mars, Spencer, Tonnant, and Terrible, with several Frigates
and small Craft.
Tor bay, July i. Sailed the Nemesis Frigate and the Pheasant Sloop of War,
on a cruize.
PLYMOUTH.
1. Vise- Admiral^.
2. Rear- Admiral J. SUTTON.
Plyixoutb, May ia.— Arrived from the Fleet off Brest, a three-deck Ship,
the Neptune, of 98 guns, Rear-Admiral Dacres; also the Indefatigable, of 44
guns, Captain G. Moore. The fleet is all well. Sailed to join the Fleet off
treat, from Cawsand Bay, the Conqueror, of 74 guns, Captain Israel Pelltw ;
she carried out 20 bullocks, and vegetables, for the use of the Ships.
14. Sailed his Majesty's Ship Endymion, of 44 guns, the Hon. Captain
Cliyrleg Paget, to join the Fleet off Prest. The Nautilus, new Sloop, Captain
Adlam, is built on a famous plan for fighting and accommodation. She mounts
zo guns on her main-deck, viz. two long 12-poundtrs, and eighteen i8-pound-
carronades; on her quarter-deck six 6-ponr,ders, and measures 470 tons.
Ij.. Sailed the French Schooner cartel* which came from Goree with the
Governor and troops after the surrender of that Settlement to the French ; the
was obliged to remain in Cawsand Bay pursuant to orders, and is gone for
HOME REPORTS. 1 59
. This day the Indefatigable, of 44 guns, Captain E. Moore, was paid
wages and prize-money by her Agents at this port.
16. Sailed last night the Thunderer, Captain Bedford, with 20 bullocks,
and vegetables, for the Fleet orFBrest. — Arrived last night the Niobe,of 40 guns,
Captain Scott, from the Squadron off Ferrol, which she left all well last Tnurs-
^iay. — Rear. Admiral Cochrane had hoisted his flag, as Commander of the Ferrol
and Corunna Squadron, vice Rear- Admiral Sir E. Pellew, Bart, who returned
jn the Niobe.
17. Came in the Hawke, of 18 guns, Captain Apthorpe, from a cruize.
This morning Rear-Admiral Sutton hoisted his flag on board la Resolue ^lojp
Ship, in Hamoaze, as second in command at this port, and Paying Commis-
ciont-r for 'hips in the Sound and Cawsand Bay.
19. Came in this morning, the Venerable, of 74 guns, Captain Dacres,
from the Squadron off the Black Rock; she left the Fleet all well on the i6th
instant; the enemy as usual, but were, on the last observation, 19 Sail of the
Line, 4 Frigates, 4 Corvettes, and 4 Gun-brigs; they had their sails bent, and it
•was expected they would so n make an attempt to come out, which every Bri-
tish Officer and Seaman in the I leet anxiously hoped. V ice-Admiral .:,ir Tho-
mas Graves, K. B. had shifted his flag to the fore of the Montague, of 74, from
the Venerable, of 74, previous to her sailing for this port to refit.
2.3. The Seamen pressed out of the four F.ast Indiamen, viz. Charlton, Lord
Gardner, Sir Stephen Lushington, and Earl Howe, are, by order of the Port
Admiral, to be returned to their respective Ships to navigate them round to the
river, arid then to be sent back to this port, and distributed on board the diffe-
rent Men of War; the Bacchante, of 24 guns, just arrived from Oporto and
1/isbon, takes them round to the Downs with the Oporto and Lisbon ."-.hips,
and then conies back with the .- eamen of the East Indiamen. Last night Ad-
miral fir J. Colpoys struck his flag as Commanding Officer of this port, at the
liiain of the El Salvador del Mundo, in Hamoazc; and this morning Rear-
Admiral Sutton hoisted his flag at the mizen, as Commanding Officer here,
until the arrival of Admiral Young, who is expected in a few days. — Yesterday
Admiral Sir J. Colpoys, K. B. after having received his freedom at the Guild-
hall, from the Mayor, E'. Lockyer, Esq. in an elegant silver box, which was
presented to him wjth a very appropriate speech, dined at the Mayor's house,
\\ith a select party of distinguished iXaval Officers : he sets off for the Admi-
ralty in a few days. Went down the harbour, and sailed for Ireland, la Loire,
44 guns, Captain Maitland.
24. Sailed with dispatches for the Fleet, the Niobe, 40 guns, Captain Scott;
and on a cruize, the Fox Cutter, and Argus, 16 guns.
36. Yesterday morning the Bacchante, of 24 guns, Captain Dashwood, be-
ing in the Sound, made a signal for the East Indiamen to get under weigh : at
seven a. m. the whole were out, viz. Charlton, Captain Goodadvice ; Earl
Howe, Captain Burrowes, Admiral Gardner, and Sir Stephen Lushington ; at
ten had all, with the Oporto Fleet, for the Eastward, cleared the Mewstone,
with a fine leading wind. — Came in from the-Channel Fleet, which she left all
•well last Wednesday, the Temeraire, of 98 guns. The enemy as usual. Our
Frigates frequently go in to reconnoitre within a mile and a half of the outermost
chips, and within range of their shells and shots, of which the enemy give them
plenty, but without damage. Arrived from Rear- Admiral Cochrane, from off
Ferrol, after being out 16 weeks, to refit and overhaul her rigging, I'impetusux,
84 guns, Captain T. B. Martin.
' 29. Came in the Malta, 84, Captain Bullen, from the Fquadron under Rear-
Admiral Cochrane, which she left all well, eight days since, on the Ferrol and
Corunna station. — The Enemy as usual.
' June 2. Came in from the 1 leet off Brest, which she left all well on that
station last Tuesday, the Britannia, no guns, Captain shortland. — Arrived
from a cruize in quest of Privateers and Smuggler?, to the westward, the Ha-
zard, of 18 guns, Captain Neve, to refit.
5. Arrived yesterday from the Fleet off Ferrol, which she left all well ten
days since, the Tonnant, 84 guns, Captain Jervis", to refit. Sailed to join the
Fleet off Brest, with orders, the Aigle, 44 guns, Captain Wolfe, having refitted
JH Barney Pool.
l6o HOME REPORTS.
9. Orders came down For the Teracraire, 98 guns. Captain Harvey, and"
Tmpetueux, 84 guns, Captain T. B. Martin, now fitting for sea in Cawsand
Bay, to sail directly, being quite ready, to. reinforce the Fleet under the Hon.
Admiral Cornwallii. Positive advice has been received here, from the be»t
authority in the British Fleet on that station, that one of the Frigates of the
in-shore Squadron fully reconnoitred the French Fleet in the outer road m a
very accurate manner, and found they consisted of two three deck Ships, 98
guns, and 23 two deck Ships, 8" and 74 guns, two Razees, six Frigates, anci
six Corvettes and Gun-brigs, with sails all bent, and apparently ready for sea,
Asides those at Rochefbrt. The gallant Cornwallis has with him thirteen Sail
of the Line, six Frigates, besides Cutters, the large Ships mostly of three decks.
The Ships in Cawsand Bay are* all getting ready fast, and will join as soon as
each Ship is fitted for sea. Sailed on a cruize to the westward, the Seagull, of
18 guns, Captain H. Burke. Came in from, the Fleet off Brest, the1 Doris, 44
guns, Captain P. Campbell. Came in the Castle Douglas, with a valuable
cargo from Liverpool to Meniel, taktn by 1'Hirondelle French Privateer, of 14
guns, and retaken by the Spencer, 74 guns, Hon. Captain Stafford. The Te-
meraire, of 98 guns, and Impetueux, of 84 guns, with twenty bullocks each on
board, are turning out of the Bay, though the wind is rather scanty, and at W.
to join the Fleet off" Brest.
n. The following letter was this day received, dated off Viana, off the
coast of Spain and Portugal, the zzd of May last, from Captain R. Hosier, of
the Swajlow Privateer, of 14 gans, of this port, to his owners; —
" Swalloiv, off Fiiina, May 22.
•* T have this day got a certificate from the Consul here, for a French Priva-
teer I drove on shore on the I7th in?r. and which was entirely loft; she had 43
men on board when she went on shore, for which 1 shall be entitled to 5!. per
bead. I lost an anchor in the attempt, but have since recovered it. It now
blows a hard gale of wind, and I really have not time to say more.
" ROBERT HOSIER."
Came in the Eagle, of 14 guns, (Excise Cutter), Captain Ward, with the
Active, a fine smuggling Cutter, from Guernsey, with a prime cargo of spirits,
captured after a long chase on the coast.
iz. This morning, the baggage and live stock of Rear-Admiral Sir Edward
Pellew, Bart, were sent on board the Culloden, 74 guns, Captain C. Cole,.
fitted for his flag, and with eight months' stores and provisions, for the East In-
dies. She will go round to St. Helen's before the i6th, as Sir E. Pellew is ex.,
pected at Portsmouth the i8th instant. She is to convoy out the remainder of
the East Indiamen for Madras and China. The Bacchante, 24 guns, Captain
Dashwood, which was to have convoyed a Fleet here from the Downs, is stopped.
at Spithead to join the Beaulieu, 44 guns, Captain Ekins, to take out the con-
voy forming there and at Falmouth lor the Leeward Islands. Sailed the Niobe,
40 guns, Captain Scotr, with dispatches for the Fleet off Breft.
Came in from a cruize the Plorer, of 18 guns, Captain Hancock.
A Court-Martial was held on hoard the Flag-ship at Plymouth, on the First
Lieutenant, Mr. Dean, for ungentlemanlike behaviour to the Second Lieuten-
ant, the Hon. Air. Jones, both of che Naiad, of 38 guns, Captain Wallis. The
First Lieutenant is broke ; but the Hon. Mr. Jones, who is a son of Lady Dow-
ager Ranelagh, and brother to Lord Ranelagh, is found guilty of striking the
First Lieutenant on the quarter-deck, after some hasty language on both .sides;
and the Court Martial have sentenced the Honourable Mr. Jones to lie shot on board
iucb Ship a\ lit Majesty if/all appoint ; however, he is strongly recommended to
mercy.
June 1 6. Sailed the Diamond, 36 guns, to join the Fleet off Brest; and on
a cruize, the Plover, of 18 guns. The Fleet which passed down on Wednes-
day last was the Straits Fleet, under convoy of the Ambuscade, 32 guns, Capt.
Pur.bar, la Prevoyante, and about 60 Sail of Merchantmen. Came in from the
1'owns, last from Portsmouth, with a convoy of Coasters and Colliers, the Lady
\Varren, 32 guns, Captain Mackellan ; she left the West India convoy with the
Eeaulieu, 40 guns, and Bacchante, 24, ready to sail the first fair wind. Sailed
on 2. cruize the Ranger, 14 guns, Captain Frazer. Came ia from the Fket cff.
HOME REPORTS. l6l
Brest, the Montague, 74 guns, and the Terrible, 74; they left the Fleet all
well on Tuesday last : the enemy's Fleet, though so superior in number, make
not the shew of attempting to come oat, and it is imagined that the newly
joined Ships are very badly manned. The Culloden, 74 guns, Captain Cole,
will certainly sail this evening, if the wind holds to the Southward, for cpit-
head. The Malta, 84, Captain Bullen, is repairing alongside the Medway Hulk,
nesr Jetty Head. Sir E. Gower, with the Newfoundland convoy, and the
Beaufieu and Bacchante, and the West India convoy, are detained by contrary
•wmds. Lord Seafortb, Governor of Barbadoes, is embarked on board the
Beaulieu.
18. This morning the Spencer, of 74 guns, Hon. Captain S;opford, made
signal to go up the harbour, and about eleven A.M. she got safe up to her
moorings off the North Jetty Head. A signal for a Court Martial was made
by the Port Admiral for all Captains to assemble to-morrow morning on board
her, to try five J-'eamen for n:utinous conduct while at sea. Passed up yester-
day at noon the Streights convoy, under care of the Argo, 44 guns, Captain
HallowelL Last night a French black-sided Cuttsr, of 14 guns, chased a small
Custom House Lugger, from the Lizard almost to the Edystone light-house ;
but this Morning the Hind Cutter hove in sight, on which the French Cutter
hauled her wind, and stood for the French coast; the Hind was in chase, but
it is feared the Frenchman will get off. This morning the Britannia, i to guns,
Rear-Admiral Northesk, took on board 20 bullocks and vegetables; she imme-
diately hove short, and will sail from Cawsand Bay this evening. Letters re-
ceived this day from the Fleet off Brest, dated the ijth instant, state they were
all well, and the entmy as usual.
19. Sailed the Britannia and Tonnant Men of War on a cruize. Wind
W.S.W.
20. Sailed on a cruize against the smugglers, the Ranger, 14 guns, Captain
Frazer, and the Kagle, 14 guns, Captain Waid; also, with a convoy, the
Argu?, 18 guns, Captain Kittoe, for the Downs and River. Twenty-eight
Out of twenty-nine Quartermen, who were lately discharged from the Dock-
yard, were, by order of the present Admiralty Board, restored to their sis ua-
tions, and went to work yesterday. Lieutenant Napier is appointed by the
Admiralty to the signal post on Maker Heights, vice Lieutenant D. Burdwood,
deceased. Went into the Sound, to wait for orders, the Naiad, Captain. Vallis,
Qbd la Fleche, 18 guns.
21. Arrived from the Fleet off Brest the San Josef, 1 10 guns, to victual and
refit, having been out 88 weeks, hhe left the irleet all well— the enemy as
usual, without any appearance of an attempt to move. The Terrible, 74 guns,
\vcvit in so near a few days fines that the batteries threw .several shot over her,
but without damage. The batteries take not the lea>t notice of our Cutters
when they go into reconnoitre; they return to the Fleet without molestation.
Sailed, on a cruize, the HawKe, 18 guns, Captain Ayscou^h, and Hazard, 18
5»uns, Captain Neave. The Windsor Cattle, 98 guns, did not fct into Cawsand
Bay till near sun-set last night, but came to ut the same moorings to wait the
tlood tide.
23 A Court Martial was held on Friday last, on board the F.I Salvador del
Mundo, 1 10 guns, Vice-Admiral Young, in Hamoaze ; Rear-, dmiral Sutton
President, R. Liddel, tsq. Judge- Advocate, on four heanicn «. the Montague,
of 74 guns, for mutiny, &c. on board that fchipoff Brest, in her late cruize on
that station, and for conspiring to murder their Officers, and run awiy with the
frhip. After a tria!| which lasted the whole ciav. and being heard in their de-
fence, and the charges being fully proved, the Court found them al; four guilty,
when sentence of death was immediately passed on them by the Judge- Advocate,
with great solemnity, and they were sentenced to be hanged at the yard-arm of
such Ship or Ships as the Lords Commissioners of the idmiralty shall appoint.
They were immediately put into the custody of the Provost Marshal, and closely
confined on board the Flag ^hip.
•33. Orders came down this day for the Naiad, 38 guns, Captain Wallig,
to take out a Fleet of Victuallers and Store-Ships, with Navat Stores for the
Squadron off Ferrol and Coiunna ; she sealed her guns last night, and hoisted
rfjron. <Boi.xn. r
l6* HOME REPORTS.
blue Peter at the frtre. She sails to-night or to-morrow, as the wind is quite"
fair at E S.E. Sailed the Venus Cutter, Lieutenant Cooban, for Dartmouth,
to convoy round the Wolfe, just launched at that port.
aj. Orders came down yesterday tor all the .-hips in Cawsand Bay to get
ready to join the Fleet off tfrest : all was hurry and bustle ; bullocks and \cge-
tables were immediately shipped on board the following -hips ; viz Foudroy-
ant, of 84 guns; Neptune, of 98 guns; Terrible, of 74 guns; Windsor Cattle,
of 98; and Montague, of 74. The San Josef, of no guns, is now M:>tn;u •:.
her rigging, but will soon be ready for sea. The first five hh ps im .1
warped out of the Bay, an ? the Windsor Castle, of 98, TerribU', of 74, ..nd
Montague, of 74, sailed directly, the others follow to-irght, or to morrow,
when the gallant Cornwallis, if the er.emy chuse to try their strength, wii. be
at least upon an equal footing in point of number?. — 'Sailed, with some Victual-
lers for the Squadron off Ferrol and Corunna, the Naiad, of 38 guns, Captain
Wallis.
PORTSMOUTH.
1. Admiral G. MONTAGUE.
2. Rcar-Adm. Sir I. COFFIN.
May 14. The Royal Charlotte, True Briton, Neptune, Perseverance, Ar*
niston, and Tottenham, are arrived.
15. Arrived the Pre'ton Cutter from a cruize; and Falcon Revenue Cutter
from the Fleet off Havre, with seven French prisoners, saved from four large;
French Gun-boats lost in the river of Alderney. Sailed the Charlotte Schooner,
Lieut. Alt, on a cruize. Also the Transports which arrived here from Coik,
on Saturday, for Cowes, to disembark their troops.
1 6. Arrived the Orpheus, of 32 guns, Capt. Hill, from Lisbon, last from
the Downs. The Officers and Men who were saved from the Apoifo, are on-
board of her. Dropped down to St. Helen's, as Guard-ships, the Inflexible,
Capt. Bayley: Chichester, Captain Spear; and the Prospero bomb, Capt. Hum-
phries. Arrived the Ceres and Taunton Ca-tle East Indiamen, from the Downs;
and the Entreprenante Cutter, from a cruize, bailed th« Ante Schooner, and the
Minerva Cutter, on a cruize.
18. Sailed the Mercury Fr'gate, on a cruize off Guernsey.
21. Sailed the Queen, of 98 guns, Capt. Manley Dixon, to join the Chan-
nel Fleet. Arrived the Scourge Moop of War, Captain Wooldridge, with a
convoy from the Downs; among which is the Experiment, CurFuelh, Lord El-
don, and Alnwkk, East Indiamen. The Ambuscade Frigate, Gapta-n Durban,
•with a convoy for the Mediterranean, will sail to-morrow morning.
23. Sailed the Queen, 98 guns, to join the Channel Fleet ; Beaulieu Fri-
gate and Wasp Sloop of War on a cruize.
25. Thi« afternoon arrived His Majesty's Ship ./Eolus, with a large convoy
from Jamaica, many of which are gone past this port for the Downs ; a consi.
derable number of letters were landed, and forwarded to town by this night's
post. Also arrived the Experiment, of 40 guns, Capt. Mackenzie, from *
cruize.
2,8. Arrived from Cowes the Ajaz Transport, with 100 troops on board, for
Guernsey. Came into harbour His Majesty's Ship Melpomene. His Majesty's
Ship Ambuscade has fired a gun, and loosed her topsails, to prepare for sailing
with her convoy for the Mediterranean : the wind coming round to the S. S. E.
30. Sailed the Orpheus Frigate, Capt. Hill, to join Lord Keith's tquadron ;
and the Emreprcnante.'Cutter, Lieut. Young, on a cruize. The East Indiamen.
are ordered to St. Helen's ; three of them went down this afternoon.
31. Sailed from St. Helen's this afternoon, the Revolutionnaire Frigate,
Capt. Hotham, for Cork ; and the Duke of Clarence Cutrer, on a cruize. The
.Meteor Bomb, Captain Master, is come up to ^pithead from !-t. H<_!en's. A
large quantity of dollars were landed yesterday from the ./Eolus Frigate, Capt.
Lord A. Fitzroy, from Jamaica, and forwarded to London. The v.-hoie of the
East Indiamen, which arc waiting the arrival of the Culloden, from out Ply-
mouth, have dropped down to St. Helen's.
"June 4. Advices were received at Portsmouth from Captain Bennet, of the
Tninrac, of his having, iu company with the Decade and Hydra, driven 35
HOME REPORTS. 163
Sail of Gun-boats into a nook, near Cherbourg, and that, with the assistance of
a Bomb, he was of opinion they may be destroyed; in consequence of which,
the Pcospero Bomb, T apt. C. Jones, was immediately ordered to join the Squa-
dron, And sailed yesterday morning.
8. i his morning the Frospero Bomb, Capt. C. Jones, returned from the
Squid: on off Cherbourg, it being found, after a particular survey, impossible
to attack the Gun-boats which the Squadron had driven into a creek near Cher-
bourg, from the very formidable appearance they made by being moored in a
crescent, covfixd by heavy batteries, and an innumerable number of Bombs;
which wr-rc planted for their protection. The Prospero threw two shells in,
but, from their insular situation, she retired, and It.ft the Squadron to watch
their movements. Jiad their situation afforded the faintest hopes of success, we
are assured, from the superior character of the Officers commanding the Ships,
that the attempt would not have been abandoned.
IO. Arrived the Hydra Frigate, from Guernsey; and the Speedwell Brig of
War, iron* a cruize, with the Brig Active, of London, Capt. Blair, bound to
the South Seas, which sailed yesterday with the East Indii Ships under convoy
of 1'Athenicnne, in tow, having been run foul of by the Ceres Indiaman, who
stove in her stern, rose her deck, and thrust both main and upper decks forward,
unshipped her rudder, and did other damage.
12. ' he Alonzo Sloop of War, Capt. Impey, returned to Spithead last
night, from lying Guard-ship at Selsey. The Ajax and Southampton Frigates
are taken into dock to be repaired for commission. The Zealous is brought
down from her moorings for the same purpose.
12. Came into harbour this morning, the Hydra Frgate, Capt. Mundy, to
repair some damages she received in covering the boats which attempted to.
annoy the French Gun-vessels under Cape Barfltur. Arrived the Castor, of 33
guns, Capt. Brace, which has been lying several months as a Guard-ship at Li-
verpool, to fit for the Channel service. Sailed the Melpomene, of 44 guns,
Capt. Oliver, to join the Squadron off Havre ; and the Lady Warren armed
Ship, Capt. Morrison, to the westward. Arrived the Scourge Sloop of War,
Capt. Wooldridge, with the convoy from the eastward.
Twelve Sail of copper-bottomed Transports have sailed from Portsmouth for
the River, to be fitted and armed for immediate i,ffcn-ive service
On Thursday, June 14, the Duke of Cambridge, accompanied by Rear-Admiral
Montague, General Whitelocfce, &c. embarked at the > e\v Sally Port, Ports-
mouth, on board the Port Admiral's Barge, and landed at Blockhouse Point,
near Gosport; a salute of 21 guns w,as fired, and a guard of honour received
him; after reviewing the troops in the vicinity, he dined with the Officers of the
Hanoverian 1 egion, who were highly pleased at so unexpected and distinguished
*n honour.
A Court Martial has been held on board the Gladiator, on Lieut. Hickey, of
the Fisgard, charged by Mr. M'Carty, the Surgeo:i, with unofficer-like conduct.
.After a long examination the Court pronounced that the charges were frivolous,
malicious, and vexatious, and tending to subvert the good order and discipline
of his Majesty's service.-— Rear-Admiral Sir I. Coffin presided.
"June 18. Arrived laft night the Culloden Man of War from Plymouth, and
Argo Frigate, with the George, Cox, from C.idiz, and two o.ther Vessels under
convoy from Gibraltar, and are all under quarantine.
The Diana irigate, Captain Maling, is appointed to take the Ships from Cork
to the Weft Indies; she will sail from hence to-morrow. Sailed the Repulse,
of 74 'guns, Hon. Captain Legge. to join the Channel Fleet. Arrived the
Cockatrice Brig, with,a convoy from the Downs. The following Ships have
signals for convoy: Beaulieu to the Weft Indies; Iris to Newfoundland; Castor
to the Eaftward; and Cockatrice to the Weft ward.
20. Sailed the Cerberus Frigate on a cruize, Castor Frigate, with a convoy
for the Downs ; Falcon Revenue Cutter, in search of a French Cutter privateer.
—Wind S. W.
21. Sailed the Hero, of 74 guns, Captain Gardner, to join the Channel
fleet; Diana Frigate for Cork ; and the Caftor Frigate, Captain Brace, for the
Eaftward, to be repaired. — The Kingsfisher Sloop of War, Captain Cribb, is ta
sail from Cork with the Diana and the Well India convoy. Came up fronj,St«.
Helen's the Squirrel Frigate, Capt., Brav*n,.
164 HOME REPORTS.
az. This afternoon sailed the Isis, 50 guns Vice-Admiral .cir Erasmus
Cower : and Au:ora, 28 guns, Captain Malbort, with a convoy for Newfoundland ;
the Bruiiieu. 44 guns, Captain tki-s; and the Bacchante, 24 guns, Captain
Daihw>od, With a convoy for the Weft Indies. Mr McCarthy, Surgeon of the
Fisgard, who prosecuted I ieur. Hickey, was tried thii morning for bringing
his suptnor OfFic-.r to a tn.il on a groundless charge, and sentenced to bt repri-
manded and dismissed his Ship — ir ii. Gower President
Sailed the Cock .trice armed ship, Capt Kemp, with a convoy to the Weft-
ward
•24. Sailed the Aria 'ne Man of War, to join the Channel Fleet. Arrived tr-e
United Kingd m Baring, Lor<l Hawkcsbury Sovereign, and Bell Packet,
bound to tht: East Indies. Pa-sed by for the Downs, the Sarah, from the Hast
Indies.
26 The Orpheus Fiigate, Capt. Fill, and the Prospero Bomb. C*pt. Jones,
returned to Spithcad, from cruizing ai the back of the Isle of \\ ight f .r a French
Lugger nrivateer, which had captured several of our coafteis tn:y were un-
successful in finding the Privateer, but captmed a Lrge smuggling Lugger,
which is sent into brighten — 1 he Orpheus sailed again this evtf.in. on a cruize
on the coast of France. The Lark Sloop of War, Cap: Langt'ord, is fitting for
the i-oift of Africa.— Dropped <^own to St. Helen's, the Squirrel.— Arrived tho
Airly i aftlc Indiaman, irom the Downs. — :ailed the pi. ' ii- •£ <>n a cruize.
27. rrived the Me«'scf j loop of War, Capt. 1 uff, with a sinuggl ng Lug-
gc-r, from Seaford beads. ailed from St. Helen's, tht Orpheus, oi 32 guns,
r , . Hill, for tne coast uf France. Sailed the Hope Butter, Lieut, Dobbin, foe
the Havre icuadron.
IPromotions anu
CAPTAIN T. Harvey, to the Agamemnon; Capt. Byng, to tlie Malabar; Capt..
Cleme1 ts, to the Texel; Capt. .-hipley. made Pofl into the Centaur; Capu
Ferris, to the Proserpine; J i^ut. King, of the Ccntanr, to command the Drake ;
Lieut Henderson, of the same hi|> to command the Cuacharson ; Lieut. Ster-
ling, of the Pan :«."r, to command the Serapis; Capt- Waring, to the t-urinam ;
H -n. Capt Kifg, to theArhdne; (apt. C. tlphinflone, to the C.reyhound ;
Sir T. I.ivingilone, to th? Mediator of 44 guns, built of teak; Capt Laurie, to
the Cleopura: Capt I. Watson, to tin Alonzo; Capt Impey, to the Epervier:
Cap'. M Robinson, to the Hindoltan; Capt. Champain, pro iimhort, to the
Gloiy, vice G. Martin, indi»p"s:d . E. Bromley, Esq. to be Surgeon of the
Texel; S. Bromley, Esq to be bu'geon of the Malabar.
The I ords < •• the A im ralty have been pleased to order that Doctor I.ind.
firft Physician of the Royal Hospital at Haslar, shall be superannuated on his full
sjlary, a« u rewar^, for his unrenntted attention to his duty during a service of
thirty-two years. L ^-tfor Thompson, a gentleman of much piofesMonal ability.
and who is universally respected, is, we feel great pleasure in Hating, appointed
fijft Physician.
Capt Goffelin, of the Villede Paris to the I.atona; Capt. Champain, to the
temporary command of her. Capt. Milne, to the Fencibles, at the Frith of
Forth; Capt. Poyntz, to the Melampus; Capt. Paul, of the fcxplos jn, to the
Pheasant, vite Carcw. indisposed; 1 ieut 'I albot, to the Rose Cutler; Lieut.
Gilham, to the Minerva; Sir Sydney Smith, to the Swiftsure; Capt. ' cott, to the
Success Frigate; and Capt. PrevoU, to the Explosion Bomb; l.ieut. bmith, to
the Matilda Hospital .--hip, at Woolwich; Capt. Hunter (who was Governor of
Botany Bay) to the Venerable; Capt. A. Frazer.tothe Hindoftan; Capt Wright,
to the Swift; Capf. Proctor, to the Saracen; Capt. Mackenzie, of the Gua-
chapin, made a Poft Captain into the Carysfort, vice Fanshawe, deceased; Lieut.
Henderson, to the comnnnd of the Guachapin; Capt. Younghufband, to the
Osprey; made a Poft Captain into the Blenheim, vice Graves, who came home
in the Ulysses; Lieut. Connolly, to the Lapwing; Capt. Parkinson, to the Ze-
bra, -vice Beauchamp; Capt. R. C. Reynolds^ to the Princess Royal, vice Sawyer,
indisposed; Cap:. G. Reynolds, to the Dreadnought, the Flag &ip of Admiral
BIRTH— MARRIAGES— OBITUARY. l6j
Collingwood; Capf. Mark RcHnwn, to the Swiftnure; Capt. Draper, to the
\Veymouth; — Bromley, » >q to be Surgeon of the Swiftsurc ; Capt. Barton,
to the R'«sonable; Capr. I onsrman, to th Raven; Lieut. Meik, (son of Dr.
Meik,) to the i>atona Cap. Kelly, to the Tcmcraire, viee E. Harvey, ill; Capt.
Beresford, to the Cambrian, i/.« Bradley; Capt. Faulknor, o the Blond, vice
Burn ; Capt. Crumley, to the t>ea Fencibles, at Wiuftaple ; Dr Gillespie, to tlic
Naval Hospital at Malta; Dr. Griy, to be Physician to the Fleet, in the Medi-
terranean; and Pr. Snipe, to be a Physician of one of the Royal Hospitals;
Lieut. J. Lucas, to the Impress Service, at Pool.
BIRTH.
On Wednesday, ist August, at Clifton, near Bristo', the Lady of Capt. Ros»,
of the Royal Navy, of a daughter.
MARRIAGES.
On Thursday, ad of August, at Titchfir Id, Rear Admiral Purvis, to Mrs. W.
Dickson, daughter and heiress of the late Admiral Sir Archibald Dickson, Bart.
Capt. Crawford, of the Navy, to Miss A. Duncan. Capr >errel, of the Navy, to
Miss E. Dean of Liverpool August 24. at Wertbourn, by the Hev. Mr. Davies,
Mr. Vrm. Manky, Purser of the Hindostan, to M.ss Martha Hibberd, youngest
daughter of the late J. Hibberd, F.sq. Lately, at 1'iymouth, I ii-ut. li. W. Smith,
of the Navy, to iViss Blanter, niece to Admiral Thornborough.
OBITUARY.
Aug 4, at Cornhill, on his wayto Edinburgh, theRt.Hon.Adm. LordVisc. Dun-
can, in rhe 73d year of hisage. We have so copiously detailed the professional ser-
vices of this illustrious Officer in the Fourth Vdume of our CHRONICLE, that it would
be superfluous here to expatiate largely on h s merits. H»s Lordship was descended
from a very ancient and respectable family, long resident at Lundie,in the county
of Perth, North Br tain; and on the death of Colonel Duncan, his brother, lie
became possessor of the family estate. His i ord-hip was born on the first of
July, 1731 ; on the 6th of July, 1777, he married Miss Isurdas, daughter
of Robert Dundas, Esq. Lord President of the Court of Session in Scotland, by
•whom he had issue three sons and five daughters. His eldest, Mr. Henry Dun-
can, died at Edinburgh, in Decent. -er, 17X7; and one of his daughters married,
in May 1800, Sir Hugh Dalrymple Hamilton, Bart. His Lordship entered the
service in the year 1746 or 7 ; was made a Midsh'pman in 1749; a l.'r-nte; ant
in 1755 ; a Comonndcr in 1759; a Post Cap'ain in 1761; Rear-Admiral of
the blue in 1789; of the White in 1790; Vice-Admiral of the Blu j>: '793-;
of the White in 1794 ; Admiral of the t lue in 1795 ; and Admiral of thr », hite
in ^799. In the year 1795, he received an*appoiritment. conllituting him Com-
mander in Chief m the North Seas; and, in constqucnce of his Lordship's con-
duct to several Ri ssian Officers, who served a long time under him on thi«
station, the late Empress Cathaiine honoured him with The Order of Merit of St.
Alexander Netuiki. On the jot!' of October, 1797, he wa» called, by patent, to
the British House of Peers, by the tales of Bau>n Campcrdown and Viscount
Duncan, as a reward for the most -ignal and brill ant victory which he obtained
over the Dutch Fleet in the North Scab, or the i ;th of the same month. Hit
Lordship retained the command on the North Sea station till the commence-
ment of the year iSot. since i*hi«h period he has enjoyed the sweets of retire-
jnent, the delightful retrospect of a life spent in the ser vice ot a grateful country,
the attain eum dignitatc in the fullest force of the expression. Asa brave Officer,
;u a pious man, and as a true patriot, hit loss will be long and deeply regretted.
His Lordship is succeeded in his titles by his son the Han. Robert Duncan, a Cap-
tain in the Ayrshire Regiment of Militia.
Lately at Antigua, in the 23d year of his age, after a short illness, Captain R.
Fanshawe, of the Carysfort, of 28 guns. He had just arrived from Cork, with
the remains of the West- India convoy, part having been lost on the Coast of
Portugal, with the Apollo, of 44 guns, Captain Dixon, in the beg uning of last
April. Captain Fanshawe was eldest son of R. Fanshawe, Esq. Commissioner
of the dock-yard at Plymouth. He was a young gentleman of mo»t amiable
OBITUARY.
i, and bid fair, had he lived, to have been an ornament to his profession.
His premature death is sincerely lamented by his family, friends, aud acquaint-
ance. Hi* remains were buried with milifary and naval honours at English
Harbour, Antigua, attended by the Officers of the Navy, the band, and a
Colonel's guard of the 7Oth Regiment of Foot, which is in Shirley-barracks, at
the ridge above English Harbour.
May 29, at Revel, of a contagious Ship fever, after a severe illness, Captain
John Millar, of the Russian Navy. He was bred in the English Xavy, under the
tuition of his relation the late gallant Admiral Roddam Home. When only ten
years old, he fell overboard when the Ship was under sail, and was miraculously
preserved by his efforts, assisted by one of his Shipmates, who plunged into the
ocean to save him On another voyage, the Ship in which he served vvas set on
fire by a thunder-bolr, and with difficulty saved. He was a Midshipman in the
Romney, when she took the Artois; and was in the Commodore's Squadron in
the action at St. Jago. In the year 1788, the zoth year of his age, he entered
into the Russian Js'avy as Second Lieutenant, under tre command of Prince? Tou-
betsquor; and in the following year was severely wounded in the a.tion between
theRussian and Swedish Fleets on the coast of Finland, c miuanded by t^c King
of Sweden, and the Duke de Sudermania, where n;any brr.ve British Officers
were killed. His Captain, without alking any thing for himself or hs First
Lieutenant, demanded Mr. Millar's promotion to the same rank he himself
held; and his gallantry in that action is recorded in the his:pry of the Empress
Catharine the Third.
At Clifton, aged 70, Mr. M'Cumming, wife of Captain B. M'Cumming, -who
was 44 years married; she was twice brought t0 bed at sea, twice lost every
thing by Shipwreck, and twice on short allowance < f provisions and water.
At Hampton Court Palace, Mrs. D. Bagster, widow of Capt. J. Bagster, of the
Navy. A short time since, at Jamaica, Capt. Hills, late First Lieutenant of the
Hercule, Commander «f the Renard. A few days since, J Newshim, Hsq late
Agent to the Naval Hospital at Haslar. Lately, at Antigua, Mr. Stephens,
Purser, six Midshipmen, and sixty men of the Carysfort Frigate. A short time
•ince, in the West Indies, Lieut. Seward, of the Renard, with three Midshipmen »
and thir'y men, in attacking a French Privateer. At Antigua, Lieut. ! annam,
of the Alligator; and Mr. Crookshanks, Surgeon of the Fort Diamond Lately,
at Janvica, Mrs Price, wife of Capt. Price, of the Abundance. Lately, \irs.
Valentine, wife of John Valentine, Esq. Sto ekeeper of the Victualling Office ac
Portsmouth, and daughter of the late Major O'Farrel. of the Royal Marines.
At Jamaica, Mr. A Froud, surgeon; and his younger brother, Lieutenant P.
Vroud, of the Blanche. The same letter conveyed to the parents the death of
two sons, both under 30 years of age. Lately, at Whiteclift, Mrs. Ellis, wife
of Capt. F His, of the Navy, and daughter of the late Capt. Cole, of the Navy,
In the Neighbourhood of Lambeth, Mr. Henry Paulct, a person who had
eften displayed the most commendable love of his country. In 1758, an
English tradingVessel, of which he wasMaster,was capturedby the enemy. The
French Packet, in which he was prisoner, putting into the harbour of Vigo,
then a neutral port, where two Engi'^h Men of War were at anchor, this enter-
prizing man seized the bag containing letters and dispatches, and floated with
them, in the silence and darkness of night, to the bow of one of the English
Ships, where the dispatches were found to be of the utmost consequence to our
affairs in North America. Paulet had the honour of being sent overland with
them to England. On another occasion he was still more serviceable to his
country. Being in a small Vessel on the French coast, he it was that commu-
nicated to Admiral Hawke the course of the French Fleet under Conflans, and,
fought on board the Admiral's Ship, during the engagement, having been first
warned of his responsibility for his intelligence in the following words : " If;
you are wrong, you shall be hanged upon the yard-arm; if rght, your fortune
shall be nude ;'' which latter promise was fully verified to him by the noble.
Admiral. Never may Old England be without men to love and serve their
country as Henry Paulet did !
At Canton, on the a6th of December, 1803, Mr. William Gillies, Surgeon,
of the Royal George East Indiaman.
1HE
SHIPS LOST, DESTROYED, CAPTURED, AND RECAPTURED, &c.
FROM APRIL 27 TO MAY 25.
/""HARLES, Neil, from Briftol to St. Kitt's; carpo panly
v' fived, and all the crew. Minerva, Tolfon, from Liv^r-
pool t<i Nevis; cargo loft, : failor drowned. Arkj Reed,
from Bri.tol to Barnadoes; all the crew Hived, and p'.rt of
the cargo. James, Dou-las; » d Frieimfliip, Griffin, from
Liverpool to Aj.tigua ', ctews Taved, cargoes loft. Eri -go-
Bragh, Ferguib, , from Dublin to Barbadoes ; crew ftid to
be fai
Dublin to Deir-erara ; crew laved, caryc loll. Tart, Hen-
iiifon, from Glafgw to Grenada; cargo loft, cr w fivcd.
fcancy, Weir, from GUigow to Tobago; crew Tared, and
part of the cargo. Albion, M'Queen, from Gre.nudc to
Honduns; cargo loft, fix patVcngers and nine Tailors
frowned. Fame, Campbell, from Giafeow to Grenada ;
cargo toil, five paifensers and fix Tailors drowned. Active,
H . ;iby. from Liverpool to Demerara ; crew faved and part
of the cargo. Robull, Gibfcn, from Greenock to Dtm=-
riri ; two failors drowne.1, uncertain about the cargo.
JEliraUeth, , from Greenock to ; cargo loit,
fix tailors drowned. Pegsy, , from GreenoL'k to
— — ; crew fived, uncertain about tVse cargo. Sarah
C Tiftiana (TuppoTe Jebaftiana), from Liverpool to - --- J
crew laved, uncertain about the cargo. Sally, Teed, from
Briftol to Antigua ; Briftt.1, Mmick, from do. to Jamaica ;
Atlantic, M'lmyre, from do. to St. Vincent':. ; crews
faved, and part of their cargoes. Sufannah, (fuppofe from
Liverpool to Demerara) ; Ford; AmkrTou, from Liverpool
to Demerara; Diana, j Cli e (fuppofe Clarendon,
from triftol to St. Vincent's) : Triton, Wilriams, from
Briitol to Antigua; Trim, oddie, from Grernoik to
Tobago ; Start, , rrura do. to ; Atlantic,
, from do. to ; Alfred, Clark, from do. to
Jamaica ; uncertain nfpecting their crews and cargoes ;
The F!yj Levy, and the Minos, Horner, from Jamaica
to HaUfax ; the Caroline, Hicks, from do. to New York >
nd the Neptune, Scott, from do. to Bofton, (all Britim
iTiips), have been taken off Cape Antonio by French pri-
teer;, and earned in:o Cuba.
The Britifli (Jjeen, Poole, fixrni Jamaica to Liverpool,
taken and carried into Cuba.
rut i,
unknown. TUe Apollo frigate (convoying the above)
is alfo totally loft ; Captain Dixon, the third Lieutenant,
and about 100 of the crew drowned — The Carysfort, ami
the reft of the convoy, were Teen oft' Oporto on the ad,
fleering to the weftward. The foregoing account was
Obtained at Lisbon, from fevcral p»r:e;:gcrs a.id feairwc who
had reached there; the Matters and Mates ha', ing remained
on the beach, to endeavour to lave as much of the wrecks
aud cargoes as polTihle.
A letter from China of the ^th November, ftates, that
all the mips of the Teafon were then aniveJ, after expe-
riencing very bad weaker, except t':-e V\arley and Wood-
ford; the former v/as ('riven to hewrard cf St. John's.
The Houghton, a country ft.ir, having met witn bad
weather in the China Scai, is fuppefed to ha^e foundered.
The Counted of Sutherland, country fliip, is taken iii the
China Seas, by Admira; Linois' i^uadr-.n.
The Orjng* Grove, Payne, from Africa to the Weft
Indies, is taken and carried into Guadaloupe.
The Thomas, Wifta, from St. Crjix to New Orleans,
was ioft gtn January.
One of the N-wtoundhnd convoy, taken by the Blonde,
is retaken by a Guernfey privateer, and carried into
Oporto.
The Lilly, Wallace, from New Brunfwick to Antigua,
is takes by a Flinch privateer.
The Content, Wa:lbri, from Charlfton to Jamaica, has
been taken, retaken, and carried into Jamaica.
The Lark, Swan, from Virginia to Jamaica, was loft oft'
Heneaga lethj^ebruary.
The Thomas, Cobb, from Virginia to Jamaica, was
chafed on more on Hencasa, 5th February.
The Triumph, JohnOon, of New Brunfwick, vis burnt
In January 'art, at Kingfton, Jamaica.
Toe George, M'Farlane, from New BrunAvick to Ja-
maica, was taken 2id Februaiy, hy a French privateer,
and carried into Cuba : at which placo thircy American
»eflels were 1/104 (.prize-), tod nioe privateers were ready
for hi.
the C.tpe o* Good Hope, and was taken, has been cut
out and is arrived at Fortfmouth. The account of the
Sea Horfe and Lively Whalers havi:.g put into the Cape is
unfounded.
The Three Brothers, Graham, from Cork to Dominica,
which wa? run foul of near Falmouth, and deferted by the
ew, has been towed into Topmam.
The Sally, Swazy, from Botton to Amfterdam, is de-
tained by the Argus (loop; and the Harriet, from Nevr
York for Havre, by the Plover Hoop, and both fent int*
Plymouth.
Th= Entcrprize, Johnfon, from Newberry Port to the
Weft Indies, was loft zd March.
The Ihip Virginia, Dickfoii, of Baltimore, has bee«
towed into Bermuda.
The Laurel, Blicket, from Bengal, is on fliore and
bilged, at the entrance of Salem harbour.
The Peggies, Cl'rk, of and for Kincardine, from New-
foundland, nas faJen in with on the nth December, in
lat. 55. long. jo. nearly full of water, by the Minerva,
Page, arrive! at Providence, from Petersburg, who took
the crew on board his vertcl.
The S'.-miramis, Smith, from Charlfton, which was o»
more at Nantucket, is gone to pieces. Only a fmall part
of the cargo faved.
The Vrow Gertrude, Gordt, failed from Gravefend,
loth November laft, for Roilock, and has not fmce been
heard of.
Tl:e Unity, Walker, from St. IVKS to Neath, was loft 23d
April, near tiie Mumbl-s.
The Pro.idence, le Reux, of London, has captured a
French veflel, with i^a hhcls. of Cjaret, and carried her
into Jerfey ; alf» deiiroyed five other veflels on the co^ft
or Frai.ce.
The kilter; (of Dartmouth), Rowe, bound to New-
foundland, has been taken by the General Anjereaux pri-
vateer, and funk ; crew put on board the Samplbn, aud
arrive1) at rorbay.
The Expe.-nnem, Sea'y, from Q^iebec to Jamaica, IMS
been t ken, n-taken, and carried into Jamaica.
A snip Tranl'pnrt, with part of the 46:11 regiment o«
boa>-d, has been ta,.e.n, retaken in the Weft Indies.
The frelicitas, •, from the coaft of Spain, i»
ftraiid^d near Malaga ; c:irpo confiderably damagea.
The Mary, Fo'ger, from the South Seas, is on (hare near
Se;fei (Poitsmouth.)
The Mercury, Hume, from Africa to the Havannah, Is
loft in ti.e Strait, of Bahama.
The Enterprise, Gleed, from London to Bsrbadpes }
have heen captured ; retaken a::d can led into Ai.tigui.
The Chifwick, Por.dler, from Loni<m to Jamaica, it
ciptjrcd in the Weft Inuies, and carried into St. Mai-
tin 's.
The Gooointent, R.^nton, fiom Tobago to nemerara,
has been taken, retaken, and arrived at Demernta.
Tlie Ua,.>o, Wilfon, from Liverpool to LuWcx, has jutt
into Laurwig, in Norway, witli damage, ana niuft u.'.U.d
to repair.
The Hope, Barrel!, from Lynn to DroMtneira, is
Branded near Lynn ; cargo expected to be faved.
The John Norman, Ptters, from Ct.arincs, arrived at
Hull, was fpoke with J4th Apr.l, within three miics and A
haif of Yarmouth, by a French lugger privateer, of 18 gur.s.
Two (l.>O[is were taken between Iiorsr and Fo'.*il<jne, i*
Sunday laft, by a French row b.-t.
MARIN8 LIST.
The Jamaica, Elf-n, and Fortitude, of Whltehaven, and
two vertcls nimed Peggy, belonging to Greeiiock, part of
the Apolio's convoy, are repone^ to be loft on the coail of
Portugal.
Tne Mini, Rirffr, from Liverpool to Tortnls, is wrecked
ton the coa* of I'ortugal.
The Mircur.-, from New York to Demerara, is taken in
the Weii I. 'dies.
The Aloion, Atkinfon, from Liverpool to N=w York,
has been take,!, retaken, a .d carried .nto Dominica.
The Nile, Gr ffith, from St.' Thomas's to Liverpool,
founJerel .bon aft-r failing.
Th: Tydverlryf. i,aafen, from Embden, is toulljr loft
off Oftend i i ew and cargo faved.
The Anna Catrerma Mare.retta, Buckholtz, from Hull
to To-iningen, w ich pu- ii.to Cuxh-vfin, a..U was d tainrd
by the Fre ici , ha> bee" permit ed to depart, but the
cargo declared a prize, an<f ordered to be fo d.
A velfel (fuppofed to be from London) was captured 1 5th
Apr. I, by a privateer, off the Humber, and carried towards
the Dutch coift.
Tn : Hibbert*, , from Ko-iduras to London, is cap-
tured and carried into Havai.nah.
The Hindortan ftore-ftur has been burnt by accident in
the Bay of Rufes. Cre * faved.
The Lydia, Hatton, from Wi rrngton to Falmouti, is
totally loft •« the coaft of North Carolina ; one of the cr?w
drowned
The Joim a 4 Ann failed from Halifax i<»th Nov. hft,
for Greenoc<, and :ias not fince been heard cf.
The Ada ic, Wiifon, from Africa to the Weft Ir.dies,
is taken a. « cirri -j into Guadakijpe, by a privateer of IS
gu-u and 150 men.
The R.sn- ..-, Wiifon, from Liverpool to Bofton, which
put into Antigua, is condemned tnere. Cargo fotf.
The Sarah, Cinnel, from — — ; the CiMiiot CaRle,
Sherratt ; and HecVir, Wil.-ams, from Demerara to Liver-
pool, are captured and cam., i.ito Gualaloupe.
The Fanny fchooner, r'ro:n Demcra.j to Barbados, is
taken by a French pnvate.r.
The Sufzn, M'Carthy, from Newfoundland to Barbadoes,
i> captured and carried i to Guadalmipe.
The Union, A*, f.om Fooie to N wfbunjland, is uken
and cirriert into p. jiage-
The Swift cutter, from Plymouth to thf Mediterranean,
vith difp-tchea, 14 taken by a Ff jich privateer of la guns,
»n; ISO en, .. j car i.d into ^arceiOia.
The .-j-fe, , r-iuribi , from London to f ieumc, was taken
16th .Marir., off Ii'e Jherfun, by a French privateer, and
carried i;,--. Auc -r.a.
The E ierpri- e irrived at Liverpool, failed from Deme-
rara t e ijttn, an from Sarbidoes 22d March ; on (he zstli,
Off Dj-ninc ., fp - f.e Drake brig of war, who inforn:ed
them that the C. ai. Tec de French privat CT bad taken
and carried into G-ia aiorpe two fliipj bound to Tnba-
go, and that another pn?.e vras i.io carried into that
Illantl
Ths ASive, Dairymple ; and the Prudence, d'Arcy,
of Li/erpooi, arc captured ou tlie windward coall of
Afrio.
. The Acbve, Harnfon, co«l loaded, baund to iiOvkt.alm,
u on (hore ne^r \V.utby ; crew faved.
The Pruoerrci. • " . or' iunaerland, is oa ihore near
Whitby, and it i; feared ui be «Mt.
The Harritt, Robfon, /ii'rd from Halifax for Nencaftie,
»6th ;anuary, and ha. not ance been heard of.
The Minerva, Collie, from Aberdeen with corn, was
Uken tne i*h March, by a Butch brig, and carried into
An Enslilh reOV, laden witi' coals, for Norway, was
carried nro Helvoet, I9;n uk.
The Pjjfpticr-; i Crabtrce, from London tr Gainsbro ,
|kas been .1 in, r- akcn, uii at rived ?t yarrooiith.
"he Hi.- ?, Cr tcheil, from Lonuon to St. T.iomai s and
Hondura.. I, -.s bee t ken by L.e '. =• -geance privater; :r ,m
Guidtl up; : Cnce .^u- en t/ :he Oiprey JOLO, aoc c.rried
into Barbauoet.
La Min-rve, ., from LiKw. to Dieppe, is di-
tain-T1 b.v ;i,- F igerj t'ojate, and arrivcu at Ponf.nouth.
The Cnance. Sj:iimers, in baUaft, bouna to Loucon. u
loft in Cta.7. i irbour.
Tne Cyu 1 ;, . ,ue||, failed Trom Newfoundland, fn or
»baut tht i';.. oa-ber laft, for Grenada, and has not fince
teen leini or.
'••inr, V\illiam?. from Virginia to Liverpool,
» '» experienced tau weather on the Banks of New-
Ki...ar.d, 1711, March, loft her fnre and malnmaf., snd
PWII • ver/ ) i / inunJed to m-ioe th- 6rft pott ; th. pat-
re taken out by a vcfiel from Salem to lei/alt,
a:iJ u. u. .a. t vtrooo.
The Litt.j Charts, Manin, from Uverpoa for St. Mi-
<Ju:i it it i*Mif to., off vt ar.-rtwd.
The Sucky, f.ew'u, from Curacoa to PhUidslphi*, aix!
toe Lapwing, Bo . n, irom Curacoa to New York, are de-
tained and fait in'o Bermuda.
The Egyptienne French privateer, of j« guns, and 150
•neii, is laken by the Hippoment rioop of war, and carried
into Barhado.s. rh' Ol'r ey flocp hart previoufly engage^
her, but (h efcaped >y fuserior failing.
The Denault, i,a!l, from London to Demerara, wa» ta'nen
loth March, by the Egyptimne privat. . r, and carried i«to
GuaJaioupe ; tl,e Ranter, \VUuaii\i ; ra.our.te, Holman ;
and Wad.»rav, Way, from London to D=merara, were in
c.'mp^ y when the privateer hove in fig i, and it U re-
ported ihe Widftray has b en taken and rttaxen.
Ti. Ethalion frigat: lias cut out of ergen the Union
Dutch pr.aieer, of 16 guns and 84 men, and carried her
in:o Leith.
The Raccoon brig hat captured a French brig from New
Orleans to France, mounting 8 g.ins, and 80 men on board.
and -arrieu her into New Providence.
The £arl of Wycarobe, Mendell, (ailed from Halifax ft-r
Liverpo 1 about 1701 December; and the William, Lrptbn,
failea from Meramiche for Liverpool, a8th Nov. and narc
not un.e bee < heard of.
The America.! brig /rieiidfhip, C'emens, from the Cape
of Good hope to C-.wes, f'oi orders, is detained br ths
Topaz frigate, and fent into ralmouth.
The firm, harland, from L ndon to Honduras, was
taken Ijth Marc.i, near t.ub-Joc:, by two French prw»-
teers, ana blown up.
The Ranger, Pi.ilen ; and the Mary Ann, Doyle, which
&iled from Waiertort for Newfounal.nd, the 2d inftar.t,
under convoy of the Spitfi'e lloop, p .rteu companv the
fame niglit, in a heavy t^uall, and were -apturcrt the 6tn,
about no miles to tl.- *eftw-»r. of Cape Clear, by yie
General Aujereau priv. teer, c.r" ja^nne, cf 16 guns and
I.-o men, who, after plundering ti;e Ranfe', ^ave '-.-r up
to the crews and p^ilenp-rs, and 0>e arrived at Water-
fo-d on the loth; tt. : Marj Ai..ie was fent for France or
Sp -ir.
The Reliance, Harvie, from London to Drmerara, his
been taken, retaken, and arriied at Baroauoss.
The Rebecca, sruman, from London and Antigua t«
Honjuras, :s condtmncd at Antigua.
The hero, a French Soutl.cru Whaler, is captured
by the Swauow Whaler, of London, and arriveu en' FaJ.
mouth.
^ Tne William, Alhtoi,, from Teneriffe, is loft near Sandy
Tne Mary, M'Dru.al, from Banger to Ncwrv, is o*
mt.-e nr-a- j»eaumaris.
T:,e La.iciim.il, I-:e.-ers, froni London to Embden, is
'
.
ihe £liz.,ciamriiii, from Briftol to Philadelphia, wa«
o» or. the liie of aablet .ft ot Feoruaiy. Cao^,,, »,,j
turce men drowned.
lh« Eclipfe, N.udge, from St. Michael's, bound to Pe-
1
Ihe Nancy, - , from Copenhagen, w.th wood, hemp,
l^'J"* 'ror'» IS take" »nd £«™«i ">«> the Vlie, j-rize i»
tne Zer Uuich pnvateer.
A itoip, name not mentioned, com-nanded by F. Nermei
Tewi." Oie ***"* DUIC" Pri'^ai. « carried into Itoe
T..e Stringer, Wompra, from London to Umaica. wa«
ton out Ot Maae.ra, on r* 7t-> March, ani captured a*
fne J7t _ by tne Honeftc privateer, of one ^-pojnder.
>o r nvive.s, and 60 mtn, a d ret-ken on the jj.1, in fig(,t
Oft,., privateer, by an Eng),fli frigate, witl, a convoy.
caut'ur ' C™;*""*'*! fr°m Jamaica to New >ork, is
cajrtureu aua lent fur the Havanoah.
The MeamveU, Kobfcr, n.m Newcaftle, was captured
oilrat pr>'Ktt "" l^ A?rii' '" lt« Noru. aea, aul
The Caftle Doujas, A.kn, from Liverpool for Roftock,
'•as captur«d on t!.e jd <4y, otf the Orkue.s, by a pii^a-
teer, and ^rp-iiej looe fcuttbrthe Texel.
ie Catli.nm, Stothard, from . ii«< . to St. Thomas's
Hocjurai, t u»en m t e *eu Inaie*, by a Frenck
privaw-f , after a raj lev..eene'.gemtn;.
*L C!'e Coofi?ence' *•-• ' •>, from tne Ifles of France,
•J Uajri, amvtu*. Bo. .., aad Apiil, it ,s reporteu tha'
ttir trench fquadron of Admiral LIIIO.S hid deftroycj a
ijuaruty of ptpper.t Bencnj«i, ai;d captured an Eng i&
!&>_? *tre, wm, Cakutu and Madras EOZx on board.
to
[To be continued.]
A F P E N 3D I X,
HISTORICAL LIST
OF
THE JROYAJL NAYY
OP THE
UNITED KINGDOM
OF
&reat 'Btttmit ana Stclami,
INCLUDING SLOOPS OF WAR FROM 18 TO 16 GUNS.
ACCORDING TO THE DATE OF EQUIPMENT, WIT^THE NAMES OF THE COMMAN-
DERS WHO COMMISSIONED EACH RESPECTIVE SHIP, THE YARDS
IN WHICH THEY WERE FITTED OUT ; AND VARIOUS
OTHER ANECDOTES RESPECTING THEM.
[Continued from our last Volume.^
II. SHIPS THAT WERE COMMISSIONED DURING JUNE
ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THEIR RATES.
feeconti date.
LINE OF BATTLE SHIPS.
t. PRINCE GEORGE, 98 Guns, Captain R. Curry. Fitting at Portsmouth for
a Flag Ship in June, 1798. Built at Chatham ; and the only Ship in the Navy that
•was built in 1772. — Had been attached to the Western Squadron with Admiral Sir
C. Cotton's iag on board, Captain J. T. Rodd, in June, 1801 ; and in Ordinary at
Portsmouth in June, iSoz. At present off Brest, under Captain Joseph S. Yorke.
2. SANDWICH, 98 Guns, Lieutenant E. Hungerford. A Prison Ship at Chat-
ham in June, 1803. Built in 1759 at Chatham. — Had been stationed in the River
Medway as a Prison Ship, June, 1801, under Captain A. Guyot; and was in Ordi-
nary at Chatham in June, i8oz. Continues a Prison Ship at Chatham, under Lieu-
tenant Hungerford.
Eate*
LINE OF BATTLE SHIPS.
I. BIENFAISANT, 64 Guns, Lieutenant George Broad. A Prison Ship at
Plymouth in June, 1803. Taken from the French in 1758, by Captains Laforey and
Balibur, at Louisbourg. — Had been in Ordinary at Plymouth in June 1801, and
June 1802. Continues under Lieutenant Broad as a Prison Ship in Hamoaze.
». MAJESTIC, 74 Guns, Captain^I.ord A. Beauclerk. Fitting at Plymouth in
June, 1803. Built in 178,, on tli£ River Thames. — Had been attached to the Wes-
tern Squadron, under Captain Davidge Gould, in June, 1801 ; and sailed with him
to the West Indies, Feb. li, i8bz. Continues under the command of Captain Lord
Beauclerk off Brest.
3. MONARCH, 74 Guns, Captain J. C. Searle. At Long Reach, Medway, in
June, 1803. Built at Deptford in 1765.— Was fitting at Chatham in June, 1801 ; and
laid up there in Ordinary, June, 1802. At present in the Downs, with the Flag of
Admiral Lord Keith, Captain J. C. Searle.
We shall be much obliged to our Fritnds who "will favour us tvitb Information on tl>!i subject ;
»nd nuitb any Anecdotes relative to their respective Ships, tleir dimensions, and tonnage, length
•J masts and yards, and « summary of tbt servift on -utbieb they have been employed.
SHIPS COMMISSIONED DURING JUNE
4. NORTHUMBERLAND, -54 G.ms, Honourabk Captain A. Cochrane Fitting
at Plymouth in May, iSoj, Built at Barnard's Yard Oxford, i& 17^, At pre-
sent off Ferrol, with the Flag of Honourable Admiral A. Cochrane.
5. PRINCESS OF ORANGE. 74 Guns, Captain C Cunning! am. Fitting- at
Chatham in June, 1803. Oiigiualy the WASHINGTON, Admiral Story's Flag-
Ship, which surrendered to Vice- Admiral Mitchell in the Texel, August 30 1795. —
Had been attached to the North .->ea Fleet, Captain C d>i>b, in } ;ne, 18 i; and
5u Ordinary at Chatham in June,. i8oz. At present cruizing off the Texel wider
Captain T. Rogers.
6. RUBY, 64 Gun», Honourable Captain F. F. Gardner. Fitting at Chatham m
June, 18:3, Built at Woolwich in 1796.— Had been with the Baltic hket, Captain
Sir E. Berry, in June, 1801 ; and was in Ordinary ac Chatham hi Jutie, 1802. At"
present cruizing off the Texel, und«r Captain Charles Rowley.
7. STATELY, 64 Guns, Captain G. Scott. At Malta in June, 1803 Built in
1784, at Nwtham. — Had been attached to the Egyptian Expedition, under Captain
Scott, in June, 1801 -r and continued with the same Commander in the Mediterranean,
June, 1802. Continues under the same Officer at Sheerness, where she is refitting.
X. YORK, 64. Guns, Captain FT. Mitford* Fitting at Woolwich in June, 1803.
Built in 179.6 at Barnard's Yard, Deptford. — Had been on the Jamaica Station, Cap-
tain J. Ferrier, in June, 1801 ; and in Ordinary at Woolwich in June, 1802. Is
supposed to have foundered in the North Sea in January ; not having been heard of
since the 2 6th of December, 1803.
Eate.
I. TROJ.1P, 54 Guns, Captain J. A. Norway. At Portsmouth to repair in June,.
1803. Surrendered to Admiral Elphinstone in Saldanha B«y, August 17, 1796. —
Had been in th« West Indies, armed enjlute, in June i8oc, and June 1802. Coii«-
tinucs, under Cajjtain Norway, as Guard Ship at Falmouth.
FRIGATES.
I. CRESCENT, 36 Guns, Captahi Lord: W. Stuart. Fitting at Chatham in June
1803. Built at Biushdon in 1784. — Had been on the Jamaica Station, Captain W.
G. Lobb, in June, 1801; and under Captain James Carthew in'June, 180*. Con-
tinues under Lord W. Stuart, as Commodore, off Flushing.
a. LA DECADE, 36 Guns, Captain W. G. Rutherford. Fitting at Portsmouth
in June, 1803. Taken from the French, August 24th, r798, off Cape Finisterre, by
the Magnanime, Honourable Captain de Courcy, and Naiad, Captain. W. Pierre-
point.— Had-been under Captain Rutherford, on the Jamaica Station, June 1801, and
June 1802. Continues under the same Officer in the Channel.
3. EURYAL-US, 36 Guns, Honourable Captain H. Blackwood. Fitting at
Portsmouth in June, 1803. Built in 1803,31 Adams's Yard, Bucklershard. Euryalus
was one of the Peloponnesian Chiefs, who went to the Trojan War with 80 Ships.—
Captain Biackwood has lately resumed the command of this Ship ; during his absence
Captain J. Hardy had her.
4. FOX, 32- Guns, Captain J. G-. Vashon. In the East Indies in Jane, 1803.
Built in 1780 at Bursledon. Had been in the East Indies in 1799; and continued
there, under Captain H. Stuart, in June, 1801; and under Captain Vashon in June,
1802. Remains under his command in the East Indies.
5. HELDER, 36 Guns, Captain Richard Hawkins. In the River Humber, as 2.
floating Battery, June, 18^3. — Originally fAmbusiaJe^ taken off the coast of Ireland
by Sir j. B. Warren, October iz, 1798. Continues on the same service in the Hum-
ber, under Captain Benjamin Walker.
6. LA SEINE, 42 Guns-, Captain D. Milne. Fitting at Chatham in June, 1803.
Taken from the French by theJ.-\SON, Captain C. Stirling and others, off the -xunu,
Jjine 29, 1798 — Had been at Jamaica, under Captain Milne, in June, Itfoi ; and
in Orcinary ;-.t Chatham in June, 1802 — Was lost on a Sand Bank to the Northward
of the fcxel, in the Night of June 25, 1803, when commanded by Captain Milue,
and afterwards burnt : crew saved.
SHIPS COMMISSIONED DURING JUNE
7. TRIBUNE, 36 Guns, Captain G. H. Towry. Fitting at Portsmouth in June,
1803. Built in the same ye;-r at Parson's Yard, Bursledon. The old TRIBUNE, 44
Guns, Captain S. Barker, had been taken from the French, June 7, 1796, by the
UNICORN, Captain T. Williams; and was afterwards lost off Halifax n Novem-
ber. 1797: al: the Crew perished, except seven. At present .commanded by Capuia
R.. H- A. Bennett, off Cherbourg.
&itff) Sate,
F R I G A T E S.
f. CIRCE, a8 G«n«, Captain Charles Fielding. Fitting at CfcsUfaamin June,
1802 . Bu;lt in 1786 at Dover. — Had been on the Jamaica Station, Captain J. Wolley,
in June 1801. and also in 'une 1802. Was lost, whilst commanded by Captain
Fielding, November 16, 4803, by striking on the Lemou and Ower, in the North
Sea, whilst in chase of the enemy ; crew saved.
a. CAMEL, Slop Slip, 26 Guns, Captain John Ayscou^h. Fitting at Deptford
in June, 1803 Purchased by Government in 1781.— Had sailed, under Captain
Matthew Buckle, to the West Indies, April 5, j8oi ; and was in Ordinary, in the
River Thames, June, iSoz. At present under Captain Thomas Garth, with 4$
Guns, in Hamoaze.
3. PRINCES^, 2$ Guns, Captain S. Colquit. Fitting at Plymouth in June,
18^3: originally WIL1 IAMSTADT. Taken by Admiral Elphinstone at the Cape
of Good Hope, >eptember 14, 1795. — Had been a Guard Ship on the Cork Station,
Lieutenant J. White, in June, 1801 ; and in Ordinary at Plymouth in June, 1802.
At present under Captain ti. Colquit, a Guard Ship, at Liverpool.
4. LA POUI.ETTE, 20 Guns, Captain J. Dunfear. Fitting at Plymouth
to June, 1803: originally a French Privateer, purchased by Government in 1800.
The old POULETT E, 26 Guns, Captain J. Edwards, was brought away by Lord
Hood from Toulon, Dec. 18, 1793, and afterwards burnt at Ajacio, October 20,
5796, having been deemed unserviceable. —Had been in Ordinary at Plyrmmth in
June 1801, and June 1802. Continues under the command of Captain Dunbar at
Lisbon.
SLOOPS OF WAR.
Vessels from 1 8 to 16 Guns inclusive
I. L'ARGUS, 16 Guns, Honourable Captain Edward King, Fitting at Plymouth
in June, 1803. Originally a French Privateer, purchased by Government in 1799.
This Ship should rather be thus called from Argus, a son of JDanattf, who built the
Ship Argo, than from the son of Arester, who is fabled to have had an hundred eyes.
—Had been in Ordinary in Hamoaze in June 1801, and June 1802. At present on
the Irish Station, commanded by Captain Edward Kittoe.
1. ALONSO, 16 Guns, Captain W. II Faulknor. At Dublin on the Impress in
June, 1803. Purchased by Government in 1891. Had been in the North Sea, 14
Guns, Captain R. Cathcart, in June, 1801 ; and at Chatham, commanded by Capt.
Faulknor, in June, 1802. At present under Captain John Impey at St. Helen's.
3. ABUNDANCE, Store Ship, 16 Guns, W. Price, Master. On her passage
from the Mediterranean in June, 1893. Built in 1779. At present under Mr. Price,
at Jamaica.
4. ADDER, Gun Vend, 16 Guns, Lieutenant G. Wood. At Chatham in June,
$803.—- Had been under the same Officer with the Baltic Fleet in June, 1,801; and
cruizing in the North Sea in June, 180?,. At present commanded by him HI the
North Sea.
5. MOUCHERON, 16 Guns, Captain James Hawes. Fitting at Plymouth in
June, 1803. Ffcnch Privateer, purchased by Government in 1.89%. Continues under
Captain Hawes in the Channel.
6. NIMROD, 1 8 Guns, Captain T. O'Neil. Fitting at Plymouth in June,
1803. Originally L'JEOtAJ^ taken from the french, ia j 799*— Had been io the
SHIPS COMMISSIONED DCRING JUNE 1805.
Channel, ao Guns, Lieutenant March acting, July i8:>i ; and in Ordinary at Pfy-
mouth, July, i8oa. Remains under Captain O'Neil in the Channel.
7. PI -OVER. 18 Guns, Captain R. T. Hancock. Fitting at Plymouth in June,
1803. Built in 1796.— Had sailed as convoy to the West Indies, Captain E. Galwey,
April 5, i8or ; and was on her passage from Jamaica in July, 1802. Continues undet.
Captain Hancock in the Channel.
8. SEA FLOWER, Brig, 16 Guns, Lieutenant W. F. Owen. At Plymouth to
repair in June, 1803. Built of Fir, and purchased by Government in 1782. — Had
been on the Jersey Station, Lieutenant J. Murray, in July, 1801 ; and cruizing in
the Channel in July, 1802, Continues under Lieutenant Owen in the Channel.
9. TISIPHOXE, i6Guns, Captain W. Foote. Fitting at Sheerness, June, 1803,
Built in 1784 at Dover.— Had been on the Jamaica Station, Captain John Davie.in June
1801. and June 1802. At present under Captain Footc, as a Guard Ship, at Ex-
mouth.
10. TROMPEUSE* 18 Guns, Captain M. Godwin. Fitting at Plymouth in June,,,
1803. Taken from the French. — Had been in commission at Plymouth in June, i8oz.
At present on the Irish Station.
11. WASP, 18 Guns, Honourable Captain F. W. Aylmer. At Spithead in June,
1803. Originally the Guepc French Privateer, purchased by Government in 1801. —
The old WASP, Fire Vessel, Captain J. I'.dwards, was purchased by Government in
1782. and was burnt in Dunkirk Roads, July 7, 1800, when attempting to destroy-
some French Frigates. Had been in Ordinary at Plymouth in June, 1801; and at
Portsmouth, Captain Charles Bullen, in June, i8oz. Sailed with Captain Aylme^
to the Mediterranean, June u, 1804.
HI. SHIPS THAT WERE COMMISSIONED DURING JULY 1803.
Seccnti Eate.
LINE OF BATTLE SHIP.
i. PRINCESS ROYAL, 98 Guns, Rear-Adruiral Sir R. Calder. Bart. Captaia
W. Cuming. Fitting at Portsmouth in July, 1803. Built in 1773 at Portsmouth. —
Had been with the Western Squadron, bearing the Flag of Rear-Admiral Sip E.
Gower, Captain David Atkins, in July, 1801 ; and in Ordinary at Portsmouth ia
July, 1802. At present under Admiral tir R. Calder's Flag, off Brest.
Kate.
LINE OF BATTLE SHIPS.
1. EXCELLENT, 74 Guns, Captain F. Sotheron. Fitting at Portsmouth in July,
1803. Built in 1787 at Harwich. — Had been in the Western Squadron, under the
Hon. Capt. R. St' pfbrd in July, 1801; and on her passage from the Leeward Islands
in July, 1802. Continues under Captain Sotheren in the Mediterranean.
2. REP*ULSE, 74 Guns, Honourable Captain A. K. I egge. Fitting at Woolc
wich in July, 1803. Built in the same year at Barnard's Yard, Deptford. In No-
Tember, 1803, had Admiral Russcl's Flag on board in Yarmouth Roads, with the
•ame Captain. The old REPULSE, Captain J. Alms, 64 Guns, was built in 1780,
at East Cowes; and was lost, March 10, 1800, on a sunken rock, 25 leagues S. E.
of Ushant ; only ten saved. Continues under the game Commander, off Brest.
3. ST. ALBANS, 64 Guns, Captain J. Temple. At Chatham, as a Floating
Battery, in July, 1803. Built in 1764 ori the River Thames.— -Had been on the
Halifax Station, under Captain J. O. Hardy, in July, 1801; and in Ordinary at
Chatham in July, i8oj. Remains with Captain Temple as a Guard Ship in
Motley Bay.
SHIPS COMMISSIONED DURING JULY 1803.
jFiftfj Eate.
FRIGATES.
T. AMPHITRITE, 38 Guns, Capta:n J. Temple. Fitting at Chatham in July,
1803. Surrendered to Vice-Admiral Mitchell in the Texel, -rtugust 30, 1799, then
carrying 44 Guns. The old AMPHITRITE, 24 Guns, Captain A. Hunt, built in
1778, was lost in the Mediterranean, 1793: crew saved. — Amphitrite, as a wife of
Neptune, had a statue in his Temple at Corinth. — This Ship has since been called
LTMPER1EUSE, and as such was commanded by Captain H. Hotham, at the
Nore, in August, 1803. At present refitting at Plymouth.
4. FISGARD, 38 Gun?, Captain Lord M. R. Kerr. Fitting at Plymouth in
July, 1803. Originally la Resistance, 48 Guns, taken by the St. Fiorenzo, Sir H.
Ncale, and la Nymphe, Captain ], Cooke, off Brest, March 9, 1797. This was
one of the Ships that had landed the French convicts, under the disguise of Soldiers, in
Wales.— *"Had been in the Channel, under Captain T. B. Martin, in July, 1801 ;
and refitted at Plymouth, under Captain J. Wallis, in July, 1802. Continues with
Captain Lord Kerr at Portsmouth.
3. INDEFATIGABLE, 44 Guns, Captain G. Moore. Fitting at Plymouth in
July, 1803. Built in 1784 at Bucklershard. Reduced from a 64 in 1794. — Had
teen in the Channel, Captain M. H. Scott, July, 1801 ; and in Ordinary at Ply.
mouth to repair, July, 1802. Continues in the Channel under Captain Moore.
4. MAGICIENNE, 32 Guns, Captain M. Mackenzie. Fitting at Chatham in July,
1803. Taken from the French, by Captain A- S. Pouglas, in North America, 1781.
—Had been in the West Indies, commanded by Captain W. Ogilvy, in July, 1801;
and on her passage to Cuxhaven, Captain H. Vansittart, July, 1802. At present at
the Nore under Captain Mackenzie.
5. PHJETON, 38 Guns, Captain G. Cockburn. Fitting at Deptford in July,
1803. Built in 1782 at Liverpool. — Had been on the Lisbon Station, Captain N.
Morris, July, 1801; and jn Ordinary at Deptford in June, 1802. At present in the
East Indies, Captain Cockburn.
£. ROEBUCK, 44 Guns, Captain G. M. Kinley. Fitting at Woolwich in July,
1801. Built in 1774 at Chatham. — Had been enfuie in the Mediterranean, Captain
John Buchanan, July, 1801 ; and in Ordinary at Woolwich in July, i8oj. .At pre-
sent a Guard Ship under Captain Kinley at Leith.
7. SHANNON, 38 Guns, Captain E, L. Govver. Fitting at Chatham in July,
1803. Built in the same year at irindley's Yard, Friendsbui y. — Stuck aground in a,
gale, December 10, 1803, and lost under the batteries of Cape la Hogue in the night,
'and afterwards destroyed by the boats of the Merlin : Crew saved, but made prisoners.
The old SHANNON, 32 Guns, was built at Deptford, of Fir, in 1796. Captain C. D.
Fater commanded her in Juiy, 1801.
8. LA VIRGINIE, 44 Guns, Captain J. P. Beresford. Fitting at Deptford in
July, 1803. Taken from the French, 40 leagues S V\ . of the Lizard, by 6ir E.
Pellew's fcquadron, April 22, 1796.— Had been in the East Indies, Captain George
Astle, in July, 1801 ; and also in July, 1802. Continues under Captain Beresford in
the Downs.
SLOOPS OF WAR.
rom \ 8 to 1 6 Guns inclusive.
1. LA FLECHE, 16 Guns, Captain George Digby. Fitting at Plymouth in
July, 1803. Taken from the French. A Ship of the same name, 14 Guns, was taken
from the French, IVlay 21, 1794, by Lord Hood, at Bastia ; and lost, when comman-
ded by Captain C. Came, Dec. 12, 1795, in St. Fiorenzo Bay: crew saved.— Had
been in Ordinary at Plymouth in July 1801, and July 1802. Continues under Capt,
Digby in Plymouth bound.
2. LA SUFFISANTE, 16 Guns, Captain Heathcote. Fitting at Plymouth in
July, 1803. Originally a French Corvette, taken by Admiral Duncan's cruizers,
SHITS COMMISSIONED PURING AUGUST 1803.
rwarthe Texel. August 25, 1795.— Had been in the Channel, Captain C. J. W.
Nesham, in July, 1801; and refitting at Plymouth, under Captain A. R. Kerr, in
Inly, 1802. Wrecked ic a Galfi of Wind, Captain Hsathcote, off Spike Island, in
£ork Harbour.
,y , <•* ' • - ' •> v" ';-.-•.
IV. SHIPS THAT WERE COMMISSIONED DURING AUGUST 1803.
^fnrS Sate.
LINE OF BATTLE SHIPS.
i. HERO, 74 Guns, Honourable Captain A. H. Gardner. Fitting at Woolwich
in August, 1*03. Built the same year at Ferry's Yard, Blackwall. At present com-
manded by the same Officer off Brest.
1. ROYAL OAK, 74 Guns, Prison St'ifi, Lieutenant S. LJddle. At Portsmouth
»n August, 1803. Built at Plymouth in 1/69. Continues OH the same servke, under
the same Officer.
Eate.
FRIGATES.
1. CASTOR, 31 Guns, Captain Edward Brace. Fitting at Portsmouth as a
Floating Battery for Liverpool in \ugust, 1803. Built at Harwich in 1783. Taken
by the French, May 9, 1794, and retaken by the Carysfort, May 29, in the same
year. — Had sailed as convoy to the West Indies, Captain B. Hall, April 5, l8or,
where she cont nued in August, i8az. Continues under Captain Brace, and is at
present at Shecrr.e-s to refit.
2. DIANE, 38 Guns, Captain H. M. Scott. Fitting at Plymouth in August,
3803. Taken from the Fren h, August 24, 1800, endeavouring to escape from
Malta, by the Northumberland, Success, and Genereux.^Was in the Med;terranean,
August, 1801 ; and in Ordinary at Plymouth to repair, in August, 1802. The Diane
•Was changed to the Niobe, at the close of 1803. There is nothing in the history of
Jfiobe that has the smallest reference to the Navy. At present in the C' annel.
3. MERMAID. 32 Guns, Captain A. P. Holies Fitting at Woolwich in August,
1803. Puilt on the river Medway in 1785 — I! ad been in the Mediterranean, com-
tnandfd by Captain R. D. Oliver, in Augusf, 1801 ; and was in Ordinary at Wool-
wich in August, i8cz. At present on the Jamaica Station.
4. SEVERN, 44 Guns^ Capt. Philip d'Auvergnc, Prince of Bouillon. Fitting at
Woolw-ch as a Floating Battery, August, 1803 Built at Bristol in i 78' .—Had 1 een
at the Leeward Islands, Captain George Barker, in August, 1801 ; and on her passage
home in August, 1802. At present on the Jersey Station.
5. TRITON, 32 Guns, Captain W. Cashman. At Plymouth for Waterford in
August, 1803. Built in 1706, of Fir, at Deptford. — Had been in the Channel, Cap-
tain R. L. Fitzgerald, in August, i&oi; and in Ordinary at Plymouth in August,
1802. At present at Waterford.
&ij:tf) ffiatf .
FRIGATES.
i. PLUTO, 20 Gnus, Captain Edward Kittoe. Fitting at Deptford in August,
1803. Bti'Jt in 1781 at Sandgate, as a Sloop of 14 Guns.— Had been, in August, 1801,
at the Newfoundland Station, Captain F. H. EdgeJl; and remained there in August,
1802. At present in the Channel.
SLOOPS OF WAR.
Vessels from I S to 1 6 Guns inclusive.
T. CURLFW, 16 Guns, Captain J. M. Northey. Fitting at Deptford in Au-
jast, 1803. ^Purchased by Govercment in the samc'yesr. — The old CURLEW, iJ
Guns, Captain F. V. Field, was built in 1795; and foundered in the North Sea, De-
cember 31 ; tie Crew perished. At present with the Noith Sea Convoy.
a. MERLIN, 16 Guns, Captain E. P. Brenton. Fitting at Deptford in August,
1803. Purchased by Government in the same year. At present cruizing off Havre.
3. SCOURGE, 16 Guns, Captain William Wooldridge. Fitting at Deptford in
August, 1803. Purchased by Government in the same year. The old SCOURGE,
16 Guns, Captain W. Stap, was built in 1770; and lost off the coast of Holland in
1796. — The ROBUSTE, aa Guns, taken from the French by Sir B. Warren, April
15, in the same year, afterwards took the name. At present at Spithead.
4. SPEEDY, 1 6 Guns, Captain J. Gifford. Fitting at Woolwich in August,
*8oj. Purchased by Government in the same year. The old Speedy, 14 Guns,
Captain G. tyre, was built in 1782. It was- taken and retaken in the course of 1794.
At present in the Downs station.
5. VULTURE, 1 6 Guns, Captain William Green. Fitting at Deptford in
August, 1803. Purchased by Government in the same year. At present with ths
North Sea Convoy.
V. SHIPS THAT WERE COMMISSIONED DURING SEPTEMBER 1803.
3H;irfc Kate.
LINE OF BATTLE SHIPS.
1. LE PEGASE, Prison St>i/>, 74 Guns, Lieutenant Crouch. At Portsmouth id
September, 1803. Taken from the French in 17^2, by the Foudroyant, Sir J. Jervis.
—Had been in Ordinary at Portsmouth in September 1801, a«d .September 1802.
At present at Portsmouth.
z. SAN YSIDRO, Prison Ship, 74 Guns, Lieutenant J. de CourdoHx (i ) At
Plymouth in September, 18 3. Taken from the Spaniards February 14, 1797, by
Lord St. Vincent. — Had been at Plymouth as a Prison Ship, Captain John Manley,
September, 1801 ; and in Oidinary at Plymouth in September, 1803. At present at
Plymouth.
jfourtj) Kate.
I. LEOPARD, 50 Guns. Fitting at Chatham in September, 1803. Built at
Sheerness in 1790.— Had been in the East Indies in September, 1801, with Rear-
Admir'l Blanket's Flag, Captain T. Surridge ; and in September, i8oz. under the
*ame Captain. At present with Rear- Admiral Louis's Flag, Capta.n F. W. Austin,
in the Downs Station.
#iftj> Kate.
FRIGATES.
1. EURUS, 32 Guns, Captain Alexander Innes. Fitting at Portsmouth as a
Guard Ship in September, 1803. Originally la Zephyr ', taken from the Dutch in
March, 1796, by the Andromedi, Hanger, and Kite, in the Frith of Forth. — Had
been attached to the hgyptian l.xpedition in September, 180 , Captain D. O. Guyon;
and in Ordinary at Portsmouth in September, j8oz. A* present at Plymouth.
2. MAGNANIME, 44 Guns, Captain John Broughcon. Fitting for a Floating
Battery at I iymouth in September, ; 803. Bu It a 64-gun ohip at Deptfoid in 1780,
and reduced in 1794. — Had IK-CO at the l.eeward Islands, Captain W. Taylor, Sep-
tember, T8oij and ar Ordinary at Plymouth in September, 1801. At present ia
the
FRIGATES.
i. BRODER^GHAP, aa Guns, Captain J. H. Cirtier. Fitting at Sheerness for
a Floating Battery, September, 1803. T«ken from the Dutch, August 28, 1799, by
Vice Admiral Aiitchell At present m the Queen's Channel.
^. CHAMPION. 14 Guns, Captain R. H. Bromley. Fitting at Chatham in
September, 1803. Built in 1779 at Ipswich.— Had been in the Mediterranean, Capt.
Lord William btuart, September, iSol; and in Ordinary at Chatham, Septcaabcr,
i8oz. At present in the Downs.
SHlPS COMMISSIONED DURING AUGUST 1803.
$. DART, 30 Guns Captain W. C Brownrigg. Fitting at Deptford in Septem*
ber, 1803. Built in 1796, with a sliding keel. — Had been on the Downs Station,
Captain vV. Bolton, September, 1801, and at Deptford, September, 1802. At pre-
sent in the Downs.
4. DILFGENTE, Store Sl'if, 22 Guns, W. Lloyd, Master. Fitting at Wool-
wich, for Halifax, September, 1803. Taken from the Dutch. Sailed June 1 1 for
the Mediterranean.
5. EURYDICE, 24 Guns, Captain J. Nicholas. Fitting at Portsmouth in Sep-
tember, 1803. Built in 1781 at Portsmouth. — Unless called after some .^hip that was
taken from the Enemy, this name can have no reference to any thing ttiat is Naval. —
Had been in the Downs, Captain Walter Bathurst, September, 18015 and under him
in the East Indies, September, i8oz. Sailed as Convoy to Quebec, Mayi6, 1804.
\To be concluded at the dost of the present Volume.
THE FOLLOWING FIFTH RATES WERE OMITTED IN OUR APPENDIX NO. II.
State of the Royal Navy in May \ 803.
•69. SERAPIS, 44 Guns, en flute, Captain Henry Waring. Fitting at Deptford
in May, 1803. Built in 178: at Bristol. — Had been at Woolwich as a Sloop, C. Dun-
can, Master, June, i8or, and was in Ordinary at Dfptfoid, repairing, June, 1802.
At pres.nt at the Leeward Islands.
•70. SHEERNESS, 44 Guns, cnfute, Captain J. S. Card n. In the East Indies
in May, 1803. Built at Bucklershard in 1787. — Sailed on a s-;cret Expedition under
Sir Home Popham in the Spring of 1801, and continued under Captain Garden in the
East Indies in June, 1802. At present commanded by Captain Lord G. Stuart in
th. East Indies.
The fallowing SLOOPS OF WAR were also omitted in our last APPENDIX.
»ii. AUTUMN, from 14 to 16 Guns. Repairing at Plymouth in May, 1803.
Purchased by Government in 1801. At present in the Downs.
Many of the smaller Sloops that fluctuate from 14 to 16 Guns are omitted.
*ia. 'DAS*HER, 16 Guns, Captain John Delafons. Sailed to the East Indies, May
a, 1803. Built in 1797. Had been in the Channel, under Captain Tobin, in May,
1801 ; and in Ordinary at Plymouth in May, 1802. Continues under Captain Dela-
fons in the East Indies.
•13. DRIVER, 1 6 Guns, Captain F. W. Fane. Cruizing in the Channel in May,
1803. Built in 1796. — Had been at Sheerness, under Captain J. Dunbar, in May,
1 80 1, and in Yarmouth Roads, May, 1802. At present commanded by Captain W.
Lyall at the Bahamas.
• 14. DRAKE, Brig, 16 Guns, Captain W. Ferris. At the Leeward Islands in.
May, 1803. Taken from the French in 1800.— Had been in the West Indies, under
Captain George Younghusband, in May, 1801 ; and under Captain Ferris in May>
iSjjt. At present at the Leeward Islands.
•15. DISCOVERY, Bomb, 16 Guns, Captain John Joyce. At Woolwich in
May, 1803. Purchased by Government in 1790. — Had been with the Baltic Fleet,
under Captain John Conn, in May, 1801 ; and in Ordinary at Woolwich in May,
1802. At present, 14 Guns, Captain Charles Pickford, in the Downs.
•28. NETLEY, Schooner, 1 6 Guns, Lieutenant Lawrence. At Barbadoes in
May, 1803. Built in 1798, with a sliding keel. Had been in the Channel, Lieu-
tenant James Main, in May, 1801 ; and in Ordinary at Portsmouth, May, i802. At
present commanded by Lieutenant William Autridge at the Leeward Islands.
•f 4. F fie great labour and difficulty of forming tlii Historical List, particularly tie subsequent
farts of it, must be our excuse for any errors. And ive request the assistance of our friends f»r
tueb Anecdotes of Ship* as lave not yet appeared.
SIR FE.TEEL
PARKER
^
Put. 20 J-ept ri8C4.by I.OfU, lea, Jlwe Lon*. flat Jtre.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OP
SIR PETER PARKER, BART.
ACAilRAL OF THE FLESt,
" I persuade myself that, at a ti-n- when oar Fleets render th: Nation so formidable
abroad, it cannot bfunssasonabls to let the curious sae by what steps G aE AT BRITAIN
arrived at siicfi aft height of naval power and reputation/'
Preface to CoMi&er't Calumrta Rostra'a.
HP HE veteran head of our Navy is an object not to be con-
templated but with veneration. From his personal
Valour, his professional skill, and his general merit, Sir
Peter Parker is entitled to the respect and esteem of every
son of Neptune, of every inhabitant of the British domi-
nions.
Sir Peter Parker, Bart, now Admiral of the Fleet, is the
son of the late Rear-Admiral Christopher Parker*, descend-
ed from a very respectable and ancient family in Ireland.
Of the period of his birth, or of his entering the service,
we are not in possession ; but we find his first appointment,
as Lieutenant, to have taken place in the year 1743. Admi-
ral Matthews, who was at that time Commander in Lhief
on the Mediterranean station, advanced him to this rank on
board of the Russel, Captain C. Long. During the year of
Mr. Parker's appointment, the Mediterranean Fleet conti-
nued in Kieics Bay, the chief service which it perfor ned
* On the 1st of January, 1712-1;,, inis gentleman was promoted to the corti-
toand of tlie Speedwell. How I'e was employed during the immediately suc-
ceeding years, we are not informtd ; but, in 17^9, he was appointed Captain
of the Torbay, < f So guns. In 1740, we find him Captain of the same Ship,
which was one of the Fleet equipped for Channel service, and placed under the
command of Sir John Norris. On the return of that Fleet into port, it was
ordered to sail to the West Indies with S.r Chalortcr Ogle, on the expedition
against Carthagena. At this period, Captain Parker quitrcd the command of
the Torbay ; and it does noc appear that he held any naval mployment or
commission afterwards. On the ist of September, 174-, tie totally retired from
'the service, with the rank of a Rear Admiral, on hall pay. He d ed m rl.nry
Street, Dublin, on the lit of February, 1765, having reached a very
age.
I9a*. Cfcron, aol.XJLJ. z
I1;© BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR.
being that of blocking up the French and Spanish Fleets in
the harbour of Toulon.
In due time he was nominated Master and Commander;
but in what particular Ships he served during the time that
he held that rank, we have not ascertained. On the 6th of
May, 174.7, he was promoted to be Post Captain of the
Margate Frigate ; and thence we believe him to have been
advanced, at the beginning of the year 1749, to the com-
mand of the Lancaster, a third rate.
Considering that, from 1748 to 1756, a general peace ex-
isted in Europe, it is by no means surprising that the name
of our Officer does not occur as being engaged in active ser-
vice. On the i8th of May, however, in the latter year, in
'consequence of Minorca being invaded by the French, war
was declared by Great Britain against that Power. In 1757,
Captain Parker commanded the Woolwich, of 44 guns, on
the Leeward Island station, in the Squadron under Commo-
dore Moore*. He remained on this station until after the
capture of Guadeloupe, in which service he was very
actively engaged f ; when, the French Squadron having
sailed for St. Domingo, and Commodore- Moore having no
longer any naval force to oppose, that Officer shifted his
pendant from the Cambridge to the Buckingham, and sent
several of the large Ships home with the convoy. Among
these was the Bristol, of 50 guns, then commanded by Cap-
tain Parker J, who, on his arrival 'in England, was removed,
we believe, into the Montague. In this Ship he was for
* On the I eeward Island station, our craizers were, this year, 1757, very
generally iticcestful. Many of the enemy'e Privateers and Merchant Vessel*
were taken and destroyed, and our own trade experienced the most ample pro-
tection. Captain (now Admiral Sir Charles' Middleton, took seventeen Prr-
vateers ; for which piece of service, the Assembly of the Island of Barbadoes, a»
a testimony of their gratitude, presented him with a sword, yalued at a hun-
dred pistoles.
•f May i, 1759. — J or a minute and interesting account of the attacks again*!
the Islands of Martinique, Guadaloupe, &c, we must refer our readers to the
"Mur.oir of Admiral Sir John Moore, in the Third Volume of our CHROWICLI,
page 438, *' "q-
f Captain Parker had been iucc«ded in the command of the Woolwich by
C»puin L. lolic.
OF SIR PITER PARKER, BART. 17!
some time employed to cruize in the Channel, where he-
met with considerable success, capturing several private Ships
of War, and other Vessels.
Captain Parker's next command was that of the Backing-
ham, of 70 guns. In this Ship he had the good fortune con-
siderably to distinguish himself. It was in the spring of
1761 that Commodore Keppel sailed on the expedition
against Belleisle: the Buckingham was employed in the
Commodore's Squadron on this occasion ; and, after the
surrender of Belleisle, she continued to be engaged in cover-
ing the newly-acquired conquest, and in blocking up the
small remains of the French naval force in the different con-
tiguous ports.
In order to preserve a due connexion in our narrative, we
shall here exhibit a brief sketch of the proceedings of the
British forces on the expedition alluded to : —
On the zyth of March, the Hon. Commodore Keppel sailed
from St. Helen's, with a large Squadron of Ships of War, and a hun-
dred Sail of Transports, with 10,000 land forces, under the command
of Major-General Hodgen, destined for the attack of Belleisle. At the
same time, a strong Squadron was ordered to cruize off Brest, under
the command of Captain Buckle, to block up that port, and to prevent
any succours from being sent to its relief. On the 7th of April, the
Fleet anchored in the great road of Palais, and the next day a large
detachment of troops was landed in Port Andeo bay, on the South
East side of the Island, under cover of the Achilles and Dragon.
The enemy had taken post on the top of an almost inaccessible moun •
tain, where they had strongly intrenched themselves. Several vigo-
rous attempts were made to dislodge the enemy, by forcing their
intrenchments, all of which, however, proved ineffectual, and at
length our troops were obliged to retreat, with the loss of five hundred
men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. The General and Com-
modore, not disheartened by this check, were resolved to persevere in
the object of the expedition : accordingly, on the zzd, after recon-
noitring the coast, it was determined to make a descent at Fort
d'Arsie; and, to divert the enemy's attention, two feints were to be
made at the same time on another part of the Island. The Ships of
War which were ordered to second the operations of the army, having
brought up at their appointed stations, soon silenced the enemy's bat-
terks. The troops were instantly landed; and, after many resolute
*7? BIOGRAPHICAL
attacks, they compelled their opponents to fly from their redoubt*
and iutrenchments. The moment that M. de St. Croix, the French
General, found that the English had made good their landing, l.e
collected his whole force, and retreated to the town pf Palais, where
he had dttei mined to make a stand On the i3th of May, with gre^t
resolution and intrepidity, and with very little loss, the English suc-
ceeded in carrying s'x strong redoubts. On tlie 7th of June, a prac-
ticable breach was made in the citadel, and every necessary prepara-
tion made for storming, when M. de St. Croix beat the chamade ar,d
offered to capitulate. The next day, the terms having been accepted,
the British troops marched into the citadel, and were pat in possession
of the whole Llaiid. The French garrison consisted of two thousand
six hundred men, of whom nine hundred and twenty-two were either
killed, wounded, or- taken prisoners. The loss sustained by the Bri-
tish army amounted to thirteen Officers and three hundred me.n
killed, fourteen Officers and four hundred and eighty men
wounded.
Immediately after the surrender of Belleisle, Commodore
Keppel detached a Squadron, under the command of Sir Tho-
mas Stanhope, to attack such of the enemy's Ships as might
be lying in Basque Road, and to destroy the works which
had been erected on the Isle of Aix. The Buckingham w?,s
ip this Squadron, and to Captain Parker was entrusted the
performance of the latter service*. Towards the end of
July the fortifications were completely destroyed ; but, pre-
viously to the accomplishment of fhis business, Captain
Parker had a brisk encounter with a number of praams be-
longing to the enemy, which, having been expressly con-
structed for the purpose of carrying very heavy cannon, were
considered by their inventors as extremely formidable. From
the circumstance of their lying vemarkab!; low in the water,
the enemy had conceiyed that the guns of the English could
not be brought to bear against them ; but in this they were
» The follov. .:;g vcre the bhip. which accocr-panied the Buckingham on thi»
expedition ;— -
Cum. Comtxandtr:,
Monrnouth - - - 64 Capta'n John Storr.
Nassau « - - -"64 i M. Suckling.
A-.tffcon • - - - »8 •• P. H. Ourry.
yly ..... 14 • Geo. Gaytcn,
: --'macs Eomb - - 8 ~-.-. — J. Cha;-
OF SIR PETER PARKER, BART. 1^3
f
ijeceived, and the praams were obliged, with much precipi-
tation, to abandon their ill-judged attack The damage
sustained by the Ships under Captain Parker's command
"was very inconsiderable.
Our Officer continued to command the Buckingham till
the year 1762, when that Ship, being extremely crazy and
out of repair, was ordered to be dismantled, and her Captain
was appointed to the Terrible, a new Ship of 74 guns, just
launched. A treaty of peace having been ratified at the
beginning of the year 1763, the Terrible was put out $f
commission, and Captain Parker was not engaged in any ser-
vice of importance until the commencement of the Ameri-
can war.
In 1772, he received the honour of knighthood; and, in
1774, he was nominated to the command of the Barfleur, a
Second rate, of 90 guns.
Towards the end of the year 1775, Sir Peter Parker was
appointed to a command on the American station, with the
rank of Commodore. He accordingly hoisted his broad
pendant on board of the Bristol, a Ship newly launched ;
and, on the 26th of December, he sailed from Portsmouth,
with a Squadron of Ships of War, and a Fleet of Transports,
having on board a large body of troops, under the command
vof Earl Cornwallis, destined for an attack on Charlestown*
in South Carolina. Meeting, however, with extremely bad
weather, and other impediments, on his passage, he did not
arrive at Cape Fear till the beginning of May. He was here
joined by General Clinton, and a reinforcement of troops ;
but, from some farther delay, the Squadron was prevented
from proceeding to Charlestown till the beginning of the
ensuing month. The Fleet having crossed the bar, it was
found requisite, before they could advance higher up, to
possess themselves of Sullivan's Island, which lay about six
miles below the town, commanding the harbour. The
Americans had long exerted their utmost ability and inge-
nuity to put this place in a formidable state of defence ; they
bad expended considerable sums of. money in the erection of
174 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
fortifications; and it was garrisoned by three hundred men.
This Island, however, it was resolved to attack; and, on the
a8th of June, in the morning, the General and Commodore
having finally settled their plan, the Thunder Bomb took
her station, covered by the Friendship armed Ship, and
began to throw shells into the fort; at the same time the
Bristol (the Commodore's Ship,) Experiment, and Soleby,,
brought up and opened a most furious cannonade. »The
Sphynx, Syren, and Actaeon, owing to the unskilfulness of
their pilots, in coming up to their stations ran upon some
shoals and stuck fast : the two first were with much difficulty
got off, but not until it was too late for them to be of any
service. It being found impossible to save the Actzeon, her
Officers had her scuttled and burnt *. — The springs of
the Bristol's cable being cut by the shot, she lay for some
time exposed to a dreadful raking fire. Captain Morris, her
Commander, was severely wounded in several places, not-
withstanding which he refused to quit his station, till a shot
took off his arm, when he was obliged to be carried off the
deck, in a condition that gave but slight hopes of his reco-
very f. — The firmness with which the enemy stood to their
* The following Ships composed tie Sqviadren then under the command of
Commodore Sir Peter Parker : —
Ship:. Guns. Commanders.
,, . , 5 Commodore Sir Peter Parker.
Emto1 5° } Captain j. Morris>
Lxperiment - - - jo . Scott.
Solebay - .... 28 • • John Symonds.
Ac'ceon - • - - 28 . 1 1 Christopher Aikint.
Active - .... 28 — — William Williams.
Syren ..... 48 ,, Furneaux
Sphynx - - - - ao • Anthony Hunt.
Ranger (A. S.) - - « Roger Willis.
Friendship MS) - II Charles Hope.
Thunder Bomb . - 8 .. James Reid.
Carcass Do. - - - 8 T. Dring.
•f It is said of this brave man, that, from a prodigious effusion of blood, h;»
dissolution appeared inevitable, and one of the Officers asked him if he had any
directions to give with respect to his family. To which he nobly answered :— «
" £lone; as 1 leave them to the providence of God, and the generosity of my
Country."— 'I he brave man dud, and his Majesty was graciously pleased to
•title a pennon on hi:, widow and cbjidrcn. The present Captain Morrii, of
the Navy, is cnc of Lissom.
OP SIR PETER PARKER, BART* t;$
guns, added to their cool and deliberate fire, made great
havock on board the Ships. The Bristol's quarter-deck was
twice entirely cleared, excepting the Commodore, who dis-
played the most intrepid courage ancT resolution. Unfortu-
nately the army under General Clinton all this time remained
inactive, not having been able tp cross that part of the river
which the guides had represented as fordable. On the ap-
proach of night, Sir Peter Parker finding all hope of success
at an end,; called off his shattered Ships before the tide of
ebb was too far spent, and retired out of reach of the ene*
my's shot.
The official particulars of this unsuccessful attack are
given in the following words by the Commodore, who,
throughout the whole of the undertaking, displayed the
greatest personal intrepidity combined with the highest pro-
fessional skill :—
It having been judged advisable to make an attempt upon thta
place by his Majesty's forces, the Fleet sailed from Cape Fear on the
1st of June, and on the /j.th anchored off Charlestown bar. The ^tb,
Bounded the bar, and laid down buoys preparatory to the intended
entrance of the harbour. The yth, all the Frigates and moat of the
Transports got over the bar into five fathom hole. The gth, General
Clinton landed on Long Island with about four or five hundred men.
The loth, the Bristol got over the bar with some difficulty. The
1 5th, gave the Captains of the Squadron my arrangement for the
attack of the batteries on Sullivan's Island, and the next day acquainted
General Clinton that the Ships were ready. The General fixed on
the 23d for our joint attack, but the wind proving unfavourable, pre-
vented its taking effect. The 25th, the Experiment arrived, and nett
day came over the bar, when a new arrangement was made for the
attack. The z8th, at half an hour after nine in the morning, informed
General Clinton by signal, that I should go on the attack. At
half an hour after ten I made the signal to weigh ; and about a
quarter after eleven, the Bristol, Experiment, Active, and Solebay,
brought up against the fort. The Thunder Bomb, covered by the
Friendship armed Vessel, brought the salient angle of the easf bastion
to bear N.W. by N. ; and Colonel James (who has ever since our
arrival been very anxious to give the best assistance) threw several
•hells, a little before and during the engagement, in a very good
direction. The Sphynx, Actaon, and Syren, were to have been to
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
the westward, to prevent Fire- Ships or other Vessels from annoy ingj
the Ships engaged, to enfilade the works, and, if the rebels should be^
driven from them, to cut off their retreat, if possible. This last ser-
vice was not performed, owing to the ignorance of the pilot, who run
the three Fiigates agroundi The Sphynx and Syren got off in a.
few hours, but the Ac'aeon remained fasi till the next morning, when
the Captain and Officers thought proper to scuttle and set her on
fire. I ordered a Court Martial on the Captain, Officers, and Corn,.,
pany, and they have been honourably acquitted. Capta:n Hope
made his armed Ship as useful as he could on the occas on, and he
merits every thing that can be sa'd in his favour. During the time
of our being abreast of the fort, which was near ten hours, a brisk fire
was kept up by the Ship?, with intervals ; and we had the satisfaction*
after being engaged two hours, to oblige the rebtrls to slacken their
fire vtry much. We drove large parties several times out of the fort,
which were replaced by others from the rh^in. Ab ut half an hour
after three, a considerable reinforcement from Mount Pleasant hung
a man on a tree at the back pf the fort, and we imagine that the same
party ran away about an hour after, for the fort was then totally
silenced, and evacuated for near au hour and a half ; but the rebels
finding that our army could not take possession, about six o'clock a
considerable body of people re-entered the fort, and renewed the firing
from two or three guns, the rest being, I suppose, dismounted. About
nine o'clock, it being very dark, great part of our ammunition ex-
pended, the people fatigued, the tide of ebb almost done, no prospect
from the eastward, and no possibility of our being of any further
service, I ordered the Ship~. to withdraw to their former moorings*
Their Lordships will see plainly by this account, that if the troops
could have co-operated on this attack, his Majesty would have beeft
in possession of Sullivan's Island. But I must beg leave here to b*
fully understood, lest it should be imagined I mean to throw the most
distant reflection on our army. I should not discharge my conscf-
ence were I not to acknowledge, that such was my opinion of his
Majesty's troops, from the General down to the private soldier, that
after I had been engaged some hours, and perceived that the troop's
had not got a footing on the north end of Sullivan's Island, I was per.
fectly satisfied that the landing was impracticable, and that the attempt
•would have been the destruction of many brave men without the
least probability of success ; and this, I am certain, will appear to be
the case, when General Clinton represents his situation. — The Bristol
had 4-0 men killed, and 71 wounded ; the Experiment, 23 killed, anfl
56 wounded ; and both of them suffered much >'n their hulls, masts,
and rigging ; the Active had Lieutenant Pike killed/ and six OKU
6
OF SIR PETER PARKER, BART. 177
wounded ; and the Solebay eight men wounded. Not oae man who
was quartered in the beginning of the action on the Bristol's quarter-
deck escaped being killed or wounded. Captain Morris lost his right
arm, and received other wounds, and is since dead; the Master is
wounded in the right arm, but will recover the use of it. I received
several contusions at different times ; but as none of them are on any
part where the least danger can be apprehended, they are not worth
mentioning. Lieutenants Caulficld, Molloy, and Nugent, were the
Lieutenants of the Bristol in the action ; they behaved so remarkably
well, that it is impossible to say to whom the preference is due; and
so indeed I may say of all the Petty Officers, Ship's Company, and
Volunteers. At the head of the latter I must place Lord William
Campbell, who was so condescending as to accept of the direction of
some guns on the lower gun-deck. His Lordship received a contu-
sion on his left side, but I have the happiness to inform their Lord-
thips that it has not proved of much consequence. Captain Scott of
the Experiment lost his left arm, and is otherwise so much wounded that
I fear he will not recover. I cannot conclude this letter without
remarking, that when it was known that we had many men too weak
to come to quarters, almost all the Seamen belonging to the Trans-
ports offered their service with a true British spirit, and a just sense of
the cause we were engaged in. I accepted of upwards of fifty to
supply the place of our sick. The Masters of many of the Transports
attended with their Boats, but particular thanks are certainly due to
Mr. Chambers, the Master of the Mercury.
After this failure, Sir Peter Parker repassed the bar, and
sailed with his Squadron for New York ; where, on his
arrival, he put himself, as instructed, under the orders of
Lord Viscount Howe, the Commander in Chief*.
It was on the 4th of July, 1776, that the Thirteen
United Provinces of America declared themselves free and
independent States.
The reduction of New York had been determined on ;
and, in order to facilitate that event, Commodore Hotham
was detached with a Squadron to Gravesend Bay, Long
Island, to cover a descent which was to be made with a body
of 15,000 troops, under the command of the Generals Howe,
* Lord Howe arrived a: Halifax, from England, on the 1st of July ; and,
finding that the Fleet had sailed, he immediately proceeded to New York,
where he joined Lord Shuldham on the i4th.
). er&ron. aoi.xn. A A
178 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
Clinton, and Lord Cornwallis. The troops were embarked
on board of seventy-five flat Boats, two Galleys, and eleven
JBatteaux. Early in the morning, on the 22d of August, the
Boats, &c. began to row towards the shore, formed into nine
divisions, under the command of the Captains Vandeput,
Mason, Curtis, Caldwell, Phipps Caulfield, Appleby, Dun-
can, and Lieutenant Reeve, of the Eagle, supported and
covered by the Phoenix, Greyhound, and Rose, with the
Thunder and Carcass Bombs. Before noon, on the same
day, the whole were landed without opposition. On the
251!), some Ships of War were ordered, under the command
of Sir Peter Parker*, to approach nearer to the town of
New York ; and another small Squadron, under Commodore
Hotham, was sent to co-operate with the army, and to cover
the general attack. At day break, on the 27 th, the naval
force made a diversion which perfectly succeeded, and, in the
evening, the army encamped in front of the enemy's works.
On the 28th, at night, they broke ground six hundred yards
distant from a redoubt on their left; and on the 29th, at
night, the Americans evacuated their intcenchments in pro-
found silence, and quitted Governor's Island the following
evening, leaving their cannon and a quantity of stores in all
their works. At day-break on the 3Oth, their flight was
discovered ; the piquets of the line then took possession, and
those most advanced reached the shore, opposite to New
York, as the enemy's rear-guard was passing over, and fired
some shot among them.
On the enemy's abandoning their lines at Brooklyn, the
royal army moved on from Bedford, and took five positions
in the neighbourhood of Newtown, Bushwick, Hill gate,
and Flushing. The two Islands of Montroser and Bucha-
* The following was the Squadron here alluded to :—
SLlpt, Gum Commanders.
Asia 64 Captain George Vandeput,
Renown 50 • Francis Banks.
Preston 50 . J. TJppleby.
Repulse - - 3Z • H. Pi vis.
«F SIR PETER. PARKER, BART. 179
nan were occupied, and batteries were raised against the
enemy's works at Horen's Hook, commanding the passage at
Hill-gate. — On the I5th of September, in the morning, three
Ships of War passed up the North River, as far as Bloom-
ingdale, to draw the attention of the rebels to that side; and
the first division of troops embarked at the head of Newtowii
Creek, and landed about noon upon New York Island, three
miles frotn the town, at a place called Keep's Bay, under the
tfre of two forty-four gun Ships (the Phoenix and Roebuck),
Commodore Hotham having the direction of the Ships and
Boats. The rebels had troops in their works round Keep's
JBay ; but their attention was engaged in expectation of the
King's troops landing at Stuvesant's Cove, Horen's Hook*
and at Harlem 4 and Keep's Bay became only a secondary
object of their care. The fire of the Shipping was so well
directed, and so incessant, that the Americans could not
remain in their works, and the descent was effected without
the least opposition.
The conduct of the Officers of the Navy, said General
Howe in his official dispatches, did them much honour; and
the behaviour cf the Seamen belonging to the Ships of
War and Transports, employed to row the Boats, was highly
meritorious. Much praise in particular was due to the
Masters and Men of six Transports that passed the town on
the evening of the 141!! under a heavy fire, being volunteers,
to take troops on hoard for the more speedy disembarkation
of the second division.— As soon as the second embarkation
was landed, the Americans retired to the main body of their
army upon ^orris's height; and, by the evening, had
evacuated the town of New York, which was taken pos-
session of by a brigade of the King's troops. The enemy
•were also shortly after compelled to evacuate the Island.
General Washington retreated into the Jerseys, whither he
was pursued by the British troops, who, before the end of
November, were in possession of almost the whole of those
provinces.
In December, Sir Peter Parker and General Clinton were
l8o BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
sent with a Squadron of Ships of War, and a body of land
forces, to reduce Rhode Island ». They sailed from New
York on the ist of the month, and arrived at Weaver's Bay,
on the West side of the Island, on the evening of the 7th.
On the 8th, at day-break, the Commodore having disposed
the Fleet as he thought proper to cover the landing of the
troops, they disembarked at Weaver's Bay without the least
opposition, and the Island was taken possession of by the
General, without the loss of a man. Sir Peter Parker, in the
mean time, blocked up the enemy's principal naval force in
the harbour of Providence.
: During the remainder of the time that he staid in America,
the Commodore continued in command at New York; but
the reduction of Rhode Island was the last service of impor-
tance in which he was there engaged.
On the 2Cth of May, 1777, Sir Peter Parker was promoted
to the rank of Rear- Admiral of the Blue Squadron; in the
month of November following, he was appointed to command
on the Jamaica station, as successor to Admiral Gayton ;
and, on the 2gth of January, 1778, he was farther promoted
to be Rear-Admiral of the White.
It was on the 3d of March, 1778, that Rear-Admiral Sir
Peter Parker arrived at Port Royal, and took on him the
Command of his Majesty's Squadron, in the Bristol,- of 50
guns f.
* The following is a list of the Squadron, under the command of Sir Peter
:Parker, at the reduction of Rhode island, in December 1776:—
SLipi, Cunt. Commanders.
Chatham - - 50 \ Commodore Sir Peter Parker,
0 I Captain J. Rayner.
Experiment 50 • James Wallace.
Preston - - 50 J. Upplehy.
Erune 32 . James Ferguson.
Mercury 20 • James Montague.
Kingsfisher - 14 .. Thomas Caulfield.
\ It was in this year, 1778, on the 8th of July, that the Ostrich, of 14 guns,
and no men, commanded by Captain Peter (now Admiral) Rainier, being on
a cruize off Savannah Point, Jamaica, fell in with, and, after a bloody engage,
^ment of three hours, captured a French Privateer of 16 guns and 150 men, 30
of whom were killed, and a great number wounded. The Ostrich had 4
men killed and a8 wounded; among the latter were Captain Rainier and
Lieutenant O'Brien.
OF SIR PETER PARKER, BART. l8l
In February, 1779, our Officer, who continued to com-
mand on the Jamaica station, was advanced to be Vice-
Admiral of the Blue.— Having been informed, thaMhe Bay
Men on the Musquitto and Bay of Honduras shores were
in great clanger of an attack from the Spaniards, and that
they had absolutely landed at St. George's 'Quay, which
place they had plundered, treating the inhabitants with great
cruelty ; Sir Peter, in order to protect this settlement from
farther insults, dispatched the -Porcupine Sloop of War,
Captain J. Pakenham, to co-operate with a small detachment
of troops which were sent by the Governor of Jamaica, under
the command of Captain Dalrymple. About the same time,
the Honourable Captain J. Luttrell was detached, with a
small Squadron *, for the purpose of intercepting some
register Ships in the Bay of Dulce. They took shelter,
however, under the strong fortress of St. Fernando de
Omoa f, but were afterwards taken at the capture of that
"place. It fortunately happened that Captain Luttrell fell in
with the Porcupine Sloop, and -the detachment under Cap-
tain Dalrymple, returning; they having performed the ser-
vice on which they had been sent, and entirely driven the
Spaniards from that part of the coast. — It was now agreed
between the naval and military Commanders, to unite their
forces, and to proceed immediately to the attack of Fort
Omoa. On the I5th of October, they arrived before the
place, and landed the regular troops, Bay Men, and Marines
of the Squadron, which together did not exceed 600 men.
As any thing like a regular siege would have proved destruc-
tive to the enterprise, from the strength of the fort, and from
the assailants not having any heavy artillery, it was deter-
mined to carry the place by a coup de main. Every requisite
Slips. • Garni Commanders.
* Charon 44 Hon. John Luttrell.
Lowestoffe - 28 Charles Parker.
Pomona 28 Charles Edmund Nugent.
Racehorse 10 Lieut. Trott.
f The fortress of Omoa is situated on the South side of the Bay of Honduras,
and oo the Gulf of Duke.
l8l BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
measure was promptly prepared for this bold attempt; aiid,
on the night of the i6th, a general attack took place by sig-
nal on the sea and land side ; the fort was stormed with very
little resistance ; the Governor and principal Officers pre-
sented their swords and keys to the Commandant, with a
surrender of the fort, garrison, and Ships in the harbour.
In the fort were found 250 quintals of quicksilver, and on
board the Ships about three millions of piastres*.
In the course of the year 1779, a number of captures were
made on the Jamaica station, among which were la Prudent e,
a French Frigate, of thirty-six guns ; and the San Carlos, a
Spanish Private Ship of War, mounting fifty guns, and car-
rying 397 Men, from Cadiz, bound to fort Omoa, laden
with brass cannon, shot, 5000 stand of arms, and other
military stores.
Complete, however, as was the capture of Omoa, we did
not long retain possession of that fortress. c* The 25th of
November," says the Vice- Admiral in one of his dispatches
to the Admiralty, ** a considerable body of Spaniards invested
St. Fernando de Omoa, and on the 28th, the garrison and
the Crew of the Porcupine were so reduced by a pestilential
disorder which raged amongst them, that it became necessary
to evacuate the fort, after having spiked the guns and em-
barked the ammunition and stores."
It was in the spring of 1780, during the command of Sir
Peter on the Jamaica station, that the memorable engagement
between the Hon. Captain (now Admiral) Cornwallis, and
the French Squadron under the command of M. le Motte
Piquet, took place f.— On the 26th of September, in this year,
Sir Peter Parker was made Vice-Admiral of the White.—
* For the official dispatches, and other important details, respecting the cap-
tore of Fort Omoa, we must refer our readers to the Biographical Memoir of
Admiral Nugent, givec in the Tenth Volume of the NAVAL CHRONICLE,
page 44 1 e t stj.
•f- Vide NAVAL CHRONICLE, Vol. VII, p. 13.
It was in this year also, «n the 2d of October, that the Island of Jamaica wa»
visited by a most furious hurricane, which extended its rage to almost all the
other Islands ; it was attended with frequent and violent chocks of earthquake ;
* sudden and extraordinary elevation of the sea broke in upon and overwhelmed
OP SIR. PETER PARKER, BART. I$j
He continued his command at Jamaica, during the year
1781, his cruizers being uniformly successful*; but, in the
the town of Savanna le Mer, and on its retreat swept every thing away, so as
not to leave the smallest vestige of man, beast, or house, behind. The wretched
inhabitants, who had fled in time and escaped the ravages of this most wonder-
ful phenomenon, on their return beheld nothing but ruin and desolation.
Every part of the Island felt the effects of this violent hurricane, though in a
less degree. Much to the credit, however, of the merchants and planters, a
very liberal subscription was raised for the unfortunate sufferers. The Squadron
which had sailed from Port Royal, with the trade for Europe, under Rear*
Admiral Rowley, shared in the dreadful calamity, as will appear from the fol-
lowing list :— Guns. Commanders.
S6ips. t Hon. Commodore
Thunderer - 74 < WaUingham.
£ Captain Nicholls.
Stirling Castle 64 R. Carket.
Phoenix • 44 • Sir H. Parker- >On Cuba,
Deal Castle - 14 • • • - J. Hawkins. I On Porto Rico,
Endeavour Brig 14 Lieut. Woolridge. J On Jamaica.
Admiral Rowley with five of his Ships returned to Jamaica dismasted, and
in a most shattered condition. The Berwick separated, and being dismasted,
proceeded alone to England, where with difficulty she arrived almost a wreck.
The Stirling Castle was totally lost on the Silver Keys, near Hispaniola, and
only fifty of the Crew saved. The fate of the Thunderer was still more cala-
mitous, having, it is supposed, foundered, every soul periihing. Several o'her
Ships of War shared the same fate, and experienced the severest distress, front
this dreadful conflict of the elements.
* On the 2Oth of April, the Resource, of 28 guns and 200 men, commanded
by Captain B. Rowley, being on a cruize off Cape Blaise, fell in with and cap-
tured, after a smart action, the Unicorn, (formerly in hit Majesty's service,) of
20 guns, 8 carronades, and i8r men. The Resource had ij men killed and 30
wounded.
In August, Captain William Affleck, in the Southampton, of 33 guns, being
off Cape Francois, fought la Surveillante French Frigate, of the same force, for
a considerable time; at length they mutually desisted, and sheered off from each
ether. The Southampton had 6 men killed and 26 wounded.
The year 1781 was particularly disastrous to the Shipping in these Seas. On
the 25th and 26th of February, the combined Squadrons of France and Sna'n,
under the command of M. de Monteille and Don Solano, being on a cruize off
Cape Francois, were overtaken by a violent storm, in which they suffered con-
siderable damage, and were obliged to bear away for the Havannah. Two
Spanish Ships foundered; two were for some time missing ; and four were dis-
masted. The French had one Ship run ashore, one sunk, and two dismasted.
The loss of lives was estimated at 2180.
On the ist of August the Island of Jamaica was again visited by a dreadful
hurricane, which destroyed several plantations, and damaged many others.
About a hundred Merchant Vessels were driven ashore in Port Royal harbour,
some of which were entirely lost, with part of their Crews. The Ul; sses, of
44 guns, and Southampton, of 52, were entirely dismasted. The Pelican, of
24, Captain Cuthbcrt Collingwood, was lost off the Morant Keys ; but the
Crew, excepting four, were fortunately saved.
184 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR.
following year, he returned to England in his Majesty's
Ship Sandwich, arriving at Spithead on the agth of July.
This was the memorable yeair of Rodney's splendid victory ;
and Sir Peter Parker had the honour of conv^ng to the
British shores, the Compte de Grasse, and several other
French Officers of rank, who were taken on the i2th of
April.
Thus, after a long residence abroad, our respected Officer
had the happiness of returning to Europe, with a splendid
fortune, most honourably acquired from the enemies of his
country. Such was the disposal of his cruizing Frigate%
while on the Jamaica station, that nothing could escape
them ; and so great was his general succesV, that the nv.-rchants
of Cuba and Hispaniola trembled at his name His unre-
mitting exertions brought such an influx of wealth into
Jamaica as had never been known before, and endeared him
to the inhabitants of that important Island by the most
grateful and affectionate ties.
Sir Peter Parker's progress in the Navy had been regular,
steady, and uniform ; his private and professional character
stood unimpeached; and, shortly after his arrival in England,
as a reward for his numerous services, he had the honour
of being raised to the dignity of a Baronet of Great Bri-
tain.
During the peace which subsisted from 1783 to 1793,
Admiral Parker held no command; but, on tire commence-
ment of hostilities against France, in the latter year, he
hoisted his Flag on board of the Royal William, of 84 guns,
as Commander in Chief at Portsmouth.
At the general election, in 1784, Sir Peter was a candidate
for the borough of Seaford, in Sussex, with the Hon.
On the aad of the same month, (August,) the homeward-bound trade sailed
under convoy of seven Sail of bhips of War ; but were soon after separated in
a heavy gale of wind: the Toibay, Prince William, and Janus, bore away for
America; some of the Merchantmen foundered, and others put back to Porr
Royal. The Albion and Princess Royal reached England with the remainder
in the month of November ; the latter in a most leaky, shattered, and sickly
condition. On her arrival at Spithead she had bread on board for only three
days.
OF SIR PBTEJ!. PAflKES, BART. 1 85
Mr. Neville, and was returned ; but, owing we beliare to
some electioneering quibble, the return was declared void.
He stood again for the same borough, in conjunction with
Sir John Henderson, and was again returned ; but this
return ?lso was declared void by the House of Commons ;
and their opponents, Sir Godfrey "Webster, and the late
Mr. Flood, were voted in on petition.
Early in the year 1787, Sir Peter was elected for the
borough of Maiden ; but he retained his scat no longer than
till the clore of the Parliament. It was during that time,
however, in 1788, that Lord Rawdon brought forward a
rrfetion in the House of Lords, in consequence of a then
recent promotion of Flag Officers. The substance of the
motion was, " Tha^ an humble Address be presented to
his Majesty, praying that he would be graciously pleased to
take into his royal consideration the services of such Cap-
tains of his Majesty's Navy as had been passed over in the
last promotion of Admirals." It would be foreign from
our purpose here to enter into the merits of the question;
the progress and result of the debate are generally known,
and must be fresh in the recollection of many of our readers ;
the motion was negatived without a division. Tin's, how-
ever, did not prevent the subject from being agitated in the
Houfe of Commons. Accordingly, Mr. Bastard, '.after a
preliminary motion, which he withdrew, moved, <l That the
House do resolve itself into a Committee of the whole
_
Hoiilfe, to enquireJqJfto the conduct of the Board of Admi-
ralty, touching the late promotion to the Flag." — In the
course of the debate, Admiral Sir Peter Parker remarked,
that he saw no reason for selection at present in a promotion
to the Flag. Formerly, when we had only nine Admirals,
a selection was indispensably necessary ; but nojw, when the *
list of Admirals amounted to fifty -seven, surely a sufficient
number, fit for any service, might be found at all times.
He spoke of the peril and fatigue of a marine life ; and
observed, that if neither honours nor emoluments were given
JF2afcg€f>ron. (Hoi. XII. B B
lS6 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR, &C.
to Officers who had behaved meritoriously and distinguished
themselves in the most gallant manner, he feared that the
thanks of the House would be considered only as an empty
compliment. The motion was strongly contended for ;
but, on the question being put, the House divided, when
there appeared, for it 134, against it 150.
< On the 24th of September, in the preceding year., 1787,
Sir Peter Parker was advanced to the rank of Admiral of the
Blue Squadron; and, on the nth of April, I794> to the
same rank in the White. He continued Commander in
Chief at Portsmouth, until the year 1799; when, on the
death of Admiral Lord Howe, he attained the summit of ftis
honours, in becoming Admiral of the Fleet. He was suc-
ceeded in his command at Portsmouth by Admiral Mil-
ban ke.
Of Sir Peter Parker, in private life, \ve know but little,
farther than that he is universally beloved and respected.
In the month of January, 1785, he had a daughter married
to a gentleman of tl.s name of Ellis; and, in June, 1788,
he had the misfortune to lose his brother, who died in
Bryanstone Street, Portman Square.
The worthy Admiral, we understand, has long been a
zealous and leading member of the Grand Lodge of Free
Masons, where he occasionally presides, and is holden in
great esteem by his brethren for the uibauity and benevo-
lence of his character.
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &e.
NANTES IN GURGITE VAjTO.
ADMIRAL SIR JOHN COLPOYS.
TJ N addition to the Biographical Memoir of Sir John Col-
poys, given in the Eleventh Volume of our Chronicle,
\vc beg leave to present the following character of that d's-
tinguished Officer, as exhibited in HARRIS'S Naval Atalvn'.sy
when only a Post Captain :—
NAVAL ANECDOTES, COMMERCIAL HINTS, &C«
'
CAPTAIN John Colpoys, from all his professional, as well as
personal excellencies, stands justly high in the estimation ot the world.
The whole Navy pay tribute to his merits as an Officer, and ari. r •
to confess Captain Colpoys is one of the brightest stars that
shone in the nautical hemisphere.
Ever since he arrived at the rank of a Captain, snd even before, it
has been his pride, nay, even his moat sedulous cure, to form the
minds of the young Midshipmen who were fortunate c-ough to walk/
his quarter-deck, not only to the strict attention to their duty, but
also to every moral virtue that could render them fit to adorn the walks
of civil life.
Brave and active to a degree, well versed in nautical science, pru-
dent, wise, and just, can it be wondered at, that Captain Colpoys was .
constantly employed, during the late war, in various climes and in
almost every various service ?
When Sir John Lockhart Ross's flag was on board the unfortunate
Royal George, Captain Colpoys commanded that Ship, and pave
infinite satisfaction during the period of that command, to every OfB-
cer and Seaman belonging to her.
To expatiate on his particular merits would be an endless task; it
is sufficient to say, that he possesses every qualification necessary to
form a distinguished naval character. '
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
SIR,
A FEW months ago you were good enough to insert in
your CHRONICLE a short account which I sent you
of the late Captin Martin Neville.
A letter I have recently received from the West Indies,
furnishes me with an opportunity of rendering you the fol-
lowing anecdote of him, which is at your service.
I am your humble Servant,
G. T.
WHEN the troops were preparing to land at Tobago, in the
beginning of the war, a battery at the entrance into Corn-land Bay
gave much annoyance. — Commodore Hood hailed the Port Mail n
(that hour only arrived from England) to assist ui the reduction or it.
Captain Neville laid his little Sloop aloiu .• the battery. The
French were driven out with some loss the %-cond broadside, a/id in a
moment their Boats were on shore, and the Seamen cheering on thq
battery.
iSS NAVAL ANECDOTES,
£
This conduct so pleased the Comrr,'.
of itj he took Captain Neville's brother into the Ceataiir, on promo-
tion.— But, alas! — he too ; another— a seventh Neville, — has sine?
fallen! '
CAPTAIX CHARLtTON.
CAPTAIN CharteoYt, w%o is now the Regulating Captain at
Shields, never chose to deliver his opinion on religion, whenever that
subject happened to be introduced in de-ultory conversation at mess ;
justly observing, that the only time to know a man's real sentiments
was in the hour of danger. At the period to which we particularly
allude, he was a Lieutenant. Shortly after a conversation of this
nature, the Ship to which Mr. Chaileton belonged happened to cpme
into action, when he called the gentleman aside who had particularly
pressed him for his opinion, saying : — " We have had many conver-
sations together, Sir, concerning religion, when we had no danger to
apprehend : whatever your sentiments may be now, mine are the same
that they always were."
HELL GATES.
THE following anecdote is related of a black man, the Pilot of
the Experiment, of 50 guns, who, during the American war, took her
through Hell Gates, to the great surprise of Lord Howe, who
thought the Ship had dropt from the clouds. At the instant of the
•greatest danger, Sir James Wallace, the Captain, gave some orders on
the quarter-deck, which Blackey thinking infringed upon his privi-
lege, calmly tapped Sir James upon the shoulder, and paid, " Massa
you no peak here." The C:r t.aia ftlt the force of Mungo's obser-
vation, who, to the surprise of Lord Howe, and those acquainted with
^•1 difficulty of navigating a Ship through^^fcl Gates, took her safe
TO Sandy Hook. The addition of the Experiment to his little Fleer,
at biic). -i crl .-a -.t reinforcement. Lord Howe rewarded the
black ir.an with r. rension of 50!. for life. Had not the Fxperiment
sailed through Hell Gates, she would have fallen into the hands of
the enemy, and which afterwards bhe did in the course of the war.
LIFE PRESERVER.
THE following is an account, originating we conceive
with the inventor of the machine, of an experiment which
has recently been performed :—
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLT.ECTIONS, &C. 189
" AN experiment was tried lately on the river, to ascertain the
utility of an invention, which is intended not only to prj^MJK the
lives cf f'lOseTvho wear it, but to enable them, from the buoyancy it
affords them in the water, to afford .relief to others who may be in
danger of drowning, and that without hazard tq^herr.selves.
" Six persons who had previously had the machine girthed on,
leaped out of their Boats, above Westminster bridge, and afforded a
very curious sight to the spectators, the body being in a perpendi-
cular position, the head and the upper part of the shoulders only
appearing above the water. In this state, their arms, legs, and all
their limbs being at perfect liberty, they went down with the tide
through Blackfriar's bridge, surrounded by a, meat number of Boats ;
they went through the middle of the stream, irhtij they passed Strand
Jane, where they came closer on the shore : they then came abreast
of the Temple, where they again put off, which they did, with no
further trouble than a trifling steerage with their hands.
t£" The machine is very simple in contrivance, being composed of
eight divisions, each made of strong sheet copper, firmly soldered and
japanned, much on t!hje principle of the balls used to float on cLterns :
these are connected by straps, and when the machine is put on, the
lower girth fastens round the chest; from thence it is rolled up over
the breast, but not higher than 'the arm pits ; from the upper part
straps go over the shoulders, and are secured to the girth round the
chest. When on it has much the appearance in shape of a horse's
collar the large end downwards. It is very safe, because if even two
or thre^of the divisions should by any accident, but which is hardly
possible, lose their wind and take water, there will still be buoy enough
to keep up the body.
" A numerous concourse of spectators, on lafid and water, appeared
very highly pleased with the experiment, which rr,et with complete
success."
It must be obvious to every person who viil be at the trouble of
referring to Vol. Ill, page 13?, or Vol. VII, page 368, of the
NAVAL CHRONICLE, that the plan of the " LIFE PRESERVER"
here mentioned is borrowed from that of Commissary Bosquet, as
fully described, and illustrated by a wood-cut, in those parts of our
work above alluded to. We are not satisfied that the ccfper machine
which has been exhibited is an improvement on the original invention.
It is by no means impossible, or even improbable, that, in the event
of striking against a rock, the whole apparatus might be rendered
useless; and, instead of being \\\e preserver of life, might become its
inevitable destroyer. More than two, or three, or four, or five of the
divisions might admit the water, in which case it would be no longer
i
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
buoyant, but would Fink, dragging down the unfortunate victim who
had relied on it f<.-\ o-.iciy. Another circumstance, equally disastrous,
would be that of the machine being crushed, and rendeieci £at, by a
blow against a rock or other hard substance. The machine which
Mr. Bosquet recommt d~ is made of light materials, such as canvai
and cork-si. ^.vings, and cannot be liable 10 cither of the above objec-
tions ; in addition to which, it comes extremely cheap, not costing
abqve seven or eight shillings, and any Seaman could construct, it ;
whereas, the copper one we should suppose couid not fee manufactured
for less than three or four guintas, and would always be liable to be
out of repair.
---
RUSSIAN VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY.
THE farther progress of this expedition is thus related in
a letter from St. Petersburg!], dated August 17, 1804: —
We have at last received very favourable accounts respecting out
navigators, for whom we were not without some apprehension. They
are dated the ist of February, from the island of St. Catharine, near
Rio Janeiro. M, Von Ktusenstern, the Commander in Chief of the
expedition, writes, that they intend to proceed the next day to the
Southward, to double Cape Horn, which will be done about the
vernal equinox, being the most dangerous time of the year. The
Ships sailed from Teneriffe on the zyth of October, where the Spanish
Governor- General received them in the most friendly manner. The
voyage to the Brazils was very tedious, owing, to strong contrary
winds, continual rains, and excessive heat. The beds and clothes of
the Seamen were always wet through, and M. Von Krusenstern enter-
tained strong apprehensions for the health of the Crews : but the
measures of precaution taken by him were attended with the best
success, so that there was not one sick man on board of both vessels.
He caused a fire to be kept, for two or three hours a day, in the
Sailors' ward-room, and gave them, instead of brandy, very good
wine, and twice a day very weak punch with plenty of lemon and
sugar. The stock of lemon and fruit they had taken with them from
Teneriffc was so considerable, that it lasted them till they arrived at
St. Catharine. The frequent rains furnished them water, which was
carefully husbanded for drinking, at the same time it gave the men an
opportunity of often washing their linen, for which purpose a great
tent was spread on deck, where the Russian Sailors were perfectly at
their ease, as they found there the convenience of the hot baths of
their own country. On the 26th of November, after a four weeks'
passage, the Ships passed the Line. The trade-winds carried thorg
rapidly to the Southward. About the zoth degree of South latitude.*
• s& '*..-,«
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C.
-
Commodore Krusenstern took great pains to discover
Ascengio (Ascension), the existence of which has been disputed foi
these 300 years, and whic,b La Perouse had sought for in vain; and he
K now convinced :hat this Island does not exist between 2o|- and 21°
latitude (south), as far as 37° 10' longitude west from Greenwich;
consequently, if there really be such an island, it must be within 70
leagues of the coast of Brazil. On the I ith of December they made
Cape Frio, the latitude of which, according to Commodore Von
Krusenstern's observations, is laid down, in the Connoissance des Terns,
at 2 degrees too little. Ou the iSth of December, near St. Catha-
rine, they weathered a heavy storm. On the 191!), a Portuguese Boat
came to them with Pilots, who offered to take the Ship through the
passage between the Islands Aivuredo and Gal, which La Perouse de-
scribes as very dangerous. M. Von Kiusenstern accepted the offer,
on purpose to examine that Streight, which shortens the way con-
siderably ; he found it perfectly safe, so that they could sail close by
both islands without any risk. Ou the 2 1 st of December, in the
evening, the two Vessels cast anchor between St. Catharine's island
and the Continent. Here they were distressed to find, that the masts
of the second Vessel, the Neva, were- good for nothing. This cir-
cumstance obliged our navigators to stay full six weeks at St. Catha-
rine's, and thus to lose the best .season for doubling Cape Horn,
They intended to set sail in the begianiag of February, and to arrive
at Kamtschatka in. March, 180-.
J
FilENCH MARINE.
IN a memo'r on the state of the French marine, at the beginning
of the fourteenth century, M. Legrand described the naval battle of
1 304, between the French and the Flemings, a very particular account
of which he found in a history, in verse, entitled, Les Branches nux
Royaux Lignages, written. in 1306, by William Guiurt. This small
work, consisting ofjfifteen or sixteen verses, one of the oldest now
extant in the history of the French Navy, gives a very accurate
description of the naval tactics and manoeuvres of that period*
M. Legrand has employed it to make known the different kinds of
Vessels of which Squadrons were then composed, and the manner of
fitting them oir. either for attack or defence. From this memoir it
results, that, until Francis I, the Kings of France had no regular Navy ;
and that, in their naval wars, they were accustomed to purchase or
hire Privateers, ready equipped and manned, or Merchant Ships,
which they manned themselves, and furnished with warlike machines.
This memoir js an extract of a History of the Arts and Sciences
*
m France, on which M. Legrand has been employed for several year?.
19* KAVAL ANECDOTES, &C«
BRITISH COURAGE.
COMMODORE Wilson. —The gallant action of Captain Dan,
beating off a Eiiip of the Line with Indiaraen »«/>>, stands unrivalled
in the annals even of his own country, if we except the truly gallant
exploit of Commodore Wilson, on the gth of March, 1757. He,
like Captain Dance, not only offered his enemy 'battle, *' if he chose
to come down ;" but when he did come, attacked him with the same
intrepidity ; engaged him with the same singular fortune; nor quitted
'him until that enemy (in a Line of Battle Ship, together with a Fri-
gate of 26 guns) flew from the Commander of three or four heavy
laden English East-Indiameii. Captain Dance fought and put to
flight the French Admiral. Captain Wilson * fought and pursued
the opponent of the English Admiral, oa the 3d of August, 1758 f.
Both Commanders received the thanks of the Honourable Court
of Directors of the East India Company, and similar acknowledg-
ments for each brilliant sen-ice.
A special commission being soon afterwards conferred on the Hero
of the gth of March, constituting him t( Commodore and Commander
of all Ships and Vessels of the English East-India Company," he was
appointed to .the Pitt, East- India Ship of War, of 50 guns J. On his
arrival in the East Indies, he again manifested his gallant spirit : he
•volunteered his Ship and his services to Admiral Pococke. In the Bay
of Bengal, he chased and brought to action a French Ship of the
Line, of 70 guns. — At Batavia he vindicated the rights of his coun-
try against the Dutch; and after having conferred British names on
distant lands |[, he achieved that which no Commander in the India
service had ever dared to attempt before him, and availed British
commerce of the advantages it has since derived from the eastern pas-
sage to China, through Pitt's Straits. He returned and resigned a
commission, the duties of which he had discharged with so much pri-
vate honour and public advantage.
Commodore Wilson died at Ayton, in Cleveland, Yorkshire, on the
I yth of June, 1795, where he was beloved and respected by all who
knew him.
* See Beatson's History of the War, and others.
f On the 3d of August, le Comptt de Provence, of 74 guns, was opposed to the
Yjrmoutl, Admiral Pococke's Flag-Ship.
\ The Pilt was fictcd out as a Ship of War, for the better protection of the
Trade.
|| Mr. Wilson named Pitt's Straits after the Ship, and gave the name of King
George's and the Prince of \Vhlti'» Islands, to the two islands which form the
Straits.
CORRESPONDENCE.
ro THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
3IR,
U were pleased, in my second reply to the criticism
on a slight treatise which I published in July 1800,
entitled, " Cursory Observations on the several Modes now
in Use of manufacturing Cables, Hawsers, and other Cordage
for nautical Uses," to class me in the respectable rank of your
Correspondents: 1 owe this honour to chance, and again
take up my pen on the subject, which I hope will not be
useless.
In that Letter or Reply, I explained and declared the
motive which had induced me to deviate from the accus-
tomafy -system of blending the component parts of cables and
tfther cordage. 1 will beg leave to quote the passage ; it was,
*c because a system had been introduced in the British Navy,
which appeared to possess properties much more dangerous
to the Mariner than the inequality of bearings in the old
system ; the defect complained of, and to be remedied by this
innovation : many practical instances within my knowledge,
might be adduced in proof of whether I- am right or wrong;
one of which appears incontrovertible, and was addressed to
me from the first naval authority in this kingdom; but I
cannot think my?elf at liberty to quote from, or make pub-
lic, .that communication and its consequent correspondence,
which originated in mistake, unless by his Lordship's ex*
press command or permission." I flattered myself that this
passage might have caught the eye of the naval authority
alluded to, (Earl St. Vincent,) and that I should have been,
called on to produce that practical proof, which could have
thrown so much light on the subject; a subject in which is
involved the interest, or perhaps I may with spme propriety
say, the safety of the Navy.
ffitto; €&am. (EtoIvXII. c c
CORRESPONDENCE:.
In the month of June, 1798, the Woolwich machine for
convolving the strands of cables, and other cordage, was
completed, and the first cable closed: the innovation pleased,
and was hastily adopted : cables of this manufacture were
put on board his Majesty's Ships, and cried up as a great
acquisition; not only on account of their superior tension,
but in this operation there was to be a very considerable
saving in the raw material also, (hemp,) one fifth, or one
sixth part at least ; because the interior did not require to be
so long as the exterior; and moreover, a cable thus made
was deemed to be equal to any other of a much larger circum-
ference or girt made in the common way. — Let us now see
what has been the result: — In the month of October, 1800,
after twenty-eight months' trial, I was honoured with the
following letter from Benjamin Tucker, Esq. Secretary to
Earl St. Vincent, then Commander in Chief of the Channel
Fleet ; enclosing another letter addressed to me, by his Lord-
ship's order. — But here, Sir, let us pause before I introduce
them. — It will be seen on their perusal, and the consequent
correspondence, that these letters were addressed to me under
the impression, that your humble servant was the patentee of
the convolving system. Under such circumstances I did not
think myself at liberty to promulgate their contents. Respect
for his Lordship, and a strong desire not to intermeddle with
that, in which I might probably be incorrect ; a deference
due to the Honourable Commissioners of his Majesty's Navy,
who 1 believed to be well informed, and more enlightened than
myself; a certain reluctance to throw any obstacles in the
. way of any improvement that might be hereafter made ; and
moreover, being a patentee myself; any efforts to expose
error in the system of another patentee, might have borne an
invidious construction : so many concurring causes, and
above all, a strong and predominant inclination to avoid
giving offence, has kept me hitherto in check, and com-
manded silence j but since that system is still patronized,
and used in the British Navy, not partially for trial, but
generally, and in full confidence of its excellences and since
CORRESPONDENCE. ig$
I not only believe to the contrary, but have knowledge from
proofs ; and have also had the opportunity of consulting the
most respectable artists on the subject, who have corroborated
and confirmed me in this opinion ; I must declare, that under
the impulse of these strong impressive causes, I think a lon-
ger silence would be criminal ; it is therefore a duty para-
mount to every other consideration, that calls on me to come
forward ; because I believe the British Navy endangered,
and that the system, as now pursued, is not much amended
since I received the letter, by order of Earl St. Vincent,
relative to his Majesty's Ship Triumph's cables. Let this
Letter speak for itself, and its consequent correspondence
explain.
Ville de Parist in Torlay,
SIR, 2btb October, 1800.
I am directed by Earl St. Vincent> to send you enclosed, the copy
of a letter which his Lordship has received from Captain Harvey, of
his Majesty's Ship Triumph, and to inform you that a copy will also
be forwarded by this post to the Navy Board.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
James Mitchell, Esq. B. TUCKER.
Triumph, of the Black Rocks,
MY LORD, October 22^, 1800.
In compliance with your Lordship's order of the 4th instant, I
have paid particular attention to the patent cables of his Majesty's
Ship Triumph, and I find regularly the yarns nearest the heart are
broken soon after the cable becomes a working one : at first I was
inclined to attribute this defect to the soft lay of the cable, and con-
sequent lodgment of water in the heart, having sent two on shore to
Portsmouth Dock Yard with this defect, which were condemned,
although they had done but little service, and no where used in foul
ground. — Since the commencement of this month, we have chiefly
worked our best bower cable, quite a new one, which now shews the
ends of yarns, broken in the way described above, besides exterior
rubs in consequence of the hard sand in the Troise.
Yesterday weighing the best bower anchor, foul, we found one
strand of the cable injured by the anchor stock j we cut off the clinch,
196 CORRESPONDENCE.
and observing the cable about five or six feet below this injury, to
shevfr signs of the interior defect, I had it opened, and found one
strand, a ninth part of the cable, had one hundred and fifteen yarns
broke, in the whole lay of th^t part, two hundred and ninety-seven
yarns quite gone, and many others injured, the pulp of which I took
off with my hand, so dry, that it could not be from decay occasioned
by water, but probably may be from the yarns being shorter and
harder in the inside than on the exterior part of the cable, which, if
proved to be the case, will shew a defect in the machine I fear it will
not be easy to find a remedy for. Unfortunately we have none but
patent cables on board.
I have the honour to'b?»
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble Servant,
To Earl St. Yincent, ELIAB HARVEY.
Commander in Chief, &c. £sV.
N.B. The best bower was received a new cable in December, i/99»
from Plymouth Yard. The two cables condemned at Portsmouth
were received September zzd, 1799, from Plymouth.
SIR, Limebouse, Nov. \tlj> 1800.
I presume that Earl St. Vincent has seen the publication entitled
*' Cursory Observations on the several Modes now in Use of manufac-
turing Cables, Hawsers, &c." I take it for granted that this publica-
tion has been the reason that I have been honoured with your favour
of the 26th ult., with a copy of the report of his Majesty's Ship
Triumph's cables, by order of. hjs Lordship. Have the goodness to
present the enclosed, and assure him nothing short of the great impor-
tance of the subject could have prevailed on me to take so great a
liberty.
I am, with great respect,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
£. ruder, Esq. JAMES MITCHELL.
H. M. S. Pille de Paris, Torlaj.
MY LORD, Limeboust) Nov. the \tl, i8co.
Nothing but the importance of the subject could induce me to
take the liberty of writing to your Lordship. — However promising in
theory or partial trials any mechanic improvement may appear^ nothing
short of practical proof can establish their excellence. The system 1
have adopted in the manufacture of cordage by subdivisions, is gene-
rally admitted by those who have attended to it, to be preferable to
the old system, (not the desideratum of the art,) but practical proof
CORRESPONDENCE. 197
tan alone determine its merits; which should be effected by a cautious
and limited trial, in that mode that would leave no do.ubt whatever of
any latent defect. I humbly submit to your Lordship's opinion*
the way which appears to be most eligible to act, on certain ground.
If as many Ships as may be deemed expedient for experimental
proof, were to take on board one working cable each, and the wear and
other properties required were to be strictly attended to, and impar*-
tially reported, it would facilitate the certain knowledge of their ex-
cellence or defects: Seamen, in the act of using cables, must certainly
be the best judges of their properties.
I intreat your pardon, my Lord, for taking this liberty : the subject
is of great moment, and must plead my excuse.
I am with the greatest respect,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble Servant,
The Right Hon. Earl St. Vincent, J AMES MITC HELL.
, Commander in Chief of the
Channel Fleet, Torbay,
Tor Alley, near Newton Allot,
SIR, 6tb Nov. 1800.
I have received your letter of the fourth, and delivered the one
enclosed to Lord St. Vincent, who directs me to say in reply, that
you appear to have misunderstood his meaning in sending you Cap-
tain Harvey's letter, which was to shew you, that unless some step
was taken, to have justice done in the manufacture of the cables in
the Dock" Yards, the patent would be ruined.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
James Mitchell, Esq. BENJ. TUCKER.
SIR, Limebouse, Nov. 10, 1800.
I am favoured with yours of the 6th inst., and now understand on
what ground Captain Harvey's letter was sent to me. Please to inform
his Lordship that I am not the patentee of that system which has
been adopted in his Majesty's Yards. The system for which his
Majesty has granted me his Letters Patent, is on a very different
principle. I have published a pamphlet, with explanatory plates, under
the title of " Cursory Observations on the several Modes now in Use
of manufacturing Cables, Hawsers, and other Cordage for nautical
Uses," Sir Charles Mitchell, brother of Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell,
requested me to let him have one for Sir Thomas Trowbridge ; I took
it for granted that his Lordship must have seen it, and attributed to
this circumstance the reason that a copy of Captain Harvey's letter
jg8 CORRESPONDENCE.
was sent to me. I will take the earliest opportunity to send you, for
his Lordship's information, some of these pamphlets ; a very slight
perusal will shew him, that the system adopted in his Majesty's
Yards is practised in error : this I always thought, and experience
has proved it so.
I trust that his Lordship will pardon this effort of explanation, as
the subject is of a public nature.
I am, with the greatest respect,
Your most obedient humble Servant*
Benjamin Tucker, Esq. JAMES MITCHELL.
Secretary to the Right Hon. Earl St. Vincent ',
Tor Abbey, near Newton Abbot.
MY LORD, Limebouse, Nov. 2$tb, 1800.
By a letter of the 6th inst. from Mr. Tucker, by order of your
Lordship, it appeared that we had misunderstood each other, on the
subject of his Majesty's Ship Triumph's cables. I wrote on the loth
to explain, and requested the favour of Mr. Tucker to inform your
Lordship, that I was not the patentee of that system, but of another
on a very different principle, and accompanied this letter with three
pamphlets, containing explanatory engravings each. As they do not
appear to have reached your Lordship, I conceive myself still to be
under an unfavourable impression. On this ground I once more take
the liberty to write, and accompany this with one of the pamphlets,
which I hope will be more fortunate than the others ; a very slight
perusal will exhibit the difference between the several systems now in
use. I have committed myself to the press for the express purpose of
public investigation, that the scientific man, or the artist, might con-
trovert the principle I act on if they find it in error.
The security of the British Navies, militant and mercantile, so
often depends on their ground-tackle, that I trust your Lordship will
pardon me in laying before you at one view, by this pamphlet, the
striking difference between the systems or modes now in practice in
this important manufacture ; and also to clear myself of being thought
the author of a system I disclaim.
I have the honour to be, with the highest respect,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble Servant,
JAMES MITCHELL.
Tht Right Hon. Earl St. Vincent^
Commander ia Chief, fcf c. &c.
CORRESPONDENCE. 199
Ville de Paris, in Torbayt
SIR, 2%tb November, 1800,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th inst.
accompanying a pamphlet explaining the system proposed by you
for making cables. In reply to which, I beg leave to observe, that I
have hitherto been in error respecting the mode adopted in his
Majesty's Yards, which I thought had been as described in your
patent, the merits of which, compared with the present manufacture,
I am no judge of; and my only motive for directing Mr. Tucker to
make the communication he did to you, was, that justice might
be done (in the manufacture) to the suggestions of an ingenious
man.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
Jamet Mitchell, Esq. ST. VINCENT.
Having introduced these letters, permit me to comment on
them.— With respect to Captain Harvey's, nothing can be
more clear, explicit, and convincing; he defines the proper-
ties of these convolution strands, as they were at that time,
as they are now, and as they ever must be, until Nature
shall become sportive, change her laws, and cease to be im-
mutable. He says : *' I find regularly the yarns nearest the
heart are broken soon after the cable becomes a working
one." Let me ask any professional artist, or any one who
will give himself the trouble to investigate the cause, how it
can possibly be otherwise? — I do not ask those who have
hastily patronized and adopted this system, nor yet those
who have so much interest in it, as to obtain eight pounds
(I speak from credible information,) per ton more than is
given for that which has been hitherto in usage : I bar all
appeal to such attachments as cling to interest or prejudice,
and appeal only to impartiality and the evidence of known
facts. I found, upon analysing the strands of a sixteen inch
cable, made on the convolving principle, that the centre or
straight yarn of one' of them was one hundred and sixty
fathoms in length, and the external or outer coat of spirals,
were one hundred and ninety -six fathoms each, when the
TOO CORRESPONDENCE.
curves of the spiral yarns were drawn out into straight lines;-
making a difference of thirty-six fathoms between the centre
yarn and the outermost coat of yarns : the intermediate coats
of spiral yarns from the centre one to the external, were in
reciprocal proportions of gradual increase.
^ __B Centre straight yarn 160 fathoms
a a first spiral coat, drawn into a line
b _b second do. do.
c; , _c third do. do.
d — __ , d fourth do. do.
e _ _e fifth do. do.
C — D External coat 196 fthms.
The line AB represents the straight or centre yarn ; aa,
bb, cc, dd, and ee, the lengths of the intermediate surround*
ing coats of spirals between the external coat and centre yarn,
CD the length of the external coat : all of them with the
spiral curves taken out and placed in straight lines. It will
follow then, that when in a convolved state, the yarn AB was
in a straight, the first coat of yarns, aa, in long spirals ; the
second coat of yarns, bb, in somewhat more contracted spi-
rals ; the third, cc, still more contracted than the second ; the
fourth, dd, more contracted than the third, &c. &c., be-
coming progressively more and more contracted onward to
the exterior coat CD, which was the most contracted of them
all : these yarns, when in their combined state, had tension,
and would suspend very considerable weights whilst in close
adhesion; but let us change the position, and place the cable
or rope in an inflected direction, either round the capstern»
windlass, bits, or timber-head : it follows then that the yarn
AB will circumscribe the inflected part in aline; the first
coat of yarns, aa, will circumscribe the inflected part in
lengthened spirals ; the second coat of yarns, bb, will circum-
scribe in somewhat more contracted spirals; the third coat
of yarns, cc, will circumscribe in still more contracted spi-
rals than the second ; the fourth more than the third, and
so on progressively to the last or outermost coat, (which
number of coats will be more or less according, to the size of
l
CORRESPONDENCE. 201
the rope,) and that will be the most contracted of them all.
Now, I contend, that in any of these inflected directions the
interior of the rope or strand will be more acted on than
the exterior ; consequently they must be as defined by Cap-
tain Harvey, when he says, " that it could not be from de-
cay occasioned by water, but probably may be from the
yarns being shorter and harder in the inside hail on. the
exterior part of the cable." It app:ars that Captain Harvey
has tried these cables in their soft lay, as well as in their hard
lay, and that he has paid them particular attention. He says :
" I find regularly the yarns nearest the heart are broken
soon after the cable becomes a working one : at first I was
inclined to attribute this defect to the soft lay of the cable,
and consequently to lodgment of water in the heart, having
sent two on shore to Portsmouth Dock-yard with this defect,
which were condemned, although they had done but little
service, and no where used in foul ground." Here we have
two instances of defect, which T attribute solely to the sys-
tem, and no-t to the machine- ,• a neutral tool subservient to
its manager. — The Triumph's cables, whilst fresh, new, and
in close adhesion, would have rode out the severest gale, pro-
vided it came on whilst she had a sufficient scope of cable
©ut, and remained without the necessity of veering away;
but alas ! the moment she should have had occasion for
a heavy drag round the bits — — J should tremble for the
consequence.
I cannot well avoivi some comment on those letters which
were the result of Earl St. Vincent's communication : they
commenced in error, respecting his Lordship's report to me ;
they are of little consequence : I shall only observe, that in
the first letter addressed to his Lordship, it is said, " the
system that I have adopted in the manufacture of cordage by
subdivisions, is generally admitted by those who have attended
to it, to be preferable to the old system; but not the deside-
ratum of the art ;" — and I do not hesitate to say, that I think
j02at>. Ctjjon. SJoI.XII. D P
232 CORRESPONDENCE.
it no presumption to declare, that I am of the same opinioii
still. This slight comment is drawn from me-in consequence
of a critique, that I am convinced would never have made its
appearance in the NAVAL CHRONICLE, if the Editor had
not been misled. With respect to his Lordship's letter.,
which cleared up finally the mistake, and closed the corres-
pondence, I will be very short. His Lordship is pleased to
say, that his " only motive for directing Mr. Tucker to make
the communication he did, was, that justice might be done
(in the manufacture) to the suggestions of an ingenious
man." I quote this passage, to point out what I suppose
his Lordship must have alluded to, a note or observation of
mine (in the publication) upon what I then thought might
amend the convolution system, by giving their strands more
lengthened spirals* than at that time they appeared to give
them; for which observation an* apology was made to the
patentees and conductors; saying, that the mtstivs was, " to
suggest what appears to me to be an improvement, and if
in error, I intreat their pardon." I did not then, nor do
now, come forward upon illiberal ground to depreciate : for
if what I have asserted and endeavoured to prove, is errone-
ous, I do assure them they iray place it to the account
of that faculty of the mind which Heaven has endowed me
with, to discriminate between right and wrong ; and if it
leads me astray, they may easily controvert, by producing
proof to the contrary f. Could I believe this account of
Captain Harvey's, of the failure and defects of the Triumph's
cables, to be the only solitary instance that ever gave cause of
complaint, I would not request the Editor of the NAVAL
* Lengthened spirals from the machine would have given the strands the
property cf a more gradual adhesion, and have lessened the distance between
the centre yarn and its surrounding coats.
f This is no- abstruse hypothesis, nothing metaphysical : we need not say on
tkis occasion, *
" Who shall decide, when doctors disagree,
And soundest casuists doubt like you and me ?"
CORRESPONDENCE. 2OJ
CHRONICLE to give it insertion. I do not call on you, Sir,
to become the vehicle of party, to 'elevate or depress one
system at the expense of the other: I lay before you plain
facts from indubitable authority, in which the community at
large is much interested ; and aim at nothing mere than to
have this important subject investigated in the most public
manner, under the inspection of independent and unpre-
judiced men, by bringing to trial the inflecting property of
that system which is now adopted in h;£ Majesty's yards. I
need not observe to nautical men, that they cannot have
much confidence in their cables, if they are defective in that
essential quality. Should this matter ever come under the
cognizance of the Naval Commissioners of Inquiry, 1 have
no doubt but under their investigation, such proof would be
obtained as to clear up every doubt : and here 1 take the
liberty to recommend the mode of trial. If for tension, let
it be by the suspension of weights in a vertical direction,
and not horizontal: an instance occurred where trial of ten-
sion was made vertically, between two shroud-laid ropes, of
either six or seven inches girt, put together, the one on the
convolution plan, the other in the usual way ; the latter sus-
pended a greater weight than the former: they were after-
wards tried at a rigging-house, in a horizontal direction ;
when vice versa, the convolution rope broke the other : this
may be readily accounted for; but, to avoid perplexity, must
forbear to explain : professional men understand, and know
that it can be done. With respect to trial of inflexion-, and
to know which cable or rope excels:, I know of no other way
than to elevate and lower some ponderous substance for a
number of times; the elevation to be by a capstern, as in the
sketch A, or by a windlass, or any thing cylindrical ;. the
lowering to be from the inflected turn, as when bitted like a
cable, as in sketch B. After as many repetitions as may bs
deemed sufficient for proof, open the parts and see how the
interior yarns have stood. The like trial may be obtained for
$hroud-laid cordage, by the 'elevating and lowering a heavy
2O4 CORRESPONDENCE.
piece of ordnance, with a suitable fall', or, by eating and
lowering a weighty anchor; the lowering to be -from a tim-
ber-head, or a pair of topsail- sheet bits. After trial as before
mentioned, open the strained parts and see how they have
stood. Such an ordeal as this, under public and impartial
jnspection, would, like the touch of Ithuriel's spear, manifest
the truth, and have a tendency to give more security to our
Shipping of all descriptions.
The convolving plan has been in use in the Navy for a
considerable length of time; if the Honourable Commission-
ers of that department would indulge the public with all
their reports, it would throw much light on the subject, and
explain on what ground they have pursued their system,
since they received an account of the failure of his Majesty's,
Ship Triumph's cables.
It is my sincere wish that this important subject should
be investigated in the most public manner under the inspec-
tion of disinterested, independent, and unprejudiced men.
If, Sir, through the medium, or by means of your useful pub-
lication, this could be brought about ; the event, with respect
to individuals, would be of little moment, provided we attain,
but the means to determine, that which shall be most ad-
vantageous for the better security of our Ships of War and
Ships of Commerce.
Should this be productive of so much good, you will not
regret the trouble I now give you, nor shall I regret that
chance has been the means of making mq one of your Cor-
respondents.
I am, Sir,
Your most humble Servant,
Limehouse, JAMES MITCHELL.
August i6tb, 1804.
E 205 J
MARINE SCENERY.
4*A MARIS, VASTIOJJE PIACINT D1SCRIM/NA PONTI.
VaLFlac.
DIAMOND ROCK*, MARTINIQUE.
'E have been favoured with the following extract of a
letter, received in the spring of the present year; the
perusal of which, we doubt not, will prove highly interesting
to many of our readers : — .
Diamond Rock, Fe&ntary I 7, 1 804.
AT present, my dear friend, take all your romantic ideas about
Highgate, Hampstead, and the lower regions of Norwood forest, or
even your own Chalfont, and burn them, to make room for a set of
new ones, as wild as those of Crusoe, and more true. There is, in
this hemisphere, an island called Martinique, belonging to the French,
as you well know; and there is near it, in the middle of the sea, a
huge rock called the Diamond — from its shape I suppose, which very
likely you do not know. This rock has stood (since the creation, no
doubt) without man, bold as he is, ever daring to venture near its
destructive form. The surge has beaten against its spiky splinters for
these thousand years in vain anger, and the hollow caves still remnr-
inur to the howling winds. You see it for miles poking out of the
sea, and horror gradually rises as the vessel draws near, as, in the
mighty womb of things, the catastrophe of fate. On this rock I am
sitting, superior to that power, and calmly opening the doors of my.
heart for you to have a peep at those feelings which have ever been
its inhabitants, and there, sitting in council, have directed my head;
you know how often to wroi;g and unprofitable purposes, as the world
has thought. This mighty rock has been gazed at by all nations,
but trodden by none ; sea crabs alone have ventured up into its holes,
and birds of prey have alone ascended to its rugged summits. Behold
the genius of the deep, the genius of British Enterprise! It is not a
month since all this •was, and now the voice of song and labour
resounds through every part of it ; wigwams and thatchings, cots and
* For 3D engraved representation of this remarkable spot, from a drawing
ty Pocock, we must refer our readers to the Nintb Volume of the NAVAI
CHRONICLE, page 201.
2O6 MARINE SCENERY.
hammocks, appear in every hole ; the pot and the keltic's smoke
ascends, and the light glimmers in the cavities where sea-birds and
bats formerly built their nests. Where was the bcasted ingenuity of
Trench engineering ? It was too tremendous for their skill. Now
they stand on the shore with their spy -glasses, and wonder, as the
•wise-acres did when Columbus gaye the egg the mighty thump.
Yet think not, my dear friend, that I have conjured up the genius of
fancy. More than I can say, and more than VOL: can believe, hn\e
been accomplished by the fertile enterprise of Commodore Hood, and
the indefatigable exertions of the Centaur alone. Believe me, I shall
never more take my hat off for any thing less than a. British Seaman.
It is easy to subscribe a million of money at Lloyd's, by putting your
hand into your pocket; but it requires the hearts of lion?, and the
fortitude of i;ntameable spirits, to attack the bold front of defiance-
bidding Nature, and bend her to your purpose. Were you to see
how, along a dire, and, I had almost said, a perpendicular acclivity,,
the Sailors are hanging in clusters, hauling up a fcur- arid-twenty-
pounder by hawsers, you would wonder ! they appear like mice,
hauling a little sausage ; scarcely can we hear the Governor on the
top, directing them with his trumpet, the Centaur lying close under
it, like a cocoa-shell, to which the hawsers are fixed. From that
Ship, which you must know is a seventy-four, issued forth Carpenters,
Smiths, Turners, Miners, machines, engines, and Directors, and also
your friend, their humble historian, who thus attempts to citsc1. ibi
their gigantic exploits, though his pencil is unable to keep pace with
their labours. I have a thousand things to tell you about mysJ.r,
but nothing can I think of relating, while a micioscope would hardly
discover so diminutive a being, stuck in some crevice oi this tremen-
dous piece of grotto work, which is itself scarcely a carbuncle on the
nose of the West Indie?. Here I have lived for a month, drawing
from morning till night, free as the goat that browses on the rock,
and happy as' the broodings of fancy, and the goodness of every body-
around me, can make a mortal, in the elysium of ideas, and the luxury
of high feelings.— But I will now endeavopr at something more like
method, lest you should conceive that the heat, which is excessive,
has d'sordered my brain more than it usually is. The height of the
Diamond is six hundred feet, measured by a quadrant on board of the
Ulysses ; its circumference is not quite a mile, Martinique being close
by within three quarters of a mile. The South side of the rock is
inaccessible, it being a flat steep, like a wall, sloping a little towards
the top, and the grass climbing up. The East side is also inaccessible,
with an o»er-hanging cave about three hundred yards high ; on the
South- West side also are caves of great magnitude, but- perfectly im-.
MARINE SCENERY* 2OJ
pregnable 'from that side. The West side has breakers running Into
the'Sea, where the people first laud ; here a guard is placed, and a
lodgment maJc for stores ; the landing is sometimes very dangerous,
and at best you must creep on your hands and feet, through crannies,
till you wind to the North- West side, every moment endangering your
neck, should y;' u slip. At last you reach the North-Wist, and here a
slope of green fig trees, a. beautiful grove, first relieves the eye : this
grove mounts up, under an immense grotto which over-hangs it, and
here is now the tent of the Governor, Captain M , whom I
beg to introduce to you bye-and bye on paper. Close by stands the
tent which I inhabit ; our family consists of a Newfoundland dog,
a cat and kitten, and such wild sparrows and rabbits as chuse to
visit us.
But how cr-me I here, I think you ask. Then you must know,
that returning from Guadaloupe, where I had the honour of dining
with General — -— , and afterwards from Martinique, where I was
three days in the house of the French Officer Villaret Joyeuse, went to
a ball, &c. Commodore Hood, Commander in Chief on this station,
granted me leave to live on the rock, to make drawings, &c. •
In front or the slope, and projecting into the sea, is the Queen's
battery, with a four-and-'twenty pounder commanding the entrance
and nearly the whole of the bvy, acioss which nothing can pass. The
twenty- four-pounder, moving on a central point carriage, completely
covers the men who work it. On her Majesty's birth-day, the Bri-
tish Flag was hoisted, and a royal salute was fired; morning and
evening guns have ever since been regularly fired, and the garrison
mounts guard. From the Queen's battery a covered way is made
to another battery, called the Centaur, fronting the N.E. and com-
manding the other side into the Sea. The latter is peculiarly well
constructed, mounting also a twenty four pounder. Here all com-
Tnunicatum ends, and both batteries are amidst breakers which defy
approach. This may be termed the base of the lock, a ridge of
which, running down between the two batteries, has been worn away
by time. Here a rope-ladder is fixed, by which the garrison pass to
the middle of the rock, where, midway, is Hood's battery, mounting
a tvveiity-four pounder; thence the ascent to the top winds through
shrubs and crags ; and on the summit, which commands an immense
distance, ate two long eighteen-pounders and the Union Jack.
Now, my dear friend, we have been climbing at a great rate ; let
TIS descend and take a tumbler of madeira, of which the Commodore
has sent me a supply, and behold the scene before us. — Here, when the
rain pours along the waters, so that you may see it descend in sheets,
I am sheltered from wind and weather. The tents below are sooa
io8 MARINE SCENERY.
wet through, and I have breakfasted and dined there with my feet
covered with water, though half an hour before it was so hot and dry
that the very chests on which we sat have cracked. Now I occupy
a tent on this hill ; but when I am out on the steeps to draw, and a
shower comes, I run to the first cavern, most of which are inhabited
and hung round with hammocks, where associating Sailors are
boiling the wild spinach, which grows abundantly and is very delici-
ous. A branch of a tree serves them to stir the kettle ; a piece of
wood, split at one end, and a stone thrust into the slit, makes a fork.
On these occasions I wear no stockings ; but I have been obliged to
get a pair of Sailor's shoes from the Purser, for the rock is sharp and
cuts like flint, wearing every thing to pieces. Serpents are in abun-
dance ; and the grass, between the fragments which time has tumbled
down, is so high, that I frequently tread upon some. The bite of the
black one is mortal in a few hours. The prickly pear, which you
have seen in hot-houses, grows here, and annoys me much. The
ground is also full of lizards, which are so tame and curious that I
frequently have the company of half a dozen, who come to sit on the
rock where I am drawing, and even venture on the drawing-board, in
my hand, and on my plate of colours. — The rocks are so bold and
grand that I feel inexpressible delight in beholding them; and then
the wide seas, with uncommon wild clouds flying about — I recognize
in my soul a feeling of relationship to the majesty of Nature. The
surge often drives, the spray as high as I sit : it is a music of which
the ear never tires. I mess with Captain Morris, and we generally
have visitors; the link of good nature is never broken, and we are as
profusely liberal as our circumstances and situation will admit. Each
lends the other his spoon, a penknife serves to cut up a joint, and
fingers are substitutes for forks. The language of the heart flows
here as purely as at the proudest board of ticklish taste: it is unadul-
terated from the source of Nature. A bottle of madeira or claret fol-
lows dinner, to the remembrance of our friends in England. Fish,
melon?, &c. are sometimes brought from the Martinique shores, by
the small bonts which venture here for gain or curio.-ity. We throw
the shot upon their shore, and bring every boat to if we please. In
the evening we walk in the Queen's battery, thus tracing our rocky
path along the over-hanging ridge, to the summit, where our little
brotherly tents spread their canvas on cross sticks, and are barricadoed
with stones. Warmed by the genial bowl, we shake hands, bid good
night, retire upon the dried grass, and, rolled in blankets, sleep shuts
our weary eye-lids, while neither fear nor uneasiness intrudes on our
repose. At night, the continual roaring of the sea below is only
interrupted by the replies of watching sentinels above, or the scresrnj
MARINE SCENERY. 2Og
of the tropic bird, who sweeps from the top to the water to catch
fish, which he providently lays up in his nest to feed on by day. If
then, sometimes, the thought of thnse distant beings, dear to affection,
keep my sense awakf, I behold the starry face of the heavens as I
lean on my elbow, the sea stretching before me her immeasurable blue
domain, and, trusting to the wakeful eye of Providence, I sink in
reflection, thought dissolves, and oblivion removes every trace from
the tablet of memory.
The Commodore, whose activity and vigilance are of the most
pushing kind, visits the rock almost daily ; and with him, the Officers
of the Centaur, which is close by at anchor, in a place hitherto
unknown to have afforded any anchorage, and so close to the Diamond,
that you may spit on it from the deck when the current moves the
Ship. The Commanders of the Blenheim, Ulysses, and Hyppomenes,
frequently attend him, when they join the blockade ; and, at the
moment, the Blenheim, and the Romney, arrived from Africa, are at
anchor on a patch close by, now called the Diamond patch, which no
Pilot ever knew of. It was discovered by the Commodore. The
Sailors explore the rock, ascending by the rope-ladder; the Soldiers,
•with their muskets, ascend the same way, the timid being drawn
midway in a bucket that is fixed to a pulley-block and ropes, which
the Seamen call the mail, or telegraph. Stores are also conveyed in
the same manner to the magazine. This travelling in the air has a
jnost romantic appearance.
There are some springs in the rock, but they are of a mineral
nature, and occasion the gripes. Some tanks, however, are building,
and almost finished, which will in one day catch as much rain water
from the rock as will serve the colony for half a year. The place is
very healthy, notwithstanding which an hospital has been begun, and
the walls are already mounting. I know not what the good people of
England will think of so arduous an undertaking, in a place where no
spade can make impression, and where every thing is blown and torn
from it by mining ; the lime fetched from St. Lucia, the bricks cut
out with gunpowder ; saws, hammers, anvils, &c. made out of old
anchors ; forges going, and all this within the short time of about six
weeks: for my own part, I am astonished at the efforts of a single
Ship's Crew. But, however perilous of access, the Sailors build, like
sea-bids, their nest in the most terrific caves. Like busy ant:;, the
Crew creep about the rude mass ; every where they are at work ; the
6aw, the anvil, the axe, the grating file, resound ; mines explode, and
the flying fragments rend (he air.
Here are goats and rabbits, tropic birds and doves, with a variety
of other birds, bats, and curious insects. Would 1 were moie ac-
OfoI.XH. - e E
2IO MARINE SCENERY.
quainted with natural history ! But, unfortunately, shells, insects, and
sluubs, have never been my study. Space and expanse too powerfully
govern my mind; an extended honzon, a rising promontory, a turbu-
lent sea, or a convulsive sky, makes me forget myself; and the deiight
which I enjoy here is unspeakable. Every morning, on waking, I
beheld the sea apparently close to my feet ; — for they reach out of my
tent, only three good yards from where the rock descends about two
hundred feet into the sea. I rise and behold immense masses above ;
sea, heaven, and earth are before me ; and the folio volume of Nature
is open to me all day. The Seamen call their coming here going
ashore ; and so powerful is this liberty looking wildness of this
nature to the mind, that they return to the Ship with reluctance,
though often, while here, deprived of every comfort and allowance.
Here they will work twice as hard, and conceal their being ill, and
even die without help, rather than leave the barren rock to return on
board. A few days ago, the Centaur drifted, was driven to sea, and
we were left without water ; but, whatever I may have read of Roman
heroism, I every day see more striking instances of that virtue among
British Seamen. Thirsty, and often without bread, in the heat of the
sun, on this comfortless, and at present barren rock, in the face of the
enemy, who is erecting his works to throw bombs, they remove
rocks, colonize a flinty soil without intermission and without mur-
murs, and can still generously share the little which they have left.
Here I have found, that the fine sayings of love of country, and the
htarty wishes for our native land, flow from the genuine warmth of
the heart, and evaporate not like the effusions of the bottle, or the
vauntings of plenty and a full belly. Here, resolutions are formed in
the face of want, and executed in despite of fate. The Boat's Crew
who cut out the Cuneux Brig from linear the batteries of Fort Royal,
\vere true lives and fortune men of his Majesty. When the Marines
were gone from the rock the other day, on an expedition, and, in the
middle of the night, the alarm was given, and every man was in five
minutes on the batteries to defend his Majesty's rock— the expressions
which, in the momentary expectation of danger, burst from the
loyalty and courageous love of country of our bailors, would shame
the bright st passages of admired Sophocles; and often would the
death of an humble Tar appear with greater lustre than the laboured
exit of a splendid monarch.
The manner of feeling which Nature has given you is so different
from the many, that I dare wiite to you in the language which costs
me no trouble in composing. I am nov.r sitting on the top of a rock,
and an old barrel is my dfsk ; with no other library thnu a I
pocket-book that I bought at Fahnoudi, and in which i both write what
MARINE SCENERY. 211
I think, and draw what I see. I have no Longinus here to teach
me sublimity, no Homer to ape for majesty, no Virgil to copy for
beauties, no ScalJger to perplex me with notes, no commentators to
pursue through wordy labyrinths; but my head turns with slow
attention to view a majestic cloud stretching .from Point Diamond to
Point Saline, and again turns and turns to study the beautiful elucida-
tion of its margin. Expression and language forsake me — I could
plunge into the ocean to dive for words ; so poor in language, yet so
read in Nature ! Every Sailor that chews biscuit is my superior in
philosophy. The language of Addison's Cato is nonsense to his
silence. My ethics are mined ; and unless I can^gain find the track
of my former consequence, polish, and conceit, I shall return to you,
a rusty traveller defaced by salt water.
From this enchanting scenery I have drawn several views, which
perhaps may some day prove to my well-wishers and patrons, that,
however romantic my head may be, my head and hand have still gone
well together. Were it not for the duties which I owe to my family,
and for the strong affection which I bear them, I could stay on this
rock all the days I have to live. It is to me one of those spots on
earth which are truly desirable; it breathes all the independence of
Nature; it is large enough for the curious enquirer all the year round,
yet not too large to be grasped by the mind every moment, or to be
actually overrun in a few hours. Not far away from the rest of the
world, it enjoys an everlasting spring, sheltered from heat and rain,
so that in the heaviest shower you may breakfast and dine in the open
air, and behold the hurricane rage below and around, while you
indulge in the gentle breeze. The habitable part of which I have
spoken is like a horse shoe, the favourite shape of popular theatres,
covered with a canopy of rock. But what ate all theatres to this. !
The Roman theatre a child's card-house to it ! The morning dawns ;
the whole world waits as she draws the curtain; the air is still, the
ocean blazes, and the hills catch fire ! Thus shine, methinks, the words
and actions of good men, unlacquered with the leaf gold of fashion.—
An everlasting change of scenery is displayed : see the clouds encii cling
the tops of the mountains; now the sea, swept in showers, and curling
with squalls; now the sun gilding the sugar-cane fields; — the sublime
of Nature is here so quickly and so agreeably mixed with the beauti-
Jul, that the mind has not time to be satiated with objects. When
you are on the top, you behold the wide world and the great ocean :
the sublime fastens on the soul ; creation can present nothing more
212 FOURTH REPORT OF THB
.grand. When you descend, the green landi where you may see trie
carriages travel, and count the feeding sheep, sweetly relieves and
beautifies the scene ; nor has the trouble of descending subtracted
from the pleasure. You have a sound appetite, a cheerful spirit, and
you glory in health and existence. So natural is the inborn love of
the sublime, that, could any inhabitant of a city pop his head out and
behold so wide a field of Nature, his soul would be instantly emerged
in it, and he would forget all his little concerns ; and so sweet is the
change from it to the minute and beautiful, that, after so trying a
sight, you examine an insect or a flower with infinite pleasure, sinking
into the calmness of relaxation. It is this change and mixture here
which render the pleasure of admiring and adoring the Supreme
Being in the meekness of heart and exaltedness of head, not a syste-
matic duty, but a delightful worship. I tremble at his power, and,
like a child, I tremble also at his kindness !
J.E.
Kcform,
FOURTH REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
OF NAVAL INQUIRY.
[Concluded from page 30.]
*""{pHAT where no appeals shall be entered abroad, if the agent
•J*" should not make distribution within nine months from the time
of condemnation, the proceeds should be remitted to the Commission-
ers for Prizes, for the purpose of making distribution.
That all remittances should be made in government bills, if obtain-
able at the time when the agents may have occasion to remit.
That if the agent make the distribution at home, within the time
before specified, he should pay over the unclaimed shares to the
Commissioners for Prizes at the expiration of one month from the
time of distribution, and likewise one per cent, of the commission
of five per cent, charged ; and deliver a detailed account of the
proceeds, together with the original prize list, and a copy of the dis-
tribution list.
That if the agent abroad make distribution within nine months
from the time of condemnation, he should remit to the Commissioners
for Prizes, within four months from the time of distribution, the
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQUIRY. 2IJ
amount of the unpaid and forfeited shares, together with one per cent,
of the commission of agency, and transmit at the same time a detailed
account of the proceeds, the original prize list, and a copy of the dis-
tribution list verified upon oath.
That the money paid by the agent to the Prize-Office in cases
not appealed, be lodged in the bank, to be taken out by order of
the Commissioners for Prizes, as occasion may require, for distribution
or recalls.
That if the agents, at home or abroad, should not make the distri-
bution within the times before specified for them respectively, then the
prize-office should make distribution, deducting the five per cent,
commission as aforesaid, with the usual charges for advertisements,
and distribution, as now made by the agents ; and, when distribution
shall have been made, the Prize-Office should pay the agent two and
a half per cent, of such commission.
That in cases of appeal from the decisions of the High Court of
Admiralty, the proceeds be paid over by the agent to the Commis-
sioners for Prizes, within four months from the time of condemna-
tion, if the appeal should be entered within that time ; and if the
appeal should not be entered within that time, then within one month
from the time of entering the appeal ; unless, upon cause shewn by
the agent, the Commissioners should enlarge the time for such pro-
ceeds being paid over, for a period not exceeding two months ; such
proceeds to be by. them immediately invested in the three per cent,
consolidated bank annuities, if the books of that fund be then open,
and if not, then in the three per cent, reduced annuities, in the
Names of the Commissioners for Prizes, with such descriptions as
may keep the accounts of the proceeds of each capture distinct, after
a sufficient sum for defraying the expenses of the suit, to be judged
of by the Commissioners, shall have been advanced by them to the
agent for the captors, he giving security for the same: and if the
agent be dissatisfied with the sum proposed to be advanced by the
Commissioners, the High Court of Admiralty, upon application by the
agent, should decide the amount of the money to be advanced.
That further sums, if judged necessary by the Commissioners, should
be advanced to the agents in the progress of the appeal, out of the
money so invested, or the interest arising therefrom.
That the Commissioners for Prizes, from time to time, should
receive the dividends, and vest the same in the funds for the benefit of
the parties in whose favour the appeal shall be decided.
That at the time of paying over or remitting the proceeds, the
agent should deliver the original prize lists of the Ships entitled to
share, and a detailed account of the sales, verified upon oath.
214 FOURTH REPORT OF THE
That in cases of appeal from the decisions of the Vice- Admfralt'y
Courts abroad, the agents should remit the amount of the net pro-
ceeds, after deducting the expenses of sale and condemnation, as soon
as may be, not exceeding six months from the time of such appeal
being entered, by bills of exchange payable to th.- Commissioners for
Prizes, together with the original prize lists of the Ships entitled to
share, and a detailed account of the sales, verified upon oath. And if
the agents^fhould wilfully, or without sufficient reason, retain the
money bcybnd the period above specified, he should be liable to a
penalty of five hundred pounds, besides one per cent, per mensem for
such time as he shall hold the money in his hands, to be paid to the
party or parties who shall eventually be entitled to the proceeds.
That upon the money being received by the Commissioners for
Prizes, such sums as may be judged necessaiy by the Commissioners
shall be advanced to the correspondent of the agent, to defray the ex-
pense of prosecuting or defending ,the appeal.
That upon all remittances made to the Prize-Office from the agent,
he shall at the same time communicate the name and place of «bode
of his correspondent or agent in England.
That the amount of the proceeds, when received by the Commis-
sioners, should be invested in tht funds as before provided for in cases
of appeal from the decisions of the High Court of Admiralty.
That in appealed cases, the amount of the proceeds having been paid
to the Commissioners for Prizes, the distribution and recalls should be
wholly made by the Prize-Office, aud the agent should rectivc three
per cent, on the net proceeds.
1 hat Captains or Commanders of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels,
on quitting any of the foreign statibns before distribution be made,
may direct the proceeds of prizes, or, in cases of joint captures, the
proportions of their respective Ships, to be remitted to the Commis-
sioners for Prizes, with the account of .he proceeds, and the original
prize lists ; and in such cases, Attribution should be made by the
Commissioners for Prizes, and the agent should be allowed two and an
half per cent, commission.
That all recalls be made by the Commissioners for Prizes, who shall
deliver accounts to the Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital of the un«
claimed and forfeited share?, and pay over the amount at the expira-
tion of the time r.ow allowed.
That Captains or Commanders of his Majesty's Ships or Vessels
transmit to the Prize-Office an account of captures made by them,
mentioning the agent to whom they shall be consigned, with his place
of abode, the date of the capture, and where taken, and the names of
the Ships entitled to share for such capture.
2
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INOJTIRY. 2*5
That the prize-list sent to the agent contain the signature of the
Lieutenants and signing Officers, and the ages and description of the
persons entitled to share in the capture, to be taken from the descrip-
tion book, with an alphabetical list of the names affixed to it.
That the agents should not send accounts of proceeds and distribu-
tion lists, as heretofore, to Greenwich Hospital, but to the Commis-
sioners for Prizes, in the manner above directed.
That the paying or receiving of any share of prize-money, before
notification of distribution, should subject the agent payipg, and the
party receiving, to certain penalties; and that upon accounting with
the Commissioners for Prizes, no deduction be made by the agent from
the shares of prize-money, on account of money advanced by him ; but
that the full amount of the unpaid and forfeited shares should be paid
over to the Commissioners for Prizes.
That no payment of shares to Commissioned or Warrant Officers be
allowed by the Commissioners for Prizes, other than such shares as
shall be discharged in the distribution lists by payment to parties, or
their orders, or lawful attornies, or the legal representatives of such
Officers deceased, or persons duly authorized by them ; and that no
payment to such Officers, entered in such distribution lists as carried
to account current, shall be deemed a legal discharge.
That the shares of prize-money due to Petty Officers, Seamen, and
Marines, be paid to the party, or person authorized by his order to re-
ceive the same, which order shall specify the name of the particislar
prize or distribution, [should the distribution be for more than one
prize,) and shall contain a full description of his person, signed by the
Captain, and one other signing Officer of the Ship in which the party
shall be then serving ; or, if discharged from the service, then the
order shall be witnessed by the Minister and Churchwardens of the
parish in which he may reside ; which order, being admitted and
paid, shall remain with the Commissioners for Prizes, or agents paying
the same ; and shall be iu the following form: —
. Ship >
or i- (Date J
Place.)
x»- • « • • »
At three days' sight, pay to A. B. or his order, the sum of fin
Writing) ___^_ being the amount of my share of prize-money for the cap-
ture of when serving as ( Sgvnliiy) •
on board his Majesty's (SLip or Fusel J _____ the .. (2\an:e j
C. D,
To E. F.
Agent fo- the said capture,
or,
The Commissioners for Prizes,
London.
Jl6 FOURTH REPORT OF THE
These are to certify, That we have examined the said C. D., who signed the
above order in our presence ; and from the documents _____ (to be dated)
_ which he has shewn us, and his answers to our questions, we have
reason to believe he was serving on board the said Ship at the time of making
the capture above specified. He says he was born at ____________________ »n
the County of ___________________ and that he is years of age ; he is of
a (fair, brown, or sallow) complexion, with (dart, or light) eyes, hzsftlact, brown,
liglt, red, or grey j hair, and (detcribing any other particularity of bis fer-
ion-) _____!_.
Given under our hands,
G. H. Captain, ") ,,. ... L
, v , • r, /of his Majtsty s
I. K. Lieutenant, or > ^u-
Signing Officer 3 k "P fc
/?«/ If the party ilould not at the time of making tie order belong to any of lit Ma-
jetty's Shipj, tben stall be added, under tie description,
The said C. D. says he was discharged from his Majesty's Ship or Vessel
th - by reason of ('bit icing invalided, or at the ease may
*<j
L. M. Minister, T f the jsh of
N. 0.$Churchwardens'( where the said C. D. rcudcs
P O I er' \
'^( Elders, J
That prize-money due to Petty Officers, Seamen, and Marines,
deceased, should be paid to their representatives, upon production of
the check to be granted by the Inspector of Seamen's wills.
That the Commissioners for Prizes should have authority to call for
and examine the books and accounts of agents, so far as they may relate
to the business of prize agency.
That the Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital, or hia Deputy, should
have liberty to examine the books and papers of the Prize-Office.
That the notifications in the gazette of the distribution of prize-
money should contain the dates of the captures, and times of con-
demnation.
That the agents at home, at the time of notification of distribution,
should inform the Commissioners for Prizes of the amount of the
shares of the different classes, to be communicated to the agents or
correspondents of the Prize-Office at the ports, for the purpose of
giving general information to the parties concerned in the captures.
That no fee, gratuity, or reward, beyond the established allowances,
be taken by any person belonging to the General Prize-Office, for any
service or services performed or to be performed ; and that no person
belonging to the Prize-Office shall act as a prize agent, or agent for
the receipt of prize-meney.
That the correspondence of the General Prize-Office should pass
free cf postage.
That there be an establishment, consisting of the following Officers
and Clerks ; and that their respective salaries, aud the contingent ex-
penses of the office, be as follow :—
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQUIRY*
217
ESTABLISHMENT.
Annual Expense.
Three Commissioners for the general concerns of the Office
and any two of them to form a Board, at £.800 per ann
each ..........
The First Commissioner to be superintendant of receipts and
investments.
The Second Commissioner to be superintendant of distributions
and payments.
The Third Commissioner to be Treasurer and Accountant.
£- *• '•
2,400 o o
Office rent .....
One Deputy Treasurer and Accountant
One Book-keeper - -
Two Clerks for making payments
f-
600
/. d.
o o
350 o
o
o
One at 240 o
One at 220 O
Two Clerks for checking or making entries of
payments in day books ... One at 180 o
One at 160 0
One Clerk for conducting the correspondence under
the Deputy Treasurer - 200 O
Two Clerks for assisting in the correspondence, and
for general services .... One at ico O
One at 80 o
Doorkeeper, and messenger, £.60 each . - uo o
Contingencies
Coals and candles
ESTABLISHMENT AT THE PORTS.
An Agent or Correspondent at Portsmouth - 500 o
Plymouth - 400 o
Sheerness - 400 o
One Clerk to each, 31^.150 per annum - - 450 o
200 o 0
a, 150 o o
200 0 O
60 o o
5,110 o
1,750 o o
Total expense
6,860 o e
&at>. Cfmm. aioI.XII.
r K
218 FOURTH REPORT OF THB
That the expenses of the establishment of the Prize-Office be de-
frayed by one per cent, of the general commission of prize agency,
in cases where the agents make the distribution ;
By two and a half per cent, of the commission, where the agents
do not make distribution, and where no appeals are entered ;
By two per cent, of the commission, in cases of appeal ;
By one per cent, of the money, arid the interest thereon, vested in
the funds in appealed cases, and which shall ultimately be decreed to
the captors ;
By the charges made for distribution, as at present, where the
Prize-Office shall make distribution j and,
By the fractional pence.
That a separate and distinct account should be kept by the Treasurer
of the proportion of the agency commission received or retained, of the
one per cent, arising from the vesting of the proceeds of prizes in the
funds in appealed cases ; of the charges made for distribution ; and of
the fractional pence, which shall be carried to the account of the office
on making distribution ; and if after defraying the necessary expenses
of the establishment, and repaying to Government the money that muse
necessarily be advanced in the first instance, with the interest thereon,
the fund should appear to be more than adequate to the annual expense,
the Commissioners should cause the Surplus (beyond what may be wanted
for the current service of the office) to be vested half yearly in the
Funds ; and whenever his Majesty in council shall deem the establish-
ment of a General Prize- Office no longer necessary, after rexvardino-
the individuals belonging to it, in proportion to their fidelity and
assiduity, that the accumulation, if any, be applied to the support o^
Greenwich Hospital.
That the observance of the several duties to be performed by the
agents with regard to the Prize-Office, according to these regula-
tions, be enforced by such penalties as shall be found expedient ; or
that jurisdiction be given to the Courts of Admiralty to enforce the
same.
These are the general outlines for the establishment of the pro-
posed Prize-Office. We do not _pretend to lay down rules for every
minute part of the business that will necessarily arise in giving r.n;.
tion to such an institution. Suitable arrangements, as occasion. may
require, will be made by jhe Commissioners : some difficulties may
occur at the outset ; but none, we conceive, that may not easily be
surmounted.
From the extent and magnitude of the trusts and duties to be
reposed in the Commissioners, it will be of great importance that per-
sons duly qualified should be selected to fill these situations; inte-
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQUIRY. 2ig
grity, responsibility, and habits of business, will be essential requi-
sites. An intimate knowledge of the business of prize agency in par-
ticular would be very desirable, at least in some of those who should
iirst be appointed.
We apprehend that many considerable advantages will result from
such an institution. The office will be a place of registry, to which
all persons connected with prize concerns may apply for information,
and learn the state of the captures in which they are interested. This
will be matter of great advantage to .the Seamen, who, according to
the present system, frequently lose prize-money for want of knowing
where to get such information, particularly in cases of prizes con.
demned abroad : The difficulties which they meet wiih in this respect
are to be reckoned among the causes which lerfd them to sell their
claims for the most trifling considerations. And it should be observed,
that from the connexion of the Office with the ports of the greatest
resort, this useful information will be placed as much as possible within
their reach.
Another advantage will be this : — The proceeds of prizes, now suffered
to remain with the agents at the risk of the captors, unproductive both
to them and the claimants, and sometimes (as we have seen) lost by the
failure of the agents, would be remitted to the Office in a reasonable
time, and thereby secured. When they are vested in the funds, they
would not only be secured, but also rendered productive for those who
should be ultimately entitled, whether it be the captors, the claimants,
or Greenwich Hospital. In cases of appeal long depending, there
would be an accumulation of interest, which might serve to meet the
expenses of sale, commission, and law charges : Add to this, that the
public also would derive some benefit by the investing of so much mo-
ney in the funds in time of war.
If it should be apprehended, that the persons now engaged in the
business of prize-agency will be injured by the establishment of such
an Office, it should be observed, that they will continue to be employed
in the greatest part of the business as before, in the sales, the proceed-
ings to condemnation, the distribution in many instances, and in
appeals.
The captors will have the choice of whom they shall employ in all
these branches. Several agents, indeed, will not be employed for any
one capture ; but this rather affects the privileges of the different
classts of Officers and Seamen, than the agents : And we understand
that the privilege was seldom exerted by the inferior classes, who usually
adopted the agent nominated by the Captain.
The commission proposed to be allowed the agents for their servi-
ces, exceeds that which they at present obtain, according to their own
22O KOCRTH RlPORT Of THE
statement. Those whom we have examined generally agree, that upon
an average according to the present system, they do not receive a com-
mission of more than two and an half per cent, and some of them rate
it lower. According to the plan propobtd, they will receive four per
cent, in all cases where they make distribution ; two and an half per
cent, where they do not make distribution, in cases not appealed;
and three per cent, in all appealed cases. It is true, that sometimes
the trouble of an appeal may exceed that of a first distribution, and
it may be asked upon what princ-nle we have allotted a less Com-
mission to the former. It might be answered, that three per cent.
commission would be an ample remuneration in the first case, and the
additional one per cent, is proposed as a stimulus to diligence and dis-
patch. The truth is, that it is not by the comparison of one allow-
ance with another that a fair judgment can be formed. It is only by
looking at an average profit upon the whole business for a given time
that the agent can fairly calculate whether his gains be sufficient.
We conceive there would be no danger of their proving otherwise upon
«uch a computation.
We deem it unnecessary to make any apology for proposing to take
from them the use of the money while appeals are pending. This was
never reckoned among their authorized emoluments. It sets their in-
terest (as we have before remarked) in direct opposition to their duty;
and if the former has not been sometimes preferred, (as it has been sur-
mised,) the temptation to such a breach of duty, and the danger arising
from speculation on such funds, should be done away.
If the establishment be objected to as an increase of patronage,
and attended with great expense, we should submit, that patronage
cannot be conferred or allowed for a more important object in this
country than the protection of the Seaman's interests ; and if the ex-
penses of the Office appear alarming, it should be noticed, that we have
judged it right to compute them on a high scale, thinking it better to
err (if at all) on the side of excess. At the same time we are led to
hope and believe, from the best calculations we can make, that the
funds proposed to be set apart for the supply of those expenses will not
prove deficient.
On the first opening of the establishment, an advance from Govern-
ment will be necessary, which may be repaid as soon as the funds begin
to be productive. And it may deserve the consideration of the Legis-
lature, whether, in the many cases of appeals still remaining unheard,
the proceeds now lodged in the hands of agents might not, after a
proper notice, and reasonable time allowed for calling them in, be ren-
dered subservient to the purposes of the institution.
One topic only remains to be noticed j a topic which, in some re-
COMMISSIONERS OF N A V AL' INQU I RY. 2tl
ipects, is perhaps not less important than any that, have preceded. An
institution of this sort will necessarily tend greatly to check and correct
the frauds and forgeries practised for the obtaining of prize-money by
wills, general powers of attorney, and orders. It would be in vain to
hope that impositions on Seamen should be wholly abolished by this
or any other institution. Bat if by securing their property till the
amount of it be ascertained, by g'ving them ready information of
their rights, and rendering detection of fraud more easy, such an
establishment should lessen, in any great degree, the opportunities of
fraudulent practices, it must necessarily tend to reduce the number of
those who seek a livelihood by them.
CH. MORICE POLE, (L.S.)
EWAN LAW, (L.S.)
JOHN FORD. (L.S.)
HENRY NICHOLS, {L.S.)
WM. MACKWORTH PRAED, (L. S.)
QJficc of Naval Inquiry,
No. 24, Great George Street,
l6tb July, 1803. [To le continued.
NAVAL LITERATURE.
y/je Trial of James Whiting, John Par sum, and William Congre<ve,for
a Libel against the Hon. G. C. Berkeley, Rear- Admiral of the Red, and
One of the Representatives in Parliament for the County of Gloucester ;
ly a Special Jury, before the Right Hon. Lord Chief Baron Macdo-
nahl, in his Majesty's Court of Exchequer, June 2"}th, 1804.- ' ' aken
in short hand by Mr. Gurney. Together --u i.ij the Letters and Papers
•which are referred to in the Course of the Trial. 8vo. pp. 132.
A BRIEF statement of this very important trial appeared
in the preceding Volume of the NAVAL CHRONICLE*.
We were aware, that an authenticated report thereof would
be published ; and therefore, at that tirre, refrained from
noticing it more at large. Impelled by a sense of duty to
our readers, of justice to the Hon. Admiral's character, and
of respect for the profession of which he is so distinguished
a member, we now proceed to exhibit a fuller account.
t~ - - '" '- --1 — -
* Vide page 56.
22Z &AVAL LITERATURE.
The following is a list of the counsel, and of the witnesses
subpoenaed to attend at the trial : the case, however, was so
perfectly clear and satisfactory to the Court, that many of the
latter were not called upon : —
For tbt Plaintiff". — Mr. Erskine, Mr. Pltjmer, Mr. Gurney.—
Atiornies, — Messrs. Frogatt and Co.
For Defendant:. — Mr. Dallas, Mr. Dauncej;, Mr. Dampier. —
Jtitornty,— Mr. T. Blackstock.
Officers and Others, as Witnesses.
Sir Peter Parker, Bart. Admiral of the Fleet of Great Britain ;
Admiral Viscount Bridpott, K.B. ; Viscount Hood ; Mark Milbank,
Esq. ; Earl of St. Vincent, K-B. ; Viscount Duncan, K.B. ; Benja-
min Caldwtll, Esq.; Lord Radstock ; Sir Roger Curtis, Bait, j Sir
Charles Pole, Bart.
Captain John Monckton, First Lieutenant of the Marlborough,
June 1st, 1794; William Bentinck.
Sir Evan Nepean, late Secretary to the Admhalty ; Mr. T. Rom-
ney, Surgeon of the Marlborough, June 1st, 1794; Mr. Murray
Forbes, Surgeon; Mr. Joseph Cullurne, Surgeon of the Mars, iSooj
Mr. Samuel Fiirley ; Mr. Richard Barry ; Peter Geoghegan.
Mr. Gurney opened the pleadings in form, and stated,
" That this was an action brought on account of a libel upon
the plaintiff, Admiral Berkeley, in a weekly newspaper lately
published, called The Rojctl Standard^ and Loyal Political
Register^ of which James Whiting was the printer, John
Parsons the publisher, and William Congreve the proprietor.
The libel imputed to the plaintiff, cowardice in the actron
of the ist of June, 1794; and cowardice and neglect of
duty, in quitting his command off Brest, rn the year 1800.
The plaintiff laid his damages at five thousand pounds."
Mr. Erskine then addressed the jury on the pernicious
effects or" libels; and, in a speech of some length, took a
retrospective survey of his client's professional exertions.
The following is the brief, but animated description,
which he gave of that part cf the action of the first of June,
in which the- iVIarlhorough (Admiral Berkeley's Ship) wa-s
immediately concerned : —
NAVAL LITERATURE. Z2J
•Cemlernen, it appears, and can be proved to you, which will shew
the condition in which the Admiral stood; that the Marlborough,
Upon a signal being made for every Ship to bear down and oppose its
opponent in the lint, and to engage to leeward, if possible; that was
to cut through the enemy's line ; that the Marlborough performed
this operation ; that so far from being kept aloof during the action,
she obeyed this signal of the Admiral, under the command of my
honourable client ; that she did not fire a gun till she had brought
herself into the position required by the signal, — which was not to
go alongside, — but to cut through the enemy's line, in order 'to
grapple with the enemy's Ships, so as to produce the glorious effect
which was afterwards produced In that battle. It appears, that when
under the stern of the Ship called 1'Impetueux, opposed to her in the
line, she began to open her fire, and in a quarter of an hour this Ship,
rimpetueax, fell on board the Marlborough, and entangled herself in
the mizen shrouds; that about the same time another French Ship,
the Mutius, of 74 guns, fell on beard upon the bow of the Marlbo-
rough, so that the three Ships formed nearly a triangle, of which the
Maryborough formed the base, which enabled Admiral Berkeley, then
the Captain of that Ship, to employ his fire upon these two Ships
with such effect, that in fifty-two minutes they both struck tteir
colours to this single Ship, which was engaged with them during the
whole of this action, as I have described it in a few words to you.
Mr. Erskine having concluded, evidence was called on the
part of the plaintiff. It is not requisite for us here to men-
tion the different persons who were sworn and examined,
nor the purport of their evidence, as they will subsequently
appear. The honourable testimony, however, of Captain
Monckton, who was First Lieutenant of the Marlborough
on the 1st of June, 1794, is highly important; and, as
it affords a detailed account of the share which that Ship had
in the engagement, and may be considered as an interesting
addition to our Biog> apbical Memoir of Admiral Berkeley, we
shall quote it entire.— Having been sworn, Captain Monck-
ton was examined by Mr. Erskine as follows: —
Q^ Were you the First Lieutenant of the Majlbororgh upon the
1st of June, 1794? — A. I was.
Q^ By whom was that Ship in the beginning of the act'on on thit
day commanded ? — A. By the Hon. Gecige Berkeley.
Q^ I do not wish to distress the modesty of a person of your merit,
I
224 XAVAL LITERATURE.
by adverting further than the forms of the court allow ; but you arc
now a Post Captain. — A. I am.
Q. And was made a Master and Commander immediately after this
action ? — A. I was.
Q^ Be so good as to state at what time of the day my Lord Howe,
the Admiral, made the signal to break the enemy's line ? — A. With
your leave, I will read the whole of the signals made that morning.
[Captain Monckton then read his memoranda of ail the signali
made before the engagement. ]
Lord Chief Baron MACDONALD.
Q._ At what time did the engagement begin ? — A. At forty-two
minutes after eight the signal was made to engage, with a gun ; that
was the last signal made at that time ; and every Ship engaged as it
came up with its opponent.
Q^ At what time did the Marlborough come into action with
I'lmpetueux ? — A. That was at a quarter past nine.
Q^. Were all the signals made to the Marlborough, obeyed by Cap-
tain Berkeley, as Commander of the Marlborough ? — A. They were.
We engaged in action with I'lmpetueux at a quarter past nine.
Q^ Your Ship being a 74 gun Ship, and ITmpetusux an eighty gun
Ship?— A. Yes.
Q^ Did any other French Ship come to the assistance of I'lmpe-
tueux ? — A. Yes, the Mutius, but that was after I'lmpetueux had been
pretty well handled.
^Captain Monckton read the rest of his memoranda.]
Lord Chief Baron MACDONALD.
Q^ At what o'clock was Admiral Berkeley wounded ?— A. I did
not put that down — we had not time to write then.
Qj, Was it in about an hour after the action had begun ?— A. I be-
lieve it was better than an hour.
Mr. ERSKINE.
Q^ Had the two Ships, your opponents, struck, before la Montagne,
the three-decker, came down and raked you ? — A. They had ; and
the way Captain Berkeley was wounded was, by a' shot which came in
upon the starboard quarter, and struck one of the guns exactly
opposite the wheel ; it wounded Captain Berkeley and a young gen-
tleman ; and I do not know how many more ; and there was as much
langrage in her beams, in consequence, as would kill ail here I believe.
Q^ During all the time of the action which you have been de-
scribing, the two Ships having struck before he met with this misfor-
tune, in what manner did Captain Berkeley conduct himself? — A. A«
NAVAL LITERATtJRB. 12$
an Officer, as he always has done, I have known Admiral Berkeley
twenty-four years.
Q-_ Did he conduct himself with bravery and skill ?— A. He did, in
every respect.
Q-_ Did he manifest the lea-t sl.yness or fear ? — A. NEVER.
Q^ Was he perfectly in possession of himself?— -A. lie was; and I
was as near to him as I am lo tbis gentleman. [Turning to one
within a yard of the witness.]
Q^ Did you see him wounded? — .^. I saw him at the time he was
Wounded.
Q^ Is it your judgment and opinion, that any Officer could have
kept the deck, having received that wound? — A. No doubt he was
justified in leaving the deck. He came up to me with his hand up to
his head — he had his sword in his hand — he was staggering and
streaming with blood He said, * Monckton, take my sword; and take
the command of the Ship.'
Q. Could he have continued in the command of the Ship ;— A. I
think it would have been very improper.
Lord Chief Baron MACDONALD.
Q^ Could he have been of any use ? — A. I do not think he was in
a state to have been of the least use.
Mr. ERSKINE.
Q^ During all the preceding time, he conducted himself like a brave,
skilful, and meritorious Officer ? — A. He did.
Q^ And, as you say, he has always done ? — A. Ye?, he always hasj
and 1 have been in many critical situations with the Admiral.
Q; In all of which he conducted himself properly ? — A. He has.
Q. Subsequent to this time, did you serve with Adir.iral Berkeley
off the Black Rocks ?— A. I did.
Q. When was that? — A. In 1799 arid 1800.
Q._ Be so good, merely for form sake, as to state the nature of that
service. Where was it ? — A. We were stationed there, off the Black
Rocks, by Earl St. Vincent, as an advn.oui cnuadron.
Q., Who commanded the a^v^nced Squadron? — A. Admiral Berke-
ley. There were generally two or three j1 Agates in shore of us,
watching the motions of the em my; and to give timely notice, if
they should attempt to come out.
Q^_ Who was the Commander in Chief ? — A. The Earl of St.
Vincent.
Q._ Do you recollect Admiral Berkeley being indisposed ? — A. I
do perfectly well.
tfJafc. ttfcton. doI.XII. c o
226 NAVAL LITERATURE.
Q^ Have you any doubt of his being seriously indisposed ? — A. I
have not a doubt of it.1
Q. There was no action at that time — the French would not coire
out ? — A. No, there was not, and there was no likelihood of an.
action.
Q^ Admiral Berkeley being seriously indisposed, do you know
whether he made any application to return home ? — A. 1 know he
made an application to the Earl of St. Vincent.
Q.^ Did Admiral Berkeley go with the Mars to Cawsand Bay, by
Lord St. Vincent's order ? — A. He did.
Q. In what county is Cawsand Bay ? — A. Part 5u Cornwall and
part in Devon.
Q^ Did you read this libel ? — A. I did — I have read it over a
dozen times.
Q^ Notwithstanding the bravery, and the skill, which you have,
upon your oath, imputed to Admiral Berkeley, then yoilr Captain,
acd now the plaintiff in this cause ; and notwithstanding you have
stated all you have stated, to whom did you apply this libel, when
you read it ? — A. To Admiral Berkeley — as clear as the sun at noon
day. — To whom could it be else ? — I will give you my reasons for it — •
I have, in this book in my hand, memorandums of all the Captains in
the action of the ist of June, and the Admirals arid Captains that were
then wounded and killed ; and there is not a Captain left, but Admiral
Berkeley, that was wounded in that action — Admiral Paisley is the only
Admiral wounded on that day, now in existence.
Lord Chief Baron MACDONALD.
Q^ Do you mean to say, that there was no Captain of that Fleet
alive in March last, who was wounded and carried below ; and no
other First Lieutenant, who took the command, promoted immediately
upon it, except yourself? — A. No other — it is as clear as can be.
Cross-examined by Mr. DAUN7CEY.
Q^ Captain Berkely behaved on this, as he had on other occasions,
with great bravery ? — A. He did.
Q_ No shyness at all ?— A. Not the least.
Qj_ The time he was upon the deck must have been more than an
hour ; by the time you have stated, it must have been more than two
hours, and pretty sharp work while you were there ? — A. It was
sharp work.
Q^. Notwithstanding all which, you thought this libel applied, 34
clear as the sun, to Admiral Berkeley ? — A. I did — I am sure^of it.
Q^ And you did not think a farthing the worse of him for it ? — •
A. No — I did not, and I hope I never s>hull.— I am sure i never shall,
from what 1 have seen of him.
NAVAL LITERATURE. 227
Q. Upon the last service at the Black Rocks,. Admiral Berkeley went
home by the permission of his superior Officer ? — A. He had leave to
go home — He struck his Flag. >§
Q^ There was no likelihood of danger there, from which a man
should run away ? — A. Certainly there was no danger there — and if
Admiral Berkeley had had an idea of the French coming out, I am
very certain he would not have gone, ill as he was.
Re-examined by Mr. ERSKINE.
Q^ I will put one question to you, after this light-sailing Frigate
has been coming under your stern. You did not think the worse of
Captain Berkeley, for having read this libel ; because, having stood by
him upon deck, you knew it was all false? — A. Yes.
Q^ But suppose you had not been there, and had read this, and
supposed it all true ; what would you, as a British Officer, have thought
of him ? — A. Bad indted.
Q^ Supposing, Captain Monckton, you had not known Captain
Berkeley to be the brave man you have described him, from your own
ocular observation j you would have thought badly of him indeed ?—
A. I should.
Mr. DAUNCEY.
Q^ Is what a man thought of another man evidence ?
Lord Chief Baron MACDONALD.
A. I think it is perfectly right; it was from accident that Captain
Monckton knew the contrary.
Captain MONCKTON.
I will give you an instance of Admiral Berkeley's bravery, which
you have not heard yet. When I was with him in the Vestal Fri-
gate, in the year 1781, we fell 'in with a Frigate commanded by a
fellow called Luke Ryan ; I suppose you have all heard of him: — Well,
he came down, and fired a broadside into the Alarm Frigate, Sir
Richard Pearson : he loaded his guns, and came down to us, to serve
us the same. The Master in our Ship, a very clever fellow (I wish he
was here), said — " Now, Captain Berkeley, let us tack before he
reaches us, and get this fellow between us bnh, and we shall nab him;
for he only wishes to trust to his heels." — Captain Berkeley said, * It
may be a good idea, but what will my Ship's Company think, if I
tack my Ship, and i uu away from such a rascal as that ?' Ke came duwn
and exchanged broadsides with him.-t-If he had been a dastardly man»
he would not have done that,
[To be continued.
Bright-ey'd Fancy hovering o'er,
Scatters trom her pictured Urn
Thoughts that breathe, and words that burn !
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
SIR, Neu cattle, Scft. 4, 1 804.
TT HAVE sent you the following Ballad; having seen, by
looking over your Acknowledgments to Correspondents^
that you would thank me to send it you. Yours,
AMOR,
DUKE WILLIAM'S RAMBLE,
DUKE William and a Nobleman,
Heroes of England's Nation,
Got up one morn, by dawn of day,
Tp take a recreation.
Into the suburbs they did go,
In Sailors' dress from top to toe ;
* Now,' says the Duke, ' we soon shall know
What usage there's for Seamen.'
Then in this brave and warlike trim
They hastened to an inn.
The Duke then said, « Kind landlady,
Bring wine both red and white in.'
Before they'd drank the wine half out,
A press-gang that was brave and stout,
Did search the lower rooms about,
For warlike jolly Seamen.
* Up stairs,' the landlady did say,
• If Seamen you're a seeking,
There's one so fat, I dare be sworn,
That you can scarcely ship him.'
' Ne'er mind, my lads, but let us try j'
They up stairs went immediately;
* What Ship, brothers,' they all did cry,
* For we are jolly Seamen ?'
NAVAL POETRT.
« We do belong to George,' says Will ;
Say they, * Where's your protection ?'
* We've none at all,' the Duke replies,
« Don't cast on us reflection.'
Then the Lieutenant he did say,
* Come brothers come, come, come away,
On us you must not make a prey,
My warrant is for Seamen.*
They haul'd them to the tender, where
The Captain he was skipping ;
The Duke then said, * Kind gentlemen,
Take care of all your Shipping :'
With that, the Captain he did swear,
4 I am your shepherd I declare,
I'll make you change your saucy air,
Get down amongst the Seamen !*
O then his Highness did go down
Among the jolly Seamen,
Which made him stare, to see the fare
Of many a brisk young Seaman»
4 Where must I lie ?' his Highness said,
* Must I not have a feather bed ?'
* You're fat enough,' they all reply'd,
Pig in amongst the Seamen.'
* But for your sauce, you surly dog,
You must be flogg'd, so strip, Sir :'
To the gang-way then, away they went
The good Duke for to whip, Sir ;
But to strip the Duke would not,
They call'd him then a drunken sot :
The Duke reply'd, ' Drunk I am not,
But strip me if you dare, Sir 1'
Then came down the Boatswain's Mate,
The Duke for to undress, Sir ;
But quickly he did behold
The star upon his breast, Sir :
Then on their bended knees they fall,
And loud for mercy they did call;
The Duke replies, ' You're villains all,
For using thus poor Seamen.
6
RATAL FOET*y»
No wonder why my Father lie
Can't well man all his Shipping,
Tis by your basely using them,
And them always a-whipping.
But for the future, Sailors all
Shall have good usage, great and small:'
They heard the news together all,
And cry'd, ' God save Duke William !f
•^****^*
SONG.
CAPTAIN DANCE AND THE MARENGO.
BY WILLIAM HAYLEY, ES<^.
A S FAME, the fair Goddess, whose clarion so shrill,
Its echoes the wondering universe fill,
Was leaning one day 'gainst the Admiral's mast,
•* I am weary," she cried (having blown a loud blast)—
•• I am weary of these my monotonous notes*
•* That justice to brave British Seamsn devotes ;
•* They all are so brare, when they level a gun,
•* That I find there's no novelty under the sun."
'* Your pardon ! fair goddess !" a figure exclaim'd j
(A figure celestial, and Fortitude nam'd,)
*• A complaint so unfounded no longer pursue,
" For 1 bring you a theme that is perfectly new !
" The like you ne'er saw in your sphere's wide expanse,
*' So honour my trusty and brave Captain Dance —
•' 1 he Merchant who beat the Marengo of France."
Honest FAME now surveys her new theme with delight,
Her clarion was eager to praise such a fight ;
And she fondly exclaim'd, " By the Star of my Pole,
•* Such a Hero as this I have not on my roll,
«' Tho' of BRITAIN'S brave Seamen, the host I adore,
•' Almost equal in number the waves of the shore !
" Tho' radiant the warriors cnroll'd in her file ;
** Ihis wonder is new in my wonderful Isle.
«« Thou hast prov'd the first Merchant so destin'd to shine,
" Who has bravely beat off a First Rate of the Line.
" Gay COMMERCE shall bid her broad sea be her grave,
" Ere it sink in oblivion a Briton so brave.
" Now a favourite name in my sphere's wide expanse,
" I honour the trusty arid brave Captain DA MCE,
«' The Merchant who beat the Marengo of Fiance.
3
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, isoi.
( August — September, )
RETROSPECTIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS.
"ITT is now pretty evident, that the whole rhodomontade of invasion is either
carried on by the Corsican Harlequin as a feint, to promote his views against
the Northern Powers, or to keep his audience quiet whilst his pantomimic
changes are going on, that change the French Republic, one and indivisible, into
an absolute Military Empire. Government, however, still continues that wakeful
and wise precaution which may tend to secure our Happiness and Commerce ;
and OQ every part of our Coast, and on every height that looks towards it—
" THE YOUTH or ENGLAND ARE ON FIRE !"
Our letters inform us, that Lord Keith has again sailed for the French coast, on
board the Monarch Man of War, to reconnoitre the enemy's preparations. He
is accompanied by Lord Melville.
Upwards of sixty American Vessels have been captured by French Privateers In
the West Indies, most of them with valuable cargoes.
By an Officer arrived from the Brest fquadron blocking that port, a very ca-
rious observation was made. He was on a point of duty obliged to reconnoitre
from the inshore Squadron in a Cutter, and observed, that the same Ships which
were in bustle and hurry, loosing topsails one day, the yards crowded with men,
were not the same Ships which two days after were also full of men on their
yards, which makes it quite clear that the French Fleet, taking them in the bulk,
are badly manned, and the men are shifted from one division, to make show
and parade of discipline.
During the last Spring 1500 oak trees were felled on the New Forest, for the
Use of the Royal Navy.
By letters from Jamaica it appears, that complaints having been made of the
license allowed to the French Privateers in the Island of Cuba, Admiral Duck'
Worth sent a Frigate to the Havannah with a strong remonstrance on the sulject;
in consequence of which they have been restrained from carrying prizes into
that island.
The three persoas who gallantly hazarded their lives to save the magazine
and the town of Helier, in the Island of Jersey, from destruction, have received
the following rewards from the Patriotic Fund : — 'I'Yiefnt, Lieutenant Lys, 500!.;
ihefeeoud, Touzel, Jool. ; and the third, a soldier, an annuity of aol. per ann.
A large commodious'place is ordered to be built immediately at Woolwich
dock-yard, for the purpose of manufacturing cables, and all kinds of ropes, for
the use of the King's Ships.
Dispatches have been received by Government from Botany Bay, dated last
October, which ftate the Colony to be in the most prosperous condition, and
perfectly tranquil. Anew settlement has been made on Van Dicmen's Land:
it is called Fort Hobart, and is already in a thriving situation.
The Merlin Sloop, of 1 6 guns, Captain Ercnton, wa« so close in with Havre,
and so far from the rest of the Squadron, that 97 Gun boats got out and attacked
her. Upon this great force did our little Vessel keep tip such a tremendous
cannonade for three hours, that they were obliged to keep at bay, and it wa»
332 NATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804,
not till a reinforcement was coming out that she made sail and joined the rest of the
Squadron, which had witnessed her conduct. She was most part of the time in
only three Lthom water, and so near the batteries, that their shot went over her.
Launch of bit Majesty's SJ.'if Lively.
On Monday, July 23, a beautiful Frigate was launched at Woo'wich dock-
yard. The b.r.nching of a IVlan of War from .iny part contiguous to the me-
tropolis seldom rails to attract a great number of spectators ; but upon this occa-
sion, the concourse of people appeared to be much greater than ordinary; the
River was covered with boats filled with the gayest company, the rigging of
the Snips with men, and the neutral and other trading Vessels rendered the
scene h'gh y pleasing, by a display of Swedish, Danish, Russian, and American
flags. Unfor.unately a heavy shower pelted the surrounding observers, and
cast a degree of gloom on the commencement of the spectacle ; but fine weather
eoon succeeded, and curiosity found no impediment. About two o'clock the
frigate was ready to start. She lay in the flip painted with black and yellow
streaks, and appeared rather plain than rich. Her head is ornamented by a
beautiful female figure, playing a tambourine, finely carved, and placed upon
the out-water, so as to accord with her rate. The stern is peculiarly neat, and
quarter badges, like those of all the River-built fir Ships. Above her decks were
distended in the breeze the British Union Jack and the St. George's blue and red
English Enfigns. A great many persons were on board, %vho shouted with the
surrounding multitude when the gallant Vessel rushed to the embraces of the
silver god, old Thames, on whose bosom she rested in safety at some distance
from the dock-yard. No accident occurred; and the populace dispersed, satis-
fied with a sight, which, for grandeur, cannot be excelled. Her Royal High-
ness the Prince s of Wales honoured the Launch with her attendance in a mag-
nificent Vac! , and several distinguished naval Officers were present in their
Barges and 'teri.
It will a,7o< .. much satisfaction to the friends of the gallant Captain Wright,
of the Viceijjo, to lerni, th*t a letter has just been received from him, in which
he does not complain of being subjected to any peculiar hardship. He has never
been joine.' by any of his Officers or Crew, as he is kept at Paris, while they
arc at Verdu :•, cr Epinal, where they were marched immediately after landing.
It appears, th-t this little Sloop alone sustained an engagement of two hours,
against seventeen of the enemy's Gun-boats: but inconsequence of the great
superiority of number i, most of Captain W.'s Crew were killed.
Aug. 9. Lieut. Fowler, late Commander of the Porpoise Store-sh'p, and
who rendered such essential service to Captain Dance, of the Ganges East India-
man, in the late engagement with Linois' Squadron, arrived at the Admiralty
with dispatcl -, and also a large quantity of charts of the discoveries which the
Investigator, Captain Flinders, has made about New South Wales.
Cofy of a Letter Jrom Lord Uarroioiy, Lit Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State far
the Foicign Department, to P. Colquboun Graf, hfq.
"SIR, Doivning-street, July 18, 1804.
" I have tho honour to ii.form you, that I have paid due attention to the re-
quest contained in different letters from Mr. Matthieson, on the part of the
city of Hamburgh, ' That the Lighters be permitted to navigate between tht
livers Wescr and Elbe.'
" Orders have accordingly been sent to his Majesty's Ships of the blockade,
to permit the passage of Lighters, Barges, and other small craft, answering the
XAVAL HISTORY OP THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.. 233
above description, and carrying unexceptionable goods for neutral account, and
to suffer the same to pass without molestation to and fro, along the Danish side
of the Elbe, through the Watten, between Tonningen and Hamburgh.
" His Majesty hopes that this permission will be properly attended to, and not
abused, and that no unfair advantages shall be taken of it, by which his Ma-
jesty should see himself forced to order the blockade to be resumed with greater
strictness. " I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) " HARROWBY."
To P. Colquhoun Graf, Eiq.
The signal defeat of Linois, by a fleet of loaded Merchant Ships, without one
Ship of War in company, is, perhaps, the most complete triumph that Eritish
Sailors have ever enjoyed over the enemies of their country. The victory ap-
pears to be more complete and decisive when we consider that these merchant-
men engaged the enemy with an equal number of Ships, Jivt to jive, and under
every disadvantage. The snperiority of the French in the number of guns was
immense. — The French Admiral's bhip was an 84 ; the two heavy i-'ri^ates
which accompanied him were probably 44 or 50 gun Vessels ; the Corvette was
of aS guns, and the Brig 18; whereas our Indiumen probably did not mount
more than 32 each on an average, and the Ganges Brig a still smaller number.
The superiority in iveiglt of metal was still more extraordinary. It is well
known, that even the stoutest Frigate cannot stand the fire of a Line of B/.ttlc
Ship, owing to the superior weight of metal; and even the French Frigates
must have carried much heavier guns than our Merchant Ves-eli. A further
advantage the French Admiral had in the numb:n of his men. Vessels of War
carry not only men to navigate, but men to fight; and their complement, there-
fore, is four or five times that of trading Ship?, which have merely sufficient to
navigate the Vessel. In two other respects Linois possessed infinite advantages.
His Ships were clear, and calculated altogether for war; ours were laden Ship?,
and not calculated for a naval engagement; while our Commanders and Officers
were men inured to a commercial service, the service of peace, and not accus-
tomed to the manoeuvres and practices of war.
The Court of Directors of the East India Company having taken into con-
sideration the gallant behaviour of our C hina Fleet in the affair with the French
Squadron under Rear-Admiral l.inois, have given the following marks of their
approbation and thanks to the Officers and Seamen of the Fleet :—
Capt. Dance, :o:o guineas, and a riece of plate value 200 guineas; Capt.
Timins, iccO guineas, and a piece of 'plate value 100 guineas; Capt. Moffatt,
500 guineas, and a piece of plate value 100 guineas.
To Captains H. Wilson, Farquharson, Torin, Clarke, IVTonton, Wordsworth,
Kirkpatrick, Hamilton, Farrer, Pendergrass, Brown, Larkins, and Lockner,
500 guineas, and a piece of plate, value 50 guineas, to each.
To Chief Officers, 150 guineas; to ad ditto, 125 guineas; to 3d and 4th ditto,
So guineas each ; and to 5th and 6th, 50 guineas each.
Pursers and Surgeons, 80 guineas each.
Mates, Boatswains, Gunners, and Carpenters, 50 guineas each.
Midshipmen, 30; other Petty Officers, 15 guineas each.
Seamen, Ordinary Seamen, and Servants, 6 guineas each
To Lieut. Fowler, passenger in the Camden, for the services rendered Capt
Dance, 300 guineas for a piece of plate.
The whole of this liberal donation will amount nearly to 50,000!.
). <ZT£ron. ffloI.XH. H H
2J4 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
We are happy in recording the above instance of munificence, which does equal
honour to the donors and the receivers.
The Captains and Officers of the Ships bound to India, under convoy of Com-
modore Dance, from China, before their separation, subscribed 3ocl. to the
relatives if the Seaman who was killed, and to the one wounded, in the action
with Admiral Linois.
The following is the account given by the French, of a gallant attempt made
by two English Pinnaces at Boulogne, July 30:— At one in the moining, two
English Pinnaces, commanded by Lieutenant is'eal M'Lean, of the Leda 1-rjgate,
detached from the Enemy's Cruizers, glided alSng the coast, and attempted to
surprize a small Bomb-vessel stationed at the western extremity of our line. One
of the Pinnaces was manned with 15 men, and the other with \^. When they
reached the Vessel they were twice hai ed, but did not answer. They were
suffered to come up close, when a volley of small arms was fired upon them,
which killed their Lieutenant and several of his men. The Midshipman then
took the command, returned the fire, and cut the cable of one of the Bomb-
vessels, but was killed a moment after. The Pinnace then stood off. A Serjeant
of the detachment, commanded by M. Veese, Carabineer, and a Sailor, threw
themseives into a Boat, and boarded the Pinnace, and brought it back to the
Bomb vessel, with 14 prisoners. The other Pinnace had taken flight at the be-
ginning of the engagement, rec-.iving a discha-ge of musketry as she went off,
which did her so much d.image that she immediately ceased to row. After-
wards, passing near a Gun-boat, which fired upon her, she sunk. Of the 25
men \\hich composed the crew of the first Pinnace, two men were killed, six
\vcunded. one mortally; and eight, who were not wounded, were made pri-
soners. Among the latter are Benjamin Be'chamby, Secretary to the Captain,
Robert Honeym m, Commander on the station. The English Pinnace is at
this moment entering the harbour. We had not a man killed 5 we had two
wounded.
The William Heathcote, from Demarara, which we mentioned to have been
retaken by the Nautilus ^loop of War, and carried into Plymouth, is estimated
at no less a sum than 8o,coo!.
The following is a copy of the very interesting letter from Ciptain Aldham,
of the Nautilus Sloop, to Messrs. Bennett and White, of Lloyd 8 Coffee-house.
Jtis dated August 17. —
" It is with much satisfaction I acquaint you, that his Majesty's Sloop under
my command, on the pth instant, recaptured th-; valuable .--hip William Heath-
cote, from Demarara to Liverpool, laden wi.h cotton and sugar.
" Most probably you already know that the William Heathcote was captured
on the 4th instant by the Genera' Augereau French Privateer, of 12 guns, and
192 men. I have only, therefore, to say, that although the enemy boarded with
nearly their who'e force, they did not gain possession of the .Ship until after
an obstinate conflict, in which the Captain of the Vi iiliam Heathcote, his Son,
a Passenger, and one Seaman, were killed; the Mate, another Pa-senger, and,
seven beamen, were wounded. The French Prize Master acknowledges,
that the 1 rivateer suffered considerably in her hull, and had three men killed ;
and that the Captain •tn-' five men were wounded. Lut, from other authority,
I am informed their los* was much greater.
" I shuerely regret the Mate being removed on board the Privateer. It
would have given n.e much pleasure to have liberated a man so highly spoken
of as he is by all who were left behind.''
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 235
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
NAVAL DEBATES CONTINUED.
MONDAY, JULY 6.
R" HUSKISCO!C, conformably to his notice respecting the opening of the
London Docks, said, the Directors of the Dock Company had been con*
suited on this subject, and given their consent that the Docks should be opened
before the first of January. The Honourarle Member then moved for leave to
bring in a Bill for warehousing certain Goods within the Ports of ..ondon, for
the purpose of securing Trade, and increasing the Revenue. —Leave granted.
The London Coat Free Market Bill was read a third time and passed.
JULY JO,
On the motion of Mr. Barnard, it was ordered, that there be laid before the
House, an account of the grants for forward ng the Grand Canal in Ireland,
since its commencement, together with a copy of the correspondence between
the Directors of the Grand Canal Company, and Commissioners of Inland
Navigation, relative to the lowering of the tolls, and the progress that had been
made towards that object.
Mr. Alexander brought in a Bill for encouraging the Fisheries of the Isle of
Man.
JULY II.
Mr. 5. Bourns obtained leave to bring in a Bill, permitting the importation
of salt from the ports of Nassau and Crooked Island, and from the Bahama
Islands, in Ships of the United States of America, bringing ballast*
JULY 12.
The House in a Commute on the Bill for regulating the trade in salt from
Ireland to Newfoundland, Mr. Foster said it was highly desirable to give every
facility to that trade, by placing it precisely on a similar footing with the "alt
Trade from Great Britain. He therefore moved a resolution, that Salt from
Ireland to Newfoundland be exempted from duty, and ail Salt from Newfound-
land imported into Irish ports, and not janded, may be re-exported thither with-
out paying duty. The Bill was then reported, and ordered to be read the third
time to-morrow.
JULY I 8.
Sir W. Dollen rose to give notice respecting a question of great importance ;
he meant the necessity of attending to the planting of timber. In all the enclo-
sure Bills which passed through the House, no provision whatever was made
for planting young trees; in consequence of which, planting became too gene»
rally neglected, to the detriment of the farmer, and the great injury of the
country, if this neglect should be overlooked by the Legislature. Commissioners
were appointed several years ago, by the present Chancellor of the Exchequer,
in order to enquire into the state of his Majesty's forests, which he thought pro-
duced beneficial effects. He hoped, therefore, the Right Hon. Gentleman
would resume the subject, and bring it before the H-ouse in the ensuing .Session.
The Hon. Baronet concluded with giving notice, that, if the question were not
taken up in another quarter, he should feel it his duty to introduce it next
Session.
236 KAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
JULY 30.
Mr. Windbam withed to know the situation of Captain Wright, who was now
a prisoner in France, aud confined in the Temple, in consequence of having-
very properly refused to answer certain interrogatories put to him by order of
the French Government. He hoped Government had information on this sub-
ject, and that they would also be able to answer his wish to be informed whether
any measures had been taken for hi* enlargement.
Mr. S. Bourne replied, that he was not able to give the Right Hon. Gentle-
man any information on the subject.
jr. His Majesty closed the present Session.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUGUST 28, 1804.
y of a Letter frtm Admiral Lord Gardner, Commander in Chief of Lis Majesty'*
Shift and Vetsels on tbe Coast of Ireland, to William Marsdent £jy.; dated at (jQrk
tie ^^d of August , 1 804.
si»,
//CAPTAIN Maitland, of his Majesty's Ship Loire, (who has been cruizing for
^ the last three weeks, for the protection of the homeward-bound convoys,)
arrived here this afternoon with the Blonde, a large French Privateer, of
thirty guns, nine-pounders, and two hundred and forty men.
Enclosed I have the honour of transmitting to you, for their Lordships' Infor-
mation. copy of Captain Maitland's letter to me on the subject, together with
a li»t of wounded on board the Loire.
I have the honour to be, &c.
GARDNER.
MT LORD, Loire, at Sea, August 18, 1804.
I have much satisfaction in announcing to you the capture (by his Majesty's
SIiip Loire) of a Frigate Privateer, belonging to Bourdeaux, mounting thirty
nine-pounders, with two hundred and forty men, which I had the good fortune
to fall in ui'h in lat. 49° 30', long. 12° 20', on the i?th instant: she has been a
wonderful annoyance to the British trade during the present war, and is the
Ship Captain Gordon so gallantly contested with, until the Wolverine was in
the act of sinking. She held the Loire a chase of twenty hours, the last quarter
of an hour being a running action. From our situation, together with the dark-
ness of the night, few of our guns took effect upon her till latterly. Seven of
her men were badly wounded, two of which are since dead. Six of the Loire's
men were wounded, two only severely, and, I am happy to add, are in a fair
•way of recovery. I have every reason to be pleased with the conduct of the
Officers and Ship's Company I Lave the honour to command, during the short
time the action lasted; and feel satisfied, that had she been a Frigate of equal
force to the Loire, they would have lost none of the credit they so deservedly
obtained on a former occasion.
The Blonde had been out twenty days from Passage in Spain, without havinjj
made any capture, .'•he is a very fine fhip, sails remarkably fast, and appears
to me very well calculated for his Majesty's service. Enclosed is a list of the
wounded on board the Loire.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Admiral Lord Gardner. if. L. MAITLAND.
List of -wounded on board bis Majesty's Sbip Loire, in action •voitb tbe Blonde, I "Jtk
August, 1804.
Midshipman. — Mr. Connor.
Seamen. — Wil iam Taylor, James Thompson, (severely,) Joseph Covey,
David Light, and Alexander Brown.
F. L. MAITLAND,
NATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT TEAR) 1804. 237
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, SEPT. 4.
G»j>y °f" Letter from Mr Mungo Git/nor, Commander ofthi East India Comp >ny't
i$6//> the Eliza Ann, to William MarsJen, Esq ,• djted ojf the Start Point tlis
3 lit August, 1804.
SIR,
Having sailed from St. Helena on the gth of July, with the Union and Sir
William Pultney exrra India Ships, put under my command as senior Officer,
by order of Governor Patton, I have the honour to acquaint you, for the infor-
mation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that on the zad of August,
being in the lat. 48* 5' north, and long. 13* west, at daylight a French Brig
Privateer came down upon us ; and at eight A.M. engaged the Union, she being
the headmost Ship, and struck upon the Eliza and Ann and the Sir William
Pultney's coming up. after an action of about twenty minutes : she proved to
be la Venus, mounting sixteen guns, four, eight, and twelve-pounders, with
sixty eight men on board, (of her CrewJ commanded by Captain Piere Henry
Nicholas Benamy, a Lieutenant in the French Navy, "out eleven days from St.
Andcr, had recaptured a Spanish Lugger and Sloop, detained by his Majesty**
Sloop Wasp ; five men of her Crew were prisoners on board : In the action the
Privateer had one man k lied, and two badly wounded.
The Privateer parted company from us in the night of the Zgth, to the west-
ward of Scilly, and I am in hopes she will get safe into port, having only three
prisoners left on board, the rest being on board of our Ships.
1 have the honour to be, &c.
MUNGO GILMOR.
La Venus had seventy-three men on beard when, she sailed, and was fitted
out for a cruize of forty or fifty days.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, SKPT. n.
Copy of a Litter from Commodore Hood. Command* r in Chief of bit Majesty't Stif-s.
and ft!sels at the Lenvard Islands, to William Marsden, Esq. ; dated at BarSiJ.-
doei, the li>tb July, 1804.
SIR,
I enclose a list of captures by the Squadron, during the last six months, and an
extract of a letter from Captain Columbine, of his Majesty's bhip Ulysses, ami
have the honour to be, &c.
SAM. ROOD.
Liit of Peach captured by tie Squadron under tie Command of Commodore Samuel Hoed,
from tie lit oj 'January , 1804, and the T,&tb of June, 1804.
French Privateer Bellone, of 8 guns and 24 men; captured by the Cyane
January 24, 1804.
English Ship Mercury, laden with lumber; recaptured by the Hippomeue1;,
January 26, 1804.
French Privateer le Furct, of 4 guns and 45 men ; captured by the St. Lucia,
same date.
English Ship Mariana, laden with fish ; recaptured by the Heureu.t, same date.
French Privateer Harmonic, of 12 guns and 8a men, captured by the Cyane,
January 37, 1804.
American Schooner Freedom, laden with sugar and molasses (French pro-
perty); captured by the Drake, February 2, 1804.
French Corvette Curitux, of 16 guns and icj men; captuted by four of th«
Centaur's Boats, February 4, 1804.
French Privateer Recompence, of 10 guns and 80 men; captured by the
Cyane, February 14, 1804.
French Privateer le Bigou, of 4 guns and 45 men ; captured by the St. Lucia,
February 21, 1804.
Freuch Privatter Flebustier, of 6 guns and 68 men; captured by the Heu-
f£ux, same date.
An Lughsh Ship, laden with a valuable cargo; recaptured by the Imogen,
March 1804.
238 NAVAX. HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
An English Ship, laden with a valuable cargo; recaptured by the Draie,
•ame date. •
French Privateer Egyptienne, of 36 guns and 250 men, (formerly a National
Frigate); captured by the Hippomenes, March 25, ,804.
English Ship Reliance, laden with merchandize; recaptured by the Hippo-
menes and Osprey, same date.
English Ship Rigby, with troops; recaptured by the Hippomenes and Osprey,
March 25, 1804.
French Privateer la Rose, of i gun and 49 men; captured by 1'Eclair's Boat,
with 10 men, same date.
English Ship Hope, laden with sundries; recaptured by the Osprey,
April 1804.
French Privateer Petite Decide, of i gun and 26 men; captured by the
Ulysses, same date.
Dutch National Frigate Proserpine, of 31 guns ; captured by the Centaur and
Squadron at Surinam, May 5, 1804.
Dutch National Corvette Pylades, of 18 guns; captured by dftto, same date.
Dutch Natisnal Schooner George, of 10 guns; captured by ditto, same date.
Dutch Merchant Ship Pelican, laden with sugar, &c. ; captured by ditto,
same date.
Dutch Merchant Ship Johanna, laden with sugar, &c. ; captured by ditto,
same date.
A Dutch Merchant Ship, laden with sugar, &c, ; captured by ditto, same,
date.
English Ship Boyd, ladsn with plantation stores; recaptured by the Galatea,
May 19, 1804.
A French Sloop, (name unknown,) laden with provisions; captured by the
Netley, same date.
A French Schooner, (name unknown,) laden with provisions ; captured by
ditto, same date.
English Ship Cyrus, laden with sundries; recaptured by the Cyanne, same
date.
French Privateer les Trois Freres, of i gun and 24 men ; captured by the
Ulysses, May 15, 1804.
English Ship Beaver, laden with slaves and ivory; recaptured by the Galatea,
June 25, 1804.
English Ship Esther, laden with coals and potatoes ; recaptured by the He»-
reux, same date.
An English Ship, laden with sundries j recaptured by the Busy, same date.
A Swedish Galliot, laden with French property and passengers ; captured by
1'Eclair, same date. SAM. HOOD.
Extract »f a Letter from Captain Columbine, of bh Majesty's Ship U/ysie;, to Commo-
dore Hood, dated June 22, 1804.
On the I5th of last month I captured les Trois Freres, a French Schooner
Privateer, with one gun and 24 men, Jean Detreuil, Master, from Martiaico.
FOREIGN REPORTS.
EAST INDIES.
August— September*
TpREVIOUS to the sailing of the China fleet, the French resident there (M.
-*- Perron,) begged permission of one or our Captains to send home by him
some chests of superfine teas as a present for Buonaparte. These, we are assured,
are actually arrived in the Earl Camdcn.
We are happy to state, that Lieutenant Forster and the Officers and Crew, fifty-
five in number, of the Porpoise, wrecked off New South Wales, were all *aved ;
they were conveyed to China,
Liiiffit' Squadron. — The French Admiral, after his disgraceful defeat by a few
of our Merchantmen, returned to the Isle of ! ranee on the 1st of April, with the
Marengo, nemillante, and Belle t-'oule. It was immediately nnounced with
consistent veracity, that he had seen the British hornevvard-bound _hina fleet;
but it being under convoy of six oail of the L:ne, he di ; not deem it expedient
to attack it, although he pursued it for so-ne days, with a view to pick up any
vessels that might straggle from the Fleet.
The following s an extract of a letter received overlan 1, dated Fort William,
14th March, 1804: — Captain Page, of the Caroline Frigate, of 36 guns, is re»
turned here, after capturing two valuable and very troublesome Privateers; the
Insurance Company have complimented him with 5000 rupees for the purchase
of a piece of plate The embargo is taken off all Vesssls, The Bengal Fleet
sailed on the loth instant, under convoy of Capum Page
Extract of a letter from an Officer on board bh Majesty's Slnf tie Sceptre, dtttd tie I$tk
of March, 1804.
A few degrees from Sumatra we took a i-rench Privateer Ship, mounting 20
guns. She was looking after our Indumen on the morning we saw her. The
Alb'on was with us ; she s ppos:ng us to be Indiamen, bore down upon usj
but when she came almost within gun-she t, and found we were two Men of
War, she made sail. \Ve gave chase, and in four hours came up with her ; she
flood eighty six shot before she struck, was from the Isle of trance, which
place she left on the 9th of January.
We understand that the '•upreme Government of India mean to station some
additional armed "-choonvrs on th-1 coasts of the Spice I-lands; the propensity to
piracy being no where more dangerous than among the people who inhabit the
Moluccas, the Papoas, or natives of New Guinea; those of Magindan*, Borneo,
and l_'Ooloo: it has therefore been found necessary, for the security of the pice
Islands, to have acertain number of armed Vessels in those seas The Outch always
kept a marine force for this purpose, which < onsisted of Sloops, mounting sixteen
guns each, but thtse were of so rude a construction as to be incapable of pur-
suing the Malay Prows to windward. Five or six armed Schooners will be em-
ployed in this j articular service, from eighty to a hundred tons burthen, they
tre to mourt twelve guns besides swivels, to carry about thirty men, and to be
so constructed, as to be easily rowed by sweeps in calm weather, and to draw
so little water as to be capable of pursuing not only Pirates, but contraband
traders up the creeks and rivers, in wh ch they generally take refuge.
A circumstance recently occurred in Japan, which will probably prove pre-
judicial to the .nterest of the Dutch in that kingdom: — A Batavian Ship arriv-
ing there, -refused to submit to the customary regulations of the country, of tak-
ing away her sails, guns, and helm, during her stay ; and an armed boat was
fent from the shore to enforce obedien -e: on its approach, however, the Captain
fired ir.to it, and wounded several of the people. The factors on shore were
immediately seized, and would have been put t'> death, had not the Captain
surrendered himself and ship to the disposa of the King. The result of this
transaction is not known ; but it is supposed th t the Dutch will either be subject
to further rigour, or he deprived of the exclusive trade whuh they at present
enjoy.
WEST INDIES.
Extract of a letter received on Thursday from an Officer of Commodore
Hood's Squadron at Barbadoes: The "arah Tender, and Advice Brig, Lieute-
nant Saltcr, are both loft; but the Crews are saved. Lieutenants fr'urber and
Mayne, and Mr. Hill, .midshipman, and sixteen men, have been wounded, three
missing, and three killed, by attempting to cut out a larare Schooner, which
was chained to the shore, at St. Pierre's A Court Martial has been held on
Lieutenant J. E. Smith, of the Centaur, for killing a man at Trinidad, in the
act of impressing. The Court were of opinion that he acted in self-defence, and
accordingly acquitted him. Captain Graves has again Joined the Blenheim;
and Ferris, the Drake. Died. Lieutenant Trounsel), of the Blenheim Man of
War.
KAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, -^
Dispatches were received on Saturday, July ar, from Jamaica, which report
that island, though politically safe at present, to be rather in an unhealthy con-
'dition. The mortality, we are sorry to say. has reached to C. plains C.thcart
and Bokcr, of the Royal Navy; and report says, to Captain R. O'Brien. The
homeward-bound Fleet was to leave Jamaica on the 2Oth ult. under convoy of
the Bellerophon, Duquesne. and Vertue.
"July 27. Ey the Arabella Packet, which arrived on Wednesday last from
the Leeward I-lands, we have a confirmation of the capture of the Duke of
Marlborough and Duke of Kent Packets, which were carried into (Juadaloupe;
the fnrmtr U fitted oi:t as a Privateer, and carries 20 guns. A g:eat number of
Privateers were out from Guadaloupe. The hliza Packet, which saiUd from
hence with May mail , had arrived at Barbadoes, after having beit • ffa Fiench
Privateer, in which she had one map killed. The homeward -bound Fleet, about
300 sail, under convoy of his Majesty's Ships Romney. Ul sses, Amsterdam,
Hippomenes, and Drake, sailed from Tortola for England, on the z6th June.
The Jamaica Fleet which arrived at the beginning of August, consists of up-
wards of two hundred sail. We regret to learn, that at the time they sailed,
the inland was vei y sukly. Several of the Ships' crews came away in an i 1 state
of health, and died on their passage; a Captain and his wife were , mong the
number. Captain Brown, of his Maje-ty's ship R< mney, during the p.issage
of the Fleet, took away from several of the Vessels their instructions, on account
of disobedience and neglect co signals, and sent their names to be posted ac
Lloyd's, for the information of tne Underwriters.
AMERICA.
\Te learn by letters fron- Halifax, of the aift ult. that that coast had for some
time been infested by a French Privateer of eighteen fjuns, all efforts to take her
having proved ineffectual. The Cambrian, and anrther Frigate, had sa;led,
for the purpose of intercepting :wo French Men of War, then at New York.
There were two of the enemy's Pr.vateers in the Bay of i undy, cruizing for the
mast thips, and, in fact, the whole coast swarmed with Vessel? of that descrip-
tior. The several Consuls in the United States had solicited aid from the Bri-
tish Admiral on that station ; but his force was too small to enable him 'o afford
the neres?aiy protection, and it was considered, that unless a speedy augm nta-
tion of the naval force took place, the depr dations en our commerce in that
quarter would prove very great. " The A'iav Picket," adds the writer, •' we
Jear, is taken, and the mercha: ts ar- not wi-hout serious apprehensions for the
tafery of the convoy for Halifax anti Quebec."
from lie PLiladelpLia Gazetti, June ii, 1824 — A letter from our Correspon-
dent at New Yon., dated yesterday, says, " Two Br tlsh Friga es are now at
this port, in waiting for the French Ships destined out. They come into the
Narrows at night, and lay off all day; so that it will be impossible for the
French Frigate* to escape without engaging them. They are supposed to be the
Leander and the Boston.
12. Arrived the Schooner Lydia, Porter, from St. Mary's, in nine day?.
Captain P. informs us, that on the ist of June, off Charleston Bar, he spoke the
British Brig St. Andrew, of 16 guns, having in possession the French ^hip la
Paris, of 24 guns, and 300 men, which he had taken three days before, after a
very severe engagement. They wtre steering direct for New Providence.
JVirTO Ycrl, June 15. Jerome Buonap ^rte visited the French Frigates at Staten
Island. The two pilot boat , (each with a French ( finer on board,) chartered to
cruize, one to the southward, and the other to the eastward, for British Men of
War. had not returned last evening. If they return with news of a clear coast,
the Frenchmen, with Buonaparte, will set off immediately. The boat?, however,
returned on the morning of the i6th, and reported that the coast was clear, and
the Frigates were to sail that day ; but the Juno had hardly got clear of Sandy
Hook, when she was brought to and boarded by the Cambrian Frigate and
Driver Sloop of War, just arrived in the offing, in five days from Halifax, and
came for the express purpose of taking care of the little Jeron.e and his escort.
1 he First Lieutenant of the Cambrian was immediately dispatched with a chal-
lenge to the French Commodore to ccir.e out and give battle, which you may
I
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 241
depend he would decline, and will remain blocked up at New York with Jerome
Mid his wife, who had embarked with him.— .Note. Letters from our Ferrol
Squadron, however, have since stated that Jerome had accually arrived at Ferrol.
IfriuYork, June 15. Some days singe the Marshal of the District weut down
to the Hook to arrest the First Lieutenant of ths British Frigate Cambri<n, for
an insult offered to a revenue Officer. Tha Lieutenant was not on board; but
the Captain assured the Marshal he would be in town the next day and surrender
himself. As the Lieutenant did not com; up, the Marshal went down again on
Saturday, but was refused admittance on board : after the refusal, the Cutter
was ordered from alongside the Cambrian. It beinij reported the English Fri-
fate Boston had pursued the Rolla, conceiving Jerome Euonapa'te on board, and
red shots at her, Mr. Flinn, the pilot, who took the Boston down, has made
the following declarat'on : — -On the zjth ult. the Bos'oh was under way long
before the Rolla appeared, 'in coming about, the Ship shot farther a-head than
he expected, and took the ground, and was in that situation an hour and a half,
during which, Flinn supposes the Rolla go: out. He awrs that not a gun was
fired on board the Boston.
Extract of a Letter from Captain DwlJ floss, of the Sbip William WrigJ.it, of Nd#
York, dated Cafe France'n^ June IJ.
We entered the Spanish harbour of Port a Plat on the agth of May, in order to
gain information respecting French Privateers : after coming to anc' or, a boat
with two men c me up to "3, and they staid fifteen minutes, and informed one
of my passengers (a Havtian) as a secret, that the Frrnch had t-ken an Ame-
rican Brig the day before, and sailed for Cuba. After this, I endeav ured to
get out of the harbour with sweejis. In twenty minutes we observed a large
Canoe, full of armed men, making for us, am! loading their muskets. I or-
dered them to keep off, which they not doing, I directed my passengers to fire.
the Crew being at the sweeps. After about thirty shots, the C not- put about.
A breeze springing up, we cleared the port and batt ries, and reached ht-re next
day. A Danish Capt. in just arrived from Port a Plat, says that ihe Cauot came,
out determined to take us, and if we resisted, to massacre us-
Extract of a Letter to a respectable House in PLHadelfbia, dated Guadalettpe, June 20.
General Ernouf, at Basseterre, has issued a Proclamation, ordering the Re-
publican cruizers to capture all neutrals hound to or from Negro possessions in
Hispaiiiola, and such as are armed and attempt to defend themss'ves, are to be
taken and tried as Pirate?. The number of cruizers at Guadaloupe increase
daily. Many of them carry twenty-four gun?, and non less than nine or ten,
•with ninety men. It i-> commonly reverted, that several of them intend to
cruize to leeward for Vessels coming from Hi>paniola. Should this be the case,
provided they are not captured by the British, it will be dangerous for the
Vessels that have gone out. Since Surinam has been taken by the Britit.h, there
has been a large Squadron blockading Martinique. The Schooner Ernouf,
mounting 10 guns, and 90 men, has lately sent in three prizes to Guadaloupe;
the longest, a ship of 22 6-pounders and 70 men, 51 whites, and 19 blacks.
She was taken by boarding.
The American Squadron for the Mediterranean, saikd from Hampton Roads
en the 6th of July.
The following isvan Extract from the Charge of the Grand Jury of Georgia,
April 26. — We present, as a most serious grievance, the practice of armed Ves-
sels, said to be of the French Republic, laying in our ports longer than neces-
sary, or than by treaty authorised to do; endeavouring to gain information of
the sailing of our Vessels engaged in lawful trade", with a view to interrupt or
capture them, and in one instance laid before us of their -actually having been
captured within the limits of the United States. We regard such conduct as in
the highest degree injurious and insulting to our country, and recommend to the
Government of the Unit' d States to employ a sufficient naval force on our coasts
to prevent in future similar aggression ; and we^also recommend that the District
Attorney do ascertain whether there are not now Vessels fitting (within the ports
of this State for the purpose of cruizing against the citizens or subjects of coun-
tries in friendship with the United States.
2£Z KAVAL HTStORlr OTf THE PRESEKT YEAR,
James Seagrove (Foreman^, Jamts Smith, John Teaubeau, Thomas King\
Janus Nephew, George Bailey, R M. D. J. Elliot, Murduch Vi'Leod Nonnarl
M'Donal, Abraham Deylon, F. Oneal, M Burke, John Bokon, Charles Od-
dingse!l% Moses Sh eft al. Joseph Law. Thomas Spalding, Simon Fraz^er, Wil-
liam Peacock, James Gignilliat.
A true Copy,
STITP^, C!erk.
Alexandria, jt'Jy 13- Arrived last evening;, the Schooner General i:inckriey,
Captain Barry, from Trinidad " aiiec! on the l-jrh ult. in company with the
Brig Sally, I'odd, of and for Baltimore. L.eft several Northern Vessels, names
not recollected. Two davs after leaving port, in sight of the harbour of Gre-
nada, Captain B. was boarded from a F:ench Schooner Piiviteer, by a Lieute-
nant and six men, armed wirh long knives, whose conduct and language par-
took o' that brutality which is general characteristic of these freebooters. The
Lieutenant, after questioning Captain B.'s people as to any money that might be
on board, rummaged his c ibin and hold in search of it, and then robbed him of
a fifty gallon cask of rum [his own p"operty), and about 800 limes; he men-
tioned his intention of breaking open a hogshead of sugar, and taking out a
barrel of it, as a hogchead was too heavy for his boat; but while his hands
were putting the rum into tlie boat, the man at the mast head annoHnced a
Fleet to windward, and one Ship bearing down for them, when the Lieutenant
ordered his men into the boat, telling Captain B a< he took his departure, that
he was then somewhat in a hurry, otherwise he would give him an order on his
agent at Guarlaloupe, for the amoi nt of the rum l.e had plundered. During
this time, Captain Todu, mentioned above, was compelled to hoi^t out hi*
boat, and carry a b^irel of flour on board the Privateer, for which he received
an order on Martin que Captains Barry and Todd then made sail, and in about
two hours afterward?, Captain B. was boarded by a Lieutenant of the British
Ship Pandour, of 44 guns, Captain Nash, and treated politely. The Lieutenant
informed, that the I ieet which was going in to anchor, were twenty-tight in
number, and from Surinam and Demerara, bound to J-rgland, and that they
and the loaded merchantmen would sail the following d^y to join the windward
homeward-bound Fleet at .-t. Kitt's. Caj tains B. and T. kept company until
the night of the 2ld ult. when they separated by a heavy squall, about three
miles to the eastward of ^t. Euilatia. June 23, at 10 P. M. close under the
lee of St. Martin's, was boarded from a Dutch Sloop Pnv.ireer, and treated
politely. J'lly 8, at two P. M. spoke the Schooner Dorchester, of Vienna,
Captain Phillips, from Guadaloupe, for Baltimore. On the o:h, they, with
two Brigs and four Schooner?, came into the Capes together.
The Pearl, Stephenson of four guns and twdve men, of and from Hull, on
her passage betwixt Madeira and Jamaica was met with by a Priv.'teer of six
guns and seventy men, and after un engajr^rnerlt of two hours :tnd twenty mi-
nutes was obliged to strike. The Captain lost two finder off his right hand,
and was wounded in the thigh; the Mate and !e\v Ixel.avtd very well during
the whole time; a black woman, a pas-erg-, r. supplitd r'>tin with powdef
throughout the action. Captain . thinks he should have beat off the Privateer,
had not another Vessel of the eue.uy hove in sight.
IVEDITERL'IANF ANT.
izxtriKtofa Letter from an Officer en board the Cancp'-s) off Toulon, dated May 24-
Yesterday, >n company with the Donegal and Amazon. \v were nearly
trough,' to action by a very superior Squadron oi the enemy, whom Admiral
Campbell had been bent by Lord Nel?on to reconnoitre. The main body of the
Fleet remained iar out of sight of the land; but the weather was so -very fair,
that the Rear-Admiral was tempted to ttar.d in clo'e, to get a good view of
them. To the eastward of the harbour's mouth (in which directioa the road is
open) on our near approach it fell nearly calm, and the Gun-bo..ts immediately
pulled towards us, and commenced firing, when we tacked, but at such a dis-
tance that their shot fell short. The Admiral fired in return. A moderate breeze
\,-j this time sprung up, and the .*-quadron in the harbour were soon under =ail
after us, and in less than an hour consisted of five Sail of the L'ne and three
NAVAL HISTORV OF THE PRtSENT YEAR, 1804. 343
heavy Frig -.tes they appeared determined to malte a grand push out after us.
The Frigates and t-rit; of the; Line-of-Eattle -Ships appeared to g<iin considerably;
and the headmost o\ the former which was the same fellow that the Amazon
chafed into iliere.-; B,:y during the winter) opened a distant teazing fire on the
Donegal, which was our slernmost ' hip This was rot to be borne long pa-
tiently by >•!!• Ri. hard trachan, who, watching his opportunity, luffed up, and
gave a broadside, which made the headmost gentry heave their sails aback
qu'i-l-cr than ever I saw -hem perform any manoeuvre. The Canoptis also threw
some shot at thr same time, in a very good direction. Although this fire was at
ftuch a distance that 1 have great doubts whether any shot took effect, yet it evi-
dently served to check the progress of the headmost 74 (supposed to be the
Swift *ure ; for, notwithstanding she was coming up fast, and with four of her
own class at ln-r heels, instead of closing with the Donegal, the moment she
came v.-:thin random shot she rounded-to to fire her broadside, by which she
lost a great deal c-f way, though perhaps this was her objo'-t. The Squadron
that \v.is now in pursui of us, and coming fast up, was so superior as to pre-
clude all chance of doing any thing with them Admiral Campbell therefore
mad.- sail, and they continued to follow us for some time under a crowd of Can-
vas, still keeping the advantage of sailing; but fearful of being dr_wn off too
far, and decoyed into the jaws of the Viscount, by the time they wt re about five
leagues from Toulon, they were recalled by their signal-post on the Hill, and
all stood in again. This was about three quarters past three o'clock, P. M.
At six we saw our Fleet to leeward, and joined them about half past nine. They
heard the fire indistinctly, and the 1 eviathan was detached towards Toulou,
but had not proceeded far on her way before we were perceived returning.
/In Extract of a Letter from an OJfiar on laard the Ganopus, Admiral Campbell's ffffcr
Ship, dated off Toulon, May 24, says—~
As it is probable you will see in the papers an account of a slight action with
the trench, magnified, DP doubt, by them into a retreat of the whole British
Fleet, 1 will g:ve it you as it really was. The Canopus, the Donegal, and a
Frigate, were detached from the Fleet to look into Toulon, which we did yester-
Oay morning, and ..fur bring for some hours as near the mouth of the harbour as
their batteiies -would allow u -, we were rejoiced to see them in motion, and,
ere long, three i.'iie of Battle ^hips and three Frigates came out. We immedi-
ately tacked, in ord.-r to oraw t'.eui from the land, but went under an easy sail,
and they soon came wuhin the rung, of our shot : when they began to fire we
were just sat down to dinner, which we t>ok quietly, and then returned their;
fire, meaning to bring them to close action, though so far superior. We were,
however, disappointed, for at this moment we perceived two more Ships of the
Line, and one Frigate, coming to their assist4ijce. This was tqo great odds,
under their own b.,tteries; we therefore were obliged to sheer off.
CoKstantiaOjIe, June 19. — The Captain r'acha yesterday set sail with his Sqaa-
dro: . Adcr he has visited the islands of the Archipelago and receive4 the an-
nual tribute, he wiil g-> into the Ionian tea, and cruize between Albania an$l
the ^orea.
A t.; olitan Squadron, of one chip of 74 guns, and four Frigates, is stated
to have joiiici.' the American ^quadri n employed against Tripoli.
The i.cy of i unis is equipping his whole naval force with the utmost expe-
dition, as is stippoud to act against the Americans. Three of his Frigates,
cairying from 24 to 32. £i:us arc- now fitting out at Malta; and a Frigate of 31
guns, an,l a number »t smaller Vessels, are getting ready at Tunis.
'i he Pirates fu>m the coast of Barbary have become very audacioas in th
Mediterranean, lately they approached Palermo, and destroyed the imple-
ments which served to take the tunnies (than.) They took besides two boat-:,
and earned away into captivity two clergymen, who took a walk at some dis-
tance fron: the rump-uts of tnat city.
Not ess than four hundred vessels have been laden with wheat at Odessa, in
the ' lick :-ta, principally for the supply of the Spanish ports — the residue is
consigned to the garrison of Malta.
Legburn, July 2O. According to the French papers, since the English Ship?
of War have been stationed at the Hiere» Islands, two Frigates are cruizing be*
244 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESTNT YEA?, ».:"-
fore Geroa, The=e, and the English boa's on the Genoese coast, interrupt the
trade ol Ginoa extremely. The navigation to this port on the contrary suffers
no obstruction.
Genaa, July 16. According to accounts received here, the Fleet of A Jmiral .
Nelson, on the nth inst took and burnt five Genoese Merchant Ships near Mar-
seilles. Another accouni states, that the English have taken the largest of the
Hicres Islands, to the couth cf Toulon, with iSco men and 8l pieces of cannon,
and established there an hospital for 600 sick Sailors. The Heel of Admiral
Nelson, off Toulon, consists of 7.7 Sail.
Marseiilfs, Julyii. M. hill, the Danish Consul at Algiers, has transmitted
to t) e Consuls and Agents of his nation resident in the maritime towns of the
Mediterranean the following information : — " A Moor of Morocco, after per-
forming a pilgrimage to Mecca, has established hin-self in the mountains, situ-
ated Ht the distance of thirty leagues east from Algiert. Being able to exhibit a
few juggling tricksy which he pretends to be miracles, and leading a very austere
life, as he observes with great severity the ordinances and practices cf the Mus-
sulman religion, he has found means to make himself be considered as a Mara-
/ft/, a title of honour which has not maintained its character among us, and in
this quality to forma very considerable party among the Cabailes, or inhabitants
cf the mountains, partly independent, which has been increased by some mal-
contents of this city and its environs. This Marabout has appropriated to him-
self the sea »oast opposite to these mountains, and a small port called Jejili,
situated between Bonghea and Bonn*, whence he sends out a few Sandales, or
small Barks of the country, carrying twenty or thirty men, armed with mus-
kets, to surprise the Boats occupied in the coral fishery in the neighbourhood of
la Calle. He has already taken six or eight, the Crews of which, consisting of
fifty-four fishermen, have been conducted to the mountains." As this intelli-
gence cannot fail of esciting alarm among the merchants, who-:e Vessels navi-
gate these seas, M. Bill, in order to allay their fears, has thought proper to make
known to the Consuls and Agents of his nation, that the Dcy of Algiers has dis-
patched orders to the Bey of Conftantine, to march immediately at the head of
the troops under his command against this rebel, and that he has sent three Cor-
sairs, to take, destroy, or blockade the Sandales, in the port of Jejili, so that
no apprehensions need be entertained in regard to Merchant Veesels in there seas.
M. Bill, however, cautions navigators not to approach too near to the land be-
tween Bonghea and Bonne, until the Fiiates of Jejili have been destroyed.
The French I'rivatcer Esperance, which some time ago captured a Cutter
v ith Dispatches for Lord Nelson, has now again carried into Alicant two other
English ihips, richly laden, which two days before had sailed from Gibraltar,
snd were destined for Malta. The Captain's share of prize money in these
three captures amounts to 6cc,ooc livres, 25,000!.
NORTHERN STATES.
The Emperor of Russia has inspected the Fleet at Crcnstadt, and reviewed
•the Sea Battalions. Crews, and Marines. But it is not true that this Fleet has
yet sailed; many even believe that the report of sixty thousand men being en-
camped on diffeient parts of the coast of the Baltic, and destined for some ma-
ritime expedition, is without foundation, or, at least, exaggerated.
C'fcnbagai. Jv^yi-j. The Russian Fleet at Cronstadt consists of ten Ships of
the Line and four Frigates, the Commanders to which have already been ap-
pointed.
Vienna, ynly 17. We have lately received intelligence from Odessa, that, in
pursuance of an ordinance of his Russian Majesty, an embargo has 4>een laid on
si the Vessels in that port; from whence it is concluded, that the Russian Go-
v.rf merit purposes to embark all the troops cantoned in that neighbourhood.
From Trieste they write, that another Frenth Privateer had entered that port on
the a8th ult. Having saluted the lortwith five discharges, she cast anchor at a
small distance frcm the English Ships. Other Privateers of the same Nation
were expected there.
Cetterlurgl; August 4. Two Ergiish Frigates are cruizing off the coait of
Norway, whkh it is hoped will soon scour those seas of the JFreach Privateers
NAVAL HISTORY 6F TIJE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 24.5
that have for pome time infected them. A Swedish gentleman, who has latclf
arrived here iron-, lioulogrn. sip, that the greater part of the French Gun-
boats, by their continual beating upon the ground, which is more particularly
hurtful to them from the weight of metal they carry(in the bow and stern, will
in a short time be rendered unserviceable.
Letters have been received at Hull, from Bremen, stating, that the French
had stopped all Vessels within three leagues of that place, and carried them into
the small river Lesum ; which, to all appearance, would stop the transport by
land from Varei to Bremen.
ftetv Beacons in the Baltic. The late German papers contain the following ar-
ticle:—On the 2Cth of last November, the Fire Beacon upon Cooksheer, the
want of which has caused so much damage among Shipping, was renewed, be-
ing elevated 105 English feet higher than the surface of the water, and lighted
with reflectors, after the English manner. In the same way all the Russian
Beacons upon the coast of the Baltic have also been fitted up, by which means
the dangerous shores of the Island Oefel, so fatal to commerce, may in future be
avoided. At each of these Beacons a Captain of the Fleet is stationed, to whom
the management of affairs relative thereunto is entrusted. Every new under-
taking of this nature will be announced to the public without loss of time. The
zeal of the august head of the Empire affords reason to hope for the further ex-
tension of such important plan?, which do honour to the nation, and the most
essential service to trade in general. The actual illumination of these Beacons
will take place every season, as soon as ever the breaking of the ice is complete,
in May, and continue to burn as long as the navigation is open.
Coj.cnaagcn, August II. A Russian Fleet, of nine ships c-r the Line, and several
Frigates, is cruizing near Bornholm, but has not as yet entered our road. It is
expected, however, that three or four Ships of the Line, and three Frigates,
will proceed to the North Sea; in which case they will make their appearance
in our harbour.
Jilsintur, August ii. The Russian Squadron, which is said to consist ofseven
Ships of the Line, and sir Frigates, is now in Flogen Bay. The Russian Envoy
at C cpenhagen, \i. deKisakewiiz, has been on board. It is said that two Ships
of the Line, a>id some Frigates, will pass the Sound into the North Sea. There
are no land forces on board thb Squadrur..
The Petersburg Gazette, of the 3ist isf July, contains the following article;—
His Imperial IWajesty testifies his acknowledgment to the Commander of the
Squadron which is sailing from Cronftadt for a campaign, Vice- Admiral Crown,
for his exertions, by which he has put it into proper order, and taught the Crew
the management of the sails and guns; likewise to Rear- Admiral Laumin, and
especially t<; the following Commanders of Vessels :— Captain Mitkow, of the
Ship Jaroslawl; Captain Count Haiden, of the Conception of St. Anna ; Cap-
tain Hamilton, of the Archangel Michael; Captain Lieutenant Von Desin, of
the Frigate Thecdosia; Captain Lieutenant Powalisohin, of the Leghoi ; Cap-
tain Lieutenant Casliwzow, of the Dispatch Cutter, for the goed effect of their
sails and guns ; as likewise to the Deputy Captain of the Port of Cronstadt
Rear- Admiral Alassojedcw, and to his Assistant, Captain Bufchenskoi, for the
complete provision made for that Squadron of all necessary stores and materials-,
and his Majesty gives to the Crews of the i^hips Jaioslawl, the Conception of
St. Anna, the 1 rigatcs Thecdosia and Leghoi, and the Dispatch Cutter, one
rouble each man.
FRANCE.
The Emperor has decreed new uniforms to the Sailors composing the Crews
of his Fleets and Flotillas. They are in future to be dressed in bluejackets, in
the manner and of the cut of those of dragoons; red waistcoats, with gilt but-
tons; blue cloth pantaloons for Kurope, but blue Nankin for the East and West
Indies. They are to wear red stocking* of wool in Europe, but of cotton in the
other parts of the world. Their shoes are to be pointed, with round buckles;
and their hair to be cropped, without powder. They are to -change their shirts
three times in the week, and each Sailor is to have three shirt', one white and
two coloured ones. When on ehw« they are to wear iroall cocked hats; bu*.-
246 NATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT Y£AR, J 804.
when on board, except the Forecastlemen, the other may wear round hats.
Their night caps are to be red, and washed once in the wetk. Their neck-,
cloths are to be, for fuil-dress, of black silk; but otherwise, of cotton, dyed
black. Each man is to have two night caps and two neck-cloths. Besides a
boarding-axe, each "• ailor is to be armed with one short sword, a dagger and
two pistols, small enough to be placed in the pockets of their trowsers. Kach
man is allowed two pipes in the week, and half a pound of tobacco for chew-
ing, and a quarter of a pound for smoking, if the Commanders think the latter
may be permitted without danger. When at anchor, they arc to bathe morning
and night, for half an hou.- each time; when at sea, they are to wash their
bodies all over twice a week. They are to comb out their hiir three tim s in
the week, and to be shavtd once every four days. When in Kurope, they are,
for exercise, to dance for an hour every Sunday; bnt, when in warm climates,
i'or half an hour every second day. They are, to avoid scorbutic complaints, to
wash their mantles twice in the week with vinegar, and once with fresh water.—
(journal de Paris.)
NARROW SEAS.
August 7. Admiral Cornwall!? sailed on Tuesday in the Glory, of 98 gun«,
to resume the command of the Fleet off lir st. Dispatches, received from the
Admiralty, at Portsmouth, in the course of the morning, were immediately sent
after him, in the Rose Cutter, which overtook the Glory at St. Catharine's
Point, as she was standing down Channel.
Falmoutb, slug. 10. Arrived the Diana Packet, St. Aubyn, with mails from
Lisbon, in 15 days; left there the Prince of Wales Packet, which arrived out in
five days, and la Revolutionaire Frigate; the Amphion Frigate sailed a few days
previous on a cruize; the Charlotte Portuguese Frigate had sailed the zoth uk.
for France, with a great quantity of specie on board. Last Monday, in lat. 45° 4',
long..!!0 10', saw four Sail of the Line steering W.S.VV. , the wind then K. N. £.5
they made signals to the Diana, which Capt. St. Aubyn did not understand.
Also arrived his Majesty's hip Orpheus, of 32 guns, Captain Hill, from Ports-
mouth; the Mangles East Indiaman, Captain Reed, for Bengal; the Chatty,
Seager; Iris, Smith; and British King, Lamb, for Q^iebjc; Two Elizas, Eoul-
ton, for Newfoundland; Olive Branch, for Halifax; Cyrus, West, for the South
•Jieas; Lady Warren armed Ship, Captain M'Kellar, fro,,; a cruize; ;'r.d Prus-
sian Dogger, Crisis, Capt. Berts, from H. Martin. Sailed the Ili::d Cutter,
Allen, on a cruize. Put back the Queen Charlotte Packet, for America; Ches-
terfield ditto, for Jamaica; and 'iownshend ditto, for Lisbon, by contrary
winds.
Brighton, Aug. 14. The weather, during the whole of Friday night, was ex-
tremely damp and tempestuous, the wind blowing exceedingly strung from the
South, and causing a very heavy surge in the Channel. About six o'clock P. M.
a large square rigged Vessel was distingu shable in the offing, which, as ehe
drew nearer to the shore, hove out signals of distress. In about an hour, one of
the Boats, manned by ten of the most hardy fishermen, put off to her relief;
bbt the billows rolled so tremendously high, that on their reaching the Vessel,
some hours elapsed before they could succeed in getting on board. The Boat
in fact did not return to land until the following morning, when we learned
that the Vessel was the George Hibbert, richly laden, from the West Indies,
and much distressed from having unfortunately been separated from the late
Jamaica Fleet, by losing her rudder. The Captain of the Vessel, of the name
of Thompson, who accompanied the fishermen to land in the Boat, soon after
set off for Shoreham, from whence a rudder, with all possible speed, was pro-
cured, and taken off to the Ship ; but the weather yesterday was not sufficiently
mild to enable the men to repair the defect. The whole of last night was ex-
cessively turbulent, and great apprehensions were consequently entertained for
the Ship's safety; but we are happy to announce, that, at day light, she was
seen securely riding at anchor in the offing. The wind, though somewhat mo-
derated, still blows hard; but the Vessel, at two o'clock P. M. to-day, was in
a state to proceed for the Downs, and has now been out of sight some hours.
At eleven A. M. to-tiay, a large Lugger hove in sight, which not answering the
&AVAL HISTORY Of THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 2$,
Secret signal* of the tc' graph, others were immediately hoisted, to announce
that there was an enemy in the Channel. Three guns from tne fort were soon
efter disc iarged, and .ui immense confluence of pedestrians presently collected
on the Cliff. The Lugger, about mid-day, was observed to speak to a Collier*
brig, and the general conj.-cture was that the Collier was captured, until the
Lugger, drawing nearer to the land, answered the necessary signals, and
quieted our apprehensions. The Lugger proved to be the Folkstone, in his Ma-
jesty's service. — The Prince was on horseback dur.ng the greater part of the
morning of yesterday ; and in the afternoon, with the greater part of the fa*
shionables here, paraded the J-teyne for several hours. '1 he Marchioness of
Downshire is in the list of recent arrivals —The various places of 4jvine wor-
ship to-day have been very numerously frequented. The L h-apel Royal con-
tained a very largt proportion of our fashionable visitants The Sussex Militia,
it appears, have received a countermand, and consequently will not march from
this place to tiicamp, until after the harvest. General Lennox is still to remain
at Seaford.
Falmautlj, Aug 19. Sailed his Majesty's .Ship Orpheui, Capta:n Hill, from
Portsmouth, for Halifax, Newfoundland, &c. with ihc following Vessels Binder
convoy ; vi/. M«.uglts, Reed, frorn London, for Bengal; Chatty. Se^er, from
Plymouth, for Quebec; British King, Lamb, from London 'or Quebec; John
E!iz.i#, Boulton, from London, for Halifax; and Cyprus Watts, from London
for the South o'eas; also Lady Warren armed 'hip, Vi'Keilar, for Plymouth.
Also sailed the Walsingham Packrt, Robarts, with mails ot the I4th instant, for
Lisbon. --The Townshend packer, Dodd, and Queen Charlottee ditto, Mudge,
sailed on the i;th instant; the former for Lisbon, with two mails (3;st ult. and
7th instant i, and :hc latter for i\ew York and Halifax, with mails of the ist
instant. The Prince of Wales Packet, Todd, arrived on Thursday last, in ten
days, from Lisbon; Itft lying there the Auckland P cket. The Prince of Wale*
h-s not brought any particular news. —P.S. The outward-bound Lisbon, Oporto,
and Mediterranean Flests still remain, waiting the arrival of those from Ports-
mouth
Dover, Aug. a?. The Cutter mentioned in my last to have been sunk off
Boulogne was the Constitution, a* was conjectured here; the Master, Mr.
Mowle, came here this Morning ; he says that the Cutter was within half a gun
shot of the shore, engaging a Gun-brig, of iz long guns, and two Lugger-
rigged Yachts, painted with white bottoms, green sides, and richly gilt; they
Were supposed to contain some Officers of great distinction. When the Cutter's
guns, which were short carronades, ii pounders, were near enough to do
execution with grape-shot, the Luggers lowered all their sails and masts, and
rowed as fast as possible for the shore; the Cutter following them, received a
h shell, which fell on board between the companion and skylight, went
through her deck, stove a skuttle-butt, and went out of her run ; the hole it
made WE* so large, that all attempts to stop the water were fruitless; they
hoisted a signal of distress, and in a few minutes several Boats from the Squa-
dron crime to their assistance, and took out all the Crew unhurt ; one hoy was
standing near where the shell fell, handing a cartridge; he was knocked down
bj the wind of the shell, but received no further injury. Notwithstanding some
thousands of shells and shots were thrown, the damage done to our Squadron
\vas very small. The Immortalite Frigate was struck by a shot, which wounded
three men, and an 8 inch sheli fell on board the Harpy Brig; it went through
the deck, killed one man, and broke a beam asunder, which luckily tore out the
fuse, and it fell into the hold ; one of the men instantly took it in his arms nd
put it into a bucket of water. Several of the Ships received shots in their sails,
&c. but no more lives were lost.
NORTH SEA.
Deal, July 14. Sailed his Majesty's Ship Trusty, on a cruize off Boulogne.—
Remain in the Downs the rest of the Ships as per last.— Sailed the Champion
Frigate ufl a cruize to the coast of France.
July 15. Sailed the Zebra Bomb to Dungeness.— Arrived the Ploodhound
Gun-brig, from a cruize off the coast of France, and remains in the Downs with
AS NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR,
24
tis Majesty's Ships Monarch, Utrecht, Veteran, and Inflexible; Virgin! and
Castor Frigates, Hermes Sloop of War, and Tartarus Bomb ; armed defence
Ships and Transports as before. — P. 3. Sailed the Bloodhound Gun- brig, on a
cruize to the coast of France.
Yarmouth, July 15. Friday P.M. arrived the Scorpion Sloop of War, with four
large Boats laden with naval stores. — Sailed 1'Afncaine Frigate, and the Scor-
pion Sloop. — Yesterday sailed the Argo Frigate, to pin the Flee: offtheTexelj
the Cruizer Sloop of War, Vixen Gun-brig, .Betsey and Lord Nelson Cutters,
on a cruize. This day sailed the Clyde Frigate, Captain Oliphant, for the
Fleet under Admiral Thornborough. Arrived from a cruize the Snipe Gun-
brig, Princess Augusta, and two other Cutters.— The Rose Last Indiaman, de-
tained by the Beaver Sloop, has been released, and sailed this morning.
Dover, July 15. A very heavy firing has been heard here to-day from about
four in the morning until about one P.M. The wind being easterly, we con-
jectured that it might be some of the enemy's Gun-boats going down along
shore; it is, however, reported that it was owing to three of our Gun brigs
being becalmed close in under the enemy's batteries, and the enemy throwing
shells at them. It blows fresh at east. — Remain in the roads the Ardent, of 64.
guns, a Frigate, and a Gun-brig. — Sailed, to join the Dungeness Squadron, the
Countess of Elgin hired armed Cutter, Lieutenant Dickenson. — A Lugger is
reaching across from Boulogne, supposed with dispatches.
Deal, July '6. Little wind at S. Sailed yesterday, after post, the Norfolk
armed Ship, Lieutenant Sinclair, to Leith 5 a!so the Hermes Sloop of War, on a
cruize to the coast of France. Arrived the Scourge Sloop of War, with a con-
voy from the westward, which are sailed for the river Much firing has this
day been heard atDeal from the S.E. direction from off Boulogne, supposed an
affair between some of our cruizing Squadron and the enemy.
Dial, J'/ly 2.2- Sailed the Melpomene armed Transport, Captain Watson,
to Sheerness, to take in extra guns. Arrived and sailed for the river, the Isabella,
Green, from Charleston i Princess Elizabeth, toresdale, from New Providence;
and Jane, Gillis, from Irel <nd. Sailed, 1'Aimable Frigate, Captain Bolton,
off Ostend, to relieve the Crescent, Captain 1 ord William Stewart. Arrived
the Minorca and Aurora Transports, from Barbadoes. under the command of
Lieutenant Coggan. Came down the Willington and Walker Transports,
Arrived the Immortalite and Champion Frigates, O< est.es and Speedy Sloops of
\Var, Fury Bomb, Bruizer and Blazer Gun brigs, and Milbrook bchooner, from
off the French coast, with the loss of anchors and cables. — P.S. Arrived the
Harpy and Zephyr .Sloops of War, from the coast of France, the latter with loss
ef fore- top-mast. A few nights since, in a hard gale of wind, the enemy lost
two Gun- brigs and three Luggers sunk. Several others drove on shore near
Boulogne.
It appeafs from private accounts, that the havock lately made amongst the
French Flotilla off Boulogne, was much greater than has been recorded in the
Gazette.
July 24. Yesterday evening the weather being clear, and the sun shining
upon the French coast, we had a very gr.od view of the enemy, and have
clearly ascertained that their loss in the gale of Friday and Saturday last has
been very considerable. We distinctly comued nine wrecks on the rocks be-
tween Portel and Boulogne ; and from the boldness of the coast and the tremen-
dous sea, when they wei.t ashore, it is scarcely possible that any of the people on
board, 500 in number at least, could have been saved : the entire coast between
Boulogne and Portel was covered with waggons and soldiers, clearing away
•wrecks, and an immensity of small Boats were engaged in searching the
bottom for different articles. In the space of fifty yards, close under Portel,
there are a Gun-brig and four Luggers dashed to pieces. The few Brigs that
succeeded in getting into Boulogne seem to be much damaged in their masts and
ligging ; indeed from the amazing surf, when getting in, it is impossible that it
could be otherwise. Altogether, the loss of the enemy, on.Saturday morning,
has been the most severe they have met with since the commencenxent of the
war; apd it is highly probable that the soldiers will not be^o sanguine for the
cipediuon, after having had such convincing proofs of the danger attending it,
K , \-'>
J'tlt- /:•/ I, < -','/// /< '. i. •)'//."• l.itli.', .'I/, < ',v ' '/,"?, •./
KAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT tEAR, 1804. 249
• t • ''•"*" ' '.cV^'ii ' ^-if * -^ r v
'and having seen our Ships ride out gales of wind in perfect safety, when they
hafe invariably suffered, borh in Men and Vessels.
The Stately, of 64 guns, is in Long Reach, on her way to the do k-yard, to
tie paid off; her men will he drafted to the Adamant, of 5.3 guns, Captain
CJ. Bui Iton, now nearly ready for sea.
SbetrtKss, July 24. The Glory, of 98 gi'ns, Captain Martin, has sailed from •
the Noref r ijorcsm/;uth, there- to be compL'ted and paid much to the aano.'arice
of the vlonsellers, and o.her sharks, at this port. When p id, she is to join tha
Channel Fleet. The Astelope, Captain liezeley (acting 'for Sir Sidney Smith),
is nearly ready for sea, and is to he paid h: r wa^es on Friday morning. The
Pr ncess of Orange, of 74 guns, is also in a very forward state. The Sei; e Fri-
gate ( a;e Ambuscade, Dutch,) was taken into dock this day, at one o'clock, to
be repaired.
Deal, Jzly 24. Sailed yesterday, after po?t, the Alert Lugger, with the
ontward-bound u; d;r convoy, for Porismi.iith ; Speedy and H.-rpv Sloops of
War; Jamaica frigate; Bloodhound, Archer, r lamer, Bn.iz r, Blazer, and
Mariner Gun-brigs, on a cruize off the French oast.
July 25. Wind S. W. Sailed the Orestes oloop of War, with the Ceres,
Ciowu, Monarch, nnd Eliza Tupper, coppered armed Transports, under convoy
to the Northward; Champion Frigate, and the Zeph , r Sloop of \Vnr, f T
t'heerniss. Came down the Melpomene and Princess Royal coppered armed
Transports, which remain in the Downs wirh the rest of the Ships a« per last..
Arrived the Matilda (cartel), Captain Drink water, from Madras and Pondi-
cherry, wrth French soldiers, taken o;:t hy Admiral I.inuis, and surrendered at
the latter place : she sailed from St. Helena on the 26th of May, and left lying
there hi> .\.:aj sty's Ships Plantagenet and E^ypticliae ; Lrit..nnia and Georgia: a,
Company's armed Ships.
Tarmt/utb, July zg. Yesterday sailed the Lord Nelson and Dra'ce Cutters, on
a cruize. This day sailed ihe Mermaid Revenue Cutter, vvi:h a person on brinl
reported here to he Johnson the noted smuggler, as hs answers the deicripf.-n
given ot him. He was found secreted on bo .rd a Vessel brought in h- r-; by ths
Repulse Revenue Cutter a few days ago. 'Ihe Vessel had heen detained some.
hours before he was- discovered. He was .'ent on board the Admiral's th'p,
wjj'.re he was examined, and on him was found an American pass for «ix nrm-h-i,
two i f which arc expired. Arrived the Vixen Gun-brig from the i-Let off the
Texel, wiv.th she left all well. Sailed the Stag Cutttr. with. .ions
for. he Flet-t off Flushing. The Prince of Wales ! acket, Captain '1 homas
Hearn, remains wind-bound. Captain Malcolm, arrived in the Vixen, was suc-
ceeded by Captain Hope, on hoard the Defence.
Deal, July 30. Arrived the Hermes Sloop oi War from a cr"!ze. Jv.iled the
Princess charlotte Schooner, with the Briti-h King, and Oiive rranr.h for Haii-
fux ; and several others, outward-bound, under convoy to : c:%T.u.i;h. Sail-.d
al»o :he hury Bomb, on a cruize to ihe Frtruh coast; a-;-.i ihv l::-!us Hast In.-
diiirruui for india. Caire down from bhetrr.ssi his M.ije.-ty'> .-i;ip .4 me! :,\ e.
SJ.>ee>:<tfS!, Ju!y $\. Yesterday morning, about six o'cio-k, :':- ' ncr-
ing to Rear-A<imiral Rowley, the CommancK-r in Chief :i d y ti:e
Vacht of Comniissioner Gtcy, left this pi-;..- ii-.r outh I ;.u, Jor tiie purpose of
Konveyiiig here her Royal Highness ihe _ Princess of Wales ma suite. /\b;:uc
two o clock, h -r Royal iiighuees emharfeetj r .at, bearing the
Royal tandard, accompanied by Miss, Fitzgerald ;ind Sit I'hcm s \\ii.i-;:, and
got under weigh with a favourable breeze. The Y.'cht h j.d not prcc.cutu half
way tu't-r, wbtn a calm came on, wlncli obliged iu-r i;oyal i *ig!.ne-s to go into
Ihe bdrj; wit/i ' omniis.-ioner Grey, vi. ere Admi:"''. Rowley anU C'up.uia Mur.by
were .. .- her. The K ^a! Standard was tiiea sh;( ted on board
the Barge, trorn \vi.ecce her Royal Highuess landed at the <irck-yo id about five
o'clock. As -h-: : a • d thj sev-ra .V:.',t ^1 \> ar lyiag at anchor, t!:cy manned
their yaiijs, and p id every musk of r jspect.
At landing, the n-ip^cnvc Officers of the Oockxynrd received her Roynl High-
Cess, anri cor.dai.ted her 0:1 board the Vindictive, bearing the Uoy:il Standard,
and comrj><»nded by Admiral Rowley, v/lu-re nn elegant d.-niier w i» provided;
ths Baud belonging to the Admiral playii.g the whole iiaie. At uuie o'ciock|
KAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT TEAR,
her Royal Highness and party repaired to the quarter-deck, which had previ-
ously been covered with an awning, and decorated with a profus'on of varie-
gated la.nps. Country dances shortly after commenced, in which her Royal
Highness took an active pirt, and occasionally danced with Commissioner Grey,
Admiral Rowley, Captain Manby, of the Africaine, and Captain Beresford,
of the Virginie Frigate, which lar-r -ihip arr vcd at the Nore about six o'clock,
for the purpose of being paid off and undergoing a co.Tspltte repair. The danc-
ing continued til' near two o'clock 'his morning, when her Royal Highness pur-
took of some refreshment*, and e-n' iit'.-d in the Admiral's Barge to be conveyed
on board the Yacht, which lay it the - ittle N'ore, accompanied by Commis-
sioner <. :rey, Admiral Rowley. Captains Minby and Beresford, and the Gover-
nor of the Garrison. Before her Royal Highn^ss's departure, she requested.
Commissioner Grey and Admiral Rowley to thank th* several Officers of the
Dock yard in her name, for the very great attention and respect which she had
experienced.
It was the intention of her Roya! Highness to visi? the Garrison, for which
purpose the men were drawn out, and tne guns on the battery prepared to fire
a royal salute; but the late hour at which her Royal Highness arrived, prevented
this ceremony taking place.
August 2. Dispatches were received at the Admiralty, from Lord Keith,
giving an account of the failure of a gallant attempt made by the Boats of the
J.eda Frigate, to cut out one of the enemy's Gun-vessels from Boulogne Roads.
On Sunday evening, Lieut. M'l.ean, with two Midshipmen, and about thirty
Seamen and Marines, volunteered their services to go into the harbour, and cut
out a fine Gun-brig, which was moored not far distant from our Squadron. The
attack was commenced with characteristic spirit, and our brave Tars succeeded
in the first instance, after a smart conflict, in boarding the Vessel, and cutting,
her a-drift. The flood tide, however, running very strong, the gallant captor*
could not row out their Prize, \vhichunfortunatelydriftedaniong the whole
line of Brigs that were moored in the road, where she was exposed to the fire of
several of them, and after a spirited resistance was retaken by the enemy. One
of our Boats effected her escape, with the Lieutenant and twelve of the Seamen
on board, besides two killed and two wounded. The orhcr Boat was captured;
and we lament to find, that the two Midshipmen and eighteen of their brave
companions, were either killed or taken prisoners. The men missing, erclusive
of the Midshipmen are, the Captain's Clerk, eleven Seamen, one Serjeant, one
Corporal, and five Marines. The loss on board the enemy's Vessel is supposed
to amount to between fifty and sixty men killed and wounded The I.eda re-
turned to the Downs on Wednesday, and in the course of the afternoon landed
the wounded men at Deal, who were immediately sent to the hospital.
The following are some further particulars of the gallant attempt of two of the
Boats of the Ledu to cut out a French Lugger in Boulogne Roads : —
" The Lugger had upwards of a hundred soldiers on board, and they being
completely prepared, and on the alert, permitted the Boats to come alongside
without firing a shot. The Soldiers were of the Boat's Crews, consisting of 3&
men, drawn up abaft, and made no kind of resistance until the entire were o»
board, when they fired a volley and charged bayonets. The conflict was here
most terrible, and several of our men behaved in the most heroic manner. Th»
Serjeant of Marines particularly distinguished himself, having killed several of
the Frenchmen. He and the Corporal, Lieutenant M'Lean, and the Captain'*
Clerk, however, soon fell, and the French began to overpower the remainder.
Those that survived were principally thrown ovei board in the conflict ; and out
of the 38 men only fourteen returned to the l hip, leaving behind them one of the
Boats. A French Brig close to the Lugger during the contest, opened a heavy
fire of grape shot, and killed a number of men."
It is a curious circumstance, that poor Lieutenant M'Lean, of the Leda, was
found literally stuck to the mast of the French Gun-brig, wish seven bayonet*
through his body. He fought most gallantly, till overpowered by number*.
Dial, Aug. 4. Sailed through the Downs yesterday after post, the jVIary,
Taylor, for Mogadore- Yesterday evening the Orestes Sloop of War arrived
from the northward, with the Crown, Monarch, Elisha T upper, and Ceres
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804, 25!
Transports, with Troops under her convoy; which sailed this morning for
Ramsgate Pier, where they disembarked. Came down from the River the
Harriet East Indiaman, Captain Lynch, for the East Indies.
August 5. Came down from the River, the Hon. East India Company's
Ships., Lord Keith, Ramadge ; Huddart, Bailey ; Union, Macintosh, for the East
Indies. Arrived from a Cruize off Boulogne, the Harpy Sloop of War, Fury and
Sulphur Bombs.
Yarmouth, August 4. Tin Paul and Elizaheth, of Kragoroe, in Norway,
Raven, Master, from Christiana, with deals, bound to London, is brought into
these Roads by a Pilot- Boat belonging to Winterton, she having got on Happis-
burgh Sand in foggy weather, and received considerable damage. Sailed the
Vixen Gun-brig, and Alert, on a cruize. Remain in the Roads, the Monmouth,
Hind, Speed y^Ferreter, Hawke, ami Venus.
Dover, August 7 The following particulars of the Bombardment of the ene-
my's Flotilla, and town of Havre de-Grace, I bend you, as just received from
an Officer in our Squadron :—
On the ist inst.the Melpomene, Captain Oliver ( Commodore); with the Trust y,
.Ma nanime, Ariadne, Favourite, and Merlin ; Explosion, Hecla, Meteor, and
Zebra Bombs ; Locust Gun brig; King George, Hope, Countess of Elgin, and
Nancy v utters, went into the mouth of the Seine, and attacked the enemy's
Flotilla, consisting of twenty-eight Gun-brigs, and between forty and fifty
Luggers, all full of Troops. The attack commenced about half past seven, and
ended about half past eight P. M. At nine the bquadron anchored outside the
River, and at half past seven in the morning of the ad instant, the Bombs began
to throw shells again, which was warmly returned by the Batteries and the ene-
my's Flotilla, until several of the Batteries were silenced by our fire; two of the
•large Gun-brigs and five Luggers came out to attack the Bombs, and hulled
them several times, hut without killing any body. On a signal, the Locust
Gun-brig, Lieutenant Lake, was gallantly led ih to attack them, assisted by the
Hope, Countess of Elgin, and Nancy Cutters, supported by the Merlin, and
soon obliged the enemy to sheer off with great los«, the Locust gallantly fol-
lowing them until she was prevented by the shallowness of the water, and loss
of main-top and top-gallant masts. At forty minutes past ten our ohips hauled
off, having expended 432 shells, and all their ammunition. The inhabitants
were obliged to leave the town, and some hundreds of them were seen on the
adjacent hills. The enemy's Flotilla retreated up the Seine in the greatest con-
fusion, and must have suffered a very heavy loss. On $ur side not a life was lo»t.
PLYViOUTH.
P/ymouit>, June 26. Arrived from the Fleet off Brest, the Boadicea, 44 guns.
The Fleet were all well ; the enemy as usual. Captain Seymour, of the Co-
Jossus, returned in the Boadicea, as Captain G. iVJartin, her old Captain, hag
re-joined her. Arrived the Venus Cutter, and a Revenue Cutter, having under
convoy the beautiful new .-loop of War the Wolfe. The Warrior, of 74 guns,
Captain Bligh, now fitting for sea in Hamoaze, it is supposed will be ordered to
the E=»st Indies. Came in the Nimrod Cutter, o! 14 guns, with her prize, a
beautiful large Lugger, the Fanny, Palpcrro, taken after a long chase, off
Lundy Island; she had landed 450 ankers of her cargo, and there were on
board at her capture 400 ankers left, which were landed at the C^uay.
Yesterday his Majesty's free pardon was received from the Lords of the Ad-
miralty by the Port Admiral here, for Lieutenant the Hon. A.Jones, condemn-
ed to die by the sentence of a Court Martial ten days ago, (or striking his su-
perior Officer on board the Naiad. 31 guns, Captain Wallis, but recommended
by the President and Members to his Majesty's mtrcy; he was also restored to
his rank in the service, his sword was returned him, and he appeared greatly
affected at this fresh instance of his Majesty's clemency.
27. Cawsand Bay is now almost clear of Ships ; the Foudroyant, 84 guns,
Captain Puget, sailed U?t night, and there is only now left in the Bay the San
Josef, 1 10 guns, and Prince, J rederick, 64 guns. The former takes her bullocki
on board to-morrow, and will sail on Friday or Saturday. Came in this forte-
noon, the Felix armed Schooner, 14 guns, Lieutenant Bourne, with three
valuable Chafes Maree», her prizes, having on board several chests of silver,
?$2 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAS,
about s6o GOO dollars, captured clo?e in with the French coast, bound from C<v-
rutina to rayon in-, in France, s-.i;-posed to be part of the French subsidy from
the C'ourt of Madrid.
28. Came from the Fleet under Admiral Cornwall)?, the Defiance, of 74
guns. Cantain P. C. Durham, to rtilt, water, and v:ctu.d ; she left ibe I !tet
all well la<=t Monday, i'miltd for Guernsey with orders, the Venus. Vent
down into the Sound, havi;:^ r-fir:e.! since her return from the West rnrius,
the Camel, of 44 gens, ' aptain Apthorpe; she sailod directly on a cruize.
Came in from hristol a fn.e new v lo-p nf War, ju>t launched, called the Alba-
cr/re. 18 g'ins. Sailed on a cruize the Ranger Cutt.-r, (4«uns. Captain Frazer.
Came in a French coasting Brig-, IOD tons burthen, prize to one of our cruizers.
Th- Atlas K expected here from the North ^eas to join the Channel Fleet, as
she draws too much water for the former station. The Brilliant, 2.?, guns, will
sail in a few days with th-j convoy for Cork.
30. Came in, a Spanish Brig, el Nombra del- Jesus, deeply laden with soap,
brandy, &c. bound for \'orlaix, but sent in by the Colpoys, iSguns. When
the ahove Brig left Bilboa, there was lying in that harbour a large French Wcbt
Indiaman, richly laden, waiting for r.n opportunity to get out and siil for a
Frem-h port. Came in from off Ferrol, the ^parriate. 84 gu::s ; left the Squadron
oft there all well a few days since. C.in.e in from cruizing off this harbour, the
Fi.udroyant, 84 guns, Captain Puget : she will <-oon sail again to join the licet.
July 1. Ytstcrday morning the chests of dollars, taken in the three Chasscs
]V'arec« cff the coast of France, by the Felix Schooner, Lieut. Ecurne, \\irc
landed by rhe -^gcr.t, put into Rus*el's waggon, under an escort, to be for-
warded to the Bank of England as bullion. The dollars were secreted under a
quant, ty of Indian corn in each ( hu-se-\ . nree, with which they were laden in
bulk. Orders came down to day to enlist in the Royal ,Y:arine Corps here, any
"ai!on> or Soldiers who .'nay have been pressed into the French service, or
detained as French prisoners on board rhe Frisou >vhips here. Several .c wiss, on.
the jews being sent on bosrd, cheerfully entered ; they were fine young men,
and execrated their unnatural fraternization with the Great Nation. '1 he De-
fiance, of 74 guns, Captain P. C. 1'urham, has sailed for Portsmouth- Canie
in Irom a cruize, the Plover, of 18 guns. Captain Hanco k, and two Revenue
Cutters. — This fnrrnoop twenty bull cks an.l v?getaales were shipped on board
the ."an Josef, of no guns. Vice-Admiral Cotton, and the Foudroyanr, of 84
gi:n*, Ciptain Pujrct ; !v th will fr-il to morrow, to join tl.e Fleet off Brest.
3. . Arrived from the Fleet oil Brest, the Minotaur, 74 puns. Captain Mans-
field;.she ieft them all well en the 3Oth ult. the enemy exactly a* usual, not
having madecny movement whatever; In a he-ayy fog which continued three
days last week in Ece«t Road, and on the coast, from a number of si^nai guns
being fired in the enemy's Fleet, it was imagined they would make a pu*h i.ur,
but v. hen the fog cleared off, they were perceived as tsual, and hid only shifted
their births in the outer road.
failed the San Joseph Man of War on a cruize; and the Lady Warren armed,
Ship, \vi:h a Fieet under convoy t,o the eastward.
The turinam fclcop, 18 jjuns. Captain H Waring, is paid elf at Plymouth.
PORTSMOUTH.
jfunciZ.T'l.c D.ufcccf Montrose, and Worcester, Indiamen, arrived thismorning
in the river. — Bailed tbc Prospcro Bomb, L'apt. ;<,r.es, for a cruize.— Came
into harbo'ir. the l.upgcr captured by the Crpheu*. The Squirrel Frigate,
Capt. Brown, is .-; ;, oinied convoy to the coast of Africa. Arrived the Magna-
.nirne Fr gate, from die Down*.
29. Arrived the F.ilcon Revenue Cutter, from Guernsey and Jersey. Sailed
the General Doyle Cutter, with dispatches for Gueinsey. His Majesty's tLip
Fisfrard is ap-, cinted convoy fee Gibraltar, &c. Wind S, W.
July i. The Bating, United Kingdom, J-ord Hawkeabury, Duke of Mon-
tr<J^f, Worcester, Monarch, and Sovereign, Indiamen, are arrived at the Mo-
therbank, to proceed to India, un'ier convoy of the Culloden, 74 guns, Capt.
Cole ; l-ir P. Ptliew is expected on Monday to hoist his flag. '1 he Alexander
is to arrive from the 1'owr.s. Ihe i/th regiment, at Cowei, and a number of.
troops from the depot iu the I tie of Wigl.t, arc to embark on board the lncii;>
HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 253
men. Yesterday Mr. W. Wntson. Master of the Megsra, was sentenced to
be; disnvh?ed from .-.is Majesty** service, and to serve in such other situation as
the ommandcT in Chief at tJiig p«rt shall direct, for repeated drunkenness,
2nd neglect of uty. .->ir |. offin, B irt. President.
i ''• h-- Aj.ix 80 •jCi'ns, wa« i>iir in commission this morning by Lord Garlics,
Th r,lo v. 98 ^u'ls, wJ:-l be in ted (or the hannel i Icct, to rephre the U«-
fiance w.'iich will go irr» (!•>;. k. Arrived the Alexander, iYUnglns, and Mo-
narch, oim.ai', bo .' d Indium MI, under convoy of tlie -course Sloop ; the i*,th
rt-gim tu will g» out in these .Ships. ::aiied the regard, 44 guns, Lord M,
Keir, to- the ••, :editerriinean.
2. Anivvd this snort' ing the Seour<re Sloop of War, Captain Wooldridge,
with the Alexander, M.nngles, an.l Monarch, East India Ships, under convoy
from tne <. o.vns; the lyih regiment are to emhark on board of them, Sailed
the Fis/artl, (1(44 .>UDS, Captain Lord '*'. Kerr, for the Mediterranean • the
Squirrel, of 34 £tin*, . apt^in Brown: and the. 1. ark, of 16 gtms, Captsin
J.angtord, vvirh a convoy for Africa; and the Megasra.. loop of War, Captain
Duff, with a convoy'for the Powns. The Defiance, Captain Durham, is or-
<ii'red to be decked here ; and the Glory, of 98 guns, to be completed for the
Channel i led. Lord parlies commissioned the Ajax of 80 guns, this muiniug.
Lady C Durham an ived at tlie Fountain yesterday.
4. Sir Edward Pellew hoi-red his flag on board the Cu'loden, Captain Co!e.
She has made the signal for sailing, and will sail on ! ridsiy, with the ludia cori-
Voy. Arrived the Lefuiice, of 74 guns, Captain Durham, from Plymouth,
to be docked.
5 Arrived the Ranger ^loop of War, Captain Coote, from the .Squadron off
Havre. This hip, with two others of the Scjuadron, went into Havre to
tempt a rquadrou of 40 -ail of Gun brigs to come our, but they vvculd i:ot.
bailed the Entreprenante Cutter, Lieut. Young', on a cruiz;1. The Kast lnd;q-
men are detained hy s-ome trifling repairs ; it is supposed, should the wind con-
tinue fair they wiii sail on ^aturday.
14. 'J he G braltar. oi 80 guns, Captain Ryves, arrived at the Motherbank:
this mprniitg, from > aples. where she was a 'Guardship e»ght months, tii! the
JKtnt, Captain .vlalcolm, relieved her. She sailed from N'-ples the 7th of May,
Jeft Lord Nelron off Toulon on the gisr, Gibraltar <>n the inih of June, and
Cadiz on the 23(i, with five IVierch -ntmeu, which arrived with her. >«. ules is
»« a state or ptriccr quietude, a though the French party are very powrrfu:, the
Cobles in paiticular xvi^hing for a change of Government. Lord Ki .I-on's Fleet
ere in ptrftct ht-aith, consisting of nine ail of the Lit.e: and the I'lench Fleet
?re of the same force in Toulon, badly manned. Our Fleet get good supplies of
provision:, from the JViagdalcna isl.ntis. but hardly a week passes thtot they da
not encounter fjvcre gales of wind in the >uif of i yor.s. The superb is gpue
to Malta to refit. :--eventy Gun-brigs have lately comedown the i-.cine, and
joint d the Flotilla at Havre. Jt was, expected on Wednesday evening last that
the whole force v.ouui attc-mpt to come out; Captain Oliver, of the Melpo-
mene, jn coix. ijuenct dispatched the N'aiicy Cutter to this port, with advices of
his apprehensions. Tht Orpheus Frigate. -Capta'n Hill, and the Raiiger iloup
of War, Captain Coote, are ordered to the Mediterranean.
17. A heavy firing was distinctly heai d lu-re last night from the S. W.
iv hie h was supposed to have been caused by some movement of the enemy tt
Jiavre. (The Guard-ship Chichester, at St. Hcitri's, tl«-ared for action .') i.i-t
it has since been reported, and is generally beheved that tlie r»!<Jp<-,mene F"-
gate, Captain Oliver, had er gaged a French 50^011 fclii|>, which came out of
Havre, and capture d her, after an action of 'our hours, in which the Meipo-
mcnehad 100 men killed ai.d wounded Arrived the Orpheus l-'rigate, Captain
Hiil, Irom a cruize. The f-ihralta/, of So guns, Capta n Ryvej. was cleared
from quaranfne this morning, and came up to pulicad. ihe Assault Guu-
|>rig has made the s -pnaJ fora convoy to Guernsey.
July 24 Arrived the American i rig the >~peedwdl, from Boston, bound to
Havre, detained by the lavourite Sloop of War. Sailed the bcourge Sloop of
\Var, with a Fket under convoy for the -Downs.
Juiy a6. 'ihis morning sailed the Ranger, pf 16 guns, Captain Coote, for
6
• 54 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
Newfoundland. Arrived the Glory, of 98 guns, Captain Martin, from the ?ast«
*ard; Pluto o.oop of Wrr, from iff Havre; and the Pheasant, of 18 gun*.
Captain Carew, from A cruize. The Epervier Brig has made the signal for a con-
voy to the \\'est Indies. The Gibi altar, Captain Ryves, is ready to be paid off.
The Vjjle dc Paris and Calcutta have made the signal to come into harbour.
Juli 29. ! n. Vil e de Paris U come into the harbour, to be refitted for Ad-
jniral Cornwall's Hag The Kptrvier Brier, Captain J. Wo t»on, has made the
signal for a convoy to the West Indies. The Hind Cutter hasbrought intothisport
the Prussian Sh p Van Embd< n, from bal iniore ; and the Lion Cutcer, the Packet
cf Embden, Irom Bourdeaux, laden wuh brandy, wine. Sue. 'i he Plantagenct •
and kg) ncitnne are waiting at St. Helena, t > co..voy home China Ship?.
July 30. 'I he Spider Brig, from the Downs, lias arrived, and made signal
for a co:iv -y to Guernsey. Arrived also, to be coppered, the Swiftsure, 74,
lately 1 unched at i ucklershard. Ihe Hydra has gone out of harbour, and the
Gibraltar's Crew have bctn this day drafted on board the Glory and Ajax..
BDromoticns anD
Captain Lawford is appointed to the Command of the Polyphemus, of 64
guns, at Chatham, at which port that Ship has had a complete repair.
Nine MJd*Kipnvn, serving in the West Indies, have been made Lieutenants,
for their services in the reduction of Surinam.
The report of ir .Sidney Smith having been appointed to the command of the
Swiftsure, of 74 gun», ;as stated in page i 64.) is erroneous; the command of that
Ship having he^n given to Captain Robinson.
Captain de C<>urcy, of his Majesty's Ship Plantagenet, who convoyed from
St. Helena the C hina Fleet, has been presented by the Court of Directors of the
East India V. ompany with the sum of 500 guineas, for the purchase of a piece
cf plate.
The Committee at Lloyd's hive given aol. and a med.il to the Sailor on board
the Rattler Sloop of War, who lately, on a shell falling on board, took it in hit
arms and threw it overboard.
The Lords of the Admiralty have appointed Captaio Faulkner to the Blonde
private, vice Captain Burn.
The following promotions in the Naval Medical Department have also taken
Jlace : — Dr. ;-nipe, Second Physician to Haslar; Mr. Forrest, Surgeon to the,
'rii-orer* of War at Norman Cross ; and the Navy Burgeons are »o be placed ou
the fame respectable footing as the Army Surgeons, by order of the Admiralty.
Captain Nathaniel Dance, the Commodore of the China Fleet in their late
engagement with Linois, was, on Tuesday, August 21. presented to the King;
at V\ indsc.r by Lord C astlereagh, when his Majesty was pleased to confer on
him the honour of Knighthood. — Sir Nathaniel Dance is the son of the late Mr.
lames Danre, by 1 is wife Elizabeth Hoper, who was the daughter of Jamet
rloper, well known in the Long Room in the Custom House for near 50 years.
Sir hathanitl is prandson to the late, and nephew to the present, City Architect.
Lieutenant Sykes is appointed to his Majesty's Ship Penguin, bound to the
Vest Indies.
Captain Roberts is appointed to the command of the Vertu French Frigate,
captured in the West Indus, and recently arrived at Plymouth.
^r, Cray, who distinguished himself at the Siege of Acre, under Sir Sidney
Sn-.irh, is appointed Buiider of the Dock-yard at Antigua.
Captain Renou is appointed to the command of the Zealand, of 64 guns, at
Shecrness. Captain Campbell, to the Texel, to command Gun-brigs. Liey-
tenants Uioter, to the Thrasher; Stow, to the Steady; Clements, to the Volun,
tcer; Milner, to the Sentinel; and Swain, to the Attack, at Portsmouth.
Captain Eevans, to the Trowbridge ; Captain M hicknesse, to the Lady Mtl-
vie; Mr. tttwart, to be Surgeon of the Calcutta; Lieutenant Purchase, to the
Defiance; Captain Ricketts, to the San Joseph; Captain Burn, to tlio
Beagle ^loop; Captain Waller, to the Prince 'William armed Ship; Captain
V it hers to the Tartarus; Captain E. Hawker, of the Mignone, to be a Pcwt
Captain; Captain Jiardinge, to the Proselyte; Mr. DUJICSE, Matter of the
-\
NAVAL rflSTO&V1 OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 1$$
Prevoyante, to be Master Attendant atSheernessj Captain Fitzgerald, to com-
mand the Sea Fencibles at Ending.
Captain Heathcote, son of Sir W. Heathcote, is appointed to the Cyclops,
lying Guardship at Lymington. Captain Fyfle is appointed to the Rain-deer
Sloop; and F. Dyer, Esq. is appointed Secretary to Greenwich Hospital, in the
room of the late J. Ibbetson, Esq.
Captain Dilkes, of the Salvador del Mundo, is appointed Commissioner of the
Navy at Jamaica, in the room of Captain Stirling, promoted to the rank of
Rear-Admiral.
Captain Becher is appointed to command the Sea Fencibies at Alnwichj
Captain Wooldridge, to the Elk Sloop of War ; Lieutenant Hcslop, to the
Phosphorus Fire-vessri; J. Tackle, Esq. to be Purser of the Royal Charlotte
Yacht; and E. Bromley, Esq. to be Surgeon of the Vulture, stationed at Port**
mouth.
BIRTH.
Sept 7, the Lady of Captain Downman, of the Dioirrede,( of * son,
MARRIAGES.
On Thursday, July 19, at St. Martin's in the Fields, John Wentworth Lorin*,
Esq. Captain in his Majesty's Royal Navy, to Miss Anna Fatten, daughter of
Vice-Admiral Fatton.
On Thursday, September 6, at Ringwood, Captain Sir J. Eyles, of the Navy,
to Miss Penford, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Penford, Surgeon of Bishop'*
Waliham.
Captain Dilkes, of the Salvador del Mundo, at Plymouth, to Miss Epworth,
daughter of the late Admiral Epworth.
On Wednesday, September 39, at Sherborne, Mr. Ashford, of Castle-Carjr,
to Miss A. Eechinal, daughter of the late Captain Bechinal, of the Navy, and
sister to the Duchess of Roxburgh. They immediately set off for Southampton.
OBITUARY.
The French Papers announce the death of Admiral la Touche Treville, at
Toulon. A Biographical Sketch of the Admiral appeared in the Moniteur of
the ist September, which we shall give in our next Nurohei.
June 5, at Jamaica, of the Yellow Fever, the Hon. Captain Cathcart, the
eldest son of Lord Cathcart, commanding his Majesty's Ship Clarinde.
Captain Hugh Donaldson, of the Brig Betsey, of Ayr; Mr. Allan Gray, Su-
percargo; Mr. Robert Wallace, Mate; and Mr. .Thomas Wallace, after having
escaped the late genera! wreck at Portugal, and arrived at Demarara, have all
fallen victims to the climate of the country.
Lately, on board the Doris Frigate, off Brest, Mr. Alexander Pope, Mid-
shipman, son to Mr. Pope, of Drury-!ane Theatre.
Lately, on his passage from Jamaica, Mr. Edmund Burke Holland, of tho
Bellerophon. He was son of Captain Holland of the Royal Marines; and a
young man universally respected, and his death is greatly lamented.
At Dublin, aged 8z, Mrs Marsden, relict of the late John Marsden, Esq.
and mother of the Secretary to the Admiralty, and the Under Secretary of State
in Ireland.
On the 3d Sept. at Haslar Hospital, Lieutenant Nosely, of the Navy.
• On Tuesday, gth Sept. at Southend, of an .Apoplexy, which proceeded from-
violent agitation in a dispute with Lieutenant Norman, of the signal pest at
that place, J. Ibbetson, Fsq. many years Second Secretary to the Admiralty.
Lately, at Lisbon, Lieutenant Kancorne, of the Navy, a Commodore in ths
Portuguese service 17 years.
Lately, in Cornwall, Lieutenant W. Clements, Agent for Transports at
Plymouth.
Lately, Lieutenant Litchfield, of the Renard.
• Lately, .at D mfrie«, General : ir R. Laurie, Bart. M. P. and Colonel of the-
8th Regiment of Dragoons; he is succeeded in his tide and estates by Captain*
R. Laurie, of the C Icopatra Frigate.
Lately, at Plymouth, th.e Lady of Rear-AdmiraJ Boysf.
t$6 JJAVAt HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR,
Saturday, Feptemher zz, 1804. an his seat at Wakehur t Place Su«?x. Toeepft
Ptyton, Esq. Admiral of the White, in the Both year of his ;«:<:. — i'h-s gsMtle-
rnan was the son of Commodore Edwa d Peyton, a brave a:*d hoivsr vu'ir: whose"
days were thought to have brcn shortened by the illiberal tre.vment. which, iri
the discharge of his prrfe§Monal duties, he unfortunately experienced. On thfc
4?h of Jniif. 1743, "v'r. Pcyt n was apjT'Kcd l,i- >i:;njnr of the ' s^e-:. bf
Admiral ',. atthcws* the- Commander i- Ci'iict on ti;c Vicditerr.ocan station.
He was one of the witnesses exaniincfd on the vibse juent :ri . - of the Admirals
and Captains which took place in the y lirs i 7.. ^ ?.nj ij^6. On the 23 1 < f
March, 1756, he was promoted to the rank <. > (..< :\,T. .• : =r, i:: the Savage : loop
of \Var, iti which he continued till the close of the er-'iiT'g; year, employed
principally in the Down?, or the 1 orth .'-ea. Cn t.'.e zd of L>nc< m'jcr. 1756, nc
was made Post Car'ain of the Prince Gcoroe, a secoiui rate, of 9 j wu:;*, then
fitting as the Hag : hip of Rear-Admiral I'ro.ierick, who had been jpj>oinred to
succeed Admiral Osborn, in the Mediterranean. In the month or' April ers.iing,
the Prince George sail.-d for Gibraltar; but, o-i the • ;<th of tli.it tv.c::t'i, she was
discovered tp be ou fire, and at length became the victi-n of that dcs;ri;ctive
element. She continued burning for six hour* and a half; ;nd. out of 7^.5
persons who were on hoard, 2uJ only wer'j savrd. Captain l!eyton, who m^de
ewry possible exertit n to savs the : hip, was taken by a B at from the stei.rj.
ladder, and put on board the AltK-rncy Sloop, hie afterwards proceeded to the
Mediterranean, and we believe CIM-.T.I i .; ci two riiff<-rcr,t Ships, the St. George,
and Prince, on bo.rd of which Admiral Brodeiick's Flag was hoi.-tcd during his'
continuance on that station. He continued, in 1760, Captain of (he Prince, and
remained in that Ship during the whole of the war, under Sir f-dward Hawke'
and.the Di,!;s tfYirk, in t!.e Channel Fleet. In 1766, Captain Peyt n was
appointed to the Belleisle, of 64 guns, one of the guard bhips Rationed at Ply-
njouth; and in 1770, or 1771, lie was appointed to the Modest*, a Ship of the
-sime for e, which was then put into con; i«>,c,n in consequence of the appre-
hended rupture with Spain relative to the Falkland 'stands. In the latter Ship
he remained but a short time. In 1778, he was appointed to the Cumberland,
of 74 guns, one of the Fleet which v, as ordered to sea under the command of
Admiral Keppel: he wss consequently present a' the' encounter with the French,
fleet off Ushant, on the 27th of Jaiy. being stationed in the line as one of the
seconds to Vice-Admifiil Hr Robert Karlatid. C;ij':..;ti i'eytnn or.tinued in •
the Cumberlahd, on the home station, till towards the end of the year i"Si,
•when he accepted the station of First Captain to Vice Admiral Darby, on board,
the Britannia. The T\ ice Admiral shortly after resigning, Captain Fe\ton
retired also,, and did not hold any other command during the war, nor indeed
•while he coin nued in the rank of Cap'ain. Oa the 24th of September, 1787,
he was advanced to be Rear-Admiral of the \Vhite; and, in the ensuing year,
be was appointed to command in the Mediterrjnfaii. He continued absent on
that station, having his Flag on board the i.cand:r, marly four years; and,
while there, was promoted, on the jist of September, 1790, to be Vice-Admiral
of the Blue. On the ist of February, 1793, he w.s farther advanced to be
Vice-Admiral of the White, and, about the same time, was appr.inte ; Comman-
der in Chief in the Downs, a station which h^ long held with the highest repu-
tation to himself and service to his country. In the month of February, i 794,
the VicoA'im iil had the misfortune to bse his Lady, who died at his scat,
"Wakehurst Place, Sussex. On the izth of April, in the same ye*r, he was
advanced to be Vice-Admiral of the Re'! ; on the ist of Jure, 1795. to b; Ad-
miral of the Blue; and, on the I4th of February, 1799, to oe -idniiral of the
Vhitc.-^Admiral Peyton held his command in the Downs til the year 1799;
since which period, alter a long life expended in the service of his country, he,
has been restirlg from kis bb-urs; and now, in his " dark and narrow house,'*
enjoys an undisturbed repose.
ERRAT.A.
Pa^e 113, for " barbarity of the Dutch at Ceylon" read " barbarity of the
Dutch at Ti/nar."
Page 203. line 12 from the bottom, Cor " to avoid $ir£lexityj' read '< t*
avoid frelixity*?
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR. OP
LATE SIR PETER WARREN, K.B,
VICE-ADMIRAL OF TUB RED SQUADRON.
The fury of the savage blast
No more shal; rouse them from their bed of clay j
Their weary wanderings and their toils are past,
And all the storms oi life are blown away."
ANON*
IT T has been observed, by certain critics, that the life of an
individual, and the history of a country, can never, with
any degree of propriety, be blended with each other. This
position, however, is true only in part; for, if the individual,
whose life is exhibited, have been a public character, if his
conduct have been connected with, or influenced by, public
events, it necessarily follows, that the history of his life must
also, in a measure, be the history of his country during the
period in which he lived and acted. Unless the reader be
acquainted with the motives of his hero, how is he to enter
into the spirit of his enterprises ? How can his achievements
interest, unless we are enabled to comprehend and appreciate
their object ? — The most brilliant actions, if not connected
by something like historical narrative, can appear but as a
chaos, or as a variety of vivid colours thrown indiscriminately
upon canvas, without form or consistency.
We have premised these remarks, in order that, while we
are relating the particular actions of the late Sir Peter War-
ren, we may be permitted, uncensured, to ta&e a cursory
view of naval transactions in general, during the period in
which he had the honour to command under the British
Flag.
This distinguished Officer, whose merit raised him to
eminence in his profession, was the descendant of an ancient
and respectable family in Ireland. He was born about the
, <ZE£ron. (Hoi. XII. i L
«$8 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
year 1703. With his earlier professional services we are un-
acquainted ; but we learn that, having entered into the Navy
at an early period of life, and having passed the regular
gradations of rank, he was, on the igth of June, 1727, ap-
pointed Post Captain of the Grafton. This event happened
four days after his late Majesty King George the Second had
been proclaimed King of Great Britain.
At this time Europe enjoyed a gi^neral peace. Some of
the Powers, however, were so little satisfied with the terms
to which necessity had compelled them to accede, that a
war, at no great distance, was easily foreseen. But England
had nothing to fear ; her Navy was in the most flourishing
state; and, among many other Officers of less distinguished
fame, her Flag was supported by those gallant veterans, Sir
Charles Wager, Sir John Norris, and Admiral Hosier,
The former of these commanded a Fleet in the Mediterra-
nean, the second in the Baltic, and the third in the West
Indies. Sir Charles Wager had been sent to secure Gibral-
tar, which was then besieged by the Spaniards ; Sir John
Norris had been sent with a Fleet into the Baltic, with a
design of protecting Sweden from the Czarina, who threat-
ened that country with an invasion ; and Admiral Hosier
had sailed, in April, 1726, to the West Indies, in order to
block up the Spanish Galleons, and thereby prevent that
treasure from being brought to Europe, without which, it
was imagined that the Courts of Vienna and Madrid could
not prosecute a war *.
The Grafton, to which Captain Warren was appointed,
was one of four Ships of the Line which were sent out,
under Sir George Walton, to join Sir Charles Wager in the
Mediterranean.
Early in the year 1728, the Court of Madrid acceded to
the preliminary articles, which had been some time in dis-
cussion, for a general peace. In consequence of this, soon
* fids the Continuation of CAMPBELL'S Lives of the Aihr.trjh.
OF THE LATE SSR PETER WARREN, K.B, 2$^
after his arrival at Gibraltar, Captain Warren removed into
the Solebay Frigate, for the purpose of carrying out to the
West Indies the King of Spain's orders for executing there
the preliminaries alluded to. He proceeded on this service
on the 5th of May ; and, having executed his commission
as far as related to the West Indies, he proceeded, in compli-
ance with his instructions, to Carolina.
Respecting his proceedings in the West Indies, the Gazette
contains the following account : —
Whitehall, November the l^tl), 1728.
By a letter from Captain Warren, Commander of his Majesty's
Ship the Solebay, dated at South Carolina, October i, we have the
following account : " That, pursuant to Commodore St. Loe's orders,
he sailed on the loth of June from Port Royal, and the 3d of July
anchored at La Vera Cruz; from thence he sent the King of Spain's
orders to his Viceroy at Mexico, the receipt of which that Viceroy
owned by the return of the post, assuring Captain Warren that he had
given directions to the proper Officers to use all possible diligence and
dispatch in the restitution of the South Sea Company's Ships and
effects, which had been seized in the port of La Vera Cruz. Agree-
able to which, on the zoth of July, the Prince Frederick and two of
the Company's Snows were put mto possession of their agents there.
On the 1 2th of August the Supercargoes were desired to begin to
receive the cargo of the Prince Frederick.
Captain Warren returned to England in 1729* and, imme-
diately on his arrival, was appointed to the Leopard, of 50
guns. In this year, the Spaniards not having conformed to
the articles which h.ad been agreed upon, a Fleet of twenty
Sail of the Line and five Frigates was ordered to be got ready ;
and, on the 30th of June, it assembled at Spithead, where it
\vas ioined by a Squadron of Dutch Ships under the command
of Rear-Admiral the Baron de Sommeldyke. The Court of
Spain, alarmed at the assemblage of so strong a naval force,
was induced to agree to a treaty of general pacification.
The Fleet remained three months at Spithead, when the
Putch returned home, and twelve Sail of the Line were
ordered to be paid off. The Leopard, however, with the
-remainder of the Fleet, continued at Spithead, under the
2l$O BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
command of Sir Charles Wager, during the years 1729
and 1730.
In the latter year, the treaty above alluded to was con-
cluded at Seville, between Great Britain and Spain ; not-
withstanding which, every successive account from the West
Indies brought fresh advice of the insults and depredations
that were committed by the Spaniards on the British. It
was in this year that Robert Jenkins, the Master of a
Glasgow Vessel, is stated to have had one of his ears cut off
by the Captain of a Spanish Guarda Costa that boarded his
Vessel.
Captain Warren continued to command the Leopard.
In 1735, a dispute arose between the Courts of Spain and
Portugal, which had nearly terminated in an open rupture.
The latter soliciting the aid of Great Britain, Captain War-
ren, still in the Leopard, accompanied Sir John Norris, who
was ordered to Lisbon with a powerful Fleet. They sailed
from Spithead on the 27th of May, and arrived in theTagus
on the 2Qth of June, where they were received by the Por-
tuguese as their deliverers. The appearance of so formidable
a Fleet in the neighbourhood of the Spanish coast, created
so much alarm at the Court of Madrid, that it soon listened
to an accommodation -with the Portuguese.
From this period, until the year 1741, we hear nothing
farther of our Officer.
Regardless of the frequent complaints and remonstrances
which had been made, the Spaniards continued, with the
utmost audacity, to insult and molest our commerce. In
1739, some serious preparations for war were made on both
sides. In the month of July, letters of marque and reprisal
xvere issued against Spain ; in October, war was formally
declared against that nation; and the important expedition
against Porto Bello was immediately planned, and carried
most promptly into execution.
In 1741, Captain Warren commanded the Squirrel, a 20
gun Ship, on the American station. In 1742, he commanded
the Launceston, of 40 guns; but the only memorable men-
OF THE LATE SIR PETER WARREN, K.B. 26l
tlon which we find made of him is, his having captured the
Peregrina Privateer, mounting 14 carriage and 4 swivel guns,
in company with Captain Edward Aylmer, of the Port
Mahon. He was some time afterwards promoted to the
Superbe, of 60 guns; and, being ordered to the West Indies,
was left, by the late Sir Chaloner Ogle, Commodore of a
Squadron on the Leeward Island station*. While em-
ployed on this service, he rery much distinguished him-
self; for, having taken a station off Martinique, his Squa-
dron, from the I2th of February to the 24th of June, 1744,
captured twenty-four valuable prizes, carrying 202 guns,
832 men, and 4332 tons burthen. One of these prizes was
a register Ship, taken by the Woolwich, and valued at
250,0007.
Notwithstanding the French army had been defeated by
that of England, in 1743 ; notwithstanding the French and
Spanish Fleets ha'! formed a junction in the Mediterranean,
it was not until the beginning of the year 1744, that both
nations threw ofFthe mask. »On the aoth of March, France
made a formal declaration of war against Great Britain j and,
on the 3ist of the same month, the compliment was returned
on our part.
* The following is a list of the Squadron which was under the command of
ppmmodore Warren, at the Leeward Islands, in 1744 : —
Ships. Guns. { Commanders.
Suffolk ... 70 Captain Edward Pratten.
Superbe - - - 60 Commodore Warren.
Pembroke - - 60 Captain Geo. Balchen.
Falkland - - r 50 T. Grenville.
Sutherland 50 - G. Pocock.
Torrington 40 • Richard Edwards.
Launceston - 40 W. Calmady.
Woolwich 40 T. Fincher.
Eltham 40 Philip Durell.
Centaur 20 R. Tyrrel.
Lyme 20 J. Burcher.
Bien Aime - - 1 8 Clark Yayton.
Hind - - - 16 T. Innes.
Otter - - 14 - A. Smith.
Tame .... 13 J. Campbell.
Lucliow Castle, iulk . T. Bloss.
262 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
In 1745, a project was formed in the General Assembly
of Massachusctt in New England, to surprise the city of
Louisbourq, the capital of Cape Breton, and to drive the
French e'ltnely from that island. Government having been
made sensible cf the importance of the enterprise, Commo-
dore Warren was ordered to quit his station at the Leeward
Islands, and to join the American expedition. This arma-
ment was raised with so much secresy and dispatch, that an
army of 3850 volunteers, under the command of William
Pepperel. Esq. was ready to embark at Boston before the
French Government were apprised of their intention.
Agreeably to his instructions, the Commodore repaired to
America with his little Squadron, consisting, exclusively of
his own Ship, only of the Launceston and Eltbam, of 40
guns each, which were, soon after his arrival on the coast,
joined by the Mermaid of the same force. He arrived at
Canso, in Nova Scotia, on the 25th of April, where he found
the troops encamped, they having reached the place of ren-
dezvous upwards of three weeks before, escorted by Captain
Rous in the Shirley Galley, and ten other private armed
Vessels. On the agth, the troops re-embarked ; and, early
in the mon.ing of the 3Oth of April, the Men of War, Pri*
vateers, and Transports, arrived safe in Gabarus Bay, the
place appointed for a descent, within four miles of Louis-
bourg. Nothing could exceed the consternation into which
the inhabitants and garrison were thrown by this very unex-
pected visit. The debarkation of the troops immediately com-
menced; but no sooner were the Boats got out for their land-
ing, than Captain Morepang came down from the city, with a
detachment of a hundred men, to oppose their landing.
The Privateers, however, which were lying at anchor near
the shore, fired smartly at the French, while two hundred of
our forces landed, and defeated the detachment, with the
loss of six men killed, five taken prisoners, and the rest
totally dispersed among the woods, and prevented from
returning to the city. The English did not lose a single
man. The debarkation having been effected, the city was
formally invested on the land sidet
0? THE IATE SIR PETER WARREN, K.B. 263
While he troops were successfully employed on both
sides of the harbour on shore, Commodore Warren was
equally vigilant and fortunate in his own proper element.
He so securely blocked up the mouth of the harbour, that,
during the whole continuance of the siege, only one Vessel
got in to the relief of the city, and that with the utmost dif-
ficulty. The Commodore took care to have convoyed, with
the greatest security, seven Transports, with military stores,
and six months' provision, for the land forces, which, on the
1 7th of May, arrived in Gabarus Bay, from Boston.
Our Officer was now joined by the Canterbury and Sun-
derland, of 60 guns each, and by the Chester of 50 guns.
These were so properly stationed, that, on the 2Oth of May,
two French Ships and a Snow were taken, and sent into
Gabarus Bay ; while the Commodore, with the Mermaid,
commanded by Captain Douglas, and the Shirley Galley,
Captain Rous, went out in chase of a large Ship, which
proved to be the Vigilante, a new French Man of War, of
64 guns and 560 men, commanded by the Marquis da
Maisonfort. On the aist, after the loss of sixty French and
five English, she was taken. The Vigilante was laden with
stores, a great number of heavy cannon, and a thousand half
barrels of gunpowder; besides stores for the city of Louis-
bourg, and other stores for a 70 gun Ship then building at
Canada. Her whole cargo was estimated at the value of
6o,coo/. On the same day, the Commodore took a large
Brjgantine from France, laden with brandy and stores. By
these fortunate acquisitions, the French were deprived of ail
their expected succour by sea, and the city was kept in ths
utmost necessity.
About the commencement of June, from the circumstance
of their powder running short, the besiegers were beginning
to slacken their fire. This misfortune, however, was speed-
ily remedied, by the arrival of some Vessels from Boston,
•with fcco barrels of powder, and additional stores for the
army. These Vessels brought intelligence that 1000 men.
had been voluntarily raised, in New England, to reinforce .
4
264. BtOGfeAPMICAt MEMOIR
the troops; and also, that the French Fleet, destined for the
relief of Cape Breton, was detained at Brest by the British
Squadron. This diffused a general joy through the army,
inspiring new life, spirits, and indefatigable strength, which
were farther augmented by the capture of a French Ship of
14 carriage guns, and above 300 tons burthen, laden with
stores and provisions for the city. This loss was the more
to be regretted by the French, as they subsisted entirely on
salt fish, bread, and peas. The besiegers also learned, from
some deserters, that there were not above TOO barrels of
powder left in the city ; and, in addition to this distress, the
Governor had the mortification to hear of the capture
of three other Vessels laden with stores and provisions for
the Garrison.
By the extraordinary dispatch of the orders from the
British Government for naval assistance, the Commodore,
on the nth of June, was farther reinforced by the Prin-
cess Mary, of 60 guns, with the Hector, and the Lark, of
40 guns each ; so that the whole Squadron consisted of four
Ships of 60 guns, one of 50 guns, and five of 40 guns ;
besides the French Man of War, several Privateers, and 'other
Vessels of force.
On the i4th of June, every thing was preparing for a general
assault, both by land and water ; butyon the I5th, at four P.M.,
a flag of truce came to the British camp, with proposals from
the Governor to give up the city. Commodore Warren and
General Pepperel directed the bearer to attend on the follow-
ing morning at eight o'clock, for their determination. At the
appointed hour, the flag of truce attended, and carried back
the terms of capitulation which were proposed by Commo-
dore Warren and General Pepperel. By these terms, which
were agreed to by Monsieur Chambon, the Governor of
Louisbourg, the French were permitted to enjoy all their per-
sonal effects, and to be conveyed to France at the expense of
the besiegers.
The French flag was struck on the lyth, and the British
flag was hoisted up in its place, at the Island battery, of
OF THE 1ATB SIR PETER WARREN, K.B. 265
which the besiegers took: possession early in the morning.
At two o'clock in the afternoon, Commodore Warren, with
all the Men of War, Privateers, Store Si.i,>s, andTiansports,
made a fine appearance on their entrance into Louisbourg
harbour; and, when all were safely moored, they fiied a
grand^w dc jole on the occasion.
On the 4th of July, the garrison, and a great number of
the inhabitants, embarked on board fourteen cartel Ships,
convoyed by the Launceston Man of War, which conducted
them to Rochefort.
In this manner, after a continued siege of forty-seven days,
the British forces caused the reduction of the city of Louis-
bourg, and the subjection of the whole island of Cape Breton,
to his Britannic Majesty.
As soon as the news of their success reached England,
Commodore Warren, to whose gallant excriions so much
praise was due, was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral
of the Blue Squadron, his commission bearing date, August
the 8th, 1745.
After his return to England, Admiral Warren appears to
have enjoyed some short repose from the fatigue of public
business. On the i4th of July, in the ensuing year, he was
advanced to be Rear-admiral of the Whire.
In the year 1746, great designs were formed in the respec-
tive cabinets of England and France against each other's set-
tlements in North America. While the English planned
the reduction of Quebec, the French determined on the re-
capture of Louisbourg, and also to surprise Anapolis Royal
in Nova Scotia. The expectations of both countries, how-
ever, were disappointed. The French Fleet, consisting of
eleven Ships of the Line, three Frigates, three Fireships, and
iwo Bombc, came out of Brest on the 7th of May, but was
prevented, by contrary winds, from proceeding on the voy-
age till the 22d of June. This Fleet, which, with Privateers
and Transports, made in all ninety-seven Sail, was com-
manded by le Due £ dnviile. He had on board 3500 land
266 BIOGRAFHICAL MEMOIR
forces, under the command of Brigadier-General Jonqurerre.
They diJ not make the coast of Acadia till the loth of Sep-
tember, and on the 1 3th a storm arose, which, continuing
some days, dispersed the Fleet, and destroyed several of the.
Transports ; so that, on the 271)1, they mustered at Chiboc-
tou, their place of rendezvous, no more than seven Ships of
the Line, two Frigates, one Fireship, one Bomb Vessel,
twelve Privateers, and eighteen Transports ; in all but fifty-
six Sail. Whilst they lay in the harbour of Chiboctou, the
mortality was so great, that, in a short space of time, they
buried their Commander in Chief, their Second in command,
1500 of the land forces, and 8co Sailors. The number of
their Ships and of their men being thus reduced, they re-
nounced every idea of conquest, and, on the i2th of Octo-
ber, sailed for Europe, where they arrived without farther
accident*.
Not discouraged by their late disappointments in North
America, the French Ministry resolved .upon another effort
to -recover Cape Breton. For this purpose, in the succeeding
year, 1747, a strong Squadron was equipped at Brest, the
command of which was given to M. de la Jonquierre. At
the same time, another Squadron was prepared to sail to Hie
East Indies, under the command of M. de St. George. For
the better protection of the trading Ships against the at-
tempts of the British cruizers, these Squadrons were intended
to proceed in company as far as their courses were the
same.
To counteract the designs of fhe French Cabinet, the
British Government ordered a strong Squadpon to be got
ready, the command of which was conferred upon Vicfi^
Admiral Anson and Rear-Admiral Warren. On the gth of
April they sailed from Plymouth, and continued to cruize off
Cape Finisterre tiil the 3d of May, when the French Fleer,
consisting of thirty -eight Sail, was discovered. Nin^ of the
enemy's Ships shortened sail and drew into a liae-of-battle
• f'iJe the Continuation of CAMPBELL'S LI-JSI of tbe A.'/.-iirjls,
OF THE LATE SIR PSTER WARREN, K.B. 267
a-head, while the rest crowded all their sail to the westward.
Vice- Admiral Anson made the signal to form the line- of -
battle; but Rear-Admiral Warren, suspecting this to be a
manoeuvre of the enemy to favour the escape of their convoy,
bore down and communicated his opinion to the Comman-
der in Chief, who immediately took in the signal for the
line, and threw out the one for a general chase. About Four
o'clock in the afternoon, the Centurion brought the enemy's
sternmost Ships to action: she was nobly supported by the
Namur, Defiance, and Windsor, which were for some time
closely engaged with five ofthe enemy's Ships. The Devon-
shire, of 66 guns, on board of which Ship Rear-Admiral
Warren had hoisted his Flag, got up with M. de la Jonquierre
himself, in the Serieux ; and, after receiving his fire, 'which
was well directed, closed within pistol shot, and at length
compelled the Serieux to strike.
Having silenced his first antagonist, Admiral Warren pro-
ceeded to engage the Invincible, which was commanded by
the Commodore de St. George, the second Officer in the
French Fleet. After a short time, he had the satisfaction of
seeing himself so well seconded by the Bristol, Captain
Montague, that their opponent was quickly dismasted. The
French fought with great spirit and bravery till seven in the
evening, when all the Ships of War were taken. The
Admiral (Anson) detached the Monmouth, Yarmouth, and
Nottingham, iu pursuit of the convoy, which they came up
with, and captured nine Sail, three of them being East India
Ships : the remainder of them escaped by favour of the
iwght.
In our memoir of the Commander in Chief, Lord Anson *>
we have so fully exhibited the official and other accounts of
this memorable engagement, that, in the present instance,
we have confined our narrative to the above slight sketch.
We must beg leave, however, to subjoin the following private
letter from an Officer, who was an eye-witness of the facts
* Vldt NAVAL CHRONICLE, Vol. VIII, page 230.
*68 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR.
which he relates, and which, we believe, was never in very
general circulation.
MR,
I have the honour to send you some particulars concerning the
late engagement on the 3d instant, off Cape Finisterre; which, though
in the greatest degree conducive to the success of that glorious day$
yet have not been mentioned in the public papers. These indeed
have given us sundry account?, but among them all, I have not been
able to find an impartial one ; by which m-ans it hath happened,
•whether through xvilfulness or ignorance I know not, that signal
merit in some hath been passed by undistinguished ; whilst others,
who only distinguished themselves L-y not coming up, and short shoot-
ing, have bten complimented with the highest encomiums.
You may b° surprised, Sir, when I assert, that out of the formida-
ble English Squadron, but seven Ships were engaged, properly speak-
ing. Concerning the gallantry of three of them, which were the
headmost Ships, you have already had public accounts $ and my
design by ihis is, to warm your hearts with an account of the beha-
viour of two others, the Devonshire, Admiral Warren's Ship, and
the Bristol, commanded by Captain Montague, which, I hope, may
be done without derogating from the honour of any.
I must observe to you that we could have fell in with the enemy
before three o'clock, but were retarded until after four, by some
councils held on boaid the Chief Commander ; where the Lieutenants
attended to receive their respective orders. Between five and six, the
Rear Admiral in the Devonshire came up with, and attacked the
French Commodore ; and having received his fire, as terrible a one as
I ever saw, ran up within pistol-shot, and then returned it, and con-
tinued a brisk fire until the enemy struck; when Admiral Warren
made up to the Invincible, the largest Ship in the enemy's Fleet, and
having given her his broadside, had the pleasure to see himself
seconded, and his blow repeated, by his noble friend Captain Monta.
gue, in the Bristol. The Bristol's broadside dismasted the Invincible,
and by that means struck her pendant, till then flying. ' However,
she gave the Bristol her whole musketry, fore and aft, and dropped
a-stern. The Prince George, the Ship Admiral Anson commanded
on board of, was at this time about a mile a-stern of the Bristol; and
the Pembroke between them. I mention this, to obviate two com-
inonly received mistakes ; one, that the Bristol fired a broadside into
the Invincible after she, struck; and that the Invincible struck to the
Pviiice George, which are both'evidtnt mistakes, a? the Bristol shut
down her pendant, till then flying; and, as is said before, th$
OT THE LATE SIR PETER WARREN, K.B. 169
Prince George then a mile a-stern. And the reason of the enemy's
only returning her musketry was owing to the men having all rim
away from their guns, terrified at the havock made amongst them by
the Devonshire's and Bristol's respective fires.
It was pleasant enough to see a laudable contention between the
Commanders of the Bristol and Pembroke, which should engage the
Invincible. The Pembroke attempted to get in between the Bristol
and the enemy; but there not being room enough, the Commander
of the Pembroke hailed the Bristol, and bid her put her helm a-star-
boaro", or the Ship would run foul of her; to which Captain Montague
replied, " Sir, run foul of me and be d — d! neither you nor any other
man in the <u.crltf 'hall come between me and the enemy!" And then,
having given the enemy his broadside, and dismasted her, as aforesaid,
3eft her to be picked up by the Ships a s^ern ; when commanding hig
sails to be filled again, " My boys," says h»?, " we 'will have another
offhcm," and immediately gave chase to two of the enemy, which had
taken to their heels, and soon came up to the best going Ship the
French had, called the Diamant, of 56 guns and 480 men; and after
an engagement, within pistol-shot, of near an hour and three quarters,
the enemy being dismasted, one of his upper-deck guns burst, and his
rigging being shattered to pieces, he struck. This Commander did
honour to his country by his gallant dtfence; for when the Bristol's
Lieutenant went on board, he found her poop and quarter-deck like a
slaughter-house, covered with blood, &c.
The gallant services of Admiral Warren, on the above
occasion, were not passed over unrewarded. In addition to
his prize-money, which he so bravely earned, he had the
honour of receiving the Order of the Bath ; a distinction
\Vhicli, considered as the meed of merit, must have been far
more grateful to his feelings than any pecuniary consideration.
Honorary distinction is the most cherished reward of the
true hero.
About the same time that Rear-Admiral Warren sailed on
the late expedition, another Squadron, under the command
of Captain Fox, was ordered to proceed to sea, for the pur-
pose of intercepting a large Fleet of French Merchantmen,
which were expected from the West Indies. On the 2Oth of
June, at four o'clock in the morning, being 146 leagues to
the westward of Cape Qrtegal, the French Fleet, consisting
of upwards of a hundred and seventy Sail, was discovered.
270 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
Captain Fox instantly gave chase to the Ships of War ; but
M. du Bois de la Motte, the French Commodore, finding
that, in point of sailing, he had greatly the advantage of the
English Ships, remained in the rear of his convoy for its
protection, and to favour its escape, should he be hardly
pressed. Captain Fox continued the pursuit all night ;
and, on the following day, he gained so fast upon the
enemy, that the French Commodore crowded^sail and left hi?
convoy to sTift for themselves. The Merchantmen instantly
dispersed, and, being favoured by thick weather and a dark
night, many of them escaped. Forty-eight, however, were
taken, laden chiefly with sugar, indigo, cotton, coffee, and
hides. The prizes were manned with 15197 men, their ton-
nage amounting to 16,051 tons.
On the 6th of June, Sir Peter Warren sailed from Ply-
mouth with a Squadron, intended to intercept such Ships as
might escape from Captain Fox, four cf which he had the
good fortune to capture.
The Rear-Admiral proceeded to cruize off Cape Finisterre,
which, for him, appears to have been an auspicious station.
On the 2ist of the month, he chased, and drove ashore,
the Etoile, a French Frigate, of 46 guns and 400 men,
having under her convoy five Sail of valuable Merchant-
men. Four of the convoy were taken, and the fifth was
destroyed.
On the 22d of June, Sir Peter Warren was informed, by
the Captain of a Privateer, that he had, on the jyth and i8th
of the same month, chased a large Fleet of coasters into
Sediere Bay, a small port to the westward of Cape Ortegal.
Our Officer, by the advice of Captain Harrison, of theMon-
mouth, dispatched Captain (now Admiral) Roddam, in the
Viper Sloop, of 14 guns, with the Hunter Dogger, and the
Privateer, to' endeavour to take or^destroy them. Captain
Roddam accordingly stood into the Bay, and, with great
resolution, attacked a small battery, which he soon silenced.
He then landed, spiked up the guns, aad destroyed the
battery, after which he burnt twenty-eight Sail of small
OF THB LATE SIR PETER WAfcfcEN, K.I. 27!
Vessels, and, two days afterwards, rejoined the Admiral with
five others and a Spanish Privateer. — Sir Peter, to testify his
approbation of Captain Roddam's spirited conduct, recom-
mended him so strongly to the Admiralty, that he was
immediately made Post Captain in the Greyhound Frigate*.
• On the 8th of July, Sir Peter Warren's Squadron chased
and drove ashore another French Frigate of 36 guns, about
eight leagues to the westward of Cape Pinas.
On The 151)1 of this month, Sir Peter was advanced to the
rank of Vice- Admiral of the White Squadron.
In the beginning of September following, Sir Peter again
sailed from Spithead on a cruize ; but, being attacked by
illness, he was compelled to quit his command and retire to
his country seat, at Westbury, in Hampshire.
A few months' retirement having contributed to re-establish
his health, in the month of April, 1748, Sir Peter was sent
with a strc'ng English and Dutch Squadron to cruize to the
westward — At the close of the session of Parliament,
however, on the i8th of May, his Majesty informed h.'s
faithful Lords and Commons, that the preliminary articles
for a general peace had been signed at Aix La Chapelle.
In consequence of this event, a Sloop of War was ordered
oat to direct Admiral Warren to return iato port. — This
was the last professional service which Sir Peter ever per-
formed; for he Jived not to witness a renewal of thoss
times when his taleiKS might again have been acceptable.
On the 1 2th of May, 1748, during his last cruize, he received
his last naval promotion ; — that of Vice- Admiral of the Red
Squadron.
We have thus traced the honourable progress of out
Officer through a war, in which, from its commencement to
its close, he had the credit of distinguishing himself in a very
superior manner. Few men, it has been observed, ever
attained, or better deserved, so great a share of popularity as
Sir Peter Warren. He had not only the singular happiness
* Vide the Biographical Memoir of Admiral Roddam, in the NAVAL
OA- ICLS, Voi. IX, pages 256 and 7.
4 '
272 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
of being universally courted, esteemed, and beloved, but' had
the additional consolation of passing through life without
making, as far as can be ascertained, a single enemy.
At the general election, in 1747 Sir Peter Warren wa?
chosen representative in Parliament for the City of West-
minster.— In 1752, the death of the Lord Mayor (Thomas
Winterbottom, Esq.) producing a vacancy for an Alderman
for Billingsgate Ward, the citizens, who had, at a previous
meeting, to shew their respect for Sir Peter Warren, pre-
sented him with the freedom of the city, and of the Gold-
smiths' company, on account of his gallant behaviour at sea,
nominated him for their Alderman.
As soon as Sir Peter was informed of their intentions, he
very politely begged leave to decline accepting their offer,
alledging, that his character in life must undoubtedly prevent
his being able to discharge, with propriety, the duties of that
important office. In consequence of this refusal, the Deputy
and Common Council sent him the following letter, da,ted
Billingsgate Ward, June 9, 1752.
" HONOURED SIR,
" You have given us the utmost concern in telling us, that it Is
inconsistent with your duty, and other avocations, to honour us in
being our Alderman. Ourselves in particular , and the inhabitants isi
general, of the whole Ward, arc so truly sensible of the greatness ot
your character and true woith, that unanimity in your election would
have expressed how highly we thought ourselves honoured by your
acceptance of our choice ; and it is with the greatest reluctance th-t
tin's disappointment should occasion us, so early as to day, to retuu;
you our sincere thanks for the great civilities you have shewn us, and for
the further assurance you have been pleased to give us of the honour of
your friendship; on which reliance we beg leave to make this appli-
cation to you, most earnestly desiiing you to re-consider this matter,
hoping some lucky incident may still induce your acceptance, that \\?.
may have a more joyful cause for our expression of the 2eal we have
for your high abilities and dittiuguibhed merit, and to assure you tl.bt
we shall ever retain the highest sense of the obligation you will
thereby confer on,
" Sir,
•* Youfmost obedient humble Servants."
OF THE LATE SIR PETER WARREK, K.B. 173
Sir Peter, in return to this, immediately sent the Deputy
and Common Council the following answer: —
" Ta the Deputy and Common- council men of the Ward of Billingsgate.'*
" GENTLEMEN, Cavendish- Square, June 9, 1 75*.
" I am extremely obliged to my worthy faerie's, the inhabitants of
your Ward, for the distinguished mark of their favour, and to you for
the warm expressions of regard contained in your letter of this date j
but as the acceptance of a civil office would interfere with the military
.one'that I have the honour to Jiqld, in which I shall ever be ready to
serve my King and Country, I hope I shall stand excused in declining
the singular honour so unanimously and obligingly conferred.
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient
And obliged humble Servant,
P. WARREN."
With the above letter, Sir Peter sent the Common Council
f>£ Billingsgate Ward the sum of 2OO/., one moiety of which
was to be distributed amongst the poor of the said Ward, and
the other to be disposed of discretionally.
The obtrusive honours of the city, however, were not so
easily to be resisted. The Deputy ancrCommon Council, not
being satisfied with the Admiral's answer, waited on him in
person, hoping that they might at length prevail on him to
accept the office. Sir Peter received them with great
politeness, but still refused to comply with their request, ob-
serving, that it was incompatible with the duty which he
owed to his King and Country as a Naval Officer.
Notwithstanding these repeated negatives, the Admiral was
elected an Alderman of Billingsgate Ward; but, on the 23d
of June, he sent a message to the Court of Aldermen,
desiring to be excused from serving the office to which he
had been chosen, and paid the fine of 5OO/. as the price for
Jlis non-acceptance.
Immediately after the above contested affair, Sir Peter
repaired to Ireland, his native country, where he was unhap-
pily seized with a violent inflammatory fever, which put a
period to his existence on the zgth of July, 1752.
. <£J?ron. SioF.XIT. s N
474 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
A superb monument of white marble was erected to his
memory in Westminster Abbey, which was executed by that
great master of his time, Roubiliac. Against the wall is a
large flag hanging to the flag-staff, and spreading in natural
folds behind the whole monument. In the front is a fine
figure of Hercules placing Sir Peter's bust on its pedestal, and
on one side is a figure of Navigation, with a wreath of laurel
in her hand, gazing on the bust with a look of melancholy
mixed withadmiration. Behind her is a cornucopia pouring
out fruit, corn, the fleece, &c. ; close to it is a cannon, an
anchor, and other decorations.
In the front of the monument is the following inscrip-
tion :— •
Sacred to the memory of
SIR PETER WARREN,
Knight of the Bath, Vice-Admiral of the Red
Squadron of the British Fleet, and
Member of Parliament
For the City and Liberty of Westminster.
He derived his descent from an antient
Family of Ireland;
His Fame and Honours from his Virtues and
Abilities.
How eminently those were displayed,
With what vigilance and spirit they were
Exerted,
In the various services wherein he had the honour
To command,
And the happiness to conquer,
Will be more properly recorded in the
Annals of
Great Britain.
On this tablet Affection with truth must say,
That, deservedly esteemed in private life,
And universally renowned for his public
Conduct,
The judicial and gallant Officer
Possessed all the amiable qualities of the
Friend,
The Gentleman, and the Christian :
OF THE LATE SIR PETER WAR REX, K.B. 275
But the Almighty,
Whom alone he feared, and whose gracious
Protection
He had often experienced,
Was pleased to remove him from a place of
Honour,
To an eternity of happiness,
On the zpth day of July, 1752,
In the 49th year of his age.
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &c.
NANT1S IN GURGfTE VASTO.'
* :_ • ' —
LORD NELSON.
rTPHE following is a copy of the Noble Admiral's Answer to the
•**• Vote of Thanks of the Corporation of London : —
" MY LORD, Victory, August I, 1804.
" This day I am honoured with your Lordship's letter of April 9,
transmitting me the Resolutions of the Corporation of London,
thanking me as commanding the Fleet blockading Toulon.
" I do assure your Lordship that there is not that man breathing
who sets a higher value upon the thanks of his fellow-citizens of Lon-
don than myself; but I should feel as much ashamed to receive them
for a particular service marked in the Resolution, if I felt that I did
not come within that line of service, as I should feel hurt at having a
great victory passed over without notice.
*' I beg to inform your Lordship that the port of Toulon has never
been blockaded by me; quite the reverse ; every opportunity has been
offered the enemy to put to sea, for it is there that we hope to
realize the hopes and expectations of our country, and I trust that they
will not be disappointed.
" Your Lordship will judge of my feelings upon seeing that all the
junior Flag Officers of other Fleets, and even some of the Captains,
have received the thanks of the Corporation of London, whilst the
junior Flag Officers of the Mediterranean Fleet are entirely omitted.
I own it has struck me very forcibly ; for, where the information of
the junior Flag Officers and Captains of other Fleets was obtained,
the same information could have been given of the Flag Officers of
this Fleet and the Captains ; and it was my duty to state, that more
l
276 KAVAL
able and zealous Flag Officers and Captains do not gra'e the Britisr!
Navy, than those I have the honour and happiness to command. I*
likewise appears, my Lord, a most extraordinary circumstance, that
Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton should have bten, 33 Second in
command in the Mediterranean Fleet, twice passed over by the Cor-
poration of London; once after the Egyptian expedition, when the
First and Third in command were tharikid, and now again. Con-
sciousness of high desert, instead of neglect, made the Rear- Admiral
resolve to let the matter rest until he could have an opportunity per-
sonally to call upon the Lord Mayor, to account for such an extraor-
dinary omission ; but from this second omission. I owe it to that
excellent Officer not to pass it by.
" And I do assure your Lordship, that the constant, zealous, and
cordial support I have had in my command from both Rear- Admiral
Sir Richard Bickerton, and Rear- Admiral Campbell, has been such as
calls forth all my thanks and admiration. We have shared together
the constant attention of being more than fourteen months at sea, and
are ready to share the dangers and glory of a day of battle ; therefore
it is impossible that I can ever allow myself to be separated in thanks
from such supporters. I have the honour to remain, with the very
highest respect, your Lordship's most faithful and obedient servant,
"NELSON AND BRONTE."
To tke Right Hon. the Lord May or.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NAFAL CHRONICLE.
SIR,
T TRANSMIT to you, for the NAVAL CHRONICLE, the
two following articles, as proofs of the superstition which
prevailed in the Navy as late as the close of the seventeenth
century. They are extracted from a voyage performed
round the Globe, by Captain Cowlcy, in the years 1683*
4, 5, and 6.
Yours, &c.
Liverpool, lltb Oct. 1804 J. B — — N.
CHUSING VALENTINES AT SEA.
WE came abreast with Cape Horn the I4th day of February, 1684,
where we, chusing of valentines, and discoursing of the intrigues of
women, there arose a prodigious storm, which did continue till the last
day of the month, driving us into the lat. of 60° and 30' South,
•which is further than ever any Ship hath sailed before South ; so that
we concluded the discoursing of women at sea was very unlucky, and
occasioned the storm.
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C. 2JJ
A SPIRIT IX THE SEA.
WE had moreover this day (June 29, *686)^reat feasting on board
us, and the Commanders of the other two Ships returning on board
their Vessels, we gave them some guns, which they returned again.
But it is strangely observable, that whilst they were loading their guns
they he?.rd a voice in the sen, crying out, Come ktlp, come kf'p, a man
overboard, which made them forthwith bring their Ship to, thinking
to take him up, but heard no more of him. Then they came on board
of us, to see if we had not lost a man ; but we nor the other Ship had
not a man wanting, for upon strict examination we found that in nil
the three Ships we had our complement of men, which made them all
to conjecture, that it was the spirit of some man that had been drowned
in that latitude by accident.
frO TtiE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE*
SIR,
HP HE following letter, which has been addressed to the
Editor of Tke MONTHLY MAGAZINE, respecting Sir
Francis Drake, may probably receive an elucidation from
some of your nautical Correspondents. Its insertion in your
valuable work will much oblige, tir,
Your humble Servant,
H»
SIR,
In Bomaro's " Dictiomatre d'Histalre Naturelie," third edition,
1776, is the following extraordinary passage, under the vtordCra&e: —
" On volt des crabes d'une grandeur demesuree dans I' lie des Cane res, en
dmerique. Cefut dans cet endroit, et par ces metr.es animaux^ qu'en 1605,
le fameux navi^ateur Anglois, Francois Drack, fut assaili, et per it
miser ablement. Qucique bun armc, il^ui fallut succomber et de-venir la
prole de ces trabes monstraeux." — {< Crabs of an immoderate size are
found in the Isle of Crabs, in America. It was in this place, and
by these animals, that, in 1605, the famous English navigator Francis
Drake was assailed, and perished miserably. Although well armed,
he was obliged to yield, and become the prey of those monstrous
crabs." With respect to the truth of this strange story, it is enough
to observe, that Sir Francis Drake died at sea, near the Isthmus of
Darien, in 1596 * ; and that no adventure in the least resembling this,
* Sir Francis Drake is stated to have died of a flux at sea, \vithin sight of
Porto Bello, on the a8th of January, 1596. His body was put into a leaden
coffin, and lowered into the water with all naval honours, under a general dis-
charge of the cannon of the whole Fleet, and the sound of trumpets at appointed
intervals,— EDITOR N. C.
278 NAVAL ANECDOTES,
is mentioned by his biographers. It would, however, be gratifying
to curiosity to know what could be the foundation of such a tale, and
whether any other English navigator is recorded to have met with
any similar disaster. Allow me to throw this inquiry before your
intelligent readers. I am, Sir,
Yours, &c.
^^^ N. N.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PERSON AND CHARACTER OF COLUMBUS.
THE following account of that great navigator, Christo-
pher Columbus, is extracted from his life, as written by his
son, Don Ferdinand Columbus : —
The Admiral was well shaped, and of a more than middling
stature, long visaged, his cheeks somewhat full, yet neither fat nor
lean ; he had a hawk nose, his eyes white, his complexion was whitt,
with a lovely red : in his youth his hair was fair, but when he came to
thirty years of age, it all turned grey. He was always modest and
sparing in his eating, drinking, and his dress. Among strangers he
was affable, and pleasant among his domestics, yet with modesty and
easy gravity. He was so strict in religious matters, that for fasting
and saying all the divine office, he might be thought profest in some
religious order* So great was his aversion to cursing and swearing,
that 1 protest I never heard him swear any other oath but by St. Fer-
dinand; and when in the greatest passion with any body, he would
vent his spleen by saying, God take you for doing or saying so. When
he was to write, his way of trying his pen was by writing these words,
Jesus cum Maria sit nobis In via, and that in such a character, as
•might well serve to get his bread. In his tender years he applied
himself so much to study at Pavia, as was sufficient to understand
cosmography ; to which sort of reading he was much addicted, for
which reason he also applied himself to astrology and geometry,
because these sciences are so linked together, that the one cannot sub-
sist without the other. And because Ptolemy in the beginning of hit
cosmography, says, that no man can be a good cosmographer unless
he be a painter too; therefore he learned to draw, in order to
describe lauds, and set down cosmographical bodies, plains, or rounds.
CURIOUS ADVERTISEMENT.
THE following advertisement lately appeared in the New York
Morning Chronicle : — u Whereas Charlotte Martin, late a passenger
in the Brig Patty, from Limerick, Capt. Nathan Clark, Commander,
has announced herself a widow — This is to caution the public from
believing her story, as it can be proved that her husband was alive at
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C. 279
the time of her sailing. She has also absconded in debt to the person
who settled for her passage to this country ; and it is believed she is
either gone to Rochester, to live with Capt. Clark's relations, or to
Philadelphia, where she said she had a friend in a Captain Job
Whipple. — The said Charlotte wears a blue silk furzed bonnet, has
black eyes, rosy complexion, black hair, and talks with a broad Irish
accent. It is thought she wishes to entrap some unwary person to
marry her."
^••.^•^»
MANSION HOUSE, AUG. 24.
YESTERDAY a poor Sailor lad, about 16 years of age, was
brought to the Mansion House, carried upon the back of a soldier, in
a most deplorable state, being nearly naked and half starved.
Mr. Hudson, a Surgeon, having to!d the Lord Mayor he did not
think the boy could live, his Lordship ordered him to be brought
near the fire on a chair, and his account to be taken down, which in
substance was as follows :
That his name was William Thomas, that he was a native of Wales,
had shipped himself at Wapping, on board a Vessel for a voyage to
Guinea, about ten months since, at zl. 53. per month ; that he was
sick in the homeward-bound passage; but his illness was much
increased by the cruel treatment of the Chief Mate and Cabin Boy,
who often beat him very much, and encouraged others to do the same ;
and when he was not able to come upon deck, they ordered the black,
boys to hoist him up, with ropes tied to his legs, and that the Cabin
Boy and others had beat him within these two days — but as soon as
they got to the wharf, the black men hoisted him out of the Ship, and
left him on the cold stones, till some gentlemen took notice of him.
His back being examined, was found all over marks and bruises.
William Barlow said he was at French Wharf, near London
Bridge, on Thursday evening, when he heard this poor lad crying
very pitcously, and saw some black men dragging him from the Ship
with ropes, who said that they were ordered to do so j that he and
some others exclaimed against such brutality to a poor creature in a
dying state, when the Mate abused them for interfering, and said they
might take him to the workhouse.
The Mate of this Ship, and the Cabin Boy, whose names at present,
as well as that of the Ship, we forbear to state, being present, they
were put to the bar, and the young lad and the other witnesses were
sworn to the truth of their evidence. The prisoners denied the charges,
and said, the boy had only been forced to come upon deck to clean
himself, &c.
The Lord Mayor said, he should commit them to the Compter till
the fate of this man's life or health should be known : in the mean time
2?0 NAVAL ANECDOTES, &C.
he ordered him to bjtsent to Bartholomew's Hospital, with orders to.
take him in directly, arid that every attention should be paid to him.
ANCIENT MARITIME DISCOVERY.
M» AZUNI has read a paper to the Academy at Marseilles, in which
be jendcavours to prove, that Pytheas, an inhabitant of that city, had,
three hundred years before the Christian era, attempted to discover a
passage by the North Sea to the Southern Ocean. The Republic of
Marseilles, it is well known, was formerly famous for its science and
maritime discoveries. Pytheas is mentioned by Strabo, Eratosthenes,
atid other Greek writers, as distinguished for his knowledge of astrono-
my and geography. He was acquainted with the Pythagorean doctrines^
upon the causes of eclipses, and upon the planetary syatem ; he had dis-
covered the latitude of the city of Marseilles to be 43° 17', and this has
been since found to be precise and correct, and the Cartesian doctrine
of the ebbing and flowing of the tide, was long before positively asserted
by Pytheas. The inhabitants of Marseilles, wishing to profit by the
talents of P)theas in their commercial concerns, sent him on a voyage
of discovery, upon which he set sail in the 32010 year before our era.
He sailed along the coasts of Spain to the Straits of Gibraltar, from
whence he turned to the north, passed by the eastern coast of Britain,
and advanced six days' sail to the north of the British islands, as far, it is
supposed, as Iceland. In this voyage he made the important discovery
of the measured diminution in the length of the night during the
summer solstice, in proportion to his progress northward. Pytheas
started many ridiculous notions relative to the nature of the icy regions
of the North, for which he has been severely satirized by Polybius and
Strabo, the latter of whom calls him Hsmo Mendacissimuf. Among
these notions ene is said by Strabo to have been, " that in the northern
frozen regions there is neither air, earth, nor sea, but a compound of
the three, forming a sort of spongy substance." This error might,
however, very well have arisen, in the then deficient state of geographi-
cal knowledge, from the appearance of the icy mountains that float in
these sea?, the surface of which very much resembles a spongy sub-
stance. These are the chief grounds upon which M. Azuni rests his.
proof that Pytheas in this voyage had followed instruction given by his
.countrymen to attempt the discovery of a passage to the Southern Sea*
by sailing to the North. It will be easily perceived, that there is no
positive and direct evidence here to warrant a certain conclusion relative
to tins circumstance; though, undoubtedly, considering that Pytheas
was acquainted with the Pythagorean doctrine of the universe, the
jhing is net impossible, At any rate, it was an arduous w
Before the diccovery of the cjmpas.s.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Interesting Letter from Lieutenant SP EAR I NO of Greenwich Hospital.
MY DBAR FRIEND,
YOU have so often importuned me to commit to writing the
story of my misfortune, and providential preservation, I have now
determined to comply with your solicitations.
From the long lapse of time since it happened, it will not appear
surprising if some circumstances should escape my memory, but you
may dtpend en it I will relate no more than the truth, so far as recol-
lection can justify the assettion.
On Wednesday, Sept. 13, 1769, between three and four o'clock la
the afternoon, i went into a little wood, called Northwoodsuie,
(situated between two and three miles to the N.W. of Glasgow.)
with a design to gather a few hazel-nuts. I think that I could not
have been in the wood more than a quarter of an hour, nor have
gathered more than ten nuts, before 1 unfortunately fell into an old
coal-pit, exactly seventeen yards deep, which had been made through
a solid rock. I was some little time insensible. Upon recovering my
Recollection, 1 found myself sitting nearly as a tailor does at his
work, the blood Rowing pretty fast from my mouth ; and I thought
that I had broken a blood vessel, and consequently had not long to
live ; but, to my great comfort, 1 soon discovered that the blood pro-
ceeded from a wound in my tongue, which I supposed I had bitten
in my fall Looking at my watch (it was ten minutes past four),
and getting up, I surveyed my limbs, arid to my inexpressible joy
found that not one was broken. I was soon reconciled to my
situation, having from my childhood thought that bomething very
extraordinary was to happen to me in the course of my life; and I
had not the least doubt of being relieved in the morning; for, the
wood being but small, and situated near a populous city, it was much
frequented, especially in the nutting season, and there are several foot
paths leading through it.
Night now approached, when it btgan to rain, not in gentle
showers, but in torrents or water, such as is generally experienced at
the autumnal equinox. The pit I lu-.d fallen into was about five feet
in diameter ; b;it not having been worked for several years, the sub-
terranean passages were choaked up so that I was exposed to the rain,
which continued, with very small intermissions, till the day of my
release ; and, indeed, in a very short time 1 was completely wet
«9at>. <Spron. caoi.XU. o o
28* CORRESPONDENCE.
through. In this comfortless condition I endeavoured to take some
repose. A forked stick that I found in the pit, and which 1 placed
diagonally to the side of it, served alternately to support my head as a
pillow, or n.y body occasionally, which was much bruised ; but, in the
whole time I remained here, I do not think that I ever slept one hour
together. Having passed a very disagreeable and tedious night, I was
somewhat cheered with the appearance of day-light, and the melod/
of a robin red breast that had perched directly over the mouth of the
pit; and this pretty litcle warbler continued to visit my quarters
every morning during try confinement, which J construed into a happy
omen of my future deliverance ; and I sincerely believe the trust I had
in Providence, and the company of this little bird, contributed much
to that serenity of mind I constantly enjoyed to the last. At the
distance of about one hundred yards, in a direct line from the pit,
there was a water-mill. The miller's house was nearer to me, and
the road to the mill was still nearer. I coulJ frequently hear the
horses going this road to and from the mill ; frequently I heard
human voices ; and I could distinctly hear the ducks and hens about
the mill. I made the best use of my voice on every occasion, but it
was to no purpose; for the wind, which was constantly hign, blew ia
a line from the mill to the pit, which easily accounts for what I heard ;
and, at the s^me time my voice was carried the conrrary way. J
cannot say I suffered much from hunger. After two or three day?
that appetite ceased, but my thirst was intolerable; and though it
almost constantly rained, yet I could not, till the third or fourth day,
preserve a drop of it, as the earth at the bottom of the pit soaked it
tip as fast as it ran down. In this distress I sui ked my clothes, but
from them I could extract but little moisture. 'I he shock I received
in the fall, together with the dislocation of one of my ribs, kept me,
1 imagine, in a continual fever; I cannot otherwise account for my
suffering so much more from thirst than I did from hunger. /\t las£
I discovered the thigh bone of a bu'l, (which I afterwards heard had,
fallen into the pit about eighteen years before me,) almost covered
with the earth. I dug it up, and the large end of it left a cavity that,
I suppose, might contain a quart. This the water gradually drained,
into, but so very slowly, that it was a considerable time before I could
dip a nut-shell full at a time, which I emptied into the palm of my
hand, and so drank it. The wattr now be^an to increase pretty fast,
so that I was glad to enlarge my reservoir, insomuch that, on the
fourth or fifth day, I had a sufficient supply ; and this water was
certainly the preservation of my life.
At the bottom of the pit there were great quantities of reptile?,
such as frogs, toads, large black snails, or slugs, &c. These noxious
CORRESPONDENCE; 283
creatures would frequently crawl about me, and often got Into my
reservoir ; nevertheless, 1 thought it the sweetest water I had ever
tasted, and at this distance of time the remembrance of it is so sweet,
that, were it n nv possible to obtain any of it, I am sure I could
swallow it with avid ty. I have frequently taken both frogs and
toads out of my neck, where, I suppose, tf'.ey took shelter while I
slept. The toads I always destroyed, but the frogs I carefully pre-
served, as I did not know, but I might be under the necessity of
eating them, which I should not have scrupled to have done had I
been very hungry.
Saturday, the i6th, there fell but little rain, and I had the satisfac-
tion to hear the voices of some boys in the wood. Immediately I
called out with all my might, but it was all in vain, though I after-
wards learned that they actually heard me ; but, prepossessed with an
idle story of a wild man being in the wood, they ran away
affrighted.
Sunday, the lyth, was my birth day, when I completed my forty-
first year; and I think it was the next day that some of my acquain-
tance, having accidentally heard that I had gone the way I did, sent
two or three porters out purposely to search the pits for me. These
men went to the miller's house, and made inquiry for me ; bu«:, on
account of the veiy great rain at the time, they never entered the
wood, but cruelly returned to their employers, telling them they had
searched the pit, and that I was not to be found. Many people in my
dismal situation would, no doubt, have died with despair; but, I
thank God, I enjoyed a perfect serenity of mind ; so much so, that in
the Tuesday afternoon, and when I had been six nights in the pit, I
very composedly (by way of amusement) combed my wig on my
knte, humming a tune, and thinking of Archer in the " Beaux
Stratagem."
At length the morning, Sept. 20, the happy morning for my deli-
verance, came — a day that, while my memory lasts, I will always
celebrate with gratitude to Heaven ! Through the brambles and
bushes that covered the mouth of the pit I could discover the sun
shining bright, and my pretty warbler was chaunting his melodious
strains, when my attention was roused by a confused noise of human
voices, which seemed to be approaching fast towards the pit; imme-
diately I called out, and most agreeably surprised several of my ac-
quaintance, who were in search of me. Many of them are still living
Glasgow, and it is not long since I had the very great satisfaction
•f entertaining one of them at my apartments. They told me that
they had not the most distant hope of finding me alive, but wished to
jive my body a decent burial, should they be so fortunate a« to find
2 #4 CORRESPONDENCE.
it. As soon as theyiLeard my voice, they all ran toward? the prt,
and I could distinguish a well-known voice exclaim, '< Good Grd !
lie is still living!" Another of them, though a very honest North-
Briton, betwixt his surprise and joy, could noi help a king rxu-, in the
Hibernian stilt, if I were still living? I told him, " I was, and hearty
too;" and then gave them particular directions how to proceed in
getting me out. Fortunately at that juncture a collier, from a work-
ing pit in the neighbourhood, was pr.ssing along the road, and, hearing
an unusual noise in the wood, h s curiosity prompted him to learn the
occasion. By his assistance, and a rope from the mill, I was soon
safely landed on terra fir ma. The miller's wife lr.'.d vtry kindly
brought some milk warm from the cow ; bur, on my coming into the
frt'h air, 1 grew rather faint, and could not taste it. Need J be
ashamed to acknowledge, that the first dictates of my heart prompted
me to fall on my knets, and ejaculate a silent thanksgiving to the
God of my deliverance ; since at this distant time I never think of it
but the tear of gratitude starts from my eye?
Every morning, while I was in the pit, I tied a knot in the corner
of my handkerchief, supposing that, if I died there, and my body
should be afterwards found, the number of knots would certify how
many davs I had lived. Almost the fust question my friends asked mi
•was, how long I had been in the pit ? Immediately I dji.ew my hand-
kerchief from my pocket, and bade them count the knots. They
found seven, the exact number of nights I had been there. We now
hasted out of the wood. 1 could walk without support, but that was
not allowed, each person present striving to shew me how much they
were rejoiced that they had found me alive and so well. They kd me
to the miller's house, where a great number of peopk were collected
to see me. A gentleman, who had a country house just by, very
kindlvj at my request, sent for a glass of white wine. I ordered a
piece of bread to be toasted, which I soaked in the wine, and ate. I
now desired the miller's wife to make me up a bed, fondly^hinking
that nothing more was wanting than a little refreshing sleep-" to termi-
nate my misfortune. But alas ! I was still to undergo greater suf-
ferings than I had yet endured. By the almost continual rains,
together with the cold damp arising from the wet ground on which I
lay, and not being able to take the least exercise to keep up a proper
circulation of the blood, my legs were much swelled and benumbed.
Some of my friends observing this, proposed to send to Glasgow for
medical advice. I at first declined it, and happy had it been for me
if I had pursued my own inclinations ; but unfortunately for me, a
physician and surgeon were employed, both of them ignorant of what
•ught to have been done. Instead of ordering my legs into cold
CORRESPONDENCE. 2?£
Water, or rubbing them with a coarse towel, to bring on a gradual cir-
culation, they applied hot bricks and large poultices to my feet.
Tin's, by expanding the b'eod-vessels too suddenly, put me to much
greater torture than 1 ever endured in my life, and rot only prevented
me enjoying that refreshing sleep I so much wanted, but actually
produced a mortification in both my feet. I do not mean, by relating
this circumstance, to reflect on the faculty in general at Glasgow, tor
I was afterwards attended by gentlemen who are an honour to the
profession. The same method was pursued for several days, without
even giving me the rark till I mentioned it myself. Tiiis happily-
stopped the progress of the mortification, which the doctors did not
know had taken place till the milier's wife shewed them a black spot,
about as broad as a shilling, at the bottom ot my left heel. In a day
or two more the whole >>kin, together with all the nails of my left
foot, and t.^c.-e from my right foot, came off like the ringers of a
glove.
Opposite the river on which the mill stood there was a bleach-field.
It is customary for the watchmen in the night to blow a horn to
frighten thieves. This I frequently heard when 1 was in the pit; and
Very often, when "I was in a sound sleep at the miller's, I have beeu
awakened by it in the greatest horror-, still thinking myself in the
pit; so that, in fact, 1 suffered as much by imagiir tion as from
reality.
I continued six weeks at the miller's, when the roads became too
bad for the doctors to visit me, so that I was under the necessity of
being carried in a sedan chair to my lodgings in Glasgow. By this
time my right foot was quite well; but in my left faot, where the
above- mentioned black spot appeared, there was a large wound, and it
too plainly proved that the cs calcis was nearly all decayed, for the
surgeon could put his probe through the centre of it. The flesh too
at the bottom of my foot was quite separated from the bones and
tendons, so that I was forced to submit to have it cut off. In this
painful state I lay several months, reduced to a mere skeleton, taking
thirty drops of laudanum every night ; and, though it somewhat t ased
the pain in my foot, it was generally three or four in the morning be-
fore I got any rest. My situation now became tru y alarming; I had
a consultation of surgeons, who advised me to wait with patience for
an exfoliation, when they had not the least doubt but they should soon
cure niy foot. At the same time they frankly acknowledge; , that it
was impossible to ascertain the precise time when that would happen,
as it might be six, or even twelve months, before it came t, iXiss. In
my emaciated condition I was certain that it was not p ssible for me
to hold out hdf the time, and knowing that I must be a very great
l66 CORRESPONDENCE.
cripple with the loss of my heel-bone, I came to a determined
tiort to have my leg taken off, and appointed the very next day for
the operation, but no surgeon came near me. I sincerely believe they
wished to perform a cure ; but being, as I thought, the best judge of
my own feelings, I was resolved this time to be guided by my own
opinion; accordingly, on the zd of May, 1770, my leg was taken off
a little below the knee. Yet, notwithstanding I had so long endured
the rod of affliction, misfortunes still followed me. About three
hours after the amputation had been performed, and when I was quiet
in bed, I found myself neaily fainting with the loss of b'ood ; the
ligatures had all given way, and the arteries had bled a considerable
time before it was discovered. By this time the wound was inflamed;
nevertheless, I was under the necessity of once more iubmitting to
the operation of the needle, and the principal artery was sewed up
four different times before the blood was stopped. I suffered much
for two or three days, not daring to take a wink of sleep ; for, the
moment I shut my eyes, my stump (though constantly held by the
nursed would take such convulsive motions, that I really think a stab
to the heart could not be attended with greater pain. My blood too
•was become so very poor and thin, that it absolutely drained through
the wound near a fortnight after my leg was cut off. I lay for
eighteen days and nights in one position, not daring to move, lest
the ligature should again give way ; but 1 could ennurt? it no longer,
and ventured to turn myself in bed, contrary to the advice of my
surgeon, which I happily eff cted, and never felt greater pleasure in
my life. Six weeks after the amputation, 1 went out in a sedan chair
for the benefit of the air, being exactly nine months from the day I
fell into t!,e pit. Soon after, 1 took lodgings in the country ; where,
getting plenty of warm new milk, my appetite and strength increased
daily ; and to this day, 1 bless God, I do enjoy perfect health, and I
have since been the happy father of nine children.
GEORGE SPEARING.
Greenwich Hospital, Aug. i, 1793.
•TO THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
SIR,
OHOULD you deem the account that accompanies this,
viz. the " Escape of CAPTAIN GOODALL from the
clutches of the French," worthy a place in your CHRONI-
CLE, it is much at your service.
R. TV
CORRESPONDENCE. 287
CAPTAIN GOODALL'S ESCAPE FROM FRANCE.
It may be remembered, that, at the commencement of the war,
Capt. Goodall commanded a privateer belonging to London, called
the Catherine and Mary, in which he took some valuable prizes. On
the zjth of July 1803 he fell in with la Caroline French Privateer, of
Bourdeaux, of nearly double his force. She had in her possession at
Jthe time, two valuable English prizes, which tempted him to attack
her, not with much expectation of capturing her, but in hopes that he
might separate her from her prizes, and by that means retake one or
both. After an action of 25 minutes, he quitted the French priva-
teer (being able to outsail her), and made for the two prizes, both of
which he captured in sight of la Caroline, who made all the sail she
could to retake them ; to prevent which, Capt Goodall placed his
Vessel between the prizes and the Caroline, being determined to
hazard another action, rather than tamely buffer them to be taken pos-
session of. Captain Goodall had taken the precaution to put a suf-
ficient number of men on board the prizes, besides prize-masters, to
whom he had given instructions to make the best of their way home,
should they observe, after fighting some time, that he had the worst
of the contest. The second engagement was a most dreadful one ; it
lasted one hour and fifty-five minutes; and Captain Goodall was at
length obliged to order the English colours to be hauled down, but not
until he had expended every shot in his Vessel. What added most to
Capt. Goodall's misfortune was, that the prize-masters were too late
in sailing off with the prizes, and they were soon after taken by the
Fame Privateer. — Capt. Goodall and his Crew were put on board the
French Ship: the Seamen were confined below; but himstlf, and
Mr. Palmer, an Officer, were allowed the use of the cabin.' On the
1st of August they were taken into L'Orient. The Commissary-
there treated them in the most inhuman manner; he ordered them a
geven days' march to Rennes, on their way to Epinal, without any
other subsistence than bread and water, and the former only scantily
supplied. At Rennes they wtre put in gaol along with the criminals,
where they remained three days on bread and water, although the
felons were allowed beef. A strong remonstrance from Capt. Good-
all to Gen. Laborde, procured them an allowance of seven sous per
day for each man, which was paid them until their arrival in the
environs of Fat is, where they were again imprisoned, and the allow-
ance for tach man reduced to three sous per day. On this small pit-
tance they existed in prison, and likewise on their march to Epinal,
which took place a few days afterwards. They reached the place
jntendtd for their final abode on the I3th of September, where 'they
5
283 CORRESPONDENCE.
found about 250 of their countrymen ; among whom were the gallant
Capt. Brenton, of the M:nerve Frigate, takui at cherbouig; Luuts.
Fenner, Fitzgerald, Walpulc, and Bell, of the Marines, the Surgeon,
and hu Mate, twemy-fm Midshipmen, the Boa'swam Gunner, Car-
penter, and all the rest of ihc Crew, except the Master, who was left
at Cherbourg. There were also Mr G. A. Wood, Comrrunder of
the Augusta; Mr. Cooper, of the Rachel; Mr. J. Laugley, of the
Resolution; Mr. J. Bailie, of the Industry; Mr. Flood and Mr.
Tapley, of the Philip; and Mr. J^lly of Guernsey. Capt. B'uce, of
the Ship Adventure, was sent to Charms On Capt. Goodall's
inquiring into the state of the prison allowance, he found that the
French Government allowed to each man six sous per d;)y ; but the
Captain of the depot received the v\hole himself, and in litu thereof
ga\ e to each man daily only four ounces of bctf, ai.d one pound and
a half of black bread, which the prisoners could not possibly exist
upon, and must have liteially been starved to death, but for the huma-
nity of Captain Brenton ai.d Officers, '-\ho allowed out of their own
private purses, a regular stipend per \vtek to the Ciew, to supply the
wants of nature. 1 hey vv^rc only required to attend pr; yers regularly,
Captain Goodall did the same by tLe Crew of his Privateer. The
poor Sailors were in a pitiable situation for want of bedding. Not-
withstanding all their hardships, it will be a consolation to theii friends;
to hear that they are all in good health. A shoit time before '.-apt.
Goodall's arrival a' Epii.al, he karut that forty- six prisoners had made
their es<__pe at difLient times, nine of whom had been brought back,
and put into close confinement on bread and water. Thioughout all
the country which Capt. Goudali and his Crew matched thiough to
the prison, they never met viih any thing like reproach from the
peasantry or tradesmen, and from no olhei sort of pecple txcept those
connected with the Government, and these were bruta. in the extreme.
Captain Goodall remained at Epin.;l from the I3th of September until
the end of the month, without being ablt to obtain a sous of subsis-
tence money ; and not having signed the parole, as nearly all the rest of
the Officeis had done, he conceived it no breach of faith to quit a place
where he must h..ve inevitably starved, had he not beeii able to have
found resources elsewhere. For that purpose Capt. Gooclail proposed
apian of escape to Mr. Palmer, wlio consented tq be the partner of
his toils. It was a fortunate ciiCMrruaanee th:-.t Capt. GuodJl had
just received a supply m< ney from Paris, from oi:.e who has often
proved an Englishman's friend ; and being thu.-. prepared, they trade
up their minds to set off the next day, being the 1st of October,
having first t^ken care to provide themselves with a French guide.
The time appointed for the rendezvous was two o'clock iu the mora-
CORRESPONDENCE. 389
Jng. The guide took them through bye-ways during the day-time,
and at night pursued' the main road till sun-rise, when they found
themselves at a distance of thirty-five miles from Epinal, and on the
mountain des Vosges, which is surrounded by a beautiful forest.
Here they took up their abode for the day. Not having dared to
purchase any provisions on the road, the only refreshment they took.
throughout the day was a draught of water. At night they ventured
but again, and sent their guide in quest of refreshments, which made
them prosecute their journey in better spirits. They passed through
Several towns and villages without meeting the least interruption, in
the course of their route to the Rhine, they passed the plain of
Huningen, where a memorable battle was fought during the last war.
Early on the morning of the $d ult. they arrived on the borders of
the Rhine, within a short distance of Basle. Here the guide executed
his last kind office for them, which was to shew them the most con-
venient part to swim across. The place he fixed on appeared
extremely narrow, and the adventurers expected to find the passage
much less difficult than what their imagination had painted it to be»
In this, however, they were deceived ; for, on gaining the land on the
opposite side, they found themselves on an island, and that they had
to cross another channel, the current of which was much stronger
than the one they had passed already. Before they undertook this
new danger, they judged it requisite to strip off their clothes, which
they did not think necessary to do in the first instance. Having
gained the opposite shore with much fatigue, they again found them-
selves surrounded with difficulties; a strong current was still before
them. Almost borne down with fatigue an 1 fear, they espied a boat
coming from the German side of the Rhine to the little island on which
they were. In the boat, fortunately, were two milk-maids, who were
coming to perform their morning ofj|ce. For a trifle, Capt. G. and
bis friend obtained a passage on shore, which placed them safe on the!
German territory. In the course of the day they arrived at the
village of Esteiri, and for the first time since their departure they ate
a hearty meal. Their fears were now at an end ; but they had a long
tract of country before them. It was their intention to make for
Husuin, but to answer a particular purpose they were obliged to take
a circuitous route. They went by Schwaben, Durloch, Anspach,
Bareuth, Dresden, Leuchau, and Berlin. At the hut-mentioned
place, Capt. Goodall obtained a passport from Mr. Jackson, who
received him with marked attention. Capt. Goodall and his friend
left Berlin on the i^th of October, on their way to Husum, where
they arrived on the igth. On Wednesday last they embarked an
2Jo!.XlI, P t
CORRESPONDENCE.
board the Lark Packet for England, and arrived safe at Harwich on
Sunday morning. Mr. Palmer remained there, but Capt. Goodall
proceeded to town, where he was greeted by his friends with a
welcome, and by his family with tears of joy.
70 'THE EDITOR OF THE NAFAL CHRONICLE..
SIR,
T MUST beg the favour of yon to notice, that the sketches
•*• to cables, &c in your last Number, page 193, are not altogether
so correct as could have been wished : but that they are nevertheless
sufficiently clear to explain their intention ; which was not, as described
on the plate, "Methods of ascertaining iht Strength of Cables or
Ropes ;" but were " Methods proposed for ascertaining the infltcted
Properties of Cables, &c."— - 1 he drawings were sent as mere sketches,
and without any descriptive expletive.
Your insertion of this note will much oblige your most humble
servant,
Lime bon se^ J. M.
Oct. fch, 1804.
^SJP»M»«
HINTS FOR IMPROVING THE NAVY.
'E present the following article to our readers, agreeably
to the form in which we received it from a Correspon-
dent. The improvements which it suggests are, first, the
construction of Ships with four, five, or six masts, with the
view of resisting the violent agitation of the sea, &c.;
secondly, to increase the strength of Shipping in general, and
to lessen the dangers arising from leaks, by fixing partitions,
or bulk-heads, athwart ship. Against the first of these sug-
gestions we are fully aware that many formidable objections
may be urged ; but, as we conceive it possible that some
useful idea may be educed from the plan, we venture to lay
it before the public. The second proposal, though perhaps
new to the projector, who is not a nautical man, will not be
found so to many of our readers. It is a subject, however,
which at present excites some interest in the Navy, and we
are happy to bring forward any argument which may tend !o
its'elucidation.
THIS subject is not supported by any close reasoning, minute
calculations or observations; for the writer concludes, that if there be
any incru in the hints, or outline, it is sufficient that he has placed
thun in abler hands; his indolence having more power over his
actions, than the partial opinion of his own merit, and ihe probability
of the tuccess of the following schemes united ; so that he is compelled
by the former to take the least possible trouble of conveying them to
society.
All Vessels on the ocean, when it is perfectly smooth, are equally
motionless, from the smallest Boat to the First Rate Man of War.
If the wind gradually arise until it come to a storm, billows will
begin to form on the surface, and increase in their height, and base,
until the stoutest Ships are endangered, and often overwhelmed by
their power. Upon the first agitation of the sea by the wind, whilst
the billows are small, the lesser Boats only will be seen to move, and
as the billows continue to i net ease by the increasing wind, the Vessels
of larger dimensions will be agitated and will plunge; but when it
comes to a hard gale, the First Rate Mas of War, of near two hun-
dred feet long, will plunge also : she, and all the others, will have little
motion with head or stern meeting the waves, so long as those waves
are not at such a distance from each other as to preclude the Vessel
from having two under her, and entering the third, as she passes
over the fiisr. l /
Now it is clear to me, that if a Ship could be built of sufficient
length to cover three surges, or waves, in their greatest elevation and
distance, that Ship would be nearly as still as in smooth water ; so
that it remains to be considered, whether it would be to the advantage
of navigation, if a Vessel were without any other motion than
such as is caused by her passing between the waves on a side wind ?
To determine this, it would be necessary to ascertain the distance
of the surges on the main ocean. In the greatest storm I have been
told thtir elevation is seldom more than twelve feet*. Next, if it
could be possible to construct a Ship long enough to extend over so
many seas as to prevent her plunging, whether it be of consequence
that the breadth of such a Ship should bear the usual proportion to
her length ? Whether a Ship, from 300 to 350 fua long, with the
height and breadth of a First, Second, or even a Third Rate Man of
Wai, would not be sufficiently long, and wide, to keep her keel
parallel with the horizon ? and if a Ship of such length and breadth
would not sail faster than any Ship of any dimensions now in use?
Whether such a Ship, being divided by four or five very strong
« Far higher: forty, fifty} or sixty feet i perhaps much more..— EDITOJ*.
«9* CORRESPONDENCE.
cross partitions, according to the Vessel's length, caulked and fixed sq
as to he water tight, would not make her even less liable to sink, than
any Vessel at present in. use, as it would rarely happen that a leak
could take place in two of the compartments at the same time : and
by admitting the water to come in until the Ship were sunk as low
as to have removed so many tons of water as can enter into the
compartment, whether the Ship would not in that state go safely on
her voyage?
A Ship of this great length might be thought unmanageable, parti-
cularly in turning her about and working lier ; but I conceive that a
Vessel rigged and built in the manner which I shall ' nperfectly
describe, would answer without turning round, only by the immediate
change of the position of the sails ; so that there would never be any
necessity for turning her at all, but, by bracing the yards and sails, she
might quickly proceed in the contrary direction.
The hull of this Ship should have both ends nearly or exactly alike,
calculated equally for penetrating the water, with a pretty great
fulness when it came a considerable height above it; and the same
draught of water at each end : the stems to be straight pieces, pro-?
jecting a little over the sea; to each of which should be hung a rud-
der; and I think it possible to contrive it so, that, in stormy weather,
that which is hung to the foremost end might be folded quite back
against the body of the Ship, in a kin'l of case, f:,r;r.ed by pieces of
wood, sloping towards the body of the Vessel/, and beginning close to
the rudder when folded back : this frarre would prevent it from being
forced open in a storm. There must be a bcw;,rrlt at each end.
The ma.'.to to be composed of three parts, as those now in use; but
1 conceive that they should be laiger at the to;-, particularly the top-
mast and top -gallant mast, as they can have no sta^s except fiom the
mast-heads, like Schooners. And though thi-. Ship be so long, yet
her masts should not be longer than those of a sixty-four, or some-
thing thereabout , but she might have five or six of them. Shifting
backstays might be tistd for their support in any number, and the
shrouds rr,u-t extend equally on ea h side of the mast, towards either
end of the Ship, to answer the purpose of stays as much as possible.
The sails will re*tmble those ot a Schot ner ; two gafts must work
opposite t<> c;ch other on each s--idt of the same mast, to suspend two
sails l.ke a Sdu*ouei'l foresail, hut not to point up: the gafts sup-
ported b. very strong Hits. There must be three gafts and sails on
each side e^f tit xvh le mas', a lower sail or course, top-s'iii a;.d top-
gallant sail ; each of tluse i»a:ts, with its suspended sail, being placed
opposite 10 the other, will be capable of being braced round iii -oiich a
-r as to form near 180 dcgrtes-of a circle: at the end of c\x-ry
CORRESPONDENCE, 29J
gaft there must be four very strong braces, two leading towards each
end of the Ship, one 0:1 either side, extending in such a way as tcf
have the greatest power in pulling round and supporting it. The
top sail and top-gallant-gafts, Which project over the ends of the Ship
pn the outside masts, must be shorter than these which work between
the masts, particularly the top-gallant, to give room far the jibs and
stays to the bowsprits, which jibs must be so contrived, by means of
yards across the bowsprit, as to make the lee leech the weather one
immediately on the Vessel's altering her course : there can be no ropes
leading directly from one mast to the olher, but only from the mast
heads above the sails. Studding sails might be made use of, but they
must be taken in when the Vessel Changes her direction. If strong
yards or booms be laid across the Ship from gunwale to gunwale, also
on each top and cross-tree, the lowest fo be the longest, extending
some ftct beyond the sides, they would be best adapted for supporting
the gafts, for to them the braces should lead ; the lower braces to
the yards across the gunwales, the top-pail braces to the tops, and the
top-gallant-braces to the cross-tree-yards ; and the yards on the bow-
sprit which serve for changing, the leeches of the jibs, would answer
well for the braces of the gafts of the two masts nearest the ends of
the Vessel. The jibs must have both leech ropes very strong, as they
can have no stays. The tops and cross trees to bear some resem-
blance to the figure marktd (b). T he top-mast to be as close to the
lower mast heads as possible ; perhaps iron caps may be best. A Ship
rigged in this manner, though of such immense length, would have her
sails managed with mote ease than a Ship of sixty guns: the only
things 1 conceive that would require more than ordinary strength
and wti<r'u . would be the cables and anchors ; and it might be thought
difficult to bring her up in a hard gale. Of anchors, probably num.
her might make up for size and weight ; one or two capstans at each
end, for both ends must be as properly equipped for anchorage as
for sailing ; and, if she do not plunge, she rqay require less strength
tp hold her than might be conceived, as her masts and yards would
hold very little wind compared with those of other large Ships To
stop her for anchorage, if coming on before the wind in a itprra — by
hauling the wind a little, and by taking in the after sails, if there be
any set, and bracing the head ones sharp up to the wind, by which
they would jnstantly become the after ones, her motion would be
immediately impeded, and Foon stopt ; and the windward end, from
which the anchor are to be cast, would turn again to the wind.
Suppose this Ship to be close hauled, and I want to stop her motion,
avid to move as near the wind as j;o-,sible in the contrary direction;
kt go all the braces and the sheets that keep the after-sails to the
294 CORRESPONDENCE.
wind, and quickly brace round thx- head ones, ?o as to fill them in a
direct contrary position, and place the sheets accordingly : by doing
this, the sternmost part will soon become the head, and v.:l point ;'. If
close to the wind; which, when sufficiently doae, the other s. i mist
be braced round and filled like those in the now after-part o.1 tiic
Ship.
It still remains to be considered, whether 'his mode of building and
rigging Vessels of a moder.ue length would not Lsseu the dang-.r of
their being wrecked, as they could immediately retire in th'e same
track as they came on where there was not room to wear or btay :
for want of this, I conceive that ten- of thousands of men have been
drowned, and thousands of Ships have been dashed to pieces. Let a
Ship be built so as to have one end better a lapted for going first than
the other, and the last only made use of in extraordinary cases.
In the above imperfect figure, intended to assist in explaining perhaps
a more imperfect written description, no exact proportions are to be
found; one mast only is carelessly rigged, and the b aces are not
studiously ltd to the yards be>t adapted to support the gafts and draw
round the sails. When this Vessel goes before the wind, the back-
stays must be removed or slackened like those of a Cutter.
Thus far my queries and reasoning might be chimerical and im-
practicable; but on the subject of partitioning Vessels, lam led tq
ask, Whether it would not diminish the danger of sinking in Vessels
of the present sizes and cons>! ruction, used in carrying merchandize,
by placing partitions or bulk heads across the Ship, from the deck to
the keel? They certainly might be made sufficiently strong and
tight, might be supported by stowing the cargo so as to prevent thcuf
CORRESPONDENCE. 2g£
giving way when full of water, or with beams from one to the other,
continuing from the tu-ad to the stern. I flatter myself with the
hope, that the idea - f par:i;ioning a Ship might be worthy of mature
consideration, even of trial ; and most probably might b.- applied with
success in the Royal N;ivy. I bel;eve there would be no necessity for
the partition-: to go higher than the lower gun-deck, which would be
very little in the wy of convenience: let there be two of them at
equal diVances from t.'ie stem and stern, and from each other,
dividing the Ship in three pares. It is needless to say that these par-
titions must be put in before the orlop deck is laid and the Vessel
Ci .led irvde : the lower gun-deck should, if possible, be made stionger
than it is usually done, a* the motion of tl>e wat<r in t'.c part filled
vith it m a s:orm, might, by being violently agitated, force ic up; but
to make that danger as unlikely as possible, all ca*ks < f provision, and
firm bodies that would be moved by the water, should be knocked to
pieces or removed, as soon as the water were seen coming in: and I
am of opinion that there might be contrivances to break the force of
it in a considerable degree. It might be easily calculated what would
be t e additional weight admitted into one of these compartments,
allowing for the relative gravity of the bodies which would be
immersed, lying under and upon the or'op deck of a Man of War : and
to find how deep she would bwim, after all the water was admitted
that could be forced in by the weight of the Vessel 1 believe that if
a Ship were laden with stone, as much water would enter into the
middle compartment as would immerse her something above one sixth,
part more than she was before, and not much above one eighth, if in
either of the ends; which additional immersion would only sink very
heavy laden Vessels; but Ships of War, with six months' provision,
&c. would be sufficiently buoyant with it. Suppose a Ship, divided
as above, and the water-to be entering in at the compartment forward — -
the best method would be to remove all the barrels of provision, large
and heavy logs, such as might contribute when floating on the surface
to knock out the side, partition, or deck of the Ship, (this must be
done if she happen to spring a leak in a storm ; but if not, it might
be omitted,) to get the guns aft, or to throw those overboard, with all
ponderous substances which are lodged over the part filling with water ;
all other heavy bodies to be quickly placed as near the sttrn as pos-
tible, to use every art to keep the Vessel from sinking forward, by
counterpoising the increasing weight of the water, which, after it has
ceased to come in, should the Vessel be foHnd to be very deep, every
exertion must be made to lighten her; if there be in the fore pjrt iron
ballast, large stones, or other bodies whose gravity exceeds that of
water three, four, five times or more, every art should be uied to get
»C)6 CORRESPONDENCE.
it out from under water, and thrc'.v it overboard ; as every ton taken
from the fore part would ruircit of a vast deal more being throwrf
overboard from the centre and other parts of tlie Ship, and the water
in the fore part would diminish in prcportion. The foremast should
be cut away, and probably the main-mr.st might be cut away also,
reserving only a few spars for jury masts, &c. : -«:11 this being done, I
think that the water would be found to remain \t ry little above the
orlop deck of a Man of War in the apartment in which it had entered;
and as the fore and after-parts of a Vessel art, I conceive, the parts
most likely to prove leaky, these would contain less water from their
not being so capacious as the middle, in which, if a leak should hap-
pen, it would not put her so much out of trim, although a greater
body of water were admitted : for the Ship could he more easily and
generally lightened, and probably in a greater degree, as more njatter
might be thrown overboard, and all the masts might be cut away.
But if a Ship be not far from land, when such an accident happen?,
the sea smooth, and likely to arrive at some port before a storm arise,
little trouble will be required to keep a Ship ?Roat in such a case. —
This experiment might be easily tried, and at a very small expense.
Partitions might be placed on board some Vessel, fitted up with old
masts, yards, rigging, &c. ; or lumber, oa the upper deck, exactly
equal to the weight of the masts, £c , resting on the parts where the
different masts stand, would answer full as well ; as it might be thrown
overboard with less danger and expense than the same ballast, guns,
anchors, &c. as is usually put on board a Ship of snch a rate, and
lodged in their proper places. The Vessel should be placed where she
might have about six feet of water under her keel abaft, then the plug
to be drawn out from the compartment forward, and the above direc-
tions followed, with such others as may occur to Seamen : and if the
Vessel float as buoyant as I conceive she will, further experiments
should be made, by admitting the water into the other parts ; that
experience might point out the best distances for placing the
partitions, and whether three would not be still better than two : after
this the water should be permitted to come in at sea in a hard
gale.
I have before said, that I thought there might be contrivances to
break the force of the water ; I meant, when the chip should be
violently tossed in a storm, for then the water would rush backward
and forward, as she ascended and descended over the surges : in the
last movement it would follow in such a degree, if the water occupied
the forepart, as materially to prevent the Vessel from again rising wirlv
the advancing wave. In the largest Ship the space filled by it would
be about 60 by 50 feet on the surface ; and if the water be three ft'et
5
CORRESPONDENCE. 297
above the orlop deck, it would rush forward with %r less weight and
violence than if the water extended over the whole length of the Ship,
though considerably below the orlop deck. But if the space only
between the latter and the gun-deck be again divided into four parts,
I believe the motion of the water would be attended with no bad
consequences, and this might be easily accomplished. Let there be put
en board of each Vessel strong moveable partitions of deal plank,
from three to four inches thick, according to the size of the Ship,
which ingenious workmen might contrive and prepare in such a man-
ner as to be put in their places when the water i« entering the Vessel ;
or even after it has attained its greatest elevation. — If Vesstls were
thus partitioned and provided, I believe that not one tenth part of the
number would be lost as there are at present.
GEORGE MATTHEWS.
JLltuyn near Dolyelly, NertJj Wales,
August 29, 1804.
N.B. Not being a Sailor, nor having any books on nautical sub-
jects, probably I have misapplied some of the sea terms, and
misspelt others.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE CLXIL
HPHIS plate exhibits a view of the Eddystone Light House, taken
from the westward. In the distance are the Cornish and Devon-
srhire coasts. A Sloop of War is introduced, in chase of a Smuggling
Lugger.
It was in the year 1696, that an application was first made to the
Trinity Houic to erect a Light- House on the Eddystone Rock,
oft" Plymouth, it having been the destruction of many Ships. A
number of Masters and Owners of Ships entered into an agreement to
pay one penny per ton outwards and inwards, to assist in defraying
the expense: the building was" accordingly commenced; and, at the
expiration of three years, was completed.
On the a6th of November, 1705, about eleven o'clock at night, a
most violent storm arose from the west-south-west, attended with
dreadful thunder and lightning, which continued with unabating fury
till about seven the next morning. In this awful storm perished
thirteen Sail of Men of War, and 1519 Seamen were drowned, amongst
whom was Rear-Admiral Beaumont. His Ship, the Mary, a fourth
rate, foundered on the Goodwin Sands. The loss sustained in London
was computed at not less than a million sterling; and the cicy of
Bristol suffered to the amount of upwards of J5o,COO/,
. Cfcron. (Bol.XII.
298 DESCRIPTION OF PLATE CLX1I.
In this storm also the Eddystonc Light-House was blown down
and entirely destroyed.
A public fast was observed with great solemnity, and an order In
Council appeared in the Gazette tor the payment of the bounties, and
advanced wages, to the families of such Officers and Seamen as had
perished in the storm, in the same manner as if they had been killed in
battle. The House of Conimons also addressed her Majesty, Queen
Anne, upon this melancholy occasion, desiring her to give immediate
directions for repairing this loss, and to build such capital Ships as
ehe should think fit, promising to make good the expense at their
next meeting.
In 1705, the Edaystone Light House was rebuilt by Act of Par-
liament, and the contribution from the English Shipping, which had
befoie b.en voluntary, was now fixed by authority.
The present building, which was finished in the year 1759, under
the direction of the late ingenious Mr. Smeaton, is about ninety feet '
above the rock, which, at low water, rises above the surface about
twenty. — From the middle of Plymouth Sound it bears S.S.W.
twelve milts and a half; and from the Ram's Head, South, 10° West,
ten miles distant.
Of this group of rocks, the N.E. is the farthest from the building.
It bears North, 6oe East, a hundred and fifty fathoms distant. In
no other direction do the rocks extend much above half this distance.
In the NAVAL CHRONICLE (Vol. X, p. 192) we observed
that how intimately true taste was connected with solid
judgment, and how great benefit might be derived from a
proper application of the most minute remarks, \vas suffici~
ently evinced in the following anecdote: —
When Mr. Smeaton rebuilt the Eddystone Light-House, as a pri-
triary point of improvement, he was desirous to enlarge the base.
On this occasion, the naiural figure of a large spreading ouk presented
ilself to his imagination ; which he thus describes as an illustration of
his design : — Connected with its roots that lie hid below the ground,
it rises from the surface thereof with a large swelling base, which is
generally at the height of about one diameter, reduced by an elegant
curve, concave to the eye ; whence its taper diminishes more slowly,
after which a preparation of more circumference becomes necessary,
for the strong insertion and establishment of the principal boughs.
Such was the suggest on which led Mr. Smeaton to construct a
column — foi such is the Eddystone light House — of the greatest
stability, so as to resist the action of external violence, when the
quantity of matter is given whereof it is composed.
C 299 3
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF THE LATE
FRENCH ADMIRAL LA TOUCHE rREHLLE.
7 N order to exhibit a varied display of Naval Literature, and
that our readers may be acquainted with the style in which
the French record the exploits of their Admirals, we present
the following brief memoir of the late French Commander,
Latouche Treville, whose gasconading dispatches, during this
and the late war, have so frequently amused the British
public.
The subsequent sketch of this Officer's life is translated
from The Monitcur of the ist of September.
Louis Rene Magcleleine Lavassor Latouche Treville, Great Officer
£>f the Empire, one of the Inspectors General of the Coasts, Great
Officer of the Legion of Honour, Vice-Admiral commanding the
Squadron of His Imperial Majesty in the Mediterranean, died on
board the Ship Bucentaure in the road of Toulon.
This General Officer, descended from a distinguished family in the
Marine, was born at Rochefort on the 3d of Jurfe, 1745.
He had not attained his I3th year when he was appointed a Mid-
shipman; and in that capacity he made the last campaigns of the war
of 1756, and was present in several combats.
His decided taste for the profession of the sea could not prevent his
family from making him accept, in 1 768, a Commission in the Cavalry;
but, led by an irresistible propensity, he soon resumed his original
career.
He was exercised in it by divers commands, when the American
war broke out. He was employed during the whole of it in the com-
mand of Ships of War, and several times entrusted with particular and
difficult missions.
In the year 1780 he commanded, in the American seas, the Frigate
Hermione, of 30 guns, when he attacked the English Frigate Iris, of
the same force ; the Iris only owed her safety to superior sailing,
which enabled her to take refuge in New York.
In 1781, united to the Frigate 1'Astree, commanded by the cele-
brated La Perouse, he sustained, off the heights of Louisbourg, a very
warm combat with two Frigates and four Sloops of War of the enemy>
and obliged them to sheer off.
3OO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LATE
In £782, commanding ihe Frigates l:Aigle and la Gloire, lie mer,
during the night, off the cape of Delaware, the English Ship Hector,
of 74 guns; he attacked and disabled her, and would have captured
her had not the importance of the mission with which he was charged
imposed upon him the duty of continuing his route in order to enter
the Delaware, where he was carrying a sum of 4 millions, and dis-
patches of the most interesting nature. The Hector was so roughly
handled that she sunk a few days afterwards.
The Frigates were not repaired before he was attacked by a Squa-
dron commanded by Commodore Elphinstone : obliged precipitately
to enter the Delaware, he put the Gloire in a place of safety, and
would have himself escaped the enemy, if the awkwardness of a Pilot
had not run him upon a bank. In that critical position he withstood
the fire of the enemy until he had landed his dispatches, the treasure
which was confided to him, the General Officers who were passengers
on board, and the principal part of the Crew *.
Peace having been declared a short time after, his experience and
knowledge made him be called successively to the superior administra-
tion of the ports, and to the councils of the minister. It is to his
meditations that we owe the ordonnance of 1786, the most complete
military code which has hitherto appeared.
In 1787 he was appointed Chancellor of the First Prince of the.
Blood.
In 1789 he was deputed by the bailiwick of Montargis to the States
General; whtre he ranged himself with the friends of a sage liberty,
and none could reproach him with exaggeration of opinion.
In 1792, the prospect of a speedy war recalled him to active service
by sea, with the rank of Rear- Admiral ; he commanded a division of
the army which was employed on the expeditions of Cagliaii, Oneglia,
* It is here, we conceive, perfectly fair to notice the account which English
writers give of this affair. — According to the authority of Schomberg, on the
nth of September, 1782, the Hon. Captain George Keith Elphinstone, in the
\Varwick, of 50 guns, in company with the Lion of 64 guns, Captain Fowkes,
and two or three Frigates, being on a cruize off the Delaware, after a cba<c of
several hours, came up with and captured a large French Frigate named 1'Aigle,
of 40 guns, 24-pounders, on the main deck, and 600 men, commanded by the
Count de la Touche, -ubo madt his cscjfeon shore with the Baron Viominil, Com-
mander in C'h ef of the French army in America, M. dc la Montmorcncv, Due
de Lausan, Vicomte de Fleury, and some other Officers of rank; they took in
the Boat with them the greatest part of the treasure which was on board the
Frigate; two small casks, and two boxes, however, fell into the hands of the
captors. La Gloire French Frigate, which was in company ivith 1'Aigle, frora
drawing les» water, made her escape.
fRENCH ADMIRAL LA TOtJCHE TREVILLB. 301
and that which reduced Nice. Sent to Naples, under delicate cir-
cumstances, he nobly supported the dignity of the French name and
flag.
His services, the amenity of his character, and the purity of his
patriotism, did not guarantee him from the persecutions which marked
but too much that epoch ; he was dismissed and imprisoned till the
cemmencement of the year 3.
No sooner was he set at liberty than he solicited being again
employed at sea ; but being rejected, from circumstances, he applied
himself to useful works till the i8th of Brumaire, which restored him
to a service where he was still to distinguish himself.
He at first commanded a Squadron at Brest ; he was soon sent to
Boulogne, where he prepared the first elements of that Flotilla which
has now grown to such a si/.e, and every one remembers the glorious
contests which he sustained on the I7th and 2;th Thermidor, in the
year g, against Admiral Nelson*.
The peace did not put an end to his indefatigable activity.
Scarcely were the preliminaries signed, when he was appointed to the
command of a Squadron destined for St. Domingo.
Specially entrusted with the attack of Port-au-Prince, he entered
by main force into the road, reduced the forts, disembarked the
troops, and powerfully concurred to save the town from being
burnt.
Remaining Commander in Chief of the naval forces at St. Domingo,
it was to his activity and to the saee combinations of the measures
• O
which he took to execute the orders of Government that we owe the
preservation of almost the whole of the Squadron which he commanded,
and which the war surprised in these seas.
He did not quit St. Domingo till Brumaire in the year 12. Sick-
ness and fatigue had then reduced him to the gates of death.
Scarcely re-established, he solicited the honpur of rendering fresh
services; and in last Germinal his Imperial Majesty conferred on him
the rank of Vice Admiral, and of Commandant of the Mediterranean
Squadron.
x Since that epoch, he has not ceased to be in sight of a superior
force, which has in vain endeavoured to block up the port of Toulon.
The activity which he had given to the Ships of his Squadron, and
the strict discipline which he had established, did not permit an enemy's
Vessel to appear before the road, without being instantly pursned, har-
rassed, and forced to quit the coast.
* These glorious contests are yet too fresh in the recollectiou of our country-
men for them to require any elucidation from us,
4
502 CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS*
His Majesty had nominated him, in Messidor last, Great Officer of
the Empue, and Inspector-General of the Coa-n of the Mediterranean.
Attacked on the 22d of Thermidor by an aguish malady, of the
danger of which he was aware, he was in vain solicited to allow him-
self to be carried ashore in order to receive the succours required by
his situation ; he constantly refused, and expired on board the Bucen-
taure on the night between the 1st and ad ol Fructidor.
His lasts words were; — A Naval Officer ought to die under the fag
of h:S Ship.
Vice-Admiral Latouche is regretted by all the Navy ; his life re-
calls long and honourable services, and his death leaves an example oi
a boundless devotion to discipline.
CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS.
[Continued from page 456.3
I
Ha ! total Night, and Horror, here preside ;
My stunn'd ear tingles to the whizzing tide ;
It is their funeral knell ! and gliding near,
Methinks the phantoms of the Dead appear.
But lo ! emerging from the watery grave,
Again they float incumbent on the wave ;
Again the dismal prospect opens round,
The wreck, the shore, the dying, and die drown'd.
FALCONER.
T will be remembered, that some time in the spring of 1802, the Ship
named the Investigator was completely fitted up in the Thames,
and amply stored and provided, and put under the command of Lieu-
tenant Flinders, in order to proceed to the South Sea, for the purpose
of exploring the coasts and the interior of New Holland ; and that,
besides the Officers and Crew, there were embarked persons skilled in
practical astronomy, natural history in all its departments, and others
accomplished in the art of drawing and painting.
By a Danish Ship arrived very lately at Dover, letters have been
received from Canton, in China, by which it appears that the Inves-
tigator arrived at Port Jackson on the 5th or 6th of June last year,
after having finished a part of the intended survey of New Holland ;
by which time she had received such injury in the course of her voy-
age, and was so rotten, that, on examination then made, "she was con-
demned as unfit for further service.
CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS. 303
The same accounts further add, that the Porpoise, a small armed
Vessel then at Port Jackson, under the direction of Governor King,
was pitched on to complete this voyage of discovery ; but that, being
surveyed, she was also found unfit for so dangerous a service. It was
then determined that the Porpoise should proceed to England with
the Officers of the Investigator. To the men of science an offer was
made of either stopping at Port Jackson till Lieutenant Flinders should
return from England with another Ship, or taking a passage home, as
many as could be accommodated, in the Porpoise; the rest to follow
by the first proper conveyance that might offer.
The Porpoise sailed from Port Jackson about the loth of August,
1803, having under her convoy the Merchantmen Cato and Bridge-
water, bound to Batavia. The intended track was through Forrest's
Straights, between the north coast of New Holland and New Guinea,
and so, getting into the Indian seas, to follow the usual track of the
Indiamen, instead of the circuitous route by Cape Horn.
The public has lately been informed of the unfortunate result of this
voyage ; and the following additional account, extracted from the
journal of the Cato, will be received with particular interest by those
who ma- be obliged to navi^ ate the seas where those Vessels were
lost, as the situation of the reef is laid down in such a manner as to
enable future navigators to avoid it : —
August igj 1803.
" At a quarter past one, saw a saftd bank, bearing S.W. about
three leagues ; called all hands, and attempted to get aboard the maia
tack, but the Bridgewater (a Ship which sailed in company with the
Cato and Porpoise) having hauled to the wind on the opposite tack,
were obliged to bear up, to prevent running against her— struck the
reef aft at a quarter before ten, P.M. about a cable's length from the
Porpoise, who had been ashore some time. The Bridgewater stood
on to the Southward, and fortunately cleared the breakers. We
attempted to get out the Boats, but the Cato unfortunately keeling off
to the sea, the surf broke so violently upon her decks, lhat it btavtd
them to pieces. We then cut away the lanyards of the inner shrouds,
and the masts went by the board All hands then took to the inner
fore- chains, which was the only place we had to fly to, in order to
prevent our being washed overboard by the violence of the surf. In
this situation we clung all night, the sta making a free passage over us,
and kept straining our eyes afttr the Bridgewater's light--, confidently
hoping the Boats of that Ship would come to our assistance in the
morning, but in that hope we were disappointed. — She hove in sight
to the Southward, about nine A M. and stood towards us so as to
304 CORRECT RELATION OF SHI1»WRBCKS.
shew her courses above water ; at pf- A.M. she tacked, and stood to
the Southward again, and we never saw her more. At 10 A.M. the
Cato began to part at the larboard gangway, (previous to which her
decks were all blown up,) which obliged us to attempt getting through
the surf to the Porpoise's Boats, which lay to the leeward, ready to
pick us up, that Ship having fortunately keeled in, so that the sea
broke over her, but did not fill her. The Cato's decks being copper
fastened, the nails all drew, and whole planks cam^ up together.
" On these planks we ventured through the surf, two or three
together. At two o'clock, en the iglh, we all got away from the
Ship, but unfortunately three Seamen, Robert Kay, William Tindall,
and George Philliskirk, were lost in the surf. The next landed in
safety, but naked, and joined the Crew of the Porpoise upon a sand
bank, about 250 yards long, and 100 yards broad, and about a quarter
of a mile distant from the wrecks. The Officers and Men of the
Porpoise humanely shared their clothes and blankets with those of the
Cato ; and after getting on shore some provisions and water from the
Porpoise, we all lay down to sleep with some little comfort, and except
from a few of the Cato's Men who were bruised among the rocks, not
a complaint was heard on the bank."
The journal continues to state that a resolution was formed, that
Messrs. Flinders and Parks should sail with twelve Men in the Por-
poise's large Cutter, which was fitted for the purpose, to Port Jack-
son, and procure assistance of the Crews. This was accordingly done ;
the Cutter performed the voyage in safety, and returned with hii
Majesty's Ship Rolla, who conveyed the Men to China.
Wreck Reef Bank (so called from the unfortunate circumstances
above mentioned,) lies in latitude 22° 11' South, and in longitude
155° 36' East from Greenwich, ascertained from the mean of sixty
sets of observations. Cato's Bank lies in latitude 23° 28' South, and
in longitude 155° 49' East from Greenwich, ascertained from the
distance run from that bank to the Retf where the Ships were
wrecked.
NAUTICAL DISCOVERY.
[FROM THE CALCUTTA POST, AUG. 12, 1803.]
npHE following particulars are from the log book of the
Hon. Company's armed Brig Waller, under the command
of Lieutenant ALEXANDER DAVIDSON, of the Royal Navy,
on her passage from Malacca to Amboyna and back :—
NAUTICAL DISCOVERY. JOJ
*« Lieutenant Davidson, of the armed Brig Waller, on his passage
From Malacca to Amboyna, saw a dangerous shoal near the island of
Sourootoo (or Sovvra), which appeared to be nearly even with the
wafer's edge, and very steep ; its length about half a cable each way;
had a small breaker near the middle of it, notwithstanding the sea
was tolerably smooth ; the Waller passed it withiii a quarter of a mile's
distance, and had 24 fathoms soft ground when abreast of it at one
P.M. April 18, 1803. When in one with the south point of Car-
mata Island it bore N.E. £ N. and the north westernmost part, then
in sight of the island of Sourootoo, N. | E. distant about five leagues.
' ' About a mile to the southward and eastward of this, saw another
shoal, which had likewise a small breaker upon it ; as the Waller was
carrying dispatches and had a fine breeze, after being nearly becalmed
for eight hours, it prevented her Commander from sending a Boat to
examine it more particularly, especially as it was at that season of the
year which made it doubtful what passage the Vessel would make.
He has since heard that an American Vessel was either lost, or nearly
so, upon one of these shoals.
" Having a strong current setting to the southward, Lieutenant
Davidson attempted to pass to the northward of those islands and
shoals which lie in the south entrance of the Straits of Macassar, being
apprehensive that if he went to the southward of them so late in the
season, he would be drifted too far to leeward of the Straits of Salayer,
to pass through them before the contrary currents should become too
strong to accomplish it, the winds being light and variable between
N.E. and S.E. On the 2910 of the same month, at seven P.M.,
passed over the tail of a shoal ; saw the bottom clearly ; it appeared to
be of fine white sand, with several small coral rocks ; had only three
casts of the lead upon it, viz. 9, 1 1, and 14 fathoms; then no ground
•with 40 fathoms. Abut three miles to the southward of this, at
9, 30, A.M. found the Waller upon the edge of another shoal, appa-
rently much more dangerous ; saw the sharp pointed coral rocks
under the bottom*; had soundings upon it from 8| to 15 fathoms,
and then no ground with 22 fathoms. About four miles farther to
the southward perceived near noon the Vessel to be on the edg^*>f a
tltird shoal, and again beheld the rugged coral rocks under htr keel ;
had soundings on it of 9, g|, and io| fathoms ; afterwards no ground.—
The two last the Waller avoided, by instantly, putting the helm down,
heaving all the sails aback, and letting the Vessel pay round upon her
keel ; the latitude observed when on the edge of the last- mentioned
»hoal was 4° 37' S., and longitude, per chronometer, 117° 8' £. Find-
ing the current now setting to the northward, and having been three
306 NAtTTICAL DISCOVERT.
times on hitherto unknown dangers, the Waller stood away to the
Southward, close hatiitd on the larboard tack, with a fine moderate
breeze, arid at 2" 42' 51'' P.M. the observed longitude per Sun and
Moon, from the mean of three sets of sights, was 117° 5' 20' E. From
noon to the time the sights were taken, the Vessel had run about
4 leagues on a S. ^ W. course. From the near agreement, therefore,
of the observed longitude with the chronometer, Lieut. Davidson
believes 4° 37' S. and 1 1 -° E. to be the correct latitude and longitude
of the last- mentioned shoal. He says, that lie is not acquainted
either with their extent or danger, from the same reasons before given,
for not examining that shoal off Sourootoo. The sights for the
latitude and time were taken by a Ramsden's sextant ; those for the
longitude by a Throughton's, and all of them under the most favour-
able circumstances.
" The chronometer varied about half a degree from the i8th of
April to the izth of July.
" At the time of taking the distances of the Sun and Moon, there
were four islands in sight fiom the mast-head, at six P.M they bore
E. by S. half S. distance 13 miles; they are low and woody, and
cannot be seen farther than seven or eight leagues. From not seeing
any land to the westward, supposed them to be those called Noosa
Comba : .if so, their position on the latest charts extant very ill agreed
with the latitude and longitude deduced from the above observations,
and the bearings and distances of these islands from two stations. The
chart lays them in 5° 12' S. and 116° 41' E, — Lieutenant Davidson,
5° z'S. 117° 9' E.
" The Waller, in returning from Amboyna to Madras, steered for,
and made Christmas Island, which she passed about eight leagues to
the southward. It appeared pretty high land, and about five leagues
in length from east to west. Lieutenant Davidson made its latitude
10° 32' S., and longitude (by three single sights per Sun and Moon)
105° 33' E. Navigators differ considerably in the longitude of the
island, and some of the new charts have omitted it entirely, probably
a dangerous mistake, or a doubt of its existence."
SURREY SESSIONS.
Horsimonger-Lane, Oct. 9.
THE BLIND SAILOR.
ROBERT Howell was indicted for stealing a bundle, containing
wearing apparel ; and also a sum of money, amounting to jl. anct
upwards, the property of Francis Cooke,'a blind Sailor.
SURREY SESSIONS. JOJ
Mr. Morris, in a most impressive and animated manner, shortly
the case, on the part of the prosecution.
The prosecutor being permitted by the Court to tell his story in
his own way, related it nearly as follows ; — " Please your Worship,
my name is Frank Cooke : I have served his Majesty for many years,
and have seen some hard service before now ; you see that mark
(pointing to a mark over his right eye). About five years ago we
engaged \viih a French Frigate, and when she had struck we went on
board her ; but, like a treacherous enemy, as she always was, when we
got on deck, they attacked us, and in the fight I was struck just
there (pointing) with a boarding pike : it entered my head, and I fell
overboard. On being taken up, seven splinters, mixed with pieces of
my hat, were taken out of my skull, and I immediately lost the sight
of that eye; the loss of the other soon followed, and 1 became blind,
but still remained on board as Captain's Mate. The prisoner, Robert
Howdl, I had known for several years ; we were messmr.tes together,
and intimately acquainted. When I was about to be discharged from
the Hospital Ship at Sheerness, the Doctor, knowing we were old
friends, appointed Bob Howell to be my guide and assistant aa far as
Bristol, whence we were going to our friends. We left the Ship in a
Boati and were landed somewhere in London, but I could not tell
where. We had not gone far through the streets when we came to
a gateway at the corner of a street, and he took my st%k from me,
tore my pocket, where I had my money sewed up, off my jacket, and
ran away with my bundle of clothes. After remaining on the spot for
pear two hours, I made my way as well as I could. As I went along, •
I fell foul of a poor woman's tea-table, at the corner of a street, and
had like to have thrown the poor creature's tea-things all about ; but, I
thank Heaven, I did her no mischief: however, 1 told her my lamen.
table story, and she pitied me. A poor little ragged boy came up,
and she begged of him to conduct me to Bow Street. The poor dear
fellow ltd me along, and, when 1 told him my story, the good natu red
soul put a penny- piece into rry hand. We went along until I found
myself on Bow Street Office steps. " Here is the place you will be
jure to get redress," said the boy. There was no one at the office
then, so I asked for the next public house, and he took me to orie just
opposite. " I must now leave you," said he. I was sorry for it ;
but, do you know ? he soon came back again, and the dear generous
fellow put another penny piece into my hand, and bid me good bye. — •
Poor ftllow ! 1 shall never forget his generosity. — I then got some
porter with the money he gave me, and. soon afttr was brought to the
pffice, where. I told my story. I have lived like a prince since." —
tfis bundle was then produced, and being asked, could he identify his
30$ 8XJRRBY SESSIONS.
clothes, he answered, " Let me see ; I'll soon shew you."
taking a blue spotted handkerchief, he felt the several comers of it,
and, holding it up, " See there, Gentlemen ; there's a darn I made
with my own hands, with white thread ; 'tis a clumsy thing." He
was then given a pair of pantaloons, and observed, " Yes, yes, these
are my pantaloons ; I know them: when I WLS Captain's Mate I
Aiaed to wear them : they were too long for me, and I cat them short ;
with the pieces I cut off I strengthened the inside of the thighs ; see
here they are, and my own clumsy woik." His trowsers were then
produced. " Now, I know these ; they are my dirty trowsers I
threw off the day I left the Ship, and, having turned them inside out,
I folded them up stocking fashion, to prevent their dirtying my other
clothes. If you look, you'll see ! "
In the course of the blind man's story, he narrated an instance
equally wonderful as his good fortune in tracing this man. It appeared,
that while on duty on board in an engagement, in one of his Majesty's
Ships, in the Mediterranean, he and one of the Lieutenants, in the
act of boarding, were wounded and knocked overboard, and had to
swim for their lives together. They were botli saved by the Boats,
but never met after, until the day when the poor blind Sailor made his
appearance at Greenwich to claim a pension for the loss of his sight ;
he heard a juice he knew, and called the Lieutenant by his name ; he
asked the usual question, what he was doing there ? he answered, to
claim a pension. The Lieutenant, on enquiring, found it was a fortu-
nate meeting for his blind friend, who had come there unprovided
with the necessary certificates; he soon furnished them, assisted him.
with lu's personal application, and succeeded in obtaining a pension,
ticket for him for id. per annum.
When the prisoner was asked, Would he ask him any question ? he
answered in the negative; and the blind man immediately exclaimed,
*' That's he ! that's his voice ! I know it well ! He a Biitish Sailor 1
Oh ! no, not he indeed ! "
The other witnesses proved that, on the 2 3d of September last, the
prisoner went to the White Lion Inn, in Tooley Street, in the Borough,
and brought with him a bag containing wearing apparel : he gave the
landlord a 5!. note, two of ll. each, and some change, to keep for
him. When he was apprehended, about a week afterwards, by the
,Bow Street Officers, he acknowledged he had left the Hospital Ship
in company with a blind Sailor, who parted with him at the corner of a
^street, and did not see him afterward*. This was ,the prisoner's
defence.
The Chairman said, he would not trouble the Jury with summing
«P the evidence, it was perfectly clear and circumstantial, and they werfc
JJAVAt HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 309
"tfully competent to judge of the facts. Without any hesitation, the
Jury found the prisoner guilty.
The Chairman, in passing sentence, observed, that it was a case of
the most aggravated nature that ever came before a Court : he could
-not express the sensations Ike felt at the inhuman and abominable con-
duct of the prisoner ; nor could any observations of his impress it
stronger on the Court, than the evidence of the blind Sailor himself.—.
The prisoner was then sentenced to seven years' transportation, and, in
the mean time, to be confined to hard labour in the House of Correc-
tion at Newington.
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
(August — September — October. )
RETROSPECTIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS.
^1\UR readers must perceive, that notwithstanding continued exertions, w«
find it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to keep pace with the full tide of
naval intelligence, which overflows the limits we are compelled to assign : and
\ve feel an honest pride, on being reminded by many of our Correspondents,
particularly those in the East and \V\st Indies, that but for those exertions,
many important events in the Naval History of our Country would have sunk
into oblivion.
The more attentively we regard the political atmosphere of Europe, under
all its present extraordinary and diversified circumstances, the stronger becomes
our conviction, that the war into which we entered as a single-handed contest
again1 1 France, will eventually, and that at no very distant period, include on
either side all the Powers of liuropc.
The principal event which has varied the hitherto dull, inactive nature of the
present war, and which called forth a great deal of party-spirit, will be found
detailed in our Xortb Seas Report. This exploit was atchieved off Boulogne, en
the night of Tuesday the 3d of October, and appears to have answered in a
considerable degree. Two newly invented machines, laden with stones and
gun-powder, worked under the water, and conducted by small Boats, were con-
veyed to the opposite extremities of the French Hotilla ; in which situation
they exploded, after a certain time, throwing up quantities of large stones.
Lord Melville was on board our Squadron; and Mr. Pitt, and Lord Harrowby,
it is said, were anxious spectators of the scene from Walmer Castle. 1 he war
has hitherto been a war of safety ; we now know that safety is accomplished,
and that it will become a war of glory. The enemy will hereafter find it
impracticable to assemble any numerous force without their harbours, to send *
over at once; and to sail directly from their harbours is impossible.
The following is an extract from a letter received from Paris :— " While you
are busy in England speculating upon the destination of our Expeditions and
Armaments from Brest, Rochlbrt, and Toulon ; while you are sending them
sometimes to Sicily and Sardinia, and sometimes to Ireland, or Egypt; the
JIO NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
general opinion in our po'itical circles is, that of the three of these Squadroni,
that have land troops on board, two are destined for the Brazils; one directly*
and the other after it has, on its passage, placed a garrison in the Island of
Madeira."
Letters from Gibraltar, Cadiz, and Malaga, arrived at Portsmouth in the
Kent.
Gibraltar, Aug. 26. Our Fleet off Toulon consisted of eight Sail of the Line,
and seven Frigates : all the Crews in good health, and in the highest state of
discipline.
Cadiz, Aug. 24. The Amphitrite arrived here a few days ago from Vcra
Cruz, having on board thre: militant seven hundred thousand dollan, in specie, 01}
account of our Government, besides large sums for individuals. Two other
Frigates, with three millions each, were to sail for this place in the course of
two months after the Amphitrite. All remittances iii s'ilver from this Govern-
ment to Buonaparte are sent in British Men of War, as being the quickest, the
•afest, and the mcst advantageous way of sending money from this country to
France.
According to letters from Constantinople, the Cap'ain Pacha took possession
of Jean d'Acre with a naval force of 24 fchips, on the I5th of July, without
firing a shot. This event will tend to re-establish the power and influence of
the Porte in Syria.
Sweden has a Navy of 20 Ships, carrying from 40 to 74 guns, and nearly
300 Gallics: there arc 7500 Sailor* in the King's service, and 1 5, coo more enrolled
for the Navy: in addition to which, 20,000 more Seamen could be drawn front
the Fisheries on the Coasts of Sweden and Finland.
Denmark hai 27 Sail of the Line, and about 50 Floating Batteries, Gallics, &c.j
there are 6oco Seamen in the Royal service, and 20,oco more may at any time
be assembled from the Fisheries. The Merchant service employs j8,o:>o more,
in about 300,000 tons of Shipping.
Vice- Admiral Crown, who commanded the Russian Fleet on its arrival off
Zlsineur, and who fought so gallantly in the Swedish war, is now cruizing off
Bornholm : his Squadron then consisted of ten Sail of the Line, three Frigates,
and some smaller Vessels.
Lieutenant Wright was liberated by Buonaparte, not as a prisoner of war, but
as a State criminal cftoo Lad a claracter to be teft in farh, fat his PRINCIPLES
flould contaminate tie virtuous keeper', of bis f>rkon ! The Fact is, that the infamous
and unprecedented treatment of this brave Officer was disgusting to the whole
ration of France, and it was accordingly whispered to the Arch-fiend, that il
might be advisable to release the Lieutenant.
The publications which have most recently interested the political world
are, — i. The pamphlet which Lord Sheffield has published in defence of the
Ship Owners, who contend that the execution of the Navigition Laws ought
not to be relaxed. 2. Sir Robert Wilson's pamphlet addressed to Mr. Pitt,
entitled, *' An Enquiry into the present Stite cf the AHlitary Force of the
British Fmpire, with a View to its Re-rrgan z. tion." And, 3. The intercepted
Letters on board the EnglUh East India Ship the Admiral Alpin, lately captured
by the French, which they have pub.iohed. The letter from Lord Grenville
to the Governor General, the Marquis Wellesley; and that from his brother
Mr. Henry Wellesley, have particularly attracted notice.
On Thursday morning, Oct. n, as W A?h. T. Ash, (father and son,) W.
Arnold.and J. Fowler, shipwrights, were at work in the magazineof the Btllejo-
SAVAL HISTORY OF THE rRESENT YEAR) 1804. 311
fihoji, lying in dock at Ports-routh, a candle (the place being secluded from light)
communicated itself to some loose powder, and they were in an instant rendered
the most shocking- spectacles, by the effect of the explosion. An inquiry hai
been instituted on <lhe Gunner of the bhip, for his carelessness in leaving the
powder.
The force of the enemy at Rochfort consists at present of five Sail of the
Line, one a three-decker; four large Frigates, two Wen of War Brigs, and
teveral Cun-boata: this force is moored in tvvo lines, defended on one side by
the Isle d'Aix, a place very strongly fortified, and on the other side by a large
Floating Rattery, with i % mortars, 32 guns of a large calibre, eight of which are
parted off for red hot shot.
The building of the Martello Towers for the protection of the coast from
Bray to Dublin, proceeds with unexampled dispatch ; they are in general about
forty feet in diameter, precisely circular, and built of hewn granite, closely
joined; some are already thirty feet high, and exhibit proofs of the most admi-
rable masonry ; one has been just begun at Williamstown, near the Black Rock}
those from Dalkey to Bray are nearly finished.
THE APOLLO GUINEAMAN,
Some time since we heard of the good conduct and bravery of Captain Cum-
mins and the Crew of the Apollo Brig (a small Guineaman about 120 tons
only], in beating off a French Privateer of much superior force, to windward of
Barbadoes, in March last, and afterwards conducting the Apollo safely to her
destined port. We are happy in having it in our power to inform our readers,
that although those men could not be considered as entitled to reward from the
Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's, yet, to the honour of the Underwriters on the Apollo
and her cargo, they have not been otherwise forgotten, as we find that the
Underwriters on such parts as were insured at Liverpool, immediately presented
Captain Cummins with a piece of plate; the London Underwriters, as soon as
they were informed of the circumstances, immediately signed off two guineas
per cent, on their subscriptions, under the following declaration : —
" We the undersigned Underwriters on a Policy of Insurance, per the
Apollo, Captain Cummins, on a voyage from Liverpool to Africa, and a mar-
ket, wrote to William Barnes, in August, 1803, do hereby agree to allow two
guineas per cent, on our respective subscriptions, to be apportioned by the
Owners of said Vessel, and presented by them, to the said Captain Cummins, his
Officers, and Crew, according to their rank in the Vessel, and the servict»
respectively rendered by each, in beating off a Privateer of superior force on the
»3d day of March last, about 83 miles to the windward of Barbadoes, thereby
preserving the property under their care, and shewing a truly laudable British
ipirit in repelling the attacks of an enemy of superior strength."
This subscription, so trivial individually, yet amounting in the aggregate to
113!. 8s., has been transmitted by the broker to the Owners of the Apollo at
Liverpool, to be divided as desired, on the return of the Vessel from the voy-ige
ihe is now performing. We feel much pleasure in making known this circum-
stance so highly honourable to all the parties, and doubt not but it will excite
an equal emulation in others to follow the example of the handful of brave men
that composed the Crew of the Apollo.
A Brig with 200 Frenchmen on board, of whom General La Valftte is said
to be one, from Charlestown, hat been lost oa the Grand Bahama, and only
»i persons saved.
312 KAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT TEAR,
THE KING GEORGE CUTTER.
A letter from an Officer on board one of the Squadron off Havre, dated Sejv
tember z~, says:— "I am sorry to have to state the loss of one of our Cutter*
(the King George), which got aground when in the act of destroying one of the
enemy's coasters, which she had forc:d on shore; and after usi: g every effort to
get her off, but to no purpose, they were under the necessity of destroying her
by fire, to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. We were too far
off in the large Ships to afford any assistance ; indeed, had we been nearer, it
•would not have been possible to have kept the enemy in check, as we could not
approach within gun-shot for the shallowness of the water; and being a strong
ebb tide ai;d caH wind, the Boats of the Squadron could not have artived in
time to afford any assistance, as (he Frenchmen were all in motion, and in less
than an hour fourteen of their Brigs and Luggers had completely surrounded
them; but IK tw tlutandi;:g this, she was completely on fire before the last Boat
quitted her, as we could perceive by our spy-glasses. The dastards then sheered
off from the Cutter, and pursued the Boats for four or five miles, keeping up au
incessant fire of round, giape, and mtis-ketry, Utterly within pistol shot, which
literally covered the Bouts; and had it not been for the gallant manner in
•which the Locust Gun-brig stood in and covered them, I am convinced, in ten
minutes more they must have been all destroyed or taken ; but sooner than
ritk an action, though only with two Gun-brigs, they thought it most
advisable to abandon the pursuit Too much praise cannot be bestowed on
the Officer and Crew of the King George, for the gallant and determined man-
ner in which the whole business was conducted ; however, it is only another
instance of the superior courage and address of British Seamen. While I am
closing this, I am given to understand that not a man is killed or wounded,
which utterly astonishes me. as I mver witnessed a more galling fire.
Reculver — The effect of the high tides near the autumnal equinox, on the
north eastern coast of this country, has been very fatally conspicuous at the
ancient village of Reculvcr (the Regulbium of the Romans.; — Early on Sunday
morning, S-pt 30, the wind blowing strong from the north-west, and the
tide being just at the full, the cliff, on whi h were two houses (the angle of
them standing perpendicularly on the edge of it, gave way, and in the course of
the day, together with the houses, was precipitated in ruins on the beach beneath,
carrying with it the exterior walls of three adjoining houses; the remains of
which hatfe since been taken down, in order to preserve the timbers and other
fragments. One of them was an ancient building, immediately opposite the
public-house, and had the appearance of having been part of some monastic
erection.
' The houses were chiefly occupied by labouring persons and fishermen, who
had just time to preserve their beds and little articles of furniture, and who have
•ince taken up their habitations in the church of the Two Si:ters ; which, however,
after a lapse of near ten centuries, unless some very effectual measures are
adopted to prevent it, will, much as it is to be regretted, eventually be swallowed
tip in the approaching winter ; so rapid and destructive of late years have been
the inroads of the sea.
The devastation of the waves, by undermining a cliff of looie sand and clay,
has laid open the graves of the ancient ccmetry, and a skull and other emblems
of mortality and of curiosity, at various places present themselves to view in the
chaw.:, on its surface.
Jo consequence of the plague, which now rages at Malaga, all Ships from thai
S
HISTO-R.Y OF THE FRESENT YEAR, 1^04. 313
a*id within its vicinity, are to be put into strict quarantine, previous to their
)3>«ng permitted to enter any of out ports.
Cork, Oct. 3.— His Majesty's Ship Topnze, Captain Lake, which nrrived at
Cove yesterday, has brought in the French hip Letter of Marque, Minerva, of
iBourdeaux, which she captured on the 2jth ult. in lat. 49" 30', long. 15° 30'
west, after a chase of twelve hours. The Minerva is pierced for 18 guns;
mounted 14; her Crew consisted of in men, and her destination was Marti-
Siique, with a cargo of wine and brandy, and a few cases of small arms; she had
a cruizing license, and was met by the Topyze rhree degrees northward of her
Bourse, where she lay to, to intercept the homeward-bound Jamaica Fleet; she
had been twenty days from Eourdeatix, and had made no capture. His Majes-
ty's .'-loop l.i FLche, Captain Digby, also arrived in our harbour, from a cruize.
Upwards of a hundred of the machines employed in the late affair off Bou-
logne, have been constructed in London, and will, no doubt, be shortly brought
xiro goodtjse. An Officer who was engaged in the experiment, describes them
as resembling in form a large coffin.
" Each of the casks, or coffers, (he says), had what was called a dock affixed
'to it, which was so contrived as not to admit any water. This was primed and
set, so as to go off at any desired time after drawing out a pin. A reward
depended on bringing away this pin. We came within pistol-shot of a Corvette
'before we let go our coffers, under a fire of shot and shells from the shore.
The first explosion, which took place in a few minutes, was very gr. at, and
seemed to strike the enemy with general consternation. Their firing seemed to
cease for a minute or two, and then to be pointed towards the explosion In
the course of some time six or seven more machines exploded, but through some
mismanagement several failed going off. The coffers are made of thick plank
lined with lead. A plank is left out for filling it. When filled, the plank is
put in, nailed, and taulked, paid all over with tar, covertd with canvas, and
paid with hot pitch. Some oi' them, when full, might wt-Igh two tons I may
compare their outward form to a large log of mahogany, formed like a wedge
at each end. There was a line affixed to one end, with something like an
anchor. This line and anchor was floated with pieces of cork, intended to
hook their cables, that the coffer might swing round and lay along-side: the
other line is the towing line. The coffers were weighted with shot, so as only
just to float ; by which means they would scaicely be struck by any shot in the
water, and could pass undiscovered. After our machines were let go, we con-
tinued pulling about for two hours, in order to render any assistance to other
Boats that might require it. We then, after a. hard pull, (the wind and tid*
being right in,) got on board our nearest Ship."
Oct 5, at two in the morning, the bullion brought from Elsineur in foi«
Majesty's armed Ship I, ion, Captain Eradbay, was landed at the Tower, and
safely lodged in the Mint.
The contract for supplying the Navy with Irish provisions has been taken by
Messrs. Bogle French, Burrowes. and CannhSg, Merchants, of Broad Street,
The guantiry contracted for is cmuparativeiy much smaller than usual, being
only 9000 tierces of pork, and 6000 tierces of beef.
Colonel Shrapnell, at Woolwich, has made wome improvement in the con-
struction cf she Is, which, on exploding, discharge a large quantity of swan,
shot in every direction, to the distance of 1 50 yards from the point at which the
thell burst*. Some experim$si3 have been mads or, this destructive engine with
she desired effect.
. £f>nn. (Bol.XII. s «
5t4 »A»AL JiJSTORY OF THE FRE8EMT YEAR, 1
Captain Collard, of the Railleur, who is mentioned, with others, in Lori
Keith's letter, as having so gallantly braved the enemy's very numerous armed
Vessels and land batteries, commanded his Majesty's Ship Vestal in iSoi, and,
•while lying in Torbay, a soldier of Captain Dancer's Company, of the 4Oth
Regiment, named Edward Pitts, fell overboard, and must have been drowned,
bad not Captain Collar J instantly jumped overboard and saved him.
letters*
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 3, 1804.
Ctfy of a Letter from tie Right Honouralle Lord KeitL, K.B. Admiral of tie Blite,
&c. to William Marsdtn, Esq. ; dated on board Hit Majtity's Ship (be Menartk,
off Boulogne, the $d In:taat.
SIR,
IplIEIR Lordships are aware that my attention has, for some time past, bee»
directed to the object of ascertaining the most effectual mode for annoyii>g
the enemy's Flotillas at their anchorages in front of their ports, under protec-
tion of their land batteries.
Having, on the afternoon of the ist instant, arrived at this anchor-age, and
finding the weather promising to be favourable, and about one hundred and
fifty of the Flotilla on the outside of the pier, I resolved to make an experiment
on a limited scale, of the means of attack which had been provided.
The final arrangements for this purpose were made on the morning of yester-
day. The Officers named below* were put in charge of the principal Vessel*
Yrhich at this time were to be used. The armed Launches, and other Boats of
the Squadron, were appointed to accompany and protect them. The Castor,
Greyhound, and some smaller Vessels, were directed to take up an advanced and
convenient anchorage for covering the retreat, giving protection to men who
aiight be wounded, and Boats that might he crippled, and for towing off the
Boats in general, in the event of the wind freshening and blowing upon the
•coast.
The operation commenced at a quarter past nine o'clock last evening, and
terminated at a quarter past four this morning, during which time several
Vessels, prepared for the purpose, were exploded amongst, er very close to, the
Flotilla; but on account of the very great distance at which they lay from each
other, no very extensive injury seems to have been sustained, although it i»
evident that there has been very considerable confusion among them, and that
two of the Brigs and several of the smaller Vessels appear to be missing sines
* Officers in charge of the explosion Vessel* above referred to : —
Captains— Macleod, of the Sulphur.
Jackson, of the Autumn.
Edwards, of the Fury.
Collard, of the Railleur.
Searle, of the Helder Defence Ship,
Lieutenants — Stewart, of the Monarch.
Lowry, of the Leopard.
Payne, of the Immort-ilite.
Templer, of the Sulphur.
Midshipman— Mr. Bartholomew, of the Inflexible.
Captains Winthrop, of the Ardent, and Owen, of the Immortalite, mort
realously and usefully superintended the operations from the Southward, and
ihe H«nourable Captain Blackwcod, of the Euryalus, from the Northward.
4 KEITH,
yesterday at the close of day. I have great satisfaction in reporting, thaf, not-
withstanding a very heavy discharge of shells, shot, and musketry, was kept up
by the enemy throughout the night, no casualty whatever, on our part, hat
been sustained. The enemy made no attempt to oppose their rowing Boats'
to ours.
Their Lordships will not expect that, at the present moment, I am to enter
much into detail; but I think it my duty to state to them my conviction, that,
in the event of any great accumulation of the enemy's force in their road-steads,
an extensive and combined operation of a similar nature will hold forth a rea-
sonable prospect of a successful result.
The conduct of the Officers and Men, who have been employed on this
orcasion, deserves my highest commendation : I cannot more forcibly impress
their merits upon their Lordships' attention, than by remarking, that the ser«
vice was undertaken, not only in the face of, but immediately under, the whole
line of the enemy's land batteri-s, and their field artillery and musketry upon
the coast, but also under that «f upwards of one hundred and fifty armed Ves»
sels, ranged round the inner side of the Bay ; and that the Officers and Men
who could so deliberately and resolutely advance into the midst of the Flotilla,
under such circumstances, must be considered worthy of being entrusted with
the performance of any service, however difficult or dangerous it may appca/1
to be, and consequently to be highly deserving of their Lordships' protection.
I have the honour to be, &c.
William Marsden, Esy. KEITH.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 6.
Copy of a Letter from ficc-Admiral Lord discount Nelson, K,B. Commander in Chief
of kis Majesty's Sliifs and Vessels in the Mediterranean, to William Marsden, £:q.j
faled on beard His Majesty* i Ship Victory, at Sea, tie "jtb August, 1804.
SIR,
I herewith transmit you a copy of a letter from Lieutenant Harding Shaw,
commanding his Majesty's Brig the -pider, acquainting me with his having, on
the nth Ultimo, captured la Conception trench Privateer, mounting two bras*'
guns, and manned with l«rty-sevcn men, which you will please to lay btforc
my Lords tommis.tio»eri of the Admiralty for their information.
I am, &c.
NELSON & BRONTE.
His Majesty's Brig Spider, Alicata Roads,
MY IORD, I2tb July, 1804.
I have the honour to inform your Lordship, that I yesterday fell in with and
captured la Conception French Privateer, mounting two brags guns and forty-
seven men, Alicata bearing E.N.E three leagues; fitted out Irom Ajacia, m
Corsica, and sailed from Girgenti yesterday morning; have sent her into Malta,
and sent on shore here thirty-three of the prisoners. She has made no capture
since her leaving Corsica, wh ch has been about a month.
I have the honour to be, &c.
HARDING SHAW.
Right Hon. Lord Viscount Nels«nt K.B.
Copy of anotber Letter from the Right Honourable Lord Vhctunt Nelson, K.R. *s'e.
to William Manden, Esq.; dated on board bis Majesty's Sbif Victtry, at Sea, iztk
August, 1804.
SIR,
Herewith I transmit you, for the information of the Lords Comnuwionrrs of
the Admiralty, copy of a letter from Captain Donnelly, of his Majesty's Ship
Nvrcis-m, with copy of one to him from Lieutenant Thompson, of the said.
bhip, detailing the destruction of sever*! of the enemy's Coasting Vewel*. The
Jl6 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
importance of this service may be but little, but the determined bravery of
Li<-'jtenant* Thompson, Parker, Luniley, and Voore, and the Petty Officers^
Seamen, and Marines employed under them, could not be exceeded. I am con-
cerned to observe, that Lieutenant l.umley has been obliged to suffer amputation
at the shoulder joint , but I have much pleasure in saying, that this fine young-
man is fast recovering. His sufferings, I am sure, will meet thtir Lordships'
consideration. 1 am, ckc.
NELSON & BRONTE.
Hit Majesty's Ship Narcissus, Hicres Bay,
MT LO»D, July lly 1804.
I.\st night we attacked about a dozen of the enemy's Vessels at La Vandour*
m into Bay, with the boats of the Narcissus, Seahorse, and Maidstone, com-,
manded by Lieutenants Hyde Parker, J. R. Lutnley, and Ogle Moore, the
D»holc under the order- of Mr. John I'hompsen, Fi.tt Lieutenant of this Ship,
who, with his gallant companions, boarded and destroyed almost the whole,
under a prodigious and incessant fire of great guns and musketry, as well frorn^
the Vessels as from a Battery and the houses of the town, close to which they
Were hauled in and well secured.
I refer your Lordship to the enclosed letters from Lieut. Thompson for an
account of that affair; and I beg to add, that it is impo»siblc for me to expres*
the praise due to that intrepid Officer and the Men, as well as Officers of every
description under his command, whose conduct I viewed with admiration.
Herewith I also transmit a list of the killed and wounded, which I am extremely
grieved to say amounts to twenty-seven.
I have the honour to be, &c.
ROSS DONNELLY.
Tie Rigkt Hon. Lord yitcovnt Nelson, K.B.
Duie of Bronte, trV. \5"c. ciV.
His Majesty's Slip Narcissat, ffleret Say,
SIR, July II, 1804.
I beg leave to report the proceedings of the detachment of Boats you did me
the honor to place under my command, last night, whose conduct and gallantry
1 cannot -uilicieutly praise.
The attack commenced at midnight, under a tremendous fire of grape shot
and musketry ; notwithstanding which, we succeeded in boarding and firing
most of the enemy's Vessels, consisting of eleven or twelve settees, chiefly laden.
The enemy wt re fully prepared, and had taken every precaution to secure them,
they being moored head and stern, with their bars on the beach, and completely
propt together underwater : we, however, towed one out in spite of their hea^y
and incessant fire.
This service, I am sorry to say, has cost us several valuable lives. Among
the killed J have to regret the loss of that very promising young man W. Roche,
Midshipman of this Ship, who was shot in firing of the Vessels: and Lieutenant
l.umley, Messrs. Bedingficld, Watt, Victor, and Maustll, Midshipmen on
board, wounded ; I fear the former mortally; together with several Seamen and
Marines severely.
To Lieutenants Luniley and Nfoore, of the Seahorse and Maidstone, I feel
greatly indebted for the steady and well-directed fire kept up from the L Jtmches
of those >- hips under their command; also to Lieutenant Parker of this Ship,
• for his very able support in boarding and destroying the enemy's Vessels. In-
deed my warmest thanks arc due to every Officer, Petty Officer, Seaman, and
Maiine employed on this occasion. 1 am, &c.
Ros: Donnelly Esq. Captain o/Jfit JOHN THOMPSON.
Afajtst'/'t Ship Narcis'.us.
/. -it of Killed a nd IfaunJed in the Boat: of Hit Majesty' I Sb'/p; under mentioned, on
tlit fiiffjf a/' tie iQib uf Jity, l8->4, in destroying a number of tbs Enemy's yctst'u j/j
( j y*-:Jura.
sus. — 2 killed and 9 wounded,
Hcrs^-. — i killed and 5 wounded.
iic'^one — i killed and 9 wounded
Total. — 4 killed and zj woun-.kd-
NAVAL HISTORY CP THE PRESENT YEAR, l8<>4« 317
Names of the Killed and IVeunJtJ.
Killed.
N-irchsas.— Thomas Owen Roche, Midshipman, and William Slanwood,
able Seaman.
aJca Horse.— William Wiltshire, Lieutenant of Marines.
Maidstone. — John Wood, ordinary Seaman.
Wounded.
Narcissus.— Thomas William Bedingfield, Midshipman, in the hand, badly;
James Mason, Coxswain arm and leg, badly; Robert Campain, able Seaman*
thigh, badly ; Thomas Freshwater, able Seaman, arm, badly ; John Deakin,
able -eaman, burnt by gun-powder ; Mat. Sullivan, able Seaman, arm and side,
badly, james -heal, able Seaman, thigh, slightly; joha Hill, able Seaman, ia.
the hand; William shivers, Private of Marines, amputated finger.
Seahorse— John R. Lumley, Lieutenant, badly ; Thomas Alex. Watt, Mid-
shipman; John Williams, able Seaman; John Fisher, Private of Marine*;
John v. illiains, private of Marines.
v aidstonc — -John G. Victor, Midshipman, flightly in the thigh; Robert
Manse J, Master's Mate, in the hip, badly; Thomas James, able Seaman,
badly; John Pacton, ordinary Seaman, badly; John White (i ;, ordinary
Seaman, badly; John Whiteman, Corp. Crew, badly; Peter Dompsey, able
Seaman, slightly; Alex. Horn, ordinary Seaman, badly; Mat. Watts, able
Seaman, sliglu'y.
Total. — i idshipman and 3 Qeamen, killed; i Lieutenant, i Master's Mate,
3 Midshipmen, i c Seamen, and 3 Marines, wou ded.
ROSS DONNELLY,
Captain and Senior Officer.
AD.MIRALTT-OFFICt, OCT. 9.
Caf>y of a Letter from Fice- Admiral Sir John Tbomat DuelivortL, KB. Commander
in Chief of His Majesty's Shift and Pet sets at Jamaica, to William Mantlen, Ety-t
jilted at fort foyal, the ^t^b of July, 1804.
SIR,
I herewith transmit you a letter from Lieutenant Price, commanding hi*
Majesty's Schooner Flying Fish, for the information af the Lords Commissioner*
of the Admiralty. I am, &c.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
Hit Hi. -jetty* i Schooner Flying fisBt
SIR, Montego Bay, July 1 6, 1 $04.
1 beg leave to inform you, that, on the I4th instant, I fell in with and re-
captured the British Schooner Content, which had been captured the evening
before by the French Privateer la Republique, off Black River.
From the prisoners I gained information about her, and shaped the most
likely course to meet her next morning. After a chase of five hours I captured
her also. She had on board, when they left St. Jago, fifty men, with musketry
and one long gun, and had made three captures.
I have the honour to be, &c.
THOMAS PRICE,
Lieutenant commanding.
Vice-Admiral Sir J. T. Duck-worth, K.B.
Iff. &V. We.
tofyofa Letter from Admiral Lord Gardner, Commandir in CLief of Hit Majesty* t
Shift and yititU on tbe Coatt efJreJanJtto William Miinden, Esy.; dated at Cortt
tie id Instant.
JIB,
J am to desire you will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the
Adniiralty, that his Majesty's Ship Topaze arrived here this morning, with la
Mioervc French Letter ot Marque Ship belonging to Bourdeaux, bound to
318 NATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YBAR| 1804.
Martinique, pierced for eighteen guns, nine-ponnders, fourteen only mounte<f,
with one hundred and eleven Officers and Men on board; which the Topaz«
fell in with on the tjth ult. in latitude 49° 30' N. and longitude 15* W.
And am, &c.
GARDNER.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. Ij.
Cofj of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir John Thomas Duii-wcrtt>, K.B. Commander
in Chief of Hii Majesty' t bbifs and Vessels at Jamai(at to William Mariden, Miq.\
dated at Port Royal, the 2 lit of July, 1804.
SIR,
You will herewith receive a letter from Captain Mudge, of his Majesty's
Ship Blanche, which you will please to lay before the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty. I am, &c.
J. T. DUCKWORTH-
Blanche, off" Corcsoa, North 3 mit'a,
SIR, 29-'i June, 1804.
Lying-to, tinder the guns of Saint Cruz, (Corosoa,) at four P.M. I saw an
armed Schooner standing in from sea ; as soon as she was hull out I made sail,
and after a hard chase, the Frigate running eleven knots under her royals and
top-gallant studding sails, at nine P.M. captured the Dutch Schooner Nimrod,
mounting four four-pounders, copper-bottomed and fastened, and but two years
old : she is the fastest Vessel I have met with since I have been in the West
Indies, and was one of the two Schooners that engaged the Flying Fish, having
then on board fifty men. I am, &.c.
ZACHARY MUDGE.
2o Fife- Admiral Sir J. T. Duckworth.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. l6.
Ctfy «f a Letter from Vice- Admiral Sir Jobn Thomas Duclivortb, K.B. Commander
in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels at Jamaica, to William Mar idea, Esq.}
dated at Port Royal, tbt ^(>tb of August, 1 804.
SIR,
You will herewith receive, for the information of the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, the copies of two letters, reciting the capture of the Hirondelle
and Vautour French Privateers, by his Majesty's .Ships Tartar and Fortunee ;
the former of which, I tru^t their Lordships will think with me, does .high
honour to the Officers and Crews of the Tartar's Boats, for their undaunted
spirit and perseverance. I am, &c.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
Hit Majesty's Skip Tartar, off" St. D<min£ot
SIR, August I, 1804.
! have the honour to acquaint you, that, yesterday morning at dawn, stand-
ing into leeward of Saona, a imall Sail was discovered from the mist-heads, te
which f immediately gave chase, keeping as close to leeward of the island as
' possible, in order to prevent her escape that way, knowing the channel between
that island f^aona; and St. Domingo to be very narrow and intricate even for
small Vessels, ^.bout seven the chas« was made out to be a Schooner full of
men, using her sweeps and every means possible to get off; from which cir-
cumstance supposing her to be a Privateer, and perceiving her intention of
attempting to escape through the before-mentioned channel, I made all possible
sail, and at eight o'clock got her within reach of the guns, which, from the
shott tacks I was obliged to make, was prevented from using to that advantage
znd effect I could have wished, without losing ground; therefore, though several
shot went over and through her sails, she still persevered in beating to wind-
ward until she had advanced near the centre of the channel, where, finding it
impossible to proceed further, she came to m anchor under a reef of rocks ; ac
HISTORY OF THE PRESENT TIAR, 1804. 3*9
which time, (ten in the forenoon,) having beat the Ship up into six fath mis
water, but deeming it imprudent to proceed further, and finding it Would be
almost impossible to destroy the Vessel with the great guns, not beirg able to
anchor, or to bring the broadsides to bear to advantage, fro:n the short tacks we
vrere obliged to make, without hazard to the Ship ; yet, judging it of importance
to take or destroy the Vessel by some means or other, 1 immediately hoisted
three Boats out, and sent them manned and armed under the direction of
Lieutenant Mullah, (Second Lieutenant,) assisted by Lieutenant Lockyer,
(Third,) with several Midshipmen, all volunteers on the occasion.
The instant the Boats put off from the Ship, the Schooner hoisted French
colours, fired a gun, and warped her broadside towards them : as the Boati
advanced, the Privateer commenced firing grape from her great guns, and on
their nearer approach opened a fire of mmketi y ; yet notwithstanding, and a
ttrong sea breeze against the Boats, Lieutenant Mullah, in the most intrepid
and gallant manner possible, puiled up in the face of several discharges of grape,
and a heavy fire of musketry from fifty men drawn up round the deck, boarded
and carried her. It is impo.-sible to speak too highly, or sufficiently to express
my sense of the bravery and intrepid conduct of Lieutenants Mullah and
Lo.kyer, as well as the Petty Officers, Seamen, and Marines employed under
them; considering the disadvantage under which they were obliged to attack,
and the preparation the enemy had made for defence, being nearly noon day;
nor can 1 too much commend the spirit and alacrity with which they volun-
teered their services on the occasion, as well as the whole of the Ship'a
Company.
1 am happy to add, that only two men were wounded, one Seaman and
.one Marine (badly) ; the French lost nine killed and six wounded, beside three
missing, supposed to have been drowned in attempting to swim on sh re; the
wounded 1 sent to St. Domingo by a flag of truce this morning. The remainder
I keep on board, trure being no English prisoners to exchange in lieu. The
Privateer proves to be the Hirondelle, Captain La Place, with ten four pounder*
and fifty men, and two days out from St. Domingo. She had run most of the
last war, and all the present, frequently chased, but from her fast sailing
always escaped. I am, &c.
KEITH MAXWELL.
riu-Admtral Sir J. T. Duel-worth, K.B.
&c. &c. CSV.
His Majesty's Ship Fortunee, off ' A!td<vellat
SIR, August 10, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint you, that running down the south side of
Domingo with his Majesty's Ship under my command, disguised agreeable to
your directions, on the icth instant, off Altavella, ] was chased by le Vautour
Felucca Privateer, mounting one nine-pounder gun, and carrying fifty-four
men, which approaching nearly within gun-shot before they discovered their
^mistake, was captured after two hours' chase.
I have the honour to be, &c.
H. VANSITTART.
To Rear-Astral Sir J. T. Duckvjortbt
K.B. Cofnmandtr in Chief, &c. l^e.
Ccfy of anotlcr Letter frcm Sir Join Tiicmat Duckworth, K.B. Vice- Admiral
of the L'iue, tfc. t» tt'itliam Marten, Esq ; dated at fort Rsyal, tie 3<att> if
August, 1804.
SIR,
I transmit you herewith, for the information of the torch Commissioners of
the Admiralty, a letter from Captain Marcha'l, of his Majesty's !'rig Pelican,
relating the capture of the national Schooner la Laurette ; '.-\nd am, &c.
J. T.
JSO M4VAL KtBTOftY Ot THE PR.E8EKT YEAR,
His Majesty's Sloop Pelicait, at Settt
nil, August 24, 1 804.
I have the honotif to acquaint you, that on the morning of the 23 d instant,
Cape Niaze bearing N. by t. sis or seven leagues, a strange Sail was discovered
in the N.E. to which i immediascly gave chase, and have the satisfaction 10
inform you, that after a chase of six hours, came up with and captured her. after
discharging several broadsides. She proves to be the national Schooner la
Laurette, pierced for sixteen guns, but had only mounted four twelve pound
earronades, and on? long traversing nine-pounder, on midships, and forty men,
commanded by Ciloyen dc Blouch, Lieutenant de Vaisseau ; had sailed from the
City of St. Domingo the night previous to her Capture, bound to St. Jago for
the express purpose of completing her Crew to one hundred men.
Sir Join Thomas Duel-worth, JNO, MARSHALL.
&V. &e. &c. •
Copy of a Lctttr from S\Y J. Saamarcx, K.B. Rear -Admiral of the Wlite, to
William Marsdent £jj.; dated on board tbt JDiomgJe, Guernsey RtaJ, tit iyb
Initant.
SIR,
Having placed Captain Hennikef, of his Majesty's Sloop Albacorc, under the
orders of Commodore Duke dc Bouillon, with directions to use his Utmost
endeavours to intercept any of the enemy's Flotilla passing along the French
coast. I had the satisfaction, last evening, to receive an account of his having
pursued, on the 8th instant, five Gun Luggers, and driven them on the rocks off
Grosnez oil the following day.
Captain Henniker anchored r.s near them as was consistent with the safety of
the Ship, and kept tip a heavy fire upon them with round and grape-shot until
they were covered by the surf, and abandoned by their people, who ajipear to
have been very numerous, and among them several were distinguished as soldier*
by their clothing.
Great praise is due to Captain Henniker for this spirited and gallant attack
within a few hundred yards of the French coast, and under a heavy fire from the
enemy'* Batteries anu Ve.-sels: Great commendation is also due to the Officers
and Crew of the Al!>acore, who appear to have acted in the most determined
manner, and to have preserved the most exact discipline in so intricate a situa-
tion, with the wind directly on the shore, and close to a heavy surf. The Alba-
core \vns hulled jn several places, and the main and main-topmast wounded, but
1 am happy to find has suflYrcd no loss, in men.
Herewith J enclose the Commodore's letter, reporting the particulars of thi*
action; and am, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
ffit Majesty's Shift Severn,
IIR, Jtrtey, Oct. 10, 1804.
M-y hopes, a: expressed to you in my letter of the 8th insr. are happily realized
ty the success that attended the Albacore's pursuit of the Vessels that were per-
ceived creeping along the shores of Normandy on that day, and I have much
pleasure in transmitting you the following detail of the circumstance: Captain
Henniker obeyed the signal with admirable promptitude, slipped his cable, and
fn.ide every sail for the opposite shore, on which the wind directly blew ; and
although the Assault and Cutter returned, not having discovered the enemy,
and lost the Albacore in the Haze, the latter succeeded in intercepting, near the
Grosnez de J-'Jamanville, five 1 uggers of the enemy, that appear to have heeft
Gun-Vessels of the second class,, with how gum, and to force them to anchor
close to the surf, under the cover of a Battery to the southward of Grosnez. The
wind dead on the shore, and a lee tiue, induced Captain Henniker to take a po-
sition to await the return of day to attack them with some prospect of success,
which he effected with infinite gallantry yesterday morning at ten o'clock, when
taking the advantage of the weather tide, he stood in with the Albacore, under a
heavy fire from the Battery and CJmi-ve«sel% and anchored close to the latter,
withju two cable*' lai^jth of the turf, with springi on hli cable, and at eleve*
NAVAL HISTORY Of tHB PRESENT YEAR,. 1804. 32!
k'clock opened a smart and well-directed fire of round and grape shot until the
enemy's V.sseh were aM driven «fn shore, and Jay broadside to in a heavy 'urf,
that broke with great violence over them; their men, of which they appear to
have been full, landing in great confusion through the surf, and scrambling up
the ueach hdlf accoutered, their white belts being distinctly seea fro n the AJ-
bacore. From the number that wtrc seen borne by others up the strand and
sand hills, Captain Henniker thinks there were many killed and wounded: in-
deed there is every reason to hope their discomfiture was compKte, from the
very judicious position Captain Henmker had taken ; the tide falling, and the
wind continuing to blow strong on the shore, and the AJhacore's anchor drag-
ging, he was obliged to abmdon the anchor and spring, and haul off, the main
and main-topmast shot through, the Ship hulled in several places by the enemy's
shot, and the rigging much cut, though, happily, net a nun was touched.
Captain Henniker speaks in terms of high approbation of the suppur*- afforded
hi';i by Lieutenants Trotter and George, and the rest of the Officers and Cre.v
of the Ship; and particular^ commends the readiness and determined manner
in which Mr. Wyhert, the pilot, took and placed the Ship in the situation to
effect the fervic'. that Captain Henriiker himself (I have pleasure in bearing
testimony) put so mu h zeal to execute ; so rr«cR, that I know not which to
commend most ; his prompt tude and activity in the pursuit, or gallant spirit in.
the Dash to follow and effect, amidst the surf on a lee shore, and in very threat-
ening weather. It is thaop.nion of all the Officers of the Ship, that the whole
of the five Vessels arc irrecoverably lost in the high surf that still continues to
lash the shore. I have, &c.
D'AUVERGNE, Due de Bouillca.
Rear- Admiral Sir James Saumarex, K, B.
ADMIRALTY-OFMCEj OCTOBER 2o, 1804.
Copy of a Letter from Captain Major 'Jacob Henniker, tf his Majesty's S/tof the Alia-
tore, to William Marsden, Esq. ; dated tit l"]tb Instant.
SIR,
I beg leave to transmit to you, for the information of my Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, a copy of my letter to Rear- Admiral Sir James SaumareZ,
Bart, of this date.
" 1 find it my duty to acquaint you, that yesterday, the i6th, in proceeding
from Granville Bay, in pursuance of your orders, at the distance of three miles,
I had an opportunity of observing the five Flotilla driven on shore on the gth
nit. by his Majesty's Sloop under my command, and ascertained that they were
all still there, swamped and bilged, with a heavy sea and tremendous surf
breaking violently over them.."
I have the honour to be, &c.
M. J. HEXNIKER.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCTOBER ZJ, 1804.
€»py of a Lett tr from the Hen. William Corniuallh. Admiral of tbs White, SV. &e. &fc.
rt William Mtrsdcn, Esq. ; dated on board the F'ilie de farit, in Toriaj, the ZQtb of
October, 1804.
SIR,
I have the honour to enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioner*
of the Admiralty, copies of the several communications transmitted to me from
Captain Moore, of the Indefatigable, giving an account of his proceedings in
the execution of the service he was sent upon, in which he has, in company with
the Medusa, Lively, and Amphion, succeeded in detaining the :panish Frigates
therein named.
Admiral Montague communicated to me the arrival of the Lively at Spithead,
•n the I7th, with the iama.
I have the honour to be, &c.
W. CORNWALLI3.
. Cfcron. floI.XII. T T
322 NAVAL HISTOR.T OF THE P.^ESEUT YEARi
SIR) Indefatigable, at Pea, Oct. 6, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint you, that I have executed the service you did
ire ihe honour to charge inc. with.
O;i the morni: p of the 29th of Septewfrcr, the In«Je£atigabI« pot oH
on the scxh. we I ell in with the '.p1-'"1 Gorc hav"
the Amphion was in the freights' ,\:Outh, and that the i riumph w..s off
Gibraltar, and that Sir Robert Barlow meant to g<> into adiz lor liii trade
there, on hi* way to England; 1 thought fit to send the \ie~usa to apprize Sir
Robert ixirlow of the i;auire oi" my orci.-r, thit lv.- migh tner 01
not he should °-o into C -:ptai:i -ore to rvjoin ITU- with the
Amrhion as soon as DOS-,: St. Marv. On :he id instant, I was
joined by the : ively, and on the 3.=,, by the Midi:-" and Amphion; the latter
having cotwiiunicated , what I fho t Barlow.
Yesterday morning -TV bearing N. E nine leagues, the Mednfa
made the si- j! lor four >ai! W by S. ; 1 made the signal tor a general chase ;
at eight A. M. discovered therm to be four l.u • irh formed
the Line of Battle a-head on 'jiff appro, in t. r Cadiz,
the Van -Ship carrying a broad pctidanr, and th- "Lip nfxt t, her a Rear-Ad-
n-ral's Fla^! Captain Gore's being the headmost ;-hiy, placed the Medusa on,
the vveathc?-1 CMV, of the Commodore; the In took a -imilar position
alongside of the Rear-Admiral ; the Amphion and Lively each taking sui op-
ponent in the same manner, z< they c.t:ne up. After hai ing to make them
shorten sail, without effect, J fired a ihot across the Kear-Adn-.irolV e-foot,
on which he shortened sail; and I sent I ieutenant Ascott. oi the Indefatigable,
to inform him that my orders were to detain 1m Squadron ; that it was my
earnest wish to execute them without blooiishrd, bur tint his extermination
must be made instantly. After waiting some time, 1 made the signal for the
boat, and tired a shot a-head of the Admiral As scon zs the Officer returned
"with an unsatisfactory answer, I fired another fhot a-head of the Admiral, and
bore down close on his wca-her-bow. At this moment the Admiral's Second
a-stern fired into the Amphion; the Admiral fired into the Indefatigable; and
I made the signal for close ba:r!e, which was instantly commenced with all the
alacrity and vigour of English Sailors. In kss than ten minutes, la Mercedts,
the Admiral's Second a-£ttrrn, blew up along-side the Amphion, with a tremen-
dous explosion. Captain Sutton having, with great judgment, and much to my
•atisfaction. phced hin-.ic f to leeward' of trut Ship, the escape of the fcpamsh
Admiral's Ship was rendered almost impossible. In less than half an hour she
struck, as did the opponent of the Lively. Perceiving at this moment the . pa-
nish Commodore was miking off, and seeming to havj the he*U »f the Meduw,
1 made the signal for the Lively to join in the chase, having bciore noticed the
superior sailing of that Ship. Captain Hammond did not lo^e an instant, and
\ve had the satisfaction, long btforc sun-set, to see from our mast-head that the
only remaining ship had surrendered to the Medusa and Lively.
As soon as our boats had taken possession of the Rear Admiral, we made s;
for the flou'ing fragments of the unfortunate ."panUh Frigate which b evy up ;
but, except forty taken u;> by the Amphion's boats, ail on board perished.
This Squadron was commanded by Don Joseph Bustamente, Kni :ht of the Or-
der of St. James, and a Kear-Admiral. They are fiom .V onte Video, Rio dc
la Plata ; and, from the information of tho Captain of the Flag chip, contained
about four millions of dollars, eight hundred thousand oi which were on board
the Mercedes which blew up. O'Jirr accounts stue the quantity of specie to be
much greater, public and private, and there is besides much valuable merchan-
dize on board the captured ships. Our loss has been very trifling, i have not
yet had the returns from the other Ships, but the Indefatigable did not lose a
man. The '-paniards suffered chiefly in their rigging, which was our object.
The Captains of the different Ships conducted themselves so ably, tbr.t no ho-
nour could accrue to me but the fortunate accident of being senior Officer.
The zeal, activity, and spirit of the Officers, Seamen, and Marines of the
Squadron, isbcit evinced by the complete manner in which they performed the-.r
•work. Lieutenants Gore, Parker, and Astott, of the ludcf«ticable, and Lieu-
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YHAR, 1804. 323
tenants Haviland and Hole, of tie Marines, gave me that support which their
uniform gocd conduct formerly targht me to rely on. Mr. Griffith the
Master's conduct h;is my perfect approbation. I presume to recommend, in the
strongest manner, Lieutenant John Gore, of the Indefatigable, to your favour
and protection.
I have the honour to be, &c.
GRAHAM MOORE.
Force of tie Spanish Squadron.
La Medee, (Flag Ship,) 42 guns, i8-pounders, on the main-deck, and 300 men,
taken; two men killci), and ten wounded.
La Fima, (Commo 'ore's Ship,) 36 guns, iz-pounders, on the main -deck, and
280 men, taken; no returns. ^
La Clara, 36 guns, la-pounders, on the main-deck, and 300 men, taken; no
returns.
La Mercedes, 36 guns, 12 -pounders, on the main-ckck, and a8o men, blew
up ; second Captain and forty men saved.
Indefatigable, Plymouth Sound,
SIR, . October 19, 1804.
I have to inform ycu of the arrival at this port of his Majesty's Ship under my
command, with the .Amphion, which I thought proper to.order to England for
the security of the two pani;,h 1 r gates la Medee and la Clara, which we have
Brought in with us. Vv'e have seen nothing of the Medusa and Lively, with the
Spanish i-rigate la Fama, sinde the evening of the action, when they parted
from us. I enclose a copy of the account delivered to me by the .-<panish Major
.of the Squadron, of the treasure and cargo on board the four Ships.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) GRAHAM MOORE.
The Hon. Ailixiral Cornwallis,
A General Statement of tie Goods and Effects brought ly the Frigates of this Divh!ont
commanded by Don Jitstyb de Biutan:ente y Gucrra, Chief of the Squadron of tb*
Royal Navy.
On Account of the King.
Mcdee-- 35 sacks of Vidona wool, 20 chests and sacks of cascari'.la, 1627 bars
of tin, 203 piL'S ot copper, and 521 940 dollar* in silver
Famu - 30- 'bars ot tin. 28 planks of wood, and 35,000 dollars in silver
3\ cra-dtn — 20 sack'-, of Vidona WOK!, 20 cht-ts and sacks of cabCanlla, 1139
bars ot tin 96 r pigs, of copper, md 221 oo do lars in silver.
Clara— 20 sacks of Vidona wooi, 2C c e-t-. and sacks of cascarilla, 1666 bars
of tin, 571 pigs of copper, and 234 694 dollars in silver.
Total — 75 sutks of Vidona wool, '60 chests and sad- 8 of cascarilh, 4732
Lars of tin, 1735 pigs pf copper, -8 planks of wood, and 1.307,634 dollars in
silver.
On Account f tie Merchants.
Medef.— 32 chests of ratlin* 952.619 dollars in silver. 2-9,502 gold, re«
duced into dollars, and 24 6oc ingots ot gold reduced imn di.llais
lama 3 6.^97 dojiars ni silvn-. 217,756 gold, reiUn.etl into dollars, and
25,411 ingots of yold, reduced into dollars.
A-lercedcs — 59 - LOO dollars in silver.
Clara — 622 400 i;old, nducfd into dOl'ars.
Total-32 ch;>ts of ratinia, 1,859 ^fi dollars in si'ver, 1,1 19,658 gold, rf»
duccd ipto-<ioHar9, uu,; ijo,0n iu-ois .; told, i-educcu into dpiiai.-.
324 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE TRESENT TEAR,
Ox Recount oftbe Marine Company.
Medec — 8995 seal skins.
Fatna — 14,930 seal s-kins.
Clara — 10 pipes of seal oil.
Total — 26,925 seal skins, and 10 pipes of seal oij>
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 2J.
C»fy of a Letter from Captain Mint, if bis Majesty's Ship the Indffatigablc, to Wil-
liam. Mar*dfnt Efq. dated the Hit Instant.
SIR,
1 herewith transmit to you, for their Lordships' information, a return of thp
killed and wounded on board his IVlaje-ty's .-hips in the action of the 5th of Oc-
tober 1804, tpgeiher with the loss of the Spaniards.
I am, Sir, &c.
GRAHAM MOORE.
Indefatigable — None.
Medusa — Her return not received.
Amphion — Lieut. William Bennett, wounded, three Seamen and one Marine
grounded, badly.
Lively— Two killed, four wounded.
La Medee (the Spanish Admiral — Two killed, ten wounded.
La Clara — Seven killed, twenty wounded.
La Fama — Eleven killed, and fifty wounded.
La Mercedes — Blown up, the Second Captain and forty-five Men saved bj
the Amphion, all the rest perished.
GRAHAM MOORF.
HOME REPORTS.
NORTH SEA.
August — September — October.
DEAL, ADGUST 9.
*]PHI3 morning arrived his Majesty's Ships Ardent and Veteran, with theEv;ry.
-"- alus Frigate, from Dungeness. Just arrived his M.ijes-ty's hhip Abundance;
farted with the Jamaica Fleet the 23d of Ju'y in a gale of wind and thick fog,
IT rr convoy of his Majesty's Ships Bellerophon. Luquesne, and another Ship
ef War, in lat. 42° 54', long. 41° 55', consisting of about 157 Sail of Merchai.f
Ships.
jo. Wind S. W. blows hard. Sailed la Poulctte Sloop of War to Ports-
mouth.
SLccrncss, Aug. ii. Late this evening came in from the Great Nore, the
Commissioners and the Gentlemen of the Navy Pay Office, after paying the
Adamant, Vulture, Crescent, and Vesuvius It has blown a heavy gale all
day. The former ."-hip is now getting under weigh fortr.e I. owns, from whence
she will sail lor Portsmouth. The Viietcr and Batavier are now sailing for
Chatham, there to be paid off, and the Petty Officers and Men turned over to
other Ships. La Virginie Frigate, Captain B=resford, wiil be put out of com-
mission this evening ; the ."hip's Company are already draughted. The large
West Indijman, which unfortunately grounded the other night off South End,
•jt i» feared will shortly go to pieces.
Yarmouth, Aug. u. De Goyes Verwagting, Dike, from the North Sea, whi^
tail and salt fish, is sent in by his Majesty's S..ip Rattler.
«A-VAL HISTORY OF THE PR'ESENT YEAR, 1604* JJJ
J)eal, Aug. IT. On the 9th inst sailed with the Pcnilette Sloop of War, the
following Ea?t Indiamtn, viz. Harriet, Huddart, Lord Keith, and Union, for
the Fast Indies. Arrived the Beilerophon Man of War, Capt. Loring, with the
^lomeward-bound Jamaica Meet, consisting of ni .ety-six Sail, for London.
ii. Sailed yesterday the Romney Man of War, to Shcerness; the Planta-
genet to Plymouth. Arrived the Harpy Sloop of War, Captain Hey wood, and
Alonzo, from a cruize off the French coast, and remain in the Downs with hi*
Majesty's Ships. - «.
13. WindS. blows hard. Sailed the homeward-bound Jamaica Fleet foe
the River, and the Blazer Gun-brig for Sheernew.
Yarmoutb, Aug. 14. Sailed the Magicienne Frigate on a cruize. The Diana,
Burnby ; and Success, Brand ; both from Sui.dcrland, with coals, last night got
on shore at Eccles, about two miles from Hap[i-burgh; but both, with their
cargoes, will probably be saved. Last night a large Vessel, su- posed to be fo-
re'£n> got OD Happisburgh Sand, where it is feared she will be lost.
Dial, Aug. 14. Sailed this mornine the Alert Lugger, wi'h the Hon. East
India Company's Ship Ocean, for the*ast Indies. His \ Tajesty's Ships Ardent
and Veteran, to Dungeness; Immortalire and Leda Frigates, with Constant and
Conflict Gun-brigs, on a cruize off Boulogne.
Deal, dug. 1 6. His Majesty's iHhip Beilerophon, Immortalitc Frigate, and
Harpy Sloop of War, which tailed yesterday, arc, owing to the strong 6. W.
winds, returned to the Downs.
17. Wind S. S. W. Squally. This morning came down from the River, the
Huddart ou:ward-bound East Indiarp.an ; also from Sh erncss, la oeine Frigate.
Arrived the Ardent Man of War, and .Zephyr l-.loop of War, from a cruizt.
Yarmouth, Aug. 16, Arrived the Amethyst Frigate, from the Fleet off the
Texel. Arrived the ctag Cutter, from the Fleet off Flushing, which sh left all
•weH. This morning a large Hoy got on the Barber, and it is feared will go to
piece?.
Sbccrnets, Aug. 1 6. This morning sailed the Baltic trade, under convoy of the
Mercator armed Ship, with a fine breeze at S.W. The l.eyden, Batavier, Be-
schermer, Dictator, and Vlieter, have gone to Chatham to be paid off The
Rattler hat) arrived, and the ^enehas sailed, as has also the Vesuvius Bomb
Vessel, with the Vulture Sloop, and Zephyr File-ship, for the Downs.
Deal, Aug. 18. Sailed yesterday, after post, his jViajtsty's ."-hip Adamant, to
Portsmouth ; Veteran, to Dungeness; the Alert Lugger, with a large Fleet of
outward-bound Merchant Ships, Transports, Coasters, and Colliers, under
convoy to Portsmouth. Sailed through the Downs last night, the Asia, Wa-
iher, for Jamaica; and Parthian, Cjawford, from Newcastle, for Portsmouth
and Jamaica.
19. Sailed his Majesty's Ship Beilerophon, to Portsmouth, with the Ardent,
Euryalus, Leda, immortalite, la Seine, and Ariadne, Frigates ; Bonetia aud
Harpy Sloops of War ; with stveral Gun-brigs, on a cruize to the Trench coast,
and the Huddart and Ocean East Indiamen for India ; Sprightly, Bacon, for the
South Seas; Orcina, Etherson, Gibraltar; Factor, Pimperton, New York;
Queen, Dymond, Lisbon; Norfolk, Parker, Jamaica; with several other out-
\vard-bound Ships.
Yarmouth, Aug. 2Z. Sailed the Jamaica Frigate, Hermes Sloop, and Conflict
Gun biig. Tins day arrived the Curlew and Cormorant Sloops of War, and
'Brake Cutter. Wind N.W.
Deal, Aug. 22. Sail -d the Crescent Frigate to the westward, Vesuvius and
Sulphur Bombs, on a cruize; Skelton Castle East Indiaman, and sevtial other
outward-bound Vessels for Portsmouth. Arrived the Dasher armed bhip.
23. Sailed the £cbra li< mb, for b'heerness ; Monarch Man of War, admiral
Lord Keith; Rtjrulus and Castor Frigates, Orestes Sloop of War, Mariner Gun-
brig, Lord Keith Cutter, Devastation, Fury, and Lucifer Bomb», on a cruize
off the French coast; the Matilda Cartel, for th River, having discharged htr
French prisoners on board the Ardent Cartel, which has sailed to the westward.
"Wind N.
Sbcerncts, Aug. 23. Arrived his Majesty's Ship Dnquesne, from the Downs,
aud has gone to Chatham to be refitted. The Lioa arnud -hip bus al.o arrived,
326 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT TKAR, 1804.
with the Tartar Revenue Cutter, {rnm Elsincnr ; the former remains at the
Little >ore, and the latter has gone to Deptford to refit J he Ajgonaut, of 64
guns, is ordered to be fitted as an Hospkal hip at Chatham.
Deaf, Aug. 24. Arrived h s Majesty's Ship .v.agnai^mc, from off Havre, and
has sailed for Sheerne-s. Wind S \Y.
Yarmouth, Aug. 24. Arrived thi morning from the Texel. with dispatches
ef importance, the Magicienne Frigate, Capt. Mackenzie, bailed th- Curlew
Sloop of War to the Southward, and the Vixen tun-brig, with several foreign
Ships, laden with naval stores, sent in by the N< "li ea Fleet. Wind N I
Deal, Aug. 2$. Arrived last ni^ht his Majesty's ; hip Monar h, Admiral
Right Hor. Lord Keith, with the Ca>tor Frigate, Speculator Lugger, and Lord
Keith C utter, from a cruize oft" the French coast, .-aiicd the Helena Sloop of
War, with the Crown and Ceres copper armed Transports, and several other
out a rn bound ->hij->s, under convoy to Portsmouth; and Ceres, ilocbfield, ft,r
Dcmarara, Arrived the Pailleur Sloop of V\'ar, from Sheerncss.
26. Sailed the Eugenie loop of War, on a cruize off Ostend ; the Railleur
tnd Alert ditto, to Dungeress ; and the Curlew d.tto, to the Nore.
Tarmoulb, Aug. 30. Yesterday sailed the i.'iadem a-med .hip, for Shield's,
and the Anacrron ditto, forthe Lovvns. and, on a cruize, the Uecate, Censor,
|knd Ferretter Gun-brigs .Bailed the London armed >hip, the kepuhe and
Champion Cutters. Arrived the Clyde I rigate, Pri cess Augusta and Alert
Cutters. Passed to the southward, with the loss of her anchors and cables on
tfce Dutch coast, his iVlajesU *s .hip Prince*, o: Orange.
SLeerness. Aug. 30. Airi,-~ hii Majesty's -hip Magnanime, and has come
into the harbour to refit. The Mediator, of 4.; guns, came down the River on
the zSth, and sailed for the Downs immediately: the Part and Rattler .-loops
have also sailed for the Downs, and the Lion armed "hip, with a Fleet of about
sixty Sail, for the Baltic. The 'pitfire is paid off, and J.iid up in ordinary.
Yarmouth, Srpf. z. Friday afternoon sailed the Clyde Frigate on a cruize ; and
the Favoujrite Cutter, with di-p itches for Admiral '1 hornborough. Yesterday
passed this port, and was joined by several hhips, the outward bound
Fleet, under convoy of the I ion armed * hip. Arrived the Dr ke Cutter. This
day arrived the Censor Gun-brig, and a GJHot, sent in by the North Sea Fleer.
Deal, &ft. 2. Arrived and sailed for the River, the Eliza, Ann, Union, and
Sir William Pulteney, from Bengal; r!«o arrived the Prevoyante .-tore-ship,
•with a Fleet under convoy from the Mediterranean, which are sailed for Stan-
gate Creek, to perform quarantine. .caiie •' the ' iscovery. Sulphur, Volcano,
and Fury, Bombs, for Kluerr^s. Arrived the Vesuvius Bomb, from
Shecrnesi Sept. 3. Arrived hi? Majesty's hip Princess cf Orange, with the
loss of her rudder; the Clyde has also arrived, and come into harbour : it is ex-
pected she will be paid off, as she is in very had condition. The Cleopatra has
come into the river '! hamts, and wjll be paid off to-morrcw. The Polyphemus
has also come from Chatham, and gone to the Nore.
Deal, Sept. 3. The Vulcan. culphur, and i'isrovery Combs, \vhich tailed
yesterday from the Downs for Shecrness, were la t nijjht recalled by
4. Sailed the Utile Sloop of War, Vesuvius, Volcano, ar.d Di'covc.1 y, Bombs,
on a cruize off Boulogne, Heron Sjoop of War for PortMi.outh. Oi
of War on a cruize off Calais, and Diadem and Atlas armed defence Saips, for
Dungeness.
Hull. Seft. 3. The Royalist and Osbonrne, two large Ships now fitting out
at thi? port as Transports, carrying 16 or 18 32-pcund cam a.idfr, are raking in
one moi th's provision, and will proceed to the N^ re $s 'con as ready. '1 he
whole of cur Greenland Whalers, to the amount of forty Sail, have now reached
this port iu safety, with the exception of theDv.ina, lost in the wett ice. I hey
have had one of the most succc-siu! s a-ons ever experienced. N--t a >ing!e hip
returned without a t lerjble cc- ;£;«•. evciai ol -'n board nineteen fisii,
and 337 were the amount of the fk1; L.-cught by the Fleet. The Newcastle
Whalers have also all arrived, ai;d their success has been '. c^r y equal. '1 he
whale fishery, by the- rc-tiuns horn all rhe ports, has be n mcie successful thi»
season than almost any une ever remembered.
Deal, &•//. 7. Arrived rhe Vesuvius bomb from : rr.rvjcr arm?d
Ship ; Bloodhound and Jackall Gun brigs, from off Boul.
KAVAL HISTORY OV THE PRESENT YEAR, l8o|. ^J/
Yesterday morning the Ardent, cf 64 guns, weighed anchor from Dover
Roads, and stood over towards Boulqgre: she was joined, about mid-channel,
by the Ships oi our Squ uircn, that have ior some days past been re victualled,
&c. at Duiipencss, \\ht-n tlit-y all mad.- for Boulogne Roads Yesterday, about
twelve o'clock, a firing, which had been heard all the morn1!!*,1;, became very-
tremendous: it is understood to have b^en caused in the fottowisg manner.
Yesterday morning, at tid • time, A!> >ut fifty-three of the- enemy's Gun-boats
and Gun-briars came out of (.)•.(• :mi, and attempted to get along shore to Bou-
logne, when they were attacker* l-v our cru.zers. The only Vessel* that were
alile to annoy the Ho'tilla were . i, Orestes loop of A ar, and Bloodhound Gun-
'•e of '.lie enemy's '.iun-brigs. and a i ;rge Praam, succeeded in mak-
in'; Boulogne; the rest ia.i into Calais. I an: sorry to hear that the First Lieu-
ten nt and Master of the • restes are wounded, though 1 understand only
•lightly, and one man of the Bloodhound mortally.
The Orestes loop of War had sever*! s.hot through her, and received da-
maee in her foie-top mast. One of our ngares, the Immortalite, got be-
calmed close in with the batteries berwer-n C 'lavs and Boulogne, i he« kept up
a continual cannon, de upon htr until dark, and her boats wer- observed a-head
towing
Sfjternw. Stft. io. Came into haibour the Vesuvius, from the Downs. The
J.iveiv Fiigu , Captain Hammond, has come down the River; as has also the
Greyhound, from Chatham, winch Ship was p«irt to day. The Clyde Frigate
has mailed for Dej-trord to be paid off. The Monkey Gun-brig is undocked,
and the Curlew Sioop docked
Deal, Sept io. .-ailed the Perseus armed defence Ship, for Shields ; and the
Prevoymtc ron¥-s''ip, for Woolwica Arrived the Lord Nelson armed defence
Ship, from rl.. nonhward.
P. S. Just arnv-d rhe Monarch Man of War, Admiral Lord Keith; and the
Castor Frigate Captain Hi , ice, from a cruize off the French coast.
Yarmouth, ttfpt 12. Arrived from Sheerness the Lleopatra Frigate, where
she has been p i . Yesterday sailed the Vixen Gun-brig ; and this day the
Censor Gun-brig, on a cruize. Remain the Monmouth Flag bhip, Penelope,
Amethyst, and Cleopatra, Frigates, Inspector Sioop, Venus Lugger, Earl St.
Vincent and Badger Cutters r
Deal, Sept. iz. Put b.ick the Princess Elizabeth, Forresdale, for New Pro-
vidence, and remains in the Downs with his Majesty's J~hips as per last; armed
defence Ships, and coppered armed Transports, as before.
Yarmouth Sept. 14. Yesterday the Katinka, B. H. Schoenmaker, Master,
from Rotterdam, with salt, bound to the North Sea herring fishery, was sent
in by the Ferretter ; uud the Drie Gebiotders, Seebes, bound to B-irtlc Haven,
w th lime, by the >. onstance Frigate. Sailed this morning the Cleopatia Fri-
gate, with live stock and vegetables for the North Se.i Fleet.
Deal, Sept. : 4. baikd the Watchful and Wrangler Gun-brigs 01 a cruize off
the 1-rench coast. Came down Lorn heerness rue Greyhound i-ngate, Devas-
tation and i.ucifer Bombs, < racker und Haughty Gun brigs.
Sbeerness, Seft IJ- lit'lay ai;t,,noou sailed in., Brad^iek sloop, with 44 Sail
of Ship under couvoy for rhe Baltic. .'-• • ively ngate, for the
North .-eaj and the Monkey and j.ifleiiMii G ..-brigs, ior ti.c Downs. The
Glatton has arrived, as has also the Kiny armed ^hi}>
Deal, Seft 17. ra»scd tlie hack oi the Goodwin ands, the Lively Frigate
to the westward, bailed the King eoi ;e Cutter on a cruize, and the Devas-
tation Bomb, with the outward-bound VcssiJ.-. under convoy, for Portsmouth.
Arrived the Watchtui Gun brig, from a cru.ze. Came Uowu fxom .-hcerneai
the i-clter and Riikman Gun brigs.
ao. Wind VV N. W Arrived-hw Majjjsry's -hip Thisbe, with the home-
ward bound L.ecvvard Is, and Fleet. con-.i tjiiu ^' about 44 ^uil, whicli are sailed
for the River; amongst which is the iviunau, \\ii-on, laden with coffee and
cotton, from Sunpam being the first >hip trom ihat colony since it- being in
the possession of the British. Came down from bheernc-s the Vesuvius .•.olilb^
The Jamaica, Orestes, and Mariner, with several c-.irii.-r .ihips oi War, are by
the westerly winds blown from their cruizing stations ofi tue French coast into
the Downs.
j:8 KA7AL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT TEAR," 1804.
Dover, Se/>t. 23. Yesterday morning was launched from Mr. King's yard atf
this place, a very fine Sloop of War, of 18 guns, named the Espoir. Sir Home
Popham returned yesterday afternoon at five o'clock, and embarked again this
morning at nine, taking with him a new large boat, which he has had built
here. Admiral Lord Keith sailed yesterday evening on board the Monarch,
from the Downs, for I'ungeness. ') hr Greyhound Fiigate, Spy Sloop, and
Tigress Oun-brig, sailed at the same time. Sailed this afternoon the Immorta-
lite Frigate, and Tartarus Bomh, for their station off Boulogne ; and the Surat
Castle East India Ship, for Portsmouth.
Deal, Sept. 23. Arrived la Seine Frigate, and several other Ships of War,
from off the French coast ; also the Jackall Gun-brig, with the loss of her fore
top-mast Came down the Ark and the Active armed Transports. »
i 24. Sailed yesterday the Surat Cattle East Indiaman, for the East Indies;
also this morning the Pylades Sloop of War, with Bold, Basilisk, and Mallard
Gun brig-i, to Sheernes?. Arriv d the Lady Warren armed Ship, from Ply-
mouth, with convoy, which are sailed for the River. Arrived the Venus French
Privateer, being the Piize taken by the Eliza Ann and Union East Indiamen.
Wind N. N. W.
Deal, Seff 35. Sailed the Jamaica, la Seine: and Champion, Frigates; Darr,
Orestes, Speedy, and Hermes, with many other ."loop* of War, and a Fleet of
armed defence Ships, Gun brigs, and Cutters, to their several cruizing stations
off the French coast.
26 Arrived yesterday his Majesty's Ship Monarch. Admiral Right Hon.
Lord Keith, from a cruize c.ff the French coast. Sailed through the Downs,
the President, Lynch, for Naples. Sailed the Greyhound Frigate, Capt. El-
phinstone, with several other Ships of War, to their respective stations oft" the
French coast. Came down from :-heerness. the Agamemnon Frigate, and re-
mains in the Downs with his Majesty's Ships Monarch, Utrecht, Inflexible,
Castor, Penelope, Amiable, Orestes, Eugenia, Dasher, and J^ckall ; armed
defence Ships,*and coppered armed Transports as before.
D-ie'. Sept. 26. Nothing new has transpired since my last, respecting the
Boulogne Flotilla. Sir Sidney Smi'h is arrived here. The new Sloop of War
launched here, is already near?-/ fit for sea.
Margei;, Sept. :6. A Danish Brig, laden with fir and iron, struck on a rock
about twelve o'clock last night, off the Foreland. The Captain finding that
she made a great deal of water, he, and nine of his men, there being only eleven
on board, took to the Boat : — the other man. conceiving it would be safest to
remain on board, lashed himself to the shrouds ; and, while in that awful situ-
at on, had the additional misfortune of seeing the Boat overset, and the whole
of those who were in it swallowed up by the waves. I was yesterday at Rams-
gate, where I taw the Vessel go down on the Goodwin Sands, the unfortunate
sufferer still remaining in the shrovds ; but Boats put off immediately to his as-
sistance, and brought him safe to shore.
Instructions have been i^ui-.d from Admiral Lord Keith, dated on hoard the
Monarch, in the Downs, for the line of conduct to be adopted by the different
Flotillas employed for the defence of the coast. The directions commence with
the explanation of a code of signals which are to direct their movements, which
we do not d.em it prudent to publish.
Memorandum — Tn shallow water the persons best acquainted will be expected
to lead; and when Boats or Vessels are sent a-head of any of his Majesty's Ships,
they are to h-.ist and* lower the ensign anew for every fathom of water they are
in, and to hoist it half up for a half fathom.
In case of being obliged to tike shelter any where in had weather, it is ex-
pected that the loyal Cr<-ws will use every possible exertion to regain their for-
mer station, and join their friends; and in the event of subduing any of the
enemy's Vessels or Boats, it is directed that they shall cut away all their masts,
r'gg'ng» cables, anchors, rudders, &c. (for which purpose they should go forth
provided with axes, hatchets, saws, or choppers), and throw overboard their
oars, and all the arms that may be found on board them ; but not to take pos-
•ession of them, or take the people out, until the whole shall be discomfited.
By command of the ADMIRAL.
329
Margate, Seft. 28. In consequence of an order from Government, a meeting
rf the Owners of the Hoys, now lying in the harbour, was convened, for the
purpose of arming them for the defence of the coast ; when the following
(eighteen well-built Vessels were taken up for that purpose, viz. Lord Nelson,
Queen, Providence, King George, Concord, Industry, Fortune, Ocean, Old
Hero, New Good Intent, Mary, Old Good Intent, Endeavour, Fox, New Hero,
Unity, Robert and M«ry, Union. The Sea Feneibles to man these armed Ves-
sels were then appointed, and the particular men for each were seld ted and ap-
proved of. The number amounts to i6z, nine being allowed for each Vessel,
\vhich, including the Captain, increases the complement to ten.
Dover, Sept. 30. All the Ships of War in Dover Roads, about seventeen, got
under weigh. The signals were made along the coast. About twenty Ships of
War, hali cur Squadron at Dungeness, sailed from thence, the o her half re-
maining west of the Ness. They worked up towards Boulogne, but made very-
little way. At this time, about one o'clock yesterday, there were about thirty
French Gun-boats outside Boulogne harbour, and the gallant Captain Owen,
*vith the Imrhortalitc, and about ten small Ships of War, watching them.—
About this time, too, it being high water, the three Praams got into Calais.
Had they remained much longer out, our cruizers would have attacked them.
They are long large Vessels, carrying thirty or forty guns. '] his day the re-
mainder of our Squadron sailed from Dungeness, and fs now working up to-
wards Boulogne and Calais, but it is making very little way, as the wind, very
gentle, is from the north-east. The day is hazy, so that little can be seen; but
\ve know the enemy have not attempted to leave Calais, and we can see that
the French coast is lined with our cruizers. A Boat has landed from the Bou-
logne .'•quadron, with dispatches for Mr. Pitt, which were immediately for-
warded to Walmer Castle. Arrived the Diligent Cutter, with ktgs of geueva,
sent in by the Leda, Captain Honyman.
X)fal, Sept. 30. Sailed yesterday afternoon, his Majesty's Ship Vonarch, Ad-
miral Right Hon. Lord Keith, with the Castor Frigate, Captain Brace, and
Orestes Sloop of War, Captain Bresen, to reconnoitre the Fre-nch coast.
Arrived his Majesty's Ship Antelope, Captain Eazely, from a cruize,
and remains in the Downs with his Majesty's Ships Utrecht and Inflexible, Ai-
enable and Penelope Frigates, Mariner Gun brig; defence Ships and armed
Transports as before.
Fcttstenr, Seft. jQ. Yesterday, the wind being N.E. several small Vessclf
weighed from Dungeness for Boulogne. This day, wind E.b.E. many moregot.
under weigh for the same station.
Deal, Oct. 2. Wind S.S.W. .Sailed 1'Aimablc Frigate, Captain Boulton, on
a cruize to the French coast.
Sljeerness, Oct. 2. Yesterday was paid at the Nore, the Glatton, of 50 guns,
Captain Colnett, and the Basilisk Gun-brig. The Defence, 74 puns, Captaia
G Hope, is ordered to Chatham, there to be repaired. The Pyladi s Sloop of
War is ordered by the Admiralty to be paid off at this port, and the Petty Offi-
cers and Men to be turned over to other Ships It is supposed tiie Argo. oi 44
guns, Captain Parker, now in the harbour, will also be paid off. The Zebra,
Captain Parkinson, is now taking in her bombs, shells, &c. and v*ill sail, when
paid, to join Lord Kei h.
Extract of a Letter from Deal, October 4.
«' The attempt at Boulogne was to try the practicability cf burning the cne*
Bay's hhips, when out in Boulogne roads. For this purpose a new sort cf Fire*
ship was invented. Three bmacks were loaded with barrels of gun powder,
covered with flint stones c osely stowed together so as to make the greater ex-
plosion. The bmacks were sunk very low in the water, painted to resemble th«
se-a, so that at night they could scarcely be distinguished fiom the water ; they
looked like a large chest, or a largo plank floating; below them was hung a box
of machinery, something like clock-work; it would go any time from ten mi-
nutes to six hours; after a line was pulltd ; the person conducting it was to time
the period of explosion, so that it might so oft' with most effect. '1 hs :'iuack«
being towed by our Ships, as, near as possible to the enemy, were then to bs
tf at. Cjjron. OioI.XII. u w
3JO NAfAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1834.
towed by a person in a small boat, called a catamaran, which he was to pa<Hlf,
the cat n ma ran being very low in the water. The whole of this apparatus could
scarcely be distinguished from the sea. Of the Smack only a plank cou'd be
seen float'ng, and only the person shead above water in tK catamaran could b«
distin. uished. Besides these "macks, there were five Sloops fitted as Fire-ships ;
they were towed in by D<nl BoSts. The Coffers, or Struck*, were silently con-
ducted inside tiie French bhips, that is, between them and the shore. They
were not 'it all discovered, nor did the enemy seem to apprehend wli.it was go-
ing on. The Smacks were conducted up to the enemy's .Ships, laid close along-
<\dc of them, and fastened to them. The persons conducting them then set off
the machinery, giving themselves time to escape, and then paddled away in
their catamarans. The explosion took place most happily, and three Vessels of
the enemy, of the largest class, were immediately on fire. The French now be-
gan to fire their cannon and musketry, and make a terrible bustle ; but they
were so taken by surprise and astonishment, they knew not what to do. At this
time the five Sloops, fitted as Fire-ship*, were sent down upon them; one of
them, by some accident, burnt too soon ; another, the French boarded as a
prize, and a great many of their Boats, filled with Soldiers, were around it
when it blew up, and did dreadful mischief, blowing up in the air, or drowning1
several hundreds of the enemy. The other five S oops went away in fine style,
and did great mischief. The explosions and illuminations were beyond every
thing grand ; many vessels all on fire, with their yards and rigging blazing,
were seen sailing, some to devour, some trying to escape. 7'he whole of our
Boulogne Squadron were close to the enemy, our of reach of the land- batteries.
JLord Keith and Sir Home 1'opham were on board the Monarch; J.ord Mel»
ville was either on board the Monarch or the Aitnable. All the boats of the
Fieet were ordered our, and were rowing about, to pick up any of our men that
might be wounded, and thro\vn into the water. Happily not one life was lost,'
and only one Midshipman was wounded in the cheek. Such was the good con-
tequences of keeping this ; ttack secret. The enemy had 110 expectation r>! it,
and were completely astonished. The tremendous explosions and blazes struck
them with panic. They took to their Boats, fired musketry and cannon without
object. After our Fire-ships had all been properly disposed of, our Squadron
drew off, as they were very near the shore. Before the attack, fifty-three of
the enemy's Ships were counted outside of Boulogne; at day-light after the at-
tack, only «even or eight ccjld be seen. Eleven were at one time counted OH
fire, and it is suppo-ed about forty were destroyed, though some, perhaps,
escaped into Boulogne harbour before day light in the morning. The attack
began at ten at night, and the last explosion was a little before four o'clock in
the morning. A gale springing up, our Fleet stood away for the Downs, where
they arrived last night. Lords Melville and Keith, and a large party, went to
?-fr. Pitt, at Walmer, to congratulate him on the success of this experiment.
It was first intended 10 have been made among some craft at Dungene?«. but it
•was determined totiyit at once on the enemy; and the result is, tMt if the
French lie out in any numbers, we can burn them; and they mu=t lie out in
.numbers, as it will take several days to bring out all the Flotilla for rin attempt
a: invasion By these Fire-ships we ?hall be able to destroy the first Detach-
ment before a second or a third can arrive; so that it seems we have hit upon
.. plan of defeating this much-boasted Boulogne Armada. When it was frst
known here that the attempt had succeeded, the destruction of forty or fifty
Vessels was magnified into 150. The particulars 1 now send are written from
the month of an Officer who commanded one of the Boat* sent to pick up the
aim."
Extract of a fri-vate Ltttcr, dated of Boulogne .
" On the ad of this month, the Boats and Fire Vessels went from their own
, to the • hips of rende/voui. At six P.M. Admiral Lord Keith went from his
awn -•ihip on board of one of the Cutters : at half past six P.M. he went from
the Cutter on board of the Ardent, and half past seven P M. he went on board
of the Cutter again, and then proceeded to the Immortalite, and at eight P.M.
)u isft the Immoruluc, and went on board the Greyhound, and at niue P.M.
KATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 33!
Jve left that Ship jnd went on board of the Cutter, and proceeded along the
eoa«t. The Boats and four Vessels of th e fir-t division had then gone on the ex-
pedition, ^tten P.M his Lordihip left the Cutter, and proceeded along the
coast in bis Ba^ge ; the enemy made the signal, acd alarmed the coast, and our
brave Tars began and attacked in the mat.ner of lii.rons. At twenty minute*
past ten, A. M. the Providence bk-w up ; at twenty min-.tes before eleven. A.M.
the Peggy, ditto; at one, A.V. the Devonshire, auto; and at half past two,
A. M the -\irity, ditto. Th? hst-mciitionrd Vessel that blew up, I think,
made more noise, and must have done more damage to the enenjy, than any of
the rest, as she got nearer than the others to the enemy's Ves'els. The gallant
Admiral wis in the Barge the whole time close in Besides the four Fire-shijr s
before ment oned, ther- v;re fofor of what i< r lied Fire-coffers, filled with
combustibles, which swim jus: above the MKUCC if t!ie water, and be>ng ner.rly
of the same colou. , are h rdly perccp- S',-, particularly of a dark night '• each of
these was filled with about forty barr-.s .f ,>o \ d,:r "
Deal, Oct. 4 Arrived his Majesty's -h;p Monarch, Admiral the flight
Hon. Lord Keith, and -, n'ent. Capr. .\ inthrop, with Immortalite, faster,
Greyhound, and Jamaica, Frigates- Dirt, Harpy, Orestes, At.t'.mn, Hermes,
Eugenie, Speedy, Alonzo, and Scou j-e. Sloops of War; Fury, : .ucifer, Volcano,
Discovery, Devastation, and Sulphur, Bombs; Starling, Conflict, and Tigress,
Gun-brigs; armed defence Ships. &c. from off the Trench coast. Arrived also
the Thrasher, i>her, Rifleman, and Pho.-po<-us, Fire ships, from off Ercst.
7. The wind being coutrary, the greater part of our blockading Squadron
remain in the Downs, but are busily employed in taking in stores and provis -
ons, &c. in order to resume their station the moment opportunity offers. Lord
Keith was here on Friday, giving the necessary ord«:s to the aptains of the
Fleet: indeed everything wears the appearance of bu-tle at.d eiitcrj-rNe, and
tome important event may soon be expected. — Arrived i;i tho Downs, the
Charlotte Schooner, Lieut. Alt, wi;h dispatches from the blockading -<p:idron
off Dieppe: she brings the account of an action between the English ^..-^uron
and the French Flotilla which came out of Havre-de-Gruce, consistLij of
33 Gun-brigs, 28 Schooners and Luggers, and one large Praam, carrying two
mortars and zogucs, the whole of which wore dispersed. It is hoped thit some
of them will be taken by the Cruizers. When the Charlotte left the Sqtadion,
the Falcon and Rattler Sloops were in chafe of a Praam and Brig, 'i h- - am-
perdown Cutter in chase of two Luggers, on Friday afternoon, the 5th instant.
Arrived, the Sarah, Maxwell; Montreal, -auiruon; Quebec, Anaud; Ma y,
Thomson; Duke, Samford; City of Edinburgh, l-'ostgate ; Stert, valley; fruin
Quebec; and Minerva, Ford, from Lisbon; o.id Railed for the Riv. r
Yarmouth, Oct. 1 . — Arrived last night, with m ils and passengeis, and several
Hanoverian soldiers from Husum, tne Prince ./f Wul-s Packet, C^pt H-.-urn.
Yesterday the Africaine Frigate, of 44 guns, C;.ff. I homas M. ;d .n
the Roads, having on board Rear-Aum;ral Tl, on, borough, u tly ^i
off for Gloucester in a post-chaise and four. Capu Manby sailed from these
Roads three days ago, and carried out kcar-Adnvr.ii Kussell, whom he led on
board the F.agle, of 74 g;;ns. Our Fleet, coiisi-r-ng of five Sail ot tlie l.m- ,
three Frigates, two Brigs, and five Cutter*, were nil w-, il, but uow iii p.'.ir of
meeting the Dutch Fleet at sea till next summer. The Africmne is to be
refitted with all dispatch, and then proceed to se.i ; the activity of tin- Frigate
is truly meritorious. Lord Levison Gower will certainly arrive in three or four
days. The Amethyst Frigate is ready to receive his Lordship and sunc;
Capt, Spranger has fitted up the cabin with a degree of elegance rarely to
be met with. The Athalion Frigate sailed yesterday lot the Nore, to be refuted
and paid.
Deal, Oct. II. Wind S.W. Blows hard, with rain. Arrived yesterday
evening, the General Stuart East Indiaman, from the Last Indie*, and run.^as
in the Downs.
An Oil.cer belongip.g to the Squadron off Boulogne, wriu-s as fo lows: —
'' In addition to the Officers employed off t online, meut:oiu^d in Lord
Keith's official letter of the jd ii:st. y<.u will favour me to inscit u..
vho were not on'y Volunteers on the o c.tsion, but actually em;
charged with conveyicg carcases for the purpose of destroying the e
332
Flotilla, consequently j-hared the dangers of the night. In justice to thciq
Officers, I think it but fair their names should likewise appear in publict
Leopard, Lieutenants Flliston and Pearce.
_, < Lieutenants Orchard and Bridges.
Veteran, } Mr. Rooke, Midshipman.
- , ( Lieutenants Parker and |A lainwaring.
**e a> f .'/tcssrs. Lloyd and Crawford, Midshipmen.
,. , { Lieutenants Tucker and Williams, Acting-Lieutenant
Euryalus, ^ sibthorp.
Adamant, Lieutenants Campbell and Williams.
A . C A Lieutenant iiiame unknown), assisting with Capt. Jacksos,.
: »• I Mr. Brown, Master's-Mate.
I am yours, &c. &c.
AN EY£ WITNESS TQ T^Z ATTACK.
PLYMOUTH.
Plymeuti, T^/v 4. At nine o'clock, two of the mutineers of his Majesty's Ship .
Montague, of -4 guns, who have been for some weeks past under sentenc^-
of death, were executed in Plymouth harbour, one of them on board the Mi.
notaur, of 74 gut:s. in Cawsand Day, and the other in Hanioaze. Two
others, who are under sentence of d ath, are reserved, as it is said, to be exe-
cuted on board one of the Ships of the Fleet off Brest.
14. Arrived his Majesty's armed Cutter Mary, Lieut. Miln, from off Brest,
where she was so much damaged by the enemy's batteries that she was ordered
in here to repair ; she was in chase of a Vessel going into Brest harbour, and
succeeded in tak'ng her, unde- a heavy fire from the enemy's batteries, but wat
so much shattered, that it was with difTuulty she cnuld be brought in.
16. Saturday and yesterday, the Malta, 84, and le Tigre, 84, were com-
pletely warped do'.vn from Hamoaze into the ; ound, by the Master, attendant
boats, and boats of the Fleet : though the wind was quite foul, and right a-head,
they got to their moorings in Cawsand Bay, about flood tide in the evening,
The Poadicea, 44 gun,«, C'apt. Maitland, by means of sheers erected on board,
got in her bowsprit on Saturday last, and sailed on her station off Rochfort to
join the ' quadron there. This morning the Phoenix, 44 guns, Capt. Baker,
struck yards and top- masts, and he Crew erected a pair of sheers, from spars,
on her deck, to get out the main-mast, previo s to its bein^r replaced and new
stepped; she was also to have her rigging overhauled, and her yards, tops, &c,
new payed with varnish : as the weather is fine and calm, the will get her main-
mast out, and in again, in the Sound.
Passed up from Gibraltar, the Gibraltar, of 84 guns, Capt. Ryves, with s
convoy for the Downs She is expected back here, as she draws so much water,
to be docked. The Seagul, of 18 guns, ordered for Cork, to join the Squadron
on that station. She goes down the harbour to-morrow. The Renown Excise
Cutter, Capt. White, in two cruizes last week, fell in with and captured the
three following smugglers, viz. the Yawl, Dove, with 138 caiks of spirits ; the
Flower of Looe, with 98 casks of spirits, and Lugger William, Johns, with 80
casks ofspiiits. Captain 1'ym, of this town, is appointed to the Atlas, of 74
guns, at North Yarmouth, Vice Captain Hope, on share by leave of absence
from the Lords of the Admiralty.
17. Sailed the Majestic, 74 guns, Capt. Lord A. Beauclerk, with bullocks
and vegetables for the 1 leet off Brest. Some days since the Acasta, 40 guns,
reconnoitred the French Fleet in the outer road, which were as usual: in re-
turning to join the in-shore Squadron, two boats, with eighteen men, were sent
ashore to get sand for the purpose of scrubbing the decks, but being unfortu-
nately discovered by the enemy on the look out, they were soon surrounded by
a superior body of French soldiers, and, with the Surgeon's Mate, were carried
cff prisoners.
lV. Came in from off Rochefort and 1'Oricnt, to refit; the Goliath, of 7<|
gLiis, Captain Brisbane ; the left the Squadron off these ports all will tbc i^th
KAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
inst.; the enemy's chips, in both places, asimia!. C.ime in also the T>rJn'e, p£
58 guns, Capt. t.rindall, to refit. frr>m the Chvn.-l :->ett; shv 1 ft th- a all well
on the ijth inst,; the enemy -A* v>e: latt staU'rrrnr as evcriu.j : •.• iled to Join
the Channe; rleet for rhe present, to exercise the Ship's Company, the Wai nor,
74 guns, ''aptain Bligh, though unrler orders fo' fui i«>i si-rvice : also fur the
Fleet off Ferrol and Coiunna, t e Ma'ta. 3^ gun^ -;''"f Bu'ler: just as she
got abreast of Ptnlec Point, she was KC !l:d by »igml f;om the telegraph for.
*ome orders. This morning she suited again lor her sut.on off Ft rrol, -with a.
fine wind at N.N.E. Went into dock the tmperieuse, of 44 guns, to have a
thoroug'' repair.
21. Passed up, the Ville de Paris, of 1 10 grins. Admiral Cornwallis, front
his st tion off : n.-st ; he is succeeded, trinity his Absence to refit at Portsmouth,
iy Vice-Admiral Cotton, in the San Josef, of 112 guns, A Cutter, with hi»
taggage, came to off the Sound, lancieU her letteis from the fleet, and sailed for
Spnhead directly. Letters received from the .' quadron off 1 crrol. state, that
the celebrated [eromeBuouapartS,bro:!-.er to the Emperor Nap, got s fe in there in
an American Frigate a few nights ;>revious to'writing the above letter. The .Ame-
rican Frigate was chased close in v.'tli the limits of the neutrality of Spain.
Came in from a cruize, the Eurus 36 guns. The moil from Jamaica, which
•was very large, was landed from the Clarinde, 44 guns, last Saturday evening,
under a guard of Marine;.. Seventy French Officers, from the St. Domingo
army, arrived passengers in the above Frigate, who are, for the present, to be
tent on board the Prison Ships in Hamoaze. •
23. Sailed to join the Fleet off Brest, with twenty bullocts and vegrtable*,
the Dreadnought, of 98 guns, Captain Reynolds. The i'rince Frederick of
64 guns, in Cawsand Bay, is ordered up the harbour to be refitted, and hava
Jrer bottom examined. Orders are come down from the Admiralty for all First
Lieutenants of the Royal Vlarines, serving under Captains on board Line of
Battle Ships, to be relieved by Second Lieutenants of that Corps, anu on ihcir
arrivals at their resj ect ve divisions, to go on the recruiting service. Several
fine young fellows have arrived lately at head-quarters here, recruits for that
valuable body of men.
25. U'ent down into the Jound to wait for orders from Hamoaze Lower
Moorirg?, the Princess Charlotte, 40 guns, Captain F. Gardner, Went up
from Barnc Pool to be docked, as soon a? there is a vacant dock, la Clarinde,
44 guns; she is a remarkable fine 1'rigate, of roomy dimensions, but was weakly
inar.ned on her passage home, and very leaky
26. This day a bigiidi for punishment was made on board the Flag Ship in
Hamoaze, wh-.-n a Seaman of the Pickle armed Schooner, for mutiny, and a
Seaman of the Doris, tor cutting and maiming his messinate when a«le<-p in hi*
hamrr.ock, w:th intent to kill him, attended by the boats of the 1'K-ef manned
and armed, were, pursuant to sentence of a Court Martial, flogged round the
Fleet in Hamoaze and the .Sound.
28. '. anie in the Princes* Royal, 98 guns, Captain Sawyer, from the Fleet
(OlTBr»"t, which he left ajl well T'tesday at noon; «nemy then a» usual; but
this moniing came ii; with dispatches (or Government and the Port Admiral,
from the Fleet ofTBr.st, and the in-shore Squadron, the Santa M Tgaretta, 38
guns, Captain Rathbone , by her is Itarnt, hat on Wednesday last, when the
fog cl ared oft, a qua.iron of the enemy's Ships were discovered tryin to effect
an escape from the outer road of Brest, supposed meaning fo dash through the
passage du kaz, con-i»tmg < f five ail of the i.int- under Admiral Gantheaurnc,
•who commanded the ac'vauc d Squadron ->f two Frigate^ and a Corvette; the
w;nd was quite fair at t.N .£.; there is every reason t.o suppose they would have
escaped, it the look-out Cuttrr to the in-shore Squadron had not made the signal
pf an enemy to Rear-Admin 1 Sir T Graves, who was immediately on the alert
in chase; but Gantheaume 'ceing -he signal, very prudently hauleil his wind,
worked into Brett outer roail again, and resumed hi* old station of the advanced
Squadron there.
Previous to :h^' Princess Royal, of 98 gun«, 'caving th • Fleet, Vice-Admiral
Colliugwood had shifted his Flag to his old Ship the Venerable. — Came in, the
Eajdc, of 14 j'un.=, C>.j;t. Acarns.
lug. i. Yfckterday the Officers of the Culiath, of 74 guns, Ctopt,
334 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
Brisbane, pave him a grand dinner at the Pope's Head Inn Hotel. The dir.rer
\ras ?erved up in a very elegant stylf , the desert was surrptuous, and the winet
czcellent. The jolly Son-; of Neprunekept it up with gr^at gleej ?nd, after a
round of loyal and constitutional toasu, the day concluded with " Rule Bri-
tannia" and" G<>cis.tve the Kirg."
6. Sailed on a cruize to t^c W;sfward, the Santa Margaretta, of 36 guns,
Capt. Rathbourne; the Seagul. of 18 g'ins. C*pt. Burke. Sailed also »o join
the Fleet off i rev, with bull- cks ai.n vejrctahlrs, the Tigr , of 84 pun?, Capt.
Hallowe . Cnn:e in a Fretuh coa^t ng Sloop, the Dow. with whtar, prize to
the Hazard, of it guns, Cam. Neve Tut cut in a gallant s'.j • by her Boat? off
Quiberoii); also, boupd fr< m Surinam, wit! Gemva and ; c?r,?o of plantation
stores, a tare'- i ru«M n Shi; (ion1. Imr-den : s c has on ru,a>(J. 40 pa-scngers»
mostly settlers: she was formerly a Dutch J .^st Indi.imar, and purchastJ by-
some fortign m'-rchami,— Saikd with dispatches f r '.he r-lect <»'T Eres*, the
Pretty La's, of 14 pur.s C -p , Tippf*. W ni from C iwsanti Bay up the har-
bour to refit, the Prirce Frederick, of 64 gum. Arrived from a cru;ie the
Ranger, of 14 guns, Capt. Frazer ; and came in the Good Intent West India nan,
from Dcn-.cr.ira, with sugars, &c. for London, but put in here for onfc . »: she
parted company yesterday afternoon with the valuable hrrr.eward bound
JL,ee\vard Island Fleet, all well, nearly 200 Sail, under ccnvoy of the Romney, of
50 guns, a Frigate, and the Drake Slo->p of War; they hud a remarkably fine
passage home. The Ships for the ports in Ireland and the North Channel parted
company off ?ci)ly. for thtir destined ports. The Jamaica Fleet may now be
hourly expected, under convoy of the Bellerophon, of 74 guns, and I'uqutsne,
cf 74 ; as the two Fleets sailed nearly at the s ^me time. Came in from Ireland,
the Lapwing, of 28 guns, Capt. Fane, to rtfi . A Cutter i* also come in from
off Brest; she brings an account as late •<•» Saturday morning, that Gan'heaume*s
Squadron, \\hich got out in a fog last '1 hi.rsday, were discovered on Fr'day at
noon in their old station, hiving, it is su]>pc-cd, bern afraid to venture far outt
from the vjglance of our look out Squadron under Vice Adn'iral Sir T. Graves,
and the Fox Cu'tcr, Lieutenant Nicholson making the signal for an enemy.
This active Officer ke; t close aboard them the little time Gantheaume was out,
and dodged them to their moorings :ig".in in the outer road of Brest,
8. Came in from the Squadron off Ferrol and Conmna, the Conqueror, of
74 guns, Capt. J. Pfllev, to reflc and victual ; she lefr the Squadron there under
Rear-Admiral Cochrane.all well, the is. of August • 'he enemy as usua), .Last
night passed by to tht Westward, the Orpheus oi 36 guns, Capt, Hill, with
ii Sail of Merchant Sr irs for Halifax; but they put back this morning into the
Sound, having been t^ken aback with a South West wind, and a blownig gale
off the Feadmar. Sailed la Mui ie torttine, of 10 guns, Lieut, Dale, to the
\Vesuvaid, with dispatches. There was a very hot press last Sunday night,
but the greater part vere discharged on examination, being mostly Sea Fen-
cjbles, Pljnipuih and Die": V< 'i, utters The (.Id Bedford, of 74 puns, is
ordered to be: fitted up for a .-chiving Ship, in Hamoaze, and is along-side the
Jetty for that pur; < s- .
13. The Prii.ci. George, of 98 eun-S which sailed a few days since with
V-nllocki and vegetables for the FJeet, in the violent gale at W,P.\v', last Satur«
day ni^ht in the Channel, sprung her n-ain-nust; sl.e has put back into Cawsand.
Bay to refit. ,
15. This n orning the Lapsing, of 38 -curs, lying in the Sound, got ?n by means
of sheas erected on board, and law Hcj:pedhtrhow-piir, \vl ich she sprung in her
last cruize, This could not be accomplished before, owing to blowing weather
and rolling st-a in the Sound. This flu.ws the propriety of a theer bulk being
constantly n r ore.' in Barn Pool for that purpose. Sever^ 1 persons in a respec-
table way of l:fc w«re thisdny committed to Kxetcr Gaol by the Solicitor of the
Admirjlty at this port, for havir g v^lt'sble Kick's stores, viz. copper bolts, nails,
&c. quite mw irom the manufacturers f ,und in tleir possession. They will
take their trials at the next Exe'tr arizes, bai'c 1 two tenders to the Westward
for nun ;rnm JViilford, for the Fleet. Last ni -J t there was a hot press in the
1, arbour, Sound, and C.uwater; several useful ha::..s weic pithed up, but mai y,
on examination, wire dibch-rged is unfit for the sirvice.
»6. Came in, after, a jiiue.mcmhs ciuize off l-\rrol and Corunna, the Mars,
NAVAL HISTORY" OF THE PRESENT YBAR, 1804. $$$
of 74 guns, Capt. Duff, to refit and victual. She left A"d-.)°r.il Cochrane, and
our Fleet, all well on that station; the enemy's Ships as usual in Ferrol and
Corunna. Also, from a long cruize off the South- West coast of Ireland, la
Topaze, of 38 guns, Capt. Lnke, to refit. Last Tuesday several gang of
caulkers and painters were put on the Hibernia, of 120 guns; she will, in all
probability, be launched the first spring-tide in October; she is pierced for, and
will carry, 51 guns of a side, viz. 17 on each of three decks, besides the quarter-
deck and forecastle. The two fir Fi ig;ites are in great forwardness, and will be
launched about the middle of October. Th:s day the Officers of the two Cor-
vettes driven ashore and burnt by the Bo;'ts of the Aigie, of 44 guns, Capt.
Wolfe, near i'Orient, vere landed, to take their examination for a certificate
for the head and gun-money for their Crews, as a reward to our gallant
Tars. Sailtd for Falmouth, the Lady Warren, of 32 guns, Capt. M'Kellar,
with convoy.
1 8. The Prince George, of 98 guns, put back on Thursday nigh', having
again sprung her main top-mast : it was :<gain newly fixed, and she sailed yes-
terday to join the Fleet, with bullocks and veg? table?. The Majestic, ot" 74
guns, which came on Thursday into Cawsand Bay, left the off-shore Squadron
also all well, and rrc r ;rfect!y on the alert. Sailed for the Downs about 20
Sail of Navy armed coppered Transports, under convoy of the Seagull, of
iB guns, Capt. Buik • : from the hurry in which they were ordered to sea, it u
imagined an expedition is ^oing forward to the Eastward.
20. Came in several coppered Transports froii L •••.-rpool, fitted up to re-
ceive troops.— The Liberty Luggfr, captured off the coast of Guernsey, last
Friday, by the Ranker, Capt. A. Frazer, w.is formerly the V.diant|Lujfger in the
service of Government; she landed her cargo to-day, and has onboard 730
ankers of spirirs, besides wine, soap, and tobacco, and is worth ne.irly 4000'.
21. Came in la Niche, of 38 guns, from a cruize.— Sailed th^: ti^wke, of
iSguns, on a cruize; Rar rer and Busy Cutters, ditto; and the Plover, of 18
guns, with a Fleet to the Westward.
22. Came in the Queen, of 98 ,;uns, from the Channel Fleet, to refit; also
the Piantagenet, of 74 gun^, from the East Indies, last from the Downs.
25. Le Tigre, of 84 g m», Capt. Hillowell, is qure ready for sea; her
quarter-deck will be very brilliant, as several young genrlttmen of rank are
going to make their first debut in the Royal Navy, on board le Tigre. The
Right Honourable Earl Spencer has brought down from Apthorpe, his teat, one
of his wins, who is going as a volunteer .vith Capt. Ha'.lowell, with several other
of the younger branches of the Nobility; she sails on Monday or Tuesday at
farthest, to join ViVe-Admiral Lord iv;lsor.'« Fleet, offTaulon.
28. Last night afrer post arrived here the Ship William Heathcote, of Liver«
pool, Capt. Thomas Phillips, from Demarara bound to Liverpool, laden with a
valuable cargo, consisting of 1400 bales of cotton, and 125 casks' of sugar, said to
be worth 80,000'. She was taken by a French dogger pnv.itcer, called the General
Augerenu, olizguns, and 190 men, in the Irish Channel, after a very severe ac-
tion of half aii hyur, during which the C"apuin, his son, the owner's sot', and se-
veral of the-crevv, were killed, and the mate, with many of the crew, badly wound i
ed, and are now prisoners i« board the dojrger privateer. After the exchange of
prisoners, the Frenchmen bore away fora Spanish port, and had arrived near St.
Andero, when the Nautilus of 1 8 guns, fell in with un I re-csptured her : she is a
very fine Ship, of about 6^0 tons burthen, pierced for 22 guns, had twenty
mounted, with a Crew of thirty Men, and appears to be nearly new. The
frenchmen, af-er much hard fighting, made use of their only superiority, which,
consisted in their numbers, whi-n by running the Ship along-siJt, they carried her
br bearding: her sails and rigginjr seem to be very much cat, especially in the
after part of the Ship. The Captain was killed after the Frenchmen got on board;
they rushed upon him and stabbed him 'n many places, an«J he died, encouraging
the Mate to fight the Ship as long as possible ; nut the Mate wi'S soon afrer mor.
tally wounded. The Captain's son, a lad about twelve years ol;i, behaved nobly^
when the French were boarding ; he was, ho --ever, mortally w«undtd, and
thrown overboard before he expired. The William Heathcote was takci: ti;t
4^-h August, and retaken the g;h following. The Nautilus is al-o arrived, as i|
ittt L-iaeJati£akle, of 38 gun.% buJi Ircm a cruize oH'tJie Spanish
RATAL feirrofcy «r THK jREiENf YEAR, 1804.
£9. Came in his Maj-tey'* Ship la Loire, 0140 puns, Captain Maitland, front
a cruize, and brought in with her the Fr-.nrh ."-hip Privateer Blonde, of Bour-
deaux, mounting 30 pun*, and having on ho;>rd 260 men, which she captured
after a chase of 36 hour*. Sr appear' t" he i-.-ite cJe;.n, is very dtep, and fcems
to have been but a few days at sea on ht-r present cruize. She is lad from Vigo,
and has not made any captures. During the < his- and running fight, five of la
Loire's crev* were wounded, two of ti.cm dcspeMtelv. — ."Came in the Humber,
of 16 guns, Captain Hill, f-om a cruize.— A ship is going into Cawsand Bay,
fiid to be th.- Atu, of 80 ^unt, from Portsmouth.—- Aimed from the Downs,
the Seagal tf 18 gv; K Capt. Burke.
30. Went ur the h.'.ri our, la. Blonde French Privateer, of 33 guns : she 19 ex-
actly painted Iik- an English East Indiaraan ; has no figure head. On board her,
amongst the Wourrlcd nv;n, was discovered, by some of the Custom-house Boat's
Crew, a Sean .in, that in '.he last w r rvas Captain of the after-guard of la Caton,
of 84 guns, when (lie was burnt in t ;e btraits; but he says, on being questioned,
he is of the 1 igurian Republic, and by biith a Genoese.— Countermanding order*
are for the present tome down this day, by an Admiralty Messenger, to stop the
sailing of le Tigre, ofS^-gi'ns, Captain Hallowell ; r-nd the Conqueror, of 74
guns, Captain I. Pellcw, for the Straits. It is supposed they are to join the Fleer.
—Came in from Spithead, the Aj*x, Cap'ain Lord Garika j ihe takes in bullocks,
ind then sails to join the Fleet dff Brest.
Sept. I. Came in the Princf»s Roy.\l, of 98 guns, frotn the Channel Fleet, to
reOt.— Arrived the Anna Christian^, from Frederickifadt ; the Asphalon, from
Riga; and the Little Edward, from Merv-el ; all laden with naval stores : also
the Defiance, of 74 nun?.— Sailed to the Westward, the Ajix, of Zo guns ; Con-
queror, of74£uns; Tigre, of 74 guns; Dcfi >.nce, of 74guns; and M-jestic, of
74 gun?. — Came in the Hornet, of 18 guns, fr or., rhc West Ir-us.
2. By letters fron; Jamaica, brought by the He-met, of 18 i;unp, Capt. C. Shcp-«
yard, it appears that the Mignone, of 18 guns, Captain Hawker, being on a
cruize, was violently struck with lightning, by which accident the Ship was a
Jjtrle damaged, and three Seamen were unfortunately killed, and five wound' d.
The Tigre, o! 84 guns, Capt. Hallowel), and the Conqueror, Capt. I. Ftllew,
\vhicb gor un :er wd<.h lad night from C:aws <nd B.iy, and made s^il to the west-
ward, with a fine •\vin<1 at NT. \\". _re bound for the Mediterranean. — Came in.
from a cruize, the Akrt Lugger, of i6guns, Lieut. Delafcns; ai:d from Corun-
ra, for London, the Comet, formerly r.n Fast Indiaman, captured by the French
in the beginning of the war, and sent for Corunna, and purchasrd th^te by an
American house in London, for which port she Baited some days since, but wa»
detained and rent in here for examination by Rear-Admiral Cochrane. She left
our Squadron there the zist u!t. ; 11 well; the enen.y a i:su<-l.
j. Cr.me in the Comet, in b .llait, from Ferrol, detained by his Majesty's Ship
JJorthumbcrlanc!. oi 74 gi:ns, Rear-Admira. Cochran-j , she is at pre-cnt under
American colour?. It appears that this Ship %vas emj loyed in the E^st India
Company's service, and eirlv in the present war was ca turtd by a Frinrh I'ri-
•*«etr and carr-ed into Frrrol. where sity wa» ccndemncd as a prize, and pur-
Chased by an American, -.nd, it is sai', \vas now bound to London.— Sailed the
Queer, of 98 gun«,r> join the Channf 1 Flt-et.
6. Sailed the Princess Royal, of 98 cuns, fo joia the Channel Fleer.— The Nep-
tune, of 08 guns, and the f'lantagenct, of 74 guns, h ve received ihcir bullock-sn j
board this moi ning. and \vill sail in the c\ ^iiing to join the Fl- et ; likewise o iiled
the Trowbridfe, of 24 guns, for Cork; i.ady Melv'lle, • f 14 guns, to the
t\-ard; Mciicheron, oi 14 gun», on a cruize ; and Hj.c-n;',< f 18 guns w th -
ml Ships, for the Wc^t Indies.— Sailed the Bourdeaux Packet, of Ph-ladelphi,;,
C-pt. Hedelius, from Philadelphia for Bourd aux. She •••• ;.s detained and sent
in here hy the Ros^rio, of 18 guns, Caftain Mounsey, ^nd sino liberated.
IT. Came in the Cockatrice armed Brig, of iz gur.s with a Fleet under con-
voy, from the eastward; also l'Ai,'le, of 38 guns, from the Chai.ncl Flett. —
Sailed the Nautilus, of 18 gun-, to the wejtwardl
13. Came in the following Vessels from Jamaica, with French prisoners, be-
ing a part of those that were taken at tru evacuation of St. Domingo ; viz. Ar-
cade, of Hull, Capt. Dale, with 3 r 7 ; favourite, of London, Capt. PurJy, 232;
Maria of London, Capt. Rauds, 284; Hancih, of London, Capr. Head'.ey, 256,.
4
NAVAL HISTORY OF -THE PRESENT YEAR, 1.804* 337
They sailed from Jamaica in compariy with three other Vessels, which parted
from them on the voyage. Many deaths have happened on the voyage by de-
cline, scurvy, and fluxes. The above Vessels are to perform a strict quarantine
of 21 days in Catwjter. They left Jamaica the 14.!} July; and the convoy for
England, under the Elephant, of 74 gun«, was then collecting at Bluefields, about
150 Sail, to go for England the it of August, so they may be hourly expected.
Sailed the Rambler, of 14 guns, Capt. Innes; and the Cockatrice, of 14 guns.
Came in to refit, 1'Aigle, of 44 guns, Capt. Wolfe. Sailed the Lady Warren,
of I4gui;i, Capt. M'Kdlar, to the westward; and for Exe River, with sending
rigging, &c. for a Gun-brig building at Topsham, the Tortoise Dock-yard
Lighter, under convoy of the Viper, of 14 guns. The Hornet, of 14 Runs, Capt.
Shepherd, isnow along side.the Jetty, and her upper works are examining, prepa-
ratory to her going into dock. Came in the Temeraire, of 98 guns, Iro'ii the
Channel Fleet; nlso the American Ship Colombe, of Boflon, Capt. Iday, from.
Norfolk, bound to Dunkirk, laden with tobacco and stavc-i. She W^s detained
on the 12 h instant by has Majesty's ship Nautilus. Sailed the Topaze, of 38
guns, Capt. Lake.
15. Came n from the Channel Fleet to re-victunl and refit, the Montague, Ter-
rible, ; nci Thunderer, of 74 guns each ; and Harlequin, of 18 guns from a cruize.
The Princess Royal ;.nd Neptune, of 98 guns each, had joined the Fleet off Brtft
before the above Ships left thence, SaiU-d for Jsrsey, the Niobe, of 40 gui'S,
Cupt. Scott; and on a cruize to the coast of Ireland, the Topaze, of 38 guns,
Capt. Lake. The St. George, ot" 98 «uns, is now in dock, fitting for immediate
service. At two P. M. tame in the Naiad, of 36 guns, Captain W.uHs, t'ro'u the
Squadrcn off FVrrol : ali-o the Atalante, of 18 guns, and a Cutter, with one of
the new Gun-brigs, from the eastward, under jury masts,
17. Came in from a cruize the Atahnte, of 16 guns, Captain Masefi<_ld.-»-
\Vent down the harbour into the S«!snd, the Wolf Sloop of War, Hon. Capt.
Bennett; she is to take out the Newfoundland Fleet, and it is supposed will
winter at St. John's. Came in a new Gun-brig, under ji:ry masts : she went
up the harbour to be fitted for se.~; the Viper Cutter convoyed her round to this
port. Came in from sea the Mary, of Greenr dc, captured on her outward-
bound passage to the West Indies, by the LTncie Tom, of eighteen nine pouiiJers,
and 130 men, on the 3d instant, in lat. 49" 30', long. 25° W. The Uncle Tom.
was cruizing in tnc above latitude, with other French Privateers, to intercept
our trade; she was re-captured the loth instant, trying to make a port in Spain,
by the Illustrious, of 74 guns, (.apt. Sir C. Hamilton, Bart.
Came in from the Leeward Island.-*, the Good Intent, for London; also a new
Sloop of War from Dartmouth, under jury masts; she went up the harbour to
be fitted for sea. Arrived from -pithrad the Miilbrook, of 14 guns, with the
Newfoundland convoy from Poole, &c. to go for St. John's in a few days, un-
der co1 voy of the Wolf, of 18 guns, l-'on Capt. Fennett ; she is to call off FJ-
mouth for the Ships collected there; Went up the harbour to refit, the Atalante,'
of 1 6 guns.
19. This day 1200 French prisoners, just arrived from Jamaica in five Trans-
ports, under command of Lieutenant Harrison, R N. were sent on bo:-.rd the
different Prison Ships in Hamoaze, and 300 of those French prisoners who have
been on board seme months past, were 1 <nded at David's Point, and were escort-
ed through thi» town by two Captains, four Subalterns, and seventy-five rank
and file of the first battalion of Plymouth Volunteers, Lieut. Col. Lasigmead,
and a party of the fourth dragoon guards, as far as Chudleigh, on tru ir \v;iy to
Stapleton prison. A similar numb-r march on Friday, escorted by the Piitcc
ot" Wale-'s own Royal Plymouth Vo'iinteers, Lieut. Col. Hawker. The beha-
viour of the French troops from St. I om ngo, prisont-rs of war, is said t • have
"been uncommonly impudent and i VL-I bearing ; and it is supposed if the e had
been any of them that could have managed a Ship, they would have tried to
have thrown the English Saiiors overboard, and run away with the Cartels.
The Agent, a Lieutenant in the Navy, had hard work to put them on shoit ailoW^
*nce ou their passage, having been three weeks beating through the Gull.; rnj
When they arrived here, they had only three day.' provisions and water kit,
xx
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
even at short allowance. On board one of the Cartels, some of the Soldien
\vere villains enough to set a negro hoy to murder the English Master in his cor
while asleep, but was providentially discovered with the knife in his hand, go-
ing towards the cabin, by the Mate who had the watch. A strict eye his been
kept on the boy, to discover his accomplices, bvit hitherto in vain. To the cre-
dit of the French Officers, 'prisoners of war on board,) their conduct was very
laudable, in endeavouring to suppress any mutinous conduct, where they could
exert the little authority they possessed.
13-. Came in the Windsor Castle, of 98 guns, from the Channel Fleet; also
the Siriui, o; 38 guns, and the l.ady U arrcn, of 18 guns, from a cruize.
12 The Diamond, of 31 guns, Cap't. Flphinstone, which sailed on Thurs-
day, lay-to for the night, to receive further orders, and sailed to the westward
yesterday morning. Orders cam. down yesierday for all the Frigates to get
read)' to sail directly; and the Endymion, of 44 guns, Hon <. aptain Paget;
1'Aigle, of 44 guns, Capt. Wolfe; Naiad, of 38 guns, Capt. Wallis: and
Sirius, of 3>5 guns, Captain Prowse, immediately hoisted Blue Peter at the
fore, as a sig: al for all Officers and Men absent on duty or ieave to repair on
board directly It is supposed they are intended to cru ze off the coast of Spain
and Portugal, and to the southward. — The Ttmeraire, of 98 guns, , apt. Kelly,
Will be ready for sea by Wednesday. Letters received from Antigua, state,
that the Carysfort, of 28 guns, is at present unrigged there, and laid up for
want of men, having lost, besides L'apt. R. Fanshawe, several Officers, and the
greater part of her Crew. The remainder, about fifty men, are on shore, by
order of Commissioner Lane, in a sail loft, and recover daily. Just sailed from
Cawsand Bay, for the Fleet off Brest, the Impetueux, of 84 guns, Capt. Mar-
tin The Morne Fortunee, of 14 guus, is to sail to-morrow with dispatches of
importance. Destination not known.
23. Yesterday evening the dispatches came down from the Admiralty for the
West Indies, which were immediately put on board la Morne Fortunee, Lieute-
nant Dale, and she sailed at 7 P M. for Jamaica and the Leew.ird Islands; from
the hurry of her sailing, it is supposed the dispatches are of iniportai.ee, as she
is a fast sailing Vessel. Sailed with convoy to the eastward, the Lady Warren,
32 guns, Capt M'Kellar. Sailed on a cruize to the westward, the Lndymion,
44 guns, Hon. Capt. Paget.
24. t ailed on a cruize off the coast of Spain , and to the southward, the Naiad,
°f 38 guns. Capt. Wallis; a'so on a ciuize in the Bay, for a month, the Ha-
zard, of if, guns, Caj t. Neve. Oiders came down this day from the Transport
Board, for the five Transports which are from Jamaica, with 1250 French
troops, prisoners of war, now in Hamoaze, to sail for the Downs, under orders
of Lieutenant Williams, the Agent; viz. Maria, Arcade, Sea Nymph, Polly,
and Hannah.
25. This day letters were received from on board the Spencer, of 74 guns,
Hon. C'apf. Sfoplord, dated off Toulon, stating her safe arrival there from Caw-
sand Bay, after a fine passage of eleven days, and found Admiral Lord Nelson's
Fleet all well ; the enemy, as ufual, sometimes skulking out of Toulon for a mile
or two, and then diiectly >l«u k-ng into port again, as soon as our Fleet hove
into "ight. La-t night the 87th regiment, from Jamaica, embarked on board the
Braak armed Transport, of 14 guns, Lieutenant Lane, from the Pandour, of 44
guns, Stoie-bhij-, Captain Na.ih. 'i ht Braak sailtd directly for Guernsey, where
the &7th i= to be landed, to receive their numerous recruits from the different
parties on th.it service, in Great Britain and Ireland. Sailed the Hannibal, of 16
guns, armed Ship, with the five Transports for the Downs us per yesterday, and
jo receive Troops on board. Sailed on a cruize to the westward, the Sinus,. of 36
guiiT, Captain Prows-'. Came in damaged, having carried away her main-top-
rnast in a gale of wind, the Diamord, South Sea Whaler, to refit; and the Surat
Castle East Indiaman ; the foinicr went up Catwatcr, and the latter came to in
the Sound.
27. Sailed for the Down?, the Hannibal, of 14 guns, with the five Transports
put back yesterday. This morning came in from the westward a Line of Battle
t>hip, supposed to be the Venerable, of 74 guns, from the Fleet. The Majestic,
Capt. Lord A. Beauclerc, which was to have joined the Squadron, off the Tsxel,
is ordered from the eastward to join the Squadron off Fcrrol.
J
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804,
PORTSMOUTH.
Portimoutb, Aug. 5. The Swiftsure, of 74 guns, and the Steady Gun-brig, are
come nto harbour to be coppered. The Gibraltar, of 80 guns, Captain Ryves,
is paid off at this port, and lu-r men drafted to the Ajax and Glory. A Portu-
guese Ship was sent into .-.pithead this morning by the Havre Squadron, detained
coming out of that port, i-he was purchased at Havre by a Portuguese n-.erchant.
The Ciew of the Wolverene, a letter received in this town from an Officer be-
longing to her, says, are marched near 900 miles from where they were landed,
to Verdun. Capt. Gordon aiid his Officers were well, and not ill treated.
9, This morning arrived the Pluto Sloop of War, from off Havre, with dis-
patches. Came into harbour the Dragon of 74 guns, Capt. Griffiths; and the
Merlin, Capt. Brenton. Sailed the Speedwell, on a cruize; and Minerva Cutter,
on a cruize.
13. A Collisr-brig was driven on shore here thi? morning, in a hard gale of
wind, which has blown all day from the southward and westward, chiefly the
latter. — .he will probably be got off. Arrived lift night, the Spider Brig, with
a Transport from Jersey.
15. The Revolutionaire Frigate, Capt. Hotham, is arrived, with his Royal
Highness the Duke of Sussex on board, from Lisbon, bailed the Tribune, of
36 guns, C-pt. Bennett, on a cruize off Cherbourg. Arrived the Lord Keith,
Harriet, and Union, East Indiamen, from the Downs; and went out of harbour,
the Penguin Brig of War, and has since hoisted a signal for the West Indies,
Wind S. VV.
17. Sailed the Liberty Brig of War on a cruize.
l<). Arrived the Meteor Bomb, from a cruise. Sailed the Glory Man of
War to join the Channel 1-leet.
21. Arrived the Adamant Frigate, and the ccourge Sloop of War, with the
Polly, Ellerby.for Gibraltar; the Parthan, Crawford; and the Industry,—-,
for the West Iudi-.s; and a Fleet of outward-bound Vessels uuder convoy, from
the Downs.
23. Arrived the Skelton Castle and Devaynes from the Downs. Sailed the
Hydra Frigate, with the 1 leet under convoy for Lisbon, Oporto, and Mediter-
ranean, and the Penguin oloop of War, ivith a Fleet uuder convoy for the West
Indies. WindN.VV.
24. Arrived the Millbrook Schooner, from the Downs. Sailed the jEolus
Frigate, Capt. Lord William Fitzroy, to attend his Majesty at Weymouth ; and
this afternoon the Royal .-overeiga Yacht, Capt. Sir H. Neale, went through.
Spithead for the sume service. C ame into harbour the Be'lerophon, of 74 guns,
Capt. J .oring ; Ulysses, of 44 guns, Capt. Columbine ; and the igyptienue, ot
44 gunsj Hon. Capt. Fleming.
26. t he Revolutionaire Frigate, Capt. H. Kotham, is appointed to convoy
the fo Ipvying last Indiumen, now a. the Motherbm:k, to a certain .latitude; viz.
The Travers, and Union, fur vSt. Helena and B ngal; Indus for Madras; L»rd
Keith, and Ocean, for Madras and Bengal; Devaynes, for Madeira, Bombay,
and Madras; Huddart, and Harriet, for Madeira, Madras, and Uengal; and
the Skelton Castle, fo" Mad as and Bombay. The Avenger ;>loop of Wur. aft.
T. White, has made the signal for a convoy for Newfoundland and Halifax.
A number of Custom-house Cuter: are ordered to be put under the orders of
Sir Home Pojiharn, who is arrived here to inspect some new planned boats,
which are building in the Dock yard. Such is the secre: manner r which they
are proceeding, that no person, excepting those directing their construction, n
allowed to be present, or view them.
30. Arrived the Falcon Sloop of War from off Havre. The Defiance brought
to at St. Helen's but proc-eded yesterday morning for Plymouth. Last ni«jh«
arrived the Hclder, armed en flute, Capt. .-carle, from the Eastward.
&j5. i. Arrived the Magnificent armed Ship Capt. Hawker, bailed the Fal-
con, of 16 guns. Capt. Saunders, for the Havre : quadron.
2. Dropped down to St. Hclsns the Revolutionaire Frigate, with the out-
ward-bound East In.liamen.
3. Arrived the Majestic armed irhip from the Downs, fluto Sloop of War,
and -kn, Cutter from a Cruize.
340 NAVAL HISTORY OF THB PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
4. Sailed the Revolutionaire Frigate, Capt. Hotham, with the East India
convoy, a \\ halcr, and a West Indiaman, which she will see to a certain latitude,
and then proceed to Halifax. Also sailed the Ville.de Paris, of no guns, to join
the Channel ; leet.
7. This morning the Success Frigate, Capt. Scott, and the Mori n Sloop of
Var, Capt. Brenton, went out of harbour; and the Lion armed Cutter sailed
with a convoy to the Eastward. The Cyclops, Capt. Fyffc; Experiment, Capt.
WKcnzie; and the Blonde, Capt. Faulknor, are lying Guard-Ships at the
Needles.
10. .'"ailed the Pouletfe, of 24 guns, Capt. Dunbar, to take the command of
the Squadron off Havre, in the absence of Capt. ( 'liver, of the Melpomene,
which arrived yesterday to refit. Arrived the Lady Warren armed §hip. Ar-
rived last night the Lady Melville armed bhip, from Plymouth. Sailed the
J-jeron Sloop of War, on a cruize off Havre.
12. Dropped down to St. Helen's, the Merlin, of 16 guns, Capt. Brenton.
Arrived the Mercury of 28 guns, Hon. Capt. Bo.jverie, from Guernsey. Sailed
the lady Melville, of 16 guns, to tiie westward. Arrived a Schooner, of
16 guns, employed in laying down new lights on the Coast.
l«f. Arrived the Speedwell Brig, Lieutenant Robertson, from a cruize;
Agincourt, of 64 guns, Capt. Briggs, from the Mediterranean; and the Ship
Navigator, a Transport,' with troops on board from Malta. The Agincourt ha«
deta;ned a Brig bound to Kmbden. Sailed the Steady and Attack Gun vessels
to the eastward, and the Millbrook Schooner, to take the tr.'dc for Newfdurfd-
land from Poole to Plymouth, whence the Wolfe Sloop will proccefl win them.
17. Arrived the Queen Cutter, from Dover; Rose Ciit'o -, from a cruize;
»nd Lion Cutter, with a Vessel laden with salt, and dittoed by her, and sailed
again on a cruize.
18. Arrived the Blenheim, of 74 guns, Capt, Bland, from Barbadoes; the
convoy went by for th« Downs. Also arrived the Favourite Sloop of War,
Capt. Foote, from off Havre; and the Zephyr Sloop. Capt. Abdy, from a
cruize. Sailed the Melpomene, of 44 guns, Capt. Oliver, on a cruize off Havre;
the Nemesis, of 28 guns, Capt. Somer-vil'le, on a cruize off the Start; and the Rose
Cutter, on a cruize. Went out of harbour the Growler, a new Gun-Krig. The
Agincourt, of 64 guns, Cspt i'riggs, was released from quarantine this morning.
This afternoon arrived the Devastation Bomb, from off Havre.
20. Last night sailed the Davastation, of 12 guns, Capt. Milner, with a con-
voy for the Downs; and the Mary Schooner, to lay down lights on another
part of the coa=t. failed this morning the Agincourt, of 64 guns, Capt. Briggs,
just returned from Ma ta for Chatham, to be paid off; and the H umber armed
Ship, with a convoy to the eastward.
21. Arrived the Ardent Cartel, from Morlaix, and Minerva Cutter, from a
cruize; the Flora, , frc m Havre, bound to Lisbon, detained by the Pou«
lette Sloop of War; the Huffnung, •, and the Industry, Spy, from Lis-
bon, bound to Diippe, detained by his Majesty's .'-hips Rattler and Pluto; also,
fhe Heron Sloop of War, from a cruize, and sai ed again to the eastward, and
the Britannia Cutur, with the Brig Young Peggy, of Bristol, from Guernsey,
which she has recaptured.
23. The A rder.t Cartel arrived yesterday from Morlaix, which the left on
Wednesday ; the Johannah, of .Southampton, Capt. Weeks, was to sail the next
day. .Arrived the Prospero liomb, from off Havre. The Prince of Wales, Ad-
miral Sir R. Calder, is expected here to refit. The Officers who arrived in the
last Fleet from Baibadoe*, report that the Squadron under Commodore Hood
had captured i 50 Sail of Vessels since the beginning of the war.
24. Arrived the i oulette. of 24 gu«s, Caj-tain i'ui:bar, from fhe coast of
France; arid the r-rince cf Wales, cf 98 guns, Sir R. Calder, Capt- Gumming,
from the C hannel Meet. This 'day went into dock his Majesty's Ship Ulysses.
The .'-cipio, of 74 guns, whose keel was laid down about six months (.ince, is in
a great state of forwardness, having all her ribs fixed, and stern frame up.
25. ;aiKdtheHc la, of 8 gun?, Capt. Sykes; and the Explosion, of 8 guns,
(ttmbf,; Capt. Prevot, to jom the Havre Squadron. Went out of harbour th£
Svifcsure, 74 guns, Capt. Mark Robifcsou.
iUVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 100^. j^l
SDtomotions ahu 9ppointment0.
Sir G. M. Keith, Bart was appointed to the command of the Boxer Gun-brig
id September. — i honias Hutchinson, EHJ. of the Royal Navy, is appointed tp
the ea Fc-ncibles at I ool.— Captain Cooke 'a appointed to the command of the
Salvador del fr:und> , of 112 guns, at I ly mouth —Captain Morrison, to the
Lilly; and Captain I. Builen, to the Fencibles at Lynn.
Commodore Hood has, in consequence »f the death of Captain Fanshawe, of
the v. arysfort I rigate, made Captain M'Kenzie Post in that Ship ; and we be-
lieve Captain Younghusband, in the blenheim. He has promoted Captain
Woolco«:lie and Captain Byam.
Tli. Freedom of the City of Cork has b«en unanimously voted tp Lieutenant
\Viiliam H Ingram, of his Majesty's Navy.
Captain Terence O'Neill, late of the Nimrod, is appointed to a command
in the Sea Fencibles in Ireland— —Lieutenant Miller is appointed to the com-
piand of the i incher Gun-vessel, at Deal.
Th last dispatches from Sir John T. Duckworth state his having appointed
Lieutenant S. chambers to the rank of Commander, and to the command of
the Pelican Sloop, at Jamaica.
Captain Fahie is appointed to the Hyajna ; and Captain Mackay, to the
Scout. — Captain Fender is appointed to the Plantagenet, vice Hon. Captain dc
Courcy, appointed to the tij. George.—Captaiii Drury, son of Admiral Drury,
(s appointed to the Drake. — Lucius Curtis, Esq. Lieutenant of the Excellent,
'and ton ot Admiral bir R. Curtis, is made a Commander, and appointed to the
Jalouse.
Rear-Admiral Drury, to succeed Admiral Whitshed in the command of thjj
Sea Fencibles in Ireland.— The Hon. Captain Colyill is apppointed to the
Romney, vice Brown; Captain (oilier, to the Leander, vice bkene ; Captain
Banie, to the Brilliant; Captain Jackson, to the Musquito; Captain Searle, to
the Autumn; Captain Duncan, to the Naiad, -vice \Vallis, indisposed; Lieu-
tenant S. Chambers, to the Pelican ; and Lieutenant Miller, to the Pincher
Gun-ves el.
Vice-Admiral Sir John Orde is to hoist his flag on board the Glory, of 9?
guns, arrived from the Channel Fleet.
Rear-Admiral Douglas is appointed to superintend the fitting out Ships at
Deptford ; ^ir Home Popham, to the Antelope ; Captain Talbot, to the-Lean-
der ; Captain Ed. tllicott, to the Willington armed Ship ; and Captain P, Par-
ker, to the John armed Ship. Mr. Gawler, of the Admiral's Office, to be Pur-
ser of the Inconstant.
MARRIAGES.
October 8, by special license, at St. George's, Hanover-square, by the RCT.
Robert Grosvcnor, A.M. William Lloyd, F.sq. of Aston,' in Shropshire, to
&Iiss Harvey, eldest daughter of Captain Eliab Harvey, of the Navy, and
Member for the county of Essex.
On Thursday, October n, at Rackton Church, Sussex, the Rev. C. B. Pon-
sonby 1 owther, of Mannigsad, in the county of Wilts, to Miss Eliza Callbeck,
niece to Rear-Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart.
On Saturday, Oclober 13, Captain Hood, son of the Hon. Colonel Hood,
of the Soutn Kast Hants Yeomanry Cavalry, to Miss Hammond, daughter of Sir
A. S. Hammond, Comptroller of the Navy.
OBITUARY.
On the z6th of May last, on board his Majesty's Ship Victory, offToulon,
Lieutenint Reid, in con-eqti nee of a wound he received a few days before oq
the Island of Sardinia, from one of the inhabitants who attempted to rob him.
On the a8th of August, Captain Saville, of the N^vr, Agent for Prisoners at
HAVAI. HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEA.R, 1804.
The latter end of ^eptember, at Little Park, near Wickham, Hants, Robert
JLinzee. Esq. Admiral of the Flue Squadron. In the vt.ar 1770, this gentle-
man waj appomtrd • ost • 'aptain. In 1793. he w*s appoinred a Comm<-- ore,
and. at the pressing solicitation of General Paoli to Lord Hoo.l for as;; i-iice,
was dispatched to Corsica. On the 2ist of eptcmber, his Squacron, consisting
of the Alcide, Couragcyx, Ardent, Lowe-toffc and ..emesis, entered the Gulf
of St. Fiorenzo ; and, on the 3"th, before duy break, the respective Ships
brought up in their stations, and opened a heavy cannonade on the redoubt of
ForniU. The firing continued without intermisMon till nearly eight o'clock, at
which time no visibl.e impression had been made on the enemy's works The
Ships, particularly the Ardent, were then so much damaged, being also exposed
to a heavy raking fire from the town of 6t. Fiorenzo. from which Commodore
X.inzee had been given to understand he was out of the range of shot, that he
was compelled to retire The loss sustained y the -quadron amounted to six-
teen killed and thirty- nine wounded. — Commodors Liuzee sailed from Corsica
to Tunis, in order to seize on a French Ship of 74 guns, (1 Duquesne, and
tome Gun- boats, wh.ch were lying there; but. on his arrival, he found that
the Bey would not permit the neutrality of his port to ^e violarcd. — In the year
following Mr. l.inzee was promoted to the rank of : ear-Admiral ; in 1 795, he
was made Vice Admiral ; tnd, in 1801, he was advanced to the dignity of Ad?
miral of the Blue Squadron.
The a?th of September, at his father's house, Southsea Lodge, Mr. S. Wilson,
Midshipman, of the Royal William.
On Tuesday the zA of October, Mrs. Trotter, widow of the late Captain
Trotter, of the N-^vy, at Portsea
At Haslar Hospital, on Saturday the 6th of October, Lieutenant A. Mac-
donald, of the Royal Marines, of his Majesty's Ship Canopus. — He was an emi-
nently gooH man, as well as a brave and intrepid Officer. His remains were in-
terred in this Garrison Chape 1, with military honours : the Officers of the Royal
Marine Lorps, and of the jd Lancashire Regiment, attended the funeral rites;
and the Marine Band played the solemn dirge, with an impre-sive effect.
We feel particularly the loss which the amiable Lady l.iiford has sustained in
the death of he° son, Mr. Ppwis, who was a .Vidshipman iij the Roya! Navy.
October 8, in the afternoon, two young men belonging to the Inflexible, Cap-
fain Baylcy, now lying in the Down*, Wt-nt to a field about a quarter of a mils
from Deal, to decide an afiair of honour. At the first fire one of them was mor-
tally wounded in the head, and died about half an hour afterwards. He w..»
conveyed to the nearest house, belonging to Mr. Thomas Mockitt. where every
attention was paid to the unfortunate young man, and two Surgeons immediately
sent for, but ail medical aid was ineffectual. '1 HJ principal madt. his escape, but
the two seconds are committed to gaol. The deceased's name is Sawyer, Cap-
tain's Clerk of the Inflexible.
Last week, at Mailing, Lieutenant Young, of the Royal Marines, aged 25.
Lately, in action with the Buonaparte Brig, Lieutenant Pierce, and Mr. Coll-
jnan, Purser, of the Hippomenes.
Lately, at Portsta, Mr. Waugh, a superannuated Shipwright i whose demise
should be noticed for his open, generous, and humane deposition- He subscribed
50!. towards the expense of clothing the Volunteers of this town; and erected
one of the monuments in Kingston, Church Yard, to the memory of the u^.for-
tpnate sufferers in the Royal George, which sunk many years bince at Spithead.
Lately, Lieutenant J. Drew, of the Navy, from a vio ent cojd. His uncle,
Captain J. Drew, of the Cerberus, and nephew, Lieutenant J. Drew, were
<lrowned in Plymouth Sound ; and his other uncle, Captain J. Drew, of the
tie Eraak, was lost on the coast of America.
At Jersey, Mr. Pleydtll '.;awnay Legeyt, Midshipman, of the Severn Frigate.
On Thursday, the nth of October, of a fiver, at his lodgings, in Mary-le-
Bone, Lieutenant John ! ackey, of the Royal Navy.
The Officer who shot himself on Friday the 12th of October, in a field ad-
joining the Jew's Harp House, was Lieutenant M'L can, of the Royal Navy.
He was re, ognUed by several Gentlemen who knew him when on board the
Leander, in which he had recently arrived in England.
'.
THE
List
SHIPS LOST, DESTROYED, CAPTURED, AND RECAPTURED, &C.
FROM MAY 15 TO JULY 13, 1804.
*T"HE Ruff, BSfnvenie, from Drmenm to Gnernfey, i">
•*• op-a-rrJ nd ca rieu into Guadeloupe.
The A:)" .ic, U: V.'alKr, fn-:-i Jamaica to Liverpool,
Ueiptm.J a-id canieu :rr, the Hu.a:uiah.
Bolt n, Apri! ;fi. — By 'he Finny, Smith, frftn th«
Ifles cf T'i-.-e. *e hive artvic-.- ..f the 1 Jis or the Pu'jXMle
•p, and the Cato, of London, on Wreck Keef,
. . miles from Sa'.ay C.pe, un the l;tt Aujuft ;
the e.ews and a ivjantity of pro.is jus favei from the
wrecks.
The Henry, RcyroWs, from Charlefton to London, is put
into Nn-f .«', virf 'it, :-. liir.-ef.
The Bcf< n, Suiter, from r.nglinJ, has been taken at
Koo Ita Sound, r.y the natives..
The Ki.pe, Far^utizr, from North Carolina to Jamaica,
is cftpturad : the Captain arrived at Jamaica.
Thj Charlotte, Cornfbct;,, from Quebec to Jamaica, was
loft on the Ifland of Anticofti, in November lafl ; part of
the carjo and materials Civert.
Tie Lont r>':r.can, AUerfon, from London to St. Vin-
ecm's, v/as tsken 29th February, in tiie latitude of Bar-
' v the Grand Decide French privateer, and carried
into v jaoaloup;.
The Difpatch, Oxley, from Liverpool to Copenhagen, is
taken by a Dutch privateer, and carried into Hol.a:>n.
The Orion, , failed fron- Virginia, ii.r January,
for Antwerp, and has not firxe been heard of.
The Albert, Maxwell, from Demerara tor Virjinia ; the
Ocean, Pritchard, from Portland for St. Bartholomew : and
the Two Brothers, Nichols, rKm Guadaloupe to New York,
are detained, and lent into Bermuda by the Driver Si^op
«f War.
The Sophia, Dorothea, Schutt, failed from Hull about
the middle of November, for Lubeck, and has not fn.ce
keen he.rd of.
The Maiden, Thompson, frum Aberdeen to London, is
wrecked off Loweftofte ; the crew and part of the matt--
rials f»vM.
The Refpect, PI ce, from oporto to Hull, is on more
•n the Ker.tifh Kr.cck, near Margate, but expecte.1 to be
got oft".
Ti.c Nancy, Durell, from Petersburg and Copenhagen to
Camif._-y ; the John, Nermes, from Hull ; and the Fi e
•f Aberdeen, Martin, from SucderUnrt to Aberdeen, are
talren and carried in'-" H ,!land.
Tt.« Cargador, Johanftn, from Dublin, it Branded off
Aix.
Tbe Wadftray, Way, from London to Dcmtrara, has
fc«en taken by the Egyp'ienne French privateer, retaken by
the Blanche frigate, and arrived at Jamaica.
Tde suu.-mah Margirttu, Lund, from London, is
«ra/uicd near Ivica.
The Harriet, Robfon, from Halifax to Newcaftle, was
loft on Sahle Iliand the j8th of January. 1 he crew and
part of the cart > :
Lo Deux Freics, , from Bourdeauxto Martinique,
is taken by tlie Tartar letier of mirqu., of GucrMcy, »i.d
•arned into that Mland.
The FortitMde, Huiman, frcm New York for London-
derry, is taken hy \<= Brave French piivatecr (former.y Uie
*!ng Getrgc Lisbon packet, fince captured) and carried
into Ribabc.i in bpiin.
The C^lor, O'Han, from Jamaica to Liverpool, is on
Oiore in Pundi um Cay, Count) of Down ; a brig, witn
•ialt for Newtouixilani], u f n i!ii-re near tt:e umc place.
Tbe Ann, , from Te:&nmou;h to Sliieldi, has be;n
taken by a priv.teer of 14 guns— retake:, by the Da.t cut-
ter, and arn/eU at Dartn.outh.
Th-J Otter, of Maiypurt, in ballift, has been taken ne«r
CapeVratii, and funk, by I'HirJJrtelie Frenc.i privatetr.
The Retrieve, Cf.^rtrcs ; and list iuoply, Lane, of
WBit&y, which were ltnuii.$d on the Iflarfc of Leff
J).ctii:t,er Ui,-J»re fc«n got off, ma J>»t
Tfe Qnlcklilvrr, RoteRone, of Dartmouth, with fatt,
bcu-id t., Newfour.dlane, wai loft at cil > join May.
Tl.c Ann ar.J M ry, While/, witl, fto;ies, fur London,
was rvn rtowa ty a light coi..er in the r.i.-r.t ct ti.e 25O»
May, ?boi;» five ro:le. to vtv f . 'itt;v> J-d o/ the «c*tiii»
lirht in l.'arjiijbiirt Gut. Cre-A- fivtd.
BarCa loc., :6'h Apiil — Tr.e c,r..i)d Deodc, Frendt pri-
v»t«r, is cruinng to wiaawaru, ann Ha ti»tn one cf th*
convoy under the Menriid (r.gate. from e.orie —A brigt
coal loaded, f .iipofed tu he'.ong to the Urania'i convey, from
1'crtfmouth, is aid taken oft ti.i- Ifla- d.
1'he Joliiis and William, from Dublin to Chefter, it
totally loft.
The Vier, Gc breeder*, Hartnt, from Embden, ic de-
tained and fent into Yarmouth by the Africaine frigate.
The William, it.jey, of Dartuiouth, frcm Liverpool for
Ne foundlane, is un ir.ore in Dundrum B .y, Ireland, but
is expeftsrt to be go- off.
The Meanwell, Robfon, from Nc^-caftle to Norway ; an 4
the Na: cy and Margaret, Barclay, rrum Peterliead to
C!ir;.:iLi...'nd, b th in balUA, an taken by the Uaie Dutch
privateer, .ind burr.t.
Tlie Peggy, , from Cardigan to London, is car-
ried into Viym«uth by the Brit.fti Fair cutter, having bee>
defei t<*d by the crew, on 1'uppofiticn that the cutter was >
French priva-.eer.
Tl.e v> i.u..m, , fuppofed to be laden with himier,
and to belong to Wifcaflct, has been towed into Scilly, dif-
niafted am, full of »iter.
Leghorn, 27th Apii:. LeGenereux, Melzy (Ci.ebesk),
is returned to tins port from a cruize,VHh a SwedlOi ve&
fei laden «ith £nglifli mercrAndize.
The Eliza Ann, of 400 tons, from Madras, is reported
to hare bvt;, taken at the i::and of Sumatra in November
la!?, by a French fquadro:: undsr AJmira. Lmois.
The ve™<, Wardell, from London to Jerfcy, is Otoea
and canie into Dieppe.
The Cairle D^ujtlas, A len, from Liverpool to rh«
Biit. , U r.captureu by the Spencer man of war, aed fent
into P.ymouth.
The Vrow, Elina, — — , of Embden, from Port tt
France, is detailed and fent into Dover by the jack»4
gun-brig.
The Elizabeth, Culhin, from Guernfey to Briftol, *•»•
loft the 6th Jui>e, on Biddeford Bar ; crew li.ed ; grtt(
part of the caigo exptrfted to be fared.
The Fnci ds, Wiliiams, fm,n Jertey to Virginia, hju
bte-u taken by the Br^ve piivateer of Bourdcaux, «c<
burnt.
The Fime, Waters, of and for Philadelphia, from St. Do-
mingo, i> taken by a French privateer, a.>d carried mta
liarraeoa.
An Englim (hip, from London, worth joo,«x> doliart,
w?s t.., ci. b> a French frigare, and cwritd into the Illes of-
France, l Feb. Ialt.
The Chance, Watt, from Jamaica to Cr.arlefton, wa«
taken the 401 May off Uie latter pott by * Krench priva.'
teer, which is reported to have captured tne Boiaruucd,
from Clyde.
•Jt.e Neptune, Philiips, from Africa to the Wen Indie*,
it cap;i-rttl by a Frc..cn frigate, ai.d carried into &.t
Tne Argo, %Vi liams, from Fetersturi-, that wit i'rande«
in Noveii. --.r laft, en the illacd or Lctfje, is got oe, u4
• uers to b-.' rep«Tei..
I.. C^nHe r re-:.ch pri>acer, is taken by the A i um tat
Sceptic nun of war, anrt c r-Ud into Madras. A tew
<Uv, before (he left the Mauut.us, tl.e Gen. D«r»i., of
»4'«ii s, -nrt Fortune, </ 16 Jo l-i.e^i irom theocc, tbeir
on unKiio-- n.
T e I..>r<1 North, Brown, from P.«le to P:ftov«-, bt»
been tit-en ; ntaxen L; tte ipecccr man cf war, a*4
fent for Kymoulh.
Tbt C»flor, o'Hari, from Jan>iie» to t'utrpool, wkMk
MAKIN* LIST.
w«» drircn en fliort In Dunrlrnm Bay, Ireland, is con-
d»mned ; ths csr^o faved, with the exception of 5 7 tierces
of coflXe.
The Grace, Prynn, from Sunderland to Plymouth, has
fceen on the Shingl.s, fmce got off and put into I.yming-
IDT., -fter thtowmi pa t of h<-r cargo of coals overbear j.
The Zephyr, Jackfon, from Gibraltar and Liihun f>
C .irk, was taken off Cape Clear the 8th June, by the
C.en. Autereau French privateer.
Th« Nancy, Scott, from Liverpool, ftruc< on a roci; in
the Bay of Fundy, en 7th M.y, and fiiietl with water, ai.d
it is doubtful if (he w.U oe gut off; crew 1'ived,
T)ie North Star, Edmonfton, from Ldch to Piflow,
lining a leak ia lat. 54. j6. long. 17. 16. and ba, put i:.to
the Clyde, after being 24 days a: fca.
The Horta, Bar*'ise, fiora BUfaft to Dronton, w», cap-
tured jSih April, off C^pe Wrath, by a French privatie;',
and funk.
The Autumn, Hobkirk ; and the \\aldndge, Hrd.cy, of
Sonderluid, failed frura -Ejvf.vurih 8th April, wtr ;» en
the fame evt-ni..g off lieaihy by a lugger pnvatct-r, and
carried into Dieppe.
The American Hoop Nancy, royd, from St. Marc's to
Tfcw Yor~, snd tlie Ansrrivaii l-!iO)r.er, Vulture and 1'olly,
from St. Doiriingn to j'.i.timor;, have keen tikes, l.y French
pri»atecr;; fi.-.ce retaken, an'! arri.rd at Jamaica.
The Hi.;.ry A.'i!>:ig:cn, Lacey, frum Lo.idon tu Jamaica,
run on fhore I^tli April, ou flarcbufh Key, near Old Har-
bour, Jamaica, and it is feared will he io.t.
The Duke of Ma.ibro1 p:-eket, m.:n Fa'mo-.ith to the
Xeeward If..: .«• , i- c .; tuixd to tlie wii.rtwM.. of Barba-
dos, by a French privateer, after an auion in which one
pUftnger .uvlfever.il men win- k-.U-d a., i iiwmied.
The Duk.: of Ui.>i.:e. , from Jamaica to London,
was taken by a »'ren:h priviucr, in Aprii, a:.u c_rncd into
St. Jiso d? Curu.
The Ki?ar. , v.'ooJ, fr m Liverpool, was on frio.-e orf
rtiiUJ.-lphia isui MX,, but txpic:ci. to . c ,;o: on".
The M. AfrUa and Den.erara to
the Havauiuh, is loii in the- streifihts of j>aha:i:. 3. The
crew and p^ pic laved, and arrived a; tl.tt H2.^:u 3h, in
die Maria, TUiin.
The Lucy, Broods, fio-n Liverpool to the Cape de Verd?,
i< nut int^i Cork with dar.iifc.
T; e I'roi'erpir.e DutcK frigate, of 32 guns, and the Pylades
• 18 guns, were taken by Comnioiore Hood's
Cjuadron, at Surinam, the 4th May, and arr:»ed at Jl-rti-
«!<«! the 19th.
The Enterprbe, Graham; and Garland, Piiv^rv from
N?w Vroviuente, ai-c arrived ;ti C:r.rlcftnii, v. iih il>e Frerx.1.
citioni: cor ttt>. i'.- :>.> .-me, of 4 guns and 360 men, pr.n-
«ip»uy Frencn ;r. op--., imr.i Hie Kavaan^L, capti-reu witiun
three m.lts of Charie'.ifui i ar.
'Die Mentor, '1 lium.u, iK-rn Mc!Ti..a t» London ; and the
Catherine, ; •* i:;i J b i^.v.l.u: wa=. c nv. >:. tthem,
have been tiken by a FKnch p.i.-atetr. near MiJta; the
Ur» fotmcr were ieta^en umc day t.y the Bittern llo^p of
*ar, who alfj captured the priva:r--r.
The Excellent, Pavi;, from Carmarthen to Loi.clon, has
retaken by the Nile
»e«n capti
cutter, and fe:;t into Hauitgate.
Tht Venn;, Haller, from Liverpool, was captured on the
Windward coaft of Athca, ifth Apri., by U.r V^ie T: o-
yu< privateer.
The May, ChrifHe, and the N..mph, of Lynn, both c&l-
Kers, werecaptuieU 23d Apri. off i.e^'hy Head, and carried
into a port near B
The Melcunike, Lang-id), from Wejrmouth to London,
wai taken :o;h June, by a private-r of 16 jui 3, fince re-
taken by ti.c- Indefatigable armed (hip, ana arrived at
The jonj Jan Weife, Weiman, from Arnfterdam to
Corunaa, is detained by the SwaLowpu.ateer of Plymouth,
»nd fcnt into that p- rt.
The Kingfmill, Moon, from Liverpool to Barbados?, is
aptured by the J'uoaapartc privateer, and carried into
captured by the ,'uonapanc pnvAicci, *IMI ^aiti^u n,.u
.GuaJoJoupe, after ari enj;iseu.i;:it in wbich Cape. Moon
Wis ki.led.
A letter from Genoa, of the 3oth May, Rates, th..t the
Venseur Ualiai. piiv.i:eer liad ar.ived there a few days
ktfcrc, with two Fntir.":-. •- t.ad captured.
Tl.e f . . i» on more
. l.e loft .
i'i;r..ou.h 27111 June, from
rja three ^r:nch luc't-
Anner.j to Bayonne, Ude i with wheat ana a number ot
«ullars, and feat thtm for P;>I:
Tl« Atlas, M'Fill, frum Liverpool fiir Nova Scotia,
b on (here on Cape Brctcn, but expected to be >ot off.
The Mercury, of DunKarven, Fowler, Maiitr, v. . . r'jn
4own ia Dublin Bay, 2SJi June, by the i'atr.c, of Ayr.
4rev uycd.
The Sun Gwrfij, from 5myrna to Arr.ftfrdatl), Is de.
tain'.d by a rnt;,ti frigate an' lent into Malta.
very, C- • trr, from Jamaica to London, is taken
by trie Venn privateer of Na -c^, and carrie
•
>"r»ra, , fri'in Dunenni which wai driven
- .A i.f I.elur, in J.' nary laft, ^a^ bteif
•>: i .il', r.-c! arrwed in tn-j Ciy.!-: Jit-- June.
The E'lan: n ftiiji, e. I) let Sombre .,e Jefus, from St.
t>.u'u«:,'s to M-irlai\, is i't'i.it.e^ by -,l,e Cai>i io fch'tner,
;ld l"c;tt m.o Fiy:
The trig Swa.i, from Car. iff to London, is rvrrrtcd ro
have bten u; m by '.he Vemercux rn.r.t.fr, »-,
inici liieppe jth Jut ; it is a!fi addcJ, tt.-.t
iv.'tt-"- capturril iVvc.. oll.er vi^clr at me fir c ,i"ie.
At E.-igii(h bi'it; . t
in haliiui, v.ith 14 r.rn "n h:.ard, inc'u. i n 7 !
was taken ifth Apri by tr e Ve-'us vrivjrter of :
The Anna Sophia, LanRCrfield, t'-.,,. Rotttn'.a -T, to
nubiia, is on mure 0,1 :. <• Iilana «•' t
and it isfcar,.d will be tufly jolt.
Tl;e Altrr , Lurrt- r.. fro.n London to Meme!, . r,,.
mr>r>: i.eai M -ir..-l, but exp'-ctctt to t.e g r off.
The s.veiMh bririr.tine Ker i uken by a French, priva-
tetr. »nJ cairied u -M 1<
A Frei ch p-Pf M~ :-e 2^d June ftatcs, t:,at t-.i-o FiiR.ifli
en \>t t..e Profper
pri/ateer, of iio;ii'. J-IH-, cn-i ^ r;
T:ie !'..t:y, OUur, J rii'.-i :.i tr.e Ki.u :'.e ill Ju'y,
fa:iea from L:-. ,frr,i..,i -th J-jvj ; wlten ntf tb land % F.nJ,
pn.a c.r h v in &£ht, aod captured a vclfel,
i he a Co.ifter.
1 l.e Du e <f York, Cof»an, from nriflol to Poolc, wat
::;:cn .'uh : i?t>. s.id ia:ricrt into S'. Mice's.
The A. L-n on TO Jerity, il
wrecked i.ear A.derne; j t:.cat p-r: of tru ca.-go 1'aven.
The Kc!lerb..',in, Piiucc, ;ri.Mi ^t* York v ith tiir.berj
g:.t fjn more near Tonnineen, J5th June, and fi.ie-.. wiat,
water
The Two Bro:r«r«, GiraldiJ aiW the Cicero, Scrra,
letters of ro-irqu:, bclonei..g to Gibraltar, bovi.it from that
puce to v,^,ta, witn c-rt'^ of ti>,.cco and ' ..
were chafed, on i. 'file of Altea, by
the Kfpersi.ce French \ rivmeer, of io tui.s ai.d 5y men,
and ti..re taken ; t!,e n^xt day :.
.nd c:ipt,.red in the ro."i of V -.liatofa t'. e Wi:>crv.i, Livua,
Ittter of marvjvie, of cib;aJ ^r, 01. tr.j farce vc.yate and
firmer cargo as the abuve, a,:d i>a« carried her three prices
into Alicant.
Tue t'n ccrn. (of Lo: do:i], N-rwton, from the South Seas,
was c.,pturvd off i: i;clt:'.a 21.1 Apr!!, by :h-j Sur.ouf
privaterr, i.f 24 t: ir.y-fix lounoers. »l-.icn mip <,;:
capture; the V . ,n-., iasrived off PortO;x)»:h,)
afte
her careo.
The Rociidale, Roberts, fiom Lisbon to Tobago, was
t'.' en t!:e middle of May by a Fieich privateer, a-id fenv
for t::at libi.d.
'ihe 1-t.nry. Ri-ynn-dr,, from Cbarieiion to Lon^
iato NoriUk, in \iis.n.a, in diltrcfs, and there con
tat go and.-d.
Tl.e Providence cutter, , of Guernffy, of 6 funl,
was taken :he end i.t" May, off Vigo, by a F.'cu<;.
of JD guns, ana full of men.
Two itiK.xsttiTs »frc taken in Gambia liverjbe end of
Apri., by two privateers, from Cayeisi.e, which proceeded
to tl at place with their prize!.
Tbe Angi.la, Bi.yes, of and ftom Liverpool, aimed witji
16 runj, 6 an<! is pounder,, and '(.n tarl/
in Ma^ by le Tigre Fieiic,-. pnraicer, of 4 B'Jn!i witRou;
fi.ins ?. :i.ut, and carried into ;L
The volunteer, Lamb, from £v:fd:r'snd. with coals, a
reported to bi»c betn taken i1)' a p .vitttr oft' Hanu-poot,
n;h June.
The briK Andalufia, Rodre.rue9, frcm ra< iz tu Tonnin-
7th Ju'y ; the cargo is exi-i-cud lo b(. i
Tl.e r nny, Rotnnlun, from Bombay to Clii-ia, is fjp.
pofcd -o be toft.
The Autiil. Aroin, Rngtrs, fri.m Loi.rtoa to EI
Ci,l!r:tf|X r.f M..:.. rlai.d, , from T
ana 3. h.-iy f om liuii'ucltn, arc taken by 1 ;
anj iarrit<i ii.n tuc Hi:-, if r.a.'KC.
T. ^ S'. Ai.dre, St'.lvo, frjin CaJi7 to Pieppe, r,
by tlic Dart <utter, am: iani n.to 0ar-t..
Tl-.i; Gc
.
in May by a > rench privtieer,
or. board an Amejican, and arrived at Ji^i.u
May.
'Ih-j Aurora, Stringer, frjrf Jamaica to Lfn '
ta*tn by a frc::c:i |tiv»'tcr on ly.i. M'y.
f To be continued,]
NATHAN i E :i, DAN c :K , K
<•/• //- EARL
. r f </.// • //,,//'r <>•/;///'/ /t //.
/r>S/f >//" r/«t, ,</
//,,
Shoe lane .flat Strcrt .
TIT GRAPHICAL :.IEMOTR OF
SIR NATHANIEL DANCE, KNT.
Ccaunant/er ef tr'<e Honourable East India Company's Sb'>p Earl CamJen,
and Commodore oflhcir 1'i.
Some are born great; some achieve greatness.
S H A K S P E A R E .
Ne'er did man, with 'uch bright glory clothed,
Bear him so meek. To God h~ gave the praise,
Owning himself his humble minister.
The honours proud heaped on him he received
With b!u?hes, or with gentle speech repelled,
As one scarce worth v."
ANON.
A CCUSTOMED, as we have been for a long period of
time, to contemplate the brilliant achievements of our
naval heroes, until an uninterrupted scries of splendid vic-
tories, unclouded by the remembrance of a single disaster,
seemed to place an almost impassable barrier between our
Fleets and the slightest reverse of fortune, it was reserved
for the era of the present war to complete the triumph of
Britain, and the disgrace of her vain-glorious foe. On the
first appearance of the re-commencement of hostilities,
Admiral Linois, who had been sent from France to take pos-
session of the ceded settlement of Pondicherry, and with a
force, which, under the management of British Sailors, had
been adequate to the destruction of our commerce in the
Indian Seas, made his escape from the roads of Pondicherry,
and proceeded to join the Dutch Fleet at Batavia. From
thence, however, he sailed without his allies in quest of the
English homeward-bound China Fleet. On the I4th of
February, 1804, having with him a force consisting of five
Ships of War, viz. the Marcn;;o, of 84 guns, la Beile Poule
and la Semillante, heavy Frigates of 44 and 36 guns, la
Pinson, of 20 guns, and the Dutch Brig Aventuria, mount-
ing 1 8 32-pound carronades, he came in S'ght of his intended
xsatu erfjton. ©ol.XII. Y v
346 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR.
prey, composed of 16 Sail of laden Indiamcn, and eleven
valuable Country Ships without convoy, and under the orders
of Commodore, now Sir Nathaniel, Dance. On the i5th, at
two P.M., arter giving to the gallant English Commander the
most complete opportunity of evincing his own nautical
skill, and of displaying the matchless and universal ardour
of his intrepid Fleet, the French Admiral exhibited to the
world another and an unexpected proof of British naval supe-
riority, the Ships of Wai of proud imperial France flying
from the pursuit or" an unprotected Fleet of English Mer-
chantmen.
7'he scope of our publication has, hitherto, been peculiarly
directed to the characters of those who, by their profession) are
more immediately and wholly employed in fighting the naval
battles of their country. We conceive, however, that
although we may in this instance in some degree depart from
our ordinary plan, we shall not fail to gratify all our readers
by the following biographical sketch of the gallant merchant
veteran, to whose cool and determined conduct on that me-
morable day we are indebted for a new trophy in our temple
of national fame, and to which, as we have been informed,
the public owe the preservation of a property of the value of
ten millions sterling.
Sir Nathaniel Dance was born in London on the 20th of
June, 1748. His father, Mr. James Dance, was the eldest
son of Mr. George Dance, the late City Architect. He was
a man whose natural powers of mind, strengthened by all
education in which his excellent parents spared neither trou-
ble nor expense, fitted him for the highest stations of that
profession, the law, for which he was designed. He married
when he was only nineteen years of age, and while at Oxford,
Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. James Hoper, many years a
respectable Officer in the Custom House of London. Bj
her, during the time he lived with her, he had many childrei
of whom only Sir Nathaniel is now alive. Shortly after th
birth of the Commodore, his father, who had for some time
adopted habits of dissipation, quitted his family altogether,
OF SIR. NATHANIEL DANCE, KNT. 3^7
formed an unfortunate connection with Mrs. Love, an infe-
rior actress of that day, and, assuming her name, distinguished
the latter years of his life by sustaining, with no trivia! ap-
plause, a certain cast of characters 'on the boards of Drury
Lane Theatre.- He died in 1744; his widow died in 1783;
and his cnly surviving daughter, Sarah, died in the present
year, 1804. By his total neglect of his family, the care of
Sir Nathaniel, in his infant years, devolved on the parents
of his father. Under their eye he, received the first rudiments
of learning ; and, under the influence cf their excellent
example, he first learned to appreciate and to admiie in.
others, and afterward? to display in his own chnr. crer, those
qualities which, through a long life of anxieties and ill for-
tune, have endeared him to all who know him. Although
his professional career has been uniformly marked bv a series
of disastrous incidents, which left him, at the commence-
ment of 1803, a considerable loser by the services of his
whole life, yet, in spite of every difficulty, he, from his
earliest years, never ceased, during their jives, to be the pro-
tector of his deserted mother and the father of his orphan
sister. An observance so generous and so exemplary of these
most prominent duties of private life now sheds a brighter
glory round his public fame.
In the year 1759 he quitted his grandfather's paternal roof,
and embarked on the stormy ocean of his career under the
protection of his relation the late Nathaniel Smith, Ksq., who
is still remembered, not less as one of the ablest Officers of
his time in the Indian service, than for his di tinguished
merits during the many successful periods in which he pre-
sided in the Court of Directors. Under him he served a
strict but salutary appreniiccslwp to the profession of a Sc.i-
inan, and laid the foundation of that nautical science to
which the country is indebted for his brilliant achievement
in the China Seas. From the year 1759 to 17^7, he parsed
successively through all the gradations of professional ser-
vice, under the unremitting protection ol his first ai,d only
patron, to the rank of a Commander, During tais period he
348 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
made eight entire voyages to India, one to the Mediterranean,
and one to the West Indies, besides a part of one to the East
in 1780, when he was among the number of those captured
by the combined Fleets of France and Spain, in which latter
country he remained six months a prisoner on his parole.
In January 1787, he sailed as Commander of the Lord
Camden, in which Ship he made four voyages; and, in
January 1803, he sailed for China in a new Ship, the Earl
Camden, of 1200 tons burthen, and cairying 36 i8-poun-
ders. On the 5th of February, 1804, he left Canton on his
return to Europe, having been appointed, by right of seniority,
Commodore of the whole Fleet ; and, on the I4th, he fell in
with the Squadron under Admiral Linois.
During his stay at Bombay, on his outward-bound pas-
sage, Captain Dance was attacked with a severe illness, which
had nearly terminated his existence ; and, at the ti;ne when the
French Fleet was first discovered, he was still suffering under
its effects. On this occasion, however, the weakness of the
body yielded altogether to the energy of the mind. Anxious,
but not dismayed by the responsibility of his situation,
tin awed by the inequality of force with which he \x. as about
to contend, confident in the gallantry of ri:ny Ship, and
determined to save all, he bade defiance to the hostile Fleet,
as his pendant floated in the breeze, the signal of decisive
resistance, and the pledge of assure:] victory. In a preceding
part of this volume (vide parje 137) v;e have laid before our
readers the modest letter of the gallant Commodore published
in the London Gazette. Participating as we do in the
feelings of our countrymen, it has been our business to m
the most minute inquiries into1 the circumstances of this
glorious action. The novelty of such an crgagement, sus-
tained as it was by British Merchantmen against French
Ships of War, excites a more than ordinary curiosity, as its
success has raised a more than ordinary degree of admiration.
We cannot sufficiently express our opinion of the coolness,
intrepidity, and^skill, with which the Commander of this
Fleet, unaccustomed as he was to the practice of naval
OF SIR NATHANIEL DANCE, KN?. 349
engagements, provided against every emergency, and prepared
his plans, either for attack or defence, as the manoeuvres of
the French Admiral might render it expedient for him to
adopt either the one or the other. His conduct was worthy
of the experience and science of our most approved and
veteran Admirals, while the ardour and promptitude with
which his orders were obeyed and his plans executed by the
several Captains under his command, may have been rivalled,
but can scarcely have been exceeded in the most renowned
of our naval exploits.
The anxiety which so long pervaded the public mind for
the safety of this valuable Fleet, the surprise of joy with
which the news of its safety was at last received, and the
testimonies of applause which have signalized this action, are
the best criterions of its importance, and of the merits of
those by whom it was achieved. The most lively enthu-
siasm testified the satisfaction of all ranks of the people on
their arrival in England. The Captains were distinguished
in the most honourable manner, by public bodies of their
countrymen ; the East India Company bestowed the most sub-
stantial rewards on the whole Fleet; and the King conferred
;on the Commodore the honour of Knighthood, with expres-
sions o; the most marked and flattering approbation. To sum
up the character of this transaction in few words, we may
say or it, that, by its unprecedented success, it has added to
our national fame; and, by its preservation of so vast a pro-
perty, at this juncture, it has added to our means of security,
and strengthened our sinews of war. His grateful country
has not been backward to reward the eminent services of the
Commander, under whose directions this great event has
been accomplished, and history will record, among the
naval heroes of Britain, the name of NATHANIEL DANCE.
[ 350 ]
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &e.
NANTEi IN CURGITE VASTo!
VSEFUL HINTS FOR SAILORS AND SEAFARING MEX.
BATHING in the sea-water, in hot climates, is very wholesome,
when done with discretion : it should never be immediately after
meals, for reasons obvious to those who are acquainted with animal
nature and economy. Bathing in, and drinking, salt water is a spe-
cific cure for scorbutic diseases. Cleanliness and frequent washings
are very beneficial. Sir John Narborough preserved the health of his
Crew, in a long and unwholesome voyage, by obliging them to have a
strict observance of cleanliness, and particularly by washing themselves,
and being careful to keep neat and sweet their vessels of cooke-y.
Cleanliness also extends itself to apparel and bed-clothes, which should
always be, with the strictest care, preserved in the utmost state of
purity. One instance of detrimental uncleanness, is lying down to
sleep, as Seamen too frequently do, in all their clothes : this should
never be preferred ; but, instead of being prevented, it is often encou-
raged, that they may be ready at a call. Much sleep in hot weather
is hurtful; it relaxes and enervates greatly, and disposes the body to
many disorders. It gieatly behoves all Seamen who have a due regard
for self-preservation, never to sletp upon deck, especially in the night,
or when the air is moist, for obvious reasons. Let the breast be
covered during sleep. It were perhaps needless to admonish Seamen
never to sleep exposed to the sun, rain, or cold winds. Every Seaman
ought to have three shirts, that he may be able, by keeping them
duly washed, to change once in three or four days. After linen has
been washed in salt water, it should be rinced in fresh; for the
salt particles adhering to it, are hurtful to the wearer. The expense
of fresh water would be but small, a hundred shirts may be rinced in
a small pail of fresh water; but when, it rains, tvtn without that
charge.
It is very important in the healthiness of Ships, to be well provided
•with a plentiful store of vinegar : if the Seamen use it with all their
victuals, the better, but especially with pork ; and a little in water too,
particularly in hot cLmates or intemperate weather. Vinegar corrects
evil effe-cts from water inclining to putrefaction, and promotes greatly
that salutary perspiration which in Lot climates prevents putrid fevers
and inflammations. If vinegar fail, spirit of sea salt answers, in a very
small quantity, nearly the same happy purpose, as in a greater pro-
portion. If a littfc shrub were provided for the use of Seamen <ifter
haid fatigue, instead of such liquors as are commonly given to them,
s
NAVAL ANECDOTES, &C.
by generous and humane Commanders, on these occasions, it would
have a much better effect, as the vegetable acid in it gives it a supe-
rior efficacy against putrefaction.
On such occasions as sickness, how easily might Seamen be sup-
plied with good plenty of excellent and wholesome soup, by the
help of a digester.
It may stem a trifling matter, but it will prove greatly salutary to a
Ship's Crew, to make every man wash his mouth every morning and
night with vinegar. This is particularly salutiftrous in hot weather,
and a singular preservative against the scurvy and all putrid diseases.
At the same time as such a diffusion of acid or antiseptic particles are
disseminated through the parts of a Ship, they exert their antiscorbu-
tic efficacy, to prevent or destroy the influence of putrescent or cor-
rupt air, and to restore it to a wholesome state. By this practice
also, the lungs and more tender vitals become sheathed or armed
against the reception or inhalation of the volatile particles of putrefac-
tion, so that they either are repelled, or else entirely change their
poisonous to a harmless quality. A man in such armour is safe.
Fine grass hay in rain-water, makes a liquor which is perhaps one of
the most excellent preservatives against, and remedies in, the sea
scurvy ; it is a pleasant drink : hay is easily preserved, and it may be
made to occupy no great compass of room.
REMARKA.BLE PRESKRVATION AT SEA.
Letter from Captain Ebenezer Bradshaiu, Commander of the Andalusia,
dated Halifax, y]p,il 30, i 759.
THE 27th of February, being thtn in the lat. of 34° N. long. 47'
W., about two o'clock in the afternoon we saw a Vessel without
masts, about three miles to leeward of us ; immediately bore down to
see what she was : I found it to be the Dolphin Sloop, Capt. Baron,
from the Canaries, bound to New York ; they had bten from the
Canaries ever since Sept. 1 1, 165 days; 1 15 they had had nothing to
eat. I sent my Boat on board to see what condition they were in ;
my people called to me, and told me they were helpless and starving,
and desired to know whethtr I could take them on board : I ordered
my people to put them in the Boat and bring them on board, which
accordingly they did. When they came alongside our Ship we were
obliged to hawl them in with ropes, they wtre so very weak: there
were the Captain and seven others; but such poor miserable creatures
sure never was seen : had it been a week longer they must all have
died. When I came to examine the Captain and the people, they
told me, that they had not had any provisions for upwards of three
months before they saw me ; they had eaten their drtg, tluir cats, and
all their shoes, and, in shoit, every thin* that was eatable on board.
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
On the loth of January they all agreed to cast lots for lives, which
accordingly they did : the shortest lot was to die ; the next shortest
was to be the executioner. The lot fell upon Anthony Gallitia, a
Spanish gentleman, a passenger ; they shot him through the head,
which tluy cut off and threw overboard ; they then took out his
bowels and ate them, and afterwards are all the remaining part of the
body, which lasted but a very little while.
The Captain told me they were for casting lots a second time, but
it happened very luckily that he bethought himself of a pair of
breeches which he had, lined with leather; he soon found them, took
out the lining, and cut ot7 for each man's share a piece of about an
inch and a half square, for the day's allowance; that, with the grass
that grew upon deck, was all the support they had for about twenty
days btfore I met with them : the grass, as my people told me, was
in gome places four or five inches long. The Captain brought on
board the remaining part of the leather lining, which I have got, and
a piece of the same that was the allowance for one man for the day.
Words cannot express the deplorable condition they were in when
I met them. I have on board the Captain's journal of ail their pro-
ceedings. I brought seven of them safe in here, well and hearty ; one
died at sea. I shall say no more on this melancholy subject, but
happy for them that I met them that day. .They had not been on
board my Ship above two hours, before we had a most violent hard
gale of wind ; the Captain told me he verily believed that the Sloop
foundered that night.
PHENOMENON AT MALTA*.
FORTY years since, a Maltese clock maker, who owned the
mountain of Zebug, formed a plan of making salt-works, by digging
a reservoir, and letting in the sea water. He flattered himself that the
heat of the sun would cause the water to evaporate, leaving behind it
a sufficient quantity of salt not only to indemnify him for the expense
he had been at, but to enrich him considerably. The difficulty w?.s
to facilitate the entrance of the water, it being forty or fifty feet below
the reservoir made in the rock. After a variety of attempts, he at
last discovered that there was a grotto under the rock, which commu-
nicated with the sea ; he immediately pierced the rock in a perpendi-
cular direction, and made an aperture like the mouth of a well. This
plan succeeded extremely well; and he was delighted to find that the
•water in the reservoir diminished every day, which he attributed to
the natural effect of the sun ; and he continued letting in as much
water as possible, in hopes of encreasing the quantity of salt. But h;»
* fide BOISGEUK'S History of Malta, just published.
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLL1CTIONS, &C. 353
furprise was beyond description, on perceiving that the water was not
evaporated, but absorbed by the spongy roek, from which, owing to
filtration, it in time returned to the place from which it originally
came. It was some time before he made this discovery ; which at
last was owing to his wishing to collect the salt he imagined to be con-
tained in the reservoir, at the bottom of which the rock was entirely
dissolved by the acid of the salt, and nothing remained but a thick
kind of mud. The grief he suffered from this disappointment, threw
Lim into a long and dangerous illness. On the approach of winter the
weather became windy and the sea rough. One day in particular, a
terrible storm arose, and the violence pf the wind drove the raging
waves into the grotto ; where the body of water increasing consi-
derably, and being confined in this almost circular spot, acted with a
rotatory motion, and formed a syphon or water- spout. There being
no passage but the well newly opened, it forced its way through with,
violence, and appeared like a beautiful wheat-sheaf of water of so large
a circumference as to fill up the whole mouth of the well ; and rising
perfectly entire to the height of sixty feet, formed a magnificent
aigrette. Its projectile force was so great, that the wind could not act
upon it till it had reached the above-mentioned height ; when it sud-
denly separated, and the aqueous particles composing this immense
body of water were diffused over the country on all sides, te the extent
of more than a mile. The violent rain of salt water destroyed all
vegetation ; and the cultivated fields, which before had been amply-
productive, appeared as if they had suffered from fire.
The inhabitants of the neighbourhood brought an action againsf
the clock-maker, ?nd claimed damages to a great amount, but
he died before the affair was decided. To prevent anothe'r misfortune
of the same nature, they stopped up the mouth of the well with
large stones. This operation occasioned another phenomenon, as
extraordinary as the former. A great quantity of air was confined by
the waves in the bottom of the grotto j which being rarified, repulsed
the water with such violence as to cause the most terrible explosionSf
which not only shook the rock, but the whole neighbourhood. The
tremendous noise of these different explosions resounded through all
the grottoes, and resembled a discharge of artillery of all sizes, quickly
succeeding each other. These sounds being constantly echoed, had
the effect of the most violent peals of thunder, particularly when
different storms met together. The terror was general; and constant
apprehensions were entertained that the rocks would be thrown down,
ynder which this subterraneous thunder never ceased to roar when the
wind was high. This horrible noise still continues whenever the well
is filled up ; but when the impetuous waves confined in the cavem
|2ao. erpron. Oiol.XlJ. z z
KAVAL ANECDOTES,
have in some degree removed the stones at the bottom of the wells,
the water acts with the greatest violence on them, breaking them,'
reducing them to powder, and driving them back into the sea. The
first stones being carried away, the others fall of course, and the well
once cleared, the wheat-sheaf of water forms again, and spreads desola-
tion through the adjacent parts. In the space of twenty years, the
veil has been filled up three times ; and the inhabitants are in constant
dread of a fresh explosion.
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF
FIRST LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY,
from tbt Tear 1685 to 1804.
1685 THE King acts as High
Admiral
1689 Arthur Herbert
1690 Earl of Pembroke
1692 Earl Cornwallis
1693 Viscount Falkland
1695; Edward Russell
1700 Earl of Bridgewater
1702 Earl of Pembroke, High
Admiral
1 705 Earl of Orford
1706 Sir John Leake
1708 Earl Strafford
1710 Earl of Orford
1712 Earl of Berkeley
1727 Viscount Torrington
1733 Sir Charles Wager
1 742 Earl of Winchelsea
1744 Duke of Bedfoid
'747
1751
1756
'757
1758
1762
1766
1770
182
1788
'797
i So i
Earl of Sandwich
Lord Anson
Earl Temple
Earl of Winchelsea
Lord Anson
Earl of Halifax
Earl of Sandwich, suc-
ceeded by the Earl of
Egmont
Sir Charles Saunders, suc-
ceeded by Loid Hawk«
Earl'of S'lridwiai
Admiral Keppel
Viscount Howe
Earl of Chatham
Earl Spencer
Karl or St. Vincent
Viscount Melville.
JOHNSON, THE SMUGGLER.
HIS Majesty having been gracioutly pleased to extend his mercy
to this remarkable character, it may not be improper to lay before our
readers certain occurrences of his life, of which we have been informed.
This we are induced to do, as well in justice to the man himself, who,
however unfortunate he has been in the choice of his mode of life, has
evinced, that he possesses qualities which would do honour to a more
elevated state, as in explanation of the motives which operated on tLe
feelings and liberality of the late Minister in promising, and of the
present Minister in procuring, for him his Majesty's most gracious
pardon.
When the expedition to Holland took place, in August 1797,
Johnson was a prisoner in the New Jail, in the Borough ; whence he
effected his escape in the middle of the day, in a mobt intrepid and
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C. 355
daring manner. He proceeded then without delay to Holland, and
rendered the most essential services to our troops, as well on their
landing, as afterwards in conveying to them, amidst innumerable dif-
ficulties, ammunition and provisions, of which they would at one
period have been wholly destitute, if it had not been for his exertions.
He was consequently recommended strongly by the much lamented
Sir Ralph Abercromby and the Duke of York, for a pardon, to the
then Prime Minister, Mr. Pitt, through whose influence he became an
object of royal clemency.
Unfortunately, however, the want of some regular livelihood,
tempted him to embark once more in the illicit profession of a smug-
gler, for an act in the exercise of which, he was again committed to
prison in the Fleet. From this place he also effected his escape in a
manner so wonderful as scarcely to be credible, though ascertained
beyond the possibility of doubtj on the recent trial of the Warden of
the Fleet for suffering his escape.
Though now at liberty, he found himself precluded from the possi-
bility of attempting to profit by his ingenuity in his illicit traffic, on
this side of the water, where alone he had contemplated a prospect of
success. He, therefore, made the best of his way to Holland, and,
whilst the peace lasted, aided in that country the efforts of his old
associates in this, in the prosecution of their contraband traffic.
Upon the renewal of hostilities, however, Johnson's well known skill
and intrepidity rendered him an object of the enemy's most vigilant at-
tention. He was assailed by unjustifiable persuasions and menaces,
alternately, to induce or compel him to enter into the service of France,
but in vain. His determined and honourable refusal to acquiesce in the
base proposals, caused him to be immured in one of those dreadful dun-
geons which still exist in Holland, so much to the disgrace of that
country.— During a severe confinement of nearly twelve months in
such a prison, his fortitude and loyalty underwent the severest trials,
but remained unshaken. A settlement of 6oo/. in his family was
offered to him ineffectually, as the price of his engaging in the infa-
mous attempt to invade his native country; and he shewed equal
principle and resolutiou in his contempt of the threat, that his life
should be the forfeit of his obstinacy. In what manner this extraor-
dinary man at length released himself from the miseries of his situation,
or by what singular effort of ingenuity and courage he has succeeded
in regaining his liberty, has not yet transpired. Not being aware of
the benevolent intention of Government to reward his uncommon and
persevering loyalty with a full pardon, he has directed his course
to America, and the enemy have sufficient reasons to keep the secret
to themselves.
356 PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS.
Yet, whatever might have been the means of his deliverance, every
patriotic bosom will rejoice at his success, and join us in an ardent and
sincere wish, that the great and repeated mercy he has experienced
from the Government of his country will prompt him to return, and
unite with his countrymen in defence of their common rights, to
which he manifested so unshaken an attachment, at a time, too,
when his life was forfeited for an offence against the laws of his
countrv.
• PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS.
History of the Discoveries and Improvement? made in Astronomy, Na--vi-
gation, and Geography, in the Tear 1803. 2>y JEROME LALANDE.
(From Is Magazin Encydopedique.}
r"]PHIS year will not appear so remaikable as the two preceding
ones, in which new planets and comets were discovered; but it
presents a series of important labours, undertaken for the improve-
ment of the science.
M. Piazzi has published at Palermo a very valuable work ; a cata-
logue of nearly 7000 stars, each observed several times with excellent
instruments, calculated and reduced to the year 1 800. And we have
received the catalogue of 500 stars, by M. Cognoli, with their right
ascensions and declination, which are very correct. On this work he
has been employed twenty years.
Lalande, my nephew, with his new aids and an immense number of hij
own observations, has entirely re-constructed the catalogue of 600 new
stars, which for many years he has inserted in the Connoissance det
Temps, and which serves as a foundation for the calculations of the
greater part of our astronomers. '
As the stars are the foundation of all our astronomical determina-
tions, Dr. Maskelyne has carefully revised the thirty-four stars which
he announced as having the utmost degree of precision, and which
we have all employed, as being entitled to full confidence : he found
in them an error of 4".
I have calculated some hundreds of the sun's altitudes observed in
England and France, for several years back, before and after the
equinox, and have deduced from them the sun's right ascension, and
consequently that of the stars which had been compared with him.
I have found that it is necessary to add 5" to the positions of the
•tars, which Dr. Maskeiyne gave us as being certain to a second, and
*hich all astronomers employed with the greatest security; but per-
ceiving that observations made at the distance of 40° from the zenith,
4ni at 60°, gave right ascensions which differed some times 1 5", I
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS; J57
eoncluded that there were errors of division of 5" in the interval of
20 degrees ; it will therefore be necessary to recur to the whole circle,
to verify the mural quadrants employed at Paris and at Green-
wich.
M. Delambre, at the summer solstice, made an observation of the
obliquity of the ecliptic with a multiplying circle. The mean of four
years' observations, and of two years, made by my nephew, Lalande,
gave us the mean for 1800, 23* 28'. This is the result of more than
1500 observations ; but it supposes the height of the pole to be 48°
50' 13", instead of 14", but the latter supposes the refraction of
Bradley increased by i". By these means he makes the winter to
agree with the summer solstice, between which there was a difference
of 7 or 8". The bad weather did not permit him to observe the
winter solstice with the circle, which I caused to be constructed by
Lenoir for the observatory of Palermo. The astronomers Bradley>
Lacaille, and Mayer, found for 1750, 23° 28' 18.5"; the secular
decrease, therefore, would be 42" per century ; and J prefer this result
to that of the equation of the sun produced by Venus, which would
give 50".
Dr. Maskelyne found, with a mural quadrant at Greenwich, 23°
27' 57"; but the English have not yet adopted our repeating circles,
with which one may be certain to a second, and with which no errors
in the divisions are to be apprehended.
•Piazzi, at Palermo, found 23° 27' 56.6", with an excellent circle by
Ramsden, but not a repeating circle.
The measure of a degree of the earth in Lapland, which M. Melan-
derhielm has procured for us, and the calculations it required, were
transmitted to us in the month of April, by Messrs. Svanburg,
Overborn, Holmquist, and Palander : they have found the degree to
be 57,197 toises. That found by Maupertuis, Clairaut, Camus,
Lamonnier, Outhier, and Celsius, in 1736, was 57,405, which is
greater by 208 toises. This enormous difference was suspected. The
degree of Lapland was at variance with all theory, and with every
other measurement ; it gave to the earth too great a flattening j whereas
the new degree gives -yj -y, which is not much different from the Ty?,
given by the new meridian of France, compared with the degree
measured in Peru. It is, however, so difficult to admit an error of
such magnitude, that we have requested information from Sweden on
this subject.
M. Mechain set out @n the 26th of April, 1803, for Spain, to con-
tinue the meridian of France to the 39th degree of latitude ; that is to
say, as far as the Balearian Islands. He was accompanied by Mechain
junior, Dezauche junior, and they were joined by M. Chaix, an able
Spanish astronomer.
PHILOSOPHICAL FAPER.3.
I gare him an excellent circle of j0 inches radius, made by Lenoir ;
a telescope of a large aperture was added to it : there are twelve large
reverberators, and he will be able to continue his triangles to Majorca
and Ivica, though at the distance of 93,000 toises from the coast of
Catalonia, in the months of January, February, and March, which are
those most favourable for such observations. In the mean time he has
formed six subsidiary triangles between Barcelona and Tortosa, as
detailed in the Moniteur of November 15. But in the midst of
storms and tempests, surrounded by thunder, and sleeping under a tent
upon straw, he has been obliged, for the purpose of completing his
operations, to cause wooden huts to be constructed on summits, the
climate of which is dreadful. On the 27th of October he was on the
highest peaks of Montserrat for his last triangle. On the 23d of
November the whole were finished ; but the Brig destined to carry
him to the Balearian Islands, having lost twenty men by the yellow
fever, which broke out at Malaga, was obliged to perform quarantine,
and Mechain could not proceed thither, though the court of Spain
had given the necessary oiders. At length, on the 8th of January, he
set out for Ivica, where he will commence his operations. It seems to
be determined that the war shall not prevent this useful labour. By
these means we shall have an exact measurement of 12 degrees, the
mean of which will be the 4$th degree, the one we are the most
interested to know, to verify still better our universal measure and the
magnitude of the earth.
The observatory has received some new acquisitions. On the i^yth
of August a meridian telescope, eight feet long, and of four inches
aperture, and an axis of 46 inches, made at London by the celebrated
Ramsden, was erected, and on the 6th of September M. Bouvard
observed the moon : he observed also the equinox ; and these observa-
tions will not be interrupted.
The minister, at my solicitation, caused also to be purchased, and
deposited at the observatory, in the month of August, the observations
of M. Lemonnier, which I have not had an opportunity of seeing :
they eonsist of fourteen large volumes. The observations, which
terminate at the 3oth of October, 1791, have been printed up to the
6th of June, 1745 5 but li K onty smce tne &th of April, 1755* that
they were made with the mural quadrant of 7! feet. As those of
Bradley are printed only for 1750 — 1755, and as those of Dr. Mas-
kelyne do not begin till the month of May, 1765, there is a gap of
nearly ten years ; to supply which we have recourse to the observa-
tions of M. Lemonnier, though not so correct as those of Greenwich.
But Lemonnier observed more stars. I propose to unite to this
deposit the observations of Picard, Louville, Lacaille, Bonguer,
Bailly, and d'Agelct, which are in my hands.
PHILOSOPHICAL PAP3RS. 350
The astronomy of the planets has this year made some progress.
JV1. Delambre has reconstructed tables of the sun, by introducing four-
teen new equations, furnished him by the theory of Laplace, and
calculating 500 observations of Bradley and Maskelyne.
The tables of the moon of M. Burg have been corrected by intro-
ducing new positions of the stars, and the equation of 180 years,
found by Laplace. M. Burg has found the longitude of the moon
for 1801, to be 3' 15* i' 17.3"+ 10° 2"-fo' 8'', and the secular
motion 10* 70° 52' 43-5"-
On the 1st of November, M. Burckhardt presented the result of
his calculations, in which he found 4" 6" less than the longitude
given by M. Burg, whose tables came down only to the 1710, of
November.
L. and a nom. 1801, 3" 15° i' 127" j o3 18° 56' 55*6".
Secular mot. ioa 7° 52' 45.5" j 6s 16° 49' 17-8".
The difference arises from the new equation of M. Laplace, which
M. Burg, perhaps, made too small.
The eclipse of the sun, which took place on the 1 6th of August,
was observed almost every where ; it furnished us with the verifica*
tion of several longitudes, and gave us a rigorous agreement in the
tables.
I have made new tables of Mercury and Venus, by employing the
perturbations, or inequalities, produced- by the attraction of the
other planets. M. de Laplace had given the equations estimated by
M. Bouvard.
M. Burckhardt calculated the tables. I corrected the elements
according to the latest observations, and have had the satisfaction to
Gee that the new ones are so exact, that no errors of any consequence
can be found in the most correct observations of Mercury and Venus.
M. Flauguergues has calculated the equation of Mercury in tenths
*md seconds, and the logarithms to eight places.
The following is the last inferior conjunction of Venus, observed
at Paris by Burckhardt, and Lalande, my nephew.
Mean time of the true conjunction, December the 3131, 3" 15' 3";
and the true longitude, counted from the mean equinox, 9* 9° 19' 5".
It gives for the correction of the present tables 13" in longitude,
and i" in latitude ; but by means of the correction which I made in
the epochs and mean motions, there remains only i" of error for the
longitude. I find in 1795. i"; in 1796, 2"; in 1798, i"; in 1799,
l" ; in 1801, zero : which proves that there is no change to be made
in the new elements.
In the digression of March 13, 1803, M. Flauguergues found
^- 2 1" and -f- 4".
|6O miLOBOFHICAL PAPERS.
In the month of May, 1804, Venus will astonish the public by her
great splendour ; and we shall be obliged to announce in our journals,
that she is not a new star, nor an extraordinary comet.
The opposition of Mars at the end of 1802 — 6" in longitude,
-f-2'' in latitude, for the tables which Lalande, my nephew, published
in the Connowance des Temps^ for the year 12, 1804.
M. Bouvard has re-constructed the tables of Jupiter, according to
observations made for ten years, employing equations of conditions,
which give the means of verifying all the elements. He has brought
them to such perfection, that the errors amount only to 10"; but
the mass of Saturn, reduced to 731-3* is more exact than that deduced
from the satellites.
The opposition of Jupiter gives — 2" in longitude.
The opposition of Saturn in the month of March, gave for the
correction of the tables in longitude — 17", and in latitude zero. But
M. Bouvard will undertake the same labour in regard to Saturn, as
that which he has announced on Jupiter.
The disappearance of Saturn's ring, according to the calculation
of Dusejour, will not take place till the end of June.
Among the rare observations which M. Vidal has sent us, there is
one very extraordinary. On the nth of October, he observed
Jupiter and Venus at the same time as the limb of the sun ; they dif-
fered only 10' in declination ; he saw them together in the field of the
telescope. He observed Saturn in the meridian 20' before the sun.
Giber's planet, discovered on the 28th of March, 1802 has this
year afforded occupation to all the astronomers. It had been lost
since the i6th of October, 1802 ; we were all impatient to see it again:
M. Harding, of Lilianthal, first enjoyed this satisfaction ; on the i gth
of February he saw it, like a star of the twelfth magnitude.
On the nth of July, M. Burckhardt gave us the new elements,
by which we can find it again in the month of March next, 1804.
The sidereal revolution, 1681 days TVo J tropical revolution i68o'974
or -4 years, 7 months, 1 1 days.
Semi-axis .-„--- 2*767123
Aphelion - - - - - 4s i° 6' 46"
Node - - - - - - 5 22 27 35
Inclination - - - - o 34 38 50
Anomaly, June 30 • -1019 9 o
which gives for the mean longitude, the ist of January, 1804,
9' 29° 52' 58"; eccentrically the same as in the preceding elements,
0^2463 ; diurnal motion, 12' 5O'983"; annual motion, 78° 10' 9".
1 have had the satisfaction to find the study of astronomy is ex-
tending even in America. Don Antonio de Robcrdo has seat me
5
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS. j6l
from the Havannah, minute calculations of the eclipse of the sun, on
the loth of February, 1804, made by the analytical methods of
M. Dusejour, for every country of the earth, with all the dimensions
of the curves of illumination. These calculations, more extensive and
more exact than those in the Connoissunce des Temps for the year i 2,
arrived too late to be inserted in that work ; which I much regretted.
The French government has resolved to re-establish the mission
to China, which is equally useful to the sciences and to political
relations ; and one of our ablest astronomers has formed the project of
going thither.
My Bibliographic Astronomique appeared on the 5th of June, in a
quarto volume of 900 pages. It contains as large a catalogue as I
was able to make, in the course of thiity years, of all the astronomers,
and all the works on astronomy, which have appeared for two thou-
sand years.
Bailly's large History of Astronomy, terminated at 1781 : I have
continued it to the end of 1802.
M. Goudiu has given a new edition of his astronomical memoirs.
On the I /th of March, the Board of Longitude published the
Ccnnoissance des Temps for the year 13, which contains every thing
relating to astronomy, that has been done in the countries where it is
cultivated j the history and observations of the new planets and of the
last comets : a new catalogue, which makes the numbers of the stars
known to be 13,000, memoirs and observations by Baron Von Zack,
and M. Ciccolini, Delambre, Mechain, Vidal, Flauguergues, Goudin,
Sortin, Lalande, uncle and nephew, Burckhardt, Nouet, Chabrol,
<3e Muro, and Thulis ; with the history of astronomy for the years
8 and 9, to serve as a continuation of that given for the preceding
years since 1782.
The Connoissance des Temps for the year 14, is on the point of
appearing : it contains all the calculations of the moon made from our
new tables for the use of the Navy, with a great number of
observations, tables, and memoirs, by Laplace, Delambre, Vidal,
Herschel, Messier, Burckhardt, Lalande, uncle and nephew, Olbers,
Thulis, Fiauguergues, and Due la Chapelle ; the History of Astro-
nomy for 1802; supplements to my Bibliographic; tables of aberra-
tion for 140 stars, a twelfth catalogue of new stars, a table of the
changes in longitude and latitude for 6eo principal stars, the mea-
surement of the degree in Lapland, and a table of all the articles
contained in the forty-five last volumes of the Connoissance des Tents
since 1760, when I began to keep a register of the annual progress of
astronomy.
Hitherto we have seen no native of Russia distinguish himself in
•p.' PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS.
that country by astronomy. Bat I have experienced an agreeable
surprise, and entertain consoling hopcs» in seeing young Alexander
Oul-bisheff, at the age of ten, converse with me on astronomy in a
manner I never before witnessed, even in France, from persons of
twenty years of age. He was born at Moscow, on the 27th of
November, i 79 3,
Astronomical geography this year has made some progress, parti-
cularly at New Holland. This immense part of the world, which
contains almost five hundred thousand square leagues of surface, might
alone maintain four hundred and fifty millions of inhabitants, which is
more than half the number on the whole earth : this is sufficient to
shew the importance of the voyage.
Capt. Baudin, who set out on the i3th of October, 1800, from
Havre de Grace, wrote on the izth of November, 1802, that he had
sufficiently explored, for the security of navigation, Lewin's Land,
Coricordia, and de Witt's Land, d'Entrecasteaux's Channel, the
island Maria, the eastern coast of the large island of Van Diemen,
Bass's and Banks's Straits, and the whole of the south-west coast of
New Holland, from Cape Wilson to the islands of St. Peter and St.
Francis. He proposed to direct his course through Bass's Straits,
in order to explore a large island discovered by English fishermen,
King's Island, Kangaroo Islands, on the south-west coast of Ne\y
Holland, the southern part of which neither he nor Captain Flinders
were able to examine, and he expected to go thence to the islands of
St. Peter and St. Francis, to ascertain the direction of the continent
in that part which is unknown to him ; then to proceed to Lewin's
Island, to terminate the labour of the large Bay de Geographe, and
then to de Witt's Land, the northern coast of New Holland, and
Carpentaria. They hope to return in a year. If all this is not per-
formed, it will not be the fault of the astronomer Bernier ; for he
possesses all the zeal and ability which I announced when I proposed
him for the expedition, which I did with great regret.
The French have admired the immeme labours performed by the
English, during the twelve years they have been established in Port
Jackson ; and the splendour and opulence of this colony, formed near
our antipodes, which is the fruit of a large Navy, by which they can
easily unite the extremities of the universe, and which will long be
wanting to the prosperity of France. The observations of Bernier at
New Holland, from the 27th of May 1802, are indicated in the
Mornteur of August 15, 1803. The examination of the whole
southern coast, which is owing entirely to France, has been completed.
Capt. Hamelin set out from Port Jackson on the igth of Novem-
ber* i 802. On the 9th of December he separated from Captain
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS. 365
Baudin to return to France, with a collection of natural history and
curious animals, an account of which has been given to the Institute
by M. Lacepede. This philosopher is of opinion, that there must be,
in the midst of this immense country, a sea like the Caspian; but no
information has yet been obtained in regard to the interior parts of it.
Bernier has Rent me an .observation of the transit of Mercury, made
at New Holland. He concludes his letter by saying, *' I beg of yon,
my dear master, not to forget your pupil, who, at the extremities of
the world, renews to you the assurances of lasting respect and grati-
tude/' In this manner my ardent zeal for astronomy has sometinys
procured to me great enjoyment, in which self-love is not the least
sensation, but it is not the only one.
The astronomer Homer writes from the island of TenerifTe, Octo-
ber 25th, " Baron -Von Humboldt, one of the most learned and most
intrepid travellers that ever existed, after having visited the unknown
part of South America, says, in a letter dated November 25th, 1802,
that he had traversed the snows of the Cordillera, to go to the
province of Quito. On the 23d of June, 1802, he was at Pinchincha,
and Chimboiaza, at the height of 3015 toises, which is only 2 36
toises below the summit. No person was ever at such a height before;
the blood issued from his eyes and his lips ; he experienced retching,
and an uneasiness which continued several days after this terrible
journey." Yesterday M. Delambre received a letter of the ipth of
July, from Mexico : — With M. Bonplan he has formed a herbal of
six thousand plants. He has been of equal use to geography. He
hoped he should be able to return in the spring of 1804, to publish
the immense and valuable collection of observations he has made in the
course of five years.
The taste for travelling into Africa, which I strongly recommended,
has continued to produce curious enterprises : — M. Domingo Badia,
a Spaniard, sent by the Prince of Peace, caused himself to be circum--
cised, and assumed the name of Ali-Beik-Abdallah, that he might
travel in greater security. M. Durand, celebrated by his work of
Africa, has communicated to me the observation of an eclipse at
Tangiers, and I have deduced from it the longitude. This mussulman
is at present in unknown deserts, where, supported by his zeal, he
braves want, sufferings, and dangers.
Since the longitude of bres: and Manheim is known, it appears to
me, that, by applying the measurements made in France, we might
have the 1 5° of longitude, which there are under the 49th parallel to
a six hundredth part, or 60 toises nearly for a degree; but we ought
to obtain greater precision, and the chief of the state waits only foy
peace, to procure to the sciences this new benefit.
J64 PHILOSOPHICAL TAPERS.
Jn the month of August Baron Von Zach established himself with
Brtig, on the mountain called the Brocken, at the height of 550
toises He made signals with gunpowder from the top of a tower ;
they were seen at a distance of thirty-three leagues. The astronomers
took different posts, and they were joined by Prussian Officers, who
served an apprenticeship at Gotha. They were- provided with sex-
tants, artificial horizons, achromatic telescopes, and chronometers.
They were able to take corresponding heights within half a second,
and they observed, by their chronometers, the signal-? made by night
nt.d by day, at convenient moments. M. Von Zach kindled only half
a pound of gunpowder each time. In the day the explosion and
flame were seen at th^ distance of thirty-three leagues, by means of a
small telescope which magnified only tuenty times ; in the night they
were seen by the naked eye. The Duchess of Gotha, who is short-
sighted, saw thftse fires in her garden, between nine and ten at night,
without the assistance of a telescope ; they appeared like lightning,
though the distance is nearly twenty-three leagues in a straight line. The
principal places which Baron Von Zach has d-.-tei mined, and where there
areobservers, are the towns ol Magdebourg, HalberstiidtjQ^iidlembourg,
BernburgjCoethen t-:t ssa1 ,Cassel, Brunswick, Wotfenbuttel, Helm?tadt,
Wtrnigord,Ilstmburg, Naumberg, Leipsig,themouiuains of Petersburg,
near Halle, Weissenstei;., the Mtisner in Hesse, the Gleichen near Got-
tingen, and the Possen near Sonderhausen. Each place will be deter-
mined by at least thirty or forty observations. Thus the celestial arc
of the parallel will be perfectly determined. He will repeat the same
thing in another manner next year. Baron Von Zach expects that he
shall be able to proceed gradually to Nimeguen, which is six degrees
towards the west in the fifty-second parallel, i^o arc of longitude
will ever have been measured with so much precision. The case will
be the same with the meridian of the Brocken. There are already
three hundred observations of latitude, with a multiplying circle of
nineteen inches, made by Lenoir, to whom we are indebted for the
largest and best instruments of this kind. He has just constructed
one for Palermo, in Sicily, where M. Piazzi proposes to measure a
degree; but artists of this kind are still too few at Paris. M. Jecker
has made several reflecting circles and sextants for the Navy. Baron
Von Zach, in his observations, has found a singular agreement : the
results will appear in his journal. Thirty observations, made indis-
criminately, gave him the same second as three hundred ; he measured
a base of a thousand toises to within an inch. Such extensive ope-
rations have never been conducted with so much exactness.
Messrs, Goldbach and Seyffert have determined six places of the
electorate of Saxony, during an astronomical tour, undertaken for the
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS. 365
purpose of observing the signals by fire, which Baron Von Zach made on
the Brocken. I shall mention only the two principal towns: Eisleben,
51° 32' 30" and 8' 45", in time to the west of the meridian of Dres-
den ; Merseburg, 51° z\' 33" and i 29", to the west of the meridian
of Leipzig. The last determination is exceedingly exact, having been
verified by the result of a trigonometrical measurement, begun by
M. Goldbach, and for which he had been collecting for several years
the best instruments; namely, a toise made by Lenoir; a repeating
circle made by the same artist ; a sextant by Ramsden ; a circle by
Baumann ; a steel chain of fifty feet, constructed like that made by
Ramsden for General Ray's measurement ; a clock by Syffert j and a
travelling time-piece that beats half seconds. It is much to be re-
gretted, that so zealous and able an amateur as M. Goldbach, caa
devote only a small part of his time to astronomy. The chronometer
he employed in this journey, was made by M. Syffert.
The history of meteorology is every year connected with that of
astronomy, but this year meteorology has furnished remarkable phe-
nomena ; the equinoctial winds have been little felt, and the autumnal
rains were very weak.
The tide at the end of March ought to have been exceedingly
strong, according to the theory of Laplace. Traulie, of Abbeville, paid
attention to this object at that place, and sent curious observations to
the Board of Longitude. M. Maignon observed the tides at Brest :
precautions had been taken ; and indeed if the west wind had been
strong, we should have had inundations. We request from every
quarter observations on the tides ; and during my journeys to Cher-
bourg and Ostend, I had the pleasure this year of observing that
scales of the tides are preparing. I received observations from M.
Caron, a Lieutenant in the Navy at Ostend; and I have been a witness
to his assiduity and correctness.
The thermometer this year rvas only once at 1 2° 30' of cold, or
43° of my new thermometer. The heat was of as long continuance
as it was extraordinary ; the drought lasted three months and a half,
yet the heat was only 29° 30' or 37° of my new thermometer; while
in 1753, 1765, and 1793, it was at 92° ; but the duration of it occa-
sioned one of the hottest summers we have had for a century. If I
speak of my new thermometer, it is because the division I have
adopted, which is more phi'osophical, more natural, simple, and more
convenient, contains numbers easier to be retained : every body
speaks of 30 and 40 ; and it happens, by a singular chance, that these
numbers, 30 and 40, are those which express the moderate and
scorching summers, the mild and severe winters, the degrees of heat
and oi cold. These numbers, hitherto decried, will be ennobled by
becoming the key of -the thcrmometrie science. Our ablest artist for
366 PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS,
this kind of Instrumenti M. Mossy, known by his excellent an4
accurate works, has undertaken to construct my thermometers, and
flatters himself he shall be able to extend the use of them.
M. Thulis has sent us observations of the barometer, which give
for the mean height at the borders of the sea, 28 inches, 2' 8 lines,
instead of 2' 2 lines, which I found as the mean of several determina-
tions. M. Burckhardt found them 2' 2 lines to 2' 8 *. There still
remains an uncertainty of half a line, in regard to this fundamental
determination of meteorology. It exists even at Paris; for the
thermometers at the observatory indicate half a line more than that of
M. Fleurier and mine, which were made with the greatest care.
The water of the Seine sunk lower than ever before observed. It
has been seen lower than the Zero at Pont de la Tournelle, or the
low water of 1719. In i73i> September z$d, it was 5^ inches; in
1742, between the 7th and I4th of September, 3 inches; in 1753*
from September 28th to October 1st, i inch ; in 1766, December $ih,
2 inches; in i"57» January ist, 3-} inches; in 1778, September 8th,
4 inches; in 1800, August 8th, 6k inches; and in 1803, from the
1 2th to the lijth of September, it fell to lo inches, according to
M. Fiot, inspector of the salubrity of the prtfecturate. The year
concluded with a very extraordinary phenomenon — the hurricane of
December 28, unroofed houses, overturned chimneys, and tore up
trees by the roots, in a manner never before known at Paris.
Mr. Wheatcroft, an Englishman, settled at Caen, has made many
observations on the variation of the magnetic needie, and has sent us a
memoir on the aurorae boreaies. He has observed some of the most
remarkable ; the nucleus or focus of which seemed to be in that place
of the heavens which corresponds with the magnetic pole : I gave the
position of this pole in lat. 770° and long. 282° from the first
meridian +. We have, therefore, a new reason for believing that the
auroras boreaies is an electric phcenomenon, for it is well known that
there is a great affinity between electricity and magnetism.
In regard to the position of the magnetic pole, as soon as peace
takes place, we mean to propose that government should send obser-
vers, to verify on the spot this important and curious fact in natural
philosophy ; and the zeal wh'ch it shews for the sciences, gives us
reason to hope that our request will be attended with success.
I shall conclude this history of meteorology with an account of a
fire-ball which burst on the 26th of April, near 1'Aigle. I class these
fire-balls amongst shooting-stars, and I have enumerated thirty-six
instances of them J. They have given rise this year to a great many
* Connois«ance des Temps, an 13, p. 349. •}• Ibid,
i Connoissance des Temps, an 7, 1799.
HilLOSOPHICAL PAPERS. 36"]
dissertations. The noise of it was heard at Evreaux, Caen, and
Havre. A great many stones, similar to those collected on other
occasions of the same kind, fell at 1'Aigte. They were analyzed by
Vauquelin. M. Rarn has published a volume on this subject, under
the title of Litbologie Atmospherique. Some consider them as formed
in the atmosphere ; others as coming from the moon in two days and
a half; some ascribe them to volcanic eruptions, the focus of which
is unknown ; and others to small piauets, the revolutions of which have
by some obstacle been suspended.
After that which appeared, June 17, 1798, several stones, one of
which weighed twenty -six pounds, were picked up at Villefranche,
near Lyons*. Hitherto there have been nine instances of such stones
falling from the heavens; they are all of the same nature, and have no
resemblance to any of those known on the earth in mines, or near volca-
noes. As for my part, when I consider chat these stones are friable, and
have an odour of sulphur ; that the explosion is heard to the distance of
thirty miles round ; and that the rolling noise resembles that of
musketry : it appears to me that all these circumstances, collected by
M. Biot in his learned repoit, winch has been printed, indicate their
formation in the fire-ball, which is heard to detonate. Chemists are
divided in regard to the possibility of this formation ; but M. Cadet
Gassicourt, son of our celebrated chemist, who has already distin-
guished himself in the same career, and who has published an excellent
dictionary of chemistry, reasoned with me in this manner : —
" Hydrogen gas dissolves sulphur, charcoal, phosphorus, zinc, and
iron; its gravity is not thereby sensibly increased; and it may rise,
thus charged, to a considerable height."
May not hydrosulphurets, which assume the gaseous state, and
which dissolve a great deal of earth, and metals, and volatile acids,
carry with them silex and magnesia, or the elements of the latter,
which is strongly suspected to be a compound body ? There is nothing
in the received theories which opposes this idea. If the constituent
principles then of atmospheric stones, can be at the same time in solu-
tion in very light gases, when the hydrogen g^s inflames they will be
formed into stones; for the gas, by detonating, abandons the bodies it
held in solution ; the vacuum which it forms, draws towards the centre
the molecule of the revived substances ; they yield to the general
attraction, and tend to unite : as they pass from the fluid to the solid
state, they necessarily disengage enough of caloric to produce incan-
descence, and that vitrification which we see at their surface, but not
enough to fuse them or oxidate them entirely.
Yesterday t the Institute received froin the minister Chaptal, a stone
of seven pounds weight, which fell on the 8th of October, near Apt,
Journal de Physisjus Germinal, an 11. f November 21, l8oj.
368 FTFTH REPORT OF THE
in Provence, under similar circumstances, and which resembles all the
others of the same kind*.
Jliafcal Reform,
THE
FIFTH REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Appointed h' an Act of the Forty-third Tear of the Reign of his present
Majesty, entitled, " An Act for appointing Commissioners to inquire and
examine into any Irregularities, Frauds, or Abuses, which are er ha<ve
been practised by persons employed in the several Naval Departments
therein mentioned, and in the Business of Prize Agency, and to report
such Observations as shall occur to them Jor preventing such Irre-
gularities, Frauds^ and Abuses, and for the better conducting and
managing the Business of the said Departments, and of Pri%e Agency >
infutun."
SIXPENNY OFFICE.
THE original and principal duty of this department is to collect
a considerable part of the revenue of Greenwich Hospital,
arising from a deduction of sixpence per month from the wages of all
Seamen employed in the Mtrchants' service ; to which has been added,
the collection of one moiety of the wages of men deserting from Ships
in the African Tiade, and other forfeitures and penalties ; and also the
receipt of the wages of men dying in the West India Trade.
Having pursued our inquiries into the various topics above enume-
rated, in the order in which the several dutits have been successively
imposed on the Office, we proceed, in the same manner, to relate the
result, and offer such observations as have occurred in the course of
our investigation; and to propose such alterations as may tend to
cncrease the revenue of Greenwich Hospital, and promote the interests
of indigent individuals.
The deduction of sixpence per month from the wftges of Seamen in
the Merchant service was first established by an act, passed in the 7th
and 8th of the reign of his Majesty King George the Third, for the
better support of Greenwich Hospital.
In the following year it was further enacted, for the better levying
and collecting the said duty, That all Master* or Commanders of
Merchant Vessels should be examined, upon oath, as to the number,
rates, salaries, wages, and times of service, of all and every person or
persons belonging to or serving in such Vessels.
In the loth year of the reign of her Majesty Queen Anne, the
Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
vrere empowered, by an act of the Legislature, to appoint a receiver,
for the better collection of the said duty ; such receiver or receiv-
ers to have power to depute the Officers of the Custom?, or such
• See Moniteur, November 24.
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQUIRY.
369
other persons as they shall think, fit, to collect the duty at the out-
ports of Great Britain and Ireland ; and the Officers of the Customs, if
so appointed, are required to collect the same, with such allowance
for their trouble as the Lords of the Admiralty shall judge reasonable.
By an act of the ad year of the reign of his late Majesty, the col-
lection of the duty was extended to the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and to the colonies, islands, and dominions,
in America ; but the collection of this duty has not been extended to
Gibraltar, or other places within the Mediterranean.
The former acts, requiring the duty to be paid within fourteen
days from the Ships being cleared inwards at the Custom House,
having been found ineffectual, it was enacted, That no Merchant's
Ship should be cleared inwards at the Custom House until the Master,
Commander, or Owner, should produce a certificate of his having paid
the duty, under a penalty of twenty pounds upon the Master or Owner
and Officers of the Customs respectively.
By virtue of the authority vested in the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, by the Statute of the joth of Queen Anne, a permanent
establishment was fixed for the collection of this duty about the year
1714, which has continued with very little variation to the present
period*.
* An Aicount of tie Sixpenny Receiver's Off c; for Grcen-ivicb Hospital, tie
6tfj Apiil, 1803.
RANK
of
OFFICER.
His Name.
By whom
appointed.
RECEIPT.
Other
Employments,
Their
Salary.
Fees
Pensions, \iniiei
Government.
Value.
perAnnum
Commissioner and ~)
Receiver - - J
J. Rashleigh, Esq.
Admiralty
(.- >. d.
100 0 O
-
Director of
Greenwich
lOJ.wch on
days of
c;^ , jv.c.
A
I
Hospital.
".It, ndar.ce.
Commissionerand?
Accoununt - )
J. Cleveland, Esq.
Do.
200 0 0
|
B
Do.
Do.
Commissionerand 1
Comptroller • j
J. Beverley, Esq.
Do.
ICO o 0
f
i
fr
Nil.
~ Ckrk for re-
Nil.
*•
i
commending
•
13
Mastert for
Receiver's tst Clerk
Charts Eve
By Receiver
2i 10 o
'•-
£ *
Boys bound
from the Hr s-
EC.
1
1
_ Greenwich.
o
fce«etver's id Clef.;
Accountant's Ckrk
Comptroller's Clerk
Cs. Stinbridge, jun.
C>. stunbriugc, sen.
Wi.liam Sentence
By Do. - -
By Accountant
By Comptroller
62 10 o
72 10 o
fa 10 o
M
u
k.
ed to tb<
Do.
Nil.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Custom HouseClerK
jClin D-iiiy - -
Ailnnial'y
SO O 0
°
^
Do.
VQt
f £.10 per
§
, ^
\ Cent, on
"^
«
Plantation
Pl.inrjtion Clerk
Henry Richmond
Do. J monies re-
3
«
Cltrk at
Dp.
f ceivedfrim
j"
•
Cuiton: House.
(^ America.
o
^
Messenger - -
XVilliam Carey -
Do. J 20 o o
g
f
Nil.
Do.
Do.
Housekeeper - -
Ann Bryan - -
Do.
20 O 0
0
Do.
_97Q o o
f
Joseph Trounsell, Secretary to the Commander in Chief at Newfoundland (or the Se-
cretary for the time being) is allowed £.7% per cent, on the monies collected.
Charles Eve was appointed a Clerk in this Office 25th December, 1759.
Charles Stanbridge, sea. was appointed a Clerk in this Office, joth. September, i*§5.
37° FIFTH REPORT OF THE
On entering into the investigation of this department, we issued
precepts for such papers and accounts as we judged necessary to obtain
a knowledge of the duties required of the several Officers, and also
of the nature and extent of the receipt and expenditure of the
Office.
We likewise issued our precept to the first Commissioner and
Receiver, requiring his attendance, with which he was unable to
comply, being confined by severe indisposition ; and the other Com-
missioners residing at a considerable distance from London, we were
obliged to have recourse to Mr. Charles Eve, first Clerk to the Receiver,
and Mr. Charles Stanbridge, Clerk to the Accountant, for the infor-
mation we wanted.
The present cit;l '-merit cousists of thiee Commissioners; the
OBSERVATIONS.
s Hours of business— From nine to one o'clock ; extra when the
N business requires it.
ATTENDANCE <„ ,., _ , , .
1 Holidays— Red letter days have been observed as holidays
v from the establishment of the Office.
DUTT - .-. General business of the Office.
This Office acts under the direction of the Admiralty Board, and is appointed,
first, to receive the duty of sixpence per mensem, deducted out of the wages
of Seamen employed in the Merchant service, granted for the support of the
.Royal Hospital at Greenwich. — adly, To appoint Deputy Receivers at the out-
ports of England, Scotland, and Ireland; as also at the several islands and do-
minions in America and the West Indies, for the purpose of collectiug the said
duty, agreeably to several Acts of Parliament made in that behalf; vide loth
Queen Anne and zd George ]I._3dly, To examine the accounts of the said
Receivers, which accountr. are transmitted to this Office, with the balances due
thereon, yearly, half yearly, and quarterly, according to the amount of their
Respective receipts.- .jthly, To receive aH forfeitures payable to Greenwich
Hospital.— 5thiy, To receive the amount of run men's wages employed
in the African twde; and, by a late Act of Parliament, appointed to re-
ceive the wages of Seamen employed in the West India trade, who die on
their voyage, for the use of their executors, &c. &c.— 6thly, To keep an ac-
count of all money received under particular heads appointed for that purpose.—
7thly, To pay the whole sum received into the hands of the Treasurer of
Greenwich Hospital, which is done by eight payments in each year.— Sthly,
To deliver a general account for each year to the Board of Directors of Green-
wich Hospital, after being sworn to before one of the Barons of his Majes-
ty's Excheq..er.-9'hly, To attend the Directors in examining the accounts
with the necessary vouchers, which, after being signed and allowed by them.
is delivered to the A> ditor, and by him presented to the Chancellor of the
Exchequer for re-exaininatio*. who, in consequence thereof, grants the Receiver
bis quietus,
CHARLES EVE,
(for JOHN RASULEIGH, Esq.)
COMMISSIONERS OF KAVAL INCiUIRY. 371
first, in addition to his general duty 35 a Commissioner, is, by his ap-
pointment, directed to execute the-offi.ee of Receiver of the Port of
London; the second Commissioner has no particular duty assigned to
him by his appointment, though iu the records of tic Offics he it
styled Accountant. No instructions tor the guidance of either o; these
Officers in the collection of the sixpenny duty can be found in the
Office ; although, in an ancient warrant, general instructions are referred
to, bearing date the I3th of January, 1714.
As we concluded these instructions must have originated with tlte
Lords of the Admiralty, we applied for a copy thereof but they
reported to us, that, upon a strict examination cf the books of
that Office to a remote period, it did not appear that any general
instructions had been given to those Officers for th: regi.lai.ion of
their conduct.
The third Commissioner is appointed specifically Comptroller of the
accounts of the Receiver, and, by his instructions, is lequired " to
attend at all usual Office hours in the head Office in the Port of Lon-
don, together with the Receiver, and to keep a constant account of all
sums of money received by him there, making uri the accounts with
the several Masters of Vessels at the same time, and entering them,
In a fair book; and he is empowered to examine upon cjth any
Master or other person whatsoever, making payments of the said six-
pence a month, touching the number and times of service of ?.H and
every person belonging to the Ships or Vessels, or any matter relating
thereto.
«« He is also to take an account of all bills remitted to the Receiver
from the out-ports, and to inspect the accounts of the said Port Re-
ceivers, returned from time to time, from the Accountant, and to see
that they do duly, and in time, remit the balance of the-ir several
accounts : — He is also to examine the Receiver's yearly accounts,
TV tit n prepared by him to be laid before the Auditor, and» with the Ac-
countant, to certify to the Auditor the charge upon- the Receiver."
However painful it may be to us to censure the mode in which the
business of this Office has been conducted, we hold it to be oar duty
not only to state the actual abuses which may be found to exist in any
of the departments to which our inquiries are directed, but to point
out the irregularities that may arise from a uegiigent saperintendance,
or a total dereliction of the duties required of principals; conceiving*
that where the heads of an Office are generally negligent, there will
seidom be found much diligence or attention in those acting under
them.
It appears from the result of our examination, that the appoint-
ments of the Commissioners for the receipt of the sixpenny duty have.
57? FIFTH REPORT OF THfc
been considered little otherwise than as sinecures ; that the duties of
the Commissioners, particularly of the second and third, have been
chiefly performed by Mr. Charles Eve*, first Clerk to the Receiver, and
* Tie Examination of Mr. Charles Eve; taken upon oath, the 2$th
March, 1803.
How long have you been in the Sixpenny Office? — Forty-three years.
What is your present situation, and what are its duties ? — My present situation
is first Clerk to the Receiver. Its duties arc, to receive the sixpence per month
from Masters and Owners of Ships in the Merchants' service for the use of
the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, as principal Deputy to the Receiver, and
all remittances on account of the duty; to receive the wages of Seamen
dying in the West India Trade, and to dispose thereof as directed by the Act of
Parliament.
How are the sixpences paid by Seamen employed in the Merchants' service
on account of Greenwich Hospital collected in the port of London ? — They are
paid by Masters and Owners of Ships, or their Agents, who deliver an account
of the number of persons employed since the last payment, or receipt given,
and the time they have been employed, upon which the Office calculates the
amount of the duty, 'which is paid-accordingly ; and if the person receiving the
duty has reason to doubt the truth of the account, the person presenting it is
required to make affidavit to the truth thereof; but the oath is not otherwise
administered. In the case of Transports or other Vessels employed in the ser-
vice of Government, the sixpences are collected according to the number of men
required by the charty-party to be on board, although the complement may not
be complete. The sixpence per month, deducted from the wages of the Sea-
men belonging to the Ships in the regular employ of the East India Company,
is paid by one of the Company's Clerks, according to an account generally
transmitted from the East India House ; and for the extra Ships, the payments
are made in the same manner as for other Merchant Ships, on their return from
the voyage.
What checque is there in the Office, by which you can call upon the Masters,
of Ships to pay the sixpences, who may not voluntarily come forward to that
purpose ?— An account from the Custom House of the Ships that enter inwards *
and there is a penalty of twenty pounds for every Master of a Ship who may
omit paying the duty within fourteen days after the Ship is cleared.
Do Ships in general pay the duty within fourteen days from their being
cleared? — They do not in general, but they pay before clearing outwards; a
receipt from our Office for the duty being required at the Custom House before
they are permitted to do so.
Kave not fchips to your knowledge cleared outwards, and sailed without pay-
ng the duty ? — Such instances have happened, but I do not recollect the
instances. The tide surveyors of the port of London have a printed form of
clearing note, which they ought to fill up, with the date of the payment of the
Greenwich Hospital duty; and until the duty is paid, such clearing note should
not be granted.
Has there been any instance of the penalty being enforced ? — I know of none.
Who appoints the Collectors at the out-ports and abroad ? — The Commissioners
of this Office ; and they appoint General Receivers for Ireland and Scotland^ at a
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQUIRY. 373
Mr. Charles Stanbridge, Clerk to the Accountant; and that, since the
indisposition of the late Mr. Rashleigh the Receiver, who resided at
the Office, the ivhole direction and management of it has been left to
Mr. Eve.
salary of fifty pounds per annum, who nominate the Deputy Receivers ;ictin£
unc'er their controul, which Deputy Receivers have the same allowance the
Collectors at the out-ports, twelve and a half per cent, upon the receipts, and
the expenses of postage. 1 he Collectors at the out-ports, and General Receivers,
give security in double the estimated amount of their collection?, and at the
principal out-ports make their remittances quarterly, others half yearly ; and
•when the receipt is small, yearly.
How is the duty collected abroa ', and how often is it remitted? — By Collec-
tors appointed the same as in Great Britain, who remit their accounts and
Lalance in the same manner as at the out-ports.
\Vhat allowance is made for the collection abroad ? — The same as at home,
twelve and a half per cent, and the plantation Clcrlt at the Custom House has ten
per cent, upon the net proceeds, which is paid into our Office, in consideration
of his comparing the accounts received from the Collectors abroad with the
Custom House accounts. The Receivers are generally Officers of the Customs
who cannot receive their salaries without producing a certificate from this
Office of their having accounted for the duty. At Newfoundland the Governor
appoints Deputy Receivers, who are allowed twelve and a half per cent. ; -and A
General Receiver, commonly the Admiral's Secretary, who has scvtri and a half
per cent, upon the net amount paid into the Office, for his trouble in collecting
the accounts and remitting the money.
What money is usually retained in che Office at the time of malting the e'g! t
periodical payments to Greenwich Hospital ? — The paymcntsare made one under
another; the floating balance generally in the hands of the Receiver is from two
to three thousand pounds.
I -ow often does the Receivcrpay into Greenwich Hospital the money received
from the out-ports, Scotland, Ireland, and abroad ? — The out-ports quarterly,
viz. The collection for Lady-day quarter, aSrii iVay; midsummer, j8th August ;
Mi.Jiaclmas, aSth November; Christmas, z8th March of the succeeding year.
The collection from the West Indies, America, and Newfoundland, annually ;
viz. 28th March of the succeeding year. Deposits and forfeitures for the port
of London are paid at the same time. Deposits arc made by Masters of Ships
when they cannot produce the last receipt.
Why is not the growing produce of these receipts paid into the Treasury of
the Hospital, at the eight usual periods of payment, with the duties collected in
the port of London ? — 1 can give no other reason, than that it has never been
the practice to do so.
Where is the money lodged by the Receiver during its collection, and i:ie-
vious to the times of paying in ? — It is lodged at hi? banker's.
Has there been any loss to the Hospital in consequence of the failure of Col-
lectors a: the out-ports, or General Receivers? — I believe not, but the Collector
at Chichcstcr is in arrear from, I believe, Michaelmas iSco; Mr. Wilson, who
\vas deputed to collect the duties in that port until a person was regulatly ap-
pointed, has likewise not transmitted his accounts or balance; but ihc present
Collector is in&tructcd to call upon them for that purpose.
374 FIFTH REPORT OF THE
The second Commissioner resides at Taplcy in Devonshire, an<f
having seldom attended at the Office, the performance of his duty has
consequently been entirely entrusted to his Clerk.
How is the number of Seamen said to be employed in each
—By ascertaining the gross proceeds of the duty, rrducing it into shillings, and
dividing by six*(the proportion paid annually by each man), it gives a number,
which, if employed the whole time, would pay to that amount.
CHARLES EVE.
Etaan Law.
Join Ford.
Henry Nichollt.
The further Examination of Mr. Charles E<ve ; taken upon salJt
the 2C)th March, li'Oj.
In the account of the establishment of the Sixpenny Office, it is stated there
are no established fees; are there any other fees received, and by whom ? — Fees
arc only received by myself, as chief Clerk, from the Masters and Owners of
Ships, Agents, and other persons transacting business with the Office, as
follow; iiis.
On the payment of the Sixpenny Duties from East India Ships,
each Ship ..-------- ..... £. i i o
For Ships employed in the African and West India trade,
Greenland, and Southern Fisheries ...-.- from 016
to o 10 6
Proportionate to the size of the Ship.
For Ships in the Baltic or Mediterranean trade - - - from o I O
to 020
Frequently no fee is paid cr asked for.
For certificates of the duty having been paid .... from 026
to o j o
Ditto for Vessels in the employ of Government - - - from 026
to o 10 6
For appointments of Receivers .--w---. from o 10 6
to 210
For settling the accounts of the Newfoundland collection, from 3 3 o
to ^ 5 o
tin the payment of the wages to the representatives of deceased
Seamen _.......-.."-.. from 026
to 076
On the receipt for the discharge to the Owners or Masters of
Ships for the amount of the wages due to deceased Seamen 026
The average annual amount of the above fees, for the four years I have held
the situation of first Clerk to the Receiver, has been ,£.39", out of which I have
paid the second, or Accountant's Clerk, about thirty pounds annually. The
fees taken are not demanded, but given at the option of the parties; but they
are reminded that there is a usual compliment.
What do you conceive to be the object of the parties in giving fees upon tbr
payment of money ? — For dispatch in transacting the business.
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQJUHT. 375
The appointment of tire third Commissioner and Comptroller,
which Is now held by one of the Esquire Beadles of the University
What use is made of the account of Ships entered inwards transmitted by the
Custom ' 'ouse Clerk to the sixpenny Office ?— They arc entered in a book kept
for the purpose.
Are the sums paid by the different Ships entered in that book, or is there any
notation made in i: that they have been paid? — There is a column allotted for
the purpose of inserting the day of payment, which is regularly filled up.
Are the Masters of each : hip, neglecting to pay the duty within the time
limited by the act, summoned or called upon to pay it ? — No ; but if we find by
the Custom House list of Ships cleared inwards that they have so cleared, they
or the Owners of the Ships are then called upon to pay the duty.
Are net the Masters of Ships, and the Custom Hou^e Officers who may clear
them, both liable to a penalty of £. zc, :f a clearance is given before the duty i*
paid ? — Both parties.
Are not the Ships in the port of London generally cleared inwards before the
payment of the duty ? — Xo, they are not.
Is not the payment of the duty frequently deferred beyond the period of enter-
ing outwards, wlu.n of necessity every Ship must have clearing bills before she
can make HK!J entry? — Yes, in some cases; the Tide Surveyors granting
cleiring bills before the Greenwich Hospital duty is paid, and certifying them
to bs paid when they have not been paid. 1 believe this matter is now under
.on oy the. Board of Customs.
What circumstances have induced the Commissioners of the Sixpenny Office
not to enforce the penalties of £. 10 each upon the Tide Surveyors, for such,
very improper conduct? — The promise that they would never act so again.
H.tve the Comrni-nioners of the Sixpenny Office ever summoned before them
the Tide ' urveyors to account for their acting so improperly? — Yes, they did
ubout 15 or 20 v.'ars ago.
Have ro , Urv yors continued to clear Ships before they have paid
the duty, since that period ? — Yt?: they iiave.
Why IMVC not the penalties been inflicte-1 ?— The Clerks have frequently sent
for the Tide Surveyors, but hitherto it has been ineffectual.
V.'here do the three Commissi ners of t!ie Sixpenny duty usually reside ? —
The Receiver, Mr. Rashleigh, in the Office; the Accountant, Mr. Cleveland, at
Tapley near Bicieford, Devon ; the Comptroller, Mr. Beverley, at Cambridge,
where he is Esquire Beadle
How many times in the last ?ear do you suppose all the Commissioners have
met to do '....isiness at the Office? — All .together, I do not nelieve once; Mr.
Cleveland and Mi. llashltigh about seven or eight times in the course of
the last year; Mr. Beverley has been at the Office in that period about six
times.
Is there any minute book of the proceeding of the Commissioners kept in the
Office? — None now, but about the first establishment . f the Office, tbtre was
a minute book kept, with a few cntri-. s in it, which is now in being; but r:o
entries of the proceedings </f the Loard have been made since I have been in tl.r
Office 43 year' .
Is there any business in the Of/ice peiformed by th- Comtr.'ssionrrs different
from what is no\v exe.uted by you ?— When Mr. Rashl-igh was well, he, .
jo town, supeiintended the bus'ness; but sines his iilr.es? the who!- of
conducted by me.
3/5 FIFTH REPORT OT THE
at Cambridge, where he resides, has been made a perfect sinecure ;
and the important checque the Comptroller was intended to be upon
the Receiver has been rendered void by his non-attendance.
How long has Mr. Rashleigh's state of health prevented his performing tha
duties of his office ? — About twelve months. I act in his place by a power of
artorney, and, in his absence, sign warrants of appointments to D:;juty Receivers,
and all other psj
In the absence of the Commissioners, » there any person authorized to admi-
nister an oath to the truth of accounts rendered by Masters of Ships, or other
persons?— It is not, I believe, expressed in any Act of Parliament; but ;
been the practice of the Office for the first Clerk to administer oaths in the ab-
icnce cf the Receiver.
Are apprentices liable to the sixpenny duty ? — They have always piid the
duty.
Do Masters or Owners of Vessels, or their Agent?. 3'. ways present an account
of the entries a;;d tiisr.barges of men since the last payment of the duty ? — N'nt
always; but the account is made out by the chief Cierk from their verbal state-
ment of toe number of men, \vhith, if doubted, I administer the oath.
Docs not the Act direct that such account shall always be delivered upon oath ?
—The Act requires it, but it is ::ot gcncr,;'iy deemed neceisai-y.
Can you point cut any deficiencies in tlie Act of Parliament, which materially-
prevent the collection of the duty .'—Nothing occurs to me, but the doubt nf
the Custom House Officers about the interpretation of the clearance of V-
\vhcther they are cleared upon the discharge of the cargo, or on the delivery uf
the clearing bill by the Tide Surveyors.
Do Government Packets, Custom House and Excise Vessel*, pay the sixpenny
duty ? — They do.
Does the East India Company pay the duty upon their aimed Shi,'-, in the
East Indies ?— They do not ; nor i~ ihcre any Collector for the duty appointed iq
the East Indies.
Do Vessels going coastwise belonging to the port of London ever pay the
duty at your Office .?— They do not in general ; but in the event of their being
•old, the duty is paid at the Office to the day of sale.
\Vhy do they not generally pay the duty at the Office in London? — It being
thought proper to place them under the direction of the Receivers at the out-
ports.
la there not a loss of twelve and a half per cent, by the collection of such
duties at the out-ports? — Certainly there is; but at some of the out-ports the
warns received are so small, that it is with difficulty we can find proper persons
to accept the appointment of Receivers.
It being the practice of the Receiver General, as first Commissioner, to pay to
the Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital only two months' duty, when four
months* receipts are in his hands, is there any circumstance to prevent its being
paid up monthly, or at shorter periods, if it should be thought right ? — I know
cf none.
CHARLES EVE.
Jsbn Ford.
Henry
f
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL INQUIRY. 577
The form even of the checque, for which his Office was instituted,
has not been kept up, the duties of his Clerk, as well as his own,
having been performed, during the last twenty years, by the Clerks to
The further Examination of Mr. Charles Eve; taken upon ca:h
• the 41 b April, 1803.
Do you think from your long experience in the Office, and observation, that
the whole amount of the sixpenny duty directed to be levied by the several Acts
of Parliament are faithfully received, and carried to the account of Greenwich
Hospital ? — Yes, I conceive they are.
During the time you have been in the Office, has it ever been customary for
one of the Commissioners to attend in the Office to superintend the payment of
the duties? — Never.
Has anyone of them ever signed a receipt for the duty? — The Receiver
always signed the receipt till he was incapable. The receipts should 1 kewise
be signed by the Comptroller; but 1 have signed them for him, by his
authority. «
Has not the duty performed by the Comptroller and Accountant been con-
fined to the signing the quarterly and annual accounts, when made out by the
Clerks ? — Not entirely; they have signed letters, d.putations, and other papers,
occasionally.
Are the instructions alluded to in the appointments of the Rec iver and Ac-
countant, or copies thereof, in the Office, or in the possession of the parties ?— Xo.
Is there any authority in the Office for making the allowance of twelve and a
half per cent. 'to the Receivers at t;he out- ports?— No such warrant is to be
found in the books of the Office; but it has been the practice ever since the
establishment.
Has there been any duty actually performed by the Comptroller's Clerk since
i4th February lySz? — No; the Receiver's first Clerk and the Accountant's
Clerk have done the duty of that branch.
Who received his salary ? — It was divided between the two Clerks who per-
formed the duty ; my share was included in the statement I made of the amount
of my emoluments.
Do you apprehend Mr. John Rashleigh, the Commissioner Receiver, is ever
likely to be able to perform the duties of his situation ? — I think not.
Why is the twelve per cent, commission on dead men's wages, received at the
out-ports, deducted from the receipts of the sixpenny duty ?— There was no
other mode presented itself to the Office of charging the money, and the Hos-
pital gets credit for the amount of such commission, at the expiration of three
years, in the proceeds of the duty for the port of London.
Would it not be better, in order to keep the accounts of the Hospital and dead
men's wages distinct, that the Collectors at the ports where the dead men's wages
are received, should deduct their commission from the receipts of dead men's
wages as it comes into their hands ?— Yes, I conceive it would.
CHARLES
Eiuan Laiv.
John Ford.
Henry Nicbolls.
ffiato. Sfjron. ffloLXII. 3 c
378 FIFTH REP05.T OF THE
the Receiver and Accountant, subordinates to the very persons wlios«
conduct he was appointed to control ; and the salary allotted to the
F/JC further Examination of Mr* Charles E ve ; taken upon oath
tie *ttb Jnty, 1803.
V.'hat are the duties allotted to eich Commissioner of the Sixpenny Office ?~
The duty of the first Commissioner is to receive all monies arising from the
sixpenny duty for the support of Greenwich Hospital, and all forfeitures. The
duty of the second Commissioner, who is called Accountant, is to examine
all the accounts transmitted to the Office from the Deputy Receivers, and to
check the monies remitted to the Receiver against the sums collected at the
out-ports, and to see that the balance is duly paid : it has likewise been a part
of his duty to examine the receipts against the sums charged in the account, to
see that they correspond. The duty of the third Commissioner is to keep
duplicate accounts of all mon'us received by the Receiver, and to assist the
Accountant in checquing the receipts of the out ports, and to enter the
reports of Ships entered and cleared inwards in the port of London in an
alphabetical book.
Have any of the duties which you have stated been performed by the second
Commissioner ? — Yes.
State what duties he has performed, and how often you suppose he has
attended for that purpose in the la--t year ? —The duties he has performed have
been the signing deputations, quarterly and annual accounts, and he has attended
about seven or eight times within the last year.
Have not you, as first Clerk to the Receiver, alone signed many of the depu-
tations of the Receivers at the out ports ? — Not many, but some 1 have, owing
to the absence of al! the Commissioners; and the public service would have
suffered if Receivers had not been appointed.
Have any of the duties which you have stated been performed by the third
Commissioner? — He has signed the quarterly and annual accounts, but has
given no regular personal attendance. The appointment has been always con-
sidered a sinecure.
Can you, from the duty you have ?tatcd to have been performed by the
second Commis-ioner, consider his situation otherwise than a sinecure? — I can»
not consider it in any other light than as a sinecure.
Have you npt performed the greater part of the dutie- you have stated to
be allotted to the three Comm. winners, and signed most of the papers they
ought to have signed? — I have certainly; but letters to the Admiralty, and
the public accounts rendered to Greenwich Hospital, have been signed by the
C'ommissiot.era.
How has the sum of £ 663. ICM. JW. carried to the credit of Greenv.'ich
Hospital, in the Receiver's account for the year 1802. under the head of" For-
feitures,'' arisen ?-«-Two pounds ten sliil!in<r« l-.;i"e arisen from a moiety of the
fines on account of unlawful fishing in the River Thames and the remaining
sum of/. 661. cj. %d. is the amount of the moiety of run men's wages in the
African Trade, collected at the port of London.
By whom wtre the receipts for the salary of the Comptroller's Clerk, Mr.
John I'ryan, for £. 6z. i j. in the year :b- 2, iigu^d? — They were signed by
me, for Mr. Bryan; but I think for the last year they were signed by Mr.
Stanbridge, for Mr. Eryan.
COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL 1NQJJIRY, 379
Comptroller's Clerk has been received by them, although a nominal
Clerk has been regularly borne on the establishment, and the salary
charged,ia tiie accounts ot the Receiver, as paid to him.
Did Mr. Bryau receive any part of such salary, or derive any benefit there-
from ?— None.
Between whom, and in what proportion, was Mr. Bryan's salary divided ? — I
received the salary, and nude Mr. Staiibridge an allowance from ,£.25 to £. 30
per annum
Wiiat duties were performed by you self and Mr. Stanbridge, on account of
receiving such salary? — The whole of the duty required to be done by tho
Comptroller's Clerk.
When, and under what authority, was Mr. Bryan's salary so appropriated ?— •
About the year 1783, when Mr. John Bryan (senior) was in the situation I now
am, his son was entered as Comptroller's Clerk, and the salary from that
time has been appropriated, with the knowledge and consent of the Commis-
sioners, in the same way as it has been since 1 have been chief Cleijc, about
four years; but in consequence of my former examination, I declined taking
the salary, and the Rec ivcr and Comptroller thereupon- appointed Mr. William
Sentance to be Comptroller's Clerk in April last, who now performs chc
duty in person.
Out of what particular head of receipt are the salaries and incidental ex*
penses of the Sixpenny Oilice defrayed ? — They have been deducted from the
receipts of the out-ports, by desire of Mr. Thomas Hicks, who was Receiver
about 1766.
Why is it not so stated in the Receiver's account rendered to Greenwich
Hospital?— Jt has not been the practice to do so, and I believe Mr. Hicks
ordered it to be deducted from the out-ports' receipt, to make the rece'pts of the
port of London appear the greater.
What account does the Receiver of the sixpenny duty render to the Trea-
surer of Greenwich Hospital at the time of making the periodical payments?—
No account is rendered; but a letter is written to the Secretary of the Hospital,
informing him of the sum paid to the Treasurer, and how, it has arisen, which,
is likewiw stated in the receipt given by the Treasurer.
By whom are the accounts of the Sixpenny Offie examined and audited? —
The accounts are in the first instance examined by the Board of Director?, and
by them referred to Lord Auckland, as Auditor of the Hospital.
Has the Receiver ever been called upon for an explanation of his accounts?— •»
Not, I believe, since the year 1767.
Does the Receiver of the Sixpenny Office furnish Greenv, ich Hospital with
the documents for his receipts as well as his disbursements ? — No. The only
checque upon the receipts is the certificate of the Accountant and Comptroller
of the Sixpenny Office.
Has there been any instance within these five years, of a Master of a Mer-
chant Vessel rendering an account of the entries and discharges of his Crew in
the port of London, in the form given to the Deputy Receivers for their
guidance, previous to the paying the sixpenny duty ?— Many.
What Clerks have been actually employed in the Sixpenny Office in each year,
for the Jast four years?— Myself as Receiver's first Clerk; Mr. Stanbridge, jun.
as Receiver's second Cl.rk ; and Mr. Stanbridge, senior, a* Accountant'* Clerk.
f-7'o Is continutj*
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE CLXIV.
FOR a general description of the Cape of Good Hope, we must
refer our readers to the Fifth Volume of our Chronicle *, which
contains also a view of that important settlement, from a drawing
made on the spot by a Naval Officer.
We have now the pleasure of presenting our readers with another
View of the Cape, engravtd by Medland, from a drawing by S. Daniel!,
Esq. already known to the public by his splendid work relating to the
animals of Africa.— -In the fore-ground a South Sea Whaler is in-
troduced.
The whale-fishery is likely to beccme a thriving branch of commerce
at the Cape. Mr. Harrow, in the First Volume of his Travels in
Southern Africa, mentions it as follows : —
«{ During the winter season whales are very plentiful in all the bays
of Southern Africa, and give to the fishermen a much easier opportu-
nity of taking them than in the open sea. They are smaller and less
valuable than those of the same kind in the northern seas, but suffici-
ently so to have engaged the attention of a Company lately established
here for carrying on a fishery in Table Bay. They run in general
from fifty to sixty feet in length, and produce from six to ten tons of
oil each. The bone of such small fish is not very valuable. It is
remarked, that all those which have yet been caught were females ; ant!
it is supposed that they resort to the bays as places of shelter to depo-
sit their young."
CORRESPONDENCE.
French Account of the Capture of the Corvette, le CURIEUX.
»
MR. EDITOR, Centaur, off Martinique, lOt/j Sift. 1804.
r"TPKE enclosed are faithful translations of the French account of the
-& capture of the Corvette, le Curieux, by four Boats of the Centaur,
on the morning of the 4th of February last ; the original letters, as
printed and circulated nt Martinique, being now on board the Centaur.
It v.'ss an event that every Briton must contemplate with pleasure, and
will reflect indelible honour on those employed in that gallant exploit.
The French First Lieutenant and Captain are pretty fair in their
statunents, 'considering it a French one,) except in our numbers, which
represent as 225, when in fact there were only seventy-two.
(Vide the Gazette Letter from Commodore Hood, page 65.)
1 his Vessel seems toh:rve been a very great favourite, and indeed very
r-.xdly -:,Q, of Admiral Villaret, and the inhabitants of Martinique,
•.vas sent out f;om the careenage to under Fort Edward, within
* rid: page 417.
CORRESPONDENCE. 381
•>
musket shot, with such preparations as, the French Officers asserted,
could defy any force that in such a position could be sent against
them. Just before the war commenced she was sent to Commodore
Hood, by the Captain General, when cruizing to windward of the
island, with dispatches, and she sailed some hours in company with the
Centaur, whose Lieutenants then seemed to cast a longing eye towards
hef, and wished for nothing more than an opportunity of trying their
strength with her, although allowed to havt been the best manned and
disciplined Sloop in the French service. The lot fell to Lieutenant
Reynolds, than whom there could not have been a more gallant
Officer; he, by a fortunate chance, first volunteered it, (with Lieute-
nant Bcttesworth and Mr. Traeey), and was in consequence promised
the preference : the event has shewn how well he merited the confidence
reposed in him by the Commodore : he was, with Richard Temple-
man, a Seaman, first on board. The enemy had her boarding nettings
triced up in such manner that there was no possibility of getting in,
but over the stern ; fortunately the stern rope ladder was there, with
two Boats made fast to it ; but on the jaffrel were two large wall-
pieces, primed and loaded to the muzzle with musket bails, as well as
six swivels pointed in the same direction, so that that part you will
fay was well guarded. They hailed at a great distance, for the moon
was just peeping over the clouds,, ar.d the alarm was instantly given;
the sentries, of which there were six, besides the watch, fired their
pieces, as well as some guns, at the Boats, which had no other effect
but to encrease the ardour of our pepple, who could not but be fagged
fter a pull of more than twenty miles. By the time the Boats were
longside, all the Frenchmeu were on deck, armed principally with
pikes, and headed by their Officers ; our party had nothing but cutlasses,
except the twelve marines, who have thtir full share of merit ; for by
their cool and well directed fite in approaching the Vessel, the French-
men were kept continually dodging, which certainly greatly facilitated
the boarding, which was done by the Barge up the rope ladder ; and
Lieutenant Reynolds on getting up, with a presence of mind that will
be for ever creditable to him, cut one of the tricing lines of the netting
with his sword, by which the corner of it fell, and enabled our peo-
ple in lae other three Boats on the quarter to get up with belter ad-
vantage. The French Officers were the first that opposed, in a line,
generally armed with their small swords, and they behaved with a
bravery that did them honour: however, they were the greater part
scon wounded, and thrown clown the hatchway, and some retreated 19
the force;. .s a formidable line of pikes ; but notwith-
standing i - in weapons and numbers, they soon followed
the fate of their companions in arms, down the hatches, and the Vttsil
382 CORRESPONDENCE.
completely In cur possession, was soon under weigh : the forts, EC! ward,
and Point Negro, kept up a smart lire, but dui no damage ; our old
friend at Point Salomon also gave us a'salute in passing.
The Curieux was soon alongside the Centaur, and greeted with
hearty cheers; the number of Officers and Men dangerously wi.
were so numerous, anci dying every hour, as induced Conrmiodorc
Hood, with that humanity for which hr is so conspicuous to ici.d
her back in&cantly to tort Royal as a flag of truce, to land the
wounded, that they might have the attention and conveniences, which
their situation demanded, and might be expected from their fiieiulson
shore; for which, I under^tund, he received the iha:;ks of die Ad-
miral Villaret Joyeuse.
An Officer of the French Artillery (who had bten taken two
nights before with a Corporal and two men, by Lieutenant Bettes-
worth and Mr. Tracey, with oiily two Midshipmen, cijit Sailors, and
eight Marines, by surrounding a hou^e on the It-land, after four hours*
march, in one of the best armed quarters of Martinique, where the
Officer and Artillerymen had arrived that evening from Fort Royal to
superintend the building a battery against the Diamond Rock;
remaining on board the Centaur as prisoner, when the Boats left the
Ship to attack the Curieux; he ridiculed the idea of such an attempt : t
but was not a little surprized and chagrined the next morning to seq
her alongside the Centaur; he, however, had the advantage of going
to Fort Royal in her on his parole. A. B.
Refort, made by the Emeign de Vaiueau, of the Corvette le Curie**,,
to the Captain General of Martinique.
(CO •'¥.)
L'Enseign de Vaissean Cheminant, to Admiral Villarct Joyeuse, Cap-
tain General of Martinique.
Qnloard It Curieux, eaf- ittrt-1 by tat Env'isL,
MT GEN ERA I., the 1 4/i Pluvio:t, Tear 1 2 .
THE ot ly Officer remaining of those \vho commanded the Crexv
of the Curieux, I owe to you a faithful detail of the cruel tragedy
which has delivered us up to the enemy. Without retrospect to the
pain caused by my wounds, I hasten to give you the sorrowful report,
praying you to believe that it is dictated with the utmost truth.
The 13 h instant, before one o'clock in the morning, I was on
deck, with a Midshipman and 20 men, according to orders given by
Capt. Cordier; the weather was of the darkest, especially in the
northern direction ; sentries were pbced abaft at the ladc'er and for-
ward ; cur bu... itinga were triced up; \ve had hardly per»
CORRESPONDENCE. 383
tnved the English Boats, before they boarded by the stern and the main
shrouds ; we had only time to discharge two guns with grape shot,
one swivel, and a wall- piece, when the enemy were on board, and
forced us to have recourse to the sabre, pike, and musketry : assailed
by numbers, and having let go a second anchor, we defended ourselves
w.th courage, in making a most obstinate resistance, which you will
perceive by the number of killed and wounded.
The assailants were to the number of 225, according to the report
of the Commanding Officer after the action.
Obliged to retreat to the forecastle, and very much weakened by
the crowd of wounded, the issue of the battle did not remain long
uncertain, but the Corvette was not carried till after all the Officers
and Midshipmen had been put hors de combat, with part of the Non-
commissioned Officers. It is to be remarked, that out of seventy
fighting men that we were on board, a great number were surprized in
the profound sleep which is occasioned by great fatigue. The day
before twenty Sailors had been employed in tiansporting capstans and
embarking provisions, and sixteen others had been in the Boat sent
as a flag of truce to the Diamond, and had been rowing the greatest
part of the day.
Nevertheless, during the battle, all the Crew were on deck, headed
by their Officers.
We have thirty wounded, and all with more than one scar. Of
the Staff, one Midshipman alone remains unhurt.
The valorous Capt. Cordier is no more; I saw him thrown into the
eea ; his Second has had the happiness of revenging his death. The
Englishman who tore him from us was precipitated in his turn *.
Joly, that brave Officer, is covered with five wounds, the least of
which is a ball.
.Clement is ground ; intlependant of a cut of the sabre in the head,
he was thrown in the tween decks, and his loins broke.
Bourgonniere, Midshipman of the first class, died twelve hours
tifu-r the action, in agonies difficult to describe ; he had eleven appa-
rent wounds.
Drinot, Midshipman of the second class, has the thumb separated
from the right hand, with three large wounds ; he behaved like a
hero, and supports with the same courage the pain he endures.
Siriaque, another Midshipman, has two sabre wounds on the head
and arm. *
* We announce with pleasure, that Captain Cordier, thrown from the Vessel,
fell senseless into one of the Boats which surrounded it, he was carried
on shore by one of the Seamen who escaped after the affair : Captain Cordicr
is at Mr. Champins, Chief Surgeon of the Hospital : he is now in extreme
•pain.
384 CORRESPONDENCE.
The most mutilated of our Non-commissioned Officers sre the
Carpenter and the Gunner. The Sail-maker was thrown overboard,
and twenty S^.lors are on the biers, having each several wounds.
Shall I speak to you of myself? Alas ! my General, I have paid my
debt — remaining alone of all the Officers. I sustained with bravery
the honour of the Corps ; but the efforts that I made, ill answered my
wishes ; and the despair of having suffered the Corvette to be carried,
adds to the sufferings caused by three wounds. If my name is tarnished,
my conscience remains.
I shall not boast of having dispatched the Chief* of the expedition ;
for this I was closely watched on deck for three hours, by four men. —
The only thing notorious, will be the capture of the Corvette, and pos-
sibly the shame of the Officers who belonged to her.
Judge us now, my General, but pity our misfortunes. It is on the
bed of sorrow that I-wike this report.
My being kept on de.ck permitted me to remark the manoeuvres of
the enemy : after having c\it the cables and made sail, they dispatched
a part of their Boats with the wounded men, and some of their peo-
ple, which I perceived to reach, at 4 o'clock in the morning, the third
English Man of War at Cape Salomon.
I render justice to the English ; they not only afforded the last
military honours to the Midshipman Bourgonniere, but they afforded
the most particular assistance to the wounded, and not the value of a
handkerchief was taken from the Crew.
This is, General, the detail of our disaster, and believe it is with
the utmost grief I state it to you.— Believe the truth it contains ; k
will be at least a comfort to us, and in particular to,
My General,
Your very humble Servant,
True Copy. (Signed) CHEMINANT.
(Signed) VILLARET,
Captain-General.
Deposition* relative to the cutting out of the Brig k Curieux, corn-
minded by the Captain of Frzgais* Cordier, on the night of the l^J/j
Phrviose, eleventh year, by some English Boats.
To the Admiral Villaret Joyeuse, Captain-General of Martinique
and its Dependencies.
GENERAL,
This day, the 14th Pluviose, year 12 of the Republic, the Brig the
Curieux anchored in the Bay between Pigeon Island and Fort France,
• i • - •.in - — • '• - ' - • • - - 1 . .,- - ..,.-. — .-... ...... i -* . • • i -T
* Reynolds now, thank God, lives, and commands the Curieux*
CORRESPONDENCE. 385
In 15 fathoms water, victualled for three months, (which had been
complete the day before,) her Crew consisting of 70 men, all included,
the larboard anchor down, the starboard one ready for letting go,
every thing arranged to prevent surprize — twenty men, one Officer,
and .one Midshipman, having the watch on deck— the main-deck guns
loaded with grape, swivels and wall-pieces the same; muskets, sabres,
pistols, tom-a-hawks and pikes spread on the quarter-deck and in the
arm chests, the cartouch boxes filled, two Sentries abaft, one at each
ladder, one at each bovv, the boarding nettings triced up, and " all's
well " every quarter of an hour*
I went to bed the ijth, at half past eleven o'clock at night, leaving
on the watch the Ensign Cheminant, my second, the Midshipman
Siriaque, with twenty men, which was the number ordered for each
watch. At a quarter before one I heard my second call me, <« Captain,
aloft ! the enemy is in view !" I jumped on deck, carrying only my
great coat to cover me, and I ordered each man to go to his quarters
for boarding ; the bell had been already rung, and two of the star-
board guns fired with grape on the enemy, as also a swivel and wall-
piece ; the people flew to their arms ; but the enemy, from the obscurity
of the night, and from tire short distance at which it was possible to
see them, were immediately on board. 1'hey first boarded abaft ; we
directed our force thither ; but soon assailed on all sides, we were
obliged to make a rctrogade movement : having joined Lieutenant
Cheminant and the Ensign Joly, I gave orders to encourage the Crew;
but whilst the Officers, Midshipmen, Non-commissioned Officers, and
part of the Crew, gave a great example of courage, in struggling
against so superior a force ; another part, seized with fear and terror,
woke in their shirts, far from imitating their conduct, and deaf to the
voice of their chiefs and their duty, retreated. A second anchor was
let go on the starboard bow.
We were now boarded on all sides ; the netting cut, the enemy in
possession of the quarter-deck, our people united ofl the gangways,
piking, cutting, and beating the enemy with vigour — losing the hope
of rallying the fugitives, I joined the Officers, Midshipmen, and brave
men who fought with them, and redoubling our courage, we rushed
forward and kept them at bay some time; but the enemy increasing
in number, and surrounding us, we were obliged to fall back abreast of
the foremast : already the intrepid Joly had received near me a ball in
his body, which threw him down ; one wound did not suffice; imme-
diately on his legs, he endeavoured, without success, to recall the
fugitives — they vvtrc however so much under the dominion of fear,
they heard nothing, they ran and hid themselves.
. Cfcron. CHoI.XII. 5 o
386 CORRESPONDENCE.
The Ensigns, Cheminant and Clement, with several Midshipme*
and Non-commissioned Officers, although wounded, still gave me their
assistance. Too much confined in the small place we occupied to act
with advantage, and much bruized with the blows we got from the
fore-rigging, I ordered several Sailors to follow me to the larboard
side, leaving the starboard one under the direction of my Lieutenant.
My intention in passing to larboard was to take the enemy in the rear,
and to hinder their taking possession of the forecastle, where they
were endeavouring to get to cut the cables.
But in endeavouring to execute this movement I was surrounded by
the enemy, who knocked us down with the butt end of their muskets
and with handspikes : I fell under their blows, taken up and thrown
overboard ; the fluke of the anchor received me, from whence I fell into
the harbour Boat, which was alongside full of water casks ; [ remained
in her, I believe, half an hour senseless, and when I recovered, the
Brig was under sail, and the Boat adrift a little way from her : a Sailor
who was in her pulled to get away, and I found myself by this fatal
event out of my Vessel without having found an honourable death in
defending her.
What has become, alas ! in such a massacre, of my brave companions
in arms ? — I pity their lot ; why am I not with them ! they have been
perhaps victims of their courage ; too brave to give up with one wound,
they have suffered themselves te be mangled — Indignation was painted
in all their steps, not having been able to rally the cowards — Why have
I not, like them, become a victim on board the Vessel which was en-
trusted to me — I should not in that case be to day the object of public
censure, which, always severe, judges only by appearances.
General, to paint to you the bravery of the Non-commissioned
Officers, Soldiers, and Sailors, who fought under my eyes, and defended
the honour of the French Flag, would only be calling to your recol-
lection the spirit of the Seaman devoted to his duty — I saw them fight
hand to hand, and make useless efforts to overthrow the enemy —at the
voice of their Chief they redoubled their courage ; in a word, they have
fulfilled the task imposed on them — they did not calculate their num-
bers ; worthy supporters of the French name ! numbers did not inti-
midate them.
I cannot pass over in silence the Officers and Midshipmen — obliged
to give example — they evinced more prudence and courage than could
possibly be expected in a moment of carnage, where you must command
and fight at the same time. I saw them all grievously wounded, not
considering their wounds ; one was not enough for such brave Officers.
Why were they not supported by all the Crew ! But, my General,
what could be expected under such circumstances— men harassed with
CORRESPONDENCE, 387
fatigue, by the hard work of the preceding day, and turned up in their
shirts — You know that a part of the Crew went in the morning in an
1 8-oared Boat, that you sent as a flag of truce on board the Centaur,
which only returned at ten o'clock at night ; that others were employed
transporting from the road into the careenage, capstans belonging to
Government ; that others were sent in a Gabarre to the Reviere
Madame for water, a very hard and fatiguing service, and the remain-
der of the Crew had worked on shore to complete our victualling.
If this great deduction of our force had not existed ; if, on the other
hand, the night had not been so dark, and we could have perceived
the enemy at a greater distance, with the precautions taken, and the
courage shewn by the forty men who defended themselves so bravely,
and who would have been followed by the others, if they had had time
to know each other, the carnage would have lasted longer, and our loss
have been less certain.
I assure you, General, that the reduction of the Brig Curieux was en-
tirely owing to the darkness of the night, which prevented us seeing the
enemy's Boats until they were nearly alongside ; and if I had had time
to cheer up the faint hearted, the event has fully proved that she would
not have been cut out, or at least that the carnage would have
been greater, and the resistance longer ; as with forty men we defended
ourselves for an hour and a half against at least 200 English. — Where
is the military man, that is ignorant, that a man who is awakened in his
ehirt, and who is immediately attacked, gives himself up for lost, when
on a common occasion he would not be even intimidated.
I do not know the number of the killed and wounded, but I am sure
they are to an extent, that will preserve the men who defended their
flag from the imputation of cowardice ; and notwithstanding the
blame which ought to follow the cutting out of a Vessel of War, the
Captain protests that he has done his duty, as also the Officers, Mid-
shipmen, and part of the Crew, and that the enemy is indebted only
to his great superiority and the darkness of the night.
This is, Citizen Captain-General, the faithful detail of the horrid
event: as they continued fighting when I was thrown overboard and
fell in the Boat, the Ofncer who remains will transmit you the account
of what followed in this massacre.
I know, General) that the consequences of this event ought to fall
upon me; and although mutilated, having received several musket and
handspike blows on my breast, my legs and arms, and several sabre and
pike wounds in the body, (none of which are dangerous,) that suspicion
will hang over my head ; but I shall wait with resignation for the
report which shall be made to you by the Officers and Midshipmen
have not falkn victims. I am assured thatthey will tell you, that
388 CORRESPONDENCE.
I was worthy to be their Chief, and that I did every thing depending
on me to save to the republic the Vessel confided to my care, and
that I should have died at my post had I not been torn away from it
by absolute force.
I shall wait with patience the judgment of my superiors, who are to
restore or condemn me.
dt the Estate Champin, near Fort de France,
tht lth f/uviose.
We, the Officers, Mid hipmen, and Non-commissioned Officers
and Surgeon of the said Brig, having returned to Fort de France the
17th, and having seen a deposition drawn up by the said Captain,
have found nothing therein which is not exact truth ; and all, how-
ever wounded, enjoying our judgment and senses, having read it, pro-
test to the truth of the events, that Capt. Cordier, whom we all thought
dead, has escaped, and that this fortunate circumstance presents to
the Republic a zealous defender, that while he was on board, he was
every where giving the most precise orders and encouraging the peo-
ple, and that his being thrown overboard was from the ability the
enemy must have perceived in his comir.and. We affii m besides, that
he was worthy to command the brave men who suffered themselves
to be cut up for the honour of the flag: for these reasons we sign with
him the present deposition.
Cheminant> de Clement, Joly, Duclos Guyet, Th. Siriaque, Dienot,
Dupart, le Conte, le Boj, Lemactret, Bonet.
True Copy.
(Signed) VILLA RET,
Fort de France, Captain - G cntral, &c.
tie igth P.w'wse, year 12.
NAVAL LITERATURE.
,/f foyagt of Discovery tc tic North Pacific Ocean, By William Robert
Broiigbicn. 410. pp. 394. 1804.
[Concluded from page 44.]
T will be recollected by our readers, that Captain (then Lieutenant)
Broughton, the author of the work before us, sailed with Captain
Vancouver, on his voyage of discovery, as Commander of the Chat-
ham Tender, in 1791 ; and that he was sent home from Nootka with
dispatches, by Captain Vancouver. In October 1793, he was ap-
pointed to the Providence, a Ship which had been commanded by
Captain Bligh, and which had lately returned frcm the West Indies,
KAYAL LITERATURE. jgg
nfter having conveyed the bread-fruit there from Otaheite. The Pro-
vidence was completely equipped for the purpose of sailing on a voyage
<of discoveries ; but Captain Broughton did not ultimately sail on his
jnission till February 1 795. His orders were secret, with an additional
cue to put himself under the command of Captain Drury, of his Ma-
jesty's Ship Trusty, and to proceed to sea with his convoy, then bound
for the Mediterranean. Captain Broughton proceeded by Teneriffe
and Rio Janeiro; on the loth of June made Cough's Island; and,
on the 1 8th of August, anchored in Port Stephens, where our voy-
agers remained a week. Here they found, residing with the natives,
four Englishmen, who had deserted in a Boat from Port Jackson five
years before. Being assured of good treatment, they were with much
difficulty prevailed on to come on board. Some of them were mar.
lied, but they left their wives and children with little regret. On the
2 yth of August, the Providence reached Port Jackson, where she re-
mained till the 1 3th of October. Thence she directed her course to
the north of New Zealand, touched at Otaheite, and, on the ist of
•January 1796, reached the Sandwich Islands. Here Captain Brough-
ton learned, from an American Vessel, that Captain Vancouver, with
the Discorery and Chatham, had sailed for England. At Owyhee,
Captain Broughton obtained ample supplies of hogs, which were sent
off from Ta-maah-maah, by the influence which John Young, a Bri-
tish Seaman, \vho had been resident in the island for six years, had
over that Chief. The cattle which had been left on the island by
Captain Vancouver had bred, and were in excellent order : the goats
had multiplied prodigiously. Captain Broughton added a male and
female to their number, leaving also some geese, ducks, and pigeons.
It is the opinion of Captain Broughton, that any Vessel may now
touch at Owyhee in safety, and be amply supplied with refreshments.
On the 22d of February, the Providence sailed for Nootka Sound.
On the 2$tn, says Captain Broughton,
<* We altered our course to the west, intending to search for an
island called Donna Maria Lajara, said to be discovered by a Spanish
Ship, the Hercules, in 1781 ; and laid down in Arrowsmith's charts,
from the authority of Mr. Dalrymple. The xfntre of it is situated ia
28° 30' N., and in long. 202° 30' E. By the chart it is of consider-
able extent, in a north and south direction. The afternoon sights for
the watch made our longitude at noon 204° i' 30" E. ; and we could
see half a degree to the east. There was a large swell in that direc-
tion, but no indication that could induce us to suppose theie was
land in that quarter. Captain Cook's track, on his return to the
Sandwich Islands, was in 206° E.
" We had now run and seen 5° of long, 'nearly from 200° eait to
390 KATAL LITERATURE.
near 205* east, in the parallel of 28° 30' N. : the situation of thi*
island must therefore be to the east or west of the above longitude ;
most probably to the east of 206° E., as Captain Cook passed the
parallel in the long, of 200° 15' E., and many other navigators to the
westward of that longitude. I therefore did not think it necessary to
cross their tracks, but altered our course to north with a fine breeze
at E.S.E."
On the I yth of March, the Providence anchored in Nootka Sound,
which the Spaniards had then evacuated. The Ship requiring much
repair, she was here hove down, and did not quit the Sound till May.
Captain Broughton then proceeded along the north-west coast of
America, and stopped in the bay of Mon terry.
" It was now necessary," says our author, *' I should come to some
determination respecting my future proceedings. My orders from the
Admiralty were, that 1 should survey the southern coast of the south-
west part of South America, upon the idea that Captain Vancouver,
who had similar orders, would not be able to fulfil them. But as I
now had certain intelligence, that he had left this port eighteen months
before, and that both the Ships, Discovery and Chatham, under his
command, were in a good condition, I had not the smallest doubt of
his ability to comply with his instructions ; particularly as I had in-
formation of his sailing from Val Paraiso, in lat. 30° S. for that
purpose. As this was the case, my proceedings in future depended
upon my own discretion ; and I wished to employ his Majesty's
Sloop, under my command, in such a manner as might be deemed most
eligible for the improvement of geography and navigation. I there-
fore demanded of the Officers their sentiments in writing, respecting
the manner in which these discretionary powers allowed to me might
most effectually be employed. The result of their opinions, I was
happy to find, coincided with my own, which was, to survey the coast
of Asia, commencing at the island of Sakhalin, situated in 50° N. lat.
in the southern part of the sea off Ochotz, and ending at the Nanking
River, in 30° N. lat. My intention was also to complete the survey
of the adjacent islands,, viz. the Kui'iles, and those of Jeso and Japan,
left unfinished in Captain Cook's last voyage. I thought such a sur-
vey would be very acceptable to geographers ; for the limits of both
the continents of Asia and America would then be known as far as
navigation was practicable, and a knowledge of the Northern Pacific
Ocean would be completed. Another reason for my undertaking this
voyage was, that as yet the astronomer had met with no opportunity
of complying wilh his instructions from the Board of Longitude, in
making observations and asceitaining unknown places, our line of
navigation having hitherto led us to follow the track of Captain Yaq-
KAVAL L1TIRATURI. 39*
touver. In any other part of the Northern Pacific Ocean there
appeared little to be done, except that of settling the position of a few
islands in themselves of little consequence ; but a survey of the coast
of Asia and the adjacent islands, promised to be of more service to the
science of geography than that of any islands left unexplored in these
teas. As this survey could not probably be completed before the
middle of the year 1 798, 1 proposed spending my time in that pursuit
till Christmas, then to go to Canton for stores and provision, and to
continue the survey early in the year."
Captain Broughton accordingly steered for the Sandwich Islands,
and thence sailed across the Northern Pacific Ocean, to the Japanese
and Kurile Islands, which he continued surveying during the months
of September, October, and November ; and, in December, he arrived
at China. In July, however, at the Island of Onehow, the Boat's
Crew being on shore to barter for provisions, an unprovoked murder
of two of the Marines, by the Natives, took place. The cause of this
barbarous act was not ascertained.
At China Captain Broughton purchased a very fine Schooner, of
between 80 arid 90 tons ; and, in April, I 797, as soon as the monsoon
permitted, he sailed to prosecute his voyage, with fifteen months' pro-
vision on board of both the Vessels. In May, however, a dreadful
and unexpected accident happened, which had nearly terminated their
farther progress : we mean the loss of the Providence, which struck
upon a reef of rocks, off some islands distinguished in the charts by
the name of Typinsan, about a hundred leagues from the east part of
Formosa. The following account of this misfortune, commencing
with May 16, is given by Captain Broughton : —
" Light airs and favourable weather. At 5 h. the Boat returned,
and we stood to the north-westward with a fresh breeze. At 74, the
extremes at Patchusan bore from east to S. 20° E. and Rocho-o-ko-ko
S. io°W. to S. 42° W.
"124. Moderate weather ; wore Ship.
*' 1 74. At day-light the north extreme of Patchusan bore S. 65° E.
and at noon it bore S. 1 4° W. six leagues. The Peaked Hill, S. 30°
W., and we saw no other land. The Carpenters employed hooping
the fishes on the foremast ; and the Seamen woolding the mast j which
enabled us to carry the foresail reefed, and the fore-top-sail close
reefed.
" (i 7th.) We steered east with the intention of examining the north
side of the islands we had passed to the south last year; and the
Schooner's signal was made to steer E. by S. At two P.M. we just
discovered a small sandy island from the deck, bearing S. 15° E. five
leagues. At 3 h. we saw another island beam^ east, and we hauled
3p4 KAfAL LITERATURE.
E.N.E,; and at 4 h. the Schooner's signal was made to haul her winct
upon the larboard tack. At £ past 5 we hauled our wind, and shor-
tened sail for the Schooner to come up with us. At 7 P.M. an hum-
mock making like an island, beyond the extreme of the other island*
bore S. 60° E. ; and the extreme point of land seen bearing east, novr
bore S. 10° W. about five leagues. At this time the Mate of the
watch from the mast-head reported there was no land to be seen to the
cast or north of the Humonock Islands, nor in any other direction ;
neither was there the smallest danger in view from the appearance of
the coast to the S.E. on our lee-beam. I therefore stood on, meaning
to tack at 8 hours, and ply to the windward till day -light. The moon
we expected to rise at midnight, and the Schooner was not yet up in
her station. The Ship lay N.E. ~ N. going 4! knots, with her main
tack on board. Immediately after taking the bearings, I left the deck
to protract our situation ; which I found to be on the north side of
the island we had passed on the 3d of December last year (called by
the natives Typinsan), and which blowing weather prevented our
having any communication with.
" About half past seven white water was seen a-head and upon each
bow, and reported to the Officer of the watch (Lieut. Vashon) ; and
almost directly after the Ship struck upon a reef of coral rocks.
Having felt the shock, which was not yet violent, I instantly went
upon deck, and by the way met Mr. Vashon coming to acquaint me
of the disaster. The Officers and men were upon deck in a moment,
, and the sails instantly braced a-back. It appeared to me that the
helm was a- weather, and the Ship's head about E.N.E., sails all full.
Had the helm been put a-lte on seeing the danger, I think we should
have escaped it.
«' The proper signals were made to the Schooner, and the Master
sent to anchor her as near as possible, to heave by her. The Ship soon
after paid off, with her head to the eastward ; and we hauled up the
main-sail, shivering the other sails, tolet her go round without acquiring
head way : before she paid off to the southward, she again struck fore
and aft, and remained fixed at last with her head due south. Breakers
were then upon each bow, and we had from five to fifteen fathoms i»
the starboard chains, and only z\ fathoms at times both a-head and
a-stern. Having choaked the rudder, the top-masts were struck, and
we began hoisting the- Boats out, the lower yards having been kept
for that purpose. At this time the Ship did not strike violently, and
only made 19 inches water. Unfortunately the wind freshened from
the N.N.W., and the sea began to break with great force, which
soon knocked the rudder off: we secured it with hawsers. It was
now nine o'clock, and we only waited the Schooner's anchoring, to
5
HATAL LITERATURE. 393
attempt heaving off, and in the mean time began hoisting out the
long-boat; during which period the Ship made water very fast; and
the violent shocks she received, rendered it doubtful whether the masts
would stand. The water increased so much upon the pumps, that
before the long-boat was out we had seven feet water in the hold. At
this time the Schooner had anchored near us in 25 fathoms, and the
Master returned on board, when the Ship suddenly changed her posi-
tion, swinging round from south to north by the east, and striking
more violently than ever. Before we could carry our hawsers to the
Schooner, the Carpenter reported the water iip to the orlop deck, and
the Ship having bilged forward ; we therefore gave up the idea of
attempting to heave off, for had we succeeded, the Ship must inevita.
bly have foundered. The spare pumps were down the fore hatchway,
but the water still increasing upon the gun-deck, rendered all our
txertions useless. The Officers were unanimous with me in opinion,
that nothing could be done to save the Ship ; and to cut away the
masts would have no effect upon her, as she was settling fast forward,
from her being bilged, as we imagined, in her larboard bow. It now
became highly necessary to preserve the people, and the Boats were
ordered ready for their reception ; while they were employed trying
to collect arms and ammunition, with armourers' and carpenters' tools;
But the Ship lying nearly on her beam ends, and the gun-deck being
full of water from the washing of the bulk heads to and fro, chests
&c., prevented their saving many. On one side of the Ship we had
only six feet water, and on the other 3! fathoms. The fore part of
her was immersed in the sea, and the surf breaking over the upper
deck. As nothing more could be procured for the present, the Ship's
Crew were sent into the Boats, which was happily effected without
any accident ; and soon after eleven o'clock they reached the Schooner
in safety, but with the loss, both Officers and Men, of every thing
belonging to them. The Pinnace returned for myself and the remain-
ing Officers } and at half an hour after midnight we quitted the Pro-
vidence, leaving her a perfect wreck to the mercy of the sea.
" The moon rose at about iz h., and the wind increased ; but having
both anchors down in foul ground, we thought it prudent to take one
of them up. At 4 A.M. we parted the other cable ; and fortunately
resting the right way, we made sail, and most happily escaped another
shipwreck, which must have proved fatal to many of us. We were
now doubly thankful in our present situation, miserable as our pro-
spects were : but by comparison of what our fate had nearly been, we
had every reason to be contented with our lot| and to rejoice in our
preservation."
«sat>. er&rort. (Bol.XIL 3 R
394 NAVAL LITERATURE.
The groupe of islands, off which the Providence was lost, consists
of seventeen. They are of different sizes, and many of them very
small and uninhabited. They extend from 24° 10' north, to 24° 52'
30" N. latitude, and from 123^ 2' east, to 125° 37' east longitude.
The inhabitants distinguish them by the name of Madjicosemah ; they
are tributary to Great Lieuchieux, or the Liquieux Islands.
The natives of Typinsan behaved with the most distinguished huma-
nity and kindness to Captain Broughton and his Crew, who, after
having been liberally supplied \vith water and all kinds of refreshments,
returned to China, where they arrived safe in the Schooner, on the
4th of June. The Crew of the Providence, with the exception of
thirty-five Officers and Men, whom Captain Broughton retained with
him in the Schooner, wtre here distributed on board the Swift Sloop
of War, and different East India Ships, for the purpose of taking their
passage to England. The Swift was afterwards lost, and the whole
of her Crew perished.
Captain Broughton, being determined to pursue and finish the sur-
vey which he had begun, sailed again, on the i ;th of the same month
(June), with five months' provisions, on board the Schooner. Having
accomplished his purpose, at least in its principal points, Captain
Broughton returned to China in the month of November. He con-
eludes the volume with the following passage : —
'* I think it unnecessary to expatiate any more on the detail of our
voyage, as it was continued through the Straits of Malacca, and from
Madras to Trincomale ; a track of sea well known to the navigator :
thence I took the accustomed passage to England, where I arrived In
February, 1 799, after an absence of four years ; and shall consider my
exertions as amply rewarded, if this journal, in the opinion of the
scientific and geographical part of the world, (however it may furnish
little amusement to the general reader,) is considered as adding to the
jtock of nautical information, and communicating a more dxtcnsive
knowledge of the globe."
Before we conclude, it is just requisite to observe, that Captain
Broughton was tried by a Court Martial at Trincomale, for the loss
of the Providence, and honourably acquitted.
We now detain our readers no longer than whik we present them
•with our author's remarks on the Japanese and Corean Vessels : —
" The Japanese Junks we had the opportunity of observing, were
from three hundred to thirty tons burthen, and, without the smallest
variation, of the same construction. They have only one mast, with a
square sail of cotton; and notwithstanding they at times weathered
upon the Schooner, we generally sailed much faster. They were
unable to tack, but always wore in a very short time.
NAVAL LITERATURE. 39$
" They made use of iron creepers for anchors . and their rudders
were of the same construction as the Chinese : and when at anchor
hove up by a purchase.
" The butt ends and stern were covered with copper to preserve
them : and the opening in their stern is something similar to a square
tacked Vessel ; only the sides are carried aft, projecting beyond it
some distance.
" The hold was entirely open ; and they made use of tanks or cis-
terns for carrying water. The mast was composed of several pieces of
fir, rudely made, and strongly hooped together. The floor, timbers,
beams, and main-piece of the rudder, were of oak ; the rest, of pine.
'* We never saw any that were painted.
" The Corean Junks were of a large size, with only one mast ; but
we did not see any under sail. Their Boats in the Archipelago ot
T'Chosan-go were more similar to the Chinese, and particularly in their
mode of navigating them. They also made use of wooden anchors,
which the Japanese do not. Their Boats have two masts and matted
•ails, but not extended cross-ways, with bamboos, like the Chinese.
In the centre of the Vessel they have a fire-place, built up with clay
in a square form. They always keep some fire in it, for the conve-
niency of smoking.
" They made use of no covering like the Chinese tilts, but covered
themselves up with coarse dried grass cloaks.
'« The Boats were built of fir, the skulls \vere either oak or ash, and
they appeared to manage them with great dexterity. Some of them
would carry from 50 to 60 people, and they sailed very fast."
We Trial of James Whiting, John Parsons, and William Congreve,for
a Libel against the Hon. G. C. Berkeley, Rear- Admiral of the Red, &c.
[Concluded from page 127-]
'O witnesses were called on the part of the defendants,
but Mr. Dallas addressed the Jury in their behalf j after
which the Lord Chief Baron Macdonald delivered himself
in the following words * :—
Gentlemen of the Jury,
You have witnessed a great deal of ingenuity and animation upon
this occasion ; but you are now to exercise with composure of mind and
* We have been induced to present .the summing up of the Lord Chief Baron
entire; as it gives the substance of all the evidence which was adduced; as it
comprises the entire libel on which the action was founded ; and as, on th«
it 15 so highly honourable to the character of the plaintiff.
39<5 XAVAL LITERATURI.
deliberation, that duty which the law imposes upon you ; to consider,
if you are of opinion that the plaintiff is entitled to any verdict, what
hi« reparation in damages ought to be I say with composure and
deliberation, for this reason, that it will be an infinitely gi cater satis-
faction to the plaintiff in this case, if he is entitled to recover at all,
to receive it from a cool and dispassionate judgment, than from a hasty
and inconsiderate verdict. It will be in the former case a mych better
reparation to him, because he will then have to say, that twelve disin-
terested men have sat in judgment upon his character; and have pro-
nounced upon it in such a manner, as must give him satisfaction, and
give satisfaction to all the world.
Gentlemen, before we enter into the evidence itself, I will dispose
of two or three observations, which have been made to you. In the
first place it is said, that these three persons are not the authors — no—-
but if there were no publishers of this sort of slanderous matters, there
•would be few or no authors. They are publishers of what ? Of an
anonymous paper ; a thing which ought to call for their attention par-
ticularly. They are the publishers of a paper, that be its author who
it may, he is conscious he is doing that for which he ought to make
a considerable reparation in damages — and he is a shy-c<xk himself—
for he does not mention names. It is true he puts on, by the stile he
adopts, an affectation of being a person in vulgar life ; and he writes
this libel, part of the atrocity of which, I think, consists in his assum-
ing the character of pne of those low persons in the Navy, whose
minds may be contaminated with respect to a superior Officer.
It is said, that Admiral Berkeley's Character turns out this day to
be such, that he can sustain no injury whatever from a libel of this
sort. That is to say, then, that none but knaves can be libelled, aiid
that honour ible men cannot; a monstrous doctrine! In proportion
to his rank in the service, tP be sure, he must feel to the very quick
such imputations as these which are cast upon him; and the pair} of
mind which such an imputation will give to an Officer, you will be, by
and by, to estimate.
The two points for your consideration are, first of all, whether
Admiial Berkeley is right in the supposition that he is the person that
is libelled ? In the statement that has been made, it has been truly
said, that you are to take the words in the same sense that other persons
would understand them in ; and the name of the pen-on i.. avoided ; a .d
the name of the Ship is avoided; but there is.enougu coupled wuh
what you have heard in evidence, for you to ju.dge whether Admiral
Berkeley miiot not be the person meant.
In the first place, the libel upon the face of it states, that it is an
Officer who was engaged in the Fleet on the first of June, 1791- It
NAVAL LITERATURE. 397
Is still more narrowed, because it is a Captain who was succeeded in
the command on that day by his First Lieutenant. The words of the
iibel are, " // 'was a glorious summer s Jay, Sir, and, ifl remember right,
it was tit first cfjutie, 1 794." That therefore must allude to a Cap-
tain in the service of that day. " But then, as some folks say, that was
till the Lieutenant's doings, and so he was made a Captain for it." Then,
gentlemen, it must have been a Captain who was succeeded in the
command on that day by a Lieutenant, who was himself afterwards
made a Captain, for his conduct in supplying Captain Berkeley's place
upon that day.
Then, gentlemen, it applies further to a Captain, who, after that ser-
vice, had come home with a fit of the gouf ; which fit of the gout,
when 1 come to read the words to you, by and by, your common
cense and understanding must tell you, was a pretended fit of the gout,
in order to come home from the Black Rocks. " And as you know,
Sir, that a gouty man cannot keep his legs at sea, he thought it best to go
bodily into port at once.'' These circumstances go directly to Captain
Berkeley ; and there is a most essential piece of confirmatory evidence,
that upon this third of March there was not living any one Captain,
except Admiral Berkeley, who was wounded in the action of the first
pfjune. t.
Gentlemen, from the state of facts you are to extract, if your un-
derstandings lead you so to <'o, that the person intended was Admiral
Berkeley ; and if so, it will defeat the attempts to let the public under-
stand it is Admiral Berkeley, but the libeller hopes to escape the tffcct
of having so done.
After all the preliminary proof, which I will not trouble you with
re-stating, Mr. Thomas Romney, the Surgeon, is called ; he tells you
he was the Surgeon of the Mariborough ; she was engaged in the ac-
tion upon the first of June, 1794: Captain Berkeley wss at that time
the Commander; the witness was in the character of Surgeon ; his
post of course was in the cock pit, which is the hospital of the Ship
Ijpon such occasions ; Captain Berkeley was brought down about the
time when some masts fell overboard ; he could not swear to the time
with certainty ; a good many wounded men had been brought down
before Captain Berkeley: he swears that Captain Berkeley's skull was
totally laid bare j it certainly was a wound which compelled him to
leave the deck ; there was a considerable effusion of blood.—" I
dressed the wound. Almost immediately after I had dressed it. the
Captain made an attempt to return upon deck ; but in going up the
cockpit ladder, he fainted from the stun he had sustained." — He was
sisked what was the consequence of the wound ; he said, that from
Capt. Berkeley's sleeping a considerable time after that, he suspected
398 NAVAL LITERATURE.
there was either a fracture, or a concussion of the brain ; that even
after this time he suspected this to be the case, as sleep came upon
him very frequently ; that such symptoms attend an injury of the
brain ; that Captain Berkeley was under his care for about a fort-
night, before he went on shore ; the wound then appeared by no
means well; that he had frequent dozings, with restless nights;
that he also received a wound in the leg, to which he had occasion
to apply dressings ; it was a wound on the shin bone, which was so
irritable, that an inflammation ensued ; this wound was by no means
healed when he went on shore. The Ship had been engaged some
time before Captain Berkeley was brought down ; and he says the
wounds were such, as made it indispensably necessary to carry him
down to the cock -pit.
Mr. Murray Forbes, another Surgeon, tells you that he attended -
Capt. Berkeley in the latter end of July, which was six or seven weeks
after the'action : Capt. Berkeley called upon him to shew him the
wounds he had received ; that the wound on the forehead had con-
tracted much ; there was a small aperture in it ; but the skin was
hollow underneath ; there was a bit of bone which seemed to be quite
loose, but the opening was not sufficiently large to allow it to come
away ; he advised Capt. Berkeley to leave it alone, it would work its
own way out in time; and it was not necessary that any thing should
be done for the purpose of taking it away : the wound on the leg was
a foul broad ulcer at that time ; he told Capt. Berkeley that he thought
it would be very troublesome ; the next day he found the wound in
the head in the same condition as it was the day before; he did not
take the bit of bone out himself; he found it of considerable thick-
ness, and was a portion of the outer bone in that part ; that such a
wound in moot cases would produce complete insensibility; and where
it does not go to that extent, and that insensibility does not take
place, there must be such a stun, stupor, and giddiness, as would ren-
der the person receiving it incapable of any exertion.
Captain Monckton is then called. He tells you he was First Lieu-
tenant of the Marlborough upon this memorable day, the first of June ;
that the Ship at the beginning of the action was commanded by Capt.
Berkeley; that when Capt. Berkeley was wounded, he, the witness,
took the command, and from thence was made a Post Captain. — The
libel says, " that though the Captain wai down below, all she act ion t
bis Ship made a good fight of it without him ; but th:n, as some folks
say, that was all the Lieutenant's doings, and so he was made a Captain
for it." — Capt. Monckton says, they engaged 1'lmpetueux at about
a quarter past nine ; the Marlborough was a 74, 1'Impetueux an
NATAL
Ship ; after that, they were engaged with another Ship, the Muttus,
a 74-gun Ship ; so that they had a 74 and an 80 -gun Ship upon them
at the same time ; shortly after, a French three-decker came under
their stern, and fired a broadside, which carried away their three masts,
severely wounded Capt. Berkeley, and killed a number of their Men;
this was a little better than an hour after the engagement began ; that
the plaintiff conducted himself with the greatest bravery au.» skill, as
he had always done for twenty- four years, since the witness knew him.
The witness says, he had been in many critical situations with Captain
Berkeley, and he behaved himself upon that day, as.,he had in those
critical situations : he served with Capt. Berkeley in 1798, and in 1800,
off the Black Recks.
Now we come to that part of the libel which tallies with the evi-
dence with respect to the Black Rocks : he says, Capt; Berkeley
commanded the advanced Squadron ; " there were generally two or
three Frigates in shore of us, watching th« motions of the enemy, to
give timely notice, if they should attempt to come out ; Earl St. Vin-
cent .was Commander in Chief." He says he remembers Admiral
Berkeley being indisposed ; he had no doubt that he had a serious in-
disposition ; that Admiral Berkeley went in the Mars to Cawsand Bay,
by Lord St. Vincent's ord«r. He says he read the libel in question,
and applied it to Admiral Berkeley; " IT is AS CLEAR A*S THE
SUN AT NOON-DAY," that no one of the Captains wounded upon
the 6rst oT June was alive upon that third of March, excepting Admi-
ral Berkeley ; that the time when he received his wound was soon
after eleven ; so that if he got into action at nine, it was at least
an hour and a half after the action began, that Captain Berkeley was
wounded.
Mr. Joseph Ctillurne, a Surgeon in the Navy, says he was on board
the Mars when Rear- Admiral Berkeley's Flag was flying on board ;
he attended Admiral Berkeley, who had the gout ; that it attacked
his head, stomach, and intestines ; he recommended to Admiral
Berkeley to go on shore ; he was so much incommoded at the time,
that he could not go by land, and therefore, at the risk of his life, he
went by sea to the place of his destination.
Then Mr. Pracd and Sir Charles Pole were called, who said (and
many other persons present would have said the same thing) that they
had no doubt but that this libel applied to Admiral Berkeley.
Lord Duncan says what completely proves that Admiral Berkeley
had a reputation to lose, which was extremely valuable to him at the
time this libel was published.
Having stated this evidence, I will read the libel to you again, in
otder thafyou may compare it with that which has been given in evi-
480 RAtAL
dence; and see whether any reasonable doubt remains upon yo'ift1
minds, that this can apply to any other person than to Admiral
Beikrhy ; and also, whether it does not impute to him cowardice and
a dereliction of duty ; such as if any man believed it, he must believe
that any man to whomsoever it should apply, ought to have been shot
upon his quarter deck upon that first of June.
Gei,t!-men, I omitted to mention, that from Sir Charles Pole's
evidence, it appears that some observations (what they were we must
not know) took place in the House of Commons, upon Sir Thoma»
Trovvbridge and Captain Markham, two Lords of the Admiralty.
Now, en passant, I would say upon that, that if this scandalous
libeller (whoever he be) conceived he was doing a grateful thing to
Sir Thomas Trowbridge arid to Captain Markliam, by vindicating
their official chaiacter at the expense of Admiral Berkeley or any other
man, never was mortal man more mistaken ; for, I suppose, if there
be upon the face of the globe men of singular honour and probity,
these two gentlemen are those ; and of this libel lying before me, I
believe no one syllable to be true, except it be, when speaking of the
junior sea members of the Admiralty Board, it says, their services are
too well known to all the Navy, to need my saying any thing about
them : I believe that is the only single line of truth in the whole of
this performance.
Then you see this libel alludes to some Officer in the Navy, who,
when something was going forward in the House of Commons re-
specting the Board of Admiralty, had differed in opinion from the
junior sea members of the Admiralty Board, with respect to the appli-
cation of the number, state, and condition of the naval force of the
kingdom. Certainly Admiral Berkeley is at liberty to entertain hi*
opinion, and Sir Thomas Trowbridge and Captain Maikham are
equally at liberty to entertain their opinions, whatever they may be ;
but that is another circumstance, that connects the libel with Admiral
Berkeley-—" // is a common saying, that there is no knowing a fgbting
cock by his crowing, and indeeed it seems to be pretty much confirmed
amongst us sea-faring men at this moment) as one of our shy-cocks just
now seems to crow the loudest. But, Sir, if the nation knew hoiv to
estimate these skulkers" — whoever is the person meant here, is represented
as a skulker and a coward — " as well as we Jo, they would be hunted
out of the cock-pit." Care is taken to print all this in italics; the
cock-pit is the cock-pit to which the person respecting whom this
libel is written, is supposed to have gone down; in fact, to run away.
" Much, however, as I despise them myself, I beg leave to indite a few
lines to you on the subject, just to inform you that all honest tars are
astonished to bear their old Captains, ivho have so ofltn led thim to <vit->
5
KATAt LITERATUR.I. 40*
toryy intuited bj those who never did a brave actien In their lives ; but
ivbat is worse than all, Sir, to bear of their being abused (. blcfly by ONE '*
(in capital letters) «' who lias Used every pretence to avoid actual service*
from his first command in the Navy to his departure from the $tack
Rocks. It is true this gallant gentleman 'was once in action, and it it
true be found the day much too hot to stand it out : it was a ^Lrt,,us
summer's day. Sir, and if I recollect right it was the first of June, 1794.
On that occasion he contrived very early to quit the sunshine, for the shadt
bfthe cock-pit.'1
Captain Berkeley did go down to the cock-pit in the course of thd
engagement ; and was obliged to go down, as you ha.t heard, where
he remained during the whole course of the evening ; he attempted to*
come up, but nature would not support him—" Where he remained
•very composedly ft// the cool of the evening ; this I have been told he con-
trived, by running his head against some block or bulk-head ^ for the deuce
a bit of any scar fan he shew, though he boasts of having bled in the
service of his country } from all which it is thought his nase was the
greatest sufferer in this trial of strength 'tvjixt Hock and block." NoW|
gentlemen, you are to understand that contempt and derision of a man*
cither in his profession, or any other situation or character in life, is
libellous, and actionable. ** However, Sir, to hear htm lalktyou tuould
think him a jine fellow, and wonder that though he was do wn belo lu all
the action, his Ship should make a good fight of it without him } but thent
as some folks say, that ivas all the Lieutenant's doing, and so he ivas made
a Captain for ;/." That is true of Captain Berkeley's Lieutenant on
that day. " To be sure, Sir, I have heardt
" He that f glits and runs aiuay
'* May live tofigbt another day ;"
and I can't indeed help thinking the gallant COMMANDER" (again
in large letters) " has heard this saying too ; for certain it is he rait
atvay in the first fight he ever was in, and is nova alive and hearty ;
tut as for fighting another day, egad^ Sir, I don't think he has ranch mind
that waj, for the last I heard of h m <was, of his leaving our post of
honour off 'Brest ;" (Admiral Berkeley did leave the post of honour off
Brest ;) " but then to be sure there vans some excuse for that, because the
poor gentleman was suddenly taken ill with a fit of the gout*" (That is
also true respecting Admiral Berkeley, and applies to him.) " And at
you may know, Sir, that a gouty man can't keep his legs at sea, he thought
it best to go bodily into port at once." So Admiral Berkeley did come
into port, being forced there by illness. — " They say indeed he got well
almost as soon as he landed ; but <zve guess, at he never joined the tteet
again, that he was a little afraid of a more seriout attack,"— which eer-
ffiol.XII. 3 F
402 KAVAL LITERATURE.
tainly must mean engagement, it can mean nothing else — u Bitty Sir,
fill that'' i as it may be ; I think, however, and so txe all think, that nvhili
ke is (bus flourishing ashcre, he might jind something better to ao, than
abusing those 'who have never shirked their duty, hot or cold" — That
Admiral Berkeley did that, is insinuated. — I believe the only part of
the paper that is true is, that neither Sir Thomas Trowbridge nor
Captain Maikham ever did. — *'As to tbae against whom he has lately
been Jir i*g away his wadding, (for it is not much in his ivay tofre shot ')
• — in italics again — " / mean, Sir, the junior sea members of the jUmirtdty
Board, their services are too nucli Lnoivn to all the Navy, to need my saying
any thing about them ; nor would I be guilty of such an offence to them,
as to name them on the same dcy 'with him*" That is, that his character
is as infamous as theirs is illustrious.
Now, gentlemen, the fair way of considering all these symbols is,
to take them jointly, and ask yourselves what is the impression they
make upon your own minds ? Perhaps this would not of itself be
sufficient; but when the day, the first of June, occurs — when you
hear the gentleman, who is the subject of the libel, described as going
below to the cock-pit ; his Lieutenant taking the command, and
tting afterwards made a Captain ; then his leaving the post of honour
off Brest, and returning ill of the gout ; when yon find that he is stated
to be firing his wadding at two of che members of his own profession,
at the Admiralty Board ; and you find in fact, that Admiral Berkeley
had made some observations upon their conduct ; when, I say, you
put all these circumstances together, you will judge whether there
remains any doubt as to their applying to Admiral Berkeley. And
if you see they do, and that you see sufficiently clear through it ; you
ought to give a verdict for the plaintiff.
With respect to the damages, we are told the defendant is a gentle-
man, and a man of education ; does a gentleman and a man of educa-
tion think that is a protection to him ? No, it adds to the impropriety
of his conduct ; he ought to know better. Is a gentleman, and a
man of education, to receive anonymous works of this sort, calculated
for the very worst of purposes, and publish them ? What Officer
•who believed a tenth part of this, would ever, with a quiet mind, serve
on board Admiral Berkeley's Ship ? What Seaman would serve under
him ? And this anonymous writer assumes a style, that will be popu»
lar among sea-faring men, for the very purpose, perhaps, of its being
generally read in the naval service. Does this gentleman of educa-
tion receive and print to all the world libels on honourable men ?—
And in what form ? certainly in a very mischievous form.— I see some
of the papers lying before me bound in a book, and other persons may
bind them, and they may be preserved in libraries, and a person may
I
NAVAt, LITERATURE. 4«3
'write a note, *' this means Admiral Berkeley." It is not like a news-
paper, which lies about till at last the cook gets it, and it is finished.
Then it is said, this man is in a hurry ; is every man's character to
be at the mercy of this gentleman's hurry? Hurry, indeed! In
printing a single sheet in the course of a week ! — If that were any ex-
cuse at all, it may apply better to the printer of a common newspaper*
who is up as well as his workmen all night ; but here, in the form of a
pamphlet, this is sent about all over England. But every body who
comes into court here, says, no mortal man can believe this of Admiial
Berkeley. No — those who happen to know bis character will not be-
lieve it ; but of the twelve millions of people who inhabit this empire,
jiow few will know it is not true of Admiral Berkeley ? Yet in a
thousand ways it must get about that he was meant — every one who
knew the circumstances at the time, tell you they cannot have a par-
ticle of doubt about it.
Gentlemen, you will take all these circumstances into your consider-
ation ; and you will form your verdict with a due attention to, and
consideration of, all the circumstances put together. To me it appears
to be no extenuation, that this defendant is a gentlemanj and a man of
education ; it is no apology that he is in a hurry j but certainly his
circumstances and situation in life are circumstances you must consi-
der ; and you must consider the reparation which is to be made to
Admiral Berkeley is not of a pecuniary nature, nor will it admit of a
recompence of a pecuniary nature : if it did, in the naval service, we
might just as well furl the sails of our Fleet at once ; for it would prove
that all sense of honour was extinct among the naval profession.
Gentlemen, you will give the plaintiff a reparation, as far as pecu»
niary damages can dp it, for the uneasiness of mind he has suffered
from this libel : and you will recollect that you are not to hold it out
as a lesson to the public, that damages are to be given in proportion
as a man's character is high or otherwise ; because, in truth, the more
established his character is, the less vulnerable is ht. — You will, if you
believe Admiral Berkeley was the person meant, give such damages
as you think a person in his situation ought to teceive.
The jury, after a retirement of about twenty minutes, brought ia
their verdict for the Plaintiff — Damages^ One Thousand Poundt.
ERRATUM,
In our Biographical Memoir of the Hon. George Cranfield Berkeley, pagct
icS and 112 ; — Fur" Captain Montague," read " Captain Monckton."
Thoughts Ofi te-vera! Plans comlining a System of UNIVERSAL SIGNAL*
by Day and Night , ala$>tt> for Naval t Military, Commercial) and
Political Purposet ; with Suggestions far the general Extension and Jni-
frwement of DAY AND NIGHT TELEGRAPHS AND SIGNALS,
on Principles aaupted t» ca>"y on Puvlic and Private Correspondence,
bj the Symbols of Flags and Lights between /^-MAR^TIME NA-TIONS
OF THE UNITERSK. By JOHN M'AnTHUK, Es^. late Secretary
to the Right Hon. ddmiral Lord Viscount Ho»D. Printed for private.
Use only, pp. 3 1 . 410.
E ingenious Author of this System of Universal Signals, if
•**• already known in the Naval Service, from his original work on
COURTS MARTIAL, which has been some years out of print, but we
understand a new edition is now prepared for press with considerable
additions and improvements. At the commencement of 1801 he pub-
lished his FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL FACTS OF THE EIGH-
TEENTH CENTURY, with Comparative Statements of the Revenue^
£xpfndituret, Debts, Manufactures, and Commercet of Great Britain.
This last work (as well as his former) has been much appreciated^
end from its rapid sale has already run through four successive
editions.
His Thoughts on Universal Signals were printed in the beginning of
last month (October) ; copies of which, we understand, were dis-
tributed by the Author to his Royal Highness the Duke qf York, the
Lords Commmissioners of tlie Admiralty, the Directors of the
India Company, and to the principal Naval and Military Officers in
the kingdom.
The limits prescribed to our literary articles will not permit us, at
present, to enter into a minute review of the merit of Mr. M'ARTHUR'S
Thoughts on Universal Signals ; we shall therefore, for the present, lay
before our readers a sketch only, or rather the contents of the several
plans contained in his System, and at a future J.ime we shall give them
more in critical detai}.
There are seven different plans in the Thoughts on Universal Signals^
viz. I. Telegraphic S'gnals by Day and Night, presented to the Lords
of the Admiralty in 1797. This plan was published among the PhU
losophical Papers of the NAVAL CHRONICLE*.
• -<
* Vide Vol. I, page JOJ.
NAVAL LITER AT UE*. 405
?lan 2. Contains Additional Suggestions for establishing a Nocturnal
Telegraph.
Plan 3. ^f new arrangement for communicating the words of a Dlcr
tioaary, by adhering to the Combinations of the Day Telegraph now iif
use, and i< ' -'th may be equally applied to the Day and Night Te'egrapb
proposed in flam \ and z.
The author, by an ingenious arrangement of the mutations or
•movements of the Telegraph, instead of the 63 changes as at present
established, can, if necessary, make no less than 9,999,999 Signals, and
has given examples illustrative of the application, to words of a dic-
tionary in the English or any other language.
Plan 4. On tht extensim and improvement of Day Signals in hit
Majesty's Navy, adapted also to a Military Code. This plr,n, by an
arrangement of the same flags used in the Navy, is capable of denoting
io,oco Signals; and by means of two auxiliary Flags, the arrangement
is fiii-cept ble of 260,000 -mutations or Signals.
Plan £. On the communication of Signals by day, ivith five Flagt
tnly, is a cheap, eay, and expeditions mannfr, adapted for Naval, Mili-
tary, or Comme > cial purposes. The principle of the plan obviates the
expenses of having a variety of Flags ; and Merchant Vessels, provided
with five Flags, may easily make Signals to a vast extent, and can
denote the numbers annexed to words of a dictionary in any language.
By this plan 99 Signals can be denoted by two Flags, and 999 by
three ; and on making two Signals successively, numbers to the extent
of 999,999 may be easily denoted. The Signals in this plan can be
made on a mast and yard, or three Signal posts ; and the Author
has further suggested the three arms of a windmill, as equally con-
venient.
Plan 6. Is a Method of spreading Signal Flags in light airs or calm
•weather ; presented to the Admiralty in i 790, and afterwards pub-
lished in the NAVAL CHROMCLE, July 17991 Vol. II, p. 70.
Plan 7. Outlines of Night Signals adapted for Naval or Military
purposes, by the Combination of four Lights. This plan is intended tq
eupersede occasionally the system now in practice, by the combination
of guns, false fires, and lights, originally prepared by Mr. M'Arthur in,
j 792 ; and the plan may be used as a nocturnal telegraph at sea or oq
»hore, and the words of a dictionary in any language may also b«
jienpted.
C 406 ]
Bnght-ey'd Fancy hovering o'er,
Scatters from her pictured Urn
Thoughts that breathe, and words that bur# !
Extract frcm Verses addressed to the People of England, l/$8»
WILLIAM WHITEHEAD, Esq. Poet Laiireat.
- Mures aninfot in mart i a belief
Versibus exacuit.
RI TONS, rouse to deeds of death \
' Waste not zeal in idle breath,
Nor lose the harvest of your swords
Jn a civil war of woi ds ! . . . .
E
'
.... But glory, which aspires to last,
Leans not meanly on the past:
?Tis the present now demands
British hearts, and British hands,
Curst be he, the willing slave,
Who doubts, who lingers to be brave;
Curst be the coward tongue that dar§
Breathe one. accent of despair,
Cold as winter's icy hand
To chill the genius of the land.
Chiefly you, who ride the deep,
And bid our thunders wake or sleep,
As pity leads, or glory calls —
Monarchs of your wooden walls !
'Miiist our mingling seas, and skies,
Rise ye Blakes, ye Raleighs rise 1
Let the sordid lust of gain
Be banish'd from the liberal main :
He who strikes the generous blow
Aims it at the public foe :
Let glory be the girding star,
Wealth and honours follow her.
See ! she spreads her lustre wide
O'er the vast Atlantic tide !
Constant as the solar ray
Points the path, and leads the way !
Other worlds demand our care>
HAT At POKTRYi
Other worlds to Britain dear;
Where the foe insidious roves
O'er headlong streams and pathless groveftj
And justice simple laws confounds
With imaginary bounds.
If protecting commerce keep
Her tenor o'er yon heaving deep,
What have we from war to fear?
Commerce steals the nerves of war ;
Heals the havock rapine makes,
And new strength from conquest takes.
Nor less at home, O deign to smile,
Goddess of Britannia's Isle !
Thou, that from her rocks survey'st
Her boundless realms, the wat'ry waste j
Thou, that rov'st the hill and mtad
Where her flocks and heifers feed ;
Thou, that cheer 'st th* industrious swain
While he strows the pregnant grain ;
Thou, that hear'st his caroli'd vows
When th* expanded barn o'erflows;
Thou the bulwark of our cause,
Thou, the guardian of our laws,
Sweet liberty ! — O dcigH to smile,
Goddess of Britannia's Isle !
If to us indulgent Heaven
Nobler seeds of strength has given,
Nobler should the produce be ;
Brave, yet gen'rous, are the free.
Come then, all thy powers diffuse
Goddess of extended views !
Every breast which feels thy flame
Shall kindle into martial fame,
Till shame shall make the coward bold,
And indolence her arms unfold :
Ev'n avaiice shall protect his hoard,
And the plow -share gleam a sword.
Goddess, all thy powers diffuse !
And thou, genuine British muse,
Nurs'd amidst the Druids old,
Where Deva's wizard waters roll'd j
KAVAt POETRY*
Thou, that bear'st the gol<kn key
To unlock eternity,
Summon thy poetic guard —
Britain still has many a bard,
Whom, when time and death shall join,
T' expand the ore, and stamp the coin,
Late posterity shall own
Lineal to the muse's throne —
Bid them leave th' inglorious theme?
Of fabled shade, or haunted stream,
In the daisy-painted mead,
Tis to peace we tune the reed :
But when war's tremendous roar
Shakes the isle from shore to shore,
Every bard of purer fire
Tyit?:us-jike, should grasp the lyre;
Wake with verse the hardy deed,
Or in the generous strife like Sidney bleed.
^-,^%^*
Extract from IL BELMCOSO, by Mr*Mason*
ME bear, dread Power, for warlike sport,
Tro some wave-encircled fort ;
Or (if it yield more open sight)
To some hoar promontory's height,
Whose high-arch'd brow o'crlooks the scene*
Where Tritons blue and Naiads green,
Sportive from their coral cave,
Through the fluid chrystal lave :
There eagerly I ken from far
All the waste of naval war ;
And catch a sympathetic rage,
While the numerous Fleets engage;
And every distant shore rebounds
To the cannons' rattling sounds ;
And the sulphurous Fire-ship rends,
And thousand fates around her sends;
And l.mbs dissever'd hurl'd on high,
Smoke amid th' affrighted sky ;
H IK., 'it black clc>:ds above my head
With gleams of scarlet thick be spread,
With lightning's flash and thunder's growh,
Suit the spleen that shades my soul,
NAVAL POETRY.
There too let cranes, a numerous flight,
With beaks and claws rage bloody fight,
And airy knights from every cloud
Prick forth, their armour rattling loud ;
With blazing swords and comets drear,
Dragging a trail of flaming hair;
Such as diffus'd their baneful gleam
Over besieg'd Jerusalem,
Or hung o'er Rome ere Julius fell j
And if old sages' nightly spell,
Were ever deemed to foreshow
Changes in our realms below.
And when at length cold creeping age
Freezes the torrent of my rage,
Let me live amongst a Crew
Of Invalids, of kindred true !
Of some main limb bereft by war,
Or blest with some deep glorious scar ;
Scar, that endless glory draws
From Liberty and Albion's cause :
Then oft, well pleas'd, with them retire,
To circle round a sea-coal fire,
And all our past campaigns recite—-
Of Vigo's sack, and Blenheim's fight ;
How valiant Rooke majestic trod,
How Malbro' thunder'd ; half a god !
And then, with sage prophetic eye,
In future battles to decry,
That Britain shall not fail to yield
Equal Generals for the field ;
That France again should pour her blood,
And Danube roll a purpled flood.
And when my children round me throng,
The same grand theme shall grace my tongue;
To teach them, should fair England need
Their blood, 'tis theirs to wish to bleed ;
A^d, as I speak, to mark with joy
New courage start in every boy ;
And gladsome read in all their eyes,
Each will a future hero rise.
These delights if Mars afford,
Mars, with thee I whet my sword.
13 at. C&ron. aoI.XII. 3 c
£10 trailer,
MONDAY, 29th OCTOBER.
*jpHE most interesting trials which occurred this day were the two folllowinj,
in which the indictments were laid upon Lord Ellenborough's Act against
unlawful cutting, maiming, &c.
John Wilkinson, a Sailor, was indicted for feloniously assaulting and cutting
Nathaniel Oliver.
Mr. Knapp, Counsel for the prosecution, stated the circumstances of this case.
From his statement, and the evidence adduced, it appeared, that on the night
of the i yth of the present month, several Police Officers belonging to the Public
Office, Khadwell, namely, Edward Rogers, James Wansey, Edward Conder, and
the prosecutor, Oliver, entered a public-house in Little Gravel-lane, in which
they found seven or eight Seamen, of whom the prisoner was one. Rogers ad-
orc'ced himself to the prisoner, asked him who he was, and seized him by the
collar; the prisoner drew a knife, cut the neckcloth or handkerchief by whicli
Rogers held, and got loose. The prosecutor, Oliver, then came up, and the pri-
soner turning to him, attacked him with the knife, and cut his little finger in
such a manner as almost to separate it from the hand. Mr. Knapp observed,
that these Officers had general ins-true: ions from the Magistrates to patrol the
streets, and to apprehend disorderly perron* in public-houses; but if these direc-
tions of the Magistrates should not be thought a sufficient justification, he would
shew that Rogers and Oliver were authorized to apprehend the prisoner, as they
possessed press-warrants, directed to them by the Admiralty, under the sanction
of an Order of Council
Pogers produced his press-warrant. It was signed by Sir Philip Stevens, Sir
T. Trowbridge, and Sir H. B. Neale, Lords of the Admiralty, and addressed to
Mr Edward Rogers.
Mr. Benjamin Turtle, a Clerk in the Admiralty Office, proved the signature
of the Lords of the Admiralty, and produced ihe Ord'.-r of Council, dated
.March 7, 1803, under which it was issued. 'J he Order of Council directed the
Lords of the Admiralty to address warrants for impressing Seamen to Headbo^.
roughs, Constables, Peace Officers, &c. and to allow them 505. for every a!.i<_-
Lodied Seaman they procured. The Order of Council was signed by Sir Stephen
Cotterell, Clerk of the Council.
Mr. Alley, Counsel for the prisoner, stated several objections both to the
Warrant and the Order of Council. He observed, that the warrant contained the
words, given under our hand and seal, but no seal appeared upon it. Air. Tur-
tle, however, pointed out an impression on the paper, which was the seal —
Mr. Alley then asked the witness, whether he knew Sir Stephen Cotterell to be
Clerk of Council, any otherwise than by report. — Mr. Turtle admitted that he
knewthat fact from report only. — The Recorder, however, < bserved, that Sir
Stephen Cotterell was generally known to be Clerk of Council. He knew him
to possess that office.
Mr. Alley said, he had ctill another objection — The Order of Council di-
rected the press- warrants to he issued to Hcadboroughs, Constables, and Peace
Officers. The warrant produced, however. WES addressed simply to Mr.
Edward Rogers; an address which would apply to any private individual of
that name.
The Recorder considered this !a=t objection fatal to the pro:ecution. The
Act of PariiarnVnt was very particular with respect to the offence charged in
this indictment; the cutting, stabbing, or maiming, must be committed under
»uch circumstanres, that it death had ensued, the prisoner would have been
guilty of murder. It appeared, however, that the pre?s-v.'arrant had not been
executed according to the authority of the Order of Council, for Edward Rogers
might certainly be any private man of that name. Where life was at stake too
much caution ccuid not be exercised in the administration of the law?. 1'iuier
this, warrant the Ofiicer* had no right to lay hold of the prisoner; and therefore
if, in the violence of the moment, he had killed the person who attempted to
secure him, he would not have been guilty of murdir, but of manslaughter.
Verdict— Wot Guilty.
E 4" 1
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAH, 1804.
( 0 ctder — November. )
RETROSPECTIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS.
P7PHE public prints, the diligent, and in general faithful chronicles of tlic
times, assumed, towards the close of the last century, a character of respec-
tability, and a tone of independence, which asserted and maintained the liberties
of our country: and from that period to the present important sera, they have
supported, with some few exceptions, their claim to public attention. But
amidst the continual changes of the political world, the newspapers of the day
frequently lose much of their importance, or rise suddenly from a confined to an
extensive sale, as they become the tools of a Minister, or are select d by the
leaders of opposition to support their political protests.— We have always en-
deavoured to cull, in this department of our work, what appeared best, in' these
diurnal journals; beyond what we by our own diligence and correspondence con Id
procure : and as we know with what pleasure a newspaper is regarded in the
ward-room; perused and re-peru*ed during a long cruize, by the loungers on
the rudder-head ; we shall take this opportunity to assist the mess in choosing
the best .
i. The Sun, though in general considered as the paper of Government, the
Moniteur of the Minister, is full of such fulsome compliment, and frequently is
afraid of speaking out, that it must yield to the Courier i which, with more inde-
pendence, is at present on the same side of the question.
a. The Morning Post, which some years since had so great a repute, and so
extensive a sale, seems lately, for some weighty rea?ons, to have lost much o' its
independence, and must yield to the Morning Cbroiiich, the columns of which
display a bold originality of opinion, expressed in excellent language:' and con-
sequently seem to justify the general opinion, that this paper belongs exclusively
to Mr. Fox and his party.
3. The Star is a paper of high reputation, and, as we believe, is not attached
to any. party : — the Editor is a man of considerable ability.
4. The Traveller is well known in the West of England, and deservedly
esteemed.
j. The Oracle has also claims on the public ; and if we mistake not, has lately
been incorporated with the True Briton.
6. We cannot at present notice the other daily papers. Of those that are pub-
lished three times a -week, the preference may be given, (i) To the old LunJan
Chronicle, which was introduced to public notice by the celebrated Dr. Johnson :
(a) to the St. yames'i Chronicle- and (3) To the English Cbtciiitle, which has been
incorporated with the Whitehall Evening Post.—\li. Cobbett't Journal, publish; d
on every Saturday, shews strength and energy of mind ; and though it some-
I'imrs pierces like the quill of a porcupine, its general principles and indepen-
dence have given it a high reputation.
The Salamander, Eruption, and Firebrand, Fire-vessels, arc ordered to be
fitted for immediate service at Woolwich.
A Letter from Mr. Marshall (Master of the Brig Cambrian, a constant trader,
from Gun-and-Shot Wharf to Boston, in Lincolnshire,] received by the Owner,
7
HAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
Abraham Sheath, Esq. contains the following account of a gallant display of
bravery in the Master and Crew of a small coasting Vessel, consisting of six
persons ;—
(COPY.)
SIB, — I inform you of my safe arrival here, after a good passage. I came out
of the Deeps on Tuesday morning, and about five o'clock in the afternoon fell
in with a Cutter Privateer. He hailed me from whence I came, I expecting
what he was, answered him from Newcastle, with cinders : I told him if he did
Tot keep farther off I would fire at him, which I did directly ; he returned the
compliment very quickly, his shot flew about us like a shower of hail ; I fought
him at first with my larboard guns, but was obligated to put our Ship about; in
the mean time he put out his Boat full of men, coming to board us, which I was
afraid they would do before our Ship could come round, being but little wind;
all his cry was to strike, but we kept them off with our small arms, till I could
get our great guns to bear on the starboard side. I am happy to say, after about
half an hour he was obliged to sheer off, for the last gun but one I fired, I sh«t
a large piece out of his mast, about four feet above the main boom. Bless God,
we received no damage but in the sails and rigging. I have but one sail that is
clear of shot holes; he has shot several of our running rigging away; we engaged
at the distance of about 100 yards; we were between Wells and the Floating
Light. I am happy to say we saved our Ship, and Captain Dixon the Success,
that time ; the Privateer came in again at dark. I have not seen Captain Dixon
since that night.
Sir, I still remain your obedient servant,
WILLIAM MARSHALL.
N.B. She is a Sloop Cutter, no bulwark round her, but all naked fore and aft,
her main-sail and gib is very dark brown canvas, her fore-sail white, a long top-
mast and a short vane up. About 35 men on board.
Lately was launched at Thome, a very handsome Ship, built for Government.
It is pierced for 24 guns, is called the Combatant, and is the only Vessel of that
description ever built there.
ILettets.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCTOBER 27.
Cffy ffa Litter from tie Right Honourable Lord Keith, K. B. Admiral of tie Blu*t
<3?c. to William MarsJen, Esq.; dated off Ramigate, the Z^th Instant.
SIR,
~(T HEREWITH transmit, for their Lordships' information, a copy of a letter
•^ from Captain Owen, of his Majesty's Ship the Immortalitc, to Rear-Admi-
ral Louis, detailing the particulars of an action' between that Ship, the Ore-tes
Sloop, and Basilisk Gun-brig, and a division of the enemy's Flotilla, passing
yesterday from the eastward towards Boulogne.
It will no doubt afford their 1 ordships much satisfaction to observe the very
favourable report whu.h Captain Owen makes on the conduct of his Majesty's
Officers and Men, and equ.il regret to remark the ext nt of the loss that has
been sustained, and that the .shullowness of the water alone prevented that ac-
tive and enterprising Officer from cutting any part of this division off from thf
thore
I enclose a list of the killed and wounded on board the Immortalitc ; and
have the honour to be, &c.
KEITH.
liAVAL H!STORY CF THE JPRB8ENT YBAR, 1804. 413
Hit Majesty's Si>!f ImntortaJitt, off" Bou-
*!*» logne, 23<y October, 1804.
Being off Cape Grisncz, and proceeding to my station before Boulogne, I
this afternoon, about half past three, discovered a division of the enemy's Ve«*
»els, consisting of three Praam Ships, seven Brigs, and fifteen Luggers, which
soon after bore up to the westward, keeping close to the beach, under cover of
their batteries, and accompanied by horse artillery, making the best of their
Way to shelter themselves within the Bane de Laine,
By making all sail to windward 1 was enabled to close the Praams (which
kept together,) about a quarter before five, and to open my fire upon them
within the distance of grape shot, under the high land of Cape Blanc Nez, the
enemy still pushing to the westward, and returning at first a brisk fire, but it
latterly slackened much. This running fight continued till near six, when, hav.
ing been thrice obliged to sheer out into deeper water, we found ourselves still
within the end of the Bane de Laine, where the falling tide prevented us from
following them, and obliged us to haul off.
Our little Calais Squadron was to windward following the enemy, of which
the Orestes and Basilisk joined me in the first of the attack, giving me every
support and assistance during the whole of the action ; their Commanders gave
me much satisfaction in conducting them. The other Vessels of that Squadron
did not get within gun-shot; Capt. Brown will of course make his report to
Vice-Admiral Holloway ; but I spoke him in passing, and was pleased to learq
he had sustained no damage.
I endeavoured to close the enemy again as they passed from behind the Bane
to round Cape Grisnez, and did get sight of a few of the Vessels; but though
•we passed within half gun-shot of the Cape, the enemy were so effectually
screened from our sight by the dark shade <>1 the land, that I could do nothing,
and am unable to say whether the whole number got down to Boulogne, or whe-
ther (as I suspect) a part of them anchored in Whitsand Bay.
Lieutenant Payne, though ill, was upon deck, and afforded me, as he has
done in every instance, the greatest aid ; and it is not possible for me to speak
too highly of the conduct of every Officer and every Man ; each, in his station,
gave me the fullest satisfaction: but it gives me serious pain to add, that of these
brave fellows, one was killed, and ten wounded, (three mortally,) besides the
Third Lieutenant, Charles Burrough Strong, of whose assistance I was deprived
before a sho£ was fired by us, and whose loss I feel the more, as two years' ser-
vice with me in this Ship has fully proved to me his worth ; his wounds, how-
ever, are not dangerous.
My thanks are due to Mr. Henry Thornton, our Pilot, for his fteady, atten-
tive good conduct and alacrjty, and regretting that the nature of the coast in
that part where we closed the enemy enabled them to skulk from our further
pursuit.
I have the honour to be, &c.
£. w. c. R. OWEN.
Rear' Admiral Lcuis, &c. 5JV. &c.
P. S. From the manner in which our grape-shot coyered the,epemy's Vessels,
their loss in men must have been very great. — I never saw guns pointed better,
or so coolly.
Lilt of tie killed and -wounded Men on board his Majesty' t Ship tie Immortalite. In
action -with a Division of tie Enemy' t Vessels off Cafe Blanc Ntf,, *$d of October
1804-
Killed. — James Wilson, Seaman.
Wounded.— Charles Eurrough Strong, Third Lieutenant; George Barker,
fsincedead), John Daw al, (sinccdead), Wiliiam Terrent, (since d--ad), David
Brown, William Hamilton, Peter Humes, John Watson, and William Robiu.
Mil, Seamen; James Allen, and William Gubbett, Privates of Marines.
E. W. C. R. OWEN.
(A Copy.)
414 NAVAL HISTORY «F THE PRESENT YEAR, 1084.
t f ~ •
Cofy of another Letter from the Right Hon. Lord Keitb, K. B. Admiral of the Eiuet
&c.to William Marsden, Eiy. dated off Jlamsgate, the i^tb Imt.
SIR,
I am sorry to acquaint their Lordships, that his Majesty's Gun-brig, the Con-
flict, has been run on shore on the enemy's coast, and I fear has fallen into their
possession, while endeavouring, under the orders of Captain Hancock, of the
Cruizer, to obstruct the passage of a division of the enemy's Flotilla, proceed-
ing from Ostend to the westward, on the night of the 23d.
I herewith transmit the particulars of that unfortunate event, detailed in Cap-
tain Hancock's letter to me, and Lieutenant Ormsby's letter to him, from which
it appears that Captain Hancock, and Lieutenants Ormsby and Forbes, as well
as the other Officers and Men employed on this occasion, have manifested great
gallantry and perseverance, and that their failure has only been occasioned by
the construction of the enemy's Vessels admitting of their passing closer to the
shore than ours. I have no doubt that the case of Acting Lieutenant Garland
will interest their Lordships much.
I am, &c.
KEITH,
Cruizer, off Nieuport, at anchor, ti.v A. Af.
MY LORD, IFedneiday, Z^tb October 1804.
I beg to acquaint your Lordship, that part of the enemy's Flotilla, consisting
of two Praam Ships, one bearing the flag of Chief of Division, and both under
French colours, with eighteen Schuyts, put to sea yesterday afternoon from Os-
tcnd at four P. M. to run to the westward, just at the moment his Majesty's
Sloop under my command, with the Gun-brigs and Cutters named in the mar-
gin *, were standing in to reconnoitre that port.
As soon as I could give the necessary directions to the Gun-brigs to put them-
selves under my orders, &c. I made sail in pursuit of the headmost Praam Ship,
which 1 brought to close action at fifteen minutes past five, in which 1 was very
handsomely supported by the Gun-brigs and Cutters, and continued it with great
apparent effect, till thirty-five minutes past six, the enemy's fire being entirely
silenced, and for the last half hour only keeping up a faint fire of musketry.
The tide was however falling so rapidly, and the enemy kept in nir.h shoal
water, that it was not possible to close with him, to take that advantage which,
by our fire, we had so manifestly over him.
It falling also dark, and being in less than three fathoms water, I considered
it proper to haul off and anchor, having no person on board acquainted with the
shoals to the westward of Ostend.
It is with extreme concern I acquaint your Lordship, that in Lieutenant Orm-
sby's gallant zeal to close with the enemy, agreeably to my orders, the Conflict
took the ground, and the tide left her so rapidly, that every endeavour he used
to get her afloat was unsuccessful, and he was under the necessity of quitting her,
with his people.
The darkness that came on before the close of the action, prevented me from
being aware of this unfortunate accident, till Lieutenant Ormsby came on board
the Cruizer with his people, after we had anchored.
I immediately ordered him, with his people, back to the Conflict, to use
every exertion to get her afloat when the tide made ; or, in event of his not be-
ing able to succeed, to destroy her, being then in hopes that the enemy were
not aware of her situation.
I sent the Admiral Mitchell Cutter to protect and assist him ; and the Cruizer's
Boats were also ser/ >nder Mr. Fothergill, Master of the Cruizer, who very
commendably volunl.^ed his services.
The ebb tide prevented the Boats getting in for a considerable time: when
they got near, they had the mortification to find the Conflict high and dry on
the beach, and in complete possession of the enemy.
His lioats accordingly returned to the Cruizer at two A. M. making their re-
port of the state of the Conflict.
* Blazer, Conflict, Tigress, Admiral Mitchell, Griffin, and Escort.
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
A«T considered it my duty to make every attempt to save the King's Ship, or
at least prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy, I determined to attack
her with the two Cutters, by laying her on board at high water, when I knew
the Cutters could get close alongside of her. They were accordingly sent, hav-
ing, in addition to their own Crews, Lieutenant Ormsby, and the whole of the
Conflict's Ship's Company, to which I added ten picked men, and half the ma-
rines from the Cruizer, under the orders of Lieutenant A. Garland, Acting
Lieutenant of the Cruizer, the whole being under the command of Lieutenant
Forbes of the Griffin Cutter.
Lieutenant Forbes proceeded with great gallantry and spirit to put his orders
in execution, but found, on arriving close to her, the enemy had winded the
head of the Conflict in shore, with her head-sails full, to forge her on the beach,
and had besides hove her close upon the sand, as the tide rose; it not being
therefore possible to carry her in this situation, he returned to the Cruizer.
It is with great pain I have to relate to your Lordship the Cutter received very
considerable damage in standing in, from the howitzers and field artillery which
the enemy had collected on the beach during the night, by which one man was
killed, and seven wounded ; amongst the latter, much have I to regret, that
Lieutenant A. Garland, Acting Lieutenant of the Cruizer, has lost his right leg
very high up, who was with admirable gallantry, with his party, getting into
the Eoats to board the enemy, even under the discouraging circumstances of
her beinj; still aground, when he received the wound.
I hope it will not be thought intrusive, although it has not been my fortune
to meet with that success which the gallant exertions of the Officers and Men
under my command entitled them to, but only to relate misfortune, if, in jus-
tice to their merits, 1 beg to convey to your Lordship the strongest testimony of
the zeal and gallantry with which they closed with the enemy.
•I must also intrude on your Lordships to recommend to your protection (if he
survive his wound,) Lieutenant A. Garland, Acting Lieutenant of the Cruizer,
who has served his time and passed, ahd whose general good conduct as an Offi-
cer, since he has been with me, entitles him to my warmest approbation, inde-
pendent of his late misfortune, which I trust will plead my excuse for thus tres-
passing on your Lordship.
I enclose a copy of a ktter from Lieutenant Ormsby to me, giving the parti-
culars of the unfortunate loss of the Conflict, which leaves me nothing to add,
but to repeat my admiration of his conduct whilst engaged with the Praam, and
to regret the sad accident by which that Vessel is got into the possession of
the enemy.
I have directed Lieutenant Hinton, with the Gun-brigs, to watch the Con-
flict; and, should they succeed in getting her afloat, to attack her ; but front,
the appearance of the weather, and the wind being to the northward, 1 am of
opinion she will yo to pieces on the beach.
I herewith enclose a list of the killed and wounded. None of the Gun-brigf
have suffered in tfuir masts, &c. nor has the Cruizer received any material in-
jury, except her sails, standing and running rigging, which are 'much cut.
One of the Praams was observed by the Boats to be high and dry on the
beach at ten o'clock this morning, abnut three miles to the westward of the
Conflict ; but she got off, I apprehend, at high water, and proceeded to the
westward. I have the honour to be, &c. JOHN HANCOCK.
List of Killed and Wounded.
Cuizer.—One. Lieutenant, two Seamen, and one Marine, badly wounded.
Blazer.— None killed or wounded.
Conflict.— One Seaman killed ; five Seamen wounded.
Griffin. — Two Seamen wounded.
Tigress. — No report.
Admiral Mitch!!.— Xonc killed or wounded.
Escort. — None killed or wounded. t
Total.— One Seaman killed ; one Lieutenant, nine Seamen, and one Marine^
•wounded.
Name of Officer ivouiuttd.
Lieutenant Abraham Garland, of the Cruizer.
416 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
Cruizer, off Nitufort, Ottaber 24>
8I«i 1804, six A. M.
It is with extreme mortification that I have to acquaint you with the loss of
his Majesty '» Gun- brig Conflict ; for in a few minutes after you hailed me, de-
siring me to keep as close as possible to the Praam, she grounded ; the man in
the starboard chains having two fathoms : but having the three foremost breech-
ings at that time carried away. I had stepped forward to hurry them in fitting
others, when the pilot quitted his post at the helm, and wet t below. My first
care was engaging the Praam, which was passing inside oi us, and as soon as
she passed I started all the water, and threw every thing overboard that was
practicable to lighten her; but finding she sued very fast, having only four feet
alongside, and another Praam coming up fast on the outer side of us, I judged
it most advisable to hoist the Boats out and save the peopla, as just at that time
leein: the Cruizer's lights, and thinking that if I did not catch her immediately,
the whole of the people would be sacrificed, as the Boats would be too crowded
to get any distance, and I had hopes that when the flood made, I might, with
the ass'stance I might get from the Squadron, be enabled to get her off; 1 am
sorry the result has been so very contrary to my hopes acd wishes. Lieutenant
Foibes, I presume, has acquainted you with the particulars. Our loss in the
evening was one man badly wounded, one slightly; in the night one killed, and
three wounded. The Officers and Crew in general behaved as brave men.
J. Hancock, E*I. Cruizer. I have the honour, &c. C. CORMSBY.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. JO.
Cefy of a Letter from Captain Ratbbcrne, of bis Majesty's Sbif tie Santa Margarita!
to William Mandcn, Esq. ,- dated in Plymouth Sound, the z^tb Instant.
SIR,
I have the honour to enclose you copies of two letter* I have transmitted t«
the Hon. Admiral Cormvallis, and have brought in sixty-four prisoners that be-
longed to the Gun-vessels captured by the Dispatch t»ie morning of the 24th inst.
I have not fallen in with the Conquest, or would have brought in the prison-
ers taken by her. I am, &c. WILSON RATHBORNE.
Jfjs Majesty's Ship Santa Margarita,
IIR, tiff Usbant, Oct. 26, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint you, that at daylight yefterday morning, being
in company wkh the Hazard, I was joined by the Dispatch (that had separated
from me in a short gale) and two French Gun-vessels out of four, captured the
morning before; for the particulars of which I beg leave to refer to Captain
Hawkins's Letter.
I consider it fortunate the Vessels taken by the Dispatch were destroyed, as it
was hardly possible such Vessels (although new and very fine of the sort] could
have been kept above water in such weather as we had last night and this morn-
ing. I have, &c.
fan. Admiral Corn-waUit. WILSON RATHBORNE.
Hit Majesty's S/uof D'upatcbt
SIR, October 25, 1804.
I beg to inform you, that on the morning of the 24^ instant, at daylight,
Point du Ras bearing N. E. distant five or six leagues, I discovered two strange
Sail on the waather bow, to which I gave chase; and about eight A. M. came
up with the sternmost, who struck, gave the Brig a lift up in the wind, dropped
the Jolly Boat to take possession, and continued after the other, whom we cap-
tuied about nine. They proved to be two National Gun-vessels, Nos. 345 and
353, armed with two brass guns, one thirty-two and one six-pounder, and twenty
coldiers each, from Odierne, bound to Brest, but had been blown off the land
the day before. About one the Conquest joined us, and soon after we discovered
two more of them; sent the Conquest after one, and made sail after the other.
At three came up with her, when she proved to be a Gun-vessel, No. 371, armed
with one brass thirty-two and one six-pounder, and twenty-two soldiers. Not
thinking them safe to send to England, 1 therefore took the guns out and sunk
them. 1 have the honour to be, &c. EDM. HAWKINS.
ff, Ratblorne, Esg.j Captain of his Majesty's
Sbif Santa Margarita.
SAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 417
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, NOV. 6.
Copy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Viscount Nelfon. K. B. Commander in Chief
of hh Majisty't Ships and Vessels in the Mediterranean, to William blartden, £sy.
dated on board the Victory, at Sta, tbt l^th of October, 1804.
SIR,
I herewith transmit you a letter from Captain Pearse, of his Majesty's Sloop
Halcyon, dated the 231! of September last, giving an account of his having cap-
tured I'i-sperance French Privateer, on the 2oth of that month, which you will
he pleased to lay before the Lords Corrtmi-sioners of the Admiralty for their in-
formation ; and at the same time acquaint their Lurdships, that Captain Pearse't
exertions on the presc nt, and several former occasions, for the protection of our
trade, and destruction of the enemy's Privateers in the vicinity of Gibraltar,
Very justly entitles him to my wannest appfobation.
I am, &c. NELSON and BRONTE.
His Majesty t Sloof Halcyon, off Gibraltar*
MY LORD, Bay Sept, 23. 1804.
I have the honour to inform your Lordship, that, on the 2Oth instant, heing
on my way from this place to Tangier, 1 discovered several Sail to the west-
•ward, one a .-.ettee boarding a Brig. 1 made all s^iil possible, with a very light
kir from the eastward ; and it is w:th pleasure I inform your Lordship, after
tight hours' chase, incessantly pulling, and Boats towing against a strong cur-
rent, we got within gun shot. After exchanging our bow, and she her stern
chasers, (now and thtn a broadside,) she strli.k her colours, and proved to be
J'Esperance French Privateer, of Nice, Captain Joseph <. ebouis, pierced for
twelve guns, but only ten mounted, of different calibres, from twenty-fours to
twelves ; had on board fifty-four men, but owing to its being quite dark, twen-
ty-two made their escape in Boats Lefore we took possession. I am happy to
Say we had not any one hurt. Our rigging and sails sustained a little damage.
J.'Espcrance had two wounded, and several shot in her hull, masts, an^ yards.
J beg leave to mention to your Lordship she is the same Privateer that captured
the Swift Cutter, Fortitude Merchant Brig, and three Letters of Marque be-
longing to Gibraltar; she is the largest and best equipped of the kind I have
yet seen. My Officers and Ship's Company on this, as well as on similar occa-
sions, acted with that zeal and perseverance that deserve my warmest praise.
I have the honour to be, &c.
H. W. PEARSE.
Right Hen. Lord Viscount Nfhon, K. B*
Duke nf Br»nte, &e. bV. &c.
ADMIR A LTf OFFICE, NOV. 4O.
iEopy of a Letter f real Captain Ha/imci, of bis Majesty's Sloop the Cruizer, to Militant
Marsden, Esy. ; dated in Yarmouth RoaJi, the i "Jib Instant.
SIR,
I herewith enclose, for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, my letter of this day's date, to Lord Keith, acquainting him with
my having captured the French Brig Privateer le Contre Amiial Magon, com-
manded by Captain B'ackeman, from Dunkirk.
I have the honour to be, &c.
JOHN HANCOCK.
Ciuizer, at Sea, off Yarm»/tth< ten A. JV/.
MY Loan, October 17. 1^04*
I hava thehonourto acquaint your Lordship, that being last nigh(,nt nine P M.,
with his Majesty's '•loop under my command, and the iJun brig< Bold and Ann,
and Florence Cutter, close in with Ostend, in five fathoms' water, which sta-
tion I had taken from the moment the wind came to the eastward, to follow, with
every possible effica'cy and energy, your Lordship's instructions in the impor-
ant duty entrusted to me, of watching the enemy's movements at that port and
Flushing, we observed a strange Sail standing in shore, which, on discovering
us, wore and made all sail, steei-ing at first with the wind abaft the beam. We
immediately made all sai] in chase, which continued during the whvle night, ia
. tfpron. Sol. XII. 3 H
4l8 NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
•which the stranger displayed much skill and ability in all his manoeuvres, and
tried us on every point of sailing;, with various success; he sometimes gaining
on us, and we in our turn nearing him, till five A. M., in which time (eight
hours) \ve had run ninety-seven miles, hy the log. During the latter part of
the chase the wind freshened considerably; but tin's gave us not the advantage
I expected, as he preserved his distance till a quarter before five A. M. when
both his top-masts went away ; he then attempted a masterly manoeuvre to
escape, which the hnze, the darkness of the morning, and the lee tide, gave
him a fair prospect of succeeding in, by clearing up his remaining sails, and
coming instantly to an anchor, although in twenty- five fithoms water, in hopes
we should either pass him unperceived, or get to leeward. Although I was not
aware, to the full extent, of this accident and manoeuvre, I never lost sight of
him: and at the time it happened, 1 observed we were nearing him to very
fast, that I had begun to' reduce the sail; but as we were going then morethart
eleven knots, I had but a few minutes time before I was up with him, and the
wind blowing so fresh as to risk the loss of all our masts, if I attempted to haul
to wind with the sail I had then set, I was tinder the necess:ty of passing him,
which I did, however, within hail, and to windward, and not receiving any
answer, except that he was from Philadelphia, in had English, 1 ordered three
guns to be fired into him. I then plainly discovered him to be a large armed
Brig with nine ports on a side. Having in a few minutes taken two reefs in the
topsails, and cleared the decks of wrecked spars and split sails, we tacked, and
ranged up within ten yards ol hii lee-quarter, he having cut his cable, and again
attempted to make sail, when, just as I Was on the point of hailing him, prepa.
ratory to giving him our broadside, he called out, and begged us not to fire, ai
be had struck.
On boarding him, 1 was pleased to find my opinion confirmed, that I had
captured Captain Blackeman, so well known during the late and present warf
in these seas, having received information he was at sea in a Brig. The Vessel
he commanded proved to be le Centre Amiral Magon French Privateer Brig,
quite new, this being her first cruize, pierced Tor eighteen, and mounting se-
venteen guns, of different calibres, viz. fourteen long six-pounders, two eighteen
pound carronades, and one long nine-pounder, and manned with eighty-four
nun, French, Danes, Swedes, and Americans; had been oat from Dunkirk
eighteen days, and had captured, during his cruize, the Ship Belisarius, of
Newcastle, Matthew Hunter, Master, on the 3d instant, off Tynemomth, the
Brig Scipio, Richard Robertson, Master, and the Content's Increase, George
Bell, Master, both laden with coals, off Foley Bridge, on the loth instant : the
two former were immediately dispatched for Dunkirk, but the latter was recap-
tured about two hours after by an English IVIan of War Brig ; she was proceed-
ing for Dunkirk or Ostend, and had been laying-to for some hours in the even-
ing, waiting for water to cross the Bank, and, I apprehend, little expected to
find English Cruizers within the Srroom Sand. The Brigs and Cutters in com-
pany, who have bore up with the Cruizer in chase, were run out of sight by
twelve A. M.
1 beg to recommend to your Lordship's notice Lieutenant J. Pearse, senior
Lieutenant; Lieutenant Lusk, Second; and Mr. Lash, Master; with the whole
of the Warrant and Petty Officers, Seamen, and Mariners, through whose
united exertions this active and enterprising enemy has been prevented making
further depredations, which, from his local knowledge of our coasts, added to
the ample means he possessed in this Brig from her superior sailing and force,
must have been highly detrimental to the trade of this country ; nor can I, in
justice, omit availing myself ot this opportunity to express to your Lordship my
thanks to Johannes Whymmer, Pilot of the Cruizer, who, on this and all for-
mer occasions, by his correct knowledge of the coast and shoals, and zeal for
his Majesty's service, has afforded me the more essential confidence and as-
sistance.
I am happy to add, that the Masters of the captured Vessels, as also their
Crews, amounting to twenty English Seamen, were on board the Centre Ami-
ral Magon at the time of capture, and are now on board the Cruizer.
I have the honour to be, &c. JOHN HANCOCK.
l Lord Keitbt K, B*
•FATAL HISTORY OP THB PRESENT YEAR, 1 804. 419
FOREIGN REPORTS.
EAST INDIES.
EAST INDIA HOUSE, SEPT. 26.
A QUARTERLY Court of Proprietors was this day held at the East India
Heust-.— — A letter, written by the Chairman and Deputy to Lord Caftle-
reagh, was read, requesting the sanction of his Majesty's Ministers to such mea-
sures as might authorize the Court of Directors in paying the tax on the profits of
the Company out of their ordinary outgoings, without deducting the same from
the dividends payable to the proprietors of East India stock.
Lord Castleieagh's letter, in reply to the ahove, was also read; in which hii
Lordship stated it as his own and Mr. Pitt's opinion, that it could not he done
without an express Act of Parliament for the purpose ; and at the same lime hinted
at the impropriety of urging such a question at the present moment.
The Chairman then rose and stated, that he was sorry to inform the Court of
the renewal of war in India, with the Mahratta Chief Holkar ; but it was with
pleasure he could add, that there did not appear any probability of the war being
of long duration.
A Utter from the Government of Bombay, dated in May, which contained the
only intelligence received by the Directors on the subject of the war, was then
read. This letter stated very little more than what has already been before the
public, through private channels, that in consequence of the encroachments of
Hoikar, the Governor General had deemed it advisable to order hostilities to be
commenced against that Chieftain. The particular acts of aggression were not
mentioned, as no direct dispatches had betn received from Bengal, the commu-
nication having been made through General WelKsley. Orders had been issued
for the British troops to penetrate into the province of Maleva ; and Gen. Welles-
ley was on ths eve of departing from Bombay, to resume his command above the
Ghauts.— The Chairman then called the attention of the Court to the rcmune*
ration lately granted by the C'ourt of Directors to the Commanders and crews of
the C hina Ships, who so gloriously defended thmi^elvig against Linois. The una-
nimous resolutions of the Court of Directors were accordingly read, in whit h the
Court's thanks for their gallant conduct were handsomely exprcsssd, with the re-
muneration granted to the Captains, Officers, and Seamen, for their services on
this occasion. The Chairman then paid the highest compliments to the several
Commanders and Crew--, for not omy defending themselves against an enemy,
but even putting to fight a Fleet of lighting Ships, purposely sent out to bring them
captive into a tTcnch port; and, after a very able speech, in which he stated,
that he was convinced that the Proprietors would not thirk the Directoishad
gone too tar in recommending the servia s of these gallant heroes, who were re*
solved to conquer or die in defence of the Company's ( roptrty. He concluded by
observing, that, in consequence or Sit N.ithanicl Danct-'b ill health, that gentleman
was not able to take advantage of a favourable voyage, v\ lii.h the Court of Di-
rectors had complimented him with, and it was therefore the intention of the
Directors, as soon as they thould n.ect again, to grar.t a pension of 300!. per
annum to this gallant Officer, foi i is long and meritorious services, which he so
nobly wound up by his unrivulied victoiy over Linois; and the Chairman stating,
that he fc!t peiftctly confident, that when at a future time he should ha>'e the
pleasure of luyin« such a resolution before the General Court, the Directors would
receive their entire approbutior,
As the Court were about to rise, Sir l-"rancis Baring begged leave to call the at>-
tcntion of the Court for a few moments to the situation of Capt, Timmins, who
had likewise been complimented by the Court with the offer of a favourable voy-
age, and observed, that the tame necessity compelled him to resign his voyage.
Sir Francis concluded by observing, that he Jioped the Court would also consider
Capt, Timmins in consequence.
No further business offering, the Chairman declared it to be a Quarterly Court
•ummoned in pursuance of the Company's Charter, and moved the question of
adjournment.
We understand the Directors of the East India Company have allowed the
lame gratuities, to the Officers and Men of the Navy, who were passengers on
4>O i,*AVAL HJSTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
board the China Fleet, ?.s they so liberally bestowed upon persons in similar gta.
tions serving in the Company's Ships, for their conduct during the action with
1-inois.
The Dutch papers state the receipt of intelligence from the Cape of Good
Hope, announcing that Admiral Dckker had sailed from thence in a 74 gun
Ship, as convoy, together wiih some armed Vcbsi.!*, to six or seven large mtr-
chjr.t Vei-sels from Batavia and China, bound for the ports of Holland,
Oct. 5. A C<;urt of Directors was held at the East India House, when the
following India-built Ships were taken up for the Company's service :— Scalesby
'.'astle. 1 230 tors; Surat Castle, 114? cons. The Court also permitted Henry
Bonhum, Esq. to build a new Ship of 820 tons burthen, in the room of the Kent.
10. At the Court of Directors, which was held at the East India House, Capt.
Roger?, of the Admiral Aplin, attended, and explained the circumstances which
attended the seizure of the private correspondence. Upon his arrival at Bengal,
with his Second and Third Officer?, a Court of Inquiry was held upon him, upon
the iSth of February, for the loss of his Ship, taken by the Psyche French Priva-
teer, and he was most honourably acquitted. At that time, the capture of any
letters on board was totally unknown to him ; and, on his arrival here, he wat
astonished at the publication in the Moniteur, of which he had the first notice in
the London prints. He states, however, that the letters so published were those
sent down after the dispatch ; and that he had destroyed the Company's dispatches,
and all letters which he conceived to be of any consequence. As his conduct is the
subject of general conversation, the following account, as it was given by him in
evidence before the Court of Inquiry in India, will be read with interest : —
*' We left Portsmouth on the z8th of Augtsr, 1803, and on the 3d of January,
in lat. o° 50' South, long. 92° Ea-t,we perceived an eneiry from the mast-head'.
"We made press of sail, frequently altering our course to avoid her, as she ap-
pcated to be of considerable force. She continued, however, to chase us till the
9 h? when we found, that at day light she h;;d got within gon-ibot. It being
now impossible to run from her by superior s.iiing, \vc thought we niijjit, by a
manoeuvre , carry away her mast-, as she seemed elucrn-incd to come up with us.
We, accordingly, hauled our coutsc up, and turned :dl hands to quarter. The
enemy now got on the Aplin's wcath.r b;ani, and the aution commenced. I(
was soon, however, observed, that our shot fell short of i ei , while the enemy's,
from superiority of metal, had theii full effect. An attempt was made to close,
but the enemy prevented it by keeping his wind. I now found with concern,
that all resistance was va:n, and would only sacrifice the lives of my Crew, who
were siill willing to fight to the last ; and having palled a meeting of all my Offi-
cer.', fe-lt myself under the mortifying necessity of hauling down my colour?. No»
thing could exceed the gallant conduct evinced by my Officeis during theaction,
and their application an'' perseverance duii:>g the six days' chase, when neither
Officers or Men quitted the deck, as we wi-hed to t.ike advantage of any trifling
ahift of wind that might enable us to avoid the enemy, I cannot conclude this ac-
count, without acknowledging the sei vices o. Major iV.orrice, and the readiness
both he and the rest of the passeng-ts sh-w<d, in coming forward in defence of
the Ship. Though exposed to a tlre\;dfui heavy fire from the enemy, I am happy
to add, that our Jos-* only amounted to four killed and wounded : among these,
however, I have to lament, that Captain M'Rae was killed, and Captain Amory
wounded dangerously ; one Seaman lost his arm, and the boatswain was slightly
•wounded. The enemy had two men severely wounded, I must say, injustice
to the Captain of the Psyche, that he treated tiswith great politem**."
In addition to the akovi-, we learn that Captain Rogers landed in Bengal oa
the 8th of February, and th.-t he was conveyed thither on board a Portugnesc':
Ship, which fell in with the French Privateer soon after the capture of the Ad-
miral Aplin. 1 )ie Psyche- carried 32 guns, well mounted, and the Aplin had
only 16 small iruns, mostly carronades: the highest praise was bestowed in Ben-
gal upon the Captain and Crew, for their gallaiit defence of a heavy laden Ship,
against a Privateer equal to a Frigate in force, well manne-d, and carrying such
superior metal. At the time the -ction commenced, the irhips were about a mile
and a half d.-unt, and the Aplin fired, alternately, round, grape, and double-
headed shot.
The Court, in their decision, stated, that the conduct of Captain Rogers, in
so spirited and gallant a defence, was highly honourable to himself, hlf
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEA*, 1804. 42!
Officers, Ship's Company, and Passengers, who supported him ; and that not
the least blame could attach to him for the loss of hi* Ship.
Capture tfthe Altbea.
Extract of a letter from Captain Miller, late Commander of the extra Ship
Althca, to the owner in London, dated Isle of France, May 25, 1804. — "It ii
3*ith smcerc regret I have to advise you of the unfortunate capture of your bhip
the Althc-a, late under my command. We patted with the Fleet in a gale of wind
on the 8:h ult.; and on the i;th, in South lat. 7°, and East long. 91° 30 , I had
the misfortune to fall in with two French Frigates, the Belle Poule and Atalante,
each 44 g. ns .md 340 men, and after a fruitless resistance, was obliged to strike
to a force so very superior, seeing no possibility of either saving «he Shipper in-
juring the enemy ; they, with long 18 pounders, kept out of the reich of our
short carronades. The Althea, accompanied by both Frigates, arrived here on
the 8th inst., and has already been condemned."
The Sailors of the Royal Georgt Indiaman, at Deptford, have preserved a 4zlb.
»hot, fire on board frcm l.inois' Ship ; it is now slung as a trophy between decks.
Calcutta, Jan. 20. It is with much regret we have to state the loss by fire of the
§hip Guitral Baud, Captain Fleming, in Balambangan harbour. The Ships An-
struther, Captain Richardson, and Thornhiil, Captain Graham, we are much
concerned to add, were wrecked in the Streights of Balabcc, on the ajd of Sep-
tember. The Anstruther, Captain Richardson, was fitted out as an armed Ship
at Malacca, carrying twentyvfour 12 and 9-pound carriage guns, and manned with
European artillery and infant-y $ also native troops as marines, in addition to her
crew, consisting of 100 persons : she sailed from Malacca on thr 29th of August,
ip company with the Hot;. Company's cruizer Mornington, and Hon. Company's
Ship Balambangan Commerce armed Ship, and four Transports, proceeding un-
der the orders of R. T. Farquhar, Etq. Commissioner, <$cc. towards BaUmban-
gan and the Eastern Isles.
Barnes ef Person* saved.— Capt. D. Ross, Artillery; Lieut. Gill, Native Infantry ;
——Hall, European ditto ; Ass stant burgeon Stone, belonging to the detach-
jnent.— • Arout jzO, including Europeans, Natives, und followers.
Died on the Raft — Mr. Hunter, Conductor of Ordnance.
/.oj/. — high*, or. nine Europeans, Jiid 170 Native Troops, Gun Lascars, &c.
Saved from the Wreck. — W. Richardson, Commander; J.Coverdale, First Offi-
cer ; c. Richardson, becond diuo ; Gunner, Carpenter, five acacunuus, and 26
L^scijrs, Sq-oys, ^nd Servants.
WEST INPJES.
July, L'Uranie Frigate, one of the convoy of the homeward-bound Jamaica
Fleer, s.iikd from Port Royal on the 24th July, for Blucficid?, with several Ves-
sels under htr protection, to join the Fleet collected there. The Elephant, of 74
guns, proceeded to the place of rendezvous the preceetiiig day; and the Incou
jbtant on (he 29th.
The Drake armed Brig is stated to have been cast away near the Island of Ne-
vis, late in July.
The Flying Fi-h Schooner, Lieut. Price, has captured a French Schooner Pri-
vateer, of one gun ai.d 37 men, and retaken iwo small Vessels, her prizes.
H's Majesty's Ship Centaur, on the zgth of July, sjnt her boat* into Basseterre,
Guadaloupe, and cut out a Privateer bchooner, called the Elizabeth, of 14 guns,
erjil another Schooner, ur.dcr a v; ry heavy fire from the fhore ; thq Privateer had
taken three prizes. During the fire, the Li:ly Sloop of War was carried in there
by a Frencii Privateer, but not discovered by the Centaur till the morning. The
Privateer that captureq the Lilly was late the Duke oi Marlborough Packet,
Capt. Bull, taken some tir^t ago and carr ed in there.
" SariaJoes, July<). His M,j. sty's Ships Urania, ot'38;.<,uns, Capt. Herbert ;
( 'jT;sfoit, oi zi guns, Capr.'Fanshavve; Pctterel!, of 16 guns, Capt. Lambourn ;
and 'Busy, of iSguns, Capt. Clineh, h. ve arrived with convoys : they are all
gone down to Jan-.aica, tx^ept th- Carysiort and Busy. The Hornet, of 16 gun?,
Capt. Shepherd, took the convoy down, and will go home wirhihe next convoy.
Guadeloupe. — fraclarr.atitn by A. Ernouf, Genera/ of Division, Caflain General
of Guadaloupe and its Dependencies.
Considering that those Vessels which have communication with the Rebels of
-.St. Domingo, can be regarded in up other light than as the cuca.ics of France^
42Z NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
fcnce all the neutral Powers, or tfyose allied to the Republic, have prohibited all
intercourse between their subjects and'the Brigands, decrees,
" Art. i. 'I he Privateers of Guadeloupe shall detain sll Vessels bound to the
ports of St. Domingo iu the possefsion of the insurgents, as well as those coming
from them. That part of the island subject to France it comprehended between
Cape Raphael and the Bay of Ocona.
'* Art. 2. Those Vt ssels whose destination ihall be proved for the ports, or
coming from the ports, in possession of the RcbeU, will be considered as the
enemies of France. They shall consequently be declared lawful prizes, and con-
demned according to the usual forms. " E*N«nr.''
UncU-r the above Proclamation great numbers of neutral Vessels have been cap-
tared. Several American Ships have been sunk or burnt, after being plundered,
and the Crews treated with uncommon severity, loaded with chains, and buried
in dungeons. In removing some British and American prisoners lately irom
Point Petre over to Basseterre, the former were transported, while the latter were
compelled to walk, and many of them sunk under the fatigue and hardships of
the march. »
Grtenock, Oct. 8. It is reported by the different Jamacia Captains arrived here,
that five or six Sail of the Fleet were taken in a calm off the coast of Florida, after
getting through the Gulf, by a French Privateer Brig, of 16 guns.
By the Barbadoee papers to the 9th of August, we have received the following
account of a naval action on the West India Station : — ' His Majesty's Schooner
St. Lucia, Capt. Bettesworth, arrived la«t night from Antigua ; aho the Byam
Mail-boat. By these arrivals we learn the following particulars of a very gallant
action between his Majesty's Ship Hippomcnes and the Buonaparte French Brig,
of 18 nine -pounders and 146 men, in which the enemy owe their escape only to
the misfortune of our Ship's having too many foreigners on board, whose dastard
•pirit made them shrink from the action."
"His Majesty* Ship Hippomenes, Captain M'Kcnzie, cruizing to windward
of this island, fell in, in long. 58° lat. 18°, with the Buonaparte Brig, which,
mistaking the Hippomenes for an African Ship (being disguised purposely to de-
coy the enemy's cruizers,) bore down on her, when a smart action ensued, which
lasted for some time, and the enemy, being to windward, at length fell on board
the Hippomenes. Captain M'Keuzie, with the gteate^t promptitude, seizing
the occasion, to prevent the enemy's escape had her bow^pIit la>hed to his main-
mast, calling upon his Crew to follow him in boarding, and secure the victory.
He instantly lushed upon the enemy's deck, followed by his Officers, and about
eight men only, when a smart conte-tt ensued, and the Frenchmen were driven
from their quarters, and beat abaft the main-mrtt. Seeing, however, that they
had to cope with so few, they soon rallied, and the whole Crew being now en-
gaged with this small band of heroes, they were almost all cut to pieces. Capt.
M'Kenzie received fourteen tevere wounds ; his First Lieutenant, Mr. Pierce,
and Purser, Mr. Collman, were killed, and the Master wounded. Thus over-
come, they were obliged to retrert, and had but just tin e to regain the Ship,
(Captain M'Kenzie falling senseless into her main-chains), when the lash gave
way, and the enemy fell off, and without wishing to renew the content, crowded
all sail and escaped.
*• The Hippomenes has gone to Antigua to refit , and we are happy to under-
stand that Captain M'Kenzie, although his wounds in general are severe, and
three of them in the head, is likely to recover."
AMERICA.
The American papers state, that Lieutenant Cowan, of the Leander Man of
War, has explained, that the only motive of the British Officers for exarrining >
with strictness all American Vessels, is, to prevent the escape of the enem>'s sub-
jects under the cover of a neutral flag : and he further states, that when the
French Frigate?, which arc now blockade^ shall have put to sea, the present
cause of complaint will," ia a great measure, be removed..
NevtTorl, Aug. 3^. Yestciday morning the two French Frigates got under
weigh, with an intention, as was understood, of proceeding to sea. When they
arrived at the Hook, a strong Southerly breeze and flood-tide coming in, they
were obliged to come to anchor in Gravesend Bay. They were at one time within
about four miles of th« Leander and Cambrian. When they hove in sight, th$
British Ships each fired a gun. to windward, iu token of deft-ace.
RAVAL HISTORY OP THE PRESENT YEARf 1804.
The French Frigates, it is expected, intend to proceed at all hazards.
t dug, 31. The French Frigates have come to their former anchorage near the
city. It is said they went down for the purpose of cleaning their copper. A
smart firing was heard, yesterday, which induced the opinion that an engagement
had taken place : we understand, however, that it was nothing more than a
•ham fight between the Leander and Cambrian, just outside of the Hook, and in
light of the French Frigates.
NnsYorlc, Sept. \. Captain Story, who arrived on Thursday from Gonaive*,
informs us that Dessalincs had dee'ared war against the Spaniards, about the mid-
dle of July, and that his Privateers had commenced capturing all Spanish Vessels.
Important information to Mariners. — A Captain Chandler, of the American
Schooner Betsey, in his voyage from Madeira to Boston, writes, that in running
for the Western Islands, in lat. 39° 47' N. long. 34° 29' W. he met with a stut
pcndous rock, the summit of which was more than a hundred feet above the sur-
face of the water, which he never saw laid down in any chart.
The general opinion at New York, at the beginning of September, was, that a
war with Spain is almost inevitable ; but s'il! we cannot consider it an event likely
to happen ; more especially if ho?tiliti<» should commence between Great Bri-
tain and Spain. The disputes between the American and Spanish Governments
are said to have arrived at such a point, that one of them must recede, and that
one, we have no doubt, will be Spain. The possession of Louisiana is not of im-
portance enough to induce Spain to enter into a war, in which she could have
no rational prospect of success, and by which the safety of the whoie of her
Trans-Atlantic dominions would be endangered.
MEDITERRANEAN.
OiJ?. 9. The Mayor of Hull has received a letter from the Chairman of the
Merchants trading to Spain and the Mediterranean, of which the following is au
extract : —
It gives me pleasure to acquaint you, for the general information of the gentle-
men of your place, concerned in the trade with Spain, that his Majesty's Minis-
ters have been pleased to consent, chat evin in cast of a rupture with that country,
the Spanish Vessels now in the ports of Great Britain, shall be permitted to load ,
or take in the remainder of their cargoes, and to proceed, with passports, to the
port of their destination. This measure of liberality and indulgence will be es-
sentially serviceable to trade and manufactures; and I wish to hope, that it will
produce an equally favourable effect on the disposition of the court of Spain. The
Mediterranean convoy is granted by the Admiralty for the zota inst. to sail from
Spithead. ,
Letters received at Hamburgh from Italy, state, that Lord Nelson has bon>
bardcd Algiers, and that the Dey has submitted to terms of accommodation.
Sept. 17. Yesterday arrived the Tigre, Captain Hallowtll, and the Conqueror,
Captain Pellew, in fifteen days from Plymouth, to join Lord Nelson's Fleet. Ar-
rived also the Hydra aud her convoy of 32 sail, from Spithead, in twenty-four
days. We are much alarmed here by an epidemic fever which has made its ap-
pearance among us. God grant we may not be visited with the tanc malady that
now afflicts the town of Malaga.
An American Squadron continues to blockade some of the Barbary ports. A
letter from an Officer of the United States Schooner Nautiius, dated ;>yracusc,
April 17,'says, "Every exertion isnow making for the liberation of the prisoners
Jaken in the Philadelphia Frigate. It is said our Commodore means to bombard.
Tripoli. We had a brush, not long since, with the Neapolitan Gun-boats, who
very prudently kept under the guns of the batteries. 1 have much pleasure in in-
forming you of several captures made by the different Vessels c f the Squadton.
One was a Vessel, having a Tripolitan Amh -.ssador on board, with presents for
the Grand Signior. An English Bi i j was also captured by the Nautilus, and a SKip
by the Syren, for violating the blockade. Th se captures have excited much sur-
prize in this quarter, and it is said hat we have not a sufficient force to consti-
tute the blockaded The prize made by the Syren has a considerable quantity of
specie on board, and she is to be s?nt to the United States for adjudication.
" The whole coast of Italy is infested by pirates from Barbary. They write from
Rome that three of them landed their erf ws, on the lOth instant, near San Lo-
euzo, and marched up itu country four leagues, burnt and pillaged all before
r
424 KATAL HISTORY of THE PRESENT YBAR, 1804.
them, and carried :iway an immense booty and sixty prisoners • among the r*9fy
twenty youn>i nuns, of a Carmelite convert, and ten Cap'vhln fri r.«. After
s'rippinjr the old nuns a <• :>ii'l rre;itifm them in a most barbarous Ynanner,
they were left half dead beh-rdrhi m in their plundered convent. It i<= -ai<:, that
the Cardinal Secretary of Stttc, has complained to our Ambauador, Cardinal
Fesli, against the G-ivtrnor of Marseille*, who had p' rn-itted thts. pirate? to'
take in providers ard ammunition in that part. Arorlvr pirate landed in the.
ni;,ht, near Fermn, and carried away forty young girls, their governesses, and
servants, from a boardinjj school in 'he vicinity. 'The 'children belonged to the
first families in the country, were all under eight years of ape, and mostly intended
for the religious orders. .Their parents and relatives arc collecting subscriptions
to purchase their release."
Extract of a Letter from Mi. Hit*') Ifatbistv, dated in hard tbl Seaborfe, off" Toulon1,'
July 15, 1804.
I have volunteered my services, which have been accepted, on account of my
tnowledge of the language ; yet :;s they all except ths last, ended in the capture
of a few fishing Bo ts, which were returned, a d we only had a few shot from
the batteries wrv-tlmg over o;:r heads, I did not think them worthy of a letter ;
but as rhe last, oT the roth instant, was of some consequence, I give you the fol-
lowing account of it :
" I repaired, at nine P. M.,in the Yawl of the Seahorse, in company with the
Launch and Curtcr, on board the Narcissus where we joined three of her Boats/
and four of the MaMatone's. At ten we put off 'rom the Narcissus, in two di-
visions, Lieutenant Thompson leading* (I was second in the starboard divifion,)
for the little port of la Vendura, from which we were distant between four and
five miles, in which there were lying about thirteen Vessels, of from eighty to
160 tons, under the protection of a batrery of three gun?. At about twenty mi^
rule* after eleven, the enemy began firing musketry at us, we being then within
thirty yards of the beach. In about five minutes they began firing from the
great guns, upon which every Boat rr.ade th'" he^t of h-r way towards them ;
my Bon, luckily, pu'ling well, I got up at half ifter eleven; and immediately
run unHer the stern of the second Vessel from me to windward, receiving a warm
salute of mi!--ketry, just as I was getting forward to board, with five of my men,
•which knocked down two close behind me; one of wl)om, the son of Mr. A.
Watt, of the Trinity House, w?s wounded in the ear. On b -arding, they kept
up a constant fire from the Ve-scls on each side of us; but the nit;ht was so dark,
that they only hit one, whom I saw no more; and with the remaining two I
kept possession ; but finding it impossible to get her cut, from the wind being
dead on the shore, and the Vessels all moored head and stern, and lashed toge-
ther, 1 went down in the cabin, and set her on fire : in five minutes the other
Boats began to pour in fast, so that the French, finding all resistance vain, de-
serted their Vessels, and swam on shore. At forty minutes past eleven my Vessel
began to blaze furiously, which gave the people on shore an opportunity of pick-
ing us off; however, their fire was warmly returned by our two Launches, with
a carronade each, and some musketry.
'* By midnight most of the Vessels were in a blaze, and from that time till one
A.M. there was a constant fire on both sides; and then, the signal be'rg made,
we returned on board, and the Boats towed out one sm.j.H Vessel of no v;.lu-..
" The damage done the enemy must be at least 12,000!., as bur two Vessels
escaped the flames, and they were mostly deeply laden. O.i 1 's wasnther heavy;
I believe, in the whole, one Midshipman an J or.e Seama;, 'c.iicv! ; two Men mis-
sing, irost likely wounded, and burnt ; one Lieutenant badly wounded ; five
Midshipmen and Mates, and eighteen Men, wounded. The French Fleet at
Toulon still keep close in."
NORTHERN STATES.
Russia and ftveden at length s;em disposed to enter their Protests againct
the insolence of the Corsican Scarecrow, and to assert their indepen<Jen'-e. The
remarks of the Moniteur, on the King of Sweden, dated August 14, 1804, were
introduced with the following insolent preamble: — " Nothing could be more
strik'Hg than the inconsistency of these steps on the part of tnc Swedish Mo-
narchy if :hc stamp of folly which is impresied upon them, did r.ot strike still
more forcibly.. By v hat right, and with what views, cio you excite the Ger-
t
KATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR) 1804.. 4*£
tnanic Body against France ? &c. &c. &c. To this bluster and rodomontade,
the King of Sweden has thought proper to reply, in a tone of language which
shiws that the spirit of Gustavus still survives. — (Stockholm, S'ft. 7, 1804:^
" His Majesty the King of Sw-den his received a reporr of t'le i • ; roucr, tlie
insolent, and the ridiculous observations which Monsieur Napelean Buonaparte ha»
allowed to be inserted in his Moniteur, of the I4th of August, under tin. article
Ratisbon* The tone, the style, and even the subject of this article, are all of so
extraordinary a nature, that his Majesty has been yet hardly able to conn rchuid
the object of such an act of political extravagance." This official paper con-
cludes with ordering al! diplomatic intercourse of every kind to ceise between
the French Legation at Stockholm and his Majesty's Government.
A boasting letter of St. Faux, Commodore of the Batavian Squadron off Ber-
gen, appeared lately in the Dutch Journals,, and was copic/i inro the Englwh pa-
ptrs. We cannot give a better relucation of it than the following Extract of a
letter from an Officer of his Majrs'y's Ship la Chiffonne, to his friends in Edin-
burgh, d?ted Bergen, Ju y z6, 1894.
In my last, which I was forced to conclude so abruptly, I informed you of
part of our proceedings. On Sunday, the io'h of June, we left the Ethalion,
\v aching the Corvette at anchor at the dinance of three miles from her, and we
sailed to cruize at sea to intercept her, in case she should escape the Ethalion.
O:i the Tuesday after, St. Faux, .a Frenchman, who commands her, and stile's
himself Genera!, sent a flag of truce to the Ethalion, pretending to believe the
was the Chiffonne, though he well knew she sailed with a challenge to Capt.
Adam, offering to go to sea and engage us, if Capt. A. would give his honour
no other Ship woulc! assNt us ; at the same time upbraiaing Capt. A. of breaki
ing the neutrality, by chasing him so closely; adding, if his force had been
equal ; he never would have put him to that trouble. Capt. Stewart returned a
verbal nicf-sa^?, that we were at sea waiting for him, and if he sailed h. could
not miss us; adding, that the Ethalion w;.s of the same rate as the Chiffonne,
and he was very much at his service : this, Monsieur le Gei etui thought proper
to decline.
To convince you the fellow had no intention of fighting, I sh:-ill only say, that
when we arrived at Bergen, we iound there two lar^e Corvettes ; We anchored
within hail of them, and remained there nearly two \vteks, during which tune
Sr. Faax never dreamed of challenging us ; and when one of ths Corvettes ?a: ed,
was well aware that we could not sail ifctr her until twenty four hour; had
elapsed, without breaking the neutrality. A* soon as that tin e hidelap.-ed, we
sailed from Bergen, to take a station to intercept the remaining one, our Cors :l
at Bergen giving us daily intelligence. St. Faux at Lst ii: ding a lair oppo-tii
as he thought, sailed ; and as soon as we rtce-ved intelligence of ft, which w.-.s
in three hours, We immedia cly set off in pursuit of him, and got so iuar him,
that he was obliged to go within the rocks. The li.i:its of the neutrality are, I
believe, a mile without them. For three weeks he tried-rb elude our vigilance
\vithouteffect, and at last was so alarmed by our constant pursuit of him, tint
he landed some of his guns to form a battery, giving out for his reader, that he
expected we would attack h;m.
For this gross violation of the neutrality he was severely reprimanded by the
Governor of Bergui, M n itur Iselberg, who instantly ordered his guns on
hoard; and added, that hiscor.duct iorirud i striking contrast to'h't oi the Bri-
tish Captain'?. A Danish Corporal and two soldiers wtre sent on ho ml, to re-
port if M. St. Faux should think proper to act again so in.proptry ; yet th.s sirae
paper fighting hero, after presuming to challenge u>, \\ithout cvei iir ii it,
left his Corvette in a harbour forty mi'cs 'roi-.i Bcr," n, stn^p. dc-i 1;
under the charge of a Lieutenant and tv. .iid is now travelling ov^
to Holland. He may certainly think himself fortunate if he arrive tl-
Greig, tbe BrirLh Consul, informed me yesten'.iy, that the Govsn:
Orders to arrest him, as he had killed three or four horses on tlie road, and re-
fused to pay for then'."
Copenhagen, Sept. 15.— On the loth another Fleet of Engli.-h Merchantmen
sailed thr-ugh the Sound for the North Sea. The Ship of War convoying it,
seized a Vessel in the Catteg-;t, sailing under Prussian colours, which appe -.r> d
to be attended with suspicious ciixumstances. The Crew were made prisoner**
JTfla J. £t?rcn. (Hol.XII. 3 *
\
426 NAVAL HISTORY 01 "THE TRUENT YEAR,
On the nrh irs'. eighty-eight ton of silver, which had arrived here, •&(#
transported to F.lsineiir, and there delivered to the English Consul, who bad
them immediately conveyed tin hoard an armed English ship. It was estimated
at 2 0,000 . sterling.
A letter from Petersburg!!, of the yth ult. states the arrival of a pan of the
Russian Fleet at Croiistadr, after hav:ng rode out the violent norm of the id of
that month, which laid t'le lower part of Petersburgh under water. It is added,
that another divi>ion of the l-'lt-et i'- wc,l known to have sailed for the North Sta.
By the secret Convention concluded between Russia and France, in the year
iSoi, the latter bound itself not to interfere in the concerns of Italy without the
pievious consent of the Powers most interested; and to procure for the King of
•Sardinia an equitable indemnity for the loss of Piedmont. The execution of this
Treaty h s lately hce-n demanded by Russia, but refused.
Sept. 25. 1 he Russ an Squadron, of th.-cc Ships of the Line, and two Frigates:,
returniM ho i the North vSea yesterday, and lies in our roa 1 ; some of thest Ships
are <'aniag d. Thit part of the Russian Fleet which ha> returned to Cronstadt,
consists of seven skips of War.
NORTH SEA.
Orders have been issued to the Commanders of all our Cruizers on the French,
Flemish, and i)utch coasts, not to expose their Vessels to danger in preventing
the assembling of the Invasion Flotilla, but rather to allow their uninterrupted
passage aloi.-g their cCasr unless under strong probability of successful attack.
Yarmouth. Oct. 7. Yesterday morning arrived 1'Africainc Frigate, with Admiral
Thornborough ; the Admiral set off immediately on his arrival for town. Sailed
the Cormorant, with lire stock, for the Fleet. This day sailed the Ethalion Fri-
gate, Captain otewart, for Shcerness ; Aurora armed Ship, aad ^g Cutter. The
Flmbe Cutter has sent in here a large Logger laden with goods. Remain in
ther.oadsthc Monmouth, of 64 guns, Amethyst and I'Africaine Frigates, and
two Cutters.
On Friday evening, October 12, Lord Gower and suite arrived at Nehon'»
Hotel, . armouth, and en .-aturday afternoon his Lordship embarked on board
the Amethyst Frigate, Captain Stranger ; the Frigate got under weigh about
four o'clock with, a fair wind. His Lordship was expected to make his passage
in eight days, if the wind continued fair.
Deal, Oct. 15. ^ail.-d thi- mon ing, the Leopard, Rear-Admiral Louis, with
the ^uadron under his, command, ta iJungeness; also the Courageux to Ply-
mouth, and the Greyhound Frigate on a cruize off Havre.
17. Arrived, this morning, from Dungeness, and sailed for Sheerness, the
Lcda Frigate ; also arrived, Irom a cruize, the Volcano Bomo, Pclter, and Ma-
riner Gun-b igs, and several others. Bailed, yesterday, the Blazer, Biter, Pelter,
and jiitk.,'11 ' -un-br-gs, on a entire to the French coast.
24. V. md N. N E. Came down from the River yesterday afternoon, and
•ailed with the co voy to Portsmouth, the Minorca, Oxford, Isabella, Flora,
Anne, and Heron; the Uevastation, Lucifer, and Volcano, Bombs, on a cruize to
the French coast.
A letter from an Officer on board the Glatton to his friend in Edinburgh,
dated off the ex«l, Oct. 20, says—" Here we arc, Jpeeping at a dastardly
cowardly enemy, superior to us in force. We have been now :hrce weeks at
anchor, the great r part of that time riding bower under, with three cables
ahead, sometimes cannot see masts nor yards of Line of Buttle Ships not half a
mile distant from us 1'he enemy has five Line of Battle 6hips, three Frigates,
and a vast number of large Transports and armed V esstls, apparently ready for
tea. They are now making sonic movement, and we are all getting under
We gh, to take a nearer view of them. We in general lie about 14 miles dis-
tant from the Texel. This is the most turbulent, inhospitable climate 1 ever
experienced as we are seldom four houis without a gale of wind.''
25 . ailed yesterday after post, the Pluto Sloop of War, for Portsmouth.
Saiied this alu-rn on, I'lmmortuhte t-rigatc, Capt. Owen, and AJonzo Sloop of
War. .-\rrived the Prosper© and Lucifer Bombs, with the Thrasher, Sp.irkicr,
anu i-tcon, G •!!• bugs, from a cruize i ff the French coast.
Sbeeincn, Oct. 28. The Dclcnce, of 74 guns, Capt. Hope, sailed yesterday
fr»(u hence to *c. Helen's. Oa Friday the Beagle and £cout bioops were paiU
HAVAI. HISTORY OF THB PRESENT *BAR, 1804. 427
wages and bounty. Arrived the Immortalite Frigate, Capt. Owen, t> repair
the damages received in the late action with tue swarm of ; n "ch Gun-boats.
J)ta!,0ct. 30. Captain Owen has sailed for ohecfrtw, tivrepa.r-tti damage
1'Immortalite has received in the late action ; her tore top mast anu m zen-mist
wounded, and bowsprit totally disabled. The following is from an O hccr »ff
Boulogne, dited the 2?th, in which hesiys, " We can n,»w perctivc at /-un )e-
teute 24 Brigs aud Luggers just returning with the ud.:, also .1 convoy of small
1'Ug sail Boats &c. The enemy's Craft cut a miserable figure in a swell ; if
flity were three miles out, I hardly think they would make a knotta hour."
Yarmfjutb, Oft. 30. A Vessel, supposed to be the Ceres, of -'mi-icrhnd, Wm.
Scrub, Master, foundered in the South Ham la»t night , as a Bout, with tli.it name
en her stern, is was'.ied on shore; it is feared the Crew have perched. The
Alert Cutter is sailed with Dispatches lor the Fleet off the Teiel.
Deal, AW. 2.. Came down from bhcerncs, his Majesty'* Ship Romney. Ar-
rived from Djuigencs* the Leopard, K ear- Admiral Louis.
Toibay, Nw. 3. Thursday night late arrived from off the coast o. ; ranee,
the hired armed Schooner Gertrude, Captain Tracey, belonging to H. C ol- w-
ctt, Esq. ; and yesterday morning early, after getting pernuVion fiom the Ad-
miral, she went round to Dartmouth to refit, wind then about N . by W shortly
after it go: round to N. and N. by £. moderate. The whole , leet, con.-isting of
Viile de Paris, Temcr^ire, Prince George, i rincess Royal, Prince, Windsor
Castle, Venerable, Britannia, 1'lmpctueus, Defiance, Goliath, San Josef, Neme-
sis frigate. Heron Sloop of War, l.ib-rty Brig, and Dolly Cutter, with the
Anna Maria, got under wri^h. -oon after the wind ot round at about E by N.
or E. N. £. and has blown al! night, and continues to blow now a whole gale
of wind1, accompanied with a heavy sea.
Yarmouth, Nov. 4. The Exchange, Thomas Ely, Master, from the North,
with coals, bound to this port, in coming for the harbour on Friday evening,
unfortunately got on shore to the southward of the pier, and is an entire wr^-ck,
Crew saved. The Olive, of Hull, for this port, Ailen Seaget, Master, with
goods, also got on shore to the southward ot the pirr, and is become a wreck;
part of the cargo and Crew saved. The Ann, of Whitby, Thom.is Otlcr. fiom
Dantzic to London, with timber, tame 0:1 shore on ! rday night the car^o is
likely to be saved, but the Ship, it is feared, will he wrecked; crew saved. A
large Ship belcnging to the Baltic convoy, which passed here the 1 1 instant,
unfortunately got on the Newcome Sands, and is xvn-Jccd ; the Crew remained
on board in a very dangerous situation till last night, when they weie taken
out by two Boats belonging to the Lowestoffe.
5. Wind E, with strong gales. The Vessel mentioned to have been on the
Sand, proves to be the George, of and for London, John Rippon, Master, irom
the east, with oak plank, deals timber, staves, and linen. ; he struck on the
Sand on Friday evening; and t*'e people, 16 in number, remained on board till
the following afternoon, whc they we e taken out and landed at Lowettoft ;
the Ship soon afterwards drifted off the Sand, and came on shore to the south-
ward of Pakefield, where, it is hoped, part oi her cargo will he saved.
Deal, Nov $. Early this morning, in a hard gale of wind, the Duchess of
Bedford armed defence Ship, after breaking an anchor, drove on shore between
Sanderson Castle and No. i Battery : the Ship lort her rudder. If the weather
moderates, it is hoped she will be saved, as every assistance for preservation is
given.
8. WindS. S. W. Arrived his Majesty's Yachts, !'rince»s Augusta and 'loyal
Sovereign .from Falmouth. Arrived from Portsmouth, his Xlajcsty's <hip \da-
jnant, Capt. Burlton, from Dungenets; the Vulture loop of War Arrived in
the Downs from the westward, a Russian ">.an of War, and saluted the Flag,
which was returned by the Monarch, Admiral L^rd Keith.
Yesterday evening the Russian Line of Battle Ship sailsd to the westward,
and several Gun-brigs on a cruize to the French coast, which are put back by
contrary winds.
9. Arrived, Hmmortalitt, from Sheerness, and the Volcano bomb, from
Dungeness; also the 1'reston, from the East Indies, last from Portsmouth.
Sailed the Champion Frigate, Orestes Sloop of War, and several Gun-brigs and
Cutters, on a cruize to the French coast, and the K.om&cy and Adamant t«
Yarmouth,
4*8 KAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
NARROW SEAS.
The following, as we understand, is the plan that has been determined on rfr
specting the Channel Meet: The several divisions of die I7;tet are to re uve
each other during the winder :,c is>on ; by which me;-.!-* the principal inconveni»
ence attending a more cxtfn.ivc syaicn: of blockade will be avoidc< , while there
will be no danger of our being taken by burprise, should the enemy be induced
to put to .-e •.
Jtrsey, St^t. 24. There are now ip Grouvil'e Ray, the Severn, with Com-
modore the Prince ot Bouillon's broad pe: dan t flying; the Mercury Frigate,
Assault Brig, two Gun-brifcs, and two large Cutters. A few dsy-, a^o a signal
was made, at five in the morning, for a Fleet of enemy's Gun-bo:iti; fifteen
•were plainly seen. At half past ieven the Ships in the Bay got under weigh to
phase'. At half pa«t two the rur-.e cluy, after chasing the French under their b?.'-
teries, our Ship returned to their station in the Bay. At half pa?t two o'clock
l;;s Saruid y afternoon, a shock of an tarthqu^k. wae frit all over the i
At Crouville it vcas so violent, that it shook the doors and wi.idovvs ot the
barrack-.
Brighton, Oct.?,. We v, ifne:sed a distressing scene yesterday evening. The
day v, . we had for sc.nu tinr noticed a s ir.all Vessel, which
was supposed to be a pleasure Boat, with 3- me gentlemen from the Is'e of '.'' ight,
very much tcs-cd to and iic. At length thty hoisted a red flag, as a signai of
distress, in hopes that tome Boats would be induced to put cffto their assistance.
It being low water, they could not n.ake lor shore without endangering the
Ve;stl, and of course i heir own lives. The Sailors here ad thought it too rough
to venture out to their as-ist^nce, till a gentleman (whom we believe to Le
Lord Leslie,) begged them to go, and promised to pay them h-snc'.somciy for
the risk. This induced four to make the atteirpt. We watched the toat from
the time of its setting off, and found that it did not nioke way, and was still but
a tho:t distance from s'.iorr, when sud>'tnlv it disappeared. By this time the
beach v.as crowded with spectators, a; cl two Boats put off immediately to tj.tir
EShin.a.'.e, :nd were lot tunate enough to. save them ali. The Boat had upset,
and two of the poor ft.L.-. .-. l.uu clui.g to it, \. , r rv.o cnacriv: ured to
t%\ im . h .'t. We have not been able to Icun tht. fate of the- Vessel; there are
various r.po'ts circulated concerning it, but not any ti i *h;it ii.iib^dep
on. Thtrevras a Veisel, laden with stonf , wrecked off snor,.!. ':;bo«
die . about the age of eighteen, were washed as-horc ih.- morni .g.
TorL.-.v. U.t.i'. Wind getting to about W. N. W After the Fleet sailed
from - ' wrote you, the wind soon backencd to tne South-
ward and • ulnch drove them away to leeward, asitbkwharu al
night. Y^terday, and ti!! DJghl / wescseen from the Blrry Head, work-
ing to windward ir. order to return. Ju.-t birforo night i.i - .Ship
Dolphin, from Plymouth, with s'.ores for the Fleet, arrived here 'i he wi-'d
failing in the night, and the flood tide making strong, they were obliged ali to
anchor a few leagues oil 1 'tig ;i;cu:h, to i 'event rheir driving further to the
eastward. This mornii.;.; the wind i feezing up to the westward, thty all got
under weigh again, and are-now Jcturned toTorbay; but it is generally be-
lieved their stay will be short
17. V\ ind y. W. S. and variable. Arrived and remains with the rest his
Maje=t)'s ; hip .Mars ; oh" t ie berryhea,. in a squall she carried away her main
top gallant-mast; un ortvinately, one brave teaman fell over with it and was
drowned Another Sa;Ior fell from the fere-yard arm of one of ;he three-
decker*, and sunk. mm. e. 'lately.
On Wednesday afternoon, October 24, two Frigates off Weymouth had a sham
fight, as if engaged in a real action. ' They fired sever.. lea into each
other, and o cafionall /, i:i tacking, fired stern and bow guns wah great dexte-
rity i i. ..;th firing a royal s. lute. They went through the whole
withjr.it -a f.:cti. n to the Commanders. The sight being very novel, and
(he d:'.y remarkably line, it w.?s a g:ea: treat to the spectators.
Bridfort, Oct. 28. It was str n^ly reported here yesterday, that the Bargo
<: nveyn.g his Vlajefty on board the Royil Yacht had ne.ily been lo-t, by'a
..n gu^t ci wiiiu coiiiingon jj^.t as the Barge reached the Yacht, which the
fjj.amcu were cot piep arcd fur, and nearly upset the &arge, Sir H. B. Neal-'s
4*9
IB Ins exertions to prevent any accident, was knocked flat upon his back, by a
vi'.-li-n: blow on his head from the fluke of the anchor. Two of the Seamen
Were washed overboard, and carried under the Yacht; hut, on their rising, \vc
are happy to say, they were t;»bcn up by some men in a Hoat on the oppositejide.
Dotiei , Oct. 2,8. The Griffin hired Cutter of this place arrived here to-day;
the nad IKUI trying to get cfi" the ( onflict Gun-brig, on shore near N'ieuport j
but rhe I/re ch had got such a number of puns on the shore, and flying artiller ,
and such a heavy fire of mulkctry, that they were obliged to give up and sheer
off; rhe Cutter is much shattered, several large shot having gone through her,
a shell Laving burst in her hold, and one just over their head-., she hdd one man
kill.-d and n.ae wounded, one of who. n is 5mce dead : the Lieutenant of the
Crur,. los is leg; two shrouds are shot away, and the mast wounded : they
\vi re withjn pistol shot of the enemy's guns.
Tr»!>ay. 'Oct. 31. We have ha i blowing weather several days past. Hii
:y'> LJrig i iberty ha. ru :i do.va and sunk outside the herry one o' our
Bnx!> sloops, belon ^ <j to a poor man, Crew soved; she has da-
: n. r own r:tern so much she will be obliged to go to dock to repair.
Nov. i. His •'.-iajes'-y's Crig Liberty, which ran down and sunk the Torbay
Sloop, belonging to a poor fisherman of this ptace, on 1 uesday morning, about
fiv. /clock, v.-ai under a press of sail, wind blowing heavy, and much sea; ic
being dark thick weath.r they did not discern the poor fisherman till it was
ton late T« o Bovs, part of her Crew, were much bruised, but all got hold of
> 'g and were -.aved. It is hoped the Hon. Commissioners of the Navy will
con JJt r ti.<.- poor man's loss.
Dover, Nm i Jt has blown hard to the westward, which has forced our
Boulogne .i.juadron to run for a roadstead. Several kegs of Geneva, and the
K ot a Boat, have h:en picked up here to day, which make us tearful that
go me poor i'tii'i s irw u eu iost. oir Home Pophjm is gone to take the coin.
mind of the Antelope, of jO guns.
-.stone, Nov. 3. IT. day morning Admiral Louis got under weigh for the
Down-. The Suine day th . wind s,iai'ted to E.N. E., several small Ve-sels got
•under sail f r Boulogne. • owards evening it i ecame a very strong wind; the
Adder got undei sail at five in the afternoon, and at ten o'clock went on shore
oa Komuey Fiats three miles to the eastward of i:;ungcnes.s Light, arid, I sup-
pose, will never IK aoic to get.oiTagain. It still b'ow- a hard gale of wind, and
the hips tide b .dly ; Trusty, Euryalus, and near twenty in the whole.
5. Ou at irday it blew a heavy gale of wind at eatt, and E. by N., when
every Si ip was obliged to slip, and go to leeward into Rye Bay. A light Col-
Jier, that had Ic-en recaptured, was driven on shore and wtnf to pieces, about a
mil- to the eastward of Dungeness, urri three Men perished. A Swcd.sh Brig,
laden .. ith br.indy, is ashore at l-ungeness Point; the -argo will be saved, as ihe
js un. >aa.ag. Its ill continue.- to blow a heavy gale, and the Fleet are at an-
chor to kcwar ' of the Ness. Monday the wind at E. N. E. blowing very h.»rdw
The Ve.suv us i:omb has loft all her anchors, and is laying to in the Offing.
The Doris Frigate has seat a small French prize into Torbay, being one of a
Squadron of thirty, of which she was in pursuit close to the Trench shore, whea
the prize left her.
PLYMOUTH.
Plymouth, Sett. 29. Sailed the Terrible, of 74 guns, Capt. Lord Henry Pow-
Jctt ; auci I;K- Aiontague, of 74 ; to relieve the Hero, of 74, and Repulse, of 64,
\vi.ich have been blocking tip, with some Frigates, the ports of i'>,'rieni and
Uocncfor . They •- arrier! <.ut 20 hulloik esth biup, and vegetables f.r the u?e cf
the Cr wsof the Hero and R<-pui«e. Put hack again from the east' rly winds, the
Haiin. ai, of 16 guns, with n.e dimed T an^ports, bound ior the Downs.
Oct. i. Arrived on Saturday night irom off Rochef'ort and I.le of Aix, the
Hero, of 74 '^uns, Hon. Capt. Gardner, having bc.cn out 14 weeks on th it st^tioi ,
and wants w .ter, provisions, ;.nJ to have htr rigging new f tu^and < ver hauler.
Came in a iargs Hamburgh ship, with a c^rgo of poor German emigrants going
to Baltimore u« indentured servants ; butagreat many, on coming ashorc,h'.\e
entered into the Navy at this port, and many of them into th; 1 lyinouth Division
of Royal Mai ines, preferring our service to ihe chance of crossing the AtUntu- ;
they are most of them from the inteiior of Germany, and good looking smr<j
men. Came in two Chasse Marees, laden with wine, brandy, and wheat^ for
HAVAL HISTORY O» THB PRESENT YlAR, 1704.
the French Fleet at Brest, drove into a Bay by the Pickle, of 14 puns, Lieut.
Lapontierre, and then boarded and brought out by her Boats, manned and armed.
The Boadicca of 44 guns, was in sight. Came in a fine Smuggling Sloop, called
the Stag, of Palperro, deeply la ien with 300 ankers of spirits, and a quantity of
salt, bound from Guernfey to Penzance. She was taken after a long chjse, by
the armed Tender, W. Wren, Master, belonging to the Eagle, 14 guns, (Excise
Cutter,) Capt. Adams, now refitting in Catwater. She had been a lucky Smug-
gler, and has made several fuccessful trips in the course of the last two or three
years.
^. Came in from the Fket off Brest, the Swift, of 14 guns, Lieut. Nicholfon ;
ihe left the Fleet all well on Sataroay night ; as did the Colpoy>, of 14 guns,
which left the Fleet all well on Sunday morning. Arrived ihis morning the
following Men of War alfo from the Fleet off Brest and from the inshore Squad*
ron : the Majestic, of 74 guns, Venerable, of 71 guns, and Nimble Cutter; they
left both Squadrons all well yesterday morning : the enemy exactly as ufual, ap-
parently ready for fea, but have not made the least movement since last report.
The Colpoys, of 14 guns, armed Ship, \t ordered to get ready to carry difpatches
abroad from her last sailing. Sailed to the westward, the Lady Warren, of 34
guns, Capt. M'Kelbn. Sailed for the Downs, the Hannibal, of 16 guns, and five
Transports, to take in Troops. Sailed the Cockatrice, of iB guns, with th«
'William Heathcote West Indiaman, for Liverpool: her average was settled for
the re-capture by the Agents for the Nautilus, of 18 guns, and the Underwriters,
j6,ooo!. for the cargo, and S,oool. for the hull, stores, guns, and tackle. Came
in irom a cruize, the Doris, of 44 guns, Capt. P. Campbell; and from convoy,
ing the two Bombs and three Gun-brigs to their station on the coast of i-rance,
tue Scourge, of 16 gun», Capt. W, Wooldridge.
IPromotion/j anto appointments.
(Oc tober— Nove mler. )
Capt. George Tobin (a very meritorious Officer,) is promoted to the command
•f the Northumberland of 74 guns, which carries Admiral Cochrane's Flag off
f-'errol.
Capt. Irwin is appointed to the Dreadnought ; and Lieut. Birchall, to the
Matilda Hospital Ship.
Mr. Galler, Purser of the Prompte, and Clerk in the Admiral's Office here,
is removed to the Inconstant.
Capt. Collier is appointed to the command of the Leander, of 50 guns, at Ha-
lifax, bearing the Flag of Sir A- Mitchell.
Rear-Admiral Douglas has hoisted his Flag on board the Hyxna, of 36 gum,
at Woolwich.
Lieut. Peter Parker, son of the late Vice-Admiral Christopher Parker, is
promoted to the rank of Commander, and to the command of the John hired
vrmcd Ship, at Leith.
Paris, Oct. 14. Vice- Admiral Villeneuve is appointed to the command of the
Squadron at Toulon. Vice-Admiral Mississi replaces the former in the com-
mand of the Rochcfort Squadron.
Sir John Orde is appointed to an important command. He is to hoist his Flag
on board the Glory, of 98 guns.
Rear- Admiral Douglas, to superintend the fitting out Ships at Deptford; Sir
Home Popham, to the Antelope; Capt. Talbot, to the Leander; Capt. Ed.
Ellicott, to the Willingtou armed Ship; Capt. P. Parker, to the John, A. S. ;
Mr. Gawler, of the Admiral's Office at Portsmouth, to be Purser of the la-
constant,
Capt. T. Smith is appointed to the Pretty Lass; Capt. Edmonds, to the
Espoir; Lieut. Read, to command the Hardy; Lieut. Shirley, to the Gallant;
Lieut. Ormsby, to the Daring ; Lieut. Styles, to the Europe.
Mose» Greetham, jun. Esq. is appointed to succeed the late Thomas Einstead,
Esq. as Judge Advocate of the Fleet,
Capt, Hoste, to the Eurydice, at Portsmouth, -via N f holas, who is much in.
disposed; Capt. Macleod, to the Cynthia; Caj.t. Lta, to the Fury; Lieut.
Ottlty, to command the Princess; Mr. Hulbert, of the Diomede, to be -ir. J.
Orde's Secretary ; and Mr. Dalton, of the Cerberus, to be Purser of the
Diomede. i
JfAYAL HISTORY OP THE PRESENT YtAR, 18044 431
Capt. George Martin is appointed to the Barffeuf, at Portsmouth ; Cart.
Macleod, to the Cygnet (and not to the Cynthia) ; Capt. Hudson, to the Bcl-
lona armed Ship ; and Lisut Ayscough is confirmed a Commander, and ap-
pointed to the St. Lucia.
The Ganges, Capt. Freemantle, was this day ordered to be paid off, in conse-
quence of her great defects. Lieut. S. G. Parsons, late of the Ganees, is ap-
pointed to the Theseus.
The King has been pleased to nominate and appoint Commodore Samnel
Hood, (a Commander of the Sicilian Ordrr of St. Ferdinand and of Merit,)
to be one of the Knight'* \. ompanions of the Most Honourable Order of the
Bath.
MARRIAGES.
Capt. Wilkinson, of the Royal Navy, to Miss Sophia Worth, daughter of
William Worth, E*q of Hayneford near Norwich.
By special licence, at t. George'* Church, Hanover-square, Capt. Sir Edward
Hamilton, of the Royal Navy, to Miss Ma namara, daughter ot John Macna«.
iwara, Esq. of Baker-street, I'ortman square.
Lately, at Appleby, Lieutenant Jacques, of the Royal Navy, t» Miss Kiiie, of
Penrith.
At Berfted, near Havant, by the Rev. J. Phillips, Capt. Butttrfield, of the
Navy, to Miss Harris, daughter of the late C. Harris, Esq. of Chelsea.
The Hon. C apt. H. Gardner, son ot Admiral Lord Gardner, to Miss Cornwall,
•ister of Mrs. 1 hclluson.
Lately, at Kingston Church, Lieut. J. Hellard, of the Navy, f.o Miss B. Bet-
Scsworth, daughter of Mr. G. B&ueswoith, of Port sea.
Capt. W. Chailton, of the Navy, to Miss Davidson.
OBITUARY.
Of a fever, on the »8th of June last, in the West Indies, Mr. John Page, a Mid-
•nipman of the Fortunfc Frigate, and eldest son of Sir Thomas Page, of the Royal
Eng neers ; he was much beloved by his Officers, and his worthy Captain,
Vanoittart, attended him like a parent during his illness, and to the grave.
In July last, at Jamaica, Lieut, j. Davies, of the Port Mahon Sloop of War.
He was educated in the mathematical department of Christ's Hospital, and ap.
prei.ticed on board a V est Indiaman ; in which service, previous to the expira-
tion of his indenture, he had arrived at the station of Second Mate, whea
(about twe vc yea s since] he was impressed into his Majesty's service, and sent
on board the 1 hetis rig-t^;, at that time commanded by Captain (now Admiral)
Cochrane. That brave and intelligent Commander soon discovering him to be
an able mathematician, as well as an expert navigator, and that he possessed ta-
lent* in other respects of the most useful nature, though frequently by an innate
diffidence, favoured him with nis patronage, and took every opportunity of ren-
dering his situation as little irksome as the nature of the service would admit.
\V ith Capt. Cochrane he continued nearly six years in the North Sea and on the
American station ; returning fiom the latter of which, his patron was removed
to the £ jax , of 80 guns, when he took the subject of this memoir (then a Midship-
man] with'him. On the sailing of the Egyptian expedition, he was appointed act-
ing Lieut, ot the Kenomme, and at the disembarkation of the troops, commanded
one of the Boats employed in that service. When they had neared the shore,
three of the ri en were lulled by a ball ; and before he could receive an answer
to his question, whether the Boat was damaged, a shell fell in the centre of it,
which killed five more, wounded eight, and sunk the Boat. The remainder of
the Crew and oldiers, however, with the exception of one, were saved by the
exertion* ot some of the i o ts. On the landing being effected, Lieut. Davie*
•was appointed o the command of the division ot Boats employed to act on the
Lake Madie; in consequence of which, he res ded in a tent, for several months,
on the banks of that Lake, and performed the duty allotted to him to the com-
plete satisfaction of his superior Officers ; for which he wa» honoured with a gold
medal by the *.rand >ultan, as a reward for his services. On the return of the ex-
pedition, ha appointment MLievt.^ras confirmed by the Board of Admiralty ; and
43* NA'VAL HlSfOR? OF THE PRESENT YEAR, l8ot.
at the conclusion of the late war he retired on half-pay, and was married to :
amiable woman, a native of the sister kingdom. But no sooner did hostilities
recommence, than he offered his services, and was appointed to the Port Mahon
Sloop, which shortly after sailed for the West Indies, whose baud'ul climate ha*
of late proved so destructive to numbers of our gallant country.nen. His con-
stitution, enervated by fatigue and ahernate residence in various climates, was
unable to cope with the malignancy of its atmosphere, and a diarrhrea put a pe-
riod to his existence in the prime of manhood, having only attained his 35th
year. — In a letter written by him in the utmost certainty of approaching daath,
he displayed the most heroic fortitude, combined with a pious resignation ; and
although he had many inducements to attach him to this life, yet he did not
suffer a single murmur, or a repining expression, to escape his lips; the weak-
ness of his body never overcame the fortitude of his mind, which preseived its
wonted strength and vigour eve"n to his last moment.
On the I3th of August, at Jamaica, of the yellow fever, the Honourable Chas.
Powys, son of Lord Lilford-, of his Majesty's Ship the Fairy. We were incor-
fect respecting the rank of this young OHicer, in our hst.}
Extract <jf a Letter from h'ar/'--.tJocs, dai:d ij/o Sept. 1804.
" With sorrow I inform you of the melancholy intelligence of the death of
the brave Capt. Reynolds, (son of Capt. Carthew Reynolds,) of his Majesty's
Sloop Curieux, who obtained the command of her for his gallant conduct in cut-
ting her out from under Fort Edward, Martinique, having received seven wounds
in the conflict. His remains me deposited on the Diamond. Rock, Martinique-,
and where a stone will perpetuate his memory. His funeral was conducted with
as much ceremony as time would allow, and with that solemnity which real
worth ever inspires. The whole of the Officers of the Centaur, and every Man
and Boy in the Ship, who had been witnesses to his, gallant exploits, attended--
the band playing the dead march, which drew tears from every eye irr tho Ship.
The Pall was bore by three Officers' of the-Centaur, and three of the Fort Dia-
mond. Captain Maurice, Governor of the -garrison of Fort Diamond, and
Lieut. Sibley, his cousin, were chief mourners. Capt. Stirling, of his Majesty's
Ship Serapis ; Lieut. EelLmy, of the Carysfort ; and Lieut. Low, of the Imo-
gene, are among our deaths lately. Capt. Henderson, of the Guachppin, is ap-
pointed to the Alligator ; Lieut. E. Woolcombe, to command the Guachapin :
and Lieut. Lawrence, of the Netley, to command the Serapis. Mr. Carpenter,
to be Purser of the Barbadoes ; Mr. Scott, Purser of the Cyane ; Mr. Rymcr,
Pt;r.er of the St. Lucia."
On the l6th of Oft. died, at his father's house at Stocks ton, near Saltash,
Lieutenant John Drew, of the Royal Navy. His family have been remarkably
unfortunate; his uncle, the late Captain John Drew, of the Cerberus, was, to-
gether with another nephew. Lieutenant James Drew, drowned in Plymouth
Sound; a few months afterwards, his other uncle, Captain James Drew, Com-
mander of the de Braak, was drowned off the coast of America. We should be
obliged to any of our readers who would send us a Biographical Memoir of thi*
Officer.
On Saturday, the z;th of Ocl. Mr. Watson, Master of the Pegase Prison Ship,
at Portsmouth.
Lately, in the West Indies, Lieut. Charles Hayman, of the Galatea,
Nov. i, at his lodgings, in Fieet-ilrcet, Lieutenant John Wilby, of the Royal
Navy.
Suddenly, at Havant, Hants, Mrs. Matson, wife of Mr. C. Matson, Purser in
the Navy. '
The eldest Son of Sir S. Chambers, a Midshipman on board the Glatton, lately
fell from the main chains v hilc in pursuit of $orae small birds which had flown
on board ircm the Tc; I, ancl was lost.
On the ^d of Nbv at his house in the Vineyard, Bath, Thomas Binstead, Esq.
many years Deputy Jt-iigs Advocate of the Fleet.
The same day, Captain Apthorp, of the Navy, aged 43.
Lately, C. Adamson, Esq. 44 years a Lieutenant of the Navy.
Lately, at Plymouth, Mrs. 1. Date, mother of N r. Date, Merchant of the
same place, aijd a sister of the late Admiral Jiff. ries of ."-ruthampton.
On Wednesday the 1410 of ivov. Capt. Pagct Bayly, of the Royal Navy.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
SIR RICHARD KING, BART.
ADMI2AL OF THE WHITB SQJJADRON'.
" Ne'er from the lap of luxury and ease
Shall spring the hardy warrior of the seas —
A toilsome youth the mariner must forrrii
Nlirs'd 0:1 i'.ic wuvc and cradl'd in the sco'rm."
PYE.
lias been observed, that, " of all public characters, he
justly claims the first honours, and the first rank, in bio-
graphy, who by the diligent and successful exertion of his
talents, most effectually promotes the "public good." la
scarcely any instance could this remark apply with more
Correctness, than to the distinguished subject of the present
memoir, who, by his professional services, through a long,
very long series of years, has merited and obtained the
honourable remuneration which he enjoys.
Sir Richard King, Bart, is descended from a respectable
family, of Bromley, in Kent, but was born in Hampshire, in
the month of August, 1730.
Of this brave Officer, it may literally be said, that he was
" Nurs'd on the wave, am! cradl'd in the storm;"
for, before he was eight years old, he entered on the toils
of that service, of which he has since become a splendid
ornament. In 1738, he went to sea with his maternal uncle,
the late Commodore Curtis Barnet, who died in 1746,
Commander in Chief on the East India station. Under
the immediate eye of this gallant Commander, Mr. King
first served, while he was employed in the Mediterranean,
and afterwards, in the year 1744, accompanied him to the
East Indies *.
* Charnock states, but we have some doubt as to the accuracy of his infor-
mation, that, in 1738, Mr. King was in the Berwick, of 70 guns, at that time
commanded by Captain Solguard, and of which his father was Masttr; and
that he afteiivards removed into the Dragon, then under the cemaunc of Cvin-
jnodore Barnet.
. CloT.XII. 3 K
434 BIOGRATHICAL MEMOIR
On the ^th of May in that year, the following Squadron,
under the command of Commodore Barnet, sailed from;
Portsmouth for the East Indies :—
Shift. Guns, Men. Commanders.
C. Barnet, Esq. Commodore^
. , .
Deptford 4'5 i Captain J.Philipson*
Medway - 60 400 •- Edward Peyton.
Preston - — 50 300 — — Earl of Northesk.
Diamond - 20 120 - John Moore.
The best account that we have seen of the early part of
this expedition, in the course of which three valuable French
East Indiamen were captured, is in ENTICK'S Naval History.
Mr. King having had the honour of assisting his brave
relative in the arduous service alluded to, we feel ourselves-
fully authorised to make the following extract from Mr.
Entick's work :—
Commodore Barnet, with his Squadron, sailed from Portsmouth-
for India on the 5th of May, and on the 26th of the same month
arrived at Porto Prayta, on the island of St. Jago, the chief of the
Cape Verd Islands in Africa, subject to the Crown of Portugal- The
Commodore found riding in the road of St. Jago, a Spanish Privateer,
called the Amiable Maria, of 14 carriage, and 12 swivel guns, and
79 men; together with a Pink of 250 tons, under Spanish colours;
which he at first took no notice of, having no intention to violate the
neutrality of the Portuguese port ; but being afterwards informed that
the Privateer had taken the Pink, which was the Molly, of Glasgow,.
together with a Brigantine from Ntw York, and burnt two other
English Ships, which were all at anchor in the Isle of May, situate
33 leagues west of St. Jago, and whose men they left upon that
island ; the Commodore acquainted the Governor, that finding the
Privateer had so notoriously violated the neutrality of the Isle of
May, he did not think himself obliged to observe any with regard ta
her. The Commodore accordingly summoned the Privateer and
Pink to surrender, whick they did, and he took possession of them ;
the Commodore then sent the Pink to the Isle of May, for the
Masters and Sailors of the British Vessels ; and seeing the Brigantine
in the offing, which was taken by the Privateer, and drove out of
Porto Prayta Road, the Commodore sent his Tender out to retake
her, which found her without a man on board, the Spaniards having
escaped on shore to the town of St. Jago, where they reported, that
OV SIR RICHARD KING, BART. 435
-after the Brigantine drove out of the Bay, the seven Englishmen who
were in her rose upon them, and after a bloody battle, in which five
of the English were killed, the other two jumped overboard and were
drowned ; after which the Spaniards, seeing the Tender coming to
them, thought proper to make their escape in the Boat, though some
of the Spaniards were killed, and all the rest dangerously wounded.
The Commodore put the proper Masters and Men in possession of the
Pink and Brigantine, and gave them all the provisions and stores they
laid claim to, together with their effects of all kinds, so far as he was
able to recover them.
Commodore Barnet afterwards proceeded on his voyage, and,
having doubled the Cape of Good Hope, arrived at Madagascar,
where he took in water and provisions ; after which the Squadron
separated, with orders to rendezvous at Batavia, the capital of all the
Dutch colonies and settlements in India, situate in the N.E. part of
the island of Java, in 106 degrees of east longitude, and six of south
latitude, the whole island being dependant on the Dutch. The
Commodore in the Deptford, and Lord Northesk in the Preston,
sailed with an intention to get into the Streights of Sunda, and thence
to the Streights of Banca, in the latitude of 1 3 degrees south, and
150 degrees east longitude, while Captain Peyton in the Medway,
and Captain Moore in the Diamond, proceeded for the Streights of
Malacca, in the latitude of two degrees north, and 100 degrees east
longitude : their design being to intercept the French Company
Ships, then expected to be on their return to Europe without any
convoy, the French having neglected to send any more than one Ship
of 50 guns, for the protection and security of their Indian commerce.
The Commodore and Lord Northesk disguised their Ships by painting
and rigging them in the Dutch manner ; and, in this condition, arrived
at the Strcights of Banca, where they continued at anchor till the
2<Jth of January, when they saw three large Ships coming down ; and
soon discovering that they were French built, the Commodore con-
cluded that they were two China Ships, under convoy of a 5<D-gun
Ship, from Pondicherry. The Commodore got under sail to receive
them, and so effectually disguised the Deptford and Preston, that the
French came within musket-shot, making no doubt of their being
Dutchmen, till the Commodore and Lord Northesk struck the Dutch,
and hoisted proper colours ; but the French were ready for firing as
Boon as the Commodore. The French Ships belonged to the Com-
pany, and were laden from Canton to Europe ; the one was called the
Dauphin, commanded by Captain Butler; the other was the Hercules,
commanded by Captain Dufrein ; and the third \v;u the Jason, com-
Captain, D.alamatriej they were about 700 tons, wirh 59
I
436 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
guns, and i£O men each, very deeply and richly laden, chiefly with
tea, china-ware, and silk. Commodore Barnct gave the French
Commodore a broadside, which he and his consorts returned, and a
short engagement ensued. Commodore Barnet ordered Lord Nor-
thesk, at the beginning of the action, to board one of the Chinamen
as soon as possible, leaving the Dauphin for the Commodore to board J
but some of the first shot from the French cut the tiller ropes of both
the Men of War, as they were steering on board them ; by which
accident the opportunity was lost, and Commodore Barnet feared
some of the French would have escaped ; but he soon got into a
situation to stop tiiem. The Preston was not long getting into her
station ; and, after a gallant resistance, the three Frenchmen_struck in
about three glasses; when the Commodore sent Officers and Men to
take possession of the prizes, and to bring the French Captains and
Supercargoes on board the Deptford, where they were generously
received, and shewn all the friendship and favour the most accom-
plished Officers could have expected. Commodore Barnet found
himself possessed of a valuable acquisition ; and was informed, by the
Supercargoes, that the cargo of each Ship would in France have been
worth more than 100,000!. sterling.
Commodore Barnet sent his prizes toBatavia; and, not-
withstanding their immense value, they were there sold for
the comparatively small sum of 8o,oool.
During the ensuing season, Mr. King was occupied in
much active service, for which his uncle embraced the oppor-
tunity of rewarding him, by promoting him to the rank of
Lieutenant. This appointment took place on the ist of
February, 1746; and a few weeks afterwards (on the agth
of April) a sudden indisposition terminated Commodore
Barnet's existence. This melancholy event could not fail
of being deeply regretted by our young Officer; but he had
with so much diligence availed himself of the advantage
which his situation and connexions had afforded him, that he
could scarcely be said to need any farther instruction. He
had indeed perfected himself in the knowledge of his pro-*
fession, as far as the rank which he then held required.
Lieutenant King continued to serve in India, until the
conclusion of the war, in 1748; and, in the year following^
Jje arrived jn England,
•
OF SIR RICHARD KING, BART, 437
From this period, until the re-commencement of hosti-
lities, in 1754, he, of course, had no opportunity of distin-
guishing himself. From the intrigues and ambitious views
of M. Dupleix, the French Governor of Pondicherry, peace
had never been completely established in India, but a species
of skirmishing warfare had been continued by the two Com-
panies. At length, the British Court of Directors applied
to Government to send out a Squadron for the protection of
their settlements; and, accordingly, four Sail of the Line,
and a Frigate, were ordered to be equipped for this service^
Rear- Admiral Watson being appointed to the command.
In this expedition, Mr. King went out as Lieutenant of
the Bristol. On the 9th of March, 1754, the Admiral
sailed from Plymouth, with the following Squadron, with
orders to put into Kinsale, to receive on board a regiment of
infantry :— «
Sbifs* Guns. Commanders.
r Chas. Watson, Rear-Admiral of the Bloc,
' ?4 1 Captain Henry Spake.
Eagle - - 60 George Pocock.
Salisbury - 50 — , T. Knowler.
Jhistol . - 50 T. Latham.
Bridgewater 20 W. Martin.
Kingsfisher- »6 B. Mighell.
While at anchor at Kinsale, a violent storm came on, ia
whidh the whole Squadron was in danger of being driven on
shore. The Eagle and Bristol ran foul of each other, were
dismasted, and otherwise so much damaged as to be jncapable
of proceeding on the voyage. Notwithstanding this disaster,
however, Admiral \V%tson sailed from Kinsale on the 24th
of March, and was followed by the Cumberland, of 66 guns,
and the Tyger, of 60 guns, which were sent out in Jieu of
the disabled Ships. Mr. King had been removed into the
Tyger; but, on his arrival in India, he was received on board
pf Admiral Watson's Ship.
Admiral Watson's Squadron, we believe, effected nothing
pf importance until the spring of 1756. In the month of
2
43* BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
November preceding, he refitted at Bombay, and made every
necessary arrangement for the attack of Geriah, the capital
of Angria's dominions. This place had been the scourge
and terror of all the trading nations in India for upwards of
a century. On the yth of February, 1756, the Squadron
sailed from Bombay; on the nth it appeared before Geriah ;
and on the I2th, about noon, it entered the harbour in two
divisions. The Ships, bringing up against the batteries,
commenced a most vigorous cannonade, which continued
with great fury till half past six in the evening, when the
enemy's fire was entirely silenced. Captain King was then
sent to take possession of the fort, provided they would pro-
mise to open the gates, and to permit Colonel Clive and the
troops to march in. But finding that he could obtain no
promise, but that of permitting him and the Boat's Crew
into the fort, and knowing the treachery of Angria and his
people, he returned to the Admiral, who highly approved of
his conduct, and the cannonade was immediately re-com-
menced. On the following day the Governor surrendered
the town and principal fort, on which the British colours
were hoisted.
After this service, in the month of July following, Admiral
Watson advanced Mr. King to the rank of Master and Com-
mander in the Blaze Fire-ship.
About the latter end of May, orders had arrived in India
for the Admiral to return with his Squadron to England ;
but when this became known to the Governor and Council
of Madras, they were greatly alarmed for the fate of the
Company's settlements, should they be left unprotected by a
naval force. They therefore represented to the Admiral the
perilous situation which they were in ; particularly as certain
advices had been received from the Court of Directors, that a
large Fleet, with above three thousand land forces on board,
had actually sailed from France for India ; and also that, in
Bengal, their affairs were in a most alarming state, the Nabob
Suraja Dowla having laid siege to, and made himself master
of, Calambuzar and Calcutta. From these strong
OP SIR RICHARD ClNG, BART. 4j<|
Cations, it was evident to Admiral Watson, that the Com-
pany's affairs in India must be entirely ruined, should he
comply with his orders : he therefore resolved to risk a dp*
viation from them, and to proceed immediately for Bengal.
This was a fortunate determination for Captain King, as it
subsequently furnished him with an opportunity of exerting
his professional talents,
On the I4th of October, Admiral Watson sailed from
Madras ; but, owing to the badness of the weather, he did
not reach Bengal river till the middle of December. On the
sgth of that month, his Squadron brought up against the fort
of Boujee Boujee. A heavy fire commenced, and continued
till the evening, when the enemy's cannon were silenced:
they, however, evinced no inclination to surrender, but kept
up a brisk discharge of musketry and fire arrows. A council
of war was then holden on board of the Kent, and it was
resolved to storm the fort early on the succeeding morning.
In this service, in order to strengthen the army, the Admiral
landed a detachment of Seamen under the command of Cap-
tain King, for the purpose of co-operating with Coloncf
Clive. By a singular event, however, the fort was carried
without bloodshed *.
Admiral Watson at length made himself master of all the
forts below Calcutta, and then proceeded, with part of the
Squadron, to co-operate with Colonel Clive in the reduction
of that place. On the zd of January, 1757, the Ships took,
their stations, and began a most vigorous cannonade, which,
at the end of two hours, drove the enemy from their guns,
and compelled them to abandon the fort. Captain King
was here designated to the post of honour, the Admiral im-
mediately landing a party of Seamen under his command,
with the King's troop's under Captain Coote, with whom he
conjointly took possession of the fort f.
* Vide NAVAL CHRONICLE, Vol. VI, pages 43 and 44.
f Captain King waa dangerously ill when the Squadron sailed from Madras ;
lut recovering, took his passage in the Protector, one of the Company's .w:ip»,
and arrived at Bengal about the same time that the Squadron djd, but had fy:
tlOGRAPfllCAL MEMOIR
Admiral Watson's next object was to attack the rich city of
Houghley,belonging to the Nabob, and situated about 30 mile*
above Calcutta. — Captain King, whose credit for courage,
promptitude, and perseverance, was now fully established, was
selected for this service. The force which was employed on
this occasion consisted of the Bridgewater, Kingsfisher, and
Thunder Bomb; with all the Boats of the Squadron, man-
ned with a hundred and fifty Seamen, under the command
of Captain King, who was expressly appointed to act on
shore. Two hundred European soldiers, and two hundred
and eighty seapoys, also accompanied the expedition, under
Major Kilpatrick. On the 5th of January, they departed
from Calcutta. On the Qth, the Ships anchored before
Houghley? landed the troops, and commenced a cannonade,
which continued till midnight, when, a practicable breach
having been made, the fort was carried by storm, Captain
King, with his detachment of Seamen, first entering the
breach. The garrison consisted of 2000 men, and was de-
fended by twenty pieces of heavy cannon. The riches found
at Houghley fell very far short of the expectations of the
captors, the inhabitants having had time to remove them.
After demolishing the fort, and spiking the guns, Captain
King, with the whole of the British foice, rejoined the
Admiral.
Admiral Watson, as a distinguishing mark of approbation
and confidence, entrusted his dispatches, containing the
account of his success in re-establishing the East India
Company in their settlements, to Captain King.
Our Officer accordingly sailed from Bengal, in Feb. 1 757, on
board a pilot Sloop, of about ninety tons. In this diminutive
Vessel, he sailed round the Cape of Good Hope, during the
most tempestuous season of the yearj.- and, from the high
mortification to find, that his Fire-ship, the Blaze, had sprung a leak, and had
been sent to Bombay. By this accident he became merely a Volunteer, and,
though employed on the most active and dangerous service, the Captains of the
Squadron took advantage of this circumstance, in refusing him to share prize-
mtyiej with them as a Captain, by which he lost many thousand pounds.
OF SIR. RICHARD KING, BART. 44!
seas, and violent winds, which are known to prevail there in
Winter, he was frequently in great danger. Having passed
the Cape, he proceeded towards England, where he arrived
in July, without having stopped at any place from the time
that he left Bengal; so that he was almost six months on
board cf a Vessel of 68 feet long and 17 broad, and so deep
when she sailed from Bengal, that her gunwale was only two
feet from the surface of the sea. The important news which
he brought, added to his strong letters of recommendation
from Admiral Watson, and the hazard to which he must
evidently have been exposed in so small a Vessel, induced
him to entertain the pleasing hope of being rewarded with
the rank of Post Captain ; but in this hope, which certainly
was not an unreasonable one, he was for a time disap-
pointed.
In 1758, Captain King was appointed to the Bonetta
Sloop, of 10 4-pounders, in which he was sent to the Lee-
ward Islands ; and, on the29th of January, in the succeed-
ing year, he was promoted, by Commodore Moore, to the
rank of Post Captain. His first appointment was to the
Rye Frigate ; but he was soon removed into the Ludlow
Castle, a fifth rate, of 44 guns. In I759> he convoyed a
large Fleet of Merchant Ships from Jamaica to England.
At the beginning of the year 1760, he was appointed to the
Argo Frigate, of 28 guns, in which he for some time cruized
off Brest, and, afterwards, in the North Sea, till the end of
1761. In the London Gazette, we find the following men-
tion of a Capture made by Captain King, while on the latter
station : —
dJmiralty-OJ&rtt June 18, 1761.
Captain King, of his Majesty's Ship the Argo, gives an account
in his letter, dated at the Nore the lyth instant, of his arrival there
with the Mareschal due de Biron Snow, a French Privateer of i j
guns, 6-pounders, (pierced for twenty,) twelve swivels, and 109 men,
which was taken by the Argo on the nth instant, after a chase of
eight hours. The said Privateer sailed from Dunkirk the 7th of
January last, on a cruize to the westward, and her cruize being
. tf&ron. (BoJ.XII. 3 t
442 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
expired, was returning to Dunkirk, having on board seven ransomerc-,
to the amount of 4,400!.
On the commencement of hostilities with Spain, in 1762,
Lord Anson particularly recommended Captain King to his
Majesty, as an Officer on whom he could depend to carry the
earliest intelligence of that event to the East Indies. Gene-
ral Draper*, who was appointed to command the land forces
on an expedition against Manilla, embarked with him on
board of the Argo, which sailed from Plymouth on the 22d
of February. Captain King had the good fortune, which
Lord Anson predicted, to make a very expeditious passage to
India ; which, if he had not done, the enterprise against
Manilla must have failed, as the Squadron arrived there only
a few days previously to the changing of the monsoon.
During the siege of Manilla, Admiral Cornish f received
intelligence, that the rich galleon, St. Philipina, was on her
passage from Acapulca to Manilla. Captain King, in com-
pany with the Panther, Captain Hyde Parker, were immedi-
ately sent in quest of her; but, missing the St. Philipina,
they fell in with one named the Santissima Trinidada, which
had sailed from Manilla, and, having been dismasted in a gale
of wind, was returning thither under jury-masts. This Ship
was of larger dimensions than our 74-gun Ships, and had ou
board 700 men, including passengers, but only a few guns
mounted. The Argo engaged her in the night, the Panther
being kept back by a counter current, and in danger of driving
on some rocks. The Argo, which had then only eighty men
on board in health, and able to go to their quarters, received
considerable damage in her sails and rigging, from the Galleon,
which, the next day, sustained a severe cannonade from the
Panther and Argo, before she surrendered. The two Fri-
gates returned to Manilla with their prize, the money and
merchandize on board of which were estimated at three
millions of dollars.
In the mean time, the St. Philipina, on hearing of the war
* The Jate Sir Edward Drapcfj KB. f The latc Baronet.
OF SIR RICHARD KING, P. ART. 443
with England, had taken shelter at Palapa, a port on the
island of Samar. The governor and principal merchants of
Manilla, however, entered into an agreement with Admiral
Cornish and General Draper, that this Galleon should be
given up to the English, with all her treasure on board, pro-
vided they might be allowed to take out of her as much
money as would pay cff the remainder of the four millions
ok dollars which were due for the ransom of the city. ' On
the 2Oth of November, the Admiral and Gene;al having ac-
ceded to this proposal, Captain King, in the Argo, with the
Seaford under his command, sailed from Manilla, with orders
to endeavour to proceed to Palapo, in order to take pos-
session of the St. Philipina. But, after persevering in the
attempt for three months, against the monsoon, strong winds,
and much rain, the Ships' sails and rigging being rotten and
worn out, and the provisions almost expended, he was under
the painful necessity of returning to Manilla, without the.
rich object of which he had been sent in pursuit.
In 1763, Captain King was. appointed to the Grafton, of
68 guns, in which he arrived in England in the month of
July, 1764, having the charge of the Galleon which he had
captured, in company with the Lenox.'
la 1771, he was appointed to the Northumberland; but
Sir Robert Harland, who hoisted his Flag on board of that
Ship, having engaged to take a particular Captain, Captain
King was appointed to the Ardent, and afterwards to the
Asia, the former Ship being directed to undergo a thorough
repair. Captain King continued in the Asia, which was
a stationed Guard-ship at Portsmouth, for the usual period oi
three years.
In 1777, he commanded the Pallas Frigate, of 36 guns, in
which Ship he convoyed a Fleet of Merchantmen to Quebec.
On his return in September, 1778, subsequently to the com-
mencement of hostilities between Britain and France, be
was sent with the Squadron under the command of Com-.
modore Evans, to assist in seizing the islands of St. Pierre
Miquelon* on the coast of Newfoundland. This service
444- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
having been successfully accomplished, he exchanged Ships
with Captain Spr), and, in the month of November, lit?
returned to England in the Europe, of 64 guns.
After his return, in March 1779, he was appointed to the
Exeter, of 64 guns; and, by the desire of Lord Mulgrave,
and Sir William James, then Chairman or the East India
Company, he was nominated to proceed as second Officer in
command, urder Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, to the
East Indies. After his arrival there, in January, 1780, he
was promoted to the rank of Commodore, with a Captain
under him. On this station he continued during the whole
of the war, and was engaged in all the actions with the French
Squadron commanded by M. de SuffYein.
For the most complete historical account which, we
believe, has yet appeared, of the proceedings of the British
naval force in India, during the periods to which we have
alluded, including the official dispatches of the Commander
in Chief, we must refer our readers to the Biographical
Memoir of Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, given in the ninth
Volume of our Chronicle*. Profiting by this reference, we
feel it incumbent on us to confine our present remarks to
the immediate services of Commodore King. This gentle-
man, though constantly with the Squadron, does not appear
to have had any particular opportunity of displaying his
talents, until the period of the first engagement which took
place with the French Fleet under M. de Suflrein. This
happened off Fort St. George, on the i5th of February, 1782.
Commodore King's Ship, the Exeter, received the fire of
most of the French Ships, as they passed on toward the cen-
tre ; and as it was evidently the design of Suffrein to disable
the Exeter and Superbe, those two Ships were materially
crippled. The Exeter had to sustain an unequal contest,
first with three, and then with five of the enemy's Ships, the
smallest of them of equal force, and superior to her in size.
The Superbe also was assailed by four, possessing similar
* ridt p. 89, et tetj.
OF SIR RICHARD KING, BART. 44j
Advantages. The wind was at this time so calm, that none
of the other Ships could get to their assistance for upwards
of two hours, so that half of the British line, which consisted
only of nine Sail, including the Isis, of 50 guns, could never
get into action at all. The Monarca, which lay next to the
Exeter, made every possible effort to protect and cover her}
but what the event might have been, appears doubtful, had
the same superiority of fire continued much longer. The
wind at length sprung up, and enabled the four headmost
-Ships to pay round to the enemy, which induced, the French,
to make a retreat. By this time, however, the Exeter was
almost reduced to a wreck ; her Captain (Reynolds) had been
killed, close by the side of the Commodore ; ten of her men
had been killed, and forty-five wounded: from the number
of shot-holes which she had received under water, she was
under the necessity of making a signal of distress ; and, had
it not been for the most indefatigable exertions, she in all
probability would have fallen a victim to that element on
which she had sustained so glorious a conflict. Amidst this
scene of horror, Commodore King displayed the most con-
summate bravery, the most unshaken fortitude and presence
of mind. Towards the close of the action, as two of the
enemy's Ships were bearing down to attack the Exeter, the
Master asked him what he should dp with the Ship ; to which
he replied, with the characteristic spirit of a British tar : —
" There is nothing to be done but to fight her till she
sinks!" — The Exeter, however, was preserved ; but she was
so completely disabled, that, for two days after the action,
she was cinder the necessity of being towed by the Monmouth,
not being in a state to carry any sail. The gallantry of hef
brave Commander, which so spiritedly and successfully
exerted itself against a foe of such striking superiority, stands
on record as an illustrious instance of British prowess,
and will be looked up to as a revered example by many a
future hero.
In the second action with Suffrein, which took place on
the 8th of April, the Exeter did not experience so pointed
3
446 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
an attack; but, nevertheless, was very d;stingt>ishedfy
engaged, sustaining a loss of forty-four men killed and
•wounded.
v During the latter part of the time that onr Officer served m
India, he had his broad pendant on board of the Hero.
On the 13111 of June, 1783, the enemy's Squadron was
discovered to the southward, the wind then blowing from that
quarter. The Commander in Chief immediately got under
weigh, and used bis utmost efforts to gain the wind, while
the enemy were more successful in their exertions to preserve
it. From this time to the 2Oth, the Fleets were employed m
manoeuvring in sight of each other. On that clay, the enemy,
who still kept the advantage of the wind, showed a disposition
to engage The English Admiral immediately formed the
line of battle a-head, and brought up to receive them, Com-
modore King commanding the van Squadron. At four
jninutes past four P.M. the van Ship of the enemy's Line fired
a single gun to try her distance ; and, although scarcely
within point blank shot, their whole Fleet commenced a
heavy fire, which they continued for about twenty minute?,
before a single shot was returned by the British Line. A
smart cannonade ensued on both sides, and continued without
intermission till seven o'clock, the enemy still preserving
their distance : at that hour, however, they hauled their
wind, made sail, and on the following morning were out
of sight.
During this indecisive contest, Commodore Kmg very
narrowly escaped being killed by the bolt of a grape-shot,
which struck the speaking trumpet out of his hand, while he
^•as giving orders on the poop of his Ship.
This was the last action of the war ; as intelligence of the
peace which had been made in Europe arrived in India a
few days after it, and put a total stop to all farther acts of
hostility.
Peace rendering a reduction of our force in India expe-
dient, Commodore King was dispatched to Europe with the
fust division of the Fleet, consisting of nine Sail of the Liac-
OF SIR RICHARD KING, BART. 44.7
and three Frigates*. He reached England on the I2th of
May, 1784; and, shortly after his arrival, he had the high
gratification of being introduced to his Majesty, who was
most graciously pleased to confer on him the honour of
knighthood, in consideration of his zealous and meritorious
services in India.
lu the month of September, 1787, a promotion took place
at the Admiralty, by which Sir Richard King became Rear-
Admiralof the White ; and, in 1790, he was appointed Com*
mander in Chief in the Downs. In 1791, he was made
Rear- Admiral of the Red, and was appointed to command
the third division of the Fleet at Spithead ; in 1792, he ex-
perienced the farther honour of being created a Baronet of
Great Britain, and was appointed to be Governor and Com-
mander in Chief at Newfoundland. In 1793, he was pro-
moted to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue ; and, on his return
from Newfoundland, being elected Member of Parliament
for Rochester, he was obliged to resign that government.
In December, 1794, being then Vice-Admiral of the Red,
he was appointed Commander in Chief at the port of Ply-
mouth ; and, in June, 1795, he was farther promoted to the
rank of Admiral of the Blue. In February, 1799, he became
Admiral of the White; and, in the month of April follow
ing, in consequence of new arrangements at the Admiralty,
he was succeeded in his command at Plymouth by Sir Thomas
Paisley.
Having thus accompanied Sir Richard King through his
various gradations ot service and promotion, we have only to
observe, tltat his Majesty's Navy does not possess a braver
Officer, or a more honourable and respected man.
* The Hero, Cumberland, Monarca, Magnanime, Africa, Europe, Exeter,
Inflexible, Sceptre, San Carlos, Naiad, and .'-eahorse; all of which arrived safe,
the Escrcr, his old Ship, exceptcd, which was condemned at the Cape as unfit
for service.
I 448 ]
Sketch of the late MR. HARRY PAULET *i
>R. Paulet was, in the year 1758, Master of an English Vessel
in North America, and traded up the river St. Lawrence ; buE
being tak?n by the enemy, he remained a prisoner under Montcalm
at Quebec, who refused to exchange the Captain, on account of his
knowledge of the coast, the strength of Qu_ebec and Louisbourg,
with the different soundings, &c. &c. ; they therefore sent him to
France, to be kept a prisoner there during the war ; and for this pur-
pose he was embarked on board a Vessel ready to sail with dispatches
to the French Government. Being the only Englishman on board,
Harry was admitted into the cabin^ where he took notice, that the
packet hung in an exposed situation in a canvas bag, for the purpose
of be-in--- thrown overboard on any imminent danger of being taken.
This he marked as the object of a daring enterprize ; and shortly after,
in consequence of the Vessel being obliged to put into Vigo, for pro-
visions ?.nd intelligence, he carried his design into execution. There
were two Men of War lying at anchor in the river, and Mr. P.
thought, this a proper opportunity to make his meditated attempt ;
he therefore one night, when all but the watch were asleep, took the
packet out of the bag, and, having fixed it in his mouth, silently let
himself down to the water, and, to prevent discovery, floated on his
back to the bows of one of the English Ships, where he secured him-
self by the cables,, and calling for assistance, was immediately taken
on board with the packet. The Captain, highly pleased with his
bold attempt, treated him with great kindness, and, in token of his
respect, gave Mr. Pauiet a suit of scarlet clothes, trimmed with gold
and velvet, which he retained to the day of his death. The dis-
patches being transcribed, proved to be of the utmost consequence to
our affairs in North America ; and Harry was sent with a copy of
them post overland to Lisbon, from whence he was brought to Fal-
mouth in a Sloop of War, and immediately set out for London.
Upon his arrival in town, he was examined by proper persons in the
administration, and rewarded agreeably to the nature of his service ;
but, what is still more remarkable, an expedition was soon after
formed upon a review of these dispatches ; and the British success in
North America, under Wolfe and Saunders, are in some measure to
be attributed to the patriotism of Harry Paulet. For his service, Go-
vernment rewarded him with the pay of a Lieutenant for life, which,
with other advantages, (for Mr. Paulet had ever been prudent,) enabled
him to purchase a Vessel. Here fame takes some liberty with his
character, and assert?, that he used to run to the French coast and
* >';'„•> page 166 gf the present Volume,
.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LATE MR. HARRY PAULET. 449
now and then take in a cargo of brandy ; certain it is that Harry was
one morning returning from one of his cruizes, when the French
Fleet had stolen out of Brest under Conflans, while Admiral Hawkc
lay concealed behind the rocks of Usharit, to watch the motions of
the enemy. Mr. Paulet preferring the love of his country to his
cargo, soon ran up to the British Admiral, and, demanding to speak
with him, was ordered to make his Vessel fast and come on board.
Upon his telling what he knew of the enemy, the Admiral told him, if he
was right he would make his fortune ; but protested, that if he deceived
him he would hang him on the yard-arm. The Fleet was instantly
under we'uh, and, by Paulet's directions to the Master, (for he was an
excellent Pilot,) the British Fleet was presently brought between the
enemy and their own coast. The Admiral then ordered Paulet into
his own Vessel, and told him to make the best of his way ; but Harry
requested of the Admiral, as he had discovered the enemies of his
country, that he might be allowed to assist in beating them. This
request was assented to by the Commander, and Paulet had his station
assigned him, at which no man could behave better j and, when the
battle was over, this true-born Englishman was sent home covered
with commendations, and soon after rewarded in such a manner as
enabled him to live happily the remainder of his life. Mr. Paulet
possessed a freehold in Cornhill ; and, respecting the good he did with
his income, there is not a poor being in the neighbourhood of Ped-
lar's Acre who will not testify with gratitude some act of benevolence
performed for the alleviation of his poverty, by this humane, heroic
Englishman. Parsons, the comedian, speaking of the deceased, fre-
quently declared, with much gravity, " That he would rather expend
a crown to hear Harry Paulet relate one of Hawke's battles, than sit
g rails by the most celebrated oratpr of the day. There was," said
Parsons, " a mariner in his heartfelt narrations, that was certain to
bring his auditors into the very scene of action ; and when describing
the moments of victory, I have seen a dozen labouring men, at the
Crown public-house, rise together, and, moved by an instantaneous
impulse, give three cheers, while Harry took breath to recite more of
his exploits.
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &c.
NA.N'TES IN GURG1TE VASTO.
PRECEDENT FOR THE SE1ZUU.E OF THE SPANISH FRfCATES.
A PRECEDENT for the late seizure of the Spanish Frigates may
be found in the history of the war which began in l/55> wtf
|2a;. eritfon. (BouXII. 3 «
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
which the late Earl of Chatham conducted so gloriously. In that
year, the Marquis de Mirepoix was a resident Ambassador at out
Court. He was, says the historian Smollett, himself deceived by the
ruses — the fallacies of his own Court, and wished us to believe that all
was peace ! — But what was the fact? — We were then trifled with by
the Court of Versailles, and we have latterly been by the Court of
Madrid. There was then no formal declaration of war, and tht first
annunciation of hostilities was contained in the letter of Admiral
Boscawen, statirg, that he had captured the French Ships of War,
the Alcide and the Lys, off the coast of Newfoundland. This, says
Smollett, was complained of in Paris as a breach of national faith—-
but it was justly retorted by the English, that their encroachments in,
America had rendered reprisals both justifiable and necessary.
EXPLOSION MACHINtRY.
THE most formidable engine of this description perhaps ever con-
structed, was that used to destroy the bridge of Boats at the siege of
Antwerp, in 1585, which an author of that period states to have been
a Ship, strongly timbered, containing a vault or arch of stone and
mortar, filled with 200 barrels of po/der, over which were placed,
large stones of all forms, cannon-shot, iron chains, &c. sufficient to
destroy a whole city, that were exploded by a secret fusee, contrived
BO as not to set fire to the charge till the Vessel came in contact with,
the bridge, which it blew to atoms.
INSTANCE OF GENEP.OS1TY.
AN instance of generosity, which reflects equally on the donors
and recei er. occurred on board the Lively Frigate. The Captain,
Officers, and Crew, subscribed nearly 50!. to Thomas Tough, a
Marine, in testimony of their admiration of his brave and meritorious
conduct in the action with the Fama Spanish Frigate, in which he lo=t
his aim. Tin's is truly biavery fostered by the hand of humanity
and benignity.
PORPOISE AND CATO.
THE shoal on which the Porpoise and Cato were wrecked is about
five miles long, stretching N.N.W. and S.S.E. in lat. 22° 20' south,
and long. 155° 42' east from Greenwich.
BOULOGNE SJfcUADRON.
An Officer belonging to the Squadron off Boulogne writes
as follows : —
>. In addition to the Officers employed off Boulogne, mentioned in
Lord Keith's official letter of the 3d inst,, the following gentlemen
were not only volunteers on the occasion, but actually employed
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, Sec. 4jt
ind charged with conveying in carcasses for the purpose of destroying
the enemy's Flotilla, and consequently shared the dangers of the
night :—
Leopard — Lieutenants EIHston and Pearce.
Veteran — Lieutenants Orchard and Bridges; Mr. Rooke, Mid-
Ihipman.
Leda — Lieutenants Parker and Mainwaring ; Messrs. Lloyd and
Crawford, Midshipmen.
Euryal us— Lieutenants Tucker and Williams ; Acting Lieutenant
• Sibthorp.
Adamant — Lieutenants Campbell and Williams.
Ardent — A Lieutenant, name unknown; Mr. Bowen, Master'!
Mate.
PLIABILITY OF THE COURT OF MADRID.
THE following is one of the many instances of the imbecility, or
bf the pliability of the Court of Madrid, to the purposes of the FK uch
Government, which call loudly for some redress :— -During ihe snort
interval of peace between Great Britain and France, the French Ship
Benjamin was chartered to cany a cargo of brandy from Cette to
Guernsey : in the prosecution of her voyage she was by stress of
weather forced into Malaga; soon after which the renewal of hosti-
lities took place, when a proposal was made to tranship the cargo to
its port of destination in a neutral bottom. The French Commercial
Agent, however, interfered, and. disregarding the protection of a
neutral port, insisted on taking possession of the brandy, until it
should be proved not to belong to any British subject : and as no re-
sistance was made on the part of the Spanish Government, this pro-
perty is still detained, and the proprietors have recurred for indemnity
to the underwriters in London, who have honourably paid the amount
insured, and presented a memorial to the Secretary of State, requesting
his interference in procuring restitution for this flagrant outrage,
KXETER, EAST INDIAMAN.
THE Exeter Indiaman was extremely leaky in her homeward
Voyage from China ; indeed so much so as to create serious alarm to
the Commander. At length, after many ineffectual efforts to disco-
ver the cause, Abdullah Seyd, an Arab pearl diver, a Lnscnr on
board, undertook to examine her bottom, fore and aft, while on her
course ; which having done, he found a small space under her bilge,
ibreast the fore-chain*, where both copptrr and sheathing were off for
a foot and a half. The plank he d scribed as quite rotten, hav;ng
fun his knife completely into it. He afterwards, assisted by Raw
r, another Lascar, got 'a piece of deal board, with some fearnought
5
NAVAL ANECDOT2S,
and tarred oakum on the inner side, nailed, which completely ptit aa
end to all further apprehensions.
FIRE SHIPS.
THE French at this time know but little of the use of Fire-ships ;
the last experiment of this kir.d that they made was at the siege of
Quebec, in the war of 1758, when they sent three Fire-ships down
the River St. Lawrence, with the hopes of destroying the British
Squadion there, under the command of Admiral Sir Charles Saunders ;
but that gallant Commander no sooner saw the enemy's Fire-ship*
coming down with a fair wind and tide, than he sent out his Boats to
board thtse Vessels of destruction, who bravely navigated them through
our Squadron, and then quitting them, s;;w them all blow up about
a mile below, accompanied by the universal cheers of the British
fleet !
ACCIDENT TO AN ENGLISH CUTTER OFF HAVRE.
THE Minister of Marine h?.s published the following report, rela-
tive to an accident which has happened to r.n English Cutter off
Havre, and of the affair which was the consequence thereof:—
Reports from //ta MILITARY COMMANDER at Havre to the MARITIME
PREFECT at the same Port% Sept. 26.
" I have the honour to inform you, that, yesterday, at three P.M.
the wind being E.N.E. fresh fine weather, and the enemy's Squadron
off this port, consisting of two Ships of the Line, one Frigate, and
several smaller Vessels, I perceived that one of their Cutters, of 16
guns, struck on the western extremity of the Bank of Ratier. Cap-
tain Hamelin immediately left the port, with three armed Pinnaces,
to attack the Cutter, whilst several of the enemy's Launches went to
her assistance. Captain Moncabrie, who commands a division of the
Flotilla moored without the port, on seeing this movement, got under
weigh with a part of his division, himself going on board No. 271,
•with Captain Perridier, to attack the two armed Brigs, which bore up
to assist the Cutter. Captain Rheidellet, with two Pinnaces, manceu-
vered to cut off the English. The enemy's Ships and Frigates made
every exertion to support their Vessels and Boats ; but, at half past
three, our Vessels being within shot of the Cutter, fired upon the
Brigs and Launches, which endeavoured to get her afloat. The latter
were obliged to abandon her, and made all the sail they could to join
their Squadron, assisted by their oars. Our pinnaces fired upon them,
Covering them with grape-shot, and pursuing them till they were pro-
tected by the fire of their largest Ships. I saw several of the enemy'»
Boats turu, from the effects of our fire striking the. men at the oara.
I
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C, 453
They only escaped by throwing overboard the mails and other effects,
which they wanted to save from the Cutter. , Our Vessels were going
to board her, when the Commander perceived she was on fire, on which
he determined to keep at a distance, and at six P.M. the Cutter blew
up. I am informed that some Seamen were hurt by the explosion.
Messrs. Hamelin, Moncabrie, and Perridier, speak in very high term«
of the OScers, Seamen, and Soldiers, under their orders, who obeyed
their commands with the greatest zeal.
» MONTAGNES LAROQUE."
DISCOVERY OF A ROCK, LAT. 39° 47' N., LON'G. 34° zg Vf.
The following article, furnished by Captain Cundler, who arrived at
Boston, Aug. 8, in the Schooner Betsey, from Madeira, is taken from
the New York papers :-—
<' On the zpth of May, I was running for the Western Islands,
when I made something, which appeared like a sail ; but as I approached
it nearer, discovered it to be a rock, the top of which was nearly 103
feet out of water, and, from appearance, deep water all round about
it. It blowing very hard, I was not able to sound, or examine the
rock any further than by running within a cable's length of it on the
northern side. By observations, I found it lay in lat. 39° 47' N. ;
and, by calculation, in long. 34° 29' W. The situation of this stu-
pendous rock may be relied on, as I was very particular in my course
and distance, till I made the land, which was the third day«fter; I
then made Fayal. As I never saw a rock laid down in this situation,
I think it my duty to give this information to the public.
CANDLER."
THE LATE CAPTAIN WESTCOTT.
THIS respected Officer, who closed his mortal career in the
memorable battle of the Nile, was the son of a baker, at Honiton, in
Devonshire. Being led by his profession to a connexion with the
millers, young Wtstcott used frequently to be sent to the mill. It
happened in one of his visits, that by the accidental breaking of a
rope, the machine was disordered; and neither the owner nor his men
being equal to the task of repairing it, Westcott offered to use his
skill in splicing it, although attended with danger and difficulty.
The milkr complied, and the job was executed with such nicety, that
he told him " he was fit for a Sailor, since he could splice so well ; and
if he ever should have an inclination to go to sea, he would get him a
berth." Accordingly an opportunity presented itself, of which the
lad accepted ; and he began his naval career in the humble capacity of
a cabin-boy ; a siiuation the most common ia the Ship, and not much
NAVAL ANECDOTE^,
calculated to afford vent to the expansion of genius, But tie con*
trived to exercise his abilities ' to such good purposes, and discovered
such an acuteness of understanding, that he was, in a very short time,'
introduced among the Midshipmen ; in which rank his behaviour was so
conciliating and prudent, that further advancement followed. Since
that time he became so signally conspicuous, both for his skill and
bravery, that he gradually, or rather hastily, continued to be pro-
moted, until he reached that honourable station in which he lost his
life. Had he survived the battle, his seniority of appointment would
have obtained him an Admiral's Flag} but, alas! human expectations
end in the grave 1
LORD CLARENDON.
LORD Clsrendon, in his preface to the History of the Rebellion
and Civil War in England, thus delivers his sentiments respecting the
necessity of supporting the Naval Force of Great Britain.
" Well may other Princes and States, whose situation require it,
find it their interest, for the preservation of their credit and reputation
among their neighbours, to keep constantly in pay great numbers of
land forces ; in which they are still vying one with the other, and
boasting who can raise his thousands, and who his ten thousands ; but
they will be found but young statesmen for our Government, who can
think it advisable, that the strength of this Island should be measured
by proportions so unsuitable to its true glory and greatness," &c.
Vol. I.
THB NOTED BLACKEMAN.
AS every particular concerning this enterprizing enemy cannot fail
to be highly interesting to our readers, we are happy to have it in our
power to present them an accurate account of him and his Vessel, with
some particulars of his capture.
Jean Blackeman is a native of Dunkirk, is 32 years of age, and has
been constantly at sea, with very little respite, for nearly twenty years :
his correct knowledge of our coasts, with the tides, and every particular
of our coasting trade, was obtained, not from ever having been a
smuggler, but having in the early part of his life been employed in
fishing Vessels that came over to the coast of England and Scotland;
and his knowledge was improved to a perfection scarcely credible, by
his being, in the beginning of the late and present wars, in a small Pri-
vateer that kept constantly close in with our coast.
The trade from London to Berwick, in the Smacks, were his
favourite objects, not only from the value of their cargoes, but because
they required only a few hands to manage them, and were besides
almost sure, from their good sailing, to escape our cruizers, and get in
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C.
Balety to the ports of France or Holland: He was equally well
3cquainted with the Baltic and coal trade : light Colliers he was averse
to take possession of, unless the wind was fair for France, on account
qf being encumbered with prisoners, and besidts parting with his own
men. He has even, on some occasions, been averse to them when
loaded, when he had more valuable game in view.— The Baltic Fleet
was the immediate object of his present cruize, and his station was to
keep in the latitude of Flamborough Head, out of sight of land, and
he had ascertained the time of their arrival on his cruizing-ground to
a day ; this led him to quit Dunkirk sooner thar. he would otherwise
have done, as it was his intention to bring 200 men to gea in his
Vessel: the difficulty he found, under the present system of France,
to procure men, Itrd him to send a confidential Officer of the Privateer
to Holland for that purpose, and he is yet there ; but Blackeman
was so fearful of losing his prey, that he put to sea without him,
having collected about So men, of all countries, from the different
neutral Ships, and cleared the jails in Dunkirk.
He was returning from his cruize sooner than he intended, on account
of the strong easterly wind, which was unfavourable to his getting
prizes in; and also in hopes to find his First Lieutenant arrived from
Holland with the men, when he intended putting to sea again without
lose of time.
When we consider the influence and means the riches of this man
gave him in fitting out his Vessel, and getting her manred, with her
force and superior sailing, added to his knowledge of our trade and
coasts, we cannot but hail his capture as a most fortunate event to
the commercial interests of this country, which must have suffered
materially during the winter, from his depredations.
It is a circumstance, also, in which we have much to rejoice, that he
fell in with the Cruizer, which is, perhaps, the only Vessel in those
seas that could have come up with him. It is worthy remark, that
during the long and anxious chase, the Masters of the English cap.
tured Vessels, who, with 20 English Seamen, were in the Pavateer's
hold in close confinement, expressing their fears that the English Ves-
stl in chase would not come up with Blackemnn, as' they had before
run from every thing they saw with great ease, when one of them
replied, " 1 have little hopes, indeed, unless it should fortunately be
the Cruizer, for she sails like a devil 1"
We cannot convey to our readers an adequate idea of the feelings of
those of our unfortunate countrymen — the horror of a French prison
before their eyes! of being separated from all that was dear to them,
with the alternate hopes and fears excited by what they heard going
on upon deck, forms a roost interesting picture of their anxiou»
456 KAYAL ANECDOTES,
lufferings. At one time they heard them cutting away their Boat,
and trimming Ship, sawing down the gunnels, &c. to make her sail
faster ; this was considered a good symptom, but the next moment
destroyed this hope, by hearing the people on deck say, " Now we
leave her." When the topmasts broke it was a joyful sound to these
poor fellows ; but this was succeeded by a report that crushed all their
hopes ; some one on deck called out, " She has passed us ! now cut
away our cable, clear the wreck, and all hands come up to make sail!"
A few minutes after, however, they saw the Frenchmen begin to lash
up thtir bags; this they knew to be a sure forerunner of their liberty,
and immediately heard the Cruizer hail, and order him to strike ; they
could contain their joy no longer, and a hearty and heartfelt huzza
burst forth spontaneously from all, as this crowned their hopes, and
confirmed their liberty.
The chase continued near nine hours, in which both Vessels raa
more than ninety miles. The wind freshened considerably during the
latter part of the chase, r.nd the Cruizer lost most of her studding-
sail-booms, her main-top-gallant-r-iast, and fore-top-sail-yards, 'and
had at one time four feet water in the hole!, from the quantity of water
she shipped.
Le Centre Amiral Magon was built by Blackeman's brother, who
is a Shipwright at Dunkirk, about two months ago ; and nothing can
prove stronger the want of seasoned oak in France, than the declara-
tion made by Blackeman himself, that he was obliged to send 200
miles, to collect as much seasoned wood as would build this Vessel,
being determined she should not be built of fir or green wood, but of
the best materials that could be procured in France. She is admi-
rably weH put together, well found in stores, provisions, &c. — One-
third of her belonged to Blackeman, one-third to a Mr. Defi ies, and
the other third was divided amongst a number of adventurers at Dun.
kirk, all of whom were eager to have a share of a Vessel commanded
by so fortunate and able a Commander.
Blackeman formerly performed with great eclat at the Theatre at
Dunkirk ; but at the breaking out of the Revolution, the Theatre
being but little frequented, and the war with us following soon after,
he, knowing something of nautical affairs, engaged, with some others,
to try his fortune by privateering, but adopted a' different method
from Paul Jones, who \vas an Englishman and a fighting man ; for
every Vessel which Blackeman took was by trick and finesse : by
which method, however, he was so successful, that he sported two
carriages, and lived in an tLagint rKdioe, at the corner of the principal
street, leading from the town irto the Basse Villa, and was respected
»j one of the principal merchants that, — lie stands aboyt five
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C, 457
nine or ten inches high, is of slender make, dark complexion and
ordinary visage, and appears about forty -five years of age. In his
manners he is genteel, is of liberal education, and of good abilities.
He constantly boasted, that with a Fishing Smack not worth 6ool.
he would at any time take an English Merchantman worth as many
thousands; and that, therefore, he little regarded being taken, (which
he was three times last war,) and remaining in an English prison two
or three months, particularly as he could depend upon his partners at
home, that they would make the most of the prizes which he sent in ;
the number of which, during the last war, amouiued to thirty-four, of
different descriptions.
Extract of a Letter from Tarmoutb, November 23, 1804.
" On reading the public papers of Tuesday, the 2Oth inst., I was
surprized to see the very incorrect account of our taking the Centre
Amiral Magon. In the first place, the Cruizer is far before a Gun-
brig; the Cruizer is a Sloop of War, and carries 20 guns, sixteen 32-
pounders, two 12-pounders, and two long sixes; she has a Captain
and Purser, with other Officers, which a Gun-brig has not. — The ob-
•ervation about the number of captures he (Blackeman) has made is
right, but the Vessel has not been off the stocks at Dunkirk more than
two months, and sailed alone ; she had been eighteen days at sea when
we captured her, and had taken three prizes, two of which are re-
taken, and now in Yarmouth Roads. Blackeman is not an Irishman,
Cor were his Crew any other than French, Dutch, Danes, Swedes, and
Americans, seven of whom immediately entered for the Cruizer, and
more wish it. His Vessel, so contrary to being like a Fisherman, is
completely like a Man of War. The Cruizer was never sent to look
for him particularly ; she commands a Squadron blockading Ostend,
and was lying to about five miles from it when the enemy was disco-
vered, which was on Friday night, and we took her on Saturday
morning ; we had no action with her ; we fired three guns, 32-poun-
ders, over her; she fired not one gun ; they did not take so many
prizes as they could man, as was stated, having only 19 men away in
prizes, and 67 remaining on board. It is true Blackeman is one of the
Legion of Honour. The Centre Amiral Magon is quite new, was built
at Dunkirk, by Blackeman's brother, of the choicest materials, and he
did intend to carry 200 men^n her, but could not get them, Sailors are
>o scarce in France. He is now on board the Monmouth, his Officers
have parole, and are going to Wales, all except the Clerk, and an
Officer of Grenadiers, who was on board for pleasure. The Anacrcon
Brig is the Vessel he did so much mischief in, and is now repairing at
. £J>ron. floI.XIJ. 3 w
45$ CORRESPONDENCE.
Dunkirk: some of the Officers told me that they all de?pise t'^'r
Usurper : they all speak English, as do most of the men — their order*
and duty on board were always given in English."
CORRESPONDENCE.
MR. EDITOR>
A S you have occasionally reported the progress of the
L Russian Navigators, in the voyage which they are now
performing round the world, and as in all probability you
will again have occasion to advert to this interesting subject,
I have taken the liberty of transmitting to you the following
account of their object and destination. It is copied from
TILLOCH'S Philosophical Magazine, a publication truly re-
spectable ; and, from its apparent accuracy, and the impor-
tant information which it contains, can scarcely fail of being
acceptable to the readers of the NAYAL CHROKICLE.
I am, Sir, with respect,
Yours, &c.
Rotherhithe. A CONSTANT READER.
THE great number of establishments which the Russian American
Company, encouraged by the favourable result of its fur-trade, ha*
formed in the course, of a few years past, on the north-west coast of
America, from Cook's River to Norfolk Sound, and the great increase of
the Seamen and other persons in their service, render it necessary to send
thither a large quantity of European manufactures, ammunition, and
even provisions, for no corn is cultivated either in the Aleutian Islands
or on the American coast. A dock for Ships has, however, been con-
structed at Prince William's Sound, where Vessels of 250 tons are
built ; but no materials for constructing and rigging Vessels can be
found, except timber. Hitherto the Company's establishments have
been supplied with necessaries and stores through lakutsk and Ochotzk ;
but the great distance, and the difHcultj^attending the transportation
cf them, for which four thousand horses are annually employed *, raise
* Those who have read Mullet's, I.essep's, and Billing's Voyages, must know,
that from lakutzk to Ochotzk there is no road for carriages, and that all goods
must be transported oa horseback : each horse carries about five food, and with
CORRESPONDENCE. 4^9
the price of the articles even at Ochotzk 560 per cent, and mor-!. A
pood of rye meal, for example, costs five rubles, a pood of tobacco
twenty-five, and a gallon of brandy twenty rubles, &c. These arti-
cles also, when they fcave got half way, are frequently plundered : and
a remnant only, which has been saved, reaches Ochotzk. It appeared
at first, that to send thither anchors and cables would be almost im-
possible ; and as those t articles could not be dispensed with, it was
necessary to have recourse to means which occasioned the loss of many
Ships : cables were cut into pieces of seven or eight fathoms, and
afterwards joined when they reached Ochotzk ; by which process they
always lost some part of their strength. The anchors were also trans-
ported in pieces, and afterwards welded ; but, in consequence of the
want of good workmen, they were put together in a very imperfect
manner. But however difficult and expensive the transportation might
be to Ochotzk, it was still more so to the islands and the coast of
America. The ignorance of the greater part of the Commanders, and
the stormy nature of these seas, which renders it dangerous during the
greater part of the year for such Vessels to navigate in them, occa-
sioned every year the loss of a great many Ships, and of the valuable
cargoes with which they were laden ; even at present no intelligence
has been received these three years from Kodiak, and therefore it
is not impossible that the Vessels expected from that place have
perished.
This trade, however, which, notwithstanding difficulties that might
have discouraged a nation possessed of a less enterprising spirit than
the Russians, produces great profit to those engaged in it, and would
no doubt be attended with still greater advantages, were those obsta-
cles only in part removed ; and since the fur-trade has been carried oi>
not by individual Merchants, but by a Company, some measures have
been adopted which cannot fail of having L very happy influence on
the progress of their commerce. The Company have taken into their
service an Englishman, who constructed on the const of America a
very fine Ship, which he commands himself, and who has entered into
a contract to build more. They supply the Captains of their Ships
with the best sea charts, the necessary mathematical and astronomical
instruments, the latest voyages, and the best books which treat on
the subject of Navigation. But it was only since the accession of the
present Emperor, (who interested himself in a particular manner for the
(success of the American Company, took a share in it, and encouraged
euch a load can travel twenty versts a day. The carriage is a copcc for each
verst; one driver is allowed to six horses, besides another on which he rid«,
and he carries with him two relay horses. Ochotzk it a thousand uiile* distant
from lakutzk.
460 CORRESPONDENCE
others to do the same, and on whose protection dependence can b«
placed,) that the Company lias exerted itself with zeal and activity to
give a new form to this trade, so long and so much neglected.
Nothing therefore was more natural, than that their first object should
be to supply with the necessary stores and provisions those colonies
which were first established, and which, in an inhospitable country des-
titute of every thing, must soon have fallen to ruin ; to place them in
a proper state of defence against the attacks of the natives, to which
they are so much exposed ; to procure to their agents better means
for building Ships ; to supply them with good tackle, anchors, and
cables ; and to give them more skilful Commanders and more expert
Seamen.
In the month of March last year, when the Emperor granted per-
mission to the Officers and Sailors of his Navy to serve on board mer-
chant Ships, the Company engaged a very expert Navigator, M.
Chuvastof, whom they sent along with a Midshipman, named Davidof,
to Ochotzk, to assume at that place the command of one of their
best Ships. The Company, however, would not have entirely accom-
plished the object in view, had they not, in order to supersede the
necessity of the difficult and dangerous land carriage, resolved to dis-
patch Ships direct from Cronstadt to the north-west coast of Ame->
rica, which, after delivering their lading, were to take on board a part
of the furs which are collected in larger quantities in the islands and
on the coast, than can be disposed of at Kiachta, and to convey them
to Canton, to be exchanged for Chinese articles, which not only find
a ready sale in Russia, but can be sold at a very great profit. Under
the reign of the late Emperor, Captain-Lieutenant Von Krusenstern, a
meritorious Officer, who served several years in the British Navy, and
had made a voyage to India and China, transmitted to Count Kuschelef,
then minister of the marine, a detailed plan for a voyage of this kind ;
but, in consequence of some causes which are not known, it was never
carried into execution. Since the accession of the present Emperor,
this plan, and the representations made on the same subject from other
quarters, were thought worthy of a more minute examination. Ad-
miral Mordvinof, who succeeded Count Kuschelef in the naval depart-
ment, was desirous that the first voyage might be undertaken by Go-
vernment: and this would have been the case, had not the American
Company offered to fit out two Ships at their own expense ; an ofrcr
which the Government immediately accepted, and at the same time
advanced to the Company for this undertaking the sum of 250,000
rubles, at five percent, interest, for eight years.
As there were no Ships in Russia fit for the purpose, it was resolved
that two should be purchased in England. Captain- Lieutenant
7
CORRESPONDENCE. 461
iiislanski, destined to command one of the Vessels belonging to the
expedition, was for this purpose sent with M. Rasumof, an eminent
Ship-builder, to this country, where they bought, for 5000!. sterling,
the Leander of 470 tons, three years old; and for 17,000!., the
Thames, of 430 tons, built twenty months. The sheathing with cop-
per, and the repairing of these Ships, cost about 5000!. more. The
name of the former was changed to the NaJesbJa (the Hope), and the
other to that of the Neva, and both were to proceed to Cronstadt as
•oon as the season would permit. The names of the Officers appointed
to the Nadeshda were as follow :—
Krusenstern, Captain-Lieutenant, Commanderv
Radmonof, }
Rombcrsf, f T .
Solovaschef, f L'™tenant8.
Lovenstern, j
Bellingshausen, Midshipman.
Kamenschikof, Pilot,
Bistram, Garde Marine,
Dr. Espenberg, Surgeon,
Those appointed to the Neva were :
Liisianski, Captain-Lieutenant, Commander!,
Arbusof, Lieutenant.
DrSkofskoi,} Midshipmen.
Kalinin, Pilot.
Dr. Labaud, Surgeon.
While the Ships were getting ready, and other preparations making
for the voyage, the Government resolved to embrace this opportunity
of sending an Ambassador extraordinary to Japan. The trade with
these rich islands seems to promise the greatest advantages to the
American Company. The neighbourhood of Kamtschatka, which
produces so many articles suited for the Japanese market, such as furs,
the teeth of the walrus, whale's blubber, salt fish, &c., must be very
favourable to this branch of the Russian commerce. The attempt*
made from time to time, by individual Navigators, to open a commer-
cial intercourse with the Japanese, are well known; and also the mission
of Lieutenant Laxman, who was dispatched by Government, in the
year 1792, for the purpose of carrying home some Japanese who had
been wrecked on the Russian coast. The favourable answer given to
the request of the Russian Government, for leave to send a Ship every
year to Nangasaki, certainly affords reason to hope, that a solemn
embassy, attended with the necessary pomp and splendour, and accom-
panied with valuable presents, will make a still greater impression.
The Counsellor of State, Rcsanof, whom the Emperor had nominated
462 CORRESPOXL/2NCE,
one of the Lords of the bed-chamber, was appointed to this important
and honourable mission. To receive a favourable reception to his pro-
positions, he has not only carried with him a great many valuable
presents, but also some Japanese who were wrecked in the year 1793
on the coast of the Andreanofskoi Islands, and who, since 1797, resided
at lakutzk. As the Ambassador took his passage on board the
Nadeshda, the return of the Vessels, in consequence of the embassy,
may be delayed a year longer than it otherwise would have been ; and
on this account the Emperor has engaged to defray the whole expense
of this Vessel ; but he allowed the Company to send out in her, without
paying freight, as large a quantity of goods as she could conveniently
take on board.
The lading of both Ships consists of iron, sail-cloth, anchors, cables,
ropes for rigging, gunpowder, cannon, muskets, pistols, sabres, flour,
wine, rum, French brandy and other spirits, coffee, sugar, tea, and
tobacco; all kinds of tools and instruments proper for mechanics ; and
various articles fit for carrying on trade by barter with the natives of
these islands and of the coast of America. The Company engaged
two Ship Carpenters, together with Locksmiths, common Smiths^ and
Carpenters, who will settle in America, and be conveyed thither by
these Vessels.
The following is the route of the voyage :— Both Vessels double
Cape Horn, and proceed to the Sandwich Isles, where they will sepa-
rate: the Nadeshda will then direct her course to Japan, to. land the
Ambassadors, and go to winter at Kodiak. The Neva will sail straight
from the Sandwich Isles to Kodiak, and at the proper season pro-
ceed to the coast of America : she will winter also at Kodiak. In the
month of April the second year, both Ships will steer for the coast of
America, in order to visit the different Russian establishments, and to
take in the lading destined for China. In the morrrTfof August they
will direct their course to Canton, and, having exchanged their Ame-
rican for Chinese articles, will return the thud year to Russia by the
way of the Cape of Good Hope.
Both Ships sailed from Croiistadt on the 26th of July, 1833. The
presents carried out by the embassy, for the Emperor of Japan, were
selected from among the curiosities preserved in the hermitage of the
imperial winter palace ; and in the choice of them great attention was
paid to the taste of the Asiatics. Among them is a beautiful piece of
mechanism representing a peacock of the proper size, which spreads
out 2nd folds together its magnificent feathers with the most perfect
imitation of nature; it is surrounded by a great many small birds,
which all move in the easiest manner, and emit the notes peculiar to
each : this beautiful automaton was purchased by Catharine I! fotf
15,000 rubles.
CORRESPONDENCE 463
The number of the Japanese wrecked on the coast of Russia
amounted to sixteen*, but four of them afterwards died: of the re-
maining twelve, four embraced Christianity ; only three of them resolved
to return to their own country, and even one of these will accompany
the embassy back to Russia. They have made themselves pretty well
acquainted with the Russian language, and may be of great use as
interpreters t.
But besides the commercial and political objects of this expedition,
it is destined to promote the cause of science. The Emperor, desiroua
that so favourable an opportunity of enlarging human knowledge
might not be lost, invited scientific men to take a share in it. M.
Tilesius of Leipsic, and Dr. Homer of Hamburg, were accordingly
engaged to accompany the expedition, the former as naturalist, the
latter as astronomer. The two Surgeons, Dr. Espenberg and Dr.
Labaud, are also men of talents, who will keep regular journals of every
thing remarkable that occurs. The latter had left Petersburg on a
literary tour to Paris, and had reached Riga, when he was overtaken
by a courier, who brought him 3 commission as Surgeon on board one
of the Vessels £.
The chief of the expedition, M. Von Krusenscern, is not only an
expert Navigator, but a man of excellent character, and inspired with
great zeal for the success of the expedition, which he once proposed
himself. He married not long ago a respectable lady, whom he wa*
obliged to leave behind him in Russia, because he had given up hia
* According to gome accounts, they arrived at Irkutsk in the month of Sep-
tember 1794.
f The situation of the Japanese who have remained in Russia was determined
in the following manner by an ukas of August 12, 1803 : — One of them who,
at baptism, assumed the name of Kolotygin, and who had been before appointed
teacher of the Japanese language at the school of Irkutsk, with a salary of aoo
rubles, returns to his post, and besides his salary, will receive a pension to tha
same amount during life. The other eight: Andrew Kondratyef, Ivan and
Semen Kisselef, who have embraced Christianity; and Min Sucha, Motsch Si
Fey, Seen Sa Euro, Schee Sa O, and Sa Day, who have adhered to the religion
of their country, are each to receive a pension of fifty ruble* for life, with
exemption from all taxes and services, and liberty to reside in any part c.f th«
empire, and to follow whatever occupation they think proper. Those who
wish to return to Irkutsk are to receive money from Government to defray their
expenses.
J Besides these men of science, Dr. Langsdorf of Gottinrjen accompanies th«
expedition. His ^eal for the progress of natural history induced him to repair
to Copenhagen, and to offer his services without any view to pecuniary remune-
ration; but M. Von Resanof and Captain Krusenstern immediately engaged
defray the expense of his maintenance on board Ship, which will amount to Boo
rubles per annum.
464 CORREStONDESCB.
cabin to the embassy ; but the pain of this separation has been much
alleviated by the munificence of his Imperial Majesty. This magnani-
mous prince, to render M. Von Krusenstcrn easy in regard to his
family, whatever may be his fate, ha» consigned to his lady an estats
in Poland worth 3000 rubles per annum.
MR. EDITOR)
T REQUEST you to insert in your Journal the following
description of a newly discovered island in the South Sea,
which was seen by Capt. Sowle, in the American Ship Pal-
myra, of Providence, Rhode Island, on the loth of Novem-
ber, 1802. As the weather was fine, that day, at noon, lit
had an observation of the sun's altitude, by which the lati-
tude is accurately ascertained ; and as he took his departure
from Christmas Island, and had a gentle westerly wind, it
is scarcely possible there can be an error in the longitude,
even of two or three miles.
This Island lies out of the track of most Navigators, who
pass either from America to Asia, or from Asia to America ;
and, till lately, English Whalers have been prohibited fishing
in that quarter, which accounts for its not having been seen.
before j it is, however, probable, that there are several other
Islands in the same direction. Capt. Sowle thinks he passed
one the day before, as he saw many birds, and imagined he
heard breakers > but the weather being very hazy, he could not
see either rocks or land. I am, Sir,
Yours, &c.
Canonbury-placet Oct. 4. WILLIAM JACOB.
PALMYRA ISLAND
J» situated in lat. 5° 49' N. and in long. 162° 23' W. from London ;
it is about three leagues in extent ; there are two lagoons on it ; in
the westernmost of which is twenty fathom water, with a fine sandy
bottom. It is very dangerous to approach the western part of the
island, on account of the coral rocks which are just below the surface
of the water, and extend to the distance of three or four leagues from
the shore.
The eastern part terminates in a steep reef of coral, over which the
sea breaks with considerable force*
CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS. 465
On the north-west side there is good anchoring ground, about three
quarters of a mile from the breakers, in eighteen faihom water, on a
coral bottom.
There are no inhabitants on the island ; nor was any fresh water
found ; but cocoa nuts of very large size are in' great abundance ; and
fish of various kinds, and in large shoals, surrounded the land.
A great quantity of drift-wood lay on the beach, which enabled
those who landed to ascertain that the rise of the tide was about *
eighteen inches.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE CLXVI.
DUNNOSE, BEMBRIDGE POINT, AND CULVER CLIFF.
THIS View is taken from Bembridge Ledge looking down the
Channel. — Dunnose is a high point of land on the Southern
Coast of the Isle of Wight, long. i° n' W., lat. 50° 33' N. —
Between Dunnose and Culver Cliff Sandown Bay is formed, whete
small Vessels sometimes anchor for a tide, but seldom longer, as they
would be entirely exposed to the South wind. In the centre of this
View is Bembridge Point, and nearly opposite to that spot the Henry
Addington East Indiaman some ten or eleven years since was wrecked :
she struck upon the ledge of rocks which are sometimes visible at very
low ebbs of the tide.
CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS.
[Continued from page 304.]
Ha ! total Night, and Horror, here preside ;
My stunn'd ear tingles to the whizzing tide ;
It is their funeral kneil ! and gliding near,
Methinksthe phantoms of the Dead appear.
But lo ! emerging from the watery grave,
Again they float incumbent on the wave ;
Again the dismal prospect opens round,
The wreck, the shore, the dying, and the drown'd.
FALCONIR.
LOSS OF THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND PACKET.
Particulars of the Loss of the Duke cf Cumberland Packet at Antigua^
in the Hurricane of tit ^th of September, by an Eye-witness.
ON the moining of Monday the 3d of September, the Dake of
Cumberland Packet was lying at anchor in the road of St John'*,
waiting for the mail, which was expected to come on board that day.
. QoI.XII. 3 9
465
CORRECT RELATION OF SHlfWRESKI.
His Majesty's Ship Serapis, a 44, armed cnj!ate> lay about two miles
further out, waiting to convoy the packet down to Tortoia. The
wind had been blowing very fresh from the north during the night,
and at noon had considerably increased. His Majesty's Ship dc
Ruyter, an old 74, which had lately been brought there to be fitted up
as a Piison-ship, lay at anchor in Deep Bay j she had a very weak.
Crew on board, and made signals of distress to the Serapis; a Boat
came on board the Packet at twelve o'clock from the latter Vessel,
requesting the aid of some men, in order to assist them in relieving the
de Ruyter ; but this Captain Lawrence could not with propriety
grant. At this time we struck our top-gallant- masts, and at two P.M.
\ve let go the best bower anchor, having been hitherto riding with the
bower only.
The gale continued to increase, and at 6 o'clock it blew a perfect
Itorm from the N.W. by W.,when we struck our yards and top-masts.
The men had hardly finished this work, when it was discovered that
the Vessel had parted her best bower cable : this surprised and alarmed
us exceedingly, as the rope was nearly new, and we had been assured
that the bottom of the roadstead was a hard sand; it must have been
cut upon a Ship's anchor, or on a bed of coral. We immediately bent
the remaining part of it to the stream anchor, and the stream cable to
the kedge. The wind continued" to rage with unabated violence, the
Ship pitched immoderately, and dreading lest the cable should give
v\-ay, at ten o'clock we let go the two remaining ajichors. Every
thing had now been done for the safety of the Ship that was in the
power of the Crew ; the rest we confided to Providence ; and having
recommended ourselves to the protection of the Almighty, we remained
idle but anxious spectators of the scene before u?, and awaited the
event in silent dread. To men who were so deeply inteiestcd in the
effects of the storm,, no scene could be so truly awful ; the wind raged
with a violence known only in tropical climates; the rain fell like a
deluge, the waves had risea to a most stupendous htight, the Ship wai
pitching her forecastle under water, our best cable was already gone*
and we momentarily expected to part the rest. To add to the horrors of
our situation, the lightning, flashing now and then, discovered to us,
notwithstanding the extreme darkness of the night, that as soon as we
Vnould part or drive away from our moorings, a reef of horrid rocks
Jay to leeward ready to receive us. Thus situated, eveiy man was
sensible that it was absolutely impossible to combat singly the terrible
agitation of the elements, ami -our feeble expectations of saving our
lives were rested tolely ori the frail hope of the Ship's riding out the
tempest.
The mnsts of the d^ Ruyter ha 1 been frequently shown to us by
COfcRBCT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS. ^tfj
the glare of the lightning, and we could perceive that she was driving
from her moorings ; they disappeared all at once, and we concluded
that she had foundered ; we supposed the Serapis had shared the same
fate. About eleven o'clock the windlass gave way with a tremendous
noise; the Sailors immediately clapped stops upon the cables, and
secured them by means of ring-bolts on the decks — these were conti.
nually breaking, and were as often replaced.
The cable had now held so long, that we began to entertain some faint
hopes of riding out the gale, and we dared for a moment to quit the
deck for some refreshment ; but no sooner were we sat down, when a
loud groan from the Crew summoned us on deck ; we dreaded the
worst : the Captain came running forward, and soon put an end to our
doubcs, by exclaiming — *« All's now over ! Lord God have mercy
upon us !" The cable had parted, the Ship hung about t\vo minutes
by the stream and keclge, and then began to drive broadside on, dragging
them along with her.
Our feelings, at this moment are not to be described, nor can I
think on a;iy similar situation to which they can be compared. A
criminal ascending the scaffold bears little resemblance ; his fate has
long been decided, it is known to the world, and his rm'nd has becii
formed to bear it ; besides, he perishes only by hirnsrlf, or with a few
strangers, whose crimes may stern the tear of sympathy. But our case
was widely different ; but a few hours before we had been indulging
ourselves in the foud hope of soon revisiting our native country, and
counting with anxiety the probable number of days in which we might
reach England. An immense ocean separated us from our friends,
some of whom might for ever remain ignorant of our fate. And,
what was worse than all, we considered ourselves doomed to poiisU
amidst the cries and groans of our Shipmates, in whose countenances
the utmost despair was already painted. At this time some of the
Seamen, torn by despair, seemed for a moment to forget themselves —
the cries of their homes, their wives, and their children( resounded
through the Ship; but they soon became sensible of their folly, ami
resumed their usual firmness.
As soon as the Ship parted, which was about twelve o'clock, evtry
imn clung to a rope, and determined to stick to it so long as tlie Shy
remained entire: the wind had veered somewhat to the \\x.-t, whicli
prevented her from striking on the reef of rocks, which we so much
dreaded. It \\as now one o'clock; we had drifted an hour without
knowing whither. We continued holding fast by the nggfug, our
bodies beat by the heaviest rain, and lashed by every wave. A dread-
ful silence ensued, every ore being too intent 0:1 his own approac'ising
tad to be able to communicate his feelings to another ; nothing could
4-53 CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS.
be heard but the horrid howling of the tempest. A little before one
ve struck, and instantly went off again ; this, together with several
lights before us at a distance, convinced us that we were driving
towards the harbour of St. John's, and that we had struck on the
Bar. We saw a large object before us, which we dreaded was Rat
Island (a perpendicular rock in the middle of the harbour, with a fort
upon it); we were fast approaching it; and that the garrison might be
spectators of our fate, for it was in vain to think of assistance, we
fired two alarm guns ; but, from the tremendous noise of the wind and
waves, we doubted whether they could be heard.— We soon found
that this object was a large Slu'p, on which we were directly driving.
We came up with her, and went close under her stern. A faint hope
now appeared of being stranded on a sandy beach ; for we knew that,
although the harbour is chiefly bounded by rock, yet that there were
a few mud and sand banks ; and our wishes led us to hope the best.
The Captain therefore ordered the Carpenter to get the hatches all
ready to cut away the masts, in order to make a raft for those who
chose to venture on it. We could now plainly perceive land not far
distant, on which we were driving ; and as we knew it to be a huge
rock, we ran up the fore and mizen. stay-sails — thinking by this means
to divert the course of the Ship, but at the same moment the wind
chopped round from N.N.W. to west, being no less than six points
of the compass, and continued to blow with the same fury ; this kept
us clear of the projecting land, and drove us beyond it a short dis-
tance, when the S!np struck ; her first strokes were appnrenlly upon
a sandy beach, and we could plainly discern two large Ships ashore,
just abreast of us. We now fondly imagined that we would be driven
on board these Ships, but in this we were disappointed : we drove
past, beating with violence at every wave, and, in a few seconds,
found the Ship bring up on some horrid rocks, at the foot of a stu-
pendous precipice. Every hope now vanished, and we began already
to consider ourselves as beings of another world ; the Vessel was
dashed with extreme violence on the rocks, and ;ve could distinctly
hear the cracking of her timbers below ; in order to ease the Vessel,
and, if possible, prevent her from parting, we immediately cut away
the mizen-mast, and shortly after the fore-mast ; the main mast we
allowed to remain, in order to steady the Ship, and, if possible, p: event
vher from canting to windward, which would inevitably lave drowned
us all. The Vessel had struck about two o'clock, and in ht-lf an hour
afterwards we found taat the water was up to the lower deck. Never
was day-light so anxiously wished for as by the unfortunate Crew of
this Ship. After having hold so long of the shrouc:s, we were forced
to cling three hours longer before the dawn appear.clj il'.-.ri;;g which
CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS. ^m
time we were under continual dread of the Ship's parting, and launch-
ing us into eternity ; the sea was making a complete breach over her :
laying on her beam-ends, and stiff and benumbed as we were, it was
with the utmost difficulty we could preserve our hold against the force
of the waves, every one of which struck and nearly drowned us. The
break of day discovered to u^ all the horrors of our situation; the
Vessel was laying upon large rocks, at the foot of a craggy, over-
hanging precipice, twice as high as the Ship's main-mast; the mizen-
mast, which, although cut away, still hung in a diagonal direction,
supported by some ropes, reached within about four fathoms of the
rock ; the land forming a sort of bay around us, also approached us
a-head, and the extremity of the jib-boom was not far from it ; we
could plainly discern many Ships on shore in various parts of the har-
bour, and the wind and rain beat upon us with unabated violence ;
the Ship lay a miserable wresk ; one wave had carried away her stern
Boat, unshipped her rudder, and washed overboard her quarter boards,
binnacle, and round-house ; her fore and mizen- masts lay alongside,
supported by small ropes, and the Ship had bilged her larboard side.
Our first thoughts, after the dawn appeared, were naturally directed
to the possibility of saving our lives ; and we all agreed, that the only
hopes of doing so were by means of the rr.izen-mast; we immediately
got the top-mast and top-gallant-masts launched out on it, which
reached within a few feet of the rock ; but the part of the precipice
which it approached was so perpendicular, as to afford us but faint
hopes of relief, unless it might be procured by means of some bushes
which grew on the brow of the rock : a Sailor foon mnde trial of it ;
but, to our great mortification, we saw him heave a rope, on the end
of which was formed a noose, and which, catching hold of some of
the largest bushes, brought them away in an instant, and discovered
to us that the roots of the shrubs were fastened to nothing but a much
decayed weather beaten rock, incapable of affording them support
sufficient to withstand the smallest weight. Another Seaman, who
seemed from despair to have imbibed an extraordinary degree of cou-
rage, followed the first man out on the mast, with the intention of
throwing himself from the end upon the mercy of the rock : he had
proceeded to the extremity of the top-gallant- mast, and was on the
point of leaping among the bushes, when the pole of tbe mast, unable
to sustain his weight, gave way, and precipitated him into the bosom
of the waves : as the fall was at least forty feet in height, it was some
time before he made his appearance above the surface of the water,
and when he did, every one expected to se-e him dashc-d to pieces
fimong the rocks ; but he lud fortunately carried ('own with him the
piece of the broken mast, to which were fastened some small ropes,
4/O CORRECT RELATION OF •HIPVVRECKJ.
and by clinging fast to them, he preserved his head above water, at the
intervals of the waves receding, until a tackle was fixed to hoist him
up. All our hopes of being saved by means of the mizen-mast were
now blasted ; and yet some decisive measure seemed absolutely neces-
sary ; for, as the storm did not abate in the smallest degree, we began
•till more to dread that the Ship would part, as she had already bilged
on the larboard side; the whole Crew had besides been so fatigued,
dispirited, and benumbed, that they were hardly able to hold out any
longer. It was in vain to expect outward assistance, as we were not
seen from the town, and the Ships which were in sight of us had it
not in their power to afford us the least aid. Some negroes did make
their appearance on the top of the rock, and we requested them to
descend a little way in order to receive a ropej but whether from fear
or mere stupidity I do not know ; but, in spite of all our entreaties,
promises, and threats, these creatures stood gaping in the most idiotical
wanner, sometimes at us, and sometimes at themselves, without making
the least motion to approach us. Whilst we were meditating in sullen
silence on our situation, Mr. Doncaster, the Chief Mate, unknown to
any one, went out on the bowsprit, and having reached the end of the
jib-boom, was then seen to throw himself headlong into the water; he
had hardly fallen, when a tremendous wave threw him upon the rock,
and left him dry ; there he remained a few moments without motion,
until a second wave washed him still farther up, when, clinging to some
roughness in the cliff, he effectually preserved his hold ; he remained
there a few minutes to recruit himself, and then began to scramble up
the rock. Mr. Doncaster's preservation was most miraculous ; all the
Ship's Company were unanimous in declaring, that it was next to an
impossibility ; it seemed indeed a singular interposition of Providence
in our behalf. In about half an hour he, with infinite difficulty,
reached the summit of the cliff: most anxiously had we been watching
every step which he took, and praying for his safety, conscious that
our preservation depended solely upon it. He immediately came
round to that part of the precipice which was over against our quar-
ter, and descending a little way, he received a rope thrown from the
niam-top ; this he fastened to some trees on the top of the cliff, and
\ve passed the other end of it to the head of the mizcn-top-mast : this
being done, a few of the most expert Seamen warped themselves up
upon it, carrying with them the end of another rope, upon which a
tackle was bent, and which they fastened also to the trees ; the other
end of the tackle was made fast to the mizen-mast, and the fold of it
passed to the Crew upon deck : by means of this rope, which \vc
fastened round our waist, and the first rope by which we supported
purselves, warping along it with our hands, we were all, in the spact
CORRECT RELATION OF IHIPWRECKS. 471
•f three hours, safely hoisted to the top of the cliff, except a few of
the most active Seamen, who were left to the last, and obliged to warp
themselves up as the first had done. The whole Ship's Company, con-
sisting of Captain Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence the Master, Mr. Don-
caster the chief Mate, Mr. Lowrie the Surgeon, with 24 Seamen and
Pttty Officers, and three passengers, Mr. Verchild, Mr. Wood, and
Lieutenant Webber of the Artillery, having now assembled on the
rock, we took kave of our miserable Vessel, and bent our way towards
the town ; nor did our difficulties end here — the whole plain before us,
in consequence of the rain which had fallen, and still was pouring
down in great abundance, presented the appearance of a large lake»
through which we found our way with much difficulty. In those
places where roads or furrows had been made, we frequently plumped
up to the neck, and were in great danger of being carried down by the
stream. After wading about three miles through fields of canes, whose
tops could hardly be seen above the water, we reached the town of St.
John's, where we were so courteously received, by Mr. Cann (who keeps
the principal tavern there), that I believe we should have died for want
of food and necessaries, had it not been for the kind offices of a Mulatto
tailor, to whom we sent for clothes, and who carried us to a house
where we were furnished with beds and provisions.
In a few hours afterwards, the wind chopped round to the south,
from which quarter it blew with the same violence the whole of the
4th and part of the 5th. The hurricane lasted 48 hours, during
which time it made a complete sweep of half the compass, beginning
at N. and ending at S. This favourable change saved the Ship from
breaking up; and on the morning of the £th, we found her lying nearly
dry, among the rocks, with five large holes in her larboard side ; and
ive were enabled to save some of our linen that was floating in the
hold.
It is with much pain, that a regard to truth in this narrative oblige»
rne to make an exception to the general hospitality of the West
Indies ; nor will I do it without premising, that in every part of these
Colonies, except in this quarter of Antigua, have we all met with the
kindest and most distinguished attention tliat generous feelings could
dictate : but it is painful to rtlate, that, although we were in want of
assistance and necessaries of all kinds, having been obliged to sell part
of the clothes, and other articles saved from the Ship, in order to pro-
cure subsistence during a period of three weeks that we remained
there before a Vessel could be procured to carry us home; yet in all
that time did not any of the inhabitants of St. John's (his Excellency
Lord Lavington exctpted) ever wait upon the Officers and Passenger*
of the Packet, or afford the least assistance to them and the Crew,
47* CORRECT RELATION OP SHIPWRECKS.
although we were destitute of almost every necessary ; and, for aught
they knew, might be perishing for want.
Extract of a Letter from Mr. WILLIAM HAYDOU, an Officer of hit
Majesty's Slip Romncj, to his Brother.
" DEAR BROTHER, Hit Majesty's Slip Eagle , off tie Ttxel, Nov. 24.
•' On Sunday last we left Yarmouth to join Admiral Russel. Mon-
day morning we run on shore on the South Haack, off the New-
Deep, near the Texcl. We lay without assistance ; and on Tuesday,
as there was no doubt the Ship must be totally lost, we made several
rafts of the studding-sail, booms, fee. and at eleven o'clock P.M. I
left the Ship on one of them, accompanied by twelve of our men. At
sun-set I saw a Dutch Cutter taking the people from the rafts; but it
coming dark, we were drove out to sea, and lost sight of them ; but
thank God, about ten at night we had the good fortune to fall in
with the Alert Cutter, who took us up, or we must have perished, as
it blew fresh, and the sea ran very high. The greatest part of our
Crew are in Holland. The Boats upset almost immediately after they
were hoisted out, and several men were lost. I am at present £orweak
that I cannot give you a more full account of the deplorable state we
were in."
Extract of a Letter from an Officer iubo ivas on heard his Majetty'i
Ship VENERABLE, on the night of Saturday t November 24, 10 hex
she <waf lost in Torhay.
«' Without referring, for obvious reasons, just at this moment, to
the circumstances that occasioned the unfortunate loss of the Venera-
ble, I will, as far as I am able, give you some account of our melan-
choly situation from the time she struck till we left her, with the loss
of every thing but our honour and our lives. It was about five
o'clock P.M. on Saturday, the wind blowing very fresh, and the
evening very dark and foggy, that she touched on a ridge of rocks»
but at what part of the bay could not, at first, be exactly ascertained.
Every exertion was instantly made to get her off, but to no purpose.
The weather rather clearing, we soon perceived the danger of our
situation. It was truly terrible, and scarcely left us the most distant
prospect of life. Our brave and worthy Captain, however, with the
most undaunted fortitude I ever beheld (and I have been in many
dangers, and with many men), still continued to animate the Crew to
hope and further perseverance. This he did with as much collected-
ness and self-command as if conducting the ordinary duty of the Ship.;
CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS. 4.73
fieyer in my life did I witness such utter disregard to death and dan-
ger. Not the least alteration took place in his looks, words, or
manner, from the moment she struck, until, at our joint and tarnest
importunity, after all the Crew were safe, he left the Ship. Every-
thing was done that the most able and experienced Seamen could sug-
gest, but all was in vain. Signals of distress were now made, and most
fortunately reached the Impetueux and Goliath which immediately-
stood back into die Bay, and sent their Boats to our assistance. All
the rest of the Fleet were beyond the hearing of our guns ; and the
people ashore did not attempt to give us a By kind of help,
" Having tried every thing in vain for the safety cf the Ship, we
now turned our thoughts to the lives of the Crew, and as they could
be of no further use, they were told to provide for their own safety on
board the Boats of the Impetueux and Goliath, that had by this time
approached the Ship, the Captain and all the Officers having declared
their intention to remain on board till all the mtn were safely out.
This was about nine o'clock, the Ship being bilged againat the- rocks,
tlie masts cut away, and the waves breaking over us at every roll. 1
now gave over all thoughts of saving mystlf, as, I believe, did every
Officer in the Ship. As the Boats approached the Ship, the attempt
bi'came more and more dangerous every time, the night still continuing
durk aod foggy, with gusts of wind and drivelling sleet, that seemed
to freshen .every hour. In this forlorn and dismal state the Officers
continued on the outside of the Ship (for she was nearly on her beam
ends), encouraging the men, and affording every possible assistance
for their escape on board the Boats, which everted themselves on this
occasion with great skill and intrepidity. The Ship was now a mere
wreck beating against the rocks, and with every wave expected to go
to pieces, yet ail this while we were so near the shore as to be able to
converse with the people whom the report of our guns hqd brought
down to the rocks. With some difficulty we at last contrived to fling
a line to them, which being made fast, some of the Crew attempted to
haul themselves ashore by it. The surf, however, broke so tremen-
dously between us and the land, (though I do not believe we were 20
yards from it,) that all the poor fellows who made this attempt were
either drowned pr dashed to pieces against the rocks. It was now past
five o'clock on Sunday morning, the weather still getting worse, a id
all the Crew out but a few drunken wretches who lay senseless cij the
deck, and about 17 noble souls, who declared they would die with
their Officers ; a dreadful sea breaking over us, the fore part of the
Ship entirely under yvatcr, and the rest expected to go to pieces every
jm'nute; the wind still, freshening, and it being piohabte that the
JJoats could no longer be able £0 approach the Ship, and conscious
i
. eTijron. <Bo!.XII. 3 t
474 COR1ECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECK!.
that our remaining on board any longer could be of no possible use :
in this state, the Officers persuaded their good and still undaunted
Captain to think of saving his life, and with it their own, as thty had
resolved one znd all to share his fate. After some time he consented,
on condition that the Officers should go first. This point being con-
cludedi the hope of life, long dismissed f. om our minds, began to
revive, when another difficulty atose that seemed to cast it further
back than ever — which of the Officers was to lead the way ? The ex-
tinction of this new-reviving hope was indeed dreadful, and the pause
had nearly been fatal to us all. At length one of the junior Lieute-
rants, long known to the Crew, and as brave a man as ever trod the
quarter deck, agreed to lead, the rest solemnly promising to follow.
One after another we now descended from over the stern (the only-
part of the Ship above water), by single ropes, cold, benumbed, and
wet through, and in this condition gained the Boats, themselves in
perilous attendance underneath. In this manner it was that we left
the poor old Venerable ; and about six o'clock reached the Impe-
tueux, where, it is needless to say, we were treated with every atten-
tion and kindness that one Ship's Officers could f>how to another in
distress. When the morning broke, we perceived the Ship had gone
to pieces, and that if we had staid aboard, all of us by this time must
have perished. On the beach, the people with whom we had been
conversing from the rocks were plundering every article of the wreck
as it floated ashore."
LOSS OF THE SHIP CORNELIA.
Extract of a Letter frsm dipt. Bliss, to a Gentleman in PJnladelplian
dated Ship Vigilant, at Sea, July 1 2.
" Ere you receive this, in all probability you will hear of the loss
of the Ship Cornelia, iiia New York. This melancholy and most
singular circumstance took place in the following manner: — July ir,
at eleven P.M., in lat. <0°, long. 40°, the Ship under full sail, with a
fair wind, going about seven knots, she struck on what I suppose a
Vessel, bottom up, with such violence, that it was some time before
she could recover herself. We immediately applied the pumps, and
finding sufficient employ for them, we cleared away the fore peak, by
throwing the staves overboard, and to our utter astonishment found
the stern started, and severa! of the hoodfends opened, so as to admit
of several thicknesses of blanket. It now being four o'clock, we dis-
covemi the p;r»pt- carried away, hanging by some of the lower bolts
prily j and after five hour*' very hard pumping, found four feet water in
the hoM, AH those circumstances comprised together, rendered our
fctiRRECT RELATIOX Of SHIPWRECKS. 475
fcltuatlpn at once hopeless and deplorable, and all our exertions to stop
the leak of no effect. We now employed some hands in preparing
the Boats, and in making every necessary arrangement, as the last
alternative for our preservation. At ten o'clock, the people, after all
their exertions at the pumps, finding six feet waier in the hold, began
to be disheartened and law-spirited ; bat to our extreme joy and satis-
faction, two Ships were descried from the mast-head, which gave us
all new life and spirits : the people being re-animated, plyed the pumps
\vith great alacrity ; but they being a great distance to windward, and
bound to the westward, it was two P M before they came up with
us; \ve then had eight feet water in the hold: they proved to be the
South Carolina, Capt. Steele, bound for New York ; and the Vigi-
lant, bound for Portland : Capt. Steele havi.ig a great number of pas-
sengers on board, we concluded to go on board the Vit/ilant, Captain
Prentiss. I feel myself much indebted to those! gentlemen for their
prompt and humane assistance, and also to Mr. Bailey, a gentleman
passenger on board, who made us a tender of part of his accommoda-
tions; Capt. Steele staid by us till seven o'clock j by this time we had
got most of our provisions and water on board the Vigilant ; and when
the South Carolina left us, the water was up even with the lower deck.
We were employed till nine o'clock, in getting our baggage, stores,
&c. out of the Ship ; and Capt. Prentiss being willing to stay till morn-
ing, in hopes of saving something of consequence* we all went on
board the Vigilant, fourteen in number, and left the Cornelia, with
her lower deck .under water. Early the next morning the Boats re-
turned to the Ship, and found her full of water. It now blowing
fresh from the S.W., and .the Ship lying over very much, the Boats
were ordered to leave her : therefore all our endeavours to have
Something from the general wreck proved abortive. At half past
eight o'cock A.M., I had the extreme mortification to see her capsize
and carry away her masts. In this situation the Vigilant made sail and
left her. Thus fell the good Ship Cornelia, by an accident, which
human prudence could not foresee, nor human assistance prevent."
Capt, Bliss adds, that he hopes, in the course of a few days, to meet
a Vessel for England, in which he proposes to embark and accompany
Messrs. Monro and Clffton (passengers with him in the Cornelia);
and when arrived, intends chartering a Vessel, and expects to be
home in good time.
It is with great pain we lay before our readers the following afflict-
ing account of the loss of the Princess of Wales, Capt. Colin Camp-
bell, from Jamaica for Greenock, which was received in Glasgow on
Saturday morning.
476 CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECES.
Liverpool, I \th Oct. 2 o'clock P.M.
We are extremely sorry to communicate the following distressing
intelligence, just received by the Schooner Hope, Capt. Stanton,
arrived from New York in eighteen days: —
" On the gth inst., between u and 12 A.M., Be achy Pool Head
bearing E. by S. distant about 6 leagues, fell in with part of a wreck,
and took therefrom Hugh Rankine, Seaman, who informed me he
belonged to the Princess of Walts, Colin Campbell, from Martha Brae,
bound to Greenock, with rum, sugar, cotton, &c. that was cast away
en Saturday last, about five P.M., in thick foggy weather, on the
shoals between Wicklow and Dublin ; does not know if the Captain
is saved, as the last he saw of him was on the poop-deck attempting to
gee into the Boat. The First and Second Mates, two Passengers,
fcnd eleven of the Crew, remained on the wieck without provisions or
water ; they secured a small keg of spirits which floated out, and was
ail they had to subsist upon. On Monday morning the poop deck
separated : Mr. Hunter, Mr. M'Millan, aud Rankine, got thereon ;
the two first died, and were washed off, about two hours before the
latter saw the Hope, which took him up. Several Vessels passed veiy
near the wreck in the morning, but took no notice."
We hare high satisfaction in having it in our power to subjoin the
follmving letter, received on Monday at Greenock, on the melancholy
subject of the preceding one: —
f^ffaragti Ceernarvan, Oft. llth, 1804.
" GENTLEMEN,
" I wrote to you yesterday from Pwllhely, announcing the loss of
the Ship Princess of Wales, on some sand banks off Wicklow.
" On my return this evening, I called upon Captain Campbell, and
the surviving part of his unfortunate Crew. Mr. Campbell still suffers
a good deal from an inflammation in. the throat; but the medical
assistance he hath received, will, I trust, through the help of God,
soon bring him about. The mtn are tolerably well, excepting that
they feel great pain from a swelling in their legs and feet, and from
being so long in the water ; but 1 hope they too' will soon do very
well. The moment 1 receive your letter to the Captain, it shall imme-
diately be forwarded to him. He gnd his men are distant from this
place about fifteen miles, and art not ir, want of any thing that can
be conducive to their comfort. I am, &c.
" Gentlemen,
"W.GRIFFITH."
" JViYirM. CaasfltU, Ruthvcn, and Lindsay, Gretnock,"
CORiKCTP RELATION OP SHIPWRECK*. 477
NARRATIVE of tbc proceeding* on board his Majesty* 't Ship the THESE ug,
efi^gunfj Captain EDWARU HAWKER, (bearingtbe Flag O/JAMBS
R. DACRES, Esq. Rear- Admiral of the Red], from the yb to the i$th
of September last; containing a particular actount of lit Hurricane
'which that Ship encountered in company with I'Herculei of-j^guntt
Captain RICHARD D. DUNN.
Tuesdays Sept. 4.— Towards noon fresh breezes and cloudy wea-
ther, with a long swell from the eastward ; sent the small sails out of
the tops ; got double breechings on the guns ; rove the top-tackle-
oails, and otherwise prepared for bad weather. At noon the N.E.
point of the Square Handkerchief bore S.W. 60 miles, and the N.E.
point of the Silver Quays S. 100 miles. The longitude, per chrono-
meter, at 55 minutes past eight o'clock, was 69° 45' W. and longitude
observed at noon, 22° \z N. ; 1'Hercule in company.
Wednesday, Sept. 5, P.M.— Fresh breezes and cloudy weather.
Furled the fore and mizen-top-sails ; got in the flying jib-boom, and
top-gallant-yard down. At three quarters past three, struck top-
gallant, masts, and close reefed the main-top-sail. At four, same wea-
ther, with a heavy swell from the eastward; 1'Hercule in company.
At eight, strong gales with rain j hauled up the main-sail, and set the
main and mizen-storm-stay-sail. At two, A.M. heavy squalls, with,
rain ; took in the main-top-sail ; split the main-stay-sail, and unbent it.
At six, hauled up the fore-sail ; furled the courses, and got the top-
gallant-masts on deck; jib-boom and sprit-sail-yard in. At eight,
hard gales ; unslung the lower-yards and gaff, and lowered them down ;
found one of the bob stays gone; replaced it; got the fore-runners
rove, and set up to secure the fore -mast. At half-past nine the main,
stay-sail-stay gave way, and the sail was split to pieces. At three
quarters past ten, split the mizen-storm-stay-sail. Towards noon tre-
mendously heavy gales ; swifted the fore and main rigging. N.E. end
cf Silver Quays, S. 26 miles ; W. 54.
Thursday, Sept. 6, P.M. — Blowing a hurricane at N.E. with most
tremendous squalls. At half-past twelve the main-top-mast was blown
away, and in its fall carried away the top-sail-yard ; got hands into the
top, and cut away the rigging; in doing which the greatest part of the
wreck came down the main-lift, upon the starboard main yard-arm :
succeeded, with great hazard, in getting it cleared. The hurricane
still continued without intermission, and the wind shifting gradually
round to the westward, it appeared, if possible, to blow with greater
fury. Found the Jolly-boat, which was hoisted up to the stern, and
the Cutter on the starboard quarter, washed away; and the wind
.
CORRECT RELATION OF SHIfWRECKS.
taking the Cutter on the larboard quarter, and driving her against
the mizen rigging, she was obliged to be cut ad.ifr. * owauls the
evening found the Ship made much wattr, and labour very much?
kept the hands at the pumps. Towards midnight the same weather.'
About twelve the two aftermost chain pumps broke, and became
entirely useless, as also one of the hand pumps on the main deck, after
which the water gained fast on the other pumps. — A.M.' At three
there were five feet water in the hold, and not the least appearance of
the hurricane abating. Towards morning, by the greatest possible
exertions of the Officers and Men, the former encouraging the latter,'
by lying in to the winches, and all the people not employed at the
pumps kept bailing from the lower deck ; the water in the Ship was
reduced to four feet. At eight the hurricane seemed to abate a little,
and the pumps, &c. could then barely hold their own. At ten it
cleared up a little, the wind being then about S.E. and we saw 1'Her-
cule to leeward, with her foremastr bowsprit, and main-mast, standing.
Some time before noon the hurricane came on again with great vio-
lence ; and the Ship labouring very much, fourteen of the foremost and
aftermost of the main-deck guns were thrown overboard, to ease and
lighten her. About this time the main-trusses gave way, and the yard
swang tremendously from side to side with every roll; attempts were
made to laah it to the mast, but it was impossible to be done ; and, by
cutting the lee lift and jeers, the yard was got overboard, but not
without staving the Boats, and greatly injuring the main-mast and
starboard rigging ; the chain plates of the latter soon after giving way^
the main-mast went overboard to windward, close by the deck, and the
mizen- mast shared the same fate to leeward. At noon there were
four feet two inches water in the Ship, and the pumps with great dif-
ficulty holding their own. Silver Q^jays, S. 27 miles, W. 68. Square
Handkerchief, N. 86 miles, W. 63.
Friday, Sept. 7, P.M. — The hurricane still continued ; got braces
rove to secure the fore-top-sail-yard; but the rolling tackle soon after
giving way, it was found necessary, for the preservation of the fore-
mast, to cut the yard away, which was done. Found two more of the
bob-stays gone, and the bowsprit sprung ; got the top tackks for-
ward, and set up ; the fore-runners set up a-fresh, and lashed the fore-
yard to the mast. At four the hurricane in some measure abated,- but
left a very heavy sea ; so much so, that there was no probability of our
being able to save tht fore-mast, it being utterly impossible to get a
pull of the rigging. About five it cleared away, and we saw 1'Hercule
to leeward, with only her bowsprit and fore mast standing; the hands
still pumping and bailing, but seldom getting the water under four
ftet. At six, bore up, and ran down towards THercule; made a sig-
i
CORRfiCT RELATION OF SHIPWftBCKf. 479
ma! to her to s*ny by Ships in distress, with a gun, and brought the
Ship to on the starboard tack, on which 1'Herciile hoiated her fore-
storm stay-sail, and wore. At seven, the fore-mast, after being "sprung
in two or ihree places, by several successive and tremendous roils, went
overboard to windward, leaving a piece of about i j feet standing above
the deck, whicii soon after fell down on the forecastle ; cut away the
fore stays imrnec! lately, to save the bowsprit, and got as msny hands
to clear the wreck as could possibly be spared from the pumps ; great
part of the wreck having fallen on the best bower anchor, the latter
was obliged to be cut away to get clear of the Dormer. At eight, strong
breezes with a heavy sua, the Ship labouring very much; found the
tiller sprung ; shipped the rudder-choaks. Towards midnight the
water gained fast upon the pumps ; renewed every exertion to reduce
it, by bailing from the lower deck and from the well, and by working
the two serviceable chain-pumps. Burned several bine lights to
1'Hercule during the night, which were not answered by her. At
midnight there were five feet six inches water in the Ship ; and from
the motion, it was with difficulty that the men could stand to the
pumps. — A.M. About five, by the united and extraordinary exertions
of the Officers and Men, the water was reduced to three feet ten inches.
At day light fresh breezes, with a heavy sea; saw a Schooner to
windward, which bore down to us, and, hoisting an union jack, passed
under our stern ; got some hands from the pumps to ship the tiller in
the ward-rpom, and to prepare for setting some sail forward. At
seven, saw 1'Hercule a great way to leeward ; fired several guns as sig-
nals to her; got a main-royal set on the bowsprit ; and, as soon as the
tiller was shipped in the ward- room, and the broken one unshipped,
we attempted to wear, but without success ; got Boats' sails set on the
cat-heads, bowsprit, &c. About eleven the Ship wore ; stood towards
1'Hercule; at half past eleven, made her signal to close, and also to stay
by Ships in distress ; about noon, she wore and stood towards us : got
a top-gallant mast up for a fore-mast, and set a top-gallant-sail on it.
At noon, moderate breezes with a heavy sea : people employed at the
pumps- Found the spare-top-sail-yards washed out of the chains
during the hurricane, and almost every moveable about the decks
broken to pieces; 1'Hercule in company, Square Handkerchief, S.VV.
90 miles, Cape Camet, W.S.W. j W. 58 leagues
Saturday, Sept. 8, P M. — Moderate breezes from the S.E. and
cloudy weather, with a heavy swell ; people employed at the pumps,
and fitting a top- gallant-mast for a mizen-mast. In the afternoon, got
the pumps to suck for the first time since the beginning of the hurri-
£anej sent hands down into the well, and cleared it of an immense
CORRECT RELATION OF SHIPWRECKS.
quantity of sand and rubbish ; found it impossible to repair the arteir
chain-pumps, or to render them in any way serviceable ; succeeded in
clearing the starboard hand-pump, which had been choaked during the
gale. At eig-ht, moderate breezes with a heavy sea, the Ship labour-
ing very much ; got a cross-jack set. Found the leather so much worn
aft the chain~pumps, as to render them nearly useless; kept the hand-
pump going as fast as possible, and a gang of hands bailing from the
well, while the chain-pumps were unrove, and leathered afresh. — A.M.
Moderate brte/es, the Ship rolling very heavy ; found the leak in some
degree decreased. At day-light got all the hands that could be spared
from the pumps to prepare for erecting jury-masts. Made the signal
for Captain Dunn to inquire into the state of 1'Hercule; found her,
by his report, nearly as bad as the Theseus, with the exception of the
quantity of water made by the latter. Cape Garnet, S. 53, N.W. 64.
Rules. Booby Rocks, S. 74, W. 39 miles.
Sunday, Sept 9, P.M. — Employed pumping and fitting jury-masts ;
A.M. got up a jury main-mast. Longitude, per chronometer, at
noon, 70° 37' W.
Monday, Sept. TO, P.M. — Employed rigging the jury main-mast^
and pumping Ship. Bent a f >re-top-sail for a main-sail, and set it.
At eight, brought to, 1'Hercule in company. A.M. At half past
five bore up, and made all sail; fitted sheers to get up a jury fore,
mast.
Tuesday, Sept. 1 1.— Running through the Caicos passage. Set up
the main rigging, and got up a fore-top-mast for a fore -mast.
Wednesday, Sept. 12 — Got up a jury fore-yard, top mast, and.
top-sail-yard ; and shipped the tiller into the gun. room. Cape St..
Nicholas Mole, S. 32, W. 48 miles.
Thursday, Sept. 13, P.M. — At six, saw the land over Cape Maize,
W. -} N. eight or nine leagues. At noon, Cape Donna Maria, S.E.
seven or eight miles.
Friday, Sept. 14, P.M.— At four, saw the Navassa, S.W. by W.
A.M At day light saw la Franchise Frigate ; at eighti spoke her,
and at noon, sent her a bend to make the land.
Saturday, Sept. 15, P.M. — At two, saw the land bearing W. N.W.
Set up the main and mizen lower rigging. At six, east end of
Jamaica, N.N.E. Point M'jrant, N.N.W. \ W. off shore seven or
eight miles. At eleven, brought to a-breast of the Yallahs. — A.M.
At six, wore, and made sail towards the land. At a quarter beforq
twelve anchored in ?ort Royal" Harbour, 1'Hercule and la Franchise
In company.
C 48* ]
PLATE CLXVII,
THE FBONTISriECE TO VOL. XII,
TTT7 ITHIN this Vault are Deposited
The Remains of
Si* ANDREW SNAPE DOUGLAS, KNIGHT,
Late Captain of His MAJESTY'S Ship
QUEEN CHARLOTTE,
And Colonel of Marines ;
Who was born the 8th Day of August, 1761,
And died on the i4th Day of June, 1797.
Of a Life so short in Duration,
But full of public Usefulness and Glory,
Seventeen Years were spent in the Station
Of a Captain in the British Navy.
Among various most essential Services
Which signalized his Zeal and Abilities in his Profession,
His Valour and Conduct on the First of June, 171^4,
And the 2jd of June, 1 795 ;
Two of the proudest Days
Which the Naval History of Britain has to record j
Were equally Conspicuous and Important.
His Ardour and Bravery as an Officer
Were tempered by those gentler Virtues,
Mildness, Affection, Benevolence, and Piety,
Which distinguished his Character as a Man :
His Memory will long be cherished
Amidst the Affiiction and tender Regretj
Of his Family and Friends ;
It will live in the Gratitude and Applause of hi» Country,
. £J?ror», art. XII. 3 <*«
482 KAVAL HTERATUR1,
NAVAL LITERATURE.
The Topography ofTroj, and its Vicinity^ illustrated and explained ly
Drawings and Description!. Dtdicated, by permission, to her Grace
the DUCHESS O/*DEVONSHIRE, 6yW. CELL, Esq. of Jesus College^
M.A., F.A.S., and late Felloiu of Emmanuel College. Folio,
pp. 124. 1804.
HPROY, as a Maritime City, has* already come under the attention
••• of our readers ; and to such Officers as are on full pay, or who
have fallen in with a bullion Prize, the price of Mr. Cell's book (lol.)
will not be considered : but we must acknowledge that we thought it
a good round sum, notwithstanding the many attractions which this
elegant little folio possesses. The Voyage, of which these pages are the
result, had for its principal object the examination of that part of the
TROAD, which is more particularly connected with the Iliad of Homer.
Mr. Ge!l was accustomed, during a long voyage in the Levant, to
sketch every scene, which was remarkable for singularity of feature,
or as the theatre of events recorded in history. After a residence at
Mitylene during the greater part of November, 1801, Mr. Gell sailed,
in company with another English gentleman, in a small open Vessel
of the country, intending to touch at the town of Mulliva. " The
Channel between the Island of Lesbos and the main land appears to
be nearly twelve miles in breadth. To the north the prospect is
bounded by the Chain of Ida, below which are seen the little islands
anciently called the Hecatonisi, projecting from the Asiatic Coast.
The woods of Lesbos on the It ft, interspersed with villages and scat-
tered habitations, have a pleasing effect, while on the right the king,
dom of Attains, and the JEolian coast, present an agreeable variety of
plains and mountains.
" Our Vessel was manned by four or five Turks from the City of
Mitylene. We were compelled to anchor during the night in a little
bay in one of the Muskonisi, where our Turks raised an awning over
us upon poles — the Crew retired to a kind of cabin in the bow of the
Vessel, while the Master, or Carabucero as he is termed, kept watch all
night at the helm. When daylight returned we again set sail, leaving
behind us the gulf of Adramytium, and coasting the Phrygian shore
in a direction nearly west. In the evening we airived at Mulliva, a
town of considerable extent, seated on the sides of a steep declivity,
and crowned with a large castle. The port is very small, and much
exposed. Near Mulliva is Pelra, not far from the port of the same
* Spe NAVAL CHRONICLE, Vol, II.
NAVAL LITERATURE. ±8»
name, which is derived from a large rock in the village. The port of
Baba being unsafe during the prevalence of a south wind, we were
compelled, as soon as we could set sail, to pass close to that town
without landing, and make the best of our way for the harbour of
Tenedos. The ruins of the baths of Alexandria Troas are visible on
arriving between Tenedos and the Trojan coast ; but the entrance of
the port being entirely filled with land, it cannot at present be conve-
niently approached by sea.
" In the morning of the zd of December we hired a Boat of singular
construction, being long and narrow, yet high out of the water, and
in which either oars or sails were used, as circumstances permitted.
The canal being only five miles in breadth, our Boat quickly left us
on the sandy shore of the Troad, a little south of the- Cape Koum-
boumon."
Such is the general outline of Mr. Cell's Voyage ; and to this pas-
sage we can only add an abstract of his account of the situation of
Troy, as given in the description of Plate 19 ; which exhibits ageneral
view of the Plain of Troy from the Tomb of Antilochus, with some
notice of the hot and cold springs of the Scamander.
" The situation of Troy may be discovered by carrying the eye from
the summit of Ida toward the right, till the view of the distant moun-
tains becomes for a short space intercepted by a more lofty point of the
nearer hills. This point will be easily distinguished by a few trees on
its summit, and immediately below it is the hill on which the city was
erected. The little village, and mosque of Bounarbashi, now standing
near the site of the Scsean Gate, are perceptible, and above them the
houses seem to have risen gradually upon the slope of the hill, where
the Acropolis^ or Pergama, is known by two Tumuli, which occupy the
summit. The Simois, after rising in the heights of Ida, at a consi-
derable distance from the Hellespont, flows through a vale, extending
between the mountain and the hills bounding the plain of Troy on
that side ; but on approaching Bounarbashi, the stream turns toward
the left, and passes between the Acropolis and the point which over-
looks it. After winding through a defile, the river enters the plain at
an equal distance from Bounarbashi and Atche Kevi . . .^ . .
Notwithstanding the many attempts which have been made to free ths
plain from the" inundations of the river, the Scamander still continues
to pay a scanty tribute to the Simois. By looking below the village
of Erkissi, the original bed of that river may be traced, wandering
over the plain in a thou-and directions, from the junction of the canal
till it is concealed behind a brown knowl, which projects from the bill
of Jeni Kevi into the march near the Tomb of Antilcchus. . . .
The Scamander, and Simois, united a little beyond the Throsmcs, arc
484 XAVAt LITBKATORfc.
concealed from sightly the hill of Jcni Chehr from the confluence f«
thtir junction with the Hellespont."
The twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh Plates are particularly inte-
resting, as exhibiting the warm and cold springs of the Scamander.
Mr. Cell informs us, that " in the spring of the year 1801, Mr. Clarke
and Mi. Cripps, of Jesus College, in Cambridge, ascertained with a
thermometer, to which was affixed the scale of Celsius, the exact tern-
perature of the water. It is to the liberality with which these gentle-
men communicate the result of their observations, that I am indebted
for a correct statement of the fact. The mercury blood at sixteen
degrees and a quarter above the freezing point, during the coldest
weather of that year. (Seventeen dt-gre<.'S and three quarters of Celsius
equal sixty-four degrees on the scale of Fahrenheit.) The experiment
has since been repeated at different hours, and in the depth of winter,
yet no alteration has been observed."
But Mr. Cell advances still further in his researches; and in his
thirty-seventh Plate, is of opinion that he has explored the very foun-
dations of Troy. " The foundations exhibited in this view are such as
are observable on many parts of the hills of Bounarbashi, particularly on
the summit. The situation of these relics is nearly on the highest point
of the hill . . which appears to have been the Pergama, or
Acropolis of Troy. . . The citadel was called Pergamos, or
Pergama, and was decorated with many palaces and temples."
Mr. Cell throughout pays every respect and attention to the learning
of Mr. Bryant ; from whom, at the close of this Volume, he does not
•cruple to borrow some valuable remarks.
NEW PUBLICATION.
M. DELAFOND, vsho, during forty-five years of a life devoted to
the British Naval Service, in the course of which he frequently dis-
charged the functions of Dtputy Judge Advocate to the Fleet, has
been assiduously engaged in collecting and arranging materials for a
TREATISE on NAVAL COURTS MAR.TIAL, which has just made
its appearance. This Treatise does not exhibit a mere recapitulation
of forms and precedents, but, after inquiring into the origin of naval
judicial institutions, aspires to -explain the principles on which they are
founded — the laws and regulations by which they are governed, and to
point out tho.-e defects yet to be remedied in a system possessing much
inherent excellence. Such a work, comprised as it is in one moderate
octavo volume, cannot but prove acceptable to Naval Officers in general,
among whom it has long been a desideratum.
t 485 3
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, iso4.
( November — December. )
RETROSPECTIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS.
THE Coronation of Buonaparte for the present gratifies the vain and unstable
character of our ci-devani republican enemies, who are as obsequious to this
notorious descendant of a Corsican Butcher, as they ever were to the House of
CAPET. The farce of the invasion of England, which this august Emperor got
up with so much splendour, begins to weary the actors ; and as the energy of
the Royal Hero of Sweden has called forth the naval and military spirit of the
North, the French are reduced to vent their spleen, and disappointment, through
the medium of their Imperial Monltiur,
'.Amidst the vast national improvements which the enterprising spirit of our
commerce has been able to carry on during a long and expensive war, our
readers' attention may be called from the splendid establishments of the West
India and London Docks, to the great work in the port of Bristol, which
advances with rapidity. More than seventy acres of water, most of it equal to
the deepest draft, will be provided. Ships will lie afloat, where they arc now
aground, under the present cranes and warehouses. The Float will reach west-
ward so near to the Hot- well, that Vessels may leave the port in all tides, wind
and weather permitting; and, by its extent eastward, a navigation of eight
miles, from Bristol toward Bath and the Kennet, will be actually made; so
that what is now impassable many days in each spring, will be open at all times.
The peculiar arrangement of Mr. Milton promises to it three important things :
to preserve the current of the flood tide, to dispose of the powerful Freshes of
the Avon, and to turn at pleasure continually into the float, any part of that
river, for a salutary change of water.
The keels of a 74, and a Frigate, were laid down during the summer in Mr.
Adams's Yard, at Buckler's Hard, on the Southampton River; the former to
be named the Victory, the latter the Hussar. The Victory is to be on the
model of the Swiftsure, which was this year launched from that yard, and is
esteemed to have one of the finest hulls in the service.
The following instance of intrepid humanity of a British Naval Officer, at
Plymouth, among many other similar occurrences, dcssrves to be recorded : —
Benjamin Nelson, a Seaman of the Colossus, of 74 guns, lying some time since
in Caweand Bay, had been ashore on liberty, and, coming on board much intoxi-
cated, fell out of the Boat alongside the Ship. Lieut. Lothian, walking near
the gangway, saw the accident, and, with great intrepidity, pulled off his coat
and immediately jumped from the starboard main chains into the water. A'ter
swimming a little time, he caught Nelson by the hair of the head ; but, in
struggling to bring him to the Boat, Nelson, being a powerful man, sunk with
him. Lieut. Lothian, by superior swimming, soon rose again, grasping him
firm by the hair. Lieut. Lothian and NeLon were then taken on board the
Ship's Cutter; but, on getting the latter on the lower gun-deck, although every
means was tried to restore his life, he had breathed his last, more owing, it it
imagined, to suffocation, from being so intoxicated \\hen he fell into the ?ea,
than from being under the water. Lieut. Lothian, we are happy to say, sooo
recovered the fatigue and anxiety arising from his active exertions. T. ^f.
Whitford, Coroner, held an- inquest on the body, and the Jury returned a yy-
Jkt of SlcciJtntal Dratb.
^
486 KAYAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
A letter from an Officer on board one of his Majesty's Ships off Boulogne,
contained another instance of noble intrepidity equal to the above :— •' Toward
the end of last September, the Squadron riding to the westward of Dungeness,
weighed by signal, in order to get to the eastward, the wind having come
strong from the westward: the Railleur, of course, weighed with others for
that purpose, and, while rounding the Ness, one of her quarter gunners, in the
act of hauling the buoy in, fell overboard, on which Captain Collai d immediately
jumped into the sea, which ran very high, and with the greatest coolness, slung
him with a rope, and thus saved his life, i rom this, and a similar circumstance,
(when he, in the year 1801, having the command ol the Vestal, in Torbay, saved
the life of a fcoldier of the 4,6:h Regiment, under Lord Craven,) our waggish
Tars have given him the appellation of the animated Life Boat."
The Court of Directors of the East India Company, have voted the sum of
one hundred guineas to Lieutcnan: Flinders, for the purchase of a piece of
plate; and also allowed gratuities to a Piaster's Mate, two Midshipmen, five
Warrant and Petty Officers, and four Seamen, who were on board the Bombay
Castle in the action with Linois.
letters.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, NOV. ZJ, 1804.
Cofy of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Jihn Thomas Duck-worth, K.B. Commander
itt Chief of bis Majesty's Ships and Vessels at "Jamaica, to William Rlanden, -E-'j.;
dated at Port Royal, ^oth September, 1804.
SIR,
"IT TRANSMIT you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the
•^ Admiralty, the copies of two letters from Captain Gordon, cf the Racoon,
and the Honourable c apt. John Murray, of the Franchise, relating the capture
01 1'Alliance and 1'Uranie French Privateers. I am, &c.
J. T. DUCKWORTH.
SI *, His Majeity'i Brig Racoon, off Bird Key, Aug. 9, 1804.
I have the pleasure to inform you, that on the 1st instant, in lat. 20' 52' N.
long. 71* 30' W , t'and Key N.E. by N. distant seven or eight leagues, 1 had
the good fortune to decoy within musket shot, a large French Privateer, who
struck after we had fired at him for three quarters of an hour : she proved to be
1'Alliance, pierced for twelve guns, having only six mounted, four six-pounders
and two nines, commanded by Jaques Dunuque, manned with 68 men, out three
days from Samaria, and had taken nothing : she is a fine Vessel, but much cut
in her sails and rigging, and had only one man slightly wounded.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Sir J. T. Duck-wortb, K.B. &c. &V. &c. J. A. GORDON.
8Ii, . Franchise, at Sea, Sept. 14, 1804.
I have the honour to acquaint you, that yesterday, after a chase of eight
hours, his Majesty's .'•-hip Franchise, under my command, was fortunate to come
up with and capture the Uranie French Privateer Schooner, of three guns and
64 men, belonging to the city of St. Domingo, out 13 days, and has taken
nothing. The Uranie is supposed to be the fastest sailing Vessel in those seas.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Rear-admiral Dacrts, fffe. &V. &e. JOHN MURRAY.
RATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 4*7
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, DEC. II.
Copy of a Letter from the Honourable Admiral Cont-wallit, 5bV. to JPilliam ManJen,
£iq. ; dated w board bit Majesty'* Ship tie fill* de Paris, off the Start, tbt Jtb
December, 1804.
SIR,
I have the honour to enclose, for the information of the I ords Cnmmissionen
of the Admiralty, a letter to me from aptain Dundas, of the Naiad, giving an
account of the capture of the French Gun-boats therein mentioned by that
Ship. I have the honour to be, &c.
W. CORNWALUS.
SIR, Naiad, tff Brest, Nov. 17, 1804.
I beg leave to acquaint you, that at daylight this morning, seeing some small
Vessels at a short distance from us, and shortly afterwards perceiving a fire of
musketry from them on the Boats of his Majesty's Ship PAiglc, which Captain
Wolfe had sent in chase of them, I made sail, and cut off two, which prove to be
Gun-hoats Nos. 361 and 369, mounting each one long brass 4 pounder, and
one short twelve, from Dandiorne bound to Brest, having on board a Lieutenant
cf the 6^d regiment of infantry, and 36 privates, beside five Seamen belonging
to each Vessel, being part of sixteen that had sailed from that port on a
similar destination. I am sorry to acquaint you, that two Seamen belonging to
1'Aigle are wounded, i William Shephard and James Mitchell;) the Litter dan-
gerously. I have given Captain Hawkins, of his Majesty's Sloop Dispatch, or-
ders to proceed to Plymouth with the two Vessels, which I think worth pre-
serving, and to land the prisoners. I have the honour to be, &c.
To the Honourable Admiral Corn-wallh, THQMAS DUNDAS,
Commandir in Chief t &c. &V. C3f.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, DEC. IJ.
Copy of a Letter from lie Right Honour able Lord Keitb, Admiral of tie Blue, &f. fcff.
&c. to William Marsden, Esq.; dated on board the Monarch, off Runagate, lltb
December, 1804,
SIR,
Divisions of the enemy's Flotilla passing from the eastward toward Boulogne,
having frequently, when pursued by his Majesty's Ships and Vessels, taken shelter
in the harbour of Calais, their entry into which has been particularly covered
and pr< tected by the advanced pile battery of Fort Rouge, I considered it an
object of some importance to effect the destruction of that work, and lately
directed Captain Sir Home Popham, of the Antelope, amongst other objects, to
hold in view a favourable opportunity for making this attempt.
I now transmit, for their Lordships' information, a letter, and the enclosures
to which it refers, which I have received from that Officer, reporting the result
of an assault which he directed to be made upon it early on the morning of the
9th instant, and from which there is reason to conclude that the fort ha* sustained
material damage; but that from the unfortunate circumstance of its not having
been possible, under the existing state of weather and tide, to carry up two of
the explosion Vessels to the point of attack, the injury has been far leis extensive
than might have been otherwise expected.
The conduct of Lieutenant Hew Steuart, of the Monarch, on this recent occa-
sion, will not fail, I am sure, to excite their Lordships' admiration and praise.
I have great ple,,sure in conveying to their Lordships Captain Sir Home Pop-
ham's testimony to his distinguished merit, and to the zealous and act. ve assis-
tance which he received from Captain Brownrigg, Lieutenant Lake, and Mr.
Bartholomew. 1 have the honour to be, &c.
488 HAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
MY LORD, jfntilope, Doiuns, Dec. 10, 1804.
I avail myself of the first moment of my return to the Downs to acquaint
you, that towards noon on Saturday the 8th, the wind promised to come to the
S.E., and knowing it to he your Lordship's intention to attack the enemy at
every assailable point, I sent the Dart, on the close of the evening, to an assigned
station between Sengate and Fort Lapin, accompanied by the Susannah explo-
sion Vessel and two Carcasses, with a view of making an assault against Fort
Rouge.
Lieutenant Steuart, of the Monarch, commanded the explosion Vessel ; Mr.
Bartholomew, Actinsj Lieutenant of the Antelope, had the charge of the first
Carcass intended to be applied, and Captain Brownrigg requested to take
the other.
Your Lordship is aware how difficult it is to ascertain the precise injury done
to the enemy in an enterprise of this nature, which, in most cases, must be un-
dertaken in the night; but, that you may be possessed of the best information in
that respect, I sent the Fox Cutter, whose Master is an active intelligent man,
and well acquainted with Fort Rouge, to reconnoitre the place as close as possible
without risk, and I annex his report to Lieutenant Steuart's, as the clearest
account that can be given of the able and Officer-like manner in which the
Susannah was placed, and the evident consequences of such an application, even
under circumstances of considerable disadvantage.
I very much regret that Mr. Bartholomew could not fetch the port; for I ant
positive he would have lashed the Carcass to the piles : he, however, very pru-
dently returned with it to the Dart; and although something prevented the
second Carcass from going off, which evidently had been striking against the
piles, from the indention at one endr yet he recovered and brought it also
on board.
I am most perfectly satisfied with the zeal and activity which Captain
Brownrigg manifested on this occasion ; the Dart was admirably placed, and
every assistance afforded from her that could insure the success of this service,
•which must now be considered as confined to the efforts of the Susannah; and I
take this opportunity of most particularly recommending Lieutenant Steuart to
your Lordship's notice; which, I hope, will also be extended to Mr. Bartholo-
mew, notwithstanding he could not fetch, the battery; and your Lordship
must be alive to the enterprising conduct of these two Officers on a former
occasion.
I cannot conclude my report without assuring your Lordship, that Lieutenant
Lake, of the Locust Gun-brig, who was appointed to cover the Boats, behaved
in a most exemplary manner, by keeping so close in as to draw all the fire upon
his own Vessel; and I have great satisfaction in stating, that not an Officer or
Man was hurt in this operation. 1 have the honour to be, &c.
Right Honourable Lord Keith, K B. HOME POPHAM.
&?e. fcf<r. b*c.
SIR, His Majesty's Ship Dart, Dee. 10, 1804.
In pursuance of your instructions, and according to the arrangement you
made for the attempt on Fort Rouge only, I left this Ship at two A.M. and pro-
ceeded in shore with the explosion Vessel under my charge, until the water
shoaled to two and a hall fathoms, when I tacked, and stood off so as to enable
me to fetch the battery, which I did about half-past two, and placing her bow-
sprit between ihe pile-, 1 ft her in that situation. In a few minutes 1 observed
her swing with her broadside to tht battery, in consequence of the bowsprit
being carried away; and as an anchor was dropped the instani she struck the
piles, [ had not the smallest doubt of her remaining there until the explosion
took place, which was in a few minutes: I could not fetch the covering Brig ;
and as it had every appearance of coining on to blow from the S.E., in which
quarter it was wh n I left the Dart, I ho^e you will excuse my running in the
Galley to the Downs. I have, <Scc
Sir Home Pofham, K.M. Anttlofs. HEW STEUART,
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 180^. 489
*'*t Fox Cufttr, off' Cala:it Dec 9. 1804.
Accord?njr to your order I proceeded off Fort Rf-upe, and examined it v. ry
Strictly. As 1 proceeded tow;:rds tl.- shore I saw a great quai;' . . id
timber floating, and would have picked up sim<-, but was afraid i should lost
the tide, a* I wished to examine it at luw water. In standing in J c- i:!.; discern
a great nun.ber of people all roui \ the rf.W er.ii of the fort, and from the West
Pcad all the way to the fai:d Hills. I d.d not discover any alfer.;*i«>n on the
cast side of the fort; but when I «nt to the westward of the fort, I could plainly
discover the most part of it to be danced, and the breast-work knocked < own,
and J have every reason to believe it was very much injured, by such a number
of people being assembled there, and seeming at work ope a it. I . m &c.
Sir Home Pof>bamt K.M. W. BLAK.E.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, BEC. 17.
Cofty of a Later from the Right Ihnci.'ra!>le I.otJ Ke:.!h, K. P. sttm'iral rf tie Plug,
tf<r. t'j William Mar^Jen, Eiq.; dated en beard the Monarch, of Ratasgate, the iLtlt
December, 1804.
SIR,
I transmit, for their Lordships' inrormation, a copy of a letter from Captnin
Coote, of his Majesty's Sloop the Favorite, to Captain Laroche, of his Mai<--
Ship the Melpomene, at present con:m;;ndir.g the ::qi,Li(iron before Havr de
Grace, acquainting him with his having captured la \\ accrocheuse, a French,
Privateer from fc't. Vallery, and driven another i:ito that port.
I have the honour to be, &c.
KEITH.
SIR, Hh Ma/yty's Sijip Fa-ocrite, at Sea, T)fc. (3, 1804.
I have the satisfaction to inform you, that I yesterday fell i'.» with t\vo French
Lugger Privateers, and that after a chase of three hours I cap'ured la Rac-
crocheuse, Captain Jacqius I^roquant, out one d«y from St. Vallery en Cnus,
mounting 14 guns, /-pounders, and carrying jG n-,in. The above Lugger* had
in their possession a Brig, and were boarding a h'a-k, both \\hich they quitted
on my approaching them; I therefore made signal to a Cutter in sight, which
1 believe to bt tne ountess of Elgin, to chase the Merchant Vessel*; and from
the exertions I observed her to make, 1 have no doubt but she has succeeded.
The Luggers steering different courses, the headmost one escaped, her name
is 1'Adolphe, mounting the same number of gurfs as the capture, belongs to the
same port, where she must have returned, having thrown every thing overboard
in the chase. I am, ice.
Christopher Lancte, Eij. CHARLES FOOTE.
(A Copy] KSITU.
SHEERNESS PIER.
A Caution to Mariners and Masters of S/jips ant! Vetscls.
THE Commissioners for building a Tier at Si-ferret, in the Isle of Sheppy,
in the County of Kent, appointed in ;;nd by virtue of " An Act of Fjrli •
passed in the forty-first year of the reinn «f hi- prt-senr M.;j^r. . for building the
said Pier," do hereby give notice, th.U thry h vc c:i*rt -ii n i >t nn part of such
Pitr or Wharf, jettir.g out into the kivcr \;'.-dway 30" (••ft, \ m t!-.e
town at the south end of Jiis Majesty's Dock yarl an'' »\;j^r vnml .;•
and have also constructed in that part of the River (comnMiuly c: !Ud <>; ';
by the name of the Laj>pel, in tlie harixisn <if Mieerrcs- , a :ide P
fleet wide, and of the elevation of two feet above the m .-,:• ;vcr, which
is attached to the Faid Pier <r U'harf. and ru.'« out gcO feit t. erel; :iin in a
western direction from the said town, on the said Lapj>-l, into the Kivir, ilowu
. Cfcron. QoI.XII. 3 R
NAVAL HISTORY OF THI PRESENT TEAR, 1804;
to low-water mark, and therefore renders it improper for any Vcsel to sail over
or anchor near rhe said tide Pier (there b. inp no depth of water for Vessels of
niore than four feet draught; when -he t de is over the same. This caution is
therefo e given to Matin- rs and Masters of VoseK to pn-venr casualties and
damages happening to their Vessels or Craft t rough negligence in sailing
across the said tide Pier, or anchoring near thereto, as the said Commi-sioners
will not indemnify any person or per-i.n« for or in respect of any damages occa-
sioned to their VcKS-is or Craft through totting foul or athwart of such tide
PIT. — The Pier or Wharf, and also th' para lei line and direction in which the
tide Pier lays, is distinctly observed and may he known at night by a light on
the cast end thereof, near the town, which is fixed at the extremity of the said
Wharf. By order of the Commissioners,
i, 1804. y HN SILVESTER, CLERK.
FOREIGN REPORTS.
EAST INDIES.
TTT appears that the effects of the teffoon, or tremendous gale of wind, in which
•*• the Warlev and Coutts were nearly lost in their passage to China. \vas felt
all over the northern part of the Chinese Seas; it was experienced tt Canton at
the s-ame time that the Ships at the distance of six degrees were suffering liom
the same hurricane.
On the 14th February last, his Majesty's Ship Fiorenzo fell in with the French
Chasse Marec the Passepartout, off Mount Diily, in the Eastern bea". :»»d cap-
tured her, after a very smart and gallant resistance on the part of the Pr ratcer.
On board the French Vessel, rhe ; irst and .-econd Captains were dangerously
wounded; the former supposed mortally. We are happy to adJ, that there
were no casualties on our .-ide eitlicr in killed or wounded. The Passepartout
had not made any captures during her cruize.
We have been favoured w th a letter from Madra? of the 5th of lune, which
contain- a very distinct account of the disposition of the whole naval force under
the command of Admiral Rainier in tha; quarter: — At Madras th' Lancaster,
of 64 guns; Sheerness, of 44 guns; Wilhelmiua. aimed en Jlute; the Caroline
and h&ron Frigates; and the Victor and anothsr Sloop of War Admiral
Rainier was expected every day in the Trident, with the Tremendous Man of
V ar, Terpsichore Frigate, and Da<her -cloop of War.
The following Ships were dispersed for the protection of the trade ; viz.
Arrogant, Russel, Albion, Sceptre, Centurirn, and Grampus, .Men of War j
the St. Fiorenzo, Fox, la Dedaigneuse, and Concord, Frigates; and Rattlesnake
Sloop of War.
We have heard, that letters of a later date have been received from Madras,
which mention the arrival of Admiral Rainier, with al' the .^hips which he had
wi h him on a cruize, except the Sceptre and Albion, which were dispatched to
convoy some of our homeward-bound Ships to St. Helena, where they had
arrived on the gth of June.
JVei>. 30. A Court of Directors was held at the East Imln House, when the
Court resolved to establish a Government at Prince of Wai s's Is'and, on a plan
nearly similar to those of the Presidencies of Forr St. George at:d Bombay.
Letters from Prince of Wales's Is'and, dated Feb. 4. mention the particulars
of the destruction of a Sloop lying in Bouroug River, in possession of the
pirates.
Capt. Cramer, of his Majesty's Sloop Rattlesnake, cruizing off Acheen Head,
fell in with a Merchant Ship belonging to Prince of \\ ,,'es's U and, who gave
information of an armtd Sloop that was cut off by rh- pirate lying in Bourong
Rivtrr, and who was preparing to go to sea. Capt. Cramer proceeded in search
of, and fuand h-r lying without gun-.hot up the river. On the 2?th of Decem-
ber, at five P.M. the Ra't'csnake anchored, hoisted the Boats out, manned and
armed ti'.em, and went alongside of her. Finding she was all prepared, his
2vl^j sty's Boat> began filing into her, which she returned. They instantly
KAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 49*
Commenced boarding, when unfortunately, whether through accident or intetj.
(ion is unknown, the piratical Sloop blew up. We had one man killed, three
Officers and ten Men wounded.— Officers wounded; J. Wise, Second Lieutenant;
J. Green, Gunner; A. Davis, Midshipman.
Accounts have been received of a most gallant attack made by the Boats of
his Majrsry'j Ship St. Fiorcnzo, Capt. Bingham, on the Malabar co.ist.
Capt. BiRgham had fallen in with a Brig Privateer belonging to the enemy,
to which he pave chase; but finding the wind fail hire, he ordered his floais to
he manned and to pursue her. They were not long before they came up with
the chase, which they immediately attacked; tnJ, after killing the Fir.t and
jecoad Captain and several of the Crew, succeeded in gaining possession of
her. It is a circumstance too honourable to the brave fellows engaged in this
enterprize, to omit mentioning, that the Crew of the Brig, after her capture, far
exceeded the number of hands in the Boats of his Majesty's Frigue St. Fiortnzo.
C.ipt. Bingham learned from the prisoners, that they had, prior to falling in
with the St. Fiorenzo, landed several French Officers on the coast, who had
disguised themselves as natives, in order to pass themselves into the interior of
the country.
1 he Pearl, Capt. Donne, from Bombay, on her passage to Madras, touched at
Trincomale, where she found riding his Majesty's Ship Wiihelmir.a, Capt. Lam-
bert, and learned the following intelligence : —
That on the nth of April Capt. Lambert fell in with an cnerm's Ship off" the
Friar's Hood, which bore down to attack him. This Vessel is represented as
having 13 ports on each side, and a very superior sailer. She reconnoitercd the
Wilhelmina, by going three or four times completely round her, and th. n com-
menced a warm close action, which was kept up on both sides for near an hour
and a half. The Wilhelmina, at this time, had her fore- top-mast shot away,
and nearly the whole of her rigging damaged, when she poured a complete
broadside into her antagonist, which caused her to bear up and stand away.
Capt. Lambert, we understand, had 12 men wounded, one of whom is since
dead. From the description of the enemy's Ship, there is every reason to tup-
pose her to be the Psyche, the Vessel that captured the Admiral Aplin ; and
from the treatment she experienced, no doubt was entertained but that she would
be obliged to bear way to some port to refit.
On the 5th of May, his Majesty's Ship Sheerncss, Capt. Lind, fell in with
and captured the French Brig Privateer 1' Alfred, of 14 guns and 80 men, off
Point de Galle. Capt. Lind, observing the Alfred to be in chafe of the Sheer-
ness, disguised his Majesty's Ship as much as possible, and by standing away from
the Privateer, and setting and taking in sail in the style of a Merchant Ship,
completed the deception, and ensured the capture of the enemy. After a short
chase, the Alfred ranged upon the Sheerness's quarter, and firing htr broadside,
commanded h'-r to strike her colours. This summons was in consequence
answered by the fire of the Shecrnes;, when the astonished republicans in, medi-
ately hauled r"own their colour?. The Alfred had three mtn killed and six
wounded. The Sheerness had not a man killed or wounded.
Linois is on bad terms with the Governor of the I^lc of France : and the
coolness between the naval and military Officers has assumtd a serious cha-
racter.
About the 25th of June, Admiral Linois, in the Marcngo, with the Frigates
Atalame and Semeillante, and the Diligence Corvette, sailed on a cruize; and
report stated that he was bound to Madagascar, to look for an English Merchant
Ship that was said to have put into a port on th.it coast in ciistres — [It io pioba-
ble that this Ship is the Prince of Wales, so long missing. ] — I:i ih- Squadron
were embarked 200 troops, which it was supposed were intended '-o rcinfc-rcc
the French settlement in the Island of Scelu-lles. The Frigate Ja belle Poul«
was under repair at the Isle of France, as well as la Psyche (lite a Privateer),
now commissioned as a national Frigate, by General de Caen, .-gainst the cons nt
of Admiral Linois, and to be commanded by Captain Bery;er<:r, who wa* lor-
merly captured by Sir E. Pi lie w, and had retired from the naval service, but
row re-appointed by General de Caen. Thc.sc tvo Fii^atts were soon to join
the Squadron at the place of rendezvous. Several Privateers were lilting out,
but none at sea except one, setit to cruize olTth; I>knU ut St. Helena.
MAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR,
WEST INDIES.
A Barbadoes paper of August 9, gives the following particulars of a naval
action in the West Indies: —
" His Majesty's Schooner, St. Lucia, Capt. Betteswortn, arrived last night
from Antigua ; also the Mail-boat. By these arrivals we learn the following
particulars of a very gallant action between his Majesty's Ship Hippomenes and
theBuonapar-e French Brig, of 18 g-pounders and 146 men, in which the enemy
ewe their escape only to the misfortune of our Ship having too many foreigner
on. board, whose dastard spirit made them shrink from the action.
" His Majesty's Ship Hippomenes, Capt. M'Kenzie, cruizing to windward of
this island, Mi in, in long. 58°, lat. 18°, with the Buonaparte Brig, which, mis-
taking the Hippomenes for at? African Ship (being disguised purposely to decoy
the enemy's L'ruizersj, bore down on her, when a smart action ensued, which
lasted for some time ; and the enemy, being to windward, at length fell on board
the Hippomenes. Captain M'Kenzie, with the greatest promptitude, seizing
the occasion to prevent the enemy's escape, had her bowsprit lashed to his main-
mast, calling upon his Crew to follow him in boarding, and secure the victory.
.He instantly rushed upon the enemy's deck, followed by his Officers, and about
eight men only, when a. smart contest ensued, and the Frenchmen were driven
from their quarters, and beat abaft the main-mast. Seeing, however, that they
had to cope with so few, they soon raUied, and the whole Crew being novr
engaged wi:h this small band of heroes, they were almost all cut to pieces.
Captain M'Kenzie received fourteen severe wounds, his First Lieutenant, Mr.
Pierce, and Purser, Mr. Colman, were killed, and the Master wounded Thus
overcome, they were obliged to retreat, and had but just time to regain the
.'-Kip (Captain M'Kenzie failing senseless into her main ct ains), when the
lashing gave way, and the enemy fell off, and, without wishing to renew the
contest, crowded all sail and escaped.
" The Hippoir.cne s has gone to Antigua to refit; and we are happy to under-
stand that (. ;:pr. M-Kcnzie, although his wounds in general are severe, and three
of them in the head, i« likely to recover.''
A letter from St. Kilt's, dated Sept. 7, gives the following detai's: — " On
Monday afternoon the v.-eather began to assume a very tempestuous aspect, and
through the night the wind increased, and blew with great violence from the
N. and N.W. accompanied with incessant showers of rain. Tuesday morning
held out ro hopes of an intermission, as it had only changed its direction, and
blew with equ;J violence from the S.\V. varying frequently to the S. In the
early part of therlay, aSchoonerbelongingtoMr. Chadvjkk,ofSt, Bartholomew's,
was forced on shore; and between two and three o'clock the Ship Beckford,
Capt. Dixon, having on board 320 hogsheads of sugar, and about 86 pipes of
Madeira, was driven from her anchor, and forced on shore near Fort Smitu,
where she soon went to pieces, hardly a vestige of her remaining : providentially
Capt. Dixon and hi* > rew got safe on shore, and some pai t of the wine will be
saved. A Sloop belonging to Mr. M'Gie soon followed, and is entirely de-
stroyed. The approaching night presented a most gloomy appearance to the,
other Ships in the Road-, as every mark of destruction seemed to await them, from
the increasing violence of the wind and swell ; they were seen, before the evering
closed, to labour and pitch very much. Wednesday morning presented a scene
of horror to the imagination. Not a Vessel in the Road, and the beach entirely
• covered with wreck. The William Pitt, Capt. Abercrombie, a .Ship loading here
for 1 ondon, lay on .shore above the Pond; the Aurora, Capt. Thompson, a fine
new Ship, her first voyage, with a cargo worth 40,000!. sterling, also on shore :
lower down, the Your.g Nicholas, the .~hip re-captured, and sc-nt iu here on the
6:h ult. by hi* Majesty's hhip Hippomene*, Capt. Ayscough, with a valuable
cargo of mahogany and logwood on board, laying on the Bar. Besides the
above, we have to enumerate the loss of the Ship Nelson, Capt. l.ennon, at
.Deep Bay; !-loop William" Ashton, Capt. Hanit, of .ct. Croix, at Sandy Point;
and at Salt Ponds, besides the Brig above mentioned, are the wrecks of two
.American Schooners, Mr. Dawes's Sloop, Mr. Rogers's Brig Ja5on, Mr. Coven-
try's .schooner, and other Vc*stis whose Barnes we have not been able to learn.
KAVAL MISTO&Y OF THE PRESENT VEAR, 1804. 49J
Accounts received from the different quarters of the island, detail the many
ravages made by the toirent of water from the mountain*, and the damages,
more or less, sustained in the mills and work* of aim st every estate in the island.
We cannot pretend to calculate the bss of this distressing occa>ion, but we sup-
pose it will fall little t,hort of 80 or loo.oool. It is with much pleasure we state,
there have bern but two victims, ouc a negro, and the other a white man, who
have lost their lives on this occasion. A Privateer belonging to Mr. Dougan, of
Tortola, foundered in the gale — one negro only, we can learn, was picked up.
She was seen on Tuesday throwing her guns overboard.
In addition to this melancholy intelligence, we have to mention the further
particulars of the horrible devastations in several other island?. This intelligence
came by the Venerable, arrived at Liverpool from Barbadoes, whence *he
sailed en the zoth of September.
On Monday, the 3d of September, the wind blowing W. and S.W. the hurri.
cane commenced at day-break, and continued with scarcely any intermission
until the irght of the 5tb. Every one of the windward islands was supposed to
liave in sou-.e degree kit its effects; but they were principally confined to the
harbours; and the losses in the interior of the inlands were of little consequence.
The fury of the hurricane wai chiefly experienced in the islands of Si. KittJ,
St. Thomas, and Dominica.
At Sr. Kitts, every Slvp which was at anchor was entirely lost. They were
supposed to be at least one hundred.
At Dominica, out of 28 Ships and a Sloop of War (supposed to be the
O«prey), lying in the Bay, 26, and the Sloop, were lost.
'i he Damage done at Barbadoes is comparatively insignificant. None of the
Squadron under Commodore Head has received any material damage, and there
were only two Ships losr,the Perseverance, and Sybil, of London. The Berwiclc,
of London, a very valuable Ship, drove out to sea, and lost three cables, but
being supplied with another cable, and with assistance from the Launch of the
Centaur Man of War, Commodore Hood, she was fortunately enabled to brare
the violence of fhe storm.
During the contiuuaiue of this tremendous hurricane, very few lives hare
bcm losr.
To the losses which we have above stattd, we have to mention the loss, at St.
Bartholomew's, of 56 Vessels; at Antigua, 58 and a Packet, supposed to be the
Duke of Cumberland, which is now due ; and at St. Thomas'?, 44, out of which
five only were Girlish.
Burladoes, Oct. i. Amongst the number of Ships that w. nt on shore in the
Jate hunkane, is his Majesty's Ship de Ruyter. She was going from English
Harbour, to lay Prison--hip at Falmt uth Harbour: but petting to leeward, was
obliged to anchor near the F.re Islands. When the gale came on, she parted,
and soon went to ; icces ; but fortunately only one man lost. His M.ije.-ty'^
Sloop Oif-rey, of 18 ;uus, Cayit. Bryan, also wtnt on shore in Prince Rupert'*
Bay, Dorrinkn, but hasvinrc been got oil by his Majcs'y's ahip Centaur.
Nov. 13. B, a<ivi.es from Jamaica, by the last Packet, we karn, that "a
curi<ju> pher.or.ic.non has ri:ai'c it* appearance there for some time pa^t, and hn»
been observed b. several inu-'li^ent people, particular !y by the g'-ntlemen in the
Royal Navy. It is a star, and by the br.lliancy of i's ' ppear.:ncc s of some mag-
nitude. The Admiral h. s been very particular ;n his oW vat >ns on it, and
thinks it wtll calculated for discovering the lon^ituoe, if they vork true \\ith
the fore^tafF, nut that the- qu.vi rant or s xt mt is upon fo-> diminut ve a scale. It
chiefly m; Les its appi-anii^x in !at. 17° 44', long. 76 ' 20'; ; tui it i observed, that
there is no other star that radial-: s within the- -vnnex < ! tlii> hnr'nary. It seeing
it was first discovered by a } liy Ki;;n, and nt w yoei- by hi= n.un.."
LIBERTY OR DEATH !
JAQUES THE fJHST EMPF.ROK OF HAYTI.
Art. i. Every Cur- tain of a Ve-st 1, armc i 'or not, on boi»r<l of which on' or
more persons', nati-»t s, s'i.i-1 li- Joi.r. ;. to be c.irrk-d to :i fo e fj\ >o .n--y, --iicH
Captain shall be ar resit d rui-' thrown into prison, t!v re to 'jv te-;. i c>;;th«, an I
^ficr that lin'e to 1 <• t; i.t '-n h:-> own country wirh fxi'uss n-'-er.-. i ot to return ••>
tlic '. m (;!••<• of : ii.yti at his ptii!. The Vessel ai.u Cur^o sh.ui be coaCscaUd tor*
tht bcritfit of '
494. SAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
Art. 2. Every native taken on board such foreign Vessel, shall immediately be
ihot in the public ?q i.ire.
The guards ( f ihvi-i- n-. and briga-les, and the different Commanders^ are
charged with the ex cutior of the present decree.
Done at cur Iirr>er:al Pal; ce, .tt the Cape, the 22"1. of Oct. 1804, first
Year of our Independence, and of our Reign the first.
(Signed) JACQUES.
By the Emperor, CALRONNE,
General of Hors- to his Imperial Majesty.
A letter from Boston says, " The Haytkns lately captured a Spanish Vessel
laden with silks and muslins, bound to Vera Cruz. The Crew were immediately
brought on shore and murdered. A d-iy or two after the capture, the Emperor
and his principal Officers appeared in new suits of silk."
AMERICA.
In the Daily Advertiser of the 8th Nov. are the following particulars relative to
the escape of the French Frigates fiom New Yoik :— " The Pilot Boat Fairp'ay,
which attended the French Frigates through the Sound, returned yestcriby.
By her we learn that they met with no accident that caused them any trouble
or detention on their way to the ocean. While passing opposite the Marsh a
little way above Hell Gate, t;,ey slightly grazed the bottom, but did net on th:»
account lose any way. About five o'clock on Saturday morning they hove to foe
a short time, in order to have sufficient light while passing a shoal named ths
Races. This day proved foggy and calm, so that they did not make great pro-
gress, wind S.W. Between six and seven o'clock, P.M. the Fairplay left them
a little to the west of Block Island, shaping their course between that island and
the continent, so as so run into Rhode Island should the English Frigates make
their appearance. In the course of Saturday night, however, a fine breeze
sprung up from the N.N.E. which carried them quite ou: to sea; at dawn nest
morning they were no longer in sight. Both of the Frigates sail well, so fast
indeed as to outstrip the Pilot Boat."
Philadelphia papers state, that the British Ships had gained materially on the
French Frigates that escaped from New York. At 5 o'clock on Saturday
evening, the Frenchmen were seen off the N.E. end of Block Island, with their
courses hauled up, it being at the time a perfect calm, and continued so for seven
hours, when a brteze sprung up from the N.N.E. The Leander and Cumbrian,
which sailed from Sandy Hook early that morning, had, at n o'clock, ran a dis-
tance of 50 miles , being then spoken three leagues to the eastw ird of Hog Uland,
and likewise to the eastward, or a-head of the French Commodore.
MEDITERRANEAN.
Rome, Oct. 29. The eruptions 'of Mount Vesuvius have ceased, but not its
•wonders. It has been asserted that the English Ship of the Line which wa»
before Naples, changing its position during the time of an eruption ; one of the
anchors, when drawn up, was found to be so hot, that the Sailors could scarcely
touch it.
Dee. ii. Capt. Hyllier, of the Niger, arrived at the Admiralty with dispatches
from Lord Nelson. An English Squadron is cruizing offRagusa.
On the nth of September a Seaman of the Victory, of 1 10 guns, Lord Nelson's
Flag-ship, fell from the forecastle into the sea : on hearing the cry of a man
overboard, Mr. E 'ward Flin, a Volunteer, jumped from the quarter-deck after
him, and had the good fortune to save the man, notwithstanding the extreme
darkness of the night, and the Ship at the time being under sail. The next
morning Lprd Nelson sent for Mr. Flinf and presented him with a Lieutenant's
Commission, appointing him to the Bittern Sloop of War; and at the same time
told him he would strongly recommend him to the Lords of the Admiralty:
in consequence of which, their Lordships have confirmed him in that appoint-
ment.
FRANCE AND SPAIN.
Should a war ensue previous to the restoration of the Spanish treasure, it will be
condemned as a drtir of the Crown, «.s a capture nude previous to the war, instead
tAVAL HISTORV Of THE ?RBSENT YEA*, l8o^ 49$
«f being adjudged to the captors, as would have been the csse had a declaration
cf hostility preceded the seizure of the Vessels. It is usual, however, on such
occasions, and we cannot suppoie the practice will he departed from in the present
instance, for the Crown to surrender to the captor* half or two third* of the
value of the prizes to niitdc.
EoK/ogne, Nvv. 6. Extract of the order of the day, for the Imperial Flotilh :—
The Flotilla shall celebrate, on thegt/'.by threeoischarj-esof artillery, the anniver-
sary of this glorious day, which has fixed the happy de*tin,e» of Prince. The
first discharge shall take place at the break of day, the srcond at noon, and the
third at Sun-set, All the Vessels ren-a.Tiing in t^e port, whether the Flotilla be
in the road or not, shall be decked out in the most splendid munner from Sun-rise
till Sun-set. At three o'clock in the afternonn of the sam« day, at the time of
high tide, the A imiral will distribute the Eaglrs of the Legion of Honour to the
brave fellows for whom he has received them from the Grand Chancellor, pursu-
ant to the orders of his Majesty the Emperor.
NORTHERN STATES.
The following is an extract of a letter from a Captain in the Russian Squadron
to his brother in Edinburgh, dated Kongsbacka, Au i st 25, <).... 1804. — " I em-
brace the opportunity of writing you a few lines wi.h uic Captai.i of a Vessel
bound forLeith, who has been obliged to put in here gome day« ago with our
Squadron in a very hard gale of wind. Fortunately for u«, we had a harbour
under our lee. Although' there was not one person in the Squadron who wa«
acquainted with 'he coa.t, we were ohli eJ to bear away amongst those inhospi-
table Swedish rock-, without Pilots, and luckily got in safe, except our Cutter,
which lost her masts. Our situation was truly alarm. ng, being all upon a lee-
shore in the Cattegat; and had w^ remained at >-ea that night, the Fleet must
inevitably have peiished. We >>o into the North Sea, to cruize on the Dogger
Bank till the i5th of September, O.S. and then return to Russia. The news,
papers will probably inform you of our Squadron, but as they are not always
cwrree', I send you a list ot the r-hips, th1 Admiral's and Capt tins' names. The
place v e are in is called Kongsb;;.<-ka Harbour, behind Niddingcn light-house, in
the Cattegat, a v.rygo •• • harbour ; but the Pilots never come out, as they expect
tnoie from plunder tl an Pilot money.
Rear- Admiral Lorman, Commander of the Squadron.
Ships' Namet. Cum. Commander*.
Mihaiel (Fiag-ship) 64 Capt. Hamilton.
Prince v.arle 64 Ogilvy
O Mhintia 64 Malcoff
Scheshve - - - 44 Roundlinjj
Tiffonskoi Bohorodeits 44 — Poodnoff
Dispatch (Cutter) 18 Kosliotsoff.
The Cutter goes to Russia, as she has lost her masts."
\Ve have been favoured with a letter from an Officer who holdi an important
situation in the Russian Navy, from which we give the following extract :—
" Revel, Oct. 12. In the course of next spring a large Meet for E hnd will
certainly sail from this port There is now a small Squadron here that is to put
to sea immediately: it consists of two Ships of the Line, two L-'rigates, and on«
Sloop of War, under the command of Commodore Greig. I suppose I shall be
sent next spr.ng We every day expect war to be declared against France.
This country has at present a regular army of 520,000 of the bcst^troops in
Europe, exclusive of about 200.000 irregulars, Colmucs, and Cossac»."
The new Light-house erected on the wall of Copenhagen, was inspected by
the Crown Prince on the 8th ult. It was lighted on the same night, and seen
at sea to very great effect.
At Nantes and 1'Orient, as well as at Havre, the Swedish SUjpl have been
laid under an embargo, by order of the French Government.
Mr. Greathcad, of . outh Shields, the inventor of the Life Boat, lately received
from the Kin<r of Prussia a gold med.Ulim, as a mark of his Majesty's high ap-
probation of the Life Boat, which Mr. Greathcad s.nt to Stetten, in 1803, by
7
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
the King's order. On one side of the medallion is an impression of his Majesty,
•with the following inscription :— " The patron of him who preserveth hw
neighbour's life.1' On the other side the four elements are represented as con-
tending with each other, and in the midst of them an extended arm covered
•with a shield, with the following inscription, taken from the ajth chap, of St.
Matthew: — «' And]the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily i say unto
you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least ef these my brethren, ye
have done it unto me." Mr. Greathead had also the honour, a short time ago,
of receiving from the Emperor of Russia, a valuable diamond ring, in con equence
of his Majesty having himself examined and highly approved the Life Boat,
which Mr. Greathead built and sent to Cronstadt, by the Emperor's order.
The interest which these VIonarchs take in preserving the lives of their subjects,
it highly honourable to them. At the same time it nvist be matter of surprize
snd concern, that while losses are daily happening on our own shores, so many
considerable ports in this humane and commercial country should still remain
unprovided with the means which have already saved the lives of above one
thousand persons, and which have never yet failed of complete success in any
one instance in which they have been tried.
Sir J. B. Warren, our late Ambassador to the Court of St. Petersburgh,
accompanied by Lady Warren and Count Manster, the Hanoverian Minister,
with the whole of his suite, arrived in town 0,1 the 5th of December from Har-
wich. Sir John and suite left St. Petersburg!! for Cronstadt, where the Ame-
thyst Frigate lay, which carried out Sir G. L. Cower, and was destined to con-
vey the Baronet home; but, the passage being interrupted by the frost, the
party were obliged to proceed by lai:d to Revel, a distance of 2~O English miles,
where they remained for three days before he , mtrhyst couid be cut out of the
ice and was able to join them. They were a fortnight upon their passage from,
Revel to Hosely Ba-, where they quitted the Frigate . nd embarked on board
the Charger Gun-biig, which lauded them, on Wednesday, at Harwich. Sir
John was received with distinguished honours, on landing; the Pegasus I-'rigate
fired a salute of fifteen guns, which was returned by the Charter, and the bells
of the town rang a merry peal. After having taken sonu refreshment, the party
set out for town, and lept at Colchester. The public entre of Lord G. i . Gower
into ^ t. Pcterbburgh was one of the most splendid exhibitions of this kind ever
witnessed in that city.
NORTH SEA.
Extract of a letter from the Squadron off the Texel, dated \Tov. 13, 1804 —
" '1 ill yesterday we have been for some days in a state of apathy, when being
a tolerably clear day, we could di-covsr three cf the enemy's Ships of the Line
had removed from the Mars Diep to the Inner or New Diep ; and ia the even-
ing the two remaining Line of Battle Ships and a Frigate followed, apparently
ab.indoning all idea of making a dash during the winter.
Tarmvuth, Nov 27. Arrived Irom a cruize the Glatton, of 64 guns, having ia
tow 1'Africaine Frigate, having lost her rudder, carried away by a heavy s a.
By the above \ve learn the loss of his Majesty's Ship Romney, of 50 guns, off the
Texel, but are happy to acd that the Crew are all saved, 30 by the Boats of the
Fleet, and the remainder by the Dutch Schtiyts, and made prisoners.
28. His Majesty's 1 rigate 1'Africaine, Captain Mauby, Commander, rid:ng
in Yarmouth Roads \esterday, in the course of last night, the wind blowing
very strong at east, drove and came very near the shore, and a out two A. M.
made sigi al of distress, and cut away her mizen-mast, and about eleven this
morning she cut away her fore and main-masts. The day before yesterday she
was towed in here by his Majesty's Ship Glatton, she having carried away her
rudder on the coast of Hdland. The Contre-Amiral Magon, the Privateer
lately commanded by Blackeman, about eight o'clock yesterday evening, drove,
and came on shore on Yarmouth Beach, where, it is feared, she will become a
wreck.
29. We are happy in being able to state, that his Majesty's Frigate 1'Africaine,
in consequence of the weather having moderated, this morning hauled off, and
it now riding in the roads in safety.
J2eJ, Die. 6. Wind N. N. W. This morning Vice- Admiral Holloway ihifted
NAVAL HISTORY OT THE FRESENT YEAR, §804. 497
his flag from his Majesty's ship Utrecht, to the Castor Frigate- the Utrecht has
since sailed to Sheerness. hailed his Majesty's Ships Antelope, Sir Home Pop-
ham; and Arderr, Captain Winthorp, on a cruize to ihe westward.
12. Arrived 1'Immortalito Frigate, with Locust, Mallard, Constant, Watch-
ful, and several other Gun-brigs, from the French coast, and remain in the
Downs, with his Majesty's ^hips Monarch, Castor, Ardtnt, Inflexible, Ante-
lope, Leda, Orpheus, Jamaica, and Champion; the Dart, Orestes, Cygnet,
Curlew, Arab, Spy, Lucifer, Volcano, Devastation, Fury, Sulphur, T<trt»rus}
Prospero, Vesuvius, Discovery, and Zebra, Bombs,
NARROW SEAS.
Nov. 9. We do not profess ourselves to he competent to pronounce a correct
judgment of the merits of the blockading system. The late frequent accident*
that have arisen to our Ships from stress of weather, however, ought to leid to
an examination of the question in all its bearings. It is evident, that even ordU
nary tear and wear, without the destruction of battles, must hurry our Navy to
decay, and will demand «ome activity and attention to keep up the stock. It It
the opinion of many naval men, that the Ships are dreadfully shattered by the
exposure to winds and tempests, and must be much sooner worn out than the
usual calculation of their durability allows, If a severe storm were to attack our
Fleet blockading Brest, after they have been stretched by so many hard gales,
they might be so disabled (perhaps many of them lost i, as not to be able to put
to sea for some time'; so that the enemy, availing themselves of such an unfor*
tunate occurrence, might sail, and perhaps make their way to Ireland.
When the Venerable was lust, one of the three-decker* of the Brest Squadron
struck upon a rock outside the Berry head, in going out of Torb iy upon the
night of the 24th of November. The Dragon also, of 74 guns, has been on the
Shambles off Wcyrnonth, where she struck several times, b t was got oif by the
skill and exertion of her Commander and Crew, without any matef'al damage.
Torbay, No-v. 29 It still continues to blow hard, and the wind being got to
the southward of the east, made a most v olent sea ; his Majesty's .Ship impeto
cux begins to ride heavy. The Venerable is entirely gone to pieces, and the
shore for two or three miles is covered with wreck. Guards of Brixham S<-a
Fencibles, Volunteers, Cavalry, Sic. are placed all round, and yet some wicked
fellows have been base enough to ventuie in the night to plunder. The even-
ing before last, two respectable farmers, ou( of curiosity, walked near the wreck,
and were challenged by one of the guards twice, but, from ini^t.ike. it seems the
marine guard fired on them, aud wounded one. it is feared rmrtally. as the \M
fractured the bone of t< e arm and lodged in his breast. Five Burgeons were
employed ti> amputate the arm and ex'ract ihe. ba 1, The Brig Nelly is not yet
gone to pieces, as she is jammed in between the rocks in -uch a manner a- to *it
upright : her rudder is beat off, and the rotks are gone through her : as soon at
the spring tides lift to move her, it is supposed she will separate: her topsails
are reefed, set, and sheeted home, as when bhe went on shore ; no Bo.it yet can
venture off to unbend or cut the sail.- away.
We can now state with accuracy the lo=« of men lately belonging to the Ve-
nerable. The lotal complement borne on her books the Jay chu she unfortu-
nately went on shore, were 5 55 ; the number mustered afterwards, on board the
Impetueux, Goliath, and onshore, was 547 ; so that the number m.fli.ig is o;ily
eight, and but four of them are kno vn t > have suffered.
Dec, I. The s-orm seems a little abated; yesterday it blew almost a hurri-
cane; the Impttu ux rode very heavy. The two Gun bri^s which came rou> d
to take the wreck and stores ot'the Venerable, rode all under. A 1'nisi.ian Gal-
liot drove with two anchors a-head for almost two miles, and got in the- b'reakcrs
nearly where the Venerable was lost, the sea making a fair breach over hi r nuisc
head. At l-.st some of the, Biixham d-iring pilots went off, and for tivcuty
guineas have brought her safe into Brixham (>i-r.
3. The weather has mo ierated a little this day or twopist, wh ch has en-
abled his Majesty's bh.p Impcsuevx to get out of her perilous kiiuatiou by wary-
<Hoi XII, 3 s
49^ KAVAt HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR., 1804.
ing away to windward, to an anchor left behind by the Goliath. The greatest
fea«-s were entertained about her last Friday, as she was drove far in the Bay,
and it wa* expected she would go on shore, having a great many of the Vene-
rable's Crew, which with her own made eleven hundred souls. Her yards and
top-masts were struck, and the Carpenters on deck had their axes ready to cut
the mast away. The Gentlemen on shore were kindling fires, and writing, in
large blick characters on the white houses, directions where they should stick her
in to save their lives; but, thank God, she has weathered the storm.
5. Arrived late the Channel Fleet, consisting of the following Ships ;
viz. the Princess Royal, Goliath, Veteran, Impetueux. Courageux, Nemesis,
Defiance, Windsor Castle, Villc de Paris, Plantai^enot, Prince George, San Jo-
seph, Britannia, aud the Colpoys Schooner, under the command of Admiral
Cornwallis.
6. The wind breezing up to the northward and eastward, the indefatigable
Admiral Cornwallis got under weigh again with all the Ships, and resumed his
station off Brett.
ii. Last night arrived, and at present remains, his Majesty's Ship Atlas ;
*)ic sailed from Portsmouth a fortnight since to join the Channel Fleet off Brest,
which she effected, but separated from them in a gale of wind a few days pre-
vious to their bearing up for Torbay. She expected to have found the Fleet
here, but was disappointed. Wind S. S. W. and rain.
B'ixbam Quay, Dee. 13. The Western Squadron anchored, under Admiral
Cornwallis. Wind S. S. W. blowing heavy, and rain.
PLYMOUTH.
Oct. 3. Captain deCourcy will take the command of the St. George, of 98 gun«,
as soon as ready for commission. Went into dock to rtfit, the Thunderer, of
74 gui;s, Captain B.dford. Came in the Happy Return, of 10 guns, and 47 men,
Lieut. Turner, from a cruize on the French coast. She fell in with, engaged,
and actually beat off, a large heavy French Gun-brig, of 16 guns, and a Lugger,
of 14 guns ; although wounded in her maft, she effected her escape fiom them
in a very creditable manner. All the Ships here are ordered to be got ready for
sea a< fast as f o^iblc.
The Happy Return wae much wounded in her masts, sails and rigging much
cut, one of her beams and the deck torn up, though she had only one man
wounded. The enemy's Ships were a Gun-brig of 1 6 guns, and a Lugger of
14 guns, covered by the fire of shot and shells from a battery Pull of troops.
The fire from the battery dH very little execution. The action lasted three
quarters of an hour ; and the Sheerness, a Brig of 1 6 guns, heaving in sight in
the offing, the Happy Return hauled off, and lay to to repair her damages
and renew the action, if the enemy thought proper ; but they declined any fur-
ther contest, and suffered her to go off unmolested.
The Harlequin, of 14 guns, is now lying between the Island and the Main,
\vaiting for orders; it is supposed she is foreign bound, with di.-patches : indeed
all the hired armed Vessels, Brigs, Luggers, and Cutters, are ordered to get
ready for any service, for which, in the present emergency of affairs, they may
bewanteil. The Majestic, 74 guns, Captain Lord %. Beauclerc, just returned
from off the Isle of Aix, it is supposed, as she is leaky, will be ordered into dock,
to have her bottom examined.
7. Last night arrived from Jamaica, after a passage often weeks, the Urania,
of 4oguns, lion. Capt. Herbert. She sailed the 271)1 of July, with the Elephant,
of 74 guns, Cap'. I undas, and 81 Sail of Merchantmen, for rhe United King-
dom. The (.'runia was with that part of the convoy bound for Liverpool,
Bri'to! and the I.ish ports, but parted company in a violent gale of wind the
ad instant, off the S. W. coast of Ireland. The Urania had nearly fetched \. ork
when the gale of wind came on \\hich blew with asr.i'j:h violence as it did off
this port. She left the island of Jamaica Very healthy. St. Domingo, from the
larf-t accounts arrived at Port Royal, wa^in the same st.ite as heretofore.
10. Sailed to join the Fleet, the Windsor Castle, of 98 guns, Hero, of 74 guns,
and Majestic, of 74 guns; but on finding they bore up for Torbay, they pro'-,
ceeded to join them there. Sailed an hired Cutter of six guns, with a convoy to
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 499
the eastward. The Urania, of 40 guns, Hon. Captain Herbert, just arrived from
Jamaica, is to go up the harbour to refit ; she has brought home in her a very
fine young alligator, alive, four feet long; but it is supposed the animal will
not long survive in this cold climate. The Dolphin, of 44 guns, Capt. Ferrier,
is ordered to take in all sorts of stores and provisions for the Fleet in Torbay ;
she is now in the Sound, withVictualling Office Lighters full of stores along-side
her : she sails to night or to-morrow; and if the Fleet should have left T crbay,
she is to proceed oft Brest.
A great number of fine bullocks were sent off from Ivy Bridge depot for Tor-
bay. A signal was hoisted, and has been flying for the Channel Fleet, at Maker
Tower ail this forenoon; but as the wind has shifted from north-north west to
south-west, it is imagined the gallant Cornwallis will be again obliged to bear
up for Torbay. Came in the Bosario, of 24 guns, with the Crew, 100 prisoners,
of a fine French Letter of Marque, a West-Indiaman, of 14 guns, capt .red and
sent into Cork by the Topaze, of 36 guns, Capt. Lake : she has been since sent
for the river Thames, to discharge her cargo.
1 1. Last evening the gallant Admiral Cornwallis, the wind getting round to
the northward, stood out from Torbay, and was, with nine ->ail, off the Start;
but the wind suddenly shifting to the S. W. and blowing a hurricane, malting
cur coast a lee-shore, he was reluctantly obliged to bear up again for Torbay,
but will be off again, if the wind shifts a few points to the northward or N. W.
and is moderate, this evening or to morrow.
I 5. Came in a large Danish bhip, with the loss of her rudder ; she was beating
to and fro off the Eddystone, and fortunately fell in with one of the trawling
Boats, the Master of which took her in tow, and she arrived safe in Cat.vater.
Came in the Naiad, of 38 guns, Captain Wallis, from a cruize to the westward;
she has experienced very bad weather in her late cruize.
17. At four p. m. last evening the Trompcuse, of 18 guns, lying!in the Sound,
and fitted with fix months' stores and provisions for foreign service, received her
final dispatches. At 5 p. m. she made signal for all Officers to repair on board.
At 6 p.m. she got under weigh, and soon cleared Poulet Point. She is to touch at
Cork for one day, to take in certain stores, and then proceed without delay to
Madras. She takes out with her dispatches, which arc supposed to be of great
importance. It is conjectured she will return from Madras to Ceylon, after the
delivery of her dispatches. Sailed for London an American Ship, detained sonic
time since by la Trompcuse, but liberated by an order from the Admiralty.
The Hibernia, of 130 guns; the Pallas, of 38 guns; and the Circe, of 38 gun«,
now building in this dock-yard, are reported as ready for launching, and by the
number of gangs lately put on those Ships, it is supposed they will be off the
stocks altogether on the i;th of November next, being full moon, and the highest
spring tide for that month. This will be a phenomenon in the a: a of Plymouth
Dock-yard, or indeed in any other Dock-yard in the kingdom, of launching a Ship
of ;uc(i an immense fabric as the Hibernia, and two Frigates, ot the larger class, at
the siime moment of time, from different slips. It will be a proud and glorious
fight, if the weather should be favourable for their launching. The Thunderer,
ot 74 guns, Captain Bedford, is out of dock, and almost reaOy for ?ea. She will
go down the harbour as soon as she is reported fit to go into Cawsand Bay to join
the H leet.
18. The Channel Fleet, under the persevciing Cornwallis, agnin put to sea
on Tuesday last; but it blowing a tremendous gale of wind atS.S.W. with a heavy
sea in the Channel, he was compelled to bear up again to his old anchorage in
Torbay, where he now remains.
19. The following particulars have transpired respecting the capture of the
four Spanish Frigates : Fama, of 44 guns; Mercedes, oLz^guns; Medea, of 34
guns; and Clara, of 34 guns. Our Fngarcs fell in wh ine>i on their passage
from Lima to Cadiz, about ten days since. The Rear>-Admiral Bastamamb, on
beliig ordered to send a Boat on board, refused, and an action commenced; and,
aficr°sevcn minutes, the Mercedes, of 34 guns, blew up with a terrible explosion,
and only 30 mtn were saved. The Fama then made sail to get off, but was
chased anil captured by the Medusa, of 38 guns, and Lively, of 3*? gun?. 1 he
Medea and Clara are gone up the harbour, a;:d the Fama is hourly expected.
'I hey have on board three millions and a half of specie in do.lats registered. The
action happened four hours' sail from Cadiz.
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
20. The Spanish Frigates were stopped by order of Government, In eonie-
qtitnce of the r.isparches brought home from Rear-Admiral Cochranc, on the
ij-h ult, by the Naiad, of 38 guns, Captain Wallis, and forwarded by express to
the AdL7iiralty. In four days from that express arriving in London, dispatches
•were rectived here, and were immediately put on board the Indcfitigable, of 40
guns, Captain G. Moore, zn\ she sailed directly for the Channel Fleet with dis-
pute? es for th; Hon. Admiral Corr.wallis, and from h'ra sailed with the Lively,
of 38 guns, Captiin Hammond; and off the Coast of Spain fell in with the
Medusa of 38 guns, Captain Gore, and Amphion, of 32 guns, Captain Sutton.
These lour Frigates on their cruize on the 5ih instant, fell in with the Spanish
Frigates as above related. On board la Mercedes, blown up in the action, there
\vcre (melancholy to rel.ite) several Spanish gentlemen and 19 ladie?, with their
families, from Lima, returning to Old Spain, who, with the Spanish Captain, his
wife, and seven children, all unfortunately perished in the explosion which took
p'a:?. On hoard the Medea, of 34 guns, Rear-Admiral Don B tstamar.t's, Captain
Don F. Pirn io Hetronilla, and the Clara, of 34 guns, arrived here, are cargoes of
jrreat value, besides the three millions and a half of registered dollars on board; la
Fama, of 44 guns, arrived at Portsmouth, has also a vjry rich cargo, and one mil-
lion of registered dollars, as per their different manifests. The two Spanish Fri-
gates here having had some men from the Medusa, of 38 guns, Captain Gore,
on board them, and* she having- come from the 6treights, they are put under
quarantine, which will at least prevent any plunder. Commodore Moore dis-
patched the Medusa, Captain Gore, to Rear-Admiral Cochrane, with the account
of this detention, from thence to Gii raltar, and to Vice-Admiral Lord Nebon.
It was on the fourth day alter the arrival of our Frigates off the Spanish coasr,
that the Spanish Ships, consisting cf Medea, of 44 guns, i8-pounders and 360
men, Rear Admiral Don Joseph de Bastamantis Gerure ; la Fama, Commodore
Don Michael de Sapiaima; la Mercedes, Captain Don fose-f Goycoa; la Clara,
Captain Don Diego Aleson, of 34 guns each, 12-pounders, and 300 men, ap-
peared in sight off Cape St. Mary. Captain Moore (the Commodore) informed
the Spanish Armiral of the nature of his orders, and submitted to his discretion
the Spanish Squadron accompanying him into an English port, withoutresistance;
addii g, that he must otherwise enforce obedience. In about an hour afterwards
the Spanish Squadron showed intentions to get into Cadiz, upon which our Squa»
*lron chased; and they instantly cemmenced a smnrt action, which lasted an
hour and a half, about forty-five minutes of which they were opposed with n pistol
shot of eaih other ; but the Marcedes blew up, after engaging the Amphion half
an hour. La Medea and la Clara were taken possession of by the Indefati-
gable, Medusa, and Amphion ; and la Fama, by the Lively, who fought her in
the most gallant style, having killed five men, and wounded forty-seven, six of
•whom have died since her arrival at Spithead, and the Ship is torn to pieces.
The Lively had two men killed and seven wounded. They are all richly laden,
and, it is moderately computed, are worth a million of money. La Fama has
l,ico,OOO dollars on board, besides a very valuable cargo of hides, furs, Sec. The
prisoners have been removed to the Royal Oak Pri-on-ship, in the harbour, and the
Officers are landed at Gosport, and put under the care of Captain Sir F. Thesiger,
the Agent for prisoners of wir. The lady of a Colonel of artillery, who was
xvounded on board the Fama, died on Monday last. La Fama had been nine years
at South America ; she came into harbour this morning. The Officers of her
will experience a very considerable loss of property in specie and of merchandize.
The blowing up of la Mercedes is a melancholy accident, the frequency of which
is to be attributed to their dangerous method of loading their guns, w hich is by
a shell from a ca^k where the powder is kept loose. Captain Hammond, who
•went to London with the account on Wednesday evening, returned this morning,
pispatche« have in con-rqucnce been sent to ull the Port-AdmirsU, and Admirals
commanding Squadrons. The Spanish frig St. Joseph, laden with linen and
•prheat, an tht Spanish Ship Esperunzi, have been taken possession of at Cowes,
by order of A miral Monta.u.
2.5, On board the two Spani.-h Frigates in Hamoaze, there are about fifty sick,
They lost only three on their passage from Lim;<. Whin the Mercedes blew up,
part of one of her quarter-deck guns was found sticking in the rigging of the
Amphion, after the explosion. Sailed to join the Channel Fleet, the Britannia,
SGI
of i io guns, Rear-Admiral the Earl of Northcflc, with a fine wfcd at N.N.F.
Carre in from .Spithead, the Couragrux, t -f 74 guns, Captain Eoyles. By cutting
down bxr poop before her late voyage to St. Hekna, this Ship has beenfound to
answer very we il, and ia now so much improved, that she may be termed a good
sea Beat. Sailed for Cork, with a fine wind, the Plover, of 18 guns, Captain
Hancock, with the Brooke, of 16 guns, Lieutenant Love, and four armtd cop-,
pered Transports, with the third battalion of the eighty-first regiment of foot,
Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie.
28. The Channel Fleet, as the wind pot rbund to S.S.F., did not reach hii'hcr
than the Deadman, and soon resumed their station off B:ixham ; it is a curioim
fact, that on the I9th and zoth inst, there was not a single Line of Battle Ship off
Brest : yet Gamheaumt's Fleet remained, as so often described, in Brest Roads,
as usual. Now they are as completely blocked up as ever, by the persevering
Cornwallis. Came in, and lay at aj.chor iu the Sound for the night, I'Egyptienne,
of 48 guns; she sailed again in the mornii;g for a four months* cruize off the
Western Islands, Came in, a Spanish Brig, with naval stores, bound from St.
SebasriauN for Bourdeaux, detained and sent in by the Felix, of 14 guns, Lieute-
nant Bourne. Arrived the Acasta, of 44 gin s, Captain Wood; she is ordered
to fit out for foreign service, and take in provisions and stores for six month?.
Went up the harbour to refit, the Amphion of 38 guns, Captain Sutton, having
jeceivcd pratique from London, to relieve her from quarantine.
30. Came in the Spanish tirig Nostra del Carmen, from Cadiz, detained by
the Argus Sloop of War.
Came in from Ferrol, the Illustrious, of 74 guns; she left our Squadron all
^|gll a few days since.
31. The Gun-vessel brought in yesterday was captured close in shore on the
coast of France, by the Unicom, of 34 guns, ?nd Assault Gun-brig, of 14 guns,
without any lo«s on our side. She is a low flat long ves«el, well calculated to run
in upon a beach to land troops. This morning ordcrscame down from the Privy
Council, to release the Med«, Rear- Admiral Don Bustimcnto; and CLra, Cap-
tain Don John Petronella, Spanish Frigates, from quarantine. The sick, about
fifty, are to be sent on board the convalescent Ship in Haraoaze, and the Seamen
are to remain on boaid their owp Ships, under the command of their own
Officers, who are treated with the greatest politeness and attention by Admiral
Young, and all the British Officers at this port.
Nov. i. Last evening, after working on and off the whole d'ay, came into
Cawsand Bay, from off Brest, the Terrible, of 74 guns, and Monitaur, of 74 guns.
The Channel Fleet were blown off their station on Tuesday night, by a violent
gale of wind at S.S.W., and bore up forTorbay, where they arrived yesterday
evening. The sixty French prisoners brought in by the Santa Margaretta cf 38
guns (the Crews of the Gun-boats sunk by the Dispatch, of 18 guns), were sent
this day on board the St, Isidro, in Hamoaze.
3. Came in, in distress, the Thomas, of Liverpool, of 18 guns, and sixty men,
with a cargo of Honduras wood, sugar, mahogany, &c. from the Havannah, for
London, in six weeks- She experienced, about fouiteen days since, most dreadful
weather, and shipped such heavy seas, that she was obliged to throw fourteen
guns overboard : her fore-top-mast was carried away, and she must go into dock
to repair. Came in a large Swedhh Ship, with iron, hemp, tar, &c. for the yard.
Went into Barnpool to refit, the Santa Margaretta, of 36 guns, Captain Rath-
bone. Arrived from the Coast of France, a small Privateer, of 15 tons, 35 men,
and i gun, with pitch and tar, for the use of the French Fleet ; she was taken
close in shore by one of the hired Cutters. Came in the John Bull armed Cutter,
from off Toulon, with dispatches.
5. Last ni^ht sailed to join the Fleet off Brest, the Thunderer, of74gun«,
Captain Bedford, after being refitted in Hamoaze. Letters have been received
fom the Bacchante, of 24 guns, Captain Dashwood; and Beauheu, of 44guns,
dated Carlisle Bay the 3oth of August, which state their safe arrival there Irom
Cork, with the outward-bound Wtst India Fleet, all well the aist of August,
and very healthy. The French Gun-boat, brought in last Thursday, is sixty lect
long, mounts two guns, and is without rudder or half deck ; so that lh«
diers and failors, in &o:ng from port to port, are in danger of being swampe*. and
•Iways wet. By the John Bull, of 14 guns, armed Cutter, irom Gibraltar, is
5»* NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804.
learnt, that cmong the deaths there, were those of Mr. Powuall, and his whole
family, naval Storekeeper at Gibraltar.
6. Letters received here from Malaga, dated the i Jth u!t., state, that the fever
had much -'hated, and the deaths were now reduced from ten to five per day.
All the public and private treat>ure, with the plate belonging to individuals, in
the Spanish Ships, is ordered to be landed under the care of the Custom-house
here, and forwarded to the Bank of England, under escort of the 4th Dragoon
Guards; the merchandize on board them is to be placed in warehouses*
under the customs and excise locker. A fine Spanish Brig, el Guixolenza,
from the Havannah, laden with cochineal, coffee, and 10,000!. in dollars, detained
by the Maidstone Frigate, is arrived at Plymouth. Went into dock, after being
stripped, the Indefatigable, of 44 guns, Captain G. Moore ; she wants a good
deal of repairs.
8. Sailed to join the Fleet off Brest, the Terrible, of 74 guns ; Minotaur, of
74 guns ; and Colossus, of 74jj;un>. The remainder of theShips in Cawsaiid Bay
as they get ready are to sail for the Fleet off Brest. Came in the Warrior of 74
guns, Captain Bligh, after a long cruize off Rochforr.
10. Came in from Jamaica, a large Cartel Ship, with 300 French
soldiers and prisoners, belonging to the army of St. Domingo, taken off that
island by our intrepid Sailors and Royal Marines. They have had a dreadful
passage of 13 weeks, and experien ed gre.it mortality, 31 prisoners having died
on the voyage. When the Cartel came into the Channel, the Frenchmen en-
deavoured to run away with her for Morlaix, but falling in with the Thunderer,
of 74 guns, Captain Bedford, and Naiad, of 38 guns, Captain Dundas, the Offi-
cer commanding her made a signal of distress, which was answered by the
Thunderer, and Captain Bed ord put her in charge of the Naiad, which .ship
saw her safe into the Sound, and then sailed to join the Fleet off Brest. The
Cartel went up Hamoaze to the West Meed, and was directly by the Tide Sur-
veyors put under the strictest quarantine.— The French Cartel, which ci'me in,
off Scilly, a few nights since, picked up part of the bottom of an Amer can
Schooner, which had foundered in a violent gale of wind a fry tnight before.
When this wreck was picked up, there were on it three poor emaciated half-
starved American Sailors, who could scarcely be got into the Cartel, from ex-
treme debility and weakness. Two others had perished a few days before, from
•want of food, having been fourteen days without any sustenance but a little wet
biscuit, divided in a small portion. The poor fellows are in a fair way now of
recovery, and appear very thankful for their providential escape.
Orders are come to the Post-Office here, from the General Post-Oifice, not to
receive any letters from the Streight?, &c. that are not thoroughly fumigated.
The famous French Privateer la Blonde, of 30 guns, now christened the Fame,
has been purchased by •• Blewett, Esq. owner of several hired armed ves-
sels from Plymouth, in the service of Government. He means to fit her out
immediately as a private Ship of War ; and, if a Spanish war takes place, from
her swift sailing, there is every prospect of success. >he is to carry 30 eighteen-
pounders, 150 men, and is to be commanded by that gallant Seaman Captain
Hasier, so successful on the coasts of Spain and Portugal, and off the Western
Islands, where he fought several brilliant actions in the late and present wars,
and captured and burnt several Privateers.
1%. The srory in circulation, of the Sirius, of 36 guns, Captain Prowse,
having fallen in with two Frigates, and after an action of an hour, had cap-
tured one of them with great lo«s, turns out to be unfounded, and arose from
a Hoy from Portsmouth, with passengers for Dock, having fallen in with
the Medu a and the Matilda beating up for Portsmouth, and on his hailing
the Master of the Hoy, mistook one name for another. Came in the
Rosa, of 10 guns, armed Transport, Lieutenant Merctr, from Liverpool
and Chester, with 107 Seamen and Landmen, for the Fleet; she ran up
the harbour and discharged them on board the Slop-ship, la Resolue, pre-
vious to being sent on board the Flag Ship for distribution. Came in the
Pickle Schooner, of 14 guns.
The treasure, public and private, of the Medea and Clara, Spanish Frigates,
was landed on Saturday and this morning, and lodged in the dungeoas of
the citadel, previous to being sent off to the Back of England. The Spanish
NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. 503
Officers of each rank on board, are to be allowed their pay by our Govern-
ment till the business with the Spanish Court and ours is finally adjusted.
12. Came in the Hazard, of 18 guns, Captain Neve. With part of the
Streights' Convoy, the Wasp, of 18 guns, Hon. Captain Aylmer. Came in
from a cruize to the westward, the Venus, of 18 guns, Lieutenant Cockburn.
Letters from the Doris, of 40 guns, Captain Campbell, dated at sea the 7th inst.,
state, that on the 5th she fell in with and captured a French Brig, laden with
Wine and Brandy, for Brest, from Bourdeaux, for the use of the French Fleet.
Came in the Boston, of 32 guns, Captain Douglas, from Halifax, after a passage
of twenty-three days; she brought with her a large lumber Ship, with masts of
particularly large dimensions, for the use of his Majesty's Navy. The Boston
has been at Halifax, and on the American station, six years.
14. Came in the Raven, of 18 guns, from the Downs: she sprung her bow-
sprit in a violent gale of wind, and went up the harbour to refit. Went up the
harbour also, the Hazard, of 18 guns, to refit. Sailed on a cruize the Foudroy-
ant, of 84 guns, Vice-Admiral Sir T. Graves, K. B. It is supposed she is gone
to the southward.
17. Went up the harbour to refit, after being in commission nine years ?nd
a half, and six years on foreign service in the West Indies and America, the
Boston, of 32 guns, Captain Douglas. The following are the Men of War
\vhich have sailed from Cawsand Bay this week, to join the Channel Meet:—
Foudroyant, Courageux, Mars, Repulse, Montague, and Terrible. Remain
in Cawsand Bay, the Illustrious, Warrior, and Minotaur. In the Sound, the
Harlequin, of 14 guns. In Barn Pool, the Santa Margaretta, of 36 guns; and
Raven, of 16 guns. Passed by to the eastward, the Isis Man of War, with a
Fleet under convoy, from Newfoundland. Came in, the French Sloop Val-
ligeux, laden with wine and brandy, from Bourdeaux, captured by the Doris
Frigate.
At noon the weather cleared up, and from one P. M. till three, every ave-
nue to the Dock-yard was completely filled up till the gates were opened at half
past three. At a quarter past four the first Frigate was launched ; viz. the Circe,
of 38 guns; and at half past four the Pallas, of 3 8 guns, went off the stocks, and
both were soon hauled alongside the North Jetty head. At five, the crowd aJl
pushed towards the slip on which sat the Hibernia, of 140 guns, ready to start.
At half past four she began to shake, (as it is termed,) and in an instant moved
majestically along the slip into the bosom of the ocean.
The following are the exact dimensions, tonnage, &c. of the Hibernia, launch-
ed last Saturday-.—
Guns, 32, 2j, 18, and g-pounders - 130
Length of Keel - - - - - 167 Feet.
Length from the figure head to the tassiel 241
Length of gun-deck ....«•• 2,01
Extreme breadth - - - • 53
Ditto depch - 60
Ditto hold ...... 2»
Tonnage ... ... 2,499 Tons.
She is the largest Man of War ever launched in England, and of the greatest
force.
Came in the Glory, of 98 guns, from the Channel Fleet, to refit. The Cleo-
patra, of 44 guns, which came in last Sunday, put back by contrary winds, n
bound to Bermuda, and takes out two Commanders for two Sloop* of War,
building at the Bermudian or Summer Islands, on the plan of the Dasher, ot iS
guns, after which she joins the Squadron on the Halifax station. Sailed for the
btreights, the Raven, of liJ guns, with a part of the Convoy put in here front
stress of weather.
22. This morning orders came down to Vice-Admiral Young, and im-
mediately a signal was made from the Telegraph to Caw-and Bay, and the
following Ships immediately sailed for their different stations ; viz. the
Glory, of 98 »uns, to join the Channel Fleet for the preser.t ; the Illustrious, of
74 guns, Captain Sir C. Hamilton, Bart., for the Channel Fleet ; and the Minw-
504 KAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT TEAR, 1804.
taur, of 74 guns, Captain Mansfield, to join the Squadron off Fer^o!. The onlf
Ships now in Cawsand Bay are the Prince, of 98 guns, Captain ' irindall ; anil
the Warrior, of 74 gin s, Captain Bligh. That beautiful Vessel the Caroline
Brig, of 16 guns, and 60 men, is taken into the service, an 1 it is supposed, when
fitted for sea, will carry out dispatches for the West Indies, as she is so fast a
•ailer; she was the first French National Corvette taken this war by the Doris,
of 44 guns, after a long chase,
24. Wer/t down into the Sound for Cork, with convoy, the Euru*. of 36
guns, Captain Innes
26. Last night sailed for Bermuda, and frqm thence to Halifax, the Cleo-
patra, of 44 guns, Captain l.awrie, taking under convoy, as far a» their voyage
lay together, the large mast Ship the America. Captain Robinson, to take in a
fresh cargo of mans, spars, &c. from Halifax. Sailed for Torbay the Lady
Warren, of 32 gu^s, with the Growler, of 14 guns, six Gun-vessels and Yard-
lighters, and other craft, to save the stores, guns, &c. from the wreck of the
Venerable, of 74 guns. Captain Hunter, lost there last - aturd;iy. when the rleet
were turning out of the Bay. Went into Dock to be coppered, the Circe and
Pallas Frigates,
28. Yesterday embarked on board the Hermes, of 18 guns, Captain Aber--
nethy, six Subalterns, and 120 Non-commissioned Officers and Bombadiers of
the Plymouth Royal Marines, formed into a company of Royal Artillery. They
are for the present destined for Woolwich Warren, to be instructed in the scien-
tific and practical part of the exercise of artillery. Las night there was a hot
press in Dock and on the kiver; several useful hands were picked up and sent
on board the Flag-ship in Hamoaze. Sailed tn join the Channel Fleet, the
Warrior, of 74 guns. Orders are come to the Victualling- Office, to victual and
store the following Men of War, commissioned, this day, in Hamoaze : the
Hibernia, of 130 guns, Captain Eoyle ; ~t. George, of 90 guns, Hon. Captain
de Courcy, late of the Hantagenet ; Pallas, of 32 guns, Hon. Captain Cochrar e,
late of the Arab ; Circe, of 32 guns, Captain Rose, late of the Jamaica ; and
Attention and Cheerly Gun-brigs, by two Lieutenants.
Dec. 2. This morning were released from quarantine, the .Mate and the
two American Seamen belonging to the late American Schooner Cameron, of
Boston, bound from Barcelona to Boston, with a cargo of wines and brandies.
After experiencing dreadful weather, a few weeks since, off the banks of New-
foundland, the Cameron started a plank, and went down so suddenly, that the
Master, a Passenger, and the Crew, had just time to take out a little wine, get
into the Jolly-boat, which wa^ leaky, and commit themselves to the mercy of
the waves. After beating about the ocean for twelve days, and being almost
exhausted, having had nothing to subsist on but a little wine, mixed with salt
water, which brought on great debility, the Master, a Passenger, and one Sea-
man, expired, under the pressure of hunger and inanimation, the Boat having
been half full of water from the time they left the Schooner, besides being nearly
swamped from several heavy seas, which kept them constantly employed in
bailing the water out. The remains of their companions were committed to
the deep. On the i3th day, almost perished with cold, weak with hunger and
fatigue, the surviving Mate and two Men gave themselves up for lost, and were
perfectly resigned to their melancholy fate, as the Boat was filling fast, and they
had scarcely strength to bail out the water, when, to their great joy, they espied
a Sail, and, making a signal as well as they could with their handkerchiefs, the
Vessel bore down towards them. The Boat was hoisted out immediately, and
they were with difficulty got on boarrl the ship, which proved to be the Rover
Transport, from Jamaica, with French prisoners. These Men speak very highly
of the great humanity of the Master of the Rover. Sailed for their station off
Torbay to Portland, the Nemesis, of 32 guns, Captain P. Somerville. Came in
the Sylph, of 18 guns, from a cru ze to the westward. Sail d to join the West
India Convoy, outward-bound, the Patriote armed Transport ; also, to join the
Fleet off Ferrol, the Bellerophon, of 74 guns, Captain Loring. The indefa-
tigable of 44 guns, Captain G. Moore, just out of Dock, and fitted for sea in
Hamoaze, is ordered to work down the Harbour into the Sound directly,
though the wind is directly E., and then to proceed with the several Officers to
2
NAT\L HISTORY OF THE PRESEHT TEAR, 1804. 50^
join their Ships off Ferrol, and to take dispatches for Rear-Admiral Cochrane.
Sailed for Cork, the Eurus, of 3.2 guns, Captain Jones, with Naval stores for th«
Fleet under Admiral Lord Gardner, and several empty Victuallers To* that port.
Remain in Cawsand Bay, the Prince, of 98 guns, Captajn Grindall. In the
•s >und, • t. Margaretta, of 36 guns, Dolphin, of 44 guns, several 6un-brig;, and
Harlequin, of 14 guns.
. 4. Went up the Harbour to refit, from. Barney Pool, the Dolphin, of 44
puns, Captain Ferrierea. The Impetueux, of 84 guns, Captain Martin, has not
been able to g<-.t round from Torbay, owing to the .S. S. E. winds bl wing right
in there, with a heavy sea; she is to bring round the Officers and Crew of the
Venerable, of 74 guns, which is all to pieces, though several of her stores are
saved by the exertions of the Impetueux and Goliath's Boats, and the Clerks of
fhe Victualling Office, sent itver to Torbay to take charge and superintend that
business; when her Crew arrive here, they will be distributed onboard the
Hibefnia, of 130 gun«, Captain Boyle ; and St. George, of 98 guns, Hon, Cap-
tain de Courcy, fitting for s>'a in Hamoaze; they are a fine Ship's company*
and will go far towards . manning thrse Shjps. Warped down into Barney
Pool, to wait the morniirg's tide, when she will go into the Sound to take dis-
patches for Rear- Admiral Cochrane, the Indefatigable, of 44 guns, Capt.tin G<
Moore. Came in from a cruize to the westward, the Nautilus, of 18 g .ns,
Captain Aldham ; and the Dasher, of 18 guns, Captain Delafcfres.
. 5. .The Dispatch ."-.loop of War has captured, and afterwards destroyed, two
French Pinnaces the Crews and stores of which she brought into Urs Port.
Came in from off 1'eirol, where she left a few days since on that station, all
Veil, the Spartiate, of 84 guns; Cap'rain Jardine, of the Royal Marines, came
passenger, on account of his health. Last night arrived the Dreadnought, of 0,8
guns, Vice-Admiral Collingwnod, from off Rochefort.
6. Went into the Sound, and sailed for Ferrol and Corunna, the Indefati-
gable, of 44 guns, Captain G. Mann. Went also into the bound, and sailed
directly to the we-tward, the St. Margaretta, of 36 guns. Came from the cast-
ward, the Gannett, of 18 guns, Captain Bass, with a convoy.
8. Came in Plmpetueux, of 84 guns. Captain Martin, from Torbay; and
several Gun-brigs, with the Officers and Crew of the Venerable, of 74 guns,
Captain Hunter, lost there. The Impetueux experienced terrible weather there
sinc<: the 25th ult. The Channel Fleet passed down last night for their station
off Brest, and the Impetueux left them S. E. of the Edystone Light-house, all
•well. ?ai ed under convoy of a Gun-brig, the Patriot armed Transport, for
Jiarbadoe-s to F .Imouth, to wait convoy. Came in the Goliath, of 74 guns,
and Eorydice, of 24 guns, Captain Hoare, from the westward, put back by con-
trary winds. Letters received from Lisbon by the last Packet, state the total
loss on the coast of Portugal, about a month since, of the Duke of Clarence,
Lieutenant N. Clements, in- a violent gale of wind. Lieutenant C., the Offi-
cers, and Crew, are saved, though with the loss of all their property. The Vc-
nerable's Ship's company were this afternoon drafted on board the Hibernia, Su
George, Pallas, and Circe.
1 1. This forenoon a i burt Martial was held on board el Salvador del Mun-
do, Vice-Admiral Young, in Hamoaze, on Captain Hunter, theOfficeis, War-
rant and Petty Officers, thip's Company, and Royal Marines, of his Majesty's
late Ship Venerable, of 74 guns, which w.is wrecked on a reef of rocks near"
Torbay, in a gale of wind, on Saturday night, the 34th ult. , for the loss of
the baid Ship (J. Liddel, J'lsq. Judge Advocate); when, after a very short trial,
the Court unanimously acquitted them all honourably, except one man, who
was found guilty of drunkenness, disobedience of orders, and plundering
the Officers' baggage. He was adjudged to receive ZOO lashes round the Fleet,
As an example.
12. Came in the Malta, of 84 guns, Captain Duller, from off Rochefort ; she
left the Squadron all well a few days since.
13. Came in from the Channel Fleet, which she left all well, bearing up for
Tor,>ay, last night, S. h. E. of the Edystone, the ban Josef, of 1 10 gum, Captain
Rickctt*.
$06 NATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT Y£A*, 1 804,
PORTSMOUTH.
Sef>t. 3.6. Arrived the Magaera Floop of U'ar, Capt. Duff, from a cruize*
Sailed the Heron and Lady Melville armed Ships, with convoys; and the Duke
of Clarence Cutter, with a convoy for Gtierns-y. The Poulette, of 24 guns,
Captain Dunbar, on her returning from off Havre, chased the Lion Cutter, of
Hastings, a most notorio s Smuggler ; and although the Poulette flits like a
witch, and every advantage was taken by Capta n Dunbar, that an expert
Seaman could devise, in battering down, &c. the Poulette, she escaped, after
a verv Inrd and singularly circuitous chase. Sailed the Hecla and Explosion
Bomb, on a cruize off Havre. The Blenheim, of 74 guns, Capt. Bland, is
ordered into harbour.
30. Governor Desbnr is arrived, to take his passage to St. John's, New,
fouodland. J he probability of a war with Sp in daily increases. Among the
serious symptoms, we think the ordering a number of Frigate? and sma'.ler Ves-
sels for foreign stations, and the sudden orders to get others ready for commis-
sion, are not among the least of the expectations of such an event. The Swift-
sure, Captain Robinson ; Tribune, Captain Bnnet; and Seine, Captain Atkins >
are ordered to fit here for foreign service. The Arethusa and Flora Frigates
are ordered ro be fitte ! for commission. The Growler, Gun-vessel, Lieut.
Ives, has detained the Spai.ish Frig Esperance, bound to Dieppe, laden with
coffee, indigo, and sugar, which sailed for Bowes yesterday, to unload her cargo.
The Rattler, Captain Mason, has sent in the Galliot Melena, bound to Dour--
deaux. — We are sorry to learn the loss of the Georgiana, hired Cutter, Lieut.
Knceshaw, on Wednesday last, on the banks near Honfleur, in reconnoitring
the enemy's force very far up the Seine. The Boats of the Havre Squadron
saved the people, and Lieut/ Kneebhaw set fire to the Vessel, which was en-
tirely destroyed before any of the Flotilla could get near her.. They, however,
fired on the Boats on their retreat, but did not hurt any person. Lieut. K., the
Waster, and part of the Crew, are arrived in the Trusty, to attend the usual
proceedings of inquiry. Lieut. K. is an old Officer, and has lost an arm in the
service The Favourite Sloop is ready for service. The Sea Nymph Transport is
come into harbour, to put the remainder of the French St. Domingo prisoners,
which she brought from Jamaica, on board the Prison Ships. Of about 300 em-
barked, 105 died on their passage, and 15 sin', e her arrival, of dysentery, scur-
vy, &c. Such was their inhumanityto each other, that the unhappy creatures,
the moment they were indisposed, were carried to the deck, and left, without
the most trifling assistance, to die. She has only two Officers on board, tor
whom the men held not the least obedience.
Get. 2. The Zephyr Bomb, Captain Abdy, sailed this morning, with a con-
voy foi the Downs; and the Meteor Bomb, Capt. James, went out of harbour.
3 Arrived the Kent, of 74 guns. Captain Malcolm, from the Mediterranean,
and is put under quarantine at the Motherbank; also at St. Helen's, the Poulcfr
Frigate, Capt. Dunbar, from a cruize, and the Speedwell Brig.
5. Arrived the Nancy Cutter, with dispatches from Gibraltar, and the Brig
Polante, from Lisbon, bound to Charleburg, detained by the Duke if Clarence
Cutter. Dropped down to St. Helen's, the Swiftsure, Mofatt. The Ant,.
Schooner, is appointed convoy to the Downs. Wind N. W.
7. Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Calder has struck his flag tIJl the Prince of
Wales is refitted.
8. Arrived the Brig Prussiana, from Cadiz, bound to Havre, detained by
the Melpomene Frigate. '1 he Kent .'v ; an of War is released from quarantine.
II. Arrived the Polyphemus, 0*64 gi-ns, Capt. Lawford, from the eastward;
and the v onquest, Gun-vessel, from ^luernsey. The Trusty did not sail till
this morning; the ha .several buoy* on board to lay down on Dunganess.
P cm a n ut tpithcad, the Kent, Captain White, with a signal flying for the
Downs.
RATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804, 5°7
it. Sailed the Kent, of 74 guns, Capt. J. White, with a convoy to the east*
*vard; she will proceed to Chatham to be paid off, and her men drafted on
board other Ships; the rgyptienne, of 50guns, Capt. Fleming, sailed to join the
Fleet off Brest. The Tribune, of 44 guns, Capt. Bennet, is fitting for foreign
service, and will sail in ten days for the Mediterranean.
13. By the Prince of Wales, arr ved at Portsmouth from Rochefort, we learn,
the force of the enemy consisted o five ail of the Line, one a three-decker,
four large Frigates, two Men of Warrrigs and several Gun-boats; this force
is moored in two lines, defended on one side by the Isle d'Aix, a place vtry
jtrongly fortified* and on the other side by a large Floating Lattery, with twelve
ftiortars, thirty-two guns of a large calibre, eight of which are parted off for
red hot shot. The Prince of Wales was relieved by the Dreadtisu^ht, of 98
guns, Admiral Collingwood, and left with him the Warrior, of 74 guns, Capt.
Bligh ; Repulse, of 74 guns, Honourable C -pt. L.gge ; Hero, of 74 "iius, Hon.
Capt. Gardner; iViuouur, of 74 gun-,, Capt. Mansfield; and lioadicea Fri-
gate, Captain Maid aid.
16. Went out of'harbour, the Minerva Cutter, and saileH on a cruiz<". The
Seine Privateer, Captain Atkin<, hag :rade the siyi.al lor aconyoy to the- roast of
Africa. The Ajax and Ellen Tiamports, w.th the African corps on board, will
go under her convoy to the island of Gorcr,
, 17. Arrived the Lively of 38 guns ; Aibacore, of 16 guns ; and Heady Gun.
brig, from off Havre: also arrived the Ariadne ai d Plu*o.
18. Arrived his Majesty's i rigate Lively, Capt. Hammond, with a Spanish
Frigate, laden with Treasure, from South Amfrica. The L.vely, Indt fati-
gable, Medusa, and Atnph/on, Frigates, fell in with four of these Ships, captured
three, and the other bitw up in action.
N. B. For further particulars of the capture of the -panish Frigates, our rca*
4ers are rifirred to our Gazette Letters for the official account.
19. Thr: Fama, Spanish Frigatf, would Lave come into h rUour to-^ay ; but
it blew so iicsh that her arxhois could not be got up; 500,000'. in dollars have
been discovered/on board of her (privstc propeity) ai d sht has a very v..lu.<ble
cargo. The men have been sent on board the Prisonrships in the harbour, and
f.he Officers are landed at Elsor. Artivtd .it St. Helen's from the Down?, bound
to Plymouth, the Cour^gcux, of 74 iriins, lately returned from Sr. Helen;-.
»0. The cargo of th<. h.speiaiu'a. n. s-tu en landed at the Cuflom-housr. The
.other two prizes and the li>dcfa:igah!c, are, we understand, put into Torbay,
They are ordered to this pert-. flit Seme Frigate, C-prain Atkins, is detained
by contrary winds, from proceeding toCoik,to rake a convoy to the VH est Indies.
'J he Cleopatra Frigate, Capt.in Laurie, is to take th? convoy lor Haiif.ix. and
continue on that ft.'.tion, 'I'he Ship >Spy, (..bptain Clark, from the South ^cas,
arrived here on Sunday ia't, laden with a large quantity cf gold and silver, belong-
ing to Mr. Hurry, of G< spo t, b«ing the supcos-ful produce of a cargo 01 British
pianufactures, with whiih she traded with the ic habitants of Sou-h Amrr.ca.
The bullion, estimated at ipo,p':ol., and contained in upwards oi jo; large cask«,
wa» deposited in the Gosport iidi.k, from vvhence ;t wa1- conv<ytd on 'J uctd.'.y
morning, in three waggons, to the Bank, of England, ui der a strong )ju. rd. The
arrival of so much specie at such a time of want is a fortunate accessi ,tij and we
hope it will assist the circulation of the new c!oi'ar-=, of whuh part of the car'o,
to the amount of 47,000'. , consistr. Arriv. d the Chance Cutter from (..ibraltar;
J4ancy Cutter, from off Havre; Eurydicc Frigate, and the Kent Cutter, froiv the
Downs ; also the Rattler Sloop of War from a crniee, and h, s brought ir< w th
iier the Dolphin Lugger, laden with stone, from S^anage lor London, \vhi h
was captured by a French Privateer off Brighton ; the Rattler left his. Majes:y's
Ship Magerie in chase of the Privateer. Sailed the Courageux Man ol \\ ai for
Plymouth} and la Seine Fiigate for Cork.
Arrived the Dolphin, Gillingham, of London ; she va»capture'd on Saturday,
the I9'h of October, by a French Priv;uee-r, of 16 guns, ;.bout two n-;ilts'c>ff
Brighton, and' retaken by the Rnttkr t-loop of W..r, Laptuin F. Mason. The
JVlaster ard Mate were taken on board the Privateer.
24 Arrived ihe Wasp, of 18 guns, Hon. LaptLiin Aylmer, having seen the
Lisbon convoy safe into the Downs, Als>o arrived the Cleopatra of 36 guns, 19
JOS NAyAL HISTORY OF THE FRESENT YEAR, 1804.
tike indorses, and chsrge of a convoy for Halifax. Also the Success, from Sr«
Helen's, to be p^id preparatory to sailing on a cruize.
17. Arrived the Pluto, with a convoy from the Downs, and a Danish Ship,
laden with warlike stores lor a French port, which she stopped ; fhe al>o rescued
twelve Merchantmen from the darger of a French Privateer, which was bearing
down on them, and -to which the Pluto gave chase till she was out of sight.
19. Arrmd the Plantagenet, of 74 g'ins, Captain Pcndar, from the Channel
Fleet ; and the Gange*, of 74 guns, Captain Freemantle, from off Ferrol.
St. Sailed on a cruize off the Coast ol Spain and 'Portugal, the Lively, of 3?
guns; for the coast of France, the Favourite, of 16 guns; and to the e istwnrci,
•with a 'convoy, the Curlew, of 18 guns. Arrived the Eugenie, which saiied at
ftw days since for Guernsey with Tr^n^ports, with troops on board : having er-
pended all their water, was their reason for puttii'g into this port. Dropped dow n
to St. Helen's, the Swifisure, Vice-Admiral Sir John Orde ; the Agr-mcmnon,
of 64 gpns, and Polyphemus, of 64 KUils» hut the wind blowing strong froi-ri the
westward, they cannot proceed to theT destination.
30. Arrived the Speedwell Brig of War from a cruize, and lirs brought in
with her a neutral Ship, which she has detained ; also the Ruby Man of War, and
the Raven Sloop cf War, from the D..wn?.
Nov. i. Vice-Admiral Sir John Onle and his Squadron get under weigh ; hut
Owing to the wind blowing to s rong. he could not kerp the <.ea, but thought it
advisable to come to an anchor again at St. Helen's, which he did this afternoon.
3. Sir John Orde, with seven Sail of the Line under his command, sailed
from Portsmouth yesterday.
6. Sailed the Plantagenet, to join the Channel Fleet; Adamant, to the
Downs ; Cleopatra, for Halifax ; Wasp and Beagle, to jo:n Sir John Of d^ 's Squa-
dron ; and the Tribune, Came), prevoyante, and Raven, with a convoy for tho
Mediterranean. Arrived the Zebra and Argus Hoops ol v^'ar ; and the- Eolu'j
Frigate, Lord W..Fi;zroy, from Weymouih. S'iled the Dio^-ede, of 50 guns,
Captain Dowm?n, ior Guernsey. Came into harbour the *-pider.
7. Arrived from the eastward, the Euryalus, of ^o , u' s, the Hor. Capt.in
Blackwot d ; the ./Eolus, of 36 guns, Lord W. Fit/ioy, from attending his Ma-
je>ty at Weymouuh ; and the £ntr< prenante Cu't--r, Li.'t:t -na-'t Young, from a
cruize tff Btigh on. Went out ot harhpur, the Albacoie sloop of War, Captain
JHenniker. The Cleopatra Frigate, Sir Ko1 ert Lau/ic, sailed from Spithtad in
the moriiing, but is since come to at St. Helena.
8. This morning arrj\i.d the Medus* Frigatr, Captain Gore, and her prize,
the Spanish Frigate, Maulda, which struck without a gun being fired, on her
voyage Irom Cadiz to Rio de la Pl-if', with quicksilver, for the working of the
mines. Went into harbour, the 1 x client, of 74 guns, Captun Frejr.iai.t'.e ; and
the Euryalu* Frigate, Hon. Captain Blacuwoo< . Arrived three Ru-siai .Ship*
of War, W;ih a Commodore's broad ptndanr, pas-ing the Owers la-t nijj'nt; they
fell in with two large fjst sailing French i:uj.'gers, snd shortly alter the Lady
Cas-tlereagh, on hur way from Plymouth to the JXuvns. The Rittlcr blcop of
War got foul of the 1 a.ly Castlcreagh, and carried away her bowsprit, and ab< ut
eight o'clock run on the Her ebark, hut was got off y the ;<ssist<ince of the Boats
bt th^ Ship* at Spiibtac!. Sai!ed the Al'>acrre, of 18 guns, Captain Hennikf. for
Gr.crn-ey; it is vd y pmbal-le that she may f-ill in with the above-mentioned
JJig^ers, as they ftequeutlv atuhor under St. Catharine's loint. Arrive.! from
attending his Pvlijesty at Weymouth, the Cre&'cent Frigate, of 36 guns, Lord U'.
Stuart.
8. Rear-Admiral Louis hoisted his F!a» yesterday morning on board the
Leopard, of 53 guns, Ca^pt. Austen, ;:t J-'pithead. The Inconstant Frigate, Capf.
Pickson, ha^ made the 'ignal for a convoy to the West Indies.- The Aurora
Frigate, C.:pt M Ibon, brought eijjhtern Ships from Lisbon, which proceeded
for their destined 'p»rts. She sailed several days after the last Packet which
ar.'ved. Mr. Frere had left Madrid and was hourly expected at Lisbon, i he
Aurora fell in with the Termagant Moop, which had spoke with Sir John Orde*fc
Squadron off Cadiz, on fhe i8;h u!t. Sir John had detained a Spanish Frigate
and a Packet. The Sophii tloop was waiting in the Tagus, to proceed wirti
dispatches to Lord Nelson,
if AVAL HISTORY OP THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804. |Q$
jr. Wind variable. Arrived the Triumph Man of War, of 74 guns, Sir
Robert Balston, irom the Streights ; the Zephyr ling of War from a cruize.
The Russian Ship Raterzan, of 64 KU"S> Cornrnc>dore Grrig; Venus, Captain
Uphinstnne; Afirol and H>-lcna Frigate-. ; arrived here. They will sail for the
Mediterranean en the arrival of ano'h r Ship of the LiVf. The Officers of ths
Ku?S'an Squadron were this day elegantly entcrt;iin«i hy" Admiral Montague t
Sir Isiec Coffin, Captain Sir Frederick Thtsigcr (who co nmandcd several yia-»
in the Russiin service), and many Officers of tlie N.ivy, wrre at the dinner. Laoy
Tiigore is on boajd the Doncaster Transport, at tin Motlurba'k. Every Ship
from the Mediterranean was ordered hy the telegraph, this morning, io tsfdu-
gate i'rii k.
On Thursday, the Medusa, Captain Gore, arrived here with the Matilda, Spa-
jiish Frigate, of 36 guns, which she took off Cadiz, vithout resistance, boun4
to Vera Cruz, laden with quicksilver. The Donncgal, Sir Richard Strachau,
V&S in night, from whom Capt Gore brought very important tli'patche-;.
15. Arrived (TOT. Cowes, the Success, of 36 guns. Capt. G. cott, with her
Convoy, having received orders to proceed on her voyage to die Coa-t of Gui-
ijea. Sailed to join Sir John Orde's Squadron, the Glory, of 9& guns, Capt.
Craven j and the Cleopatra Frigate, for Halifax; on a cruise, the Rose Cutter,
.Lieut. Talbor.
'17. The specie of the Spanish Frigate Fama Jus been sent to London in five
•waggons, escorted by a guard of the 3d Lancashire regiment, the other part
of the car >o is stored at Gcwport.
A Court N artial was held on Lieut John Kneeshaw, for the loss of the
Georgiana Cutter, near Hapfleur. The Court were of opinioo, that the conduct
<}f Lieut. Jineeshaw and his Cjrew were highly meritorious, and adjudged them
to be acquitted Afterwards, a Court was held en Lieut. John Griffith, of the
Aca^ta, for irregula and unofficer-1 ke conduct, in absenting himself from his
duty beyond his leave. He was sentenced to he dismissed from his Majesty's
Ship Acasta, and put at the bottom of the ii?t of Lieutenants.
19 AIT ved his Majesty's Sloop Saracen, Capt Beaucharn, from a cruize;
also rhe 'sf«, of jp giins, Vice-Admiral t>ir Era->rnus Gower, Capt. Ommanni.-y?
fiom ^.ewfoundland. '
21. Airived the Decade Cap . Rutherford, from off Cape 'a Ho£ue. Went
cat of harbour, the Dragon, of 74 guns. Put back to St. Helen's, tiie Atlas, of
74 guns, not being able to fetch 1 orbay. Sailed on a ciui^e to the coast of
Irance, the Regulus, of 44 guns.
•24. '1'he Ganges. Capt. Frcemantle, was ordered to be paid off, in conse-
cuence of her great def cts One of her Lieutenants, S. G. Parsons, is ap-
pointed to t''e Theseus.
' 27 Sailed the Crescent, of 5iguns, Lord W. Stuart; and ^"lus, of 32 (Mm*,
Lord W. Fitzroy, on a ciuize. Arrived and remain with the uiider-men.-ioned.
the 1'rincess of Orange, of 74 guns ; Raisonable, of 64 guns; from the North
Sea ; Greyhound and Melampus, of 36 guns each, from the Downs.
a£. Sailed the Hyxna, of 36 guns, Capt. t ahie, vyith the Leeward Islands
Convoy: ami me A.asta, of 36 guns, Ca'pt. Wood, with the Jamaica Conyuy,
for Cork to the Reindeer, and then proceed to the Wtsf Indies, accompanied
vith the West Indiamen from that pUce.
* 29. Sailed from Cowes and Yarmouth Roads, the Aeasto and Hyxna Fri-
gates, with the Fleet under . onvoy fot the West Indie*.
Dec. 3. Went in o harbcur the Iris, of r,o guns, Captain Ommanney. Sailed
the Dragon, oi 74 guns, apt Grilhtn, to jo»n tht Channel Fleet. Arrived the
Raillcur bloop of \\ ar, with a Convoy from the Downs
c. Arrived the ^p-.rkler Gun-bng fi orn the bowns. Sai'cd the Curlew
ana Devastation Cornbs, for tr.e Coast of France. Came into harbour the Tri-
umph, of 74 guns, and Medusa, of 40 guns, to be repaired.
7. Went outofharbour, the Russian ; rig ate Venus. C^pt. Uphinstonr ; and
the Mercury, of 2J5 guns, Hon. Capt. Bouveric. Came up to ^pithead from St.
Helen's, the Aurora, of 28 guns, Cart. Malbon.
: 14. failed 1'Entreprenante Cutter, with the .Ajix, Amphitrite. and Eii.-lia,
Transports, with troops for Guernsey ; and the Spatk.er Gun brig, with a votf-
vo for the Downs.— Wind W.S.W.
5IO NAVAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1804,
Skeenefs, Nov. 8, Tue»day, was paid at the Great Nore, the St. Alban?, of 64
gun*, Captain Temple ; the Immortalite, Captain Owen ; and tlv Hecate Gun-
brij;. Yesterday the Hindostan, of 54 guns, Captain Frazer; and to morrovr
will be paid the Larona Frigate, and Galgo atmed Ship. The Melampus Frigate,
and several other Ships, are nearly ready for sea.
Deal, JWv. 8. His Majesty's Yachts, Process Augusta and Royal Sovereign,
from Falmouth. Arrived from Portsmouth, bis Majesty's Ship Adamant, Cap-
tain Burlton, from Dungene^s ; and Vulture .Sicop of War. Arrived in the Downs
from the westward, a Russian Man of War, and saluted the Flag, \vh:ch was re-
turned by the Monarch, Admiral Lord Ktith.
promotions ant) appointment*.
The Hon. Admiral Berkeley is appointed to the Chief Command of the Se»
JTcDcibles oa the coast of England.
At Dumfries, the Hon. Captaip William Johnstone Hope, of the Royal Nary,
lias been unan'mously elected Member of Parliament for Dumfries shire, in the
room of the late Sir Robert Lawric, Bart. Agreeably to an ancient custom in
that county, Captain Hope was invested with a sword immediately after the
^lection.
Sir Home Popham, in the absence of Admiral Louis, command! on the Dun-
geness station.
Lord Cochrane and Captain Rose are appo'ntcd to the respective Command*
pf the Pallas and Circe Frigates, at Plymouth; an are Captains Champion and
Bissel, to the commands of the Ja»on frigate, at Woolwich, and the Combatant,
at Sheerness.
Captain Eoyle is appointed acting Captain of the Hibernia, of 130 guns, at
Plymouth. — J. Heron, Esq., is appointed Purser to the Hibernia.
The Hon. Captain de Courcy is appointed to the St. George; and Captain
Upton, to the Lapwing.
Captain Dick is appointed to command the Jamaica ; Captain M. Maxwell, to
the Arab; Captain Lawson, to the Lord Melville; Captain Drummond, to the
Medusa, vice Gore, indisposed ; Captain F. Douglas, to the Blonde, which wil-
ed from Lymington on Sunday last, with dispatches; and Captain Laroche, t<*
the Suffisante Sloop,
Captain Pickmore, of the Utrecht, is appointed to the Ramilies; Captain
Plampin, to the Antelope; Sir Home Popham, to the Diadem ; and Lieutenant
Norman, to the Hecate.
Lieutenant Dundas is appointed to command la Musette, of 24 guns, stationed
at Yealm River as a Guard-ship, vice Lieutenant Bevans, on shore, sick.
Lieutenant Laroche is promoted to a Commander ; Lieutenant Montressor,
to the command of the Cheerly Gun-vessel; Lieutenant Pettir, to the Wrangler j
and Lieutenant Rose to the Growler.
Lieutenant Carr, of PEclair, is appointed to the Netley, vice Lawrence,
appointed to the Serapis ; Lieutenant Beckett, late of de Ruyter, to 1'Eclair,
A new Class of Officers, to be called Sub-Lieutenants, are to be appointed,
•elected from Midshipmen who have served their time. They are to receive
Half-pay.
Mr. R. Bell is appointed Surgeon of the Antelope, of 50 guns, in the room of
Mr. George Roddam, appointed to the Foudroyant, of 84 guns, the Flag-ship of
Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Graves; Mr. E. Bromley, to be Surgeon of the
Prince; Mr. Weymnuth, of Portsea, to be Surgeon of the Pearl; G. W. Maude,
E5T, Agvt to the Naval Hospital at Jamaica.
Mr. Lemmon, of the Impregnable, is appointed to bs Master Shipwright a$
Antigua.
NATAL HISTORY OF THE PRESENT YSAft, 1804. ~t:?
BIRTHS
On the z8th Nov., in Lansdown Place, Bath, the Lady of Vice-Admiral Si*
Charles Henry Knowle», Bart., of a daughter.
On the jth Dec., at Ealing, the Lady of Captain George Hopewell Steven*,
Of the Royal Navy, of a daughter.
At Fardiam, Hants, the Lady of Captain Katon, of the Royal Navy, of a
•on.
MARRIAGES.
At Glasgow, William Perry, Esq., of the Tourterelle, to Miss Todd, eldest
daughter of David Todd, Esq., merchant, Glasgow.
On the jth Dec., at the Viscountess Duncan's, Major Fengusson, of the Ayr-
shire Militia, to the Hon. Henrietta Duncan, daughter of the late Lord Viscount
Duncan.
On Thursday the 6th Dec., at Mary-Ie-bone Church, Captain Robert Camp«
bell, of the Royal Navy, to Miss Maria Edgar, only daughter of Rear- Admiral'
Edgar.
At Guernsey, Captain Dumaresq, cf the Charwell Sloop, to Miss le Me«u-
rier, sister of Major le Mesurier, Governor of Alderney, a .d Niece to Alder-
man le Mesurier, of London.
At Jersey, Captain le Gros, of the Navy, to Mrs. Lemorie, sister to the Dukft
•f Bouillon.
OBITUARY.
On the a5th of October, at Riacknell Banks, aged 65 year*, Isaac Vaillant, Esq.
Rear-Admiral on the superannuated list. This gentleman was the eldest sou
of the late Paul Vailiant, Esq. an eminent bookseller, and who had served the
office cf Sheriff of London. He was made Post Captain in the year 1788 ; and,
in the whole, had served 48 years in his Majesty's Navy.
On the z8th of October, Lieutenant Cuthbert Adamson, an Elder Brother of
the Trinity House, who, in early life, accompanied Commodore* Phipps to the
North Pole.
Lately, at Jamaica, Lieutenant Firmidge, of the Diana.
On the joth Nov., at the House of the Duke of Roxburgh, Mrs. Bcchinoe,
relict of the late Captain Bechinoc, of the Royal Navy, mother of her Grace the
Duchess of Roxburgh, and sister to Sir J. Smith, Bart., of Sydling, Dorset, aged
66.
On Thursday, Dec. 6, at her house in Welbecfc-street, Mrs. Godsalve, the
widow of the late Admiral Godsalve.
On Tuesday, Dec. n, at Haslar hospital, Lieut. Askew, First Lieutenant of the
Triumph, fron* the effects of a blow which he received on the head with a piece
of rope, when that Ship was coming into harbour, which caused a bydrvctpba!urt
and has deprived society of a good young man, and the service of an intelligent
Officer. In the West Indies, Lieut. Cameron of the Fly.
Lately at Salisbury, Mrs. Marsh, aged 84, relict of Captain Marsh, who was
a Captain of Greenwich Hospital. On the i6th of October, at Barbadoes, Capt.
Lord Proby : Lieutenants Cole and Donvill ; Mr. Wilson, Master ; Mr. Rowan,
* _ -. , i __T»_. • 1 » *_ J"1 *•
Brisbane, widow of the late Cape. VV. Brisbane, of the Navy
i N
E X
TO THE
MEMOIRS, HINTS, PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS, MEDICAL-
FACTS, NAVAL LITERATURE, POETRY, REMARKABLE
INCIDENTS, &c. fcfc. IN VOL. XII.
A.
A QMPRALTY ; observations on 3.
jf" V Pamphlet reflecting against the late
Board of, 34.
<". • — ; First Lord of;' some
remarks given in to him by Captain K.
Willis, 122.
chronological list of
First Lords of the, from the year 1685
to 1804, 354.
• • — SESSIONS jtrialsatjjS.
ADVFRTISEMKNT } curious one, 278.'
ANECDOTL of the late Earl Howe, 14. Of
Admiral Hardy, ib. Of Captain Martin
Neville, 1*7. Of Captain Charleton, 188.
Of a black man, ib. Of Commodore
Wi'.son, 192. Of the late Captain West-
cott, 453.
APOLI.Q, Gu»neaman ; gallant con 'uct of
the Officers and Crew of the, 311.
ARTS, &c.j libt of .Premiums offered by
the ^ociety for *,he Encouragement of, 37.
ASTRONOMY, Navigation, and Geogra-
phy j extracts from Lalaude's History/ of
the Discoveries and Improvements made
in thofe Se.ences in the year 1803, 356.
B.
BARBARITY of the Dutch at Timar, 113.
BERKELEY, the Honourable Rear- Admiral
GEORGE CR AN FIELD ; portrait and bio-
graphical memoir of ; viz. Some parti-
culars of his family, 89. Finishes his
education at Eton School, emhaiks on
board the Mary Yacht, and officiates as
page to the O^een of Dcmnaik, 101.
Embarks on board the Guernsey, bear-
ing the broad pendant of Commodore
Pallisei, ib. Serves in the Alarm Fii-
gate under Captain Sir John Jervis, and
g;uns the approbation of that Officer, ib.
Made a Lieutenant, and appointed to the
Trident, ib. Is a Candidate in the e!ec-
tion of a Member to serve in Parliament
fur the C.unty of Gloucester, 1*2.
Serves -s a Lieutenant in the Victory,
Admiral KeppePs Flag-ship, ib. Ap-
pointe I to command the Firebrand Fire-
ship, ib. Acts as Aid-de-camp (o Ad-
miral Lord ShuLlharn, while the Fire-
brand is repairing-, ar.d particularly dis-
tinguishes himself, 103. Appointed to
the Fliry Sloop, sails to Newfoundland
a.^d takes upon him t,he command of the
sea forces on that station, ib. Captures
nine sail of Privateers, ib. Made Post
into the Vestal Frigate, ib. Distinguishes
himself at the relief of Gibraltar in jygi,
ib. Appointed to the Recovery, an'd sails
with the Squadron tinder the command of
Vice- Admiral Harrington, which crui^t-s
to the westward, and captures several of
the enemy's Ships, 104. Appointed to
the command of le Pegase, Ib, Receives
the thsnks of Lord Howe, for the4 order
and discipline preserved in h'is Ship at a
time when the crews of some other Ships'
mutinied, 1^:5. Commands the Magni-
ficent in 1786, and is chosen by the Hon.
Admiral Leveson Gower to practise the
evolutions, 3nd make trial. of the new
code of signals at present used in the
Royal Navy, .•';. Appointed Surveyor
General of his Majesty's Ordnance, and
to the command of the Niger Frigate, ib,
Discharges an important commission to
the entire satisfaction of Government, 1 06.
Commands the Marlborougii on the ever-
memorable first of June, and receives the
highest encomiums from the Commander
in ChiV, ib. Dangerously wounded iu
the battle, and obliged to quit thecjviarter-
ifccl;, s'fte'r forcing two 6f the enemy's
Line-of- Battle Ships to strike to him, ib.
Particular! of the engagement, ib. — 109,
Receives a letter and medal horn E:ui
Spencer, in honour of the Victory, by
command of his Majesty, 110. Ap'poinu
ed to command the Formidable, av.d re-
ceives the thanks cf the Admiralty and of
L rd Viscount Duncan,' for his disci,
piir.e and conduct, ib. Commands a
corps' of Sea Fer.cibies f i r the protection
of the coast of Sussex, ili. Raised to
the rank of Rear- Admiral of the Blue,
ib. Blockades the port of Rochefort, ib.
Serves _under the Earl of St. Vincent at
the Mock rule of Brest, ib. Promoted to
be Rear* Admiral of the White, and af-
terwmlj advanced to be Rear- Admiral of
the Red, 112, Heraldic particulars, ib.-—*
Recovers 10001. damages for a iibej a-
gaiust him, 56. Fuithei account of the
INDEX,
trial, and examination of witnesses, 421
—227. 395—4°3-
BLACKEMANT; some account of the noted
person so called, 454.
BOTANY BAY ; prosperous condition of
the colony at, 231.
BoVi-OCNEj description of the machines
employed for the destruction of i he French
flotilla off that port, 313.
Addition to the list of Officers employed by
Lord Keith on that service, 450.
BREST; proof of the bad equipment of the
French Ships in that harbour, 231.
BRITISH COURAGE; remarkable instance
of, 192.
BKOUGHTON, Captain 5 observa'.ions on,
and extracts from, his work entitled " A
Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific
Ocean," &c. 40. 388.
BYNG, Admiral; some remarks made on
his case in the House of Commons, 120.
e.
CABLES ; Correspondence betwixt the Earl
of St. Vincent and Mr. James Mitchell
respecting them, 193 — 204.
CAMBRIAN BRIG; bravery of the Master
and Crew of, 412.
CAFE OF GOOD HOPE ; view and descrip-
tion of, 380.
CATO'and PORPOISE; situation of the
shoal on which they were wrecked, 450.
CHARLETON, Captain, anecdote of, 188.
CHINA and INDIA; some particulars of
Captain Middletou's voyage to discover
a north-west passage to, 117.
CLARENDON, L >rd ; his sentiments re-
specting the British naval force, 454.
COFFIN, Rear- Admiral Sir ISAAC; por-
trait and biographical memoir cf ; viz.
Some particulars of his family, i. Made
a Lieujenant, and appointed to the Pla-
centia Cutter, ^. Is ca5t away in le Pin-
son, through negligence in the Master,
tried by a Court Martial tor the loss of
thi Vessel, and honourably acquitted, ib.
Made a Master and Commander, and
serves as a Volunteer under Admiral
Graves, and afterwards takes ihe com-
mand of the Avenger Sloop, 4. Received
on boanJ the B;;rfteur as a Volunteer, and
is in the engagement wiih the French fleet
under the command cf Comte de Grasse,
ib. Some account of the engagement, ib.
Made Post Captain of the Shrewsbury,
by Admiral Rodney, 7. Tried by a
Court Martial, and dismissed from the
command ;.<f the Thisbe, 8. Th:s sen-
tence disapproved of by ihe Board of Ad-
miralty, who give an order to sti ike Capt.
Coffin's name off the list of Post Cap-
tains ib. His case is laid before his Ma-
jesty, who, with the consent of his Privy
Council, directs the Twelve Judges to
give their opinion of i:, ib. They decide
in favour of Captttin Coffin, wb.' is rein-
stated in his rank, and appointed to the
command of the Alligator, 9. Saves a
man from being drowneH, ib. Visit* Swe-
den, Denmark, and Russia, 10. Ap-
pointed to the Melampus Frigate, ib.
Out. manoeuvres a Squadron of French
Frigites, ii. Raised to the rank of
Kear-Admiral, and appointed second in
command at Plymmrh, 12. Advanced
to the dignity of a Baronet, it.
CO.LPOYS, Admiral Sir JOHN ; character
of, 186.
COLUMBUS ; description of his person and
character, 278.
CORNELIA ; some account of the loss of
the, 474.
CORRESPONDENCE, 117. 193. 281. 380,
458.
COURTS MARTIAL, NAVAL; various
proceedings of, on the trUlsof the Olfi-
cers, &c. of his Majesty's Ship Apollo,
for the loss of that Vessel, 57 ;--Captain
Campbell, ib.—- Capt:iin le Gios, 58.
CURIEUX, le, French account of the cap.
Hire of, 380.
CUTTER; accident to an English one off
Havre, 452.
D,
DANCF, Commodore Sir NATHANIEL,
with a Flt-et of heavy-laden East Indij,
men, engages and p\irsues a Squadron of
French Ships of War, 137. Li.ierality
of the East India Company to the Com-
modore and the Officers under h-s com-
mand, 139. H'S portrait, 345, Bio-
graphical memoir ot ; viz. Some parti-
culars of his family, 346. Taken pr;,
soner by the French and Spaniards, 34$.
Makes four voyages as Commander of
the Lord Canu'en, ib. Returns to Eu,
rope as Commodore of she E'ist India
Company's F'Ccjr, and filis in with .id-
miral Linois, ib. His intrepidity and
skill in preparing to engage Admit al
Line-is' Flett, ib. His Majesty comers
on him the honour or Knighthood, and
the East India Comp?ny liher-llv reward
him, and the Captains, Officers, and
Seamen of their Flee;, 349,
DIAMOND ROCK, Martinique; interesting
account < f th?, 205,
DlSCOVMiY, n,ru:c;i:, ^04,
DRAKE, -n F,. ANCIS i -Muneous aiv.l sin-,
gular account given <>t Ins deatll by a
Frencli au'hor, •*--.
DUKE OF CUMBKRLAND PACRKT ; «•
count of the lots ut the, 4^65.
INDEX.
DUTCH, their barbarity at Timar, 113.
EARTH; curious remarks respecting the
form tion of, 'and diminution of Sea, 13.
EAST INDIA SHIPS; three richly laden
ones taken by Commodore Baiuct and
Lord Northe^k, 435.
EoDYSiONt LIGHT-HOUSEJ plate and
description ot the, 257.
Ex'CHfqyt-R, Court ot; trialinteresting to
the Navy in ; viz. .-•.dniirai Berkeley f«
Whiting and others, 56.
EXETER East Iiu'iaman ; curious circum-
stance respecting trie, /.<;i.
EXPLOSION MACHINERY; formidable en-
gine of this description used at the siege
ot Antwerp, 450.
F.
FlRES ; liquor for extinguishing, 116.
FIRE SH;PS; the Fiench little acquainted
with ilit I; use, 451.
FLOTILLA, Frencn ; description of the
machines employed for its destruction at
Toulon, 313.
FRTNCH MARINE ; some account of the
ancient state of the, 191.
FRENCH Admiral leToucHETRF.viLLE;
biographical sketch ot tlie late, 299.
••• account of the capture of le Cu-
ricux, 380.
FRIENDSHIP, Spanish, 16.
G.
CELL, W. Eso,. ; review of his pampMet
entitled," The Topography of Troy and
i»s Vicinity,*' 482.
GKNLEOSITY ; instance cf, 4.50.
GOODALL, Captain ; ncccunt ot his escape
from France, 287.
GOREE; recapture of the Island of, 61.
G UN- COATS ; observations on, ami ex'racts
from, a pamphlet entitled '*NoGon-boa*8
or no Pence ! A Letier from Me to My-
self," 17.8.
• ; ninety-sever! of them attack
the Merlin Sloop at Havre, 231.
H.
HAI.LS, Capt. JAMF s, who sailed round
the world witn Lord Anson j some ac-
count of, 121.
HAMBURGH ; his MA-fty grants permis-
sion 10 Lighteis, &r. v> navigate berate u
the rivers Weser and E.bs, notwithstand-
ing the blockade of that p<ut, 231.
HAYTIJ proclamation of the Emperor of,
493- '
HELIER, To.rr. of, in the Is!-ar,d of Jersey,
save-1 from des«; uction, 23 i .
HELL GATES' ; a black man navigates the
Experiment, of 50 gur.s, thiough the
place to called, iSS.
lioysE OF COMMONS ; some remarks in
1 it on the Articles ot War, and particu-
larly of such as related to Ailmii il Sync's
HuRRiCANEs,-les:ructive,at Jamaica, 1 3*
I.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMKNT ; debates inter-
esting to the Navy in the, 53. izg. 185.
235.
ISLAND; description of one newly dis-
covered, 464.
JERSEY, Town of HKLIER, inthelsland
of, saved from destruction, 131.
TIB, new inverted, 116.
JOHNSON, the SmuggLr; some account of,
350.
K.
KING, Admiral Sir RICHAKD, Bart.;
portrait and bi 'graphical memoir of ; viz.
Some part culais of his family, 433. En-
ters the Navy under the auspices of his
uncle. Commodore Curtis Barnet, ilf.
List of the Sq.iru'ron iir.iier Commodore
Barnet's cominand, 434. Some account
of the proceeding* ot the Squadron, ;'•.
Takes three richly laden French E-ttt li.-
dia bhips, 435. Mr. King is piomoted
by his uncle to the rankof Lieutenant, ib»
Appointed one of Admiral Watson's
Lieutenants, 437. List of the Squadron
under the command of Admiral Watson,
ib. G.nah taken by this Squadron, 43$.
Advanced by Admiral Watson to be a
Master and Commander ib. Commands
a d-.-i.Achment of Seamen on shore, and
takes the fort of Calcutta, in conjunction
with Captain Coote, 439. Appointed
by (he Admiral to command in the expf-
dit:on against the rich city of Houghley,
/£. The city taken by storm, 440. En-
trusted by Admiral Watson with his dis-
patches, and sailsfcr England, ib. Pi >.
moted by Comm-dore Moore to the rink
of Po^t Captain, 441. Commands the
Argo Frigate, and captures a French Pri-
vateer of 15 guns, ib. Recommended to
the King by Lord Anson, to carry dis-
patches to the East Indies, 442. Im-
portance of his speedy passage to India,
ib. Takes the Saitttssima Trinktada, in
conjunction with Capt. Hyde Packer, i1).
Sails with the Squadron under the coin-
rnand of Cornmoilore F.vans, sppe-
to seize the islands ot St. Pierre and M -
quelon, 443. Nominated {o proceed as
second Officer in command, under j'eai-
.Admiial Sir Edward Hughes, to the K.itt
Indies, ib. Promoted ru the rank of Com-
modore, \viih a Captain tinder him, ib.
Dis'.:"gu:viedly ennasred wiih M. de Suf-
frein's Squadron, ib. His Ship is reduced
tea wieck,and hisC ip'ain killed close by
his s;Je, 445. The Commodore's spiri-
ted reply to the Master ot his Ship, ib. He
riarro-viy escapes being killed, 446. Ar-
rives in Engbrorjj aad is introduced to his
Majesty, wijoc'jhfeis on hi.n the i.o;.i.y:
ItiDEX.
of knighthood, 44.7. Raised to the rank
ct Rear-Admiral of the White, ami ap-
pointed Commander in Chief in the
Downs, ib. Promoted to he Rear- Ad-
miral of the Red, and appointed to com-
mand the third division of the Fleet at
Spithead, ib. Created a Baronet of Great
Britain, and appointed to he Governor
and Commander in Chief at Newfound,
land, ib. Advanced to be Vice- Admiral
of the Blue, and elected Member of Par-
liament for Rochester, ib. Promoted to
be Vice-Admiral of the Red, and ap-
pointed Commander in Chitf at the poit
of Plymouth, ib. Advanced to the rank
of Admiral of the Blue, and afterwuid to
be Admiral of the White, ib.
KING'S BtNCH, Court of; trial interesting
totheNavy in; viz. Harvey o». Milne,57.
KING GEORGE Cutter; loss of the, 312.
L.
LALAVDE, JEROME; extracts from his
History of the Discoveries and Improve-
ments made in Astronomy, Navigation,
and Geography, in the year 1803, 356.
LA PEYROUSE ; some account of, 42.
LAUNCH jf his Majesty's Ship Li-vely, 232.
LAW INTELLIGENCE, 56.
LIFE PRESERVER; some account of the
machine so called, 1 88.
Livois, Admiral, beat off by a Fleet of
East Indiamen, 137.
Further remarks on this extraordinary en-
gagement, 233.
LONGITUDE ; method of obtaining the, 13.
M.
M< ARTHUR, JOH.V, Esq. ; some account
of his Pamphlet entitled " Thoughts on
several Plans combining a System of Uni-
versal Signals by Day and Night," 404..
MACHINERY, explosion; formidable en-
gine of this description used at the siege
of Antwerp, 450.
MADRID ; pliability of the Courc of, 451.
MAGON, le Contre-Amiral ; some ;ic-
count of its seizure by tils Cruucr Slo>>p
of War, 457.
MALTA, phenomenon at, 351.
MANSION HOUSE ; proceedings at it wiih
regard to a poor Sailor lud, 279.
MARINE, French ; some account of the an-
cient stale of the, 191.
MAKJNE LJST of Ships lost, destroyed,
- -cjptured, recaptured, &c. 88. 167.343.
MARIN'K SCENERY, 205.
MAIUNERS ; caution to, 489.
MARITIME DISCOVERY, ancient, 280.
MlD.OLfc.TON, Captain; uvo letter* from a
Gentle/nan who sailed in one of the Ships
V.nder his command, in an attempt to
discover a north-west passage to China
and India, containing some particulars
of ihe voyage, 117.
MINIATURE Fvfoca COWL; curious ac
count ('f one, 14.
MITCHKLL, Mr. JAMES; his letter to the
Editor, enclosing letters to and from the
Earl of St. Vincent and Mr. Tucker
respecting cables, 193 — 204.
N.
NAUTICAL DISCOVERY, 304.
NAUTILUS fel.OOP retakes ihe Will/am
Heashcote, a richly laden Ship, 234
NAVAL AXKCUOTES, COMMKRCIAL
HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &c. 13. 113.
1 86. 275. 3:0.449; specified under their
various subject words.
NAVAL HIST, of the present year 1804, 49.
231. 309. 411. 485.
NAVAL LITEKATUUB. See Brotighton,
Larwood, Lalande, M'Arthur, Gdl.
NAVAL REFORM; fourth Report of the
Commissioners of Naval Inquiry, 23.
212.— Fifth Report, 368.
NAVIGATION, Astronomy, and Geogra-
phy ; extracts from Lalande's History of
the Discoveries and Improvements marie
in these Sciences in ihe year 1803, 356.
NAVIGATORS, Russian; some: account of
their object and destination, 458.
NAVY ; observations on, and extracts from,
a Pamphlet, entitled "A Brief Inquiry
into the present Condition of the Navy «.f
Greit Britain, and its Resources," Sec.
34. — Reply to the above Pamphlet, 123.
NAVY; hints for improving it, 290.
NELSON, Admiral Lord ; copy of his an-
swer to the vote of thanks of the corpora-
tion of London, 275.
NEVILLE, C,tpt. MARTIN ;3necdoteof,i 87.
NEWSPAPERS ; character of several, 411.
O.
OLD BAILEY ; trials interesting to the
Navy at the; viz. of Me>srs. Mjodie and
Booth for killing Mr. George Spark in a
duel, 58; — of Michael Sullivan, 60 j—
of John Wilkinson, 410.
P.
PACIFIC OCEAN ; extracts from a Voyag*
of Discovery to the N'oith, 40. 388.
PACKET, D'ike c-f Cumberland ; account
of the loss of the, 465.
PALMYRA ISLAND; description of, 464.
PARKI-:R, Adnrral Sir PtsThR, B.m.}
portrait and biographical memoir ot, io,,.
Made a Lieutenant, ib. Promoted to be
Post Captain of the Margate Frigate,
170. Cruizes in ihe Clvtmd in the Moi -
tat^ue, and oi'turcs several Vessels, 171.
Is' in Commodore K -pud's Squadron at
the siege or ik-lieisie, ib. ParticuUts of
theexpediii.xi, ib. Receives the honour
of knighthood, nominated to the c»m-
immi of tl.e iJ.urteur, autj appointed.
CX-uimodore on the AineiiOan * ation,
173. Hoists his broad p-ndant on hoMll
the Bristol, and saus> wiih » Squadron
INDEX.
destine*! for an attack on Crnrle<;tou-n,
173. Att.cks Suliivan'slslv.id,i74. The
Commodore's Ship is much exposed to
the fire of the Fort, ib. List of his
Squadron, ib. Anecdote of his Captain,
ib. Particulars of the attack on Sullivan's
Jsl>nd, 175. Sails with his Squadron for
New York, and puts himself under the
comma nil of Lord Howe, 177. Opera-
tions of the Fleet, 178. The Commo-
dore and General Clinton are sent to re-
duce Rhode Island, 180. List of the
Squadron under his command, ib. The
expedition is crowned with success, ib.
Advanced to the rank of Rear- Admiral
of the Blue, and appointed to command
on the Jamaica Station, ib. Promoted
10 be Rear-Admiral of the White, ib.
Takes the command of the Squadron at
Port Royal, 180. Advanced to be Vice-
Admiral cf the Blue, 181. Extraordi-
nary elevation of the sea at the time the
Vice-Admiral commands in the West
Indies, ib. Returns to England^with a
splendid fortun", 1X4. Created a Baro-
net of Great Britain, ib. Hoists his Flag
on board of the Royal William, as Com-
mander in Chief at Portsmouth, ib. Ad-
vanced to be Admiral of the Blue, and
afterward to the same rank in the White
Squadron, 186. Appointed Admiral of
the Fleet, ib.
PATRIOTIC FUND; liberality of the Com-
niiitee for managing it, to Captain Dance
and the Officers under his command, for
beating ufFLinois' Squadron, 140. Also
an instance of their generosity to the three
persons who saved the Magazine and
Town of Ht-lier, in the Island of Jersey,
from destruction, 231.
PAULET, Mr. HARRY; biographical
sketch of, 448. Taken prisoner, and
tfKcts his escape, at the same time ren-
dering an essential service to his country,
ib. Rewarded by Government, ib. .be-
nevolence of his chaiacter, 449.
PHENOMENON' at Malta, 352.
PHILOSOPHICAL PA PHRS, 356.
PLATE CLV. Port: lit of Sir Isaac Coffin,
i>art., Rear- Admiral of the White Squa-
dron, i.
' CLVI. Ramsgate Pier, with dis-
tant View of Sandwich, Dovtfr Castle,
and Fket in tlie Downs, 48.
CLVII. Poi-.rait of the Honour-
pble George Cranficid Beikeltv, Kcar-
Ad.Tu'fal of thel<»d Squadron, 89.
• — CLV 1 1 1. llridl'ngton Bay, on the
Eastern Coast of .Yorkshire, 117.
CLIX. Portrait of Sir Peter Par-
ker, Bart. 169.
— — — • CLX. Kepr esc utation of two Me-
thods of'tryingtneStrength of Cable* j»o|
PLATE CLXI. Portrait of the late Sir Pe-
ter Wan en. K. B., Vice- Admiral of
the Re:l Squadron, 257.
CLXIf. View of the Eddystcne
Light-house, taken from the Westward,
297.
CLXIII. Portrait of Sir Nathaniel
Dance, Knt , Commodore in the Hon.
East India Company's service, 345.
CLXIV. View of the Cape of
Good Hope, with a South Sea Whaler in
the Fore-ground, 380.
CLXV.Portraitof Sir Rich. King,
Barr. Adm. of the White Squadron, 433.
CLXVI. View of Dunnose, Bern-
bridge Point, and Culver Cliff, Isle of
Wight, 465.
CLXVII. FRONTISPIECE to the
Twelfth Volume : being a correct Repre*
sentation of the Tomb erected in Fulham
Church-yard, to the Memory of Sir AN-
DREW SN APE FOUGLAS, Knt. Engra-
ved by LE.E, from an original Drawing
by F. W.
PLYMOUTH REPORT, from May it to
June 25, 1804, 158 — 162; — from June
26 to July 3, 251 ; — from July 4 to Sep-
tember 27, 332; — fiom September 29 to
October 2, 429 ; — from Oct. 3 to Dec.
13, 1804, 498 — 505.
POETRY. Epilogue to the Sen-side Hero,44.
Song in the Opera of the English Fleet,
46. Song, 47. DukeWjlliam's Ramble,
228. Song, Captain Dance and the Ma-
rengo, 230. Extract fn in Verses ad-
diessed to the People ot England in 1758,
406. Extract from 11 Bellicose, by Mr.
Mason, 408.
POLYGRAPH, Hawkins's, 115.
PORPOISE and CATO ; situation of ihe
shwal on which they were wrecked, 450.
PORTSMOUTH REPORT, from May 1410
June 27, 1804, 162 — 164; — from June
28 to July 30, 252 ; — from August 5 to
September 25, 339 ; — from Sept. 26 to
Dec. 14. 509.
PREMIUMS cfferfd by the Society for the
Encouragement of Arts, Maniifac'ures,
and Con merce, foi the year 1804, 31.
PKINCJ-SSOF WALKS; sonic account of
the loss of the Ship so called, 476.
PUNCH BovvL ; cunsus acccum of a mi-
niature on?, 14.
PUBLICATION ; a new naval one announ-
ced, 484-
R..
REPORTS, FOREIGN, 143 — 151. 23?—.
-45- 41!;— 4*6- 49°— 495-
, HOME, 151 — 164. 246 — 254,
324 — 340. 426 — 430. 496.
RotK j diicovuiy of astu^>viidousone, 453.
ROMNEY Frigate ; some account of the loss
of, 472.
RUSSIA ; historical sketch of, 18.
RUSSIAN Voyage of Discovery j some ac-
count of, 190.
'•' Navigators ; some account of
their object and destination, 458.
S.
SAILOR; ill- treatment of one, 279.
• ; proceedings relative to a blind
one at the Surrey Sessions, 306.
SAILORS; useful hints for, 350.
SEA ; curious remarks respecting the dimi-
nution of, and the formation ot earth, 15.
— — ; encroachment of, 114. 311.
— — ; extraordinary elevation of it at Ja-
maica, 182.
— — ; choosing Valentines at, 276.
• ; Spirit in the, 177.
— — ; remarkable preservation at, 351.
SHEERNESS PIER ; a caution to Mariners
respecting it, 489.
SHIPS ; hints for improving their form, 290.
Figure of one with five masts and two
bowsprits, 294.
• ; list of those that were lost, destroy-
ed, captured, and recaptured, &c. from
April 17 to July 13, 1804, 88. 167. 34.3.
SHIPWRECKS; correct relation of, 30*.
465.
SIGNALS, Universal; some account of
Mr. M' Arthur's pamphlet entitled
f< Thoughts on several Plans combining a
System of Universal Signals by Day and
Night," &c. 404.
SMUGGLER ; some account of Johnson,
the famous one, 354.
SPANISH FRIENDSHIP, 16.
_ FRIGATES; precedent for the
late seizure of the, 449^
SPEARJNC, Lieutenant; 'interesting letter
from him, 281.
SUPERSTITION; instances of, at sea, at
the cl«se of the seventeenth century, 276,
277.
Su Ri N AM ; some account of the capture of,
80.
SURRY SESSIONS; proceedings relative to
a blind Sailor at the, 306.
TELEGRAPHIC ESTABLISHMENT, 114.
THESEUS ; a particular account of the
Hurricane which that Ship encountered
in company with 1'Hercule, 477.
VENERABLE; some account of the loss of
the, 472.
VOYAGE of Discovery to the North Pacific
Ocean; extracts from a, 49. 388.
WAR, Articles of; some remarks made on
them in the House of Commons, 120.
WARREN,VI'CC- Admiral Sir PETER, K.S/i
portrait and biograghical memoir of, 257.
Appointed Post Captain of the Grafton,
258. Removes into the Solebay Frigate,
and carries orders from the King of Spain
to the West Indies, 259. Gazette account
of his proceedings there, ib. Returns to
England, and is appointed to the com-
mand of the Leopard, ib. Commands the
Launceston, and captures the Peregrina
Piivatecr, 261. Appointed to the com-
mand of the Superbe, and it left by Sir
Chaloner Ogle Commodore of a Squadron
on theLeewaiu islands Station, where he
greatly distinguishes himself, ib. Lisc
of the Squadron under his command, ib.
Blockades the harbour of Loui&bourg,
263. Captures several French Ships,
163. 264. Louishourg surrenders, ib.
Raised to the Rar.k of Rear-Admiral,
265. Appointed Second in command of
a Squadron ordered to act against the
French, 236. Falls in, with the French
Fleet, and takes it, in conjunction with
Vice-Admiral Anson, 267. Account
of the engagement by an Orficer on board
the Fleet, 268. The Rear- Admiral re-
ceives the order of the Bath, 269. Cruizes
off Cape Finisterre, and captures several
Vessels. 270, Advanced to be Vice- Ad-
miral of the White, and sails from Spit-
head on a cruize, 271. Compelled by
illness to quit his command, ib. Regains
his health, 2nd is sent with a strong Squa-
dron of English and Dutch Ships, to
cruize to the Westward, ib. Promoted
to be Vice- Admiral of the Red, ib. Cho-
sea Representative in Parliament for the
City of Westminster, 272. Nominated
Alderman for Billingsgate Ward, ib.
Declines accepting the ofnee, and receives
a pressing letter from the Deputy and
Common Council, ib. The Admiral's
Answer, 273. Pays a fine of 500!. for
his non-acceptance of the office of Alder-
man, ib. Repairs to Ireland, is seized
with an inflammatory fever, and dies, ib.
Superb monument eiected to his memory
in Westminster Abbey, 274. Inscription
on the Monument, ib.
WATER ; new apparatus for filteringit.i 15.
WESTCOTT, anecdotes of the late Cap.
tain, 453.
WILSON, Commodore; instances of hi«
bravery, 192.
WRIGHT, Captain; curious report made
to the Grand Judge respecting him, 15.
Reason assigned by Buonaparte for libe-
rating him, 310.
INDEX*
INDEX to the GAZETTE LETTERS in VOL. XII; containing
Accounts of the Captures, Proceedings^ &c. by and of the under"
mentioned Officers and Ships.
T>LAKE, Capt. W. 4*9.
•*-* Bland, Cape. Lofcus
Otway, 67.
Bradley, Capt. W. 79.
Campbell, Capt. P. 78,79.
Carr, Lieut. W. 67.
Columbine, Capt. i 35, 238.
Corbett, Capt. Rob. 14.1.
Dacres, Rear- Ad. J. R. 77.
Dance, Capt. Nath. 137.
Dickson, Captain Edward
Sterling, 61, 62.
Donelly, Capt. Ross, 316.
Duckworth, Rear-Admiral
SirJ.T. 63,64.77. 134.
Dundas, Capt Tho. 487.
Ferris, Capt. W. 68.
Foote, Capt. Charles, 489,
Forrest, Lieut. Tht;S. 69.
Fromow, Capt. W. C. 63.
Gardner, Adm. Lord, 317.
Geyts, Capt. George le, 64.
76.
Gilmor, Mr. Mungo, 237.
Gordon, Capt. H. 78.
Gordon, Capt. J. A. 486.
Hancock, Capt. John, 414.
417.
Hawkins, Capt. Edm. 416.
Henniker, Capt. Mijor Ja-
cob, 321.
Hood, Commodore Samuel,
65. 80. 237.
Inglcfieid, Capt. S.H. 142.
Innes, Capt. Thomas, 142.
Keith, Admiral Lord, 3 14.
King, Lieut. Sam. W. 68.
73-
Lyall, Capt. W. 79.
MaitlandjCapt.F. L. 236.
Marshall, Capt. John, 320.
Maxwell, Capt. Keitn, 318
Moore, Capt. Graham, 322,
323, 324.
Morris, Capt. George, 131.
Mudge, Capt.Zach. 318.
Murray, Capt. John, 486.
Nourse, Capt. Joseph, 65,
66.
O'Brien, Capt. Jas. 69. 73.
Oliver, Capt. Robert Dud-
ley, 133. 136.
Ormsby, Lieut. C. 416.
Owen, Capt.E. W. C. R.
153- 4i3-
Pearse, Capt. H. W. 417.
Pettet, Capt. R. 131.
Popham, Capt. Sir H. 488.
Price, Lieut. Thomas, 317.
Rainier, Vict-Adm. Peter,
70. 130.
Roberts, Capt. W. 77.
Rtss, Capt. C. B. H. 76.
Shaw, Lieut. Harding, 315.
Shipley, Capt. Conway, 66.
72.
Smith, Commodore Sir W.
Sidney, 74.
Steuart, Lieut. Hew, 488.
Stuart, Capt. Charles, 73.
Thompson, Lt. John, 316.
Vansittart, Capt. H. 319.
Whitby, Capt. Henry, 64.
Wolfe, Capt. George, 135.
Younghusband, Capt. 0.71.
INDEX to the PROMOTIONS and APPOINTMENTS.
A YSCOUGH, Lieuten-
J* ant, 431.
Barrie, Capt. 341.
Barton, Capt. 165.
Becher, Capt. 255.
Beckett, Lieut 510.
Bell, Mr. R. 510.
Beresford, Capt. 165.
Berkeley, Hon. Ad. 510.
Bevans, Capt. 254.
Birchall, Lieut. 430.
Bissell, Capt. 510.
Boyles, Capt. 510.
JBray, Mr. 254.
Bromley, E.Esq. 164. 255.
Bromley, Mr. 165.
Bromley, Mr. E. 510.
Bullen, Capt. J. 541.
Burn, Capt. 254.
Byam, Capt. 341.
Byng, C»pt. 164.
Campbell, Capt. 254.
Carr, Lieut. 510.
Chambers, Lieut. S. 341.
Champain, Capt. 164.
Cliampion, Capt. 513.
Chester, Lieut. 254.
Clements, Capt. 164.
Clements, Lieut. 254.
Cochrane, Capt. Lord, 510.
Codrington, Capt. 5H5.
Collier, Capt. 341. 430.
Colvill,the Hon. Capt. 341.
Conoliy, Lieut. 164.
Cooke, Capt. 341.
Courcy, Hon. Captain de,
254. 341. 510.
Curtis, Liuut. Lucius, 34.1.
Dalton, Mr. 430.
Dance, Capt. Nath* 254.
Dick, Capt. 510.
Dilkes, Capt. 255.
Domett, Rear-Adm. 86.
Douglas, Rear-Adm. 341.
430.
Douglas, Capt. F. 510.
Draper, Capt. 164.
Drummond, Capt. 510.
Diury, Capt. 341.
Drury, Rear-Adm. 341.
Duncan, Mr. 254.
Duncan, Capt. 34r.
Dundas, Lieut. 510.
Dyer, J. Esq. 255.
Edmonds, Capt. 430.
Ellicott, Capt. Ed. 341 . 430.
Eiphinstone, Capt. C. bi».
164.
Fahie, Capt. 341.
Fauiknor, Capt. 165. 254.
Ferris, Capt. 164.
Fitzgerald, Capt. 255.
Forrest, Mr. 254.
Fraztr, Capt. A. 164.
Fyffe, Capt. 255.
Galler, Mr. 430.
Gawler, Mr. 341.
Gilham, Lieut. 164.
Gillespie, Dr. 165.
Gosselin, Capt. 164.
Gray, Dr. 165.
Greeiham, Moses, junr.
Esq. 430.
Crumley, Capt. 165.
Hammond, Capt. 86.
Hardinge, Capt. 254.
Harvey, Capt. J. 164.
Hawkes, Chpt. E. 254.
Heathco-e, Capt 1$$.
Henderson, Lieut. 164.
Heron, Mr. J 510.
Heslop, Lieut. 255.
Hood, Commodore Samuel,
431.
Hope, Hon. Capt. William
Johnstone, 510.
Hcsre, Capt. 430.
Hudson, Capt. 431.
Hulbert, Mr. 430.
Hunter, Capt. 164.
Hutchinson, Thomas, Esq.
34i.
Impc-y, Capt. 164.
Ingram, Lieut. William H,
341.
Jrwai, Capt. 430.
Jackson, Capt. 341.
Jolmstor.e, Capt. 86.
Keith, Sir G. M. Bart.
341.
K.-;iy, Capt. 165.
King, Hon. Capt. 86. 164.
King, Lieut. 164.
Lamie, Capt. 164.
Laroche, Lieut. 510.
Lawford, Capt. 86. 254.
Lawrence, Lieut. 510.
INDHX.
Lawson, Capt. 510.
Lea, Capt. 430.
Lemmon, Mr. 510.
Linri, Dr. 164.
Livingstone, Capt. Sir T.
164.
Longman, Capt. 165.
Lucas, Lieut. J. 165.
Mackay, Capt. 341.
Mackenzie, Capt. 164. 341.
Macleod, Capt. 431.
Martin, Capt.George, 431.
Maude, G. W. Esq. 510.
Maxwell. Capt. M. 5 o.
Meik, Lieut. 165.
Miller, Lieut. 341.
Milner, Lieut. 254.
Montressor, Lieut. 510.
Morrison, Capt. 341.
Misfi-si, Vice-Adm. 430.
Norman, Lieut. 510.
O'N-'ili, Captain Terence,
341.
Orde, Vice-Adm. Sir John,
341. 430.
Ormsby, Lieut. 430.
Ottiey, Lieut. 430.
Parker, Lieut P. 430.
Parkinson, Capt. 164
Parsons, Lieut. S. G. 431.
Paul, Capt. 164.
Pentler, C^pt. 341.
Pettit, Lieut. 510.
Pickmore, Capt. 5-0.
Plampin, Capt, 510.
Popham, Capt. Sir Home,
34i- 430.
Poy.;tz, Capt. 164.
Prevost, Capt. 164.
Procior, Capt. 164.
Purchase, Lieut. 254.
Read, Lieut. 430.
Renou, Capt. 254.
Reynolds, Capt. R.C. 164.
Reynolds, Capt. G. 164.
Rickets, Capt. 154.
Roberts, Capt. 254.
Robinson, Captain Mark,
l«4, 165. 254.
R tkl .m, Mr. Geo. 510.
K >se, Capt. 510.
Rose, Lieut. 501 r
Rowe, Lieut. 86.
Scott, Capt 164.
Searle, Capt. 341.
Shipley, C>j>t. 164,
Shnley, L tut. 430.
Smith, Sir Sidney, 164.
Smith, Li'. ut. 164.
Smith, Capt. T. 430.
Snipe, Di. 165. 254.
Starck, C.<pt. de, 86.
S'eiirng, Lieut. 164.
Stewart, Mr. 254.
Stirling Capt. 255.
Stow, Lienr. 454.
Styles, Lieut. 430.
Swan, Lieut. 2:4..
Sykes, Lieu . 254*
Tackle, J. Esq. 255.
Talbot, Lieut. 164.
Talbot, Capt. 341. 430.
Thickmsse, Capt. 254.
Thompson Dr. 164.
To' in, Cap;. Ge'-rge, 430.
Upton, Cdpt. 510.
Vilier.tuve, Vice-A,im.4jo.
Waller, Capt. 254.
Waring, Capt. 164.
Watson, Capt. J. 164.
Weymouth, Mr. 510.
Withers, Capt. 254.
Woolcombe, Capt. 341.
W'oidridgc, Capt. 255.
Wright, Capt. 164.
You •£,, Lieut. Js6.
Younghusoand, Capt.
341.
INDEX TO THE MARRIAGES.
ASHFORD, Mr. 255.
Butterfield, Capt. 431.
Campbe I, '.apt. Rob. 511.
Charlton, Capr. W. 431.
Crawford, Capt. 165'.
Dilkes, Capt. 255.
Dumaresq, Capt. 511.
Duncan, Miss A. 165.
Eyles, Capt. Sir J. 255. "
Fergtisson, Major, 511.
Gardner, Hon. Capt. H.
Grdg, Ca]>t. Samuel, 86.
G os, C»pt. le, 511.
Hamilton, Caps. Sir Edw.
4.31.
Htlliird, 'Lieut. J 43 1.
H Imes, Cap. 86.
Hood, Capt. 341.
Jacques, Lr.ut. 431.
Lloyd, William, Ksq 341.
Loiing, Capt. J. W. 86.
Lowtner, the Rev. C. B.
Ponsonby, 341.
Luscombe. Rev M. H. $5.
M^nley, Mi.VVm. 165.
Peiiy, Capt. Charies, S6.
PeiTy, William, Esq. 511.
Purvis, Rear.Adm. 165.
Ravtnscrofi, Lieut. W.86.
Serrel, Capt. 165.
Smith, Lieut. H.W. i6t.
S pple, U illiaT., E^q. 86.
Wilkinson, Cjpt. 431.
IKDF.JC.
INDEX TO THE OBITUARY.
A DAMSON, Lt.C. 432.
•** Apthorp, Capt. 431.
Askew, Lieut. 511.
Bagster, Mrs. D. 186.
Baker, Capt. 87.
Bayly, Capt. Paget, 431.
Bechinoe, Mrs. 511.
Binstead, Thos. Esq. 432,
Boyer, Mrs. 255.
Brisbane, Mrs. 511.
Cameron, Lieut. 511.
Cathcart, Hon. Capt. 255.
Chambers, Mr. 432.
Clements, Lieut, W. 255.
Cole, Lieut. 511.
Collman, Mr. 342.
Cox, Mr. 511.
Crookshanks, Lieut. 166.
Date, Mrs. F. 432.
Davies, Lieut. J. 431.
Davis, Lfieut. 87.
Donaldson, Capt. Hugh,
*SS-
Donvill, Lieut. 511. '
Drew, Lieut. J. 342.
Duncan, Admiral Lord
Viscount, 165.
Ellis, Mrs. 1 66.
Fanshawe, Capt. R. 165.
Firmidge, Lieut. 511.
Freeborn, Mr. 511.
Froud, Mr. A. 166.
Proud, Lieut. P. 166.
Gillies, Mr. Wm. 166.
Godsalve, Mrs. 511.
Gray, Mr. Allan, 255.
Hancorne, Litut. 255.
Hannam, Lieut. 166.
Hayman, Lieut. Chas. 432.
Hills, Capt. 166.
Holland, Mr. Edm. Burke,
aSS-
Hunt, Mrs. 87.
Ibbetson, J. Esq. 255.
Irons, Mr. 511.
Lackey, Lieut. John, 342.
Laurie, Gen. Sir R., Bart.
255.
LegeytjMr. Pleydell Daw-
nay, 342.
Linzee, Adm. Robert, 342.
Litchfield, Lieut. 255.
M'Cumming, Mrs. 166.
Macdonald, Lieut. A. 341.
M'Lean, Lieut. 342.
Marsden, Mrs. 255.
Marsh, Mrs. 511.
Matson, Mrs. 432.
Millar, Capt. John, 166.
Ncwshim, J. Esq. 166.
Noble, George, Esq. 87.
Nosely, Lieut. 255.
Page, Mr. John, 431.
Paulet, Mr. Henry, 166.
Peyton, Admiral Jos. 256.
Pierce, Lieut. 342.
Pope, Mr. Alexander, 155.
Powis, Mr. 342.
Powys, the Hon. Chs. 432.
Price, Mrs. 166.
Proby, Capt. Lord, 511.
Reid, Lieut. 341.
Reynolds, Capt. 432.
Rowan, Mr. 511.
Saville, Capt. 342.
Sawyer, Mr. 342.
Seward, Lieut. 166.
Shuldham, Mr. W. 87.
Smith, Lieut. 87.
Stephens, Mr. 166.
Tipper, John, 87.
Treville, Adm. laTouche,
«5S-
Trotter, Mrs. 342.
Vaillant, Rear-Ad. I. 511.
Valentine, Mrs. 166.
Waddy, Mr. 511.
Wallace, Mr. Robert, 455.
Wallace, Mr. Thos. 255.
Watson, Mr. 432.
Waugh, Mr. 342.
Webster, Gilbert, 87.
White, Mr. 511.
Wilby, Lieut. John, 431,
Willes, J. Esq. 511.
Wilson, Mr. S. 342.
Wilson, Mr. 511.
Young, Lieut. 342.
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