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+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77060 ***
+
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+ Transcriber’s Note:
+
+This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.
+Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.
+
+Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are
+referenced.
+
+Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please
+see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding
+the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.
+
+
+
+
+ THE
+
+ AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SEAMAN.
+
+ VOL. I.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+ LONDON
+
+ PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO.
+
+ NEW-STREET SQUARE
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+[Illustration:
+
+ _From a Photo_: _Joseph Brown_.
+]
+
+ THOMAS, TENTH EARL OF DUNDONALD, G.C.B.
+
+ _Admiral of the Red, Rear Admiral of the Fleet &c._
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ London. Richard Bentley 1861.
+
+ THE
+
+ AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SEAMAN.
+
+ BY
+
+ THOMAS, TENTH EARL OF DUNDONALD, G.C.B.
+
+ ADMIRAL OF THE RED, REAR-ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET,
+ ETC. ETC.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+ VOLUME THE FIRST.
+
+ =Second Edition.=
+
+
+ LONDON:
+ RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,
+ =Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.=
+
+ 1861.
+
+
+
+
+ _The right of translation is reserved._
+
+
+ TO
+
+ THE ELECTORS OF WESTMINSTER,
+
+ BY WHOSE GENEROUS SUPPORT, NEARLY HALF A CENTURY AGO,
+ I WAS RESCUED FROM DESPAIR,
+ THE RESULT OF UNMERITED INJURIES INFLICTED
+ BY HOSTILE POLITICAL FACTION
+ IN RETALIATION FOR
+ MY ADVOCACY OF NAVAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS;
+ AND TO WHOSE HONOUR BE IT RECORDED
+ THAT IN NO INSTANCE
+ DURING OUR LONG POLITICAL CONNEXION
+ DID ANY OF THEIR BODY EVER ASK ME
+ TO PROCURE FOR HIM PLACE, BENEFIT, OR EMOLUMENT,
+
+
+ =This Volume is Inscribed=
+
+
+ BY THEIR FAITHFUL SERVANT,
+
+ DUNDONALD.
+
+
+
+
+ PREFACE.
+
+
+The present Volume narrates my services in the British Navy, from my
+entrance into it, and including the action in Aix Roads, on the 11th,
+12th, and 13th of April, 1809. The result of that action, viz., the
+court-martial on Lord Gambier—virtually a prosecution of myself; my
+non-employment thenceforward in the navy; the unscrupulous plot by which
+I was driven from that noble service; my restoration to rank by his late
+Majesty William IV., and to the honours which had accompanied that rank
+by my present most gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria; form subjects,
+which, together with many others, will be concisely set forth in the
+succeeding portion of this Work.
+
+To one of these points I shall, however, here briefly allude,—my
+restoration to the naval service; not for the purpose of pre-judging the
+subject, but with the intention of embracing the first opportunity which
+has been afforded me, of paying a tribute of thanks to those who,
+convinced of the injustice of the sentence, were mainly instrumental in
+procuring its reversal.
+
+Amongst these I am proud to rank one, the soundness of whose judgment,
+and the disinterestedness of whose patriotism, have throughout a long
+life never failed to secure the highest respect amongst men of every
+shade of political party—the Marquis of Lansdowne; who, from the
+commencement of my unmerited troubles, has to this day manifested the
+most generous confidence in my honour, and has as generously supported
+my cause when my character has been called in question. If proof were
+wanted of my entire innocence of the accusation laid to my charge
+forty-five years ago, no prouder testimony of incapability to have
+committed the imputed offence could be adduced than the unabated
+friendship of the Marquis of Lansdowne; simply because no man with a
+stain on his character could have retained any place in that illustrious
+nobleman’s consideration.
+
+To another nobleman, whose name will descend to the remotest posterity
+as the promoter of everything rationally liberal in politics, and the
+untiring advocate of measures calculated to promote social advancement,
+my warmest thanks are no less due. First my counsel, and for half a
+century my friend,—to the long-continued esteem of Lord Brougham, I owe
+no small portion of that consolation which for so many years formed my
+only support under a weight of persecution enough to have bowed any man,
+not so supported, to the earth; into which, had it not been for the
+disinterested countenance thus afforded by men above reproach I must
+have prematurely sunk.
+
+One testimony of my venerated friend I may be allowed to adduce[1]:—
+
+ “I must be distinctly understood to deny the accuracy of the opinion
+ which Lord Ellenborough appears to have formed in Lord Cochrane’s
+ case, and deeply to lament the verdict of Guilty, which the jury
+ returned after three hours’ consulting and hesitation.
+
+ “Our own complaint was his Lordship’s refusal to adjourn after the
+ prosecutor’s case closed, and his requiring us to enter upon our
+ defence at so late an hour—past nine o’clock—so that the adjournment
+ took place at midnight and before we had called our witnesses. I speak
+ of the trial at Guildhall only. Lord Ellenborough was _equally to
+ blame with his brethren in the Court of King’s Bench for that most
+ cruel and unjustifiable sentence_ which at once secured Lord
+ Cochrane’s re-election for Westminster.
+
+ “In 1833 the Government of which I was a member restored this great
+ warrior to his rank of admiral in our navy. The country, therefore, in
+ the event of hostilities, would now have the inestimable benefit of
+ his services, whom none perhaps ever equalled in heroic courage, and
+ whose fertility of resources, military as well as naval, places him
+ high among the very first of commanders. That his honours of
+ knighthood, so gloriously won, should still be withholden, is a stain,
+ _not upon him_, but upon the councils of his country; and after his
+ restoration to the service, it is as inconsistent and incomprehensible
+ as it is cruel and unjust.”[2]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 1:
+
+ See Lord Brougham’s “Historic Sketches of Statesmen of the Reign of
+ George III.”
+
+Footnote 2:
+
+ On the accession of Her present Most Gracious Majesty those honours
+ were restored; every attempt to obtain their restoration during the
+ reign of His late Majesty having failed, from causes which will be
+ stated in the next Volume; and notwithstanding that His Majesty
+ himself warmly espoused my cause.
+
+-----
+
+To many others, high in public estimation and in the councils of their
+Sovereign, I have been equally indebted for countenance and support, but
+as it has been my lot to outlive them, they are beyond the reach of
+thanks. Amongst these may be mentioned the late Duke of Hamilton, the
+Earl of Auckland, Sir Francis Burdett,—my late warm-hearted friend and
+colleague; Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Hume, and others whose names have escaped
+my memory rather than my gratitude.
+
+Last, though foremost in estimation, is another friend, found where man
+will seldom look for a friend in vain,—at home; the Countess of
+Dundonald, my wife. Knowing the opinion of her Sovereign with regard to
+the persecution which had entailed on me so many years of misery, and
+equally well aware that in the first years of his Majesty’s reign the
+non-reversal of that unjust sentence was owing to the influence of some
+in his Majesty’s councils, whose political animosity sixteen years
+before had no small share in its infliction,—that ardent and heroic lady
+determined to penetrate to the foot of the throne, and learn from the
+lips of the Sovereign himself whether it was consistent with the dignity
+of his crown, that its attribute of mercy should be the sport of an
+almost extinct political faction.
+
+The step was a bold one; but the ardour which had conceived it to be
+necessary lacked not the energy to carry out its resolve. In spite of
+the coolness of some about the court, and the positive rudeness of
+others whose names it is not worth while to resuscitate, this devoted
+lady gained an interview with her Sovereign, and with the greatest
+respect besought His Majesty not to permit the benevolence of his
+disposition, and his own belief in the innocence of her unjustly
+maligned husband, to be thwarted by those whose office it was to advise,
+but not to control, his better judgment.
+
+His Majesty graciously listened, and his reply was kingly, that “he
+would no longer allow the reparation which was her husband’s due, to be
+withheld.” A change of Ministry shortly afterwards followed, and, as
+already quoted in an extract from the writings of Lord Brougham, my
+restoration to rank rewarded the heroic efforts of my devoted wife.
+Nevertheless, a leaven of former political malice remained, sufficiently
+powerful to prevent my restoration to the honours with which a previous
+Sovereign had invested me, but of which I had been despoiled with every
+mark of degradation which political animosity could invent.[3]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 3:
+
+ Viz., a forcible intrusion into my apartments in the King’s Bench
+ Prison in the dead of night, with a demand for the immediate surrender
+ of the Insignia.
+
+-----
+
+This gracious act of restoring my honours was reserved for Her present
+Majesty, who with the delicacy which is one of Her Majesty’s noblest
+characteristics, gave back the boon of which I had for so many years
+been wrongfully deprived; and subsequently conferred upon me, at the age
+of seventy-three, my first command of a British fleet. For both marks of
+Her Majesty’s kindness and appreciation of my former services, I am
+deeply grateful. But alas! reparation came too late to compensate for
+the early hopes and just expectations of a life forcibly wasted as
+regarded myself or my country.
+
+The moral—to use an old-fashioned phrase—of my chequered career, is
+this:—That they who, in political matters, propose to themselves a
+strict and rigid adherence to the truth of their convictions,
+irrespective of personal consequences, must expect obloquy rather than
+reward; and that they who obstinately pursue their professional duty in
+the face of routine and official prejudice, may think themselves lucky
+if they escape persecution. Such a moral may be derogatory in a national
+point of view, but it is the result of my own bitter experience:
+notwithstanding which, were my life to begin anew, I would pursue the
+same unflinching course with regard to naval abuses, of following out my
+own convictions,—a course which would produce the same result to myself,
+the consolation of my own rectitude, even though I might be deprived of
+all other reward.
+
+Still all is not dark. I have survived malignity, and its chief cause,
+viz. the enmity arising from my zealous advocacy of departmental and
+political reform. The latter has been achieved to a greater extent than
+the early political reformers, amongst whose ranks I was enrolled, ever
+dreamed of; and even departmental reform has become fashionable, though
+it may not have advanced far beyond that point.
+
+In one respect I will boldly assert that this narrative of my life is
+worthy of example. It will show the young officer that, in spite of
+obstacles, warm attachment and untiring devotion to my noble profession
+enabled me to render some services to my country upon which I may be
+allowed to reflect with satisfaction, even though this be accompanied
+with bitter reflection as to what the all-powerful enmity of my
+political opponents cruelly deprived me of further opportunity to
+accomplish.
+
+In conclusion, I must express my thanks to Mr. Earp, whose zeal has
+exhumed from documents almost, in my own estimation, beyond
+comprehension or arrangement[4], the mass of facts condensed within the
+compass of this volume.
+
+Footnote 4:
+
+ In the great earthquake at Valparaiso in 1822 my house shared the
+ common destruction, and from the torrents of rain which accompanied
+ the unusual atmospheric disturbance, my papers were saturated with
+ water, to such an extent that it became necessary to lay them to dry
+ in the sun. Whilst undergoing this process one of the whirlwinds
+ common on the Chilian coast suddenly came on, and scattered them in
+ all directions. Many were lost, but more torn, and rendered almost
+ undecipherable; whilst all that remained have been ever since in
+ confusion. The labour of accurate compilation from such materials may
+ be imagined.
+
+In the succeeding portion of this work, should God spare me to see its
+completion, I trust to render additional service, by an attempt to
+deduce from past naval experience the best means of preserving
+unimpaired our future maritime efficiency. Should the attempt be the
+means of awakening national attention, the gratification will be mine of
+having left no unworthy legacy to my country.
+
+ DUNDONALD.
+
+December 14, 1859.
+
+
+
+
+ CONTENTS
+
+ OF
+
+ THE FIRST VOLUME.
+
+ INTRODUCTORY.
+
+ SOME ACCOUNT OF THE DUNDONALD FAMILY.
+
+ CHAPTER I.
+ MY BOYHOOD, AND ENTRANCE INTO THE NAVY.
+
+ Younger Branch succeeds to Earldom.—Alienation of Family
+ Estates.—My Father’s scientific Pursuits.—His ruinous
+ manufacturing Projects.—A neglected
+ Discovery.—Communicated to James Watt.—Lord Dundonald’s
+ Agricultural Works still held in Estimation.—Early
+ Reminiscences.—My first Visit to London.—My Father
+ destines me for the Army.—A Commission procured.—My
+ Aversion to the Military Profession.—Our Return to
+ Scotland.—I am permitted to enter the Navy Page 34
+
+ CHAP. II.
+ CRUISE OF THE _HIND_.
+
+ A Lieutenant of the Old School.—His Ideas on
+ Sea-chests.—Dockyards sixty Years ago.—Prize-money, the
+ leading Motive of Seamen.—Voyage to Norway.—Norwegian
+ Customs.—A Midshipman’s Grievances.—A Parrot turned
+ Boatswain.—Ineffective Armaments.—Men before
+ Dockyards.—Training of Officers 50
+
+ CHAP. III.
+ THE VOYAGE OF THE _THETIS_.
+
+ Voyage in the _Thetis_.—Icebergs.—I am made Acting
+ Lieutenant.—I am ordered to join the _Thetis_.—Pass
+ Examination for Lieutenant.—Captain Cochrane’s Capture of
+ French Store-ships.—My Appointment to the
+ _Resolution_.—Admiral winters in the Chesapeake.—An
+ undignified Encounter.—A Dinner ashore.—Harsh Treatment of
+ the Americans.—Their Complaints.—Return of the _Thetis_ to
+ England 62
+
+ CHAP. IV.
+ SERVICES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.
+
+ I join Lord Keith’s Ship.—An unpleasant Altercation, ending
+ in a Court-Martial.—The Blockade of Cadiz.—French Fleet in
+ the Offing.—Pursued by Lord Keith.—Enemy’s Vessels burnt
+ at Toulon.—Lord Keith recalled by Lord St. Vincent.—Lord
+ St. Vincent resigns the Command.—Lord Keith pursues the
+ French Fleet to Brest, and from thence to the
+ Mediterranean.—State of the French Marine.—Lord Keith
+ appoints me to the _Généreux_.—Burning of the _Queen
+ Charlotte_.—Action with Privateers off Cabritta
+ Point.—Recommended for Promotion 76
+
+ CHAP. V.
+ CRUISE OF THE _SPEEDY_.
+
+ My Appointment to the _Speedy_.—My first Prize.—Capitulation
+ of Genoa.—More Captures.—Join Lord Keith at
+ Leghorn.—Cruise on the Spanish Coast.—Nearly caught by a
+ Spanish Frigate.—How she was evaded.—Our Cruise
+ renewed.—We proceed to Malta.—Foolish Fracas in a
+ Ball-room.—A Duel.—Capture of a French Store-ship.—Chased
+ by another Spanish Frigate.—Cruise off Barcelona.—An
+ Attempt to entrap us.—Attack on the _El Gamo_
+ Frigate.—Carried by Boarding.—Trifling Loss of the
+ _Speedy_.—A Device practised during the Action.—We proceed
+ with our Prize to Mahon.—Postponement of my Post
+ Rank.—Official Despatch 93
+
+ CHAP. VI.
+ CRUISE OF THE _SPEEDY_ CONTINUED.
+
+ The _Speedy_ sent to Algiers.—Interview with the
+ Dey.—_Speedy_ returns to Minorca.—Attack on
+ Oropesa.—Enemy’s Vessels destroyed.—Letter of Thanks from
+ Lord Keith.—_Speedy_ sent in Convoy of a Packet.—Captured
+ by three French line-of-battle Ships, and taken to
+ Algesiras.—Attack by Sir J. Saumarez’s Squadron.—Loss of
+ the _Hannibal_.—Capture of Dockyard Artificers.—Gallantry
+ of Captain Keats 118
+
+ CHAP. VII.
+ ADMIRALTY RELUCTANCE TO PROMOTE ME.
+
+ Letter from Sir Alexander Cochrane.—Second Letter from Sir
+ Alexander.—Both written unknown to me.—Reluctance of Lord
+ St. Vincent to promote me.—Letter from my Father to Lord
+ St. Vincent, urging my right to Promotion.—Lord St.
+ Vincent’s Reply.—Its Fallacy.—His Lordship’s Reasoning a
+ Subterfuge.—Promotion of my First Lieutenant refused.—My
+ imprudent Remark to Lord St. Vincent, who becomes my
+ Enemy.—Further Effort to promote Lieutenant
+ Parker.—Admiralty Refusal also.—Lieutenant Parker’s
+ eventual Promotion, and subsequent shameful Treatment 135
+
+ CHAP. VIII.
+ NAVAL ADMINISTRATION SIXTY YEARS AGO.
+
+ Political Favouritism.—Refusal of further Employment.—Naval
+ Corruption.—Dockyard Practices.—Shameful Treatment of
+ Prisoners of War.—Economy the Remedy.—Results of Medical
+ Economy.—Empty Physic Bottles.—Seamen’s Aversion to the
+ Service.—A Post Captain at College 152
+
+ CHAP. IX.
+ EMPLOYMENT IN THE _ARAB_.
+
+ Appointment to the _Arab_.—Projected Invasion by
+ Napoleon.—The _Arab_ ordered to watch the French
+ Coast.—Then to cruise in the North Sea.—Retirement of Lord
+ St. Vincent 165
+
+ CHAP. X.
+ CRUISE OF THE _PALLAS_.
+
+ Orders of the _Pallas_ embargoed.—Capture of the
+ _Carolina_.—Arrival of the Prizes.—Capture of Papal
+ Bulls.—A Chase.—Admiral Young.—Election for Honiton.—Novel
+ Election Tactics.—Become a Reformer.—Painful Results 171
+
+ CHAP. XI.
+ SERVICES IN THE _PALLAS_ CONTINUED.
+
+ Services in the _Pallas_.—The _Pallas_ at Halifax.—Clamour
+ of Shipowners.—Sail from the Downs.—Capture a Vessel.—The
+ _Pomone_ sent to England.—Capture of the _Tapageuse_.—The
+ French run ashore.—Chase of the Corvettes.—Off
+ Chasseron.—Cold Approval of Lord St. Vincent.—Cruise of
+ the _Pallas_.—Sight the French Squadron.—French Signal
+ Houses.—The Isle of Aix.—Engage the French
+ Squadron.—Joined by the _Kingfisher_.—Details of the
+ Action.—Construction of Kites 183
+
+ CHAP. XII.
+ MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.
+
+ My Entrance into Parliament.—Enthusiastic Reception.—Seek
+ Promotion for Haswell.—Cutting out _Le Cæsar_.—Gross
+ Instance of Partiality.—Claret against Small Beer.—Story
+ of Mr. Croker.—Mr. Croker’s Revenge.—Command the
+ _Impérieuse_.—Drift towards Ushant.—Join the Squadron in
+ the Basque Roads.—Anchor off Cordovan.—Supply the
+ _Atalante_ 202
+
+ CHAP. XIII.
+ DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.
+
+ Dissolution of Parliament.—Westminster Election.—Reply to
+ Mr. Sheridan.—I am elected.—Virulent
+ Recriminations.—Opening of the House.—Move for an Account
+ of Sinecures.—Opposition to the Motion.—Mr. Perceval’s
+ Proposition.—My Motion evaded.—Naval Abuses.—Details of
+ Abuses.—Naval Hospitals.—Speech in the Commons.—Join Lord
+ Collingwood’s fleet. 215
+
+ CHAP. XIV.
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_.
+
+ Cruise of the _Impérieuse_.—Engagement with the _King
+ George_.—Off Toulon.—Fall in with Thirteen Merchantmen.—Am
+ recalled by Lord Collingwood.—Russian Declaration of
+ War.—Capture a Vessel from Corfu.—Run into Valencia.—Clear
+ for Action.—Death of Lieut. Caulfield.—Chase round Cape
+ Negretti.—Blow up a Tower at Minorca.—Capture of Spanish
+ Wine.—Fall in with the _Leonidas_.—Capture a Xebec.—Chase
+ three Ships.—Capture a Xebec.—Cape Palos.—Gale at
+ Sea.—Joseph proclaimed King of Spain.—Spain declares War
+ against France 234
+
+ CHAP. XV.
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.
+
+ Assist the Spaniards.—Off Barcelona.—Spanish Kindness.—The
+ French in Mataro.—Cruise on the Spanish Coast.—Embark the
+ Enemies' Guns.—Give the Spaniards a Lesson.—Siege of
+ Gerona.—Contest at Mongat.—Irritation of the
+ Spaniards.—Excesses of the French.—Spirit of the
+ Catalans.—Anchor off San Felin.—Guerilla Troops.—Fortress
+ of Figueras.—Chase two Vessels.—Anchor in Gulf
+ Dumet.—Destroy a Signal Station.—Storming a Battery.—The
+ Tables turned. 255
+
+ CHAP. XVI.
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.
+
+ The French Fleet.—The Mole of Ciotat.—The Gulf of Foz.—Take
+ Possession of the Battery.—Silence other Batteries.—Anchor
+ off Cette.—Despatch the Prizes.—How we obtained Fresh
+ Water.—Demolish a Telegraph.—Frigates to leeward.—Ordered
+ to Gibraltar.—Ingratitude of Government.—Letter of Lord
+ Collingwood.—Letter of Lord Cochrane 275
+
+ CHAP. XVII.
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.
+
+ Capture a Settee.—Get under Sail.—Fight between the Patriots
+ and French.—Make sail for Rosas.—Fort Trinidad.—Gallantry
+ of Captain West.—Bravery of the Catalans.—Repulse of the
+ French.—Attack of the _Impérieuse_.—The French redouble
+ their Efforts.—Occupation of Catalonia.—The Castle of
+ Trinidad.—Nature of our Position.—Nature of our
+ Operations.—Manufacture of a Man-trap.—Lose my Nose.—The
+ French assault Rosas.—Practice of the
+ French.—Presentiment.—The French Attack.—The Attack
+ repulsed.—Bravery of a French Soldier.—Heavy Gale of
+ Wind.—Unfortunate Accident.—Evacuate the Fortress.—Stand
+ towards Scalla.—Letter from Lord Collingwood.—Despatch to
+ Lord Collingwood.—Letter to the Admiralty.—Testimony of
+ the Spaniards.—Sir Walter Scott.—Official Gratitude. 290
+
+ CHAP. XVIII.
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.
+
+ Defeat of the Spaniards.—Attack some French Vessels.—French
+ Operations.—Letter of Lord Cochrane.—Lord
+ Collingwood.—Operations of the Enemy.—Fall in with the
+ _Cyrene_.—Sail for Minorca.—Apply for leave.—Motives for
+ leaving.—Apathy of the Government.—Reproached for
+ Service.—Neglect of the Admiralty 323
+
+ CHAP. XIX.
+ APPOINTMENT TO COMMAND FIRESHIPS IN BASQUE ROADS.
+
+ Undertaking against Rochefort.—Hopes excited.—Present myself
+ at the Admiralty.—Am consulted by Lord Mulgrave.—Lord
+ Gardner’s Statement.—Anxiety of Government.—My Plan of
+ Action.—Decline the Command.—The Command pressed upon
+ me.—Return to the _Impérieuse_.—Preparations for
+ Attack.—Lord Gambier obtains the Laurels, but dissuades
+ the Attack.—The Isle d’Aix.—Lord Gambier’s Statement 338
+
+ CHAP. XX.
+
+ Sail for the Basque Roads.—My awkward Position.—Ill-humour
+ of the Fleet.—Admiral Harvey.—Imprudence of Admiral
+ Harvey.—Complains of Lord Gambier.—Inaccurate
+ Soundings.—Lord Gambier’s Tracts.—Cobbett’s Comments on
+ the Tracts.—Dissensions in the Fleet.—Letter to Lord
+ Mulgrave.—My Principles of Warfare.—Night-work.—My
+ Principles of Action.—The Isle d’Aix.—Explosion-vessels. 354
+
+ CHAP. XXI.
+
+ Press for an Attack.—Results of Delay.—The French
+ Preparations.—French Admiral’s Account.—Insult to the
+ English Fleet.—State of Preparations.—Start for the
+ Attack.—The Attack.—The Explosion.—Failure of the
+ Attack.—Terror of the French.—The French aground.—Apathy
+ of Lord Gambier.—The Aix Roads.—The French Fleet permitted
+ to escape.—Drift towards the Enemy.—Attack the French
+ Fleet.—The _Calcutta_ strikes.—The Attack.—Failure of
+ Fireships.—Singular Incident.—Signal of Recall.—Captain
+ Seymour.—Lord Gambier’s Evasiveness.—Am
+ recalled.—Remonstrate with Lord Gambier.—Am sent
+ Home.—Lord Gambier’s Despatch.—The French
+ Despatch.—Destruction of the Boom.—The _Mediator_ 370
+
+ CHAP. XXII.
+ ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.
+
+ Intended Vote of Thanks to Lord Gambier.—Resolve to oppose
+ it.—Interview with Lord Mulgrave.—Lord Gambier demands a
+ Court-Martial.—He is directed to make a fresh Report of
+ the Action in Basque Roads.—Injustice of this second
+ Despatch.—Attempt to entrap me into the Position of
+ Prosecutor.—Composition and Proceedings of the
+ Court-Martial.—The Admiral’s Point of
+ Justification.—Disposed of by Captain Broughton’s
+ Evidence, and by that of Captains Malcolm, Newcombe, and
+ Seymour.—Sir Harry Neale’s Evidence stopped by Admiral
+ Young 403
+
+ CHAP. XXIII.
+ LORD GAMBIER’S DESPATCH.
+
+ Its Omissions and Suppressions.—Motive for Lord Gambier’s
+ Mis-statements.—Mr. Fairfax reports that the _Mediator_
+ went in fifth, not first.—Reason of the contrary
+ Assertion.—Napoleon attributes the Escape of his Fleet to
+ the Imbecility of Lord Gambier.—Mismanagement of the
+ Fireships.—Lord Gambier’s Delay and Misdirection.—His
+ Perversion of Fact.—His misplaced Praise.—The Despatch
+ fails to satisfy the Public.—Criticised by the
+ Press.—Admiral Gravière’s Account of the Termination of
+ the Action 416
+
+
+
+
+ AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SEAMAN.
+
+
+
+
+ ————————
+
+ INTRODUCTORY.
+
+ SOME ACCOUNT OF THE DUNDONALD FAMILY.
+
+
+Tradition has assigned to the Cochranes a derivation from one of the
+Scandinavian sea-rovers, who, in a remote age, settled on the lands of
+Renfrew and Ayr. There is reason to believe the tradition well founded;
+but to trace its authenticity would be foreign to the purpose of the
+present work.
+
+In later times, incidents of historic interest connected with the
+family, justify allusion, as forming contributions not only to the
+national annals of Scotland, but to those of England also. The earliest
+authentic record of our house is contained in the subjoined extract from
+Crawfurd’s “Peerage of Scotland.”
+
+ “This family, which originally took its surname from the Barony of
+ Cochran, in Renfrewshire[5], is of great antiquity; and though none of
+ the family arrived to the dignity of peerage till the reign of King
+ Charles I., yet it is undeniable that they were barons of special
+ account for many ages before, and endowed with large possessions in
+ these parts and elsewhere.
+
+ “The first of whom I have found upon record is Waldenus de Coveran,
+ _i.e._ Cochran, who, in 1262, is witness to the grant which Dungal,
+ the son of Suayn, made to Walter Stewart Earl of Monteith of sundry
+ lands in the county of Argyle, which came in aftertimes to be
+ transmitted to Forrester of Carden. Another William de Coveran is
+ mentioned by Pryn, as a person of account in this county, who makes
+ his submission to King Edward I. Anno Dom. 1296, in the Ragman Roll;
+ also John de Coveran is witness in the regular election of James,
+ Abbot of Paisley, 17th of David II. Anno 1346.
+
+ “The next remarkable person of the family is Gosiline de Cochran, who
+ flourished under King David Bruce; he is witness to several grants
+ made by Robert II. when Earl of Strathern, to the religious of
+ Paisley, an abbacy he assumed into his particular patronage, wherein
+ his ancestors’ donations being made to the glory of God are
+ particularly narrated. He left issue, William de Cochran, of that Ilk,
+ his son, who obtained from King Robert II. a charter of the lands of
+ Cochran, to be held in as ample a manner as any of his progenitors
+ held the same of the Lord High Steward of Scotland, dated on the 22nd
+ of September 1389. As he stood in special favour with this king, so
+ was he in no less with Robert III. his son, to whom it seems he had
+ been serviceable; for when he came to the crown he had so grateful a
+ sense thereof, that in the second year of his reign, Anno 1392, he
+ made him a grant of forty shillings sterling in annuity, arising out
+ of the profits of the Burgh of Rutherglen. He was succeeded by Robert
+ his son who, in 1456, resigned his estates in favour of Allan his
+ son.”
+
+This surrender of his estate appears to have been made for no other
+purpose than to devote himself to the study and practice of
+architecture, in which, as an art, Scotland was, at that time, behind
+other nations. In the exercise of his self-imposed profession, Robert
+Cochran is said to have displayed great skill in the erection of several
+edifices[6], and when, by the favour of the King James III. he
+afterwards rose to power, his architectural eminence procured for him,
+amongst the host of enemies created by his elevation, the contemptuous
+appellation of the “mason chiel.”
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 5:
+
+ “Opposite to Johnstoun, upon the east side of the river, lye the house
+ and barony of Cochran, the principal manour of the Cochrans, a family
+ of great antiquity in this shire, whose ancestors have possessed these
+ lands well nigh 500 years, and, without doubt, have taken appellation
+ from their hereditary lands, when fixed surnames came to be
+ used.”—_Crawfurd’s Description of Renfrew_, p. 82.
+
+Footnote 6:
+
+ Pinkerton.
+
+-----
+
+It was not, however, his architectural skill alone which gave him a
+place in his sovereign’s estimation, but his good broadsword and
+powerful arm, the efficacy of which having been displayed in a combat in
+the king’s presence[7] attracted his Majesty’s attention; so much so,
+that the king, finding him to be of good family, and possessed of great
+talent, placed him near his person; the result being that in a brief
+space of time he became his chief adviser, and the great opponent of the
+Scottish nobility, who sought to hold the king in their power.
+
+In short, Robert Cochran appears to have become to James something like
+what Wolsey subsequently was to Henry VIII. not in power only, but also
+in ostentation. In the latter respect, Lindsay says of him, that “even
+his pavilions were of silk, and the fastening chains thereof richly
+gilt.” Pinkerton says he “became the fountain of royal favour, and was
+elevated to a giddy and invidious height of power—this being the earldom
+of Mar.”[8]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 7:
+
+ “He came to be known to the king by a duel which he fought with
+ another; and presently from an architect came to be made a courtier,
+ and was put in a fair way of rising to some greater advancement; for,
+ having performed some lighter matters, intrusted to him, with
+ diligence, and also accommodating himself to the king’s humour, he was
+ soon admitted to advise concerning the grand affairs of the kingdom;
+ insomuch that Preston chose him to be his son-in-law.”—_Buchanan_,
+ vol. ii. p. 301. “But that which made Cochran most envied was his
+ earldom of March; which country the king had either given to him, or
+ at least committed to his trust, upon the death of the king’s younger
+ brother.”—_Buchanan_, vol. ii. p. 309.
+
+Footnote 8:
+
+ The following extract from Crawfurd shows that the title and revenues
+ of the earldom of Mar were in the hands of James at this time:—
+
+ “ERSKINE EARL OF MAR.
+
+ “Which Thomas [Erskine Earl of Mar,] did prosecute his father’s claim
+ to the earldom of Mar with all the vigour imaginable, but having a
+ powerful party, the king, to deal with, at length a final sentence was
+ given against him in parliament, on the 5th November 1457, which he
+ was obliged to acquiesce in; but notwithstanding the hard measure he
+ had undergone from the king, and which might have been thought would
+ have made him ready to have taken all occasions of being severe of it,
+ yet he was a person of so much honour and virtue that in the
+ succeeding reign of James III., when he had a very fair opportunity to
+ be revenged, yet he no sooner saw the ways of duty towards the king
+ decline, and his power _envied by a strong party of the nobility_,
+ than out of pure conscience to serve his Majesty when he was in
+ distress he fairly engaged in his quarrel, and when the war broke out
+ accepted a command in the army, in which he continued till the very
+ end that the king was miserably killed in the field of Stirling on the
+ 11th of June 1488.”
+
+-----
+
+This advancement to the earldom of Mar, says Buchanan, “was the chief
+source of the hatred of the nobility, who were disgusted with James,
+partly by reason of his familiarity with that rascally sort of people,
+but chiefly because _he slighted the nobility_, and chose mean persons
+to be his counsellors and advisers, the chief of these being Thomas
+Preston, one of a good family, and Robert Cochran, a man endued with
+great strength of body and equal audacity of mind.”
+
+In classing Thomas Preston and Robert Cochran amongst “that rascally
+sort of people,” Buchanan contradicts himself, for he admits that
+Preston was of good family, and he must have known that Cochran’s family
+was still more ancient, so that the historian only gives evidence of his
+own tufthunting tendencies. What were the feelings of the nobility
+towards Robert Cochran, may be gathered from the titles to the chapters
+of a scurrilous book subsequently written in their interest for the
+purpose of denouncing his memory.
+
+ 1. “This minister’s (Robert Cochran) raising himself, first by his
+ impudence, and next by his alliance with a noble lord, whom he wormed
+ out of power.”
+
+ 2. “His poor condition when he first came to court.”
+
+ 5. “His buildings and passion for hunting.”
+
+ 7. “_His working the disgrace of all the great men_,” &c.
+
+This last head, “_working the disgrace of all the great men_,” appears
+to form the key to their whole hatred, but it implies patriotism towards
+a monarch and a country whom the “great men” had previously oppressed. I
+am quite content to rest the reputation of my ancestor upon the
+libellous evidence of his adversaries, or the showing of the Scottish
+historians, that he attempted to abridge the power of the nobles, _and
+succeeded_ to such an extent as to secure his own murder. To enter at
+length into such matters would, however, be to substitute my ancestor’s
+biography for my own, and therefore it will only be necessary to abridge
+from Pinkerton a few interesting extracts relative to this romance of
+Scottish history.
+
+ “The new Earl of Mar, unconscious that his extreme elevation was an
+ infallible step to the deepest ruin, continued to abuse his power, and
+ that of his sovereign. The nobles beheld the places, _formerly given
+ to their sons_, now sold (?) to Mar’s followers. The prelates and
+ other dignitaries of the church _sighed at the increase of simony_!
+ &c. &c. In short, the whole honour and welfare of the king and kingdom
+ were sacrificed on the domestic altar of this base and covetous
+ minion!
+
+ “Some of the peers assembled, and consulted upon the means of
+ delivering the realm from the disgrace and destruction inflicted by
+ Cochran and the other royal favourites. A noble deputation had even
+ been sent to the king, requesting that he would dismiss these
+ pernicious councillors, and restore the confidence placed by his
+ ancestors _in the loyalty of the nobility_. The answer of James was
+ far from satisfactory, but the peers assented to delay, and dissembled
+ till some decisive occasion should arise.
+
+ “The Scottish array, amounting to about fifty thousand, had crowded to
+ the royal banner at Burrough-muir, near Edinburgh, whence they marched
+ to Sontray and to Lauder, at which place they encamped between the
+ church and the village. Cochran, Earl of Mar, conducted the artillery,
+ and his presence and pomp were additional insults. On the morning
+ after their arrival at Lauder, the peers assembled in a secret
+ council, in the church, and deliberated upon their designs of revenge.
+ The Earls of Angus, Argyle, Huntley, Orkney or Caithness, Crawford,
+ the Lords Home, Fleming, Gray, Drummond, Hales, and Seton, are chiefly
+ mentioned upon this occasion; and the discontent must have spread far
+ when we find Evandale the chancellor, and some bishops united to the
+ above names.
+
+ “In the course of the debate Gray took occasion to introduce an
+ apologue: ‘The mice consulted upon the means of deliverance from their
+ tyrannic enemy the cat, and agreed that a bell should be suspended
+ about her neck, to notify her approach and their danger; but what
+ mouse has courage sufficient to fasten the bell?’ ‘I shall bell the
+ cat,’ exclaimed the impatience of Angus, in whom a current of the
+ blood of Douglas flowed; and the homely times conferred upon him the
+ appellation of Archibald Bell the Cat. It was concluded that the king
+ _should be put in a gentle imprisonment_ in the castle of Edinburgh,
+ and that all his favourites should be instantly hanged over the bridge
+ of Lauder.
+
+ “Cochran, ignorant of their designs, at length left the royal presence
+ to proceed to the council. The earl was attended by three hundred men,
+ armed with light battle-axes, and distinguished by his livery of white
+ with black fillets. He was clothed in a riding cloak of black velvet,
+ and wore a large chain of gold around his neck; his horn of the chase,
+ or of battle, was adorned with gold and precious stones; and his
+ helmet, overlaid with the same valuable metal, was borne before him.
+ Approaching the door of the church, he commanded an attendant to knock
+ with authority; and Sir Robert Douglas of Lochleven, who guarded the
+ passage, inquiring the name, was answered, ‘’Tis I, the Earl of Mar.’
+ Cochran and some of his friends were admitted. Angus advanced to him,
+ and pulling the golden chain from his neck, said, ‘A rope will become
+ thee better;’ while Douglas of Lochleven seized his hunting-horn,
+ declaring that he had been too long a hunter of mischief. Rather
+ astonished than alarmed, Cochran said: ‘My lords, is it jest or
+ earnest?’ To which it was replied, ‘It is good earnest, and so thou
+ shalt find it, for thou and thy accomplices have too long abused our
+ prince’s favour; but no longer expect such advantage, for thou and thy
+ followers shall now reap the deserved reward.’
+
+ “Having secured Mar, the lords dispatched some men-at-arms to the
+ king’s pavilion, conducted by two or three moderate leaders, who
+ amused James while their followers seized the favourites. Sir William
+ Roger, the English musician; Preston, a gentleman, Hommil, Torphichan,
+ Leonard, and others, were instantly hanged over the bridge at Lauder.
+ John Ramsay of Balmain having clasped the king’s person, was alone
+ spared. Cochran was now brought out, his hands bound with a rope, and
+ thus conducted to the bridge, and hanged above his companions.”
+
+Even the privilege of being hanged with one of the silken cords of his
+pavilion was denied him; and his making such a request Pinkerton
+attributes to “weak pride,” though it certainly looked more like “cool
+pride,” which would not condescend to beg life, and only asked to die
+like a gentleman.
+
+Much in the same spirit, but showing the abilities of the man, are the
+following extracts from “A Detection of the Falsehood, Abuse, and
+Misrepresentations in a late Libel, entitled, The Life of Sir Robert
+Cochrane, Prime Minister in Scotland to James the Third.”
+
+ “This COCHRAN, [Sir Robert] according to the greatest of the Scottish
+ Writers, lived at a Time when a Faction in England made War on their
+ lawful Sovereign, and imposed it on the King by Force of Arms, that he
+ should bear the Name and Ensigns, or Badges of a King, but the Power
+ of the Government should be in the heads of their Faction, against
+ which Violence and Tyranny the Queen drew the Sword for her Husband’s
+ (Henry the 6th) Deliverance with such Vigour and Success, as rescued
+ him from his Enemies, slew their Chiefs in Battle, destroyed two
+ Armies, gaining two compleat Victories; and even when Fortune deserted
+ this masculine Princess, in her final Overthrow Six and thirty
+ thousand men were slain before she lost the Field.
+
+ “These were the Times when Cochran became the Minion of the King of
+ Scotland, who departing from the Counsels of his ancient Servants, and
+ withdrawing Himself from the Nobility, chose mean and infamous Persons
+ to be the Companions of his Pleasures, and the Advisers of his Reign.
+
+ “Of these one _Preston_ was Chief, though born of a better Family than
+ any of his Comrades, who abandoned himself to indulge the King’s
+ Humour in all Things. And COCHRAN came next, who, of a Builder was
+ instantly made Courtier! History describes Him as a Man of great
+ Bodily Strength, and of equal Impudence! who, making Himself known to
+ the King by a Duel which He fought, was admitted at Court with great
+ Expectations of Advancement. Having been employ’d in Matters of small
+ Concern, which He performed with great Application, and insinuating
+ Himself into the King’s Favour by constant Assiduity, He became
+ immediately advised with in the most important and the most intimate
+ Councils of the Kingdom. Preston upon this made Him his Son, by giving
+ him his Daughter in Marriage[9]....”
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 9:
+
+ Buchanan speaks of Preston’s alliance with Cochran as “one solicited
+ to strengthen himself, which was not the cause but the effect of
+ Cochran’s power at Court.... Again, the immediate Acquisition of Crown
+ Lands which rendered Cochran most odious, is highly spoken of,
+ notwithstanding that he obtained a Grant of the Lands belonging to a
+ Prince of the Blood, even the Revenue of an Earl! and by such Grants
+ _outvied the Splendour of the ancient Nobility_! who beheld Persons of
+ the meanest extraction eclipse them in Lustre!”
+
+-----
+
+To return to the descendants of the murdered minister:—
+
+ “This Allan (son of the murdered Robert), in 1452, is witness to the
+ mortification which Robert Lord Lyle made to the abbot and conventual
+ brethren of the monastery of Paisley, of the fishing on the river of
+ Clyde, at the place called Crokatshot, for the help of their prayers
+ to advance his spiritual estate, in which deed he is designated
+ Allanus Cochran, Armiger, his father being then alive, and to whom he
+ succeeded before the 1480. He married ..., daughter of ..., by whom he
+ had Robert, a son, who was father of John Cochran of that Ilk, who
+ immediately succeeded his grandfather upon his death.
+
+ “Which John, for some consideration I know not, obtained a licence
+ from his sovereign Lord King James IV. under the Great Seal, impouring
+ him to dispose of either his lands of Easter Cochran in Renfrewshire,
+ or his lands of Pitfour in Perthshire. Accordingly, he alienated a
+ part of his lands of Cochran to James Archbishop of Glasgow, Anno
+ 1519; to which deed he appends his seal, the impression bearing _three
+ Boars’ Heads eraz’d_, and circumscribed _Sigillum Johannis de
+ Cochran_. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John Simple of Fullwood,
+ who bore him a son, John, who was served and retourned heir to his
+ father on the 12th of May, 1539; he, dying in the 1557, left issue by
+ Mary, his wife, daughter of Lindsay of Dunrod, _in Vicecomitatu de
+ Renfrew_, a son,
+
+ “William, who succeeded him. In 1593, he erected from the foundation
+ at Cochran, the ancient seat of his family, a very high tower of
+ free-stone, and adorned it with large plantations; he marrying
+ Margaret, daughter of Robert Montgomery of Skelmurly, _in Vicecomitatu
+ de Air_, by Mary, his wife, daughter of Robert, Lord Semple, had a
+ daughter Elizabeth, his sole heir.
+
+ “He wisely considering the proper way of supporting his family was to
+ settle his daughter in his own time, and declining to marry her into a
+ richer family than his son, he made a prudent and discreet match for
+ her with Alexander Blair, a younger son of an ancient and genteel
+ family in Airshire, whose ancestors had been seated in the country
+ aforesaid for many ages before, so that beside a noble alliance, and a
+ competent patrimony, he yielded to change his name to Cochran, which
+ was almost the only condition the old gentleman required. This
+ Alexander, so taking upon him the surname of Cochran, was a virtuous
+ and frugal man, and studied as much the good of the family as if he
+ himself had been born the heir thereof. In 1622, he acquired the lands
+ of Cowdoun with an intention to unite them to the ancient patrimonial
+ inheritance of Cochran; but he afterwards sold them to Sir William,
+ his second son, as a fund to provide his younger children; for,
+ besides Sir John, his eldest son, he had six other sons, and two
+ daughters:
+
+ “Sir William Cochran of Cowdoun.
+
+ “Alexander, a colonel in the king’s service, in the wars of Ireland,
+ which commenced in 1641, with the murder of upwards of fifty thousand
+ Scots and English by the native Irish.
+
+ “Hugh, author of the branch of Fergusly; he was a colonel, first under
+ the renoun’d Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden, and afterward to King
+ Charles I. in the time of the Civil War in Ireland.
+
+ “Bryse, a colonel in the time of the Civil War, who lost his life in
+ the king’s service, Anno 1650.
+
+ “Captain Ochter Cochran.
+
+ “Gavin Cochran of Craigmure, was the seventh and youngest son.
+
+ “Elizabeth, married to John Lennox of Woodhead in Stirlingshire.
+
+ “Grisel, to Thomas Dunlop of Housle.
+
+ “Which Sir John, in the time of the unhappy Civil War in Britain,
+ firmly adhered to the interest of King Charles I. and had a colonel’s
+ commission in the army. In the year 1644, he was sent ambassador to
+ several princes to solicit their assistance in his Majesty’s behalf,
+ which he performed with such diligence and conduct, that in the treaty
+ of peace which was set on foot betwixt the king and the Parliament of
+ England and the Estates of Scotland, Anno 1646, he was, together with
+ the Marquis of Huntly and Montrose, the Earls of Nithsdale, Crawfurd,
+ Traquair, &c. proposed to be excepted from the king’s pardon, which
+ his Majesty generously refused. Upon the murder of the king, he
+ attended King Charles II. into foreign parts, and in the 1650 was sent
+ into Poland to crave aid of the Scots merchants there; but before his
+ return the king and the Scots army were defeated at Worcester; he
+ continuing with the king during his exile, dyed about the time of the
+ Restoration, without issue; so that his next brother, Sir William,
+ became his heir.
+
+ “Which Sir William was very carefully educated in grammar learning in
+ his youth, whence he was removed to the university; where having
+ applied himself indefatigably to his studies, and highly improved his
+ natural endowments with academical learning, he removed from thence
+ after he had taken the degree of Master of Arts, and studied our laws;
+ in which profession he attained to an uncommon perfection. Soon after
+ his entering on the stage of business, he became much famed for his
+ prudent management and conduct, by which he acquired a fair estate,
+ both in the shires of Renfrew and Air, for the last of which he had
+ the honour to serve as a member in the Parliament, 1647, wherein his
+ abilities were soon discovered by the great and leading men of the
+ House, and he showed himself, thro' the course of the sitting of that
+ Parliament, a good and even patriot, wholly intent upon the honour and
+ safety of the king, whose interest he did visibly advance, and the
+ welfare and tranquillity of the nation then in no small ferment.”
+
+On the visit of Charles I. to his Scottish dominions in 1641, for the
+purpose of allaying the hostile feelings which his arbitrary acts had
+there excited, Sir William Cochrane of Cowden had sufficient influence
+to be instrumental in reconciling the monarch and his angry subjects;
+together with sufficient substance and loyalty to minister to the
+necessities of his sovereign. For these and other services Sir William
+was at this time elevated to the peerage under the title of Lord
+Cochrane of Cowden; the gratitude of Charles, however, not being openly
+manifested until some years afterwards a prisoner in Carisbrook
+Castle.[10]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 10:
+
+ That the peerage was considered to have been conferred in 1641,
+ appears from a subsequent order of Charles II. for the elevation of
+ Lord Cochrane to the Earldom of Dundonald (see p. 22); but for some
+ cause or other the making out of the patent had been neglected or
+ omitted till 1647. It would almost seem that Charles, whilst a
+ prisoner at Carisbrook had some presentiment of his approaching fate,
+ and had hastened to remedy the neglect before it was too late.
+
+-----
+
+As this circumstance is, to the best of my knowledge, unique, and is at
+variance with the statements of some Scottish genealogists, who give the
+date of the letters-patent as at Scarborough, Dec. 27, 1647, an extract
+from the “Acts” of the Privy Council in Edinburgh, confirming the
+original patent, may be gratifying to the historian.
+
+ “_At Edinburgh, the 1st day of April, 1648._
+
+ “The which day and year of our Lord, at his Majesty’s Privy Council,
+ John Earl of Crafurd and Lindsay produced a patent under his Majesty’s
+ Great Seal, dated at Carisbrook, the 26th day of December, 1647—by
+ which his Majesty, considering the faithfulness and good affection of
+ Sir William Cochran of Cowden towards his Majesty’s service—and his
+ Majesty being willing, for his further encouragement to continue
+ therein, to bestow some token of his royal favor on him, hath given
+ and granted to the said Sir William Cochrane and his heirs male
+ lawfully begotten, the title and dignity of a Lord of Parliament
+ within this kingdom, to be called in all time coming Lord Cochrane of
+ Dundonald, and to have exercise, and enjoy all the privileges,
+ liberties, and pre-eminences belonging thereto, &c. &c. In token
+ whereof, Archibald Marquis of Argyll, President of the Council at this
+ time deliberate—in the name of Lord Cochrane—received the same on his
+ knees,” &c. &c.—_Extractum de Libris Actorum._
+
+It is not my intention to dilate upon the course pursued by Lord
+Cochrane, in promoting the reconciliation of Charles and his hereditary
+liegemen. Suffice it to say that, whilst his lordship’s predilections
+and services were in favour of the constitutional power of the king, he
+made a firm stand against his despotic tendencies, especially when
+meditating the subversion of the Scottish Church, under the guise of
+ecclesiastical reform.[11]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 11:
+
+ “Charles and Laud determined to force on the Scots the English
+ Liturgy—or rather a liturgy which, whenever it differed from that of
+ England, differed, in the judgment of all rigid Protestants, for the
+ worse.”—_Lord Macaulay._
+
+-----
+
+In the national struggle which ensued after the death of Charles I. Lord
+Cochrane was amongst the most active in raising troops to assert the
+right of Charles II. to the throne. The subjoined letter from that
+monarch, divested of its antique orthography, will show the nature of
+the services rendered.
+
+ CHARLES R.
+
+ “Right trusty and well-beloved—we greet you well. We have seen your
+ letter to the Duke of Hamilton, whom you give no encouragement; so
+ hope that sometime you, with the horse raised upon the baronies of Ayr
+ and Renfrew, shall soon be in arms.
+
+ “Having been engaged to give to General-Major Vandrosk the first
+ regiment of horse raised within our kingdom of Scotland, we could not
+ possibly break our promise to so deserving a person. But seeing your
+ brother was appointed to have the command of one of the regiments of
+ foot before they were converted into horse, he will now be
+ disappointed, as likewise will Col. Cunninghame, of their
+ expectations. We have, therefore, thought fit to desire you to shift
+ your brother up to the army to us, and we do oblige ourselves to take
+ him into our particular favor, and to give him the command of a
+ regiment either of horse or foot.
+
+ “We likewise find you desire the removing of the garrison from Newark,
+ but having advised twice with our Committee of Estate, we find it is
+ not for the good of the service to remove the said garrison; but we
+ are content that the strength be reduced to the number of threttie
+ soldiers only.
+
+ “We shall desire that you would be assisted in hasting these levies,
+ and continue in your barony all public despatch, so as you may be in
+ continual receipt of our respects to you.
+
+ “So we bid you now heartily farewell, from our Camp Royal at Woodhend,
+ the fifth of August, 1651.
+
+ “To our right trusty and well-beloved,
+ the Lord Cocorane.”
+
+The preceding letter marks the dawn of that ingratitude towards his
+tried adherents of which Charles has been, not without reason, accused.
+Lord Cochrane’s reward for raising “the first regiment of horse in
+Scotland” was the displacement of his brother from the command, in
+favour of a Dutchman; notwithstanding that the whole expenditure had
+been borne by his lordship, whose fate it subsequently was that the
+Stuarts should draw largely upon resources which, to the injury of his
+descendants, his loyalty ungrudgingly supplied.
+
+Passing over the defeat which followed, I select from others a letter
+addressed by Charles, when in exile, to Lord Cochrane, under the assumed
+name of “Lenos and Richmond;” its purport being to show that the
+unfortunate royal family depended upon Lord Cochrane’s management not
+only for advice, but, what was more to the purpose, for the means of
+subsistence.
+
+ “February 2nd, 1657.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I find myself very much obliged to your lordship by your
+ great care of my dear son’s interests and mine, and have seen your
+ letter concerning the gentleman recommended for a commissioner, who,
+ though a stranger to me—yet, since it is the opinion of your lordship
+ that he be added to the number of the commissioners, I do in this, as
+ in all other things, hearken to your lordship’s advice; relying on
+ your lordship’s favour to me, and therefore do hereby invite him, if
+ he will accept the trouble, with many thanks to your lordship and to
+ him.
+
+ “I must further beseech of your lordship to intend the raising five
+ thousand pounds upon Glasgow, and to labour the sale of Methuen and
+ Killmorocate, both with all possible expedition.[12]
+
+ “I hope to have the happiness of seeing your lordship in these parts
+ ere long, that I may have a larger conveniency of making my
+ acknowledgments to your lordship for your eminent favour to
+
+ “Your lordship’s most humble servant,
+ “C. R. LENOS and RICHMOND.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 12:
+
+ This letter appears to mix up the affairs of Charles and the Duke,
+ probably with a view to avert danger to Lord Cochrane, if
+ intercepted.
+
+-----
+
+ “For my Lord Cochrane.”
+
+Whether Lord Cochrane visited the exiled court or not, I have no
+documents to decide; nor is it at all material; these letters being
+adduced to show the nature of his connection with the Stuarts in their
+day of humiliation, which only appeared to add to his zeal for their
+welfare.
+
+The “son” alluded to in the preceding letter was the Duke of
+Monmouth[13], for espousing whose cause, in the subsequent reign of
+James II., the Cochrane family suffered severely.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 13:
+
+ “Charles, when a wanderer on the Continent, had fallen in at the Hague
+ with Lucy Walters, a Welsh girl of great beauty, but of weak
+ understanding. She became his mistress, and presented him with a son,
+ upon whom he poured forth such an overflowing fondness as seemed
+ hardly to belong to his cool and careless nature. Soon after the
+ Restoration the young favourite made his appearance at Whitehall,
+ where he was lodged in the palace and permitted to enjoy distinctions
+ till then confined to princes of the blood royal.” _Lord Macaulay._
+
+-----
+
+Soon after the Restoration in 1660, Lord Cochrane was sworn a privy
+councillor; and by his Majesty’s special choice was constituted one of
+the Commissioners of the Treasury and Exchequer, which great and weighty
+employment, says Crawfurd, “he discharged with admirable prudence and
+integrity, to the general satisfaction of the whole nation. Increasing
+still more in wealth and honour, he acquired the lordship of Paisley,
+where he fixed his seat, and lived with great splendour and hospitality
+for many years. After the barbarous murder of the late king, his
+lordship contributed his best and hearty endeavours towards bringing
+home Charles II. to inherit the rightful possession of the throne of
+these realms; which, no doubt, was the cause, when Oliver Cromwell came
+to be called protector, why he fined my Lord Cochrane, among other
+royalists, in 5000_l._ sterling, by special ordinance of the
+Commonwealth of England, dated April 12th, 1654.”
+
+The following letters from the Dukes of Lennox and Monmouth are still in
+my possession, and from historic interest alone require no apology for
+their introduction in this place.
+
+ “London, Dec. 27, 1662.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I received a discharge from your lordship, which being
+ ill-drawn, I have forborne to sign it; but shall readily perform it so
+ soon as it comes to my hands corrected by Mr. Graham.
+
+ “I must intreat of your lordship’s endeavours to raise fifteen hundred
+ pounds upon the two years’ rent of Jyla and my other lands for the
+ year 1661; with which I would desire your lordship to discharge the
+ six hundred pounds you borrowed for me when I was at Edinburgh, and
+ the seven hundred pounds I borrowed of Sir James Stuart at the same
+ time. The rest to be returned to me, who am
+
+ “Your lordship’s humble servant,
+ “LENOS and RICHMOND.
+
+ “For my Lord Cochrane.”
+
+ “P.S.—I desire your lordship to excuse my own writing, for nothing but
+ illness should make me make use of another.”
+
+ “London, Feb. 26th, 1663.
+
+ “MY LORD,—Give me leave to add this trouble to your lordship’s
+ favours, in desiring that you will be pleased to send me a full
+ account of all you know of the condition of my affairs in Scotland.
+ And wherein and how you conceive any part of my estate proper or
+ casual may be better improved to my advantage, with your lordship’s
+ advice for the management thereof for the future. If you know of any
+ grants made by me to any person in Scotland when I was there, which
+ may be prejudicial to or on my estates, you will be pleased to
+ acquaint me with it; for I am resolved to repose all my confidence
+ upon your lordship’s directions, and to take measures of all the
+ management of my affairs from them.
+
+ “I shall wholly trust to your lordship, and therefore entreat you will
+ not impart this to anybody, but conceal the request of
+
+ “Your lordship’s very humble servant,
+ “LENOS and RICHMOND.
+
+ “For my Lord Cochrane.”
+
+ “Whitehall, Aug. 25th, 1663.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I must desire your lordship to give yourself the trouble of
+ sending me word how my engagements stand to my estate mortgaged in
+ Scotland, that I may know whether it be convenient that the several
+ persons to whom it is mortgaged should receive the profits of the
+ lands mortgaged to them till both principal and interest is satisfied.
+ Or whether it be convenient if one person, in the name of the rest,
+ should receive the whole profits of the estate, and engage to pay all
+ the debts, both principal and interest, in so many years, and then to
+ return the estate to me again. I must beg your lordship’s faithful
+ advice in this, having found it so formerly. And, good my lord, let me
+ know in how many years my estate will pay the debt upon it, both
+ principal and interest. I cannot believe anybody will be so warm in my
+ concerns as yourself, and therefore wholly repose this trust in you,
+ desiring you to send me in writing a conveyance of my estate to
+ yourself for the payment of the debt in the aforesaid years, with the
+ return of the estate into my hands, who am, my lord,
+
+ “Your lordship’s most obliged servant,
+ “LENOS and RICHMOND.”
+
+The following letter, written to Lord Cochrane after the removal of the
+Court to Oxford on account of the plague raging in London, will show the
+straits to which even the wealthiest of the Scottish nobility had been
+reduced.
+
+ “Oxford, November 11th, 1665.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I had written to your lordship before this had I not an
+ intention of coming to Scotland myself. But being now prevented by
+ other affairs, I must desire your lordship to make all the possible
+ speed that may be to return me five hundred pounds out of the thousand
+ pounds that are due to me.
+
+ “My lord, _I never was in a greater strait in my life_, the plague
+ having prevented my tenants’ payment. If you ever did intend to oblige
+ me, I am sure you could never have a better opportunity than making me
+ a present payment.
+
+ “Good, my lord, do not fail me, who am,
+ “Your most humble servant,
+ “RICHMOND and LENOS.
+
+ “For my Lord Cochrane.”
+
+ “P.S.—My uncle Aubigny is very sick at Paris, and we expect to hear he
+ is dead by every post,—the last letters assuring that he was past
+ recovery.”
+
+ “July 1666.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I need not acquaint your lordship how great a confidence I
+ have of your lordship’s friendship and assistance. Having now sent
+ Boreman into Scotland to attend and follow your lordship’s directions,
+ and my Lord Newburgh’s, for the completing and settling the whole
+ affairs of the Admiralty. If my Lord Macdonnel goes on in his intended
+ bargain, I shall expect 6000_l._ to be paid and returned to me by
+ Michaelmas. Please to remember the 100_l._ you reserved till Boreman’s
+ coming. I shall trouble your lordship with nothing more at present,
+ but the assurance of being,
+
+ “Your lordship’s very humble servant,
+ “RICHMOND and LENOS.
+
+ “For my Lord Cochrane.”
+
+ “London, 18th Sept. 1666.
+
+ “MY LORD,—Though I consider that 5000_l._ is too small a sum for so
+ considerable and convenient an estate to my Lord Macdonald, yet I am
+ satisfied to be ruled by the market and the exigency of my own
+ affairs, but especially by your lordship’s judgment and kindness, of
+ which I have had so good experience.
+
+ “My lord, the sad accident of fire which hath lately happened in
+ London _hath almost ruined us all_. I must therefore earnestly entreat
+ you to return me what money you have in your hands of mine, with all
+ possible speed, not knowing which way to turn myself at present, there
+ being no such thing as money here. Pray, likewise hasten Boreman in
+ returning what money is due to me on the prizes, in doing all which,
+ you will very much oblige
+
+ “Your lordship’s humble servant,
+ “RICHMOND and LENOS.
+
+ “For my Lord Cochrane, at Edinburgh.”
+
+I have purposely refrained from comment on these letters, as being
+foreign to the purpose of this introductory chapter, which is not to
+dilate on immaterial subjects, but simply to point out the connection of
+the Cochrane family with the Stuarts, and their faithful adherents. The
+subjoined, from the Duke of Monmouth, is also curious, as alluding to
+the disaster of invasion, in addition to those of plague and fire.
+
+ “June 28th, 1667.
+
+ “MY LORD,—So soon as I received your lordship’s of the 26th of May I
+ was commanded by the king for Harwich, and have ever since been so
+ hurried about in this confusion upon the arrival of the Dutch, that I
+ have not had time to answer your lordship, to whom I do acknowledge
+ myself very much obliged for your care of my affairs; and if it lies
+ in my power to acknowledge it otherwise than in words, your lordship
+ shall ever find me really to be, my lord,
+
+ “Your lordship’s real friend and servant,
+ “MONMOUTH and BUCCLEUCH.
+
+ “These for my Lord Cochrane.”
+
+On the 12th of May, 1669, Lord Cochrane was created Earl of Dundonald.
+The annexed is his Majesty’s order for the patent:—
+
+ “Our sovereign Lord, considering that it hath been always the ancient,
+ constant, and worthy practice of all kings to confer titles and
+ degrees of honour and dignity upon such of those subjects whose good
+ services and worth have so deserved, and that his Majestie’s father of
+ blessed memory did, in the year 1641, dignify and confer upon his
+ right trusty and well-beloved William Lord Cochrane, the title of Lord
+ Cochrane. And now his Majesty—in consideration of his faithful
+ services, and for the better encouragement of him and his family to
+ continue in their constant and affectionate adhering to his interest
+ and service for the future—being graciously pleased to confer a
+ further mark of his royal favour upon him, doth therefore, of his
+ royal and princely power, ordain a letter patent to be made and
+ decreed under the great seal of his ancient kingdom of Scotland, in
+ due form, making, constituting, and creating the said William Lord
+ Cochrane, and his heirs male, which failing, the oldest heirs female,
+ without division, already procreate or to be procreate, of the body of
+ the said William Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. &c., to be called and designed
+ now and for ever hereafter Earl of Dundonald, Lord Cochrane of Paisley
+ and Ochiltree, &c. &c. (Then follow the usual technical formalities.)
+
+ “MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY.—This contains your Majesty’s warrant for
+ a patent to be passed under the great seal of Scotland, for creating
+ William Lord Cochrane Earl of Dundonald, Lord Cochrane of Paisley and
+ Ochiltree, with power, &c. &c. &c. For subscription.
+
+ “LAUDERDAILL.”
+
+ “Sit supra scribitur,
+ “CHARLES R.”
+
+The subjoined letters from the Duke and Duchess of Monmouth, the latter
+the heiress of Buccleuch[14], are not without historical interest.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 14:
+
+ “Monmouth was married, while still in tender youth, to Anna Scott,
+ heiress of the noble house of Buccleuch. He took her name, and
+ received with her hand possession of her ample domains. The estate
+ which he acquired by this match was popularly estimated at not less
+ than 10,000_l._ a-year.”—_Lord Macaulay._
+
+-----
+
+ “Whitehall, May 2nd, 1671.
+
+ “MY LORD,—This is expressly to beg your lordship’s pardon, that I writ
+ not to you by the person that brought you my commission concerning my
+ lands, in which I was confident to put your lordship’s and Lord
+ Cochrane’s names; being assured that neither yourself nor any of your
+ family would deny me the favour of your assistance in the management
+ of my estate, which I have now taken into my own possession, and hope
+ to see the good effects of it. I beseech your lordship to give my
+ service and excuse to my Lord Cochrane, and tell him I hope he will be
+ no worse a friend to me than you have been, who, I must acknowledge,
+ have obliged me ever to be, my lord,
+
+ “Your very humble servant,
+ “MONMOUTH and BUCCLEUCH.
+
+ “For Lord Dundonald.”
+
+ “Whitehall, May 25, 1671.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I know not how to express my thanks to your lordship for the
+ trouble I have put upon you in your journey to Branxholme, where your
+ presence hath been of that advantage to my affairs, as could not,
+ without you, have been expected. I thank your lordship most heartily
+ for this and all other your kindnesses to me, and particularly your
+ advice concerning Orkney, &c. and to refraine the signing of anything
+ but what shall be most maturely advised by your lordship, and such
+ other my friends to whose counsel and advice, as always faithful to
+ me, I shall firmly adhere, and constantly remain, my lord,
+
+ “Your very affectionate friend and humble servant,
+ “MONMOUTH and BUCCLEUCH.
+
+ “For the Right Hon. the Earl of Dundonald.”
+
+ “Oct. 31, 1671.
+
+ “MY LORD,—Being very sensible of your constant care and industry to
+ promote and advance all our interests in Scotland, and receiving daily
+ demonstrations of your particular kindness and friendship to us, we
+ are the more confident on all occasions to depend wholly upon you, for
+ resolution in doubtful, and assistance in difficult cases, and do
+ entreat your lordship to take them seriously into your consideration,
+ and weighing all circumstances deal freely and candidly with us, and
+ declare truly to us your opinion what you do conceive fit for us to do
+ to extricate ourselves out of those dangers both we and our estate lie
+ under.
+
+ “We are now both of us so near the time of our majority, and are told
+ that it is very necessary for us to undertake a journey to Scotland
+ this next spring. If your lordship be of the same judgment, we must
+ (if possible) find out some expedient to effect it.
+
+ “My lord, we are informed that many of our late chamberlains are
+ resolved to stand trial with us for 3000_l._ yet remaining in their
+ hands upon the balance of their accounts, unless they may have such
+ discharge as they please.
+
+ “We do, therefore, very earnestly recommend it to your lordship’s care
+ to proceed vigorously against them, not only for that, but also for
+ the great waste and destruction they have made of the woods. A letter
+ is also written to the Lord President Stair and the rest of the lords
+ of the session’s favour for a speedy dispatch of our concerns before
+ them. We shall have the satisfaction that in the place where we have
+ received so great obligations from your lordship and the rest of our
+ friends—even there we shall express with much sincerity that we are,
+ my lord,
+
+ “Your lordship’s very affectionate and humble servants,
+ “BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
+ “ANNA BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
+
+ “For the Right Hon. the Earl of Dundonald.”
+
+ “March 14th, 1674.
+
+ “MY LORD,—The great assurance we have had of your affection and
+ kindness to us, which upon all occasions you have given sufficient
+ testimonies of in your adherence to and promoting our interest in
+ Scotland, encourages us to entreat and, indeed, earnestlie to desire
+ your continuance thereof, but especially at this time, when we find
+ our tenants like to be ruined and undone by the severity of continued
+ frost and snow. How mischievous the consequences thereof may be to us,
+ we are not able at this distance to conjecture, only we have just
+ reason to fear the worst.
+
+ “But we, depending very much if not solely upon your lordship’s wisdom
+ and good conduct at this juncture, and very well knowing how prevalent
+ your countenance and authority will be among our tenants, and what
+ encouragement they will receive from your presence, must needs desire
+ and entreat your lordship that you will not fail to be at the next
+ land settling, for it is your discretion and prudence that shall be
+ our guide and measure in the regulation of our own interests, or that
+ of any of our tenants who shall be held fit objects of our
+ consideration and favour in so general a calamity, if they be
+ recommended by your lordship unto my lord,
+
+ “Your lordship’s most affectionate friends and servants,
+ “BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
+ “ANNA BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
+
+ “For Lord Dundonald.”
+
+ “September 29th, 1674.
+
+ “MY LORD,—Upon all occasions my wife and I do receive new testimonies
+ and proofs of your continued kindness to us, and of your unwearied
+ care and industry to do all good offices which may any wise conduce to
+ our profit and advantage. And, in truth, the great pains you have
+ taken about our affairs, and the trouble you took upon you of an
+ inconvenient journey to be at our land settling, are sufficient
+ assurances of your zeal and affection for our welfare and prosperity,
+ for which we owe you a particular acknowledgment. And I do assure your
+ lordship, I am so extremely sensible of these and all other the
+ kindnesses which you have done for us, that it shall never be my fault
+ if I do not make it appear how much I am, my lord,
+
+ “Your lordship’s most affectionate friend and servant,
+ “BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
+
+ “For Lord Dundonald.”
+
+ “Whitehall, March 19th, 1676.
+
+ “MY LORD,—We are truly sorry to understand by your letter that you are
+ unable to ride by reason of your age and weakness, and that you cannot
+ go all the way in your coach to our land settling. We know very well,
+ and have had long and great experience, how useful you have been in
+ that affair for many years together; and we may have just reason to
+ fear that we may suffer very much by your absence from that service,
+ so many of our lands lying at this time waste. The tenants will be apt
+ to be discouraged, when they want your countenance to whom they are so
+ well known. But, my lord, we do not think it reasonable to press you
+ with arguments to undertake anything, how necessary soever it may be
+ for our service, if it be in the least prejudicial to your health and
+ safety.
+
+ “Therefore, if your infirmities cannot well dispense with your own
+ going that journey, we do entreat your lordship to prevail with your
+ son, my Lord Cochrane, to supply your place. For we are very sure that
+ there is not one related to you, but will have a great influence on
+ our tenants; and, next to yourself, we can desire none more
+ considerable than your son.
+
+ “We need not tell you how much the present necessity of our affairs
+ requires all the prudence, all the countenance and authority, and all
+ the diligence of ourselves, and of my lords, our commissioners, to
+ bring our estate out of that waste, ruinous, and scandalous condition
+ under which it hath lain, and we do know that your lordship will
+ contribute as much pains, and be as instrumental to bring this to pass
+ as any person whatsoever. And in this assurance we do subscribe
+ ourselves, as in truth we are, my lord,
+
+ “Your lordship’s most affectionate friends and servants,
+ “BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
+ “ANNA BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
+
+ “For Lord Dundonald.”
+
+The Earl of Dundonald was subsequently appointed by James the Second one
+of the Privy Council of Scotland. As the place from which the patent was
+dated, viz. Hounslow Heath, is of historical significance, I shall give
+the document entire:—
+
+ “JAMES R.
+
+ “Right trusty and right entirely-beloved cousin and councillor! Right
+ trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor! Right trusty and
+ entirely-beloved cousins and councillors! Right trusty and right
+ well-beloved cousins and councillors! Right trusty and well-beloved
+ cousins and councillors! Right trusty and well-beloved councillors,
+ and trusty and well-beloved councillors!
+
+ “We greet you well.
+
+ “Whereas we are fully satisfied of the loyalty, abilities, and dutiful
+ affection to our service, of our right trusty and well-beloved Earl of
+ Dundonald, we have therefore thought fit to add him to our Privy
+ Council of that our ancient kingdom, and do authorise and require you
+ to admit him accordingly.
+
+ “And we do hereby dispense with him from taking the test, oath of
+ allegiance, or any other oath, except that of Privy Councillor only.
+ For doing whereof this shall be your warrant, and to him a full and
+ ample security.
+
+ “Given at our camp on Hounslow Heath, the 10th day of June 1686, and
+ of our reign the second year.
+
+ “By His Majesty’s command,
+ “MELFORT.”
+
+In the subsequent rebellions of Argyle and Monmouth the Cochranes again
+suffered severely: John, the second son of the Earl of Dundonald, being
+deeply implicated therein, and only escaping with his life by the earl
+satisfying, first, the greed of James the Second’s popish priests, and
+secondly, that of James himself.
+
+The annexed extracts from Burnet will show all that needs be said on
+this head:—
+
+ “Cochran, another of those who had been concerned in this treaty [as
+ to an insurrection in Scotland], was complained of, as having talked
+ very freely of the duke’s government of Scotland. Upon which the
+ Scottish secretary sent a note to him, desiring him to come to him;
+ for it was intended only to give him a reprimand, and to have ordered
+ him to go to Scotland. But he knew his own secret; so he left his
+ lodgings, and got beyond sea. This shewed the court had not yet got
+ full evidence, otherwise he would have been taken up, as well as
+ others were.”—Vol. i. folio, p. 548.
+
+ “The deliberations in Holland, among the English and Scotch that fled
+ thither, came to ripen faster than was expected. Lord Argile had been
+ quiet ever since the disappointment in the year eighty-three. He had
+ lived for most part in Frizeland, but came oft to Amsterdam, and met
+ with the rest of his countrymen that lay concealed there; the chief of
+ whom were the Lord Melvill, Sir Patrick Hume, and Sir John Cochran.
+ [The first of these (Melvill) was a fearful and mean-spirited man, a
+ zealous presbyterian, but more zealous in preserving his person and
+ estate. Hume was a hot and eager man, full of passion and resentment;
+ and instead of minding the business then in hand, he was always
+ forming schemes about the modelling of matters, when they should
+ prevail, in which he was so earnest, that he fell into perpetual
+ disputes and quarrels about it; Cochran was more tractable.[15]] With
+ these Lord Argile communicated all the advices that were sent to
+ him.”—On margin, “Argile designed to invade Scotland.”—Vol. iii. 27;
+ fol. vol. i. 632.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 15:
+
+ Original note.
+
+-----
+
+ Argile landed in the Isle of Bute with his adherents. “He had left his
+ arms in a castle, with such a guard as he could spare; but they were
+ routed by a party of the king’s forces. And with this he lost both
+ heart and hope. And then, apprehending that all was gone, he put
+ himself in a disguise, and had almost escaped; but he was taken. A
+ body of gentlemen that had followed him stood better to it, and forced
+ their way through, so that the greater part of them escaped. Some of
+ these were taken; the chief of them were Sir John Cochran, Ailoffe,
+ and Rumbold. These last two were Englishmen; but I knew not upon what
+ motive it was that they chose rather to run fortunes with Argile than
+ with the Duke of Monmouth. Thus was this rebellion brought to a speedy
+ end, with the effusion of very little blood.”—Vol. i. fol. p. 629.
+
+ “Cochran had a rich father, the Earl of Dundonald, and he offered the
+ priests 5000_l._ to save his son. They wanted a stock of money for
+ managing their designs, so they interposed so effectually that the
+ bargain was made. But to cover it, Cochran petitioned the council that
+ he might be sent to the king; for he had some secrets of great
+ importance which were not fit to be communicated to any but to the
+ king himself. He was upon that brought up to London; and after he had
+ been for some time in private with the king, the matters he had
+ discovered were said to be of such importance, that in consideration
+ of that the king pardoned him. It was said he had discovered all their
+ negotiations with the Elector of Brandenburg and the Prince of Orange.
+ But this was a pretence only, given out to conceal the bargain; for
+ the prince told me he had never once seen him. The secret of this came
+ to be known soon after.”—Vol. i. fol. 634.
+
+Lord Macaulay’s account of the same event as regarded my ancestor, for
+it is from this Sir John Cochrane that the present branch of our family
+is descended, will complete all which is necessary to be alluded to in
+this place.
+
+ “With Hume (Sir Patrick) was connected another Scottish exile of great
+ note, Sir John Cochrane, second son of the Earl of Dundonald. The
+ great question was, whether the Highlands or the Lowlands should be
+ the seat of war. The Earl (Argyle) wished to establish his authority
+ over his own domains, and to take possession of the ancient seat of
+ his family, at Inverary. But Hume and Cochrane were impracticable,
+ seeing that amongst his own mountains and lakes, and at the head of an
+ army of his own tribe, he would be able to bear down their opposition,
+ and to exercise the full authority of a general. They said that the
+ Campbells took up arms neither for liberty nor for the Church of God,
+ but for Mac Callum More alone. Cochrane declared he would go to
+ Ayrshire, if he went by himself, and with nothing but a pitch-fork in
+ his hand. Argyle, after long resistance, consented, and Cochrane and
+ Hume were at the head of a force to invade the Lowlands.
+
+ “Ayrshire was Cochrane’s object, and the coast was guarded by English
+ frigates. A party of militia lay at Greenock, but Cochrane, who wanted
+ provisions, was determined to land. Hume objected, but Cochrane was
+ peremptory. Cochrane entered Greenock, and procured a supply of meal,
+ but found no disposition to insurrection.
+
+ “Cochrane having found it impossible to raise the population on the
+ south of the Clyde, rejoined Argyle in Bute. The Earl again proposed
+ to make an attempt on Inverary, and again encountered pertinacious
+ opposition. The seamen sided with Hume and Cochrane. The Highlanders
+ were absolutely at the command of their chieftain.
+
+ * * * * * * * *
+
+ “Cochrane was taken and sent to London.... He held amongst the Scotch
+ rebels the same rank which had been held by Grey in the West of
+ England. That Cochrane should be forgiven by a prince vindictive
+ beyond all example seemed incredible. But Cochrane was the younger son
+ of a rich family; it was, therefore, only by sparing him _that money
+ could be made out of him_. His father, Lord Dundonald, offered a bribe
+ to the priests of the royal household, and a pardon was granted.”
+
+The history of the succeeding Earls of Dundonald, down to the failure of
+issue in the first branch, is thus detailed by Crawfurd.
+
+ “William, first Earl of Dundonald, married Euphemie, daughter of Sir
+ William Scot of Ardross, _in comitatu de Fife_, by whom he had two
+ sons and a daughter.
+
+ “1. William Lord Cochran, who dyed in the flower of his Age, Anno
+ 1680, leaving Issue by the Lady Catherine his Wife, Daughter of John
+ Earl of Cassils, John who succeeded his Grand-father in the Honour,
+ William Cochran, of Kilmaronock, a Member of Parliament for the Burgh
+ of Wigtoun, and the other towns in that District and one of the
+ Commissioners for keeping her Majesty’s Signet, Sir Alexander Erskin,
+ Lord Lyon, and John Pringle, of Haining, being joined in Commission
+ with him. He married Grisel, Daughter of James, second Marquis of
+ Montrose, and has issue; Thomas Cochran of Polkely, third Son, dyed
+ without children; Alexander Cochran, of Bonshaw, the youngest; also
+ three Daughters; 1st. Margaret, married to Alexander Earl of
+ Eglintoun. 2nd. Helen, to John Earl of Sutherland. 3rd. Jean, to John
+ Viscount of Dundee, and afterward to William Viscount of Kilsyth.
+
+ “2nd. son, Sir John Cochran of Ochiltree, in Air-shire, Likewise a
+ Daughter Grisel, married to George Lord Ross.
+
+ “This Earl gave way to Nature in the spring of the Year 1686, and was
+ by his own Direction interr’d in the Paroch Church of Dundonald,
+ without any Funeral Monument, but upon his Escutcheon I find the Arms
+ of these noble and ancient Families.
+
+ “PATERNAL SIDE.
+
+ “Cochran of that Ilk.
+ “Lord Semple.
+ “Cunningham of Glengarnock.
+ “Lord Cairlyle of Torthorald.
+
+ “MATERNAL SIDE.
+
+ “Cochran of that Ilk.
+ “Montgomery of Skelmurly.
+ “Lindsay of Dunrod.
+ “Lord Semple.
+
+ “To William Earl of Dundonald succeeded John his Grandson and Heir, a
+ nobleman of great Goodness and excellent Parts; he dyed in the prime
+ of his Years, Anno 1691, regrated by all those who knew him, leaving
+ Issue by the Lady Susanna his Wife, Daughter of William Duke of
+ Hamilton, two Sons, William who succeeded in the Honours, but dyed
+ unmarried the 19th of November 1705. And
+
+ “John married Anne Daughter of Charles Earl of Dunmore, a Lady who
+ wanted no Vertue to make her an acceptable Wife; she dyed in 1711,
+ universally lamented, whose Conduct in all Conditions of Life render’d
+ her Loss a lasting Grief to her Relations, he had by her a Son and
+ three Daughters.
+
+ “William Lord Cochran,
+ “Lady Anne,
+ “Lady Catherine,
+ “Lady Susanne.
+
+ “ARMS.
+
+ “Argent, a chiveron; Gules, betwixt three Boars Heads, Azure,
+ supported by two Ratch Hounds of the first; Crest, a Horse, Argent,
+ Motto, Virtute et Labore.”
+
+
+
+
+ CHAPTER I.
+
+ MY BOYHOOD, AND ENTRANCE INTO THE NAVY.
+
+YOUNGER BRANCH SUCCEEDS TO EARLDOM.—ALIENATION OF FAMILY ESTATES.—MY
+ FATHER’S SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS.—HIS RUINOUS MANUFACTURING PROJECTS.—A
+ NEGLECTED DISCOVERY.—COMMUNICATED TO JAMES WATT.—LORD DUNDONALD’S
+ AGRICULTURAL WORKS STILL HELD IN ESTIMATION.—EARLY REMINISCENCES.—MY
+ FIRST VISIT TO LONDON.—MY FATHER DESTINES ME FOR THE ARMY.—A
+ COMMISSION PROCURED.—MY AVERSION TO THE MILITARY PROFESSION.—OUR
+ RETURN TO SCOTLAND.—I AM PERMITTED TO ENTER THE NAVY.
+
+
+My birth is recorded as having taken place on the 14th of December,
+1775, at Annsfield in Lanarkshire. My father was Archibald, ninth Earl
+of Dundonald; my mother, Anna Gilchrist, daughter of Captain Gilchrist,
+a distinguished officer of the Royal Navy.[16]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 16:
+
+ One action of my maternal grandfather is worthy of record. On March
+ 28th, 1758, upwards of a century ago, he commanded the _Southampton_,
+ 32, and when in company with the _Melampe_, 24, Captain Hotham, fell
+ in with two French frigates off Yarmouth. The _Melampe_, being the
+ faster sailer, came up first, and was so disabled that she fell astern
+ before the _Southampton_ got within range. On the _Melampe_ falling
+ off, one of the frigates made sail, and got away. The _Southampton_
+ then engaged the other, and after a six hours’ contest, carried on
+ with equal bravery on both sides, she boarded and captured the
+ _Danaë_, of 40 guns and 340 men, commanded by one of the bravest
+ officers in the French navy.
+
+ The loss of the _Danaë_ was her first and second captains, and eighty
+ men killed. The _Southampton_ had only one killed and ten wounded;
+ amongst whom was my grandfather, whose shoulder was shattered by a
+ grape-shot.
+
+-----
+
+My father was descended from John, the younger son of the first
+earl—noticed in the introductory chapter as the compatriot of Argyll. On
+default of issue in the elder branch of the family the title devolved on
+my grandfather, Thomas, who married the daughter of Archibald Stuart,
+Esq., of Torrence, in Lanarkshire, and had issue one daughter and twelve
+sons, the most distinguished amongst whom, in a public capacity, was
+Admiral the Honourable Sir Alexander, father of the present Admiral Sir
+Thomas Cochrane.[17]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 17:
+
+ Thomas Cochrane, eighth Earl of Dundonald, was a major in the army,
+ and M.P. for Renfrewshire. He died in 1778, at the age of
+ eighty-seven, and was married, first, to Elizabeth, daughter of James
+ Kerr, Esq. of Moris Town, Berwickshire, by whom he had two children,
+ Thomas, who died young, and a daughter, Grizel, who died unmarried.
+
+ By his second countess, he had issue—1. Argyle, died in infancy; 2.
+ Archibald, my father, died in 1823; 3. Charles, a colonel in the army,
+ killed in 1781, at York Town, in Virginia, during the American war of
+ Independence; 4. John, died in 1802; 5. James Athol, rector of
+ Mansfield in Yorkshire; 6. Basil, in the civil service of the East
+ India Company; 7. and 8. Thomas and George, died young; 9. Alexander
+ Forrester, Knight of the Bath, and rear-admiral in the navy; 10. ——,
+ died young; 11. George Augustus Frederick, M.P. for Grampound; 12.
+ Andrew, also M.P. for Grampound, who, on his marriage, assumed the
+ surname of Johnstone, and was the father of the present dowager Lady
+ Napier, relict of the late Lord Napier; 13. Elizabeth, married to
+ Patrick Heron, Esq. of Heron.
+
+ The issue of my father, Archibald, ninth Earl of Dundonald, was as
+ follows: 1. myself; 2. a daughter, died young; 3. James, died young;
+ 4. Basil, lieutenant-colonel of the 36th Regiment; 5. William Erskine,
+ major in the 15th Light Dragoons, my only surviving brother; 6.
+ Archibald, captain in the Royal Navy; 7. Charles, died young.
+
+-----
+
+Some of my father’s earlier years were spent in the Navy, in which he
+became acting lieutenant. A cruise on the coast of Guinea gave him a
+distaste for the naval profession, which, in after years, postponed my
+entrance therein far beyond the usual period. On his return home he
+quitted the navy for a commission in the army, which was, after a time,
+also relinquished.
+
+Of our once extensive ancestral domains I never inherited a foot. In the
+course of a century, and before the title descended to our branch,
+nearly the whole of the family estates had been alienated by losses
+incurred in support of one generation of the Stuarts, rebellion against
+another, and mortgages, or other equally destructive process,—the
+consequence of both. A remnant may latterly have fallen into other hands
+from my father’s negligence in not looking after it, and his unentailed
+estates were absorbed by expensive scientific pursuits presently to be
+noticed. So that my outset in life was that of heir to a peerage,
+without other expectations than those arising from my own exertions.
+
+My father’s day was that of Cavendish, Black, Priestley, Watt, and
+others, now become historical as the forerunners of modern practical
+science. Imbued with like spirit, and in intimate communication with
+these distinguished men, he emulated their example with no mean success,
+as the philosophical records of that period testify. But whilst they
+prudently confined their attention to their laboratories, my father’s
+sanguine expectations of retrieving the family estates by his
+discoveries led him to embark in a multitude of manufacturing projects.
+The motive was excellent; but his pecuniary means being incommensurate
+with the magnitude of his transactions, its object was frustrated, and
+our remaining patrimony melted like the flux in his crucibles; his
+scientific knowledge, as often happens, being unaccompanied by the
+self-knowledge which would have taught him that he was not, either by
+habit or inclination, a “man of business.” Many who were so, knew how to
+profit by his inventions without the trouble of discovery, whilst their
+originator was occupied in developing new practical facts to be turned
+to their advantage, and his consequent loss.
+
+An enumeration of some of my father’s manufacturing transactions,
+extensively and simultaneously carried on, will leave no doubt as to
+their failure in a pecuniary sense. First, the preparation of soda from
+common salt, as a substitute for _barilla_,—till then the only alkali
+available for soap and glass making. Secondly, a manufactory for
+improvement in the production of _alumina_, as a mordant for silk and
+calico printers. Thirdly, an establishment for preparing British gum as
+a substitute for _gum Senegal_, these products being in use amongst
+calico-printers to the present day; the latter especially being at that
+distant period of great utility, as the foreign gum was scarce and
+expensive. A fourth manufactory had for its object the preparation of
+_sal ammoniac_. At a fifth was carried on the manufacture of _white
+lead_, by a process then new to productive science. A sixth
+establishment, on a ruinous scale as compared with his resources, was
+for a new process of extracting tar and other products from pit-coal;
+the former as an effective agent in protecting timber from decay, whilst
+the refuse coke was in request amongst ironfounders, whose previous
+operations for its manufacture were wasteful and unsatisfactory.[18]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 18:
+
+ Whilst serving on the west coast of Africa, my father remarked the
+ destructive ravages made on ships’ bottoms by worms, and, from his
+ chemical knowledge, it occurred to him that an extract from pit-coal,
+ in the form of tar, might be employed as a preventive of the evil. On
+ his return home, the experiment was tried, and found to answer
+ perfectly. Notwithstanding the subsequent refusal of the Admiralty to
+ make use of his preservative, it was at once adopted by the Dutch and
+ elsewhere in the North, and in the case of small coasting vessels is
+ to this day used in our own country, as less expensive than coppering.
+ Had not the coppering of vessels become common shortly afterwards, the
+ discovery must have proved of incalculable value.
+
+-----
+
+After this enumeration, it is unnecessary to dilate on its ruinous
+results. It is simply the old adage of “too many irons in the fire.” One
+by one his inventions fell into other hands, some by fair sale, but most
+of them by piracy, when it became known that he had nothing left
+wherewith to maintain his rights. In short, with seven children to
+provide for, he found himself a ruined man.
+
+In the present state of manufacturing science, by which the above
+objects are accomplished through improved means, the mention of such
+matters may, at first sight, appear unnecessary. Yet, seventy years ago
+they bore the same relation to the manufacturing processes of our time
+as at that period did the crude attempts at the steam engine to its
+modern perfection. In this point of view—which is the true one—reference
+to my father’s patents, though now superseded by improvements, will
+fairly entitle him to no mean place amongst other inventors of his day,
+who deservedly rank as benefactors to their country.
+
+One of my father’s scientific achievements must not be passed over.
+Cavendish had some time previously ascertained the existence of
+hydrogen. Priestley had become acquainted with its inflammable
+character; but the Earl of Dundonald may fairly lay claim to the
+practical application of its illuminating power in a carburetted form.
+
+In prosecution of his coal-tar patent, my father went to reside at the
+family estate of Culross Abbey, the better to superintend the works on
+his own collieries, as well as others on the adjoining estates of
+Valleyfield and Kincardine. In addition to these works, an experimental
+tar-kiln was erected near the Abbey, and here coal-gas became
+accidentally employed in illumination. Having noticed the inflammable
+nature of a vapour arising during the distillation of tar, the Earl, by
+way of experiment, fitted a gun-barrel to the eduction pipe leading from
+the condenser. On applying fire to the muzzle, a vivid light blazed
+forth across the waters of the Frith, becoming, as was afterwards
+ascertained, distinctly visible on the opposite shore.
+
+Strangely enough, though quick in appreciating a new fact, Lord
+Dundonald lightly passed over the only practical product which might
+have realised his expectations of retrieving the dilapidated fortunes of
+our house; considering tar and coke to constitute the legitimate objects
+of his experiments, and regarding the illuminating property of gas
+merely as a curious natural phenomenon. Like Columbus, he had the egg
+before him, but, unlike Columbus, he did not hit upon the right method
+of setting it on end.
+
+The incident just narrated took place about the year 1782 and the
+circumstances attending it are the more vividly impressed on my memory
+from an event which occurred during a subsequent journey with my father
+to London. On our way we paid a visit to James Watt, then residing at
+Handsworth, near Birmingham, and amongst other scientific subjects
+discussed during our stay were the various products of coal, including
+the gas-light phenomenon of the Culross Abbey tar-kiln. This gave rise
+to some interesting conversation, which, however, ended without further
+result.
+
+Many years afterwards, Mr. Murdoch, then one of Watt’s assistants at
+Soho, applied coal-gas to the illumination of that establishment, though
+even with this practical demonstration its adoption for purposes of
+general public utility did not keep pace with the importance of the fact
+thus successfully developed, until, by the persevering endeavours of Mr.
+Winsor, its advantages overcame prejudice.[19]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 19:
+
+ A paper on the “Utility and Advantages of Gas-lights,” written by Mr.
+ Murdoch, and transmitted by him to Sir Joseph Banks, was read before
+ the Royal Society on the 25th of February 1808, detailing the lighting
+ of Messrs. Phillips and Lee’s manufactory at Manchester, and
+ describing the process of gas-manufacture. In this paper Mr. Murdoch
+ alludes to a memorial presented by Mr. Winsor to George III., pointing
+ out the utility of gas for lighting the public streets, &c.
+
+-----
+
+It is no detraction from Mr. Murdoch’s merit of having been the first to
+turn coal-gas to useful account, to infer that Watt might, at some
+period during the interval, have narrated to him the incident just
+mentioned, and that the fact accidentally developed by my father had
+thus become the subject of long and careful experiment; for this must
+have been the case before the complete achievement shone forth in
+perfection. Mr. Murdoch, so far as I am aware, never laid claim to a
+discovery of the illuminating property of coal-gas, but to its useful
+application only, to which his right is indisputable. As it is not
+generally known to whom an earlier practical appreciation of gas-light
+was in reality due, I have placed these facts on record.
+
+One notice more of my father’s investigations may be permissible. To Sir
+Humphry Davy is usually ascribed the honour of first pointing out the
+relation between Agriculture and Chemistry. Reference to a work
+published in 1795, entitled “_A Treatise showing the intimate connection
+between Agriculture and Chemistry, by the_ EARL OF DUNDONALD,” will
+decide the priority. Davy’s work may in a theoretical point of view
+surpass that of my father, inasmuch as the analytical chemical science
+of a more modern date is more minute than that of the last century; but
+in point of patient investigation from countless practical experiments,
+my father’s work is more than equal to that of his distinguished
+successor in the same field, and is, indeed, held in no small estimation
+at the present time.[20]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 20:
+
+ I may mention three points contained in this work, to the discovery of
+ which claim has been laid by modern writers, viz. the malting of grain
+ for the purpose of feeding cattle, the converting of peat moss into
+ good soil, and the benefit of a judicious use of salt refuse as a
+ manure; the latter suggestion being made by my father in a treatise
+ published in 1785, nearly seventy-five years ago. Other discoveries
+ might be enumerated, but from those adduced it will be seen that most
+ of my father’s experiments were far in advance of the age in which he
+ lived. With slight modifications only not a few rank as modern
+ discoveries, though little more than plagiarisms without
+ acknowledgment.
+
+-----
+
+The reader will readily pardon me for thus devoting a few pages by way
+of a tribute to a parent, whose memory still exists amongst my most
+cherished recollections; even though his discoveries, now of national
+utility, ruined him, and deprived his posterity of their remaining
+paternal inheritance.
+
+During boyhood we had the misfortune to lose our mother[21], and as our
+domestic fortunes were even then at a low ebb, great difficulty was
+experienced in providing us with the means of education—four of us being
+then at an age to profit by more ample opportunities. In this emergency,
+temporary assistance was volunteered by Mr. Rolland, the minister of
+Culross, who thus evinced his gratitude for favours received in the more
+auspicious days of the family. Highly as was the offer appreciated,
+family pride prevented our reaping from it the advantage contemplated by
+a learned and truly excellent man.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 21:
+
+ Anna, Countess of Dundonald, died at Brompton on the 13th of November
+ 1784.
+
+-----
+
+Perceiving our education imperilled, the devotedness of my maternal
+grandmother, Mrs. Gilchrist, prompted her to apply her small income to
+the exigencies of her grandchildren. By the aid thus opportunely
+afforded, a tutor was provided, of whom my most vivid recollection is a
+stinging box on the ear, in reply to a query as to the difference
+between an interjection and a conjunction; this solution of the
+difficulty effectually repressing further philological inquiry on my
+part.
+
+We were, after a time, temporarily provided with a French tutor, a
+Monsieur Durand, who, being a Papist, was regarded with no complacent
+eye by our not very tolerant Presbyterian neighbours. I recollect this
+gentleman getting into a scrape, which, but for my father’s countenance,
+might have ended in a Kirk Session.
+
+As a matter of course, Monsieur Durand did not attend church. On one
+side of the churchyard was the Culross Abbey cherry-garden, full of fine
+fruit, of which he was very fond, as were also the magpies, which
+swarmed in the district. One Sunday, whilst the people were at church,
+the magpies, aware no doubt of their advantage, made a vigorous
+onslaught on the cherries—provoking the Frenchman, who was on the watch,
+to open fire on the intruders from a fowling-piece. The effect of this
+reached farther than the magpies. To fire a gun on the Sabbath was an
+abomination which could only have emanated from a disciple of the
+Scarlet Lady, and neither before nor after did I witness such a hubbub
+in the parish. Whatever pains and penalties were to be found in Scottish
+church law were eagerly demanded for Monsieur Durand’s benefit, and it
+was only by my father’s influence that he was permitted to escape the
+threatened martyrdom. Annoyed at the ill-feeling thus created, he
+relinquished his engagement before we had acquired the rudiments of the
+French language.
+
+Even this inadequate tuition was abruptly ended by my father taking me
+with him to London. His object in visiting the metropolis was to induce
+the Government to make use of coal-tar for protecting the bottoms of
+inferior ships of war—for in those days copper sheathing was unknown.
+The best substitute—by no means a general one—was to drive large-headed
+iron nails over the whole ship’s bottom, which had thus the appearance
+of being “hobnailed.” Even this indifferent covering was accorded to
+superior vessels only, the smaller class being entirely left to the
+ravages of the worm. It was for the protection of these small vessels
+that my father hoped to get his application adopted, and there is no
+doubt of the benefit which would have resulted had the experiment been
+permitted.
+
+But this was an innovation, and the Board of Admiralty being then, as
+too often since, opposed to everything inconsistent with ancient
+routine, refused to entertain his proposal. It was only by means of
+political influence that he at length induced the Navy Board to permit
+him, at his own expense, to cover with his composition one side of the
+buoy at the Nore. The result was satisfactory, but he was not allowed to
+repeat the process. As compared with the exposure at that time of ships’
+bottoms to rapid destruction, without any effort to protect them, my
+father’s plan was even a greater improvement than is the modern
+substitution of copper-sheathing for the “hobnail” surface which it
+tardily superseded.
+
+Failing to induce the Government to protect their ships of war, he
+applied to the mercantile interest, but with no better success. I
+remember going with my father to Limehouse, in the hope of inducing a
+large shipbuilder there to patronise his composition; but the
+shipbuilder had even a greater horror of innovation than the Admiralty
+authorities. His reply was remarkable. “My Lord,” said he, “we live by
+repairing ships as well as by building them, and the worm is our best
+friend. Rather than use your preparation, I would cover ships’ bottoms
+with honey to attract worms!”
+
+Foiled in London, my father set on foot agencies at the outports, in the
+hope of inducing provincial shipbuilders to adopt his preservative.
+Prejudice, however, was not confined to the metropolis, and the
+objection of the Limehouse man was everywhere encountered. Neither they,
+nor any artisans in wood, would patronise a plan to render their work
+durable.
+
+Unsuccessful everywhere, my father turned his attention to myself. My
+destination was originally the army, whether accordant with my taste or
+not—for he was not one of those who considered it necessary to consult
+the inclinations of his children in the choice of a profession; but
+rather how he could best bring family influence to bear upon their
+future interests. Unfortunately for his passive obedience theory, my
+_penchant_ was for the sea; any hint, however, to this effect was
+peremptorily silenced by parental authority, against which it was
+useless to contend.
+
+My uncle, the Hon. Captain, afterwards Admiral, Sir Alexander Cochrane,
+had the sagacity to perceive, that as inclination became more rooted
+with my growth, passive obedience on this point might one day come to an
+end. Still further, he was kind enough to provide against such
+contingency, should it arise. Unknown to my father, he had entered my
+name on the books of various vessels under his command; so that,
+nominally, I had formed part of the complement of the _Vesuvius_,
+_Carolina_, _La Sophie_, and _Hind_; the object—common in those
+days—being, to give me a few years’ standing in the service, should it
+become my profession in reality.
+
+Having, however, a relative in the army, who possessed influence at the
+Horse Guards, a military commission was also procured for me; so that I
+had simultaneously the honour of being an officer in his Majesty’s 104th
+Regiment, and a nominal seaman on board my uncle’s ship.
+
+By way of initiation into the mysteries of the military profession, I
+was placed under the tuition of an old sergeant, whose first lessons
+well accorded with his instructions, not to pay attention to my foibles.
+My hair, cherished with boyish pride, was formally cut, and plastered
+back with a vile composition of candle-grease and flour, to which was
+added the torture incident to the cultivation of an incipient _queue_.
+My neck, from childhood open to the lowland breeze, was encased in an
+inflexible leathern collar or stock, selected according to my
+preceptor’s notions of military propriety; these almost verging on
+strangulation. A blue semi-military tunic, with red collar and cuffs, in
+imitation of the Windsor uniform, was provided, and to complete the
+_tout ensemble_, my father, who was a determined Whig partisan, insisted
+on my wearing yellow waistcoat and breeches; yellow being the Whig
+colour, of which I was admonished never to be ashamed. A more certain
+mode of calling into action the dormant obstinacy of a sensitive,
+high-spirited lad, could not have been devised than that of converting
+him into a caricature, hateful to himself, and ridiculous to others.
+
+As may be imagined, my costume was calculated to attract attention, the
+more so from being accompanied by a stature beyond my years. Passing one
+day near the Duke of Northumberland’s palace at Charing-Cross, I was
+beset by a troop of ragged boys, evidently bent on amusing themselves at
+the expense of my personal appearance, and, in their peculiar slang,
+indulging in comments thereon far more critical than complimentary.
+
+Stung to the quick, I made my escape from them, and rushing home, begged
+my father to let me go to sea with my uncle, in order to save me from
+the degradation of floured head, pigtail, and yellow breeches. This
+burst of despair aroused the indignation of the parent and the Whig, and
+the reply was a sound cuffing. Remonstrance was useless; but my dislike
+to everything military became confirmed; and the events of that day
+certainly cost His Majesty’s 104th Regiment an officer, notwithstanding
+that my military training proceeded with redoubled severity.
+
+At this juncture, my father’s circumstances became somewhat improved by
+a second marriage[22], so that my brother Basil and myself were sent to
+Mr. Chauvet’s academy in Kensington Square, in order to perfect our
+military education—Basil, like myself, being destined for the army. At
+this excellent school we only remained six months; for with slightly
+increased resources my father resumed his ruinous manufacturing
+pursuits, so that we were compelled by the “_res angusta domi_” to
+return to Scotland.[23]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 22:
+
+ My father’s second countess was Mary, daughter of Samuel Raymond,
+ Esq., and relict of the Rev. Mr. Mayne. This lady died, without issue,
+ in December 1808.
+
+Footnote 23:
+
+ Lord Dundonald about this time entered upon a series of experiments
+ which, as usual, were productive of more benefit to his country than
+ himself, viz. an improved mode of preparing hemp and flax for the
+ manufacture of sailcloth. For this he subsequently took out a patent,
+ and submitted his process, together with samples of the manufacture,
+ to the Admiralty. So sensible was the Board of the advantages of the
+ plan, that it was subsequently stipulated in every contract that hemp
+ should be steeped and boiled in the way recommended in his lordship’s
+ patent. Since that period, the use of sailcloth so manufactured has
+ become general. Formerly, it was sold by weight, the worthless
+ material of which it was composed being saturated with a composition
+ of flour and whitening, so that the first shower of rain on a new sail
+ completely white washed the decks. Of so flimsy a nature were the
+ sails when this composition was washed out, that I have taken an
+ observation of the sun through the foretopsail, and brought it to a
+ horizon through the foresail.
+
+-----
+
+Four years and a half were now wasted without further attempt to secure
+for us any regular training. We had, however, during the short advantage
+enjoyed at Kensington, studied diligently, and were thus enabled to make
+some progress by self-tuition, our tutor’s acquirements extending only
+to teaching the rudiments to the younger branches of the family. Knowing
+that my future career depended on my own efforts, and more than ever
+determined not to take up my military commission, I worked assiduously
+at the meagre elements of knowledge within my reach, in the hope that by
+unremitting industry my father might be convinced that opposition to his
+views was no idle whim, but the result of conviction that I should not
+excel in an obnoxious profession.
+
+Pleased with my progress, and finding my resolution in favour of the
+naval service unalterable, he at length consented that my commission
+should be cancelled, and that the renewed offer of my uncle to receive
+me on board his frigate should be accepted.
+
+The difficulty was to equip me for sea, but it was obviated by the Earl
+of Hopetoun considerately advancing 100_l._ for the purpose. With this
+sum the requisite outfit was procured, and a few days placed me in a
+position to seek my fortune, with my father’s gold watch as a
+keepsake—the only patrimony I ever inherited.
+
+The Dowager Countess of Dundonald, then meditating a journey to London,
+offered to take me with her. On our arrival in the metropolis, after
+what was at that time the formidable achievement of a tour through
+Wales, her ladyship went to reside with her brother, General James
+Stuart, in Grosvenor Street; but, anxious to become initiated in the
+mysteries of my profession, I preferred going on board the _Hind_ at
+Sheerness; joining that ship on the 27th of June 1793, at the mature
+age, for a midshipman, of seventeen years and a half.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. II.
+
+ CRUISE OF THE _HIND_.
+
+A LIEUTENANT OF THE OLD SCHOOL.—HIS IDEAS ON SEA-CHESTS.—DOCKYARDS SIXTY
+ YEARS AGO.—PRIZE-MONEY, THE LEADING MOTIVE OF SEAMEN.—VOYAGE TO
+ NORWAY.—NORWEGIAN CUSTOMS.—A MIDSHIPMAN’S GRIEVANCES.—A PARROT
+ TURNED BOATSWAIN.—INEFFECTIVE ARMAMENTS.—MEN BEFORE
+ DOCKYARDS.—TRAINING OF OFFICERS.
+
+
+My kind uncle, the Hon. John Cochrane, accompanied me on board the
+_Hind_ for the purpose of introducing me to my future superior officer,
+Lieutenant Larmour, or, as he was more familiarly known in the service,
+Jack Larmour—a specimen of the old British seaman, little calculated to
+inspire exalted ideas of the gentility of the naval profession, though
+presenting at a glance a personification of its efficiency. Jack was, in
+fact, one of a not very numerous class, whom, for their superior
+seamanship, the Admiralty was glad to promote from the forecastle to the
+quarter-deck, in order that they might mould into ship-shape the
+questionable materials supplied by parliamentary influence—even then
+paramount in the Navy to a degree which might otherwise have led to
+disaster. Lucky was the commander who could secure such an officer for
+his quarter-deck.
+
+On my introduction, Jack was dressed in the garb of a seaman, with
+marlinspike slung round his neck, and a lump of grease in his hand, and
+was busily employed in setting up the rigging. His reception of me was
+anything but gracious. Indeed, a tall fellow, over six feet high, the
+nephew of his captain, and a lord to boot, were not very promising
+recommendations for a midshipman. It is not impossible that he might
+have learned from my uncle something about a military commission of
+several years’ standing; and this, coupled with my age and stature,
+might easily have impressed him with the idea that he had caught a
+scapegrace with whom the family did not know what to do, and that he was
+hence to be saddled with a “hard bargain.”
+
+After a little constrained civility on the part of the first lieutenant,
+who was evidently not very well pleased with the interruption to his
+avocation, he ordered me to “get my traps below.” Scarcely was the order
+complied with, and myself introduced to the midshipman’s berth, than I
+overheard Jack grumbling at the magnitude of my equipments. “This Lord
+Cochrane’s chest? Does Lord Cochrane think he is going to bring a cabin
+aboard? The service is going to the devil! Get it up on the main-deck.”
+
+The order being promptly obeyed, amidst a running fire of similar
+objurgations, the key of the chest was sent for, and shortly afterwards
+the sound of sawing became audible. It was now high time to follow my
+property, which, to my astonishment, had been turned out on the
+deck—Jack superintending the process of sawing off one end of the chest
+just beyond the keyhole, and accompanying the operation by sundry
+uncomplimentary observations on midshipmen in general, and on myself in
+particular.
+
+The metamorphose being completed to the lieutenant’s satisfaction,
+though not at all to mine, for my neat chest had become an unshapely
+piece of lumber, he pointed out the “lubberliness of shore-going people
+in not making keyholes where they could be most easily got at,” viz. at
+the end of a chest instead of the middle! The observation was, perhaps,
+made to test my temper, but, if so, it failed in its object. I thanked
+him for his kindness in imparting so useful a lesson, and left him
+evidently puzzled as to whether I was a cool hand or a simple one.
+
+Poor Jack! his limited acquaintance with the world—which, in his
+estimation, was bounded by the taffrail and the bowsprit—rendered him an
+indifferent judge of character, or he might have seen in me nothing but
+an ardent desire diligently to apply myself to my chosen profession—with
+no more pride in my heart than money in my pocket. A short time,
+however, developed this. Finding me anxious to learn my duty, Jack
+warmly took me by the hand, and as his only ideas of relaxation were to
+throw off the lieutenant and resume the functions of the able seaman, my
+improvement speedily rewarded my kind though rough teacher, by
+converting into a useful adjunct one whom he had, perhaps not
+unjustifiably, regarded as a nuisance. We soon became fast friends, and
+throughout life few more kindly recollections are impressed on my memory
+than those of my first naval instructor, honest Jack Larmour.
+
+Another good friend in need was Lieutenant Murray, a son of Lord
+Dunmore, who observing that my kit had been selected rather with a
+regard to economy than fitness, kindly lent me a sum of money to remedy
+the deficiency.
+
+The period at which I joined the service was that during which events
+consequent on the first French revolution reached a crisis, inaugurating
+the series of wars which for twenty years afterwards devastated Europe.
+Whatever might have been the faults of the British Government in those
+days, that of being unprepared for the movements of revolutionary
+neighbours was not amongst them, for the energy of the Government kept
+pace with the patriotism of the nation. That fearful system of naval
+jobbery, which unhappily characterised the subsequent progress of the
+war, crowding the seas with worthless vessels, purchased into the
+service in exchange for borough influence—had not as yet begun to thwart
+the unity of purpose and action by which the whole realm was at first
+roused into action.
+
+With few of those costly appliances in the dockyards which at the
+present day absorb vast sums voted by the nation for the support of the
+navy, to the exclusion of its real strength—_trained men_—the naval
+ports presented a scene of activity in every way commensurate with the
+occasion by which it had been called into existence. Their streets
+abounded with seamen eager to share in anticipated prize-money—for
+whatever may be the ideas of modern statesmen on this subject,
+prize-money formed then, as it will ever form, the principal motive of
+seamen to encounter the perils of war.
+
+On this point there is, at the present day, a tendency to dangerous
+doctrine; and a word respecting it will not be out of place. I have seen
+it openly proclaimed that seamen will fight for fighting’s sake, and
+without expectation of reward. If the propounders of such an opinion
+were to ask themselves the question, whether they engage in professional
+or commercial pursuits from pure patriotism, and without hope of further
+remuneration, their own reply would show them the fallacy of ascribing
+to seamen a want of those motives which impel all men to adventure and
+exertion. Human nature is the same in all its grades, and will remain
+so, despite romantic notions of its disinterestedness and patriotism.
+The result of my own experience is, that seamen fight from two leading
+motives: 1st. Prize-money; 2nd. From a well-grounded belief in their own
+physical and disciplinary superiority, which refuses to be beaten, and
+is not satisfied with less than conquest. Take away the first motive,
+and we may find difficulty, on an emergency, in getting men to
+accomplish the second.
+
+The bounty system, which has superseded the press-gang, is a direct
+proof of money being admitted as the seaman’s inciting motive to engage
+in war. The press-gang itself was a no less decisive proof, for it
+rarely had to be resorted to, except in case of unpopular officers,
+inefficient vessels, or out-of-the-way stations, where the chances of
+prize-money were few. For ships commanded by well-known officers, and
+with a favourable chance of making prizes, the press-gang was
+unnecessary. This circumstance forms no indifferent comment on the real
+motives which induce seamen voluntarily to enter the service. On this
+most important subject more will be said hereafter.
+
+To return to our cruise. The destination of the _Hind_ was the coast of
+Norway, to the _fiords_ of which country the Government had reason to
+suspect that French privateers might resort, as lurking-places whence to
+annoy our North Sea and Baltic commerce. To ascertain this was our
+primary object. The second was to look out for an enemy’s convoy,
+shortly expected from the West Indies by the northern route round the
+Orkneys.
+
+We had not, however, the luck to fall in with either convoy or
+privateers, though for the latter every inlet was diligently searched.
+The voyage was, therefore, without incident, further than the gratifying
+experience of Norse hospitality and simplicity; qualities which, it is
+to be feared, may have vanished before the influence of modern rapidity
+of communication, without being replaced by others equally satisfactory.
+
+To us youngsters, this Norwegian trip was a perpetual holiday, for my
+uncle, though a strict disciplinarian, omitted no opportunity of
+gratifying those under his command, so that we spent nearly as much time
+on shore as on board; whilst the few hours occupied in running along the
+coast from one inlet to another supplied us with a moving panorama,
+scarcely less to our taste than were the hospitalities on shore.
+
+Our great amusement was sleighing at racing speed, to the musical
+jingling of bells, without a sound from the catlike fall of the horse’s
+feet on the snow. Other variations in the routine of pleasure, were
+shooting and fishing, though these soon became secondary objects, as the
+abundance of fish and game rendered their capture uninteresting.
+
+But the principal charm was the primitive aspect of a people apparently
+sprung from the same stock as ourselves, and presenting much the same
+appearance as our ancestors may be supposed to have done a few centuries
+before, without any symptoms of that feudal attachment which then
+prevailed in Britain. I have never seen a people more contented and
+happy; not because their wants were few, for even luxuries were
+abundant, and in common use.
+
+Much, however, cannot be said for Norwegian gallantry at that period. On
+one occasion my uncle took me to a formal dinner at the house of a
+magnate named Da Capa. The table literally groaned beneath the feast;
+but a great drawback to our enjoyment of the good things set before us,
+was that, during a five hours’ succession of dishes, the lady of the
+house stood at the head of the table, and performed the laborious duty
+of carver throughout the tedious repast. Her flushed countenance after
+the intervals between the various removes, moreover, warranted the
+suspicion that the very excellent cookery was the result of her
+supervision. It is to be hoped that the march of civilisation has
+altered this custom for the better.
+
+It is possible that these remarks may be considered somewhat profound
+for a midshipman of three months’ standing; but it must be remembered
+that, from previous hard necessity, no less than maturity, they are
+those of a reflective midshipman. At any rate, the remarks were duly
+jotted down, and to this day their reperusal calls forth somewhat of the
+freshness of boyhood to a mind worn down, not so much with age as with
+unmerited injuries, which have embittered a long life, and rendered even
+the failings of age premature.
+
+From boyish impressions to a midshipman’s grievances is but a step. At
+the first moment of my setting foot on board the _Hind_ it had been my
+determination never to commit an act worthy of punishment; but it was
+equally the determination of Jack Larmour to punish me for my resolution
+the first time he caught me tripping. This was certain, for Jack was
+open and above board, and declared that “he never heard of such a thing
+as a faultless midshipman!” For a long time he watched in vain, but
+nothing occurred more than to warrant his swearing twice as much at me
+as at any other of my messmates, Jack never troubling himself to swear
+at a waister. To use his own words, it “was expending wind for nothing.”
+
+One day, when his back was turned, I had stolen off deck for a few
+minutes, but only to hear on my return the ominous words, “Mast-head,
+youngster!” There was no alternative but to obey. Certainly not
+cheerfully—for the day was bitterly cold, with the thermometer below
+zero. Once caught, I knew my punishment would be severe, as indeed it
+was, for my sojourn at the mast-head was protracted almost to the limit
+of human endurance, my tormentor being evidently engaged in calculating
+this to a nicety. He never mast-headed me again.
+
+By way of return for the hospitality of the Norwegian people, the
+frigate was freely thrown open to their inspection. On one of their
+frequent visits, an incident occurred not unworthy of record.
+
+On board most ships there is a pet animal of some kind. Ours was a
+parrot, which was Jack Larmour’s aversion, from the exactness with which
+the bird had learned to imitate the calls of the boatswain’s whistle.
+Sometimes the parrot would pipe an order so correctly as to throw the
+ship into momentary confusion, and the first lieutenant into a volley of
+imprecations, consigning Poll to a warmer latitude than his native
+tropical forests. Indeed, it was only by my uncle’s countenance that the
+bird was tolerated.
+
+One day a party of ladies paid us a visit aboard, and several had been
+hoisted on deck by the usual means of a “whip” on the mainyard. The
+chair had descended for another “whip,” but scarcely had its fair
+freight been lifted out of the boat alongside, than the unlucky parrot
+piped “_Let go!_” The order being instantly obeyed, the unfortunate
+lady, instead of being comfortably seated on deck, as had been those who
+preceded her, was soused overhead in the sea! Luckily for Poll, Jack
+Larmour was on shore at the time, or this unseasonable assumption of the
+boatswain’s functions might have ended tragically.
+
+On the return of the _Hind_ from Norway, my uncle was appointed to the
+_Thetis_, a more powerful frigate; for though the _Hind_ carried 28
+guns, they were only 9-pounders; an armament truly ridiculous as
+compared with that of frigates of the present day. It may almost be
+said, that the use of such an armament consisted in rendering it
+necessary to resort to the cutlass and boarding-pike—weapons to be
+relied on. Had such been the object of the Board of Admiralty as
+regarded the smaller class of frigates, it could not have been better
+carried out. The lighter class of vessels were even worse provided for.
+Seven years later a sloop was placed under my command, armed with
+4-pounders only. One day, by way of burlesque on such an equipment, I
+walked the quarter-deck with a whole broadside of shot in my coat
+pockets.
+
+The _Thetis_ was ordered to equip at Sheerness, and knowing that her
+first lieutenant, instead of indulging himself ashore, would pursue his
+customary relaxation of working hard aboard, I begged permission to
+remain and profit by his example. This was graciously conceded, on
+condition that, like himself, I would put off the officer and assume the
+garb of a seaman. Nothing could be more to my taste; so, with knife in
+belt and marlinspike in hand, the captain of the forecastle undertook my
+improvement in the arts of knotting and splicing; Larmour himself taking
+charge of gammoning and rigging the bowsprit, which, as the frigate lay
+in dock, overhung the common highway. So little attention was then paid
+to the niceties of dockyard arrangement.
+
+Dockyards in those days were secondary objects. At Sheerness the people
+lived, like rabbits in a warren, in old hulks, hauled up high and dry;
+yet everything was well done, and the supervision perfect. It would be
+folly to advocate the continuance of such a state of things, yet it may
+be doubted whether the naval efficiency of the present day keeps pace
+with the enormous outlay on modern dockyards, almost (as it appears to
+me) to ignoring the training of men. I would rather see a mistake in the
+opposite extreme—men before dockyard conveniences; and am confident that
+had such been our practice, we should not have recently heard
+humiliating explanations, that we were without adequate naval
+protection, and that our national safety depended on the forbearance of
+a neighbouring state.
+
+Precision in stone and mortar is no more naval efficiency, than are the
+absurd coast fortifications (to which there is an evident leaning)
+national safety. The true fortification of England is, always to be in a
+position to strike the first blow at sea the moment it may become
+necessary. To wait for it would, under any circumstances, be folly—to be
+unprepared for it, national suicide.
+
+The service now seems to savour too much of the dockyard, and too little
+of the seaman. Formerly, both officers and men had to lend a hand in
+everything, and few were the operations which, unaided by artificers,
+they could not perfectly accomplish. On two occasions my own personal
+skill at pump-work has saved ships and crews when other assistance was
+not available.
+
+The modern practice is to place ships in commission, with everything
+perfect to the hands of the officers and crew, little being required of
+them beyond keeping the ship in order whilst at sea. The practice is to
+a certain extent praiseworthy; but it has the disadvantage of impressing
+officers with the belief that handicraft skill on their part is
+unnecessary, though in the absence of practically acquired knowledge it
+is impossible even to direct any operation efficiently.
+
+Without a certain amount of this skill, as forming an important part of
+training, no man can become an efficient naval officer. It would be
+gratifying to me should these remarks lead to inquiry on the subject. I
+must confess my inability to peruse the accounts of inexperience in the
+fleet at the outbreak of the late war with Russia, without grave
+misgivings that the supervision of the navy in the present day is not
+that of old time.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. III.
+
+ THE VOYAGE OF THE _THETIS_.
+
+VOYAGE IN THE THETIS.—ICEBERGS.—I AM MADE ACTING LIEUTENANT.—I AM
+ ORDERED TO JOIN THE THETIS.—PASS EXAMINATION FOR LIEUTENANT.—CAPT.
+ COCHRANE’S CAPTURE OF FRENCH STORE-SHIPS.—MY APPOINTMENT TO THE
+ RESOLUTION.—ADMIRAL WINTERS IN THE CHESAPEAKE.—AN UNDIGNIFIED
+ ENCOUNTER.—A DINNER ASHORE.—HARSH TREATMENT OF THE AMERICANS.—THEIR
+ COMPLAINTS.—RETURN OF THE THETIS TO ENGLAND.
+
+
+As soon as the _Thetis_ had obtained her complement, she was ordered to
+join the squadron of Admiral Murray, which was being fitted out for
+North America; whither, soon after the declaration of war against
+England by the French Convention, the Government had despatched orders
+to seize the islands of St. Pierre and Miguilon, previously captured
+from the French in 1778, but restored at the termination of the American
+war.
+
+It was in order to regain these islands, and for the protection of our
+commerce and fisheries generally, that a stronger force on the Nova
+Scotia station was deemed essential. The conduct of the American people
+was doubtful, as, from the assistance rendered by the French in the War
+of Independence, and still more from the democratic institutions
+recently established in France, little doubt existed that their leaning
+would be upon the side of the enemy. The United States Government,
+however, did all in its power to preserve neutrality by proclamations
+and addresses, but as its authority was little more than nominal
+throughout the various states, a disposition on the part of American
+shipowners to assist the French in providing stores of every kind was
+manifested very soon after the declaration of war. On our return from
+Leith to Plymouth to join the admiral, we detained several American
+vessels laden with corn and other provisions for French ports; one of
+the objects of Admiral Murray’s squadron being to intercept traffic of
+this nature.
+
+The squadron sailed from Plymouth; and when about midway across the
+Atlantic an incident occurred worth relating, as bearing upon a
+conjecture made a few years ago, by the master and passengers of a
+merchant vessel, regarding some vessels, supposed, though erroneously,
+to form part of Sir John Franklin’s expedition.
+
+One night, finding the temperature of the atmosphere rapidly decreasing,
+the squadron was proceeding under easy sail, with a vigilant look-out
+for icebergs. At dawn we were close to a block of these, extending right
+across our path as far as the eye could reach. The only alternative was
+to alter our course and pass to leeward of the group, to which, from the
+unwonted sublimity of the sight, we approached as nearly as seemed
+consistent with safety. The appearance of icebergs is now so well known
+that it would be superfluous to describe them. I shall only remark that
+on passing one field of great extent we were astonished at discovering
+on its sides three vessels, the one nearest to us being a polacca-rigged
+ship, elevated at least a hundred feet; the berg having rolled round or
+been lightened by melting, so that the vessel had the appearance of
+being on a hill forming the southern portion of the floe. The story of
+two vessels answering the description of Sir John Franklin’s ships
+having a few years ago been seen on an iceberg was scarcely credited at
+the time, but may receive corroboration from the above incident.
+
+Nothing can exceed the extraordinary aspect of these floating islands of
+ice, either as regards variety of form, or the wonderful display of
+reflected light which they present. But, however they may attract
+curiosity, ships should always give them a wide berth, the in-draught of
+water on their weather side being very dangerous. A singular effect was
+experienced as we passed to leeward of the field; first, the intense
+cold of the wind passing over it, and occasionally, the heat caused by
+the reflection of the sun’s rays from the ice whenever the ship came
+within the angle of incidence.
+
+On our arrival at Halifax we found many American vessels which had been
+detained, laden with corn and provisions. These had been seized by our
+predecessors on the station, the act by no means tending to increase our
+popularity on subsequent visits along the United States coast. Another
+practice which was pursued has always appeared to me a questionable
+stretch of authority towards a neutral nation, viz. the forcible
+detention of English seamen whenever found navigating American ships. Of
+this the Government of the United States justly complained, as
+inflicting severe losses on their citizens, whose vessels were thus
+delayed or imperilled for want of hands.
+
+The practice was defended by the British Government, but on what grounds
+I am not jurist enough to comprehend. Certain it is, that should another
+Continental war arise, such a course would be impracticable; for as
+American ships, whether of war or commerce, are now for the most part
+manned by British seamen, driven from the service of their country by an
+unwise abrogation of that portion of the navigation laws which fostered
+our own nursery for the Navy—the effect of such an order would be to
+unman American ships; and it is questionable whether the United States
+Government would submit to such a regulation, even if we were inclined
+to put it in execution.
+
+On the 14th of January 1795, Admiral Murray appointed me acting third
+lieutenant of the _Thetis_, though not eighteen months had elapsed since
+my entrance into the service. Thanks to my worthy friend Jack Larmour,
+and to my own industry, it may be stated, without vanity, that I was not
+incompetent to fill the station to which the admiral had promoted me.
+This unlooked-for reward redoubled my zeal, and on the 13th of April
+following, I was made acting lieutenant of the _Africa_, Captain Rodham
+Home, who applied to the admiral for my services. This additional
+promotion was followed on the 6th of July by a provisional commission
+confirming my rank.
+
+The _Africa_ was sent to scour the seaboard of the States in search of
+enemy’s vessels, but not falling in with any, we ran on to Florida, with
+similar ill-success. An accident here occurred to me which left its mark
+through life. I had contrived a ball of lead studded with barbed prongs,
+for the purpose of catching porpoises. One day the doctor laid me a
+wager against hurling the missile to a certain distance, and in the
+attempt a hook nearly tore off the fore-finger of my right hand. A
+perhaps not very judicious course of reading had at that time led me to
+imbibe the notion of a current spurious philosophy, that there was no
+such thing as pain, and few opportunities were lost of parading
+arguments on the subject. As the doctor was dressing my hand, the pain
+was so intense that my crotchet was sadly scandalised by an involuntary
+exclamation of agony. “What!” said the doctor, “I thought there was no
+such thing as pain!” Not liking to have a favourite theory so palpably
+demolished, the ready reply was that “my exclamation was not one of
+pain, but mental only, arising from the sight of my own blood!” He
+laughed, whilst I writhed on, but the lesson knocked some foolish
+notions out of my head.
+
+On the 5th of January 1796, the first lieutenant of the _Thetis_ having
+been promoted, an order was transmitted for me to quit the _Africa_, and
+rejoin my uncle’s ship, which I did in the _Lynx_, Captain Skene. An
+incident occurred during the passage worth relating.
+
+The _Lynx_ one day overhauled an American vessel from France to New
+York, professedly in ballast. At first, nothing was found to warrant her
+detention, but a more minute search brought to light from amongst the
+shingle ballast, a number of casks filled with costly church plate; this
+being amongst the means adopted by the French Convention to raise
+supplies, an intention in this case thwarted by the vigilance of Captain
+Skene.
+
+The sagacity of Captain Skene was exemplified in another instance.
+Observing one day a quantity of stable litter on the surface of the sea,
+it was obvious that it could only arise from the transport of animals.
+Tracking the refuse to the southward, we overtook and captured a vessel
+laden with mules for the use of one of the French possessions.
+
+The period having arrived at which the Admiralty regulations permitted
+young officers to offer themselves for examination—on rejoining the
+_Thetis_ I was ordered up, and passed for lieutenant accordingly; my
+time as a midshipman being made up from my nominal rating on board the
+_Vesuvius_, &c., as narrated in a former chapter.
+
+The mention of this practice will, perhaps, shock the purists of the
+present day, who may further regard me as a stickler for corruption, for
+pronouncing its effect to have been beneficial. First, because—from the
+scarcity of lieutenants—encouragement was often necessary; secondly,
+because it gave an admiral a power which he does not now possess, viz.
+that of selecting for commissions those who exerted themselves, and on
+whom he could rely, in place of having forced upon him young men
+appointed by parliamentary or other influence; of whom he could know
+nothing, except that they did not owe their commissions to practical
+merit.
+
+In my own subsequent career as captain of a man-of-war, there never was
+the slightest difficulty as regarded men; yet no commander could, in
+this respect, be more particular; but of many officers furnished to me
+through parliamentary influence, it can only be said that they were
+seldom trusted, as I considered it preferable, on pressing occasions, to
+do their duty myself; and this, as some of them had powerful influence,
+no doubt made me many enemies amongst their patrons. It is all very well
+to talk of the inordinate power exercised by commanding officers in
+former times, but whilst the Admiralty, even in our day, appears to
+extend a system in which influence has everything and experience nothing
+to do, the so-called corruption of old, which was never made use of but
+to promote merit, had its advantages; no instance in which the power
+then indirectly pertaining to admirals commanding having, to my
+knowledge, been abused.[24]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 24:
+
+ This adoption, for political purposes, of a baneful system may, in an
+ unforeseen emergency, tend to the overthrow of the state; and nothing,
+ in my opinion, can be more injurious to the Navy than the usurpation
+ of all distributive power by a ministry in exchange for parliamentary
+ votes. In civil offices this may be merely obstructive—in the Navy it
+ is destructive. Systems like these are such as no state can long exist
+ under securely, and history warns us that from perversion of patronage
+ great states have fallen.
+
+-----
+
+During my absence in the _Africa_, I lost the chance of participating in
+a gallant attack made by the Hon. Captain Cochrane, in the _Thetis_, and
+Captain Beresford, in the _Hussar_, on five French ships, which they had
+been watching near the mouth of the Chesapeake. These ships were fallen
+in with at sea off Cape Henry, and on the approach of the _Thetis_ and
+_Hussar_ formed in line to receive them. The _Hussar_, being the smaller
+vessel, encountered the two leading ships, whilst the _Thetis_ opened
+her broadside on the centre vessel, and the two in the rear. In half an
+hour, the French commodore and the second in the line gave up the
+combat, and made sail, leaving the others to the mercy of the two
+English frigates, which in another half hour compelled them to
+surrender, one of them, however, contriving to escape. Two, the
+_Prévoyant_, 36, and the _Raison_, 18, were secured and taken to
+Halifax, where they were fitted out as cruisers, and afterwards returned
+with the squadron to England. This action was the only one of any
+importance which occurred during the dreary five years that we were
+employed on the North American coast, and is here mentioned because it
+has been said I was present, which was not the case.
+
+In the year 1797, Admiral Murray was succeeded in the command by Admiral
+Vandeput, who, on the 21st of June, appointed me lieutenant in his
+flag-ship, the _Resolution_. On joining this ship a few days afterwards,
+my reception was anything but encouraging.
+
+Being seated near the admiral at dinner, he inquired what dish was
+before me. Mentioning its nature, I asked if he would permit me to help
+him. The uncourteous reply was—that whenever he wished for anything he
+was in the habit of asking for it. Not knowing what to make of a rebuff
+of this nature, it was met by an inquiry if he would allow me the honour
+of taking wine with him. “I never take wine with any man, my lord,” was
+the unexpected reply, from which it struck me that my lot was cast among
+Goths, if no worse.
+
+Never were first impressions more ill-founded. Admiral Vandeput had
+merely a habit of showing his worst features first, or rather of
+assuming those which were contrary to his nature. A very short time
+developed his true character,—that of a perfect gentleman, and one of
+the kindest commanders living. In place of the hornet’s nest figured to
+my imagination, there was not a happier ship afloat, nor one in which
+officers lived in more perfect harmony.
+
+The only drawback was that of wanting something better to do than cruise
+among the fogs of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia,—an inglorious pursuit,
+the more severely felt, from the fact that each succeeding packet
+brought accounts of brilliant naval victories achieved in European
+waters. The French, after my uncle’s capture of their store-ships, gave
+up all attempts to get supplies from America by means of their own
+vessels; and the United States Government concluded a treaty with
+England, in which both sides disclaimed all wish to pass the bounds
+observed by neutral nations, so that the squadron was without beneficial
+employment.
+
+Tired of the monotony of Halifax, Admiral Vandeput determined to winter
+in the Chesapeake, where he resided ashore. As it was his practice to
+invite his officers by turns to remain a week with him, our time was
+agreeably spent, the more so that there were several families in the
+vicinity which retained their affection for England, her habits, and
+customs. Even the innkeeper of the place contrived to muster a tolerable
+pack of hounds which, if not brought under the perfect discipline of
+their British progenitors, often led us into more danger than is
+encountered in an English field, in consequence of our runs frequently
+taking us amongst thick forests, the overhanging branches of which
+compelled us to lay ourselves flat on the horses’ backs, in order to
+avoid the fate intended for the objects of the chase.
+
+Another of our amusements was shooting; and one day a circumstance took
+place of which I did not for a long time hear the last. Being invited to
+pass a week with the admiral, who was about to give a dinner to his
+neighbours, it was my wish to add a delicacy to his table; and having
+heard that a particular locality abounded with wild hogs, it seemed
+practicable that a boar’s head might grace the feast. On reaching the
+forest, nearly the first object encountered was a huge wild-looking sow
+with a farrow of young pigs, and as the transition from boar’s head to
+sucking pig was not great, a shot from my rifle speedily placed one in a
+preliminary condition for roasting. But porcine maternal affection had
+not entered into my calculations. The sow charged me with such ferocity
+that prompt retreat, however undignified, became necessary, for my
+weapon was now harmless. In short, so vigorous was the onslaught of the
+enemy, that it became necessary to shelter myself in the fork of a tree,
+my gun being of necessity left at the bottom. The enraged animal mounted
+guard, and for at least a couple of hours waited for my descent; when,
+finding no symptoms of unconditional surrender, she at length moved
+slowly off with the remainder of her family. As the coast was now clear,
+I came down and shouldered the defunct pig, hoping to be in time to add
+it to the admiral’s table, for which, however, it was too late.
+
+Having told the story with great simplicity, I found myself at dinner
+roasted instead of the pig; the changes on this theme being rung till it
+became rather annoying. By way of variation the admiral asked me for a
+toast, and on my pleading ignorance of such customs insisted on my
+giving a sentiment; whereupon I gave “the Misses Tabbs,”—the point
+consisting in the fact that these ladies were each over six feet high,
+and in the gossip of the place were understood to be favourites of the
+admiral. For a moment Admiral Vandeput looked grave, but thinking, no
+doubt, the retort a fair one, he joined in the laughter against himself;
+though from that day he never asked me for a toast.
+
+Those were days when even gentlemen did not consider it a demerit to
+drink hard. It was then, as it is now, a boast with me never in my life
+to have been inebriated, and the revenge was that my boast should be at
+an end. Rapid circulation of the bottle accordingly set in; but this I
+managed to evade by resting my head on my left hand, and pouring the
+wine down the sleeve of my uniform coat. The trick was detected, and the
+penalty of drinking off a whole bottle was about to be enforced when I
+darted from the room, pursued by some of the company, who at length got
+tired of the chase, and I passed the night at a farm-house.
+
+Having paid so lengthened a visit to the United States at a period
+almost immediately following their achievement of independence, a few
+remarks relative to the temper and disposition of the American people at
+that period may not be uninteresting. Thoroughly English in their habits
+and customs, but exasperated by the contumely with which they had been
+treated by former British governments, their civility to us was somewhat
+constrained, yet so thoroughly English as to convince us that a little
+more forbearance and common sense on the part of the home authorities
+might have averted the final separation of these fine provinces from the
+mother country. There is every reason to believe that the declaration of
+the Confederation of the United Colonies in 1775 was sincere; viz. that
+on the concession of their just demands, “the colonies are to return to
+their former connections and friendship with Great Britain; but on
+failure thereof this Confederation is to be perpetual.”[25]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 25:
+
+ “Articles of Confederation between New Hampshire, Massachusetts,” &c.
+ &c., May 20th, 1775.
+
+-----
+
+In vain, however, did the more far-sighted of the English public
+remonstrate with the Government, and in vain did the City of London by
+their chief magistrate urge the wrongs and loyalty of the colonists,
+even to memorialising the king to dismiss from his councils those who
+were misleading him. A deaf ear was turned to all remonstrance, and a
+determination to put down by force what could not at first be called
+rebellion was the only reply vouchsafed; it was not till all
+conciliatory means had failed that the first Congress of Philadelphia
+asserted the cause and necessity of taking up arms in the defence of
+freedom; the second Congress of the same place confederating the
+provinces under the title of the “United States of America.”
+
+The failure of those employed in conciliation to induce the colonists to
+return to their allegiance—the co-operation of the King of France in aid
+of the revolt—the discreditable war which followed—and the singular
+recoil of his own principles on the head of Louis XVI. himself, are
+matters of history and need not here be further alluded to.
+
+When the _Thetis_ was first on the coast, the American republic was
+universally recognised, and it must be admitted that our treatment of
+its citizens was scarcely in accordance with the national privileges to
+which the young republic had become entitled. There were, no doubt, many
+individuals amongst the American people who, caring little for the
+Federal government, considered it more profitable to break than to keep
+the laws of nations, by aiding and supporting our enemy, and it was
+against such that the efforts of the squadron had been chiefly directed;
+but the way in which the object was carried out was scarcely less an
+infraction of those international laws which we were professedly
+enforcing.
+
+The practice of taking English seamen out of American vessels, without
+regard to the safety of navigating them when thus deprived of their
+hands, has been already mentioned. To this may be added, the detention
+of vessels against which nothing contrary to international neutrality
+could be established, whereby their cargoes became damaged; the
+compelling them, on suspicion only, to proceed to ports other than those
+to which they were destined, and generally treating them as though they
+were engaged in contraband trade.
+
+Of these transactions the Americans had a right to complain; but in
+other respects their complaints were indefensible; such as that of our
+not permitting them to send corn and provisions to France, a violation
+of neutrality into which, after declaration of blockade, none but an
+inexperienced government could have fallen; though there was perhaps
+something in the collateral grievance that American ships were not
+permitted to quit English ports without giving security for the
+discharge of their cargoes in some other British or neutral port.
+
+It would be wearisome to enter into further details respecting the
+operations of a squadron so ingloriously employed, or to notice the
+subordinate part which a junior lieutenant could take in its
+proceedings. Suffice it to say, that after remaining five years on the
+North American station, the _Thetis_ returned to England.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. IV.
+
+ SERVICES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.
+
+I JOIN LORD KEITH’S SHIP.—AN UNPLEASANT ALTERCATION, ENDING IN A
+ COURT-MARTIAL.—THE BLOCKADE OF CADIZ.—FRENCH FLEET IN THE
+ OFFING.—PURSUED BY LORD KEITH.—ENEMY’S VESSELS BURNT AT TOULON.—LORD
+ KEITH RECALLED BY LORD ST. VINCENT.—LORD ST. VINCENT RESIGNS THE
+ COMMAND.—LORD KEITH PURSUES THE FRENCH FLEET TO BREST, AND FROM
+ THENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN.—STATE OF THE FRENCH MARINE.—LORD KEITH
+ APPOINTS ME TO THE GÉNÉREUX.—BURNING OF THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE.—ACTION
+ WITH PRIVATEERS OFF CABRITTA POINT.—RECOMMENDED FOR PROMOTION.
+
+
+Towards the close of the autumn of 1798, Lord Keith was appointed to
+relieve Lord St. Vincent in the command of the Mediterranean fleet, and
+kindly offered to take me with him as a supernumerary. I therefore
+embarked, by his lordship’s invitation, in the flag-ship.
+
+We arrived at Gibraltar on the 14th of December, and found Lord St.
+Vincent residing on shore, his flag flying on board the _Souverain_
+sheerhulk.
+
+His lordship’s reception of me was very kind, and on the 24th of
+December, at Lord Keith’s request, he gave an order for my appointment
+to the _Barfleur_, to which ship Lord Keith had shifted his flag. This
+appointment, from a certain dissatisfaction at my having received such a
+commission after being so short a time at sea, afterwards brought me
+into trouble.
+
+Lord St. Vincent did not, as was expected, immediately transfer to Lord
+Keith the command of the Mediterranean fleet, but remained at Gibraltar,
+giving orders to his lordship to blockade the Spanish fleet in Cadiz.
+
+The first part of the year was spent in this employment, Lord Keith’s
+force varying from eleven to fifteen sail of the line, but without
+frigates, though the commander-in-chief had a considerable number under
+his orders. The omission was the more remarkable, as the blockaded
+Spanish force numbered upwards of twenty ships of the line, with
+frigates and smaller vessels in proportion.
+
+The British force, for upwards of four months, was anchored some seven
+or eight miles from Cadiz, but without rousing the national spirit of
+the Spaniards, who manifested no disposition to quit their shelter, even
+though we were compelled from time to time to leave our anchorage for
+the purpose of procuring water and cattle from the neighbouring coast of
+Africa. It was during one of these trips in the _Barfleur_ that an
+absurd affair involved me in serious disaster.
+
+Our first lieutenant, Beaver, was an officer who carried etiquette in
+the wardroom and on deck almost to despotism. He was laudably particular
+in all matters visible to the eye of the admiral, but permitted an
+honest penny to be turned elsewhere by a practice as reprehensible as
+revolting. On our frequent visits to Tetuan, we purchased and killed
+bullocks _on board the Barfleur_, for the use of the whole squadron. The
+reason was, that raw hides, being valuable, could be stowed away in her
+hold in empty beef-casks, as especial perquisites to certain persons
+connected with the flagship; a natural result being, that, as the fleshy
+parts of the hides decomposed, putrid liquor oozed out of the casks, and
+rendered the hold of the vessel so intolerable, that she acquired the
+name of “The stinking Scotch ship.”
+
+As junior lieutenant, much of the unpleasantness of this fell to my
+share, and as I always had a habit of speaking my mind without much
+reserve, it followed that those interested in the raw hide speculation
+were not very friendly disposed towards me.
+
+One day, when at Tetuan, having obtained leave to go ashore and amuse
+myself with shooting wild-fowl, my dress became so covered with mud, as
+to induce me not to come off with other officers in the pinnace which
+took me on shore, preferring to wait for the launch, in which the filthy
+state of my apparel would be less apparent. The launch being delayed
+longer than had been anticipated, my leave of absence expired shortly
+before my arrival on board—not without attracting the attention of
+Lieutenant Beaver, who was looking over the gangway.
+
+Thinking it disrespectful to report myself on the quarter deck in so
+dirty a condition, I hastened to put on clean uniform, an operation
+scarcely completed when Lieutenant Beaver came into the wardroom, and in
+a very harsh tone demanded the reason of my not having reported myself.
+My reply was, that as he saw me come up the side, he must be aware that
+my dress was not in a fit condition to appear on the quarter deck, and
+that it had been necessary to change my clothes before formally
+reporting myself.
+
+Lieutenant Beaver replied to this explanation in a manner so offensive
+that it was clear he wanted to surprise me into some act of
+insubordination. As it would have been impossible to be long cool in
+opposition to marked invective, I respectfully reminded him that by
+attacking me in the wardroom he was breaking a rule which he had himself
+laid down; viz. that “Matters connected with the service were not there
+to be spoken of.” The remark increased his violence, which, at length,
+became so marked as to call forth the reply, “Lieutenant Beaver, we
+will, if you please, talk of this in another place.” He then went on
+deck, and reported to Captain Elphinstone that in reply to his remarks
+on a violation of duty, he had received a challenge!
+
+On being sent for to answer the charge, an explanation of what had
+really taken place was given to Captain Elphinstone, who was kindly
+desirous that the first lieutenant should accept an apology, and let so
+disagreeable a matter drop. This was declined on my part, on the ground
+that, in the conversation which had passed, I had not been in the wrong,
+and had therefore no apology to make. The effect was, that Beaver
+demanded a court-martial on me, and this, after manifest reluctance on
+the part of Lord Keith, was ordered accordingly; the decision of which
+was an admonition to be “more careful in future”—a clear proof that the
+court thought great provocation had been given by my accuser, or their
+opinion would have been more marked.
+
+The Judge-Advocate on this occasion was the admiral’s secretary, one of
+those who had taken offence about the raw hides before mentioned! After
+the business of the court was concluded, Lord Keith, who was much vexed
+with the whole affair, said to me privately: “Now, Lord Cochrane, pray
+avoid for the future all flippancy towards superior officers.” His
+secretary overheard and embodied the remark in the sentence of the
+court-martial; so that shortly afterwards his officiousness or malice
+formed an impediment to my promotion, though the court had actually
+awarded no censure.
+
+Lord Keith, who had in vain used every endeavour to induce the Spaniards
+to risk an engagement, began to get tired of so fruitless an operation
+as that of watching an enemy at anchor under their batteries, and
+resolved to try if he could not entice or force them to quit their
+moorings. With this view, the British force, though then consisting of
+twelve ships only, without a single frigate to watch the enemy
+meanwhile, proceeded to water, as usual, at Tetuan, so as to be in
+readiness for any contingencies that might arise. As the events which
+followed have been incorrectly represented by naval historians, if not
+in one instance misrepresented, it is necessary, in order to do justice
+to Lord Keith, to detail them at some length.
+
+Immediately after our return from Tetuan, the _Childers_ arrived with
+intelligence that five Spanish sail of the line had got out of Ferrol,
+and she was followed on the same day by the _Success_ frigate, which had
+been chased by a French fleet off Oporto. Lord Keith at once despatched
+the _Childers_ to Gibraltar, to inform Lord St. Vincent, as was
+understood in the squadron, that he intended, if the French fleet came
+to Cadiz, to engage them, notwithstanding the disparity of numbers. Lord
+Keith’s force, by the arrival of three additional ships of the line and
+one frigate, now amounted to sixteen sail; viz. one 112-gun ship, four
+98's, one 90, two 80's, seven 74's, and one frigate, and these were
+immediately got under weigh and formed in order of battle, standing off
+and on in front of the harbour.
+
+About 8 A.M. on the 6th of May the French fleet was signalled in the
+offing, and was made out to consist of thirty-three sail, which with the
+twenty-two sail of Spaniards in Cadiz made fifty-five, besides frigates,
+to be encountered by the comparatively small British force. The French
+fleet was on the larboard tack, and our ships immediately formed on the
+same tack to receive them. To our surprise they soon afterwards wore and
+stood away to the south-west; though from our position between them and
+the Spaniards they had a fair chance of victory had the combined fleets
+acted in concert. According to Lord Keith’s pithily expressed opinion,
+we lay between “the devil and the deep sea.”
+
+Yet there was nothing rash. Lord Keith calculated that the Spaniards
+would not move unless the French succeeded in breaking through the
+British line, and this he had no doubt of preventing. Besides which, the
+wind, though not dead on shore, as has been said, was unfavourable for
+the Spaniards coming out with the necessary rapidity. The great point to
+be gained was to prevent the junction of the enemies’ fleets, as was
+doubtless intended; the attempt was however completely frustrated by the
+bold interposition of Lord Keith, who, strange to say, never received
+for this signal service the acknowledgment of merit which was his due.
+
+It has been inferred by naval historians that a gale of wind, which was
+blowing on the first appearance of the French fleet, was the cause of
+their standing away. A better reason was their disinclination to
+encounter damage, which they knew would defeat their ultimate object of
+forming a junction with the Spanish fleet elsewhere.
+
+At daylight on the 7th we were still standing off and on before Cadiz,
+expecting the enemy to return; when shortly afterwards four of their
+ships were seen to windward of the British force, which immediately gave
+chase; but the enemy outstripping us, we returned to the coast, to guard
+every point by which they might get into Cadiz. Seeing no symptoms of
+the main body of the French fleet, Lord Keith concluded that the four
+ships just noticed had been left as a decoy to draw his attention from
+their real object of running for Toulon, now that they had been foiled
+in their expectation of carrying with them the Spanish fleet. We
+accordingly made all sail for Gibraltar.
+
+From the intelligence forwarded by the _Childers_, there was reason to
+suppose that Lord St. Vincent would have prepared for instant pursuit.
+To our surprise, the signal was made to anchor and obtain water and
+provision. Three entire days were consumed in this operation; with what
+effect as regarded the other ships I do not know, but so far as the
+_Barfleur_ was concerned, and as far as I know of the other ships, the
+delay was unnecessary. The fleet was greatly disappointed at being thus
+detained, as the enemy would thereby reach Toulon without molestation,
+and for any good which could be effected we might as well remain where
+we lay.
+
+This impatience was, after a lapse of three days, ended by Lord St.
+Vincent hoisting his flag on board the _Ville de Paris_; when,
+reinforced by the _Edgar_, 74, the fleet shaped its course up the
+Mediterranean.
+
+After we had proceeded as far as the Bay of Rosas, Lord St. Vincent,
+having communicated with Lord Keith, parted company in the _Ville de
+Paris_ for Minorca, leaving Lord Keith to pursue the enemy with the
+remaining ships. We now made straight for Toulon, where we learned from
+some fishing boats that the enemy’s fleet had embarked spars, cordage,
+anchors, and other heavy articles for the equipment of their ships of
+war built or building at Spezzia—and had sailed to the eastward.
+
+After burning some merchant vessels working into Toulon, we again
+started in chase. It was now of even greater importance to overtake the
+French fleet, in order to frustrate a double mischief; first, their
+escape; and secondly, their getting to Spezzia with the materials for so
+important an addition to their force. With this object the British ships
+crowded all sail in the direction the enemy had taken, and at length
+came in sight of their look-out frigates between Corsica and Genoa.
+
+Just as we were upon the point of seeing the fleet also, a fast sailing
+transport arrived from Lord St. Vincent, with orders to return to Port
+Mahon; intelligence of the sailing of the French fleet having reached
+that port, which, Lord St. Vincent feared, might become the object of
+attack. Lord Keith, however, knowing exactly the position of the enemy,
+within reach of whom we now virtually were, persevered in the pursuit.
+
+Shortly afterwards another fast sailing transport hove in sight, firing
+guns for Lord Keith to bring to, which having done, he received
+peremptory orders to repair immediately to Minorca; Lord St. Vincent
+still imagining that as the enemy had left Toulon they might catch him
+in Port Mahon; the fact of their having gone to Spezzia, though known to
+us, being unknown to him. Compliance with this unseasonable order was
+therefore compulsory, and Lord Keith made the signal for all captains,
+when, as reported by those officers, his lordship explained that the
+bearing up was no act of his, and the captains having returned on board
+their respective ships, reluctantly changed the course for Minorca,
+leaving the French fleet to proceed unmolested to Spezzia.
+
+On Lord Keith receiving this order, I never saw a man more irritated.
+When annoyed, his lordship had a habit of talking aloud to himself. On
+this occasion, as officer of the watch, I happened to be in close
+proximity, and thereby became an involuntary listener to some very
+strong expressions, imputing jealousy on the part of Lord St. Vincent as
+constituting the motive for recalling him. The actual words of Lord
+Keith not being meant for the ear of any one, I do not think proper to
+record them. The above facts are stated as coming within my own personal
+knowledge, and are here introduced in consequence of blame being cast on
+Lord Keith to this day by naval historians, who could only derive their
+authority from _data_ which are certainly untrue—even if official. Had
+the command been surrendered to Lord Keith on his arrival in the
+Mediterranean, or had his lordship been permitted promptly to pursue the
+enemy, they could not have escaped.
+
+The French fleet, after we were compelled to relinquish the chase (when
+in sight of their look-out frigates), were reported to have landed 1000
+men at Savona, and convoyed a supply of wheat to Genoa, as well as
+having landed their naval stores at Spezzia, not one of which services
+could have been effected had it not been for the unfortunate delay at
+Gibraltar and the before-mentioned recall of the pursuing fleet.
+
+Immediately after our departure from Gibraltar, the Spanish fleet
+quitted Cadiz for the Mediterranean, and as no force remained to watch
+the Straits, they were enabled to pass with impunity, the whole, after
+suffering great damage by a gale of wind, succeeded in reaching
+Carthagena.
+
+On our arrival at Minorca, Lord St. Vincent resumed the command, and
+proceeded for some distance towards Toulon. On the 2nd of June, his
+lordship again quitted the fleet for Mahon, in the _Ville de Paris_. On
+the 14th Lord Keith shifted his flag from the _Barfleur_ to the _Queen
+Charlotte_, a much finer ship, to which I had the honour to accompany
+him.
+
+We once more proceeded in quest of the French fleet, and on the 19th the
+advance ships captured three frigates and two brigs of war on their way
+from Egypt to Toulon, but learned nothing of the fleet we were in search
+of. On the 23rd of June, Lord St. Vincent at length resigned the
+Mediterranean command and sailed for England, so that Lord Keith had no
+alternative but to return to Port Mahon to make the necessary
+arrangements.
+
+Scarcely had we come to an anchor when we received intelligence that the
+French fleet had passed to the westward to join the Spanish fleet at
+Carthagena!
+
+Without even losing time to fill up with water, every exertion was made
+for immediate pursuit, and on the 10th we started for Carthagena, but
+finding the enemy gone, again made sail, and on the 26th reached Tetuan,
+where we completed our water. On the 29th Lord Keith communicated with
+Gibraltar, but as nothing was heard of the combined fleets, it was
+evident they had gone through the Straits in the dark; we therefore
+followed and examined Cadiz, where they were not. Pursuing our course
+without effect along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts—on the 8th of
+August we fell in with a Danish brig off Cape Finisterre, and received
+from her information that she had two days before passed through the
+combined French and Spanish fleets. We then directed our course for
+Brest, hoping to be in time to intercept them, but found that on the day
+before our arrival they had effected their object, and were then safely
+moored within the harbour. We now shaped our course for Torbay, and
+there found the Channel fleet under Sir Alan Gardner—the united force
+being nearly fifty ships of the line.
+
+On our arrival at Torbay, Lord Keith sent me with despatches on board
+the commander-in-chief’s ship, where, after executing my commission, it
+was imperiously demanded by her captain whether I was aware that my
+coming on board was an infringement of quarantine regulations? Nettled
+at the over-bearing manner of an uncalled-for reprimand to an inferior
+officer, my reply was that, having been directed by Lord Keith to
+deliver his despatches, his lordship’s orders had been executed
+accordingly; at the same time, however, assuring my interrogator that we
+had no sickness in the fleet, nor had we been in any contagious
+localities. From the captain’s manner, it was almost evident that, for
+being thus plain spoken, he intended to put me under arrest, and I was
+not sorry to get back to the _Queen Charlotte_; even a show of
+resistance to an excess of authority being in those days fatal to many
+an officer’s prospects.
+
+I shall not enter into detail as to what occurred in the Channel;
+suffice it to say that despite the imposing force lying at Torbay, the
+combined French and Spanish fleets found no difficulty in getting out of
+Brest, and that on the 6th of December Lord Keith returned in pursuit to
+Gibraltar, where he resumed the Mediterranean command, administered by
+Lord Nelson during his absence.
+
+It is beyond the province of this work to notice the effectual measures
+taken by Lord Nelson in the Mediterranean during our absence, as they
+are matters in which I bore no part. But whilst Nelson and Lord Keith
+had been doing their best there, little appeared to be done at home to
+check the enemy’s operations.
+
+From Gibraltar we proceeded to Sicily, where we found Lord Nelson
+surrounded by the _élite_ of Neapolitan society, amongst whom he was
+justly regarded as a deliverer. It was never my good fortune to serve
+under his lordship, either at that or any subsequent period. During our
+stay at Palermo, I had, however, opportunities of personal conversation
+with him, and from one of his frequent injunctions, “Never mind
+manœuvres, always go at them,” I subsequently had reason to consider
+myself indebted for successful attacks under apparently difficult
+circumstances.
+
+The impression left on my mind during these opportunities of association
+with Nelson was that of his being an embodiment of dashing courage,
+which would not take much trouble to circumvent an enemy, but being
+confronted with one would regard victory so much a matter of course as
+hardly to deem the chance of defeat worth consideration.
+
+This was in fact the case; for though the enemy’s ships were for the
+most part superior to ours in build, the discipline and seamanship of
+their crews was in that day so inferior as to leave little room for
+doubt of victory on our part. It was probably with the object of
+improving his crews that Admiral Bruix had risked a run from the
+Mediterranean to Brest and back, as just now detailed. Had not Lord
+Keith been delayed at Gibraltar, and afterwards recalled to Minorca, the
+disparity of numbers on our side would not have been of any great
+consequence.
+
+Trafalgar itself is an illustration of Nelson’s peculiar clash. It has
+been remarked that Trafalgar was a rash action, and that had Nelson lost
+it and lived he would have been brought to a court-martial for the way
+in which that action was conducted. But such cavillers forget that, from
+previous experience, he had calculated both the nature and amount of
+resistance to be expected; such calculation forming as essential a part
+of his plan of attack as even his own means for making it. The result
+justified his expectations of victory, which were not only well founded
+but certain.
+
+The fact is, that many commanders in those days committed the error of
+overrating the French navy, just as, in the present day, we are
+nationally falling into the still more dangerous extreme of underrating
+it. Steam has, indeed, gone far towards equalising seamanship; and the
+strenuous exertions of the French department of Marine have perhaps
+rendered discipline in their navy as good as in ours. They moreover keep
+their trained men, whilst we thoughtlessly turn ours adrift whenever
+ships are paid off—to be replaced by raw hands in case of emergency!
+
+To return from this digression. After quitting Palermo, and when passing
+the Straits of Messina, Lord Keith placed me as prize-master in command
+of the _Généreux_, 74—shortly before captured by Lord Nelson’s
+squadron—with orders to carry her to Port Mahon. A crew was hastily made
+up of sick and invalided men drafted from the ships of the fleet, and
+with these we proceeded on our voyage, but only to find ourselves in
+imminent danger from a gale of wind. The rigging not having been
+properly set up, the masts swayed with every roll of the ship to such a
+degree that it became dangerous to go aloft; the shrouds alternately
+straining almost to breaking, or hanging in festoons, as the masts
+jerked from side to side with the roll of the vessel. It was only by
+going aloft myself together with my brother Archibald, whom Lord Keith
+had permitted to accompany me, that the men could be induced to furl the
+mainsail. Fortunately the weather moderated, or the safety of the ship
+might have been compromised; but by dint of hard work, as far as the
+ill-health of the crew would allow, we managed, before reaching Mahon,
+to put the _Généreux_ into tolerable order.
+
+It has been stated that Lord Keith permitted my brother to accompany me
+in the _Généreux_. By this unexpected incident both he and myself were,
+in all probability, saved from a fate which soon afterwards befel most
+of our gallant shipmates. On our quitting the _Queen Charlotte_, Lord
+Keith steered for Leghorn, where he landed, and ordered Captain Todd to
+reconnoitre the island of Cabrera, then in possession of the French.
+Whilst on his way, some hay, hastily embarked and placed under the
+half-deck, became ignited, and the flame communicating with the mainsail
+set the ship on fire aloft and below. All exertions to save her proved
+in vain, and though some of the officers and crew escaped, more than
+three-fourths miserably perished, including Captain Todd, his first
+lieutenant, Bainbridge, three other lieutenants, the captain of marines,
+surgeon, more than twenty master’s mates and petty officers, and upwards
+of 600 marines and seamen.
+
+On our return from England to Gibraltar I had been associated with poor
+Bainbridge in an affair which—except as a tribute to his memory—would
+not have been worth mentioning. On the evening of the 21st of September,
+1799, we observed from the _Queen Charlotte_, lying in Gibraltar Bay,
+the 10-gun cutter _Lady Nelson_, chased by some gun-vessels and
+privateers, all of which simultaneously commenced an attack upon her.
+Lord Keith instantly ordered out boats, Bainbridge taking command of the
+barge, whilst another of the boats was put under my orders. Lord Keith’s
+intention was, by this prompt aid, to induce the _Lady Nelson_ to make a
+running fight of it, so as to get within range of the garrison guns; but
+before the boats could come up she had been captured; Lieutenant
+Bainbridge, though with sixteen men only, dashed at her, boarded, and
+retook her, killing several and taking prisoners seven French officers
+and twenty-seven men; but not without himself receiving a severe sabre
+cut on the head and several other wounds.
+
+The boat under my command was the cutter with thirteen men. Seeing two
+privateers which had chiefly been engaged in the attack on the _Lady
+Nelson_ running for Algesiras, we made at the nearest, and came up with
+her at dark. On laying the cutter alongside, I jumped on board, but the
+boat’s crew did not follow, this being the only time I ever saw British
+seamen betray symptoms of hesitation. Regaining the cutter, I upbraided
+them with the shamefulness of their conduct, for the privateer’s crew
+had run below, the helmsman alone being at his post. Their excuse was
+that there were indications of the privateer’s men having there
+fortified themselves. No reasoning could prevail on them to board. If
+this boat’s crew perished in the _Queen Charlotte_, their fate is not
+nationally to be regretted.
+
+On the destruction of the _Queen Charlotte_ Lord Keith hoisted his flag
+in the _Audacious_. His lordship was so well satisfied with my conduct
+of the _Généreux_ as to write home to the Admiralty recommending my
+promotion, at the same time appointing me to the command of the
+_Speedy_, then lying at Port Mahon.
+
+The vessel originally intended for me by Lord Keith was the _Bonne
+Citoyenne_, a fine corvette of eighteen guns; but the brother of his
+lordship’s secretary happening at the time to arrive from Gibraltar,
+where he had been superseded in the command of the sheer hulk, that
+functionary managed to place his brother in one of the finest sloops
+then in the service, leaving to me the least efficient craft on the
+station.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. V.
+
+ CRUISE OF THE _SPEEDY_.
+
+MY APPOINTMENT TO THE SPEEDY.—MY FIRST PRIZE.—CAPITULATION OF
+ GENOA.—MORE CAPTURES.—JOIN LORD KEITH AT LEGHORN.—CRUISE ON THE
+ SPANISH COAST.—NEARLY CAUGHT BY A SPANISH FRIGATE.—HOW SHE WAS
+ EVADED.—OUR CRUISE RENEWED.—WE PROCEED TO MALTA.—FOOLISH FRACAS IN A
+ BALL-ROOM.—A DUEL.—CAPTURE OF A FRENCH STORE-SHIP.—CHASED BY ANOTHER
+ SPANISH FRIGATE.—CRUISE OFF BARCELONA.—AN ATTEMPT TO ENTRAP
+ US.—ATTACK ON THE EL GAMO FRIGATE.—CARRIED BY BOARDING.—TRIFLING
+ LOSS OF THE SPEEDY.—A DEVICE PRACTISED DURING THE ACTION.—WE PROCEED
+ WITH OUR PRIZE TO MAHON.—POSTPONEMENT OF MY POST RANK.—OFFICIAL
+ DESPATCH.
+
+
+The _Speedy_ was little more than a burlesque on a vessel of war, even
+sixty years ago. She was about the size of an average coasting brig, her
+burden being 158 tons. She was crowded, rather than manned, with a crew
+of eighty-four men and six officers, myself included. Her armament
+consisted of fourteen 4-_pounders_! a species of gun little larger than
+a blunderbuss, and formerly known in the service under the name of
+“miñion,” an appellation which it certainly merited.
+
+Being dissatisfied with her armament, I applied for and obtained a
+couple of 12-pounders, intending them as bow and stern chasers, but was
+compelled to return them to the ordnance wharf, there not being room on
+deck to work them; besides which, the timbers of the little craft were
+found on trial to be too weak to withstand the concussion of anything
+heavier than the guns with which she was previously armed.
+
+With her rig I was more fortunate. Having carried away her mainyard, it
+became necessary to apply for another to the senior officer, who,
+examining the list of spare spars, ordered the _foretopgallant-yard_ of
+the _Généreux_ to be hauled out _as a mainyard for the Speedy_!
+
+The spar was accordingly sent on board and rigged, but even this
+appearing too large for the vessel, an order was issued to cut off the
+yard-arms and thus reduce it to its proper dimensions. This order was
+neutralised by getting down and planing the yard-arms as though they had
+been cut, an evasion which, with some alteration in the rigging, passed
+undetected on its being again swayed up; and thus a greater spread of
+canvas was secured. The fact of the foretopgallant-yard of a second-rate
+ship being considered too large for the mainyard of my “man-of-war” will
+give a tolerable idea of her insignificance.
+
+Despite her unformidable character, and the personal discomfort to which
+all on board were subjected, I was very proud of my little vessel,
+caring nothing for her want of accommodation, though in this respect her
+cabin merits passing notice. It had not so much as room for a chair, the
+floor being entirely occupied by a small table surrounded with lockers,
+answering the double purpose of storechests and seats. The difficulty
+was to get seated, the ceiling being only five feet high, so that the
+object could only be accomplished by rolling on the locker, a movement
+sometimes attended with unpleasant failure. The most singular
+discomfort, however, was that my only practicable mode of shaving
+consisted in removing the skylight and putting my head through to make a
+toilet-table of the quarter-deck.
+
+In the following enumeration of the various cruises in which the
+_Speedy_ was engaged, the boarding and searching innumerable neutral
+vessels will be passed over, and the narrative will be strictly
+confined—as in most cases throughout this work—to log extracts, where
+captures were made, or other occurrences took place worthy of record.
+
+ “_May_ 10.—Sailed from Cagliari, from which port we had been ordered
+ to convoy fourteen sail of merchantmen to Leghorn. At 9 A.M. observed
+ a strange sail take possession of a Danish brig under our escort. At
+ 11:30 A.M. rescued the brig, and captured the assailant. This prize—my
+ first piece of luck—was the _Intrépide_, French privateer of six guns
+ and forty-eight men.
+
+ “_May_ 14.—Saw five armed boats pulling towards us from Monte Cristo.
+ Out sweeps to protect convoy. At 4 P.M. the boats boarded and took
+ possession of the two sternmost ships. A light breeze springing up,
+ made all sail towards the captured vessels, ordering the remainder of
+ the convoy to make the best of their way to Longona. The breeze
+ freshening we came up with and recaptured the vessels with the prize
+ crews on board, but during the operation the armed boats escaped.
+
+ “_May_ 21.—At anchor in Leghorn Roads. Convoy all safe. 25.—Off Genoa.
+ Joined Lord Keith’s squadron of five sail of the line, four frigates
+ and a brig.
+
+ “26, 27, 28.—Ordered by his lordship to cruise in the offing, to
+ intercept supplies destined for the French army under Massena, then in
+ possession of Genoa.
+
+ “29.—At Genoa some of the gun-boats bombarded the town for two hours.
+
+ “30.—All the gun-boats bombarded the town. A partial bombardment had
+ been going on for an hour a day, during the past fortnight, Lord Keith
+ humanely refraining from continued bombardment, out of consideration
+ for the inhabitants, who were in a state of absolute famine.”
+
+This was one of the _crises_ of the war. The French, about a month
+previous, had defeated the Austrians with great slaughter in an attempt,
+on the part of the latter, to retake Genoa; but the Austrians, being in
+possession of Savona, were nevertheless able to intercept provisions on
+the land side, whilst the vigilance of Lord Keith rendered it impossible
+to obtain supplies by sea.
+
+It having come to Lord Keith’s knowledge that the French in Genoa had
+consumed their last horses and dogs, whilst the Genoese themselves were
+perishing by famine, and on the eve of revolt against the usurping
+force—in order to save the carnage which would ensue, his lordship
+caused it to be intimated to Massena that a defence so heroic would
+command honourable terms of capitulation. Massena was said to have
+replied that if the word “capitulation” were mentioned his army should
+perish with the city; but, as he could no longer defend himself, he had
+no objection to “treat.” Lord Keith, therefore, proposed a treaty, viz.
+that the army might return to France, but that Massena himself must
+remain a prisoner in his hands. To this the French general demurred; but
+Lord Keith insisting—with the complimentary observation to Massena that
+“he was worth 20,000 men”—the latter reluctantly gave in, and on the 4th
+of June 1800 a definite treaty to the above effect was agreed upon, and
+ratified on the 5th, when the Austrians took possession of the city, and
+Lord Keith of the harbour, the squadron anchoring within the mole.
+
+This affair being ended, his lordship ordered the _Speedy_ to cruise off
+the Spanish coast, and on the 14th of June we parted company with the
+squadron.
+
+ “_June_ 16.—Captured a tartan off Elba. Sent her to Leghorn, in the
+ charge of an officer and four men.
+
+ “22.—Off Bastia. Chased a French privateer with a prize in tow. The
+ Frenchman abandoned the prize, a Sardinian vessel laden with oil and
+ wool, and we took possession. Made all sail in chase of the privateer;
+ but on our commencing to fire, she ran under the fort of Caprea, where
+ we did not think proper to pursue her. Took prize in tow, and on the
+ following day left her at Leghorn, where we found Lord Nelson, and
+ several ships at anchor.
+
+ “25.—Quitted Leghorn, and on the 26th were again off Bastia, in chase
+ of a ship which ran for that place, and anchored under a fort three
+ miles to the southward. Made at and brought her away. Proved to be the
+ Spanish letter of marque _Assuncion_, of ten guns and thirty-three
+ men, bound from Tunis to Barcelona. On taking possession, five
+ gun-boats left Bastia in chase of us; took the prize in tow, and kept
+ up a running fight with the gun-boats till after midnight, when they
+ left us.
+
+ “29.—Cast off the prize in chase of a French privateer off Sardinia.
+ On commencing our fire she set all sail and ran off. Returned and took
+ the prize in tow; and the 4th of July anchored with her in Port Mahon.
+
+ “_July_ 9—Off Cape Sebastian. Gave chase to two Spanish ships standing
+ along shore. They anchored under the protection of the forts. Saw
+ another vessel lying just within range of the forts;—out boats and cut
+ her out, the forts firing on the boats without inflicting damage.
+
+ “19.—Off Caprea. Several French privateers in sight. Chased, and on
+ the following morning captured one, the _Constitution_, of one gun and
+ nineteen men. Whilst we were securing the privateer, a prize which she
+ had taken made sail in the direction of Gorgona and escaped.
+
+ “27.—Off Planosa, in chase of a privateer. On the following morning
+ saw three others lying in a small creek. On making preparations to cut
+ them out, a military force made its appearance, and commenced a heavy
+ fire of musketry, to which it would have answered no purpose to reply.
+ Fired several broadsides at one of the privateers, and sunk her.
+
+ “31.—Off Porto Ferraio in chase of a French privateer, with a prize in
+ tow. The Frenchman abandoned his prize, of which we took possession,
+ and whilst so doing the privateer got away.
+
+ “_August_ 3.—Anchored with our prizes in Leghorn Roads, where we found
+ Lord Keith in the _Minotaur_.”
+
+Lord Keith received me very kindly, and directed the _Speedy_ to run
+down the Spanish coast, pointing out the importance of harassing the
+enemy there as much as possible, but cautioning me against engaging
+anything beyond our capacity. During our stay at Leghorn, his lordship
+frequently invited me ashore to participate in the gaieties of the
+place.
+
+Having filled up with provisions and water, we sailed on the 16th of
+August, and on the 21st captured a French privateer bound from Corsica
+to Toulon. Shortly afterwards we fell in with H.M.S. ships _Mutine_ and
+_Salamine_, which, to suit their convenience, gave into our charge a
+number of French prisoners, with whom and our prize we consequently
+returned to Leghorn.
+
+On the 14th of September we again put to sea, the interval being
+occupied by a thorough overhaul of the sloop. On the 22nd, when off
+Caprea, fell in with a Neapolitan vessel having a French prize crew on
+board. Recaptured the vessel, and took the crew prisoners.
+
+On the 5th of October, the _Speedy_ anchored in Port Mahon, where
+information was received that the Spaniards had several armed vessels on
+the look-out for us, should we again appear on their coast. I therefore
+applied to the authorities to exchange our 4-pounders for 6-pounders,
+but the latter being too large for the _Speedy’s_ ports, we were again
+compelled to forego the change as impracticable.
+
+ “_October 12._—Sailed from Port Mahon, cruising for some time off Cape
+ Sebastian, Villa Nova, Oropesa, and Barcelona; occasionally visiting
+ the enemy’s coast for water, of which the _Speedy_ carried only ten
+ tons. Nothing material occurred till November 18th, when we narrowly
+ escaped being swamped in a gale of wind, the sea breaking over our
+ quarter, and clearing our deck, spars, &c., otherwise inflicting such
+ damage as to compel our return to Port Mahon, where we were detained
+ till the 12th of December.
+
+ “_December 15._—Off Majorca. Several strange vessels being in sight,
+ singled out the largest and made sail in chase; shortly after which a
+ French bombard bore up, hoisting the national colours. We now cleared
+ for action, altering our course to meet her, when she bore up between
+ Dragon Island and the Main. Commenced firing at the bombard, which
+ returned our fire; but shortly afterwards getting closer in shore she
+ drove on the rocks. Three other vessels being in the passage, we left
+ her, and captured one of them, the _La Liza_ of ten guns and
+ thirty-three men, bound from Alicant to Marseilles. Took nineteen of
+ our prisoners on board the _Speedy_. As it was evident that the
+ bombard would become a wreck, we paid no further attention to her, but
+ made all sail after the others.
+
+ “_December 18._—Suspecting the passage between Dragon Island and the
+ Main to be a lurking-place for privateers, we ran in again, but found
+ nothing. Seeing a number of troops lining the beach, we opened fire
+ and dispersed them, afterwards engaging a tower, which fired upon us.
+ The prisoners we had taken proving an incumbrance, we put them on
+ shore.
+
+ “_December 19._—Stood off and on the harbour of Palamos, where we saw
+ several vessels at anchor. Hoisted Danish colours, and made the signal
+ for a pilot. Our real character being evidently known, none came off,
+ and we did not think it prudent to venture in.”
+
+It has been said that the _Speedy_ had become the marked object of the
+Spanish naval authorities. Not that there was much danger of being
+caught, for they confined their search to the coast only, and that in
+the daytime, when we were usually away in the offing; it being our
+practice to keep out of sight during the day, and run in before dawn on
+the next morning.
+
+On the 21st, however, when off Plane Island, we were very near “catching
+a Tartar.” Seeing a large ship in shore, having all the appearance of a
+well-laden merchantman, we forthwith gave chase. On nearing her she
+raised her ports, which had been closed to deceive us, the act
+discovering a heavy broadside, a clear demonstration that we had fallen
+into the jaws of a formidable Spanish frigate, now crowded with men, who
+had before remained concealed below.
+
+That the frigate was in search of us there could be no doubt, from the
+deception practised. To have encountered her with our insignificant
+armament would have been exceedingly imprudent, whilst escape was out of
+the question, for she would have outsailed us, and could have run us
+down by her mere weight. There was, therefore, nothing left, but to try
+the effect of a _ruse_, prepared beforehand for such an emergency. After
+receiving at Mahon information that unusual measures were about to be
+taken by the Spaniards for our capture, I had the _Speedy_ painted in
+imitation of the Danish brig _Clomer_; the appearance of this vessel
+being well known on the Spanish coast. We also shipped a Danish
+quartermaster, taking the further precaution of providing him with the
+uniform of an officer of that nation.
+
+On discovering the real character of our neighbour, the _Speedy_ hoisted
+Danish colours, and spoke her. At first this failed to satisfy the
+Spaniard, who sent a boat to board us. It was now time to bring the
+Danish quartermaster into play in his officer’s uniform; and to add
+force to his explanations, we ran the quarantine flag up to the fore,
+calculating on the Spanish horror of the plague, then prevalent along
+the Barbary coast.
+
+On the boat coming within hail,—for the yellow flag effectually
+repressed the enemy’s desire to board us—our mock officer informed the
+Spaniards that we were two days from Algiers, where at the time the
+plague was violently raging. This was enough. The boat returned to the
+frigate, which, wishing us a good voyage, filled, and made sail, whilst
+we did the same.
+
+I have noted this circumstance more minutely than it merits, because it
+has been misrepresented. By some of my officers blame was cast on me for
+not attacking the frigate after she had been put off her guard by our
+false colours, as her hands—being then employed at their ordinary
+avocations in the rigging and elsewhere—presented a prominent mark for
+our shot. There is no doubt but that we might have poured in a murderous
+fire before the crew could have recovered from their confusion, and
+perhaps have taken her, but feeling averse to so cruel a destruction of
+human life, I chose to refrain from an attack, which might not, even
+with that advantage in our favour, have been successful.
+
+It has been stated by some naval writers that this frigate was the
+_Gamo_, which we subsequently captured. To the best of my knowledge this
+is an error.
+
+ “_December_ 24.—Off Carthagena. At daylight fell in with a convoy in
+ charge of two Spanish privateers, which came up and fired at us; but
+ being to windward we ran for the convoy, and singling out two,
+ captured the nearest, laden with wine. The other ran in shore under
+ the fort of Port Genoese, where we left her.
+
+ “25.—Stood for Cape St. Martin, in hope of intercepting the
+ privateers. At 8 A.M. saw a privateer and one of the convoy under Cape
+ Lanar. Made sail in chase. They parted company; when, on our singling
+ out the nearest privateer, she took refuge under a battery, on which
+ we left off pursuit.
+
+ “30.—Off Cape Oropesa. Seeing some vessels in shore, out boats in
+ chase. At noon they returned pursued by two Spanish gun-boats, which
+ kept up a smart fire on them. Made sail to intercept the gun-boats, on
+ which they ran in under the batteries.
+
+ “_January_ 10, 1801.—Anchored in Port Mahon, and having refitted,
+ sailed again on the 12th.
+
+ “16.—Off Barcelona. Just before daylight chased two vessels standing
+ towards that port. Seeing themselves pursued, they made for the
+ battery at the entrance. Bore up and set steering sails in chase. The
+ wind falling calm, one of the chase drifted in shore, and took the
+ ground under Castel De Ferro. On commencing our fire, the crew
+ abandoned her, and we sent boats with anchors and hawsers to warp her
+ off, in which they succeeded. She proved to be the Genoese ship _Ns.
+ Señora de Gratia_, of ten guns.
+
+ “22.—Before daylight, stood in again for Barcelona. Saw several sail
+ close in with the land. Out boats and boarded one, which turned out a
+ Dane. Cruising off the port till 3 A.M., we saw two strange vessels
+ coming from the westward. Made sail to cut them off. At 6 P.M. one of
+ them hoisted Spanish colours and the other French. At 9 P.M. came up
+ with them, when after an engagement of half an hour both struck. The
+ Spaniard was the _Ecce Homo_ of eight guns and nineteen men, the
+ Frenchman _L’Amitié_ of one gun and thirty-one men. Took all the
+ prisoners on board the _Speedy_.
+
+ “23.—Still off Barcelona. Having sent most of our crew to man the
+ prizes, the number of prisoners on board the _Speedy_ became
+ dangerous; we therefore put twenty-five of the Frenchmen into one of
+ their own launches, and told them to make the best of their way to
+ Barcelona. As the prizes were a good deal cut up about the rigging,
+ repaired their damages and made sail for Port Mahon, where we arrived
+ on the 24th, with our convoy in company.
+
+ “28.—Quitted Port Mahon for Malta, not being able to procure at
+ Minorca various things of which we stood in need; and on the 1st of
+ February, came to an anchor at Valetta, where we obtained anchors and
+ sweeps.”
+
+An absurd affair took place during our short stay at Malta, which would
+not have been worthy of notice, had it not been made the subject of
+comment.
+
+The officers of a French royalist regiment, then at Malta, patronised a
+fancy ball, for which I amongst others purchased a ticket. The dress
+chosen was that of a sailor—in fact, my costume was a tolerable
+imitation of that of my worthy friend, Jack Larmour, in one of his
+relaxing moods, and personated in my estimation as honourable a
+character as were Greek, Turkish, or other kinds of Oriental disguises
+in vogue at such reunions. My costume was, however, too much to the life
+to please French royalist taste, not even the marlinspike and the lump
+of grease in the hat being omitted.
+
+On entering the ball-room, further passage was immediately barred, with
+an intimation that my presence could not be permitted in such a dress.
+Good humouredly expostulating that, as the choice of costume was left to
+the wearer, my own taste—which was decidedly nautical—had selected that
+of a British seaman, a character which, though by no means imaginary,
+was quite as picturesque as were the habiliments of an Arcadian
+shepherd; further insisting that as no rule had been infringed, I must
+be permitted to exercise my discretion. Expostulation being of no avail,
+a brusque answer was returned that such a dress was not admissible,
+whereupon I as brusquely replied that having purchased my ticket, and
+chosen my own costume in accordance with the regulations, no one had any
+right to prevent me from sustaining the character assumed.
+
+Upon this a French officer, who appeared to act as master of the
+ceremonies, came up, and without waiting for further explanation, rudely
+seized me by the collar with the intention of putting me out; in return
+for which insult he received a substantial mark of British indignation,
+and at the same time an uncomplimentary remark in his own language. In
+an instant all was uproar; a French picket was called, which in a short
+time overpowered and carried me off to the guard-house of the regiment.
+
+I was, however, promptly freed from detention on announcing my name, but
+the officer who had collared me demanded an apology for the portion of
+the _fracas_ concerning him personally. This being of course refused, a
+challenge was the consequence; and on the following morning we met
+behind the ramparts and exchanged shots, my ball passing through the
+poor fellow’s thigh and dropping him. My escape, too, was a narrow
+one—his ball perforating my coat, waistcoat, and shirt, and bruising my
+side. Seeing my adversary fall, I stepped up to him—imagining his wound
+to be serious—and expressed a hope that he had not been hit in a vital
+part. His reply—uttered with all the politeness of his nation—was, that
+“he was not materially hurt.” I, however, was not at ease, for it was
+impossible not to regret this, to him, serious _dénouement_ of a
+trumpery affair, though arising from his own intemperate conduct. It was
+a lesson to me in future never to do anything in frolic which might give
+even unintentional offence.
+
+On the 3rd of February we sailed under orders for Tripoli, to make
+arrangements for fresh provisions for the fleet. This being effected,
+the _Speedy_ returned to Malta, and on the 20th again left port in
+charge of a convoy for Tunis.
+
+24th.—At the entrance of Tunis Bay we gave chase to a strange sail,
+which wore and stood in towards the town, anchoring at about the
+distance of three miles. Suspecting some reason for this movement, I
+despatched an officer to examine her, when the suspicion was confirmed
+by his ascertaining her to be _La Belle Caroline_, French brig of four
+guns, bound for Alexandria with field-pieces, ammunition, and wine for
+the use of the French army in Egypt.
+
+Our position was one of delicacy, the vessel being in a neutral port,
+where, if we remained to watch her, she might prolong our stay for an
+indefinite period or escape in the night; whilst, from the warlike
+nature of the cargo, it was an object of national importance to effect
+her capture. The latter appearing the most beneficial course under all
+circumstances, we neared her so as to prevent escape, and soon after
+midnight boarded her, and having weighed her anchor, brought her close
+to the _Speedy_, before she had an opportunity of holding any
+communication with the shore.
+
+The following day was employed in examining her stores, a portion of her
+ammunition being transferred to our magazine, to replace some damaged by
+leakage. Her crew, now on board the _Speedy_ as prisoners, becoming
+clamorous at what they considered an illegal seizure, and being,
+moreover, in our way, an expedient was adopted to get rid of them, by
+purposely leaving their own launch within reach during the following
+night, with a caution to the watch not to prevent their desertion should
+they attempt it. The hint was taken, for before daylight on the 27th
+they seized the boat, and pulled out of the bay without molestation, not
+venturing to go to Tunis lest they should be retaken. We thus got rid of
+the prisoners, and at the same time of what might have turned out their
+reasonable complaint to the Tunisian authorities, for that we had
+exceeded the bounds of neutrality there could be no doubt.
+
+On the 28th we weighed anchor, and proceeded to sea with our prize.
+After cruising for some days off Cape Bon we made sail for Cagliari,
+where we arrived on the 8th of March, and put to sea on the 11th with
+the prize in tow. On the 16th, anchored in Port Mahon.
+
+On the 18th we again put to sea, and towards evening observed a large
+frigate in chase of us. As she did not answer the private signal, it was
+evident that the stranger was one of our Spanish friends on the
+look-out. To cope with a vessel of her size and armament would have been
+folly, so we made all sail away from her, but she gave instant chase,
+and evidently gained upon us. To add to our embarrassment, the _Speedy_
+sprung her maintopgallant-yard, and lost ground whilst fishing it.
+
+At daylight the following morning the strange frigate was still in
+chase, though by crowding all sail during the night we had gained a
+little upon her; but during the day she again recovered her advantage,
+the more so as the breeze freshening, we were compelled to take in our
+royals, whilst she was still carrying on with everything set. After
+dark, we lowered a tub overboard with a light in it, and altering our
+course thus fortunately evaded her. On the 1st of April we returned to
+Port Mahon, and again put to sea on the 6th.
+
+ “_April_ 11.—Observing a vessel near the shoal of Tortosa, gave chase.
+ On the following morning her crew deserted her, and we took
+ possession. In the evening anchored under the land.
+
+ “13.—Saw three vessels at anchor in a bay to the westward of Oropesa.
+ Made sail up to them and anchored on the flank of a ten-gun fort.
+ Whilst the firing was going on, the boats were sent in to board and
+ bring out the vessels, which immediately weighed and got under the
+ fort. At 5:30 P.M. the boats returned with one of them; the other two
+ being hauled close in shore, we did not make any further attempt to
+ capture them. As the prize, the _Ave Maria_, of four guns, was in
+ ballast, we took the sails and spars out of her, and set her on fire.
+
+ “On the following morning at daybreak, several vessels appeared to the
+ eastward. Made all sail to intercept them, but before we could come
+ up, they succeeded in anchoring under a fort. On standing towards
+ them, they turned out to be Spanish gun-boats, which commenced firing
+ at us. At 10 A.M. anchored within musket-shot, so as to keep an angle
+ of the tower on our beam, thus neutralising its effect. Commenced
+ firing broadsides alternately at the tower and the gun-boats, with
+ visible advantage. Shortly before noon made preparation to cut out the
+ gun-boats, but a fresh breeze setting in dead on shore, rendered it
+ impossible to get at them without placing ourselves in peril. We
+ thereupon worked out of the bay.
+
+ “15.—Two strange sail in sight. Gave chase, and in a couple of hours
+ came up with and captured them. Made sail after a convoy in the
+ offing, but the wind falling light at dusk, lost sight of them.
+
+ “On the 26th we anchored in Mahon, remaining a week to refit and
+ procure fresh hands, many having been sent away in prizes. On the 2nd
+ of May put to sea with a reduced crew, some of whom had to be taken
+ out of H.M.’s prison.”
+
+We again ran along the Spanish coast, and on the 4th of May were off
+Barcelona, where the _Speedy_ captured a vessel which reported herself
+as Ragusan, though in reality a Spanish four-gun tartan. Soon after
+detaining her we heard firing in the W. N.-W., and steering for that
+quarter fell in with a Spanish privateer, which we also captured, the
+_San Carlos_, of seven guns. On this a swarm of gun-boats came out of
+Barcelona, seven of them giving chase to us and the prizes, with which
+we made off shore, the gun-boats returning to Barcelona.
+
+On the following morning the prizes were sent to Port Mahon, and keeping
+out of sight for the rest of the day, the _Speedy_ returned at midnight
+off Barcelona, where we found the gun-boats on the watch; but on our
+approach they ran in shore, firing at us occasionally. Suspecting that
+the object was to decoy us within reach of some larger vessel, we
+singled out one of them and made at her, the others, however, supporting
+her so well that some of our rigging being shot away, we made off shore
+to repair, the gun-boats following. Having thus got them to some
+distance, and repaired damages, we set all sail, and again ran in shore,
+in the hope of getting between them and the land, so as to cut off some
+of their number. Perceiving our intention, they all made for the port as
+before, keeping up a smart fight, in which our foretopgallant-yard was
+so much injured, that we had to shift it, and were thus left astern. The
+remainder of the day was employed in repairing damages, and the
+gun-boats not venturing out again, at 9 P.M. we again made off shore.
+
+Convinced that something more than ordinary had actuated the gun-boats
+to decoy us—just before daylight on the 6th we again ran in for
+Barcelona, when the trap manifested itself in the form of a large ship,
+running under the land, and bearing E. S.-E. On hauling towards her, she
+changed her course in chase of us, and was shortly made out to be a
+Spanish xebec frigate.
+
+As some of my officers had expressed dissatisfaction at not having been
+permitted to attack the frigate fallen in with on the 21st of December,
+after her suspicions had been lulled by our device of hoisting Danish
+colours, &c., I told them they should now have a fair fight,
+notwithstanding that, by manning the two prizes sent to Mahon, our
+numbers had been reduced to fifty-four, officers and boys included.
+Orders were then given to pipe all hands, and prepare for action.
+
+Accordingly we made towards the frigate, which was now coming down under
+steering sails. At 9·30 A.M., she fired a gun and hoisted Spanish
+colours, which the _Speedy_ acknowledged by hoisting American colours,
+our object being, as we were now exposed to her full broadside, to
+puzzle her, till we got on the other tack, when we ran up the English
+ensign, and immediately afterwards encountered her broadside without
+damage.
+
+Shortly afterwards she gave us another broadside, also without effect.
+My orders were not to fire a gun till we were close to her; when,
+running under her lee, we locked our yards amongst her rigging, and in
+this position returned our broadside, such as it was.
+
+To have fired our popgun 4-pounders at a distance would have been to
+throw away the ammunition; but the guns being doubly, and, as I
+afterwards learned, trebly, shotted, and being elevated, they told
+admirably upon her main deck; the first discharge, as was subsequently
+ascertained, killing the Spanish captain and the boatswain.
+
+My reason for locking our small craft in the enemy’s rigging was the one
+upon which I mainly relied for victory, viz. that from the height of the
+frigate out of the water, the whole of her shot must necessarily go over
+our heads, whilst our guns, being elevated, would blow up her main-deck.
+
+The Spaniards speedily found out the disadvantage under which they were
+fighting, and gave the order to board the _Speedy_; but as this order
+was as distinctly heard by us as by them, we avoided it at the moment of
+execution by sheering off sufficiently to prevent the movement, giving
+them a volley of musketry and a broadside before they could recover
+themselves.
+
+Twice was this manœuvre repeated, and twice thus averted. The Spaniards
+finding that they were only punishing themselves, gave up further
+attempts to board, and stood to their guns, which were cutting up our
+rigging from stem to stern, but doing little farther damage; for after
+the lapse of an hour the loss to the _Speedy_ was only two men killed
+and four wounded.
+
+This kind of combat, however, could not last. Our rigging being cut up
+and the _Speedy’s_ sails riddled with shot, I told the men that they
+must either take the frigate or be themselves taken, in which case the
+Spaniards would give no quarter—whilst a few minutes energetically
+employed on their part would decide the matter in their own favour.
+
+The doctor, Mr. Guthrie, who, I am happy to say, is still living to
+peruse this record of his gallantry, volunteered to take the helm;
+leaving him therefore for the time both commander and crew of the
+_Speedy_, the order was given to board, and in a few seconds every man
+was on the enemy’s deck—a feat rendered the more easy as the doctor
+placed the _Speedy_ close alongside with admirable skill.
+
+For a moment the Spaniards seemed taken by surprise, as though unwilling
+to believe that so small a crew would have the audacity to board them;
+but soon recovering themselves, they made a rush to the waist of the
+frigate, where the fight was for some minutes gallantly carried on.
+Observing the enemy’s colours still flying, I directed one of our men
+immediately to haul them down, when the Spanish crew, without pausing to
+consider by whose orders the colours had been struck, and naturally
+believing it the act of their own officers, gave in, and we were in
+possession of the _Gamo_ frigate, of thirty-two heavy guns and 319 men,
+who an hour and a half before had looked upon us as a certain if not an
+easy prey.
+
+Our loss in boarding was Lieutenant Parker, severely wounded in several
+places, one seaman killed and three wounded, which with those previously
+killed and wounded gave a total of three seamen killed, and one officer
+and seventeen men wounded.
+
+The _Gamo’s_ loss was Captain de Torres—the boatswain—and thirteen
+seamen killed, together with forty-one wounded; her casualties thus
+exceeding the whole number of officers and crew on board the _Speedy_.
+
+Some time after the surrender of the _Gamo_, and when we were in quiet
+possession, the officer who had succeeded the deceased Captain Don
+Francisco de Torres, not in command, but in rank, applied to me for a
+certificate that he had done his duty during the action! whereupon he
+received from me a certificate that he had “conducted himself like a
+true Spaniard,” with which document he appeared highly gratified, and I
+had afterwards the satisfaction of learning that it procured him further
+promotion in the Spanish service!
+
+Shortly before boarding an incident occurred which, by those who have
+never been placed in similar circumstances, may be thought too absurd
+for notice. Knowing that the final struggle would be a desperate one,
+and calculating on the superstitious wonder which forms an element in
+the Spanish character, a portion of our crew were ordered to blacken
+their faces, and what with this and the excitement of combat, more
+ferocious looking objects could scarcely be imagined. The fellows thus
+disguised were directed to board by the head, and the effect produced
+was precisely that calculated on. The greater portion of the Spaniard’s
+crew was prepared to repel boarders in that direction, but stood for a
+few moments as it were transfixed to the deck by the apparition of so
+many diabolical looking figures emerging from the white smoke of the bow
+guns; whilst our other men, who boarded by the waist, rushed on them
+from behind, before they could recover from their surprise at the
+unexpected phenomenon.
+
+In difficult or doubtful attacks by sea,—and the odds of 50 men to 320
+comes within this description,—no device can be too minute, even if
+apparently absurd, provided it have the effect of diverting the enemy’s
+attention whilst you are concentrating your own. In this, and other
+successes against odds, I have no hesitation in saying that success in
+no slight degree depended on out-of-the-way devices, which the enemy not
+suspecting, were in some measure thrown off their guard.
+
+The subjoined tabular view of the respective force of the two vessels
+will best show the nature of the contest.
+
+ _Gamo._ │ _Speedy._
+ │
+ Main-deck guns.—Twenty-two long │Fourteen 4-pounders.
+ 12-pounders. │
+ Quarter-deck.—Eight long │None.
+ 8-pounders, and two 24-pounder │
+ carronades. │
+ No. of crew, 319. │No. of crew, 54.
+ Broadside weight of shot, 190 lbs.│Broadside weight of shot, 28 lbs.
+ Tonnage, 600 and upwards. │Tonnage, 158.
+
+It became a puzzle what to do with 263 unhurt prisoners now we had taken
+them, the _Speedy_ having only forty-two men left. Promptness was
+however necessary; so driving the prisoners into the hold, with guns
+pointing down the hatchway, and leaving thirty of our men on board the
+prize—which was placed under the command of my brother, the Hon.
+Archibald Cochrane, then a midshipman—we shaped our course to Port
+Mahon—not Gibraltar, as has been recorded—and arrived there in safety;
+the Barcelona gun-boats, though spectators of the action, not venturing
+to rescue the frigate. Had they made the attempt, we should have had
+some difficulty in evading them and securing the prize, the prisoners
+manifesting every disposition to rescue themselves, and only being
+deterred by their own main deck guns loaded with cannister, and pointing
+down the hatchways, whilst our men stood over them with lighted matches.
+
+The subjoined is Lord Keith’s letter in reply to my official
+announcement of our success.
+
+ “_Foudroyant_, off Arab’s Tower,
+ “9th June, 1801.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I have received your lordship’s letter of the 13th ult.,
+ enclosing a copy of your letter to Captain Dixon, detailing your
+ engagement with and capture of the Spanish xebec of 32 guns; and
+ cannot fail to be extremely gratified with the communication of an
+ event so honourable to the naval service, and so highly creditable to
+ your lordship’s professional reputation, and to the intrepidity and
+ discipline of the _Speedy’s_ officers and men, to all of whom I
+ request your lordship will make my perfect satisfaction and
+ approbation known.
+
+ “I have the honour to be, My Lord,
+ “Your Lordship’s most obedient servant,
+ (Signed) “KEITH.
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord Cochrane,
+ “_Speedy_.”
+
+As a matter of course, my report of the capture of the _Gamo_ was, in
+the first instance, made to the commandant at Port Mahon, the
+commander-in-chief being in Egypt. It should have been forwarded by him
+to the Secretary of the Admiralty, but was delayed for upwards of a
+month, thus affording a pretence for not promoting me to post rank,
+according to the recognised rules of the service.
+
+From information on the affair being thus delayed, it was generally
+believed at home, that the _Gamo_ had been taken by surprise, instead of
+after a close engagement, deliberately decided on, and announced to the
+officers and crew of the _Speedy_ at five o’clock in the morning, the
+hands being turned up for the purpose. The consequence of the delay was
+a postponement of my post commission for upwards of three months, viz.
+from the 6th of May to the 8th of August; and what was of more
+consequence, a misunderstanding with Lord St. Vincent, which bore most
+unfavourably upon all my future prospects. Upon this subject much will
+have to be said in a subsequent chapter.
+
+The subjoined is a copy of my official report to the senior officer
+commanding at Port Mahon; and also of his remarkably concise comment
+thereon, when tardily transmitting the same to the Secretary of the
+Admiralty.
+
+_Copy of a letter from_ Capt. M. DIXON, _of H.M.S. Genereux, to_ E.
+ NEPEAN, Esq., _Secretary of the Admiralty, dated Port Mahon, 9th
+ June, 1800_.
+
+ “SIR,—I have the pleasure to transmit a copy of Lord Cochrane’s letter
+ relative to the very spirited and brilliant action with a Spanish
+ xebec frigate.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c.
+ “MANLEY DIXON.
+
+ “E. Nepean, Esq.”
+
+ “H. M. Sloop _Speedy_, off Barcelona,
+ “6th May, 1800.
+
+ “SIR,—I have the pleasure to inform you, that the sloop I have the
+ honour to command, after a mutual chase and warm action, has captured
+ a Spanish xebec frigate of 32 guns, 22 long 12-pounders, 8 nines, and
+ 2 heavy carronades, viz. the _Gamo_, commanded by Don Francisco de
+ Torres, manned by 319 officers, seamen, and marines.
+
+ “The great disparity of force rendered it necessary to adopt some
+ measure that might prove decisive. I resolved to board, and with
+ Lieut. Parker, the Hon. A. Cochrane, the boatswain and crew, did so,
+ when, by the impetuosity of the attack, we forced them to strike. I
+ have to lament, in boarding, the loss of one man only; the severe
+ wounds received by Lieut. Parker, both from musketry and the sword,
+ one wound received by the boatswain, and one seaman.
+
+ “I must be permitted to say that there could not be greater
+ regularity, nor more cool determined conduct shown by men, than by the
+ crew of the _Speedy_. Lieut. Parker, whom I beg leave to recommend to
+ their Lordships’ notice, as well as the Hon. Mr. Cochrane, deserve all
+ the approbation that can be bestowed. The exertions and good conduct
+ of the boatswain, carpenter, and petty officers, I acknowledge with
+ pleasure, as well as the skill and attention of Mr. Guthrie, the
+ surgeon.
+
+ “I have the honour to be, &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “M. Dixon, Esq.”
+
+ _Speedy’s force at commencement of action._
+
+ Fifty-four officers, men, and boys, 14 4-pounders. Three killed and 8
+ wounded.
+
+ _Gamo’s force at commencement of action._
+
+ Two hundred and seventy-four officers, seamen, and supernumeraries.
+ Forty-five marines. Guns, 32. Don Francisco de Torres, the boatswain,
+ and 13 men killed, 41 wounded.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. VI.
+
+ CRUISE OF THE _SPEEDY_ CONTINUED.
+
+THE SPEEDY SENT TO ALGIERS.—INTERVIEW WITH THE DEY.—SPEEDY RETURNS TO
+ MINORCA.—ATTACK ON OROPESA.—ENEMY’S VESSELS DESTROYED.—LETTER OF
+ THANKS FROM LORD KEITH.—SPEEDY SENT IN CONVOY OF A PACKET.—CAPTURED
+ BY THREE FRENCH LINE OF BATTLE SHIPS, AND TAKEN TO ALGESIRAS.—ATTACK
+ BY SIR J. SAUMAREZ’S SQUADRON.—LOSS OF THE HANNIBAL.—CAPTURE OF
+ DOCKYARD ARTIFICERS.—GALLANTRY OF CAPTAIN KEATS.
+
+
+Our success hitherto had procured us some prize money, notwithstanding
+the peculations of the Mediterranean Admiralty Courts, by which the
+greater portion of our captures was absorbed.
+
+Despite this drawback, which generally disinclined officers and crews
+from making extraordinary exertions, my own share of the twelvemonth’s
+zealous endeavours in our little sloop was considerable, and even the
+crew were in receipt of larger sums than those constituting the ordinary
+pay of officers; a result chiefly owing to our nocturnal mode of
+warfare, together with our refraining from meddling with vessels
+ascertained to be loading in the Spanish ports, and then lying in wait
+for them as they proceeded on their voyage.
+
+One effect of our success was no slight amount of ill concealed jealousy
+on the part of officers senior to myself, though there were some amongst
+these who, being in command of small squadrons instead of single
+vessels, might, had they adopted the same means, have effected far more
+than the _Speedy_, with an armament so insignificant, was calculated to
+accomplish.
+
+After remaining some days at Port Mahon to refit, we prepared to return
+to our cruising ground, where, from private information, we knew that
+other prizes were at hand. In place of being permitted so to do, the
+_Speedy_ received an order to proceed to Algiers, for the purpose of
+representing to the Dey the illegality of his cruisers having taken a
+British vessel in retaliation for an Algerine captured whilst violating
+the law of blockade.
+
+The mission was a singular one to be entrusted to the captain of one of
+the smallest and worst armed vessels in the British service.
+Remonstrance, to be effectual with a piratical government, ought to have
+been committed to an officer armed with sufficient force at least to
+induce respect. There was, however, no alternative but to obey, and a
+short time saw us at anchor off the mole of the predatory potentate.
+
+The request for an interview with his highness occasioned no little
+dissatisfaction amongst his ministers, if those who were quite as much
+his masters as his subordinates could be so termed. After some
+consultation, the interview was, however, granted, and a day was
+appointed to deliver my message.
+
+The invariable Moslem preliminary of taking coffee having been gone
+through, I was ushered through a series of galleries lined with men,
+each bearing on his shoulder a formidable looking axe, and eyeing me
+with an insolent scowl, evidently meant to convey the satisfaction with
+which they would apply its edge to my vertebræ, should the caprice of
+their chief so will.
+
+On reaching the presence of the Dey—a dignified looking and gorgeously
+attired person, seated cross-legged on an elevated couch in one corner
+of the gallery and surrounded by armed people of most unprepossessing
+appearance—I was marched up between two janizaries, and ordered to make
+three salaams to his highness.
+
+This formality being complied with, he rudely demanded, through the
+medium of an interpreter, “What brought me there?” The reply was that “I
+was the commander of an English vessel of war in the roads, and had been
+deputed, on behalf of my government, respectfully to remonstrate with
+his highness concerning a vessel which his cruisers had taken contrary
+to the laws of nations.” On this being interpreted, the ferocious scowls
+of the bystanders were exchanged for expressions of injured innocence,
+but the Dey got in a great passion, and told the interpreter to inform
+me that “remonstrance came with an ill grace from us, the British
+vessels being the greatest pirates in the world, and mine one of the
+worst amongst them,” which complimentary statement was acknowledged by
+me with a formal bow.
+
+“If I did right,” continued the Dey, through his interpreter,—“I should
+put you and your crew in prison, till (naming a captured Algerine
+vessel) she was restored; and but for my great respect for the English
+government, and my impression that her seizure was unauthorised, you
+should go there. However, you may go, with a demand from me that the
+vessel unjustly taken from us shall be immediately restored.”
+
+This decision appeared to be anything but satisfactory to the oligarchy
+of which his court was composed, as savouring of a clemency to which
+they were little inclined. From the boisterous conversation which
+ensued, they were evidently desirous of prolonging my stay to an
+indefinite period, or perhaps of terminating it summarily through the
+instrumentality of the axemen who lined the galleries, as a few years
+afterwards they terminated the existence of the Dey himself.
+
+To confess the truth, there was some room for self-congratulation on
+quitting the presence of such barbarians, to whom I was not fairly
+accredited for such a mission. However, the remonstrance confided to me
+being duly delivered, we returned to Minorca, to report progress, though
+not without being chased by an Algerine cruiser on our way. As the
+_Speedy_ outsailed her, and as there was no beneficial object to be
+gained by interfering with her, we stood on without further notice.
+
+On arriving at our former cruising ground, we encountered a Spanish
+privateer of six guns, which was captured. This vessel was fitted out at
+my own private expense, and my brother appointed to command her, as a
+tender to the _Speedy_; several enemy’s vessels having previously
+escaped for want of such aid.
+
+In a few days after this, we fell in with the _Kangaroo_, Captain
+Pulling, who, being senior to me, was therefore my commanding officer.
+Running down the coast in company, we attacked the fort of Almanara, and
+after silencing it, brought off a Spanish privateer of seven guns.
+
+On the 8th of June, the _Speedy_ ran into Oropesa, where, on the 13th
+and 14th of April, we had the previous action with the fort and
+gun-boats. Perceiving several vessels at anchor under the fort, it was
+deemed advisable to make off shore, with the intention of running in
+again at midnight, and cutting some of them out.
+
+We had not proceeded far, before we again fell in with the _Kangaroo_,
+when informing Captain Pulling of what we had seen, he declined the
+night attack, preferring to postpone operations till the following day.
+Accordingly, at noon on the 9th, we went in, and made out a twenty-gun
+xebec and three gun-boats, with ten sail of merchantmen under their
+convoy. It was determined to attack them as they lay; the _Kangaroo_
+anchoring well up to and engaging the fort, whilst the _Speedy_ and her
+tender under my brother’s orders, encountered the xebec and the
+gun-boats—the _Speedy_ anchoring in a line between those vessels and the
+_Kangaroo_.
+
+For some hours an incessant cannonade was kept up on both sides, the
+_Kangaroo’s_ fire flanking the fort, whilst the slackened fire of the
+Spanish vessels showed that our shot had told. At this juncture, a
+twelve-gun felucca, and two more gun-boats having arrived from Valentia
+to their assistance, the Spaniards took heart, and the action became
+nearly as brisk as before.
+
+The felucca and the newly arrived gun-boats were, however, for a time
+beat off, and after an hour’s additional firing, the xebec, two
+gun-boats, and some of the convoy were sunk; the remaining gun-boats
+shortly afterwards sharing the same fate.
+
+The action had now continued for upwards of nine hours; during which the
+_Speedy_ had expended nearly all her ammunition, viz. 1400 shot, and the
+_Kangaroo_ was much in the same predicament. As the felucca and
+gun-boats had again come up, it was necessary to effect something
+decisive. Captain Pulling, therefore, slipping his cable, shifted close
+to the fort, which was soon afterwards abandoned, and the _Speedy_
+closed with the felucca and her consorts, which forthwith fled. Had they
+remained, we had not half a dozen rounds left to continue the action.
+
+Both vessels now hoisted our boats, and made for the merchantmen. Three
+of these had been sunk, and four others driven on shore; we, however,
+brought away the three still afloat. By this time a number of Spanish
+troops lined the beach for the protection of the vessels ashore, and as
+we had scarcely a shot left, it was impracticable to reply to the
+musketry, within range of which the boats must necessarily have been
+placed had the attempt been made. We therefore relinquished the
+endeavour to get off the stranded vessels.
+
+It may be useful here to remark that on board the _Kangaroo_ were some
+guns fitted on the non-recoil principle, and that during the action
+these broke from their breechings; one, if not more, endangering the
+vessel by bounding down the hatchways into the hold.
+
+The subjoined letter of thanks for this affair was forwarded to Captain
+Pulling by Lord Keith, who was then at Alexandria, watching the
+movements of the French in Egypt.
+
+ “_Foudroyant_, Bay of Aboukir,
+ “10th July, 1801.
+
+ “SIR,—I have received your letter of the 10th of June, detailing the
+ attack made by the _Kangaroo_ and _Speedy_ upon the fort of Oropesa
+ and the enemy’s armed vessels at anchor under its protection, on 9th
+ of that month; as well as upon the tower of Almanara on a former day:
+ and while I offer my congratulations upon the successful issue of your
+ enterprise, I cannot withhold my approbation of the persevering and
+ determined conduct manifested by you and by Captain Lord Cochrane, as
+ well as by the officers and companies of both the sloops on these
+ occasions, and I request that my satisfaction may be communicated by
+ you to his lordship, and that you and he will make the same known to
+ the officers and companies of the _Kangaroo_ and the _Speedy_.
+
+ “I am, &c. &c.
+ “KEITH.
+
+ “Capt. Pulling, _Kangaroo_.”
+
+On our return to Port Mahon with the prizes, the _Gamo_ had not been
+purchased by the Government; but, to my regret, this useful cruiser had
+been sold for a trifle to the Algerines, whilst I was condemned to
+continue in the pigmy and now battered craft by which she had been
+taken. To have obtained command of the _Gamo_, even as a means of
+deception on the enemy’s coast, I would scarcely have changed place with
+an admiral.
+
+But a more cruel thing still was in store for me. The commandant lived
+in the house of a Spanish merchant who had a contract for carrying the
+mails to Gibraltar. The vessel employed for this purpose was a
+notoriously bad sailer, and when the _Speedy_ was ready for sea, instead
+of being permitted to return to our cruising ground, she was ordered to
+convoy this tub of a packet to Gibraltar, with further instructions to
+take the letter-bag on board the _Speedy_, protect the packet, put the
+mail on board her as soon as we arrived off the Rock, and return without
+holding any communication with the shore! the evident object of the last
+injunction being that the service which had been thrust upon us should
+not become known!
+
+The expectation of the packet-master, doubtless, was that we should put
+to sea out of privateer reach. In place of this, we ran along the
+Spanish coast, our superior sailing enabling us, without delay, to
+scrutinise every creek as we passed. Nothing, however, occurred, till we
+were close in with a bay, or rather indentation of the shore near
+Alicant, where seeing some vessels at anchor, we made towards them, on
+which they weighed and deliberately ran ashore. To have stopped to get
+them off would have been in excess of our instructions. To set fire to
+them was not, and as one was laden with oil, and the night following
+very dark, the result was a blaze which illumined the sky for many miles
+round.
+
+Unluckily for us, three French line-of-battle ships, which afterwards
+turned out to be the _Indomitable_, the _Dessaix_, and the _Formidable_,
+were in the vicinity, and being attracted by the light of the burning
+vessels, ran in shore to see what was the matter.
+
+At daybreak, on the morning of July 3rd, these large ships were observed
+in the distance, calling up to our imaginations visions of Spanish
+galleons from South America, and accordingly the _Speedy_ prepared for
+chase. It was not till day dawned that we found out our mistake, the
+vessels between us and the offing being clearly line-of-battle ships,
+forbidding all reasonable hope of escape.
+
+It was about four o’clock in the morning when we made out the French
+ships, which immediately on discovering us gave chase. Being to
+windward, we endeavoured to escape by making all sail, and, as the wind
+fell light, by using our sweeps. This proving unavailing, we threw the
+guns overboard, and put the brig before the wind; but notwithstanding
+every effort, the enemy gained fast upon us, and, in order to prevent
+our slipping past, separated on different tacks, so as to keep us
+constantly within reach of one or the other; the _Dessaix_, being
+nearest, firing broadsides at us as she passed when tacking, at other
+times firing from her bow chasers, and cutting up our rigging.
+
+For upwards of three hours we were thus within gunshot of the _Dessaix_,
+when finding it impossible to escape by the wind, I ordered all the
+stores to be thrown overboard, in the hope of being able, when thus
+further lightened, to run the gauntlet between the ships, which
+continued to gain upon us.
+
+Watching an opportunity, when the nearest line-of-battle ship was before
+our beam, we bore up, set the studding sails, and attempted to run
+between them, the French honouring us with a broadside for this
+unexpected movement. The _Dessaix_, however, immediately tacked in
+pursuit, and in less than an hour got within musket shot. At this short
+distance, she let fly at us a complete broadside of round and grape, the
+object evidently being to sink us at a blow, in retaliation for thus
+attempting to slip past, though almost without hope of escape.
+
+Fortunately for us, in yawing to bring her broadside to bear, the
+rapidity with which she answered her helm carried her a little too far,
+and her round shot plunged in the water under our bows, or the discharge
+must have sunk us; the scattered grape, however, took effect in the
+rigging, cutting up a great part of it, riddling the sails, and doing
+material damage to the masts and yards, though not a man was hurt. To
+have delayed for another broadside would have been to expose all on
+board to certain destruction, and as further effort to escape was
+impotent, the _Speedy’s_ colours were hauled down.
+
+On going aboard the _Dessaix_, and presenting my sword to the captain,
+Christie Pallière, he politely declined taking it, with the
+complimentary remark that “he would not accept the sword of an officer
+who had for so many hours struggled against impossibility,” at the same
+time paying me the further compliment of requesting that “I would
+continue to wear my sword, though a prisoner”—a request with which I
+complied; Capt. Pallière at the same time good-naturedly expressing his
+satisfaction at having terminated our exploits in the cruising line,
+they having, in fact, special instructions to look out for us. After
+this reception it is scarcely necessary to add that I was treated with
+great kindness by my captors.
+
+Thus ended the thirteen months’ cruise of the _Speedy_, during which we
+had taken and retaken upwards of 50 vessels, 122 guns, and 534
+prisoners.
+
+After the capture of the _Speedy_, the French line-of-battle ships stood
+along the coast, and proceeded with her, and the unlucky packet which
+had been the primary cause of the disaster, to Algesiras. During this
+passage I had ample opportunity of observing the superior manner in
+which the sails of the _Dessaix_ were cut, and the consequent flat
+surface exposed to the wind; this contrasting strongly with the bag
+reefs, bellying sails, and breadbag canvass of English ships of war at
+that period.
+
+As there was no force at Gibraltar adequate to an attack of the French
+squadron, the authorities lost no time in transmitting intelligence of
+their arrival to Sir James Saumarez, then blockading the Spanish
+squadron in Cadiz. The French meanwhile proceeded to water and refit,
+evidently with the intention of passing the Straits with the first fair
+wind.
+
+Quitting Cadiz, Sir James Saumarez immediately sailed for Algesiras with
+his squadron, consisting of the _Cæsar_, _Venerable_, _Audacious_,
+_Hannibal_, _Superb_, _Pompée_, _Spencer_, _Calpe_, and _Thames_, these
+reaching the bay on the 6th of July.
+
+At the time of their first appearance I was conversing with Captain
+Pallière in his cabin, when a lieutenant reported a British flag over
+Cabritta point, and soon afterwards the top-gallant masts and pendants
+of a British squadron became visible. We at once adjourned to the poop,
+when the surprise of the French, at the sight of a more numerous
+squadron, became not unreasonably apparent; Captain Pallière asked me
+“if I thought an attack would be made, or whether the British force
+would anchor off Gibraltar?” My reply was “that an attack would
+certainly be made, and that before night both British and French ships
+would be at Gibraltar,” at the same time adding that when there, it
+would give me great pleasure to make him and his officers a return for
+the kindness I had experienced on board the _Dessaix_!
+
+The French admiral, however, determined that his ships should not be
+carried across the bay if he could help it. Before the British squadron
+had rounded the point, the French out boats, with kedges and stream
+anchors, for the purpose of warping in shore, so as to prevent the
+approaching squadron from cutting them out; but the order was so
+hurriedly executed, that all three ships were hauled aground, with their
+sterns presented to the approaching British force; a position which
+could not have been taken by choice, for nothing could apparently be
+more easy than to destroy the French ships, which, lying aground stern
+on, could only use their stern chasers.
+
+To employ their consequently useless hands to some purpose, the French
+landed a considerable portion of their crews to man the Spanish
+batteries on the island, as the ship’s guns could not be brought to
+bear. Two of the British ships anchored, and opened upon the French
+ships aground, but being exposed to the fire of some of the newly manned
+forts higher up the bay, the heavy guns of which were admirably handled
+by the French seamen, both the British vessels slipped their cables, and
+together with the remainder of the squadron, which did not anchor at
+all, backed their main-top-sails for the purpose of maintaining their
+position. The wind, however, blowing from the westward, with a rapid
+current sweeping round the bay, thwarted this intention, and the British
+squadron quickly drifted past the enemy, firing as they went.
+
+Perhaps I ought previously to have mentioned an incident demonstrative
+of the _sang froid_ of my captor. After having satisfied himself that an
+action with a superior force was inevitable, Capt. Pallière remarked,
+“that it should not spoil our breakfast,” in which he had invited me to
+join him. Before the meal was ended, a round shot crashed through the
+stern of the _Dessaix_, driving before it a shower of broken glass, the
+_debrís_ of a wine bin under the sofa.
+
+We forthwith jumped up from table, and went on the quarter-deck, but a
+raking shot from Sir James Saumarez’s ship sweeping a file of marines
+from the poop, not far from me, I considered further exposure on my part
+unnecessary, and went below to a position whence I could nevertheless,
+at times, see what wasgoing on.
+
+The _Hannibal_, having with the others forged past the enemy, gallantly
+filled and tacked with a view to get between the French ships and the
+shore, being evidently unaware of their having been hauled aground. The
+consequence was that she ran upon a shoal, and remained fast, nearly bow
+on to the broadsides of the French line-of-battle ships, which with the
+shore batteries and several gunboats opened upon her a concentrated
+fire. This, from her position, she was unable to return. The result was
+that her guns were speedily dismounted, her rigging shot away, and a
+third of her crew killed or wounded; Captain Ferris, who commanded her,
+having now no alternative but to strike his colours—though not before he
+had displayed an amount of endurance which excited the admiration of the
+enemy.
+
+A circumstance now occurred which is entitled to rank amongst the
+curiosities of war. On the French taking possession of the _Hannibal_,
+they had neglected to provide themselves with their national ensign, and
+either from necessity or bravado rehoisted the English flag upside down.
+This being a well-known signal of distress, was so understood by the
+authorities at Gibraltar, who, manning all government and other boats
+with dockyard artificers and seamen, sent them, as it was mistakenly
+considered, to the assistance of the _Hannibal_.
+
+On the approach of the launches I was summoned on deck by the captain of
+the _Dessaix_, who seemed doubtful what measures to adopt as regarded
+the boats now approaching to board the _Hannibal_, and asked my opinion
+as to whether they would attempt to retake the ship. As there could be
+no doubt in my mind about the nature of their mission or its result, it
+was evident that if they were allowed to board, nothing could prevent
+the seizure of the whole. My advice, therefore, to Captain Pallière was
+to warn them off by a shot—hoping they would thereby be driven back and
+saved from capture. Captain Pallière seemed at first inclined to take
+the advice, but on reflection—either doubting its sincerity, or seeing
+the real state of the case—he decided to capture the whole by permitting
+them to board unmolested. Thus boat by boat was captured until all the
+artificers necessary for the repair of the British squadron, and nearly
+all the sailors at that time in Gibraltar, were taken prisoners!
+
+In this action the French and Spaniards suffered severely both as
+regarded ships and men, their masts and hulls being much knocked about,
+whilst several Spanish gunboats were sunk. The wonder to me was that the
+British squadron did not anchor, for the French ships being aground,
+stern on, could have offered little resistance, and must have been
+destroyed. It is true that the batteries on shore were admirably served,
+and thus constituted a formidable obstacle; but had not the squadron
+drifted past the French ships, the latter might have been interposed
+between the batteries and the British force, when the fire of the former
+would have been neutralised, and the enemy’s ships aground destroyed
+with comparatively little loss. It is not, however, my purpose or
+province to criticise the action, but simply to give the details, as
+personally witnessed from that extraordinary place, for a British
+officer, the deck of a French ship!
+
+Neither the imprisonment of the captured crews, nor my own, was of long
+duration. The day after the action, Sir J. Saumarez sent Capt. Brenton
+into Algesiras Bay with a flag of truce, to endeavour to effect an
+exchange of the gallant Capt. Ferris, his officers, and crew. At that
+time there was no regulated system of exchange between the belligerent
+powers, but Capt. Brenton succeeded in procuring the release of the crew
+of the _Hannibal_ and the entrapped artificers, together with the
+officers and men of the _Speedy_. Admiral Linois would not at first give
+me up, but, on further consideration, allowed me to go with the other
+officers to Gibraltar on _parole_. My complete release was eventually
+effected for the second captain of the _St. Antonio_, taken shortly
+afterwards.
+
+The French ships having lost no time in communicating with the Spanish
+admiral at Cadiz, he promptly appeared off Algesiras with a
+reinforcement of six ships of the line, several frigates, and gunboats.
+The enemy having by this time warped off their grounded ships, as well
+as the _Hannibal_, and having by the 12th got them in sea-going order,
+the whole sailed from Algesiras, followed by the British squadron,
+which, by great exertions, had been got in readiness for pursuit.
+
+Of the action which subsequently took place I have no personal
+knowledge, other than that of a scene witnessed by myself from the
+garden of the commissioner’s house, in which I was staying.
+
+The enemy were overtaken at dusk, soon after leaving the bay, and when
+it had become dark, Captain Keats, in the _Superb_, gallantly dashed in
+between the two sternmost ships, firing right and left, and passed on.
+Of course I do not assert myself to have been personally cognisant of
+the way in which the attack was made, the firing only being visible from
+the Rock, but that this is the correct version of the affair rests upon
+indisputable authority. The movement was so rapidly executed, that the
+_Superb_ shot ahead before the smoke cleared away, and the Spanish
+ships, the _Real Carlos_, 112, and the _San Hermenegildo_, 112,
+mistaking each other for the aggressor, began a mutual attack, resulting
+in the _Real Carlos_ losing her foretop-mast, the sails of which—falling
+over her own guns—caught fire. While in this condition the
+_Hermenegildo_—still engaging the _Real Carlos_ as an enemy—in the
+confusion fell on board her and caught fire also. Both ships burned till
+they blew up, and nearly all on board perished; a few survivors only
+escaping on board the _Superb_ as Captain Keats was taking possession of
+a _third_ Spanish line-of-battle ship, the _San Antonio_—for whose
+second captain, as has been said, I was exchanged.
+
+The remainder of the combined squadron got safely back to Cadiz after an
+encounter between the _Formidable_ and _Venerable_. I am aware that the
+preceding account of the action with the French ships at Algesiras
+differs in some respects from that compiled by naval historians from the
+despatches; but this circumstance will not prevent me from giving my own
+version of a conflict in which it was my misfortune to be a reluctant
+spectator. The _Real Carlos_, one of the ships blown up, bore the flag
+of the Spanish Admiral, Moreno, who with Admiral Linois was said to be
+at the time on board a Spanish frigate.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. VII.
+
+ ADMIRALTY RELUCTANCE TO PROMOTE ME.
+
+LETTER FROM SIR ALEXANDER COCHRANE.—SECOND LETTER FROM SIR
+ ALEXANDER.—BOTH WRITTEN UNKNOWN TO ME.—RELUCTANCE OF LORD ST.
+ VINCENT TO PROMOTE ME.—LETTER FROM MY FATHER TO LORD ST. VINCENT,
+ URGING MY RIGHT TO PROMOTION.—LORD ST. VINCENT’S REPLY.—ITS
+ FALLACY.—HIS LORDSHIP’S REASONING A SUBTERFUGE.—PROMOTION OF MY
+ FIRST LIEUTENANT REFUSED. MY IMPRUDENT REMARK TO LORD ST. VINCENT,
+ WHO BECOMES MY ENEMY.—FURTHER EFFORT TO PROMOTE LIEUTENANT
+ PARKER.—ADMIRALTY REFUSAL ALSO.—LIEUTENANT PARKER’S EVENTUAL
+ PROMOTION, AND SUBSEQUENT SHAMEFUL TREATMENT.
+
+
+It has been already stated that not only was the action with the _Gamo_
+for some time unnoticed in the customary manner, but the post rank to
+which the rule of the service entitled me from the result of the action,
+was withheld. My friends, being naturally surprised at the retention of
+what was no favour on the part of Lord St. Vincent, but my
+unquestionable right, respectfully pointed out to his lordship the
+nature of the services rendered.
+
+The subjoined letter addressed to Lord St. Vincent by my kind uncle Sir
+Alexander Cochrane, in reference to the _Speedy’s_ escape from a Spanish
+frigate (see page 100), was written previous to that relating to the
+capture of the _Gamo_, but is worthy of record on grounds generally
+connected with the naval service.
+
+ “MY LORD,—Yesterday we received accounts of your Lordship’s being
+ placed at the head of the Admiralty, on which occasion I beg to offer
+ my congratulations. I never subscribed to the opinion that a naval
+ officer ought not to be First Lord of the Admiralty, and from your
+ Lordship’s thorough knowledge of the service, we may now hope for that
+ support on many occasions which we could not look for from those
+ who—not having borne the brunt of the day, or being bred to the
+ Navy—could be but bad judges either of officers’ characters, or the
+ motives which on many occasions actuate them.
+
+ “Doubtless your Lordship has already received numerous weighty
+ applications for the promotion of young men in the service, nor would
+ I presume to add to their number but from the obliging expressions
+ your Lordship once made me in favour of Lord Cochrane, had you
+ remained longer on this station. I have the less reserve on this
+ occasion, as I think his Lordship has a claim to be made post, from
+ the presence of mind by which he lately saved H.M.’s sloop _Speedy_,
+ which he at present commands. This I beg leave to recount.
+
+ “He had taken several prizes off Carthagena, when, one morning, he
+ found himself close under the guns of a Spanish frigate.
+
+ “His only chance of escape was, either to board the frigate, in the
+ hope of finding her unprepared, or to pass off the _Speedy_ as a
+ Danish sloop of war.
+
+ “With one of these objects he stood towards her under Danish colours,
+ but, on a near approach, found her too formidable to be carried by the
+ few hands he had on board. On being hailed to know what brig it was,
+ he gave, through the medium of a Danish quartermaster, the name of a
+ Danish brig lately arrived on the station. On being ordered to come on
+ board the frigate with his commission, he informed the Spaniards that
+ his orders from the court of Denmark were not to send a boat on board
+ any foreign man of war, but that if they had any doubts of his not
+ being a Danish sloop of war, they were at liberty to board him.
+
+ “On this a boat left the frigate, but just as they were almost
+ alongside the _Speedy_, they were informed that she was in quarantine,
+ being only a few days from Algiers, where the plague at that time
+ existed. On this the Spanish officers in the boat refused to touch a
+ rope, and returned to the frigate, when her captain told Lord Cochrane
+ that he knew his brig, and wished him a pleasant voyage.[26]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 26:
+
+ As the reader is aware, we had previously painted the _Speedy_ in
+ imitation of the Danish brig.
+
+-----
+
+ “I have ever been of opinion that rewards for bold services cannot be
+ too great, and I must confess, that where one of his Majesty’s ships
+ is saved by presence of mind similar to what I have related, great
+ praise is due to her commander.
+
+ “Your Lordship will, I hope, excuse me for trespassing a little longer
+ in favour of my nephew, who is now twenty-five years old, a time of
+ life that promotion can only be of use. His father has expended his
+ whole fortune in discoveries which will be of great use to the
+ public—but the real sufferer is Lord Cochrane. The liberality of your
+ Lordship’s mind will see this in its true light, and also plead my
+ excuse for the liberty I have taken.
+
+ “Hoping that your Lordship’s health is reinstated, &c. &c.
+
+ “I am, your Lordship’s, &c. &c.
+ “ALEXANDER COCHRANE.
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord St. Vincent.”
+
+I was not aware till recently that Sir Alexander had kindly made this
+application on my behalf. At the time the preceding letter was written
+he did not know of the capture of the _Gamo_; the _Ajax_, which he
+commanded, being then before Alexandria. On learning our success, he
+again wrote to Lord St. Vincent as follows:—
+
+ “_Ajax_, off Alexandria, June 10th, 1801.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I some time ago wrote your Lordship in favour of my nephew
+ Lord Cochrane, recommending his being made post.
+
+ “I hope your Lordship received my letter, and that you viewed Lord
+ Cochrane’s conduct in the light I did. But if my persuasions were not
+ then judged of sufficient weight, I may now with much confidence come
+ forward and claim for my nephew the palm of victory in both ways, by
+ an act hardly equalled in this war of naval miracles, considering the
+ great inequality of force between the _Speedy_ with fifty-four men,
+ and a xebec frigate of thirty-two guns and 319 men.
+
+ “Well knowing that nothing gives your Lordship more pleasure than
+ having an opportunity of rewarding merit, let the rank of the person
+ be what it may, I am confident your Lordship will, on the present
+ occasion, do every justice to Lord Cochrane, though should his
+ promotion have arisen from his former exploits it would be more
+ grateful to my feelings, more especially as his subsequent conduct
+ will do honour to your Lordship’s appointment.
+
+ “I believe I told your Lordship, in my former letter, that Lord
+ Cochrane has the world before him. He has three younger brothers to
+ take care of, one of whom boarded at his side[27] when the Spaniard
+ was carried. Unfortunately he has not served his time; if he had I
+ dare say your Lordship would think him worthy of promotion for his
+ conduct on that occasion.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 27:
+
+ Archibald.
+
+-----
+
+ “It will give me much pleasure to hear that your Lordship’s health is
+ quite re-established, and that you may long live to enjoy it, is the
+ sincere wish of
+
+ “Your Lordship’s
+ “Most obedient and humble servant,
+ “A. COCHRANE.
+
+ “P.S. I wish I could give your Lordship any pleasing intelligence from
+ this quarter; but ever since the death of Sir R. Abercromby,
+ procrastination has been the order of the day. Never was a gallant
+ army so lost as the present. God grant some man of sense may come out
+ to command them, and save the remnant from destruction. Delay in this
+ climate is worse than death; five men fall a sacrifice to disease for
+ one in the field, and yet I don’t think it unhealthy; our troops
+ suffer from being encamped on burning sands.”
+
+Even this request from a distinguished officer—preferred unknown to
+me—failed to obtain what was no favour, but my right according to the
+invariable rule of the service. There was even then clearly some
+sinister influence at work, of the real cause for which I am to this day
+ignorant, and can only surmise that it might have arisen from my, no
+doubt, freely expressed opinions on being appointed to convoy the
+wretched packet which led to my capture; or perhaps from the still more
+indiscreet plainness with which I had spoken of the manner in which the
+French fleet had been unfortunately permitted to escape Lord Keith.
+
+Brenton, in his Life of Lord St. Vincent, thus alludes to the delay in
+my promotion: “Lord St. Vincent _was so much pressed_ on the subject of
+Lord Cochrane’s promotion for taking the _Gamo_, that it became almost a
+point of etiquette with the earl _not to make him a captain_! An
+illustrious person is reported to have said, ‘My Lord, we must make Lord
+Cochrane “post;”’ to which Lord St. Vincent replied, ‘The First Lord of
+the Admiralty knows _no must_.’”
+
+There is no doubt that Captain Brenton received this account from Lord
+St. Vincent himself, and as the object of his book was to shield his
+lordship in questionable matters, we may receive this version as it was
+given to his biographer.
+
+The only direct application that I was at the time aware of having been
+made was a letter from my father to Lord St. Vincent, _after_ the post
+rank had been reluctantly conceded by placing me _at the bottom of the
+list_, below others previously my juniors in the service! My father’s
+letter and Lord St. Vincent’s reply are subjoined.
+
+ “No. 14, Mortimer Street, Sept. 23, 1801.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I beg leave, in behalf of my son, Lord Cochrane, who is now
+ in Scotland, to bring under your Lordship’s view, for your
+ consideration, some facts and circumstances which may not hitherto
+ _officially_ have come to your Lordship’s knowledge, from the perusal
+ of which I flatter myself it will appear to your Lordship that there
+ are few instances of as much being performed by one individual in the
+ like space of time, and with a force so inferior.
+
+ “When I first heard of Lord Cochrane’s engagement with the _Gamo_, I
+ reckoned it as a matter not admitting of a doubt that your Lordship
+ would reward him by immediately appointing him to a post ship, and I
+ was the more confirmed in this belief from the circumstance that the
+ _Gamo was not taken by surprise_, but at noonday, after an action of
+ an hour and ten minutes; during all of which time the _Gamo’s_ yards
+ were locked with the _Speedy’s_ rigging. The determination of the two
+ vessels to engage was mutual; Lord Cochrane turned up his ship’s
+ company at five in the morning, and informed them of his intention to
+ engage the Spanish frigate.
+
+ “The anxiety I must naturally feel for whatever concerns the honour
+ and rank of my son, led me, on Wednesday last, to inquire at the
+ Admiralty how his name stood on the post captains’ list. And I must be
+ allowed to state the surprise and disappointment I felt on finding
+ several masters and commanders on the Mediterranean station—his
+ juniors long before, and for several months after, the taking of the
+ _Gamo_—now placed before him on that list.
+
+ “I beg leave to call your Lordship’s attention to what Lord Cochrane’s
+ feelings must be, and what the situation he will be placed in on
+ service from this supersession; and whether his being thus postponed
+ in rank will not have a tendency to detract from the merit of one of
+ the most gallant actions during this or any other war? And whether it
+ may not induce the public at large, or the Navy in particular, to
+ believe that your Lordships have had cause to disapprove of some part
+ of Lord Cochrane’s conduct?
+
+ “If all the circumstances of the engagement had come to your
+ Lordship’s knowledge in due time, I am persuaded you would have shown
+ an additional mark of your approbation of Lord Cochrane by making him
+ post from the date of the capture of the _Gamo_, or, at least, that
+ you would not have put over him a number of masters and commanders on
+ the Mediterranean station, who, perhaps equally capable as he of
+ distinguishing themselves, have not been equally fortunate in similar
+ opportunities. I am likewise convinced, my Lord, that those individual
+ officers, who have thus been preferred to him, would not think it any
+ matter of injustice that Lord Cochrane should retain, as post captain,
+ the same seniority he held over them, both before and after his
+ engagement, as master and commander.
+
+ “Allow me therefore to request that your Lordship will be pleased to
+ give Lord Cochrane that rank in the navy which it is presumed he would
+ have held if the circumstantial accounts of his engagements had
+ reached your Lordship at an earlier date, or that he had not been so
+ unfortunate as to have been taken by three French line-of-battle
+ ships. I cannot suppose any censure is intended to attach to his
+ conduct on that point; for, in the narrative of his capture, your
+ Lordship will see that during a chase of several hours upon a wind, he
+ received the broadside and bow-chasers of a seventy-four gun ship, and
+ did not strike until, at the distance of musket shot, he received a
+ full broadside of round and grape from the _Dessaix_.
+
+ “I do not, however, my Lord, rest my son’s claim for seniority in
+ promotion solely upon the capture of the _Gamo_.[28] Although these
+ particulars, from their being stated in Lord Cochrane’s letters to
+ Captain Dixon of the _Généreux_, are known to your Lordship, yet I
+ cannot help here repeating them, as _from their not being published in
+ the Gazette_ a very erroneous opinion generally prevails that the
+ _Gamo was taken_ by surprise, and not after so long and close an
+ engagement as was really the case.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 28:
+
+ “He has,” &c. &c. [Here follows a recapitulation of particulars,
+ with which the reader is already acquainted.]
+
+-----
+
+ “But perhaps, my Lord, I may in the whole of this letter have been
+ impelled, by the ardour and anxiety of my own feelings, to urge that
+ which your Lordship’s good intentions may have wholly anticipated
+ towards Lord Cochrane. If so, my Lord, I have only to entreat your
+ excuse for a zeal on my part for the honour and character of my son,
+ for which I hope parental sensations will plead a forcible apology.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c. &c.
+ “DUNDONALD.
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord St. Vincent.”
+
+To this letter Lord St, Vincent next day replied as follows:—
+
+ “Admiralty, Sept. 24, 1801.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I can have no difficulty in acknowledging that the capture
+ of the _Gamo_ reflects the highest degree of credit on Lord Cochrane
+ and the officers and crew of the _Speedy_.
+
+ “The first account of that brilliant action reached the Admiralty
+ _very early in the month of August_ (it was fought on the 6th of May),
+ previously to which intelligence had been received of the capture of
+ the _Speedy_, by which Lord Cochrane was made prisoner.
+
+ “Until his exchange could be effected, and the necessary inquiry into
+ the cause and circumstances of the loss of that sloop had taken place,
+ it was impossible for the Board, consistently with its usual forms, to
+ mark its approbation of his Lordship’s conduct. Lord Cochrane was
+ promoted to the rank of post captain on the 8th of August, the day on
+ which the sentence of acquittal for the loss of the _Speedy was
+ received_—which was all that could under existing circumstances be
+ done.
+
+ “Having entered into this explanation with your Lordship, it remains
+ for me only to add that, however disposed the Board might be to pay
+ attention to the merits of his Lordship, it could not, consistent with
+ its public duty, give him rank from the time of the capture of the
+ _Gamo_—a measure quite unprecedented—without doing an act of injustice
+ to other deserving officers.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c. &c.
+ “ST. VINCENT.
+
+ “The Earl of Dundonald.”
+
+I shall not shrink from canvassing this matter, the less because Lord
+St. Vincent has been represented as considering himself bored on the
+subject. An account of the capture of the _Gamo_ did reach the
+Admiralty, though later than it ought to have done, and was
+unjustifiably laid aside. Little that I effected was allowed to find its
+way into the _Gazette_! Even the log extracts given in the two last
+chapters, though relating to matters which occurred sixty years ago,
+are, for the most part, news to the public of the present generation.
+
+But supposing that information relative to the capture of the _Gamo_ had
+not reached the Admiralty before the news of my being made prisoner,
+even then it clearly entitled me to post rank from _the date of my
+acquittal_. Lord St. Vincent asserted that it entitled me to promotion
+only from the date on which news of my acquittal _was received_!
+Reference to the Navy List at the time will show that the postponement
+of my rank was rather owing to the bane of the Admiralty—family
+influence, and that some of my former juniors were put over my head
+because it was politically imperative on the Board to promote others
+before me.
+
+That my promotion to post rank for a previous action was impossible,
+because I had some time afterwards the misfortune, whilst in a trumpery
+sloop, to be captured by three French ships of the line; and therefore
+could not be promoted “_until my exchange could be effected_,” was a
+subterfuge unworthy of Lord St. Vincent. Had this been the rule of the
+Admiralty, officers taken prisoners by the French could neither have
+been tried nor promoted, for _there was no system of exchange_, so that
+the reward of their services would not depend upon the discretion of the
+Admiralty or the generosity of their country, but on the will of the
+enemy’s Minister of Marine, who might detain them prisoners till the
+close of the war.
+
+By Lord St. Vincent’s interpretation of the Admiralty rule, I should not
+have been promoted _at all_, or even tried for the loss of the _Speedy_,
+if, as Lord St. Vincent asserted, no promotion could be given till “my
+exchange was effected.” The fact is, that I never was exchanged, in the
+Admiralty sense of the term; for at that period, as has been said, there
+was no exchange of prisoners with France, nor had any previously taken
+place for many years. The _Hannibal_ and _Speedy’s_ prisoners owed their
+liberation to the fact that the French did not know what to do with
+them; and I owed mine to the fact of Captain Keats having, a few days
+after I had been liberated on parole, taken a ship of the line, the _San
+Antonio_; for whose second captain, by courtesy of Admiral Linois
+towards that officer, my liberation was effected.
+
+Still it was not so much the neglect to promote me, of which proper
+complaint was made, as the injustice of placing over my head especially,
+a younger man and a junior officer, gazetted on the same day for a
+subsequent service, to the success of which he in no degree
+contributed.[29] Further discussion is unnecessary, my object being to
+show the principle, or rather want of it, which prevailed at the
+Admiralty where influence was concerned.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 29:
+
+ The action in the Straits of Gibraltar, alluded to at page 128, when
+ Captain Keats destroyed two line-of-battle ships, and captured a
+ third, the remainder of the squadron being witnesses only.
+
+-----
+
+It must, however, be explained, that these remarks in no way apply to
+the officer promoted, but to the act of promotion. That officer was my
+former messmate Lieutenant—afterwards Admiral—Dundas, a truly honourable
+man, whom, in later years, I was proud to call my friend. Strangely
+enough, the Admiralty which had placed him before me on the list, killed
+him in the end through grief at his inability to reform abuses; he
+having been called to the Board, where he worked so assiduously in the
+vain endeavour to purge the corruption around him, that his health
+became undermined, and he was one day found dead in a retiring room of
+the Augean establishment at Whitehall.
+
+Before quitting the Mediterranean, a letter was addressed by me to Lord
+St. Vincent, requesting him to promote my gallant First Lieutenant
+Parker, who, as stated in my despatch, was severely wounded in boarding
+the _Gamo_. No answer being returned to this application, up to the
+period of my arrival in England, another letter was forwarded to his
+lordship, which met with the same reception, and afterwards a third,
+which produced from Lord St. Vincent the reply that my application could
+not be entertained, for that “it was unusual to promote two officers for
+such a service,—besides which the small number of men killed on board
+the _Speedy_ did not warrant the application.”
+
+It was impossible not to feel nettled at a reply so unexpected: that
+because few men had been killed on board the _Speedy_, her first
+lieutenant was considered unworthy of promotion, though terribly cut up.
+To argue with a First Lord is no doubt an imprudent thing for a naval
+officer to attempt, and my remonstrance in this instance had such an
+effect as to get my name placed on the black list of the Admiralty,
+never again to be erased.
+
+In my letter to Lord St. Vincent, the following incautious observations
+were made, viz. that “his reasons for not promoting Lieutenant Parker,
+because there were only three men killed on board the _Speedy_, were in
+opposition _to his lordship’s own promotion to an earldom_, as well as
+that of his flag-captain to knighthood, and his other officers to
+increased rank and honours: for that in the battle from which his
+lordship derived his title there was only _one man_ killed on board his
+own flagship, so that there were more casualties in my sloop than in his
+line-of-battle ship.”
+
+From the receipt of that letter Lord St. Vincent became my bitter enemy,
+and not he only, but his successors thought it incumbent on them to
+perpetuate his lordship’s displeasure. My reply was no doubt keenly felt
+at the time, when it was a common remark in the Navy that the battle of
+St. Vincent was gained by the inshore squadron, under Nelson, the
+commander-in-chief being merely a spectator, at a distance which
+involved only the loss of one man in his own ship.
+
+Notwithstanding this refusal of the First Lord to promote my lieutenant,
+my determination was to persevere with the Board collectively, and
+accordingly I addressed an official letter to the Secretary of the
+Admiralty, Mr. Nepean, embodying Lord St. Vincent’s reply, and
+concluding, that “if their Lordships judge by the small number killed, I
+have only to say that it was fortunate the enemy did not point their
+guns better:” indeed, had I not taken care to place the _Speedy_ in a
+position where the Spanish guns went over her, many would have swelled
+the list whom it was my happiness to have saved.
+
+This letter was dated May 12th, 1802, and, receiving no reply, the
+annexed official letter was addressed to their Lordships on the same
+subject:—
+
+ “14 Old Cavendish-street, May 17, 1802.
+
+ “MY LORDS,—The anxiety I feel for the promotion of a meritorious
+ officer, Lieutenant Parker, late of the _Speedy_, whose name I have
+ not seen in the recent list of commanders, even though a very
+ extensive promotion has taken place, induces me to address your
+ Lordships.
+
+ “Lieutenant Parker served as sole lieutenant of the _Speedy_ at the
+ capture of the _Gamo_, of 32 guns and 319 men, carried by boarding,
+ after an action of upwards of an hour; during the greatest part of
+ which time the yards and rigging of the vessels were locked together.
+ In boarding and carrying the Spanish vessel he was severely wounded by
+ a sword, run through his thigh, and a musket-ball lodged in his chest.
+
+ “I have always understood it to be an invariable rule with the Board
+ of Admiralty, to promote officers of unimpeachable character who have
+ distinguished themselves in action, or who have been first lieutenants
+ of His Majesty’s ships of war at the capture of vessels of superior
+ force—especially of a force so very superior as that of the _Gamo_ to
+ the _Speedy_; the latter, as your Lordships know, mounting 14
+ 4-pounders, having on board only 54 men, whilst the force of the
+ _Gamo_ was 32 guns, with a complement of men six times greater than
+ that of the _Speedy_.
+
+ “When these circumstances are brought to your Lordships’ recollection,
+ I am fully convinced that you will see proper to reward Lieutenant
+ Parker by appointing him to the rank of commander in His Majesty’s
+ service, which will tend to cherish and promote that spirit of
+ exertion among the lieutenants, subordinate officers, and crew,
+ without whose zealous co-operation the endeavours of the captain alone
+ would prove of small avail.
+
+ “I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
+ (Signed) “COCHRANE.
+
+ “To the Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners
+ of the Admiralty.”
+
+ On the 26th of May the following reply was received from the
+ Secretary:—
+
+ “Admiralty Office, 26th May, 1802.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I have received and read to my Lords Commissioners of the
+ Admiralty your Lordship’s letter to me of the 17th inst., and the
+ representation which accompanied it, and am commanded by their
+ Lordships to acquaint you that your application to me is perfectly
+ regular, _but that it is not so for officers to correspond with the
+ Board_.
+
+ “I am, &c. &c.
+ “E. NEPEAN.
+
+ “Captain Lord Cochrane.”
+
+ Determined not to be foiled in what I conceived to be the right of
+ Lieutenant Parker, I replied to the Secretary as follows:—
+
+ “Old Cavendish-street, May 27th, 1802.
+
+ “SIR,—I have been favoured with your letter acknowledging that you had
+ received and read to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty my
+ letter of the 17th inst., and that you are commanded by their
+ Lordships to acquaint me that my application to you was perfectly
+ regular, but that it is not so for officers to correspond with the
+ Board.
+
+ “I have, therefore, to request that you will inform the Lords
+ Commissioners of the Admiralty, that, although I have received your
+ letter, still I wait in expectation to be favoured with an answer to
+ the representation which, through you, I had the honour to transmit to
+ their Lordships.
+
+ “I am, &c. &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “E. Nepean, Esq., Sec. to the Admiralty.”
+
+ The reply to this necessarily cut short all further correspondence.
+
+ “Admiralty Office, 29th May, 1802.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I have received and read to my Lords Commissioners of the
+ Admiralty your letter of the 27th inst., and have nothing in command
+ from their Lordships to communicate to you.
+
+ “I am, &c. &c.
+ “EVAN NEPEAN.
+
+ “Captain Lord Cochrane.”
+
+ In spite of this rebuff, I nevertheless continued to persevere, but
+ it was not till some years afterwards that the promotion of
+ Lieutenant Parker was obtained, with a result to that able and
+ gallant officer which proved his ruin, and eventually caused his
+ death.
+
+ The circumstances under which this took place were positively
+ diabolical. Despairing of promotion, Lieutenant Parker had retired
+ to a little farm near Kinsale, by the cultivation of which, in
+ addition to his half-pay, he was realising an existence for his
+ family. From my determined perseverance on his behalf, he was at
+ length made commander, and ordered to join the _Rainbow_ sloop,
+ represented to be stationed in the West Indies. Selling off
+ everything, even to his household furniture, he proceeded to
+ Barbadoes, and reported himself to Sir Alexander Cochrane; but, as
+ the vessel could not be found, Sir Alexander furnished him with a
+ passage to look for her at the Bermudas, where he supposed she might
+ be fitting for sea. Not finding her there, Lieutenant Parker
+ returned to Barbadoes, when _it became evident that no such vessel
+ was on the North American station_.
+
+ On ascertaining this, poor Parker returned to England a ruined man.
+ Lord Melville, who had succeeded as First Lord, expressed his
+ surprise and regret that such a circumstance should have occurred,
+ and promised the unhappy man that he should not only be amply
+ compensated for the loss and expense attending his outfit and
+ fruitless voyage to the West Indies, but that he should have another
+ command on the first opportunity. This generous intention was
+ however counteracted, for _he never received either the one or the
+ other_.
+
+ Lieutenant Parker’s loss, consequent to the sale of his property,
+ the expense attendant on settling his family, together with his
+ outfit and voyage, amounted to upwards of 1000_l._ His prospects
+ ruined, his domestic arrangements destroyed, and his pride wounded,
+ his spirit and constitution gradually gave way, and at length
+ overwhelmed with sorrow he sank into a premature grave, leaving a
+ wife and four daughters to deplore the loss of their only protector.
+
+ I never could find out who had thus imposed on one of the most
+ gallant officers in the Navy this infamous deception, concocted,
+ doubtless, out of pure malevolence to myself. Be he whom he may, I
+ am very sorry that it is not in my power to hold up his name to the
+ execration of posterity. It is even at the present day the duty of
+ the Admiralty to remedy the injury inflicted on his destitute
+ family—for he had left four daughters unprovided for, who had no
+ opportunity to escape from indigence.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. VIII.
+
+ NAVAL ADMINISTRATION SIXTY YEARS AGO.
+
+POLITICAL FAVOURITISM.—REFUSAL OF FURTHER EMPLOYMENT.—NAVAL
+ CORRUPTION.—DOCKYARD PRACTICES.—SHAMEFUL TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF
+ WAR.—ECONOMY THE REMEDY.—RESULTS OF MEDICAL ECONOMY.—EMPTY PHYSIC
+ BOTTLES.—SEAMEN’S AVERSION TO THE SERVICE.—A POST CAPTAIN AT
+ COLLEGE.
+
+
+It will be evident on a perusal of the previous chapter, that there was
+no fixed principle for the promotion of officers who had distinguished
+themselves, but that however desirous the Board might be to reward their
+services, it was in the power of persons holding inferior offices to
+thwart the intentions of the Board itself.
+
+Were such a principle admitted, nothing could be more detrimental to the
+service. Let every officer know the regulated reward for a national
+service, with the certainty that he cannot be deprived of it, and rely
+upon it, that whenever opportunity presents itself, the service will be
+performed. There is nothing mercenary, or even selfish about this; but,
+on the contrary, an ambition which should be carefully fostered.
+
+In my own case, I can conscientiously avow my leading motive to have
+been that of exerting myself to the utmost in the hope of thereby
+attaining promotion in my profession, to which promotion the capture of
+an enemy’s frigate, as well as of a large number of privateers and other
+vessels, had entitled me, according to a judicious rule for the
+encouragement of efforts useful to the nation—to a place on the list,
+from which I conceived myself unjustly excluded by the promotion of a
+younger man, a junior commander too, for no great apparent reason than
+that of his father being a personal and political friend of the First
+Lord of the Admiralty.
+
+To those who may think my conduct towards the First Lord and the Board
+disrespectful, I can only say, that were my life to begin anew, with my
+present experience of consequences, I would again pursue the same
+course. I cannot imagine anything more detrimental to the interests of
+the Navy and the nation, than political favouritism on the part of the
+Admiralty—of itself sufficient to damp that ardour which should form one
+of the first requisites for future command. I would rather say to the
+young officer—“If you have, in the exercise of your profession, acquired
+a right which is wrongfully withheld—demand it, stick to it with
+unshaken pertinacity;—none but a corrupt body can possibly think the
+worse of you for it; even though you may be treated like myself—you are
+doing your country good service by exposing favouritism, which is only
+another term for corruption.”
+
+Favouritism on the part of the Admiralty must ever be the bane of the
+Navy, and may prove its ruin. Either let it be understood that the
+institution is a parliamentary vote market, or that it is what it ought
+to be—an institution for the promotion of zeal by the reward of merit.
+Only let it not sustain both characters, or between the two stools the
+country may one day go to the ground.
+
+Such was the offence taken by the authorities at my persistence in my
+own right, and in that of the officers under my command, that an
+application to the Board for another ship met with refusal; and as it
+was clear that Lord St. Vincent’s administration did not again intend to
+employ me, the time on my hands was devoted to an investigation of those
+abuses which were paralysing the Navy; not that this was entered upon
+from any spirit of retaliation on the Admiralty, but as preparatory to
+the more ambitious aim of getting into Parliament, and exposing them.
+
+One of the most crying evils of our then naval administration had fallen
+heavily upon me, though so young in command—viz. the Admiralty Courts;
+but for the peculations consequent on which, the cruise of the _Speedy_
+ought to have sent home myself, officers, and crew, with competence. As
+it was, we got all the fighting, whilst the Admiralty Court and its
+hungry parasites monopolised the greater portion of our hard-won
+prize-money. In many cases they took the whole! and in one case brought
+me in debt, though the prize was worth several thousand pounds!
+
+Hitherto no naval officer had ventured to expose, in Parliament or out
+of it, this or indeed any other gross abuse of the naval service; and
+having nothing better to do, want of employment appeared to offer a
+fitting opportunity for constituting myself the Quixote of the
+profession; sparing no pains to qualify for the task, though well aware
+of its arduous, if not hopeless nature—as directed against a mass of
+corruption, such as—it is to be hoped—may never again strike at the
+noblest arm of our national safety a blow worse than any enemy can
+inflict.
+
+After what has been stated with regard to my unpleasant relations with
+Lord St. Vincent and his Board of Admiralty, it will perhaps be better
+not personally to enter on the subject of then existing naval abuses,
+lest I might be suspected of exaggerating their extent. Some such
+explanation is necessary in justification of the course which I
+subsequently thought it my duty to pursue, but it will answer every
+purpose to have recourse to the experience of a contemporary
+officer—Captain Brenton, the biographer of Lord St. Vincent—in
+justification of my self-imposed task:—
+
+ “In the first edition of the Naval History, I have commented on the
+ profligate system of hired vessels and transports. In this—borough
+ influence reigned paramount, and the most solid information was
+ disregarded when the perpetrator of the greatest frauds was a
+ supporter of Government.”—(BRENTON’S _Life of Lord St. Vincent_, p.
+ 167.)
+
+ “A ship purchased by a man of influence was a certain fortune to him.
+ He cleared his money in the first year at the rate of 400_l._ per
+ month, and if the ship were coppered at 7500_l._ per annum. About
+ twenty copper-bottomed transports were lying for three years in the
+ harbour of Messina, without being employed in any duty.”—(p. 169.)
+
+The expense of these alone, no doubt all owned by “men of influence” as
+Captain Brenton terms them, was for the three years 270,000_l._ As these
+transports formed only a trifling illustration of the system, there is
+little wonder at the enormous accumulation of the national debt, for
+results so inadequate.
+
+Captain Brenton might have gone farther, and stated with great truth,
+that not only were transports hired from men of influence, but that
+vessels utterly worthless were purchased by the Government from their
+political supporters, and then patched up into ships of war! It was my
+misfortune to be subsequently appointed to _a collier_ so converted—with
+what result will appear in the sequel.
+
+From the ships let us follow Captain Brenton into the dockyards:—
+
+ “When Mr. Colquhoun, in his celebrated police reports, stated that the
+ Government was plundered from the dockyards at the rate of _a million
+ a year_, he was supposed to have exceeded all probability. I am
+ satisfied he was under the mark, and if the _consequences_ of these
+ frauds are added to the amount of peculation, the aggregate will be
+ frightful. The manner in which the villany was carried on was dreadful
+ indeed. _Whole ships’ crews were destroyed at one fell swoop._ Every
+ ship was supposed to have a certain number of bolts driven to secure
+ her fabric. The tops and points of the bolts only were driven, and the
+ rest was carried away. It is probable that the loss of the _York_ of
+ 64 guns, and the _Blenheim_ of 74 guns, was the consequence. The
+ _Albion_, 74, we know to have been nearly lost by this hellish
+ fraud.”—(BRENTON, pp. 159, 160.)
+
+ “I can remember what our slop clothing was, for which the poor seamen
+ were charged an extravagant price; the contract being _always given as
+ a matter of favour for electioneering purposes_.”—(p. 156.)
+
+ “Not only were the grossest impositions practised in the supply of the
+ most important stores, by sending in damaged goods, but even the raw
+ materials were _again sold_ before they reached their
+ destination.”—(p. 157.)
+
+ “At the cooperage of Deptford, 1020_l._ 10_s._ 5_d._ was charged for
+ work proved to be worth only 37_l._ 2_s._ 3_d._ At the cooperage at
+ Plymouth, the king’s casks were stolen, and sixty-four of them were
+ found in one brewery.”—(p. 183.)
+
+ “It was a common expression with the receiving clerks that they ‘_had
+ not been hampered_,—’ when they refused to receive articles into
+ store. The ‘hampering’ meant a bribe in the shape of wine or other
+ articles, as the price of their certificates.”—(p. 155.)
+
+ “It would scarcely be believed to what extent peculation was carried
+ on in every department.”—(p. 155.)
+
+ “Hampers of wine and ale were liberally supplied to the inspectors of
+ timber, and I conclude that the same treatment was applied to the
+ measuring clerks of the dockyard.”—(p. 179.)
+
+ “From the foregoing it may be inferred that the dockyards were the
+ most fruitful sources of plunder and national ruin.”—(p. 180.)
+
+ “Report No. 6 relates to the dockyards, wherein a shameful system of
+ plunder had long existed.”
+
+ “Reports 10 and 11 state other abuses to an enormous extent, so that
+ Lord St. Vincent used the elegant expression that ‘_our dockyards
+ stank of corruption_.’”—(p. 190.)
+
+From this disgraceful picture let us pass on to another still more
+revolting:—
+
+ “The victualling establishment at home was not less corrupt. The
+ charge for the supply of prisoners of war was ample, but three-fourths
+ of the amount was pilfered. The same nefarious system pursued in the
+ hospitals abroad was followed at home in a more guarded manner, and
+ _fortunes were made_ by cheating the sick and wounded seamen out of
+ the comforts and necessaries allowed them by a grateful country. Lord
+ Cochrane endeavoured to procure better rations and treatment for the
+ French prisoners, but the charge of sick and wounded prisoners of war
+ fell in its administration into the hands of a set of villains whose
+ seared consciences were proof against the silent but eloquent
+ pleadings of their fellow-creatures.”—(p. 165.)
+
+ “Report No. 7 relates to the hospitals, beginning with Stonehouse at
+ Devonport. Here was discovered waste, corruption, fraud, extravagance,
+ and villany to a disgusting extent. Four thousand gallons of porter
+ were consumed in six months, being more than four times the proportion
+ used in Haslar. On board the _Calne_ hulk, appropriated to sick
+ prisoners of war, the surgeon’s chief assistant kept a table for the
+ officers at the cost of 1500_l._ or 2000_l._ a year. He could afford
+ the purser a large salary, in lieu of his share of the profit of the
+ concern. The worst and most scandalous feature was, that when the
+ wretches in the wardroom were rioting in luxury they were consuming
+ the necessaries which the Government had liberally supplied for the
+ use of the sick prisoners of war.
+
+ “I hope there is sufficient virtue in Parliament to punish _great
+ delinquents_, if not the country will not stagger long under the
+ practice of these blood-sucking leeches.”—(_Letter of Lord St.
+ Vincent, quoted by Brenton._)
+
+Abroad the condition of affairs was infinitely worse, both as regarded
+the navy and army. The following extract from the “Annual Register,” at
+a period when the press hardly dared to speak truth, will serve as a
+sample of the practices prevailing wherever an official staff was to be
+found:—
+
+ “The abuses committed in the West Indies are said to exceed everything
+ that was ever stated in romance. The commissioners are stated to have
+ discovered that forged bills and receipts, for articles never
+ purchased, and bills drawn on Government indorsed under forged and
+ fictitious names, were common and notorious. They found a most base
+ collusion between the officers of Government and the merchants and
+ contractors, by which the latter were allowed to charge stores at a
+ much higher rate than they might have been obtained for in the market.
+ In one instance it was discovered, that to conceal this iniquity, a
+ bribe of 18,000_l._ had been given; in another a bribe of 35,000_l._
+ Vessels, houses, stores, &c. were usually hired at most extravagant
+ rates, in consequence of fraudulent contracts, where others might have
+ been obtained much cheaper. But worse than either of these iniquities
+ was the diabolical fraud of suffering the merchants and contractors to
+ furnish His Majesty’s troops with inferior and bad rum, and other
+ articles, at an extravagant rate, by which the lives of the troops
+ were endangered, as well as the country defrauded. And, for the
+ purpose of committing these practices, all free competition for the
+ supply of articles was prevented; and every obstacle was put in the
+ way, even of the purchase of bills on the Treasury. They were dated in
+ one island and negotiated in another; and they were sold at a much
+ more advantageous exchange than that at which the officers debited
+ themselves in their accounts.”
+
+There is no doubt but that Lord St. Vincent was desirous of putting a
+stop to this national plunder, and the wholesale destruction of sick,
+wounded, and prisoners, which was its direct consequence; but the means
+he took were inadequate. His lordship’s remedy was “_economy!_” leaving
+the influential delinquents in quiet possession of their places. The
+most extravagant contracts and profuse expenditure of the public money
+were thus to be cured by no expenditure at all on necessary objects.
+
+One of Lord St. Vincent’s agents in this notable scheme, was a Dr.
+Baird, who possessed his lordship’s highest confidence. To this person
+was confided the task of regenerating the hospitals. As may be supposed,
+from his profession, economy in medicine was the first step. An order
+was issued that blue ointment and pills, requisite only for complaints
+that might be avoided, were doled out in _minimum_ quantity. The
+consequence was, that the captains and surgeons of ships of war had to
+purchase these essential medicines out of their own pockets! more
+especially as a subsequent order was issued that no such complaints,
+should be treated in the hospitals!
+
+A more barbarous regulation was enforced, viz, that from the expense of
+_lint_ in dressing wounds, _sponge_ should be substituted, as it might
+be used over again! The result was that even slight cases became
+infected by the application of sponges which had been used on putrescent
+sores, and this shameful practice cost the lives or limbs of many. I was
+myself on a survey at the Devonport hospital, where seven persons had
+lost limbs from this cause! and proposed to the other surveying captains
+to draw up a representation to the Admiralty on the consequences of
+applying infected sponge; but the advice was not followed for fear of
+giving offence.
+
+One of the unfortunate sufferers, amongst others, was a son of the
+boatswain or gunner of the then flagship, the _Salvador del Mundo_. The
+poor boy had bruised his shin, to which an infected sponge was applied,
+and he lost his leg! Persons so mutilated had no claim on the service
+for pension or reward. It was this very hospital to which Captain
+Brenton, in the preceding extracts, applied the terms “waste,
+corruption, fraud, extravagance, and villany to a disgusting extent.”
+The remedy was the application of infected sponge!!
+
+Dr. Baird had the oddest possible notions of the mission with which he
+was entrusted. As to striking at the root of an evil he had not the most
+remote conception, otherwise than by saving. He one day said to me; “The
+extravagance of this place is incredible. I have to-day found what will
+save one thousand pounds.” “Ah, Doctor,” said I, “what is that?” “Why,”
+replied he, “would you believe it, in the cellars under the hospital I
+have found tens of thousands of empty physic bottles! Did you ever hear
+of such waste!” And the doctor set busily to work to dispose of the
+empty bottles in order to pay for his medicines,—this being his idea of
+correcting the most crying evil of the hospital.
+
+A still more absurd instance of the doctor’s economy gave rise at the
+time to considerable amusement. Everybody knows that a sailor requires
+as much looking after as a child. It was Jack’s practice when sick in
+hospital, to get out and scale a wall for the purpose of smuggling in
+spirits, these of course undoing the little that medical treatment could
+effect. To put an end to the practice, the authorities had ordered the
+wall to be raised, but Dr. Baird stopped the work, because a coating of
+broken glass-bottles on the top of the old wall would be more economical
+to the nation and equally effectual! A _chevaux de frise_ of broken
+glass was accordingly put on, but, to the doctor’s annoyance, Jack, with
+a brickbat, pounded up the broken glass, and got to the spirit shop as
+before. Whereupon the doctor declared his belief that “sailors were as
+far gone in wickedness as the hospital authorities themselves.”
+
+These were the kinds of reform adopted, the ultimate result being that
+Lord St. Vincent was more blamed than had been any of his predecessors,
+and was, on quitting the Admiralty, driven to the undignified
+alternative of _filing a string of affidavits in the King’s Bench in
+defence of his character_![30]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 30:
+
+ See Brenton, vol. ii. p. 356.
+
+-----
+
+Much has been said about the difficulty of manning the Navy, by persons
+who had not a knowledge of the arbitrary and cruel practices above
+mentioned, and of many others on which it would be tedious to dilate,
+but which, under pretence of zeal for the promotion of the service,
+rendered the service at that time almost intolerable. No man acquainted
+with the facts can wonder that interminable cruises, prohibition to land
+in port, constant confinement without salutary change of food, and
+consequent disease engendering total debility, should have excited
+disgust, and even terror of a sailor’s life; to which may be added, the
+condemnation of invalids to harbour-duty, far more severe than duty
+afloat, with no chance of escape but by a return to actual service,
+where, strange to say, though unfit, such men were again received!
+
+The instances of abuses just given form but a brief outline of the state
+of the Navy at that period. From these the reader may imagine the rest.
+Suffice it to say, that I used all diligence to store both my memory and
+note-book with facts, to be used when I might be able to expose them
+with effect.
+
+No opportunity, however, immediately occurring, I betook myself to the
+College of Edinburgh, then distinguished by possessing some of the most
+eminent professors in the kingdom. In the early part of this volume the
+desultory and imperfect education which fell to my lot has been noticed.
+It had, nevertheless, sufficed to convince me of the truth of the axiom
+that “knowledge is power,” and also to decide that in my case power if
+proportioned to knowledge could be of no very high order. It was
+therefore my determination to increase both to the best of my ability.
+
+It was, perhaps, an unusual spectacle for a post-captain fresh from the
+quarter-deck, to enter himself as a student among boys. For my
+self-imposed position I cared nothing, and was only anxious to employ
+myself to the best advantage. With what success may be judged from the
+fact of my never being but once absent from lectures, and that to attend
+the funeral of a near relative.
+
+Whilst at Edinburgh, I made few acquaintances, preferring secluded
+lodgings and study without interruption to the gaiety of my
+contemporaries. Besides which, if my object of getting into Parliament
+were to be accomplished, it was necessary to be economical, since all
+that the Admiralty Court had been pleased to leave me of my prize-money
+would not more than suffice to satisfy the yearnings of a small borough,
+for which the only hope of election was by outbribing my antagonists.
+
+Amongst my contemporaries at the Edinburgh College was Lord Palmerston,
+who resided with the most eminent of the then Scotch professors, Dugald
+Stewart, and attended the classes at the same time with myself.
+
+I might also mention others, of whose society in after life I should
+have been proud, had not the shameful treatment which it was afterwards
+my lot to experience from a corrupt faction, driven me from society at a
+time when it ought to have afforded me a welcome relaxation from hard
+and unintermitting exertions in the service of my country.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. IX.
+
+ EMPLOYMENT IN THE _ARAB_.
+
+APPOINTMENT TO THE ARAB.—PROJECTED INVASION BY NAPOLEON.—THE ARAB
+ ORDERED TO WATCH THE FRENCH COAST.—THEN TO CRUISE IN THE NORTH
+ SEA.—RETIREMENT OF LORD ST. VINCENT.
+
+
+On the renewal of war with France in 1803, application was made by me to
+the Admiralty for a ship, first taking the precaution to visit the
+various dockyards to see what vessels were ready, or in preparation. My
+object was to obtain a suitable vessel, which should enable me to
+operate inshore and harass the French coast in the Atlantic, as the
+_Speedy_ had done the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean. My success
+there formed sufficient warrant for such an application, as, previous to
+the Peace of Amiens, the enemy’s coasting trade from Bayonne to Boulogne
+had been carried on almost with impunity.
+
+My application was made to Lord St. Vincent, who informed me that at
+present there was no vessel available. Having ascertained beforehand
+what vessels were in preparation for sea, I began to enumerate several,
+all of which his lordship assured me were promised to others. On
+mentioning the names of some in a less forward state, an objection was
+raised by his lordship that they were too large. This was met by a fresh
+list, but these his lordship said were not in progress. In short, it
+became clear that the British Navy contained no ship of war for me.
+
+I frankly told his lordship as much, remarking that as “the Board was
+evidently of opinion that my services were not required, it would be
+better for me to go back to the College of Edinburgh and pursue my
+studies, with a view of occupying myself in some other employment.” His
+lordship eyed me keenly, to see whether I really meant what I said, and
+observing no signs of flinching,—for beyond doubt my countenance showed
+signs of disgust at such unmerited treatment,—he said, “Well, you shall
+have a ship. Go down to Plymouth, and there await the orders of the
+Admiralty.”
+
+Thanking his lordship, I left him, and repairing to Plymouth, found
+myself appointed to the _Arab_. There was some difficulty in finding
+her, for my sanguine imagination had depicted a rakish craft, ready to
+run over to the French coast, and return with a goodly batch of
+well-laden coasters. In place of this, a dockyard attendant showed me
+the bare ribs of a collier, which had been purchased into the service in
+the manner described by Captain Brenton, as quoted in the last chapter.
+I would not have cared for this, but a single glance at the naked
+timbers showed me that, to use a seaman’s phrase, “she would sail like a
+haystack.” It was not my wish however to complain, but rather to make
+the best of the wretched craft provided for me; and therefore there was
+nothing to be done but to wait patiently whilst she was completed,—for
+the most part with old timber from broken-up vessels.
+
+As soon as the _Arab_ was ready for sea, instead of being permitted to
+make a foray on the French coast—for which, however, she was
+ill-adapted—orders were given to take a cruise round the Land’s End,
+into St. George’s Channel, and return to Plymouth.
+
+This experimental service being accomplished, without result of any
+kind, although we sighted several suspicious vessels, which from our bad
+sailing qualities we could not examine; on our return, the _Arab_ was
+ordered to join the force then lying in the Downs, quietly watching the
+movements of the enemy on the opposite coast.
+
+Though Napoleon had not a marine capable of competing with ours, he had,
+during the last war, become aware that any number of French gun-boats
+could sail along their own coasts under the protection of the numerous
+batteries, and hence he conceived the project of uniting these with
+others at Boulogne, so as to form collectively a flotilla capable of
+effecting an invasion of England, whose attention was to be divided by
+an attempt on Ireland, for which purpose an army and fleet were
+assembled at Brest.
+
+The means by which this invasion of the Kentish or Sussex coast was to
+be effected is worth adverting to. The various towns of France were
+invited to construct flat-bottomed boats, to be distinguished by the
+names of the towns and departments which furnished them. They were
+divided into three classes, and transported to the nearest port-town,
+thence coastwise to Boulogne, there to be filled with troops, and
+convoyed to the English shores by ships of war. It has been the custom
+to deride this armament, but had it not been for Nelson’s subsequent
+victory at Trafalgar, I see no cause to doubt that sooner or later it
+might have been successful. In our day of steam-ships the way to prevent
+the success of a similar project is by the maintenance of a navy more
+efficiently manned than modern governments appear to think necessary for
+national safety.
+
+I do not mean efficiency as to the _number_ of vessels of war—for in my
+early day the number was very great, but their efficiency, from causes
+already mentioned, very trifling. I mean, rather, that every care should
+be taken to keep a sufficient number in a high state of discipline; but
+above all, that the stimulus of reward for merit should be so applied,
+as that parliamentary influence should not interfere with officers, nor
+a paltry hankering after saving with the crews.
+
+The _Arab_ was sent to watch the enemy in Boulogne. To those acquainted
+with the collier build, even as they appear in the Thames to this day,
+it is scarcely necessary to say that she would not work to windward.
+With a fair wind it was not difficult to get off Boulogne, but to get
+back with the same wind was—in such a craft—all but impossible. Our only
+way of effecting this was, by watching the tide, to drift off as well as
+we could. A gale of wind anywhere from N.E. to N.W. would infallibly
+have driven us on shore on the French coast.
+
+Under such circumstances, the idea of effectively watching the port, as
+understood by me,—viz. to look out for troop-boats inshore,—was out of
+the question, our whole attention being necessarily directed to the
+vessel’s safety. Considering this compromised, I wrote to the admiral
+commanding, that the _Arab_ was of no use for the service required, as
+she would not work to windward, and that her employment in such a
+service could only result in our loss by shipwreck on the French coast.
+
+My letter was no doubt forwarded to the Admiralty, for shortly
+afterwards an order arrived for the _Arab_ to convoy the Greenland ships
+from Shetland, and then to cruise in the North Sea, to _protect the
+fisheries_. The order was, in fact, to cruise to the N. E. of the
+Orkneys, _where no vessel fished, and where consequently there were no
+fisheries to protect_!!! Not so much as a single whaler was seen from
+the mast-head during the whole of that lonely cruise, though it was as
+light by night as by day.
+
+The Board had fairly caught me, but a more cruel order could not have
+been devised by official malevolence. It was literally naval exile in a
+tub, regardless of expense to the nation. To me it was literally a
+period of despair, from the useless inactivity into which I was forced,
+without object or purpose, beyond that of visiting me with the weight of
+official displeasure.
+
+I will not trouble the reader with any reminiscences of this degrading
+command, or rather dreary punishment, for such it was no doubt intended
+to be, as depriving me of the opportunity of exerting or distinguishing
+myself; and this for no better reason, than my having most truly, though
+perhaps inconsiderately, urged, in justification of the promotion of the
+gallant lieutenant of the _Speedy_, that all Lord St. Vincent’s chief
+officers had been promoted for an action in which fewer men fell in a
+three-decker than in my brig.
+
+Of this protracted cruise it is sufficient to state that my appointment
+to the _Arab_ was dated October 5th, 1803, and that she returned to
+England on the 1st of December, 1804, a period which formed a blank in
+my life.
+
+On my arrival, Lord St. Vincent, fortunately for me, had quitted, or
+rather had been compelled to retire from the Admiralty. The late Duke of
+Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland, and my excellent friend, was so
+indignant at my ignominious expulsion from active service, where alone
+it would be beneficial to the country, that, unsolicited by any one, he
+strongly impressed upon Lord Melville, the successor of Lord St.
+Vincent, the necessity of relieving me from that penal hulk, the _Arab_,
+and repairing the injustice which had been inflicted on me, by employing
+me on more important service. Lord Melville admitted the injustice, and
+promptly responded to the appeal, by transferring me from the wretched
+craft in which I had been for fifteen months in exile—to the _Pallas_, a
+new fir-built frigate of 32 guns.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. X.
+
+ CRUISE OF THE _PALLAS_.
+
+ORDERS OF THE PALLAS EMBARGOED.—CAPTURE OF THE CAROLINA.—ARRIVAL OF THE
+ PRIZES.—CAPTURE OF PAPAL BULLS.—A CHASE.—ADMIRAL YOUNG.—ELECTION FOR
+ HONITON.—NOVEL ELECTION TACTICS.—BECOME A REFORMER.—PAINFUL RESULTS.
+
+
+On my appointment to the _Pallas_, Lord Melville considerately gave me
+permission to cruise for a month off the Azores under Admiralty orders.
+The favour—the object of which was to give me an opportunity of trying
+my luck against the enemy, independent of superior command—was no doubt
+granted in consideration of the lengthened, not to say malevolent,
+punishment to which I had been condemned in the _Arab_.
+
+My orders were to join my ship at Plymouth, with a promise that my
+instructions should be forwarded. In place of this, and in disregard of
+Lord Melville’s intention, the Admiralty orders were embargoed by the
+Port Admiral, Sir W. Young, who had taken upon himself to recopy them,
+and thus to convert them into orders _issued under his authority_. The
+effect was, to enable him to lay claim to the admiral’s share of any
+prize-money that we might make, even though captured out of his
+jurisdiction, which extended no further than the Sound.
+
+The mention of this circumstance requires brief comment, in order to
+account for the result which followed. Perhaps the most lucid
+explanation that can be given will be an extract from a letter of Lord
+St. Vincent to the Admiralty when in command of the Channel fleet. “I do
+not know,” says Lord St. Vincent, “what I shall do if you feel a
+difficulty to give orders to despatch such ships as you may judge
+necessary to place under my command. I have a notion that he (Admiral
+Young) _wishes to have the power of issuing orders for their sailing, in
+order to entitle him to share prize-money_!!” (BRENTON, vol. ii. p.
+249.) From this extract from Lord St. Vincent, it is evident that if
+Admiral Young, according to the system then prevailing, had the power—as
+on his Lordship’s authority unquestionably appears—of paralysing the
+operations of a whole fleet, on the question of sharing prize-money,
+remonstrance on my part against the violation of Admiralty promises,
+made by Lord Melville himself, would have been disregarded. Nothing was
+therefore left but to submit.
+
+The first object was to equip the _Pallas_ with all speed; and for this
+we were obliged to resort to impressment, so much had my do-nothing
+cruise in the _Arab_ operated against me in the minds of the seamen.
+Having, however, succeeded in impressing some good men, to whom the
+matter was explained, they turned to with great alacrity to impress
+others; so that in a short time we had an excellent crew. This was the
+only time I ever found it necessary to impress men.
+
+As the cruise off the Western Islands—when arrived there—was restricted
+to a month, it was matter of consideration how to turn such orders to
+the best account, without infringing on the letter of my instructions.
+We therefore crossed the Bay of Biscay, and having run to the westward
+of Cape Finisterre, _worked up_ towards the Azores, so as to fall in
+with any vessels which might be bound from the Spanish West Indies to
+Cadiz.
+
+Scarcely had we altered our course, when, on the 6th of February, we
+fell in with and captured a large ship, the _Carolina_, bound from the
+Havannah to Cadiz, and laden with a valuable cargo. After taking out the
+crew, we despatched her to Plymouth.
+
+Having learned from the prisoners that the captured ship was part of a
+convoy bound from the Havannah to Spain, we proceeded on our course, and
+on the 13th captured a second vessel, which was still more valuable,
+containing, in addition to the usual cargo, some diamonds, and ingots of
+gold and silver. This vessel was sent to Plymouth as before.
+
+On the 15th, we fell in with another, _La Fortuna_, which proved the
+richest of all, as, besides her cargo, she had on board a large quantity
+of dollars, which we shifted into the _Pallas_, and sent the ship to
+England.
+
+On the 16th, we captured a fine Spanish letter-of-marque, with more
+dollars on board; but as a heavy sea then running prevented us from
+taking them on board the _Pallas_, these were therefore despatched with
+her to Plymouth.
+
+Whilst securing the latter vessel, we observed at sunset an English
+privateer take possession of a large ship. On seeing us—evidently
+knowing that we were an English man-of-war, and therefore entitled to
+share in her capture—the privateer crowded all sail and made off with
+her prize in company. Unluckily for this calculation, the prize was
+subsequently taken by a French squadron, when it turned out that the
+captured vessel—the _Preciosa_—was the richest of the whole Spanish
+convoy, having, in addition to her cargo, no less than a million dollars
+on board. Singularly enough, the privateer belonged to my agent Mr.
+Teed, from whom I afterwards learned the value of the vessel which his
+captain’s mistaken greed had sacrificed.
+
+The sensation created on the arrival of the prizes at Plymouth was
+immense, as the following curious extracts from a local paper will show.
+
+ “_February_ 24.—Came in the _Caroline_ from Havanah with sugar and
+ logwood. Captured off the coast of Spain by the _Pallas_, Captain Lord
+ Cochrane. The _Pallas_ was in pursuit of another with a very valuable
+ cargo when the _Caroline_ left. His Lordship sent word to Plymouth,
+ that if ever it was in his power, he would fulfil his public
+ advertisement (stuck up here) for entering seamen, of filling their
+ pockets with Spanish ‘pewter’ and ‘cobs,’ nicknames given by seamen to
+ ingots and dollars.
+
+ “_March_ 7.—Came in a rich Spanish prize, with jewels, gold, silver,
+ ingots, and a valuable cargo, taken by the _Pallas_, Captain Lord
+ Cochrane. Another Spanish ship, the _Fortuna_, from Vera Cruz, had
+ been taken by the _Pallas_, laden with mahogany and logwood. She had
+ 432,000 dollars on board, but has not yet arrived.
+
+ “_March_ 23.—Came in a most beautiful Spanish letter-of-marque of
+ fourteen guns, said to be a very rich and valuable prize to the
+ _Pallas_, Captain Lord Cochrane.”
+
+A still greater sensation was excited by the arrival of the _Pallas_
+herself, with three large golden candlesticks, each about five feet
+high, placed upon the mast heads. The history of these is not a little
+curious. They had been presented by the good people of Mexico, together
+with other valuable plate, to some celebrated church in Spain, the name
+of whose patron saint I forget, and had been shipped on board one of the
+most seaworthy vessels.
+
+Their ultimate destination was, however, less propitious. It was my wish
+to possess them, and with this view an arrangement had been made with
+the officers and crew of the _Pallas_. On presenting the candlesticks at
+the Custom-house, the authorities refused to permit them to pass without
+paying the full duty, which amounted to a heavier sum than I was willing
+to disburse. Consequently, although of exquisite workmanship, they were
+broken in pieces, and thus suffered to pass as old gold.
+
+The following incident relating to the capture of one of the vessels had
+escaped my recollection, till pointed out in the _Naval Chronicle_ for
+1805. It is substantially correct.
+
+ “Lord Cochrane, in his late cruise off the coasts of Spain and
+ Portugal, fell in with, and took, _La Fortuna_, a Spanish ship bound
+ to Corunna, and richly laden with gold and silver to the amount of
+ 450,000 dollars (132,000_l._), and about the same sum in valuable
+ goods and merchandise. When the Spanish captain and his supercargo
+ came on board the _Pallas_, they appeared much dejected, as their
+ private property on board amounted to the value of 30,000 dollars
+ each. The captain said he had lost, in the war of 1779, a similar
+ fortune, having then been taken by a British cruiser, so that now, as
+ then, he had to begin the world again. Lord Cochrane, feeling for the
+ dejected condition of the Spaniards, consulted his officers as to
+ their willingness to give them back 5,000 dollars each in specie. This
+ being immediately agreed to, his lordship ordered the boatswain to
+ pipe all hands, and addressing the men to the like purpose, the
+ gallant fellows sung out, ‘Aye, aye, my lord, with all our hearts,’
+ and gave the unfortunate Spaniards three cheers.”
+
+Another curious circumstance must not be passed over. In one of the
+captured vessels was a number of bales, marked “_invendebles_.” Making
+sure of some rich prize, we opened the bales, which to our chagrin
+consisted of pope’s bulls, dispensations for eating meat on Fridays, and
+indulgences for peccadilloes of all kinds, with the price affixed. They
+had evidently formed a venture from Spain to the Mexican sin market, but
+the supply exceeding the demand, had been reconsigned to the
+manufacturers. We consigned them to the waves.
+
+On our way home we were very near losing our suddenly acquired wealth
+and the frigate too. Whilst between the Azores and Portugal, one of
+those hazes common in semi-tropical climates, had for some time
+prevailed on the surface of the sea, the mast-heads of the ship being
+above the haze, with a clear sky. One day the look-out reported three
+large ships steering for us, and on going aloft I made them out to be
+line-of-battle ships in chase of the _Pallas_. As they did not show any
+colours, it was impossible to ascertain their national character, but,
+from the equality of the fore and maintopgallant masts, there was little
+doubt they were French.
+
+The course of the frigate was immediately altered, and the weather
+changing, it began to blow hard, with a heavy sea.
+
+The _Pallas_ was crank to such a degree, that the lee main-deck guns,
+though housed, were under water, and even the lee quarter-deck
+carronades were at times immerged.
+
+As the strange ships were coming up with us hand over hand, the
+necessity of carrying more sail became indispensable, notwithstanding
+the immersion of the hull.
+
+To do this with safety was the question. However, I ordered all the
+hawsers in the ship to be got up to the mast-heads and hove taut. The
+masts being thus secured, every possible stitch of sail was set, the
+frigate plunging forecastle under, as was also the case with our
+pursuers, which could not fire a gun—though as the haze cleared away we
+saw them repeatedly flashing the priming. After some time the
+line-of-battle ships came up with us, one keeping on our lee-beam,
+another to windward, each within half a mile, whilst the third was a
+little more distant.
+
+Seeing it impossible to escape by superior sailing, it appeared
+practicable to try a manœuvre, which might be successful if the masts
+would stand. Having, as stated, secured these by every available rope in
+the frigate, the order was given to prepare to clew up and haul down
+every sail at the same instant. The manœuvre being executed with great
+precision,—and the helm being put hard a-weather, so as to wear the ship
+as speedily as possible,—the _Pallas_, thus suddenly brought up, shook
+from stem to stern, in crossing the trough of the sea. As our pursuers
+were unprepared for this manœuvre, still less to counteract it, they
+shot past at full speed, and ran on several miles before they could
+shorten sail, or trim on the opposite tack. Indeed, under the heavy gale
+that was now blowing, even this was no easy matter, without endangering
+their own masts.
+
+There was no time for consideration on our part, so having rapidly
+sheeted home, we spread all sail on the opposite tack. The hawsers being
+still fast to the masts, we went away from our pursuers at the rate of
+thirteen knots and upwards; so that a considerable distance was soon
+interposed between us and them; and this was greatly increased ere they
+were in a condition to follow. Before they had fairly renewed the chase
+night was rapidly setting in, and when quite dark, we lowered a
+ballasted cask overboard with a lantern, to induce them to believe that
+we had altered our course, though we held on in the same direction
+during the whole night. The trick was successful, for, as had been
+calculated, the next morning, to our great satisfaction, we saw nothing
+of them, and were all much relieved on finding our dollars and his
+Majesty’s ship once more in safety. The expedient was a desperate one,
+but so was the condition which induced us to resort to it.
+
+Of the proceeds of the above-mentioned captures—all made within ten
+days—Sir William Young, on the strength of having recopied my orders
+from the Admiralty, _claimed and received_ half my share of the
+captures. No wonder that Lord St. Vincent said of him, that he wished to
+“_have the power of giving orders, and so share prize-money_.”
+
+Being then young and ardent, my portion appeared inexhaustible. What
+could I want with more? The sum claimed and received by Admiral Young
+was not worth notice.
+
+On our return to Plymouth the country was on the eve of a general
+election, and the time appeared a fitting one to carry out my long
+cherished scheme of getting into Parliament. The nearest borough in
+which there was a chance was Honiton, and accordingly I applied to the
+port admiral for leave of absence to contest that “independent”
+constituency. The prize-money procured it without scruple.
+
+My opponent was a Mr. Bradshaw, who had the advantage of a previous
+canvass. From the amount of prize-money which was known to have fallen
+to my share, that gentleman’s popularity was for a moment in danger, it
+being anticipated that I should spend my money sailor fashion, so that
+it became unmistakably manifest that the seat in Parliament would be at
+my service, if my opponent were outbid! To use the words of “an
+independent elector” during my canvass: “You need not ask me, my lord,
+who I votes for, I always votes for Mister Most.”
+
+To the intense disgust of the majority of the electors, I refused to
+bribe at all, announcing my determination to “stand on patriotic
+principles,” which, in the electioneering _parlance_ of those days,
+meant “no bribery.” To my astonishment, however, a considerable number
+of the respectable inhabitants voted in my favour, and my agent assured
+me that a judicious application of no very considerable sum, would beat
+my opponent out of the market. This, however, being resolutely refused,
+the majority voted in favour of his five pound notes, and saved my
+friends of the Admiralty Court and other naval departments from an
+exhibition of misplaced zeal, which, as subsequently proved, could only
+have ended in my parliamentary discomfiture.
+
+To be beaten, even at an election, is one thing; to turn a beating to
+account is another. Having had decisive proof as to the nature of
+Honiton politics, I made up my mind that the next time there was a
+vacancy in the borough, the seat should be mine without bribery.
+Accordingly, immediately after my defeat, I sent the bellman round the
+town, having first primed him with an appropriate speech, intimating
+that “all who had voted for me, might repair to my agent, J. Townsend,
+Esq., and _receive ten pounds ten_!”
+
+The novelty of a defeated candidate paying double the current price
+expended by the successful one—or, indeed, paying anything—made a great
+sensation. Even my agent assured me that he could have secured my return
+for less money, for that the popular voice being in my favour, a
+trifling judicious expenditure would have turned the scale.
+
+I told Mr. Townsend that such payment would have been bribery, which
+would not accord with my character as a reformer of abuses—a declaration
+which seemed highly to amuse him. Notwithstanding the explanation that
+the ten guineas was paid as a reward for having withstood the influence
+of bribery, the impression produced on the electoral mind by such
+unlooked-for liberality was simply this—that if I gave ten guineas for
+being beaten, my opponent had not paid half enough for being elected; a
+conclusion which, by a similar process of reasoning, was magnified into
+the conviction that each of his voters had been cheated out of five
+pounds ten.
+
+The result was what had been foreseen. My opponent, though successful,
+was regarded with anything but a favourable eye; I, though defeated, had
+suddenly become most popular. The effect at the next election, must be
+reserved for its place in a future chapter.
+
+It was this election that first induced me to become a parliamentary
+Reformer, or as any one holding popular opinions was called in those
+days, a “Radical,” _i. e._ a member of a political class holding views
+not half so extreme as those which form the parliamentary capital of
+reformers in the present day, and even less democratic than were the
+measures brought in during the last session of parliament by a Tory
+Government, whose predecessors consigned to gaol all who, fifty years
+ago, ventured to express opinions conferring political rights on the
+people.
+
+It is strange that, after having suffered more for my political faith
+than any man now living, I should have survived to see former Radical
+yearnings become modern Tory doctrines. Stranger still, they should now
+form stepping-stones to place and power, instead of to the bar of a
+criminal court, where even the counsel defending those who were
+prosecuted for holding them became marked men.
+
+Still it is something worth living for—even with the remembrance of my
+own bitter sufferings, for no greater offence than the advocacy of
+popular rights, and the abolition of naval abuses.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XI.
+
+ SERVICES IN THE _PALLAS_ CONTINUED.
+
+SERVICES IN THE PALLAS.—THE PALLAS AT HALIFAX.—CLAMOUR OF
+ SHIPOWNERS.—SAIL FROM THE DOWNS.—CAPTURE A VESSEL.—THE POMONE SENT
+ TO ENGLAND.—CAPTURE OF THE TAPAGEUSE.—THE FRENCH RUN ASHORE.—CHASE
+ OF THE CORVETTES.—OFF CHASSERON.—COLD APPROVAL OF LORD ST.
+ VINCENT.—CRUISE OF THE PALLAS.—SIGHT THE FRENCH SQUADRON.—FRENCH
+ SIGNAL HOUSES.—THE ISLE OF AIX.—ENGAGE THE FRENCH SQUADRON.—JOINED
+ BY THE KINGFISHER.—DETAILS OF THE ACTION.—CONSTRUCTION OF KITES.
+
+
+On the 28th of May 1805, the _Pallas_ again sailed from Portsmouth in
+charge of a convoy for Quebec. On this voyage little occurred worthy of
+note, beyond the fact that when we made the American coast we were, from
+a cause presently to be mentioned, no less than thirteen degrees and a
+half out in our _dead reckoning_! The reader must not imagine that we
+were 800 miles out of our course, for that was corrected whenever
+observations of the sun or stars could be obtained; but as these might
+at any time be rendered uncertain from the fogs prevalent on the banks,
+the most vigilant care was necessary to prevent the ship and convoy from
+being wrecked.
+
+In my former voyage in the _Thetis_ we had the advantage of a very
+clever man on board—a Mr. Garrard—who not being able to subsist on his
+salary as assistant astronomer and calculator at Greenwich, was glad to
+accept the berth of schoolmaster on board my uncle’s frigate. From the
+instructions of this gentleman, I had formerly profited considerably,
+and was not a little pleased when he applied to me for a similar berth
+on board the _Pallas_. With so skilful an observer, there could be no
+mistake about the error just mentioned; which arose from this
+circumstance, that for the sake of economy, the Navy Board or the
+dockyard authorities had surrounded the binnacle of the _Pallas_ with
+iron instead of copper bolts; so that the compass was not to be depended
+upon. Fortunately the atmosphere was tolerably clear, so that no danger
+was incurred.
+
+As, however, I had no inclination to risk either the ship or my own
+reputation amongst the fogs of Canada for the sake of false economy, the
+course of the _Pallas_ and her convoy was directed to Halifax, there to
+free the compass from the attraction of iron. On demanding copper bolts
+from the dockyard officers, they were refused, on the ground that
+permission must be first obtained from the authorities in London! To
+this I replied, that if such were the case, the _Pallas_ should wait
+with the convoy at Halifax whilst they communicated with the Admiralty
+in England! for that on no account should she enter the Gulf of St.
+Lawrence till our compass was right. The absurdity of detaining a convoy
+for six months, on account of a hundred weight of copper bolts was too
+much even for dockyard routine, and the demand was with some difficulty
+conceded.
+
+It would be wearisome to detail the uninteresting routine of attending
+the convoy to Quebec, or of my taking charge of another for the homeward
+voyage; further than to state, that from the defect of having no proper
+lights for the guidance of the convoy by night, the whole lost sight of
+us before reaching the Lizard; where we arrived with only one vessel,
+and that in tow.
+
+The carelessness of merchant captains when following a convoy can only
+be estimated by those who have to deal with them. Not only was this
+manifested by day, but at night their stern cabins glittered with
+lights, equally intense with the convoy light, which therefore was not
+distinguishable. The separation of the convoy on the following day was
+thus rather a matter of course than of surprise.
+
+This want of proper distinguishing lights, and the consequent dispersion
+of convoys, were thus frequent causes of the capture of our merchantmen,
+and to remedy this I constructed a lamp powerful enough to serve as a
+guide in following the protecting frigate by night. The Admiralty,
+however, neglected its application, or even to inspect my plan.
+
+Some few years afterwards, the clamour of shipowners compelled the Board
+to direct its attention to the subject, and, passing over my
+communications, they offered a reward of fifty pounds to the inventor of
+the most suitable lamp for the purpose. On this I directed my agent, Mr.
+Brooks, to offer my lamp _in his own name_, feeling convinced that my
+connection with it would, if known, ensure its rejection. He did so, and
+after repeated trials against others at Sheerness, Spithead, and St.
+Helen’s, the fifty pound prize was adjudged to Mr. Brooks _for my
+lamp_!! The fact afterwards becoming known, _not a lamp was ever
+ordered_, and the merchantmen were left to the mercy of privateers as
+before. I do not relate this anecdote as telling against the _directing_
+powers of the Admiralty, but with the _administrative_ powers, it was
+then and afterwards clearly a fixed rule that no invention of mine
+should be carried into effect.
+
+On our way home, we one day made an experiment which even now I believe
+might occasionally be turned to account; viz. the construction of
+gigantic kites to give additional impetus to ships. With this view a
+studdingsailboom was lashed across a spare flying jibboom to form the
+framework, and over this a large spread of canvass was sewn in the usual
+boy’s fashion. My spars were, however, of unequal dimensions throughout,
+and this and our launching the kite caused it to roll greatly. Possibly
+too I might not have been sufficiently experienced in the mysteries of
+“wings and tail,” for though the kite pulled with a will, it made such
+occasional lurches as gave reason to fear for the too sudden expenditure
+of His Majesty’s stores. The power of such machines, properly
+constructed, would be very great; and in the case of a constant wind,
+might be useful. The experiment, however, showed that kites of smaller
+dimensions would have answered better.
+
+On our return to England in December, the _Pallas_ was ordered to join
+the squadron of Admiral Thornborough, appointed to operate on the French
+and Spanish coasts. Instructions were, however, given to cruise for a
+few days off Boulogne before finally proceeding to Plymouth.
+
+We sailed from the Downs on the 23rd of January 1806, and on the 31st
+seeing a French merchant vessel at anchor near the mouth of the river
+Somme, the boats were sent inshore to cut her out. On nearing her, a
+battery opened fire on them, when we wore and engaged the battery,
+whilst the boats brought off the vessel, with which we anchored in Dover
+roads on the following morning.
+
+On the 8th of February, the _Pallas_ sailed from Dover, and stood over
+towards the French coast, where we captured a fast sailing lugger,
+having on board a number of letters addressed to various persons in
+London. Shortly after this we were ordered to join the Admiral.
+
+On the 22nd the _Pallas_ sailed with Vice Admiral Thornborough’s
+squadron from Plymouth, and remained in company till the 24th of March,
+when seeing some vessels off Isle Dieu, the boats went in chase, and
+returned with seven French fishing smacks; to the surprise of whose
+crews we bought their fish, and let them go.
+
+From information communicated by the fishing boats the _Pallas_ ran off
+shore, and in the night following, returned and captured a vessel
+freighted with wine, which was taken on board the frigate. The next
+night the boats again went in, and brought off another vessel similarly
+laden. On the following morning we made sail with our two prizes, but
+observing a brig at anchor off Sable d’Olonne, ran in again after dark,
+and sent the boats to cut her out. A fire being opened on the boats from
+the town, we discharged several broadsides, on which the townspeople
+desisted, and the brig was brought off. Whilst engaged in this
+operation, another brig was seen to run ashore for safety. On the
+morning of the 28th, the boats were again despatched to get her off,
+when, the people mustering along shore to attack them, we fired several
+shotted guns to warn them from interfering, and the brig was safely
+brought out.
+
+This propensity of French crews thus to run their vessels ashore—on
+being chased by boats—was principally caused by a galley which had been
+constructed at my own expense by the Deal boatbuilders, and shipped on
+board the _Pallas_. She rowed double banked, and required eighteen hands
+at the oars, and this together with her beautiful build rendered her
+perhaps the fastest boat afloat. Escape from such a craft being
+hopeless, she became so notorious, that the enemy’s coasters ran their
+vessels ashore, and jumping into their boats, thus saved themselves from
+being made prisoners.
+
+On the 29th, we manned the largest prize, the _Pomone_, and sent her to
+England in charge of the others. On the same day we fell in with the
+admiral, and supplied the squadron with prize wine, of which a large
+quantity had been taken, most of the vessels captured being laden with
+wine of fine quality, on its way to Havre for the Parisian market.
+
+On quitting the squadron, we proceeded to the southward in chase of a
+convoy, one of which we captured, and on the 5th of April ran for the
+Garonne, having received intelligence that some French corvettes were
+lurking in the river and its vicinity, one of which vessels was reported
+to be lying some miles up the river as a guardship. Keeping out of sight
+for the remainder of the day, I determined on making an attempt to cut
+her out on the following night.
+
+After dark the _Pallas_ came to an anchor off the Cordovan lighthouse,
+and the boats, manned with the whole crew of the frigate, except about
+forty men, pulled for the corvette, under the command of their gallant
+First Lieutenant Haswell, who found her at 3 A.M. on the morning of the
+6th, anchored near two batteries. As the weather was thick when the
+attack was made, the boats came upon the enemy unawares, and after a
+short but gallant resistance, the corvette was carried, proving to be
+the _Tapageuse_ of 14 guns.
+
+No sooner was this effected, than two others, whose presence was
+unexpected, came to her rescue. Lieutenant Haswell, however, promptly
+manned the guns of the captured vessel, and beat off his assailants, the
+tide rendering it imprudent for the prize or the boats to follow in
+pursuit.
+
+Whilst this was going on, the _Pallas_ remained at single anchor waiting
+for the boats, and soon after daylight three strange sail appeared to
+windward, making for the river. As the private signal was unanswered,
+there could be no doubt but that they were enemies, to oppose whom we
+had only forty hands on board, the remainder of the crew, as previously
+stated, being in the prize brig.
+
+There was no time to be lost, and as it was of the first importance to
+make a show of strength, though we possessed none, I immediately set the
+few hands we had to fasten the furled sails with rope yarns; the object
+being to cut the yarns all at once, let fall the sails, and thus impress
+the enemy with an idea that from such celerity in making sail we had a
+numerous and highly disciplined crew.
+
+The manœuvre succeeded to a marvel. No sooner was our cloud of canvass
+thus suddenly let fall than the approaching vessels hauled the wind, and
+ran off along shore, with the _Pallas_ in chase, our handful of men
+straining every nerve to sheet home, though it is surprising that the
+French officers did not observe the necessary slowness of the operation.
+
+By superior sailing we were soon well up with one of them, and commenced
+firing our bow guns—the only guns, in fact, we were able to man.
+Scarcely had we fired half a dozen shots, when the French captain
+deliberately ran his ship ashore as the only way of saving himself and
+crew. The corvette was dismasted by the shock and immediately abandoned
+by the crew, who got ashore in their boats; though had they pulled on
+board the _Pallas_ instead, we were literally incapable of resistance.
+
+After the crew had abandoned the wreck, we ran nearly close, and fired
+several broadsides into her hull, to prevent her floating again with the
+tide. Whilst thus engaged, the other corvettes, which had previously run
+out of sight, again made their appearance to the S. S. W. under a press
+of sail, evidently coming up fast to the assistance of their consort.
+
+As it was necessary once more to take the initiative, we quitted the
+wreck, ran up our colours, and gave chase, firing our bow guns at the
+nearest, which soon afterwards followed the example of the first, and
+ran ashore too,—with the same result of being dismasted—the crew
+escaping as in the case of the other.
+
+Of the remaining corvette we for a time took no notice, and made sail
+towards the mouth of the Garonne to pick up our crew, which had
+necessarily been left on board the vessel captured on the river. As the
+_Pallas_ neared the Cordovan lighthouse, we observed the third corvette
+making for the river. Finding herself intercepted she also ran on shore,
+and was abandoned in like manner.
+
+The chase of these corvettes forms one of my most singular
+recollections, all three being deliberately abandoned and wrecked in
+presence of a British frigate with only forty men on board! Had any one
+of the three known our real condition, or had we not put a bold face on
+the matter, we might have been taken. The mere semblance of strength
+saved us, and the panic thereby inspired destroyed the enemy.
+
+Having joined our prize—the _Tapageuse_—the prisoners were shifted on
+board the _Pallas_, which made sail in quest of the squadron, rejoining
+it on the 10th, when, by order of Admiral Thornborough, the prisoners
+were distributed among different ships.
+
+The subjoined despatches will afford further explanation of the events
+just narrated.
+
+ “_Pallas_, off Chasseron, 8th April, 1806.
+
+ “SIR,—Having received information—which proved correct—of the
+ situation of the corvettes in the river of Bordeaux, a little after
+ dark on the evening of the 5th, the _Pallas_ was anchored close to the
+ shoal of Cordovan, and it gives me satisfaction to state that about 3
+ o’clock on the following morning the French national corvette, _La
+ Tapageuse_, of 14 long 12-pounders and 95 men, who had the guard, was
+ boarded, carried, and cut out, about twenty miles above the shoal, and
+ within two heavy batteries, in spite of all resistance, by the first
+ lieutenant of the _Pallas_, Mr. Haswell, the master, Mr. Sutherland,
+ Messrs. Perkyns, Crawford, and Thompson, together with the
+ quartermasters and such of the seamen and crew as were fortunate
+ enough to find places in the boats.
+
+ “The tide of flood ran strong at daylight. _La Tapageuse_ made sail. A
+ general alarm was given. A sloop-of-war followed, and an action
+ continued—often within hail—till by the same bravery by which the
+ _Tapageuse_ was carried, the sloop-of-war, which before had been saved
+ by the rapidity of the current alone, was compelled to sheer off,
+ having suffered as much in the hull as the _Tapageuse_ in the rigging.
+
+ “The conduct of the officers and men will be justly appreciated. With
+ confidence I shall now beg leave to recommend them to the notice of
+ the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty.
+
+ “It is necessary to add, that the same morning, when at anchor waiting
+ for the boats (which, by the by, did not return till this morning),
+ three ships were observed bearing down towards the _Pallas_, making
+ many signals, and were soon perceived to be enemies. In a few minutes
+ the anchor of the _Pallas_ was weighed, and with the remainder of the
+ officers and crew we chased, drove on shore, and wrecked one national
+ 24-gun ship, one of 22 guns, and the _Malicieuse_, a beautiful
+ corvette of 18 guns. Their masts went by the board, and they were
+ involved in a sheet of spray.
+
+ “All in this ship showed great zeal for his Majesty’s service. The
+ warrant officers and Mr. Tattnall, midshipman, supplied the place of
+ commissioned officers. The absence of Lieutenant Mapleton is much to
+ be regretted. He would have gloried in the expedition with the boats.
+ The assistance rendered by Mr. Drummond of the Royal Marines was such
+ as might have been expected. Subjoined is the list of wounded,
+ together with that of vessels captured and destroyed since the 26th
+ ult.
+
+ “I am, &c. &c. COCHRANE.
+
+ “To Vice-Admiral Thornborough.”
+
+ “_Prince of Wales_, off Rochefort, 9th April, 1806.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I have the honour to transmit to your lordship a copy of a
+ letter I have this day received from Captain Lord Cochrane of H. M. S.
+ _Pallas_, under my orders. It will not be necessary for me, my Lord,
+ to comment on the intrepidity and good conduct displayed by Lord
+ Cochrane, his officers and men, in the execution of a very hazardous
+ enterprise in the Garonne, a river, the most difficult, perhaps, in
+ its navigation, of any on the coast. The complete success that
+ attended the enterprise, as well as the destruction of the vessels of
+ war mentioned in the said letter on the coast of Arcasson, speaks
+ their merits more fully than is in my power to do. To which may be
+ fairly added, that nothing can show more clearly the high state of
+ discipline of the crew of the _Pallas_ than the humanity shown by them
+ in the conflict.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c. &c.
+ “EDWARD THORNBOROUGH.
+
+ “The Right Hon. the Earl St. Vincent.”
+
+ “_Hibernia_, off Ushant, April 14th, 1806.
+
+ “SIR,—I yesterday received from Admiral Thornborough a letter with its
+ enclosure from Captain Lord Cochrane, of which copies are herewith
+ transmitted for the information of my Lord Commissioner of the
+ Admiralty.
+
+ “The gallant and successful exertions of the _Pallas_ therein
+ detailed, reflect very high honour on her captain, officers and crew,
+ and call for my warmest approbation.
+
+ “I am, &c. &c. ST. VINCENT.
+ “W. Marsden, Esq.”
+
+The cold, reluctant praise bestowed by this letter, was no doubt
+intended by Lord St. Vincent as a wet blanket on the whole affair, and
+contrasts strongly with the warm-hearted sailor-like frankness of
+Admiral Thornborough. It had its full effect; not a word of approbation
+did I receive from the Admiralty. The _Tapageuse_ was not bought into
+the navy, though a similar vessel, subsequently captured by another
+officer at the same place, was purchased. My First Lieutenant, Haswell,
+was not promoted. In short, if we had done something worthy of
+disapprobation, it could scarcely have been more marked. On this subject
+further comment will presently become necessary.
+
+To return to our cruise. On the 14th of April we again quitted the
+squadron, and made for the corvettes run on shore on the 7th. The French
+had erected a battery for the protection of one of them which was still
+sound in the hull; but we silenced the battery and set fire to the
+corvette. After this the _Pallas_ proceeded towards the wreck of the
+northermost vessel stranded, but as strong breezes came on, and she was
+evidently breaking up in the surf, we deemed it prudent to work off
+shore, and in so doing captured another vessel, which turned out to be a
+French packet.
+
+On the 20th the _Pallas_ ran down abreast of the remaining corvette, and
+out boats for the purpose of burning her; but these being exposed to the
+fire of another battery which had been thrown up to protect the wreck,
+and the _Pallas_ not being able, on account of the shoaliness of the
+water, to get near enough to fire with effect, we desisted from the
+attempt, and again made sail.
+
+On the 23rd we came to an anchor off the Malmaison passage, and on the
+following day reconnoitred the French squadron inside Isle Rhe. Whilst
+thus engaged, the British squadron appeared to windward, and shortly
+afterwards came to an anchor.
+
+On the 24th we worked up to windward to join the admiral, and on the
+following day stood into Basque Roads to reconnoitre the enemy’s
+squadron. On approaching within gunshot, a frigate and three brigs got
+under weigh, and we made sail to meet them, endeavouring to bring them
+to action by firing several broadsides at them. On this they tacked
+after returning the fire, and stood in under their batteries. Having
+completed our reconnoissance, we beat out again and rejoined the
+admiral, to whom I made the annexed report.
+
+ “H. M. S. _Pallas_, off Isle d’Aix, April 25th, 1806.
+
+ “SIR,—Having stood within gunshot of the French squadron this morning,
+ I find it to consist of the following vessels.
+
+ “One of three decks, 16 ports below; one of 80 guns, 15 ports; three
+ of 74, 14 ports; two heavy frigates, of 40 guns; three light frigates,
+ 13 ports on main-deck, and three brigs of from 14 to 16 guns.
+
+ “The _Calcutta_[31] is not among them. Neither are there any
+ corvettes, unless a very clumsy 20-gun ship can be called one. The
+ ships of the line have all their topmasts struck and topgallant yards
+ across. They are all very deep, more so than vessels are in general
+ for common voyages.
+
+ “They may be easily burned, or they may be taken by sending here eight
+ or ten thousand men, as if intended for the Mediterranean. If people
+ at home would hold their tongues about it[32], possession might thus
+ be gained of the Isle d’Oleron, upon which all the enemy’s vessels may
+ be driven by sending fire vessels to the eastward of Isle d’Aix.
+
+ “A frigate and the three brigs were ordered to get under weigh. These
+ stood towards the _Pallas_ and exchanged a few broadsides. After
+ waiting from ten o’clock till past two, close to Isle d’Aix, we were
+ obliged to come out no better than we went in. They could not be
+ persuaded to stand from under their batteries.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c. &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+ “Edw. Thornborough, Esq.,
+ “Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 31:
+
+ An Indiaman, recently captured by the French off St. Helena.
+
+Footnote 32:
+
+ It is a curious fact, that there being no such thing as confidence or
+ secrecy in official quarters in England, the French were as well
+ advised as to our movements as were our own commanders, and were
+ consequently prepared at all points.
+
+-----
+
+Having found by experience that the French had organised a system of
+signal-houses, by means of which they were able to indicate the exact
+position of an enemy, so as to warn their coasters from impending
+danger, I resolved on destroying one of their principal stations on Isle
+Rhe, at the town of St. Martin. The result will be gathered from the
+subjoined despatch to Admiral Thornborough.
+
+ “_Pallas_, St. Martin’s Road, Isle Rhe, May 10th, 1806.
+
+ “SIR,—The French trade having been kept in port of late, in a great
+ measure by their knowledge of the exact position of his Majesty’s
+ cruisers, constantly announced at the signal-posts; it appeared to me
+ to be some object, as there was nothing better to do, to endeavour to
+ stop this practice.
+
+ “Accordingly, the two posts at Point Delaroche were demolished, next
+ that of Caliola. Then two in L’Anse de Repos, one of which Lieutenant
+ Haswell and Mr. Hillier the gunner took in a neat style from upwards
+ of 100 militia. The marines and boats’ crews behaved exceedingly well.
+ All the flags have been brought off, and the houses built by
+ government burnt to the ground.
+
+ “Yesterday too the zeal of Lieutenant Norton of the _Frisk_ cutter,
+ and Lieutenant Gregory of the _Contest_ gun-brig, induced them to
+ volunteer to flank the battery on Point d’Equillon, whilst we should
+ attack in the rear by land; but it was carried at once, and one of
+ fifty men who were stationed to three 36-pounders was made
+ prisoner—the rest escaped. The battery is laid in ruins—guns
+ spiked—carriages burnt—barrack and magazine blown up, and all the
+ shells thrown into the sea. The convoy got into a river beyond our
+ reach. Lieutenant Mapleton, Mr. Sutherland, master, and Mr. Hillier
+ were with me, and as they do on all occasions so they did at this time
+ whatever was in their power for his Majesty’s service. The petty
+ officers, seamen, and marines failed not to justify the opinion that
+ there was before reason to form; yet it would be inexcusable were not
+ the names of the quartermasters Barden and Casey particularly
+ mentioned, as men highly deserving any favour that can be shown in the
+ line to which they aspire.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c. &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “Edw. Thornborough, Esq.,
+ “Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”
+
+ Early in the morning on the 14th of May, the _Pallas_ again stood in
+ close to the Isle of Aix, to renew her reconnoissance of the French
+ squadron under Admiral Allemand, then anchored at the entrance of
+ the Antioche passage, and also in the hope of once more getting
+ within range of the vessels which we had failed to bring to an
+ action on the 25th ultimo. In order to prevent their again taking
+ shelter under the batteries on Isle d’Aix, we cleared for action and
+ ran within range of the latter; the frigate shortly afterwards
+ getting under weigh to meet us.
+
+ Scarcely had she done so, than the three brigs also got under weigh
+ to support her, making a formidable addition to the force to be
+ encountered, the frigate alone showing a broadside superior to ours.
+ We however remained under our topsails by the wind to await them,
+ and when, the brigs came within point-blank shot, a broadside from
+ the _Pallas_ dismantled one of them. We then veered and engaged the
+ frigate and the other brig—the batteries on Isle d’Aix meanwhile
+ firing at us.
+
+ After an hour’s fighting, we observed that considerable damage had
+ been done by the fire of the _Pallas_ to the frigate and another of
+ the brigs, the maintopsail yard of the latter being cut through, and
+ the aftersails of the frigate shot away, though the action was not
+ continuous, owing to the frequent necessity on our part of tacking
+ to avoid shoals.
+
+ About one o’clock we managed to gain the wind of the frigate, and
+ running between her and the batteries, gave her two or three smart
+ broadsides, on which her fire slackened, and she showed signs of
+ meditating a retreat. Perceiving this, I directed Mr. Sutherland,
+ the master, to lay us aboard, which at 1.40 P.M. was gallantly but
+ rather too eagerly effected.
+
+ Just at this moment, unobserved by us, the French frigate grounded
+ on a shoal, so that on coming in contact, the spars and rigging of
+ both vessels were dismantled. The concussion drove our guns back
+ into the ports, in which position the broadside was again
+ discharged, and the shot tore through her sides with crushing
+ effect, her men taking refuge below, so that the only return to this
+ broadside was three pistol shots fired at random. The French captain
+ was the only man who gallantly remained on deck.
+
+ To clear away our own wreck was one object; to board the frigate the
+ next; but two more frigates were observed to quit the enemy’s
+ squadron, and crowd all sail to her assistance. This, in our
+ crippled condition, was too much; there was, therefore, nothing for
+ it but to quit the grounded ship and save ourselves. Accordingly we
+ bore up, and made what sail was possible, cutting away and repairing
+ the wreck as we best could; the two frigates following in chase.
+
+ Fortunately the sloop _Kingfisher_, commanded by the gallant
+ Captain, now Admiral, Seymour, seeing our disabled condition,
+ promptly ran down and took us in tow[33]; on which the enemy
+ desisted from the pursuit, turning their attention to their disabled
+ consort. The subjoined report to Admiral Thornborough details a few
+ other particulars of the action, though at that time we neither knew
+ the names nor the strength of our opponents.
+
+ “His Majesty’s Ship _Pallas_, 14th May,
+ “Off the Island of Oleron, May 15th, 1806.
+
+ “SIR,—This morning when close to Isle d’Aix, reconnoitring the French
+ squadron, it gave me great joy to find our late opponent, the black
+ frigate, and her companions the three brigs, getting under sail; we
+ formed high expectations that the long wished-for opportunity was at
+ last arrived.
+
+ “The _Pallas_ remained under topsails by the wind to await them; at
+ half-past eleven a smart point blank firing commenced on both sides,
+ which was severely felt by the enemy. The maintopsailyard of one of
+ the brigs was cut through, and the frigate lost her aftersails. The
+ batteries on l’Isle d’Aix opened on the _Pallas_, and a cannonade
+ continued, interrupted on our part only by the necessity we were under
+ to make various tacks to avoid the shoals, till one o’clock, when our
+ endeavour to gain the wind of the enemy and get between him and the
+ batteries proved successful; an effectual distance was now chosen, a
+ few broadsides were poured in, the enemy’s fire slackened. I ordered
+ ours to cease, and directed Mr. Sutherland, the master, to run the
+ frigate on board, with intention effectually to prevent her retreat.
+
+ “The enemy’s side thrust our guns back into the ports, the whole were
+ then discharged, the effect and crash were dreadful; their decks were
+ deserted; three pistol shots were the unequal return.
+
+ “With confidence I say that the frigate was lost to France had not the
+ unequal collision tore away our foretopmast, jibboom, fore and
+ maintopsailyards, spritsailyards, bumpkin, cathead, chain plates,
+ forerigging, foresail, and bower anchor, with which last I intended to
+ hook on, but all proved insufficient. She was yet lost to France had
+ not the French admiral, seeing his frigate’s foreyard gone, her
+ rigging ruined, and the danger she was in, sent two others to her
+ assistance.
+
+ “The _Pallas_ being a wreck, we came out with what sail could be set,
+ and his Majesty’s sloop the _Kingfisher_ afterwards took us in tow.
+
+ “The officers and ship’s company behaved as usual; to the names of
+ Lieutenants Haswell and Mapleton, whom I have mentioned on other
+ occasions, I have to add that of Lieutenant Robins, who had just
+ joined.
+
+ “I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
+ “COCHRANE.”
+
+ “_Killed._—David Thompson, marine.
+
+ “_Wounded._—Mr. Andrews, midshipman, very badly; John Coger, and three
+ other seamen, slightly.
+
+ “Edw. Thornborough, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 33:
+
+ “Since the publication of the first edition, Admiral Seymour has
+ kindly supplied me with the following interesting particulars,
+ which had escaped my recollection:
+
+ “I remember that on the 14th, the morning in question, the
+ _Kingfisher_ being off the Chaperon Lighthouse, within which I had
+ directions from Admiral Thornborough not to go, in consequence of
+ his having thought I had risked the _Kingfisher_ two days before
+ by too near an approach to the French squadron—that the _Pallas_
+ passed in towards Basque Roads (as I supposed, to reconnoitre the
+ enemy), and when I saw you exchanging shots with the enemy’s guard
+ frigate, I had no idea you would have attempted to carry her when
+ so near the squadron.
+
+ “The moment, however, I saw that you had run on board the
+ _Minerve_, and that, on separating, you had lost your foretopmast
+ and topsailyards, I immediately stood in to assist you, and as we
+ had a leading wind, and the distance from the Pertuis d’Antioche
+ not being, I think, above six miles, I have a clear recollection
+ that within the hour, we gave you the end of a hawser.
+
+ “Perhaps I may be able to recall to your recollection that when we
+ took you in tow, the wind had drawn more westerly, and that we
+ could not weather Isle Rhe on the port tack, so were obliged to go
+ about and stand towards the two fresh French frigates and brigs
+ which were standing towards us. On our approach they backed their
+ maintopsails, when they might have brought the _Pallas_ and
+ _Kingfisher_ to action. You then desired me to go round, and we
+ fetched out on the port tack, the French offering no molestation,
+ although their squadron was apparently ready for sea.
+
+ “In going into this old story, I may add that I have already seen
+ that there can be no disposition to undervalue the assistance I
+ afforded you in 1806, when you so handsomely acknowledge that
+ which I desired to afford you on another occasion in 1809.[34]
+
+ “Yours very faithfully, G. SEYMOUR.”
+
+Footnote 34:
+
+ In Aix Roads. See page 392.
+
+-----
+
+ On the 17th, being still ignorant of the name of the frigate we had
+ engaged, we landed some French prisoners under a flag of truce, and
+ thus learned that she was the 40-gun frigate _La Minerve_. The brigs
+ were ascertained to be the _Lynx_, _Sylphe_, and _Palinure_, each
+ carrying 16 guns.
+
+ On the 18th, the _Pallas_ was ordered to Plymouth in charge of a
+ convoy of transports, and arrived on the 27th without any other
+ occurrence worthy of notice.
+
+ A device practised by us when, at various times, running close in to
+ the French shore, must not be omitted. A number of printed
+ proclamations, addressed to the French people, had been put on
+ board, with instructions to embrace every opportunity of getting
+ them distributed. The opportunities for this were, of course, few,
+ being chiefly confined to the crews of boats or small fishing craft,
+ who would scarcely have ventured on their distribution, had the
+ proclamation been entrusted to them.
+
+ The device resorted to was the construction of small kites, to which
+ a number of proclamations were attached. To the string which held
+ the kite, a match was appended in such a way, that when the kite was
+ flown over the land, the retaining string became burned through, and
+ dispersed the proclamations, which, to the great annoyance of the
+ French government, thus became widely distributed over the country.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XII.
+
+ MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.
+
+MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.—ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.—SEEK PROMOTION FOR
+ HASWELL.—CUTTING OUT LE CÆSAR.—GROSS INSTANCE OF PARTIALITY.—CLARET
+ AGAINST SMALL BEER.—STORY OF MR. CROKER.—MR. CROKER’S
+ REVENGE.—COMMAND THE IMPÉRIEUSE.—DRIFT TOWARDS USHANT.—JOIN THE
+ SQUADRON IN THE BASQUE ROADS.—ANCHOR OFF CORDOVAN.—SUPPLY THE
+ ATALANTE.
+
+
+On the termination of the cruise, the _Pallas_ was thoroughly refitted,
+the interval thus occupied affording me time for relaxation, but nothing
+occurred worthy of record till, in the July following, the electors of
+Honiton chose me as their representative in parliament.
+
+The story of this election is worth relating. My former discomfiture at
+Honiton, and the ten guineas a head paid to those who had voted for me
+on the previous occasion, will be fresh in the recollection of the
+reader. A general election being at hand, no time was lost in proceeding
+to Honiton, where considerable sensation was created by my entrance into
+the town in a _vis-à-vis_ and six, followed by several carriages and
+four filled with officers and seamen of the _Pallas_, who volunteered to
+accompany me on the occasion.
+
+Our reception by the townspeople was enthusiastic, the more so, perhaps,
+from the general belief that my capture of the Spanish galleons—as they
+were termed—had endowed me with untold wealth; whilst an equally
+fabulous amount was believed to have resulted from our recent cruise,
+during which my supporters would have been not a little surprised to
+learn that neither myself, officers, nor crew, had gained anything but a
+quantity of wine, which nobody would buy; whilst for the destruction of
+three French corvettes we never received a shilling!
+
+Aware of my previous objection to bribery, not a word was asked by my
+partisans as to the price expected in exchange for their suffrages. It
+was enough that my former friends had received ten guineas each after my
+defeat, and it was judged best to leave the cost of success to my
+discretion.
+
+My return was triumphant, and this effected, it was then plainly asked,
+what _ex post facto_ consideration was to be expected by those who had
+supported me in so delicate a manner.
+
+“Not one farthing!” was the reply.
+
+“But, my Lord, you gave ten guineas a head to the minority at the last
+election, and the majority have been calculating on something handsome
+on the present occasion.”
+
+“No doubt. The former gift was for their disinterested conduct in not
+taking the bribe of five pounds from the agents of my opponent. For me
+now to pay them would be a violation of my own previously expressed
+principles.”
+
+Finding nothing could be got from me in the way of money payment for
+their support, it was put to my generosity whether I would not, at
+least, give my constituents a public supper.
+
+“By all means,” was my reply, “and it will give me great satisfaction to
+know that so rational a display of patriotism has superseded a system of
+bribery, which reflects even less credit on the donor than the
+recipients.”
+
+Alas! for the vanity of good intentions. The permission thus given was
+converted into a public treat; not only for my partisans, but for my
+opponents, their wives, children, and friends; in short, for the whole
+town! The result showed itself in a bill _for some twelve hundred
+pounds_! which I refused to pay, but was eventually compelled to
+liquidate, in a way which will form a very curious episode hereafter.
+
+One of my first steps, subsequent to the election, was to apply to the
+Admiralty for the promotion of my first lieutenant, Haswell, who had so
+gallantly cut out the _Tapageuse_ from the Bordeaux river; and also for
+that of poor Parker, whose case has been notified in connection with the
+_Speedy_, though it was not till after my becoming a member of the House
+of Commons that he was promoted after the fashion previously narrated.
+
+It is unnecessary to recapitulate the services of these gallant
+officers, further than to state briefly, that on the 6th of April, 1806,
+Lieutenant Haswell, with the boats of the _Pallas_ alone, acting under
+my orders, cut out the French guardship, _La Tapageuse_, from the river
+Garonne, and brought off his prize, in the face of heavy batteries, and
+despite the endeavours of two vessels of war—each of equal force to the
+captured corvette. For this service Lieutenant Haswell remained
+unpromoted.
+
+On the 15th of July, in the same year, the boats of Sir Samuel Hood’s
+squadron, under the orders of Lieutenant Sibley, performed the somewhat
+similar, though certainly not superior exploit, of cutting out _Le
+Cæsar_, of 16 guns and 86 men, from the same anchorage. Within three
+weeks after the performance of this service, Lieutenant Sibley was
+_promoted to the rank of commander_, and so palpable an instance of
+favouritism determined me to urge afresh the neglected claims of both
+Parker and Haswell.
+
+My renewed application being met with evasion in the case of both
+officers, I plainly intimated to the Admiralty authorities that it would
+be my duty to bring before the House of Commons a partiality so
+detrimental to the interests of the navy. The threat produced what
+justice refused to concede, and these deserving officers were both made
+Commanders on the 15th of August, 1806; Parker, for a service performed
+upwards of five years before, and Haswell for one four months
+previously. Notwithstanding this lapse of time, Haswell’s promotion was
+dated _eleven days after_ that of Lieutenant Sibley! though the former
+officer had effected with the boats of a small frigate, and against
+_three_ ships of war, as much as Lieutenant Sibley had accomplished
+against _only one_, though with the boats of a whole squadron! viz. the
+boats of the _Centaur_, _Conqueror_, _Revenge_, _Achilles_, _Prince of
+Wales_, _Polyphemus_, _Monarch_, _Iris_, and _Indefatigable_. Lieut.
+Sibley’s exploit with this overwhelming force had a medal awarded, and
+appears in the Navy List to this day; Lieut. Haswell’s capture of the
+_Tapageuse_ under my directions was unnoticed in any way.
+
+The fact is, that neither of my highly meritorious officers would have
+been promoted, but that, after Lieutenant Sibley’s promotion for a less
+distinguished service, it was impossible to evade their claims if
+brought under the notice of the legislature; and it was only by this
+threatened exposure of such palpable injustice that the promotion of
+either officer was obtained.
+
+Another gross instance of partiality in the course pursued by the
+Admiralty towards my officers and crews, consisted in the refusal to
+purchase the _Tapageuse_ into the navy; though the _Cæsar_—prize to Sir
+Samuel Hood’s squadron—was so purchased. For the four vessels of war,
+viz. the _Tapageuse_, 14 guns; the _Malicieuse_, 18 guns; the _Garonne_,
+22; and the _Gloire_, 24,—total, 78 guns, driven on shore by the
+_Pallas_, in one day, no remuneration was awarded: the pretence for
+withholding it being, that as there were no proceeds there could be no
+reward; whilst, as the enemy’s crews escaped, head money was denied,
+though the Act of Parliament conferring it, was expressly framed to meet
+such cases, the nonpayment practically deciding, that it was not worth a
+commander’s while to expose himself and ship in destroying enemy’s
+vessels! Supposing it to have been necessary to adhere stringently to
+the Admiralty regulation, the rule itself rendered it the more incumbent
+on the Board to give remuneration for the _Tapageuse_, by purchasing
+that vessel into the service, as was done to Lieutenant Sibley and his
+men in the case of the _Cæsar_. Such remuneration was, however, wholly
+withheld.[35]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 35:
+
+ If a vessel were captured and destroyed, head money was awarded, as in
+ the case of the _Calcutta_, which surrendered to the _Impérieuse_ in
+ the subsequent affair of Basque Roads. It was sworn to by others that
+ she surrendered to the squadron; but that this was not the case is
+ proved by the French government having shot her captain for
+ surrendering _to me alone_; a sentence which was not likely to have
+ been passed had he surrendered to eight or ten ships. In this case
+ head money was awarded to Lord Gambier’s fleet, on which account I
+ declined to touch a shilling of it.
+
+-----
+
+Another curious circumstance connected with the _Pallas_ may be here
+mentioned. As the reader is aware, that ship—on her last cruise—had
+taken a number of chasse-marées, some of which were laden with the
+finest vintages of the south of France. Independently of the wine
+gratuitously supplied by the _Pallas_ to the squadron of Admiral
+Thornborough, a large quantity of the finest had been reserved to be
+sold for the benefit of the captors; so much, in fact, that in an easily
+glutted market, like that of Plymouth, it was not saleable for anything
+beyond the duty.
+
+An offer was made to the Victualling Board to accept, for our claret,
+the price of the villanous small beer then served out to ships’
+companies, so that Jack might have a treat without additional expense to
+the nation. The offer was unwisely refused, despite the benefit to the
+health of the men.
+
+As customs officers were placed on board the prize-vessels containing
+the wine, considerable expense was incurred. We therefore found it
+imperative that something should be done with it, and as the Victualling
+Board refused to take it, there was no alternative but to knock out the
+bungs of the casks, and empty the wine overboard.
+
+My agent had, however, orders to pay duty on two pipes, and to forward
+them, on my account, to my uncle the Honourable Basil Cochrane, who had
+kindly offered to stow them in his cellars in Portman Square. Knowing
+the quality of the wine, the agent took upon himself to forward seven
+pipes instead of two, and on these duty was paid. As it was impossible
+to consume such a quantity, the whole was bottled, in order to await
+opportunity for its disposal.
+
+On this wine hangs a curious story. My residence in town was in Old
+Palace Yard, and one of my constant visitors was the late Mr. Croker, of
+the Admiralty, then on the look-out for political employment. This
+gentleman had an invitation to my table as often as he might think
+proper, and of this—from a similarity of taste and habit, as I was
+willing to believe—he so far availed himself as to become my daily
+guest; receiving a cordial reception, from friendship towards a person
+of ardent mind, who had to struggle as I had done to gain a position.
+
+Croker was one day dining with me, when some of the _Pallas_ wine was
+placed on the table. Expressing his admiration of my “superb claret,”
+for such it really was, notwithstanding that the Victualling Board had
+rejected wine of a similar quality for the use of seamen, though offered
+at the price of small beer, he asked me to let him have some of it. The
+reply was, that he should have as much as he pleased, at the cost of
+duty and bottling, taking the wine as I had done from the French, for
+nothing: jocosely remarking, that the claret would be all the better for
+coming from a friend instead of an enemy, he stated his intention to
+avail himself of my offer.
+
+Shortly after this incident, Croker, who had previously been in
+parliament, was appointed secretary to the Admiralty, and from that day
+forward he never presented himself at my apartments; nor did I, by any
+chance, meet him till some time afterwards, we encountered each other,
+by accident, near Whitehall.
+
+Recognising me in a way meant to convey the idea, that as he was now my
+master, our relations were slightly altered, I asked him why he had not
+sent for his wine? His reply was, “Why, really I have no use for it, my
+friends having supplied me more liberally than I have occasion for!”
+Well knowing the meaning of this, I made him a reply expressive of my
+appreciation of his conduct towards me personally, as well as of the
+wine sources from which he had been so liberally supplied. This, of
+course, was conclusive as to any future acquaintance, and we parted
+without one additional word.
+
+This incident converted into a foe one who had been regarded by me in
+the spirit of sincere and disinterested friendship. He was, moreover, in
+a position to make his enmity felt, and when I was hunted down by that
+infamous trial which blasted at a blow my hopes and reputation, the
+weight of official vengeance was all the more keenly felt, as being the
+return of former hospitality.
+
+In my previous attempts to call the attention of the House to naval
+abuses, Croker was my constant opponent; and as, in our days of
+friendship, I had unreservedly unbosomed to him my views and plans of
+action, he was in a condition to fight me with my own weapons, which
+thus became employed in continuance of the corrupt system at which they
+were aimed. If, at that period, there were any naval abuses requiring
+reformation, Mr. Croker was certainly the greatest stumbling-block to
+their removal, for no better reason than that plans for their remedy
+emanated from me, though in the days of our friendship, he had not only
+approved those plans, but even suggested others.
+
+On the 23rd of August, 1806, I was appointed to the command of the
+_Impérieuse_ frigate, which was commissioned on the 2nd of September
+following, the crew of the _Pallas_ being turned over to her.
+
+We left Plymouth on the 17th of November, but in a very unfit condition
+for sea.
+
+The alacrity of the port authorities to obtain praise for despatching
+vessels to sea before they were in fit condition, was reprehensible. It
+was a point in those days for port admirals to hurry off ships,
+regardless of consequences, immediately after orders for their sailing
+were received; this “_despatch_,” as it was incorrectly termed, securing
+the commendation of the Admiralty, whom no officer dared to inform of
+the danger to which both ships and crews were thereby exposed.
+
+The case of the _Impérieuse_ was very near proving the fallacy of the
+system. She was ordered to put to sea, the moment the rudder—which was
+being hung—would steer the ship. The order was of necessity obeyed. We
+were therefore compelled to leave port with a lighter full of provisions
+on one side, a second with ordnance stores on the other, and a third
+filled with gunpowder towing astern. We had not even opportunity to
+secure the guns; the quarter-deck cannonades were not shipped on their
+slides; and all was in the utmost confusion.
+
+The result of this precipitation was—for it had no object—that as soon
+as the land was out of sight, we were obliged to heave-to, in
+mid-channel, to unstow the after hold, get down the ballast, and clear
+the decks. Worse still—the rigging had not been effectually set up, so
+that had a gale of wind come on, the safety of the frigate might have
+been compromised; or had we been attacked by an enemy—even a gun-boat—we
+could not have fired a shot in return, as, from the powder coming on
+board last, we had not a cartridge filled.
+
+The weather becoming thick on the following day, no observation could be
+taken. The consequence was, that from the current and unknown drift of
+the frigate whilst hove-to, to set up the new rigging, secure the masts,
+and stow the hold, we drifted toward Ushant, and in the night struck
+heavily three or four times on a shelf, but fortunately forged over into
+a deep pool, in which, as it was blowing hard, we had to let go three
+anchors to hold the ship till the following morning.
+
+As soon as it became daylight, it was found that the _Impérieuse_ was
+inside of Ushant, instead of outside, to the manifest peril of the
+frigate. As it was, we sounded our way out with difficulty, and happily
+without material injury.
+
+I afterwards demanded a court-martial on my conduct in this affair, but
+it was not granted; because it was known that the blame would have
+fallen on others, not on me. This unwise and arbitrary conduct, in
+hastily and prematurely forcing vessels to sea, was mistaken by the
+public as a manifestation of official zeal in carrying on the service!
+
+It would be easy to mention numerous instances of the like nature, but
+this being my own case, I can vouch for its authenticity.
+
+In a future chapter it will be necessary again to advert to these and
+other evils to which men and ships were not only exposed, but actually
+sacrificed, by hurry or neglect of equipment.
+
+On the 29th we joined the blockading squadron in Basque Roads, and were
+ordered by the admiral to cruise off shore in the vicinity, but without
+effect, till the 19th of December, when we captured two vessels off
+Sable d’Olonne, and on the 31st a third at the entrance of the Garonne.
+
+On the 4th of January we gave chase to several vessels which ran in the
+direction of Arcassan. On the following day the boats were sent in chase
+of a galliot and another vessel in shore, but the cutter being swamped
+in the surf, both escaped into the creek or basin, and ran ashore. We
+then anchored about three miles from the entrance.
+
+On the 6th we again hoisted out boats and sent them with the stream
+anchors to warp off the vessels, in which operation they were
+successfully obstructed by a battery on an island at the entrance of the
+creek. As the water was too shoal for the frigate to approach with
+safety, the boats were manned, and before daylight on the 7th we carried
+the battery by assault, spiking or otherwise destroying the guns, which
+consisted of four 36-pounders, two field pieces, and a 13-inch mortar;
+this done, we collected their carriages, and what wood we could find,
+with which we set fire to the fort. Several gunboats being at anchor in
+the rear of the island, we burned them, as well as the vessels
+previously chased, not thinking it prudent to remain and get them off,
+as a general alarm had been excited along the coast.
+
+Having destroyed this battery, we again sailed for the Garonne, and on
+the 9th anchored off Cordovan, in the hope of intercepting any vessels
+entering or quitting the river; but notwithstanding we remained here
+till the 19th, none showed themselves, nor was any attempt made by the
+enemy to dislodge us from our position. Our anchorage was, however,
+exposed, and heavy gales coming on, we were compelled to make sail on
+the 19th.
+
+Shortly after this the _Impérieuse_ was ordered home, arriving at
+Plymouth on the 11th of February, without further incident. Indeed the
+cruise would not be worthy of record, except to preserve the order of
+time in this narrative of my services unbroken.
+
+On the 26th we chased some vessels off Isle Dieu, but they ran under the
+protection of a battery with which we exchanged some shots, and then
+made sail in the direction of Sable d’Olonne. On the 29th joined the
+squadron, and were ordered to supply the _Atalante_ with provisions and
+water. A further notice respecting this operation will be found in the
+parliamentary debate in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XIII.
+
+ DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.
+
+DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.—WESTMINSTER ELECTION.— REPLY TO MR.
+ SHERIDAN.—I AM ELECTED.—VIRULENT RECRIMINATIONS.—OPENING OF THE
+ HOUSE.—MOVE FOR AN ACCOUNT OF SINECURES.—OPPOSITION TO THE
+ MOTION.—MR. PERCEVAL’S PROPOSITION.—MY MOTION EVADED.—NAVAL ABUSES.—
+ DETAILS OF ABUSES.—NAVAL HOSPITALS.—SPEECH IN THE COMMONS.—JOIN LORD
+ COLLINGWOOD’S FLEET.
+
+
+On the 27th of April, 1807, the short but busy parliament was dissolved,
+“his Majesty being anxious to recur to the sense of his people.” In
+other words, it was dissolved for political reasons not within the scope
+of the present work to enter.
+
+In the following month of May writs were issued for a general election,
+and as my Honiton constituents, even during the short period I had been
+ashore, had heartily sickened me of further connection with them, by the
+incessant cry for places with which they had assailed me, I made up my
+mind to become a candidate for Westminster, with the object of adding
+the weight of an important constituency to my own representations on
+naval or other abuses whenever opportunity might occur. Or, as I told
+the electors of Westminster at a meeting convened at the St. Alban’s
+Tavern, my motive for soliciting their suffrages was, that “a man
+representing a rotten borough could not feel himself of equal
+consequence in the House with one representing such a city as
+Westminster—that disclaiming all attachment to parties or factions, it
+was not only my wish to be independent, but to be placed in a position
+where I could become so with effect, and that as this was impossible
+with no more efficient backers than my late constituents, my connection
+with them had ceased, and I had taken the liberty of soliciting the
+suffrages of the electors for Westminster.”
+
+The candidates for Westminster were, the Right Hon. Brinsley Sheridan,
+Mr. Elliot, Mr. Paul, and myself. It was not till the poll had
+commenced, that Sir Francis Burdett—at that time confined to his bed by
+a dangerous wound received in a duel with Mr. Paul—was put in
+nomination, without his knowledge, the nature of his wound not
+permitting any person to communicate with him, except his medical
+attendant.
+
+I was regarded as the opponent of Mr. Sheridan, and for want of better
+argument that gentleman’s partisans in the press sought to depreciate me
+in the estimation of the electors by representations of the most unjust
+character, a far more reprehensible act than that of pointing out to
+them the advantage of retaining an eminent and tried man in preference
+to one of whose political tendencies they could practically know
+nothing.
+
+In electioneering all devices are considered fair, so in place of
+resenting or retaliating, they were met by my declaration, that—
+
+ “Whatever gentlemen might say of their long political services—to the
+ electors belonged the privilege of judging for themselves, and that in
+ looking for security for the performance of pledges, they should also
+ consider the character of those who gave them. I was not a mere
+ professed reformer, but the zealous friend of reform, earnestly
+ desiring to see it thoroughly carried out as regarded many abuses
+ which had crept into our constitution. Much had been said of
+ profligacy and profusion of public money. But what was to be said of a
+ Commander-in-chief of the Navy, who would give away those commissions
+ which formed the stimulus, and should be the reward of honourable
+ merit, in exchange for borough interests? If I had the honour of being
+ returned for Westminster, I should feel confident in rising to arraign
+ such abuses. But in representing a rotten borough, I was under
+ restriction.”
+
+This explanation was favourably received, and the result was, that on
+the 10th of May I was at the head of the poll, whilst my detractors were
+at the bottom; Sir Francis Burdett being third, and Mr. Sheridan
+fourth,—a circumstance which called forth from the latter gentleman one
+of those diatribes for which he had become famous.
+
+To this I replied as follows:—
+
+ “I perfectly approved of the sentiments professed by the right
+ honourable gentleman, that ‘with respect to his own principles, he
+ would prefer the approbation of his country before the favour of any
+ administration, or other set of men.’ It had, however, been said, that
+ naval officers were unfit for representatives of the people in
+ parliament. But how were abuses in the Navy to be pointed out or
+ redressed by parliament, without the presence of men competent to
+ point them out, give accurate information, and suggest remedies?
+
+ “For six years past, such abuses had prevailed as were paralysing the
+ Navy. It was not the place to enter into details, but a few of the
+ more prominent points might be mentioned. Under what was called the
+ system of economy, adopted in the fleet, ships were kept at sea month
+ after month, and in such a crazy state of repair, as scarcely to be in
+ a condition to float. The system was, that when such vessels came into
+ harbour for repair, the Admiralty artificers were sent on board to
+ examine them. These men were afraid to tell the truth, if they
+ considered it unpalatable to their employers, lest they should lose
+ their places. They therefore reported, that such ships would do awhile
+ longer, with some slight repairs.
+
+ “The vessels received those repairs, without coming into dock, and
+ were sent to sea, where they were wrecked or foundered! This was the
+ case with the _Atalante_, ship of war, which was four months off
+ Rochefort last winter. I was ordered to victual that ship for a long
+ voyage, and remonstrated—declaring my opinion that she was unfit to go
+ to sea, and that, if she were sent, the first intelligence from her
+ would be, that she had foundered. The result was exactly as I had
+ foretold. In spite of remonstrance, she was sent to sea, and ship,
+ crew, and all went to the bottom (loud laughter). It was no laughing
+ matter. Like the fable of the frogs, it might be fun to some, though
+ anything but fun for brave men, whose lives were so valuable to their
+ families and their country. A similar fate attended the _Felix_
+ schooner, which was compelled to proceed to sea in a like condition,
+ and went down with officers and crew, of whom one man only was saved.
+
+ “Another point might be mentioned. What could be said of a man at the
+ head of the Navy, who would lavishly grant away, in exchange for
+ rotten borough interests, naval commissions which ought to be the
+ reward of those brave officers who had for years devoted their lives
+ at every hazard in the service of their country? Yet it was notorious
+ such things were done.
+
+ “It had been asserted, that naval and military officers were
+ ineligible to seats in parliament, because they might at any time be
+ called away by their professional duty. But such men might—and often
+ did—effect more for their country in a few days—sometimes in a few
+ hours—than half those gentlemen who continued for seven years, sitting
+ on their cushions in the House of Commons, without speaking a word for
+ the public good,—nay, very often voting against it (laughter and
+ applause).
+
+ “With regard to reform, it would be my wish to bring back the
+ constitution to its ancient purity—to exclude altogether from
+ parliament those placemen and pensioners who, by ancient laws, were
+ excluded from it, but whom modern practice had deemed it expedient to
+ place in the Legislature. What had the Committee of Reform done—of
+ whose labours and intentions so much had been said? When the
+ dissolution came, they were found sitting where they began their task,
+ without having effected anything whatever.”
+
+At the final close of the poll, Sir Francis Burdett and myself, being at
+the head, were declared elected, and I had the honour of representing a
+body of constituents whose subsequent support, under the most trying
+events of my life, forms one of my most gratifying recollections. I must
+also record it, to the honour of my Westminster friends, that during my
+long connection with them, no elector ever asked me to procure for
+himself or relatives a place under Government, whilst the multitude of
+applications for place from my late constituents formed, as has been
+said, a source of intolerable annoyance.
+
+This election was remarkable as being the first in which public opinion
+firmly opposed itself to party faction. It had become unmistakeably
+manifest that the two great factions into which politicians were divided
+had no other object than to share in the general plunder, and, as a
+first step to this, to embarrass the government of the “_ins_” by the
+factious opposition of the “_outs_.” Indeed, so obvious had this become,
+that the appellations of Whig and Tory were laid aside by common
+consent, and the more descriptive names of “_outs_” and “_ins_”
+substituted in their stead. My election had no doubt been secured by the
+emphatic declaration, that I would belong to neither party, supporting
+or opposing either as in my judgment might seem conducive to the
+national good.
+
+The animosity of these respective parties against each other was
+favourable to such a course. Each accused the other of grasping at
+offices for the sake of personal or dependent advantage, and averred
+that the aim of their opponents was neither the administration of
+government—which, as has been seen, was left to administer itself in its
+own way—nor the good of the country, but the possession and distribution
+of the public money. So virulent did these mutual recriminations become,
+that it cannot be wondered at if people took the disputants at their
+word; the more so as the moment either party was in power they threw
+aside the principles which had gained momentary ascendency, and devoted
+their sole attention to their former practices, knowing that, as their
+possession of office might be short, a tenure so uncertain must be made
+the most of. Statesmanship amongst such people was out of the question.
+Neither party could even foresee that the very disgust which their
+scramble for office was exciting in the public mind, must one day
+overthrow both factions.
+
+It was at this very Westminster election that the patriotism of the
+electors made itself felt throughout the length and breadth of the land,
+and laid the foundation of that reform which has been obtained by the
+present generation. To the error which had been committed both factions
+became speedily alive, and each in turn persecuted the expression of
+public opinion whenever opportunity offered. The press, as far as
+possible, was gagged; public writers and speakers heavily fined, and
+sentenced to lengthened imprisonment; and, where the rank or position of
+the offender rendered this impracticable, both parties joined in the
+most uncompromising hostility to him, as afterwards I had but too much
+reason to know to my cost.
+
+On the 24th of June, the electors of Westminster insisted on carrying
+Sir Francis Burdett from his house in Piccadilly to a magnificent
+entertainment at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand. A triumphal
+car was provided, which on its passage through immense crowds of
+spectators was enthusiastically greeted, the illustrious occupant
+reclining with his wounded leg on a cushion, whilst the other was placed
+on a figure, inscribed with the words “VENALITY AND CORRUPTION,” which
+were thus emblematically trampled under foot.
+
+On the 26th the House was formally opened by the delivery of his
+Majesty’s speech, through the instrumentality of commissioners, viz.
+Lord Chancellor Eldon, and the Earls of Aylesford and Dartmouth. In the
+course of the debate on the address, during which much party
+recrimination took place, I excited great animosity by expressing a hope
+that, “as each party charged the other with making jobs in order to
+influence the elections, the conduct of both might in this respect be
+inquired into, and that hence, some third party would arise, which would
+stand aloof from selfish interests, and sinecure places, for that, as
+parties were at present constituted, I would not support either unless
+they were prepared to act on other principles than those by which them
+present course appeared to be guided.”
+
+On the 7th of July, pursuant to notice, I brought forward a motion to
+the following effect:—
+
+ “That a committee be appointed to inquire into, and report upon, to
+ this House, an account of all offices, posts, places, sinecures,
+ pensions, situations, fees, perquisites, and emoluments of every
+ description, paid out of or arising from the public revenues, or fees
+ of any courts of law, equity, admiralty, ecclesiastical, or other
+ courts, held or enjoyed by, or in trust for, any member of this House,
+ his wife, or any of his descendants for him, or either of them, in
+ reversion of any present interest; with an account of the annual
+ amount of such, distinguishing whether the same arises from a certain
+ salary or from an average amount; that this inquiry extend to the
+ whole of his Majesty’s dominions, and that the said committee be
+ empowered to send for persons, papers, and records.”
+
+My argument was. “that if this motion were granted, the result would
+prove whether there was any possibility of making those _who had lived
+on, and enriched themselves by the public money_, feel for the
+extraordinary burthens under which the people laboured. The late plan of
+finance proved that as much as could be exacted had been drawn from the
+people, and that it was not possible to extract more—ingenuity having
+exhausted itself in devising new sources of taxation; so that it was
+necessary to satisfy the greed of dependents on the public purse by the
+expedient of profligate advertisements, offering for sale the public
+patronage, and even seats in a certain assembly. It was proper to show
+the public that there was nothing in the character or habits of those
+composing that House which they desired to conceal.”
+
+There was nothing factious in this, but the fear of the Government was,
+that were such a motion agreed to, the country would perceive that the
+vast accumulation of the national debt did not arise so much from
+warlike expenditure, defensive or aggressive, as from political
+profligacy. The motion was, therefore, opposed by one of the leading
+members of the House, on the ground that it was invidious and improper
+_to convey to the public an insinuation that members of parliament were
+influenced by considerations of private advantage for themselves or
+their dependents; and that it was most essential, at this critical
+period, the character of the House of Commons should not be degraded or
+depreciated_.
+
+In this view both factions joined _con amore_, for the question as to
+which it was aimed at was only that of being _in or out of office_. That
+there was any chance of such a motion being passed was not expected by
+any one, and least of all by myself; but the predicament in which it had
+placed the House was that of either assenting to the correctness of its
+principle, or of asserting boldly that there were no grounds for the
+inquiry. The latter course was too high to be taken with safety.
+
+Mr. Whitbread, a most excellent man, and a great peacemaker when
+practicable, came to the rescue, by stating that though he concurred in
+principle with my motion, yet it might be sufficient to refer it to a
+committee of finance, with instructions to inquire into and report upon
+the matters therein contained. Such a course would be useful without
+being invidious, and a report based upon such alteration would probably
+be attended with beneficial results.
+
+Mr. Perceval caught at the alternative thus presented, and immediately
+proposed that the motion should be thus altered:—
+
+ “That there should be an instruction to the committee of public
+ expenditure, to procure a list of all places, pensions, &c.,
+ specifying by whom they were held, with the exception of those
+ belonging to the Army _and Navy_, and officers _below 200l. a year in
+ the revenue_, and that they should cause this list to be laid on the
+ table.”
+
+To this compromise I demurred, stating that “my motive had not been made
+in expectation of pecuniary saving, but because a general feeling
+existed in the country regarding _the corruption of the House of
+Commons! It was notorious that commissions in the Army and Navy had been
+given for votes in that House_, and to such an extent was the system
+carried, that the best way to preferment was considered to be by the
+purchase of a house or two in usually contested boroughs. I could not
+accept as a substitute for my motion an alphabetical list of pensions
+and places, though it would be an object of great curiosity, and though
+many might be ashamed of holding such offices if their names were
+exposed to public view. On these grounds I would press my motion to a
+division,”—which was carried against me by a majority of 29.
+
+Mr. Perceval then moved his amendment, which elicited from Mr. Whitbread
+a declaration, that “it was unquestionably Lord Cochrane’s meaning that
+there should be exhibited, during the present session of parliament, a
+list of _all_ the members of that House holding sinecure offices,
+places, &c., under Government, and _in that way liable to have their
+conduct influenced. If such a return were not made, the House would
+disgrace itself._ Those who at present respected the House would suspect
+that all was not right; whilst those who already suspected it would have
+their suspicions confirmed.”
+
+Mr. Sheridan also pronounced Mr. Perceval’s amendment “to be nothing but
+an evasion of my motion, intended to overwhelm the inquiry, and thus to
+suffocate the object Lord Cochrane had in view.” The House, however, was
+not inclined to publish its own shame, and Mr Perceval’s amendment was
+carried by a large majority. So far as the production of the general
+pension list was concerned, my first essay in the House was thus a
+success.
+
+The ill-feeling, however, engendered towards myself amongst men of both
+parties, the greater portion of whom were either implicated in, or
+recipients of, the corruption denounced by a few servants of the crown,
+cannot at the present day be conveyed to the imagination of the reader.
+To appreciate it he must have been conversant with such matters fifty
+years ago, and have witnessed the first onslaught made upon them from a
+quarter so unexpected.
+
+On the 10th of July, I brought forward a motion on naval abuses. As in
+the present day any discussion of a matter so remote would be tedious,
+it will suffice for the continuation of the narrative to transcribe from
+the pages of Hansard all that need be said on the subject.
+
+ “LORD COCHRANE rose and said,—‘Sir,—A wish to avert part of the
+ impending dangers of my country has made me resolve to move for
+ certain papers relative to the Naval Service, not with a retrospective
+ view to blame individuals, but that unnecessary hardships may cease to
+ exist. I am willing to believe that members of this House, whose
+ talents are capable to do justice to the cause, are ignorant of
+ circumstances which for years have embittered the lives of seamen
+ employed in His Majesty’s Service; and that as to the gentlemen of the
+ naval profession who have seats here, I suppose that the diffidence
+ occasioned by the awe which this House at first inspires, has
+ prevented them from performing this important duty.
+
+ “‘I shall be as brief as possible, but as the nature of some of the
+ papers for which I am about to move is unknown to many members of this
+ House, it will be necessary that I should give some explanation. The
+ first motion is, “That there be laid before this House copies of all
+ letters or representations made by Commanders of H.M.’s sloop
+ _Atalante_ and schooner _Felix_, addressed to Captain Keats
+ (commanding off Rochefort), respecting the state and condition of
+ those vessels, and the sick therein.”
+
+ “‘The object of this motion is to prove that vessels, under the
+ present system, are kept at sea in a dangerous state, and that the
+ lives of many officers and men are in constant peril. Lieutenant
+ Cameron, who commanded the _Felix_, and since lost in that vessel, was
+ one of the best and ablest officers I ever knew. He found it incumbent
+ on him to report that the _Felix_ ought to be sent into port to
+ repair. I shall read part of two letters from the surgeon, dated three
+ months before they all perished, and previous to Lieutenant Cameron’s
+ being appointed to command that vessel. The other dated eight days
+ before that melancholy event. On the 14th of November, he says,—“Our
+ noble commander has been very active in his endeavours to get
+ confirmed to this vessel, much more than I should be: she sails worse
+ and worse, and I think the chances are against our ever bringing her
+ into an English port.” On the 14th of January, 1807, the surgeon
+ says,—“Every endeavour has been put in force by Cameron and myself to
+ get her into port, but without success. He attacked the commodore with
+ most miserable epistles of distress throughout, and I attacked him
+ with a very formidable sick list, but all, my friend, would not do.”
+
+ “‘I may be told that there is danger in agitating such subjects; but
+ there can be none at any time in bringing to the knowledge of the
+ Legislature, for redress, that which is notorious to those who have a
+ right to claim it. No, Sir, let grievances be redressed in time, and
+ complaints will cease. When the _Impérieuse_, the ship I command, was
+ about to leave Rochefort, I was ordered to revictual the _Atalante_
+ for six weeks, though she had then been out eight months—a period
+ sufficient to ruin the health, break the energy, and weary the spirit
+ of all employed in such a vessel. The _Atalante_ was hauled alongside,
+ the commander and several officers came on board, and informed me of
+ the bad condition of their sloop. They said she was wholly unfit to
+ keep the sea, and that a gale of wind would cause her inevitable loss.
+ I think they said the fore-mast, and bowsprit, and fore-yard, were all
+ sprung; besides, the vessel made twenty inches of water per hour. I
+ thought it well to mention the circumstances, thus reported, to the
+ commanding officer off Rochefort—for I well knew that the minds of
+ subordinate officers ordered to survey were impressed with terror,
+ lest any vessel surveyed should not be found, on arriving in port,
+ quite so bad as represented. Their usual plan therefore is, to say
+ such a vessel can keep the sea a while longer—knowing that if any
+ accident occurs it will be ascribed to zeal for the good of His
+ Majesty’s service! So much impressed was I with the bad state of this
+ vessel, that I said to the builder of Plymouth-yard, in the presence
+ of Admiral Sutton, on my arrival there, that the first news we should
+ have from Rochefort, if there should happen to be a gale of wind,
+ would be the loss of the _Atalante_. Under the harassing system of
+ eight or nine months’ cruises, men get tired of their lives, and even
+ indifferent as to the choice between a French prison and their present
+ misery.
+
+ “‘The next document I propose to move for is—“An abstract of the
+ weekly accounts of H. M.’s ships and frigates employed off Brest and
+ Rochefort, from the 1st of March, 1806, until the 1st of March, 1807.”
+ From this the number of men employed, the number of sick, the time the
+ ships have been kept at sea, and the time they have been allowed in
+ harbour to refit the vessels and recruit the crews, will appear. The
+ _Plantagenet_, for instance, was eight months within four hours’ sail
+ of England. She was then forced, by stress of weather, into Falmouth,
+ where she remained twelve days wind-bound; but an order existed (which
+ I shall presently make the subject of a motion,) by which neither
+ officer nor man could stretch his legs on the gravel beach within
+ fifty yards of the ship! In order to show how little benefit has been
+ derived from supplies at sea, as a substitute for refreshment and
+ recreation which the crews were formerly suffered to enjoy, I shall
+ next move—“That there be laid before this House an account of the
+ quantity of fresh provisions, expressed in day’s allowance, received
+ at sea by each of H. M.’s ships off Rochefort and Brest, from the 1st
+ of March, 1806, to the 1st of March, 1807.” Formerly, when the four
+ months’ provisions were expended, the return of a ship to port was a
+ matter of course; but now they are victualled and revictualled at sea;
+ so that an East India voyage is performed with more refreshment than a
+ Channel cruise. Lime-juice is the substitute for fresh provisions, a
+ debilitating antidote to the scurvy—unfit to re-establish the strength
+ of the body impaired by the constant use of salt provisions.
+
+ “‘The next motion (which I shall propose) is—“That there be laid
+ before this House all orders issued and acted on between the 1st of
+ March, 1806, and March, 1807, respecting leave to be granted or
+ withheld from officers or men, distinguishing who was
+ Commander-in-chief at the times of issuing such orders.” It is a hard
+ case that in harbour neither officer nor men shall be permitted to go
+ on shore; these orders I do not hesitate to condemn; and the injustice
+ appears the more striking, when it is remembered that the
+ Commander-in-chief resided in London, enjoying not only the salary of
+ his office, but claiming the emolument of prize-money gained by the
+ toil of those in active service. I shall not be surprised to find the
+ office of Commander-in-chief bestowed on some favourite as a sinecure
+ by some future minister.
+
+ “‘With respect to the sick, I feel it necessary to say a few words,
+ but I shall first read my motion on that subject—“That there be laid
+ before this House all orders issued and acted on between the 1st of
+ March, 1805, and the 1st of March, 1807, by, or by the authority of
+ the Commander-in-chief of H.M.’s ships and vessels in the Channel,
+ allowing or restraining commanding officers from sending men to the
+ naval hospitals, or restricting their admission to such hospitals.” In
+ consequence of regulations established in these institutions, men are
+ frequently refused admittance. No man, whatever may be his state of
+ health, can be sent to an hospital from any of the ships in the
+ Channel fleet, unless previously examined by the surgeon of the
+ Commander-in-chief. Deaths, amputations, and total loss of health,
+ were the consequences of the impossibility of this officer going from
+ ship to ship, in bad weather, when opportunity offered to convey the
+ sick to port. So pertinaciously were such regulations adhered to, that
+ although I sent a sick lieutenant and a man ruptured to the hospital,
+ they were not admitted. The disease of the one (who was under
+ salivation) was declared to be contrary to the order regulating
+ admission, and he was returned through sleet and rain: the other was
+ refused because everything _possible_ had not been done to reduce the
+ rupture, as he had not been hung up by the heels, in a rolling sea,
+ which might have proved his death!
+
+ “‘The system of naval hospitals is thoroughly bad. Mistaken economy
+ has even reduced the quantity of lint for the purpose of dressing
+ wounds. To the ships there is not half enough allowed. Unworthy
+ savings have been unworthily made, endangering the lives of officers
+ and seamen. Indeed the grievances of the Navy have been, and are so
+ severe, through rigour and mistaken economy, that I can see nothing
+ more meritorious than the patience with which these grievances have
+ been endured.’
+
+ “Sir Samuel Hood, Admiral Harvey, Admiral Markham, the Chancellor of
+ the Exchequer, Mr. Windham, and others, spoke against the motion.
+
+ “Lord Cochrane rose _in reply_, and said, ‘I disclaim, Sir, any motive
+ whatever, except a regard for the real interests of my country, though
+ I confess that I cannot help feeling in common with others the
+ treatment received. Improper motives have been imputed to me, and I
+ might reply to one of those gentlemen who has denied facts which I can
+ prove, that he was one of those who established this abominable
+ system. What his abilities may be, in matters not connected with the
+ naval service, I know not; but it is a known fact that his noble
+ patron, the Earl of St. Vincent, sent the master of the _Ville de
+ Paris_ to put his ship in some tolerable order. (Here there was a cry
+ of order, order, from Admiral Harvey and others.)
+
+ “‘With respect to the assertion made by the same gentleman, that the
+ health of the men is increased by long cruises at sea, and that of the
+ Commander-in-chief is improved by being on shore, he may reconcile
+ that if he can. I shall not follow the example of imputing improper
+ motives (looking at Captain Sir Samuel Hood); but another complaint
+ is, that under this obnoxious system of favouritism, captains have
+ been appointed to large commands of six and seven sail of the line, as
+ many frigates and as many sloops of war, the right of admirals who
+ have served, and can serve their country, and who have bled in its
+ cause. But perhaps, for such times, their ranks did not afford a
+ prospect of their being sufficiently subservient.
+
+ “‘This House, I believe, need not be told that from this cause there
+ are admirals of ability who have lingered in neglect. (A cry of order,
+ order, from Admiral Harvey and others.) Sir, two parts of the
+ statement of the Honourable Knight are especially worthy of notice, so
+ far as they were meant as a reply to my statement. He said he had an
+ hundred men killed and wounded in his ship, and no complaint, no
+ inconvenience arose from want of lint, or anything else. First, this
+ occurred when surgeons supplied their own necessaries, and next, the
+ wounded men were sent on the day following to Gibraltar Hospital.
+
+ “‘Now, Sir, with respect to the blame said to be attributed by me to
+ Lord St. Vincent for the loss of the _Felix_ and _Atalante_—I have to
+ say, that it is of the general system and its consequences of which I
+ complain—of endless cruises, rendering surveys at sea a substitute for
+ a proper examination of the state of ships in port. The Honourable
+ Knight is a little unfortunate in the comparison he has made—saying,
+ that Lord St. Vincent was no more to blame in the case of these
+ vessels, than for my getting the _Impérieuse_ on shore on the coast of
+ France. Now, since this subject has been touched on, I must state,
+ that I made application for a court-martial on my conduct; but it was
+ not granted, because the blame would have fallen where it ought—on the
+ person whose repeated positive commands sent the ship to sea in an
+ unfit condition. The people of the yard had not finished the work, all
+ was in confusion. The quarter-deck guns lay unfitted, forty tons of
+ ballast, besides provisions of all kinds, remained on deck. The powder
+ (allowed to be taken on board only when the ship is out of harbour)
+ was received when the ship was in that condition, and the _Impérieuse_
+ was hurried to sea without a cartridge filled or a gun loaded! The
+ order issued was, to quit the port the instant the ship would steer,
+ regardless of every other material circumstance. (Another cry of
+ order, order, from the same gentlemen. The Speaker said the Noble Lord
+ must confine himself to the motion before the House.)
+
+ “‘Well, Sir, it is asserted that a profusion of oranges is supplied to
+ the fleet at Lisbon, in reply to my statement, that none are allowed
+ in the hospitals at home. I have not heard from any of those who have
+ so zealously spoken on the other side, a defence of the obnoxious
+ order to keep all officers and men on board. All such grievances may
+ seem slight and matter of indifference to those who are here at their
+ ease; but I view them in another light, and if no one better qualified
+ will represent subjects of great complaint, I will do so, independent
+ of every personal consideration.
+
+ “‘In the course of the debate it has been asserted, that I said
+ lime-juice was a bad cure for the scurvy—no, it is a cure, and almost
+ a certain cure, but debilitating—it destroys the disease, but ruins
+ the constitution. An Hon. member (Mr. Sheridan) has said, that all
+ this should have been represented to the Admiralty, that this House is
+ an improper place for such discussions, and he has threatened to call
+ for all letters from me to the Board. To the first, I answer, that
+ Boards pay no attention to the representations of individuals whom
+ they consider under their command; next, that if the Right Honourable
+ gentleman calls for my letters, he will find some that will not suit
+ his purpose.
+
+ “‘Sir, besides the public abuses, the oppression and scandalous
+ persecution of individuals, often on anonymous information, has been,
+ and is matter of great complaint. Sir, if the present Admiralty shall
+ increase the sum allowed for the refreshment of crews in port, instead
+ of corrupting their bodies by salt provisions, and then drenching them
+ with lime-juice, they will deserve the gratitude and thanks of all
+ employed. In the Navy, we have had to lament the system that makes the
+ Admiralty an appendage of the minister of the day, and that just as a
+ Board begin to see, and perhaps to plan reform, they are removed from
+ office. I trust, Sir, that I shall not be denied the papers moved for,
+ and that my motion will not be got rid of by a blind vote of
+ confidence, or the subterfuge of the previous question.’
+
+ “The motion was negatived without a division.”[36]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 36:
+
+ Hansard’s Parliamentary Debates, vol. ix.
+
+-----
+
+From the preceding extract it will have been seen that my motion
+produced no effect upon the House. It however produced a _cessation of
+my legislative functions!_ for immediately afterwards I was ordered to
+join Lord Collingwood’s fleet in the Mediterranean; it being perhaps
+anticipated that I should vacate my seat in consequence; but this the
+electors of Westminster prevented, by giving me unlimited leave of
+absence from my parliamentary duties.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XIV.
+
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_.
+
+CRUISE OF THE IMPÉRIEUSE.—ENGAGEMENT WITH THE KING GEORGE.—OFF
+ TOULON.—FALL IN WITH THIRTEEN MERCHANTMEN.—AM RECALLED BY LORD
+ COLLINGWOOD.—RUSSIAN DECLARATION OF WAR.—CAPTURE A VESSEL FROM
+ CORFU.—RUN INTO VALENCIA.—CLEAR FOR ACTION.—DEATH OF LIEUT.
+ CAULFIELD.—CHASE ROUND CAPE NEGRETTI.—BLOW UP A TOWER AT
+ MINORCA.—CAPTURE OF SPANISH WINE.—FALL IN WITH THE LEONIDAS.—CAPTURE
+ A XEBEC.—CHASE THREE SHIPS.—CAPTURE A XEBEC.—CAPE PALOS.—GALE AT
+ SEA.—JOSEPH PROCLAIMED KING OF SPAIN.—SPAIN DECLARES WAR AGAINST
+ FRANCE.
+
+
+On the 12th of September, 1807, the _Impérieuse_ sailed from Portsmouth
+to join Lord Collingwood’s fleet in the Mediterranean, having in charge
+a convoy of thirty-eight sail of merchantmen destined for Gibraltar and
+Malta. We reached Malta on the 31st of October, and finding that Lord
+Collingwood was cruising off Palermo, sailed on the 5th of November to
+join his fleet.
+
+On the 14th, under the land of Corsica, two strange sail were
+discovered, and it being calm, the boats were manned and gave chase, the
+larger of the vessels showing English colours. Finding that this _ruse_
+did not check the progress of the boats, she hove to, and when they had
+advanced within musket shot, hauled in her colours and commenced firing
+with musketry and long guns; the boats, however, dashed alongside, and
+in five minutes, after considerable slaughter, were in possession.
+
+She proved to be a Maltese privateer of 10 guns; her crew, however,
+consisting of Russians, Italians, and Sclavonians, the captain only
+being a Maltese. In this affair we lost one man killed, and two officers
+and thirteen men wounded. The loss of the privateer was far more
+considerable, her treachery being severely punished.
+
+I was much vexed at this affair, for the vessel, though hailing from
+Malta, was in reality a pirate, and ought to have been treated as such.
+After despatching her to Malta, I addressed the following letter on the
+subject to Lord Collingwood:—
+
+ “H. M. S. _Impérieuse_, off Corsica,
+ 14th Nov. 1807.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I am sorry to inform your Lordship of a circumstance which
+ has already been fatal to two of our best men, and I fear of thirteen
+ others wounded two will not survive. These wounds they received in an
+ engagement with a set of desperate savages collected in a privateer,
+ said to be the _King George_, of Malta, wherein the only subjects of
+ his Britannic Majesty were three Maltese boys, one Gibraltar man, and
+ a naturalised captain; the others being renegadoes from all countries,
+ and great part of them belonging to nations at war with Great Britain.
+
+ “This vessel, my Lord, was close to the Corsican shore. On the near
+ approach of our boats a union-jack was hung over her gunwale. One boat
+ of the three, which had no gun, went within hail, and told them that
+ we were English. The boats then approached, but when close alongside,
+ the colours of the stranger were taken in, and a volley of grape and
+ musketry discharged in the most barbarous and savage manner, their
+ muskets and blunderbusses being pointed from beneath the netting close
+ to the people’s breasts.
+
+ “The rest of the men and officers then boarded and carried the vessel
+ in the most gallant manner. The bravery shown and exertion used on
+ this occasion were worthy of a better cause.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord Collingwood.”
+
+This pirate, for the capture of which, as was subsequently learned,
+500_l._ had been offered, was after much trouble condemned as a _droit
+of Admiralty!_ it being evidently hoped that by this course such
+influence might be brought to bear as would eventually procure her
+restoration: for it was currently reported at Malta that certain persons
+connected with the Admiralty Court had a share in her! Be this as it
+may, we never obtained the premium for her capture, but in place thereof
+were _condemned by the Court of Admiralty to pay five hundred double
+sequins_! After this, the Maltese court always threw every obstacle in
+the way of condemning our prizes, and, when this was effected, with such
+costs as to render the term “prize” almost a misnomer; a subject on
+which some strange stories will have to be told in another place.
+
+On the 19th we joined Lord Collingwood’s fleet off Toulon, consisting of
+the _Ocean_, _Malta_, _Montague_, _Tiger_, _Repulse_, _Canopus_, and
+_Espoir_. The _Impérieuse_ was forthwith ordered to Malta, to land the
+wounded, after which we were directed by Lord Collingwood to proceed to
+the Archipelago, his Lordship giving me an order to supersede the
+officer in command of the blockading squadron there.
+
+On the 26th we again fell in with the fleet off Sardinia, and on the
+29th anchored in Valetta, our pirate prize having arrived on the
+preceding evening. On the 6th of December, the _Impérieuse_ sailed for
+the Archipelago, and on the 8th passed between Zante and Cephalonia. On
+the 11th we joined the blockading squadron in the Adriatic, consisting
+of the _Unité_, _Thames_, _Porcupine_, and _Weasel_, which were then
+watching some French frigates in Corfu. On the 12th, the _Impérieuse_
+overhauled three Russian vessels, one of which threw overboard three
+bundles of letters. By prompt exertion we were lucky enough to rescue
+these, and found them to contain important intelligence.
+
+On arriving off Corfu, and pending the necessary arrangements for
+transferring the command of the blockading squadron to myself, I asked
+leave of the senior officer still in command to take a run to the north
+end of the island. This being granted, we sailed forthwith, and to our
+surprise soon afterwards fell in with thirteen merchantmen, as leisurely
+proceeding along the blockaded coast as though we had belonged to their
+own nation! Singling out the three nearest to us, we took possession of
+them, and to our astonishment found that each had a pass from the
+officer I was ordered to supersede!
+
+Despite this unlooked-for protection, I sent them to Malta for
+adjudication, and they were, I believe, condemned. The immediate result
+to myself, however—as Lord Collingwood long afterwards told me—was _the
+withdrawal of my appointment to the command of the blockading squadron_!
+The commanding officer, whose passes I had intercepted, promptly took
+the initiative, and without apprising me, despatched one of his vessels
+to Lord Collingwood, with a letter stating generally that, “_from my
+want of discretion I was unfit to be entrusted with a single ship, much
+less with the command of a squadron_!” Lord Collingwood acted on the
+representation without making inquiry into its cause, and the
+consequence was my recall to receive further orders from his Lordship,
+this amounting to my deposition from the only command of a squadron that
+was ever offered to me.
+
+I was, of course, ignorant of Lord Collingwood’s reasons for recalling
+me, though greatly disappointed at such a result. It was not till some
+time afterwards, when too late to remedy the injury, that I ventured to
+ask his Lordship the reason of such a proceeding. He frankly told me,
+when I as frankly informed him of the intercepted passes, and that my
+senior officer had traduced me to his Lordship, by way of first blow in
+a serious scrape. Lord Collingwood was very indignant, but from the
+lapse of time, and probably from having neglected to investigate the
+matter at the time, he thought it better not to reopen it, and thus my
+traducer continued his pass trade with impunity.
+
+I give the above incident as it occurred. Those to whom such a statement
+may appear incredible, will find, on consulting the pages of Captain
+Brenton, that it was not an isolated instance.
+
+I shall add, that on my return from the Mediterranean, in 1809, an
+officer, who shall be nameless, waited on me at Portsmouth, and begged
+me not to make official or public mention of the preceding circumstance,
+or it would be his ruin. I made him no promise, but having then the
+preparation for the Basque Roads attack on my hands, there was no time
+to attend to the matter, and as the circumstance had not been officially
+reported by me at the time—as indeed it did not come within my province
+to report it—I never afterwards troubled myself about it, though this
+shameless proceeding had deprived me of the only chance I ever had to
+command more than a single ship![37]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 37:
+
+ The excuse offered to me was, that the purser had been making use of
+ the captain’s name, for his own purposes! A very improbable story, as
+ in such a case it would not have been difficult to convict the purser
+ and exonerate himself. The disgraceful letter to Lord Collingwood,
+ however, clearly pointed out the delinquent.
+
+-----
+
+On the 17th we fell in with a brig bound from Trieste to Lord
+Collingwood with despatches, announcing that Russia had declared
+hostilities against England. This intelligence was fortunate, as there
+were several Russian ships of war in the Gulf, with one of which—a
+line-of-battle ship—we had fallen in only two days previous.
+
+The professed origin of the declaration of Russia against England was
+our questionable conduct at Copenhagen. But, notwithstanding the
+assumption by Russia, that she had endeavoured to serve our cause at
+Tilsit, there is no doubt but that she was secretly leagued with
+Napoleon against us. I never knew what was in the letters we rescued, as
+they were sent to Lord Collingwood; but no doubt they contained
+important intelligence for the French squadron then in the Archipelago,
+and, coming from a Russian source, there was little question as to the
+nature of their contents, which appeared to be conclusive in the
+estimation of the British authorities.
+
+On the 22nd the _Impérieuse_ stood into the Gulf of Valona under French
+colours, and saw some vessels close in under the batteries. As soon as
+it became dark, we manned the boats and brought out a Turkish vessel
+under the fire of a battery. On the 30th again joined the squadron, and
+learned that the Russian fleet, consisting of five sail of the line and
+three frigates, had left Corfu and gone up the Adriatic.
+
+On the 2nd of January, 1808, we joined Lord Collingwood, the fleet then
+bearing up in the direction of Syracuse. On the 8th gave chase to some
+vessels off the south point of Cephalonia, sending the boats after them
+into the bay; but the enemy being on the alert, and the vessels being
+run on shore, it became necessary to recall the boats. On the 12th, when
+off Otranto, we captured a vessel from Corfu to that place, laden with
+clothing and iron.
+
+On the 23rd we again joined Lord Collingwood off Corfu, and were
+dispatched to Malta with sealed orders, arriving there on the 28th.
+Having filled up our water and provisions, the _Impérieuse_ was then
+ordered to Gibraltar, for which port we sailed on the 31st, my
+expectations of increased command, thanks to the adroit turn given to my
+seizure of the intercepted passes, being thus at an end.
+
+The instructions now given me by Lord Collingwood were to harass the
+Spanish and French coast as opportunity served. These instructions,
+though forming a poor equivalent for the command of a squadron, were
+nevertheless considered by me complimentary, as acknowledging the good
+effected by my former cruises in the _Speedy_. Consequently, I
+determined to make every exertion to merit his lordship’s approbation in
+the present instance.
+
+On the 9th of February we made the high land of Spain to the eastward of
+Barcelona, and at daylight on the following morning fell in with two
+vessels bound from Carthagena to Marseilles, both of which were captured
+and sent to Malta with the prisoners.
+
+On the 11th looked into Barcelona, where a considerable number of
+vessels lay at anchor, but knowing the fortifications to be too strong
+to warrant success in an attempt to cut any of them out, the
+_Impérieuse_ again made sail. On the 18th we ran in close to Valencia,
+and having on the previous day perceived some vessels anchored within a
+mile of the town, the boats were sent off after dark to capture them,
+but as they unfortunately proved to be American, our labour was
+abortive.
+
+On the 15th we arrived off Alicant, and at daylight stood close to the
+town under American colours. Two boats came out, but finding their
+mistake when within gunshot, they immediately made for the shore, and
+the batteries opened fire upon us. As there was no purpose to be
+answered in returning this, we passed by Cape Palos, where four gunboats
+showing Russian colours were observed at anchor under the protection of
+one of the numerous batteries with which the Spanish coast was studded.
+
+On the 17th entered a bay about eight miles to the westward of
+Carthagena to intercept some vessels observed running along shore. After
+a long chase with the boats, we succeeded in capturing two. As I had
+made up my mind to get possession of the gunboats seen two days
+previously, we stood off out of sight of land in order to lull
+suspicion, and at sunset on the 19th again steered for the bay in which
+they were at anchor. At 9 P.M. we distinctly saw them quit their
+anchorage, on which we cleared for action, remaining undiscovered till
+they had passed the point which forms one extremity of the bay. They now
+attempted to return, but too late. Running in amongst them, we opened
+both our broadsides with effect, and dashing at them with the boats,
+took one, armed with a 32-pounder, a brass howitzer, and two smaller
+guns. Another sank with all hands, just as the boats were alongside, and
+a third sank shortly afterwards. A fourth escaped by running for
+Carthagena, where we did not think it politic to follow her, lest we
+might bring upon us the Spanish fleet at anchor there. A brig with a
+valuable cargo also fell into our hands.
+
+Having received information from the prisoners taken in the gunboats
+that a large French ship, laden with lead and other munitions of war,
+was at anchor in the Bay of Almeria, I determined on cutting her out,
+and the night being dark, it became necessary to bring to. At daylight
+on the 21st, we found ourselves within a few miles of the town, and
+having hoisted American colours, had the satisfaction to perceive that
+no alarm was excited on shore.
+
+The boats having been previously got in readiness, were forthwith
+hoisted out, and the large pinnace, under the command of Lieutenant
+Caulfield, dashed at the French ship, which, as the pinnace approached,
+commenced a heavy fire, in the midst of which the ship was gallantly
+boarded, but with the loss of poor Caulfield, who was shot on entering
+the vessel. The other pinnace coming up almost at the same moment
+completed the capture, and the cable being cut, sail was made on the
+prize.
+
+Some smaller vessels were also secured, but before we could get clear
+the wind died away; and the _Impérieuse_ and her prizes were
+becalmed,—the batteries of the town and citadel opening upon us a heavy
+fire, which lasted till 11 A.M., when a light breeze carried us out of
+gun-shot.
+
+Of these batteries our most formidable opponent was a four-gun tower,
+situated on an eminence above us; but by exercising great care in laying
+our guns, we contrived to keep this battery from doing mischief, except
+that now and then they managed to hull the prize, which had been placed
+between the battery and the frigate. By mid-day, however, we were clear
+of the batteries, with the prize safe. It was fortunate for us that a
+breeze sprang up, for had it continued calm, we could not have brought a
+vessel out in the face of such batteries, not more than half a mile
+distant.
+
+Neither, perhaps, should we ourselves have so easily escaped, on another
+account,—for about four o’clock in the afternoon a Spanish ship of the
+line suddenly appeared in the offing, no doubt with the intention of
+ascertaining the cause of the firing. We, however, kept close to the
+wind, and got clear off with the French ship, mounting 10 guns, and two
+brigs laden with cordage. The scene must have been an interesting one to
+the people of Almeria, great numbers of the inhabitants lining the
+shore, though at some risk, as from our position many shots from the
+_Impérieuse_ must have passed over them.
+
+On the 23rd the frigate arrived at Gibraltar, with the prizes in
+company, and on the following day we attended the remains of Lieutenant
+Caulfield to the grave.
+
+On the 2nd of March, we received orders again to proceed up the
+Mediterranean together with the _Hydra_, with which vessel we sailed in
+company on the 4th. Heavy weather setting in, prevented our return to
+Almeria, as had been intended; but on the 12th we stood close in to the
+entrance of Carthagena, where only the guardship and a sloop of war were
+at anchor under strong fortifications. As nothing could be done here, we
+anchored about two miles to the eastward of the port, in the hope of
+catching vessels running along shore. At daylight the next morning we
+gave chase to a ship rounding Cape Negretti, but she escaped into a bay
+in the vicinity, under the protection of a powerful battery and several
+gunboats. As we knew nothing of the anchorage we did not attempt to
+molest them.
+
+On the 13th the _Impérieuse_ steered in the direction of Majorca, near
+which, on the 19th, we captured a vessel bound to Port Mahon. At
+daylight on the 21st went in close to the entrance of Mahon, where we
+found the Spanish fleet at anchor, and captured a brig within three
+miles of the shore, sending her on the following day to Gibraltar, with
+some prisoners taken out of another brig on the previous evening by the
+_Hydra_.
+
+On the 23rd fell in with the _Renommé_, to which we reported that the
+Spanish fleet was in Mahon harbour. After supplying us with water, she
+parted company for Gibraltar. On the 26th we again made Port Mahon,
+where six sail of the Spanish fleet appeared to be in readiness for sea.
+Seeing a sloop to leeward, we made sail in chase, and captured her in
+the evening; she was bound from Port Mahon to Sardinia.
+
+On the 28th at daylight, having observed some vessels in Alcudia Bay, we
+sent in the boats; these soon afterwards returning with a tartan laden
+with wine, which we sent to Gibraltar; soon afterwards we captured
+another partly laden with wine, which we took out and set her adrift. On
+the 29th gave chase to two vessels rounding an island; one succeeded in
+getting in safe, the other, under Moorish colours, we took,
+notwithstanding the fire of the forts, and sent her to Malta; she had
+several male and female passengers on board, who were highly delighted
+when, two days afterwards, we put them on shore.
+
+On the 2nd of April the _Impérieuse_ was again close to Minorca, when
+reconnoitring a small bay we observed a strong tower, apparently just
+built. Landed, and blew it up without molestation from the inhabitants.
+Though ready for an armament, none had been placed upon it.
+
+On the 5th at daylight, passed close to Cittadella in chase of a vessel
+which escaped; made sail after a brig coming from the direction of
+Majorca; at 3 P.M. she ran in shore, and anchored under a small fort,
+which opened a smart fire upon us, but was soon silenced. The crew then
+abandoned the brig, which was brought off and sent to Gibraltar.
+
+On the 6th, again reconnoitred Port Mahon, and saw three sail of the
+line at the entrance of the harbour, ready for sea. On the 8th captured
+a French brig, laden with 163 pipes of wine for the use of the Spanish
+fleet at Port Mahon; sent her to Gibraltar, and put the prisoners on
+shore.
+
+On the 11th, off Cittadella, we captured another vessel, sailing under
+Moorish colours, but laden with Spanish wine; took out the wine, and as
+she belonged to the unfortunate Moors who manned her, to their great
+gratification we gave them back the vessel.
+
+On the 13th it blew so hard, that we were compelled to anchor within
+range of a pile of barracks placed upon a high cliff—a position
+certainly not taken by choice. The troops commenced firing, which we
+returned, and by 4 P.M. had pretty well demolished the barracks. I then
+dispatched an officer in the gig with a barrel of powder to complete the
+work, but just as they had got up, a large reinforcement of troops came
+upon them and compelled them to make a retreat, leaving the powder
+behind them. After this we got under weigh.
+
+On the 18th fell in with the _Leonidas_, which on the previous day had
+left Lord Collingwood with 16 sail of the fine. Parted company in quest
+of the fleet, but did not fall in with it.
+
+On the 22nd we re-entered Alcudia Bay, and sent the pinnace ashore, when
+she captured some sheep. On the following day another boat’s crew
+managed to procure some bullocks and pigs, which were very acceptable,
+but all their efforts to obtain water failed.
+
+A few days previous to this, when close to Majorca, we had been fired
+upon from the small battery of Jacemal, and having subsequently
+reconnoitred it more closely, it appeared practicable to destroy it by a
+night attack. Accordingly, we again ran in, and soon reaching the tower,
+blew it up, dismounting three guns. A guard-house near the battery was
+set on fire, after which we returned to the frigate without loss. At
+daylight on the following morning we had the gratification to perceive
+that our work had been effectual, the whole being in ruins. As the place
+stood on an eminence very difficult of access, and commanding two bays,
+its demolition was desirable.
+
+On the 26th fell in with the _Leonidas_, which had been in quest of, but
+had not succeeded in falling in with, Lord Collingwood’s fleet. From her
+we learnt that the French fleet was at anchor in Corfu. On ascertaining
+this, I determined on paying another visit to the Spanish coast, and
+accordingly parted company with the _Leonidas_.
+
+At daylight on the 27th, observing a brig and a smaller vessel in shore,
+made sail in chase. The brig got safe into Palamos Bay, where there were
+several other vessels deeply laden, but well protected by forts and
+gunboats. The smaller vessel was boarded by Mr. Harrison in the gig,
+before she had time to get under the forts, but perceiving a large
+galley full of men in pursuit of him, he was obliged to relinquish the
+prize, and make for the frigate; the galley pressed him hard, but on
+perceiving the _Impérieuse_ bringing to for her reception, she gave up
+the chase, and the gig returned in safety.
+
+We were now in great distress from want of water, and as it could only
+be obtained from the enemy’s coast, we sent a boat on shore to the
+westward of Blanes, but she returned without success, having been fired
+upon from a fortification on an eminence in the vicinity. As a supply of
+this essential fluid had become essentially necessary, even if it had to
+be fought for, we made every preparation for a second attempt on a sandy
+beach, between Blanes and Calella, where a large river was found, on
+which the frigate was brought to an anchor about a quarter of a mile
+from the place, and, thanks to our bold front, we obtained an abundant
+supply without molestation; though, as we came off, a considerable body
+of troops showed themselves, and a fire of musketry was opened upon us,
+but the frigate promptly replying with round shot, our assailants
+retreated into the woods as hastily as they had emerged from them, and
+we again made sail.
+
+On the 5th of May observing a vessel under Moorish colours to leeward,
+we made all sail in chase, and by ten o’clock she was in our possession,
+proving to be a xebec from Marseilles to Tripoli, laden with lead. Her
+crew were Genoese, and having given us information that on the preceding
+evening they were in company with a large French ship also laden with
+lead, and other munitions of war, destined for the use of the French
+fleet, we despatched the prize to Gibraltar, and made sail for the
+mainland, in order to intercept the Frenchman.
+
+On nearing the coast, we observed several vessels running along shore,
+and singling out the one which most nearly answered the description
+given us by the Genoese, she struck after a few shots; the information
+thus proving correct. She was bound from Almeria to Marseilles, laden
+with lead and barilla. Despatched her after the other to Gibraltar.
+
+At daylight on the 6th, gave chase to three ships, running under the
+land. On observing us they parted company, one going round a shoal near
+Oliva, and another running into a small harbour. The third, a line
+vessel, we chased into Valencia, but she escaped, as we did not venture
+after her. Retracing our course, we saw on the following morning one of
+the others anchored close in shore, and sent the boats to bring her off.
+On nearing her she opened a smart fire, which being steadily returned by
+our men, her crew abandoned her, and we took possession without loss. As
+soon as she was boarded it was found that she had just touched the
+ground, but the boats promptly taking her in tow, succeeded in getting
+her afloat, and brought her safely off despite the fire of two towers
+close to the town of Cullera, in the neighbourhood of Valencia. A
+considerable number of people assembled to witness the attack from the
+neighbouring hills.
+
+On the 8th, perceived a vessel rounding Cape St. Antonio. On seeing us,
+she made sail, as we also did in chase. At sunset lost sight of her, and
+despatching our prize to Gibraltar, altered our course so as to cut her
+off from Marseilles, whither we suspected she was bound. At daylight we
+again caught sight of her, and by ten o’clock had gained upon her
+considerably, when to our disappointment she sent a boat on board,
+proving to be a Gibraltar privateer instead of a Spaniard.
+
+At daylight the following morning we ran close to Tarragona, and
+captured a large xebec under Moorish colours. At twelve o’clock observed
+a fine vessel coming round the shoals of Fangalo, and knowing that she
+could not have witnessed the capture of the xebec we immediately furled
+all sail in order to escape observation. An alarm was, however, promptly
+raised along the coast, and this causing her to alter her course, we
+immediately started in pursuit. At sunset it fell calm, the ship being
+then distant about twelve miles. At 3 A.M. she was discovered close in
+shore, when we hoisted out boats and pulled smartly for her, but on
+arriving almost within gun-shot, she caught a breeze, and went away from
+us, endeavouring to get into a creek; but the boats being in a position
+to cut her off, and making every effort to head her, she bore up, and at
+7 A.M. anchored under a two-gun battery, which kept up a constant fire
+on the boats.
+
+The _Impérieuse_ now rapidly approaching, gave the tower a gun and
+recalled the boats, in order to send other crews, those engaged in the
+chase being necessarily much fatigued. About 3 P.M. we were joined by
+the Gibraltar privateer, which bore up to engage the tower, keeping up a
+smart fire, as did also the ship. The _Impérieuse_ now came to an
+anchor, and opened her broadside on the tower, which was soon silenced.
+The boats were once more manned, as were also those of the privateer,
+and the prize towed out, proving to be a large Spanish ship—the same as
+we had chased into Valencia—bound from Alicant to Marseilles. We learned
+from her the unpleasant news of one of our lieutenants, Mr. Harrison,
+having been captured by some gunboats, and taken into Denia; this
+intelligence being subsequently confirmed by a fishing-boat boarded off
+Denia on the 17th.
+
+On the 20th passed close to Cape Palos, the forts on which fired several
+shots at us, but without damage. At 9 o’clock on the 21st, observed
+twelve vessels coming round the Cape, four of which were evidently
+gunboats. We at once made all sail in chase, and as we tacked, the
+gunboats opened a smart fire upon us, continuing this till we again
+tacked and stood towards them, when they made off, with the exception of
+one which stood towards the Cape; the other three running aground on the
+beach. As we were now very close to the gunboats, the _Impérieuse_,
+whilst in stays, also took the ground, but luckily got off again, and
+opened a fire of musketry upon them, which, in about twenty minutes,
+obliged two crews to quit the vessels, the third keeping her colours
+flying till her captain was mortally wounded.
+
+It now came on to blow hard, and as there was no probability of saving
+the prizes, we set fire to the two gunboats and a large vessel laden
+with barilla, the crews having all escaped on shore. The other gunboat,
+which had gallantly kept her colours flying to the last, we got off,
+bringing her wounded captain and two other officers on board the
+frigate. About 6 P.M. both gunboats blew up with great explosion.
+
+Our own situation was at this time critical, as we were in only four
+fathom water, and it was blowing a gale of wind. By nine o’clock the
+wind fortunately came off the land, which enabled us to run out a couple
+of miles and anchor for the night. We learned from the officers, that
+the convoy was bound from Carthagena to Barcelona, and that each gunboat
+had a long gun in the bow, and two aft, with a complement of 50 men.
+
+Two other vessels having run on shore on the morning of the 22nd, we
+again despatched the boats to bring them off if possible, as well as to
+recover our anchor and cable, which had been slipped when getting the
+_Impérieuse_ afloat. They succeeded in bringing off one of the vessels
+which was laden with barilla, but the other vessel, being immovable, was
+set fire to. This done we put to sea with our prizes in tow.
+
+In the course of the night the Spanish captain died, his wounds having
+been from the first hopeless. Every attention possible was paid to the
+poor fellow, from admiration of his gallantry, but anything beyond this
+was out of our power. On the following morning we committed his remains
+to the deep, with the honours of war.
+
+We now made sail for Gibraltar with our prizes, one of which was with
+difficulty kept afloat. On the 25th passed Malaga, and on the 31st
+arrived at Gibraltar with all the prizes except one, which had been
+placed in charge of the Hon. Mr. Napier (the late Lord Napier), then a
+midshipman.[38]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 38:
+
+ Afterwards ambassador to China, where his lordship died.
+
+-----
+
+On the 1st of June, the _Trident_ arrived from England with convoy, and
+the intelligence of a revolution in Spain, which, being shortly
+afterwards confirmed by proclamation, a friendly communication was
+opened between the garrison and the Spaniards, and on the 8th Lord
+Collingwood arrived at Gibraltar in the _Ocean_, to be in readiness to
+act as circumstances might require.
+
+A few words on our altered relations with Spain, though coming rather
+within the province of the historian than the biographer, may here be
+necessary, in order to account for so sudden a change in my own personal
+operations.
+
+On the 6th of June 1808, Napoleon issued a decree, notifying that, as it
+had been represented to him by the Spanish authorities that the
+well-being of Spain required a speedy stop to be put to the provisional
+government, he had proclaimed his brother Joseph, King of Spain and the
+Indies!
+
+To this extraordinary proclamation the Supreme Junta, _on the same day_,
+replied by another, accusing Napoleon of violating the most sacred
+compacts, forcing the Spanish monarch to abdication, occupying the
+country with troops, everywhere committing the most horrible excesses,
+exhibiting the most enormous ingratitude for services rendered by the
+Spanish nation to France, and generally treating the Spanish people with
+perfidy and treachery, such as was never before committed by any nation
+or monarch against the most barbarous people.
+
+On these and other accounts the Junta declared war against France by
+land and sea, at the same time proclaiming durable and lasting peace
+with England, and commanding that no further molestation be offered to
+English ships or property, whilst, by the same proclamation, an embargo
+was laid on all French ships and property.
+
+Another proclamation, more immediately concerning the ensuing chapters,
+is an order of the Junta, forming the Spaniards generally into an
+organised national militia for the defence of the country. The French,
+pretending to consider this militia in the light of noncombatants,
+having no right to engage in war, committed amongst them the most
+barbarous atrocities, in retaliation for which many of the succeeding
+operations of the _Impérieuse_ were undertaken, in pursuance of orders
+from Lord Collingwood to assist the Spaniards by every means in my
+power.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XV.
+
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.
+
+ASSIST THE SPANIARDS.—OFF BARCELONA.—SPANISH KINDNESS.—THE FRENCH IN
+ MATARO.—CRUISE ON THE SPANISH COAST.—EMBARK THE ENEMY’S GUNS.—GIVE
+ THE SPANIARDS A LESSON.—SIEGE OF GERONA.—CONTEST AT
+ MONGAT.—IRRITATION OF THE SPANIARDS.—EXCESSES OF THE FRENCH.—SPIRIT
+ OF THE CATALANS.—ANCHOR OFF SAN FELIN.—GUERILLA TROOPS.—FORTRESS OF
+ FIGUERAS.—CHASE TWO VESSELS.—ANCHOR IN GULF DUMET.—DESTROY A SIGNAL
+ STATION.—STORMING A BATTERY.—THE TABLES TURNED.
+
+
+Shortly after Lord Collingwood’s arrival at Gibraltar, his lordship ran
+down to Cadiz, to watch events, and wait instructions from the
+government. On the 18th of June the _Impérieuse_ sailed from Gibraltar
+to join Lord Collingwood’s fleet before Cadiz, and on the 21st was
+ordered by his lordship to cruise in the Mediterranean, and render every
+possible assistance to the Spaniards against the French. On the 22nd we
+returned to Gibraltar for our prize tender, which had been fitted as a
+gunboat, and manned with twenty men, under the command of a lieutenant.
+
+At daylight on the 23rd we passed close to Almeria, with English and
+Spanish colours flying at the main, and on the evening of the 25th came
+to an anchor in the outer road of Carthagena. On the following morning a
+number of Spanish officers came off to bid us welcome, and at noon we
+paid a visit to the Governor, by whom, as well as by the populace, we
+were received with every mark of friendship, notwithstanding our recent
+hostile visits in the vicinity. Indeed, our whole passage along the
+coast was one continued expression of good feeling.
+
+On the 2nd of July the _Impérieuse_ arrived off Majorca. The inhabitants
+were at first shy, apparently fearing some deception, but as we were
+bearers of the good news that the English and Spaniards were now
+friends, confidence was soon restored, and presents of all kinds were
+sent off to the ship, payment being resolutely refused. We had also the
+satisfaction of here recovering our lost midshipmen, Harrison, and the
+late Lord Napier, who, whilst in charge of prizes, had been taken and
+carried into Port Mahon.
+
+On the 5th the _Impérieuse_ passed close to Barcelona, and hoisting
+English and Spanish colours at the main, fired a salute of 21 guns! The
+French, who were in possession of the place[39], to our great amusement
+resented the affront by firing at us from all their batteries, but their
+shot fell short. We could distinctly see the inhabitants crowding the
+house-tops and public places of the city by thousands, and the French
+cavalry and infantry meanwhile patrolling the streets. Knowing that the
+French held their own with difficulty, especially in the adjacent towns,
+we again hove-to and displayed English colours over French, and then
+Spanish over French, firing an additional salute, which increased the
+cannonade from the batteries, but to no purpose.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 39:
+
+ Barcelona had been seized by General Duhesme just before Buonaparte
+ announced his intention of placing his brother on the throne of Spain.
+ Having arrived in the vicinity of the city on the 15th of February, he
+ requested permission to halt and refresh his troops for a few days,
+ before going on to Valencia. The gates were forthwith opened, and the
+ French treated as friends and allies. On the 16th, the _générale_ was
+ beat, as though they were about to proceed on their march, and the
+ townspeople came out to bid them farewell. To the surprise of the
+ latter, the French general ordered one part of his force to the
+ citadel, and the other to Fort Monjui, possessing himself of both.
+ Pampeluna was occupied on the same day by similar treachery.
+
+-----
+
+We then bore up along the coast, and when clear of the enemy’s lines, a
+number of boats came off complaining bitterly of the French troops who
+were burning their towns on the least resistance, or even pretended
+resistance, and were permitted by their officers to plunder and kill the
+inhabitants with impunity. Perhaps it would be more in accordance with
+military justice to say, that with the ideas of equality and fraternity
+then prevalent amongst the soldiers, their officers had no control over
+them.
+
+On the 6th, the _Impérieuse_ came to an anchor between the towns of
+Blanes and Mataro, in nearly the same position as that taken up on the
+last cruise. Great numbers of people came off, and the frigate was
+speedily filled with visitors of both sexes, bringing with them all
+kinds of presents; being most politely oblivious of all the mischief we
+had been effecting in their vicinity for months past. On the 7th, after
+paying a visit to Blanes, we got under weigh, the Spaniards having sent
+us word that the French had entered the town of Mataro, at the same time
+requesting our co-operation against them.
+
+On the 8th we were becalmed close to several villages, one of which had
+been nearly destroyed by the French on pretence of some trifling
+resistance. A deputation from the inhabitants of one village came off,
+and informed us that their church had been plundered of everything, and
+that forty-five houses had been burned to the ground. A wretched policy
+truly, and one which did the French great harm by the animosity thus
+created amongst the people, who were treated as rebels, rather than in
+the light of honourable adversaries.
+
+The _Impérieuse_ could effect nothing against the French in Mataro, from
+its unassailable position, but having received intelligence that a
+considerable force under General Duhesme was advancing towards
+Barcelona, it occurred to me that their progress might be checked.
+Landing accordingly with a party of seamen, we blew down the overhanging
+rocks and destroyed the bridges so effectually as to prevent the passage
+either of cavalry or artillery, at the same time pointing out to the
+Spaniards how they might impede the enemy’s movements elsewhere along
+the coast by cutting up the roads,—an operation on which they entered
+with great alacrity, after being shown how to set about their work.
+
+The nature of these operations will be readily comprehended by the
+statement that a considerable portion of the main road ran along the
+face of the precipitous rocks nearest the sea. By blowing up the roads
+themselves in some places, and the overhanging rocks in others, so as to
+bury the road beneath the _débris_, it was rendered impassable for
+cavalry or artillery, whilst removal of the obstructions within
+reasonable time was out of the question—indeed, so long as the frigate
+remained in the vicinity, impossible, as any operation of the kind would
+have been within reach of our guns.
+
+Having effected all the damage possible, and there being no beneficial
+end to be answered by longer stay in the vicinity of Mataro, we again
+made sail, and on the 17th the _Impérieuse_ arrived at Port Mahon, where
+we found a squadron embarking Spanish troops for Catalonia, the crews of
+the six ships of the line in harbour taking their places in manning the
+batteries. On the 19th the troops sailed under convoy of some English
+frigates, as did others destined for Tortosa.
+
+Having filled up with provisions and water, we quitted Port Mahon for
+another cruise on the Spanish coast, and on the 22nd were close to San
+Felin, when the whole of the convoy entered the harbour to the great
+delight of the inhabitants, who reported that, despite the obstacles
+created, the French had, in the absence of the _Impérieuse_, forced the
+pass from Mataro, and marched for Gerona, to which place the Spanish
+troops, just disembarked, were next day despatched, together with 1200
+militia, raised from amongst the peasantry in the neighbourhood. Heavy
+firing was heard shortly afterwards in the interior, and at night it was
+ascertained that the French had made an attack on Hostalrich and were
+beaten back. This place was about nine miles from San Felin.
+
+On the 24th we again anchored about four miles from Mataro, and there
+learned the mode in which the French had surmounted the obstacles
+interposed by the Spaniards in cutting up the roads, viz. by compelling
+the inhabitants to fill up the gaps with everything movable, even to
+their agricultural implements, furniture, and clothes. After this, the
+French, by way of deterring the Spaniards from again interfering with
+the highways, sacked and burned all the dwelling-houses in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+Taking a party of marines on shore, we again blew up additional portions
+of the road to the eastward, and as the gaps made on our last visit had
+been chiefly filled up with wood, and other inflammable articles just
+mentioned, we set fire to them, and thus not only renewed the obstacles,
+but created fresh ones, in the assurance that as everything movable was
+now destroyed, the obstruction must become permanent. Whilst this was
+going on the seamen and marines of the _Impérieuse_ destroyed a battery
+completed by the French, and threw over the cliff the four brass
+24-pounders. These were next day recovered.
+
+On the 26th we dropped down to the town of Cañette, and embarked some
+more brass guns which the enemy had placed in position on the top of a
+high cliff. These guns were got on board by means of hawsers carried
+from the frigate to the cliff, one end being made fast to the masthead.
+By the application of the capstan and tackles, the guns were thus hopped
+on board. After these had been secured, I again took a party of seamen
+and marines on shore, and broke down or blew up the road in six
+different places. On paying a visit to the town, there was scarcely a
+house which the French had not sacked, carrying off everything that was
+valuable, and wantonly destroying the remainder. The inhabitants were in
+a miserable condition.
+
+The two next days were employed in blowing down rocks, and otherwise
+destroying roads in every direction which the French were likely to
+take, the people aiding heart and soul, anxiously listening to every
+suggestion for retarding the enemy’s movements, and evincing the
+greatest alacrity to put them in practice. In short, I had taken on
+myself the duties of an engineer officer, though occupation of this kind
+was, perhaps, out of my sphere as commander of a frigate; and there is
+no doubt that I might have better consulted my personal interests by
+looking after prizes at sea, for, except from Lord Collingwood, not so
+much as an acknowledgment of my persevering exertions was vouchsafed. I
+was, however, indignant at seeing the wanton devastation committed by a
+military power, pretending to high notions of civilisation, and on that
+account spared no pains to instruct the persecuted inhabitants how to
+turn the tables on their spoilers; making—as throughout life I have ever
+done—common cause with the oppressed.
+
+Having effected all the mischief possible, we weighed for Mongat, ten
+miles from Barcelona, and anchored off the place at sunset. I had
+previously received intelligence that General Duhesme was approaching
+Barcelona with a strong force to relieve the French garrison in
+possession, and my object was to destroy the fort at Mongat before
+Duhesme’s force came up. For this, however, we were too late, the
+advanced guard having occupied the fort before our arrival. The people,
+however, came off with an assurance that, if we would attack the French,
+800 Spaniards were ready to assist us. As the destruction of the fort
+was my principal object, I at once assented, and we commenced blowing up
+the road between Barcelona and Mongat, so that the communication on that
+side was effectively cut off, whilst the guns of General Duhesme’s force
+were rendered immovable on the other; these he afterwards abandoned.
+
+On the 30th it fell calm, and having weighed anchor we drifted down as
+far as Mataro, but too distant from the shore to attempt anything.
+Having received intelligence of the continued advance of General
+Duhesme, we again returned, and anchored within five miles of Mongat,
+the inhabitants coming off to beg for assistance, as the French in the
+fort were keeping up a constant fire on their party in the woods, though
+without venturing to dislodge them.
+
+It is, perhaps, here necessary to explain that General Duhesme had on
+the 26th of July been compelled by a well-executed movement on the part
+of the Count de Caldagues, to raise the siege of Gerona, in which he had
+been employed for upwards of a fortnight, his force being driven to
+Sarria, where they were protected by their cavalry. During the night
+they separated into two divisions, one retreating towards Figueras, and
+the other in the direction of Barcelona.
+
+It was to the latter division that my attention was directed. To reach
+Barcelona with heavy guns, the enemy must of necessity proceed by way of
+Mongat, the castle or fort of which place commanded a pass on their way.
+By breaking up the roads, the passage of the guns was impeded, as has
+been described; but, as the French had possession of the castle, it was
+essential that they should be dislodged as speedily as possible. The
+Spanish militia, being eager to second our efforts, I determined to make
+the attack forthwith.
+
+At 8 A.M. on the 31st the _Impérieuse_ got under weigh, and stood
+towards the castle, whilst I landed in the gig, and mounted the hills
+overhanging the position, for the purpose of reconnoitring; finding an
+attack practicable, I returned on board, and we cleared for action.
+
+The Spaniards, seeing the _Impérieuse_ stand in, and being eager for the
+onset, gallantly dashed up a hill where the French had established an
+outpost, and either killed or took the whole prisoners; upon which the
+garrison in the fort opened a heavy fire to dislodge the victorious
+Spaniards, but without effect. By this time I had got the _Impérieuse_
+well in, and had given the castle a couple of well-directed broadsides
+when the enemy hung out flags of truce.
+
+On this I landed with a party of marines, but the exasperated Spaniards,
+elated by their recent victory, paid no attention to the flags of truce,
+and were advancing up the hill to storm the place, the French still
+firing to keep them in check. I was immediately conducted to the castle,
+where the French troops were drawn up on each side of the gate. On
+entering, the commandant requested me not to allow the peasantry to
+follow, as they would only surrender to me, and not to the Spaniards, of
+whose vengeance they were evidently afraid.
+
+After giving the commandant a lecture on the barbarities that had been
+committed on the coast, and pointing out the folly of such a course,
+inasmuch as, had his troops fallen into the hands of the Spanish
+peasantry, not a man would have escaped with life, I acceded to the
+request to surrender to us alone, and promised the escort of our marines
+to the frigate.
+
+The commandant then gave me his sword, and his troops forthwith laid
+down their arms. We had, however, even after this surrender, some
+trouble in keeping out the irritated Spaniards, who were actuated rather
+by the excitement of vengeance than by the rules of war; and it was not
+without a few blows, and forcing some of the assailants over the
+parapet, that we succeeded in keeping them off.
+
+The Spaniards were with some difficulty made to understand that, however
+exasperated they might be at the conduct of the French, the latter were
+British prisoners, and not a hair of their heads should be hurt. When we
+were somewhat assured of their safety, the prisoners were marched down
+to the boats; and glad enough they were to get there, for the Spaniards
+accompanied them with volleys of abuse, declaring that they might thank
+the English for their lives, which, had the Spanish party succeeded in
+storming the fort, should have been sacrificed.
+
+What became of the men forming the captured outpost I never knew, and
+was not anxious to inquire. Having placed the troops on board, we took
+off four brass field-pieces with their appendages, and threw the iron
+guns over the parapet; after which the Spaniards were allowed to ransack
+the fort. At 6 P.M. we laid a train to the French ammunition, and soon
+after the whole blew up. Spanish colours were then hoisted on the ruins,
+amidst the hearty cheers of thousands with arms in their hands, who had
+by this time flocked to the spot, though when we landed not a single
+inhabitant was to be seen. Soon after we gained possession, men, women,
+and children came from their hiding-places in abundance, expressing
+grateful satisfaction at the capture of the enemy.
+
+It would have been well if the leaders of the French army in other parts
+of Spain could have seen the exasperation produced by the barbarous
+propensities of these detachments of troops, who appeared to be under no
+moral discipline. Except, perhaps, in actual fight, their officers had
+no control over them, so that their path was marked by excesses of every
+kind. This is a fatal mistake in armies, as the French afterwards found
+elsewhere—it degrades war into extermination. Our prisoners did not even
+deny that the Spaniards would only have exercised a just retaliation by
+immolating them, but contented themselves by saying that they would
+never have given in to the Spaniards whilst a man remained alive.
+
+After we had blown up the castle, the _Cambrian_ arrived, and to her, by
+permission of her captain, we transferred half our prisoners. On the
+following morning we sailed from Mongat, having first presented the
+chief commanding the Spaniards with two of the field-pieces taken the
+day before, together with a sufficient supply of powder and ammunition.
+
+General Duhesme reached Barcelona by making a _détour_ into the
+interior, after an absence of about a month, during which the
+destruction of the roads had been going on. He was highly exasperated
+with the unfortunate inhabitants, though for no better reason than that
+all his plans had been thwarted, and, pointing the guns of the citadel
+on the town, he threatened it with destruction, unless his force was
+supplied with 12,000 rations daily, with wine and brandy in proportion;
+following up this injustice by seizing the most respectable inhabitants
+for the purpose of extorting ransoms for their liberation.
+
+Great credit is due to the Catalans for the spirit thus manifested at a
+time when all the more important strongholds of Catalonia were in the
+hands of the enemy. I say Catalonia, as being concerned with that
+province only, though there was reason to know that the like patriotism
+was manifested in the western provinces, though, from the preponderance
+of the enemy, with less effect.
+
+Even when Duhesme had reached Barcelona, he had great difficulty in
+maintaining himself, as the activity of the patriots in cutting off his
+supplies by land was worthy of their cause, and the _Impérieuse_ and
+other English vessels of war took care that he got no supplies by sea.
+
+On the 31st of July I addressed the subjoined despatch to Lord
+Collingwood:—
+
+ “H. M. S. _Impérieuse_, off Mongat, Catalonia,
+ “31 July, 1808.
+
+ “MY LORD,—The castle of Mongat, an important post, completely
+ commanding a pass on the road from Gerona to Barcelona, which the
+ French are now besieging, and the only post between these towns
+ occupied by the enemy, surrendered this morning to his Majesty’s ship
+ under my command.
+
+ “The Spanish militia behaved admirably in carrying an outpost on a
+ neighbouring hill. Lieutenant Hore of the marines took possession of
+ the castle, which, by means of powder, is now levelled with the
+ ground, and the pending rocks are blown down into the road, which in
+ many other places is also rendered impassable to artillery, without a
+ very heavy loss of men if the French resolve to repair them.
+
+ “I enclose to your Lordship a list of the prisoners, and of the
+ material part of the military stores, all of which that could be
+ useful to the Spaniards have been delivered to them.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “The Rt. Hon. Lord Collingwood.”
+
+Having effected everything possible at Mongat, we made sail on the 4th
+of August, and anchored off San Felin, where,—whilst the ship was
+employed in filling up water—I rode five miles into the country to
+inspect a battery which the Spaniards had erected to prevent the French
+from marching on the town. It was situated on an eminence, commanding
+the road to Gerona and Mataro, and was completely surrounded by high
+trees, so as not to be visible from the road. If properly defended, it
+would have presented a formidable obstacle, but as it was, the French
+infantry would have taken it in a few minutes. I gave the Spaniards
+instructions how to strengthen the position, but as they told me they
+could in a short time collect 3000 armed peasantry, I bid them rather
+rely on these by maintaining a guerilla warfare, which, if conducted
+with their usual judgment and activity, would harass the enemy more than
+the battery.
+
+The Catalans made capital guerilla troops, possessing considerable skill
+in the use of their weapons, though previously untrained. A character
+for turbulence was often attributed to them; but, in a country groaning
+under priestcraft and bad government, the sturdy spirit of independence,
+which prompted them to set the example of heroic defence of their
+country, might be, either mistakenly or purposely—the latter the more
+probable—set down for discontent and sedition. At any rate, the
+descendants of men who, in a former age, formed the outposts of the
+Christian world against Mahomedism, in no way disgraced their ancestors,
+and became in the end the terror of their enemies. One quality they
+pre-eminently possess, viz. patience and endurance under privation; and
+this added to their hardy habits and adventurous disposition,
+contributed to form an enemy not to be despised—the less so that they
+were in every way disposed to repay the barbarities of the French with
+interest.
+
+At 8 A.M. on the 6th, the _Impérieuse_ got under sail from San Felin,
+and passing close to Palamos, arrived in the afternoon at Rosas, where
+we found the _Montague_ and _Hind_, to the latter of which we
+transferred the prisoners. The _Hind_ was bound for Port Mahon with the
+Governor of Figueras and his family, who had to be escorted to the ship
+by the marines of the _Montague_, in order to protect him from popular
+vengeance, so exasperated were the Spaniards on account of the
+governor’s cowardice or treachery in allowing the French to enter the
+fortress he had commanded, though from its position and strength he
+could easily have held out.
+
+The fortress of Figueras was about twelve miles from Rosas, and was a
+place of amazing strength, having been constructed for the defence of
+one of the principal passes on the borders of Spain, and being well
+garrisoned and provisioned, it ought certainly to have withstood a
+considerable force. The Rosas people had a right to be indignant at its
+pusillanimous surrender, for not only did this expose their town, but it
+formed a marked contrast to one of their own exploits, when, being
+attacked by a large French force, they drove them back with the loss of
+300 men.
+
+On the 7th we filled up with water at a wretched place on the opposite
+side of the Bay of Rosas, and on the 8th sailed for San Felin, where we
+arrived on the 9th. On the 10th we were again off Barcelona, when a flag
+of truce was sent by the French to ask what had become of the troops we
+had taken at Mongat. On the 11th, we bore up for San Felin and were
+joined by our gunboat, after which we proceeded to see what was being
+done on the French coast, and bore up for Marseilles.
+
+My object in proceeding in this direction was, that as the French troops
+kept out of our reach, there was no beneficial object to be gained by
+remaining on the Spanish coast; and it occurred to me, that by giving
+the French, in the neighbourhood of Marseilles, a taste of the evils
+they were inflicting on their Spanish neighbours, it would be possible
+to create an amount of alarm, which would have the effect of diverting
+troops intended for Catalonia, by the necessity of remaining to guard
+their own seaboard. It is wonderful what an amount of terrorism a small
+frigate is able to inspire on an enemy’s coast. Actions between
+line-of-battle ships are, no doubt, very imposing; but for real effect,
+I would prefer a score or two of small vessels, well handled, to any
+fleet of line-of-battle ships.
+
+On the 15th we stood into the Bay of Marseilles, and anchored off the
+mouth of the Rhone, which was distant about eight miles. Sent the
+gun-boat in chase of a small vessel, but the crew ran her on shore, and
+escaped. The gun-boat burned her, and joined us again on the following
+morning, when we anchored abreast of a telegraph employed in signalising
+our appearance on the coast. Here was a hint, the beneficial nature of
+which could not be doubted, and at once I decided on destroying the
+enemy’s communications along shore. As a commencement, this telegraph
+was demolished without opposition.
+
+On the 16th sent the gun-boat in chase of two vessels, close to Cette.
+They escaped, but she brought back a boat with four men, who gave such
+information as induced me to send her on a cruise.
+
+On the 17th, there being nothing in sight, we made preparations for
+destroying the signal-station on the island of Boni, which commands the
+entrance to the Rhone. Landing ninety men in the boats, we were just in
+time to see the troops in charge of the station abandon it; and having
+possessed ourselves of the signals, we blew up the place and returned to
+the ship.
+
+We then got under weigh, and by 4 o’clock were close to Montpelier,
+firing on a fort as we passed. Perceiving another signal-station in the
+vicinity, we again out boats, and proceeded to destroy it, but found
+this not so easy a matter as on the last occasion, for we had two rivers
+to ford, each midleg in mud, and had moreover to encounter a fire of
+musketry, but at a distance which did no harm, so that with some
+difficulty we accomplished our object. This station was called
+Frontignan, the one last blown up being named La Pinede. At 8 P.M. we
+returned to the _Impérieuse_, with no other damage than being thoroughly
+encased in mud.
+
+In the night we ran out about ten miles, having no confidence in the
+anchorage, and at daylight on the 19th again went in shore, carefully
+feeling our way by the lead, which showed us that the soundings were
+highly dangerous. We, nevertheless, came to an anchor off a place called
+Dumet, when we again out boats and destroyed another signal tower,
+together with four houses connected with it. At 2 P.M. we got under sail
+and bore up, joining the gun-boat to leeward. Supplying her with a new
+yard and bowsprit, her former spars being carried away, we sent her in
+shore.
+
+On the 21st it fell so calm, that the _Impérieuse_ had to be brought to
+an anchor in Gulf Dumet. At 3 A.M. the boats were manned to destroy a
+building which we had been informed was a custom-house. This having been
+set fire to, they returned on board, and were shortly afterwards
+despatched to destroy another signal-station; but as troops were now
+perceived on the lookout, it was not worth while to risk the men, and
+the boats were recalled. We then got under sail, passing once more close
+to Montpelier and Cette, where we again joined the gun-boat, and stood
+into the Bay of Perpignan—forming the west portion of Marseilles
+Bay—where we destroyed another signal-station called Cañet.
+
+At 3 A.M., on the 24th, the morning being still dark, we manned three
+boats to destroy another signal-station called St. Maguire, about three
+miles distant, and at about half-past four, when within ten yards of the
+beach, were saluted by two heavy guns with grape, which, passing over
+the boats, luckily did no damage. Fearing an ambuscade, we pulled out of
+reach of musketry, but calculating that the French would not venture far
+in the dark—my favourite time for attacks of any kind—instead of
+returning to the ship, we made straight for the signal-station, and blew
+it up amidst a dropping fire of musketry, which, as we could not be
+distinguished, failed in its direction, and consequently did no harm.
+Having completed our work, we next marched along the beach in line
+towards a battery, observed on the previous evening, skirmishing as we
+proceeded, our boats meanwhile covering us with their 9-pounders; the
+French also keeping up a constant fire with their guns, but in a wrong
+direction.
+
+On storming the battery, with the usual British cheer, the enemy rushed
+out in an opposite direction, firing as they went, but without effect.
+We then took possession of two brass 24-pounders, but whilst making
+preparations to get them off were alarmed by recall guns from the
+frigate, from the masthead of which, as day was now beginning to break,
+a force of cavalry had been seen making for us over the crest of a hill.
+
+We had already had one narrow escape, for on taking possession of the
+battery it was found that the magazine was prepared for blowing us up,
+but fortunately, in the hurry of its late occupants to escape, the match
+had not caught fire. There was, however, now no time to be lost, so
+placing a barrel of powder under each gun and setting fire to the
+matches, both were blown up, as was also the battery itself by lighting
+the match attached to the magazine.
+
+This somewhat staggered the cavalry in pursuit, but they soon recovered,
+and some smart skirmishing took place on our retreat to the boats, which
+all the time maintained a well-directed fire on the enemy, keeping them
+in check, so that we got clear off with the loss of one seaman only—a
+gallant fellow named Hogan—who was blown up and terribly shattered, in
+consequence of a cartouch box buckled round his waist having exploded
+while setting fire to the trains. We otherwise arrived safe on board
+about 7 A.M., somewhat fatigued by the night’s adventure.
+
+We now got under sail, passing close to Perpignan, and were fired upon
+from Point Vendré, where a French brig of war lay at anchor under the
+fortification, and therefore was too well protected to be safely
+interfered with.
+
+In this cruise against the French signal stations, the precaution of
+obtaining their signal books before destroying the semaphores was
+adopted; and in order to make the enemy believe that the books also were
+destroyed, all the papers found were scattered about in a half-burnt
+condition. The trick was successful, and the French authorities,
+considering that the signal books had been destroyed also, did not deem
+it necessary to alter their signals, which were forwarded by me to Lord
+Collingwood, who was thus informed by the French semaphores, when
+re-established, of all the movements of their own ships, as well as of
+the British ships from the promontory of Italy northward!
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XVI.
+
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_—CONTINUED.
+
+THE FRENCH FLEET.—THE MOLE OF CIOTAT.—THE GULF OF FOZ.—TAKE POSSESSION
+ OF THE BATTERY.—SILENCE THE BATTERIES.—ANCHOR OFF CETTE.—DESPATCH
+ THE PRIZES.—HOW WE OBTAINED FRESH WATER.—DEMOLISH A
+ TELEGRAPH.—FRIGATE TO LEEWARD.—ORDERED TO GIBRALTAR.—INGRATITUDE OF
+ GOVERNMENT.—LETTER OF LORD COLLINGWOOD.—LETTER OF LORD COCHRANE.
+
+
+On the 2nd of September the _Impérieuse_ rejoined the fleet off Toulon,
+and received orders from Lord Collingwood to renew operations on the
+enemy’s coasts. As the French, though by our previous operations, and by
+the spirit thereby inspired amongst the inhabitants, were disinclined to
+advance into Catalonia, they were nevertheless in considerable force in
+the neighbourhood of Figueras and Rosas, we therefore leisurely sailed
+in the direction of the latter port.
+
+Keeping well in with the French coast, some gunboats were observed at 8
+A.M. on the following morning close in with the town of Ciotat, between
+Toulon and Marseilles. One of these being somewhat detached, we hoisted
+out all boats in chase, but on the remaining gunboats and a battery on
+shore opening a heavy fire on them, they were recalled, and we cleared
+for action. At 10 A.M. six sail of French line-of-battle ships were
+observed to quit Toulon, but as they were far to leeward, there was
+nothing to apprehend from their interference; indeed after manœuvring
+for a short time, they returned to port, no doubt satisfied that the
+firing which had taken place was of little importance.
+
+At 11 A.M. we anchored under an island, within range of our main deck
+guns, but in such a position as to shelter us from the fire of the
+battery, which, finding that their guns could not be brought to bear,
+commenced a constant discharge of shells; but as no accurate aim could
+be taken, these inflicted no damage, though occasionally dropping near
+us. Taking no notice of these, we out boats, and sending them to a point
+out of sight of the battery, commenced throwing rockets into the town,
+which was twice set on fire; but as the houses were for the most part
+built of stone, the conflagration was confined to the spot where it had
+broken out. Our reason for molesting the town was that the inhabitants
+everywhere showed themselves in arms to oppose us.
+
+Finding the place impervious to rockets, and the ship being too far out
+for a successful cannonade, we got under weigh, and took up a position
+within range of the fort, on which we continued firing till 8 P.M.,
+almost every shot falling in the place. As it now came on to blow hard
+from the N.W., we were obliged to anchor.
+
+During the night the enemy had got up a large gun close to the
+lighthouse, and by 10 o’clock on the following morning, a squadron
+consisting of four line-of-battle ships and three frigates left Toulon
+and commenced beating up towards us. We therefore did not again open
+fire, being unwilling to excite the squadron to pursue us.
+
+However, at 3 P.M., as a large settee was running into the mole of
+Ciotat, we discharged two shots at her, which went over and fell in the
+town. Upon this the mortar battery, seeing their squadron approaching,
+again opened fire, but, as before, without effect. We took no notice of
+this, but seeing the enemy manning the gun at the lighthouse, we beat to
+quarters, and prepared everything in case they should fire upon us,
+which was done at 4 P.M.
+
+We again opened a heavy fire upon the town, every shot telling upon the
+houses, from which the inhabitants fled, no person being anywhere
+visible. At the expiration of an hour the lighthouse people left off
+firing, and the gun was pointed eastward to show that they did not
+intend to renew the conflict, upon which we ceased also, my object being
+not to batter the town, but to get possession of some of the numerous
+vessels anchored within the mole.
+
+This purpose was, however, defeated by the perseverance of the Toulon
+squadron, the headmost ship of which—a fine frigate—was now within six
+miles of us, and coming up fast, supported by the others. We therefore
+thought best to get under weigh, and did so under the fire of batteries
+and mortars, none of which touched us. As soon as the enemy’s fleet saw
+us under sail, they bore up and again ran into Toulon.
+
+On the 6th at midday, we anchored in the Bay of Marseilles, within half
+a mile from the shore, just out of range of the strongly fortified
+islands in the bay. Our appearance created the greatest alarm on the
+coast, from which people were hurrying with their movables beyond the
+reach of shot. We had, however, no intention to molest them.
+
+The _Impérieuse_ was now becalmed till midday on the 7th, when a breeze
+springing up, we again got under sail, and exchanged signals with the
+_Spartan_, which shortly afterwards joined company. Having discovered
+three vessels lying in a small cove, we out boats, and brought out two
+of them, setting fire to the other. As the enemy had numerous troops
+ashore, they opened a brisk fire on the boats, and would probably have
+defeated our intention, had not the ships kept up a fire upon them
+whenever they approached. Thus aided, the boats lost only one man, with
+another wounded.
+
+On the 8th the _Spartan_ and _Impérieuse_ stood towards the Gulf of Foz,
+where, seeing a number of troops placed for the defence of a signal
+telegraph, both ships manned boats, and in addition to the seamen, the
+marines of the _Impérieuse_ were sent with a nine-pounder field
+piece—one of our prizes from Duhesme’s army. On effecting a landing, the
+enemy’s troops retired to the interior, when, firing two volleys after
+them, the telegraph named Tignes was taken and blown up, the signals
+being secured as before.
+
+On the 9th we passed close to Port Vendre, _Spartan_ in company, and
+anchored about a mile from the shore; but an alarm having been raised,
+and the troops on shore having got our range, we were at 3 A.M. on the
+10th, compelled to shift our position.
+
+Before daylight the boats of both ships were manned, and pulled on
+shore, a battery firing at us, but as the shot went over, no mischief
+was done. Our seamen and marines having landed to the right of the
+battery, the enemy’s troops fled, and we took possession, spiking the
+guns, destroying their carriages, and blowing up the barracks. These
+operations were scarcely completed, when a considerable body of troops
+made their appearance in the distance, and by the time we returned on
+board, a number of cavalry and artillery had assembled on the site of
+their demolished battery.
+
+We now passed close to a small fishing town, where other guns were
+observed in position, both on the right and on the left, these being
+manned by regular troops and backed by hundreds of armed peasantry, who
+showed a bolder front than had the garrison of the battery recently
+destroyed. By way of feint, to draw off the attention of the cavalry,
+both _Spartan_ and _Impérieuse_ manned their small boats and the rocket
+boats with the ships’ boys, dressed in marines’ scarlet jackets,
+despatching these at some distance towards the right, as though an
+attack were there intended. The device was successful, and a body of
+cavalry, as we anticipated, promptly set off to receive them.
+
+Meanwhile the ships stood towards the town, under a smart fire from the
+batteries, the shot from which several times took effect. When close in,
+the _Impérieuse_ opened her broadside, and the _Spartan_ following, an
+incessant fire was kept up for an hour, at the expiration of which the
+marines of both ships were landed. As soon as the boats touched the
+shore, the enemy fled from the battery, the guns of which were
+immediately spiked.
+
+The cavalry, which had gone off to repel the sham attack to the right,
+having found out the trick which had been played upon them, were now
+seen galloping back to save the battery, which had just been rendered
+useless, and from which our marines were now re-embarking. So intent
+were they on rescuing their guns, that they did not appear to have
+noticed the altered position of the ships, which, as soon as the
+horsemen approached within musket shot, opened upon them with grape so
+effectually, that all who were not knocked out of their saddles rode off
+as fast as they could, and the marines leisurely returned to their
+respective ships.
+
+As the French troops had now taken shelter in the town, and the people
+were everywhere armed, I returned to the _Impérieuse_ for the large
+boats, in each of which a gun was mounted, with the object of clearing
+the beach and silencing the other battery. By 6 o’clock this was
+accomplished, not only the battery, but many of the houses and vessels
+being destroyed. As our boats neared the town, a numerous body of troops
+again began a brisk fire with musketry; and by the time one of the
+largest vessels, which yet remained undemolished, could be blown up, the
+fire became so warm that it was advisable to cease from further
+operations, and we returned to the frigate.
+
+In this affair a considerable number of people must have been killed
+ashore during the five hours and a half continued firing; the cavalry
+and infantry engaged amounting to several hundreds, whilst the armed
+inhabitants mustered in equal, if not superior numbers. Neither
+_Spartan_ nor _Impérieuse_ had any killed, and only a few wounded,
+though, from their proximity to the shore, the rigging of both ships was
+a good deal cut up, and several shots passed through their hulls.
+Besides the seamen, we had only fifty marines engaged, thirty from the
+_Impérieuse_, and twenty from the _Spartan_.
+
+On the 11th at 8 P.M. we anchored off the town of Cette, just out of
+gunshot, the batteries on shore however maintaining a brisk fire, which
+was consequently thrown away.
+
+At midnight two boats were despatched from the _Impérieuse_ and one from
+the _Spartan_, to throw rockets into the town, the batteries continuing
+their fire in all directions till daylight, but doing no damage.
+
+At 4 A.M. on the 12th we got under weigh, and when within a mile of the
+shore, between Cette and Montpellier, sent the boats to burn two large
+pontoons, close to the signal station, which the _Impérieuse_ had
+attempted to destroy on the 18th _ultimo_. One of the pontoons was
+burned, and the other blown up without opposition, together with the
+signal station and other public buildings which we had not been able to
+destroy on the former occasion. A number of troops showed themselves,
+but were contented with firing at a harmless distance. As nothing more
+remained to be done, we again made sail.
+
+On the morning of the 13th a convoy was discovered in shore. As soon as
+they saw us, the vessels composing it altered their course, and by 12
+o’clock had taken refuge in a deep bay in the vicinity, it being, no
+doubt, calculated that we should not venture to pass over an extensive
+shoal, which almost closed up the entrance of the bay. By careful
+sounding we, however, managed to effect a passage, and three of the
+smaller vessels perceiving that we should attain our object, passed over
+the opposite end of the shoal and got away.
+
+About midday it blew a hurricane, and both ships were rapidly driving
+towards shore, but by letting go another anchor they were brought up. In
+about a couple of hours the wind abated, when we weighed and anchored
+close to the remaining vessels, taking possession of the whole that
+remained, viz. a ship, two brigs, a bombard, a xebec, and a settee, but
+all aground. We, however, succeeded in getting off the ship, one brig,
+the bombard, and settee. The remainder were burned. During these
+operations a body of French troops lined the beach; we did not, however,
+attempt to molest them, as it was still blowing so hard that the prizes
+were with difficulty got off.
+
+On the 16th we despatched some of the prizes to Gibraltar, and the
+remainder to Rosas. The _Spartan_ now parted company with us to rejoin
+the Toulon fleet, and the _Impérieuse_ held on her course for Rosas with
+the prize brig in tow, she having been so much damaged by beating on the
+shoals before she was captured, as to require the greatest exertion to
+keep her afloat.
+
+On the 18th we came to an anchor off Rosas, and on the 23rd, having
+patched up our prize, she was sent to Gibraltar in charge of Lieutenant
+Mapleton.
+
+On the 24th the _Impérieuse_ again sailed for the French coast, and
+passing Cette, stood into the Gulf of Foz.
+
+In these cruises our greatest difficulty was to procure fresh water,
+which was only to be obtained on the enemy’s coast, so that the men had
+frequently to be placed on short allowance. As we were now destitute of
+this necessary, I determined to run for the entrance of the Rhone, and
+fill up with water by a novel expedient. Our foretopmast studding-sails
+were sewn up and converted into huge bags nearly watertight, these—as
+the water at the river’s mouth was brackish—were sent in the boats
+higher up the stream where it was pure. The bags being there filled,
+were towed alongside the ship, and the water pumped as quickly as
+possible into the hold by means of the fire engine, the operation being
+repeated till we had obtained a sufficient supply.
+
+Having thus replenished our water, we made an attempt to obtain fresh
+meat also at the enemy’s expense. Whilst engaged in watering, a number
+of cattle had been observed grazing on the banks of the river, and a
+party was taken on shore to secure some. But this time circumstances
+were against us. The lowlands on the banks of the river having been
+flooded, we found on landing a complete morass; the men nevertheless
+gave chase to the cattle, but they were so wild, that after a run of
+three miles, often up to the middle in water, nothing was caught but the
+herdsman, a poor wretch, who no doubt believing, according to current
+report in France, that the English killed all their prisoners, began to
+prepare for death in the most exemplary manner, scarcely crediting the
+evidence of his senses on being liberated.
+
+In this excursion we had perceived a new telegraph station, about three
+miles from Foz, the building being complete with the exception of the
+machine. We set fire to the building, but the destruction not being
+fully accomplished, the boats were again sent on shore to blow it up,
+which was done in the presence of about a hundred troops assembled for
+its protection. A shot from the ship was so well aimed that it fell
+right amongst the party, killing one man and wounding several. A few
+more shots completely dispersed them in such haste as to compel them to
+relinquish their dead comrade.
+
+On inspecting the abandoned body through a glass, it evidently appeared
+to be that of an officer, and hence it occurred to me that he might have
+papers about him which would prove useful. In order to secure them, if
+there were any, the frigate’s barge was again despatched on shore, but
+before the men could land, a horse was brought from the interior, and
+the body being laid across him, a shot was fired from the ship over the
+heads of the party in charge of the horse, which becoming restive, the
+body was again abandoned. The boat’s crew having by this time landed,
+found it to be that of an officer, as I had conjectured, the poor fellow
+having been nearly cut in two by a round shot. As no papers of any
+consequence were found, our men wrapped him in a sheet which the troops
+had brought with the horse, and again returned on board.
+
+The _Impérieuse_ continued her course along the coast, and on the 3Oth,
+seeing some small vessels at anchor near Boni, the boats were sent to
+destroy them. This being effected in the face of a detachment of troops
+and the armed population of a small fishing town, the latter also shared
+the same fate. Passing close to Boni, we saw several vessels at anchor,
+and made preparations to attack them, but it coming on to blow hard from
+the westward, we held on our course towards Marseilles, off which a
+large polacca-rigged ship passed astern of the _Impérieuse_, out of
+gunshot. The boats were lowered, but the wind increasing, they had to be
+taken on board again, and the polacca got into Marseilles, which was
+then distant about eight miles.
+
+On the 1st of October we again passed close to Ciotat, but saw nothing
+to attract our attention. On the 2nd some French ships were discovered
+at anchor near the land to the westward of Toulon, and several guns were
+fired at us from four batteries on the coast, but without damage, as we
+were not within reach of shot.
+
+Seeing a frigate to leeward, we exchanged numbers, and found her to be
+our former consort the _Spartan_, which had been engaged in
+reconnoitring the enemy’s port. Shortly afterwards she bore up and made
+all sail, the French line-of-battle ships quitting port in pursuit. When
+within about four miles of these we came to the wind, and the _Spartan_
+signalled that, since the previous evening, five of the enemy’s frigates
+and a storeship had sailed from Toulon.
+
+As the _Spartan_ again signalled for us to pass within hail, I went on
+board, and from the information communicated, bore up in search of the
+admiral. Not finding him where we expected to fall in with him, we ran
+with a fair wind for Minorca, arriving off Port Mahon on the 5th.
+
+As there was only a Spanish ship of the line in harbour, we again
+proceeded in quest of the flagship, and soon after midday fell in with
+her on her way to Minorca. On communicating to Lord Collingwood
+intelligence of the escape of the five frigates from Toulon, his
+lordship ordered the _Impérieuse_ to Gibraltar with despatches. We
+therefore wore ship and made sail for that port, where we arrived
+without further incident.
+
+For these operations on the coast of France I never received the
+slightest acknowledgment from the Admiralty, though, regardless of
+prize-money, I had completely disorganised the telegraphic communication
+of the enemy, from the seat of war in Catalonia to one of the principal
+naval arsenals of France; and had created an amount of terrorism on the
+French coast, which, from inculcating the belief that it was intended to
+be followed up, prevented the French Government from further attempts at
+throwing a military force on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. This, as
+has been said, was my object, as the Spaniards were now in alliance with
+us. For the panic thus created on the French coast, and its
+consequences, French writers have given me credit, but the British
+Government none!
+
+By people of narrow views it has been said that such operations formed
+no business of mine, and that my zeal exceeded my discretion, which I
+deny. The commander-in-chief, Lord Collingwood—confiding in my
+discretion—had sent me to do what I could to assist the Spaniards and
+annoy the French—and I am proud to say that both objects were effected
+to his lordship’s satisfaction, as will appear from his letters. What
+damage can I do to the enemy? was my guiding principle, and the
+excitement of accomplishing the mischief was my only reward,—for I got
+no other.
+
+To the disgrace of the then corrupt British administration, which
+withheld not only reward, but praise, because I had connected myself
+with a radical constituency, and had set up as a reformer of naval
+abuses, nothing was manifested in return for these services but hatred.
+I am proud, however, to make known the subjoined testimony of Lord
+Collingwood, who gave me the credit of paralysing the enemy’s operations
+by the panic which the _Impérieuse_ created on the coast of France; thus
+neutralising military expeditions intended to act against Catalonia, or,
+in other words, preventing, by means of a single frigate, the march of
+an army into the Mediterranean provinces of Spain, where it could at the
+time have operated with complete effect. Posterity may not believe the
+effect of these exertions as narrated by myself. To Lord Collingwood
+they _must_ give credit.
+
+ “Admiralty Office, Jan. 7th, 1809.
+
+“_Copy of a Letter from_ Vice-Admiral LORD COLLINGWOOD,
+ _Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s ships and vessels in the
+ Mediterranean, to the_ Hon. WELLESLEY POLE, _dated on board the_
+ Ocean, _off Toulon, the 19th of October, 1808_.
+
+ “SIR,—I enclose a letter which I have just received from the Right
+ Honourable Lord Cochrane, captain of the _Impérieuse_, stating the
+ services in which he has been employed on the coast of Languedoc.
+ Nothing can exceed the zeal and activity with which his lordship
+ pursues the enemy. The success which attends his enterprises clearly
+ indicates with what skill and ability they are conducted, besides
+ keeping the coast in constant alarm—causing a general suspension of
+ the trade, and harassing a body of troops employed in opposing him. He
+ has probably prevented _these troops which were intended for Figueras
+ from advancing into Spain, by giving them employment in the defence of
+ their own coasts_.
+
+ * * * * * * * *
+
+ “I have the honour to be, &c.
+ “COLLINGWOOD.”
+
+ (Enclosure.)
+
+ “_Impérieuse_, Gulf of Lyons, 28th Sept. 1808.
+
+ “MY LORD,—With varying opposition, but with unvaried success, the
+ newly constructed semaphoric telegraphs—which are of the utmost
+ consequence to the safety of the numerous convoys that pass along the
+ coast of France—at Bourdique, La Pinede, St. Maguire, Frontignan,
+ Canet, and Fay, have been blown up and completely demolished, together
+ with their telegraph houses, fourteen barracks of _gens d’armes_, one
+ battery, and the strong tower on the lake of Frontignan.
+
+ “Mr. Mapleton, first lieutenant, had command of these expeditions.
+ Lieutenant Johnson had charge of the field pieces, and Lieutenant Hore
+ of the Royal Marines. To them, and to Mr. Gilbert, assistant-surgeon,
+ Mr. Burney, gunner, Messrs. Houston Stewart[40] and Stoven,
+ midshipmen, is due whatever credit may arise from such mischief, and
+ for having, with so small a force, drawn about 2000 troops from the
+ important fortress of Figueras in Spain, for the defence of their own
+ coasts.
+
+ “The conduct of Lieutenants Mapleton, Johnston, and Hore, deserves my
+ praise, as well as that of the other officers, Royal Marines, and
+ seamen.
+
+ “I have the honour to be, my Lord,
+ “Your obedient servant, &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood.”
+
+ _Impérieuse._—None killed, none wounded, one singed in blowing up the
+ battery.
+
+ _French._—One commanding officer of troops killed. How many others
+ unknown.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 40:
+
+ The present gallant Admiral Sir Houston Stewart, commanding Her
+ Britannic Majesty’s squadron on the North American station.
+
+-----
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XVII.
+
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.
+
+CAPTURE A SETTEE.—GET UNDER SAIL.—FIGHT BETWEEN THE PATRIOTS AND
+ FRENCH.—MAKE SAIL FOR ROSAS.—FORT TRINIDAD.—GALLANTRY OF CAPTAIN
+ WEST.—BRAVERY OF THE CATALAN.—REPULSE OF THE FRENCH.—ATTACK OF THE
+ IMPÉRIEUSE.—THE FRENCH REDOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS.—OCCUPATION OF
+ CATALONIA.—THE CASTLE OF TRINIDAD.—NATURE OF OUR POSITION.—NATURE OF
+ OUR OPERATIONS.—MANUFACTURE OF A MAN-TRAP.—LOSE MY NOSE.—THE FRENCH
+ ASSAULT ROSAS.—PRACTICE OF THE FRENCH.—PRESENTIMENT.—THE FRENCH
+ ATTACK.—THE ATTACK REPULSED.—BRAVERY OF A FRENCH SOLDIER.—HEAVY GALE
+ OF WIND.—UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT.—EVACUATE THE FORTRESS.—STAND TOWARDS
+ LA ESCALA.—LETTER FROM LORD COLLINGWOOD.—DESPATCH TO LORD
+ COLLINGWOOD.—LETTER TO THE ADMIRALTY.—TESTIMONY OF THE
+ SPANIARDS.—SIR WALTER SCOTT.—OFFICIAL GRATITUDE.
+
+
+On the 19th of October we again quitted Gibraltar for the eastward,
+having learned that the French frigates which had succeeded in getting
+out of Toulon were at anchor in St. Fiorenzo bay, in the island of
+Corsica. After leaving Gibraltar, we stood over towards the Spanish
+possessions on the Barbary coast, and finding everything right there,
+passed on to the Zaffarine Islands, inside of which we anchored for the
+purpose of painting and refitting the ship, which stood much in need of
+renovation.
+
+This being accomplished, we again sailed on the 29th, and on the 31st
+arrived in the harbour of Carthagena, where we found the Russian
+ambassador to Austria on his way to Trieste. No English man-of-war
+having been here since our former visit, we were received with great
+hospitality and attention by the authorities and inhabitants, who
+unanimously expressed their delight at being at peace with England;
+though, as a Spanish fleet lay dismantled in the harbour, it struck me
+that they might aid England to better purpose by looking after the
+enemy. Even their convoys had to be protected by English ships, for
+whilst we lay at Carthagena, the _Myrtle_ arrived from Tarragona, with
+twelve sail of transports which she had convoyed thither with Spanish
+troops from Lisbon, and again returned for more.
+
+The _Impérieuse_ left Carthagena on the 10th of November, and rounding
+Cape Palos, passed between Majorca and the mainland, where, on the 11th,
+we captured a settee. On the 12th we anchored off Barcelona, which place
+was still in possession of the French. The _Cambrian_ was at anchor in
+the roads.
+
+At night we sent the boats of the _Impérieuse_ to throw rockets into the
+fort, and at daylight on the following morning got under weigh, but
+perceiving two boats full of men in chase of some Spanish settees, we
+lowered ours, and pulled for the boats, which on seeing our intention,
+abandoned their prey, and ran in under the forts for protection.
+
+On our arrival at Barcelona the _Cambrian_ went out for a run, leaving
+the _Impérieuse_ to watch the enemy. On her return we again out boats,
+and proceeded to blow up a fort close to the entrance of Llogrebat
+river, and succeeded in so far shattering its foundations, as to render
+it useless. On the 14th the _Impérieuse_ anchored near the mouth of this
+river for the purpose of watering, sending at the same time a boat to
+throw rockets into the barracks, in order to divert the attention of the
+Barcelona garrison.
+
+Having completed watering on the 15th, we again got under sail, and
+resumed our position before the town, shortly after which we observed
+about 2000 of the French army march out and ascend the hills, where they
+soon became engaged with a large body of Spanish peasantry. The ships
+followed, keeping as far as practicable in shore; but still at too great
+a distance to render any material assistance to the patriots, who were
+at last forced from their position. As soon as this action was over, the
+batteries commenced firing shells at us. In place of replying to this,
+both ships opened a heavy fire on the portion of the town occupied by
+French troops, amongst whom, as we afterwards learned from the
+Spaniards, our shot told with great effect.
+
+Irritated by this unexpected movement, the whole of the batteries ashore
+began to ply us with shot and shell, the latter of which were thrown
+with excellent precision as regarded their direction, but fell either
+over or short of us, two only bursting near the _Impérieuse_, but
+without doing us any harm. The _Cambrian_, lying a little farther out,
+escaped with similar impunity. With round shot the batteries were in our
+case more lucky, one of these passing through the barge and galley, and
+another striking the muzzle of a brass 32-pounder on the forecastle, in
+such a way as to render it useless, though without injury to the men who
+were at the time working the guns.
+
+The circumstances under which the destruction of this gun was effected,
+are too curious to be passed over.
+
+By an extraordinary coincidence the enemy’s shot entered the muzzle at
+the moment our men were firing it, so that the two shots met in the
+bore! The consequence was, that the gun was blown up nearly in the
+middle, the exterior being forced into a globular form—to our great
+annoyance, for this gun was one of our most useful weapons.
+
+On the 17th another action took place between the mountaineers and a
+French force on the hills, the object of the patriots being to get
+possession of the heights, where the French had established a battery,
+but which on every side annoyed the _cordon_ of irregular troops
+employed in intercepting provisions, from which the Spaniards could not
+dislodge them, though they appeared to make their attacks with so much
+judgment and vigour as to compel the enemy to remain on the defensive.
+In the present case the attack was unsuccessful, the patriots being
+compelled to retire without accomplishing their object.
+
+After this affair was concluded, several Spanish officers came on board
+the _Impérieuse_, and spoke confidently of being able to drive in the
+French advanced force as soon as General Reding’s force joined. They
+informed me that the presence of the _Impérieuse_ and _Cambrian_ had
+been of great use, by compelling the French to keep a considerable
+portion of their troops in the town, and to employ others in manning the
+coast batteries, so that few were available for operations elsewhere;
+but beyond this we had no opportunity of assisting the patriots, as the
+heights to which the enemy clung so tenaciously were beyond the reach of
+shot or shell from the ships.
+
+On the 19th I received information of the French having invested Rosas,
+and knowing that Lord Collingwood attached considerable importance to
+this place, I considered it my duty, in accordance with his lordship’s
+instructions, to proceed in that direction, hoping that the _Impérieuse_
+might there render substantial service; we therefore left the _Cambrian_
+before Barcelona, and made sail for Rosas, where we arrived on the
+following day. As it fell calm, the ship was compelled to anchor ten
+miles from the fortress.
+
+On our arrival a heavy cannonade was going on between the ships and a
+French battery thrown up on the cliff above Fort Trinidad. The
+_Impérieuse_, as has been said, being out of range, I took the gig and
+landed in the town, to ascertain how we might best employ ourselves.
+Having satisfied myself on this point, I sent back the gig with orders
+for the frigate to make every effort to get within range of the French
+troops surrounding the town, so as to enfilade them. As the calm
+continued, she was, however, unable to approach till the following day,
+I meanwhile remaining in Rosas, to encourage the Spanish troops, whose
+spirit was beginning to give way.
+
+Previous to our arrival the marines of the _Excellent_, together with
+some Spanish troops, had occupied the citadel. Many of these having been
+wounded, the _Excellent_ took upwards of forty on board and sailed,
+leaving the _Fame_ to watch the place, and her commander withdrew some
+thirty marines, who, with sixty or seventy Spaniards, occupied Fort
+Trinidad. The departure of the _Excellent_ in the first place, and the
+withdrawal of the marines in the second, greatly dispirited the
+Spaniards, who on the evening of the 21st began to quit the town in
+boats.
+
+A brief outline of what had occurred previous to my arrival in the
+_Impérieuse_, will here be requisite, in order to comprehend the events
+which followed. On the 6th of November a body of 6000 French, or rather
+Italians, coming from Figueras, had taken possession of the town and the
+heights commanding the roads. The inhabitants forthwith fled; but the
+_Excellent_ and _Meteor_, then lying in the harbour, speedily drove out
+the invaders.
+
+On the assault of the town some of the inhabitants had fled to the
+citadel, which was in a wretched condition, one of its bastions having
+been blown down during the last war; and such had been the negligence of
+the Spanish military authorities, that it had received no better repair
+than a few planks and loose stones; whilst the stores were even in a
+more wretched condition than the works. It was, however, necessary to
+put it, as far as possible, in a defensible condition, and to this
+Captain West, of the _Excellent_, energetically applied himself.
+
+To the eastward of the town, on an eminence commanding the harbour,
+stood Fort Trinidad, of which a description will presently be given. In
+this fortress Captain West placed five-and-twenty of the _Excellent’s_
+marines, in addition to the Spaniards who manned the fort; and, at the
+same time, sent fifty seamen into the citadel to support the garrison.
+
+The Spanish governor, O’Daly, now sent a request to the Junta of Gerona
+for reinforcements; but the French, managing to intercept his
+despatches, caused it to be reported to the Junta that the English had
+taken forcible possession of the fortress, and deposed the governor;
+whereupon, in place of sending reinforcements, the Junta wrote to
+Captain West, demanding an explanation of conduct so extraordinary, and,
+till this explanation revealed the trick, it remained undiscovered.
+
+On the 9th the citadel was attacked by General Reille, and a breach
+effected; but Captain West, placing the _Meteor_ in a position to flank
+the breach, and sending some boats to enfilade the shore, prevented the
+assault, and despatching more seamen to the citadel, the next day it was
+again in a tolerably defensive state, so much so that Captain West had
+sallied out with the seamen and effected the rescue of a party of
+Catalonian militia.
+
+The French commander, thus foiled by the gallantry and judgment of
+Captain West, now deemed it necessary to proceed against Rosas by
+regular siege, but first made an attempt to storm Fort Trinidad, in
+which he was repulsed with considerable loss; but the fort was so much
+in danger that, in order to prevent surprise, Captain West reinforced it
+with thirty additional marines, who entered by means of rope ladders.
+
+The French now, despite opposition from the ships, began to erect
+batteries on the heights for the demolition of Fort Trinidad, and threw
+up an entrenchment 300 yards from the citadel, for the purpose of
+breaching that also. A 3-gun battery opened against the town walls, and
+the joint effect of these being occasionally directed against the ships
+compelled them to retire out of range.
+
+Captain West was now superseded by Captain Bennett of the _Fame_, and,
+as a breach had nearly been effected in the lower bomb proof of Fort
+Trinidad, Captain Bennett withdrew the marines. At this juncture I
+arrived at Rosas in the _Impérieuse_, having, indeed, come there to
+render what assistance I could to the Spaniards, and, knowing the
+endurance, as well as indomitable bravery of the Catalan or
+_Michelet_[41] character; feeling, moreover, assured that the Junta of
+Gerona would supply early assistance, I determined to replace the
+marines which Captain Bennett had withdrawn, with others from my own
+frigate. As it was generally known amongst vessels on the Mediterranean
+station that I was acting under discretionary orders from Lord
+Collingwood, Captain Bennett, though he had withdrawn his own men, and
+notwithstanding that he was my senior officer, did not attempt to thwart
+my resolution, probably because he considered that by so doing he might
+be interfering with the instructions given me by Lord Collingwood.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 41:
+
+ A name given at this period to the irregular Catalonian troops, as
+ well as to other Spaniards embodied with them, from one of their old
+ leaders, Michelet de Prato, the companion of Cæsar Borgia, and the
+ principal agent in many of his atrocities. In the old wars of Arragon,
+ they were called Almogavares, and at the period of which I write had
+ lost little of their traditional daring, or that ready ingenuity in
+ difficulties, which supplied the want of a more efficient warlike
+ equipment.
+
+-----
+
+On the 22nd, after having given further instructions on board the
+_Impérieuse_ for annoying the enemy during my absence, I again went on
+shore to the citadel, into which the French were incessantly throwing
+shells, but without much effect; for although every shell fell within
+the place, the shelter was excellent, and no great damage was done.
+
+Having ascertained the position of the enemy’s entrenchments, I returned
+on board, and despatched a party from the frigate to fire upon them at
+the distance of about 600 yards, as well as to harass the batteries in
+course of construction. The work was so well performed by our men as to
+embarrass the troops in the batteries, and thus lessen their fire on the
+citadel, the preservation of which, till further assistance should
+arrive, was my principal object. A battery of 24-pounders on the top of
+a cliff, and therefore inaccessible to our fire, kept up, however, an
+unremitting fire on Fort Trinidad, every shot striking; but the fort
+being bomb-proof, without injury to the little garrison, which, like
+that of the citadel, was well sheltered, but had no means of returning
+the fire except occasionally by musketry.
+
+After pounding away at the fort for several days, the French made up
+their minds to storm, but on coming within range of musket-shot, they
+got such a reception from the garrison as to render a hasty retreat
+imperative. As their discomfiture was visible from the ship, we fired a
+salute of twenty-one guns by way of sarcastic compliment, but the enemy
+had not the politeness to return the courtesy.
+
+The _Impérieuse_ now got under weigh, and cleared for action, taking up
+a position to the left of the citadel, and within musket-shot of the
+French lines, into which we poured such a storm of shot as to drive out
+the enemy. Satisfied with the success, I went on shore at Rosas, and got
+700 Spaniards to embark in the boats, afterwards putting them on board a
+light vessel, with the intention of landing them at the back of Fort
+Trinidad, so as to dislodge the troops from the battery on the cliff,
+and throw the guns over. The movement was, however, detected by the
+French commander, and a force which had just been engaged at a distance
+was hastily recalled, and rushed on, driving the Spaniards and some
+Germans before them. Manning the batteries, the French instantly turned
+their attention to the _Impérieuse_, against which they directed such a
+well-aimed shower of shells as rendered it imperative to get under sail
+and anchor out of range.
+
+The firing between the batteries and the citadel was kept up during the
+night without intermission, and at daylight the Spaniards we had landed
+for the attack on the cliff battery appeared in such confusion, that it
+became necessary to despatch the boats to bring off a party of marines,
+who had been put on shore with them. Our men reported that the Spaniards
+had unaccountably refused to follow them to the attack, and, as is usual
+in such cases, had suffered far more severely than they would have done
+had they persevered in the attempt to capture the battery. On sending
+boats to bring off the Spaniards we only got 300 out of the 700, the
+remainder being either killed or made prisoners.
+
+On the 23rd we again ran in under Fort Trinidad, but this time on the
+opposite side to the battery on the cliff, where we could effect
+considerable mischief, without receiving much in return. It now fell
+dead calm, so that it was lucky we had not taken up our former position,
+where we might have been terribly annoyed.
+
+The French, without paying much attention to us, now appeared to
+redouble their efforts against both castle and citadel, whilst their
+troops mustered strongly on the hills, with the evident intention of an
+attack on both, the moment a breach became practicable.
+
+Finding this to be the case, the _Fame_ withdrew her marines from Fort
+Trinidad, upon which I went ashore, and after careful inspection of the
+breach in course of formation, considering it still capable of prolonged
+defence, begged the commandant to hold out till next day, when he should
+be reinforced with marines from the _Impérieuse_, promising at the same
+time to remain myself in the fortress with the men. With some difficulty
+he was induced to consent to this arrangement, after telling me that it
+had been his intention to capitulate on the same evening.
+
+Nor was the Spanish governor at all to blame for his intention to
+surrender the fortress. Captain Bennett had withdrawn his men, thinking,
+no doubt, that it was untenable, and that therefore nothing was to be
+gained by their exposure; so that the Spanish governor might fairly
+plead that further resistance had been deemed unavailing by the English
+themselves.
+
+Lord Collingwood had, however, entrusted me with discretionary orders to
+assist the Spaniards, and it appeared to me that the present was an
+instance where those orders might be carried into effect, for I had no
+doubt, if assistance arrived promptly, that the French would be
+compelled to raise the siege of Rosas, as they had done that of Gerona.
+In which case they would find themselves isolated at Barcelona; and
+being cut off, as they already were by land, and exposed to bombardment
+by sea, must surrender. The occupation of Catalonia, in short, turned on
+two points; 1st, whether the Junta of Gerona supplied an adequate
+reinforcement; and, 2ndly, whether I could hold Fort Trinidad till it
+arrived. Neither do I blame Captain Bennett for withdrawing his men. It
+was simply matter of opinion, his being that neither fort nor citadel
+would long hold out—mine, formed on actual inspection of the fort, that
+it was still in a condition to maintain itself, and being so, that its
+retention was essential for the preservation of the town and citadel.
+And had there been a little more alacrity on the part of the Gerona
+Junta in supplying reinforcements, that opinion would have been
+justified. Captain Bennett perhaps knew the dilatory habits of the
+Spaniards better than I did; but although my senior officer, he was
+disinterested enough not in any way to interfere with my plans.
+
+Before daylight on the 24th we landed fifty men, ordering all the
+marines to follow after sunset. Our first object was to effect such
+repairs as would put the fort in a better state of defence, and this was
+accomplished without any great difficulty, as the French were confining
+their attention to one particular spot, where, by a constant succession
+of quick firing, they hoped to make a practicable breach. This we could
+not prevent, having no artillery to reply to theirs.
+
+My principal ground for a belief in the practicability of holding the
+fort arose from the peculiar form and thickness of the walls, to
+penetrate which was no easy matter, if resolutely defended. Even if
+eventually successful, it would not be difficult to evacuate the fort by
+the lower portion, before the enemy could establish themselves in the
+upper, whilst a well constructed mine would involve both them and the
+castle in one common ruin.
+
+The Castle of Trinidad stood on the side of a hill, having by no means a
+difficult descent to the sea, but this hill was again commanded by a
+higher and more precipitous cliff, which would have enabled an enemy to
+drive out the occupants with ease, but for the peculiar construction of
+the fortress.
+
+Next to the sea was a fort constructed with strong walls some 50 feet
+high. Behind this and joined to it, rose another fort to the height of
+30 or 40 feet more, and behind this again was a tower rising some 20 or
+30 feet still higher, the whole presenting the appearance of a large
+church with a tower 110 feet high, a nave 90 feet high, and a chancel 50
+feet. The tower, having its back to the cliff, as a matter of course
+sheltered the middle and lower portions of the fortress from a fire of
+the battery above it. Nothing, in short, for a fortress commanded by
+adjacent heights could have been better adapted for holding out against
+offensive operations, or worse adapted for replying to them; this on our
+part being out of the question, as the French battery was too much
+elevated on the cliff for artillery to reach, whilst the tower which
+prevented their shot from annoying us, would also have prevented our
+firing at them, even had we possessed artillery.
+
+It was to this tower therefore that the French chiefly directed their
+attention, as a practicable breach therein, followed by a successful
+assault, would in their estimation place the fortress at their mercy, so
+that we must either be driven out or forced to surrender. In consequence
+of the elevated position of the enemy’s battery on the cliff, they could
+however only breach the central portion of the tower, the lowest part of
+the breach being nearly sixty feet above its base, so that when
+practicable, it could only be reached by long scaling ladders.
+
+A pretty correct idea of our relative positions may be formed if the
+unnautical reader will imagine our small force to be placed in the nave
+of Westminster Abbey, with the enemy attacking the great western tower
+from the summit of a cliff 100 feet higher than the tower, so that the
+breach in course of formation nearly corresponded to the great west
+window of the abbey. It will hence be clear that, in the face of a
+determined opposition, it would be no easy matter to scale the external
+wall of the tower up to the great west window, and more difficult still
+to overcome impediments presently to be mentioned, so as to get down
+into the body of the church. These were the points I had to provide
+against, for we could neither prevent the French from breaching nor
+storming.
+
+It so happened, that just at the spot where the breach was in process of
+formation, there was a lofty bomb proof interior arch, upwards of fifty
+feet in height. This arch, reaching from the lower part of the breach to
+the interior base of the tower, was without much difficulty converted
+into an obstacle, of which the French little dreamed; viz. into a chasm,
+down which they must have plunged headlong had they attempted to
+penetrate an inch beyond the outer wall, even after they had gained it.
+
+The only operation necessary was to break in the crown of the arch, so
+that all who on an assault ventured on penetrating farther than the
+outer wall of the breach, must of necessity be hurled to the bottom. But
+as the fall of a portion of the enemy might not deter the rest from
+holding possession of the outer wall till they were provided with the
+means of overcoming the obstacle, I got together all the timber at hand,
+and constructed a huge wooden case, exactly resembling the hopper of a
+mill—the upper part being kept well greased with cooks’ slush from the
+_Impérieuse_, so that to retain a hold upon it was impossible. Down
+this, with the slightest pressure from behind, the storming party must
+have fallen to a depth of fifty feet, and all they could have done, if
+not killed, would have been to remain prisoners at the bottom of the
+bomb proof.
+
+The mantrap being thus completed,—and to do the Spaniards justice, they
+entered with ardour into the work,—the next object was to prepare trains
+for the explosion of the magazines, in case evacuation of the fort
+became compulsory. This was done in two places; the first deposit of
+powder being placed underneath the breach, with the portfire so
+arranged, as to go off in about ten minutes; the other beneath the
+remaining part of the fortress, with a portfire calculated to burn until
+we ourselves were safe on board the frigate.
+
+The French were highly exasperated on finding that the castle had been
+reinforced from the _Impérieuse_, of which ship they had by this time
+not a few unpleasant reminiscences; they therefore adopted additional
+measures to put a stop to our co-operation.
+
+In addition to the previously mentioned battery, another was erected on
+the cliff commanding the fortress; and on the 25th, upwards of 300 shots
+were directed at the tower, the result being a hole, which speedily
+widened into a tolerable breach. Our men were now engaged in blocking it
+up as fast as it was made, and working as they did under cover, no loss
+was sustained, though every shot brought down large masses of stone
+within the fortress; the French thus supplying us with materials for
+repair, though rendering a sharp look-out against splinters necessary.
+
+On this day I received a wound, which caused me intolerable agony. Being
+anxious, during an ominous pause, to see what the enemy were about, I
+incautiously looked round an angle of the tower towards the battery
+overhead, and was struck by a stone splinter in the face; the splinter
+flattening my nose and then penetrating my mouth. By the skill of our
+excellent doctor, Mr. Guthrie, my nose was after a time rendered
+serviceable.
+
+Whilst the enemy were breaching the tower, the boats of the _Impérieuse_
+inflicted on them such severe chastisement, that detachments of infantry
+were stationed on the hills to drive off the boats with musketry; but
+our people managed to keep out of harm’s way, whilst directing a
+destructive fire upon the nearer portion of our opponents.
+
+On the 26th the French renewed their fire; but as during the previous
+night we had filled up the breach with loose rubble, their progress was
+by no means rapid, the rubble forming almost as great an obstacle as did
+the wall itself. It was, however, evident that the breach must sooner or
+later become practicable, so that we turned our attention to the
+erection of interior barricades, in case of a sudden attempt to storm.
+In addition to these barricades festoons of top chains were brought from
+the ship, and suspended over the hopper and elsewhere; the chains being
+moreover armed with large fishhooks, so securely fastened, that there
+was little danger of those who were caught, getting away before they
+were shot.
+
+The barricades constituted what may be termed a rampart within the
+breach, constructed of palisades, barrels, bags of earth, &c., these
+supplying the place of walls, whilst the descent from the crown of the
+bombproof to the bottom, constituted a formidable substitute for a
+ditch.
+
+We got to-day a trifling though welcome reinforcement of sixty regular
+Spanish, or rather Irish troops in the Spanish service, and sent an
+equal number of peasants to Rosas; for though these men were brave, as
+are all Catalans, and ready enough, yet their want of military skill
+rendered them ill adapted to the work in hand. As soon as the Irish
+comprehended our means of defence, and the reception prepared for the
+enemy, their delight at the prospective mischief was highly
+characteristic, and could not have been exceeded had they been preparing
+for a “scrimmage” in their native country.
+
+At midnight the French made a general assault on the town of Rosas, and
+after several hours’ hard fighting obtained possession. The _Impérieuse_
+and _Fame_ now approached, and commenced a fire which must have caused
+great loss to the besiegers, but which failed to dispossess them.
+Towards morning—when too late—a detachment of 2000 Spanish troops
+arrived from Gerona! Six hours earlier would have saved the town, the
+preservation of which was the only object in retaining the fortress.
+
+The practice of the French when breaching the walls of Rosas, was
+beautiful. So skilfully was their artillery conducted, that, to use a
+schoolboy similitude, every discharge “ruled a straight line” along the
+lower part of the walls; this being repeated till the upper portion was
+without support, as a matter of course, the whole fell in the ditch,
+forming a breach of easy ascent. This operation constituted an object of
+great interest to us in the fortress, from which the whole proceedings
+were clearly visible.
+
+Having secured the town, the French redoubled their efforts against the
+castle, and had they continued with the same vigour, we must have been
+driven out. Two of our marines were killed by shot, as was a third by a
+stone splinter, so that with all my desire to hold out, I began to doubt
+the propriety of sacrificing men to the preservation of a place which
+could not be long tenable.
+
+The French being also heartily tired of the loss they were sustaining
+from the fire of the ships and boats, sent us a flag of truce, with the
+offer of honourable capitulation. This being declined on our part, the
+firing recommenced more heavily than before.
+
+On the 28th the fire of the enemy slackened, their troops being engaged
+in throwing up intrenchments and constructing batteries in the town, a
+second detachment of Spanish troops being on its way now that the place
+had fallen. Soon after midday they sent a small party with another flag
+of truce. As it was, however, evident that their object was this time to
+spy out the state of our defences, we threw some hand grenades towards
+them, to show that we would not hold any parley, on which they retired,
+and the firing was again renewed.
+
+On the 29th the French opened upon the castle from five different
+batteries on the hills, but without damage to life, as our men were now
+kept close. The ships and bombs, however, directed upon them a
+destructive fire with shot and shell, which considerably damped their
+ardour. To-day all access to the citadel was cut off, the French having
+succeeded in erecting batteries on both sides the sea gates, so that all
+communication with the boats was rendered impossible.
+
+The dawn of the 30th might have been our last, but from the
+interposition of what some persons may call presentiment. Long before
+daylight I was awoke with an impression that the enemy were in
+possession of the castle, though the stillness which prevailed showed
+this to be a delusion. Still I could not recompose myself to sleep, and
+after lying for some time tossing about, I left my couch, and hastily
+went on the esplanade of the fortress. All was perfectly still, and I
+felt half ashamed of having given way to such fancies.
+
+A loaded mortar, however, stood before me, pointed, during the day, in
+such a direction that the shell should fall on the path over the hill
+which the French must necessarily take whenever they might make an
+attempt to storm. Without other object than that of diverting my mind
+from the unpleasant feeling which had taken possession of it, I fired
+the mortar. Before the echo had died away, a volley of musketry from the
+advancing column of the enemy showed that the shell had fallen amongst
+them, just as they were on the point of storming.
+
+Rushing on, their bullets pattered like hail on the walls of the fort.
+To man these was the work of a moment; for, as may be supposed, our
+fellows did not wait for another summons, and the first things barely
+discernible amidst the darkness were the French scaling ladders ready to
+be placed at the foot of the breach, with an attendant body of troops
+waiting to ascend, but hesitating, as though the unexpected shell from
+our mortar rendered them uncertain as to our preparations for defence.
+To the purposeless discharge of that piece of ordnance we owed our
+safety, for otherwise they would have been upon us before we even
+suspected their presence; and so exasperated were they at our obstinate
+defence, that very little attention would have been paid to any demand
+for quarter. The French deserved great credit for a silence in their
+movements which had not even attracted the attention of the sentries on
+the tower.
+
+Whilst the enemy were hesitating, we became better prepared, our men
+being ready at every point which commanded the breach. It was not in the
+nature of the French to slink off on being detected. In a few minutes on
+they came up the ladders, to the certainty of getting either into the
+mantrap, or of being hurled from the walls as fast as they came up,
+retreat being for a short time impossible, on account of the pressure
+from behind. There was now just light enough for them to see the chasm
+before them, and the wall was crowded with hesitating men. About forty
+had gained the summit of the breach, all of whom were swept off with our
+fire; whilst a crowd was waiting below for the chance of sharing the
+same fate. Giving them no time for deliberation, several shells which
+had been suspended by ropes half-way down the wall, were ignited, our
+hand grenades were got to work, and these, together with the musketry,
+told fearfully on the mass—which wavered for a few moments, and then
+retreated amidst the loud huzzas of our fellows. The French, however,
+gallantly carried off their wounded, though they were compelled to leave
+the dead, who, till the following morning, lay in a heap close to the
+foot of the tower.
+
+Scarcely had we got rid of our assailants, when a numerous body of
+troops came down from the hills with muskets firing and drums beating,
+nothing doubting that their comrades were in possession of the fortress.
+Our lads, having their hands now free, returned their fire with
+excellent effect, dropping some at every discharge; when at length,
+finding that the assault had failed, and that we were able to offer
+effectual resistance, the detachment retreated up the hills as fast as
+they could, amidst the derisive cheering of our men.
+
+The force which formed the storming party, consisted, as we afterwards
+learned from our prisoners, of one company of grenadiers, two of
+carabineers, and four of the voltigeurs of the 1st Light Regiment of
+Italy, in all about 1200 men. They were gallantly led, two of the
+officers attracting my especial attention. The first was dropped by a
+shot, which precipitated him from the walls, but whether he was killed
+or only wounded, I do not know, probably wounded only, as his body was
+not seen by us amongst the dead. The other was the last man to quit the
+walls, and before he could do so, I had covered him with my musket.
+Finding escape impossible, he stood like a hero to receive the bullet,
+without condescending to lower his sword in token of surrender. I never
+saw a braver or a prouder man. Lowering my musket, I paid him the
+compliment of remarking, that so fine a fellow was not born to be shot
+down like a dog, and that, so far as I was concerned, he was at liberty
+to make the best of his way down the ladder; upon which intimation he
+bowed as politely as though on parade, and retired just as leisurely.
+
+In this affair we had only three men killed—one of the marines and two
+Spaniards, another Spaniard being shot through the thigh and the Spanish
+governor of the fortress through the hand; there were, however, a few
+minor casualties. The total loss of the enemy, judging from the dead
+left behind—upwards of fifty—must have been severe. My determination not
+to quit the fortress was therefore increased, as there was every reason
+to be satisfied with the efficacy of my hopper trap and fish-hook
+chains. In short, it was impossible for any one to get over the one or
+through the other. Not a Frenchman had advanced beyond the outer wall.
+
+After this the enemy did not molest us much, except with musketry, which
+did no damage, as our men were well under cover. They, however, turned
+their attention to the citadel, the Spanish garrison replying smartly to
+their fire. The Spaniards with us in the castle likewise behaved with
+great gallantry, as did the soldiers of the Irish brigades in the
+Spanish service, by whom the peasants before mentioned had been
+supplanted. Had the latter remained, the repulse of our assailants might
+have been more difficult, though equally certain.
+
+On the 1st of December we passed a tolerably quiet day, the French being
+engaged in erecting a new battery, to annoy our boats when coming on
+shore, with which they appeared to content themselves.
+
+The 2nd passed over in the same quiet way.
+
+On the 3rd the troops in the citadel made a sortie, apparently in the
+hope of dislodging the French from their intrenchments, and an obstinate
+engagement ensued, with considerable loss on both sides. By the time
+this was over, our friends on the hill had nearly completed another new
+battery, and were trying its effect on us somewhat unpleasantly, every
+shot knocking down great quantities of stone. A still more unpleasant
+circumstance was, that a heavy gale of wind had arisen, before which the
+_Impérieuse_ was visibly dragging her anchors, and might be compelled to
+go to sea, leaving us to defend ourselves till her return.
+
+On the 4th, the French opened all their batteries on the citadel, eleven
+of their guns being brought to bear upon the old breach elsewhere
+mentioned as never having been properly repaired. At this point an
+immense number of shot and shell were directed, and towards night a
+breach was nearly practicable. This operation against the citadel
+seeming decisive, the new battery on the hill began upon us in the
+castle with redoubled vengeance, and every shot told with effect; the
+object no doubt being to storm both fortresses simultaneously on the
+following day.
+
+An unfortunate accident occurred in the castle to-day. Five of our men
+were loading a gun, intended for employment against a body of French
+troops, who were throwing up an intrenchment below us, with the evident
+object of cutting us off from retreat or communication with the frigate;
+by some mischance the gun exploded, blowing off the arms of a marine,
+who died soon after, and knocking a seaman over the castle wall, a depth
+of fifty feet. The poor fellow was taken up by the boat’s crew, and
+carried on board in a dreadfully shattered condition.
+
+At daylight on the 5th, the French again opened their batteries on the
+citadel, and by 8 A.M. the breach was quite practicable. A large body of
+troops had assembled for the assault, but the firing suddenly ceased on
+both sides, and from the number of men lounging about the breach, it was
+clear that a capitulation was in progress. Under these circumstances it
+became my duty not to sacrifice our marines and seamen to the mere
+excitement of fighting a whole army which could now pay us undivided
+attention. We therefore began to think of taking our departure, and
+getting our baggage collected, we made signals to the _Impérieuse_ for
+all boats to be in readiness to take us off, if the garrison in the
+citadel should capitulate. The battery, however, continued firing upon
+us as usual, and with decisive effect on the tower. Without taking any
+notice of this, we laid trains ready for blowing up the fort.
+
+Soon after our signals were made, the _Fame_ and _Magnificent_—the
+latter of which had recently come into the anchorage—got under weigh and
+beat towards the landing-place. Our signals having been also understood
+by the French, the batteries overhead ceased firing, and a number of
+troops approached to take possession. At 11 A.M. we made the signal for
+the boats—the _Impérieuse_ attending them close in shore.
+
+We now commenced evacuating the fortress, sending down the troops of the
+Bourbon regiment first; the Irish brigade next, and our marines and
+seamen last. On the boats pulling in, the ships opened fire with shot
+and shell upon the French. We did not, however, receive any molestation
+from the latter, whilst our men went down the rope ladders out of the
+fort, and by one o’clock all were out of the castle except the gunner
+and myself, we having remained to light the portfires attached to the
+trains.
+
+After this we got into the boats also unopposed, but the moment they
+pulled off from the shore the French opened upon us with musketry and
+round shot, fortunately without injury to any one. A stiff breeze now
+blowing, enabled the _Impérieuse_ to get close in, so that we were soon
+on board.
+
+The French having become practically acquainted with some of our devices
+were on their guard, and did not take possession of the castle
+immediately on our quitting it, and it was lucky for them that they did
+not, for shortly after we got on board the first explosion took place,
+blowing up the portion of the fortress which they had been breaching;
+but the second train failed, owing, no doubt, to the first shock
+disarranging the portfire. Had not this been the case, scarcely one
+stone of the castle would have remained on another.
+
+In the evening I directed the _Impérieuse_ to get under weigh and stand
+towards La Escala, where we landed the Spanish troops. On the following
+morning the _Fame_ parted company for Lord Collingwood’s fleet; and
+leaving the _Magnificent_ at anchor with the bombs, we stood towards San
+Felin, having the mortification of seeing the French flag flying over
+what remained of the Castle of Trinidad, which we had so pertinaciously
+endeavoured to defend, and failing in this, should have wholly destroyed
+but for the accident of the second portfire becoming out of order.
+
+In the defence of this fortress, we lost only three killed and seven
+wounded; the loss of the Spaniards amounting to two killed and five
+wounded. Next to the thorough accomplishment of the work in hand my care
+was for the lives of the men. Indeed, it is matter of congratulation to
+me that no commander having gone through such service ever had fewer men
+killed. Lord St. Vincent on a former occasion gave this as a reason for
+not promoting my officers, but even a rebuff so unworthy failed to
+induce me to depart from my system of taking care of the men, the death
+of one of whom would have affected me more than the death of a hundred
+enemies, because it would, in my estimation, have been attributable to
+my own want of foresight.
+
+The destruction of the French must have been very great. We who were
+cooped up in the fortress had only one collision with them, but in that
+they suffered fearfully, whilst we escaped scot free. But the fire of
+the ships must have told upon them to a great extent.
+
+The subjoined letters from Lord Collingwood to the Secretary of the
+Admiralty constitute the only commendations I received for the services
+detailed in the preceding chapters.
+
+_Extract of a letter from_ VICE-ADMIRAL LORD COLLINGWOOD _to the_ HON.
+ W. W. POLE, _dated on board the_ Ocean, _Dec. 14, 1808_.
+
+ “My letter of the 1st instant would inform you of the enemy having
+ laid siege to the castle of Rosas, and of the measures taken by the
+ British ships in that bay in aid of the Spaniards for its defence. The
+ _Scout_ joined the squadron off Toulon on the 7th, and by her I
+ received further accounts from Captain Bennett, of the _Fame_, of the
+ progress the enemy was making against that important fortress.
+
+ “Captain Lord Cochrane has maintained himself in the possession of
+ Trinity castle with great ability and heroism. Although the fort is
+ laid open by the breach in its works, he has sustained and repelled
+ several assaults, having formed a sort of rampart within the breach
+ with his ship’s hammock cloths, awnings, &c., filled with sand and
+ rubbish. _The zeal and energy with which he has maintained that
+ fortress excites the highest admiration. His resources for every
+ exigency have no end._ The Spanish governor of the castle is wounded
+ and on board the _Meteor_.
+
+ “COLLINGWOOD.”
+
+This expression of opinion on the part of Lord Collingwood should have
+procured me some commendation from the Naval authorities at home; the
+more so as it was spontaneous on his lordship’s part, no official
+despatch from me on the subject having at that time reached him. I was,
+however, a black sheep at the Admiralty, and, had it been my good
+fortune to have been instrumental in raising the siege of Rosas, the
+only care taken by the Tory Government at home would, in all
+probability, have been how to conceal a knowledge of the fact from the
+public. After the evacuation and destruction of the fortress I addressed
+to Lord Collingwood the subjoined despatch.
+
+ “H. M. Ship _Impérieuse_, Bay of Rosas,
+ 5th Dec. 1808.
+
+ “MY LORD,—The fortress of Rosas being attacked by an army of Italians
+ in the service of France (in pursuance of discretionary orders which
+ your lordship gave me, to assist the Spaniards whenever it could be
+ done with most effect), I hastened here. The citadel on the 22nd
+ instant was already half invested, and the enemy was making his
+ approaches towards the south-west bastion, which your lordship knows
+ was blown down last war by the explosion of a magazine and tumbled
+ into the ditch; a few thin planks and dry stones had been put up by
+ the Spanish engineers, perhaps to hide the defect; all things were in
+ the most deplorable state without and within; even measures for their
+ powder and saws for their fuses were not to be had, and mats and axes
+ supplied their place. The castle of Trinity, situated on an eminence,
+ but commanded by heights, was also invested. Three 24-pounders
+ battered in breach, to which a fourth was afterwards added, and a
+ passage through the wall to the lower bomb-proof being nearly effected
+ on the 23rd, the marines of the _Fame_ were withdrawn. I went to
+ examine the state of the castle, and, as the senior officer in the bay
+ had not officially altered the orders I received from your lordship, I
+ thought this a good opportunity, by occupying a post on which the
+ acknowledged safety of the citadel depended, to render them an
+ effectual service. The remaining garrison consisted of about eighty
+ Spaniards, who were on the point of surrendering; accordingly, I threw
+ myself into the fort with fifty seamen and thirty marines of the
+ _Impérieuse_. The arrangements I made need not be detailed to your
+ lordship; suffice it to say, that about a thousand bags (made of old
+ sails), besides barrels and palisades, supplied the place of walls and
+ ditches, and that the enemy, who assaulted the castle on the 30th with
+ full 1000 picked men, were repulsed with the loss of their commanding
+ officer, storming equipage, and all who had attempted to mount the
+ breach. The Spanish garrison having been changed, gave good
+ assistance. As to the officers, seamen, and marines of this ship, the
+ fatigues they underwent, and the gallant manner in which they behaved,
+ deserve every praise. I must, however, particularly mention Lieutenant
+ Johnson, of the navy, Lieutenant Hoare, of the marines, Mr. Burney,
+ the gunner, Mr. Lodowick, the carpenter, and Messrs. Stewart, Sloven,
+ and Marryat, midshipmen.
+
+ “Captain Hall, of the _Lucifer_, at all times and in every way gave
+ his zealous assistance. I feel also indebted to Captain Collens, of
+ the _Meteor_, for his aid.
+
+ “The citadel of Rosas capitulated at twelve o’clock this day. Seeing,
+ my lord, farther resistance in the castle of Trinity useless, and
+ impracticable against the whole army, the attention of which had
+ naturally turned to its reduction; after firing the trains for
+ exploding the magazines, we embarked in the boats of the
+ _Magnificent_, _Impérieuse_, and _Fame_.
+
+ “I have the honour to be, &c.
+ (Signed) “COCHRANE.
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord Collingwood.”
+
+ LORD COLLINGWOOD’S _Letter to the Admiralty._
+
+ “H.M. Ship _Ocean_, Jan. 7. 1809.
+
+ “SIR,—The _Impérieuse_ having with other ships been employed in the
+ Bay of Rosas, to assist the Spaniards in defending that fortress, and
+ Captain Lord Cochrane having taken on himself the defence of Trinity
+ Castle, an outwork of that garrison, I have received from him a
+ letter, dated the 5th of December, a copy of which is enclosed,
+ stating the surrender of Rosas by the Spaniards on that day, and of
+ his having embarked the garrison of Trinity Castle on board his ship
+ from the castle destroyed.
+
+ “The heroic spirit and ability which have been evinced by Lord
+ Cochrane in defending this castle, although so shattered in its works,
+ against the repeated attacks of the enemy, is an admirable instance of
+ his lordship’s zeal; and the distinguished conduct of Lieutenants
+ Johnson and Hoare, of the Royal Marines, and the officers and men
+ employed in this affair under his lordship, will, doubtless, be very
+ gratifying to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
+
+ (Signed, &c.) “COLLINGWOOD.
+
+ “To the Secretary of the Admiralty.”
+
+To these despatches I may be pardoned for appending the following
+extract from the _Gerona Gazette_, as it appeared in the Naval Chronicle
+of 1809.
+
+ LORD COCHRANE.
+
+ The Spanish _Gerona Gazette_, when inserting a letter from Lord
+ Cochrane, January 1, 1809, subjoins the following liberal testimony to
+ his noble conduct:—
+
+ “This gallant Englishman has been entitled to the admiration and
+ gratitude of this country from the first moment of its political
+ resurrection. His generosity in co-operating with our earliest
+ efforts, the encouragement we received from the interest he took with
+ the commanders of the Balearic islands, to induce them to succour us
+ with troops and ammunition, can never be erased from our recollection.
+ The extraordinary services which we owe to his indefatigable activity,
+ particularly this city and the adjacent coast, in protecting us from
+ the attempts of the enemy, are too well known to be repeated here. It
+ is a sufficient eulogium upon his character to mention, that in the
+ defence of the castle of Trinidad, when the Spanish flag, hoisted on
+ the wall, fell into the ditch, under a most dreadful fire from the
+ enemy, his lordship was the only person who, regardless of the shower
+ of balls flying about him, descended into the ditch, returned with the
+ flag, and happily succeeded in placing it where it was.”
+
+Without any degree of egotism, I may—considering that no praise beyond
+Lord Collingwood’s was ever awarded to me for my defence of Trinidad—be
+excused from adducing the following remarks, known to be from the pen of
+Sir Walter Scott.
+
+ “Thus, in consequence of our cooperation, were the French detained a
+ whole month before a neglected and ill-provided fortress, which,
+ without that cooperation, could not have resisted the first attack.
+ The event might have been different had there been a floating army off
+ the coast—the whole of the besieging force might then have been cut
+ off. Of the errors which the English Government committed in the
+ conduct of the Spanish war, the neglect of this obvious and most
+ important means of annoying the enemy, and advantaging our allies, is
+ the most extraordinary. Five thousand men, at the disposal of Lord
+ Cochrane or Sir Sidney Smith, or any of those numerous officers in the
+ British Navy who have given undoubted proofs of their genius as well
+ as courage, would have rendered more service to the common cause _than
+ five times that number on shore_, because they could at all times
+ choose their points of attack, and the enemy, never knowing where to
+ expect them, would everywhere be in fear, and everywhere in reach of
+ the shore in danger.
+
+ “Lord Cochrane, during the month of September 1808, with his single
+ ship the _Impérieuse_, kept the whole coast of Languedoc in
+ alarm,—destroyed the numerous semaphoric telegraphs, which were of the
+ utmost consequence to the numerous coasting convoys of the French, and
+ not only prevented any troops from being sent from that province into
+ Spain, but even excited such dismay that 2000 men were withdrawn from
+ Figueras to oppose him, when they would otherwise have been marching
+ farther into the peninsula. The coasting trade was entirely suspended
+ during this alarm; yet with such consummate prudence were all Lord
+ Cochrane’s enterprises planned and executed, that _not one of his men
+ were either killed or hurt_, except one, who was singed in blowing up
+ a battery.”
+
+For none of the services detailed in the last two chapters did I ever
+receive praise or reward from the Admiralty authorities! though from the
+nature of the services they were necessarily accompanied by the
+deprivation of all chance of prize-money, either to myself, officers, or
+crew. The check opposed to the advance of the French in Catalonia—as
+testified by Lord Collingwood—was therefore made at _my expense_,
+without costing a farthing to the nation beyond the expenditure of
+ammunition; a strange contrast to some of the costly expeditions of the
+period for less results, and one which ought to have secured for me
+anything but the political animosity with which all my services were
+regarded.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XVIII.
+
+ CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.
+
+DEFEAT OF THE SPANIARDS.—ATTACK SOME FRENCH VESSELS.—FRENCH
+ OPERATIONS.—LETTER OF LORD COCHRANE.—LORD COLLINGWOOD.—OPERATIONS OF
+ THE ENEMY.—FALL IN WITH THE CYRENE.—SAIL FOR MINORCA.—APPLY FOR
+ LEAVE.—MOTIVES FOR LEAVING.—APATHY OF THE GOVERNMENT.—REPROACHED FOR
+ SERVICE.—NEGLECT OF THE ADMIRALTY.
+
+
+When in the roads of San Felin, on the 7th of December, a boat came off
+with a request from the Spanish commandant that I would reconnoitre the
+enemy’s position in the direction of Gerona. I had, at first,
+considerable doubts whether compliance with a request to act in a
+military capacity came within the sphere of a naval officer’s duty; but
+considering that Lord Collingwood’s instructions were to aid the
+Spaniards by any means within my power, I resolved for once to forego my
+reluctance to leave the frigate, and accordingly accompanied the
+commandant and his staff in the direction of the enemy, whom we found
+assembled in such numbers as to render successful opposition out of the
+question.
+
+Being unable to advise the Spaniards in this locality to adopt any
+beneficial course, or indeed how to act in any effective way against the
+enemy, we again sailed in the direction of Barcelona, where a Spanish
+force of 40,000 men, under General Vives, was closely investing the
+town, so as to cut off supplies from the French garrison. As the
+consequent scarcity of provisions affected the inhabitants also, all who
+could afford to hire boats were quitting the place with their families;
+the garrison offering no obstacle.
+
+On the 17th, a body of French—or rather Italian troops embodied in the
+French army—made their appearance for the purpose of relieving the
+garrison. As they numbered only about 10,000, and the Spaniards fully
+40,000, posted on the top of a hill, with every advantage in their
+favour, the defeat of the Franco-Italians appeared so much a matter of
+course as to induce me to go on shore to witness the engagement.
+
+To my surprise, Vives allowed his flank to be turned, and the French
+attacking in front and rear at the same time the Spaniards became
+panic-struck, and fairly ran away. The rout was complete; and it was
+with difficulty that I managed to get on board the frigate.
+
+Shortly after gaining the ship, a boat full of officers was seen to put
+off from the shore and make for the _Impérieuse_. On coming alongside,
+it was reported to me that General Vives was amongst their number, on
+which I returned a message expressive of disbelief; adding that it could
+not be the general, for that to my certain knowledge he was on shore,
+driving back the French who were attempting to relieve Barcelona. After
+some hesitation, General Vives personally avowed himself, and demanded a
+conveyance for himself, officers, and 1000 men to Tarragona; which
+demand being flatly refused, they left for the _Cambrian_, which lay at
+anchor not far off.
+
+On the 19th we got under weigh, and soon after fell in with a vessel
+bound for Palamos, and crowded with families escaping from Barcelona,
+all of whom bitterly complained of the shameful treatment they had
+experienced at the hands of the French soldiery. On the 21st we came to
+off St. Philou, which had just been plundered of everything.
+
+Nothing material occurred till the 30th, when, beating up towards
+Caldagues Bay, we received intelligence that several French vessels,
+bound to Barcelona with provisions for the relief of the French army,
+were at anchor there. To attack these, as we had reason to believe that
+there was a considerable body of the enemy at Caldagues, and as the
+harbour was not more than half a mile broad, was a dangerous affair, on
+account of the necessity of anchoring within point-blank range of
+musketry. It was, however, of great importance that the provisions
+should not reach their destination, and, in place of waiting for them to
+proceed on their voyage, I decided on attacking them as the convoy lay
+at anchor.
+
+At mid-day we were close to the entrance of the harbour, and made out
+the convoy and two vessels of war in charge of them, the whole being
+protected by a battery and a number of French troops on the hills.
+Bringing the _Impérieuse_ to an anchor we commenced firing on the
+vessels of war, one of which shortly afterwards sank; when directing our
+attack on her consort, she also sank and fell on her broadside, the crew
+escaping on shore.
+
+The protecting vessels being thus disposed of, we warped closer in shore
+for the purpose of silencing some guns which whilst engaged in sinking
+them had repeatedly struck us. In order to divide the enemy’s attention,
+a party of marines was despatched to make a feint of landing near the
+town, whilst with the other marines and the blue jackets we dashed on
+shore between the former and the French who were still firing on us from
+the battery. The latter, seeing the double attack and afraid of being
+cut off from their comrades in the town, ran off to the hills,
+abandoning their guns, which, on landing, we threw over the cliff, with
+the exception of four brass 18-pounders and one 24-pounder, which were
+taken on board the _Impérieuse_. We then blew up the magazine.
+
+The coast being now clear, all boats were sent in to bring out eleven
+vessels laden with provisions, and by dark they were all close
+alongside, with our marines safely on board. They had, indeed, met with
+no opposition, the French troops in the town having run away and joined
+their comrades on the hills, the whole shortly afterwards marching in
+the direction of Rosas. During this affair the inhabitants remained
+quiet spectators on the hills—afraid to assist us, lest the French, who
+were certain to return on our departure, should retaliate after their
+usual fashion.
+
+On the 31st we made an effort to raise the vessels of war which had sunk
+in shallow water near the shore, and after some time, succeeded in
+stopping the leak of the one which had fallen over on her broadside, and
+was full of water, which being pumped out she floated and was towed
+alongside the frigate.
+
+By this time a number of Spanish boats from the neighbouring coast came
+in, and without ceremony set to work plundering our prizes! It was not
+till after some rough treatment from a party of marines sent for the
+protection of the captured vessels, that the Spaniards were made to
+comprehend that the prizes belonged to us and not to them!
+
+Towards midnight the Spaniards gave us information that the French, with
+reinforcements from Rosas, were on the point of re-entering the town. We
+therefore sent a party of marines on board the brig-of-war to protect
+her from recapture.
+
+Early in the morning of the 1st of January 1809, the enemy opened upon
+the brig with a smart fire of musketry, which the marines as smartly
+returned,—the frigate and a gun in the pinnace meanwhile plying the
+assailants with grape so effectually that they immediately abandoned
+their position, and marching round a hill, commenced firing from the
+other side, where, as the movement was anticipated by the frigate, they
+met with a similar reception immediately on showing themselves. Finding
+us fully prepared at all points, they followed the example of their
+predecessors, and retreated to the hills, offering no further
+opposition, whilst we were engaged in weighing the other vessel of war,
+in which we succeeded also. As soon as the French saw that they could
+not save either of these vessels, they abandoned the victuallers, and
+again marched off in the direction of Rosas.
+
+The 2nd was employed in repairing our prizes, and in getting off other
+brass guns found on shore. On the 3rd we blew up the barrack and another
+magazine close to the town, without any further interference on the part
+of the enemy. Our operations being now completed, the smallest vessel of
+war was despatched to Lord Collingwood, off Toulon, with the following
+account of our success.
+
+ “His Majesty’s Ship _Impérieuse_, Caldagues,
+ 2nd January, 1809.
+
+ “MY LORD,—Having received information of two French vessels of war,
+ and a convoy of victuallers for Barcelona being in this port, I have
+ the honour to inform your lordship, that they are all—amounting to
+ thirteen sail—in our possession.
+
+ “The French have been driven from the tower of Caldagues with the loss
+ of nine cannon, which they had mounted or were mounting on the
+ batteries.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord Collingwood.”
+
+ “_La Gauloise_, cutter, 7 guns and 46 men, commanded by Mr. Avanet,
+ Member of the Legion of Honour.
+
+ “_La Julie_, lugger, 5 guns, 4 swivels, 44 men, commanded by Mr.
+ Chassereau.
+
+ “And eleven victuallers.”
+
+In consequence of which his lordship was pleased to write to the
+Admiralty as follows:—
+
+“_Copy of a Letter from_ Vice-Admiral LORD COLLINGWOOD,
+ _Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s ships and vessels in the
+ Mediterranean, to the_ Hon. W. W. POLE, _dated on board the_ Ocean,
+ _at sea, the 6th of May 1809_.
+
+ “SIR,—I inclose—to be laid before their Lordships—a letter I have
+ received from Lord Cochrane, captain of his Majesty’s ship
+ _Impérieuse_, who has been for some time past employed on the coast of
+ Catalonia, and where the good services of his lordship in aid of the
+ Spaniards and in annoyance of the enemy could not be exceeded.
+
+ “I have, &c.
+ “COLLINGWOOD.”
+
+Having put to sea with our prizes, except the smallest, which we gave to
+the Spaniards,—the _Impérieuse_ stood, on the 9th of January, towards
+Silva, anchoring in that port at 4 P.M. Observing a battery of ten guns
+mounted ashore, we landed, rolled them into the sea, and afterwards
+demolished the battery without opposition.
+
+On the 10th, the Spaniards gave us intelligence of a large detachment of
+French troops being on their march from Rosas. Anticipating much the
+same kind of opposition as we had experienced at Caldagues, the marines
+were directed to take possession of the hill on which the demolished
+battery had been placed, and soon afterwards the enemy was seen
+advancing in three divisions. Shortly before reaching the hill, they
+halted and reconnoitred, after which they filed off towards the opposite
+mountain, and piled their arms in sight of the ship.
+
+About noon they were reinforced by great numbers, and the whole advanced
+down the hill, their skirmishers keeping up a brisk fire upon our
+marines. As it was impossible for these to hold their position against
+such numbers, and as there was no particular object in so doing, it
+became necessary to embark them, for which purpose the boats had been
+placed in readiness. On the first appearance of the reinforcement, the
+French reentered their battery, but only to find the iron guns thrown in
+the sea and the brass ones in our possession. Exasperated at this, they
+opened upon us so heavy a fire of musketry that we were glad to get off
+as fast as we could, with the loss of three men.
+
+Scarcely had we pushed off, when they manned a lower battery, which we
+had not had time to destroy—but though they fired very smartly, we had
+only two men wounded. It was fortunate we took precautions to reembark
+the marines in time—five minutes later would have lost us half their
+number, and we might have been compelled to leave some of the wounded.
+It was no less fortunate that, from the entrance being high and narrow,
+I had, before anchoring in a passage so exposed, taken the precaution of
+laying out a kedge to seaward, with something like a mile of coir rope
+attached, to be used in case of emergency. Hauling on this, we were
+quickly out of reach of the battery, but again anchored just within our
+own range of the enemy, when the frigate reopened her fire with shot and
+shell, keeping up an intermitting cannonade till after nightfall.
+
+We learned in a curious way that the principal portion of the troops who
+attacked us were Swiss! About midnight a boat was reported alongside
+with a letter from the commandant of the troops with which we had been
+engaged. Wondering what he could want with me, I opened the letter, and
+found it to contain a rigmarole account of himself and the extraordinary
+achievements of his regiment, which belonged to some canton whose name I
+forget; the letter concluding with a request for a few _bottles of
+rum_!! I sent him the rum, together with a reply not very complimentary
+to his country or present occupation.
+
+On the 11th some of our missing men got on board, and reported that the
+French had received still larger reinforcements, with heavy artillery,
+of which, indeed, we had ample proof, they having this morning got their
+guns to bear so accurately, that almost every shot struck us, so that it
+became necessary to display the better part of valour, and be off. The
+wind, unluckily for us, had died away, but a southerly air at length
+springing up, we put our prisoners ashore, and stood out of the bay,
+anchoring on the following day at Caldagues.
+
+It would be tedious to narrate the remainder of our cruise, which
+chiefly consisted in sailing along the Spanish coast, and firing upon
+French troops wherever they came within reach, this being principally in
+the vicinity of Barcelona.
+
+On one occasion only did we make much havoc amongst them, viz. on the
+22nd. On the previous day we had been reconnoitring Barcelona, and fell
+in with the _Cyrene_. Whilst rounding a small promontory in company, we
+observed a foraging expedition of at least 5000 troops, with immense
+numbers of mules laden with provisions,—the spoil of the surrounding
+country,—coming along a road close to the sea. Both ships immediately
+beat to quarters, and running well within shot and shell range,
+commenced a heavy fire, which told admirably on the troops and convoy,
+as was evident from the disorder into which they were thrown. After
+about two hours persevering—though not continuous fire,—as from the
+strong breeze blowing, we were occasionally carried past the enemy, and
+lost time in regaining our position; the French abandoned their line of
+march, and filed off into the interior, the ships harassing their
+retreat with shells till they were out of range. The loss of the enemy
+on this occasion must necessarily have been very severe.
+
+On the 30th we joined Admiral Thornborough’s squadron of thirteen sail
+at Minorca. On the following day we received the unwelcome intelligence
+of Lieutenant Harrison’s having been taken prisoner by the French. I had
+placed this excellent officer in command of the man-of-war cutter taken
+with the French convoy at Caldagues, and when off Tarragona he
+imprudently went on shore with only two hands, to gain information about
+us. On landing he was immediately surrounded by French troops, a body of
+whom was embarked in boats to regain possession of his cutter, but by
+promptly making sail she escaped.
+
+Some time previous to this period I had applied to the Admiralty for
+permission to return to England. My reasons for the application were
+various, the ostensible ground being the state of my health, which had
+in reality suffered severely from the incessant wear and tear of body
+and mind to which for nearly two years I had been exposed. A more urgent
+reason was to get back to my place in the House of Commons, in order to
+expose the robberies of the Admiralty Courts in the Mediterranean, the
+officials of which were reaping colossal fortunes at the expense of
+naval officers and seamen, who were wasting their lives and blood for
+official gain! The barefaced peculations of these courts would be almost
+incredible, especially as regarded the Maltese Court, were there not
+some living at the present time who can testify to their enormity. To
+such an extent was this now carried, that a ship captured without cargo
+never yielded a penny to the captors, the whole proceeds being swallowed
+up by the Admiralty Court. With cargo, some trifling surplus might
+remain, but what between pilfering and official fees, the award was
+hardly worth the trouble of capture.
+
+The effect of this upon the Navy generally was most disastrous, and not
+upon the Navy only, but upon the nation also, which had upwards of 1000
+ships in commission without any result at all commensurable with the
+expenditure. Captains were naturally disinclined to harass themselves
+and crews for nothing, and avoided making prizes certain to yield
+nothing but the risk and trouble of capture, and which, in addition,
+might bring them in debt, as was the result in my own case.
+
+It will now be evident why I preferred harassing the French army in
+Spain to making prizes for the enrichment of the officials of the
+Maltese and other Admiralty courts. It was always my aim to serve my
+country before my own interests, and in this case I judged it better to
+do so where the service could be most effectual. Prizes, of which the
+proceeds were monopolised by a body of corrupt officials, neither under
+the eye nor control of the government, were not worth troubling
+ourselves about; so I determined on a course of service where there were
+no prizes to take, but abundance of highly interesting operations to be
+undertaken. The frigate’s officers and crew willingly seconding my
+views, I now—more on their account than my own—put on record that _none_
+of the services previously narrated, though lauded by the admirals
+commanding them, and by historians subsequently, were ever rewarded,
+either as regarded myself, or any one under my command, even promotion
+to the officers being shamefully withheld; their fault, or rather
+misfortune, consisting in having served under my command.
+
+My chief motive, however, for wishing to return to England was, that
+during our operations against the French on the Spanish coast, I had
+seen so much of them as to convince me, that if with a single frigate I
+could paralyse the movements of their armies in the Mediterranean—with
+three or four ships it would not be difficult so to spread terror on
+their Atlantic shores, as to render it impossible for them to send an
+army into Western Spain. My object then was—as from long and unceasing
+experience I considered myself entitled to the command of more than one
+ship—to propose to the Government to take possession of the French
+islands in the Bay of Biscay, and to let me with a small squadron
+operate against the enemy’s sea-board there, as I had previously done
+with the _Speedy_ and _Impérieuse_, from Montpellier to Barcelona.
+
+Had this permission been granted, I do not hesitate to stake my
+professional reputation that _neither the Peninsular war, nor its
+enormous cost to the nation, from 1809 onwards, would ever have been
+heard of_. It would have been easy—_as it will always be easy in case of
+future wars_—that is, provided those who have the direction of national
+affairs have the sagacity to foresee disaster, and, _foreseeing it, to
+take the initiative_, so to harass the French coast as to find full
+employment for their troops at home, and thus to render any operations
+in Western Spain, or even in foreign countries, next to impossible.
+
+By members not aware of this power of harassing an enemy’s coast by
+means of a few frigates, the ministry was greatly blamed for not having
+sent a military force to Catalonia, instead of despatching the very
+inadequate force under Sir John Moore to the western shores of the
+Peninsula. That the latter step was a great mistake, likely only to end
+in disaster, is now admitted. But what I contend for is, that no
+military force was at all needed in Spain, had the government seized and
+held, by a comparatively small military force, the isles on the coast of
+France, viz., Isles Dieu, Rhe, Oléron, and a few others; following up or
+preceding this seizure by a limited number of active frigates harassing
+the whole western coast of France, which, in consequence, would not have
+been able to send a single regiment into Spain, and hence, as has been
+said, we should have had no Peninsular war with its hundreds of millions
+of national debt. Had the French been thus employed in the defence of
+their own coasts, the Spaniards on the west coast would have been a
+match for their enemies, as, with the assistance of a few small British
+frigates, they were rendered a match for them on the east coast. This
+was the work I was prepared to recommend to the British Government;
+considering, moreover, that from the part the _Impérieuse_ had taken in
+harassing the enemy on the east coast of Spain, I was fairly entitled to
+ask that any small squadron of frigates, appointed for the purpose of
+operating on the west coast of France, should be placed under my
+command.
+
+How my plans for this end, and together with them, my own career as a
+naval officer, were sacrificed by an occurrence which forms the subject
+of the next chapters, will there be seen.
+
+The reader will by this time have gathered some idea of what the
+_Impérieuse_ had effected, as testified by the warmly expressed
+satisfaction of Lord Collingwood; yet it will scarcely be believed that,
+in place of approbation, I was reproached for the expenditure of more
+sails, stores, gunpowder, and shot than had been used by any other
+captain in the service!
+
+Attention to saving ropes and sails, though without other results, was
+praised. Expending them, though in energetic service, remarked with
+displeasure. Nothing that I had done was deemed worthy of notice at
+home, whilst officers who brought back them ships in as good condition
+as they left port, were honoured with praise and substantially rewarded;
+but no mark of approbation or reward was ever conferred on me till
+upwards of thirty years afterwards, the late Earl of Minto generously
+remedied the injustice by conferring upon me the ordinary good service
+pension. A comparison of my services with the services of those who were
+rewarded with pensions of 1000_l._ and 1200_l._ a year, will show the
+actuating principle of the Admiralties of those days, which bestowed on
+me nothing but marked neglect.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XIX.
+
+ APPOINTMENT TO COMMAND FIRE-SHIPS IN BASQUE
+
+ROADS.
+
+UNDERTAKING AGAINST ROCHEFORT.—HOPES EXCITED.—PRESENT MYSELF AT THE
+ ADMIRALTY.—AM CONSULTED BY LORD MULGRAVE.—LORD GAMBIER’S
+ STATEMENT.—ANXIETY OF GOVERNMENT.—MY PLAN OF ACTION.—DECLINE THE
+ COMMAND.—THE COMMAND PRESSED UPON ME.—RETURN TO THE
+ IMPÉRIEUSE.—PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACK.—LORD GAMBIER OBTAINS THE
+ LAURELS,—BUT DISSUADES THE ATTACK.—THE ISLE D’AIX.—LORD GAMBIER’S
+ STATEMENT.
+
+
+Almost immediately after arrival of the _Impérieuse_ at Plymouth, I
+received the subjoined letter from the Hon. Johnstone Hope, Second Lord
+of the Board of Admiralty:—
+
+ “Admiralty, March 21, 1809.
+
+ “MY DEAR LORD,—I congratulate you on your safe arrival after the
+ fatigues you underwent at Trinity. Be assured your exertions there
+ were highly applauded by the Board, and were done most ample justice
+ to by Lord Collingwood in all his despatches.
+
+ “There is an undertaking of great moment in agitation against
+ Rochefort, and the Board thinks that your local knowledge and services
+ on the occasion might be of the utmost consequence, and, I believe, it
+ is intended to send you there with all expedition; I have ventured to
+ say, that if you are in health, you will readily give your aid on this
+ business.
+
+ “Before you can answer this I shall be out of office, and on my way to
+ Scotland, as I found I could not continue here and keep my health. But
+ if you will write to Sir R. Brotherton in reply, and state your
+ sentiments on the getting at the enemy at Rochefort, I am sure it will
+ be kindly taken.
+
+ “I am, my dear Lord, your’s faithfully,
+ “W. JOHNSTONE HOPE.
+
+ “Captain Lord Cochrane.”
+
+On the receipt of this letter hope appeared to dawn. The St. Vincent or
+any other official _animus_ against me had evidently been satisfied with
+the punishments with which I had in one shape or other been visited. I
+was now to be consulted and employed on matters in which my experience
+and services were to be fully recognised, and my ambition of being
+ranked amongst those brave defenders of my country, to whose example I
+had looked up, was about to be fulfilled! Alas, for the simplicity of my
+ideas! Nothing could be further from the intention of those who wanted
+to consult me!
+
+Scarcely had the letter reached me, when a telegraphic message was
+transmitted from the Admiralty, requiring my immediate presence at
+Whitehall. A brief narrative of recent events will show the reason for
+the summons.
+
+Early in the year Lord Gambier had been appointed to blockade the French
+fleet at Brest. Towards the end of February they, however, contrived to
+elude his vigilance, and got out without leaving a trace as to the
+direction taken. Despatching Admiral Duckworth in pursuit, his lordship
+returned to Plymouth. Admiral Duckworth meanwhile reached Cadiz, where
+he ascertained that the Brest fleet had not entered the Mediterranean.
+He then ran for Madeira, in the hope of obtaining intelligence of them,
+should they, as was feared in England, have made for the West Indies.
+
+The fact was that the French squadron, consisting of eight sail of the
+line and two frigates, had gone to L’Orient, and liberated the ships
+there blockaded. They next made for Isle d’Aix, intending further to
+reinforce themselves with the ships at that anchorage, and thence
+proceed to harass our West India colonies. By the vigilance of Admiral
+Stopford they were, however, discovered and thwarted as to their
+ultimate purpose, though successful in forming a junction with the
+Rochefort squadron. On finding Admiral Stopford in their vicinity,
+though with four ships of the line only, they put into Basque Roads,
+subsequently withdrawing into Aix Roads, where Admiral Stopford having
+been reinforced, blockaded them with seven ships of the line. On the 7th
+of March Lord Gambier arrived in Basque Roads with an additional five
+sail, several frigates and small vessels, the British squadron being now
+numerically superior to that of the enemy.
+
+On presenting myself at the Admiralty, the First Lord (Mulgrave) did me
+the honour to consult me confidentially as to the practicability of
+destroying or disabling the French squadron as it lay at anchor under
+the protection of the batteries of Isle d’Aix, where, as his lordship
+told me, the commander-in-chief did not consider it prudent to attack
+them. Lord Mulgrave further stated that the Board of Admiralty, fearing
+that “the French fleet might again slip out, as it had done at Brest,
+were extremely desirous that it should forthwith be destroyed. With that
+view they had already consulted various naval officers on the
+practicability of accomplishing the object by means of fire-ships; but
+that their opinions were discouraging.”
+
+“Now,” added his lordship, “you were some years ago employed on the
+Rochefort station, and must, to a great extent, be practically
+acquainted with the difficulties to be surmounted. Besides which, I am
+told that you then pointed out to Admiral Thornborough some plan of
+attack, which in your estimation would be successful. Will you be good
+enough again to detail that or any other plan, which your further
+experience may suggest. But first let me tell you what Lord Gambier has
+written to the Admiralty on the subject.”
+
+Lord Mulgrave then read me an extract from Lord Gambier’s letter, to the
+following effect, that “an attack by means of fire-ships was hazardous,
+if not desperate;” but that “if the Board of Admiralty wished to order
+such an attack, it should be done secretly and quickly.”
+
+I respectfully reminded his lordship that he was asking me to suggest
+means for an attack which the admiral commanding considered “hazardous,
+if not desperate;” and which other naval officers, no doubt my seniors
+in the service, had pronounced impracticable. On both these accounts
+there was reason to fear that if means suggested by me were adopted, the
+consequence would be an amount of ill-feeling on the part of those
+officers, which any naval officer in my position should feel reluctant
+to provoke.
+
+Lord Mulgrave replied that “the present was no time for professional
+etiquette. The Board was, if possible, bent on striking some decisive
+blow before the French squadron had an opportunity of slipping out; for
+if their sailing were not prevented they might get off to the West
+Indies, and do our commerce an immense amount of mischief. However,”
+added his lordship, “there is Lord Gambier’s letter. Give me your
+opinion on it.”
+
+As this letter was afterwards made public, there can be no reason for
+withholding it.
+
+ “_Caledonia_, off the Nertuis d’Antioche,
+ “11th March, 1809.
+
+ “MY DEAR LORD,—The advanced work between the Isles of Aix and Oleron,
+ which I mentioned in my last letter, I find was injured in its
+ foundation, and is in no state of progress; it is, therefore, no
+ obstacle to our bombarding the enemy’s fleet, if you should be
+ disposed to attempt to destroy it.
+
+ “A trial was made six years ago, when a Spanish squadron lay at the
+ same anchorage, but without effect. The report of it you will find in
+ the Admiralty. It was made by Sir C. Pole.
+
+ “The enemy’s ships lie much exposed to the operation of fire-ships,
+ _it is a horrible mode of warfare, and the attempt hazardous, if not
+ desperate_; but we should have plenty of volunteers for the service.
+ If you mean to do anything of the kind, it should be with secrecy and
+ quickly, and the ships used should not be less than those built for
+ the purpose—at least a dozen, and some smaller ones.
+
+ “Yours, my dear Lord, most faithfully,
+ “GAMBIER..nf-
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord Mulgrave.”
+
+“You see,” said Lord Mulgrave, “that Lord Gambier will not take upon
+himself the responsibility of attack, and the Admiralty is not disposed
+to bear the _onus_ of failure by means of an attack by fire-ships,
+however desirous they may be that such attack should be made.”
+
+It was now clear to me why I had been sent for to the Admiralty, where
+not a word of approbation of my previous services was uttered. The
+Channel fleet had been doing worse than nothing. The nation was
+dissatisfied, and even the existence of the ministry was at stake. They
+wanted a victory, and the admiral commanding plainly told them he would
+not willingly risk a defeat. Other naval officers had been consulted,
+who had disapproved of the use of fire-ships, and, as a last resource, I
+had been sent for, in the hope that I would undertake the enterprise. If
+this were successful, the fleet would get the credit, which would be
+thus reflected on the ministry; and if it failed, the consequence would
+be the loss of my individual reputation, as both ministry and
+commander-in-chief would lay the blame on me.
+
+I had, however, no fear of failure in the plans at that moment uppermost
+in my mind, but from the way in which my co-operation was asked, I
+determined to have nothing to do with the execution of the plans,
+believing that I should have to deal with some who would rather rejoice
+at their failure than their success.
+
+My reply to Lord Mulgrave, therefore, was, that, “the opinion of Lord
+Gambier, and the naval officers consulted by the Admiralty, as to the
+use of fire-ships, coincided with my own; for if any such attempt were
+made upon the enemy’s squadron, the result would in all probability be,
+that the fire-ships would be boarded by the numerous row-boats on
+guard,—the crews murdered,—and the vessels turned in a harmless
+direction. But that if, together with the fire-ships, a plan were
+combined which I would propose for his Lordship’s consideration, it
+would not be difficult to sink or scatter the guard-boats, and
+afterwards destroy the enemy’s squadron, despite any amount of
+opposition that might be offered. I further told Lord Mulgrave that my
+opinion agreed with the expression of Lord Gambier, that the
+fortifications on Isle d’Aix were “no obstacle;” though this opinion on
+my part was expressed for different reasons to the one assigned by his
+lordship, my own previous knowledge of the anchorage satisfying me that
+the channel was of sufficient breadth to enable an attacking force to
+interpose the enemy’s fleet between itself and Isle d’Aix, as well as to
+keep out of reach of the fortifications on Aix, even though those
+fortifications might be in a state of efficiency, in place of being “no
+obstacle,” from their dilapidated condition, as Lord Gambier had, no
+doubt, correctly described them.
+
+I then briefly recapitulated to his lordship the outline of my plan,
+which, if seconded by the fleet, must certainly result in the total
+destruction of the French squadron. His lordship appeared very much
+gratified by the communication, and after praising its novelty and
+completeness, frankly expressed his entire confidence in the result,
+requesting me to put the substance of my suggestion in writing, so that
+he might at once lay it before the Board of Admiralty, which was then
+sitting.
+
+The request was immediately complied with, and the letter placed in the
+hands of Lord Mulgrave, who shortly afterwards personally communicated
+to me his own satisfaction, and the entire concurrence of the Board in
+my plan. His lordship at the same time asked me “if I would undertake to
+put it in execution?”
+
+I told him that “for reasons before assigned I would rather not do so,
+as being a junior officer, it would excite against me a great amount of
+jealousy. Besides which, Lord Gambier might consider it presumptuous on
+my part to undertake what he had not hesitated to describe as
+‘hazardous, if not desperate.’ It was, moreover, by no means certain
+that Lord Gambier would be satisfied to put my plans in execution, as it
+was not impossible that he might deem them still more ‘desperate’ and
+‘horrible’ than those to which he had already objected. I, however,
+assured his lordship that the plans were at the service of the
+Admiralty, and Lord Gambier also, irrespective of any share in their
+execution to which I might be considered entitled.”
+
+“But,” objected his lordship, “all the officers who have been consulted
+deem an attack with fire-ships impracticable, and after such an
+expression of opinion, it is not likely they would be offended by the
+conduct of fire-ships being given to another officer who approved of
+their use.”
+
+My answer was, “that the plan submitted to his lordship was not an
+attack with fire-ships alone, and when its details became known to the
+service, it would be seen that there was no risk of failure whatever, if
+made with a fair wind and flowing tide. On the contrary, its success on
+inspection must be evident to any experienced officer, who would see
+that as the enemy’s squadron could not escape up the Charente, their
+destruction would not only be certain, but, in fact, easy. The batteries
+on Isle d’Aix were scarcely worth notice, not so much from their
+dilapidated condition, though that was rightly estimated in Lord
+Gambier’s letter, as from there being plenty of room to steer clear of
+them, as well as from the ease with which the enemy’s ships might be
+brought between the fortifications and the ships attacking; the channel
+being sufficient for this purpose, as well as for their passage without
+any exposure to shot likely to be detrimental. As all this would be
+apparent to the officers of the fleet whenever the plan submitted should
+be communicated to them, I must emphatically repeat my objection to
+undertake its execution, not only on this ground, but for the additional
+reason that my health had been so much shattered by recent exertions as
+to require repose.
+
+Lord Mulgrave did not deny the reasonableness of my objections,
+admitting that “although he did not believe Lord Gambier would feel hurt
+at my undertaking to put my own plan in execution, other officers might
+not be well pleased that its superintendence should be committed to a
+junior officer. On this ground he would reconsider the matter, and
+endeavour to find some one else to put it in execution.
+
+I then took leave of Lord Mulgrave, who, next day, again sent for me,
+when he said, “My lord, you must go. The Board cannot listen to further
+refusal or delay. Rejoin your frigate at once. I will make you all right
+with Lord Gambier. Your own confidence in the result has, I must
+confess, taken me by surprise, but it has increased my belief that all
+you anticipate will be accomplished. Make yourself easy about the
+jealous feeling of senior officers; I will so manage it with Lord
+Gambier that the _amour propre_ of the fleet shall be satisfied.”
+
+On this I requested a short time for final consideration, and before its
+expiration sent a letter to his lordship again declining the command;
+but at the same time informing him that it had ever been a maxim with me
+not to shrink from duty to my country under any circumstances, however
+disadvantageous to myself, and that if officers my seniors could not be
+found to put the project in execution, I would then waive further
+objection.
+
+The immediate result was the following letter from Lord Mulgrave, who,
+contrary to the tenour of mine, had construed it into an unqualified
+acceptance of the command.
+
+ [Private.]
+
+ “Admiralty, March 25, 1809.
+
+ “MY DEAR LORD,—The letter I have just received from your lordship is
+ truly characteristic of the whole tenour of your professional life. If
+ your health will admit of your undertaking the important service
+ referred to, I am fully persuaded that I cannot so well commit it to
+ any other hands.
+
+ “I have the honour to be, with the highest esteem,
+ “Your lordship’s most faithful servant,
+ “MULGRAVE.
+
+ “The Lord Cochrane.”
+
+ “P.S. I think the sooner you go to Plymouth the better. You will there
+ receive an order to join Lord Gambier, to whom a secret letter will be
+ written, directing him to employ your Lordship on the service which we
+ have settled against the Rochefort fleet.”
+
+I have been thus minute in detailing the circumstances connected with my
+acceptance of a command so unusual, because it has been said, and for
+anything that has appeared to the contrary, may still be considered,
+that I thrust myself into the position, which, as my own foresight had
+anticipated, became eventually a very serious one for me, as bringing
+upon my head an amount of enmity, such as even my own misgivings had not
+considered possible.
+
+Having made the requisite suggestions to Lord Mulgrave relative to the
+contents and mode of fitting up the explosion vessels, the fire-ships to
+be employed being of the usual description, I returned on board the
+_Impérieuse_ at Plymouth, there to await further orders from the
+Admiralty.
+
+Such was the despatch used, that by the 19th of March the Board was in a
+position to apprise Lord Gambier of the steps taken, by the following
+letter addressed to his lordship by the Board of Admiralty.
+
+ “Admiralty Office, March 19th, 1809.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to
+ acquaint your lordship, that they have ordered twelve transports to be
+ fitted as fire-ships, and to proceed and join you off Rochefort; and
+ that Mr. Congreve (afterwards Sir W. Congreve) is under orders to
+ proceed to your lordship in a coppered transport (the _Cleveland_),
+ containing a large assortment of rockets, and supplied with a
+ detachment of marine artillery, instructed in the use of them, and
+ placed under Mr. Congreve’s orders.
+
+ “That the vessels named in the margin (_Etna_, _Thunder_, _Vesuvius_,
+ _Hound_, and _Fury_), are likewise under orders to fit for sea with
+ all possible expedition, and to join you as soon as they may be ready.
+ That all preparations are making with a view to enable your lordship
+ to make an attack upon the French fleet at their anchorage off Isle
+ d’Aix, if practicable; and I am further commanded to signify their
+ Lordships’ directions to you, to take into your consideration the
+ possibility of making an attack upon the enemy, either conjointly with
+ your line-of-battle ships, frigates, and small craft, fire-ships,
+ bombs, and rockets—or separately by any of the above-named means.
+
+ “It is their Lordships’ further direction, that you state to me for
+ their information, whether any further augmentation of force of any
+ description is in your opinion necessary to enable you to perform this
+ service with full effect, that it may be prepared and forwarded to you
+ without a moment’s delay—their Lordships having come to a
+ determination to leave no means untried to destroy the enemy’s
+ squadron.
+
+ (Signed) “W. W. POLE.
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord Gambier.”
+
+Lord Gambier’s reply to this intimation, that on the receipt of the
+above-mentioned appliances he would be expected to attack the French
+squadron, was, that “_if the Board_ deemed an attack practicable, he
+would obey any orders with which they might honour him, however great
+might be the loss of men and ships.” A plain declaration that he _still
+declined to take upon himself the responsibility of attack_.
+
+It will be necessary to bear this fact in mind, as after the attack was
+made, Lord Gambier, in his first despatch to the Admiralty, gave me
+credit for everything but the success of my plan, and in his second
+despatch _omitted my name altogether as having had anything to do with
+either planning or executing it!!!_ and in the vote of thanks
+subsequently given to his lordship in parliament, the officers under my
+orders were thanked, but no mention whatever was made of me, either as
+having conducted, or even taken any part in the attack, the whole merit
+of which was ascribed to Lord Gambier, who was never nearer than nine
+miles to the scene of action, as will subsequently appear.
+
+Lord Gambier’s answer to the previous letter from the Board is, however,
+so material to the right understanding of the events which followed,
+that it will be better to subjoin the whole of it.
+
+ “_Caledonia_, in Basque Roads,
+ “March 26th, 1809.
+
+ “SIR,—In obedience to their Lordships’ directions to me, contained in
+ your letter of the 19th instant, I beg leave to state that it is
+ advisable that I should be furnished with six gun-brigs in addition to
+ those I may be able to collect of such as are under my command; at
+ present there are only two at this anchorage. I shall, however, order
+ the _Insolent_ and _Contest_ to join me from Quiberon Bay; and I
+ should hope that the _Martial_ and _Fervent_ will shortly return from
+ Plymouth.
+
+ “It is proper I should state for their Lordships’ information, the
+ position in which the French fleet is at present anchored under the
+ Isle d’Aix, that their Lordships may be able to form a judgment of the
+ success that may be expected to attend an attack upon the enemy’s
+ fleet, in either of the modes directed by their Lordships in your
+ letter above-mentioned.
+
+ “The enemy’s ships are anchored in two lines, very near each other, in
+ a direction due south from the Isle d’Aix, and the ships in each line
+ not further apart than their own length; by which it appears, as I
+ imagined, that the space for their anchorage is so confined by the
+ shoaliness of the water, as not to admit of ships to run in and anchor
+ clear of each other. The most distant ships of their two lines are
+ within point-blank shot of the works on the Isle d’Aix; such ships,
+ therefore, _as might attack the enemy would be exposed to be raked by
+ red-hot shot, &c. from the island, and should the ships be disabled in
+ their masts, they must remain within range of the enemy’s fire until
+ they are destroyed_—there not being sufficient depth of water to allow
+ them to move to the southward out of distance.
+
+ “The enemy having taken up their position apparently with the view not
+ only to be protected by _the strong works on the Isle d’Aix_, but also
+ to have the entrance of the Charente open to them, that in case of
+ being attacked by fire-ships and other engines of the kind, they can
+ run up the river beyond the reach of them. The tide and wind that are
+ favourable to convey this kind of annoyance to the enemy, serve
+ equally to carry them up the river.
+
+ “With respect to the attempt that may be made to destroy the enemy’s
+ ships with shells, &c., I am not competent to give an opinion until it
+ is ascertained whether the booms can be placed within the reach of
+ their mortars from the enemy’s ships, without being exposed to the
+ fire of the Isle d’Aix.
+
+ “I beg leave to add that, _if their Lordships_ are of opinion that an
+ attack on the enemy’s ships by those of the fleet under my command is
+ practicable, I am ready to obey any orders they may be pleased to
+ honour me with, _however great the risk may be of the loss of men and
+ ships_.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c.
+ “GAMBIER.
+
+ “The Hon. W. W. Pole.”
+
+I have marked some passages of this singular letter in italics, for the
+purpose of showing their important bearing on subsequent events. On the
+11th Lord Gambier had informed the Board of Admiralty—as to my own
+personal knowledge was the fact—that “the advanced work on the Isle
+d’Aix was _no obstacle to bombardment_.” “Now,” says his lordship, “_the
+ships attacking would, from the fire of this fort, be exposed to be
+raked by red-hot shot, and if disabled in their masts, must be
+destroyed_.” In the former letter his lordship stated that the fort was
+“_injured in its foundations_, and in no state of progress.” It is now
+characterised as “_the strong works_” on _the_ Isle d’Aix.
+
+That there was really little damage to be feared from these
+fortifications, either to ships or bombs, was afterwards corroborated by
+the fact, that when a partial attack only was reluctantly made, neither
+suffered from their fire, the result proving that these works had from
+the first been rightly characterised by Lord Gambier as “_forming no
+obstacle_,” though magnified into “strong works.”
+
+In my interview with Lord Mulgrave, I had stated to his lordship, that
+the works on the Isle d’Aix were no impediment, because of the facility
+with which the enemy’s ships could be brought between the attacking
+British force and the fortifications, so as completely to interpose
+between the fire of the latter. Lord Gambier does not appear to have
+taken this view, but he completely proved its soundness by stating that
+the enemy’s ships lay within point-blank shot of their own works, so as
+to expose them to the fire of their own forts on Aix, if these fired at
+all, whilst my previous knowledge of the anchorage made it a matter of
+certainty to me, that it was not difficult for the British fleet to
+place the enemy in such a position. Lord Gambier’s assertion was one of
+the main points relied on in the subsequent court-martial, and his
+lordship’s own letter just quoted is in direct contradiction to the
+evidence upon which he relied for acquittal.
+
+A more singular declaration is made by his lordship, that if the enemy
+were attacked by “fire-ships and other engines of the kind, they could
+run up the river beyond their reach.” In place of this the result, as
+will presently be seen, proved that the attempt to do so only ended in
+all running ashore, with the exception of two, and they ultimately
+escaped up the river because they were not attacked at all! But we must
+not anticipate.
+
+Had Lord Gambier been, as I was, from having previously blockaded
+Rochefort in the _Pallas_, practically acquainted with the soundings, he
+must have taken the same views that I had laid before Lord Mulgrave, and
+in place of writing to the Admiralty all sorts of evil forebodings to
+“men and ships,” he would have seen that the attack, with the means
+indicated, was certain in effect, and easy of accomplishment.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XX.
+
+SAIL FOR THE BASQUE ROADS.—MY AWKWARD POSITION.—ILL-HUMOUR OF THE
+ FLEET.—ADMIRAL HARVEY.—IMPRUDENCE OF ADMIRAL HARVEY.—COMPLAINS OF
+ LORD GAMBIER.—INACCURATE SOUNDINGS.—LORD GAMBIER’S TRACTS.—COBBETT’S
+ COMMENTS ON THE TRACTS.—DISSENSIONS IN THE FLEET.—LETTER TO LORD
+ MULGRAVE.—MY PRINCIPLES OF WARFARE.—NIGHT-WORK.—MY PRINCIPLES OF
+ ACTION.—THE ISLE D’AIX.—EXPLOSION VESSELS.
+
+
+Without waiting to convoy the fire-ships and explosion vessels, the
+_Impérieuse_ sailed forthwith for Basque Roads in order to expedite the
+necessary arrangements, so that on their arrival no time might be lost
+in putting the project in execution; a point on which the Board of
+Admiralty was most urgent, not more in a belligerent than a political
+point of view, for as has been stated, the public was dissatisfied that
+the enemy had been permitted to escape from Brest; whilst our West
+Indian merchants were in a state of panic lest the French squadron,
+which had escaped the vigilance of the blockading force before Brest,
+might again slip out, and inflict irretrievable disaster on their
+colonial interests, then the most important branch of our maritime
+commerce.
+
+The _Impérieuse_ arrived in Basque Roads on the 3rd of April, when I was
+received with great urbanity by the commander-in-chief; his lordship
+without reserve communicating to me the following order from the
+Admiralty:—
+
+ “Admiralty Office, 25th March, 1809.
+
+ “MY LORD,—My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having thought fit
+ to select Captain Lord Cochrane for the purpose of conducting, under
+ your lordship’s direction, the fire-ships to be employed in the
+ projected attack on the enemy’s squadron off Isle d’Aix, I have their
+ Lordships’ commands to signify their direction to you to employ Lord
+ Cochrane in the above-mentioned service accordingly, whenever the
+ attack shall take place; and I am to acquaint you that the twelve
+ fire-ships, of which you already had notice, are now in the Downs in
+ readiness, and detained only by contrary winds, and that Mr. Congreve
+ is also at that anchorage, with an assortment of rockets, ready to
+ proceed with the fire-ships.
+
+ “I am also to acquaint you that the composition for the six
+ transports, sent to your lordship by Admiral Young, and 1000 carcases
+ for 18-pounders, will sail in the course of three or four days from
+ Woolwich, to join you off Rochefort.
+
+ “I have, &c. &c.
+ “W. W. POLE.
+
+ “Admiral Lord Gambier.”
+
+Whatever might have been the good feeling manifested by Lord Gambier, it
+did not, however, extend to the officers of the fleet, whose _amour
+propre_ Lord Mulgrave had either not attempted, or had failed to
+satisfy. Every captain was my senior, and the moment my plans were made
+known, all regarded me as an interloper, sent to take the credit from
+those to whom it was now considered legitimately to belong. “Why could
+we not have done this as well as Lord Cochrane?” was the general cry of
+the fleet, and the question was reasonable; for the means once devised,
+there could be no difficulty in effectually carrying them out. Others
+asked, “Why did not Lord Gambier permit us to do this before?” the
+second query taking much of the sting from the first, as regarded
+myself, by laying the blame on the commander-in-chief.
+
+The ill-humour of the fleet found an exponent in the person of Admiral
+Harvey, a brave Trafalgar officer, whose abuse of Lord Gambier to his
+face was such as I had never before witnessed from a subordinate. I
+should even now hesitate to record it as incredible, were it not
+officially known by the minutes of the court-martial in which it some
+time afterwards resulted.[42]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 42:
+
+ Minutes of a court-martial on Admiral Harvey, on board H. M. S.
+ _Gladiator_, at Portsmouth, May 22nd, 1809.
+
+-----
+
+On ascertaining the nature of my mission, and that the conduct of the
+attack had been committed to me by the Board of Admiralty, Admiral
+Harvey came on board the flag-ship with a list of officers and men who
+volunteered, under his direction, to perform the service which had been
+thrust upon me. On Lord Gambier informing him that the Board had fixed
+upon me for the purpose, he said, “he did not care; if he were passed
+by, and Lord Cochrane or any other junior officer was appointed in
+preference, he would immediately strike his flag, and resign his
+commission!”
+
+Lord Gambier said he “should be sorry to see him resort to such an
+extremity, but that the Lords of the Admiralty having fixed on Lord
+Cochrane to conduct the service, he could not deviate from their
+Lordships’ orders.”
+
+On this explanation being good-naturedly made by Lord Gambier, Admiral
+Harvey broke out into invectives of a most extraordinary kind, openly
+avowing that “he never saw a man so unfit for the command of the fleet
+as Lord Gambier, who instead of sending boats to sound the channels,
+which he (Admiral Harvey) considered the best preparation for an attack
+on the enemy, he had been employing, or rather amusing himself with
+mustering the ships’ companies, and had not even taken the pains to
+ascertain whether the enemy had placed any mortars in front of their
+lines; concluding by saying, that had Lord Nelson been there, he would
+not have anchored in Basque Roads at all, but would have dashed at the
+enemy at once.”
+
+Admiral Harvey then came into Sir Harry Neale’s cabin, and shook hands
+with me, assuring me that “he should have been very happy to see me on
+any other occasion than the present. He begged me to consider that
+nothing personal to myself was intended, for he had a high opinion of
+me; but that my having been ordered to execute such a service, could
+only be regarded as an insult to the fleet, and that on this account he
+would strike his flag so soon as the service was executed.” Admiral
+Harvey further assured me, that “he had volunteered his services, which
+had been refused.”
+
+To these remarks I replied: “Admiral Harvey, the service on which the
+Admiralty has sent me was none of my seeking. I went to Whitehall in
+obedience to a summons from Lord Mulgrave, and at his lordship’s request
+gave the Board a plan of attack, the execution of which has been thrust
+upon me, contrary to my inclination, as well knowing the invidious
+position in which I should be placed.”
+
+“Well,” said Admiral Harvey, “this is not the first time I have been
+lightly treated, and that my services have not been attended to in the
+way they deserved; because I am no canting methodist, no hypocrite, no
+psalm-singer, and do not cheat old women out of their estates by
+hypocrisy and canting! I have volunteered to perform the service you
+came on, and should have been happy to see you on any other occasion,
+but am very sorry to have a junior officer placed over my head.”
+
+“You must not blame me for that,” replied I; “but permit me to remark
+that you are using very strong expressions relative to the
+commander-in-chief.”
+
+“I can assure you, Lord Cochrane,” replied Admiral Harvey, “that I have
+spoken to Lord Gambier with the same degree of prudence as I have now
+done to you in the presence of Captain Sir H. Neale.”
+
+“Well, admiral,” replied I, “considering that I have been an unwilling
+listener to what you really did say to his lordship, I can only remark
+that you have a strange notion of prudence.”
+
+We then went on the quarter-deck, where Admiral Harvey again commenced a
+running commentary on Lord Gambier’s conduct, in so loud a tone as to
+attract the attention of every officer within hearing, his observations
+being to the effect that “Lord Gambier had received him coldly after the
+battle of Trafalgar, that he had used him ill, and that his having
+forwarded the master of the _Tonnant’s_ letter for a court-martial on
+him, was a proof of his methodistical, jesuitical conduct, and of his
+vindictive disposition; that Lord Gambier’s conduct, since he took the
+command of the fleet, was deserving of reprobation, and that his
+employing officers in mustering the ships’ companies, instead of in
+gaining information about the soundings, showed himself to be unequal to
+the command of the fleet.” Then turning to Captain Bedford, he said,
+“You know you are of the same opinion.”
+
+Admiral Harvey then left the ship, first asking Captain Bedford “whether
+he had made his offer of service _on any duty_ known to the
+commander-in-chief?” To which Captain Bedford replied in the
+affirmative.
+
+My reason for detailing this extraordinary scene, the whole of which,
+and much more to the same effect, will be found in the minutes of the
+court-martial previously referred to—is to show into what a hornets’
+nest my plans had involuntarily brought me. It may readily be imagined
+that I bitterly regretted not having persisted in my refusal to have
+anything to do with carrying them into execution, for now they were
+known, all believed,—and, being my senior officers, had no doubt a right
+to believe—that they could execute them better than myself.
+
+So far as regarded the neglect to take soundings of even the approaches
+to the channel leading to the enemy’s fleet, Admiral Harvey was quite
+right in his statement. Nothing of the kind had been attempted beyond
+some soundings on that part of the Boyart shoal, _farthest from the
+French fleet_! Had not my previous knowledge of the anchorage, as
+ascertained in the _Pallas_ a few years before, supplied all the
+information necessary for my conduct of the plans proposed, this neglect
+would in all probability have been fatal to their execution. Unlike
+Admiral Harvey, I am not, however, prepared to blame Lord Gambier for
+the neglect, as a slight acquaintance with the masters, whose duty it
+was to have made the examination, showed me that they were quite capable
+of misleading the commander-in-chief, by substituting their own surmises
+for realities. Certain it was, that although no soundings whatever of
+the approaches to the enemy’s fleet had been taken, those whose duty it
+was to have made them, as far as practicable, pretended to know more of
+the anchorage than I did![43] and had, no doubt, impressed the
+commander-in-chief that their reports were founded on actual
+observations.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 43:
+
+ In the subsequent court-martial, one of these men constructed a chart
+ of the soundings, as from his own personal knowledge, and in his
+ verbal evidence said that he had never sounded at all! His chart was,
+ nevertheless, made the basis of the trial, to the exclusion of the
+ official charts!
+
+-----
+
+How far Admiral Harvey was justified in his intemperate allusions to the
+“_musters_” and _quasi_ religious practices on board the fleet, is a
+point upon which I do not care to enter, further than to state that
+these “musters” were found to relate to catechetical examinations of the
+men, and that I had not been many days in the fleet before the
+commander-in-chief sent a number of tracts on board the _Impérieuse_,
+with an injunction for their distribution amongst the crew.
+
+Having by this time ascertained that, rightly or wrongly, the fleet was
+in a state of great disorganisation on account of the orders given to
+various officers for the distribution of tracts, and being naturally
+desirous of learning the kind of instruction thereby imparted, I found
+some of them of a most silly and injudicious character, and therefore
+declined to distribute them, but imprudently selected some, and sent
+them to my friend Cobbett, together with a description of the state of
+the fleet, in consequence of the tract controversy. It was a false step,
+though I did not at the time contemplate the virulent animosity which
+might be excited at home from Cobbett’s hard-hitting comments, nor the
+consequent amount of enmity to myself, which only ceased with my
+eventual removal from the Navy!
+
+The fact was, that the fleet was divided into two factions, as bitter
+against each other as were the Cavaliers and Roundheads in the days of
+Charles I. The above-mentioned imprudent step incurred the ill will of
+both parties. The tractarian faction, consisting for the most part of
+officers appointed by Tory influence or favour of the Admiral, and
+knowing my connection with Burdett and Cobbett, avoided me; whilst the
+opposite faction, believing that from the affair of the tracts I should
+incur the irreconcilable displeasure of Lord Gambier, lost no
+opportunity of denouncing me as a concocter of novel devices to advance
+my own interests at the expense of my seniors in the service.
+
+Strange as it may appear, almost the only persons who treated me with
+consideration were Lord Gambier, his second in command, Admiral
+Stopford, and his flag-captain, Sir H. Neale.
+
+For this urbanity Lord Gambier had to incur the bitter sarcasm of the
+fleet—that when the Admiralty wanted to attack the enemy with
+fire-ships, he had denounced the operation as a “horrible and
+anti-Christian mode of warfare;” but that now he saw my plan of
+explosion vessels, in addition to fire-ships, was likely to be crowned
+with success, he no longer regarded it in the same light.
+
+It was evident that amidst these contending factions, so fatal in a
+fleet where all ought to be zeal and unity of action—I should have to
+depend on myself. Disregarding, therefore, the disunion prevalent, and,
+indeed, increased four-fold by the further division of opinion with
+respect to Admiral Harvey’s disrespectful expressions to the
+commander-in-chief, I determined to reconnoitre for myself the position
+of the French ships, especially as regarded their protection by the
+batteries on Isle d’Aix, and for this purpose made as minute a
+_reconnaissance_ as was practicable.
+
+Perhaps it ought to have been previously mentioned, that on the evening
+of our arrival, I had gone close in to the island, and had embodied the
+result of my observations in the following letter to Lord Mulgrave, to
+whom I considered myself more immediately responsible.
+
+ “_Impérieuse_, Basque Roads, 3rd April.
+
+ “MY LORD,—Having been very close to the Isle d’Aix, I find that the
+ western sea wall has been pulled down to build a better. At present
+ the fort is quite open, and may be taken as soon as the French fleet
+ is driven on shore or burned, which will be as soon as the fire-ships
+ arrive. The wind continues favourable for the attack. If your lordship
+ can prevail on the ministry to send a military force here, you will do
+ great and lasting good to our country.
+
+ “Could ministers see things with their own eyes, how differently would
+ they act; but they cannot be everywhere present, and on their opinion
+ of the judgment of others must depend the success of war—possibly the
+ fate of England and all Europe.
+
+ “No diversion which the whole force of Great Britain is capable of
+ making in Portugal or Spain, would so much shake the French government
+ as the capture of the islands on this coast. A few men would take
+ Oleron; but to render the capture effective, send twenty thousand men,
+ who, without risk, would find occupation for a French army of a
+ hundred thousand.
+
+ “The batteries on Oleron are all open, except two of no importance.
+ Isle Gros would also be of infinite use to our cruisers in the
+ destruction of the French trade.
+
+ “The commerce on this coast—and indeed on all the French coasts—is not
+ inferior to that of England in number of vessels and men employed,
+ though not in size of coasting craft.
+
+ “The coasting trade is the great nursery of English seamen, and yet we
+ strangely affect to despise the French coasting trade. Must not the
+ corn of the French northern provinces give food to the south? Are the
+ oil and wine of the south of no consequence to those who grow none for
+ themselves? I do not state these matters to your lordship but as an
+ answer to the opinions generally current in England, and, indeed, too
+ much entertained in the naval service also.
+
+ “Ships filled with stones would ruin for ever the anchorage of Aix,
+ and some old vessels of the line well loaded would be excellent for
+ the purpose.
+
+ “I hope your lordship will excuse the way in which I have jumbled
+ these thoughts together. My intentions are good, and if they can be of
+ any use, I shall feel happy.
+
+ “I have the honour to be, my Lord,
+ “Your most obedient servant,
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord Mulgrave.”
+
+In this hurried letter the reader will readily recognise the principles
+laid down by me in a former chapter, for the most advantageous mode of
+warfare, viz. by harassing the enemy on his own coast, and by a
+perpetual threat of a descent thereon at any moment, to prevent his
+employing his forces elsewhere.
+
+In place of the advice being even taken in good part, I had afterwards
+reason to know, that the views briefly expressed in this letter were
+regarded by the government as an act of impertinence. Yet nothing could
+be more sound. The French islands captured, and occupied by an adequate
+force, protected by a few ships, would have kept the enemy’s coasts in a
+constant state of alarm, so that it would have been impossible for the
+enemy to detach armies to the Spanish peninsula; had this policy been
+pursued, the Peninsular war, as has been stated in a former chapter, and
+its millions of National Debt, would never have been heard of. So much
+does the useful or useless expenditure of war depend on the decision of
+a cabinet, which can practically know little of the matter.
+
+As it was—the French laughed at the clouds of cruisers intent on
+watching their coasting trade, which was carried on almost without
+interruption; our vessels going in shore in the day time, when the
+French coasters kept close under their batteries, and going off shore in
+the night, when they pursued their course unmolested. Provisions and
+stores were thus moved as wanted from one part of the enemy’s coast to
+another, with absolute safety. The great number of prizes which had
+fallen to the lot of the _Speedy_, _Pallas_, and _Impérieuse_ was almost
+solely owing to our working in shore at night, when the enemy’s coasters
+were on the move. In the day time we are usually out of sight of land,
+with the men fast asleep in their hammocks.
+
+The constant readiness at sea for an enemy who never willingly left
+port, was, in those days, a great evil, though it was the one point
+inculcated by the Admiralty. It would have been far more to the purpose
+to have inculcated the necessity of damaging and alarming the limited
+seaboard of France, by means of small frigates capable of running
+in-shore, and to have left the French fleets, whenever they ventured
+out, to the supervision of squadrons composed of large ships, and
+specially appointed for the purpose. From the hundreds of ships then in
+commission, traversing the seas with no advantage to themselves or the
+country, such an arrangement would have annihilated the commerce, and
+with it the naval power of France. In place of this, attention to the
+condition of ships was the most certain way to reward. As the men could
+not always be employed in exercising guns and furling sails, a system of
+cleaning and polishing was enforced, till it became positive cruelty to
+the crews.
+
+If the reader will refer to a previous letter of Lord Collingwood to the
+Board of Admiralty, he will fully comprehend my meaning. His lordship
+states that Lord Cochrane’s services on the coast of Languedoc in the
+_Impérieuse_ “kept the French coast in constant alarm, causing a total
+suspension of trade, and harassing a body of troops employed to oppose
+him; he has probably prevented those troops, which were intended for
+Figueras, from advancing into Spain, by giving them employment in the
+defence of their own coasts.” For “Figueras” read “Corunna,” and it will
+be evident, that had the same course been generally pursued on the
+Atlantic coasts of France, by order, or even under the countenance of
+the Admiralty, Sir John Moore would neither have retreated nor fallen;
+because, from the occupation which the French army would have found on
+its own coasts, he could not have encountered one on the Spanish soil.
+
+One of my principal objects in returning to England, as has been said in
+a former chapter, was to impress upon the government the efficiency of
+this mode of proceeding on the Atlantic coasts of France, so as to
+prevent reinforcements from being sent to their army in the Peninsula.
+The success of the _Impérieuse_, I again repeat, warranted such an
+application on my part to the Board of Admiralty, in the expectation of
+being appointed to the command of an expedition to be carried into
+effect on this principle.
+
+To return from this digression to the _reconnaissance_ of the enemy’s
+works on Isle d’Aix.
+
+The opinion which I had expressed to Lord Mulgrave respecting the
+trifling importance of these works, was strengthened on actual
+inspection; indeed any opposition which they could have offered was too
+insignificant for notice, as was afterwards proved when a partial attack
+took place.
+
+I could not say as much to Lord Gambier, after the opinion he had
+expressed in his letter to the Admiralty, for this would have amounted
+to a flat contradiction of his judgment, even though, as was afterwards
+known, such opinion had been formed on the reports of others, who gave
+his lordship their surmises as ascertained facts, an assertion which
+will be hereafter fully demonstrated.
+
+In place, therefore, of officially reporting the result of my
+_reconnaissance_, I urged upon his lordship not to wait the arrival of
+the fire-ships from England, but as the fleet had abundance of
+materials, rather to fit up, as fire-ships and explosion vessels, some
+transports which happened to be present.
+
+With this request Lord Gambier promptly complied, manifesting his
+anxious desire that my project should be put in execution without delay.
+Several vessels were, therefore, chosen for the purpose; the fire-ships
+being prepared by the fleet, whilst I worked hard at the explosion
+vessels, two, at least, of which I determined to conduct personally; not
+because I deemed myself more competent to conduct them than others, but
+because, being novel engines of warfare, other officers could not have
+given that attention to their effect which long deliberation on my part
+had led me to anticipate, if directed according to the method on which
+their efficacy depended; it being certain, even from the novelty of such
+a mode of attack, that the officers and crews of the line-of-battle
+ships would be impressed with the idea that every fire-ship was an
+explosion vessel, and that in place of offering opposition, they would,
+in all probability, be driven ashore in their attempt to escape from
+such diabolical engines of warfare, and thus become an easy prey. The
+creation of this terrorism amongst the enemy’s ships was indeed a main
+feature of the plan, the destruction or intimidation of the guard-boats
+being secondary, or rather preparatory.
+
+The nature of the explosion vessels will be best understood from the
+subjoined description of the manner in which one was prepared under my
+own directions. The floor of the vessel was rendered as firm as
+possible, by means of logs placed in close contact, into every crevice
+of which other substances were firmly wedged, so as to afford the
+greatest amount of resistance to the explosion. On this foundation were
+placed a large number of spirit and water casks, into which 1500 barrels
+of powder were emptied. These casks were set on end, and the whole bound
+round with hempen cables, so as to resemble a gigantic mortar, thus
+causing the explosion to take an upward course. In addition to the
+powder casks were placed several hundred shells, and over these again
+nearly three thousand hand grenades; the whole, by means of wedges and
+sand, being compressed as nearly as possible into a solid mass.
+
+This was the vessel in which I subsequently led on the attack. A more
+striking comment on the “red-hot shot,” &c., of which Lord Gambier made
+so much in one of his letters to the Admiralty, could scarcely be found.
+Of course, had a red-hot shot from the batteries on Aix reached us—and
+they were not half a mile distant[44]—nothing could have prevented our
+being “hoist with our own petard.” I can, however, safely say, that such
+a catastrophe never entered into my calculations, for the simple reason,
+that from previous employment on the spot, on several occasions, I well
+knew there was plenty of room in the channel to keep out of the way of
+red-hot shot from the Aix batteries, even if, by means of blue lights or
+other devices, they had discovered us.
+
+The explosion vessels were simply naval mines, the effect of which
+depended quite as much on their novelty as engines of war, as upon their
+destructiveness. It was calculated that, independently of any mischief
+they might do, they would cause such an amount of terror, as to induce
+the enemy to run their ships ashore as the only way to avoid them and
+save the crews. This expectation was fully answered, but no adequate
+attack on the part of the British force following up the effect of the
+explosion vessels, the stranded ships were permitted to heave off, and
+thus escaped, for the most part, as will be detailed in the succeeding
+chapter.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 44:
+
+ Admiral Allemand had given instructions to the commandant on the Isle
+ d’Aix to use every precaution in case of the anticipated attack.
+
+-----
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXI.
+
+PRESS FOR AN ATTACK.—RESULTS OF DELAY.—THE FRENCH PREPARATIONS.—FRENCH
+ ADMIRAL’S ACCOUNT. INSULT TO THE ENGLISH FLEET.—STATE OF
+ PREPARATIONS. START FOR THE ATTACK.—THE ATTACK.—THE
+ EXPLOSION.—FAILURE OF THE ATTACK.—TERROR OF THE FRENCH.—THE FRENCH
+ AGROUND.—APATHY OF LORD GAMBIER.—THE AIX ROADS.—THE FRENCH FLEET
+ PERMITTED TO ESCAPE.—DRIFT TOWARDS THE ENEMY.—ATTACK THE FRENCH
+ FLEET.—THE CALCUTTA STRIKES.—THE ATTACK.—FAILURE OF
+ FIRESHIPS.—SINGULAR INCIDENT.—SIGNAL OF RECALL.—CAPTAIN
+ SEYMOUR.—LORD GAMBIER’S EVASIVENESS.—AM RECALLED.—REMONSTRATE WITH
+ LORD GAMBIER.—AM SENT HOME.—LORD GAMBIER’S DESPATCH.—THE FRENCH
+ DESPATCH.—DESTRUCTION OF THE BOOM.—THE MEDIATOR.
+
+
+On the 10th of April, the _Beagle_, having arrived from England with the
+fireships in company, I pressed Lord Gambier to permit an attack to be
+made on the same night; but, notwithstanding that the weather was
+favourable, his lordship saw fit to refuse. My reason for pressing an
+immediate attack was, that as the enemy could not remain in ignorance of
+the character of the newly arrived vessels, they might have less time to
+make additional preparations for their reception.
+
+Notwithstanding the importance of prompt action in this respect,
+argument was unavailing. His lordship urged that the fireships might be
+boarded, and the crews murdered, though there was more danger of this
+from delay than from attacking unawares. There was in reality no danger;
+but I urged in vain that it was an essential part of my plan personally
+to embark in an explosion vessel, _preceding_ the fireships, so that in
+conducting and firing her all risk would fall on myself and the
+volunteer crew which would accompany me; it not being probable that
+after the explosion the enemy’s guard-boats would board the fireships
+which might follow, as every one would certainly be taken for a mine
+similarly charged. Under that impression, however gallant the enemy,
+there was little chance of the fireships being boarded.
+
+His lordship replied, that “if I chose to rush on self-destruction that
+was my own affair, but that it was his duty to take care of the lives of
+others, and he would not place the crews of the fireships in palpable
+danger.”
+
+To this I rejoined, that there could not be any danger, for the use of
+explosion-vessels being new to naval warfare, it was unlikely that,
+after witnessing the effect of the first explosion, the enemy’s officers
+and men would board a single fireship. I further told his lordship that
+my brother, the Hon. Basil Cochrane, and Lieut. Bissel were on board the
+_Impérieuse_ as my guests, and so well satisfied were both of the little
+danger to be apprehended that they had volunteered to accompany me. Lord
+Gambier, however, remained firm, and further remonstrance being useless,
+I had no alternative but to delay, whilst the French, who quickly became
+aware of the character of the newly arrived vessels, adopted all
+necessary precautions.[45]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 45:
+
+ “Le 10 il arriva 16 batimens, qui me parurent des transports ou
+ brulôts. Je fis dégréer les mâts de perroquets, et caler ceux de
+ hune,” &c.—_Vice-Admiral Allemand’s Despatch, of the 12th of April._
+
+-----
+
+A most favourable opportunity was thus thrown away. The French admiral,
+however, lost no time in turning the delay to account, by altering the
+positions of his fleet, so as to expose it to the smallest possible
+amount of danger.
+
+The enemy’s ships of the line struck their topmasts, got their
+topgallant yards on deck, and unbent sails, so as to expose as little
+inflammable matter aloft as possible; the frigates only being left in
+sailing trim, ready to act as occasion might require; whilst the boats
+and launches of the fleet, to the number of seventy-three, were armed
+and stationed in five divisions for the purpose of boarding and towing
+off the fireships.[46]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 46:
+
+ The subjoined was the French force at anchor in Aix roads:—
+
+ SHIPS OF THE LINE: _L’Océan_, 120, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral
+ Allemand; _Foudroyant_, 80, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Gourdon;
+ _Cassard_, 74; _Tourville_, 74; _Regulus_, 74; _Patriote_, 74;
+ _Jemappes_, 74; _Tonnerre_, 74; _Aquilon_, 74; _Ville de Varsovie_,
+ 74. Total, 10.
+
+ FRIGATES: _Indienne_, _Elbe_, _Pallas_, and _Hortense_. Total, 4.
+
+ STORESHIP: _Calcutta_, 56, armed _en flûte_. This vessel had been a
+ British East Indiaman, captured some time before off St. Helena.
+ Total, 15.
+
+-----
+
+The French admiral, Allemand, disposed his force in the following
+manner:—The ten sail of the line, which before the arrival of the
+fireships had been moored in two lines overlapping each other, were
+formed afresh in a double line, nearly north and south; the outer line
+comprising five, and the inner six ships, including the _Calcutta_; the
+inner fine being so anchored as to face the openings between the ships
+of the outer line, the extremity of which was somewhat more than a mile
+from the batteries on the Isle of Aix. About half a mile in advance of
+the whole lay the four frigates, and immediately in front of these was a
+boom of extraordinary dimensions. As this boom will form an important
+feature in the narrative, I subjoin the French admiral’s description,
+first premising that, although there was reason to expect that an
+obstacle of the kind would have to be encountered, its exact nature was
+not known till the attack was made[47]:—
+
+ “Notre armée étoit sur deux lignes de bataille, endentées,
+ très-serrées, gisant au nord, un quart nord-ouest et sud, un quart
+ sud-est du monde, afin de présenter moins de surface à l’envoi des
+ brûlots.
+
+ “Elle étoit flanquée _d’une estacade à quatre cents toises au large,
+ qui avoit huit cents toises de long_, le bout nord étoit à une
+ encablure et demie des roches de l’île.
+
+ “Au coucher du soleil il ventoit encore très-gros frais. _Je laissai
+ chaque capitan libre de sa manœuvre pour la sûreté de son vaisseau._
+
+ “J’envoyai un officier prévenir le général Bronard, commandant à l’île
+ d’Aix, que l’ennemi, par sa manœuvre, annonçoit vouloir profiter du
+ gros vent et de la marée pour entreprendre un _coup de main_. Il me
+ fit dire qu’il l’attendoit de pied ferme, et qu’il répondoit de la
+ terre.”—_Vice-Admiral Allemand’s Despatch of the 12th of April._
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 47:
+
+ A better proof of the subsequent untruths uttered by the masters of
+ the fleet and the flagship, as to their pretended knowledge of the
+ soundings in the vicinity of the enemy, could not be afforded, than
+ their ignorance of the existence of this boom, which must from its
+ magnitude have occupied a considerable time in its construction, and
+ laying down the necessary moorings.
+
+-----
+
+The French, no doubt, considered their position secure against
+fireships, having no expectation of other means of attack; and so it
+undoubtedly was, from the protection afforded by the boom, which, from
+its peculiar construction, could neither be destroyed nor burned by
+fireships—as well as further defended by the guard-boats, which were
+judged sufficient to divert the course of such fireships as might drift
+past the boom. Their fleet was anchored so as to expose the smallest
+possible front; and what added no little to their sense of security was
+the delay which had taken place on the part of the British admiral
+without attack of any kind. On such grounds, therefore, they not
+unreasonably felt confident that, if the fireships failed, as from the
+judicious preparations made, Admiral Allemand had every reason to
+anticipate, no attack on the part of the British fleet would follow. In
+this belief, on altering their position, the French dressed their fleet
+with flags, and, by way of contempt for their assailants, hung out the
+English ensign of the _Calcutta_—which, as has been said, was a captured
+English vessel—under her quarter gallery! The peculiar nature of the
+insult needs not to be explained—to naval men it is the most atrocious
+imaginable.
+
+The fortifications on Isle d’Aix, alluded to by Admiral Allemand, were,
+as Lord Gambier had reported to the Admiralty in his letter of the 11th
+of March, insignificant, or, as his Lordship at first expressed it, “no
+obstacle;” a dozen guns being the utmost number mounted on the batteries
+commanding the roads, though these were afterwards characterised by his
+Lordship as the “strong works on the Isle of Aix.”[48] The nearest of
+the batteries on _Oleron_ was out of gunshot, and therefore of no
+account.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 48:
+
+ Two ships of the line would have been quite sufficient to silence “the
+ batteries on Aix.”—_Captain Broughton’s Evidence on the Court
+ Martial._
+
+-----
+
+As narratives of the attack on the French fleet in Basque Roads have
+been often, though in some of the main points incorrectly, written from
+the contradictory, and in many instances incomprehensible, evidence on
+the subsequent court-martial, as compared with the no less contradictory
+despatches of Lord Gambier, I shall in the following account strictly
+confine myself to what took place under my own personal conduct and
+observation.[49]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 49:
+
+ The British force present in Basque Roads was as follows:—
+
+ SHIPS OF THE LINE: _Caledonia_, 120, bearing the flag of Lord Gambier;
+ _Cæsar_, 80, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Stopford; _Gibraltar_,
+ 80; _Revenge_, 74; _Donegal_, 74; _Heron_, 74; _Illustrious_, 74;
+ _Valiant_, 74; _Bellona_, 74; _Resolution_, 74; _Theseus_, 74. Total,
+ 11.
+
+ FRIGATES: _Indefatigable_, _Impérieuse_, _Aigle_, _Emerald_,
+ _Unicorn_, _Pallas_, and _Mediator_. Total, 7.
+
+ GUNBRIG SLOOPS: _Beagle_, _Dotterel_, _Foxhound_, _Lyra_, _Redpole_.
+ Total, 5.
+
+ GUN-BRIGS: _Insolent_, _Conflict_, _Contest_, _Encounter_, _Fervent_,
+ and _Growler_. Total, 6.
+
+ OTHER VESSELS: _Whiting_, _Nimrod_, _King George_, and 23 fire-ships
+ and explosion vessels. Total, 55.
+
+-----
+
+On the 11th of April, it blew hard with a high sea. As all preparations
+were complete, I did not consider the state of the weather a justifiable
+impediment to the attack, to which Lord Gambier had now consented; so
+that after nightfall, the officers who volunteered to command the
+fireships were assembled on board the _Caledonia_, and supplied with
+instructions according to the plan previously laid down by myself.
+
+The _Impérieuse_ had proceeded to the edge of the Boyart shoal, close to
+which she anchored with an explosion vessel made fast to her stern, it
+being my intention, after firing the one of which I was about to take
+charge, to return to her for the other, to be employed as circumstances
+might require. At a short distance from the _Impérieuse_ were anchored
+the frigates _Aigle_, _Unicorn_, and _Pallas_, for the purpose of
+receiving the crews of the fireships on their return, as well as to
+support the boats of the fleet assembled alongside the _Cæsar_, to
+assist the fireships. The boats of the fleet were not, however, for some
+reason or other, made use of at all.
+
+The enemy had calculated on the impending attack, and, as was afterwards
+ascertained, by way of precaution against fireships, sent two divisions
+of their guard-boats, with orders to lie under the boom till two in the
+morning; but wind and tide being against them, they were compelled to
+put back, without effecting their orders. Both wind and tide, however,
+though dead against the French boats, were favourable for the boats of
+the British fleet, had they been employed as arranged; and they would
+have been of great use to the less efficient boats of the fireships,
+some of which, in returning, were nearly swamped. For want of such
+assistance, as will presently be seen, most of the fireships were
+kindled too soon, no doubt to save the men the terrible pull back,
+against a gale of wind and a high sea.
+
+Having myself embarked on board the largest explosion vessel,
+accompanied by Lieut. Bissel and a volunteer crew of four men only, we
+led the way to the attack; the _Impérieuse_ afterwards, in accordance
+with my instructions, signalising the fireships to “proceed on service.”
+
+The night was dark, and as the wind was fair, though blowing hard, we
+soon neared the estimated position of the advanced French ships, for it
+was too dark to discern them. Judging our distance, therefore, as well
+as we could, with regard to the time the fuse was calculated to burn,
+the crew of four men entered the gig, under the direction of Lieut.
+Bissel, whilst I kindled the port fires; and then, descending into the
+boat, urged the men to pull for their lives, which they did with a will,
+though, as wind and sea were strong against us, without making the
+progress calculated.
+
+To our consternation, the fuses, which had been constructed to burn
+fifteen minutes, lasted little more than half that time, when the vessel
+blew up, filling the air with shells, grenades, and rockets; whilst the
+downward and lateral force of the explosion raised a solitary mountain
+of water, from the breaking of which in all directions our little boat
+narrowly escaped being swamped. In one respect it was, perhaps,
+fortunate for us that the fuses did not burn the time calculated, as,
+from the little way we had made against the strong head wind and tide,
+the rockets and shells from the exploded vessel went over us. Had we
+been in the line of their descent, at the moment of explosion, our
+destruction, from the shower of broken shells and other missiles, would
+have been inevitable.
+
+The explosion vessel did her work well, the effect constituting one of
+the grandest artificial spectacles imaginable. For a moment, the sky was
+red with the lurid glare arising from the simultaneous ignition of 1500
+barrels of powder. On this gigantic flash subsiding, the air seemed
+alive with shells, grenades, rockets, and masses of timber, the wreck of
+the shattered vessel; whilst the water was strewn with spars, shaken out
+of the enormous boom, on which, according to the subsequent testimony of
+Captain Proteau, whose frigate lay just within the boom, the vessel had
+brought up, before she exploded. The sea was convulsed as by an
+earthquake, rising, as has been said, in a huge wave, on whose crest our
+boat was lifted like a cork, and as suddenly dropped into a vast trough,
+out of which, as it closed upon us with a rush of a whirlpool, none
+expected to emerge. The skill of the boat’s crew, however, overcame the
+threatened danger, which passed away as suddenly as it had arisen, and
+in a few minutes nothing but a heavy rolling sea had to be encountered,
+all having again become silence and darkness.
+
+This danger surmounted, we pulled in the direction of the _Impérieuse_,
+whose lights could be distinguished at about three miles’ distance. On
+our way we had the satisfaction of seeing two fireships pass over the
+spot where the boom had been moored. Shortly afterwards we met the
+_Mediator_ steering in the direction of the enemy, whose ships of the
+line were now firing towards the spot where the explosion had taken
+place, and consequently on their own advanced frigates! which, as was
+afterwards learned, cut their cables, and shifted their berths to a
+position in the rear of the larger ships.
+
+On reaching the _Impérieuse_, I found, to my great mortification, that
+the second explosion vessel, which, by my orders, had been made fast to
+the frigate’s stern, had been cut away, and thus set adrift: a fireship
+in flames having come down on her instead of the enemy! The _Impérieuse_
+herself had a narrow escape of being burned, and was only saved by
+veering cable; the fireship which caused the disaster drifting
+harmlessly away on the Boyart Shoal. This clumsy occurrence completely
+frustrated the intention with which I had reserved her, viz. for further
+personal operations amongst the enemy’s fleet, now that the first
+explosion vessel had cleared the way.
+
+Of all the fireships, upwards of twenty in number, _four only reached
+the enemy’s position, and not one did any damage_! The way in which they
+were managed was grievous. The _Impérieuse_, as has been said, lay three
+miles from the enemy, so that the one which was near setting fire to her
+became useless at the outset; whilst several others were kindled a mile
+and a half to windward of this, or four miles and a half from the enemy.
+Of the remainder, many were at once rendered harmless, from being
+brought to on the wrong tack. Six passed a mile to windward of the
+French fleet, and one grounded on Oleron. I could scarcely credit my own
+vision when I saw the way in which they were handled; most of them being
+fired and abandoned before they were abreast of the vessels anchored as
+guides.
+
+The fear of the fireships operated strongly enough, but, notwithstanding
+the actual effect attributed to them by naval historians, they did no
+damage whatever. A matter of little consequence, had the British fleet,
+or even a portion thereof, subsequently taken advantage of the panic
+created amongst the enemy.
+
+As the fireships began to light up the roads, we could observe the
+enemy’s fleet in great confusion. Without doubt, taking every fireship
+for an explosion vessel, and being deceived as to their distance, not
+only did the French make no attempt to divert them from their course,
+but some of their ships cut their cables and were seen drifting away
+broadside on to the wind and tide—whilst others made sail, as the only
+alternative to escape from what they evidently considered certain
+destruction from explosive missiles!
+
+Had the commander-in-chief witnessed this scene, he would never again
+have deemed such extraordinary precaution on his part requisite to guard
+against fireships being boarded when preceded by explosion vessels. In
+place of becoming the aggressors, as his Lordship had anticipated, the
+only care of the enemy was how to get out of the way, even at the risk
+of running their ships ashore. Unfortunately the commander-in-chief was
+with the fleet, fourteen miles distant.
+
+At daylight on the morning of the 12th not a spar of the boom was
+anywhere visible, and with the exception of the _Foudroyant_ and
+_Cassard_, _the whole of the enemy’s vessels were helplessly aground_.
+The former of these ships lying out of the sweep of the tide, and being
+therefore out of danger from the fireships, appeared not to have cut her
+cable, and the _Cassard_, which had at first done so, again brought up
+about two cables’ length from the _Foudroyant_.
+
+With these exceptions, every vessel of the enemy’s fleet was ashore. The
+flag-ship of Admiral Allemand, _L’Océan_, three-decker, drawing the most
+water, lay outermost on the north-west edge of the Palles Shoal, nearest
+the deep water, where she was most exposed to attack; whilst all, by the
+fall of the tide, were lying on their bilge, with their bottoms
+completely exposed to shot, and therefore beyond the possibility of
+resistance.
+
+The account given by the captain of the _Indienne_, French frigate,
+Captain Proteau, of the position of the grounded ships, will not be
+called in question. It is as follows:—“The _Indienne_ aground on Point
+Aiguille, near the fort; the _Pallas_ off Barques; the _Elbe_ and
+_Hortense_ on the Fontenelles; the _Tourville_, _Patriote_, and
+_Tonnerre_, as seen from the _Indienne_, in a line on the Palles Shoal;
+the _Calcutta_, _Regulus_, _Jemappes_ on the extremity of that shoal;
+the _Varsovie_ and _Aquilon_ aground on Charenton; and the _Océan_,
+three-decker, close to the edge of the Palles.”
+
+We did not reach the _Impérieuse_ till after midnight. At daylight
+observing seven of the nearest enemy’s ships ashore, amongst which was
+the admiral’s ship _L’Océan_, and a group of four others lying near her,
+in a most favourable position for attack, without the possibility of
+returning it, at 6 A.M. we signalised the admiral to that effect. As the
+_Impérieuse_ at this time lay just within range of the batteries on Aix,
+which had commenced to fire upon us, we weighed, and stood in the
+direction of the fleet, letting go our anchor as soon as the ship was
+out of range. At 7 A.M. we signalised again, “_All the enemy’s ships,
+except two, are on shore_;” this signal, as well as the former one,
+being merely acknowledged by the answering pennant; but, to our
+surprise, no movement was visible in any part of the fleet indicating an
+intention to take advantage of the success gained.
+
+Reflecting that, from the distance of the British force from the
+stranded enemy’s ships, viz. from twelve to fourteen miles, the
+Commander-in-chief could not clearly be acquainted with their helpless
+condition, I directed the signal to be run up, “_The enemy’s ships can
+be destroyed_;” this also meeting with the same cool acknowledgment of
+the answering pennant.
+
+Not knowing what to make of such a reply, another signal was hoisted,
+“_Half the fleet can destroy the enemy_.” This signal was again
+acknowledged by the answering pennant, the whole fleet still remaining
+motionless as before. On this I made several telegraph signals, one of
+which was probably regarded as impertinent, viz. “_The frigates alone
+can destroy the enemy_,” though it was true enough, their ships aground
+being perfectly helpless. To my astonishment the answering pennant was
+still the only reply vouchsafed!
+
+Eight and nine o’clock passed without any indication of movement on the
+part of the fleet, though the tide was now fast rising, so that any
+ships sent to the attack of the stranded vessels would have had the
+flood-tide to go in and the ebb to return, after having accomplished
+their destruction; whilst it was evident that if not attacked, the same
+flood-tide would enable the French ships aground to float and escape,
+with which view some were heaving their guns and stores over board. On
+ascertaining this, I again signalised, “_The enemy is preparing to heave
+off_;” and entertaining no doubt that the Commander-in-chief would not
+permit such a catastrophe, the _Impérieuse_ dropped her anchor close to
+the Boyart Shoal, in readiness for any service that might be required.
+
+As much has been said respecting the alleged narrowness of the channel
+leading to Aix Roads, by way of excuse for the British fleet not having
+followed up the advantage gained by the panic created on the previous
+night, from terror of the explosion vessels, I may here mention, that on
+our coming to an anchor, a fort on Isle d’Oleron commenced firing shells
+at us. As not one of these reached us, the French gunners adopted the
+expedient of loading their mortars to the muzzle, this being evident
+from the fact that they now discharged them by means of portfires, the
+men gaining a place of security before the mortars exploded. Not a
+shell, even thus fired, reached our position, a clear proof that had the
+British fleet come to the attack, it could have been in no danger from
+Oleron, though even these distant batteries were afterwards brought
+forward as an obstacle, in default of stronger argument.
+
+At 11 A.M. the British fleet weighed, and stood towards Aix Roads. By
+this time the _Océan_, three-decker, and nearest ships aground were
+busily employed in heaving off, with a view of making sail for the
+Charente!! The advance of our fleet had been too long delayed;
+nevertheless, as the bulk of the enemy’s ships were still aground, good
+service might have been rendered. To our amazement, the British fleet,
+after approaching within seven or eight miles of the grounded ships,
+_again came to anchor about three and a half miles distant from Aix_, i.
+e. just out of range.
+
+There was no mistaking; the admiral’s intention in again bringing the
+fleet to an anchor. Notwithstanding that the enemy had been four hours
+at our mercy, and to a considerable extent was still so, it was now
+evident that _no attack was intended_[50], and that every enemy’s ship
+would be permitted to float away unmolested and unassailed! I frankly
+admit that this was too much to be endured. The words of Lord Mulgrave
+rang in my ears, “_The Admiralty is bent on destroying that fleet before
+it can get out to the West Indies._”
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 50:
+
+ Lord Gambier afterwards admitted, that as the object of their
+ destruction seemed to be attained, there was no occasion to risk any
+ part of the fleet!!!
+
+-----
+
+The motive of Lord Gambier in bringing the ships to an anchor being
+beyond doubt, I made up my mind, if possible, to force him into action
+by attacking the enemy with the _Impérieuse_, whatever might be the
+consequence. It was, however, a step not to be taken without
+consideration, and for some time I hesitated to carry out this
+resolution, in the hope that a portion, at least, of the British fleet
+would again weigh and stand in.
+
+Noon passed. The _Océan_, three-decker, had now got afloat, and the
+group of four others on shore near her, seeing the British fleet anchor,
+proceeded with additional energy to heave off. From her position the
+three-decker, lying as she did on the edge of the shoal, nearest the
+deep water, ought to have been the easiest prize of the whole; for
+whilst she lay on her bilge, close to the most accessible part of the
+channel, even a single gunboat might have so riddled her bottom as to
+have prevented her from floating off with the rising tide!
+
+The surprise of the enemy at seeing the fleet anchor was probably
+greater than my own. Before that, they had been making great exertions
+to lighten and heave off, but no sooner had the fleet brought up, than,
+seeing the possibility of escape, they strained every nerve to hasten
+the operation.
+
+In place of the fleet, or even the frigates, a single bomb, which, being
+armed with a 13-inch mortar, could project her shells to a great
+distance, without being exposed to danger from shot, was ordered in to
+shell the ships aground. On my asking her commander, “_what attack was
+going to be made on the enemy by the fleet?_” he replied, that “he knew
+nothing further than that he was ordered to bombard the ships ashore.”
+This was proof enough that no intention of attacking with the fleet, or
+any part of it, existed.
+
+In despair, lest the ships still aground should also effect their
+escape, at 1 P.M. I ordered the anchor of the _Impérieuse_ to be hove
+atrip, and thus we drifted stern foremost towards the enemy. I say
+“_drifted_,” for I did not venture to make sail, lest the movement might
+be seen from the flagship, and a signal of recall should defeat my
+purpose of making an attack with the _Impérieuse_; the object of this
+being to _compel_ the commander-in-chief to send vessels to our
+assistance, in which case I knew their captains would at once attack the
+ships which had not been allowed to heave off and escape.
+
+Had this means not been resorted to, _not a single enemy’s ship would
+have been destroyed_, for all could have hove off almost without damage,
+and that, to all appearance, without the slightest attempt at
+molestation on the part of the British fleet. It was better to risk the
+frigate, or even my commission, than to suffer such a disgraceful
+termination to the expectations of the Admiralty, after having driven
+ashore the enemy’s fleet; and therefore we drifted by the wind and tide
+slowly past the fortifications on Isle d’Aix, about which the
+commander-in-chief had expressed so many fears in his last letter to the
+Board; but though they fired at us with every gun that could be brought
+to bear, the distance was too great to inflict damage.
+
+Proceeding thus till 1.30 P.M., and then suddenly making sail after the
+nearest of the enemy’s vessels escaping, at 1.40 P.M. the signal was run
+up to the peak of the _Impérieuse_, “_Enemy superior to chasing ship,
+but inferior to the fleet._” No attention being paid to this signal, at
+1.45 P.M. I again signalled, “_In want of assistance_,” which was true
+enough, being in a single frigate, close to several enemy’s ships of the
+line.
+
+As this signal, according to the code then in use, was coupled with the
+one signifying “_In distress_,” the signal officer on board the flagship
+thus interpreted it to the commander-in-chief; a circumstance which will
+require brief explanation.
+
+In order to divert our attention from the vessels we were pursuing,
+these having thrown their guns overboard, the _Calcutta_, which was
+still aground, broadside on, began firing at us. Before proceeding
+further, it became, therefore, necessary to attack her, and at 1.50 we
+shortened sail, and returned the fire. At 2 the _Impérieuse_ came to an
+anchor in five fathoms; and veering to half a cable, kept fast the
+spring, firing upon the _Calcutta_ with our broadside, and at the same
+time upon the _Aquilon_ and _Ville de Varsovie_ with our forecastle and
+bow guns, both these ships being aground stern on, in an opposite
+direction.
+
+This proceeding—though there could be no doubt of our being “_In want
+of assistance_,” seeing that our single frigate, unaided, was engaging
+three line-of-battle ships—did not look much like being “_In
+distress_,” as the signal officer of the _Caledonia_ had interpreted
+the signal; the nature of which could not, however, have deceived the
+commander-in-chief, who must have witnessed the circumstances under
+which the signal had been made by the _Impérieuse_.
+
+After engaging the _Calcutta_ for some time, and simultaneously firing
+into the sterns of the two grounded line-of-battle ships, we had at
+length the satisfaction of observing several ships sent to our
+assistance, viz. _Emerald_, _Unicorn_, _Indefatigable_, _Valiant_,
+_Revenge_, _Pallas_, and _Aigle_. On seeing this, the captain and crew
+of the _Calcutta_ abandoned their vessel, of which the boats of the
+_Impérieuse_ took possession before the vessels sent to our “assistance”
+came down.
+
+On the subsequent court-martial, it was declared that the _Calcutta_ did
+not strike to the _Impérieuse_, but to the ships sent to her assistance.
+This was deliberately untrue; as proved beyond question by the fact that
+the French government ordered a court-martial on the captain of the
+_Calcutta_, Lafon, and condemned him to be shot, clearly _for having
+abandoned his ship to inferior force_. The French did not shoot any of
+the other captains for abandoning their ships, and would not have shot
+Captain Lafon for fighting his vessel as long as he could, and then
+abandoning her to two line-of-battle ships and five frigates. On the
+contrary, they would have highly rewarded him, for saving his crew
+against such odds. There cannot be a stronger proof, if proof in
+addition to my word be wanted, that Captain Lafon abandoned the
+_Calcutta_ to the _Impérieuse_, and not to the line-of-battle ships
+which came up afterwards, as was subsequently asserted.
+
+On the arrival of the two line-of-battle ships and the frigates, the
+_Impérieuse_ hailed them to anchor, or they would run aground on the
+Palles Shoal, on the very edge of which the _Impérieuse_ had taken up
+her berth. They anchored immediately and commenced firing on the
+_Calcutta_, _Aquilon_, and _Ville de Varsovie_. On this I signalled the
+_Revenge_ and others to desist from firing, as the _Calcutta_ had
+already struck to the _Impérieuse_, and we had at that time a boat’s
+crew on board her.
+
+On this they desisted, and turned their fire wholly on the other two
+vessels. At 3.30 P.M. the _Impérieuse_ ceased firing, the crew being
+thoroughly exhausted by fatigue; whilst I was so much so, as to be
+almost unable to stand. My reason, however, for ordering the
+_Impérieuse_ to cease firing was, that the ships sent to our assistance
+were more than sufficient to destroy the enemy which remained, and had
+they been sent in time—not to our “_assistance_,” but for the more
+legitimate object of attacking the grounded ships—they would have been
+abundantly sufficient, had they not been recalled, to have destroyed all
+those that got away.[51]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 51:
+
+ The _Valiant_ line-of-battle ship even signalled to this effect, as
+ appears from the log of the _Caledonia_, Lord Gambier’s flagship.
+ _Valiant_ signalled to flag, “_No doubt five more may be destroyed
+ to-night._” The reply was a signal of recall.
+
+-----
+
+At 5.30 P.M. the _Aquilon_ and _Ville de Varsovie_ struck.
+
+Shortly afterwards, the _Calcutta_ was set on fire, and in half an hour
+was burning furiously. At 6.0 P.M. the crew of the _Tonnerre_, which was
+not attacked, set fire to her, escaping in their boats. At 7.0 the
+_Tonnerre_ blew up, and at 9.0 the _Calcutta_ also, with an effect, from
+the large quantity of ammunition on board, almost equalling that of the
+explosion-vessels the night before. The _Calcutta_ was the storeship of
+the French fleet.
+
+It has been said, that my having rushed single-handed amongst the
+enemy’s ships, and then hoisted the signal “_In want of assistance_,”
+was unjustifiable, as forcing the commander-in-chief to attack against
+his judgment. My answer to this is, that the expectations entertained by
+the Admiralty of destroying the enemy’s fleet would not have been in any
+way carried out, had not this means been adopted; because, as has been
+said, not a ship belonging to the enemy would have sustained even the
+slightest damage from the measures of the commander-in-chief.
+
+The fire-ships entrusted to my command had failed, not from any fault of
+mine, but of those who were entrusted with them. It was, then, a
+question with me, whether I should disappoint the expectations of my
+country; be set down as a _charlatan_ by the Admiralty, whose hopes had
+been raised by my plan; have my future prospects destroyed; or force on
+an action which some had induced an easy commander-in-chief to believe
+impracticable.
+
+Some proof has been given of the jealousy of a portion of the fleet
+towards me. Another instance of this occurred even after the two
+line-of-battle ships and the frigates came down. Perceiving that the
+shot from two sloops, or rather brigs, ordered to protect the _Etna_
+bomb, did not reach the enemy, from the long range at which she had
+anchored, I made the signal for them to close. As no signal was at hand
+to express brigs only, to the exclusion of frigates or larger vessels, I
+endeavoured to explain my meaning that the signal was intended for the
+brigs, by firing towards them from the main-deck of the _Impérieuse_,
+the object of this being to _avoid giving offence_ to my senior officers
+in command of the frigates and line-of-battle ships now present. The
+signal “_to close_” in the same defective code expressing also “_to
+close the Admiral_,” it was construed by my seniors into an insult to
+them, as arrogating to myself the position of chief-in-command, which
+was simply absurd; as, being my seniors, I had no power to order them,
+nor was I so ignorant of my duty as wantonly to usurp the functions of
+the commander-in-chief. Yet this at the time gave great offence, though
+afterwards satisfactorily explained, to Lord Gambier.
+
+I may here mention a singular incident which occurred some time after
+the _Aquilon_ and _Ville de Varsovie_ had struck, and after their
+officers and crews had been removed on board the British ships. The
+captain of the _Aquilon_ having informed me that he had left his
+personal effects behind, I volunteered to take him on board in my boat
+and procure them. As we left the _Aquilon_ a shot from a heated gun on
+board one of the vessels to which the French had set fire—the
+_Tonnerre_, if I recollect rightly—struck the stern sheets of the boat
+on which both he and I were sitting, and lacerated the lower part of the
+gallant officer’s body so severely that he shortly afterwards expired.
+
+Before daybreak on the following morning the officer of the watch called
+me, and reported that three lights were hoisted in the squadron outside.
+This proved to be a signal, afterwards reported to have been made by
+Admiral Stopford, for the recall of the ships that had been sent in on
+the previous evening! In obedience to this signal, they, at 4 A.M., got
+under weigh, having previously kindled the French line-of-battle ships
+_Aquilon_ and _Ville de Varsovie_; an act for which there was not the
+slightest necessity, as they could easily have been got off. Fatigued,
+and mentally harassed as I was, I had neither time nor opportunity to
+protest against this wanton destruction; besides which, not knowing that
+the magazines of the burning ships had been drowned, my attention was
+directed to the preservation of the _Impérieuse_, which was in close
+proximity.
+
+The two ships _Foudroyant_ and _Cassard_, had cut their cables and made
+sail, when on the previous evening the British fleet stood towards Aix
+Roads, but afterwards so unaccountably came to an anchor. On seeing this
+they shortened sail, but run aground in the middle of the channel
+leading to the Charente.
+
+It being clear to me that these ships were not in a fighting condition,
+I determined, notwithstanding the recall of the British vessels, to
+remain and attack them; considering the signal of recall to be addressed
+only to the ships sent to our assistance, which, in obedience to that
+signal, were working out of the inner anchorage without any attempt to
+destroy other ships which were clearly at their mercy. As they were
+passing out I hailed the _Indefatigable_, and asked the captain if he
+would go on one quarter of the three-decker (_l’Océan_), whilst the
+_Impérieuse_ engaged the other? The reply was that “he would not, and
+that they _were going out to join the fleet_.”
+
+To his infinite credit, Captain Seymour, of the _Pallas_ (the present
+distinguished admiral, Sir George Seymour), hailed us to know “if he
+should remain with the _Impérieuse_?” he being evidently as reluctant as
+myself to give up advantages so manifest. I replied, that if no orders
+had been given him to the contrary, I should be obliged to him so to do;
+whereupon the _Pallas_ anchored, and four brigs, the _Beagle_,
+_Growler_, _Conflict_, and _Encounter_, followed her example.
+
+We now commenced clearing the decks for further action, throwing
+overboard a boat which had been shot to pieces. The carpenters were then
+set to stop shot holes in the sides and decks, and the seamen to repair
+the rigging, and shift the fore-topmast, which had been shot through.
+The brave, but unfortunate, captain of the _Calcutta_ had, in our short
+action, inflicted on us an amount of damage which the forts on Aix and
+Oleron had in vain attempted to effect; neither the one nor the other
+having once touched us.
+
+Whilst the refitting of the frigate was going on, I ordered our only
+bomb, the _Etna_, protected by the brigs, to fire on the enemy’s Vice-
+and Rear-Admiral’s ships, as well as on the _Foudroyant_ and _Cassard_,
+which, having thrown all overboard, were now pressing sail to get up the
+Charente, thus taking on myself to commence the action anew, _after the
+auxiliary line-of-battle ships and frigates had retired_!
+
+To my regret, a signal of recall was immediately hoisted on board the
+_Caledonia_! To this I replied by another, “_The enemy can be
+destroyed_;” of which no notice was taken. Shortly afterwards a boat
+brought me the following letter from Lord Gambier:—
+
+ “_Caledonia_, 13th of April.
+
+ “MY DEAR LORD,—_You have done your part so admirably that I will not
+ suffer you to tarnish it by attempting impossibilities_[52], which I
+ think, as well as those captains who have come from you, any further
+ effort to destroy those ships would be. You must, therefore, join as
+ soon as you can, with the bombs, &c., as I wish for some information,
+ which you allude to, before I close my despatches.
+
+ “Yours, my dear Lord, most sincerely,
+ “GAMBIER.
+
+ “Capt. Lord Cochrane.
+
+ “_P.S._—I have ordered _three brigs and two rocket-vessels to join
+ you_, with which, and the bomb, you may make an attempt on the ship
+ that is aground on the Palles, or towards Ile Madame, but I do not
+ think you will succeed; and I am anxious that you should come to me,
+ as I wish to send you to England as soon as possible. You must,
+ therefore, come as soon as the tide turns.”
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 52:
+
+ In spite of this and other declarations arising from acts personally
+ witnessed, though at many miles’ distance, yet still within ken of the
+ telescope, Lord Gambier, on his court-martial, stated that “I had done
+ little beyond mischief!!”
+
+-----
+
+I felt deep regret at what must be considered as the evasions of this
+letter. First, Lord Gambier ordered me to come out of the anchorage and
+join the fleet! but evidently not choosing to take upon himself the
+responsibility of ordering me out, in opposition to my own views, he
+told me he would send some brigs with which I might attack vessels which
+his own neglect had permitted to escape up the Charente! and thirdly, I
+was ordered, to come out as soon as the tide turned!
+
+As the commander-in-chief’s letter was thus indecisive, I chose to
+construe it as giving me the option of remaining, and returned his
+lordship the following answer:—
+
+ “_Impérieuse_, 13th April.
+
+ “MY LORD,—I have just had the honour to receive your Lordship’s
+ letter. We _can_ destroy the ships that are on shore, which I hope
+ your Lordship will approve of.
+
+ “I have the honour, &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “The Right Hon. Lord Gambier.”
+
+At daylight on the 14th the enemy were still in the same condition, but
+with a number of chasse-marées quietly taking out their stores. Three of
+them were getting out their guns, evidently in expectation of certain
+destruction from the small vessels which remained after the
+line-of-battle ships and heavy frigates were recalled; and, had we been
+permitted to attack them _even now_, their destruction would have been
+inevitable.
+
+In place of this the recall signal was once more hoisted on board the
+_Caledonia_, to which I replied by the interrogatory signal “_Shall we
+unmoor?_” considering that his lordship would understand the signal as a
+request to be permitted to resume the attack. I did not repeat the
+signal that the enemy could be destroyed, because, having conveyed to
+him by letter my opinion on that subject the day before, I thought a
+repetition of that opinion unnecessary,—the more so, as, from the enemy
+heaving overboard them guns, its soundness was more than ever confirmed.
+
+In place of being ordered to attack, as from his lordship’s previous
+letter I had every reason to expect, the recall signal was repeated, and
+shortly afterwards came the following letter:—
+
+ “_Caledonia_, 13th (14th) April.
+
+ “MY DEAR LORD,—It is necessary I should have some communication with
+ you before I close my despatches to the Admiralty. _I have, therefore,
+ ordered Captain Wolfe to relieve you_ in the services you are engaged
+ in. I wish you to join me as soon as possible, that you may convey Sir
+ Harry Neale to England, who will be charged with my despatches, or you
+ may return to carry on the service where you are. I expect two bombs
+ to arrive every moment, they will be useful in it.
+
+ Yours, my dear Lord, most sincerely,
+ “GAMBIER.
+
+ “Capt. Lord Cochrane.”
+
+Here was a repetition of the same thing. I was ordered away from the
+attack, to “convey Sir H. Neale to England,” or I “might return to carry
+on the service where I was,” viz. after the enemy had got clear off,
+_and after being formally superseded in the service to which the Board
+of Admiralty had appointed me, by a senior officer whom I could not
+again supersede_!!!
+
+There was, however, no evading Lord Gambier’s letter this time without
+positive disobedience to orders, and that was not lightly to be risked,
+even with the Board’s instructions to back me. I therefore returned to
+the _Caledonia_, and at once told Lord Gambier that the extraordinary
+hesitation which had been displayed in attacking ships helplessly on
+shore, could only have arisen from my being employed in the attack, in
+preference to senior officers. I begged his lordship, by way of
+preventing the ill-feeling of the fleet from becoming detrimental to the
+honour of the service, to set me altogether aside, and send in Admiral
+Stopford, with the frigates or other vessels, as with regard to him
+there could be no ill-feeling; further declaring my confidence that from
+Admiral Stopford’s zeal for the service, he would, being backed by his
+officers, accomplish results more creditable than anything that had yet
+been done. I apologised for the freedom I used, stating that I took the
+liberty as a friend, for it would be impossible, as matters stood, to
+prevent a noise being made in England.
+
+His lordship appeared much displeased; and making no remark, I repeated,
+“My Lord, you have before desired me to ‘speak candidly to you,’ and I
+have now used that freedom.”
+
+Lord Gambier then replied, “_If you throw blame upon what has been done,
+it will appear like arrogantly claiming all the merit to yourself._”
+
+I assured his lordship that I had no such intention, for that no merit
+was due, and told him that I had no wish to carry the despatches, or to
+go to London with Sir Harry Neale on the occasion, my object being alone
+that which had been entrusted to me by the Admiralty, viz. to destroy
+the vessels of the enemy.
+
+His lordship, however, cut the matter short by giving me written orders
+immediately to convey Sir Harry Neale to England with despatches. In
+obedience to this order we quitted Basque Roads for Plymouth on the
+following morning.
+
+These matters are officially on record, and therefore do not admit of
+dispute. I will not comment further upon them, but will leave them to
+the judgment of posterity. I will even go further, and acquit Lord
+Gambier of all blame up to this period, except that of an easy
+disposition, which yielded to the advice of officers interested in my
+failure, that calm judgment which should characterise a
+commander-in-chief, and which, had it been exercised, would have
+rendered, as Napoleon afterwards said, the whole French fleet an easy
+prey.
+
+As much misrepresentation was made at the time relative to the damage
+inflicted by the explosion-vessel under my immediate command, and as the
+same misrepresentation has been adopted by all English historians, it
+will be necessary particularly to advert to this. As mere assertion on
+my part may be deemed egotistical, if not partial, I will adduce the
+testimony of Captain Proteau, who commanded the enemy’s frigate
+_Indienne_, and was _close to the boom_ at the time it was destroyed by
+the explosion-vessel. The point here alluded to is the statement of the
+commander of the _Mediator_, that HIS VESSEL BROKE THE BOOM BY HER
+WEIGHT!! and Lord Gambier, without any personal knowledge of the fact,
+was thereby led to endorse his statement.
+
+The captain of the _Indienne_, on the other hand, states that when the
+explosion-vessel blew up she was “_at the boom_,” or, nautically
+speaking, “_brought up by the boom_.” His words, are “_flottant à
+l’estacade_.”
+
+It will be best, however, to extract the passage entire:—
+
+ “Nous distinguâmes, à 9 heures et demie, sous notre boussoir de
+ tribord, un corps _flottant à l’estacade_. L’explosion s’en fit
+ tout-à-coup, et vomit quantité de fusées artificielles, grenades et
+ obus, qui éclatèrent en l’air sans nous faire le moindre mal,
+ cependant nous n’en étions qu’à une demie encâblure.”—_Captain
+ Proteau’s Journal._
+
+As the _Indienne_ was only half a cable’s length from the boom when the
+explosion took place, the testimony of her captain on this point ought
+to be decisive.
+
+Lord Gambier stated in his despatch, and afterwards in his defence, that
+the explosion-vessel blew up at half-past nine, whilst at three-quarters
+past nine (_a quarter of an hour later_), the _Mediator_ and other
+vessels came up, and were fired on by the French ships!
+
+Lord Gambier, being himself more than a dozen miles from the scene of
+action, made this statement on the authority of Captain Wooldridge, who
+commanded the _Mediator_, and who reiterated in his evidence on the
+court-martial the statement he had previously made to Lord Gambier, viz.
+that _his ship_, and not the explosion-vessel, broke the boom: of the
+truth of which statement the nautical reader shall judge on professional
+grounds.
+
+Admiral Allemand, who commanded in Aix Roads, thus describes, in his
+despatch to the French Government, the boom which had been laid down by
+his directions:—“Elle (the French fleet) étoit flanquée _d’une estacade
+à quatre cents toises au large, qui avoit huits cents toises de long_.”
+
+The boom formed two sides of a triangle, with the apex towards the
+British fleet, thus,—
+
+ .
+ . .
+ 400 toise. . . 400 toises.
+ . .
+ . .
+ . .
+ 800 toises.
+
+That is to say, each wing of the boom was more than half a mile long,
+and the distance between the extremities of the base was nearly a mile.
+This formidable obstacle was composed of large spars, bound by chains,
+and moored along its whole double line with heavy anchors at appropriate
+intervals, forming the most stupendous structure of the kind on record.
+
+The statement of Captain Wooldridge to Lord Gambier, therefore, amounts
+to this,—that his ship, the _Mediator_, an Indiaman of 800 tons, broke
+up a double boom, each side of which was upwards of half a mile in
+length; tore up, by pressure on one point only, a double line of heavy
+anchors more than a mile in extent; and snapped many miles of iron
+chains and lashings connecting the spars together!!!—though her contact
+could not have been more than a few feet, the collision necessarily
+taking place on one wing of the boom only. This was Captain Wooldridge’s
+own version to Lord Gambier. To the nautical reader it is unnecessary to
+write one word of comment; so much so, indeed, that I will not insult
+the common sense even of the unprofessional reader by any attempt at
+further explanation.
+
+Yet this statement was made by Captain Wooldridge, not only to Lord
+Gambier but to the officers composing the subsequent court-martial; more
+strangely still, it was _accepted by those officers_, though every one
+present must have known that the _Mediator_ would either have been
+brought up on her first contact with the boom, or, if she were weighty
+enough to overcome the obstacle, must have passed over it, by pressing
+it beneath her bow into the water.
+
+It was not even pretended by those on board the _Mediator_ that any
+shock was felt! a pretty clear proof that, when she passed over the
+place where the boom _had been_, no such obstacle existed. That a vessel
+could have broken up a boom of such magnitude is too absurd for
+reflection. Nor, had not this version of the matter appeared in every
+naval history since 1809, should I have deemed a statement so truly
+incredible worthy of notice.[53]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 53:
+
+ The _Mediator’_s log, now amongst the Admiralty records, is conclusive
+ on the point. It is carried up to midnight on the 11th, two hours and
+ a half after notifying that the ship was set on fire at 9.30 P.M., but
+ _does not say a word about breaking or even feeling a shock from any
+ boom_.
+
+-----
+
+Even the explosion-vessel did not break the boom by actual contact. It
+was the combined effect of the explosion upon the boom and upon the
+surface of the sea that shook it to pieces. The huge waves caused by the
+explosion lifted the boom along its entire length, and the strain so
+loosened the chains which bound the spars together, that the latter
+floated out of the fastenings, and were carried away with the tide, the
+chains sinking as a matter of course. It is certain that at daylight the
+next morning not a vestige of this formidable boom was to be seen; no
+one pretended to have seen so much as a single spar of it; though, had
+the _Mediator_ broken through it, as falsely alleged, the whole length
+of the boom, except the part ruptured, must necessarily have remained at
+anchor!!
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXII.
+
+ ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.
+
+INTENDED VOTE OF THANKS TO LORD GAMBIER.—RESOLVE TO OPPOSE IT.—INTERVIEW
+ WITH LORD MULGRAVE.—LORD GAMBIER DEMANDS A COURT-MARTIAL.—HE IS
+ DIRECTED TO MAKE A FRESH REPORT OF THE ACTION IN BASQUE
+ ROADS.—INJUSTICE OF THIS SECOND DESPATCH.—ATTEMPT TO ENTRAP ME INTO
+ THE POSITION OF PROSECUTOR.—COMPOSITION AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE
+ COURT-MARTIAL.—THE ADMIRAL’S POINTS OF JUSTIFICATION.—DISPOSED OF BY
+ CAPTAIN BROUGHTON’S EVIDENCE, AND BY THAT OF CAPTAINS MALCOLM,
+ NEWCOMBE, AND SEYMOUR.—SIR HARRY NEALE’S EVIDENCE STOPPED BY ADMIRAL
+ YOUNG.
+
+
+On the 26th of April, His Majesty was pleased to confer on me the
+Knighthood of the Order of the Bath.
+
+Soon after Lord Gambier’s arrival in England, Lord Mulgrave informed me
+that a vote of thanks to the commander-in-chief would be proposed in the
+House of Commons. Whereupon I told Lord Mulgrave that it was my duty to
+apprise him that in my capacity as one of the members for Westminster, I
+would oppose the motion, on the ground that the commander-in-chief had
+not only done nothing to merit a vote of thanks, but had neglected to
+destroy the French fleet in Aix Roads, when it was clearly in his power
+to do so.
+
+Lord Mulgrave entreated me not to persist in this determination, as such
+a course would not only prove injurious to the Government, but highly
+detrimental to myself, by raising up against me a host of enemies. The
+public, said his lordship, was satisfied with what had been done, and
+gave me full credit for my share therein, so that as I should be
+included in the vote of thanks, the recognition of Lord Gambier’s
+services could do me no harm.
+
+I told his lordship that, speaking as a member of the House of Commons,
+I did not recognise Lord Gambier’s services at all, for that none had
+been rendered; and as for any thanks to myself, I would rather be
+without them, feeling conscious that I had not been enabled
+satisfactorily to carry out the earnest wishes of the Admiralty by the
+destruction of the enemy’s fleet, as impressed on me by his lordship
+before accepting the command with which I had been entrusted. I
+nevertheless begged his lordship to consider that in my professional
+capacity as a naval officer, I neither did offer nor had offered, any
+opinion whatever on Lord Gambier’s conduct, but that my position as
+member of Parliament for Westminster forbade my acquiescence in a public
+misrepresentation.
+
+Lord Mulgrave replied, that I was even now accusing Lord Gambier in my
+professional capacity; the public would not draw the distinction between
+my professional and parliamentary conduct. I expressed my regret for the
+public want of discrimination, but told his lordship that this would not
+alter my determination.
+
+Soon after this conversation Lord Mulgrave sent for me, and again
+entreated me, for my own sake, to reconsider my resolution, saying that
+he had reported our former conversation to the Government, which was
+highly dissatisfied therewith. His lordship further assured me that he
+was anxious about the matter on my account, as the course intimated
+would certainly bring me under high displeasure. To this I replied, that
+the displeasure of the Government would not for a moment influence my
+Parliamentary conduct, for which I held myself answerable to my
+constituents.
+
+His lordship then said, “If you are on service, you cannot be in your
+place in Parliament. Now, my lord, I will make you a proposal. I will
+put under your orders three frigates, with _carte blanche_ to do
+whatever you please on the enemy’s coasts in the Mediterranean. I will
+further get you permission to go to Sicily, and embark on board your
+squadron my own regiment, which is stationed there. You know how to make
+use of such advantages.”
+
+I thanked Lord Mulgrave for the offer, at the same time expressing my
+gratitude for his anxiety to preserve me from the evils of acting
+contrary to the wishes of the Government; but told his lordship that,
+were I to accept this offer, the country would regard my acquiescence as
+a bribe to hold my peace, whilst I could not regard it in any other
+light. Self-respect must, therefore, be my excuse for declining the
+proposal.
+
+The anxiety of the then Government was, no doubt, to convert what had
+been effected in Aix Roads into political capital, as a victory which
+merited the thanks of parliament. My tacit aquiescence in the object of
+Government would have subjected me, and rightly, to a total loss of
+political confidence in the estimation of those with whom I acted. No
+man with the slightest pretensions to personal honesty or political
+consistency could, therefore, have decided otherwise than I did, even
+with the kind warning of Lord Mulgrave, that evil consequences to myself
+would follow—a prediction subsequently verified to the letter.
+
+The upshot of the matter was, that on Lord Mulgrave communicating my
+determination to Lord Gambier, the latter demanded a court-martial.
+
+As soon as my fixed resolution of opposing the vote of thanks became
+known to the Government, the Board of Admiralty directed Lord Gambier to
+make a _fresh report_ of the action in Basque Roads! requiring his
+lordship to call upon various officers for further reports as to the
+part they took therein!
+
+Accordingly, on the 10th of May, Lord Gambier forwarded _a new despatch_
+to the Admiralty, _in which my services were altogether passed over!!!_
+notwithstanding that, in Lord Gambier’s previous report, he had written
+as follows:—“I cannot speak in sufficient terms of admiration and
+applause of the vigorous and gallant attack made by Lord Cochrane upon
+the French line-of-battle ships which were on shore; as well as of his
+judicious manner of approaching them, and placing his ship in a position
+most advantageous to annoy the enemy and preserve his own ship, which
+could not be exceeded by any feat of valour hitherto achieved by the
+British navy.”
+
+Still more singularly, in the second despatch, which is too long for
+insertion[54], Lord Gambier inadvertently confirms the fact that _no
+attack on the French fleet would have been made at all_, had it not been
+for my having commenced an attack with the _Impérieuse_ alone, which
+movement, as has been said, was executed literally _by stealth_, under
+the fear that the signal of recall would be hoisted by the
+commander-in-chief!
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 54:
+
+ The letter in question will be found at p. 7 of “Minutes of a
+ Court-Martial on Lord Gambier, taken in short-hand by W. B. Gurney,”
+ and, as therein stated, revised by his lordship.
+
+-----
+
+It having, for reasons described in a former chapter, become imperative
+on Lord Gambier to send us assistance, he, nevertheless, construed this
+into an _intention_ on his part to attack the enemy. “_Observing the
+Impérieuse to advance, and the time of flood nearly done running, the
+Indefatigable_, &c. &c. were ordered to the attack!” It is not very
+probable that, had Lord Gambier intended an attack, he would have let
+the flood-tide go by, without taking advantage of it in a channel which
+was afterwards declared unsafe from want of water!
+
+This passage alone of Lord Gambier’s second despatch ought to have
+decided the result of any court-martial. The Board of Admiralty would
+not, however, see anything inculpatory of their former colleague; but,
+on the 29th of May, ordered me, through their secretary, to become the
+accuser of the commander-in-chief; “I am commanded by their Lordships to
+signify their directions that you state fully to me, for their
+information, the grounds on which your lordship objects to the vote of
+thanks being moved to Lord Gambier, to the end that them Lordships’
+objections may be of a nature to justify the suspension of the intended
+motion in Parliament, or to call for any further information.”—(Signed)
+“W. W. POLE.”
+
+This command was manifestly intended to entrap me into the position of
+Lord Gambier’s prosecutor, and was, moreover, an improper interference
+with my Parliamentary capacity, in which alone I had declared my
+intention to oppose an uncalled-for vote of thanks to the
+commander-in-chief. I therefore wrote to the Secretary of the Admiralty
+the subjoined reply.
+
+ “Portman Square, 30th May, 1809.
+
+ “SIR,—I have to request that you will submit to their Lordships that I
+ shall, at all times, entertain a due sense of the honour they will
+ confer by any directions they may be pleased to give me; that in
+ pursuing the object of these directions, my exertions will invariably
+ go hand in hand with my duty; and that, to satisfy their Lordships’
+ minds in the present instance, I beg leave to state that the log and
+ signal log-books of the fleet in Basque Roads contain all particulars,
+ and furnish premises whence accurate conclusions may be drawn; that,
+ as these books are authentic public documents, and as I cannot myself
+ refer to them, anything I could offer to their Lordships on the
+ subject would be altogether superfluous, and would appear presumptuous
+ interruptions to their Lordships’ judgment, which will, doubtless,
+ always found itself upon those grounds only that cannot be disputed.
+
+ “I have, &c. &c.
+ “COCHRANE.
+
+ “The Hon. W. W. Pole,
+ Secretary to the Admiralty.”
+
+This reply, though plain, was respectful; but, as I had afterwards good
+reason to know, was deemed very offensive; the result being that, _after
+two months’ delay_ to enable Lord Gambier to get up his defence, a
+court-martial was assembled on the 26th of July, on board the
+_Gladiator_, at Portsmouth, the court being composed of the following
+members:—
+
+ PRESIDENT—Sir Roger Curtis, Port-Admiral.
+
+ ADMIRALS—Young, Stanhope, Campbell, Douglas, Duckworth, and Sutton.
+
+ CAPTAINS—Irwin, Dickson, Hall, and Dunn.
+
+It may perhaps be asked in what way a court-martial on Lord Gambier can
+so far concern me as to occupy a prominent place in this autobiography?
+The reply is, that, notwithstanding my repudiation, I was regarded at
+the court-martial as his accuser, though not permitted to be present so
+as to cross-examine witnesses; the whole proceeding being conducted in
+my absence, rather as a prosecution against me than Lord Gambier; and
+that the result was injurious to myself, as Lord Mulgrave had predicted,
+involving the punishment of not being employed with my frigate at
+Flushing, there to put in execution plans for the certain destruction of
+the French fleet in the Scheldt; so that, in order to punish me, the
+enemy’s fleet was suffered to remain in security, when it might easily
+have been destroyed.
+
+The reader must not imagine that I am about to inflict on him the
+evidence of a nine days’ trial; but without some extracts therefrom, it
+is impossible to comprehend the matter. Let him bear in mind that Lord
+Gambier relied for justification on three points:—1st, That, had he sent
+in the fleet, its safety would have been endangered by the
+fortifications of Aix (which he had previously spoken of as being
+dismantled); 2nd, Want of water to navigate the fleet in safety; and
+3rdly, From the fire of the enemy’s vessels driven ashore (though
+lightened of their guns and stores).
+
+ CAPTAIN BROUGHTON (of the _Illustrious_).—“I was in Basque Roads, in
+ the _Amelia_, on the 17th of March, and when within gunshot of the
+ Isle of Aix observed the fortifications as being under repair, from
+ the quantity of rubbish thrown up. I thought the fortifications on the
+ island were not so strong as we supposed, and so reported to Lord
+ Gambier. This was on the 1st of April. I did not notice any furnaces
+ for heating red-hot shot. We were just out of gunshot,—_they fired at
+ us from both sides, but none reached us_.”
+
+In reply to the question, “whether everything was done that could be
+done to effect the destruction of the enemy’s ships?” Captain Broughton
+said:—
+
+ “It would have been more advantageous if the line-of-battle ships,
+ frigates, and small vessels had _gone in at half-flood_, about 11
+ o’clock. There were _nine sail ashore_, and if the British ships had
+ been ordered in, it would have been more advantageous. There were only
+ _two_ of the enemy’s ships at anchor, and the _fleet_, had it gone in,
+ would have been exposed to _their_ fire; but I conceived they were
+ panic-struck, and on the appearance of a force might have been induced
+ to cut their cables, and escape up the river. A ship or two might have
+ been placed, in my opinion, against the batteries on the southern part
+ of Isle d’Aix so as to take off their fire, and _silence them_. I told
+ Sir Henry Neale, on board the _Caledonia_, when the signal was made
+ for all captains in the mooring, that ‘_they were attackable from the
+ confused way in which the French ships were at the time_;’ viz. from
+ having run ashore in the night, in order to escape from the
+ fire-ships, which they imagined would explode.
+
+ “As the wind was north-westerly and northerly, ships might have found
+ safe anchorage in what is called, in my French chart, le Grand
+ Trousse, where there is thirty or forty feet of water _out of range of
+ shot or shells in any direction_. When we first came into Basque
+ Roads, if the charts were to be believed, _there appeared to be water
+ enough in that position. I do not know anything of any shoal water. I
+ sounded from the wreck of the Varsovie to that anchorage, and found no
+ shoal there_. Two ships of the line would have been sufficient to have
+ silenced the batteries on Aix, and five or six of the least draught of
+ water to attack the enemy’s ships. The discomfited French squadron
+ would have made very little resistance. The loss would have been very
+ little, as few of their ships were in a situation to fight their
+ guns.”
+
+Here a distinguished officer shows that two ships could have silenced
+the batteries; that, in case of damage, there was plenty of water for
+them to retire to out of reach; and that the French ships, being ashore,
+could not use their guns.
+
+ CAPTAIN PULTENEY MALCOLM (of the _Donegal_).—“I saw the enemy’s
+ three-decker on shore. Till about noon she was heeling over
+ considerably, and appeared to me to be _heaving her guns overboard_.
+ She got off about two o’clock; _all the ships got off, except those
+ that were destroyed_. Had it appeared to me that there was no other
+ chance of destroying those ships but by such an attack, I CERTAINLY
+ THINK IT OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN MADE. _Had they been attacked by the
+ British ships, in my opinion they could not have been warped off from
+ the shore, as it was necessary so to do, to lay out anchors to heave
+ them off._”
+
+ _Question._—“Would you, had you commanded the British fleet, have sent
+ in ships to attack the enemy’s ships on shore?”
+
+ _Answer._—“The moment the two ships quitted their defensive position,
+ the risk was then small, and OF COURSE I WOULD HAVE SENT THEM IN
+ INSTANTLY.”
+
+This evidence is pretty decisive, but its plain tendency was attempted
+to be neutralised by the question whether there would have been _risk of
+damage_, had the British fleet been sent in to attack the enemy’s ships
+when ashore! The great point of defence throughout was risk to the
+ships, as though the chief use of ships of war was to save them from
+injury.
+
+ CAPTAIN F. NEWCOMBE (of the _Beagle_).—“Can you state any instance of
+ neglect, misconduct, or inattention in the proceedings of the
+ Commander-in-chief, between the 11th and the 18th?”
+
+ _Answer._—“None; save and except, had the Commander-in-chief thought
+ proper, from his situation, TO HAVE SENT IN VESSELS EARLIER THAN THEY
+ WERE SENT, though there might be a great risk in so doing, there was a
+ possibility of annoying the enemy more than they were annoyed.”
+
+ CAPTAIN GEORGE FRANCIS SEYMOUR (of the _Pallas_.)—“I saw the
+ _Impérieuse_ inform the Commander-in-chief, by signal, that if allowed
+ to remain he could destroy the enemy: there was every prospect of
+ preventing them from getting off, as it would prevent their carrying
+ out hawsers to heave off by. From what I afterwards saw, I think the
+ ships might have floated in sooner—they might have come in with the
+ last half of the flood-tide.”
+
+ PRESIDENT.—“How much sooner would that have been than the time they
+ actually did join?”
+
+ _Answer._—“At _eleven o’clock_.”
+
+ _Question._—“What time did the line-of-battle ships join?”
+
+ _Answer._—“_Within a short time after two o’clock._”
+
+ _Question._—“Is your opinion formed from information obtained since
+ the 12th of April, or on that day?”
+
+ _Answer._—“It was formed from the depth of water _we found_ ON GOING
+ IN.”
+
+This evidence, coming from an officer of Captain Seymour’s character and
+standing, was so decisive, that it was subjected to a severe
+cross-examination, of which the subjoined is the substance:—
+
+ “It is impossible for me to foretell the event of such an attack, it
+ so much depending on fortuitous circumstances. I cannot say that the
+ line-of-battle ships _should_ have gone in; I was not in possession of
+ the Commander-in-chief’s information. _I state the fact, and leave the
+ Court to judge._ I mean to say, _there would have been water enough
+ for the line-of-battle ships to have floated in_. As to the opposition
+ they would have met with, the Court has as much before them as I
+ have.”
+
+If the reader will refer to Lord Gambier’s expression, in his second
+despatch of the 10th of May (see page 407), it will be evident that no
+attack whatever was intended; “but observing the _Impérieuse_ to
+advance,” it became imperative to support her, _i.e._ when the
+_flood-tide “had nearly done running.”_ This is the true explanation of
+the British ships having been sent in _at all_. I repeat, that the
+advance of the _Impérieuse_ thus forced on the little that was done. Had
+an attack been seriously intended, the time at which the British fleet
+should have gone in was that pointed out by the preceding officers, viz.
+when the French ships were aground, and the whole within reach of
+destruction; instead of when the few, which were unable to get off by
+any exertions, were assailed. To have rested a case upon the danger to
+the British fleet from the fire of the ships _ashore_, with their guns
+thrown overboard to lighten them, was a course of defence which, for the
+honour of the British navy, is elsewhere unparalleled.
+
+There is no necessity to adduce further extracts on this head; and I
+have purposely refrained from introducing my own evidence; but the
+_animus_ by which the Court was actuated in the case must not be lightly
+passed over.
+
+One of the principal witnesses was, as a matter of course, the Captain
+of the Fleet, Sir Harry Neale. This officer, though thoroughly
+conversant with both the acts and intentions of the commander-in-chief,
+was directed by the President openly, _not to state the opinions he had
+given to Lord Gambier on public services_! By Admiral Young Sir Harry
+Neale was told _to say nothing but what he was directed to detail_! This
+would be incredible were it not printed in “Minutes of the
+Court-Martial, revised by Lord Gambier!”
+
+ Sir H. NEALE (Captain of the Fleet).—“There were continued
+ conversations between the Commander-in-chief and me. I have given him
+ my opinion _on different services_; some of those he may have
+ approved, and _some he may not have approved_.”
+
+ PRESIDENT.—“I apprehend _these_ are _not_ to be stated!”
+
+Yet Sir H. Neale carefully marked the distinction between private
+conversation and the _public service_, by using the term “different
+services;” he being evidently ready to tell all he knew as regarded the
+public service. He was, however, stopped by Admiral Young in one of the
+strangest injunctions which ever fell from the lips of a judge.
+
+ ADMIRAL YOUNG.—“If you are directed _to detail_ any circumstances, you
+ are _then_ to say all you know of the circumstances you _are directed
+ to detail_; but if you are asked a specific question, your oath, I
+ imagine, will _only_ oblige you to answer SPECIFICALLY and directly,
+ and as fully as you _can, the question which is proposed to you_!”
+
+So that Sir Harry Neale was cautioned that, if he was _not_ directed to
+detail circumstances, he was not to relate them, however important they
+might be! And if asked only a specific question, he was merely to answer
+_specifically_; though the Court could know nothing of the facts, unless
+they permitted the witnesses to tell the truth, and the whole truth, in
+the very words of the oath.
+
+But as Sir Harry Neale was known to be a man not likely to be thus
+peremptorily silenced, half a dozen insignificant questions were,
+therefore, only put to him by the Court, with the exception of one or
+two leading questions from Lord Gambier.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXIII.
+
+ LORD GAMBIER’S DESPATCH.
+
+ITS OMISSIONS AND SUPPRESSIONS.—MOTIVE FOR LORD GAMBIER’s
+ MISSTATEMENTS.—MR. FAIRFAX REPORTS THAT THE MEDIATOR WENT IN FIFTH,
+ NOT FIRST.—REASON OF THE CONTRARY ASSERTION.—NAPOLEON ATTRIBUTES THE
+ ESCAPE OF HIS FLEET TO THE IMBECILITY OF LORD GAMBIER.—MISMANAGEMENT
+ OF THE FIRESHIPS.—LORD GAMBIER’s DELAY AND MISDIRECTION.—HIS
+ PERVERSION OF FACT.—HIS MISPLACED PRAISE.—THE DESPATCH FAILS TO
+ SATISFY THE PUBLIC.—CRITICISED BY THE PRESS.—ADMIRAL GRAVIÈRE’s
+ ACCOUNT OF THE TERMINATION OF THE ACTION.
+
+
+The despatch brought to England by Sir Harry Neale set out with the
+perversion, that the fireships, “arranged according to my plan,” were
+“led on in the most undaunted and determined manner by Captain
+Wooldridge in the _Mediator, preceded by some vessels filled with powder
+and shells, as proposed by Lord Cochrane, with a view to explosion_!”
+
+The omission of the fact that before Captain Wooldridge “led the
+fireships” I had myself preceded them in the explosion vessel, and that,
+even before the _Mediator_ proceeded on service in obedience to the
+signals made by my order from the _Impérieuse_, the explosion vessel
+under my personal command was half-way towards the French fleet; the
+suppression of my name as having anything at all to do with the attack
+by means of the explosion vessels, notwithstanding that by going first I
+ran all the risk of being boarded by the French guard-boats, and myself
+and crew murdered, as would have been the case had we been captured,
+showed that the object of the commander-in-chief was to suppress all
+mention of me, my plans, or their execution, as entitled to any credit
+for the mischief done to the enemy.
+
+The despatch leads the reader to infer that the success subsequently
+obtained arose from the “undaunted and determined manner in which
+Captain Wooldridge led the fireships,” from “Admiral Stopford’s zealous
+co-operation with the boats,” though not one of these ever stirred from
+alongside the _Cæsar_, anchored full four miles from the scene of
+action, and from the plans of the commander-in-chief himself.
+
+That this suppression of all mention of the success of my plans in
+driving the whole enemy’s fleet ashore with the exception of two ships
+of the line, was deliberately intended by the commander-in-chief, is
+placed beyond question by the contemptuous manner in which he speaks of
+the means which really effected the mischief,—“_some vessels filled with
+powder and shells, with a view to explosion_.” That these means,
+conducted by myself, not Captain Wooldridge, _did_ drive the French
+ships ashore, has been admitted by every French and English historian
+since that period; and that this was done by my personal presence and
+instrumentality is a historical fact which nothing can shake or pervert.
+The only person ignoring the fact was the commander-in-chief of the
+British force, who not only gives me no credit for what had been done,
+but does not even mention my name, as having, by the above means,
+contributed to the result!
+
+The sole conceivable motive for such a suppression of the success of my
+plans must have been that, having neglected to take advantage of the
+helpless condition of the French ships driven ashore, it was desirable
+to conceal the whole of the facts from the British public, by ascribing
+the success gained to other, and totally different causes, and thus to
+convert a deep discredit into a great victory!
+
+The despatch goes on to state that, “the _Mediator, by breaking the
+boom!_” opened the way for the fireships, “but, owing to the darkness of
+the night, several mistook their course and failed.”
+
+At the conclusion of the last chapter, such reasons have, I think, been
+given why the _Mediator_ could not have broken a double boom nearly a
+mile in extent as ought to have set the question for ever at rest. But
+as that statement, notwithstanding its impossibility, is endorsed by the
+commander-in-chief as the groundwork of his despatch, it will be
+necessary to refute his lordship’s statement also, and that from the
+evidence of an officer upon whose testimony he must necessarily rely,
+viz. Mr. Fairfax, the master of the fleet, who was deputed in the _Lyra_
+to observe the effect produced by the fireships, and, as a matter of
+course, reported to the commander-in-chief the result of his
+observations, which were as follows:—
+
+ “When the explosion-vessel blew up, she was about two cables’ length
+ from the _Lyra_. The _Lyra_, as well as the other explosion-vessel, is
+ marked in the chart produced by me. When she blew up, the fire vessels
+ _all_ seemed to steer for that point. _I hailed four of them, and the
+ Mediator_, and desired the _Mediator_ to steer south-east, or else she
+ would miss the _French fleet_.”—_Minutes_, p. 177.
+
+In another place Mr. Fairfax states that the night was so dark that it
+was difficult to make out exact positions; but the testimony of Captain
+Proteau, of the _Indienne_, that the explosion took place _at the boom_,
+“_à l’estacade_,” is indisputable, as the _Indienne_, by Captain
+Proteau’s testimony, was lying so close to the boom and the
+explosion-vessel also, as only to escape the effect of the latter by her
+shells going over. The spot, therefore, where the explosion took place
+is historically beyond doubt.
+
+The testimony of Mr. Fairfax, then—and it must be borne in mind that I
+had no worse enemy in the fleet than that person—is this:—1st, The
+explosion took place; 2ndly, _all_ the fireships steered for the point
+where it had taken place; 3rdly, Mr. Fairfax hailed _four_ of them;
+4thly, the _Mediator_ then came up, _steering in a wrong direction_, so
+that in place of “leading the fireships in the most undaunted and
+determined manner,” as vouched for by the commander-in-chief, the master
+of the fleet, who was on the spot, vouches that she was the _fifth
+fireship which came up_, and that had he not set her right in her course
+she would have “missed the French fleet;” _i.e._ she was behind the
+other fireships, and _steering outside the boom, which lay in front of
+the French fleet!_
+
+It would, I think, be superfluous to say another word about this
+extraordinary story of the boom, nor should I have condescended to
+notice it at all in connection with the despatch, but that the
+commander-in-chief makes it the groundwork of his report to the
+Government, for the unworthy purpose of altogether omitting my name as
+connected with the explosion-vessels, and for leading the public to
+infer that these produced _no effect whatever, either on the boom or the
+French fleet!_ which is indeed the main object of the despatch.
+
+It was, however, necessary to give some reason why the French fleet ran
+ashore; and as it was not considered expedient to give me the credit of
+causing it to do so by the terror created from the explosion, the
+commander-in-chief, despite his own judgment as a seaman, appears to
+have caught at Captain Wooldridge’s story of breaking the boom, and
+other subsequent exploits just as unfounded; though the master of the
+fleet must have reported that some time after the explosion-vessel had
+done its work _he fell in with the Mediator, steering in a wrong
+direction, and set her right in her course!!!_
+
+I forbear to speak of having myself encountered the _Mediator_ after
+passing several other fireships, as that would be assertion only. Of the
+effect produced, and by what means it was produced, the subjoined
+extract from the _Times_ newspaper of May 4th, 1809, will furnish some
+idea, as coming from French sources:—
+
+ “Some letters have been received from the French coast, which bear
+ testimony to the destructive result of the late attack an the enemy’s
+ fleet in Basque Roads. ‘Your _infernal machines_,’ says one of the
+ letters, ‘have not only destroyed several of our ships, but they have
+ rendered almost all the remainder unfit to put to sea again. They have
+ proved the destruction of more than 2000 of our people, (?) and
+ _petrified the rest with fear_. The mouth of the Charente river is
+ completely blocked up with wreck.’”[55]
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 55:
+
+ That is, of the boom, for no ship had been wrecked at the mouth of the
+ Charente.
+
+-----
+
+Yet two days after the departure of the _Impérieuse_, the
+commander-in-chief addressed another despatch to the Admiralty, from
+which the subjoined is an extract:—
+
+ “_Caledonia_, April 16, 1809.
+
+ “It has blown violently from the southward and westward ever since the
+ departure of the _Impérieuse_, which has rendered it _impracticable to
+ act in any way with the small vessels or boats of the fleet_ against
+ the enemy. I have the satisfaction to observe this morning, that the
+ enemy have set fire to their frigate _L’Indienne_, and that the ship
+ of the line which is aground at the entrance of the river—supposed to
+ be the _Regulus_—there is every reason to believe will be wrecked.”
+
+The Emperor Napoleon himself is, moreover, an authority on the subject,
+not to be passed over.
+
+ “Some conversation now took place about Lord Cochrane, and the attempt
+ which his lordship had made to capture or destroy the ships in the
+ Charente.
+
+ “I said it was the opinion of a very distinguished officer, whom I
+ named, and who was well known to him (Napoleon), that if Cochrane had
+ been properly supported, he would have destroyed the whole of the
+ French ships.
+
+ “‘He would not only have destroyed them,’ replied Napoleon, ‘but _he
+ might and would have taken them out_, had your admiral supported him
+ as he ought to have done. For, in consequence of the signal made by
+ L’Allemand’ (I think he said) ‘to the ships to do the best in their
+ power to save themselves—_sauve qui peut_, in fact—they became
+ panic-struck, and cut their cables. The terror of the _brûlots_[56]
+ was so great, that they _actually threw their powder overboard, so
+ that they could have offered very little resistance_.’
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 56:
+
+ Napoleon, like other French writers, includes the explosion vessels
+ under the general term _brûlot_.
+
+-----
+
+ “‘The French admiral,’ continued Napoleon, ‘was an _imbecile_, but
+ yours was just as bad. I assure you, that if Cochrane had been
+ supported, he would have taken every one of the ships. They ought not
+ to have been alarmed by your _brûlots_, but fear deprived them of
+ their senses, and they no longer knew how to act in their own
+ defence.’”—_O’Meara’s Napoleon_, vol. ii. p. 291.
+
+Were it worth while, numerous testimonies of the like character could be
+gathered from French official sources, but it is necessary to mention
+some other points of the despatch.
+
+The commander-in-chief’s assertion, that, “_owing to the darkness of the
+night, several fireships mistook their course and failed_,” was true
+enough, but not the _whole truth_, which was, that, from their clumsy
+management—neither going in the right direction, nor being kindled at
+the right time or place—_not one out of the twenty-three fireships took
+effect_!
+
+The despatch goes on to state, that at daylight Lord Cochrane signaling
+that seven of the enemy’s ships were on shore, and might be destroyed,
+the commander-in-chief “_immediately_”[57] ordered the fleet to unmoor
+and weigh, _intending_ to proceed with it to their destruction; but the
+wind blowing fresh _from the northward_[58], and _the flood-tide
+running_[59], rendered it too hazardous to enter Aix Roads, wherefore
+the fleet again anchored about three miles from the forts on Isle d’Aix.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 57:
+
+ Four hours afterwards.
+
+Footnote 58:
+
+ And therefore a fair wind.
+
+Footnote 59:
+
+ Consequently favourable for the fleet to enter Aix Roads.
+
+-----
+
+This was, indeed, all that the fleet collectively did, or that the
+commander-in-chief intended it to do. Seeing, however, the “_enemy
+warping off their ships_” and that, whilst the fleet was unmooring and
+anchoring again, “_they had succeeded in getting off all but five of the
+line!_” the commander-in-chief “gave orders to Capt. Bligh of the
+_Valiant_, with the _Revenge_, frigates, bombs, &c.,”—to attack those
+that remained aground? Nothing of the kind, but—“_to anchor near the
+Boyart Shoal, in readiness for an attack_!!” An odd way truly of
+preventing the five remaining enemy’s ships, then throwing their guns
+overboard for the purpose of lightening themselves, from warping off!!
+
+“At twenty minutes past two, P.M.,” continues the commander-in-chief,
+“Lord Cochrane advanced in the _Impérieuse_, with his accustomed
+gallantry and spirit, and opened a well-directed fire on the _Calcutta_,
+which _struck her colours to the Impérieuse_.” Lord Gambier afterwards
+_denied this_, though almost the only part of the action which he was
+near enough to see with his own eyes! Indeed, the terms of the despatch
+are decisive of having been detailed from his own personal observations!
+
+But now comes the monstrous part of the assertion; viz. “The ships and
+vessels above-mentioned _soon after_ joined in the attack on the _Ville
+de Varsovie_ and _Aquilon_, and obliged them to strike their colours,”
+&c. Instead of “_soon after_,” the _Valiant_, _Revenge_, &c., remained
+at anchor near the Boyart, till my signal “In want of assistance,” had
+been wrongly interpreted as a signal of “distress.” But for this, it is
+clear that not an anchor would have been weighed. Yet the
+commander-in-chief made the act of sending in these ships, _when it
+could no longer be avoided_, appear part of a previous plan to attack
+the _Ville de Varsovie_ and _Aquilon_, and that they were sent for this
+purpose _soon after_ my attack on the _Calcutta_ and them
+simultaneously!
+
+This is not only a perversion of fact, but a suppression of it; for the
+commander-in-chief must have seen that the _Impérieuse_ was engaged with
+the _Aquilon_ and _Ville de Varsovie_, as well as with the _Calcutta_,
+before the _Valiant_, _Revenge_, &c., were ordered in to our assistance,
+as requested by my signal. And here it must be distinctly understood,
+that _had not a portion of the fleet been compelled by this justifiable
+device of my signaling “In want of assistance,” to come to our supposed
+aid, no attack would have been made_. To avert this disgrace, I
+resolved, if necessary, to sacrifice my ship.
+
+Throughout the whole despatch, there is not a word to indicate that the
+terror caused by the explosion-vessels had anything to do with the
+success gained. On the contrary, the success is attributed to causes
+purely imaginary. Great credit is given to me “for the vigorous and
+gallant attack on the French line-of-battle ships ashore,” and for “my
+judicious manner of approaching them, and placing my ship in a position
+most advantageous to annoy the enemy, and _preserve my own ship!_
+which,” continued his Lordship, “could not be exceeded by any feat of
+valour hitherto achieved by the British navy!”
+
+The plain fact is, and it will by this time be evident to others besides
+nautical men, that the just quoted piece of claptrap was considered in
+the light of a sop to my supposed vanity, sufficient to insure my
+holding my peace on the subject of the fleet not having even
+contemplated an attack till forced into it by my signal being mistaken
+for being “in distress.”
+
+Instead of being praised for what my plans really effected, I was
+praised for what was neither done nor intended to be done. Instead of
+adopting “a judicious manner of approaching the enemy, so as _to
+preserve my ship_,” I drifted the _Impérieuse_ in like a log with the
+tide, and stern foremost, for fear of being recalled, and then went at
+the enemy with a determination, not to preserve, but _to lose_ my ship,
+if the commander-in-chief did not relieve her before she was riddled
+with shot; this being my only hope of forcing on an attack of any kind.
+My motive was, no doubt, fathomed from seeing me attack three
+line-of-battle ships simultaneously. Not a moment was to be lost, and
+for the first time, since the French ran their ships ashore in terror,
+two British line-of-battle ships, and some frigates, approached the spot
+where the enemy’s vessels had been lying aground _ever since the
+previous midnight_, helpless, and, as every French authority admits,
+hopeless of escape, had the slightest effort been made to prevent it.
+
+In place, then, of attacking these with a single frigate, in such a way
+as to “_preserve my ship_,” I here avow that I rushed at the enemy in
+the bitterness of despair, determined that if a portion of the fleet was
+not sent in, the _Impérieuse_ should never again float out; for rather
+than incur the stigma which would have awaited me in England, from no
+fault of mine, but because it was not expedient that plans which had
+been partially successful should be fully accomplished, she should have
+been destroyed.
+
+This despatch, inexplicable as it was felt to be, naturally suggested to
+the public mind in England, that, despite its assumption of a great
+victory, the result of the victory was by no means commensurate with the
+tone of exultation assumed. The French fleet was _not_ destroyed; and it
+was equally manifest, that if but little had been effected, it was owing
+to the time which had been suffered to elapse between my first signals
+and the tardy aid reluctantly yielded in support of them. By that kind
+of intuitive perception characteristic of the British press, it was
+agreed that there had been mismanagement somewhere, but _where_ was not
+to be gathered from the commander-in-chief’s despatch, in which
+everything “by favour of the Almighty,”[60] as the despatch most
+reprehensibly set forth, had succeeded.
+
+-----
+
+Footnote 60:
+
+ There is something very revolting to a truly religious mind in these
+ derogatory phrases, which couple the beneficent Author of our being
+ with the butcheries of war. Under no circumstances are they
+ defensible. But when the name of the great and merciful Creator is
+ made subservient to an attempt to palm off as a great victory that
+ which, in reality, was a great disgrace even to the human means
+ available, there is something shocking in the perversion of language
+ which should only be uttered with the profoundest reverence, and on
+ occasions in strict coincidence with the attributes of the sacred name
+ invoked. In this case _fireships_ had been denounced as horrible and
+ antichristian, yet _explosion vessels_—engines of destruction tenfold
+ more diabolical—had, “by favour of the Almighty,” succeeded!
+
+-----
+
+It is not surprising, then, that the press began to criticise the
+despatch on its own merits. The following remarks are extracted from a
+_Times_ leading article in the paper of April 25th, 1809, by way of
+specimen:—
+
+ “None felt more joy than ourselves at the destruction of four French
+ vessels in Basque (Aix) Roads. We have, however, been given to
+ understand that there are some people conversant in these things,
+ whose satisfaction is not quite so complete as was our own on the
+ result of the action.
+
+ * * * * * * * *
+
+ “Lord Cochrane’s first signal, as we learn from the _Gazette_, to the
+ admiral of the fleet, was that ‘seven of the enemy’s ships were on
+ shore, and might be destroyed.’ The question which hereupon naturally
+ suggests itself to the mind is, ‘Why, then, if seven might be
+ destroyed, were there only four?’
+
+ “The despatch proceeds. ‘I _immediately_ made the signal for the fleet
+ to unmoor and weigh.’ Indeed! Had Admiral Lord Gambier to unmoor at
+ the time he received this intelligence? Did he not expect this might
+ be the case? Or with what view was Lord Cochrane sent up the Roads? We
+ are not much acquainted with naval matters, and therefore ask for
+ information. To reason by analogy, if a military commander, knowing
+ the enemy to be near, should send forward a detachment to reconnoitre
+ and to attack, if possible, he would at least keep the rest of his
+ troops under arms, that he might be ready to advance at a moment’s
+ warning, and to sustain his own party when necessary.”
+
+ * * * * * * * *
+
+The most honest account I have ever seen of the termination of the
+action, is written by the venerable and gallant Admiral Gravière, who
+was present at the attack. It will be found in the _Revue des Deux
+Mondes_ for 1858. From this, though incorrect in stating that I
+commanded a division, I make the subjoined extract, which shall close
+the subject:—
+
+ “Un esprit de vertige semblait s’être emparé, dans cette affreuse
+ nuit, et dans les journées qui suivirent, des plus braves capitaines.
+ Des vaisseaux que l’ennemi n’avait pas même attaqués furent abandonnés
+ par leurs équipages, et des hommes héroïques partagèrent la faiblesse
+ commune.
+
+ “_La mollesse de Lord Gambier_, le courage et le sang froid de
+ quelques-uns de nos officiers, préservèrent seuls l’escadre française
+ d’une ruine totale.”
+
+
+
+
+ END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+ LONDON
+ PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO.
+ NEW-STREET SQUARE
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+ Transcriber’s Note
+
+A simple diagram of a French defensive boom, on p. 400, seems
+geometrically suspect. A triangle with two ‘400 toise’ sides, cannot
+have an ‘800 toise’ opposing side. (A ‘toise’ is a French measure
+slightly less than two meters.) The French description the obstacle is
+on p. 381, beginning with ‘Elle étoit flanquée...’.
+
+Footnote 41 (297.28 refers to _Michelot_ de Prato, which appears in the
+text as _Michelet_. These are references to Micheletto Corella, a
+Catalan soldier who served as Cesar Borgia’s executioner.
+
+Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and
+are noted here. The references are to the page and line in the original.
+
+ ix.8 I must have p[er/re]maturely sunk. Transposed.
+ 2.8 to the grant [w]hich Dungal Restored.
+ 21.33 [“]Your lordship’s real friend Added.
+ 60.8 that our national[,] safety depended on Removed.
+ 98.11 sunk [her.] Restored.
+ 292.1 to render it useless[,/.] Replaced.
+ 340.1 He th[a/e]n ran for Madeira Replaced.
+ 342.6 an immense amount of mischief[,/.] Replaced.
+ 422.6 “‘The French admiral,[”/’] Replaced.
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77060 ***
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