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text-align: right; vertical-align: top; width:49%; + } + .sigleft { display: inline-block; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom; + width:34%; } + .sigright { display: inline-block; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom; + width:64%; } + ins.correction { text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray; } + .quote { font-size: 90%; margin-top: 1.0em; margin-bottom: 1.0em; } + .linegroup .group { margin: 0em auto; } + div.reduced { font-size: 80%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; } + </style> + </head> + <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77060 ***</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c000'> +</div> +<div class='tnotes'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>Transcriber’s Note:</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Footnotes have been collected at the end of the text, and are +linked for ease of reference.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please +see the transcriber’s <a href='#endnote'>note</a> at the end of this text +for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered +during its preparation.</p> + +<div class='htmlonly'> + +<p class='c001'>Any corrections are indicated using an <ins class='correction' title='original'>underline</ins> +highlight. Placing the cursor over the correction will produce the +original text in a small popup.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='epubonly'> + +<p class='c001'>Any corrections are indicated as hyperlinks, which will navigate the +reader to the corresponding entry in the corrections table in the +note at the end of the text.</p> + +</div> + +</div> + +<div> + <h1 class='c002'><span class='small'>THE</span> <br> <br> AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SEAMAN.<br> <br> <span class='large'>VOL. I.</span></h1> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c000'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div>LONDON</div> + <div class='c000'>PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO.</div> + <div class='c000'>NEW-STREET SQUARE</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c000'> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id002'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_I'>I</span> +<img src='images/i_frontis.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p><i>From a Photo</i>:              <i>Joseph Brown</i>.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>THOMAS, TENTH EARL OF DUNDONALD, G.C.B.</div> + <div class='c000'><i>Admiral of the Red, Rear Admiral of the Fleet &c.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c004'> + <div>London. Richard Bentley 1861.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_II'>II</span>THE</div> + <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SEAMAN.</span></div> + <div class='c000'>BY</div> + <div class='c000'><span class='large'>THOMAS, TENTH EARL OF DUNDONALD, G.C.B.</span></div> + <div class='c000'>ADMIRAL OF THE RED, REAR-ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET,</div> + <div>ETC. ETC.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id003'> +<img src='images/i_title.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c005'> + <div>VOLUME THE FIRST.</div> + <div class='c000'><span class="blackletter">Second Edition.</span></div> + <div class='c005'>LONDON:</div> + <div>RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,</div> + <div><span class="blackletter">Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.</span></div> + <div class='c000'>1861.</div> + <div class='c003'><span class='small'><i>The right of translation is reserved.</i></span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c006'> + <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_III'>III</span>TO</div> + <div class='c000'><span class='large'>THE ELECTORS OF WESTMINSTER,</span></div> + <div class='c000'><span class='small'>BY WHOSE GENEROUS SUPPORT, NEARLY HALF A CENTURY AGO,</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>I WAS RESCUED FROM DESPAIR,</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>THE RESULT OF UNMERITED INJURIES INFLICTED</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>BY HOSTILE POLITICAL FACTION</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>IN RETALIATION FOR</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>MY ADVOCACY OF NAVAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS;</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>AND TO WHOSE HONOUR BE IT RECORDED</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>THAT IN NO INSTANCE</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>DURING OUR LONG POLITICAL CONNEXION</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>DID ANY OF THEIR BODY EVER ASK ME</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>TO PROCURE FOR HIM PLACE, BENEFIT, OR EMOLUMENT,</span></div> + <div class='c005'><span class="blackletter">This Volume is Inscribed</span></div> + <div class='c005'>BY THEIR FAITHFUL SERVANT,</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='c007'>DUNDONALD.</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span> + <h2 class='c008'>PREFACE.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span>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 <a id='corrix.8'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='permaturely'>prematurely</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_ix.8'><ins class='correction' title='permaturely'>prematurely</ins></a></span> +sunk.</p> + +<p class='c001'>One testimony of my venerated friend I may be +allowed to adduce<a id='r1'></a><a href='#f1' class='c010'><sup>[1]</sup></a>:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>equally to blame with his +brethren in the Court of King’s Bench for that most cruel and +unjustifiable sentence</em> which at once secured Lord Cochrane’s +re-election for Westminster.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_x'>x</span>“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, <em>not upon him</em>, 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.”<a id='r2'></a><a href='#f2' class='c010'><sup>[2]</sup></a></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Last, though foremost in estimation, is another +friend, found where man will seldom look for a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xi'>xi</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>His Majesty graciously listened, and his reply was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xii'>xii</span>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.<a id='r3'></a><a href='#f3' class='c010'><sup>[3]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xiii'>xiii</span>of a life forcibly wasted as regarded myself or +my country.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xiv'>xiv</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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<a id='r4'></a><a href='#f4' class='c010'><sup>[4]</sup></a>, the mass of facts condensed within +the compass of this volume.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xv'>xv</span>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.</p> + +<div class='c011'>DUNDONALD.</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>December 14, 1859.</span></p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_xvii'>xvii</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CONTENTS<br> <br>OF<br> <br>THE FIRST VOLUME.</h2> +</div> + +<table class='table0'> +<colgroup> +<col class='colwidth88'> +<col class='colwidth11'> +</colgroup> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>INTRODUCTORY.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>SOME ACCOUNT OF THE DUNDONALD FAMILY.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAPTER I.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>MY BOYHOOD, AND ENTRANCE INTO THE NAVY.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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</td> + <td class='c014'>Page <a href='#Page_34'>34</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. II.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CRUISE OF THE <i>HIND</i>.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_50'>50</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xviii'>xviii</span> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. III.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>THE VOYAGE OF THE <i>THETIS</i>.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>Voyage in the <i>Thetis</i>.—Icebergs.—I am made Acting Lieutenant.—I am ordered to join the <i>Thetis</i>.—Pass Examination for Lieutenant.—Captain Cochrane’s Capture of French Store-ships.—My Appointment to the <i>Resolution</i>.—Admiral winters in the Chesapeake.—An undignified Encounter.—A Dinner ashore.—Harsh Treatment of the Americans.—Their Complaints.—Return of the <i>Thetis</i> to England</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_62'>62</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. IV.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>SERVICES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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 <i>Généreux</i>.—Burning of the <i>Queen Charlotte</i>.—Action with Privateers off Cabritta Point.—Recommended for Promotion</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_76'>76</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. V.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CRUISE OF THE <i>SPEEDY</i>.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>My Appointment to the <i>Speedy</i>.—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 <i>El Gamo</i> Frigate.—Carried by Boarding.—Trifling Loss of the <i>Speedy</i>.—A Device practised during the Action.—We proceed with our Prize to Mahon.—Postponement of my Post Rank.—Official Despatch</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_93'>93</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xix'>xix</span> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. VI.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CRUISE OF THE <i>SPEEDY</i> CONTINUED.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>The <i>Speedy</i> sent to Algiers.—Interview with the Dey.—<i>Speedy</i> returns to Minorca.—Attack on Oropesa.—Enemy’s Vessels destroyed.—Letter of Thanks from Lord Keith.—<i>Speedy</i> 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 <i>Hannibal</i>.—Capture of Dockyard Artificers.—Gallantry of Captain Keats</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. VII.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>ADMIRALTY RELUCTANCE TO PROMOTE ME.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. VIII.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>NAVAL ADMINISTRATION SIXTY YEARS AGO.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. IX.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>EMPLOYMENT IN THE <i>ARAB</i>.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>Appointment to the <i>Arab</i>.—Projected Invasion by Napoleon.—The <i>Arab</i> ordered to watch the French Coast.—Then to cruise in the North Sea.—Retirement of Lord St. Vincent</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_165'>165</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xx'>xx</span> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. X.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CRUISE OF THE <i>PALLAS</i>.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>Orders of the <i>Pallas</i> embargoed.—Capture of the <i>Carolina</i>.—Arrival of the Prizes.—Capture of Papal Bulls.—A Chase.—Admiral Young.—Election for Honiton.—Novel Election Tactics.—Become a Reformer.—Painful Results</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_171'>171</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XI.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>SERVICES IN THE <i>PALLAS</i> CONTINUED.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>Services in the <i>Pallas</i>.—The <i>Pallas</i> at Halifax.—Clamour of Shipowners.—Sail from the Downs.—Capture a Vessel.—The <i>Pomone</i> sent to England.—Capture of the <i>Tapageuse</i>.—The French run ashore.—Chase of the Corvettes.—Off Chasseron.—Cold Approval of Lord St. Vincent.—Cruise of the <i>Pallas</i>.—Sight the French Squadron.—French Signal Houses.—The Isle of Aix.—Engage the French Squadron.—Joined by the <i>Kingfisher</i>.—Details of the Action.—Construction of Kites</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_183'>183</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XII.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>My Entrance into Parliament.—Enthusiastic Reception.—Seek Promotion for Haswell.—Cutting out <i>Le Cæsar</i>.—Gross Instance of Partiality.—Claret against Small Beer.—Story of Mr. Croker.—Mr. Croker’s Revenge.—Command the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>.—Drift towards Ushant.—Join the Squadron in the Basque Roads.—Anchor off Cordovan.—Supply the <i>Atalante</i></td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_202'>202</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XIII.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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.</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_215'>215</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xxi'>xxi</span> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XIV.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CRUISE OF THE <i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i>.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>Cruise of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>.—Engagement with the <i>King George</i>.—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 <i>Leonidas</i>.—Capture a Xebec.—Chase three Ships.—Capture a Xebec.—Cape Palos.—Gale at Sea.—Joseph proclaimed King of Spain.—Spain declares War against France</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_234'>234</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XV.</td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c015' colspan='2'>CRUISE OF THE <i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i> CONTINUED.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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.</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_255'>255</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XVI.</td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c015' colspan='2'>CRUISE OF THE <i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i> CONTINUED.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_275'>275</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XVII.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CRUISE OF THE <i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i> CONTINUED.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xxii'>xxii</span>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>.—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.</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_290'>290</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XVIII.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CRUISE OF THE <i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i> CONTINUED.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>Defeat of the Spaniards.—Attack some French Vessels.—French Operations.—Letter of Lord Cochrane.—Lord Collingwood.—Operations of the Enemy.—Fall in with the <i>Cyrene</i>.—Sail for Minorca.—Apply for leave.—Motives for leaving.—Apathy of the Government.—Reproached for Service.—Neglect of the Admiralty</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_323'>323</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XIX.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>APPOINTMENT TO COMMAND FIRESHIPS IN BASQUE ROADS.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>.—Preparations for Attack.—Lord Gambier obtains the Laurels, but dissuades the Attack.—The Isle d’Aix.—Lord Gambier’s Statement</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_338'>338</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XX.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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.</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_354'>354</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xxiii'>xxiii</span> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XXI.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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 <i>Calcutta</i> 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 <i>Mediator</i></td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_370'>370</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XXII.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>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</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_403'>403</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>CHAP. XXIII.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c012' colspan='2'>LORD GAMBIER’S DESPATCH.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'> </td> + <td class='c014'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c013'>Its Omissions and Suppressions.—Motive for Lord Gambier’s Mis-statements.—Mr. Fairfax reports that the <i>Mediator</i> 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</td> + <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_416'>416</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span><span class='large'>AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SEAMAN.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='c003'></div> +<hr style="height: 3px; border:0px; border-bottom: 1px solid black; width:40%; border-top: 1px solid black"> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c008'>INTRODUCTORY. <br> <br> <span class='small'>SOME ACCOUNT OF THE DUNDONALD FAMILY.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“This family, which originally took its surname from the +Barony of Cochran, in Renfrewshire<a id='r5'></a><a href='#f5' class='c010'><sup>[5]</sup></a>, is of great antiquity; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The first of whom I have found upon record is Waldenus +de Coveran, <i>i.e.</i> Cochran, who, in 1262, is witness to the +grant <a id='corr2.8'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='hich'>which</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_2.8'><ins class='correction' title='hich'>which</ins></a></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>was succeeded by Robert his son who, in 1456, resigned his +estates in favour of Allan his son.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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<a id='r6'></a><a href='#f6' class='c010'><sup>[6]</sup></a>, 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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<a id='r7'></a><a href='#f7' class='c010'><sup>[7]</sup></a> 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; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”<a id='r8'></a><a href='#f8' class='c010'><sup>[8]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>reason of his familiarity with that rascally sort of +people, but chiefly because <em>he slighted the nobility</em>, 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>2. “His poor condition when he first came to court.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>5. “His buildings and passion for hunting.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>7. “<em>His working the disgrace of all the great men</em>,” &c.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>This last head, “<em>working the disgrace of all the great +men</em>,” 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, <em>and succeeded</em> +to such an extent as to secure his own murder. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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, <em>formerly given to their sons</em>, now +sold (?) to Mar’s followers. The prelates and other dignitaries +of the church <em>sighed at the increase of simony</em>! &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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>in the loyalty of the +nobility</em>. The answer of James was far from satisfactory, +but the peers assented to delay, and dissembled till some +decisive occasion should arise.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>when we find Evandale the chancellor, and some bishops +united to the above names.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>should be put in a gentle imprisonment</em> +in the castle of Edinburgh, and that all his favourites should +be instantly hanged over the bridge of Lauder.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.’</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>“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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“This <span class='sc'>Cochran</span>, [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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>this masculine Princess, in her final Overthrow Six and thirty +thousand men were slain before she lost the Field.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Of these one <em>Preston</em> 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 <span class='sc'>Cochran</span> +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<a id='r9'></a><a href='#f9' class='c010'><sup>[9]</sup></a>....”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>To return to the descendants of the murdered minister:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“This Allan (son of the murdered Robert), in 1452, is +witness to the mortification which Robert Lord Lyle made to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>three +Boars’ Heads eraz’d</em>, and circumscribed <span lang="la"><i>Sigillum Johannis +de Cochran</i></span>. 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, <i>in Vicecomitatu de Renfrew</i>, +a son,</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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, <i>in Vicecomitatu de Air</i>, by Mary, his +wife, daughter of Robert, Lord Semple, had a daughter +Elizabeth, his sole heir.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>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:</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Sir William Cochran of Cowdoun.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Bryse, a colonel in the time of the Civil War, who lost +his life in the king’s service, Anno 1650.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Captain Ochter Cochran.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Gavin Cochran of Craigmure, was the seventh and +youngest son.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Elizabeth, married to John Lennox of Woodhead in Stirlingshire.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Grisel, to Thomas Dunlop of Housle.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>Cochrane of Cowden; the gratitude of Charles, however, +not being openly manifested until some years +afterwards a prisoner in Carisbrook Castle.<a id='r10'></a><a href='#f10' class='c010'><sup>[10]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>At Edinburgh, the 1st day of April, 1648.</i></p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>this time deliberate—in the name of Lord Cochrane—received +the same on his knees,” &c. &c.—<span lang="la"><cite>Extractum de Libris +Actorum.</cite></span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.<a id='r11'></a><a href='#f11' class='c010'><sup>[11]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>CHARLES R.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“So we bid you now heartily farewell, from our Camp +Royal at Woodhend, the fifth of August, 1651.</p> +<div class='lg-container-l c000'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in3'><span class='small'>“To our right trusty and well-beloved,</span></div> + <div class='line in10'><span class='small'>the Lord Cocorane.”</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>royal family depended upon Lord Cochrane’s +management not only for advice, but, what was more +to the purpose, for the means of subsistence.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“February 2nd, 1657.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.<a id='r12'></a><a href='#f12' class='c010'><sup>[12]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>“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</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s most humble servant,</div> + <div class='line in7'>“C. R. <span class='sc'>Lenos</span> and <span class='sc'>Richmond</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“For my Lord Cochrane.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>The “son” alluded to in the preceding letter was the +Duke of Monmouth<a id='r13'></a><a href='#f13' class='c010'><sup>[13]</sup></a>, for espousing whose cause, in the +subsequent reign of James II., the Cochrane family +suffered severely.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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<i>l.</i> sterling, by special +ordinance of the Commonwealth of England, dated +April 12th, 1654.”</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“London, Dec. 27, 1662.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s humble servant,</div> + <div class='line in10'>“<span class='sc'>Lenos</span> and <span class='sc'>Richmond</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For my Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +<p class='c001'>“P.S.—I desire your lordship to excuse my own writing, +for nothing but illness should make me make use of another.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“London, Feb. 26th, 1663.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>“I shall wholly trust to your lordship, and therefore +entreat you will not impart this to anybody, but conceal the +request of</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s very humble servant,</div> + <div class='line in10'>“<span class='sc'>Lenos</span> and <span class='sc'>Richmond</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For my Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Whitehall, Aug. 25th, 1663.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s most obliged servant,</div> + <div class='line in10'>“<span class='sc'>Lenos</span> and <span class='sc'>Richmond</span>.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Oxford, November 11th, 1665.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“My lord, <em>I never was in a greater strait in my life</em>, 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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Good, my lord, do not fail me, who am,</div> + <div class='line in20'>“Your most humble servant,</div> + <div class='line in25'>“<span class='sc'>Richmond</span> and <span class='sc'>Lenos</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For my Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“July 1666.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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<i>l.</i> to be paid and returned +to me by Michaelmas. Please to remember the 100<i>l.</i> you +reserved till Boreman’s coming. I shall trouble your lordship +with nothing more at present, but the assurance of being,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s very humble servant,</div> + <div class='line in14'>“<span class='sc'>Richmond</span> and <span class='sc'>Lenos</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For my Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“London, 18th Sept. 1666.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—Though I consider that 5000<i>l.</i> is too small a +sum for so considerable and convenient an estate to my Lord +<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“My lord, the sad accident of fire which hath lately happened +in London <em>hath almost ruined us all</em>. 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</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s humble servant,</div> + <div class='line in14'>“<span class='sc'>Richmond</span> and <span class='sc'>Lenos</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For my Lord Cochrane, at Edinburgh.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“June 28th, 1667.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><a id='corr21.33'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='Your'>“Your</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_21.33'><ins class='correction' title='Your'>“Your</ins></a></span> lordship’s real friend and servant,</div> + <div class='line in18'>“<span class='sc'>Monmouth</span> and <span class='sc'>Buccleuch</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“These for my Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>On the 12th of May, 1669, Lord Cochrane was +created Earl of Dundonald. The annexed is his Majesty’s +order for the patent:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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.)</p> + +<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>May it please your Majesty.</span>—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.</p> + +<div class='c011'>“<span class='sc'>Lauderdaill.</span>”</div> +<div class='lg-container-l c018'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span lang="la">“Sit supra scribitur,</span></div> + <div class='line in15'>“<span class='sc'>Charles R.</span>”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>The subjoined letters from the Duke and Duchess of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>Monmouth, the latter the heiress of Buccleuch<a id='r14'></a><a href='#f14' class='c010'><sup>[14]</sup></a>, are not +without historical interest.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Whitehall, May 2nd, 1671.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your very humble servant,</div> + <div class='line in9'>“<span class='sc'>Monmouth</span> and <span class='sc'>Buccleuch</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For Lord Dundonald.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Whitehall, May 25, 1671.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>as always faithful to me, I shall firmly adhere, and constantly +remain, my lord,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your very affectionate friend and humble servant,</div> + <div class='line in22'>“<span class='sc'>Monmouth</span> and <span class='sc'>Buccleuch</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For the Right Hon. the Earl of Dundonald.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Oct. 31, 1671.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“My lord, we are informed that many of our late chamberlains +are resolved to stand trial with us for 3000<i>l.</i> yet remaining +in their hands upon the balance of their accounts, unless +they may have such discharge as they please.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>rest of our friends—even there we shall express with much +sincerity that we are, my lord,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s very affectionate and humble servants,</div> + <div class='line in17'>“<span class='sc'>Buccleuch</span> and <span class='sc'>Monmouth</span>.</div> + <div class='line in17'>“<span class='sc'>Anna Buccleuch</span> and <span class='sc'>Monmouth</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For the Right Hon. the Earl of Dundonald.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“March 14th, 1674.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s most affectionate friends and servants,</div> + <div class='line in27'>“<span class='sc'>Buccleuch</span> and <span class='sc'>Monmouth</span>.</div> + <div class='line in27'>“<span class='sc'>Anna Buccleuch</span> and <span class='sc'>Monmouth</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For Lord Dundonald.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“September 29th, 1674.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s most affectionate friend and servant,</div> + <div class='line in20'>“<span class='sc'>Buccleuch</span> and <span class='sc'>Monmouth</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For Lord Dundonald.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Whitehall, March 19th, 1676.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>to you, but will have a great influence on our tenants; and, +next to yourself, we can desire none more considerable than +your son.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lordship’s most affectionate friends and servants,</div> + <div class='line in23'>“<span class='sc'>Buccleuch</span> and <span class='sc'>Monmouth</span>.</div> + <div class='line in23'>“<span class='sc'>Anna Buccleuch</span> and <span class='sc'>Monmouth</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“For Lord Dundonald.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>“<span class='sc'>James R.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c017'>“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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>“We greet you well.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>and do authorise and require you to admit him accordingly.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Given at our camp on Hounslow Heath, the 10th day of +June 1686, and of our reign the second year.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“By His Majesty’s command,</div> + <div class='line in19'>“<span class='sc'>Melfort</span>.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The annexed extracts from Burnet will show all that +needs be said on this head:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +</div> +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c017'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>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.<a id='r15'></a><a href='#f15' class='c010'><sup>[15]</sup></a>] 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.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c017'>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.</p> + +<p class='c017'>“Cochran had a rich father, the Earl of Dundonald, and +he offered the priests 5000<i>l.</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>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.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>that money +could be made out of him</em>. His father, Lord Dundonald, +offered a bribe to the priests of the royal household, and a +pardon was granted.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>The history of the succeeding Earls of Dundonald, +down to the failure of issue in the first branch, is thus +detailed by Crawfurd.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“William, first Earl of Dundonald, married Euphemie, +daughter of Sir William Scot of Ardross, <span lang="la"><i>in comitatu de Fife</i></span>, +by whom he had two sons and a daughter.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“2nd. son, Sir John Cochran of Ochiltree, in Air-shire, +Likewise a Daughter Grisel, married to George Lord Ross.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>“PATERNAL SIDE.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c019'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Cochran of that Ilk.</div> + <div class='line'>“Lord Semple.</div> + <div class='line'>“Cunningham of Glengarnock.</div> + <div class='line'>“Lord Cairlyle of Torthorald.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c000'> + <div>“MATERNAL SIDE.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c019'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Cochran of that Ilk.</div> + <div class='line'>“Montgomery of Skelmurly.</div> + <div class='line'>“Lindsay of Dunrod.</div> + <div class='line'>“Lord Semple.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c017'>“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</p> + +<p class='c001'>“John married Anne Daughter of Charles Earl of Dunmore, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c019'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“William Lord Cochran,</div> + <div class='line'>“Lady Anne,</div> + <div class='line'>“Lady Catherine,</div> + <div class='line'>“Lady Susanne.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c000'> + <div>“ARMS.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span lang="fr">“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.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAPTER I. <br> <br> MY BOYHOOD, AND ENTRANCE INTO THE NAVY.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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.<a id='r16'></a><a href='#f16' class='c010'><sup>[16]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>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.<a id='r17'></a><a href='#f17' class='c010'><sup>[17]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>barilla</em>,—till then the only alkali +available for soap and glass making. Secondly, a +manufactory for improvement in the production of <em>alumina</em>, +as a mordant for silk and calico printers. Thirdly, +an establishment for preparing British gum as a substitute +for <em>gum Senegal</em>, 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 <em>sal ammoniac</em>. At a fifth was carried on the manufacture +of <em>white lead</em>, by a process then new to productive +science. A sixth establishment, on a ruinous +scale as compared with his resources, was for a new +<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>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.<a id='r18'></a><a href='#f18' class='c010'><sup>[18]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.<a id='r19'></a><a href='#f19' class='c010'><sup>[19]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 “<cite>A Treatise showing the +intimate connection between Agriculture and Chemistry, +by the</cite> <span class='sc'>Earl of Dundonald</span>,” 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.<a id='r20'></a><a href='#f20' class='c010'><sup>[20]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>During boyhood we had the misfortune to lose our +mother<a id='r21'></a><a href='#f21' class='c010'><sup>[21]</sup></a>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Failing to induce the Government to protect their +ships of war, he applied to the mercantile interest, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>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!”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>penchant</i></span> was for the sea; +any hint, however, to this effect was peremptorily +silenced by parental authority, against which it was useless +to contend.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>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 <i>Vesuvius</i>, <i>Carolina</i>, <i>La Sophie</i>, and +<i>Hind</i>; the object—common in those days—being, to +give me a few years’ standing in the service, should it +become my profession in reality.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>queue</em>. 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 +<span lang="fr"><i>tout ensemble</i></span>, my father, who was a determined Whig +partisan, insisted on my wearing yellow waistcoat and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At this juncture, my father’s circumstances became +somewhat improved by a second marriage<a id='r22'></a><a href='#f22' class='c010'><sup>[22]</sup></a>, so that my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>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 “<span lang="la"><i>res angusta domi</i></span>” +to return to Scotland.<a id='r23'></a><a href='#f23' class='c010'><sup>[23]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The difficulty was to equip me for sea, but it was +obviated by the Earl of Hopetoun considerately advancing +100<i>l.</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Hind</i> at +Sheerness; joining that ship on the 27th of June 1793, +at the mature age, for a midshipman, of seventeen years +and a half.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. II. <br> <br> CRUISE OF THE <i>HIND</i>.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>My kind uncle, the Hon. John Cochrane, accompanied +me on board the <i>Hind</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On my introduction, Jack was dressed in the garb +<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>the keyhole, and accompanying the operation +by sundry uncomplimentary observations on midshipmen +in general, and on myself in particular.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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—<em>trained men</em>—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>comment on the real motives which induce seamen +voluntarily to enter the service. On this most important +subject more will be said hereafter.</p> + +<p class='c001'>To return to our cruise. The destination of the <i>Hind</i> +was the coast of Norway, to the <em>fiords</em> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>shooting and fishing, though these soon became secondary +objects, as the abundance of fish and game +rendered their capture uninteresting.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>From boyish impressions to a midshipman’s grievances +is but a step. At the first moment of my setting +foot on board the <i>Hind</i> 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>By way of return for the hospitality of the Norwegian +<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>people, the frigate was freely thrown open to their inspection. +On one of their frequent visits, an incident +occurred not unworthy of record.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 “<em>Let go!</em>” 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the return of the <i>Hind</i> from Norway, my uncle +was appointed to the <i>Thetis</i>, a more powerful frigate; +for though the <i>Hind</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <i>Thetis</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>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 <a id='corr60.8'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='national,'>national</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_60.8'><ins class='correction' title='national,'>national</ins></a></span> safety depended +on the forbearance of a neighbouring state.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>practically acquired knowledge it is impossible even to +direct any operation efficiently.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. III. <br> <br> THE VOYAGE OF THE <i>THETIS</i>.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>As soon as the <i>Thetis</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 14th of January 1795, Admiral Murray +appointed me acting third lieutenant of the <i>Thetis</i>, +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 <i>Africa</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <i>Africa</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 5th of January 1796, the first lieutenant of +the <i>Thetis</i> having been promoted, an order was transmitted +for me to quit the <i>Africa</i>, and rejoin my uncle’s +ship, which I did in the <i>Lynx</i>, Captain Skene. An incident +occurred during the passage worth relating.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <i>Lynx</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The period having arrived at which the Admiralty +regulations permitted young officers to offer themselves +for examination—on rejoining the <i>Thetis</i> I was ordered +up, and passed for lieutenant accordingly; my time as +a midshipman being made up from my nominal rating +on board the <i>Vesuvius</i>, &c., as narrated in a former +chapter.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>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.<a id='r24'></a><a href='#f24' class='c010'><sup>[24]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>During my absence in the <i>Africa</i>, I lost the chance +of participating in a gallant attack made by the Hon. +Captain Cochrane, in the <i>Thetis</i>, and Captain Beresford, +in the <i>Hussar</i>, 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 <i>Thetis</i> and <i>Hussar</i> formed in line +to receive them. The <i>Hussar</i>, being the smaller vessel, +encountered the two leading ships, whilst the <i>Thetis</i> +opened her broadside on the centre vessel, and the two +<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>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 <i>Prévoyant</i>, 36, and the <i>Raison</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<i>Resolution</i>. On joining this ship a few days afterwards, +my reception was anything but encouraging.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Never were first impressions more ill-founded. Admiral +Vandeput had merely a habit of showing his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>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.”<a id='r25'></a><a href='#f25' class='c010'><sup>[25]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>The failure of those employed in conciliation to induce +<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>When the <i>Thetis</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Of these transactions the Americans had a right to +complain; but in other respects their complaints were indefensible; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Thetis</i> returned to England.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. IV. <br> <br>SERVICES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>We arrived at Gibraltar on the 14th of December, +and found Lord St. Vincent residing on shore, his flag +flying on board the <i>Souverain</i> sheerhulk.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Barfleur</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Barfleur</i> that an +absurd affair involved me in serious disaster.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>on board the +Barfleur</i>, for the use of the whole squadron. The +reason was, that raw hides, being valuable, could be +<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>and that it had been necessary to change my clothes +before formally reporting myself.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Immediately after our return from Tetuan, the +<i>Childers</i> 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 <i>Success</i> frigate, which had been +chased by a French fleet off Oporto. Lord Keith at +<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>once despatched the <i>Childers</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>About 8 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>From the intelligence forwarded by the <i>Childers</i>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>not know, but so far as the <i>Barfleur</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>This impatience was, after a lapse of three days, +ended by Lord St. Vincent hoisting his flag on board +the <i>Ville de Paris</i>; when, reinforced by the <i>Edgar</i>, 74, +the fleet shaped its course up the Mediterranean.</p> + +<p class='c001'>After we had proceeded as far as the Bay of Rosas, +Lord St. Vincent, having communicated with Lord +Keith, parted company in the <i>Ville de Paris</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Just as we were upon the point of seeing the fleet +also, a fast sailing transport arrived from Lord St. Vincent, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>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 <span lang="la"><i>data</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Ville de Paris</i>. On +the 14th Lord Keith shifted his flag from the <i>Barfleur</i> +to the <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, a much finer ship, to which I +had the honour to accompany him.</p> + +<p class='c001'>We once more proceeded in quest of the French +fleet, and on the 19th the advance ships captured +<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>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 <i>Queen Charlotte</i>; even a show of +resistance to an excess of authority being in those days +fatal to many an officer’s prospects.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>been doing their best there, little appeared to be done +at home to check the enemy’s operations.</p> + +<p class='c001'>From Gibraltar we proceeded to Sicily, where we +found Lord Nelson surrounded by the <span lang="fr"><i>élite</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<i>Généreux</i>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>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 <i>Généreux</i> into tolerable +order.</p> + +<p class='c001'>It has been stated that Lord Keith permitted my +brother to accompany me in the <i>Généreux</i>. 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 <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>and petty officers, and upwards of 600 marines and +seamen.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, +lying in Gibraltar Bay, the 10-gun cutter <i>Lady Nelson</i>, +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 <i>Lady Nelson</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The boat under my command was the cutter with +thirteen men. Seeing two privateers which had chiefly +been engaged in the attack on the <i>Lady Nelson</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>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 <i>Queen +Charlotte</i>, their fate is not nationally to be regretted.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the destruction of the <i>Queen Charlotte</i> Lord Keith +hoisted his flag in the <i>Audacious</i>. His lordship was +so well satisfied with my conduct of the <i>Généreux</i> as to +write home to the Admiralty recommending my promotion, +at the same time appointing me to the command +of the <i>Speedy</i>, then lying at Port Mahon.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The vessel originally intended for me by Lord Keith +was the <i>Bonne Citoyenne</i>, 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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. V. <br> <br> CRUISE OF THE <i>SPEEDY</i>.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The <i>Speedy</i> 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-<em>pounders</em>! +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>withstand the concussion of anything heavier than the +guns with which she was previously armed.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>foretopgallant-yard</em> of the +<i>Généreux</i> to be hauled out <em>as a mainyard for the +Speedy</em>!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In the following enumeration of the various cruises +in which the <i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>May</i> 10.—Sailed from Cagliari, from which port we had +been ordered to convoy fourteen sail of merchantmen to +Leghorn. At 9 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> observed a strange sail take possession +of a Danish brig under our escort. At 11:30 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> rescued +the brig, and captured the assailant. This prize—my first +piece of luck—was the <i>Intrépide</i>, French privateer of six +guns and forty-eight men.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>May</i> 14.—Saw five armed boats pulling towards us from +Monte Cristo. Out sweeps to protect convoy. At 4 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>May</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“29.—At Genoa some of the gun-boats bombarded the +town for two hours.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>“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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>This was one of the <i>crises</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>This affair being ended, his lordship ordered the +<i>Speedy</i> to cruise off the Spanish coast, and on the +14th of June we parted company with the squadron.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>June</i> 16.—Captured a tartan off Elba. Sent her to +Leghorn, in the charge of an officer and four men.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Assuncion</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>July</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>“19.—Off Caprea. Several French privateers in +sight. Chased, and on the following morning captured one, +the <i>Constitution</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<a id='corr98.11'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='<missing>'>her.</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_98.11'><ins class='correction' title='<missing>'>her.</ins></a></span></p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>August</i> 3.—Anchored with our prizes in Leghorn Roads, +where we found Lord Keith in the <i>Minotaur</i>.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Lord Keith received me very kindly, and directed the +<i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Mutine</i> +and <i>Salamine</i>, which, to suit their convenience, gave +into our charge a number of French prisoners, with +whom and our prize we consequently returned to +Leghorn.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 5th of October, the <i>Speedy</i> 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 <i>Speedy’s</i> +ports, we were again compelled to forego the change as +impracticable.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>October 12.</i>—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 +<i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>December 15.</i>—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 <i>La Liza</i> of ten guns +and thirty-three men, bound from Alicant to Marseilles. +Took nineteen of our prisoners on board the <i>Speedy</i>. As it +<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>was evident that the bombard would become a wreck, we +paid no further attention to her, but made all sail after the +others.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>December 18.</i>—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>December 19.</i>—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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>It has been said that the <i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>That the frigate was in search of us there could be +no doubt, from the deception practised. To have encountered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>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 <em>ruse</em>, 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 <i>Speedy</i> painted in imitation of +the Danish brig <i>Clomer</i>; 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On discovering the real character of our neighbour, +the <i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>I have noted this circumstance more minutely than +it merits, because it has been misrepresented. By some +<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>It has been stated by some naval writers that this +frigate was the <i>Gamo</i>, which we subsequently captured. +To the best of my knowledge this is an error.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>December</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“25.—Stood for Cape St. Martin, in hope of intercepting +the privateers. At 8 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>January</i> 10, 1801.—Anchored in Port Mahon, and +having refitted, sailed again on the 12th.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“16.—Off Barcelona. Just before daylight chased two +vessels standing towards that port. Seeing themselves pursued, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>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 <i>Ns. Señora de Gratia</i>, of ten guns.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span>, we saw two strange vessels coming from the westward. +Made sail to cut them off. At 6 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> one of them hoisted +Spanish colours and the other French. At 9 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> came up +with them, when after an engagement of half an hour both +struck. The Spaniard was the <i>Ecce Homo</i> of eight guns and +nineteen men, the Frenchman <i>L’Amitié</i> of one gun and +thirty-one men. Took all the prisoners on board the <i>Speedy</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“23.—Still off Barcelona. Having sent most of our crew +to man the prizes, the number of prisoners on board the +<i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>fracas</i></span> +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 <span lang="fr"><i>dénouement</i></span> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 3rd of February we sailed under orders for +Tripoli, to make arrangements for fresh provisions for +the fleet. This being effected, the <i>Speedy</i> returned to +Malta, and on the 20th again left port in charge of a +convoy for Tunis.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>some reason for this movement, I despatched an +officer to examine her, when the suspicion was confirmed +by his ascertaining her to be <i>La Belle Caroline</i>, +French brig of four guns, bound for Alexandria with +field-pieces, ammunition, and wine for the use of the +French army in Egypt.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Speedy</i>, before she had an opportunity +of holding any communication with the shore.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Speedy</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Speedy</i> sprung her +maintopgallant-yard, and lost ground whilst fishing it.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>April</i> 11.—Observing a vessel near the shoal of Tortosa, +gave chase. On the following morning her crew deserted her, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>and we took possession. In the evening anchored under the +land.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> +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 <i>Ave Maria</i>, of four guns, +was in ballast, we took the sails and spars out of her, and set +her on fire.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='fss'>A.M.</span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>We again ran along the Spanish coast, and on the 4th +of May were off Barcelona, where the <i>Speedy</i> captured +<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>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 <i>San Carlos</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the following morning the prizes were sent to +Port Mahon, and keeping out of sight for the rest of +the day, the <i>Speedy</i> 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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> we again made off shore.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Convinced that something more than ordinary had +actuated the gun-boats to decoy us—just before daylight +<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Accordingly we made towards the frigate, which was +now coming down under steering sails. At 9·30 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span>, +she fired a gun and hoisted Spanish colours, which the +<i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The Spaniards speedily found out the disadvantage +under which they were fighting, and gave the order to +board the <i>Speedy</i>; 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<i>Speedy</i> was only two men killed and four wounded.</p> + +<p class='c001'>This kind of combat, however, could not last. Our +rigging being cut up and the <i>Speedy’s</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>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 <i>Speedy</i>, 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 <i>Speedy</i> close alongside +with admirable skill.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<i>Gamo</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <i>Gamo’s</i> 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 <i>Speedy</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>Some time after the surrender of the <i>Gamo</i>, 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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In difficult or doubtful attacks by sea,—and the odds +of 50 men to 320 comes within this description,—no +<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The subjoined tabular view of the respective force of +the two vessels will best show the nature of the contest.</p> + +<div class='reduced'> + +<table class='table1'> +<colgroup> +<col class='colwidth50'> +<col class='colwidth50'> +</colgroup> + <tr> + <td class='brt c021'><i>Gamo.</i></td> + <td class='c021'><i>Speedy.</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='brt c022'> </td> + <td class='c023'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='brt c022'>Main-deck guns.—Twenty-two long 12-pounders.</td> + <td class='c023'>Fourteen 4-pounders.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='brt c022'>Quarter-deck.—Eight long 8-pounders, and two 24-pounder carronades.</td> + <td class='c023'>None.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='brt c022'>No. of crew, 319.</td> + <td class='c023'>No. of crew, 54.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='brt c022'>Broadside weight of shot, 190 lbs.</td> + <td class='c023'>Broadside weight of shot, 28 lbs.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='brt c022'>Tonnage, 600 and upwards.</td> + <td class='c023'>Tonnage, 158.</td> + </tr> +</table> + +</div> + +<p class='c017'>It became a puzzle what to do with 263 unhurt prisoners +now we had taken them, the <i>Speedy</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The subjoined is Lord Keith’s letter in reply to my +official announcement of our success.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“<i>Foudroyant</i>, off Arab’s Tower,</div> + <div class='line in12'>“9th June, 1801.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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 <i>Speedy’s</i> officers and men, to all of whom I request your +lordship will make my perfect satisfaction and approbation +known.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour to be, My Lord,</div> + <div class='line in8'>“Your Lordship’s most obedient servant,</div> + <div class='line in27'>(Signed)      “<span class='sc'>Keith</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l c018'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord Cochrane,</span></div> + <div class='line in5'><span class='small'>“<i>Speedy</i>.”</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>As a matter of course, my report of the capture of +the <i>Gamo</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>From information on the affair being thus delayed, +it was generally believed at home, that the <i>Gamo</i> had +been taken by surprise, instead of after a close engagement, +deliberately decided on, and announced to the +officers and crew of the <i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c024'><i>Copy of a letter from</i> Capt. <span class='sc'>M. Dixon</span>, <i>of H.M.S. Genereux, to</i> +<span class='sc'>E. Nepean</span>, Esq., <i>Secretary of the Admiralty, dated Port Mahon, +9th June, 1800</i>.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c.</div> + <div class='line in11'>“<span class='sc'>Manley Dixon</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“E. Nepean, Esq.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“H. M. Sloop <i>Speedy</i>, off Barcelona,</div> + <div class='line in10'>“6th May, 1800.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>viz. the <i>Gamo</i>, commanded by Don Francisco de Torres, +manned by 319 officers, seamen, and marines.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Speedy</i>. 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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour to be, &c.</div> + <div class='line in18'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“M. Dixon, Esq.”</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><i>Speedy’s force at commencement of action.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Fifty-four officers, men, and boys, 14 4-pounders. Three +killed and 8 wounded.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><i>Gamo’s force at commencement of action.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. VI. <br> <br> CRUISE OF THE <i>SPEEDY</i> CONTINUED.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'><span class='fss'>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</span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>in command of small squadrons instead of single vessels, +might, had they adopted the same means, have effected +far more than the <i>Speedy</i>, with an armament so insignificant, +was calculated to accomplish.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Speedy</i> outsailed +her, and as there was no beneficial object to be gained +by interfering with her, we stood on without further +notice.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Speedy</i>; several enemy’s vessels having +previously escaped for want of such aid.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In a few days after this, we fell in with the <i>Kangaroo</i>, +Captain Pulling, who, being senior to me, was therefore +my commanding officer. Running down the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>coast in company, we attacked the fort of Almanara, +and after silencing it, brought off a Spanish privateer of +seven guns.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 8th of June, the <i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>We had not proceeded far, before we again fell in +with the <i>Kangaroo</i>, 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 <i>Kangaroo</i> +anchoring well up to and engaging the fort, whilst the +<i>Speedy</i> and her tender under my brother’s orders, encountered +the xebec and the gun-boats—the <i>Speedy</i> +anchoring in a line between those vessels and the <i>Kangaroo</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>For some hours an incessant cannonade was kept up +on both sides, the <i>Kangaroo’s</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The felucca and the newly arrived gun-boats were, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The action had now continued for upwards of nine +hours; during which the <i>Speedy</i> had expended nearly +all her ammunition, viz. 1400 shot, and the <i>Kangaroo</i> +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 <i>Speedy</i> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>It may be useful here to remark that on board the +<i>Kangaroo</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The subjoined letter of thanks for this affair was forwarded +<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>to Captain Pulling by Lord Keith, who was then +at Alexandria, watching the movements of the French +in Egypt.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“<i>Foudroyant</i>, Bay of Aboukir,</div> + <div class='line in9'>“10th July, 1801.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—I have received your letter of the 10th of June, +detailing the attack made by the <i>Kangaroo</i> and <i>Speedy</i> 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 <i>Kangaroo</i> and the <i>Speedy</i>.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I am, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in9'>“<span class='sc'>Keith</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“Capt. Pulling, <i>Kangaroo</i>.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>On our return to Port Mahon with the prizes, the +<i>Gamo</i> 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 <i>Gamo</i>, even as a means of deception on the enemy’s +coast, I would scarcely have changed place with an +admiral.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>Gibraltar. The vessel employed for this purpose was a +notoriously bad sailer, and when the <i>Speedy</i> 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 <i>Speedy</i>, 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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Unluckily for us, three French line-of-battle ships, +which afterwards turned out to be the <i>Indomitable</i>, the +<i>Dessaix</i>, and the <i>Formidable</i>, were in the vicinity, and +being attracted by the light of the burning vessels, +ran in shore to see what was the matter.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At daybreak, on the morning of July 3rd, these +large ships were observed in the distance, calling up to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>our imaginations visions of Spanish galleons from South +America, and accordingly the <i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Dessaix</i>, being nearest, firing broadsides +at us as she passed when tacking, at other times firing +from her bow chasers, and cutting up our rigging.</p> + +<p class='c001'>For upwards of three hours we were thus within +gunshot of the <i>Dessaix</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Dessaix</i>, however, immediately +tacked in pursuit, and in less than an hour got within +<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Speedy’s</i> colours were hauled down.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On going aboard the <i>Dessaix</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Thus ended the thirteen months’ cruise of the <i>Speedy</i>, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>during which we had taken and retaken upwards of +50 vessels, 122 guns, and 534 prisoners.</p> + +<p class='c001'>After the capture of the <i>Speedy</i>, 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 <i>Dessaix</i> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Quitting Cadiz, Sir James Saumarez immediately +sailed for Algesiras with his squadron, consisting of the +<i>Cæsar</i>, <i>Venerable</i>, <i>Audacious</i>, <i>Hannibal</i>, <i>Superb</i>, <i>Pompée</i>, +<i>Spencer</i>, <i>Calpe</i>, and <i>Thames</i>, these reaching the bay +on the 6th of July.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>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 <i>Dessaix</i>!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Perhaps I ought previously to have mentioned an +incident demonstrative of the <span lang="fr"><i>sang froid</i></span> 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 <i>Dessaix</i>, +driving before it a shower of broken glass, the <span lang="fr"><i>debrís</i></span> of +a wine bin under the sofa.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <i>Hannibal</i>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>A circumstance now occurred which is entitled to +rank amongst the curiosities of war. On the French +taking possession of the <i>Hannibal</i>, 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 <i>Hannibal</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the approach of the launches I was summoned on +deck by the captain of the <i>Dessaix</i>, who seemed doubtful +what measures to adopt as regarded the boats now +approaching to board the <i>Hannibal</i>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>Brenton succeeded in procuring the release of the crew +of the <i>Hannibal</i> and the entrapped artificers, together +with the officers and men of the <i>Speedy</i>. Admiral +Linois would not at first give me up, but, on further +consideration, allowed me to go with the other officers +to Gibraltar on <span lang="fr"><i>parole</i></span>. My complete release was eventually +effected for the second captain of the <i>St. Antonio</i>, +taken shortly afterwards.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Hannibal</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The enemy were overtaken at dusk, soon after leaving +the bay, and when it had become dark, Captain +Keats, in the <i>Superb</i>, 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 <i>Superb</i> shot ahead before the smoke +<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>cleared away, and the Spanish ships, the <i>Real Carlos</i>, +112, and the <i>San Hermenegildo</i>, 112, mistaking each +other for the aggressor, began a mutual attack, resulting +in the <i>Real Carlos</i> losing her foretop-mast, the +sails of which—falling over her own guns—caught +fire. While in this condition the <i>Hermenegildo</i>—still +engaging the <i>Real Carlos</i> 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 +<i>Superb</i> as Captain Keats was taking possession of a +<i>third</i> Spanish line-of-battle ship, the <i>San Antonio</i>—for +whose second captain, as has been said, I was +exchanged.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The remainder of the combined squadron got safely +back to Cadiz after an encounter between the <i>Formidable</i> +and <i>Venerable</i>. 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 <i>Real Carlos</i>, 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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. VII. <br> <br> ADMIRALTY RELUCTANCE TO PROMOTE ME.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>It has been already stated that not only was the action +with the <i>Gamo</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The subjoined letter addressed to Lord St. Vincent +by my kind uncle Sir Alexander Cochrane, in reference +to the <i>Speedy’s</i> escape from a Spanish frigate (see +page <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>), was written previous to that relating to the +capture of the <i>Gamo</i>, but is worthy of record on +grounds generally connected with the naval service.</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Speedy</i>, which +he at present commands. This I beg leave to recount.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“He had taken several prizes off Carthagena, when, one +morning, he found himself close under the guns of a Spanish +frigate.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“His only chance of escape was, either to board the frigate, +in the hope of finding her unprepared, or to pass off the +<i>Speedy</i> as a Danish sloop of war.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>“On this a boat left the frigate, but just as they were +almost alongside the <i>Speedy</i>, 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.<a id='r26'></a><a href='#f26' class='c010'><sup>[26]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Hoping that your Lordship’s health is reinstated, &c. &c.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I am, your Lordship’s, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in19'>“<span class='sc'>Alexander Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord St. Vincent.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Gamo</i>; the <i>Ajax</i>, which he commanded, +being then before Alexandria. On learning +our success, he again wrote to Lord St. Vincent as +follows:—</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<i>Ajax</i>, off Alexandria, June 10th, 1801.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—I some time ago wrote your Lordship in +favour of my nephew Lord Cochrane, recommending his +being made post.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Speedy</i> with fifty-four men, +and a xebec frigate of thirty-two guns and 319 men.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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<a id='r27'></a><a href='#f27' class='c010'><sup>[27]</sup></a> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in9'>“Your Lordship’s</div> + <div class='line'>“Most obedient and humble servant,</div> + <div class='line in23'>“<span class='sc'>A. Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“P.S. I wish I could give your Lordship any pleasing +intelligence from this quarter; but ever since the death of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Brenton, in his Life of Lord St. Vincent, thus alludes +to the delay in my promotion: “Lord St. Vincent <em>was +so much pressed</em> on the subject of Lord Cochrane’s promotion +for taking the <i>Gamo</i>, that it became almost a +point of etiquette with the earl <em>not to make him a +captain</em>! 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 <em>no must</em>.’”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>matters, we may receive this version as it was +given to his biographer.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, <em>after</em> the post rank had been reluctantly +conceded by placing me <em>at the bottom of the +list</em>, below others previously my juniors in the service! +My father’s letter and Lord St. Vincent’s reply are +subjoined.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“No. 14, Mortimer Street, Sept. 23, 1801.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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 <em>officially</em> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“When I first heard of Lord Cochrane’s engagement with +the <i>Gamo</i>, 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 <i>Gamo was not +taken by surprise</i>, but at noonday, after an action of an hour +and ten minutes; during all of which time the <i>Gamo’s</i> yards +were locked with the <i>Speedy’s</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>commanders on the Mediterranean station—his juniors long +before, and for several months after, the taking of the <i>Gamo</i>—now +placed before him on that list.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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?</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Gamo</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>musket shot, he received a full broadside of round and grape +from the <i>Dessaix</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“I do not, however, my Lord, rest my son’s claim for +seniority in promotion solely upon the capture of the <i>Gamo</i>.<a id='r28'></a><a href='#f28' class='c010'><sup>[28]</sup></a> +Although these particulars, from their being stated in Lord +Cochrane’s letters to Captain Dixon of the <i>Généreux</i>, are +known to your Lordship, yet I cannot help here repeating +them, as <em>from their not being published in the Gazette</em> a very +erroneous opinion generally prevails that the <em>Gamo was taken</em> +by surprise, and not after so long and close an engagement +as was really the case.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in20'>“<span class='sc'>Dundonald</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord St. Vincent.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>To this letter Lord St, Vincent next day replied as +follows:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Admiralty, Sept. 24, 1801.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—I can have no difficulty in acknowledging +that the capture of the <i>Gamo</i> reflects the highest degree of +credit on Lord Cochrane and the officers and crew of the +<i>Speedy</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The first account of that brilliant action reached the +Admiralty <em>very early in the month of August</em> (it was +fought on the 6th of May), previously to which intelligence +had been received of the capture of the <i>Speedy</i>, by which +Lord Cochrane was made prisoner.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>“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 <em>Speedy was received</em>—which +was all that could under existing circumstances +be done.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Gamo</i>—a measure +quite unprecedented—without doing an act of injustice to +other deserving officers.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in15'>“<span class='sc'>St. Vincent</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Earl of Dundonald.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Gamo</i> 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 <cite>Gazette</cite>! 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>But supposing that information relative to the capture +of the <i>Gamo</i> had not reached the Admiralty before +the news of my being made prisoner, even then it +<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>clearly entitled me to post rank from <em>the date of my +acquittal</em>. Lord St. Vincent asserted that it entitled +me to promotion only from the date on which news +of my acquittal <em>was received</em>! 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 “<em>until my exchange could be +effected</em>,” 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 <em>there was no system of exchange</em>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>By Lord St. Vincent’s interpretation of the Admiralty +rule, I should not have been promoted <em>at all</em>, or even +tried for the loss of the <i>Speedy</i>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>place for many years. The <i>Hannibal</i> and <i>Speedy’s</i> +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 <i>San Antonio</i>; for whose second captain, +by courtesy of Admiral Linois towards that officer, +my liberation was effected.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.<a id='r29'></a><a href='#f29' class='c010'><sup>[29]</sup></a> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>became undermined, and he was one day found dead +in a retiring room of the Augean establishment at +Whitehall.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Gamo</i>. 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 <i>Speedy</i> did not warrant the application.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>It was impossible not to feel nettled at a reply so +unexpected: that because few men had been killed on +board the <i>Speedy</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Speedy</i>, were +in opposition <em>to his lordship’s own promotion to an earldom</em>, +as well as that of his flag-captain to knighthood, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>and his other officers to increased rank and honours: +for that in the battle from which his lordship derived +his title there was only <em>one man</em> killed on board his +own flagship, so that there were more casualties in my +sloop than in his line-of-battle ship.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<i>Speedy</i> in a position where the Spanish guns went +over her, many would have swelled the list whom it +was my happiness to have saved.</p> + +<p class='c001'>This letter was dated May 12th, 1802, and, receiving +no reply, the annexed official letter was addressed to +their Lordships on the same subject:—</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“14 Old Cavendish-street, May 17, 1802.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lords</span>,—The anxiety I feel for the promotion of a +meritorious officer, Lieutenant Parker, late of the <i>Speedy</i>, +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Lieutenant Parker served as sole lieutenant of the <i>Speedy</i> +at the capture of the <i>Gamo</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Gamo</i> to +the <i>Speedy</i>; the latter, as your Lordships know, mounting +14 4-pounders, having on board only 54 men, whilst the +force of the <i>Gamo</i> was 32 guns, with a complement of men +six times greater than that of the <i>Speedy</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour to be, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in19'>(Signed) “<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l c025'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“To the Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners</div> + <div class='line in10'>of the Admiralty.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>On the 26th of May the following reply was received +from the Secretary:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Admiralty Office, 26th May, 1802.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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, <em>but that it is not +so for officers to correspond with the Board</em>.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I am, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in9'>“<span class='sc'>E. Nepean</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“Captain Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Determined not to be foiled in what I conceived to +be the right of Lieutenant Parker, I replied to the +Secretary as follows:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Old Cavendish-street, May 27th, 1802.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I am, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in10'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“E. Nepean, Esq., Sec. to the Admiralty.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>The reply to this necessarily cut short all further +correspondence.</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Admiralty Office, 29th May, 1802.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I am, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in9'>“<span class='sc'>Evan Nepean</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“Captain Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Rainbow</i> +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 <em>it +became evident that no such vessel was on the North +American station</em>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On ascertaining this, poor Parker returned to England +<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>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 +<em>he never received either the one or the other</em>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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<i>l.</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. VIII. <br> <br> NAVAL ADMINISTRATION SIXTY YEARS AGO.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>or between the two stools the country may one day go +to the ground.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Speedy</i> 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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”—(<span class='sc'>Brenton’s</span> +<cite>Life of Lord St. Vincent</cite>, p. 167.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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<i>l.</i> per month, and if the ship were coppered at +7500<i>l.</i> 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.)</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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<i>l.</i> As these transports +formed only a trifling illustration of the system, there +<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>is little wonder at the enormous accumulation of the +national debt, for results so inadequate.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>a collier</em> so converted—with what result +will appear in the sequel.</p> + +<p class='c001'>From the ships let us follow Captain Brenton into +the dockyards:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“When Mr. Colquhoun, in his celebrated police reports, +stated that the Government was plundered from the dockyards +at the rate of <em>a million a year</em>, he was supposed to +have exceeded all probability. I am satisfied he was under +the mark, and if the <em>consequences</em> 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. <em>Whole ships’ crews were destroyed at one fell +swoop.</em> 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 <i>York</i> of 64 guns, and the +<i>Blenheim</i> of 74 guns, was the consequence. The <i>Albion</i>, 74, +we know to have been nearly lost by this hellish fraud.”—(<span class='sc'>Brenton</span>, +pp. 159, 160.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“I can remember what our slop clothing was, for which +the poor seamen were charged an extravagant price; the +contract being <em>always given as a matter of favour for electioneering +purposes</em>.”—(p. 156.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Not only were the grossest impositions practised in the +supply of the most important stores, by sending in damaged +<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>goods, but even the raw materials were <em>again sold</em> before +they reached their destination.”—(p. 157.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“At the cooperage of Deptford, 1020<i>l.</i> 10<i>s.</i> 5<i>d.</i> was charged +for work proved to be worth only 37<i>l.</i> 2<i>s.</i> 3<i>d.</i> At the +cooperage at Plymouth, the king’s casks were stolen, and sixty-four +of them were found in one brewery.”—(p. 183.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“It was a common expression with the receiving clerks +that they ‘<em>had not been hampered</em>,—’ 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.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“It would scarcely be believed to what extent peculation +was carried on in every department.”—(p. 155.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“From the foregoing it may be inferred that the dockyards +were the most fruitful sources of plunder and national ruin.”—(p. 180.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Report No. 6 relates to the dockyards, wherein a shameful +system of plunder had long existed.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Reports 10 and 11 state other abuses to an enormous +extent, so that Lord St. Vincent used the elegant expression +that ‘<em>our dockyards stank of corruption</em>.’”—(p. 190.)</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>From this disgraceful picture let us pass on to +another still more revolting:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>fortunes +were made</em> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>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.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Calne</i> hulk, appropriated to sick prisoners +of war, the surgeon’s chief assistant kept a table for the +officers at the cost of 1500<i>l.</i> or 2000<i>l.</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“I hope there is sufficient virtue in Parliament to punish +<em>great delinquents</em>, if not the country will not stagger long +under the practice of these blood-sucking leeches.”—(<cite>Letter +of Lord St. Vincent, quoted by Brenton.</cite>)</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>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<i>l.</i> had been given; in +another a bribe of 35,000<i>l.</i> 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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 +“<em>economy!</em>” 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>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 <em>minimum</em> 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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>A more barbarous regulation was enforced, viz, that +from the expense of <em>lint</em> in dressing wounds, <em>sponge</em> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>One of the unfortunate sufferers, amongst others, was +a son of the boatswain or gunner of the then flagship, +the <i>Salvador del Mundo</i>. 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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>fraud, extravagance, and villany to a disgusting +extent.” The remedy was the application of infected +sponge!!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span lang="fr"><i>chevaux de frise</i></span> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>spirit shop as before. Whereupon the doctor declared +his belief that “sailors were as far gone in wickedness +as the hospital authorities themselves.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>filing a string of affidavits in the King’s Bench +in defence of his character</em>!<a id='r30'></a><a href='#f30' class='c010'><sup>[30]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>and note-book with facts, to be used when I might +be able to expose them with effect.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. IX. <br> <br> EMPLOYMENT IN THE <i>ARAB</i>.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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 <i>Speedy</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>Thanking his lordship, I left him, and repairing to +Plymouth, found myself appointed to the <i>Arab</i>. 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>the most part with old timber from broken-up +vessels.</p> + +<p class='c001'>As soon as the <i>Arab</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Arab</i> was +ordered to join the force then lying in the Downs, +quietly watching the movements of the enemy on the +opposite coast.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>I do not mean efficiency as to the <em>number</em> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <i>Arab</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Under such circumstances, the idea of effectively +watching the port, as understood by me,—viz. to look +<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>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 <i>Arab</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>My letter was no doubt forwarded to the Admiralty, +for shortly afterwards an order arrived for the <i>Arab</i> to +convoy the Greenland ships from Shetland, and then to +cruise in the North Sea, to <em>protect the fisheries</em>. The +order was, in fact, to cruise to the N. E. of the Orkneys, +<em>where no vessel fished, and where consequently there were +no fisheries to protect</em>!!! 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>justification of the promotion of the gallant lieutenant +of the <i>Speedy</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Of this protracted cruise it is sufficient to state that +my appointment to the <i>Arab</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Arab</i>, 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 <i>Pallas</i>, a new fir-built +frigate of 32 guns.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. X. <br> <br> CRUISE OF THE <i>PALLAS</i>.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>On my appointment to the <i>Pallas</i>, 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 <i>Arab</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>issued under his authority</em>. 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>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) <em>wishes +to have the power of issuing orders for their sailing, in +order to entitle him to share prize-money</em>!!” (<span class='sc'>Brenton</span>, +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The first object was to equip the <i>Pallas</i> with all +speed; and for this we were obliged to resort to impressment, +so much had my do-nothing cruise in the +<i>Arab</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>As the cruise off the Western Islands—when arrived +<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>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, <em>worked up</em> +towards the Azores, so as to fall in with any vessels +which might be bound from the Spanish West Indies +to Cadiz.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Scarcely had we altered our course, when, on the +6th of February, we fell in with and captured a large +ship, the <i>Carolina</i>, bound from the Havannah to Cadiz, +and laden with a valuable cargo. After taking out the +crew, we despatched her to Plymouth.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 15th, we fell in with another, <i>La Fortuna</i>, +which proved the richest of all, as, besides her cargo, +she had on board a large quantity of dollars, which we +shifted into the <i>Pallas</i>, and sent the ship to England.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i>, these were therefore despatched with her +to Plymouth.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Whilst securing the latter vessel, we observed at +sunset an English privateer take possession of a large +<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>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 +<i>Preciosa</i>—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The sensation created on the arrival of the prizes at +Plymouth was immense, as the following curious extracts +from a local paper will show.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>February</i> 24.—Came in the <i>Caroline</i> from Havanah +with sugar and logwood. Captured off the coast of Spain +by the <i>Pallas</i>, Captain Lord Cochrane. The <i>Pallas</i> was in +pursuit of another with a very valuable cargo when the +<i>Caroline</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>March</i> 7.—Came in a rich Spanish prize, with jewels, +gold, silver, ingots, and a valuable cargo, taken by the +<i>Pallas</i>, Captain Lord Cochrane. Another Spanish ship, the +<i>Fortuna</i>, from Vera Cruz, had been taken by the <i>Pallas</i>, +laden with mahogany and logwood. She had 432,000 dollars +on board, but has not yet arrived.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>March</i> 23.—Came in a most beautiful Spanish letter-of-marque +of fourteen guns, said to be a very rich and valuable +prize to the <i>Pallas</i>, Captain Lord Cochrane.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>A still greater sensation was excited by the arrival +of the <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i>. 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The following incident relating to the capture of one +of the vessels had escaped my recollection, till pointed +out in the <cite>Naval Chronicle</cite> for 1805. It is substantially +correct.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“Lord Cochrane, in his late cruise off the coasts of Spain +and Portugal, fell in with, and took, <i>La Fortuna</i>, a Spanish +ship bound to Corunna, and richly laden with gold and silver +to the amount of 450,000 dollars (132,000<i>l.</i>), and about the +same sum in valuable goods and merchandise. When the +Spanish captain and his supercargo came on board the <i>Pallas</i>, +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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Another curious circumstance must not be passed +over. In one of the captured vessels was a number of +bales, marked “<span lang="fr"><i>invendebles</i></span>.” 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i>. 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>The course of the frigate was immediately altered, +and the weather changing, it began to blow hard, with +a heavy sea.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i>, thus suddenly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<em>claimed and received</em> half my share of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>captures. No wonder that Lord St. Vincent said of +him, that he wished to “<em>have the power of giving orders, +and so share prize-money</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span lang="fr"><i>parlance</i></span> of those days, meant “no bribery.” To +my astonishment, however, a considerable number of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>receive ten pounds ten</em>!”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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>i. e.</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>those who were prosecuted for holding them became +marked men.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XI. <br> <br> SERVICES IN THE <i>PALLAS</i> CONTINUED.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>On the 28th of May 1805, the <i>Pallas</i> 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 <em>dead reckoning</em>! +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In my former voyage in the <i>Thetis</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>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 <i>Pallas</i>. 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 <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i> +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 <i>Pallas</i> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>in his own +name</em>, 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 <em>for my lamp</em>!! The fact afterwards +becoming known, <em>not a lamp was ever ordered</em>, and the +merchantmen were left to the mercy of privateers as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>before. I do not relate this anecdote as telling against +the <em>directing</em> powers of the Admiralty, but with the <em>administrative</em> +powers, it was then and afterwards clearly +a fixed rule that no invention of mine should be carried +into effect.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On our return to England in December, the <i>Pallas</i> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>We sailed from the Downs on the 23rd of January +1806, and on the 31st seeing a French merchant vessel +<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 8th of February, the <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 22nd the <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>From information communicated by the fishing boats +the <i>Pallas</i> 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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i>. 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 29th, we manned the largest prize, the +<i>Pomone</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>the day, I determined on making an attempt to cut her +out on the following night.</p> + +<p class='c001'>After dark the <i>Pallas</i> 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 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> 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 <i>Tapageuse</i> of 14 guns.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Whilst this was going on, the <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>sails, and thus impress the enemy with an idea that +from such celerity in making sail we had a numerous +and highly disciplined crew.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i> instead, we were literally incapable of +resistance.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>too,—with the same result of being dismasted—the +crew escaping as in the case of the other.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Having joined our prize—the <i>Tapageuse</i>—the prisoners +were shifted on board the <i>Pallas</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The subjoined despatches will afford further explanation +of the events just narrated.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<i>Pallas</i>, off Chasseron, 8th April, 1806.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—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 <i>Pallas</i> +was anchored close to the shoal of Cordovan, and it gives me +satisfaction to state that about 3 o’clock on the following +<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>morning the French national corvette, <i>La Tapageuse</i>, 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 <i>Pallas</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The tide of flood ran strong at daylight. <i>La Tapageuse</i> +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 <i>Tapageuse</i> 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 <i>Tapageuse</i> in the rigging.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Pallas</i>, making many signals, and were +soon perceived to be enemies. In a few minutes the anchor +of the <i>Pallas</i> 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 <i>Malicieuse</i>, a +beautiful corvette of 18 guns. Their masts went by the +board, and they were involved in a sheet of spray.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>wounded, together with that of vessels captured and destroyed +since the 26th ult.</p> + +<div class='c011'>“I am, &c. &c. <span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“To Vice-Admiral Thornborough.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<i>Prince of Wales</i>, off Rochefort, 9th April, 1806.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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. <i>Pallas</i>, 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 +<i>Pallas</i> than the humanity shown by them in the conflict.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in12'>“<span class='sc'>Edward Thornborough</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. the Earl St. Vincent.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<i>Hibernia</i>, off Ushant, April 14th, 1806.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The gallant and successful exertions of the <i>Pallas</i> therein +detailed, reflect very high honour on her captain, officers and +crew, and call for my warmest approbation.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I am, &c. &c. <span class='sc'>St. Vincent</span>.</div> + <div class='line in19'><span class='small'>“W. Marsden, Esq.”</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>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 +<i>Tapageuse</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 20th the <i>Pallas</i> 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 <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>the British squadron appeared to windward, and +shortly afterwards came to an anchor.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“H. M. S. <i>Pallas</i>, off Isle d’Aix, April 25th, 1806.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—Having stood within gunshot of the French squadron +this morning, I find it to consist of the following vessels.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The <i>Calcutta</i><a id='r31'></a><a href='#f31' class='c010'><sup>[31]</sup></a> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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<a id='r32'></a><a href='#f32' class='c010'><sup>[32]</sup></a>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>“A frigate and the three brigs were ordered to get under +weigh. These stood towards the <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in32'>“I have the honour, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in53'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + <div class='line'>“Edw. Thornborough, Esq.,</div> + <div class='line in2'>“Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<i>Pallas</i>, St. Martin’s Road, Isle Rhe, May 10th, 1806.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Yesterday too the zeal of Lieutenant Norton of the +<i>Frisk</i> cutter, and Lieutenant Gregory of the <i>Contest</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in15'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l c018'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Edw. Thornborough, Esq.,</div> + <div class='line'>“Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Early in the morning on the 14th of May, the <i>Pallas</i> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i> dismantled one of them. We +<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>then veered and engaged the frigate and the other brig—the +batteries on Isle d’Aix meanwhile firing at us.</p> + +<p class='c001'>After an hour’s fighting, we observed that considerable +damage had been done by the fire of the <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> was gallantly +but rather too eagerly effected.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Fortunately the sloop <i>Kingfisher</i>, commanded by the +gallant Captain, now Admiral, Seymour, seeing our disabled +condition, promptly ran down and took us in tow<a id='r33'></a><a href='#f33' class='c010'><sup>[33]</sup></a>; +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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“His Majesty’s Ship <i>Pallas</i>, 14th May,</div> + <div class='line in4'>“Off the Island of Oleron, May 15th, 1806.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—This morning when close to Isle d’Aix, reconnoitring +the French squadron, it gave me great joy to find our late +<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The <i>Pallas</i> 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 <i>Pallas</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The <i>Pallas</i> being a wreck, we came out with what sail +could be set, and his Majesty’s sloop the <i>Kingfisher</i> afterwards +took us in tow.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour to be, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in21'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>“<i>Killed.</i>—David Thompson, marine.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>Wounded.</i>—Mr. Andrews, midshipman, very badly; +John Coger, and three other seamen, slightly.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“Edw. Thornborough, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>La Minerve</i>. The brigs were +ascertained to be the <i>Lynx</i>, <i>Sylphe</i>, and <i>Palinure</i>, each +carrying 16 guns.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 18th, the <i>Pallas</i> was ordered to Plymouth +in charge of a convoy of transports, and arrived on the +27th without any other occurrence worthy of notice.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XII. <br> <br> MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>On the termination of the cruise, the <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>vis-à-vis</i></span> and six, followed by several carriages and +four filled with officers and seamen of the <i>Pallas</i>, who +volunteered to accompany me on the occasion.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Our reception by the townspeople was enthusiastic, +the more so, perhaps, from the general belief that my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>My return was triumphant, and this effected, it was +then plainly asked, what <span lang="la"><i>ex post facto</i></span> consideration was +to be expected by those who had supported me in so +delicate a manner.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Not one farthing!” was the reply.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>Finding nothing could be got from me in the way +of money payment for their support, it was put to my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>generosity whether I would not, at least, give my +constituents a public supper.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>for some +twelve hundred pounds</em>! which I refused to pay, but +was eventually compelled to liquidate, in a way which +will form a very curious episode hereafter.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<i>Tapageuse</i> from the Bordeaux river; and also for that +of poor Parker, whose case has been notified in connection +with the <i>Speedy</i>, though it was not till after +my becoming a member of the House of Commons that +he was promoted after the fashion previously narrated.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Pallas</i> alone, acting under my orders, cut out +the French guardship, <i>La Tapageuse</i>, 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. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>For this service Lieutenant Haswell remained unpromoted.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Le Cæsar</i>, +of 16 guns and 86 men, from the same anchorage. +Within three weeks after the performance of this service, +Lieutenant Sibley was <em>promoted to the rank of +commander</em>, and so palpable an instance of favouritism +determined me to urge afresh the neglected claims of +both Parker and Haswell.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>eleven days after</em> that +of Lieutenant Sibley! though the former officer had +effected with the boats of a small frigate, and against +<em>three</em> ships of war, as much as Lieutenant Sibley had +accomplished against <em>only one</em>, though with the boats of a +whole squadron! viz. the boats of the <i>Centaur</i>, <i>Conqueror</i>, +<i>Revenge</i>, <i>Achilles</i>, <i>Prince of Wales</i>, <i>Polyphemus</i>, +<i>Monarch</i>, <i>Iris</i>, and <i>Indefatigable</i>. Lieut. Sibley’s exploit +with this overwhelming force had a medal awarded, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>and appears in the Navy List to this day; Lieut. Haswell’s +capture of the <i>Tapageuse</i> under my directions +was unnoticed in any way.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Another gross instance of partiality in the course +pursued by the Admiralty towards my officers and +crews, consisted in the refusal to purchase the <i>Tapageuse</i> +into the navy; though the <i>Cæsar</i>—prize to Sir +Samuel Hood’s squadron—was so purchased. For the +four vessels of war, viz. the <i>Tapageuse</i>, 14 guns; the +<i>Malicieuse</i>, 18 guns; the <i>Garonne</i>, 22; and the <i>Gloire</i>, +24,—total, 78 guns, driven on shore by the <i>Pallas</i>, 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 <i>Tapageuse</i>, by purchasing that vessel into the +service, as was done to Lieutenant Sibley and his men +<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>in the case of the <i>Cæsar</i>. Such remuneration was, +however, wholly withheld.<a id='r35'></a><a href='#f35' class='c010'><sup>[35]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>Another curious circumstance connected with the +<i>Pallas</i> 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 <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>Board refused to take it, there was no alternative but +to knock out the bungs of the casks, and empty the +wine overboard.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Croker was one day dining with me, when some of +the <i>Pallas</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 23rd of August, 1806, I was appointed to +the command of the <i>Impérieuse</i> frigate, which was +commissioned on the 2nd of September following, the +crew of the <i>Pallas</i> being turned over to her.</p> + +<p class='c001'>We left Plymouth on the 17th of November, but in +a very unfit condition for sea.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 “<em>despatch</em>,” 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The case of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>As soon as it became daylight, it was found that the +<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> was inside of Ushant, instead of outside, to +the manifest peril of the frigate. As it was, we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>sounded our way out with difficulty, and happily without +material injury.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>It would be easy to mention numerous instances of +the like nature, but this being my own case, I can +vouch for its authenticity.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 6th we again hoisted out boats and sent them +with the stream anchors to warp off the vessels, in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Shortly after this the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>the direction of Sable d’Olonne. On the 29th joined +the squadron, and were ordered to supply the <i>Atalante</i> +with provisions and water. A further notice respecting +this operation will be found in the parliamentary debate +in the next chapter.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XIII. <br> <br> DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In electioneering all devices are considered fair, so +in place of resenting or retaliating, they were met by +my declaration, that—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>To this I replied as follows:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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?</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Atalante</i>, 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 <i>Felix</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>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).</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>plunder, and, as a first step to this, to embarrass the +government of the “<em>ins</em>” by the factious opposition of +the “<em>outs</em>.” 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 +“<em>outs</em>” and “<em>ins</em>” 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 “<span class='fss'>VENALITY AND CORRUPTION</span>,” +which were thus emblematically trampled +under foot.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 7th of July, pursuant to notice, I brought +forward a motion to the following effect:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>My argument was. “that if this motion were granted, +the result would prove whether there was any possibility +of making those <em>who had lived on, and enriched +themselves by the public money</em>, feel for the extraordinary +burthens under which the people laboured. The +<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>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</em>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In this view both factions joined <span lang="it"><i>con amore</i></span>, for the +question as to which it was aimed at was only that of +being <em>in or out of office</em>. 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Mr. Perceval caught at the alternative thus presented, +and immediately proposed that the motion +should be thus altered:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>and Navy</em>, and officers <em>below +200l. a year in the revenue</em>, and that they should cause this +list to be laid on the table.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>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</em>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>all</em> the members of that House holding +sinecure offices, places, &c., under Government, and +<em>in that way liable to have their conduct influenced. If +such a return were not made, the House would disgrace +itself.</em> 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Lord Cochrane</span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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 <i>Atalante</i> +and schooner <i>Felix</i>, addressed to Captain Keats (commanding +off Rochefort), respecting the state and condition of those +vessels, and the sick therein.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘The object of this motion is to prove that vessels, under +the present system, are kept at sea in a dangerous state, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>that the lives of many officers and men are in constant peril. +Lieutenant Cameron, who commanded the <i>Felix</i>, 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 <i>Felix</i> 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, the ship I command, was about to +leave Rochefort, I was ordered to revictual the <i>Atalante</i> 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 +<i>Atalante</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>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 <i>Atalante</i>. 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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 <i>Plantagenet</i>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>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 +<em>possible</em> 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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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.’</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Sir Samuel Hood, Admiral Harvey, Admiral Markham, the +Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Windham, and others, spoke +against the motion.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Lord Cochrane rose <em>in reply</em>, 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Ville de Paris</i></span> to put his ship in some tolerable order. +(Here there was a cry of order, order, from Admiral Harvey +and others.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘With respect to the assertion made by the same gentleman, +that the health of the men is increased by long cruises +<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘Now, Sir, with respect to the blame said to be attributed +by me to Lord St. Vincent for the loss of the <i>Felix</i> and +<i>Atalante</i>—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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +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.)</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>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.’</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The motion was negatived without a division.”<a id='r36'></a><a href='#f36' class='c010'><sup>[36]</sup></a></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>From the preceding extract it will have been seen +that my motion produced no effect upon the House. It +however produced a <em>cessation of my legislative functions!</em> +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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XIV. <br> <br> CRUISE OF THE <span lang="fr"><i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i></span>.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>On the 12th of September, 1807, the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>ruse</em> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“H. M. S. <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, off Corsica,</div> + <div class='line in10'>14th Nov. 1807.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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 <i>King George</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The rest of the men and officers then boarded and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>carried the vessel in the most gallant manner. The bravery +shown and exertion used on this occasion were worthy of a +better cause.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c.</div> + <div class='line in15'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord Collingwood.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>This pirate, for the capture of which, as was subsequently +learned, 500<i>l.</i> had been offered, was after much +trouble condemned as a <em>droit of Admiralty!</em> 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 <em>condemned by the Court of Admiralty to pay five +hundred double sequins</em>! 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 19th we joined Lord Collingwood’s fleet off +Toulon, consisting of the <i>Ocean</i>, <i>Malta</i>, <i>Montague</i>, +<i>Tiger</i>, <i>Repulse</i>, <i>Canopus</i>, and <i>Espoir</i>. The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 26th we again fell in with the fleet off Sardinia, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>and on the 29th anchored in Valetta, our pirate prize +having arrived on the preceding evening. On the 6th +of December, the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <i>Unité</i>, <i>Thames</i>, <i>Porcupine</i>, +and <i>Weasel</i>, which were then watching some French +frigates in Corfu. On the 12th, the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>the +withdrawal of my appointment to the command of the +blockading squadron</em>! The commanding officer, whose +passes I had intercepted, promptly took the initiative, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>and without apprising me, despatched one of his vessels +to Lord Collingwood, with a letter stating generally that, +“<em>from my want of discretion I was unfit to be entrusted +with a single ship, much less with the command of a squadron</em>!” +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>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!<a id='r37'></a><a href='#f37' class='c010'><sup>[37]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>which appeared to be conclusive in the estimation of +the British authorities.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 22nd the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>nevertheless considered by me complimentary, as acknowledging +the good effected by my former cruises +in the <i>Speedy</i>. Consequently, I determined to make +every exertion to merit his lordship’s approbation in +the present instance.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 17th entered a bay about eight miles to the +westward of Carthagena to intercept some vessels observed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The boats having been previously got in readiness, +were forthwith hoisted out, and the large pinnace, under +<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Some smaller vessels were also secured, but before +we could get clear the wind died away; and the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +and her prizes were becalmed,—the batteries +of the town and citadel opening upon us a heavy fire, +which lasted till 11 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span>, when a light breeze carried +us out of gun-shot.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +must have passed over them.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 2nd of March, we received orders again +to proceed up the Mediterranean together with the +<i>Hydra</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 13th the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>day to Gibraltar, with some prisoners taken out of +another brig on the previous evening by the <i>Hydra</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 23rd fell in with the <span lang="fr"><i>Renommé</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 2nd of April the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 18th fell in with the <i>Leonidas</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 22nd we re-entered Alcudia Bay, and sent the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 26th fell in with the <i>Leonidas</i>, 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 +<i>Leonidas</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> bringing +to for her reception, she gave up the chase, and the gig +returned in safety.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>the French fleet, we despatched the prize to Gibraltar, +and made sail for the mainland, in order to intercept +the Frenchman.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> 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 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> anchored under a two-gun battery, which +kept up a constant fire on the boats.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> now came to an anchor, and opened +<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>off, bringing her wounded captain and two other officers +on board the frigate. About 6 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> both gunboats +blew up with great explosion.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>in charge of the Hon. Mr. Napier (the late Lord +Napier), then a midshipman.<a id='r38'></a><a href='#f38' class='c010'><sup>[38]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 1st of June, the <i>Trident</i> 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 +<i>Ocean</i>, to be in readiness to act as circumstances might +require.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>To this extraordinary proclamation the Supreme +Junta, <em>on the same day</em>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>committed by any nation or monarch against the most +barbarous people.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> were undertaken, in pursuance of +orders from Lord Collingwood to assist the Spaniards +by every means in my power.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XV. <br> <br> CRUISE OF THE <span lang="fr"><i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i></span> CONTINUED.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 2nd of July the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 5th the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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<a id='r39'></a><a href='#f39' class='c010'><sup>[39]</sup></a>, to our great amusement resented +the affront by firing at us from all their batteries, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 6th, the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>débris</i></span>, it was +rendered impassable for cavalry or artillery, whilst +<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +destroyed a battery completed by the French, +and threw over the cliff the four brass 24-pounders. +These were next day recovered.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>and wantonly destroying the remainder. The inhabitants +were in a miserable condition.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At 8 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> on the 31st the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The Spaniards, seeing the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> well in, and had given the castle +a couple of well-directed broadsides when the enemy +hung out flags of truce.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>to the Spaniards, of whose vengeance they were evidently +afraid.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>After we had blown up the castle, the <em>Cambrian</em> +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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>taken the day before, together with a sufficient +supply of powder and ammunition.</p> + +<p class='c001'>General Duhesme reached Barcelona by making a +<span lang="fr"><i>détour</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> and other +English vessels of war took care that he got no supplies +by sea.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 31st of July I addressed the subjoined despatch +to Lord Collingwood:—</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“H. M. S. <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, off Mongat, Catalonia,</div> + <div class='line in15'>“31 July, 1808.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c.</div> + <div class='line in16'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Rt. Hon. Lord Collingwood.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At 8 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> on the 6th, the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> got under sail +from San Felin, and passing close to Palamos, arrived +in the afternoon at Rosas, where we found the <i>Montague</i> +and <i>Hind</i>, to the latter of which we transferred +the prisoners. The <i>Hind</i> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span><i>Montague</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>signals, we blew up the place and returned to the +ship.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> we returned to the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, +with no other damage than being thoroughly +encased in mud.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 21st it fell so calm, that the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> had +to be brought to an anchor in Gulf Dumet. At 3 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> +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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At 3 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span>, somewhat fatigued +by the night’s adventure.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In this cruise against the French signal stations, the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>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!</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XVI. <br> <br> CRUISE OF THE <span lang="fr"><i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i></span>—CONTINUED.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>On the 2nd of September the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Keeping well in with the French coast, some gunboats +were observed at 8 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> 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 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> six sail of French line-of-battle ships were +<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At 11 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span>, +almost every shot falling in the place. As it now came +on to blow hard from the N.W., we were obliged to +anchor.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>beating up towards us. We therefore did not +again open fire, being unwilling to excite the squadron +to pursue us.</p> + +<p class='c001'>However, at 3 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span>, 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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span></p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 6th at midday, we anchored in the Bay of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> was now becalmed till midday on +the 7th, when a breeze springing up, we again got +under sail, and exchanged signals with the <i>Spartan</i>, +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 8th the <i>Spartan</i> and <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 9th we passed close to Port Vendre, <i>Spartan</i> +in company, and anchored about a mile from +the shore; but an alarm having been raised, and the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>troops on shore having got our range, we were at 3 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> +on the 10th, compelled to shift our position.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Spartan</i> and +<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +opened her broadside, and the <i>Spartan</i> following, +an incessant fire was kept up for an hour, at the expiration +<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>As the French troops had now taken shelter in the +town, and the people were everywhere armed, I returned +to the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In this affair a considerable number of people must +<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>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 <i>Spartan</i> nor <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, and twenty from the +<i>Spartan</i>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 11th at 8 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At midnight two boats were despatched from the +<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> and one from the <i>Spartan</i>, to throw rockets +into the town, the batteries continuing their fire in all +directions till daylight, but doing no damage.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At 4 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> had +attempted to destroy on the 18th <span lang="la"><i>ultimo</i></span>. 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 16th we despatched some of the prizes to +Gibraltar, and the remainder to Rosas. The <i>Spartan</i> +now parted company with us to rejoin the Toulon +fleet, and the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>captured, as to require the greatest exertion to keep +her afloat.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 24th the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> again sailed for the +French coast, and passing Cette, stood into the Gulf of +Foz.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Seeing a frigate to leeward, we exchanged numbers, +and found her to be our former consort the <i>Spartan</i>, +which had been engaged in reconnoitring the enemy’s +port. Shortly afterwards she bore up and made all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>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 <i>Spartan</i> signalled that, +since the previous evening, five of the enemy’s frigates +and a storeship had sailed from Toulon.</p> + +<p class='c001'>As the <i>Spartan</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +to Gibraltar with despatches. We therefore +wore ship and made sail for that port, where we +arrived without further incident.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>with complete effect. Posterity may not believe the +effect of these exertions as narrated by myself. To +Lord Collingwood they <em>must</em> give credit.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Admiralty Office, Jan. 7th, 1809.</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c024'>“<i>Copy of a Letter from</i> Vice-Admiral <span class='sc'>Lord Collingwood</span>, <i>Commander-in-Chief +of His Majesty’s ships and vessels in the Mediterranean, +to the</i> Hon. <span class='sc'>Wellesley Pole</span>, <i>dated on board the</i> +Ocean, <i>off Toulon, the 19th of October, 1808</i>.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—I enclose a letter which I have just received from the +Right Honourable Lord Cochrane, captain of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, +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 <em>these troops which +were intended for Figueras from advancing into Spain, +by giving them employment in the defence of their own +coasts</em>.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour to be, &c.</div> + <div class='line in21'>“<span class='sc'>Collingwood</span>.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c000'> + <div>(Enclosure.)</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='c011'>“<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, Gulf of Lyons, 28th Sept. 1808.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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 <span lang="fr"><i>gens +<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>d’armes</i></span>, one battery, and the strong tower on the lake of +Frontignan.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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<a id='r40'></a><a href='#f40' class='c010'><sup>[40]</sup></a> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The conduct of Lieutenants Mapleton, Johnston, and +Hore, deserves my praise, as well as that of the other officers, +Royal Marines, and seamen.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour to be, my Lord,</div> + <div class='line in7'>“Your obedient servant, &c.</div> + <div class='line in29'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood.”</span></p> + +<p class='c001'><span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse.</i></span>—None killed, none wounded, one singed in +blowing up the battery.</p> + +<p class='c001'><em>French.</em>—One commanding officer of troops killed. How +many others unknown.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XVII. <br> <br> CRUISE OF THE <span lang="fr"><i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i></span> CONTINUED.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>This being accomplished, we again sailed on the +29th, and on the 31st arrived in the harbour of Carthagena, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>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 <i>Myrtle</i> arrived from Tarragona, with +twelve sail of transports which she had convoyed thither +with Spanish troops from Lisbon, and again returned +for more.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <i>Cambrian</i> was at anchor in the roads.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At night we sent the boats of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On our arrival at Barcelona the <i>Cambrian</i> went out +for a run, leaving the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> to watch the enemy. +On her return we again out boats, and proceeded to +blow up a fort close to the entrance of Llogrebat +<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>river, and succeeded in so far shattering its foundations, +as to render it <a id='corr292.1'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='useless,'>useless.</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_292.1'><ins class='correction' title='useless,'>useless.</ins></a></span> On the 14th the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, +but without doing us any harm. The <i>Cambrian</i>, +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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The circumstances under which the destruction of +this gun was effected, are too curious to be passed +over.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>cordon</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>After this affair was concluded, several Spanish +officers came on board the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> and +<i>Cambrian</i> had been of great use, by compelling the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> might there render substantial +service; we therefore left the <i>Cambrian</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Previous to our arrival the marines of the <i>Excellent</i>, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>together with some Spanish troops, had occupied the +citadel. Many of these having been wounded, the +<i>Excellent</i> took upwards of forty on board and sailed, +leaving the <i>Fame</i> to watch the place, and her commander +withdrew some thirty marines, who, with sixty +or seventy Spaniards, occupied Fort Trinidad. The +departure of the <i>Excellent</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>A brief outline of what had occurred previous to my +arrival in the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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 <i>Excellent</i> and +<i>Meteor</i>, then lying in the harbour, speedily drove out +the invaders.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Excellent</i>, energetically +applied himself.</p> + +<p class='c001'>To the eastward of the town, on an eminence commanding +<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>the harbour, stood Fort Trinidad, of which a +description will presently be given. In this fortress +Captain West placed five-and-twenty of the <i>Excellent’s</i> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 9th the citadel was attacked by General +Reille, and a breach effected; but Captain West, placing +the <i>Meteor</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Captain West was now superseded by Captain Bennett +of the <i>Fame</i>, 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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 <em>Michelet</em><a id='r41'></a><a href='#f41' class='c010'><sup>[41]</sup></a> 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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>probably because he considered that by so doing he +might be interfering with the instructions given me by +Lord Collingwood.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 22nd, after having given further instructions +on board the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, against which they directed such a well-aimed +shower of shells as rendered it imperative to get +under sail and anchor out of range.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Finding this to be the case, the <i>Fame</i> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>gained by their exposure; so that the Spanish governor +might fairly plead that further resistance had +been deemed unavailing by the English themselves.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Before daylight on the 24th we landed fifty men, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The French were highly exasperated on finding that +the castle had been reinforced from the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Whilst the enemy were breaching the tower, the +boats of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>to the bottom, constituted a formidable substitute +for a ditch.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At midnight the French made a general assault on +the town of Rosas, and after several hours’ hard fighting +obtained possession. The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> and <i>Fame</i> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>This operation constituted an object of great interest to +us in the fortress, from which the whole proceedings +were clearly visible.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The 2nd passed over in the same quiet way.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> was visibly +dragging her anchors, and might be compelled to go to +sea, leaving us to defend ourselves till her return.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>At daylight on the 5th, the French again opened +their batteries on the citadel, and by 8 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Soon after our signals were made, the <i>Fame</i> and +<i>Magnificent</i>—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. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>At 11 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> we made the signal for the boats—the +<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> attending them close in shore.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> to get close in, +so that we were soon on board.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In the evening I directed the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> to get under +weigh and stand towards La Escala, where we landed +the Spanish troops. On the following morning the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span><i>Fame</i> parted company for Lord Collingwood’s fleet; +and leaving the <i>Magnificent</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The subjoined letters from Lord Collingwood to the +Secretary of the Admiralty constitute the only commendations +<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>I received for the services detailed in the preceding +chapters.</p> + +<p class='c024'><i>Extract of a letter from</i> <span class='sc'>Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood</span> <i>to the</i> +<span class='sc'>Hon. W. W. Pole</span>, <i>dated on board the</i> Ocean, <i>Dec. 14, 1808</i>.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Scout</i> joined the squadron off +Toulon on the 7th, and by her I received further accounts +from Captain Bennett, of the <i>Fame</i>, of the progress the +enemy was making against that important fortress.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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. <em>The zeal +and energy with which he has maintained that fortress +excites the highest admiration. His resources for every +exigency have no end.</em> The Spanish governor of the castle +is wounded and on board the <i>Meteor</i>.</p> + +<div class='c011'>“<span class='sc'>Collingwood.</span>”</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>of the fact from the public. After the evacuation and +destruction of the fortress I addressed to Lord Collingwood +the subjoined despatch.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“H. M. Ship <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, Bay of Rosas,</div> + <div class='line in15'>5th Dec. 1808.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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 <i>Fame</i> +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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>. 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Captain Hall, of the <i>Lucifer</i>, at all times and in every +way gave his zealous assistance. I feel also indebted to +Captain Collens, of the <i>Meteor</i>, for his aid.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <i>Magnificent</i>, <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, and +<i>Fame</i>.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour to be, &c.</div> + <div class='line in18'>(Signed) “<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord Collingwood.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><span class='sc'>Lord Collingwood’s</span> <i>Letter to the Admiralty.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“H.M. Ship <i>Ocean</i>, Jan. 7. 1809.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>“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.</p> + +<div class='c011'>(Signed, &c.) “<span class='sc'>Collingwood</span>.</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“To the Secretary of the Admiralty.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>To these despatches I may be pardoned for appending +the following extract from the <cite>Gerona Gazette</cite>, as it +appeared in the Naval Chronicle of 1809.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c000'> + <div><span class='sc'>Lord Cochrane.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>The Spanish <cite>Gerona Gazette</cite>, when inserting a letter from +Lord Cochrane, January 1, 1809, subjoins the following +liberal testimony to his noble conduct:—</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>with the flag, and happily succeeded in placing it where it +was.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>than +five times that number on shore</em>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Lord Cochrane, during the month of September 1808, +with his single ship the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>yet with such consummate prudence were all Lord Cochrane’s +enterprises planned and executed, that <em>not one of his men +were either killed or hurt</em>, except one, who was singed in +blowing up a battery.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>my expense</em>, 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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XVIII. <br> <br> CRUISE OF THE <span lang="fr"><i>IMPÉRIEUSE</i></span> CONTINUED.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Being unable to advise the Spaniards in this locality +to adopt any beneficial course, or indeed how to act in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Shortly after gaining the ship, a boat full of officers +was seen to put off from the shore and make for the +<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>. 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, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>officers, and 1000 men to Tarragona; which demand +being flatly refused, they left for the <i>Cambrian</i>, which +lay at anchor not far off.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> to an anchor we commenced +firing on the vessels of war, one of which +shortly afterwards sank; when directing our attack on +<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>her consort, she also sank and fell on her broadside, +the crew escaping on shore.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>. +We then blew up the magazine.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the 31st we made an effort to raise the vessels of +war which had sunk in shallow water near the shore, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>saw that they could not save either of these vessels, +they abandoned the victuallers, and again marched off +in the direction of Rosas.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“His Majesty’s Ship <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, Caldagues,</div> + <div class='line in16'>2nd January, 1809.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c.</div> + <div class='line in16'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord Collingwood.”</span></p> + +<p class='c017'>“<span lang="fr"><i>La Gauloise</i></span>, cutter, 7 guns and 46 men, commanded by +Mr. Avanet, Member of the Legion of Honour.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<span lang="fr"><i>La Julie</i></span>, lugger, 5 guns, 4 swivels, 44 men, commanded +by Mr. Chassereau.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“And eleven victuallers.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>In consequence of which his lordship was pleased to +write to the Admiralty as follows:—</p> + +<p class='c024'><span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>“<i>Copy of a Letter from</i> Vice-Admiral <span class='sc'>Lord Collingwood</span>, <i>Commander-in-Chief +of His Majesty’s ships and vessels in the Mediterranean, +to the</i> Hon. <span class='sc'>W. W. Pole</span>, <i>dated on board the</i> Ocean, +<i>at sea, the 6th of May 1809</i>.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—I inclose—to be laid before their Lordships—a +letter I have received from Lord Cochrane, captain of his +Majesty’s ship <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have, &c.</div> + <div class='line in12'>“<span class='sc'>Collingwood</span>.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Having put to sea with our prizes, except the +smallest, which we gave to the Spaniards,—the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +stood, on the 9th of January, towards Silva, +anchoring in that port at 4 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> Observing a battery +of ten guns mounted ashore, we landed, rolled them +into the sea, and afterwards demolished the battery +without opposition.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>About noon they were reinforced by great numbers, +and the whole advanced down the hill, their +<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>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 <em>bottles of rum</em>!! I sent him the +rum, together with a reply not very complimentary to +his country or present occupation.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Cyrene</i>. 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>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 <em>none</em> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>there, as I had previously done with the <i>Speedy</i> +and <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, from Montpellier to Barcelona.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Had this permission been granted, I do not hesitate +to stake my professional reputation that <em>neither the +Peninsular war, nor its enormous cost to the nation, from +1809 onwards, would ever have been heard of</em>. It +would have been easy—<em>as it will always be easy in +case of future wars</em>—that is, provided those who have +the direction of national affairs have the sagacity to +foresee disaster, and, <em>foreseeing it, to take the initiative</em>, +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The reader will by this time have gathered some +idea of what the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>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<i>l.</i> and 1200<i>l.</i> +a year, will show the actuating principle of the Admiralties +of those days, which bestowed on me nothing +but marked neglect.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XIX. <br> <br> APPOINTMENT TO COMMAND FIRE-SHIPS IN BASQUE</h2> +</div> +<p class='c009'>ROADS.</p> + +<p class='c024'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Almost immediately after arrival of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> at +Plymouth, I received the subjoined letter from the +Hon. Johnstone Hope, Second Lord of the Board of +Admiralty:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Admiralty, March 21, 1809.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Dear Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Before you can answer this I shall be out of office, and +on my way to Scotland, as I found I could not continue +<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I am, my dear Lord, your’s faithfully,</div> + <div class='line in38'>“<span class='sc'>W. Johnstone Hope</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“Captain Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>On the receipt of this letter hope appeared to dawn. +The St. Vincent or any other official <span lang="la"><i>animus</i></span> 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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>Mediterranean. He <a id='corr340.1'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='than'>then</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_340.1'><ins class='correction' title='than'>then</ins></a></span> ran for Madeira, in the hope +of obtaining intelligence of them, should they, as was +feared in England, have made for the West Indies.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Lord Mulgrave replied that “the present was no +<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>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 <a id='corr342.6'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='mischief,'>mischief.</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_342.6'><ins class='correction' title='mischief,'>mischief.</ins></a></span> However,” added his +lordship, “there is Lord Gambier’s letter. Give me +your opinion on it.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>As this letter was afterwards made public, there can +be no reason for withholding it.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“<i>Caledonia</i>, off the Nertuis d’Antioche,</div> + <div class='line in10'>“11th March, 1809.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My dear Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The enemy’s ships lie much exposed to the operation of +fire-ships, <em>it is a horrible mode of warfare, and the attempt +hazardous, if not desperate</em>; 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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Yours, my dear Lord, most faithfully,</div> + <div class='line in23'>“<span class='sc'>Gambier</span>..nf-</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord Mulgrave.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“You see,” said Lord Mulgrave, “that Lord Gambier +will not take upon himself the responsibility of attack, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>and the Admiralty is not disposed to bear the <span lang="la"><i>onus</i></span> of +failure by means of an attack by fire-ships, however desirous +they may be that such attack should be made.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The request was immediately complied with, and the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>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?”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>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 <span lang="fr"><i>amour propre</i></span> of the fleet shall be +satisfied.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>[Private.]</span></p> + +<div class='c011'>“Admiralty, March 25, 1809.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Dear Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour to be, with the highest esteem,</div> + <div class='line in6'>“Your lordship’s most faithful servant,</div> + <div class='line in43'>“<span class='sc'>Mulgrave</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +<p class='c017'><span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>“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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +at Plymouth, there to await further orders from +the Admiralty.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Admiralty Office, March 19th, 1809.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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 <i>Cleveland</i>), +<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“That the vessels named in the margin (<i>Etna</i>, <i>Thunder</i>, +<i>Vesuvius</i>, <i>Hound</i>, and <i>Fury</i>), 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>(Signed) “<span class='sc'>W. W. Pole.</span></p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord Gambier.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 “<em>if +the Board</em> 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 <em>still declined to take upon himself +the responsibility of attack</em>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>It will be necessary to bear this fact in mind, as after +<span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>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 +<em>omitted my name altogether as having had anything +to do with either planning or executing it!!!</em> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“<i>Caledonia</i>, in Basque Roads,</div> + <div class='line in8'>“March 26th, 1809.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—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 <i>Insolent</i> +and <i>Contest</i> to join me from Quiberon Bay; and I should +hope that the <i>Martial</i> and <i>Fervent</i> will shortly return from +Plymouth.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>“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, <em>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</em>—there not being sufficient depth of water to +allow them to move to the southward out of distance.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The enemy having taken up their position apparently with +the view not only to be protected by <em>the strong works on the +Isle d’Aix</em>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“I beg leave to add that, <em>if their Lordships</em> 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, <em>however +great the risk may be of the loss of men and ships</em>.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c.</div> + <div class='line in17'>“<span class='sc'>Gambier</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Hon. W. W. Pole.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>I have marked some passages of this singular letter +<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>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 <em>no obstacle to +bombardment</em>.” “Now,” says his lordship, “<em>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</em>.” In the former letter his lordship stated +that the fort was “<em>injured in its foundations</em>, and in no +state of progress.” It is now characterised as “<em>the +strong works</em>” on <em>the</em> Isle d’Aix.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +“<em>forming no obstacle</em>,” though magnified into “strong +works.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Had Lord Gambier been, as I was, from having previously +blockaded Rochefort in the <i>Pallas</i>, 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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XX.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Without waiting to convoy the fire-ships and explosion +vessels, the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> arrived in Basque Roads on the 3rd +of April, when I was received with great urbanity by +<span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>the commander-in-chief; his lordship without reserve +communicating to me the following order from the +Admiralty:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Admiralty Office, 25th March, 1809.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in11'>“<span class='sc'>W. W. Pole</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“Admiral Lord Gambier.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Whatever might have been the good feeling manifested +by Lord Gambier, it did not, however, extend to +the officers of the fleet, whose <span lang="fr"><i>amour propre</i></span> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.<a id='r42'></a><a href='#f42' class='c010'><sup>[42]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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!”</p> + +<p class='c001'>Lord Gambier said he “should be sorry to see him +resort to such an extremity, but that the Lords of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span>Admiralty having fixed on Lord Cochrane to conduct +the service, he could not deviate from their Lordships’ +orders.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>To these remarks I replied: “Admiral Harvey, the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>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 <i>Tonnant’s</i> 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>Admiral Harvey then left the ship, first asking Captain +Bedford “whether he had made his offer of service <em>on +any duty</em> known to the commander-in-chief?” To +which Captain Bedford replied in the affirmative.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>So far as regarded the neglect to take soundings of +even the approaches to the channel leading to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span>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, <em>farthest from the French fleet</em>! Had not my +previous knowledge of the anchorage, as ascertained in +the <i>Pallas</i> 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!<a id='r43'></a><a href='#f43' class='c010'><sup>[43]</sup></a> and had, no doubt, impressed +the commander-in-chief that their reports were founded +on actual observations.</p> + +<p class='c001'>How far Admiral Harvey was justified in his intemperate +allusions to the “<em>musters</em>” and <em>quasi</em> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, with an +injunction for their distribution amongst the crew.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span>as a concocter of novel devices to advance my own +interests at the expense of my seniors in the service.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span lang="fr"><i>reconnaissance</i></span> as was practicable.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, Basque Roads, 3rd April.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“Ships filled with stones would ruin for ever the anchorage +<span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>of Aix, and some old vessels of the line well loaded would be +excellent for the purpose.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour to be, my Lord,</div> + <div class='line in17'>“Your most obedient servant,</div> + <div class='line in37'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord Mulgrave.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>As it was—the French laughed at the clouds of +cruisers intent on watching their coasting trade, which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>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 <i>Speedy</i>, <i>Pallas</i>, and +<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> “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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>To return from this digression to the <span lang="fr"><i>reconnaissance</i></span> +of the enemy’s works on Isle d’Aix.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The opinion which I had expressed to Lord Mulgrave +<span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In place, therefore, of officially reporting the result +of my <span lang="fr"><i>reconnaissance</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>This was the vessel in which I subsequently led on +<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span>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<a id='r44'></a><a href='#f44' class='c010'><sup>[44]</sup></a>—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XXI.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>On the 10th of April, the <i>Beagle</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Notwithstanding the importance of prompt action in +this respect, argument was unavailing. His lordship +<span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>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, <em>preceding</em> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>became aware of the character of the newly arrived +vessels, adopted all necessary precautions.<a id='r45'></a><a href='#f45' class='c010'><sup>[45]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.<a id='r46'></a><a href='#f46' class='c010'><sup>[46]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>in a double line, nearly north and south; the outer line +comprising five, and the inner six ships, including the +<i>Calcutta</i>; 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<a id='r47'></a><a href='#f47' class='c010'><sup>[47]</sup></a>:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'><span lang="fr">“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.</span></p> + +<p class='c001'><a id='note381'></a><span lang="fr">“Elle étoit flanquée <em>d’une estacade à quatre cents toises +au large, qui avoit huit cents toises de long</em>, le bout nord +étoit à une encablure et demie des roches de l’île.</span></p> + +<p class='c001'><span lang="fr">“Au coucher du soleil il ventoit encore très-gros frais. +<em>Je laissai chaque capitan libre de sa manœuvre pour la +sûreté de son vaisseau.</em></span></p> + +<p class='c001'><span lang="fr">“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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>entreprendre un <em>coup de main</em>. Il me fit dire qu’il l’attendoit +de pied ferme, et qu’il répondoit de la terre.”</span>—<cite>Vice-Admiral +Allemand’s Despatch of the 12th of April.</cite></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Calcutta</i>—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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>mounted on the batteries commanding the roads, +though these were afterwards characterised by his +Lordship as the “strong works on the Isle of Aix.”<a id='r48'></a><a href='#f48' class='c010'><sup>[48]</sup></a> +The nearest of the batteries on <span lang="fr"><i>Oleron</i></span> was out of gunshot, +and therefore of no account.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.<a id='r49'></a><a href='#f49' class='c010'><sup>[49]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>so that after nightfall, the officers who volunteered to +command the fireships were assembled on board the +<i>Caledonia</i>, and supplied with instructions according to +the plan previously laid down by myself.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> were anchored the frigates +<i>Aigle</i>, <i>Unicorn</i>, and <i>Pallas</i>, 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 +<i>Cæsar</i>, to assist the fireships. The boats of the fleet +were not, however, for some reason or other, made use +of at all.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>too soon, no doubt to save the men the terrible pull +back, against a gale of wind and a high sea.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> afterwards, in accordance +with my instructions, signalising the fireships to “proceed +on service.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>This danger surmounted, we pulled in the direction +of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span>we met the <i>Mediator</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On reaching the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Of all the fireships, upwards of twenty in number, +<em>four only reached the enemy’s position, and not one did +any damage</em>! The way in which they were managed +was grievous. The <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_381'>381</span>At daylight on the morning of the 12th not a spar +of the boom was anywhere visible, and with the exception +of the <span lang="fr"><i>Foudroyant</i></span> and <span lang="fr"><i>Cassard</i></span>, <em>the whole of the +enemy’s vessels were helplessly aground</em>. 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Cassard</i></span>, +which had at first done so, again brought up about +two cables’ length from the <span lang="fr"><i>Foudroyant</i></span>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>With these exceptions, every vessel of the enemy’s +fleet was ashore. The flag-ship of Admiral Allemand, +<i>L’Océan</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The account given by the captain of the <span lang="fr"><i>Indienne</i></span>, +French frigate, Captain Proteau, of the position of the +grounded ships, will not be called in question. It is +as follows:—“The <span lang="fr"><i>Indienne</i></span> aground on Point Aiguille, +near the fort; the <i>Pallas</i> off Barques; the <span lang="fr"><i>Elbe</i></span> and +<span lang="fr"><i>Hortense</i></span> on the Fontenelles; the <span lang="fr"><i>Tourville</i></span>, <span lang="fr"><i>Patriote</i></span>, +and <span lang="fr"><i>Tonnerre</i></span>, as seen from the <span lang="fr"><i>Indienne</i></span>, in a line on +the Palles Shoal; the <i>Calcutta</i>, <span lang="fr"><i>Regulus</i></span>, <span lang="fr"><i>Jemappes</i></span> on +the extremity of that shoal; the <span lang="fr"><i>Varsovie</i></span> and <span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span> +aground on Charenton; and the <i>Océan</i>, three-decker, +close to the edge of the Palles.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>We did not reach the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> till after midnight. +At daylight observing seven of the nearest enemy’s +<span class='pageno' id='Page_382'>382</span>ships ashore, amongst which was the admiral’s ship +<span lang="fr"><i>L’Océan</i></span>, and a group of four others lying near her, in +a most favourable position for attack, without the +possibility of returning it, at 6 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> we signalised the +admiral to that effect. As the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> we signalised +again, “<em>All the enemy’s ships, except two, are +on shore</em>;” 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, “<em>The enemy’s ships can be +destroyed</em>;” this also meeting with the same cool acknowledgment +of the answering pennant.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Not knowing what to make of such a reply, another +signal was hoisted, “<em>Half the fleet can destroy the +enemy</em>.” 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. “<em>The frigates alone can destroy the +enemy</em>,” though it was true enough, their ships aground +being perfectly helpless. To my astonishment the answering +pennant was still the only reply vouchsafed!</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_383'>383</span>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, +“<em>The enemy is preparing to heave off</em>;” and entertaining +no doubt that the Commander-in-chief would not permit +such a catastrophe, the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> dropped her +anchor close to the Boyart Shoal, in readiness for any +service that might be required.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_384'>384</span>At 11 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> the British fleet weighed, and stood towards +Aix Roads. By this time the <span lang="fr"><i>Océan</i></span>, 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, <em>again came to anchor about three and a half +miles distant from Aix</em>, i. e. just out of range.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>no attack was intended</em><a id='r50'></a><a href='#f50' class='c010'><sup>[50]</sup></a>, 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, “<em>The Admiralty is bent on destroying that fleet +before it can get out to the West Indies.</em>”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_385'>385</span>portion, at least, of the British fleet would again weigh +and stand in.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Noon passed. The <span lang="fr"><i>Océan</i></span>, 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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, “<em>what +attack was going to be made on the enemy by the fleet?</em>” +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In despair, lest the ships still aground should also +effect their escape, at 1 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> I ordered the anchor of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_386'>386</span>the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> to be hove atrip, and thus we drifted +stern foremost towards the enemy. I say “<em>drifted</em>,” +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 +<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>; the object of this being to <em>compel</em> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Had this means not been resorted to, <em>not a single +enemy’s ship would have been destroyed</em>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Proceeding thus till 1.30 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span>, and then suddenly +making sail after the nearest of the enemy’s vessels +escaping, at 1.40 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> the signal was run up to the +peak of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, “<em>Enemy superior to chasing +ship, but inferior to the fleet.</em>” No attention being paid +to this signal, at 1.45 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> I again signalled, “<em>In want of +assistance</em>,” which was true enough, being in a single +frigate, close to several enemy’s ships of the line.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_387'>387</span>As this signal, according to the code then in use, +was coupled with the one signifying “<em>In distress</em>,” the +signal officer on board the flagship thus interpreted it +to the commander-in-chief; a circumstance which will +require brief explanation.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In order to divert our attention from the vessels we +were pursuing, these having thrown their guns overboard, +the <i>Calcutta</i>, 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 +<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> came to an anchor in five fathoms; and +veering to half a cable, kept fast the spring, firing +upon the <i>Calcutta</i> with our broadside, and at the same +time upon the <span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span> and <span lang="fr"><i>Ville de Varsovie</i></span> with +our forecastle and bow guns, both these ships being +aground stern on, in an opposite direction.</p> + +<p class='c001'>This proceeding—though there could be no doubt +of our being “<em>In want of assistance</em>,” seeing that our +single frigate, unaided, was engaging three line-of-battle +ships—did not look much like being “<em>In distress</em>,” as +the signal officer of the <em>Caledonia</em> 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>.</p> + +<p class='c001'>After engaging the <i>Calcutta</i> 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. <em>Emerald</em>, <em>Unicorn</em>, <em>Indefatigable</em>, <em>Valiant</em>, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_388'>388</span><em>Revenge</em>, <i>Pallas</i>, and <em>Aigle</em>. On seeing this, the captain +and crew of the <i>Calcutta</i> abandoned their vessel, of +which the boats of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> took possession before +the vessels sent to our “assistance” came down.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the subsequent court-martial, it was declared +that the <i>Calcutta</i> did not strike to the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, +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 <i>Calcutta</i>, Lafon, and +condemned him to be shot, clearly <em>for having abandoned +his ship to inferior force</em>. 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 <i>Calcutta</i> to the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, and not to the line-of-battle +ships which came up afterwards, as was subsequently +asserted.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On the arrival of the two line-of-battle ships and the +frigates, the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> hailed them to anchor, or they +would run aground on the Palles Shoal, on the very +edge of which the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> had taken up her berth. +They anchored immediately and commenced firing on +the <i>Calcutta</i>, <i>Aquilon</i>, and <span lang="fr"><i>Ville de Varsovie</i></span>. On this +I signalled the <i>Revenge</i> and others to desist from +firing, as the <i>Calcutta</i> had already struck to the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_389'>389</span>and we had at that time a boat’s crew on +board her.</p> + +<p class='c001'>On this they desisted, and turned their fire wholly +on the other two vessels. At 3.30 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 “<em>assistance</em>,” 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.<a id='r51'></a><a href='#f51' class='c010'><sup>[51]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>At 5.30 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> the <span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span> and <span lang="fr"><i>Ville de Varsovie</i></span> +struck.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Shortly afterwards, the <i>Calcutta</i> was set on fire, and +in half an hour was burning furiously. At 6.0 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span> the +crew of the <span lang="fr"><i>Tonnerre</i></span>, which was not attacked, set fire +to her, escaping in their boats. At 7.0 the <span lang="fr"><i>Tonnerre</i></span> +blew up, and at 9.0 the <i>Calcutta</i> also, with an effect, +from the large quantity of ammunition on board, +almost equalling that of the explosion-vessels the night +before. The <i>Calcutta</i> was the storeship of the French +fleet.</p> + +<p class='c001'>It has been said, that my having rushed single-handed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_390'>390</span>amongst the enemy’s ships, and then hoisted the signal +“<em>In want of assistance</em>,” 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>charlatan</em> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Etna</i> +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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, the object of this being to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_391'>391</span><em>avoid giving offence</em> to my senior officers in command +of the frigates and line-of-battle ships now present. +The signal “<em>to close</em>” in the same defective code expressing +also “<em>to close the Admiral</em>,” 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>I may here mention a singular incident which occurred +some time after the <span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span> and <span lang="fr"><i>Ville de Varsovie</i></span> +had struck, and after their officers and crews had been +removed on board the British ships. The captain of +the <span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span> 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 +<span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span> a shot from a heated gun on board one of the +vessels to which the French had set fire—the <span lang="fr"><i>Tonnerre</i></span>, +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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span class='fss'>A.M.</span>, got under +<span class='pageno' id='Page_392'>392</span>weigh, having previously kindled the French line-of-battle +ships <span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span> and <span lang="fr"><i>Ville de Varsovie</i></span>; 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, which was in close +proximity.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The two ships <span lang="fr"><i>Foudroyant</i></span> and <span lang="fr"><i>Cassard</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Indefatigable</i></span>, and asked the captain if he +would go on one quarter of the three-decker (<span lang="fr"><i>l’Océan</i></span>), +whilst the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> engaged the other? The reply +was that “he would not, and that they <em>were going out +to join the fleet</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>To his infinite credit, Captain Seymour, of the <i>Pallas</i> +(the present distinguished admiral, Sir George Seymour), +<span class='pageno' id='Page_393'>393</span>hailed us to know “if he should remain with +the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>?” 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 <i>Pallas</i> anchored, and four brigs, the <i>Beagle</i>, +<i>Growler</i>, <i>Conflict</i>, and <i>Encounter</i>, followed her +example.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Calcutta</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Whilst the refitting of the frigate was going on, I +ordered our only bomb, the <i>Etna</i>, protected by the +brigs, to fire on the enemy’s Vice- and Rear-Admiral’s +ships, as well as on the <span lang="fr"><i>Foudroyant</i></span> and <span lang="fr"><i>Cassard</i></span>, +which, having thrown all overboard, were now pressing +sail to get up the Charente, thus taking on myself +to commence the action anew, <em>after the auxiliary line-of-battle +ships and frigates had retired</em>!</p> + +<p class='c001'>To my regret, a signal of recall was immediately +hoisted on board the <i>Caledonia</i>! To this I replied by +another, “<i>The enemy can be destroyed</i>;” of which no +notice was taken. Shortly afterwards a boat brought +me the following letter from Lord Gambier:—</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_394'>394</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<i>Caledonia</i>, 13th of April.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My dear Lord</span>,—<em>You have done your part so admirably +that I will not suffer you to tarnish it by attempting impossibilities</em><a id='r52'></a><a href='#f52' class='c010'><sup>[52]</sup></a>, +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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Yours, my dear Lord, most sincerely,</div> + <div class='line in30'>“<span class='sc'>Gambier</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“Capt. Lord Cochrane.</span></p> + +<p class='c001'>“<i>P.S.</i>—I have ordered <em>three brigs and two rocket-vessels +to join you</em>, 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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>As the commander-in-chief’s letter was thus indecisive, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_395'>395</span>I chose to construe it as giving me the option of +remaining, and returned his lordship the following +answer:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, 13th April.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My Lord</span>,—I have just had the honour to receive your +Lordship’s letter. We <em>can</em> destroy the ships that are on shore, +which I hope your Lordship will approve of.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have the honour, &c.</div> + <div class='line in15'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“The Right Hon. Lord Gambier.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<em>even now</em>, their destruction would have been inevitable.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In place of this the recall signal was once more +hoisted on board the <i>Caledonia</i>, to which I replied by +the interrogatory signal “<em>Shall we unmoor?</em>” 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>In place of being ordered to attack, as from his +lordship’s previous letter I had every reason to expect, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_396'>396</span>the recall signal was repeated, and shortly afterwards +came the following letter:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<i>Caledonia</i>, 13th (14th) April.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>My dear Lord</span>,—It is necessary I should have some communication +with you before I close my despatches to the +Admiralty. <em>I have, therefore, ordered Captain Wolfe to +relieve you</em> 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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Yours, my dear Lord, most sincerely,</div> + <div class='line in27'>“<span class='sc'>Gambier</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='small'>“Capt. Lord Cochrane.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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, +<em>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</em>!!!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Caledonia</i>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_397'>397</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>Lord Gambier then replied, “<em>If you throw blame +upon what has been done, it will appear like arrogantly +claiming all the merit to yourself.</em>”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_398'>398</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>Indienne</i></span>, +and was <em>close to the boom</em> at the time it was destroyed by +the explosion-vessel. The point here alluded to is the +statement of the commander of the <i>Mediator</i>, that <span class='fss'>HIS +VESSEL BROKE THE BOOM BY HER WEIGHT!!</span> and Lord +Gambier, without any personal knowledge of the fact, +was thereby led to endorse his statement.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The captain of the <span lang="fr"><i>Indienne</i></span>, on the other hand, states +that when the explosion-vessel blew up she was “<em>at the +boom</em>,” or, nautically speaking, “<em>brought up by the boom</em>.” +His words, are “<span lang="fr"><i>flottant à l’estacade</i></span>.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>It will be best, however, to extract the passage +entire:—</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_399'>399</span></div> +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'><span lang="fr">“Nous distinguâmes, à 9 heures et demie, sous notre boussoir +de tribord, un corps <em>flottant à l’estacade</em>. 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.”</span>—<cite>Captain Proteau’s Journal.</cite></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>As the <span lang="fr"><i>Indienne</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 (<em>a +quarter of an hour later</em>), the <i>Mediator</i> and other +vessels came up, and were fired on by the French +ships!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<i>Mediator</i>, and who reiterated in his evidence on the +court-martial the statement he had previously made +to Lord Gambier, viz. that <em>his ship</em>, and not the explosion-vessel, +broke the boom: of the truth of which +statement the nautical reader shall judge on professional +grounds.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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:—<span lang="fr">“Elle (the French fleet) étoit flanquée +<em>d’une estacade à quatre cents toises au large, qui avoit +huits cents toises de long</em>.”</span></p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_400'>400</span>The boom formed two sides of a triangle, with the +apex towards the British fleet, thus,—</p> + +<div class='figcenter id004'> +<img src='images/p400.jpg' alt='Diagram' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The statement of Captain Wooldridge to Lord Gambier, +therefore, amounts to this,—that his ship, the +<i>Mediator</i>, 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_401'>401</span>I will not insult the common sense even of the unprofessional +reader by any attempt at further explanation.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>accepted by those officers</em>, though every one present +must have known that the <i>Mediator</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>It was not even pretended by those on board the +<i>Mediator</i> that any shock was felt! a pretty clear proof +that, when she passed over the place where the boom +<em>had been</em>, 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.<a id='r53'></a><a href='#f53' class='c010'><sup>[53]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_402'>402</span>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 +<i>Mediator</i> broken through it, as falsely alleged, the whole +length of the boom, except the part ruptured, must necessarily +have remained at anchor!!</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_403'>403</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XXII. <br> <br> ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>On the 26th of April, His Majesty was pleased to +confer on me the Knighthood of the Order of the +Bath.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Lord Mulgrave entreated me not to persist in this +determination, as such a course would not only prove +<span class='pageno' id='Page_404'>404</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Soon after this conversation Lord Mulgrave sent for +me, and again entreated me, for my own sake, to reconsider +<span class='pageno' id='Page_405'>405</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><i>carte blanche</i></span> 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_406'>406</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The upshot of the matter was, that on Lord Mulgrave +communicating my determination to Lord Gambier, +the latter demanded a court-martial.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>fresh +report</em> of the action in Basque Roads! requiring his +lordship to call upon various officers for further reports +as to the part they took therein!</p> + +<p class='c001'>Accordingly, on the 10th of May, Lord Gambier +forwarded <em>a new despatch</em> to the Admiralty, <em>in which +my services were altogether passed over!!!</em> 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>Still more singularly, in the second despatch, which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_407'>407</span>is too long for insertion<a id='r54'></a><a href='#f54' class='c010'><sup>[54]</sup></a>, Lord Gambier inadvertently +confirms the fact that <em>no attack on the French fleet +would have been made at all</em>, had it not been for my +having commenced an attack with the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +alone, which movement, as has been said, was executed +literally <em>by stealth</em>, under the fear that the signal +of recall would be hoisted by the commander-in-chief!</p> + +<p class='c001'>It having, for reasons described in a former chapter, +become imperative on Lord Gambier to send us assistance, +he, nevertheless, construed this into an <em>intention</em> +on his part to attack the enemy. “<em>Observing the Impérieuse +to advance, and the time of flood nearly done +running, the Indefatigable</em>, &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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_408'>408</span>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) “<span class='sc'>W. W. Pole.</span>”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“Portman Square, 30th May, 1809.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—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.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“I have, &c. &c.</div> + <div class='line in10'>“<span class='sc'>Cochrane</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l c018'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='small'>“The Hon. W. W. Pole,</span></div> + <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Secretary to the Admiralty.”</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_409'>409</span>This reply, though plain, was respectful; but, as I +had afterwards good reason to know, was deemed very +offensive; the result being that, <em>after two months’ +delay</em> to enable Lord Gambier to get up his defence, +a court-martial was assembled on the 26th of July, on +board the <i>Gladiator</i>, at Portsmouth, the court being +composed of the following members:—</p> + +<p class='c026'><span class='sc'>President</span>—Sir Roger Curtis, Port-Admiral.</p> + +<p class='c026'><span class='sc'>Admirals</span>—Young, Stanhope, Campbell, Douglas, +Duckworth, and Sutton.</p> + +<p class='c026'><span class='sc'>Captains</span>—Irwin, Dickson, Hall, and Dunn.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_410'>410</span>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).</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Captain Broughton</span> (of the <i>Illustrious</i>).—“I was in Basque +Roads, in the <i>Amelia</i>, 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,—<em>they fired at +us from both sides, but none reached us</em>.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“It would have been more advantageous if the line-of-battle +ships, frigates, and small vessels had <em>gone in at half-flood</em>, +about 11 o’clock. There were <em>nine sail ashore</em>, and +if the British ships had been ordered in, it would have been +more advantageous. There were only <em>two</em> of the enemy’s +ships at anchor, and the <em>fleet</em>, had it gone in, would have +been exposed to <em>their</em> 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 <em>silence them</em>. I told Sir Henry Neale, on +board the <i>Caledonia</i>, when the signal was made for all captains +<span class='pageno' id='Page_411'>411</span>in the mooring, that ‘<em>they were attackable from the +confused way in which the French ships were at the time</em>;’ +viz. from having run ashore in the night, in order to escape +from the fire-ships, which they imagined would explode.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>out of range of shot or shells in any +direction</em>. When we first came into Basque Roads, if the +charts were to be believed, <em>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</em>. 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.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Captain Pulteney Malcolm</span> (of the <i>Donegal</i>).—“I saw the +enemy’s three-decker on shore. Till about noon she was +heeling over considerably, and appeared to me to be <em>heaving +her guns overboard</em>. She got off about two o’clock; <em>all the +ships got off, except those that were destroyed</em>. Had it appeared +to me that there was no other chance of destroying +those ships but by such an attack, <span class='sc'>I certainly think it +ought to have been made</span>. <em>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.</em>”</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_412'>412</span><i>Question.</i>—“Would you, had you commanded the British +fleet, have sent in ships to attack the enemy’s ships on shore?”</p> + +<p class='c001'><i>Answer.</i>—“The moment the two ships quitted their defensive +position, the risk was then small, and <span class='sc'>of course I +would have sent them in instantly</span>.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>This evidence is pretty decisive, but its plain tendency +was attempted to be neutralised by the question +whether there would have been <em>risk of damage</em>, 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.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Captain F. Newcombe</span> (of the <i>Beagle</i>).—“Can you state +any instance of neglect, misconduct, or inattention in the +proceedings of the Commander-in-chief, between the 11th +and the 18th?”</p> + +<p class='c001'><i>Answer.</i>—“None; save and except, had the Commander-in-chief +thought proper, from his situation, <span class='fss'>TO HAVE SENT IN +VESSELS EARLIER THAN THEY WERE SENT</span>, though there might +be a great risk in so doing, there was a possibility of annoying +the enemy more than they were annoyed.”</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Captain George Francis Seymour</span> (of the <i>Pallas</i>.)—“I +saw the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>President.</span>—“How much sooner would that have been +than the time they actually did join?”</p> + +<p class='c001'><i>Answer.</i>—“At <em>eleven o’clock</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c001'><i>Question.</i>—“What time did the line-of-battle ships join?”</p> + +<p class='c001'><i>Answer.</i>—“<em>Within a short time after two o’clock.</em>”</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_413'>413</span><i>Question.</i>—“Is your opinion formed from information obtained +since the 12th of April, or on that day?”</p> + +<p class='c001'><i>Answer.</i>—“It was formed from the depth of water <em>we +found</em> <span class='fss'>ON GOING IN</span>.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>should</em> have gone in; +I was not in possession of the Commander-in-chief’s information. +<em>I state the fact, and leave the Court to judge.</em> I +mean to say, <em>there would have been water enough for the +line-of-battle ships to have floated in</em>. As to the opposition +they would have met with, the Court has as much before them +as I have.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>If the reader will refer to Lord Gambier’s expression, +in his second despatch of the 10th of May (see +page <a href='#Page_407'>407</a>), it will be evident that no attack whatever +was intended; “but observing the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> to advance,” +it became imperative to support her, <i>i.e.</i> when +the <i>flood-tide “had nearly done running.”</i> This is the +true explanation of the British ships having been sent +in <em>at all</em>. I repeat, that the advance of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_414'>414</span>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 <em>ashore</em>, with their guns thrown +overboard to lighten them, was a course of defence +which, for the honour of the British navy, is elsewhere +unparalleled.</p> + +<p class='c001'>There is no necessity to adduce further extracts on +this head; and I have purposely refrained from introducing +my own evidence; but the <em>animus</em> by which +the Court was actuated in the case must not be lightly +passed over.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, <em>not to state the +opinions he had given to Lord Gambier on public services</em>! +By Admiral Young Sir Harry Neale was told +<em>to say nothing but what he was directed to detail</em>! This +would be incredible were it not printed in “Minutes of +the Court-Martial, revised by Lord Gambier!”</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>Sir <span class='sc'>H. Neale</span> (Captain of the Fleet).—“There were continued +conversations between the Commander-in-chief and me. +I have given him my opinion <em>on different services</em>; some of +those he may have approved, and <em>some he may not have +approved</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>President.</span>—“I apprehend <em>these</em> are <em>not</em> to be stated!”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Yet Sir H. Neale carefully marked the distinction +between private conversation and the <em>public service</em>, by +using the term “different services;” he being evidently +ready to tell all he knew as regarded the public service. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_415'>415</span>He was, however, stopped by Admiral Young +in one of the strangest injunctions which ever fell from +the lips of a judge.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Admiral Young.</span>—“If you are directed <em>to detail</em> any circumstances, +you are <em>then</em> to say all you know of the circumstances +you <em>are directed to detail</em>; but if you are asked a +specific question, your oath, I imagine, will <em>only</em> oblige you to +answer <span class='fss'>SPECIFICALLY</span> and directly, and as fully as you <em>can, the +question which is proposed to you</em>!”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>So that Sir Harry Neale was cautioned that, if he +was <em>not</em> 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 <em>specifically</em>; 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_416'>416</span> + <h2 class='c008'>CHAP. XXIII. <br> <br> LORD GAMBIER’S DESPATCH.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c020'>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.</p> + +<p class='c009'>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 <em>Mediator, preceded by some vessels +filled with powder and shells, as proposed by Lord +Cochrane, with a view to explosion</em>!”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Mediator</i> proceeded on service in obedience +to the signals made by my order from the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, +the explosion vessel under my personal command +was half-way towards the French fleet; the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_417'>417</span>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <i>Cæsar</i>, anchored full four +miles from the scene of action, and from the plans of +the commander-in-chief himself.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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,—“<em>some +vessels filled with powder and shells, with +a view to explosion</em>.” That these means, conducted by +myself, not Captain Wooldridge, <em>did</em> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_418'>418</span>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>The despatch goes on to state that, “the <em>Mediator, +by breaking the boom!</em>” opened the way for the fireships, +“but, owing to the darkness of the night, several +mistook their course and failed.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>At the conclusion of the last chapter, such reasons +have, I think, been given why the <i>Mediator</i> 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 <i>Lyra</i> 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:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“When the explosion-vessel blew up, she was about two +cables’ length from the <i>Lyra</i>. The <i>Lyra</i>, as well as the other +<span class='pageno' id='Page_419'>419</span>explosion-vessel, is marked in the chart produced by me. +When she blew up, the fire vessels <em>all</em> seemed to steer for that +point. <em>I hailed four of them, and the Mediator</em>, and desired +the <i>Mediator</i> to steer south-east, or else she would miss the +<em>French fleet</em>.”—<cite>Minutes</cite>, p. 177.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span lang="fr"><i>Indienne</i></span>, that the explosion took place <em>at the boom</em>, +“<span lang="fr"><i>à l’estacade</i></span>,” is indisputable, as the <span lang="fr"><i>Indienne</i></span>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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, <em>all</em> the fireships steered for the point +where it had taken place; 3rdly, Mr. Fairfax hailed +<em>four</em> of them; 4thly, the <i>Mediator</i> then came up, <em>steering +in a wrong direction</em>, 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 <em>fifth fireship which came up</em>, and that +had he not set her right in her course she would have +“missed the French fleet;” <i>i.e.</i> she was behind the +other fireships, and <em>steering outside the boom, which lay +in front of the French fleet!</em></p> + +<p class='c001'>It would, I think, be superfluous to say another word +<span class='pageno' id='Page_420'>420</span>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 <em>no +effect whatever, either on the boom or the French fleet!</em> +which is indeed the main object of the despatch.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>he fell in with the +Mediator, steering in a wrong direction, and set her right +in her course!!!</em></p> + +<p class='c001'>I forbear to speak of having myself encountered the +<i>Mediator</i> 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 <cite>Times</cite> newspaper of May 4th, 1809, will +furnish some idea, as coming from French sources:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>infernal +machines</em>,’ says one of the letters, ‘have not only destroyed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_421'>421</span>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 <em>petrified +the rest with fear</em>. The mouth of the Charente river is completely +blocked up with wreck.’”<a id='r55'></a><a href='#f55' class='c010'><sup>[55]</sup></a></p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>Yet two days after the departure of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, +the commander-in-chief addressed another despatch to +the Admiralty, from which the subjoined is an extract:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<div class='c011'>“<i>Caledonia</i>, April 16, 1809.</div> + +<p class='c001'>“It has blown violently from the southward and westward +ever since the departure of the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, which has rendered +it <em>impracticable to act in any way with the small vessels or +boats of the fleet</em> against the enemy. I have the satisfaction +to observe this morning, that the enemy have set fire to their +frigate <span lang="fr"><i>L’Indienne</i></span>, and that the ship of the line which is +aground at the entrance of the river—supposed to be the +<i>Regulus</i>—there is every reason to believe will be wrecked.”</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>The Emperor Napoleon himself is, moreover, an +authority on the subject, not to be passed over.</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘He would not only have destroyed them,’ replied Napoleon, +‘but <em>he might and would have taken them out</em>, had your +admiral supported him as he ought to have done. For, in +consequence of the signal made by L’Allemand’ (I think he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_422'>422</span>said) ‘to the ships to do the best in their power to save themselves—<span lang="fr"><i>sauve +qui peut</i></span>, in fact—they became panic-struck, +and cut their cables. The terror of the <span lang="fr"><i>brûlots</i></span><a id='r56'></a><a href='#f56' class='c010'><sup>[56]</sup></a> was so great, +that they <em>actually threw their powder overboard, so that +they could have offered very little resistance</em>.’</p> + +<p class='c001'>“‘The French <a id='corr422.6'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='admiral,”'>admiral,’</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_422.6'><ins class='correction' title='admiral,”'>admiral,’</ins></a></span> continued Napoleon, ‘was an +<em>imbecile</em>, 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 <span lang="fr"><i>brûlots</i></span>, but fear deprived them of their senses, and they +no longer knew how to act in their own defence.’”—<cite>O’Meara’s +Napoleon</cite>, vol. ii. p. 291.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The commander-in-chief’s assertion, that, “<em>owing to +the darkness of the night, several fireships mistook their +course and failed</em>,” was true enough, but not the <em>whole +truth</em>, which was, that, from their clumsy management—neither +going in the right direction, nor being kindled +at the right time or place—<em>not one out of the twenty-three +fireships took effect</em>!</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +“<em>immediately</em>”<a id='r57'></a><a href='#f57' class='c010'><sup>[57]</sup></a> ordered the fleet to +unmoor and weigh, <em>intending</em> to proceed with it to +their destruction; but the wind blowing fresh <em>from +<span class='pageno' id='Page_423'>423</span>the northward</em><a id='r58'></a><a href='#f58' class='c010'><sup>[58]</sup></a>, and <em>the flood-tide running</em><a id='r59'></a><a href='#f59' class='c010'><sup>[59]</sup></a>, rendered +it too hazardous to enter Aix Roads, wherefore the +fleet again anchored about three miles from the forts +on Isle d’Aix.</p> + +<p class='c001'>This was, indeed, all that the fleet collectively did, +or that the commander-in-chief intended it to do. Seeing, +however, the “<em>enemy warping off their ships</em>” and +that, whilst the fleet was unmooring and anchoring +again, “<em>they had succeeded in getting off all but five +of the line!</em>” the commander-in-chief “gave orders +to Capt. Bligh of the <i>Valiant</i>, with the <i>Revenge</i>, frigates, +bombs, &c.,”—to attack those that remained +aground? Nothing of the kind, but—“<em>to anchor +near the Boyart Shoal, in readiness for an attack</em>!!” +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!!</p> + +<p class='c001'>“At twenty minutes past two, <span class='fss'>P.M.</span>,” continues the +commander-in-chief, “Lord Cochrane advanced in the +<span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, with his accustomed gallantry and spirit, +and opened a well-directed fire on the <i>Calcutta</i>, which +<em>struck her colours to the Impérieuse</em>.” Lord Gambier +afterwards <em>denied this</em>, 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!</p> + +<p class='c001'>But now comes the monstrous part of the assertion; +viz. “The ships and vessels above-mentioned <em>soon +<span class='pageno' id='Page_424'>424</span>after</em> joined in the attack on the <span lang="fr"><i>Ville de Varsovie</i></span> +and <span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span>, and obliged them to strike their colours,” +&c. Instead of “<em>soon after</em>,” the <i>Valiant</i>, <i>Revenge</i>, +&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, <em>when it could no longer be avoided</em>, appear part +of a previous plan to attack the <span lang="fr"><i>Ville de Varsovie</i></span> and +<span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span>, and that they were sent for this purpose <em>soon +after</em> my attack on the <i>Calcutta</i> and them simultaneously!</p> + +<p class='c001'>This is not only a perversion of fact, but a suppression +of it; for the commander-in-chief must have seen +that the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> was engaged with the <span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span> and +<span lang="fr"><i>Ville de Varsovie</i></span>, as well as with the <i>Calcutta</i>, before +the <i>Valiant</i>, <i>Revenge</i>, &c., were ordered in to our assistance, +as requested by my signal. And here it must be +distinctly understood, that <i>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</i>. To avert this disgrace, +I resolved, if necessary, to sacrifice my ship.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_425'>425</span>most advantageous to annoy the enemy, and <em>preserve +my own ship!</em> which,” continued his Lordship, “could +not be exceeded by any feat of valour hitherto achieved +by the British navy!”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.”</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>to preserve +my ship</em>,” I drifted the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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 <em>to lose</em> 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 <em>ever since the +previous midnight</em>, helpless, and, as every French +authority admits, hopeless of escape, had the slightest +effort been made to prevent it.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_426'>426</span>In place, then, of attacking these with a single +frigate, in such a way as to “<em>preserve my ship</em>,” 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 <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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 <em>not</em> +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 <em>where</em> was not to be +gathered from the commander-in-chief’s despatch, in +which everything “by favour of the Almighty,”<a id='r60'></a><a href='#f60' class='c010'><sup>[60]</sup></a> as +the despatch most reprehensibly set forth, had succeeded.</p> + +<p class='c001'>It is not surprising, then, that the press began to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_427'>427</span>criticise the despatch on its own merits. The following +remarks are extracted from a <cite>Times</cite> leading article +in the paper of April 25th, 1809, by way of specimen:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'>“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.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>“Lord Cochrane’s first signal, as we learn from the <cite>Gazette</cite>, +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?’</p> + +<p class='c001'>“The despatch proceeds. ‘I <em>immediately</em> 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 +<span class='pageno' id='Page_428'>428</span>might be ready to advance at a moment’s warning, and to +sustain his own party when necessary.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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 <span lang="fr"><cite>Revue des Deux Mondes</cite></span> +for 1858. From this, though incorrect in stating that +I commanded a division, I make the subjoined extract, +which shall close the subject:—</p> + +<div class='quote'> + +<p class='c001'><span lang="fr">“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.</span></p> + +<p class='c001'><span lang="fr">“<i>La mollesse de Lord Gambier</i>, le courage et le sang froid +de quelques-uns de nos officiers, préservèrent seuls l’escadre +française d’une ruine totale.”</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div>END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='small'>LONDON</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO.</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>NEW-STREET SQUARE</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c000'> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f1'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. See Lord Brougham’s “Historic Sketches of Statesmen of the +Reign of George III.”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f2'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f3'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f4'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f5'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. “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.”—<i>Crawfurd’s Description of Renfrew</i>, p. 82.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f6'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. Pinkerton.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f7'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. “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.”—<cite>Buchanan</cite>, 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.”—<cite>Buchanan</cite>, vol. ii. +p. 309.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f8'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. 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:—</p> + +<p class='c001'>“<span class='sc'>Erskine Earl of Mar.</span></p> + +<p class='c001'>“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 <em>envied +by a strong party of the nobility</em>, 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.”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f9'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. 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 <em>outvied the Splendour of the ancient +Nobility</em>! who beheld Persons of the meanest extraction eclipse +them in Lustre!”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f10'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f11'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r11'>11</a>. “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.”—<cite>Lord Macaulay.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f12'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r12'>12</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f13'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r13'>13</a>. “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.” +<cite>Lord Macaulay.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f14'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r14'>14</a>. “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<i>l.</i> a-year.”—<cite>Lord Macaulay.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f15'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r15'>15</a>. Original note.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f16'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r16'>16</a>. One action of my maternal grandfather is worthy of record. +On March 28th, 1758, upwards of a century ago, he commanded the +<i>Southampton</i>, 32, and when in company with the <i>Melampe</i>, 24, +Captain Hotham, fell in with two French frigates off Yarmouth. +The <i>Melampe</i>, being the faster sailer, came up first, and was so disabled +that she fell astern before the <i>Southampton</i> got within range. +On the <i>Melampe</i> falling off, one of the frigates made sail, and got +away. The <i>Southampton</i> then engaged the other, and after a six +hours’ contest, carried on with equal bravery on both sides, she +boarded and captured the <i>Danaë</i>, of 40 guns and 340 men, commanded +by one of the bravest officers in the French navy.</p> + +<p class='c001'>The loss of the <i>Danaë</i> was her first and second captains, and +eighty men killed. The <i>Southampton</i> had only one killed and ten +wounded; amongst whom was my grandfather, whose shoulder was +shattered by a grape-shot.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f17'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r17'>17</a>. 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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f18'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r18'>18</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f19'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r19'>19</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f20'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r20'>20</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f21'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r21'>21</a>. Anna, Countess of Dundonald, died at Brompton on the 13th +of November 1784.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f22'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r22'>22</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f23'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r23'>23</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f24'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r24'>24</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f25'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r25'>25</a>. “Articles of Confederation between New Hampshire, Massachusetts,” +&c. &c., May 20th, 1775.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f26'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r26'>26</a>. As the reader is aware, we had previously painted the <i>Speedy</i> +in imitation of the Danish brig.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f27'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r27'>27</a>. Archibald.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f28'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r28'>28</a>. “He has,” &c. &c. [Here follows a recapitulation of particulars, +with which the reader is already acquainted.]</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f29'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r29'>29</a>. The action in the Straits of Gibraltar, alluded to at page <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>, +when Captain Keats destroyed two line-of-battle ships, and captured +a third, the remainder of the squadron being witnesses only.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f30'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r30'>30</a>. See Brenton, vol. ii. p. 356.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f31'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r31'>31</a>. An Indiaman, recently captured by the French off St. Helena.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f32'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r32'>32</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f33'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r33'>33</a>. “Since the publication of the first edition, Admiral Seymour has +kindly supplied me with the following interesting particulars, which +had escaped my recollection:</p> + +<p class='c027'>“I remember that on the 14th, the morning in question, the <i>Kingfisher</i> 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 +<i>Kingfisher</i> two days before by too near an approach to the French squadron—that +the <i>Pallas</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c027'>“The moment, however, I saw that you had run on board the <i>Minerve</i>, 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.</p> + +<p class='c027'>“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 <i>Pallas</i> +and <i>Kingfisher</i> 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.</p> + +<p class='c027'>“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.<a id='r34'></a><a href='#f34' class='c010'><sup>[34]</sup></a></p> + +<div class='c028'>“Yours very faithfully, <span class='sc'>G. Seymour</span>.”</div> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f34'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r34'>34</a>. In Aix Roads. See page <a href='#Page_392'>392</a>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f35'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r35'>35</a>. If a vessel were captured and destroyed, head money was awarded, +as in the case of the <i>Calcutta</i>, which surrendered to the <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span> +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 <em>to me alone</em>; 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f36'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r36'>36</a>. Hansard’s Parliamentary Debates, vol. ix.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f37'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r37'>37</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f38'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r38'>38</a>. Afterwards ambassador to China, where his lordship died.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f39'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r39'>39</a>. 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 <span lang="fr"><i>générale</i></span> 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f40'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r40'>40</a>. The present gallant Admiral Sir Houston Stewart, commanding +Her Britannic Majesty’s squadron on the North American station.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f41'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r41'>41</a>. 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, <a id='corr297.28'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='Michelot'>Michelet</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_297.28'><ins class='correction' title='Michelot'>Michelet</ins></a></span> 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f42'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r42'>42</a>. Minutes of a court-martial on Admiral Harvey, on board +H. M. S. <i>Gladiator</i>, at Portsmouth, May 22nd, 1809.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f43'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r43'>43</a>. 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!</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f44'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r44'>44</a>. Admiral Allemand had given instructions to the commandant +on the Isle d’Aix to use every precaution in case of the anticipated +attack.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f45'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r45'>45</a>. <span lang="fr">“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,”</span> &c.—<cite>Vice-Admiral Allemand’s Despatch, of the 12th of +April.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f46'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r46'>46</a>. The subjoined was the French force at anchor in Aix roads:—</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Ships of the Line</span>: <span lang="fr"><i>L’Océan</i></span>, 120, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral +Allemand; <span lang="fr"><i>Foudroyant</i></span>, 80, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral +Gourdon; <span lang="fr"><i>Cassard</i></span>, 74; <span lang="fr"><i>Tourville</i></span>, 74; <span lang="fr"><i>Regulus</i></span>, 74; +<span lang="fr"><i>Patriote</i></span>, 74; <span lang="fr"><i>Jemappes</i></span>, 74; <span lang="fr"><i>Tonnerre</i></span>, 74; <span lang="fr"><i>Aquilon</i></span>, 74; <span lang="fr"><i>Ville de +Varsovie</i></span>, 74. Total, 10.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Frigates</span>: <span lang="fr"><i>Indienne</i></span>, <span lang="fr"><i>Elbe</i></span>, <i>Pallas</i>, and <span lang="fr"><i>Hortense</i></span>. Total, 4.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Storeship</span>: <i>Calcutta</i>, 56, armed <span lang="fr"><i>en flûte</i></span>. This vessel had been +a British East Indiaman, captured some time before off St. Helena. +Total, 15.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f47'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r47'>47</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f48'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r48'>48</a>. Two ships of the line would have been quite sufficient to +silence “the batteries on Aix.”—<cite>Captain Broughton’s Evidence on +the Court Martial.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f49'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r49'>49</a>. The British force present in Basque Roads was as follows:—</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Ships of the Line</span>: <i>Caledonia</i>, 120, bearing the flag of Lord +Gambier; <i>Cæsar</i>, 80, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Stopford; +<i>Gibraltar</i>, 80; <i>Revenge</i>, 74; <i>Donegal</i>, 74; <i>Heron</i>, 74; <i>Illustrious</i>, 74; +<i>Valiant</i>, 74; <i>Bellona</i>, 74; <i>Resolution</i>, 74; <i>Theseus</i>, 74. Total, 11.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Frigates</span>: <i>Indefatigable</i>, <span lang="fr"><i>Impérieuse</i></span>, <span lang="fr"><i>Aigle</i></span>, <i>Emerald</i>, <i>Unicorn</i>, +<i>Pallas</i>, and <i>Mediator</i>. Total, 7.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Gunbrig Sloops</span>: <i>Beagle</i>, <i>Dotterel</i>, <i>Foxhound</i>, <i>Lyra</i>, <i>Redpole</i>. +Total, 5.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Gun-brigs</span>: <i>Insolent</i>, <i>Conflict</i>, <i>Contest</i>, <i>Encounter</i>, <i>Fervent</i>, and +<i>Growler</i>. Total, 6.</p> + +<p class='c001'><span class='sc'>Other Vessels</span>: <i>Whiting</i>, <i>Nimrod</i>, <i>King George</i>, and 23 fire-ships +and explosion vessels. Total, 55.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f50'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r50'>50</a>. 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!!!</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f51'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r51'>51</a>. The <i>Valiant</i> line-of-battle ship even signalled to this effect, as +appears from the log of the <i>Caledonia</i>, Lord Gambier’s flagship. +<i>Valiant</i> signalled to flag, “<em>No doubt five more may be destroyed to-night.</em>” +The reply was a signal of recall.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f52'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r52'>52</a>. 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!!”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f53'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r53'>53</a>. The <i>Mediator’</i>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 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span>, but <em>does not say a word about breaking or even feeling a +shock from any boom</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f54'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r54'>54</a>. 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.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f55'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r55'>55</a>. That is, of the boom, for no ship had been wrecked at the +mouth of the Charente.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f56'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r56'>56</a>. Napoleon, like other French writers, includes the explosion +vessels under the general term <span lang="fr"><i>brûlot</i></span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f57'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r57'>57</a>. Four hours afterwards.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f58'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r58'>58</a>. And therefore a fair wind.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f59'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r59'>59</a>. Consequently favourable for the fleet to enter Aix Roads.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f60'> +<p class='c001'><a href='#r60'>60</a>. 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 <em>fireships</em> had been denounced as horrible +and antichristian, yet <em>explosion vessels</em>—engines of destruction +tenfold more diabolical—had, “by favour of the Almighty,” succeeded!</p> +</div> +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c000'> +</div> +<p class='c001'><a id='endnote'></a></p> +<div class='tnotes'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><span class='large'>Transcriber’s Note</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c001'>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. <a href='#note381'>381</a>, beginning with ‘<span lang="fr">Elle étoit flanquée...</span>’.</p> + +<p class='c001'>Footnote 41 (<a id='c_297.28'></a><a href='#corr297.28'>297.28</a> refers to <em>Michelot</em> de Prato, which +appears in the text as <em>Michelet</em>. These are references to Micheletto Corella, +a Catalan soldier who served as Cesar Borgia’s executioner.</p> + +<p class='c001'>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.</p> + +<table class='table2'> +<colgroup> +<col class='colwidth12'> +<col class='colwidth69'> +<col class='colwidth18'> +</colgroup> + <tr> + <td class='c029'><a id='c_ix.8'></a><a href='#corrix.8'>ix.8</a></td> + <td class='c029'>I must have p[er/re]maturely sunk.</td> + <td class='c030'>Transposed.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c029'><a id='c_2.8'></a><a href='#corr2.8'>2.8</a></td> + <td class='c029'>to the grant [w]hich Dungal</td> + <td class='c030'>Restored.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c029'><a id='c_21.33'></a><a href='#corr21.33'>21.33</a></td> + <td class='c029'>[“]Your lordship’s real friend</td> + <td class='c030'>Added.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c029'><a id='c_60.8'></a><a href='#corr60.8'>60.8</a></td> + <td class='c029'>that our national[,] safety depended on</td> + <td class='c030'>Removed.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c029'><a id='c_98.11'></a><a href='#corr98.11'>98.11</a></td> + <td class='c029'>sunk [her.]</td> + <td class='c030'>Restored.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c029'><a id='c_292.1'></a><a href='#corr292.1'>292.1</a></td> + <td class='c029'>to render it useless[,/.]</td> + <td class='c030'>Replaced.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c029'><a id='c_340.1'></a><a href='#corr340.1'>340.1</a></td> + <td class='c029'>He th[a/e]n ran for Madeira</td> + <td class='c030'>Replaced.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c029'><a id='c_342.6'></a><a href='#corr342.6'>342.6</a></td> + <td class='c029'>an immense amount of mischief[,/.]</td> + <td class='c030'>Replaced.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c029'><a id='c_422.6'></a><a href='#corr422.6'>422.6</a></td> + <td class='c029'>“‘The French admiral,[”/’]</td> + <td class='c030'>Replaced.</td> + </tr> +</table> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77060 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57e on 2025-10-15 06:20:17 GMT --> +</html> + diff --git a/77060-h/images/cover.jpg b/77060-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9245f78 --- /dev/null +++ b/77060-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/77060-h/images/i_frontis.jpg b/77060-h/images/i_frontis.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3379bc8 --- /dev/null +++ b/77060-h/images/i_frontis.jpg diff --git a/77060-h/images/i_title.jpg b/77060-h/images/i_title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..24f2c10 --- /dev/null +++ b/77060-h/images/i_title.jpg diff --git a/77060-h/images/p400.jpg b/77060-h/images/p400.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a83964 --- /dev/null +++ b/77060-h/images/p400.jpg |
