Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez Volume I Part 12

Yours affectionately, JAS. SAUMAREZ.

P.S. Portsmouth, 15th July 1795. I have only time to acquaint you with my being just landed. Let me hear from you. Adieu!

We here give a diagram of this action at the time it began. When the Irresistible fired her bow-guns, she was in _chase_, astern and not up alongside of the enemy; but the Orion reserved all her fire until actually alongside; she was certainly the first that could bring all her broadside to bear on one of the enemy's s.h.i.+ps, and therefore justly claims the honour of having commenced the battle. But Sir James took no steps to correct the statement, and was, as usual, content with being included in the ma.s.s of those who distinguished themselves on that occasion.

Position of the hostile fleets on the morning of the 23rd June 1795, when the headmost s.h.i.+ps brought the rear of the enemy to action.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

No. 1. Orion, Capt. Sir J. Saumarez. 2. Queen Charlotte, Capt.

Sir A.S. Douglas. 3. Irresistible, Capt. Grindall. 4. Russell, Capt. T. Luscom. 5. Colossus, Capt. Moncton. 6. Sanspareil, Admiral Lord H. Seymour, Capt. Brown. 7. London, Capt. Griffith.

8. Queen, Rear-admiral Gardner, Capt. Bedford. 9. Prince George, Capt. Edge. 10. Royal George, Admiral Lord Bridport, Captain Domett.

The Orion was taken into Portsmouth harbour, and, as six weeks were required to repair her damages, Sir James had another month's relaxation from actual service. It was the 18th July before she was reported ready for sea. On the 21st he wrote the following letter to his brother, describing the service on which he was now to be employed:

Ryde, 21st August 1795.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

Expecting to sail from day to day, I delayed writing till I could acquaint you with the precise time of our departure. This morning the wind proved easterly, but it has again veered to the westward, and become as uncertain as ever, so that I yet hope to hear from you. I understand that about four thousand troops, _British_, and fifteen hundred emigrants, sail under our escort.

They are commanded by General Doyle, and it is supposed are destined to take possession of Noirmoutier, to keep up communication with Charrette's army. Monsieur, who you know is embarked on board the Jason, accompanies them. It is to be hoped that this last effort of ours to secure a footing on their own territory to these unfortunate people, will prove successful; I say this last, for, from what I learn, Lord Moira resigns with the whole of his staff, and the rest of his army are to be, under command of Sir R. Abercromby, destined for the West Indies.

We are likely to have enough on our hands should war be continued, as it is impossible but we must have the Spanish to contend with. Several s.h.i.+ps sailed this morning to reinforce our squadron in the North Seas, which shows the Dutch are beginning to stir themselves.

I write from Ryde, where Lady S. has been since yesterday, being near Spithead, where I must be every day. As the wind is at present, there is every reason to expect that we shall be here some days longer; therefore write to me. Adieu! G.o.d bless you all!

I am truly and affectionately yours, JAS. SAUMAREZ.

The expedition, alluded to in the above letter, was placed under command of Rear-admiral Henry Harvey, and consisted of the Prince of Wales (flag-s.h.i.+p), Queen Charlotte, Prince, Orion, Russell, Arethusa, and Jason, with a convoy of one hundred and twenty-six vessels. These were detained at Spithead till the end of September; and on the 13th of October they reached Isle Dieu, where they were destined to co-operate with the former expedition. When off Hedic, Admiral Harvey sent the Orion to join Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren, with that part of the convoy intended to act with the royalists, while he proceeded with the rest to the West Indies.

The troops were landed. The Orion was employed blockading the coast near Rochfort and L'Orient; the nature of which memorable service will be best understood from the following letters from Sir James to his brother.

Orion, at sea, 26th October.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

I have just learnt from the Admiral, that he intends to despatch the Porcupine for England, which gives me an opportunity of writing a line merely to acquaint you of our being in existence, but most deucedly tired of our cruise: nothing worthy our notice has occurred since my last letter. Sir John Warren left Quiberon Bay last Wednesday for Noirmoutier, whence it is supposed the emigrants will join Charrette's army. We pay frequent visits to our friends in Port Louis. They continue nearly in the same state as when we left them after the 23rd of June; and, from the intelligence we have obtained, they are not in any forwardness for sea, being without stores or men.

We experienced hitherto remarkable fine weather, which I hope will continue; but nothing can equal our unvaried scene, fixed to this confounded spot, without the least prospect of anything falling in our way. We have not even the advantage of hearing from England; for, sparingly, two s.h.i.+ps only have joined us from Plymouth since we are on this station. In short, my dear friend, I am heartily tired of so inactive a situation, and shall very sincerely rejoice to be relieved from it. You are much more likely to receive accounts of the expedition than we are, having but little intercourse with the army, and that little is solely confined to the Admiral, who deals out the news very _cautiously_. Could we but hear from our friends, it would yield us some comfort; but that we are also denied: it is, however, some satisfaction we can let them know we are alive. G.o.d bless you! and believe me, with my kindest love to my dear sister and children,

Yours most affectionately, JAS. SAUMAREZ.

Orion, Houat, 26th November 1795.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

We sailed from Isle Dieu this day, subsequent to my letter by the Thunderer; and various have been the decisions respecting withdrawing the troops from that island. On Monday, Sir John Warren sailed with the Robust, Theseus, and four frigates, with the intention of making the embarkation; but it came on to blow so strong that they were obliged to put back. I was dispensed with from that service, by having been appointed to carry on the communication with the royalists, for the purpose of conveying to them the immense supply of stores and ammunition intended for them, besides about thirty thousand pounds in specie. The 24th was the day fixed for their being landed, and General George was to muster all his force to receive them, at a place called Bitiers, at the entrance of the Villaine; but the weather proved so boisterous on that and the following day, that there existed no possibility of any communication.

Sir John Warren, to my great satisfaction, joined me this morning with the frigates; the embarkation from Isle Dieu having at last been given up. To-morrow we hope to hear that our friends occupy the post agreed on; and we shall throw them as speedily as possible, by means of the cha.s.se-marees and boats of the squadron, the various articles in our possession which they so much want.

The last letters I have received were dated the 19th: they mention P---- being under arrest; but there was a difference of opinion respecting him, which was submitted to Monsieur. As his Royal Highness is gone home, it will be some time before his fate is decided. Being informed that the Standard was ordered for England, I would not lose the opportunity, and in some way I hope to inform you with the successful result of our enterprise: once ended, I hope we shall bend our steps homeward.

Our friend Dan, with Phil. Dumaresq, are perfectly well.

Remember me with kindest love to my sister, and believe me ever affectionately yours,

JAS. SAUMAREZ.

The details of the failure of this expedition need not be dwelt upon; it was finally determined on the 13th of December to withdraw the troops, and Sir James Saumarez consequently received the following order:

By Henry Harvey, Esq. Rear-admiral of the Red, &c.

To Sir James Saumarez, Captain of H.M.S. Orion.

You are hereby required and directed to take under your convoy all the transports, store-s.h.i.+ps, victuallers, and other vessels lying in this bay, and put to sea in company with his Majesty's squadron under my command. You will have under your direction his Majesty's s.h.i.+p Porcupine, whose captain is directed to follow your orders. You are to use your utmost endeavours to keep company with me; but, in case of separation, make the best of your way to Spithead, leaving off Plymouth such of the victuallers as may have sailed from that port.

Given under my hand, on board the Prince of Wales, 17th December 1795, Houat Roads.

H. HARVEY.

Admiral Harvey parted from the convoy off Brest, and Sir James arrived at Spithead, after having looked into Brest, on the 30th December, and reported his arrival to the Secretary of the Admiralty; to which he received the following answer:

Admiralty Office, 31st December 1795.

SIR,

I have received, and communicated to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, your letter of yesterday's date, informing them of your arrival at Spithead in the s.h.i.+p you command, with part of the transports under your convoy, from Quiberon Bay; and I have their lords.h.i.+ps' command to acquaint you that they are pleased with your proceedings.

I am, sir, your obedient humble servant, EVAN NEPEAN.

To Captain Sir James Saumarez, H.M.S. Orion, Spithead.

CHAPTER IX.

1796, 1797.

Orion taken into dock.--Is refitted, and joins the Channel fleet.--Detached on a particular service.--Returns.--Proceeds to reinforce Sir John Jervis.--List of his fleet.--Battle with Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent described in a private letter.--Conduct of Saumarez in the action.--Salvador del Mundo strikes to the Orion, and is taken possession of by her lieutenant.--Engages the Santissima Trinidada.--She strikes to the Orion.--Remarks on that occasion.--Lagos Bay.--Lisbon.--Sir James sails on a cruise with Admiral Sir H.

Nelson.--Returns.--Commands the advanced squadron.--Several private letters.--Commands the advanced squadron off Cadiz.--Mutiny in the fleet.--Anecdote and remarks thereon.

The Orion was ordered into harbour; and on examination it was found she had been so much strained during the last cruise, particularly in the November storm, subsequently known by the name of "Admiral Christian's gale," besides having sprung her lower masts, that it became absolutely necessary for her to be taken into dock. During the next four months Sir James obtained, leave of absence; and it was not until the 7th of May 1796, that, having rejoined his s.h.i.+p, he was called into active service, the Orion being placed in Rear-admiral Lord Hugh Seymour's division of the grand fleet which was fitted for foreign service.

After a short cruise off Brest, the Orion proceeded to reinforce the fleet under Sir John Jervis, off Cape St. Vincent. This squadron consisted of the Sanspareil (flag-s.h.i.+p), Orion, Triumph, Juste, Hector, and Theseus, of the line; Phaeton and Latona, frigates; and Incendiary, fire-s.h.i.+p. On arriving off their station, Captain Saumarez was detached to Fayall by Lord Hugh's order, dated the 13th June, to obtain stock, wine, &c. for the use of the squadron; and was directed to meet his lords.h.i.+p at ten leagues to the westward of that island; after which the squadron returned to Cape St. Vincent, and from thence, in the month of September, they joined the Channel fleet, under Lord Gardner.

On the 11th of December the Orion returned to Spithead, in order to refit and replenish in water and provisions, after a six months'