How Britannia Came to Rule the Waves Part 17

Post-captains were appointed as governors to the royal hospitals of Haslar and Plymouth, and lieutenants to those of Deal and Great Yarmouth.

One of the most gallant actions of the war was fought at the commencement of this year in the West Indies. The _Blanche_, a 32-gun 12-pounder frigate, commanded by Captain Robert Faulkner, was cruising in the neighbourhood of Guadaloupe, when she chased a French armed schooner, under a fort within a bay in the island of Desirade. The schooner brought up with springs to her cables; but, notwithstanding the fire of the fort and some troops on sh.o.r.e, Captain Faulkner cut the schooner out with his boats, and triumphantly carried her off. Manning his prize, he sent her away to an English port, and was next day joined by the _Quebec_ frigate, which, however, parted company. On the 4th at daybreak Captain Faulkner discovered the French 32-gun frigate _Pique_, lying at anchor just outside the harbour of Pointe-a-Petre in Guadaloupe. Finding the French frigate, however, did not appear inclined to come out from under the protection of the batteries, the _Blanche_ made sail towards a schooner, which she captured and took in tow. She then stood over for Dominico with her prize. Late in the evening, however, the French frigate was seen about two leagues astern, upon which, Captain Faulkner, casting off the schooner, tacked and made sail to meet her. At a quarter-past twelve the _Blanche_ tacked and came up with her. When within musket-shot the enemy wore; Captain Faulkner seeing his intention was to rake him, wore also, when the two frigates closely engaged broadside to broadside. A fierce action now ensued for an hour and a-half, when, as the _Blanche_, shooting ahead, was in the act of luffing up to rake the _Pique_, her main and mizen-masts fell over the side. Directly after this, the _Pique_ running foul of the _Blanche_ on her larboard quarter, the French made several attempts to board. They were, however, gallantly repulsed by the British crew, and the larboard quarter-deck guns and such of those on the main-deck as could be brought to bear, were fired into the _Pique's_ starboard bow, she answering in return with musketry from her tops, as also from some of her quarter-deck guns, which had been run in amids.h.i.+ps fore and aft. The bowsprit of the _Pique_ pa.s.sing over the starboard-quarter of the _Blanche_, Captain Faulkner, aided by his second lieutenant and two others of his crew, was in the act of las.h.i.+ng the _Pique's_ bowsprit to her capstern, when he was shot by a musket-ball through the heart. Soon after this the las.h.i.+ngs broke loose, when the _Pique_, as she was crossing the stern of the _Blanche_, which began to pay off for want of after-sail, again fell on board on the starboard-quarter, her hawser having just before been got on deck, the _Pique's_ bowsprit was lashed to the stump of the _Blanche's_ main-mast. The first lieutenant, Mr Frederick Watkins, now took command, and kept the _Blanche_ before the wind, towing her opponent, while a hot fire was kept up by the British marines on the French seamen who attempted to cut away the second las.h.i.+ng. This was returned from the forecastle and tops of the _Pique_, as well as from the latter's quarter-deck guns pointed forward. The _Blanche_ having no stern-ports on the main-deck could only return the fire by two quarter-deck 6-pounders. Lieutenant Watkins accordingly resolved to venture on the somewhat hazardous experiment of blowing away part of the stern to allow a couple of guns to be run out. The firemen were called with their buckets ready to extinguish the flames should they burst out, and two 12-pounders being pointed astern in the cabin, soon made a clear breach, through which a tremendous fire was opened on the _Pique's_ decks. The French frigate had already lost her fore and mizen-mast, and about three hours and a quarter after midnight, her main-mast fell over the side.

Thus the _Blanche_ continued towing along her antagonist, which, notwithstanding the raking fire to which she was exposed, held out two hours longer; when at length some of the French seamen who had climbed on to the bowsprit cried out that they had struck. Neither of the frigates being able to put a boat in the water, Mr David Milne, the second lieutenant, and ten men, endeavoured to gain the prize by means of a hawser still attached to her. Their weight, however, bringing it down, they were compelled to swim on board. When the _Blanche_ commenced the action, she had but 198 men and boys on board; of these, besides her gallant commander, she lost a mids.h.i.+pman, 5 seamen, and I marine killed, and I mids.h.i.+pman, 4 petty officers, and 12 seamen, and 4 marines wounded. The _Pique_ had 279 men on board, of whom she lost 76 officers and men killed and 110 wounded, her brave captain, who soon afterwards died from his hurts, being among the number. The _Blanche_ measured 710 tons and the _Pique_ 906, while the weight of her guns was slightly in excess of that of the victor. The _Pique_ was added to the British Navy, and Lieutenants Watkins and Milne were deservedly promoted. About a quarter-of-an-hour after the action had ceased, just after daylight, a 64-gun s.h.i.+p, the _Veteran_, was seen approaching, and the French officers afterwards refused to sign the usual head-money certificate unless the _Veteran_ was named as one of their captors, though they afterwards withdrew their objections, which were absurd, considering that though she had seen the flashes of their guns, she had not caught sight of the combatants until the _Pique_ was in possession of her captors.

The change which had some time before been proposed in the armament of British s.h.i.+ps of war had now taken place, though at first, as has been the case with other improvements, carronades were objected to on various grounds, there were now few s.h.i.+ps in the navy without them. A whole cla.s.s of s.h.i.+ps, carrying 44 guns, were armed on the main-deck with 32-pounder carronades, instead of the long 6-pounders which they would otherwise have carried. A considerable increase was also made in the size of s.h.i.+ps. The largest launched at this date, the _Ville de Paris_, to carry 110 guns, was somewhat smaller, however, than the French 80-gun s.h.i.+ps. Fourteen s.h.i.+ps of the line had been commissioned, and ten had been purchased from the East India Company and armed with 54 guns, but, though well fitted for merchantmen, were unsuitable for men-of-war.

With one of them, however, one of the most gallant actions on record was fought, about the middle of this year, 1796. The _Glatton_, one of the purchased Indiamen, of 1256 tons, commanded by Captain Henry Trollope, and fitted on the main-deck with 28 carronades, 68-pounders, the rest of her guns being 32-pounders, making altogether 54 guns; but, as the ports were too small to allow the larger guns to traverse properly, and she had no bow or stern chasers, they could only be pointed right abeam.

Having been appointed to reinforce the North Sea Fleet, under Admiral Duncan, she proceeded from Sheerness to Yarmouth Roads, whence, on the 14th of July, she was directed to sail to join a squadron of two sail of the line and some frigates, under the command of Captain Savage, of the _Albion_ 64, cruising off the Texel. At one in the afternoon of the 16th, being about four or five leagues from Helvaetsluis, Captain Trollope discovered a squadron of s.h.i.+ps of war, consisting of six large frigates, a brig, and a cutter. One of these, as far as could be made out, mounted 50 guns, two 36, and the other three 28. He was soon convinced, from the way in which they manoeuvred, and from not answering the private signal, that they were enemies. Not intimidated, however, by their vast superiority, he at once cleared for action, and bore down resolutely to attack them. The strangers on this shortened sail, backing their mizen-topsails, in order to keep their stations. At 10 p.m. Captain Trollope having got alongside of the third s.h.i.+p in the enemy's line, hailed her, and finding that she was French, ordered her commander to strike his colours. Instead of doing so, he immediately fired a broadside, on which the _Glatton_ poured into her antagonist, at a distance of thirty yards, such a shower of shot as perhaps no s.h.i.+p had ever before received. Her crew being insufficient to man her guns on both sides, the allotment to each gun was divided into gangs. One of these having loaded and run out the gun, left the most experienced hands to point and fire it, while they ran across and loaded and ran out the gun on the opposite side. The two headmost French s.h.i.+ps then tacked, one placing herself alongside to windward, and the other on the _Glatton's_ bow, while the other s.h.i.+ps engaged her on her lee-quarter and stern. A fierce cannonade was kept up, the _Glatton_ engaging on both sides so near, that her yard-arms were nearly touching those of the enemy; the shrieks and cries which arose from them showing the terrible effect of the _Glatton's_ shot--though the French commodore, at all events, exhibited no want of courage in the way he fought his s.h.i.+p.

Close to leeward was the Brill shoal, on which the van-s.h.i.+p of the French, now tacking, endeavoured to drive the _Glatton_. The French commodore, with whom Captain Trollope had at first engaged, was still on his lee bow, when the pilot exclaimed, that unless the _Glatton_ tacked she would be on the Brill. "When the Frenchman strikes the ground, do you put the helm a-lee," was the answer. Directly afterwards the commodore tacked, when, while he was in stays, the _Glatton_ poured in a heavy raking fire, and then endeavoured to come about, but so damaged was she in her sails and rigging, that it was not without difficulty she could do so. Notwithstanding that her topmasts and yards were wounded, her crew, when ordered to shorten sail, flew aloft with alacrity, executing their task, in spite of the shot flying round them from the nearest of the Frenchmen able to continue the action. During this interval the _Glatton's_ fire had ceased, and one of the French s.h.i.+ps stood towards her, in the hopes, probably, of making her their prize, but the British crew hurrying to their guns, soon undeceived them, and compelled their still remaining antagonists to follow their consorts.

In attempting to wear after them, Captain Trollope found his masts, rigging, and sails so much injured that all his efforts were ineffectual, or his gallantry would probably have been rewarded by a complete victory. The remainder of the night was spent in strengthening masts and yards, and in bending fresh sails, and by seven o'clock the next morning the s.h.i.+p was in a fit state to renew the action. The enemy were at this time seen steering for Flus.h.i.+ng; Captain Trollope continued to follow them till nine o'clock, when, as he had no hopes of being joined by any other s.h.i.+ps, and the wind was blowing fresh on sh.o.r.e, he was compelled to haul off and steer for Yarmouth Roads, where he arrived on the 21st. It was afterwards discovered that the French s.h.i.+ps had all, more or less, suffered, some of those that had taken the chief part in the action being tremendously knocked about, their decks being ripped up by the _Glatton's_ shot; one of them, indeed, sank on reaching Flus.h.i.+ng harbour. The largest, with which the _Glutton_ was chiefly engaged, was supposed to be the _Brutus_, armed with 46 24-pounders on the main-deck, and several 36-pounders on the quarter-deck and forecastle, while she was fully 300 tons larger than the _Glatton_.

Though Captain Trollope might have relied on the weight of metal his s.h.i.+p carried, yet his courage and decision in sailing into the midst of six powerfully-armed opponents is worthy of all admiration, and justly ent.i.tled him to the honour of knighthood, which was conferred on him soon afterwards by the king, while the merchants of London presented him with a handsome piece of plate, to show their appreciation of his courage.

In September of this year, the _Amphion_ frigate, of 32 guns, commanded by Captain Pellew, lay refitting at Plymouth. Her captain and two other officers were in the cabin at dinner, when a rumbling noise was heard.

The captain, followed by his lieutenant, rushed into the quarter-gallery--the instant afterwards the s.h.i.+p blew up; the greater number of persons on board, amounting to nearly 300, perished, they and forty others only escaping with their lives, many of them being severely injured. Great as was the explosion, it had but a trifling effect on the s.h.i.+ps near her. Her masts (excepting the mizen-mast) were s.h.i.+vered to pieces and forced out of the s.h.i.+p; four of her main-deck guns were cast upon the deck of the hulk alongside which she lay; and several bodies, pieces of the wreck, etcetera, were thrown as high as her main-topgallant mast-head.

Another gallant action was fought on the 13th of October by the _Terpsich.o.r.e_ frigate, of 32 guns and 215 men, commanded by Captain Richard Bowen. The _Terpsich.o.r.e_ having left thirty men at the hospital, the greater number being still dangerously ill on board, was cruising off Carthagena, when at daylight Captain Bowen discovered a large frigate to windward, apparently in chase of him. Though so near an enemy's port, that even in the event of a victory he could scarcely hope to carry off his prize, trusting to his well-tried crew, he determined to meet the foe. At half-past nine the stranger came within hail, and hauled up on the _Terpsich.o.r.e's_ weather-beam. A fierce action now ensued, and continued on both sides for an hour and twenty minutes, when the enemy's fire began to slacken, and she attempted to make off; but the superior skill of Captain Bowen frustrated the attempt, and in less than twenty minutes compelled her to surrender.

When taken possession of she proved to be the _Mahonesa_, a Spanish frigate of 36 guns, besides cohorns and snivels, manned with a crew of 275 men. She was completely disabled, her main-deck guns were rendered entirely useless, the booms having fallen down upon them, while her standing and running rigging was cut to pieces, she having also lost thirty men killed and as many more wounded. The _Terpsich.o.r.e_ had only the boatswain and three seamen wounded. Captain Bowen spoke of the gallant way in which the Spanish captain, Don Thomas Ayaldi, had fought his s.h.i.+p, having held out as long as he had the slightest prospect of victory. Notwithstanding her crippled condition, Captain Bowen succeeded in carrying his prize to Lisbon, but she was considered too much battered to be worth the cost of a thorough repair.

Soon afterwards, Captain Bowen captured a French 36-gun frigate, _La Vestale_, all her masts and her bowsprit being knocked away, and a large proportion of her crew killed and wounded. Being close to the shoals that lie between Cape Trafalgar and Cadiz, the prize, with the _Terpsich.o.r.e's_ master, one mids.h.i.+pman, and seven seamen, it having been impossible to remove the French crew, drifted towards the sh.o.r.e, where the master at length brought her up, and during the darkness the _Terpsich.o.r.e_ lost sight of her prize. While attempting to tow her off the next day, the towrope got foul of a rock and was cut. Soon after this the Frenchmen rose on the prize-crew and again anch.o.r.ed close insh.o.r.e. The next morning, when Captain Bowen stood in to look for her, he had the mortification to see her standing in to Cadiz, some Spanish boats having come off and taken possession of her. _La Vestale_ was, however, captured in the year 1799 by the gallant Captain Cunningham, of the _Clyde_.

Pa.s.sing over many interesting events, we come to one which cannot be omitted in the history of the British Navy. English seamen had long undoubtedly been subjected to much ill-treatment. A large proportion of a s.h.i.+p's company consisted of pressed men, compelled to serve against their will. They were often harshly treated by their officers; they were badly fed, and but poorly paid, and often punished; while their necessaries were embezzled, and they were cheated in a variety of ways.

Towards the end of February, 1797, while Lord Howe was on sh.o.r.e, several pet.i.tions were sent up from the seamen at Portsmouth, asking for an advance of wages. They were forwarded to Earl Spencer, First Lord of the Admiralty, but as they were looked upon as forgeries, no notice was taken of them. Lord Howe being unable from sickness to go afloat, Lord Bridport took command of the fleet, when the seamen, supposing their complaints to be disregarded, refused to put to sea. On the 17th of March, every man in the fleet having sworn to support the cause, the mutiny broke out. Ropes were reeved at the foreyard-arms of the _Queen Charlotte_, and the mutineers were about to hang the first lieutenant of the s.h.i.+p, when Lord Bridport saved him. They, however, turned all the officers out of the fleet who had behaved in any way to offend them.

Two delegates were appointed from each s.h.i.+p to represent the whole fleet, and the admiral's cabin in the _Queen Charlotte_ was fixed upon as the place for their deliberations. On the 21st Admirals Gardner, Colpoys, and Pole went on board the _Queen Charlotte_ in order to confer with the delegates. These men a.s.sured the admirals that no arrangement would be considered as satisfactory till it should be sanctioned by the king and parliament, and guaranteed by a proclamation for a general pardon. So irritated did Admiral Gardner become on hearing this, that he seized one of the delegates and swore that he would have them all hanged with every fifth man throughout the fleet. This so exasperated the crew that it was with difficulty Admiral Gardner escaped with his life from the s.h.i.+p. The red or b.l.o.o.d.y flag was now seen flying from the _Royal George_, and that of Lord Bridport was struck. The mutineers also loaded all the guns, keeping a watch the same as at sea; every officer being detained on board his respective s.h.i.+p. In a few days, however, the seamen, hearing that their pet.i.tions were likely to be attended to, returned to their duty. Admiral Bridport rehoisted his flag on board the _Royal George_, and informed the seamen that he had brought with him the redress of their grievances and his majesty's pardon for the offenders. It was now hoped that all matters in dispute were settled; but the seamen, fancying that notwithstanding the admiral's a.s.surances, they were to be neglected, again refused when ordered to weigh anchor. Admiral Golpoys, on this, ordered the marines to prevent the delegates from coming on board. The latter attempted to force their way, when the marines fired, and five seamen were killed and one of their officers wounded. On this the crew of the _London_ turned the guns in the fore-part of the s.h.i.+p aft, and threatened to blow the officers, and all who stood by them, into the water. Seeing that resistance was hopeless, the officers surrendered, and the admiral and captain were confined in their cabins. Happily, on the 8th of May, a resolution of the House of Commons was pa.s.sed, and the king's free pardon being communicated to the seamen, they became satisfied, the red flag was struck, the officers were reinstated in their commands, and the whole fleet put to sea the next day to look out for the enemy. Lord Bridport had been ordered to keep at sea as much as possible, and only to return when necessary to refit or revictual. This plan succeeded, and the seamen generally obeyed their officers and conducted themselves properly.

At Plymouth the s.h.i.+ps' companies exhibited a mutinous disposition, but, after a time, they accepted the terms offered to the seamen at Portsmouth, and tranquillity was restored.

While these things were occurring at home, Sir John Jervis, with about 15 sail of the line, 4 frigates, 2 sloops of war, and a cutter, after putting into the Tagus, was cruising off Cape Saint Vincent. While there, a Spanish fleet of 25 sail of the line, 11 frigates, and a brig, came through the Straits of Gibraltar, bound for Cadiz. On the 14th of February, before dawn, a Portuguese frigate brought intelligence to the admiral that a Spanish fleet was about five leagues to windward. The English fleet was formed in two compact divisions; in one of them was the _Captain_, with the broad pendant of Horatio Nelson. It appeared that the Spaniards had at first supposed that the fleet in sight was part of a convoy. Some days before an American, which had pa.s.sed through the British fleet before Admiral Sir Hyde Parker had joined with five s.h.i.+ps of the line, while another, the _Culloden_, was absent in chase, had given the information that the English admiral had only nine sail of the line. The morning broke dark and hazy, and the Spaniards obtaining but a partial view of the British fleet, were fully confirmed in their mistake, and believed that they should surround the whole British squadron and carry them in triumph into Cadiz. Notwithstanding the more just estimate that Sir John Jervis had of his opponents, he lost no time in endeavouring to bring them to action. The main body of the Spanish fleet came down under all sail, with the wind on the starboard-quarter, while the s.h.i.+ps to leeward, close-hauled on the same tack, were endeavouring to join them there. Admiral Jervis formed his line close-hauled on the starboard tack, steering straight for the opening between the two divisions of the Spanish fleet. The _Culloden_, the leading s.h.i.+p, commanded by Captain Troubridge, had the honour of commencing the battle about half-past eleven; the other British s.h.i.+ps following, effectually cut off a part of the Spanish fleet from the main body, and compelled them to form on the larboard tack, with the intention of pa.s.sing through or to leeward of the British line; but they were met with so warm a reception from the centre of the British that they were obliged to tack, and were unable again to get into action till towards the close of the day. Admiral Jervis now devoted all his attention to the main body of the enemy's fleet to windward, which was reduced at this time, by the separation of the s.h.i.+ps to leeward, to eighteen sail of the line. A little after twelve o'clock the signal was made for the British fleet to tack in succession, and soon after the signal for again pa.s.sing the enemy's line; while the Spanish admiral's design appeared to be to join the s.h.i.+ps to leeward by wearing round to the rear of the British line. The intention of the enemy was, however, soon perceived by Commodore Nelson, who, being in the rear, had an opportunity of observing this manoeuvre. In order to frustrate the design, he had no sooner pa.s.sed the Spanish rear than he wore and stood on the other tack towards the enemy. In executing this bold and decisive manoeuvre, the commodore found himself alongside of the Spanish admiral in the _Santissima Trinidad_, of 136 guns. Notwithstanding this immense disparity, Nelson was not the man to shrink from the contest, though the Spaniard was ably supported by her two seconds ahead and astern, each of which was a three-decker. While Nelson sustained this unequal conflict, Troubridge in the _Culloden_, and Captain Frederick in the _Blenheim_, were coming to his a.s.sistance. Sir John Jervis had ordered Captain Collingwood in the _Excellent_ to bear up, while he pa.s.sed to leeward of the rearmost s.h.i.+ps of the enemy. As he did so, he gave the _San Ysidro_ so effectual a broadside that she was compelled to submit. Captain Collingwood then pa.s.sed on to the relief of Nelson, but before he arrived, the Spaniard's mizen-mast fell overboard and she got entangled with her second, the _San Nicolas_, a s.h.i.+p of guns. On this, Nelson determined to board the _San Nicolas_, and the _Captain_ was so judiciously placed by Captain Miller, her commander, that he laid her aboard on the starboard-quarter of the Spanish 84, her spritsail-yard pa.s.sing over the enemy's p.o.o.p, and hooking in her mizen-shrouds.

Nothing can surpa.s.s Nelson's own description of what now took place.

Calling for the boarders, he ordered them on board:--"The soldiers of the 69th regiment, with an alacrity which will ever do them credit, and Lieutenant Pearson of the same regiment, were almost the foremost on this service. The first man who jumped into the enemy's mizen-chains was Captain Berry, late my first lieutenant (Captain Miller was in the very act of going also, but I directed him to remain). A soldier of the 69th regiment having broken the upper-quarter-gallery window, jumped in, followed by myself and others as fast as possible. I found the cabin doors fastened, and some Spanish officers fired their pistols at us through the windows; but having burst open the doors, the soldiers fired, and the Spanish brigadier (or commodore) fell as he was retreating to the quarter-deck. I found Captain Berry in possession of the p.o.o.p, and the Spanish ensign hauling down. I pa.s.sed with my people and Lieutenant Pearson along the larboard gangway to the forecastle, where I met several Spanish officers prisoners to my seamen, and they delivered me their swords. At this moment, a fire of pistols or muskets opening from the admiral's stern-gallery in the _San Josef_, I directed the soldiers to fire into her stern. Our seamen by this time were in full possession of every part of the s.h.i.+p. About seven of my men were killed, and some few wounded, and about twenty Spaniards. Having placed sentinels at the different ladders, and calling to Captain Miller, ordering him to send more men into the _San Nicolas_, I directed my brave fellows to board the first-rate, the _San Josef_, which was done in an instant, Captain Berry a.s.sisting me into the main-chains.

"At this moment a Spanish officer looked over the quarter-deck rail, and said they surrendered. From this most welcome intelligence, it was not long before I was on the quarter-deck, when the Spanish captain, with bended knee, presented me his sword, and told me the admiral was dying of his wounds below. I asked him on his honour if the s.h.i.+p had surrendered. He declared she had; on which I gave him my hand, and desired him to call his officers and s.h.i.+p's company and tell them of it, which he did; and on the quarter-deck of a Spanish first-rate, extravagant as the story may seem, did I receive the swords of vanquished Spaniards, which, as I received, I gave to William Fearney, one of my barge-men, who tucked them, with the greatest _sang-froid_, under his arm."

Immediately on Nelson's return on board the _Captain_, he made the signal for boats to a.s.sist in disengaging her from the prizes, and as she was rendered incapable of further service until refitted, he hoisted his pennant for the moment on board the _Minerve_ frigate. In the meantime Admiral Jervis ordered the _Victory_ to be placed on the lee-quarter of the rearmost s.h.i.+p of the enemy, the _Salvador del Mundo_, and threw in so effectual a broadside that the Spanish commander, seeing the _Barfleur_ bear down to second the _Victory_, struck his flag. He was very nearly capturing the _Santissana Trinidad_, but the rest of the Spanish fleet, hitherto uninjured, coming down, he found it necessary to secure his prizes and bring to. All these s.h.i.+ps did was to open an ineffectual fire, and then to sail away, leaving the British to carry off their prizes in triumph. The English s.h.i.+ps lost in killed and wounded only 300 men, while on board the s.h.i.+ps captured the Spanish killed and wounded amounted to 697. Just honours were showered on the victorious admirals and captains; Sir John Jervis was created a peer of Great Britain, under the t.i.tles of Baron Jervis of Meaford and Earl Saint Vincent; and among others, Commodore Nelson, who had just before been made a vice-admiral, received the insignia of the Bath.

It had been believed that the mutinous spirit of the seamen had been quelled by the concessions made to them, but such, it was soon found, was not the case. On the 20th of May most of the s.h.i.+ps lying at the Nore, and nearly all of those belonging to the North Sea Fleet, hoisted the red flag. The mutineers at Sheerness, like those at Spithead, had chosen two delegates from every s.h.i.+p, and had appointed as a president over them a man of the name of Richard Parker; while on board each s.h.i.+p was a committee of twelve men, who decided on all the affairs relative to its internal management. They declared themselves dissatisfied with the terms accepted by the seamen of Portsmouth, and demanded a more just division of prize-money, more regular and frequent payment of wages, and also permission to go on sh.o.r.e when in port, with several other conditions. This statement they required Vice-Admiral Buckner, whose flag was flying on board the _Sandwich_, of 90 guns, to transmit without delay to the Admiralty, and they declared that only when its conditions were complied with would they return to their duty. So bold did they become that they went on sh.o.r.e without interruption, parading Sheerness with music and flags, inviting the crews of other s.h.i.+ps to join them; while they had their headquarters in a public-house, above which a red flag was hoisted. To put a stop to this, some regiments were sent for, when they thought it prudent to keep to their s.h.i.+ps. All communication with the sh.o.r.e being stopped, the mutineers supplied themselves with water and provisions from the merchant-vessels which they brought to, while they allowed none to proceed up to London, completely blockading the port. Throughout the whole of the mutiny the seamen behaved respectfully to their superior officers, while the strictest discipline was kept up on board all the s.h.i.+ps. On the king's birthday the seamen even exhibited their loyalty by firing a grand salute from all the s.h.i.+ps, which were decorated in the manner usual on festive occasions.

Conciliatory measures for inducing the seamen to return to their duty were tried in vain. The Government, however, would not yield to any of their demands, and the seamen on board most of the s.h.i.+ps at length finding their cause hopeless, hauled down the red flag. Some had previously made their escape from their midst. Ultimately, the crew of the _Sandwich_ carried their s.h.i.+p under the guns of Sheerness, when a guard of soldiers coming on board, Parker, their ringleader, was delivered up. He, with the chief culprits, was tried, convicted, and executed; others were flogged through the fleet, and many were imprisoned for certain periods, a general pardon being granted to the seamen who had been misled by them.

Wide as was the spread of the mutiny, whole s.h.i.+ps' companies remained true to their colours. Among these crews who remained loyal, that of the _Saint Fiorenzo_ deserves especially to be mentioned, and an account written by the late Admiral Mitford, who was then a mids.h.i.+pman on board her, cannot fail to prove interesting. "She was," says Admiral Mitford, "the favourite frigate of his majesty George the Third, who, from his courtesy and kind manner towards the s.h.i.+p's company, had endeared himself to them. This may in some degree account for the loyalty of the men, strengthened by their unbounded attachment to one of the most humane, brave, and zealous commanders that ever walked a deck--one to whom every man looked up as a father, the late Admiral Sir Harry Burrard Neale. A better lesson cannot be given to a young officer to show that by kindness and firmness that desirable object may be attained which was so eminently proved during one of the most eventful periods of this country. The _Saint Fiorenzo_ was at Spithead when the first mutiny broke out, and the red flag was hoisted on board the _Queen Charlotte_.

The day before that event the men came and informed Sir Harry of what was to take place, but that he might rely on their loyalty, and as far as was consistent with prudence, that they would obey every order from the officers, to which resolution they most scrupulously adhered. While such was the state of affairs, the _Saint Fiorenzo_ having received orders to proceed to Sheerness for the purpose of fitting out to carry over the Princess Royal, then d.u.c.h.ess of Hesse-Homburg, to Cuxhaven, after her marriage, the mutineers allowed her to sail without attempting to stop her. Their demands having been acceded to by the Government, the men, just as we were sailing, returned to their duty.

Notwithstanding the loyalty of our crew, two of the delegates, thoroughly trustworthy men, had been chosen, with Sir Harry's permission, who regularly brought him all the information they could obtain. On our arrival at Sheerness, we found the red flag still flying on board the _Sandwich_ guard-s.h.i.+p, and supposing that her crew had not been informed of what had taken place at Spithead, our delegates went on board to explain, and were surprised and disgusted to find that fresh demands had been made by the North Sea Fleet, and of so frivolous a nature, that from some remarks made by our men, perhaps not very courteous, their zeal in the cause was suspected, and consequently the mutineers were very jealous of our crew. On returning on board, our delegates immediately communicated with the _Clyde_, an old fellow-cruiser, commanded by Captain Cunningham, who also enjoying the confidence of his s.h.i.+p's company, an agreement took place between the respective captains and their crews, that should the disaffection of the mutineers continue, they would leave them and run under cover of the forts at Sheerness. I should say that I believe a very small proportion of the men were disaffected, and, as on most public outbreaks, the majority were dictated to by a few desperate and disappointed men.

Parker had been s.h.i.+pmate with a considerable number of the _Saint Fiorenzo's_ crew, and they had a great contempt for him. He had been acting-lieutenant in some s.h.i.+p with them, and was dismissed for drunkenness. If a little energy had been used on some of the opportunities that offered, the whole affair might have been quashed.

"Having got leave to go on sh.o.r.e from the delegates of our s.h.i.+p, I landed and pa.s.sed through the dockyard, followed by the whole of the delegates of the fleet, Parker and Davis walking together in procession.

When outside the gates, they saw the Lancas.h.i.+re fencibles coming to strengthen the garrison, to whom they offered every insult they could devise. On this the officer in command halted his men, and coming up to the admiral and commissioner, who were standing opposite the gates, asked, so I understood him, whether he might be permitted to surround the delegates, complaining of the insults offered to himself and his men. On this I involuntarily exclaimed, `Now's the time;' when the admiral asked me what I meant, and how I dared to speak? I said, `These are all the delegates,' pointing out to them Parker and Davis and others. The fellows overheard me, and I have no doubt I became a marked man. I may congratulate myself on the event which carried us away from the fleet, otherwise I might have suffered what others did, and been yard-armed, tarred, and feathered; but I feel justified in saying that, had my suggestion been acted upon, there would have been an end of the mutiny at the Nore. Returning on board I found that every arrangement had been made, and the _Clyde_ being the insh.o.r.e s.h.i.+p, was to move first, which she did, and ran under the batteries; when, either from incompetency or fear, our pilot refused to take charge of the s.h.i.+p, and the tide being on the turn to ebb, Sir Harry Neale thought it advisable to wait for a more favourable opportunity. In the meantime we were visited by the delegates of some of the leading s.h.i.+ps, who abused our crew for permitting the _Clyde_ to escape without our firing upon her.

So incensed did the men become at this, that one of the quartermasters, John Ainslie, came aft, and asked the first lieutenant whether they might not throw the blackguards overboard, which, I doubt not, a nod of a.s.sent would have effected.

"The mutineers now gave orders to our crew to place the frigate between the _Inflexible_ and _Director_, to send our gunpowder on board the _Sandwich_, Admiral Parker as he was called, and to unbend our sails, with which orders our people agreed to comply. Sir Harry was immediately acquainted with the circ.u.mstances, and he at once arranged that the s.h.i.+p, instead of doing so, should run into Sheerness. When all was prepared, with springs to our cables to cast insh.o.r.e, and we were ready to cut, in heaving the spring broke, and we cast outward. Sir Harry, whose presence of mind never forsook him, on this directed the quartermaster to take the command and he would dictate to him. All was sheeted home in a moment, and we stood in between the two line-of-battle s.h.i.+ps, which had their guns double-shotted, their crews being all ready with lanyards in hand to fire upon us. The s.h.i.+p by that time had got good way, when Sir Harry gave the order to let fly all the sheets, which took the mutineers by surprise, and supposing that the s.h.i.+p was coming to an anchor, they did not fire. Sir Harry then ordered the helm to be put hard a-port, which caused the s.h.i.+p to shoot ahead of the _Inflexible_. He now came on deck and took the command, crying out to the s.h.i.+p's company, `Well done, my lads!' when a loud murmur of applause was heard fore and aft; but we had no time to cheer. `Now, clear away the bulkheads, and mount the guns,' he cried. By this time the whole fleet of 82 sail had opened their fire upon us. The shot fell like hail, but, whether intentionally or not, few struck our hull. It was reported that the _Director_ fired blank cartridges or she might have done us more injury; but I believe that her crew, struck with awe at the idea of firing on their countrymen, and also with admiration of their bravery, fired wide. In little more than two hours the bulkheads were cleared away from the cabin door to the break of the quarter-deck, the whole s.p.a.ce having been fitted up with cabins for the suite of her royal highness, the guns on both sides being also down in the hold. The guns were mounted and we were ready for action. The men now came aft and begged that, should the mutineers come after them, they might go down with the s.h.i.+p rather than return to the fleet at the Nore. Our master, although a good pilot, did not feel himself justified in taking charge of the s.h.i.+p within the boundaries of a branch pilot. We were therefore on the look-out for a pilot-vessel, when a lugger was discovered on the lee bow, and we were on the point of bearing down on her, when we saw the North Sea Fleet coming with the red flag flying, having left their station in a state of mutiny, the admiral and all the officers being under arrest. A frigate bore down to us, when Sir Harry gave the speaking-trumpet to the quartermaster Stanley, and when she hailed as to what we were doing there, he replied that we were looking out to stop the s.h.i.+ps with provisions for the fleet. She then proceeded, and joined the fleet again, and we made sail after the lugger. The necessary signals were made, but not being answered, we gave chase, and, after a run of four hours, captured the _Castor and Pollux_, a French vessel of 16 guns. We were proceeding to Portsmouth with our prize, when she, being to windward, spoke a brig, who informed us that the mutiny had again broken out at Spithead. Sir Harry on this thought it prudent to anchor under Dungeness until he could communicate with the Admiralty.

During the night, as we lay there, a s.h.i.+p was seen bearing down towards us, which, however, answered the private signals; but that could not be depended upon, as it was probable that the mutineers would have possessed themselves of them. We accordingly beat to quarters. The men again repeated their request to sink rather than surrender to the mutineers. The stranger appeared high out of the water, and we could not be certain whether she might not be a line-of-battle s.h.i.+p. The wind being very light, she closed slowly. The suspense was awful. The springs were hove on to keep our broadside to bear. Sir Harry hailed, and her answer was, `The _Hussar_ frigate, Lord Garlies, from the West Indies.' Having come from a long voyage, her appearance was accounted for. Seeing the lights at all our port-holes, those on board the frigate could not understand the necessity of such extreme precautions, being, of course, ignorant of the mutiny. When her men wore acquainted with our situation, they were so struck with the bravery and determination of the _Saint Fiorenzo's_ s.h.i.+p's company that they immediately said, should any s.h.i.+p be sent to bring us back, they would share our fate. None, however, came, and in a few days we heard that the mutiny was at an end, and we sailed, I think, for Plymouth, and another s.h.i.+p was ordered to take over the Princess of Hesse-Homburg."

By the daring and determination of another captain, Sir Henry Trollope, he prevented his s.h.i.+p's company from joining the mutineers. He had been removed from the _Glutton_ to the _Russell_, 74, one of the North Sea Fleet, which lay in Yarmouth Roads. On hearing that his crew were about to join the mutineers, he came to the resolution of compelling them, by a proceeding of the most desperate character, to obey his orders.

Providing himself with provisions and water, a compa.s.s and a chart, and a brace of pistols, he secretly entered the powder-magazine. Besides the door at the entrance, there was a grate, through which he could look into the outer apartment. Seating himself with his pistols in his hand, he sent for the delegates, and ordered them at once to get the s.h.i.+p under way, to carry her out to sea. "You know me, my lads," he said, calmly; "we have been ordered to proceed to the Texel, and these orders must be obeyed. Sooner than have her name disgraced, I will blow her and all on board up into the air. Return on deck and attend to your duty."

The mutineers looked aghast, but they knew their captain, and of what he was capable, too well to disobey him. They could not have molested him, even had they dared. The crew, obeying their officers, while the captain sat far below in the magazine, their guiding spirit, got the s.h.i.+p under way, and stood out to sea--the rest of the s.h.i.+ps, either not aware of what she was about, or not venturing to interfere with her. In a short time she joined Admiral Duncan, who, with his flag flying on board the _Venerable_, was blockading the Texel. He had been left with only his own s.h.i.+p and the _Adamant_, keeping in check a Dutch fleet of 15 sail of the line, under Admiral de Winter. In order to prevent the Dutch from coming out, Admiral Duncan made use of a ruse, frequently repeating signals, as if communicating with the main body of his fleet in the offing. At length he was joined by other line-of-battle s.h.i.+ps, but his fleet, severely battered by bad weather, and being short of provisions, had to put back into Yarmouth Roads, while Captain Trollope remained with a small squadron to watch the enemy. He continued there till the 9th of October, when information was brought that the Dutch fleet was at sea. He immediately sailed, and having looked into the Texel, on the 11th the _Russell_ and other s.h.i.+ps were seen with the signal flying at their mast-heads that the enemy was in sight to leeward. The Dutch fleet stood away, however, towards the coast of Suffolk, when, finding that the English admiral was within seven leagues of him, he sailed back towards Camperdown, followed by the English look-out frigates. De Winter now formed a close line of battle, and resolutely awaited Admiral Duncan. The British fleet on this bore down on the enemy, with the signal flying for close action. The _Monarch_, leading the larboard division of the British fleet, first cut the Dutch line, pouring in well-directed broadsides on the s.h.i.+ps on either side of her. The action soon became general; one after the other the Dutch s.h.i.+ps were compelled to strike. One of them, the _Hercules_, catching fire, the crew threw overboard their powder, and were therefore obliged to surrender their s.h.i.+p. The Dutch admiral's s.h.i.+p, the _Vryheid_, held out gallantly to the last, but was at length compelled to yield, when the rest of the s.h.i.+ps which had not yet struck their colours, did their best to make off. By this time the English were in possession of two seventy-fours, five sixty-fours, two fifties, and two frigates. The escaping enemy could not be pursued, for the land was close aboard, and the fleet in nine fathoms water. All the victors could do, therefore, was to secure their prizes, and to endeavour to get clear of the sh.o.r.e before nightfall. The Dutchmen had fought gallantly, aiming at the hulls of the British s.h.i.+ps, which were fearfully shattered, and in all of them numerous shots were found sticking; though the masts and rigging were but comparatively little injured. The English lost 228 killed and 812 wounded, including many officers, and the Dutch 540 killed and 620 wounded. Of the whole Dutch fleet seven only escaped, and five of these were afterwards captured. With regard to the number of their guns, the two fleets were almost equal--the English s.h.i.+ps carrying altogether 1150 guns, and the Dutch 1034; besides which, the latter had some corvettes and brigs which took part in the action, and greatly annoyed their opponents, though their guns were not counted. The victory of Camperdown was gained by the very men who had taken part in the mutiny.

On the news reaching England, all those still under sentence were pardoned.

During this year occurred the unfortunate attack on Santa Cruz, in the island of Teneriffe, when, in attempting to land on the mole, Nelson lost an arm, and the gallant Captain Bowen, with several lieutenants, was killed, many of the boats being sunk and their crews peris.h.i.+ng.

In the year 1798 the French made three attempts to land armies in Ireland, but on each occasion their fleets were driven back, and many of their s.h.i.+ps were captured. A previous attempt had been made in 1796, when they were scattered and discomfited by the weather. The second succeeded in landing a body of troops; the greater number were killed, and the survivors were made prisoners. In the third, the _Hoche_, under the command of Commodore Bompart, was captured, as were several frigates of his squadron; while the fourth, finding the warm reception the troops would meet with should they attempt to land, put back into port.

At this time there were no less than 30,000 French prisoners in England, and by an agreement with their own government, which was to support them, it was arranged they should reside at Portsmouth, Plymouth, Norman Cross, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Chatham, and Stapleton. Arrangements were made towards the end of the war for the exchange of prisoners, but it was found that there were only 2800 English in France. The French Directory now issued a decree declaring that all persons natives of, or originally belonging to, neutral countries, or countries in alliance with France, serving on board any English s.h.i.+p, should be tried as pirates. The English Government, in retaliation, threatened to treat all subjects of the French Republic in the same manner, should the savage order be carried out. This threat had the desired effect.

Bonaparte had been for some time planning a campaign in Egypt. Sailing with a large fleet from Toulon, he first captured Malta, and then proceeded to Alexandria, wonderfully escaping Earl Saint Vincent and Vice-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson. Napoleon having landed, his fleet, under Admiral Brueys, brought up in Aboukir Bay. Here Nelson found the French on the 8th of August, drawn up at anchor in order of battle, and at 3 p.m. he threw out the signal to prepare for the fight, followed an hour afterwards with orders to anchor by the stern with springs to their cables. Another signal was shortly afterwards made to signify that the admiral meant to attack the enemy's van and centre. At 6 p.m. Nelson signalised to the fleet to fill and stand on, which they did in admirable order, the _Goliath_ leading; when, soon afterwards hoisting their colours, with the Union Jack in several parts of the rigging, the British s.h.i.+ps took up the stations allotted to them. At 6:20 p.m. the _Conquirant_, followed by the _Guerrier_, opened her fire upon the _Goliath_ and _Zealous_, which was quickly answered by those s.h.i.+ps; but the sun had already sunk into the ocean before any other British s.h.i.+p had fired a shot. Loud cheers now burst from every s.h.i.+p of the English fleet, when the men, flying to their guns, opened their broadsides with a spirit which soon knocked away the masts and spars of their opponents, and spread death and destruction on board their s.h.i.+ps. The action had continued for two hours, several French s.h.i.+ps having struck, when a fire was perceived on board the _Orient_, which in an hour afterwards blew up with a tremendous explosion, the burning wreck falling far and wide around, and setting fire to several s.h.i.+ps, friends and foes, in the neighbourhood. So awful was the effect, that for ten minutes not a gun was fired on either side. Thus the battle raged all night long, till soon after dawn the French frigate _Artemise_, after striking her colours, also caught fire, and with a terrific explosion blew up.

In the morning the enemy's s.h.i.+ps still in a condition to make sail got under way and endeavoured to escape. Of the thirteen French s.h.i.+ps of the line, by this time, one had blown up, eight had surrendered, and two had escaped. Of the remaining two, one, the _Timoleon_, was on sh.o.r.e, with her colours flying; the other, the _Tonnant_, lay about two miles from her, a mere wreck, but also with her colours up. On the approach, however, of the _Theseus_ and _Leander_, she hauled them down; while the crew of the _Timoleon_ set her on fire, and she soon afterwards blew up.

Thus, in the memorable "Battle of the Nile," the French lost eleven line-of-battle s.h.i.+ps, besides frigates. In this action the British lost 218 killed and 678 wounded. Among the latter was Horatio Nelson, who was struck above his already darkened eye by a splinter; while all the s.h.i.+ps were considerably cut up. On board the _Orient_ fell the Commodore Casa Bianca, as well as his gallant young son, who had refused to quit his post; and the French commander-in-chief, Brueys, who, after receiving two severe wounds, was nearly cut in two by a shot. While still breathing, he desired not to be carried below, but to be left to die upon deck, exclaiming in a firm voice, "Un amiral Francais doit mourir sur son banc de quart."

"A French admiral ought to die on his quarter-deck."

While the s.h.i.+p was in flames, the boats of the British s.h.i.+ps put off to save the hapless crew, seventy of whom were thus rescued. The heroic conduct of the captain of the _Tonnant_, Du Pet.i.t Thonars, deserves to be recorded. He first lost both his arms, and then one of his legs; even then, still able to speak, he gave his dying commands to his crew not to surrender the s.h.i.+p. Of the English fleet, the _Culloden_ unhappily got on sh.o.r.e while going into action, and only by great exertions did she get off, after the battle was over. That the French fought with the utmost gallantry is acknowledged by all, while we must rank the victory of the Nile among the most brilliant achievements of the British Navy.

After the battle every effort was made to repair the damages the s.h.i.+ps had received, and to fit the prizes for the voyage to England. Nelson sent the prisoners taken on board them on sh.o.r.e in a cartel, on their parole not to serve again during the war; but Napoleon, with his usual disregard for treaties, formed them into a battalion, which he called the "nautic." Three of the prizes, being in too shattered a condition to be refitted, were burnt; another, the _Peuple-Souverain_, being considered unfit to proceed farther than Gibraltar, was there turned into a guard-s.h.i.+p. The five remaining vessels arrived safely at Plymouth; three of them being new and magnificent s.h.i.+ps, the _Tonnant, Franklin_, and _Spartiate_, were added to the British Navy, the name of the former being changed to _Canopus_. Rewards were liberally bestowed upon the victors; Sir Horatio Nelson was created a peer of Great Britain by the t.i.tle of Baron Nelson of the Nile and of Burnham Thorpe, while a pension was settled on him of 2000 pounds a-year by the English Parliament, and 1000 pounds a-year by the Irish; the East India Company presenting him with 10,000 pounds.

After the defeat of his fleet at Aboukir, Napoleon determined to invade Syria. His plans, however, were thwarted by Sir Sidney Smith, who having captured the fleet which was bringing the battering-cannon and ammunition from Damietta for the siege of Saint Jean d'Acre, made use of it to fortify that town, into which, with a small body of seamen and a few officers, he threw himself, and put it into a state of defence, while he organised the Turkish troops who formed its garrison.

Napoleon, obtaining fresh guns, in a short time laid siege to Acre.

Though he made several desperate attempts to storm it, they were on each occasion repulsed by the valour of the Turks, aided by the fire from the English and sultan's s.h.i.+ps. During one of the many engagements the _Theseus_ frigate caught fire, and the p.o.o.p and after-part of the s.h.i.+p was almost blown to pieces, several of her officers and men being killed. The fire was put out by the courage of the surviving officers and crew.

Napoleon, enraged at his defeat, made every effort to destroy Sir Sidney Smith. Two attempts to a.s.sa.s.sinate him, however, happily failed. At length an Arab dervish appeared with a letter to the pacha, proposing a cessation of arms for the purpose of burying the dead bodies, which in vast numbers were piled up under the ramparts. While this proposal was under consideration, with unexampled treachery, Napoleon attempted to storm the town; but the garrison were on the alert, and the a.s.sailants were driven back with great slaughter. The Arab tribes having been induced to cut off the supply of provisions for the French army, on the 20th of May Napoleon raised the siege, and leaving his guns behind him, precipitately retreated towards Egypt. Such is a brief outline of one of the most daring exploits ever performed by a naval man.

Of a very different character, though one in which consummate bravery was displayed, was the cutting-out of the _Hermione_ frigate. She had been in the year 1799 under the command of Captain Hugh Pigot, one of those tyrant commanders who are truly said to make their s.h.i.+ps "h.e.l.ls afloat." While cruising off Porto Rico, as the crew were reefing top-sails, the captain shouted that he would flog the last man off the mizen-topsail yard. Two, in their attempt to spring over their comrades' backs, missing their hold, fell on the quarter-deck and were killed. The captain, it is said, on seeing it, merely observed, "Throw the lubbers overboard." The crew, who were probably a bad lot to begin with, for such a captain could not have obtained a good s.h.i.+p's company, from a long succession of tyrannical acts, had become infinitely worse.

The next day they rose on their officers, murdered the greater number, including the captain, and carried the s.h.i.+p into La Guayra, a port of the Spanish Main. Hearing that the _Hermione_, which had been fitted out by the Spaniards and strongly armed, was lying in the harbour of Puerto Cabello, Captain Hamilton, commanding the _Surprise_, a 28-gun frigate, determined to cut her out. Coming off the port on the 21st of October, he discovered her moored head and stern between two strong batteries on either side of the harbour, with her sails bent and ready for sea. After waiting off the port till the 24th without mentioning his intentions, he addressed his crew, reminding them of many enterprises they had undertaken, and pointing out to them that unless they should at once attempt the capture of the frigate, some more fortunate vessel would carry off the prize. Three hearty cheers showed him that he might depend on his crew. "I shall lead you myself," he added. "Here are the orders for the six boats to be employed, with the names of the officers and men to be engaged on the service."

Every arrangement had been judiciously made. The crew were to be dressed in blue; the pa.s.sword was Britannia, the answer Ireland. The boarders were to take the first spell at the oars; then, as they neared the _Hermione_, they were to be relieved by the regular crews. The expedition was to proceed in two divisions, the one to board on the starboard, the other on the larboard bow, gangway, and quarter. Sharp axes were provided for those who were to cut the bower cable, while others were told off to cut the stern cable, and certain men were to go aloft to loose the sails. In the event of their reaching the s.h.i.+p undiscovered, the boarders only were to board, while the boats' crews were to take the s.h.i.+p in tow directly the cables were cut; but should they be discovered, the crews of each boat were to board and all aid in the enterprise. The rendezvous was to be on the _Hermione's_ quarter-deck. At half-past seven the boats were hoisted out, the crews mustered, and away they pulled from the _Surprise_. As it happened, within a mile of the _Hermione_ the expedition was discovered by two gunboats, and the alarm being given, firing commenced. Captain Hamilton on this pushed for the frigate, believing that all his boats would do the same, but some, misunderstanding his orders, engaged the gunboats.

On approaching, lights were seen at every port, with the s.h.i.+p's company at quarters. Captain Hamilton pushed for the bows, and climbing up, his foot slipped and his pistol went off; but he soon succeeded in gaining a footing on the forecastle, and those who had been ordered to loose the sails immediately got the foresail ready for bending and hauling out to the yard-arms, thus forming a screen to themselves, for not a Spaniard was there to interfere with them. On looking down from the forecastle, they saw the crew of the _Hermione_ at quarters on the main-deck, firing away into the darkness, utterly unconscious that the enemy were on board. Captain Hamilton, with the gunner and fourteen men, now made his way to the quarter-deck--part of them, however, under the gunner, being driven back by the Spaniards, who gained possession of the forecastle.

Another party of English also neglecting to rendezvous on the quarter-deck, the captain was left for some minutes to defend himself against the attack of four Spaniards, one of whom stunned him, when he fell. Happily, some of his men came to the rescue, and a party of marines climbing over the larboard gangway, now gave a favourable turn to affairs. The rest of the boats coming up, the marines formed, fired a volley, and ran down with fixed bayonets on the main-deck. About sixty Spaniards retreated to the cabin, and surrendered. For some time, however, fighting continued on the main-deck and under the forecastle.

The cables were cut, the sails were loosed, while the gunner and two men, though severely wounded, standing at the helm, the boats took the frigate in tow, and she stood out of Puerto Cabello. The batteries immediately opened, and a Portuguese reported that he heard the Spanish prisoners threatening to blow up the frigate. A few muskets fired down the hatchway restored order, and in less than an hour after Captain Hamilton was on board, all opposition had ceased, and the _Hermione_ was his prize. By 2 p.m. the s.h.i.+p was out of gunshot of the batteries, the towing-boats were called alongside, and her crews came on board. In this wonderful enterprise the British had only 12 wounded, while the Spaniards, out of a crew of 365, lost 119 killed and 97 wounded, most of them dangerously. The cutting-out of the _Hermione_ may well be considered one of the most desperate services ever performed, and no man was ever more deserving of the knighthood he received than Captain Hamilton, who had planned every detail, and personally led the bold attack. He himself was among the most severely wounded; besides a blow on his head, he received a sabre wound on the left thigh, another by a pike in his right thigh, and a contusion on the s.h.i.+n-bone by grape-shot; one of his fingers was badly cut, and he was also much bruised.

For some time previously to this, detectives, if they may be so-called, were stationed at each of the ports to discover the members of the crew who had been on board the _Hermione_ at the time of the mutiny. No mercy was shown to those who had taken part in it. A large number were hung; it used to be said, indeed, that more suffered than actually then belonged to her, though they might have done so at some former period.

Sir Edward Hamilton long lived to enjoy his honours.

The days when fabulous amounts of prize-money were to be picked up had not yet pa.s.sed by, although the rich Spanish galleons which went to sea in the times of Drake were seldom to be found. In October of this year, 1799, fortune smiled on the officers and s.h.i.+ps' companies of two British frigates. The _Naiad_, of 38 guns, Captain Pierrepoint, while cruising in lat.i.tude 44 degrees 1 minute north, and longitude 12 degrees 35 minutes west, came in sight of two frigates, to which, notwithstanding the disparity of force, he gave chase. They proved to be the Spanish 34-gun frigates _Santa Brigida_ and _Thetis_, from Vera Cruz, bound to Spain. He followed them all night, when, early in the morning of the 16th, another s.h.i.+p was seen in the south-west, which hoisting her number showed herself to be the 38-gun frigate _Ethalion_, Captain James Young; and soon afterwards two other 32-gun frigates, the _Alcmene_, Captain Digby, and the _Triton_, Captain J. Gore appeared. The Spaniards, hoping to escape, steered different courses, but each were pursued by two British frigates, which, before long coming up with them, compelled them to haul down their colours. Fortunately, a breeze coming off the land, the captors with their prizes were enabled to stand off the coast, just in time to save themselves from being attacked by four large s.h.i.+ps, which came out of Vigo. While the English frigates were preparing to receive the enemy, the four s.h.i.+ps put back into port. The prizes were found to have on board a cargo of specie, besides other merchandise, to an amount which gave each captain upwards of 40,000 pounds, each lieutenant 5000 pounds, each warrant officer upwards of 2000 pounds, each mids.h.i.+pman nearly 800 pounds, each seaman and marine 182 pounds.

Even the seamen and marines might have been well contented with the gold pieces they had to c.h.i.n.k in their pockets; though in too many instances they were probably all dissipated before they had been many days on sh.o.r.e. Yet complaints were general of the uneven way in which prize-money was distributed. It was a common saying among sailors, that when the pay-clerk went on board s.h.i.+ps to pay prize-money, he clambered with his money-bags into the main-top and showered down the money at random; all which remained upon the splinter-netting (a coa.r.s.e rope netting spread as a kind of awning) was for the men, and all that went through for the officers. The captain of a s.h.i.+p not under the admiral's flag received three-eighths of the net proceeds. In this instance the three-eighths were divided among the four captains who a.s.sisted in the capture of the two Spanish frigates. On the treasure being landed, it was escorted in sixty-three artillery waggons, by horse and foot soldiers, and armed seamen and marines, attended by bands of music, and a vast mult.i.tude, to the dungeons of the citadel of Plymouth, whence it was afterwards removed, much in the same style, and deposited in the Bank of England.

Still more fortunate, a few years later, was Lord Cochrane, when, in command of the _Pallas_, he captured three rich prizes in succession, of which the value could not have been far short of 300,000 pounds. As, however, he only took one fourth, his share amounted to about 75,000 pounds. As it was, however, he nearly lost not only a large portion of his booty, but his liberty, as, while returning home after he had taken the last prize, three of the enemy's line-of-battle s.h.i.+ps were seen.

The wind freshening to half a gale, the _Pallas_ was standing on, carrying all the sail she could, when it was found that the enemy were gaining on her. In this desperate emergency Lord Cochrane ordered every st.i.tch of sail to be suddenly taken in, and the three s.h.i.+ps