DISAPPOINTMENT OF PROMOTION.—APPLIES TO LORD ST. VINCENT, AND
THROUGH HIM APPOINTED CAPTAIN TO THE CÆSAR, UNDER SIR JAMES
SAUMAREZ.—BATTLE AT ALGESIRAS.—EXERTIONS OF CAPTAIN BRENTON IN
REFITTING THE CÆSAR, AND SUBSEQUENT VICTORY.—TEMPTING OFFER OF
GOING TO ENGLAND WITH DISPATCHES DECLINED.—DEFINITIVE TREATY OF
PEACE SIGNED.—SQUADRON AT GIBRALTAR.
On the 14th of June Captain Brenton being superseded by Captain Dixon,
left Genoa in the Culloden for Minorca, on his way to join his ship at
Gibraltar, and from Mahon proceeded to Gibraltar in the Mondovi. On his
arrival at Gibraltar he had the mortification to find the Souverein had
been paid off, in consequence of an altercation between Lord Wm. Stuart
and the Commissioner; and he received orders to return to England on
half pay. The disappointment was the more severe, as Captain Brenton had
been assured by Lord Keith, that the Souverein was to be considered as a
stepping stone to Post rank; and that every vacancy in a Post ship was to
be filled up from her, consequently that the last made Post Captain would
always have that appointment. He was also well aware of the difficulty
which existed in England of getting employed from half pay; that it
was only those that were in the stream that were carried along with it;
whilst many officers, who had gained their promotion by a succession of
gallant achievements, were passing their days in helpless indolence. They
had got into the eddy, and had the mortification of seeing those whom
they had left far behind, bringing up the breeze, and passing by them.
This was particularly the case with the greater part of the first
lieutenants of line of battle-ships, promoted after general actions. They
had received the rank of Commander with the delight so natural to the
attainment of such a step: but wanting interest to obtain a command, they
were soon forgotten; and many had to regret that they had gained their
promotion.
Captain Brenton embarked in the Anson from Gibraltar, in July; and in
crossing the Bay of Biscay they fell in with the Louisa, armed brig,
on her way to join Earl St. Vincent, who had now the command of the
channel fleet, and was cruizing off Brest, with his flag in the Royal
George. Captain Brenton availed himself of this opportunity of seeing his
kind-hearted and noble chief again, to whom he was so truly indebted for
relieving him from a situation, in which he felt himself disgraced; and
for bringing him on, step by step, to that situation in his profession,
from which he could only rise farther by seniority. He accordingly
left the Anson, and in a few days after came in sight of the fleet. He
was received by Earl St. Vincent with the warmest regard, who not only
sincerely congratulated him upon his promotion, of which indeed he had
himself been the cause, but thanked him in the most flattering terms
for the conduct which had led to it. He then said, “I will now give you
a letter to Lord Spencer, requesting him to give you a ship, and should
he not do so immediately, I desire you to join me in Torbay without
loss of time. I shall be there in the course of a week, when I shall
expect to see you, unless you receive an appointment.” He then wrote to
Lord Spencer in the strongest terms, recommending Captain Brenton for
immediate employment; adverting to the circumstance of his having gained
both his Commander’s and his Post commission in action with the enemy.
Captain Brenton arrived the following day at Plymouth, and proceeded
to London, where he delivered his letter to Lord Spencer. His lordship
holding out no hopes of immediate employment, Captain Brenton set out
for Portsmouth, with the intention of proceeding to Torbay by the first
ship going thither. He accordingly went on board the Prince of Wales, Sir
Robert Calder’s flag ship; and soon found himself on board the Ville de
Paris, with his noble patron. His situation here was of an extraordinary
description, and not without some degree of unpleasantness. The officers
were, many of them, those who had been his messmates in the same ship,
previously to his being made a commander out of her into the Speedy. They
considered, and justly, that he had already had his share of promotion;
and were apprehensive that his coming back to serve as a volunteer, might
interfere with some vacancy to which they might be looking. This was a
feeling very naturally to be expected, and for which every allowance
should be made; whilst even as regarded the captain of the fleet, and
the captain of the ship, he did not feel quite certain that they might
approve a nondescript officer, although in their conduct they shewed only
the kindest attention.
With these feelings upon his mind, Captain Brenton walking the deck one
morning with the Admiral, said to him, “My lord, I do not like this kind
of life; I have no business of my own to do.” His lordship answered, “I
have been thinking you would not—and it has struck me that I might give
you the Joseph cutter, commanded by Lieutenant Lapenotiere; that you
might visit the in-shore squadron; and so give you an introduction to Sir
James Saumarez, the commodore. You might there amuse yourself by making
observations on the French coast; and when tired of your excursion, you
may rejoin me either here or off Ushant, or in Torbay as it may be; as I
mean to bear up for that place, with the first westerly gale.”
Captain Brenton was delighted with the plan, and joyfully accepted it.
It was not only agreeable in every point of view at the time, but in the
end it led to the most beneficial results, as regarded his professional
life, by leading to his appointment as the flag captain of that great
and good man, the late Lord de Saumarez. He was received with the utmost
kindness by Sir James; and having passed some days in the squadron,
landing occasionally upon the islands off Brest; he returned to the Ville
de Paris, just as a gale of wind was springing up, and on the following
day the fleet anchored in Torbay.
Lord St. Vincent always resided while on shore at Torr Abbey, and
having introduced Captain Brenton to Mr. Carey, the hospitable master
of the mansion, he became one of the family for some weeks. A great
naval promotion being at this time expected, Lord St. Vincent made it a
particular request, that Sir James Saumarez should be included in it,
and have his flag flying in the Cæsar, as one of the junior admirals in
the channel fleet. He at the same time wrote to Sir James, informing him
of his having made this application; and requesting, in the event of its
being successful, that he would have Captain Brenton appointed as his
captain. This Sir James most kindly and readily granted; and on the 1st
January, 1800, Captain Brenton received his commission for the Cæsar, and
joined her at Spithead a few days after.
In February they proceeded to Torbay, and from thence Sir James resumed
his station off Brest. This was a most arduous service in winter time,
when the gales from the westward came on so suddenly, and with so
much violence, that it was scarcely possible to clear the land. The
Black Rocks however lost much of their terrors upon Sir James Saumarez
resorting to the anchorage in Douanenez bay, which he did in the
preceding November; convinced that the enemy would not dare to attack
him there, from the apprehension that the British fleet might come over
from the opposite coast, either during or after the attack; in which case
the whole of their attacking force, with whatever ships they might have
captured, would fall into our hands. It is true it required much nerve to
run for the Cul de Sac in a heavy gale, with mortar batteries crossing
each other from the Bec du Rez, and the Bec du Chevre; and with a shoal
in the centre of the entrance. The master of the Cæsar however was a
very skilful man, and an excellent pilot. He unhesitatingly took the
charge, and anchored the squadron in the eastern part of the bay, just
without the range of the shells from the batteries, and with only one
point of the compass open to the sea. Upon the last occasion the squadron
consisted of six sail of the line, and a frigate. The gale lasted three
days, and upon its subsiding, Sir James left his anchorage, and resumed
his station off the Black Rocks, having his ships and crews refreshed by
the repose he had procured them, instead of being crippled and exhausted
by being continually exposed to a heavy sea.
In the month of April a cutter joined the fleet, bringing a weekly
newspaper of extraordinary importance, in which was included Lord
Nelson’s destruction of the Danish block ships at Copenhagen, and the
landing of the British army in Egypt, with the subsequent victories. The
Admiral directed that it should be read to the ship’s company, who were
accordingly assembled for the purpose, and gave three hearty cheers on
hearing the news.
In the latter end of May Sir James was ordered into Plymouth, to take the
command of a squadron about to assemble there for a particular service;
to the great joy of every officer and man on board the Cæsar, who were
heartily tired of the blockade of Brest; and who were elated with the
hope, of at length seeing more active service. The squadron assembled in
Cawsand bay, consisting of the Cæsar and Pompée of eighty guns, with
the Hannibal, Audacious, and Spencer of seventy-four guns each. They
sailed from Plymouth on the 15th of June, and reached Lisbon four days
afterwards; and having sent in despatches to the British ambassador,
continued their course for Cadiz, where they arrived in the latter end
of June. On the 5th of July the first battle of Algesiras took place, as
detailed in the following official letter.
London Gazette, August 1st, 1801.
Copy of a letter from Rear Admiral Sir James Saumarez to Evan
Nepean, Esq. dated on board H.M.S. Cæsar, at Gibraltar, 6th
July.
“SIR,
“I have to request you will be pleased to inform my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, that conformably to my letter
of yesterday’s date, I stood through the straits, with his
Majesty’s squadron under my orders, with the intention of
attacking three French line of battle ships, and a frigate that
I had received information of being at anchor off Algesiras. On
opening Cabritta point, I found the ships lay at a considerable
distance from the enemy’s batteries, and having a leading
wind up to them, afforded every reasonable hope of success in
the attack. I had previously directed Captain Hood, in the
Venerable, from his experience, and knowledge of the anchorage,
to lead the squadron, which he executed with his accustomed
gallantry; and although it was not intended that he should
anchor, he found himself under the necessity so to do, from
the wind failing, (a circumstance so much to be apprehended in
this country) to which circumstance, I have to regret the want
of success, in this well intended enterprize. Captain Stirling
anchored opposite to the inner ship of the enemy, and brought
the Pompée to action, in the most spirited and gallant manner,
which was followed by the commanders of every ship in the
squadron. Captains Darby and Ferris, owing to light winds were
prevented, for a considerable time from coming into action; at
length, the Hannibal getting a breeze, Captain Ferris had the
most favourable prospect of being alongside one of the enemy’s
ships, when the Hannibal unfortunately took the ground, and
I am extremely concerned to acquaint their Lordships, that,
after having made every possible effort, with this ship and
the Audacious, to cover her from the enemy, I was under the
necessity to make sail, being at the time only three cables
length from one of the enemy’s batteries.
“My thanks are particularly due to all the captains, officers,
and men under my orders; and although their endeavours have not
been crowned with success, I trust the thousands of spectators
from his Majesty’s garrison, and also the surrounding coast,
will do justice to their valour and intrepidity, which were not
to be checked from the numerous batteries (however formidable)
that surround Algesiras.
“I feel it incumbent on me to state to their Lordships the
great merits of Captain Brenton of the Cæsar, whose cool
judgment, and intrepid conduct, I will venture to pronounce
were never surpassed. I also beg leave to recommend to their
Lordships’ notice, my flag lieutenant, Mr. Phillip Dumaresq,
who has served with me from the commencement of this war, and
is a most deserving officer; Mr. Lansborne, and the other
lieutenants, are also entitled to great praise; as well as
Captain Maxwell, of the marines, and the officers of his corps,
serving on board the Cæsar.
“The enemy’s ships consisted of two of eighty-four guns, and
one of seventy-four, with a large frigate; two of the former
are aground, and the whole are rendered totally unserviceable.
I cannot close this letter without rendering the most ample
justice to the great bravery of Captain Ferris. The loss in
his ship must have been very considerable, both in officers
and men; but I have the satisfaction to be informed that his
Majesty has not lost so valuable an officer.
“I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
“JAMES SAUMAREZ.
“P.S. The Honourable Captain Dundas, of his Majesty’s Polacre
the Calpe, made his vessel as useful as possible, and kept up a
spirited fire on one of the enemy’s batteries; I have also to
express my approbation of Lieutenant Janverin, commander of the
gun boats, who having joined me with intelligence, served as a
volunteer on board the Cæsar.”
The manner in which the interval between this action and that which
succeeded it within a week’s distance, was passed, must be described by
the subject of this Memoir himself. He says, “On the Cæsar anchoring at
Gibraltar after this disastrous affair, the Admiral sent me on shore,
to communicate with the Governor, (General O’Hara), who expressed much
regret at the fate of the day, but was truly sensible of the efforts that
had been made to ensure success.
“Before my return on board, the Admiral had retired to his cot, and
in a state of mind which may be easily conceived by those to whom his
character was known; so sensitive, and at the same time so devoted, to
his country. He felt most keenly the apprehension that the important
service, for which he had been despatched from England, might be
frustrated by the unfortunate, and totally unexpected termination of the
attack. On the following morning, he sent me with a flag of truce to
the French Admiral at Algesiras, who on my boat coming within range of
his guns, threw a shot over us. I immediately laid upon my oars, as a
boat with a corresponding flag of truce was seen pulling towards me. On
coming within hail, the French officer demanded what was the object of my
mission; but I declined delivering it to any but Admiral Linois himself.
I was then requested to wait until the officer could obtain further
orders. He soon returned with directions for the Cæsar’s boat to follow
to the Formidable, the French flag ship. Here I was received by a guard,
forming a double line from the gangway to the cabin door; and when in the
cabin, I was enclosed in a circle of officers, in the centre of which
stood the Admiral. I then delivered my message from the British Admiral;
which was, that an exchange of prisoners might immediately take place,
which M. Linois declined; on the ground of requiring authority for such a
measure from the Minister of marine, at Paris. I then requested that the
officers of the Hannibal should be sent over on parole, which was acceded
to, and I withdrew; the French Admiral conducting me to the gangway, in
the same manner as I had entered the ship; begging that I would request
the Admiral, that on any further communication he might have to make to
him, it should not be by an officer of rank, but by a ‘petit midshipman.’
It was evident that M. Linois was unwilling that the crippled state of
his ship should be too minutely observed; and hence the arrangement of
the guard and officers, which effectually screened the internal state
of the ship from observation; but I was amply indemnified by seeing the
outward damages, which could not be concealed.
“On my return the Cæsar had warped into the Mole, and was proceeding to
strike the masts. Both mainmast and foremast had been severely wounded,
the former so much so, as to be unfit for service; and the foremast
required extensive fishing. All the wounded were sent to the hospital;
and the killed in the squadron sent on shore for burial. The funeral
of the officers—the masters of the Cæsar and Pompée, and a midshipman
of the latter, who were buried with the honours of war, formed a most
imposing and affecting spectacle, from the great number of troops drawn
out upon the occasion, and from the whole population of the rock being
spectators.”
On the 9th day of July, three days after the battle of Algesiras, the
Superb, and Thames, were seen under a crowd of sail, steering through
the straits of Gibraltar; and soon after the Spanish squadron of six
sail of the line, was observed in pursuit of them. The British ships
anchored in Gibraltar bay, and the enemy hauled their wind for Algesiras,
where they anchored with the French squadron, evidently with a view of
conveying them round to Cadiz. Sir James Saumarez convinced that such
was the intention, at once decided upon attacking them with four ships,
as it was considered utterly impossible for either the Pompée or Cæsar
to be in readiness. He sent for Captain Brenton into his cabin, and
informing him of the resolution he had come to, directed that his flag
should forthwith be shifted into the Audacious, and that the crews of the
Cæsar and Pompée should be distributed amongst the other ships. Captain
Brenton acknowledged the expediency of the flag being shifted, and the
probability that the Cæsar would not be refitted in time to receive it
again, before the enemy left Algesiras; but requested the Admiral to
permit him to make the effort, by keeping his people on board, until the
enemy were seen to be getting under sail, to which Sir James consented.
Captain Brenton turning the hands up, informed the crew of the Admiral’s
intention, and called upon them to use every exertion to put their ship
in a state to bear their Admiral’s flag again into battle, should the
enemy give them an opportunity. An universal cry was heard of all hands,
“All night and all day.” This however Captain Brenton would not permit;
but he employed the whole ship’s company, from four in the morning until
eight in the evening; of the remaining eight hours, each watch was
alternately allowed four of repose. He alone slept not, for his active
mind, and ardent disposition, were wound up to the highest pitch of
excitement; and he has been heard himself to describe, the overwhelming
sense of sleep and weariness, by which he was overcome, when these
exertions were happily terminated.
By the most strenuous efforts of every individual concerned, on the
morning of the 12th the new mainmast had been got in and rigged, and the
other damages in some measure repaired. We extract a few more particulars
from Captain Brenton’s note, “A great, though not a visible progress,”
he says, “was soon made; indeed the latter circumstance was avoided as
much as possible, in order to prevent the enemy supposing that any attack
was intended. The following day was an arduous one, and on Saturday the
11th, so much appeared yet to be done, that the Admiral, who had never
been very sanguine in the hope of having the Cæsar ready, again urged me
to send the people away, lest they should suffer so much from fatigue,
that they might become unfit for the exertions, they would be called upon
to make, in the action about to take place. He added, “you now have done
all in your power; you must make up your mind to the disappointment.” I
replied, “you are now going on shore to dine at the Governor’s; excuse my
attending you, and if, when you return on board in the evening, the ship
is not ready, I promise to have the people all ready for distribution,
when you give the orders.” To this the Admiral consented, and went on
shore. It became now necessary rather to shew progress, than to conceal
it; the top gallant yards were accordingly got up, and the yards crossed,
and sails bent, before the different parts of the rigging were in the
order necessary for getting under weigh. The Admiral on his return was
delighted at what he saw, and relinquished all idea of removing into the
Audacious.”
The enemy at the same time were in movement in Algesiras bay. By two
o’clock p.m. the Cæsar warped out of the Mole, and was at the same time
employed in bending sails, setting up rigging, filling powder, receiving
stores of every description from boats alongside, and preparing for
battle; the band on the poop playing, “Cheer up my lads,” which was
answered by a regimental band on the Mole, with “Britons, strike home.”
The animation of this scene cannot be described, but the recollection of
it must have continued vivid in the breast of the chief mover of these
heroic exertions. The scene no doubt was peculiar, and the impressions
left by it can be more easily conceived than described, when the two
squadrons, occupying their respective sides of a small bay, separated
from each other by a distance of only four miles, were mutually engaged
in preparations for combat. Thousands of spectators, occupied the
surrounding hills and shores; the sea was covered with the numerous boats
employed by the ships of war. And the general excitement which every
where reigned, can only be imagined; as well as the feelings of Captain
Brenton, when he made the signal of being ready for service, and again
received the flag of his respected and gallant Admiral.
It was almost one of the latest efforts of Captain Brenton’s pencil to
recall the triumphant moment of the Cæsar warping out of the Mole, under
the circumstances which have been described. He has often expressed
the powerful excitement, which even the recollection of this period
occasioned; and he never could give the narrative, even to the latest
period of his life, without the most thrilling sensation. The particulars
of the action will be found in the following official dispatch, and the
results which followed these exertions must be given in the language of
the letter in which Sir James Saumarez communicated his victory.
“CÆSAR, OFF CAPE TRAFALGAR, JULY 13, 1801.
“SIR,
“It has pleased the Almighty to crown the exertions of this
squadron, with the most decisive success over the enemies of
their country. The three French line of battle ships, disabled
in the action of the 6th instant, off Algesiras, were on the
8th reinforced by a squadron of five Spanish line of battle
ships, under the command of Don Juan Joaquin de Marino, and
a French ship of seventy-four guns, bearing a broad pendant,
besides three frigates, and an incredible number of gun boats,
and other vessels, and got under sail yesterday morning,
together with his Majesty’s ship Hannibal, which they had
succeeded in getting off the shoal on which she struck. I
almost despaired of having a sufficient force in readiness to
oppose such numbers, but through the great exertions of Captain
Brenton, the officers, and men belonging to the Cæsar, the ship
was in readiness to warp out of the Mole yesterday morning, and
got under weigh immediately after with all the squadron, except
the Pompée, which ship had not time to get in her masts.
“Confiding in the zeal and intrepidity of the officers and
the men I had the happiness to serve with, I determined, if
possible, to obstruct the passage of this very powerful force
to Cadiz. Late in the evening I observed the enemy’s ships to
have cleared Cabritta point; and at eight I bore up with the
squadron, to stand after them; his Majesty’s ship, Superb,
being stationed ahead of the Cæsar. I directed Captain Keats to
make sail, and attack the sternmost ships in the enemy’s rear,
using his endeavours to keep in shore of them. At eleven the
Superb opened her fire close to the enemy’s ships; and on the
Cæsar coming up, and preparing to engage a three decker, that
had hauled her wind, she was perceived to have taken fire, and
the flames having communicated to a ship to leeward of her,
both were seen in a blaze, and presented a most awful sight.
No possibility existing of offering the least assistance in so
distressing a situation; the Cæsar passed to close with the
ship engaged by the Superb, but by the cool and determined fire
kept upon her, which must ever reflect the highest credit on
that ship, the enemy’s ship was completely silenced, and soon
after hauled down her colours.
“The Venerable and Spencer having at this time come up, I bore
up after the enemy, who were carrying a press of sail, standing
out of the straits, and lost sight of them during the night. It
blew excessively hard until daylight; and in the morning the
only ships in company were the Venerable and Thames, ahead of
the Cæsar, and one of the French ships at some distance from
them, standing towards the shoal of Conil, besides the Spencer
astern, coming up.
“All the ships immediately made sail, with a fresh breeze; but
as we approached, the wind suddenly failing, the Venerable
was alone able to bring her into action, which Captain Hood
did in the most gallant manner, and had nearly silenced the
French ship when his mainmast (which had been before wounded)
was unfortunately shot away, and it coming nearly calm, the
enemy’s ship was enabled to get off, without any possibility of
following her.
“The highest praise is due to Captain Hood, the officers, and
men of the Venerable, for their spirit and gallantry in the
action, which entitled them to better success. The French ship
was an eighty-four, with additional guns on the gunwale.
“This action was so near the shore that the Venerable struck
on one of the shoals, but was soon after got off, and taken in
tow by the Thames, but with the loss of her masts. The enemy’s
ships are now in sight, to the westward, standing in for Cadiz.
The Superb and Audacious, with the captured ship, are also in
sight, with the Carlotta, Portuguese frigate, commanded by
Captain Crawford Duncan, who very handsomely came out with the
squadron, and has been of the greatest assistance to Captain
Keats, in staying by the enemy’s ship, captured by the Superb.
“I am proceeding with the squadron for Rosier bay, and
shall proceed the moment the ships are refitted, to resume
my station. No praises that I can bestow are adequate to
the merits of the officers and ships’ companies of all the
squadron; particularly for their unremitted exertions in
refitting the ships at Gibraltar, to which, in a great degree,
is to be ascribed the success of the squadron against the enemy.
“Although the Spencer and Audacious had not the good fortune
to partake of this action, I have no doubt of their exertions,
had they come up in time, to close with the enemy’s ships. My
thanks are also due to Captain Holles, of the Thames, and to
the Honourable Captain Dundas, of the Calpe, whose assistance
was particularly useful to Captain Keats, in securing the
enemy’s ship, and enabling the Superb to stand after the
squadron, in case of being able to renew the action.
I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
“J. SAUMAREZ.
“EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ.”
The following circumstances not being mentioned in the official dispatch
are taken from Captain Brenton’s notes. “At eight o’clock the Venerable
made the signal for being on a shoal, and her foremast was seen to go
over her side. Sir James ordered me to proceed to her in my gig; and
to give directions to Captain Hood, not to run any risk of losing his
men, but to abandon the ship, and burn her if necessary; as the whole
remaining ships of the enemy were approaching from the westward, whilst
the Superb, Spencer, and Audacious were still at a considerable distance
to the southward. The Thames frigate was at the same time ordered to
close with the Venerable, to be in readiness to receive her men. As I
approached, her mizen mast fell, and she was still striking hard upon
the shoal, completely dismasted. On reaching the quarter deck, I found
Captain Hood sitting upon a gun, surrounded by his little midshipmen,
who were looking earnestly at the gallant Captain, with a view of
ascertaining how he would act in the extremity in which he was placed.
Having heard my message, he said, ‘I hope the Venerable is not so far
gone yet, but we may save her; but tell the Admiral to let the Thames
stay by me, and I will take care she does not get into the enemy’s
hands.’ The Venerable was got off by the great exertions of Captain Hood.”
Captain Brenton again speaks for himself, he says, “The Admiral
informed me that it was his intention to commit the dispatches of this
glorious victory to my charge, to be conveyed to England, and directed
me to prepare for my immediate departure; but I was impressed with a
very strong expectation, that the struggle was not yet over, but that
Gantheaume might be hourly expected through the straits, and consequently
that another action might ensue. I therefore resisted the temptation,
which this most flattering mission held out to me, and requested that
I might be permitted to remain in charge of my ship. The Admiral in
consequence sent home his flag lieutenant with the account of the action,
and the squadron proceeded to Gibraltar to repair their damages, and to
be again in readiness for an action which few doubted would take place.”
The whole merit, and self denial, and patriotism of this decision, can
only be made evident when the fact is stated, that the object of Captain
Brenton’s early and constant affections, was at this precise time
expected in England with her brother. It is a singular circumstance that
the first news Miss Stewart heard upon her arrival in England related to
the battles of Algesiras.
Captain Brenton’s memoirs referring to this period, continues to be
full of interesting details. “The rock of Gibraltar had as picturesque
an appearance on the return of the little squadron, as it shewed on
the day of their departure. Every battery, or pinnacle of rock, which
overhung the bay, was crowded with spectators, all cheering and waving
hats and handkerchiefs. The acclamations mingled with a royal salute
from the batteries (congratulatory to majesty) re-echoed over the
bay, and the Admiral’s landing was most triumphant. He was received,
as was most justly his due, in the most distinguished, I may add,
the most affectionate manner. All who had witnessed his gallantry and
devoted conduct in the preceding week, and felt for his misfortune, now
sincerely rejoiced in the change. They considered that defeat had never
existed; but that the action began on the 6th, and had been kept up,
with inexhaustible energy through the week, terminating on the 13th with
complete success. The ships were soon refitted, as none but the Venerable
had received much damage.
“On visiting the hospital on my tour of duty a few days after the battle,
I observed a poor fellow, belonging to the Audacious, who had lost both
his arms, above the elbow. He was quite cheerful, and evidently rapidly
recovering. I asked what were his wishes for the future; whether to be
sent to Greenwich Hospital, or to have a pension for life, in the place
of his nativity. He replied, ‘I hope, your honour, it is not so bad with
me yet; I know the cook of the ——; he has lost both his arms; but there
is not a handier fellow in the fleet.’
“On the day on which the Cæsar left the Mole, as I have mentioned, for
the purpose of attacking the combined squadron, and while lying to, off
Europa point; a small boat was seen, with two men in white dresses,
pulling off to the ship; and on coming alongside they proved to be two
of the Cæsar’s crew, who had been wounded at Algesiras, and sent to the
hospital. Having applied to the surgeon for permission to return on
board; and being refused on account of their wounds being still under
cure, they actually ran away in their hospital garb, and finding a boat
on the beach, took possession, and pulled off to join their Commander.”
When a ship’s company was actuated by such a spirit, it was hardly
possible to doubt of the success that would attend them; but it may be
well to bear in mind, that the spirit which secured this victory was
formed previous to the crisis in which it was needed, and the hour of
action in which it was exhibited; and that attachment to the individuals
by whom they were led, and confidence in their commanders, added this
extraordinary character of vigor to the natural energy and courage of the
men.
Officers who would wish to have around them, in the day of action, or in
the hour of great exertions, a crew like that of the Cæsar, must be known
among their people as Sir James De Saumarez and Captain Brenton were;
must secure affection by shewing it, and by kindness and attention must
win the hearts of those who are to be the means of their success, or the
instruments of their preservation.
In the latter end of August Sir James Saumarez resumed the blockade of
Cadiz, but was soon after superseded in his command by Vice Admiral Sir
Charles Pole, to whom he became second in command. Thus he remained until
the news arrived of the definitive treaty of peace having been signed;
when Sir Charles returned to England; and the squadron again under Sir
James Saumarez took up their anchorage for the winter at Gibraltar.
They had frequent intercourse with the Spaniards at this time, and
Captain Brenton took an early opportunity of enquiring after his gallant
antagonist, Captain Suadeville, who commanded the gun boats in their
attack upon the Speedy, in November, 1799, which, if his conduct had been
as faithfully supported by others as it shewed enterprize on his part,
might have been attended with other results. The Governor sent for him,
and a cordial meeting was the consequence.