CRUIZE OFF TOULON.—REFITS AT MALTA.—STORM OFF SARDINIA.—JOINS
LORD COLLINGWOOD’S FLEET.—DISASTER.—FALLS IN WITH THE FRENCH
FLEET AT SEA.—EXERTIONS TO CONVEY INTELLIGENCE AND TO WATCH
THE ENEMY.—RETURNS TO TOULON.—SERVICE ON THE COAST OF ITALY IN
COMPANY WITH LORD COCHRANE.—REFLECTIONS.
The Spartan was employed for the remainder of the year in watching
the port of Toulon. The service was at first very arduous, and one of
constant anxiety, and solicitude, especially as the French squadron
in the outer roads had increased greatly, and it became necessary to
reconnoitre them with increased vigilance. Lord Collingwood returned to
his station off Cadiz; and the duty of watching Toulon devolved upon two
frigates, the Sirius and Spartan in the first instance. On the former
being called away, she was relieved by the Apollo; but there was seldom
more than one of these frigates off Toulon at a time, the other being
absent for the purpose of refitting, or procuring water and provisions.
Early in January, 1808, the Spartan went to Malta, to refit, having
suffered much from the constant gales off Cape Scicie, and from the
necessity of carrying sail to keep in with the land against the heavy
N.W. winds, which blow so frequently, and with so much violence on that
part of the coast. And as it was with this wind that the enemy would
leave their port it became an indispensable necessity that the frigates
employed in watching them, should keep as close to the land as possible,
that they might have a look out upon them night and day.
On the wind increasing from that quarter, it was therefore imperative
upon the frigates to carry as much low sail as possible, and they were
obliged to set their courses with close reefed topsails, as long as they
could be borne in safety; by this means, they generally managed to keep
in smooth water, under the land; but the greatest vigilance was required,
lest in some of the heavy squalls coming down through the valleys, the
lower yards might be carried away, and the ship crippled in sight of
a powerful enemy, who would only have to slip, and take possession of
the disabled ship. Admiral Thornborough who commanded the squadron,
which in the latter part of the Spartan’s station off Toulon, remained
cruizing from fifteen to twenty leagues off the coast, was full of
anxiety respecting the frigates; and on Captain Brenton going on board
the Royal Sovereign bearing his flag, to make his report of the ships in
Toulon, he said to him, “My dear Brenton, I expected to have seen you
worne to a skeleton from anxiety; I can scarcely sleep for thinking of
you. I dread particularly the treacherous calms off Cape Sicie, whilst
the ships in the outer roads of Toulon have a fresh breeze off the land,
which might bring them alongside of you in a few minutes.” This indeed
was a source of very serious apprehension, and the Spartan was more
than once placed in a situation of great danger from it; the line of
calm was however generally visible upon the water, and it was important
to observe great caution in not approaching too near this line. There
are few circumstances however which do not lose their power to alarm by
familiarity with the danger connected with them, and so it proved in this
case. On his being first employed in the service, Captain Brenton felt
the full amount of his responsibility, and the danger to which he was
exposed; but after being frequently chased off the land by squadrons of
ships of the line, and finding that they invariably left off chase by the
time they had got seven or eight leagues from the port; and finding also
that they seldom gained much if any thing upon the Spartan during that
run; he became so accustomed to being chased, that it was considered a
matter of common occurrence, and was unaccompanied by any anxiety. Upon
one occasion, when about four miles from Cape Sepet, the entrance to the
inner road of Toulon, blowing fresh from the N.W. several ships of the
line were seen coming out, and the Spartan of course bore up; at this
time, an unfortunate boy fell overboard, and it became necessary to lower
a boat down to endeavour to save him, and the time thus occupied was one
of the greatest possible anxiety, it was however employed in letting out
reefs, and in every preparation to make sail. The boy had sunk, and by
the time the boat had returned, the enemy were out of the roads, clear
of Cape Sepet, and steering for the Spartan, scarcely more than a league
distant; but no sooner was the boat out of the water, than the helm was
up, and the ship under a cloud of sail; from this moment all anxiety
vanished, and the enemy having run to the length of their tether, hauled
their wind as usual.
It was upon one of these occasions that Captain Brenton, sitting in
his cabin, watching the enemy in chase of him with his spy glass, was
informed by the first Lieutenant that a strange sail was seen on the
starboard bow. “Steer for her,” said the Captain, “these fellows will
leave off chase before we get up with her, and we may as well chase in
our turn.” As he expected, the enemy gave up the pursuit, and the Spartan
continuing her course for the stranger, came up with her in the course of
the afternoon, and took her; she proved to be a very good prize.
The Spartan having refitted in January at Malta, was returning to her
station off Toulon, and the wind being strong from the westward, the
Commander as usual ran to the eastward of Sardinia and Corsica. When on
the east side of Corsica, the weather being remarkably fine and clear,
they were keeping as close to the shore as possible, in order to have the
advantage of smooth water, and Captain Brenton and his First Lieutenant,
both very unwell, were sitting together over the stove in the Captain’s
cabin. The people were at dinner, when in a moment a heavy squall came
on. The ship was taken aback, and was laid over with her guns in the
water, and before the sail could be taken in, the fore yard was gone,
and the ship on a dead lee shore. The Captain and First Lieutenant were
soon on deck, and every exertion made to get the ship into safety; but
the proximity of the land rendered her situation for many hours one of
extreme peril. She was got under a snug sail, and a maintopsail yard
was substituted for a fore yard. The wind however continued to increase
after the sun went down, and blew with great violence, whilst a heavy
sea got up. The ship was wore, as the wind veered a point or two each
way, but at ten o’clock it was evident that they could not be far from
the S.E. coast of Corsica. Captain Brenton’s chief object in wearing as
he did, was to keep the Straits of Bonifacio open; but even this was a
most forlorn hope, for the innumerable rocks which abound in every part
of these straits, render it a most dangerous passage. His intention was
only to avail himself of it, in the event of being so near the coast
as to leave no alternative but either going on shore, or attempting to
run through the straits; in the latter case their safety depended on
steering by the breakers—a fearful resource when the sea was running
so high, that the whole surface of the water was broken. Every eye was
directed to leeward, and every moment the order was expected to put the
helm up; when by the interposition of a kind providence, the wind which
had been nearly at east, flew round six points, and enabled the ship
to clear the land, and by daylight she had such an offing as enabled
the Captain to keep her away for Palermo, where the Spartan arrived on
the following day, and to the great surprise of all on board, found Sir
Richard Strahan with his squadron lying in the bay, having run up the
Mediterranean in chase of the Rochefort squadron. It became necessary
that the Spartan should proceed with the utmost dispatch off Toulon, and
application having been made to the Sicilian Commodore for assistance, he
was pleased to supply the ship with a fore yard from one of his frigates,
and the Lavinia, one of Sir Richard Strahan’s squadron, having been put
under Captain Brenton’s orders, they made sail for their destination.
The wind being perseveringly from the west and north westward, the ships
endeavoured to beat up under the lee of Sardinia, but gained but little
ground. At length, the wind getting round to the N.E., and blowing
very hard, Captain Brenton determined upon bearing up, and running
along the south coast of Sardinia, to endeavour to get to Toulon by a
western route. On arriving, however, off Cagliari, he spoke an English
Privateer, from which he obtained the information, that on the 1st of
March, a frigate which had been cruising off Toulon, had arrived in the
road of Pulla, near Cagliari, with an account of the French squadron,
having got out of Toulon; and from the cross examination which Captain
Brenton entered into, he felt convinced that this frigate must be his
consort, the Apollo, which he had left off Toulon. The privateer captain
further added, that on the following day he was boarded by the Wizard,
sloop of war, and had the same intelligence from her, with the additional
news that five French sail of the line, and a frigate had lately entered
the Mediterranean. This was the squadron which Sir Richard Strahan had
pursued. With such important information, Captain Brenton felt himself
justified in dispatching Captain Hancock in the Lavinia to Admiral
Thornborough at Palermo; and he then stood with the Spartan into the bay
of Cagliari, which he reached on the 4th of March, and received from
the British Minister a confirmation of the report respecting the French
squadron. He proceeded in search of Vice-Admiral Thornborough, but fell
in with Lord Collingwood and the fleet off Maretimo; who having heard
of the movements of the enemy, was in pursuit of them. All the other
frigates and small vessels having been detained in different directions
in quest of the enemy, the Spartan was kept with the fleet, and every
morning, as soon as a flag could be distinguished, was ordered to look
out in a given direction, as far as signals could be made out; and was
recalled in the evening.
It seemed as though a fatality attended Captain Brenton, and that some
circumstance or another should always arise to prevent his acquiring
the approbation of the Commander in chief. Having been thus employed in
looking out till the morning of the 13th of March, when particularly
anxious to be in readiness to take his station on the look out, he was
up at three o’clock, and as soon as daylight appeared, made sail in
the quarter pointed out, and was as usual recalled in the evening. In
the course of the first watch the wind had become very light, and the
Spartan, at ten o’clock, was yet at a very considerable distance from
the body of the fleet, which was on the Spartan’s lee bow; he therefore
directed the officer of the watch to let him know when he should
approach within a couple of miles of the fleet, and lest there might be
any misunderstanding, he also gave this order in writing. The Spartan
at this time had all sail set on the starboard tack; Captain Brenton
soon fell asleep, and to his utter astonishment and dismay, was awoke by
hearing a crash, and running on deck, found the ship had run on board the
Malta of 80 guns, and that the Spartan’s main yard was carried away. This
indeed was a most serious disaster, his ship being the only frigate in
the fleet, and at such a juncture. However as there was no sea running,
the ships instantly separated, and the Spartan having got round on the
other tack, kept her main-top-sails set by bringing the sheets below; and
keeping her royals set, was enabled to get up into her station on the
weather beam of the Commander in chief, to whom Captain Brenton sent an
officer informing him of the accident, and expressing his hope that the
ship would be effective again in a few hours. His Lordship’s feelings
may be easily imagined by those who knew him. He instantly sent his
carpenter on board, with armourers and every other assistance that could
be devised, but before these artificers were in readiness to work, there
was but little left for them to do, the main yard was down and fished,
and the hoops only remained to be put down, which were then preparing
at the forge; and before eleven o’clock the yard was again up, and the
Spartan as efficient as she had been the preceding day. The Admiral was
appeased, and the affair had no other consequence than that of an order
to try the unfortunate Lieutenant by a Court martial. It may not be
useless to explain how this neglect happened, as it may prove a warning
to thoughtless young men, who in every other respect are most anxious
and zealous to do their duty to the utmost. It is well known to be the
custom of the service for an officer coming up to take charge of the
deck, to be accosted by his messmates in the following manner, “Here you
have her,” describing the sail she is under, and repeating any orders
he may have received from the Captain. Upon this occasion, to the “Here
you have her,” was added, “and you will find the captain’s order in the
order book in the Binnacle drawer.” The young officer, who took charge
of the deck, probably intended looking into the book for these orders,
but forgot it. He now approached the fleet, and all at once alarmed for
his responsibility, and hesitating on which side of the ship approaching
him he should go, it ended as all these cases of indecision generally
do, by running on board of her. The Commander in chief soon after this,
having gained intelligence that the enemy had been seen off the mouth of
the Adriatic, made all sail in pursuit of them, dispatching the Spartan
to Rear Admiral Martin, at Palermo, with the information; and the Rear
Admiral immediately directed Captain Brenton to proceed without loss of
time to the Bay of Tunis, and not gaining any tidings of the enemy there,
to cruize between the south coast of Sardinia and the coast of Africa, in
order to prevent if possible the enemy passing to the westward, from the
Adriatic, without being seen.
The Spartan had not been long on this service, when on the 1st of April,
1808, the weather being hazy, and a fresh breeze from the north west, a
fleet was descried to the southward, amounting to ten sail of the line,
and four frigates. Captain Brenton felt so certain that this was Lord
Collingwood, not having heard of the junction of the French squadrons,
that he did not at first even make the private signals, but was satisfied
with shewing his number. As they ran down under their topsails, the
Captain, and the first Lieutenant, looking at them through their glasses,
the former said, “Who is that old fashioned fellow who carries his
mizen topmast stay-sail, _under_ the main top?” The first Lieutenant
immediately replied, “There are three of them that have it.” Then said
the Captain, “It is the enemy’s fleet. Haul your wind at once.” They
did so, and then made the private signal, and no sooner had the Spartan
made this change in her course, than every ship to leeward made all the
sail she could carry upon a wind. The Spartan set her coursers, jib, and
driver, and Captain Brenton, finding the enemy did not gain much ground
upon him, felt satisfied with this addition, and was rather desirous
that they should get a little nearer to him before night, when he felt
that he could always get from them. Captain Brenton was now anxious to
communicate the position of the French squadron to Rear Admiral Martin,
at Palermo, and also to Sir Alexander Ball, at Malta; but he felt it to
be his imperative duty to remain with the French fleet himself, and to
dog them wherever they might be bound. He at once decided upon putting a
canvass deck upon the launch; and applying for beams the rough pieces,
which at that time it was the custom to issue from the dock-yard for
boat oars, to be made up on board when required; the launch being thus
provided with a deck, and being furnished with a carronade, signal
flags, ammunition, provisions, and water, became a very serviceable,
and efficient dispatch boat. When it became quite dark the launch was
hoisted out and equipped, but some delay in sending her away occurred, in
consequence of the French squadron having gone on the larboard tack, by
which means they were exactly in her track for Trapani. The Lieutenant
was directed to proceed by land to Palermo, with his dispatches for Rear
Admiral Martin; and the Master’s mate, who accompanied him in the launch,
was to proceed with her to Malta with the same intelligence for Rear
Admiral, Sir Alexander Ball.
“SPARTAN, CAPE TOLAZO, 5 p.m. APRIL 1st, 1808.
“SIR,
“We are now in company with the enemy’s squadron, consisting
of ten sail of the line (two of which are three deckers), four
frigates and a brig. We fell in with them this morning at ten
o’clock, Galita then bearing S.S.E. distant thirty-eight
miles; they were then steering about West, with the wind
apparently at E.N.E. (we had it all North). I immediately bore
up to reconnoitre them; upon the wind drawing round to the
westward, and blowing fresh (which it did shortly after) they
wore by signal, and hauled their wind on the larboard tack.
When near enough to distinguish flags, I made the private
signal, which was not answered, and we have since been keeping
a station about six or seven miles in the wind’s eye of them.
At dark I mean to send away the launch, having fitted her up
with a temporary deck for the occasion, and put her under the
command of Lieutenant Coffin, third Lieutenant, to whom I beg
leave to refer you for particulars. He is a most excellent
young officer, and has in my opinion added to his merit,
by the very handsome manner in which he has volunteered his
services on this occasion. It is my intention to use every
endeavour to keep sight of the enemy, and having ascertained
their destination, to take the earliest opportunity of sending
information of it; watching them myself till I have reason to
believe the Commander in chief, or some of his squadrons are
acquainted with their situation.
“I have the honour to be, &c.
“JAHLEEL BRENTON.”
“REAR ADMIRAL MARTIN, &c. PALERMO.”
When the French fleet had got sufficiently to the northward, to offer a
prospect of the launch pursuing her course unobserved, she was ordered
to shove off; but she had scarcely got a mile from the ship, when, to
Captain Brenton’s great dismay, the enemy were seen on the starboard
tack, and there was the greatest probability that the poor launch
would have fallen into their hands. The officer however on seeing them
approach, most judiciously lowered his sails; by which means, they passed
without seeing him, although as he said, one of the ships was so near
him, that he thought his capture inevitable. He was most providentially
preserved, and the Spartan kept her station on the weather beam of the
French Admiral during the night, and as day approached made sail on
the opposite tack, by which she was soon out of danger of pursuit, and
preserved that distance until the evening, when she again bore down and
took her station for the night. On the morning of the 2nd, just before
daylight, the enemy were still on the starboard tack, on which they had
been the whole night. The Spartan was put about, and Captain Brenton,
who had been on deck nearly the whole night, left orders to stand on
the larboard tack, until the topsails only of the French squadron could
be seen from the deck, when the ship was again to be put in stays, and
bear the same tack with the enemy. He had not long however been asleep,
when he was called by the officer of the watch, and informed that the
French squadron had tacked and lay up for the Spartan; that they had a
fresh breeze whilst the Spartan was nearly becalmed. The enemy approached
rapidly, and had got within four or five miles, when their wind also
failed them, and a most anxious day was passed by all on board the
Spartan. The sails were sometimes trimmed for one tack, and sometimes for
the other, and their steering sails, a-low and a-loft, and all in the
course of an hour or two, as the wind veered round the compass. In the
afternoon the wind set in again, and blew steady from its old quarter,
the N.W.; and the French Admiral determined to avail himself of every
change, in the hope of catching the British frigate, divided his squadron
into two parts, and put one on each tack; but the Spartan having the
breeze strong and steady had the heels of them, and had got so far to
windward before dark, that when the squadron again united, and got upon
the starboard tack, which they always did at night, she was again under
the necessity of bearing down, in order to ensure keeping sight of them
during the night. On the evening of the 3rd the wind having got round to
the Northward, the French Admiral was observed to keep away, (about west)
and a frigate went along the line, apparently speaking every ship; which
movement Captain Brenton interpreted in the following manner. “The French
Admiral finding he cannot shake off the British frigate, or get hold of
her, is determined to pursue his course to the westward; it may be for
the straits of Gibraltar, on his way to Cadiz; or it may be, that with
the expectation of the wind getting into its prevailing quarter, S.W.,
he wishes to take advantage of it to get to Toulon, and probably taking
Minorca in his way, and joining the Spanish squadron of six sail of the
line known to be there. At all events,” said Captain Brenton to his
officers, “we must endeavour to accompany him;” and in his turn, in order
to puzzle the French Admiral with regard to the Spartan’s movements, he
continued close hauled until he had lost sight of the French squadron,
then keeping away upon the same course, they were last seen steering, and
setting the courses, he expected soon to be again abreast of them, and to
resume his position for watching them on the following day. Gantheaume,
who commanded the French squadron, evidently had laid a trap for him,
and expected this movement, for after dark he must have hauled his wind
expecting to get to windward of the Spartan. As the night was dark, great
anxiety was felt to get sight of the enemy again, and an eager look out
kept on the lee bow. All at once the junior marine officer who was on
the lee gangway called out, “here they are Sir, close to us on the lee
quarter;” and there indeed they were, not much more than a mile distant.
As the Spartan was off the wind and going at a great rate, with all
hands on deck, Captain Brenton decided upon at once wearing her, and
getting on the other tack, as far preferable to keeping his enemy astern,
and so near him, or running the risk of any accident which might happen
in the stays. He accordingly ordered the helm to be immediately put up,
and the ship flew round with rapidity, and was round on the other tack
under the mainsail in a few moments. She was evidently within gun shot of
the leading ship of the French squadron, but only for a very few minutes,
and they were probably deterred from firing, lest it might attract the
attention of other cruizers. The French squadron soon after wore, which
they did very deliberately; the signal having been first made by the
Admiral, and when repeated by his second astern, hauled down in his ship,
and so on throughout the line, only one ship having the signal up at a
time, and no guns being fired upon any occasion; this clearly betrayed a
desire not to attract notice. The Spartan continued carrying a press of
sail all night, and soon got over on the coast of Sardinia; when she went
again upon the starboard tack, and at daylight saw the enemy’s squadron
upon the larboard tack, broad on her lee bow. On the evening of this
day the weather was very squally, and wind so variable, as sometimes to
bring the enemy to windward, a position most unfavourable to the Spartan,
though there was no apprehension whatever of any ship of the enemy
gaining upon her on a wind, although many might have done so while going
large. Captain Brenton, to avoid these disadvantageous circumstances,
stood well over to the coast of Sardinia, in the expectation of again
crossing upon the French squadron in the morning, but he saw no more of
them. They had undoubtedly availed themselves of the changes of wind,
favourable to their getting to the N.N.W. as they were known to have
reached Toulon in a few days after.
Captain Brenton was now under considerable anxiety, as to the steps
he should next take. From the conduct of the enemy during four days,
there was every reason to believe that their object was to get to the
westward, but whether to the straits of Gibraltar, or Minorca, or Toulon,
he could not determine. Depending upon his launch having carried all
the information to Sicily and Malta, he resolved to steer for Minorca,
under the probability that M. Gantheaume might have gone thither for the
Spanish ships, as has already been suggested. He also thought, that on
this course with the perpetual changes of wind so frequently experienced
in the spring in the Mediterranean, he might again fall in with them,
whether their destination was to either of the places above mentioned.
From the evening of the 5th to the morning of the 7th, the Spartan was
nearly becalmed the whole time, but a fresh breeze then springing up from
the S.W. the Spartan stretched over for Minorca, and made that island on
the evening of the 8th. Captain Brenton was in the hope of being able to
reconnoitre port Mahon in the morning, but in the course of the night it
came on to blow very hard from the northward; and to have attempted to
have worked up to the island would have expended too much valuable time.
All that remained in his power now was to endeavour to secure Admiral
Purvis, who commanded the British squadron off Cadiz, against surprise.
He accordingly made all sail for Gibraltar; he arrived off the rock on
the evening of the 10th, and brought to off Cabrita, whilst he sent a
boat on shore for intelligence; and on its return proceeded through the
straits under bare poles, in order not to miss the squadron under Admiral
Purvis, which he saw at day-light, and communicated his intelligence by
telegraph.
The Admiral immediately made the signal for his squadron to clear and
prepare for battle. He gave Captain Brenton great credit for his conduct
upon this occasion, as did Lord Collingwood on his rejoining him. Having
remained with the squadron off Cadiz, as long as any probability remained
of the French squadron coming down, the Spartan was again ordered to
Palermo, to rejoin Rear Admiral Martin; and on his arrival there, Captain
Brenton was directed to resume his station off Toulon; where he was
informed he should find the Commander in chief, which was the case. Lord
Collingwood expressed himself highly pleased with all the measures he had
pursued under these trying and difficult circumstances; and said he had
been greatly relieved, on hearing of the Spartan’s safety, as a report
had reached him, that the French squadron was seen going into Toulon,
with an English frigate their prize; and little doubt was entertained in
the fleet, as to the correctness of the report, or, as to the Spartan
being the ship taken. His Lordship was heard to exclaim when he heard the
news, “That poor Brenton was the child of misfortune.” Captain Brenton
was now again upon his old post, but had the comfort of another frigate,
the Lavinia, being put under his orders. There were at this time six sail
of the line in Toulon, and four frigates ready for sea; and six men of
war, with two frigates refitting. The enemy frequently came out as usual,
chasing off our frigates and returning into port again.
On the 1st of August, Captain Brenton having observed a frigate and
convoy getting under weigh in Toulon, and suspecting they were destined
for Corsica with troops, where he had been informed some disturbances had
taken place, recalled the Lavinia by signal from Cape de L’Aigle; and
directing Captain Hancock to occupy the Spartan’s post off Toulon, made
sail himself in chase of the frigate, and gained very fast upon her, in
consequence of which she hauled into the bay of St. Tropaz, and anchored
under the citadel. The Spartan succeeded in taking two of her convoy,
and was very near taking a man of war brig, having got within gun shot
of her; but being becalmed, the Frenchman got away with his sweeps. The
Spartan had three men wounded by a shot from one of the batteries, but
only slightly.
In the beginning of September, the Spartan was ordered to cruize in the
gulf of Rosas, to prevent the enemy’s vessels from collecting on the
coast between Cape Creux and Cape Couronne. On the 7th, Captain Brenton
fell in with the Imperieuse, commanded by Lord Cochrane, and joined him
in an attack he was making upon some merchant vessels near Cape Mejean;
one of which they burned, and captured two, which not being worth sending
into port for adjudication, they destroyed. The Imperieuse had one man
killed upon this occasion, and the Spartan one wounded.
On the 8th, the boats from the two ships landed and destroyed the
signal post and telegraph in the bay of Saintes Maries; from thence
they proceeded to attack three batteries upon the Isthmus of Leucate,
where a number of vessels were lying hauled up on the beach. Lord
Cochrane had reconnoitred this part of the coast some days previously,
and had landed and spiked one of the guns on the southern battery. On
the 10th, at daylight, the boats landed and completed the destruction
of that battery; whilst the ships protected them by their fire, from
the troops which were assembled. At one p.m. the boats were formed in
two divisions, the first made a feint of landing near the village of
Caunet, by which means the troops were all drawn to that point, and the
ships running in attacked the centre battery near the village of St.
Lauren, and the second division of boats proceeded under cover of the
Imperieuse, and carried the northernmost battery. A beautiful instance
of ready seamanship was displayed by Lord Cochrane upon this occasion.
Having already reconnoitred the coast, he requested he might be permitted
to lead upon the occasion. The Spartan was following the Imperieuse, at
less than a cable’s length distance, the ships going about three knots;
when the Imperieuse was observed suddenly to swing round, with much more
rapidity than any action of the helm could have produced. The fact was,
that Lord Cochrane from the mast head saw a squadron of the enemy’s
cavalry galloping towards a gorge on the coast, which had they passed,
they would have cut off the retreat of our people, who were employed in
spiking the guns. His Lordship immediately ordered the ship’s anchor to
be let go, and the swinging round brought her starboard broadside to
enfilade this gorge, by which the cavalry were instantly turned. The
boats were then again landed, when one vessel was blown up, and another
burnt, the others considerably injured by the fire from the frigates; but
the enemy having collected in considerable force with field pieces, the
boats were recalled. The Spartan had two wounded upon the occasion, and
the Imperieuse one.
On the following day the two ships anchored off Cette, and endeavoured to
burn the shipping in the harbour, by throwing congreve rockets amongst
them; but without effect, probably owing to the defective state of the
rockets.
On the 12th they again landed, burnt a custom-house, near Mont Julien,
two pontons on the canal, and some guard houses, bringing away a number
of small arms.
On the 13th they chased nine sail of merchant vessels off Point de Tigne,
and captured six of them, viz., one ship, three brigs, a xebec, and a
bombard; these vessels had run on shore, with the wind blowing hard from
the N.W. The Spartan and the Imperieuse anchoring near them, and heaving
them off, they were no sooner afloat and anchored near the frigates, than
a gale of wind came on, directly on shore, which obliged the ships to
remain there till the 16th, in hourly expectation of the enemy bringing
down guns, as they were within shot of the beach. Captain Brenton in
his official letters states the conduct of Lord Cochrane to have been
above all praise; and that it was throughout an animating example of
intrepidity, zeal, professional skill, and resources which he trusted
would be treasured up in the memory of all who witnessed it.
The Editor may be allowed to add as a tribute due to the distinguished
officer thus casually introduced to notice from connection with the
subject of the Memoir, that he has frequently heard Sir Jahleel Brenton
mention, that he admired nothing more in Lord Cochrane, than the care he
took of the preservation of his people. Bold and adventurous as he was,
no unnecessary exposure of life was ever permitted under his command.
Every circumstance was anticipated, every precaution against surprise
was taken, every provision for success was made; and in this way he was
enabled to accomplish the most daring enterprises, with comparatively
little danger, and still less of actual loss.
The public who heard of his unceasing activity and dauntless courage,
regarded him as one only ambitious of the character of a successful
commander, and little knew that he never risked an attack of which he
had not calculated all the probable contingencies, and compared most
jealously the loss he might himself sustain, with the injury to be done
to the enemy.
Lord Collingwood in acknowledging Captain Brenton’s official account
of these affairs expressed much approbation. The service performed
was in itself trivial, but the effect upon the enemy important; as
these perpetual attacks made on different parts of the coast were very
harrassing to them, and kept their cavalry, as well as other descriptions
of force, constantly in motion; whilst they at the same time paralyzed
their trade, which at this period of the war was confined entirely to
the coasting department. It became necessary also for the enemy to keep
a much larger military force in their maritime departments, than they
would otherwise have done, and the amount of troops sent to the army was
consequently diminished.
The coasters were at length so apprehensive of falling into the hands
of the English cruizers, that they seldom dared to quit the shelter of
a port, until signals had been made from the different stations on the
coast, that no enemy was near.
While such was the perilous and anxious tenor of Captain Brenton’s days,
some light may be reflected on his personal character, by introducing
a short extract from that domestic memoir, to which reference has
previously been made, as exhibiting the feelings that were passing in his
mind, while occupied in this active service. The thread of the narrative,
it is true, will be broken; the thrilling interest connected with these
critical moments must be suspended; but it is well that the reader should
see the character of the man in whose dangers he is led to share, and
should learn even through the interruption of the story, that the duties
of the service may be discharged in the most exemplary manner, whilst the
heart retains all the warmth and tenderness of well regulated affection.
Speaking of this period of his life to his children, he says, “This was
a time of great anxiety, which to a heart formed like your dear mother’s,
was perhaps rendered more severe, by the struggle between her religious
convictions and her worldly affections, between her wish to repose entire
confidence in God, and those feelings, which although given us for our
happiness, we are not able to controul, when we have reason to fear
that those we love are suffering, or in danger. The enemy’s squadron
had escaped from Rochefort, and got into the Mediterranean, where they
formed a junction with that of Toulon, and an action with our fleet
was consequently expected. My beloved Isabella knew I was cruizing off
Toulon, and was naturally full of apprehension. I had been relieved in
the early part of the year, in order that I might go to Malta and refit,
and upon my return having fallen in with Lord Collingwood, I was detached
in quest of the enemy, which I fell in with, the beginning of April, off
Sardinia. I lost sight of them on the fourth day, and concluding from the
course they had steered, whilst I was with them, that they were going
either to Minorca or Cadiz, I went successively to those places, giving
the alarm to our Commander in chief, who was blockading the latter. I had
the satisfaction of receiving Lord Collingwood’s entire approbation of my
conduct; and what was not less gratifying, a letter, whilst off Cadiz,
from your beloved mother, which had been written but little more than a
fortnight. I was also enabled to send her accounts of my welfare, which
from the nature of the service upon which I had been engaged, she could
not otherwise have received for a considerable time; whilst reports of
our having fallen into the hands of the enemy were circulated throughout
the Mediterranean, and generally believed.” This circumstance seems to
have called forth the following expression of gratitude from the anxious
wife.
Bath 1808.—“Just received letters from my beloved Brenton, which have
more than ever given me cause for gratitude to the All wise disposer
of events. Oh! merciful God, how is it possible for me to express the
gratitude due to Thee, upon this occasion particularly whilst every hour
of my life is marked by some of thy bountiful mercies. But thy late
preservation of my husband, both from the enemy, and the perils and
dangers of the sea, call for more than usual gratitude.” Captain Brenton
adds, “Whilst so many are habitually congratulating themselves upon the
instances of what they call ‘good fortune,’ or their ‘lucky escapes,’ or
pluming themselves upon their own success as the necessary consequences
of their own judgment or merit; let us, my darling children, follow
the example of your angelic mother, and refer all we meet with to the
merciful and watchful care of a benign and superintending Providence—let
us pay our gratitude where it is due; and in all our trials remember
what He has done for us. Let us resign ourselves to His divine will, and
assure ourselves that were it not good for us to be afflicted, adversity
would never reach us.”