1796, 1797.
Orion taken into dock.--Is refitted, and joins the Channel
fleet.--Detached on a particular service.--Returns.--Proceeds to
reinforce Sir John Jervis.--List of his fleet.--Battle with
Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent described in a private
letter.--Conduct of Saumarez in the action.--Salvador del Mundo
strikes to the Orion, and is taken possession of by her
lieutenant.--Engages the Santissima Trinidada.--She strikes to
the Orion.--Remarks on that occasion.--Lagos Bay.--Lisbon.--Sir
James sails on a cruise with Admiral Sir H.
Nelson.--Returns.--Commands the advanced squadron.--Several
private letters.--Commands the advanced squadron off
Cadiz.--Mutiny in the fleet.--Anecdote and remarks thereon.
The Orion was ordered into harbour; and on examination it was found
she had been so much strained during the last cruise, particularly in
the November storm, subsequently known by the name of "Admiral
Christian's gale," besides having sprung her lower masts, that it
became absolutely necessary for her to be taken into dock. During the
next four months Sir James obtained, leave of absence; and it was not
until the 7th of May 1796, that, having rejoined his ship, he was
called into active service, the Orion being placed in Rear-admiral
Lord Hugh Seymour's division of the grand fleet which was fitted for
foreign service.
After a short cruise off Brest, the Orion proceeded to reinforce the
fleet under Sir John Jervis, off Cape St. Vincent. This squadron
consisted of the Sanspareil (flag-ship), Orion, Triumph, Juste,
Hector, and Theseus, of the line; Phaeton and Latona, frigates; and
Incendiary, fire-ship. On arriving off their station, Captain Saumarez
was detached to Fayall by Lord Hugh's order, dated the 13th June, to
obtain stock, wine, &c. for the use of the squadron; and was directed
to meet his lordship at ten leagues to the westward of that island;
after which the squadron returned to Cape St. Vincent, and from
thence, in the month of September, they joined the Channel fleet,
under Lord Gardner.
On the 11th of December the Orion returned to Spithead, in order to
refit and replenish in water and provisions, after a six months'
unsuccessful cruise. This occupied but a short time; and on the 17th
of the same month Sir James proceeded in the Orion, with a squadron
under the orders of Admiral W. Parker, to reinforce Sir John Jervis,
off Cape St. Vincent. This squadron consisted of the Prince George,
98; Namur, 90; Irresistible, Orion, and Colossus, of 74 guns; and
Thalia frigate. The junction with Sir John was effected on the 6th of
February. Thus reinforced, the Admiral had under his command--
Guns.
100 Victory, Admiral Sir John Jervis.
Captain Robert Calder.
Captain George Grey.
Britannia, Vice-admiral Charles Thompson.
Captain Foley.
98 Barfleur, Vice-admiral Hon. W. Waldegrave.
Captain J.R. Dacres.
Prince George, Rear-admiral W. Parker.
Captain John Irwin.
Blenheim, Captain Thos. L. Frederick.
90 Namur, Captain James H. Whitshed.
74 Captain, Commodore Horatio Nelson.
Captain R.W. Miller.
Goliath, Captain Charles Knowles.
Excellent, Captain Cuthbert Collingwood.
Orion, Captain Sir James Saumarez.
Colossus, Captain Geo. Murray.
Egmont, Captain John Sutton.
Culloden, Captain Thomas Troubridge.
Irresistible, Captain Geo. Martin.
64 Diadem, Captain Geo. H. Towny.
38 Minerve, Captain Geo. Cockburn.
32 Lively, Captain Lord Garlies.
Niger, Captain Ed. Jas. Foote.
Southampton, Captain Jas. Macnamara.
Slps Bonne Citoyenne, Captain Chas. Lindsay.
Raven, Captain W. Prowse.
Cut. Fox, Lieutenant John Gibson.
Sir John Jervis was well aware that the Spanish fleet might be nearly
double his force, but he kept working up towards the position where he
expected to meet them. On the 13th, in the morning, the Minerve,
Captain Cockburn, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Nelson,
(which was afterwards shifted to the Captain, 74) having on board Sir
Gilbert Elliot, late viceroy of Corsica and others, came into the
fleet with intelligence that on the 11th, soon after quitting
Gibraltar, she had been chased by two Spanish line-of-battle ships;
and that afterwards, when in the mouth of the Straits, she got sight
of the Spanish fleet. Before sunset the signals were made for the
British fleet to prepare for battle, and to keep in close order all
the night, during which the signal-guns of the Spaniards were
distinctly heard. At half-past two, A.M. the Portuguese frigate
Carlotta spoke the Victory; and her captain (Campbell) gave
information that the Spanish grand fleet, commanded by Don Josef de
Cordova, was only five leagues to windward; that they had sailed from
Carthagena on the 1st of the month, and consisted of twenty-eight sail
of the line, viz.
Guns.
130 Santissima Trinidada.
(four-decker).
112 Concepcion.
Conde de Regla.
Mexicano.
Principe de Asturias.
Salvador del Mundo.
San Josef.
80 Neptuno.
San Nicolas.
74 Atalante.
Bahama.
Conquistador.
Firme.
Glorioso.
Oriente.
Pelayo.
San Antonio.
San Domingo.
San Firmin.
San F'sco de Paula.
San Genaro.
San Ildefonso.
San Juan Nepomuceno.
San Pablo.
San Ysidro.
Soberano.
Terrible.
There were also twelve frigates, some gun-boats, and seventy
transports with troops, which were disembarked at Algesiras.
It is not positively known what the destination of this powerful fleet
was; some accounts say Cadiz, others Brest. It is, however, certain
that their admiral did not expect to meet more than ten or twelve sail
of the line with Sir John Jervis, and that he anticipated an easy
capture, and a triumphant entry into port with his prizes. His dismay
may therefore be easily imagined at seeing the English fleet of
fifteen sail of the line close to him, in excellent order of battle,
while his own fleet was in such a scattered situation as to render it
impossible to prevent his intrepid enemy from cutting off a group
which had separated from the main body of his fleet, and which in vain
attempted to rejoin by crowding all sail.
As it is not our intention to enter into the particulars of this
memorable battle, excepting as regards the Orion, an extract from the
admiral's despatch will be sufficient to show the bold and decisive
step which he took on that occasion, and by which he succeeded in
obtaining a most glorious victory over double his force.
Victory, Lagos Bay, 16th February 1797.
SIR,
The hope of falling in with the Spanish fleet, expressed in my
letter to you of the 13th instant, was confirmed last night by
distinctly hearing the report of their signal-guns, and by
intelligence received from Captain Foote, of his Majesty's ship
Niger, who had, with equal judgment and perseverance, kept
company with them for several days, on my prescribed
rendezvous, (which, from the strong S.E. wind, I had never been
able to reach,) and that they were not more than the distance of
three or four leagues from us.
I anxiously waited the dawn of day; when, being on the starboard
tack, Cape St. Vincent bearing E.N.E. eight leagues, I had the
satisfaction of seeing a number of ships extended from S.W. to
S., the wind then W. by S. At forty-nine minutes past ten, the
weather being extremely hazy, La Bonne Citoyenne made the signal
that the ships seen were of the line, twenty-five in number.
His Majesty's squadron under my command, consisting of fifteen
ships of the line, happily formed in the most compact order of
sailing in two lines. By carrying a press of sail, I was
fortunate in getting in with the enemy's fleet at half-past
eleven, before it had time to collect and form a regular order
of battle. Such a moment was not to be lost; and, confident in
the skill, valour, and discipline of the officers and men I had
the happiness to command, and judging that the honour of his
Majesty's arms, and the circumstances of the war in these seas,
required a considerable degree of enterprise, I felt myself
justified in departing from the regular system; and, passing
through their fleet in a line formed with the utmost celerity,
tacked, and thereby separated one-third from the main body.
After a partial cannonade, which prevented their rejunction till
the evening, and by the very great exertions of the ships which
had the good fortune to arrive up with the enemy on the larboard
tack, the ships named in the margin[11] were captured, and the
action ceased about five o'clock.
[11] The San Josef, Salvador del Mundo, San Nicolas, and San
Ysidro.
That the Orion was one of those ships which distinguished themselves
will best appear from the private letter of her brave commander to his
brother, written only the day after the action; a circumstance which
cannot but give such a communication a value far superior to a more
elaborate composition. The log also of his ship, written at the time
by the master, to which we have had access, completely accords with
the facts so clearly stated in the letter.
Orion, Lagos Bay, 15th February 1797.
MY DEAR RICHARD,
You will be happy to receive an account from me of the important
victory obtained by our squadron over the Spanish fleet,
consisting of nearly double our force. The Admiral having
received previous information of their sailing from Carthagena,
and of their cruising off the entrance of the Straits, gave us
timely notice of the intelligence by the signal to prepare for
battle.
Early on Tuesday morning, the weather being hazy, with light
winds, the frigates on the look-out made the signal for
discovering the enemy, and soon after we discerned several ships
to leeward, and the body of the fleet to windward. We were then
on the starboard tack, standing to the southward. The signal was
made to different ships to chase; and, shortly after, for the
fleet to form in line of battle as most convenient. The enemy at
this time were bearing down to join their ships to leeward; but
we came upon them so fast, that, before they could effect the
junction, the headmost ships, which were the Culloden, Prince
George, Orion, Blenheim, and Colossus, with the Victory and the
rest coming up, it was effectually prevented. They then hauled
their wind on the larboard tack, and our Admiral made the signal
for the fleet to tack. Our sternmost ships then became the
headmost.
Commodore Nelson, who had joined from Elba the day before,
shifted his pendant to the Captain, the leading ship, and
distinguished himself most eminently. The Culloden, Blenheim,
Prince George, and Orion, were the next that came up, and were
warmly engaged for nearly three hours with the body of the
enemy's fleet, who had not had the time, or address, to form
into any order. But it is only doing them justice to say, they
defended themselves very bravely.
We were, for above an hour, opposed to a three-decker, the
Salvador del Mundo, which finally struck to this ship; we
lowered the boat from the stern, and gave orders to Mr. Luce,
the first lieutenant, to take possession of her; still making
sail for the other ships, and following Admiral Parker in the
Prince George. The Excellent, which had passed us to windward,
had made a line-of-battle ship, the San Domingo, strike some
time before this.
Several ships of the enemy were extremely shattered in their
masts and sails; but, keeping up a warm fire on their ships, the
Captain laid one of them, the San Nicolas, an eighty-four, on
board, and hauled down her colours. A three-decker, the San
Josef, wishing, I believe, to rescue the ship, got on board of
her, and gave Commodore Nelson an opportunity of also hauling
down her colours. His bravery on this occasion is above all
praise.
The Namur and other ships had by this time joined the van, and
engaged as they came up. I stood for a three-decker, which,
after engaging some time, struck her colours: she first had
showed a white flag, which, though I concluded to indicate a
truce, was not satisfactory to myself, and we continued firing
till they hoisted an English flag over the Spanish, on which we
ceased firing.
The enemy's ships, many of which had not been in action, at this
time came up and were forming to windward. The Admiral made the
signal to wear and come to the wind on the starboard tack;
wishing, I believe, to keep his squadron collected near the
prizes, as well as the Captain, that was much disabled, besides
the Colossus, which ship very unfortunately lost her fore-yard
very early in the action. This ill-timed, but doubtless
necessary manoeuvre, lost us the additional triumph of having
the Purissima Concepcion, to grace the ships already in our
possession, and I experienced the regret of again seeing her
resume the Spanish colours.
I have here related to you facts as they really occurred, and I
believe all my officers will vouch for the authenticity of this
account. I am happy to acquaint you that we have providentially
lost no man in the action; eight only wounded, all doing well;
amongst which number is Mr. Mansell, from a contusion in his
right shoulder by splinter. Our main and mizen-top-masts are
alone disabled, and the hull has not suffered materially. All
the officers, and every man individually, behaved as nobly as I
have ever witnessed; and you know it is not the first action in
which I have seen courage excited.
This is copied from the letter I write to my brother. My
amanuensis is a gentleman who acted as my aide-de-camp, and I
beg you will acquaint his good father that he acquitted himself
highly to my satisfaction, and showed himself deserving the
stock from which he sprung. I truly hope in due time to have the
opportunity of advancing a young man of his merit.
In case I have not time to write to my brother, as the above has
been copied only from the scraps of the letter I intended
writing, send him this letter, stating my great hurry and the
pressure of service at this crisis.
Adieu! nothing can equal my impatience to hear from you, and to
receive good accounts of my sister.
I am truly, most affectionately yours,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
Lagos Bay, 17th February 1797.
The principal cause of my present haste is my anxiety attending
the care of the San Josef, which we have in tow, and which has
delayed us more than I can express, these twenty-four hours.
N.B. I since have found it was the Santissima Trinidada, and not
the Concepcion, that struck, but afterwards got off. And the St.
Ysidro, 74 guns, and not the Santa Domingo, that is captured.
The Santissima Trinidada is reported to be off here by one of
our frigates.
The enemy, however, passed Lagos Bay, leaving the prizes unmolested.
As the further details, and Spanish account of this action, will be
found in the Appendix, we shall proceed by giving the copies of the
following letters.
Victory, Lagos Bay, 16th February 1797.
SIR,
No language I am possessed of can convey the high sense I
entertain of the exemplary conduct of the flag-officers,
captains, officers, seamen, marines, and soldiers embarked on
board every ship of the squadron I have the honour to command,
present at the vigorous and successful attack made upon the
fleet of Spain on the 14th instant. The signal advantage
obtained by his Majesty's arms on that day is entirely owing to
their determined valour and discipline; and I request you will
accept yourself, and give my thanks and approbation to those
composing the crew of the ship under your command.
I am, sir,
Your most humble servant,
J. JERVIS.
To Captain Sir James Saumarez, Orion.
In consequence of this glorious victory, obtained, under Providence,
by the valour and discipline of the crews of his Majesty's ships on
the 14th February 1797, the commander-in-chief was pleased to grant a
free pardon to James Maloney, seaman, then under sentence of death for
repeated desertion from H.M.S. Speedy, which was communicated in the
most impressive manner to the fleet.
We cannot but remark that, in the various accounts of this action,
justice has been but barely done to the commander of the Orion, who is
only mentioned as one of the six captains who prevented the junction
of the enemy's separated squadron. If any act of heroism displayed on
that occasion was designed to be particularly recorded in the public
despatches, surely the fact that the Orion was the last ship that
engaged and took possession of the Salvador del Mundo, and then made
the Santissima Trinidada strike her colours and hoist the English flag
over the Spanish, deserves a place. For these achievements we have the
undoubted testimonies, not only of the gallant commander and the
officers of the ship, viz. Sir John Savage, Captains Tancock and
Mansell, but also that of one of the officers of the Spanish ship who
was on board at the time, and who added, that "we did not surrender
until all further defence was hopeless." The Orion could not send a
boat to her, because she had already taken possession of the Salvador,
on board which ship she had sent her first lieutenant and as many men
as she could spare, and also because she had no boat that could swim:
but this, it appeared, raised some doubts on the subject; and on a
subsequent occasion, when the captains met on board the Victory,
Commodore Nelson said, "It _was true_, Saumarez, that the Santissima
struck to you; the Spanish officers have acknowledged it." Sir James,
supposing from the manner in which this was spoken that Nelson had
doubted the truth of his report, answered rather sharply, "Who ever
doubted it, sir? I hope there is no need for such evidence to
establish the truth of the report of a British officer."
Lieutenant Luce's description of the state he found the Salvador in
was appalling in the extreme.--There were more than fifty lying on the
decks with wounds requiring amputation. In many instances the Spanish
surgeon, after having separated the limb, omitted to tie up the
arteries; consequently, on removing the tourniquet, the victim in a
few minutes bled to death: and the English sailors, who at length
stopped his merciless hand, were with difficulty prevented from
throwing him overboard with those he had butchered.
Lieutenant Luce was one of the officers promoted, in consequence of
this battle, to the rank of master and commander.
The fleet now returned to Lisbon, where the conquerors were received
with every demonstration of joy and gratitude. The English factory
presented a congratulatory address; and at this place the thanks of
both houses of parliament were communicated to them; and a third time
to Sir James, as one of the most distinguished captains. At the same
time he received from Earl Spencer and Lord Hugh Seymour the following
handsome letters of congratulation:
DEAR SIR,
I congratulate you most sincerely on your having been present at
the most brilliant action which our naval history records, and
on having had so distinguished a share in it.
I am, dear sir, with great truth,
Your very obedient, humble servant,
Admiralty, 8th March 1797.
SPENCER.
Sir James Saumarez.
MY DEAR SIR JAMES,
I congratulate you most heartily on your having had another
opportunity of displaying your merit, and on the share which you
bore in the most brilliant action that ever was achieved.
I hope that I need not assure you how much I have shared with
your friends the satisfaction your conduct has given them; the
reward for which, I hope, you will long enjoy in the approbation
of the whole world, which is now bestowed upon you.
I am, my dear Sir James,
Most truly and faithfully yours,
H. SEYMOUR.
Admiralty, March 10th, 1797.
Early in March the Orion was again ready for active service; and the
following letter gives an account of the departure of Sir James
Saumarez with Commodore Nelson on a cruize.
Orion, off the Tagus, 6th March 1797.
MY DEAR RICHARD,
I had the pleasure of your letter by packet, and I have to tell
you we are now actually under sail, with Commodore Nelson, in
the Irresistible, the Leander, and some frigates, going to
intercept several Spanish ships expected from Vera Cruz with
rich cargoes. Be not surprised if, with our _desperate_
commodore, you hear of our taking the whole Spanish fleet,
should we fall in with them. Our cruise is expected to last only
three weeks.
I hope on our return to receive letters from my friends, in
reply to those I sent by the Lively. I shall thank you, when you
see our friends in Walbrook, if you will mention to them that
all my brother officers are extremely incensed at the opinion
given by Sir William Scott on the case of the Kingston; and we
hope he will have found reason to alter it. It is the
circumstance, and not the value of the salvage, that has
displeased us so much.
We are just going over the Bar, so I must conclude with my
sincere and best wishes for health and every happiness to attend
you, my dear sister and family,
I am ever, my dear Richard,
Affectionately yours,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
This short cruize was, however, an unsuccessful one; and the commodore
had not yet an opportunity of displaying his valour. They returned to
Lisbon, and found that their commander-in-chief had become Earl St.
Vincent, and that Nelson had received the grand cross of the Bath;
while Saumarez was among those on whom was bestowed a gold medal for
their gallant conduct on Valentine's Day.
A reinforcement had now arrived from England; and the whole fleet,
consisting of twenty-one sail of the line, resumed the blockade of
Cadiz, where they arrived on the 2nd of April, and found there the
whole Spanish fleet of twenty-six sail of the line. Sir Horatio
Nelson, who at first commanded the advanced squadron, was ordered up
to Elba; and Sir James, in the Orion, succeeded in his room; during
which time the two Spanish frigates Nimfa and Elena were captured by
the Irresistible, Captain Martin, who chased them by signal from the
Orion. Sir James on this occasion sent a flag of truce, and entered
into correspondence with the Spanish admiral Mazarredo; which, we need
only add, completely succeeded, and met with the high approbation of
the commander-in-chief, as will appear from the following extracts of
letters from Earl St. Vincent to Saumarez.
Ville de Paris, 11th May 1797.
You approve yourself so able in the diplomatique, that you need
no assistance from me: in truth, a better despatch could not
have been penn'd than yours of yesterday to Don Joseph De
Mazarredo.
13th May.
I very much admire your last letter to Mazarredo, as I have done
all the former.
27th May.
I like your letter so much better than mine, of which I enclose
a copy, that I desire you will send it on immediately.
Ville de Paris, 30th May 1797.
It is impossible for any man to have acquitted himself with
greater ability than you have done during the time you commanded
the blockade; for which I return you my best thanks. Your last
letter to Mazarredo is a masterpiece; and you will perceive, by
the enclosed copy of my letter to him, in answer to his comment
on our suspicion about the seamen from Trinidad, that I profited
by your hint relative to the prisoners landed at Lagos. Your
lash on the destruction of the Spanish ships he bears with
Spanish stoicism: _nous verrons_.
The following communication from Sir James Saumarez to the
commander-in-chief will elucidate the foregoing extracts:
(Secret.) Orion, 27th May, 1797.
Seeing the cutter on her way to the advanced squadron this
morning, I waited to send the flag of truce till she joined. I
had prepared the enclosed for Don Mazarredo, but was happy to
find you had been pleased to take up the business. I therefore
confined my letter solely to the certificates for the seven men
taken in the two Spanish barks.--In a former letter, you were
pleased to advert to a proposed descent when the troops joined
from Gibraltar. I hope you will excuse the zeal that urges me to
observe, that if possession was taken of Fort St. Mary, it would
in a great degree leave us masters of the entrance of Cadiz, and
enable us to drive all the outward ships up the harbour, and
possibly destroy some of them. I am extremely obliged to you for
permitting the Flora to remain with the advanced squadron, where
she is of the greatest service.
I am with great respect, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
The high opinion entertained by Nelson of the great talent and zeal of
Saumarez, is evidenced in the following short, but characteristic
epistle:
Theseus, June 9th 1797.
MY DEAR SIR JAMES,
Send, I beg, whatever you think fit towards San Lucar: all you
do is right, and can hardly want my sanction. I hope your boats
will be rewarded for their trouble; they take all the prizes for
our squadron.
Believe me, ever yours most faithfully,
To Sir James Saumarez.
HORATIO NELSON.
The following letter to his brother in London gives an interesting
account of the proceedings of Sir James Saumarez.
Orion, off Cadiz, 26th May, 1797.
MY DEAR RICHARD,
I had the happiness to receive your kind letter of the 2nd
yesterday, with several of nearly the same date, from Bath, and
from our friends in the island. Having been near two months
without hearing from you, and knowing you had been ill, you will
readily suppose I was anxious for your letter. You will have
heard from me by various opportunities since we sailed from the
Tagus; my last acquainting you that I was entrusted with the
command of the advanced squadron for effecting the blockade of
Cadiz. We find, from different accounts, that the inhabitants
feel great distress from the interruption of their trade, and
begin to be in great want of provisions and other articles. We
have detained a few neutrals laden with Spanish property, and
two or three Spanish vessels; but as the whole fleet partake of
them, they will not be very productive.
Sir Horatio, now Rear-admiral Nelson, joined the fleet
yesterday, having left the troops he brought from Elba at
Gibraltar. I know not whether he is to resume the command of the
advanced squadron. All the fleet are anchored about five miles
from us, and we lie between them and the entrance of Cadiz.
All private accounts from England agree with you in the prospect
of peace; and they are corroborated by those we occasionally
receive from Cadiz. It is certain that the Spaniards are
extremely tired with the war; and they are apprehensive of
insurrection amongst themselves. Mazarredo, who commands their
fleet, went off for Madrid a fortnight ago, and, it is said, to
represent the state of the fleet, and its insufficiency to cope
with ours.
We understand Lord H. Seymour is off Cape St. Vincent, and that
Admiral Frederick is on his way with five sail of the line. It
looks as if ministers meant to back the negociation with all
their force.
The Admiralty order respecting the increase of wages, &c. has
been read to the different ships' companies; and I am happy to
observe that in my ship no part of their conduct has hitherto
shown the least appearance of discontent. It is much to be
lamented that the disturbance which prevailed in the Channel
fleet was not timely prevented, as the same spirit of
disaffection may hereafter show itself when it may not be so
easily suppressed.
We begin to want the luxuries, yet abound in the essentials of
life,--having plenty of beef, mutton, fowls, &c. Seriously, I
have not had above twelve men in the sicklist since I left
Lisbon, and most of them slight complaints.
I want to hear that my sister has _dreamt_ of another
action,--or, what is still better, of galleons! It must be soon,
or the approaching peace will oblige us to restore what we may
capture. I am happy to hear from my brother Thomas that things
go on prosperously at Guernsey, and that he does not fear the
French, though the two regiments are taken from him.
Adieu, my dear Richard!
Affectionately yours,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
No part of the career of Sir James Saumarez is more deserving of
admiration than his conduct on the unfortunate disaffection which took
place in His Majesty's fleet; a calamity gently alluded to in the
above letter. This circumstance, which must ever redound to his
honour, was entirely owing to the high state of discipline of the
crew in his own ship, and to their unalterable attachment to their
commander, under whom the greatest part had served since the
commencement of the war. It was from a perfect knowledge of that
loyalty of spirit in which he justly confided, that he consented to
receive from the Prince George one of the worst of the mutineers in
that ship, who was to have been tried for his life. The seasonable
admonition which this man received from Sir James, and the attention
paid to his situation and feelings, had the desired effect of working
a complete change in his conduct, and from being one of the most
hardened of the mutineers, he soon became one of the most loyal, as he
was one of the bravest of English sailors. It was only three days
after he came on board that the signal was made for a boat from each
ship to attend the execution of three of the mutineers on board the
Prince George; which Earl St. Vincent, by a well-timed decision, had
ordered to take place very soon after the sentence, and while the
in-shore squadron were actually engaged with the enemy. He directed,
moreover, that this duty should be performed entirely by their own
ship's crew.
Sir James availed himself of this trying occasion to work out the
man's full conversion. Instead of sending him, as it is customary to
send culprits, in the boats to witness the execution of his shipmates,
he ordered him into his cabin, and having represented in the mildest
and most feeling terms the heinousness of the crime which he was known
to have committed, he assured him that it was his intention to spare
him the anguish he must endure of beholding his late companions
suffering the last penalty of the law for the very crime of which he
had been guilty.
This well-timed exhortation had the desired effect. The penitent man
fell on his knees, and with tears in his eyes acknowledged the
heinousness of his offence, and expressed the strongest protestations
of future loyalty, and of gratitude as well as attachment to his
humane commander. What followed was most creditable to both. The man
not only kept his word, but highly distinguished himself: at the
battle of the Nile he was captain of a gun, and, after the action, was
very instrumental, from his exertions and ability as carpenter's mate,
in saving the Peuple Souverain, which struck to the Orion. Being one
of those who took possession of the former ship, he was slung over the
side, and successfully employed in stopping the shot-holes under water
as the vessel rolled in the opposite direction;--a dangerous service,
which requires much intrepidity and address.
It is, indeed, by no means surprising that the spirit of mutiny never
appeared in the Orion, or in any ship Sir James commanded. The proper
degree of discipline which was always maintained--the attention that
was invariably paid to the wants and the comforts of the crew,--the
excellent regulations of his ship, which were subversive of every kind
of vice and immorality,--his own unaffected piety, and, lastly, the
example he himself set before his officers and men,--established in
his ship a feeling of respect for, and warm attachment to, the captain
which could not be shaken by any artifice of the wicked; for every
officer and man looked up habitually to their commander as their
_best_ friend and adviser. There may, indeed, have been some ships,
wherein the crews were made up from the metropolitan and other
prisons, that no treatment would have brought under proper discipline;
but we may confidently assert, that had all the ships in His Majesty's
fleets been commanded by such officers as Saumarez, the disgraceful
spirit of insubordination would never have been so seriously and
generally diffused. The Orion's crew treated all attempts to seduce
them with just indignation!
Earl St. Vincent being well aware of the confidence that could be
placed in the Orion at this critical time, kept her, for the safety of
his fleet, constantly at the post of honour in the advance; and it was
during this period of active and arduous service that a circumstance
occurred which does honour to all concerned, while it particularly
displays the humane character of Captain Saumarez, who was not one of
those that desired or permitted his officers and men to risk their
lives on any dangerous or desperate enterprise without a mature and
compassionate consideration of the consequences.
Near the fortifications of Cadiz, as if to guard the entrance of the
harbour, about twenty gun-vessels had been placed, which it appeared
to Earl St. Vincent might be cut out by the boats of the advanced
squadron; and accordingly an order was sent by the commander-in-chief
to Captain Saumarez, directing him to proceed in _person_ with the
boats of each ship to make the attempt. It was sufficiently evident to
Captain Saumarez, who, from the position of the Orion, had a better
view of the gun-vessels, that they were moored there on purpose to
provoke an attack for which the enemy were well prepared; but, having
received the order to command in _person_, he could not make known his
opinions without appearing averse to risk his own life on an
enterprise which the commander-in-chief thought advisable. Having thus
in his own mind no doubt that the affair would be both desperate and
bloody, he selected those officers and men who were unmarried for the
service, a list of whom he sent to the first lieutenant, with the
necessary orders to prepare the boats.
This list being exhibited in the ward-room, Captain (now
Lieutenant-general Sir John) Savage, of the Marines, had the
mortification to see that his name was omitted, while those of the
two subalterns of that distinguished corps were inserted. This
gallant officer, who had been a sharer with his heroic chief in
several actions, felt hurt that he was not chosen on this glorious
occasion; and, having ventured respectfully to express his feelings,
was sent for to the cabin, when he was addressed by his commander in
the following terms:
"Captain Savage, do not imagine that your name is left out in the list
because I have not a high opinion of your zeal and intrepidity. I well
know that you would be foremost in the assault; but I am also well
aware that this is a desperate enterprise: many will fall; and if
_you_ should be one, who is to support your wife and family? The case
is different with me: I am ordered, and my duty is to obey. Perhaps if
Lord St. Vincent knew what I do, he would not send us; but it does not
become me _now_ to make any observation. However, aware as I am of the
consequences, I cannot conscientiously order you to accompany me,
under the conviction that your valuable life would thereby be
sacrificed."
The entreaties of Captain Savage were in vain. He beheld with mixed
feelings of disappointment, gratitude, and admiration, his humane and
heroic commander leave his ship at the head of the perilous enterprise
with that smile on his manly countenance which denoted a full
determination to face every danger. The boats had not proceeded far
before a storm arose directly off the land, against which no boats
could make way, and it was with some difficulty they regained the
ships. It was afterwards fully ascertained from various sources that
these gun-vessels had been moored in that position with rivetted
chains, having no person on board them, in order to tempt an attack;
and that the plan was, to let the boats take possession, and then open
a destructive fire from the batteries, which were kept several nights
lined with troops for the purpose. Had not a merciful interposition of
Providence prevented the advance of the boats, there can be no doubt
that many, if not all the lives of the assailants, would have been
sacrificed!
We shall leave the feelings of Earl St. Vincent, when the truth came
out, as well as those of Captain Savage and all concerned, to the
imagination of the reader.