1801.
Sir James Saumarez is promoted to the rank of
Rear-admiral.--Appointed to command the advanced
squadron.--Proceedings at the Black Rocks.--Douvarnenez
Bay.--Returns to England.--Appointed to command a squadron on a
very particular service.--His secret orders, &c. and letter of
approbation.--Ready for sea.--Is created a Baronet of the United
Kingdom.
On the 1st of January 1801, a promotion of flag-officers took place,
in order, it was said, to include the name of Sir James Saumarez; and
this flattering compliment was immediately followed by a further
honour, in his being ordered forthwith to hoist his flag on board his
old ship, the Caesar; while Lieutenant Henryson, who was senior in that
ship, was promoted to the rank of commander. Sir James being ordered
to fit for the same service in which he had lately been so
successfully employed, Captain Jahleel Brenton, who had been
recommended by Earl St. Vincent, and who had been a volunteer during
the last cruise, was appointed to the Caesar as his captain.
On the 6th of January the ship came out of harbour, and having
received her guns, and her stores and provisions for six months, the
flag of Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez was hoisted on the 24th; and
on the 25th of February he sailed to resume the command of the
in-shore squadron off Brest, but joined the Channel fleet at Torbay on
the way thither. On the 7th March he arrived off the Black Rocks,
where he relieved Admiral Thornbrough, and soon afterwards
reconnoitred the harbour of Brest. On the 20th, the severe equinoctial
gale forced the squadron into Douvarnenez Bay, where the ships
anchored in eighteen fathoms, just out of reach of the enemy's shot.
Here they remained, as much at their ease in the enemy's harbour as
they would have been at Spithead, and were never molested. On the 25th
March, after two attempts to work out of the bay, the squadron resumed
their station at the Black Rocks.
The following is extracted from a letter from one of the officers of
the Caesar, dated 26th March:
Our advanced squadron of the Channel fleet, commanded by Sir
James Saumarez, never quitted the French coast during the late
stormy weather. We anchored during the late violent gales in
Douvarnenez Bay, which is, in my opinion, one of the finest in
the universe. It is sheltered from every wind but those from W.
1/2 N. to W. 1/2 S.; and even that opening is protected by a
reef of rocks. Although the height of the gale was in the worst
direction it could have been, yet, having no very considerable
sea, we rode it out remarkably well. We lay, much to the
disappointment of the enemy, just out of gun-shot of the forts.
They favoured us, however, with some shells. We found, upon our
re-appearance off Brest, that six Spaniards had equiped
themselves, in addition to six Frenchmen, probably with a design
to attack us.
The Government having been relieved from their anxiety for the safety
of the in-shore squadron by a despatch from Sir James, Earl St.
Vincent, who was now First Lord of the Admiralty, wrote to him the
following letter of approbation:
Admiralty, 1st April 1801.
MY DEAR ADMIRAL,
The manner in which you have conducted the advanced squadron
calls upon me to repeat my admiration of it. Your taking the
anchorage in Douvarnenez Bay during the late equinoctial gales
has been of the utmost importance, and prevented the crippling
of one or more of your squadron. I heartily hope you continue
in good health, for which and every other blessing you have the
fervent wishes of
Your very sincere and obedient servant,
ST. VINCENT.
To R.A. Sir James Saumarez.
During the whole of this month, Sir James kept his squadron generally
within three or four miles of the entrance of Brest, from which it was
never further than as many leagues. In this situation, and by
frequently reconnoitring in his own ship, he was enabled to watch the
preparations of the enemy, and to frustrate their designs to attack
his squadron with a superior force; while he so completely blockaded
their port that, as when he formerly commanded, no square-rigged
vessel ever entered it, thereby preventing the necessary supplies of
stores and provisions from reaching the depot of their navy. Nor did a
single vessel escape the unwearied vigilance and perseverance of the
advanced squadron during the whole time it was under his command.
Early in May, letters reached him from Guernsey, intimating the great
apprehension his countrymen were under of invasion by the enemy; when
he wrote to Sir Thomas Troubridge, then one of the Lords of the
Admiralty, who sent the following answer:
Admiralty, 17th May 1801.
MY DEAR SIR JAMES,
Many thanks for your kind letter of the 6th instant. I am sorry
our _French friends_ do not come out, that you may teach them
_English_. The Gazette[26] will show you that our soldiers are
getting into the habits of fighting.
We heard of the miscreants' intentions on the islands; and I
have sent over several gun-brigs, gun-barges, frigates, sloops,
&c. and a few additional troops. There are 5,000 regulars at
Jersey, and some more going soon, so that I think they have
little chance of success if they make the attempt; but it
appears to me that the different powers cannot look on without
interfering, and stopping the progress of the villains. In
short, I hope to see them soon weighed down in a congress.
Lord St. Vincent's cough is better, and the warm weather will
re-establish him. I beg you to give my best compliments to
Brenton. Believe me
Yours most faithfully,
THOMAS TROUBRIDGE.
To Sir James Saumarez.
[26] Battle of Alexandria.
Thus released from the painful anxiety for the safety of the Channel
islands, where so many of his dearest connexions resided, he wrote the
following letter to his brother, Sir Thomas Saumarez, who was at that
time in command of the local force in Guernsey:
Caesar, off Ushant, 30th May 1801.
I have received your kind letter of the 17th, and am happy to
hear that a considerable force has been sent for the protection
of Guernsey and the other islands. They cannot be too well taken
care of, when we consider the infinite mischief they would do to
Great Britain, should they fall into the enemy's hands.
I am in daily expectation of being relieved by Admiral
Thornbrough, after a fourteen weeks' cruise, which is rather a
longer period than the Earl intended when I sailed from
Spithead. Brenton is everything that can be desired. I have
found in him a most excellent officer and a most agreeable
companion.
It appears by his journal, that on the following day he received the
welcome orders which put an end to his long and harassing cruise; also
a private letter of importance from Earl Spencer: and, being relieved
by Admiral Thornbrough on the 1st of June, he arrived on the 2nd at
Cawsand Bay. Having reported the return of the Caesar, he received in
answer the following letters from Earl St. Vincent and Mr. Nepean:
MY DEAR SIR, Admiralty, 4th June 1801.
I am glad the Caesar is in Cawsand Bay, because you will be the
sooner informed of his Majesty's most gracious intentions
towards you, in which I have greater pleasure than I can
express, as you are to be placed at the head of a detached
squadron destined for a very important service, at no great
distance from home. I hope the Caesar will not be long in fitting
up.
Yours most truly,
ST. VINCENT.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez.
Admiralty Office, 4th June 1801.
SIR,
I have received, and communicated to my Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, your letter to me of the 2nd instant, acquainting
me, for their lordships' information, of your arrival in H.M.S.
Caesar, in Cawsand Bay, in pursuance of orders from Admiral
Cornwallis, a copy of which you have enclosed: and I have their
lordships' commands to signify their directions to you to use
every exertion in completing the stores and provisions of the
said ship, as also of the Spencer; and, having so done, remain
with the said ships in Cawsand Bay, in constant readiness to
proceed on service, when you shall receive their lordships'
orders for that purpose.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
EVAN NEPEAN.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez.
The following is the reply to Earl St. Vincent's letter of the 4th
June, dated
Caesar, Cawsand Bay, 6th June.
MY LORD,
Previously to receiving the honour of your lordship's letter, I
had been informed by Earl Spencer of his Majesty's gracious
intentions; and I beg to express my sincere acknowledgments for
the part your lordship has taken in obtaining for me this mark
of the royal favour.
I am much flattered by the communication your lordship has the
goodness to make of having nominated me for the command of a
squadron to be employed on a very particular service; and I beg
your lordship will be assured of my most zealous exertions for
the promotion of every part of it. I have the honour to be, &c.
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
To the Right Hon. Earl St. Vincent, &c.
On the 7th of June, Sir James received the following communication
from the Lords of the Admiralty, which could not fail to afford him
the highest gratification.
Most secret.
By the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High
Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c.
Whereas we have received information that a squadron consisting
of five Spanish ships of the line, which lately sailed from
Ferrol, have arrived at Cadiz; and that great exertions are now
making at the last-mentioned place for the equipment of a
further naval force, for the purpose (it is alleged) of an
attack upon Portugal; we send you herewith copies of the several
letters containing the information mentioned: and do hereby
direct you, on the arrival of the Hannibal, Audacious, and
Thames, at Plymouth, to take them under your command, (their
captains being directed to follow your orders,) as also the
Spencer, and either the Juste, Pompee, or Courageux, now in
Cawsand Bay, whichever may first be ready, and proceed with them
and the Caesar, with as little delay as possible, off Cadiz,
where you may expect to be joined by the Venerable and Superb,
which ships you are also to take under your command; and use
your best endeavours to prevent the enemy's ships at that port
from putting to sea, or to take or destroy them should they sail
from thence.
In the event of the enemy's squadron getting out of Cadiz
undiscovered, either before or after your arrival off that
place, you are to follow it, according to any well-grounded
intelligence you may be able to obtain of it; but you are not to
proceed in quest of it to any distant station, unless you should
receive such information as shall leave no doubt of the
certainty of the enemy's destination. If you should not be able
to obtain any information of the enemy's squadron so as to
enable you to follow it, you are in that case to repair with the
ships under your command off the Straits, and send into Tangier
and Gibraltar, and, finding that it has proceeded up the
Mediterranean, to follow it; but, not gaining any intelligence
of it, you are to resume your station off Cadiz, and remain
there until you shall receive some information whereby your
proceedings may be regulated.
And whereas it has been represented to us that three Portuguese
ships of the line are now fitting out in the Tagus for the
purpose of joining you and serving under your orders, you are,
on the arrival of the said ships, to take them under your
command, and employ them in such manner as you may judge most
advisable in carrying these, or any other orders you may receive
from us or from Admiral Lord Keith, (under whose command you are
to consider yourself,) into execution. And whereas we have
directed Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley to order one of the hired
brigs, and either a cutter or lugger, to follow your orders; you
are to take the commanders of these vessels under your command,
and, on your repairing to your station, you are to send one of
them into the Tagus for the purpose of apprizing his Majesty's
minister there of your situation, and for obtaining from him
such intelligence as he may have to give you.
Whilst you remain on this service, you are to send occasionally
to Lisbon for intelligence, and to keep a good look-out for any
French squadron which may attempt either to join the Spanish
ships at Cadiz, or to pass through the Straits; and to use your
best endeavours to intercept, and to take or destroy it, if the
force you may have with you should be sufficient to enable you
to do so; taking care to avoid it in time, if the enemy's force
should be so superior to that under your command as to render it
improper for you to attack it; in which case it is left to your
discretion to act as circumstances shall require: using,
however, every possible exertion to join the commander-in-chief
of his Majesty's ships in the Mediterranean, or to fall in with
the same detachment of his Majesty's ships; and, so soon as you
shall have collected such a force as may be sufficient to enable
you to attack the enemy's squadron, you are to proceed in quest
of it, and, upon falling in with it, to bring it to action.
In case you should get sight of a French squadron, or should
obtain certain information that such squadron has passed the
Straits, you are no longer to attend to the Spanish ships in
Cadiz, but to consider the capture or destruction of the French
squadron as the principal object to which your exertions are to
be directed; and, in the event of your following any squadron
into the Mediterranean, you are to send an account thereof to
our secretary, as well as to Admiral Lord Keith, with as little
delay as possible; and you are also to transmit to him and the
said admiral, by every proper opportunity that may offer,
accounts of your proceedings, and of every information you may
be able to obtain of the movements and intentions of the enemy.
Given under our hands, 6th day of June 1801.
ST. VINCENT.
T. TROUBRIDGE.
J. MARKHAM.
To Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
Rear-admiral of the Blue,
Plymouth.
By command of their Lordships,
EVAN NEPEAN.
The following is the copy of information transmitted to Sir James with
the above letter:
No. 1.
Dated Lisbon, 15th May 1801.
MY LORD,
It appears, from the report of an American captain arrived here
from Bilboa, that a French corps had passed within a few miles
of that place, on their way to Vittoria, on the 21st and 22nd
ultimo. It consisted in the whole of 7,000 infantry and 2,000
cavalry, well armed and mounted; and had reached their place of
encampment, supposed to be Burgos, according to the accounts
which had arrived at Bilboa, on the 30th day, when the vessel
sailed. It appeared evident that no other troops had passed the
frontier at that time, though it was uniformly reported that a
body of no less than 22,000 men were collected at Bayonne.
The Spanish army on the south side of the Tagus, between Badajos
and Alcantara, amounts to 21,000 men; of which 10,000 are
encamped at Badajos, 8,000 at Albuquerque, and the remainder
between Vincenti and Alcantara. The Prince of Peace was daily
expected at head-quarters. His aides-de-camp were already
arrived, and a train of 700 mules had been collected for the
conveyance of his baggage. The French detachment was destined to
join the army of Castile, which I already mentioned to your
lordship has returned from its movements towards the northern
provinces, and taken a position to the southward of Ciudad
Rodrigo. Its numbers and distribution are not so accurately
known, but it is stated to be equal to the army of Estremadura,
with the addition of the French auxiliaries.
I have the honour to be, &c.
To Lord Hawkesbury.
J.M. FRERE.
No. 2.
MY LORD,
By intelligence which arrived from Cadiz, in date of the second
of this month, it appears that there were in that port five
Spanish ships of the line, which had pushed out from Ferrol,
conformably to the report which I mentioned to your lordship in
my last despatch. There was at the same time (in Cadiz) an
additional force of eight or ten sail preparing for sea; four of
them of the line, and the remainder frigates. This equipment was
however retarded by the want of naval stores, particularly
sailcloth and cables, which was occasioned by the late fire
which has taken place in the arsenal, as well as by the total
want of money, which was such that many of the officers were
actually reduced to subsist on charity.
The informant, whose authority may be depended on, adds that a
squadron from Brest was expected to join them. It was supposed
that the whole armament would be directed against Portugal; and
this supposition was not weakened by a report which was given
out industriously that the object of the intended expedition was
to make a landing on the coast of Barbary, in order to force the
Emperor of Morocco to shut his ports against the English. The
ships from Ferrol have the French and Spanish colours united in
the same flag. It was understood that the ships now arming in
Cadiz were to be commanded by French officers. They were
victualled only for a very short voyage.
Respecting the danger to which this capital would be exposed by
a _coup-de-main_, which might be attempted in spite of the
batteries at the entrance of the river, as well as the
possibility of effecting a landing a few miles off Cascaes, your
lordship has at hand the means of information so much superior
to any which I could presume to offer, or collect from
professional persons here, that I shall only presume to solicit
your lordship's attention to the consideration of this subject,
and to the necessity which may arise out of it, for employing a
naval force upon this station. Don Rodrigo has informed me that
the three Portuguese ships of the line, which I mentioned to
your lordship as preparing for service, will be ready within
three weeks to form a junction with any force which his Majesty
might be pleased to detach, for the defence of Portugal; and
that two more would be prepared to follow them within a short
time after.
It appears by a letter from Viana, that the master of an English
vessel, who had been captured on the 10th ultimo by Le Telegraph
privateer, and carried into Corunna on the 23rd, had found there
two large French frigates, which had arrived immediately before
him in eight days from Cherbourg, laden with some ammunition,
and destined (as they reported) for Cadiz. The master of Le
Telegraph had avoided putting into any of his own ports from the
apprehension of being detained, as it was reported that other
privateers had been stopped, and stripped of their men, on
account of a secret expedition which was fitting out in the
French ports.
I have the honour to be, &c.
J.H. FRERE.
The Right Honourable Lord Hawkesbury, &c. &c. &c.
No. 3.
Intelligence arrived from General O'Hara, at Gibraltar.
Arrived by land the crew of the Fortune privateer, consisting of
twelve men. They report that last Saturday, between three and
four P.M. they saw two three-deckers and three seventy-fours
arrive at Cadiz from Ferrol; that the Santissima Trinidad,
another Spanish three-decker, is completed and ready in that
harbour; and that they are fitting out five other line-of-battle
ships at Cadiz, which have their lower-masts in; that, in order
to man the said ships, they are detaining all the crews of the
French privateers; that those eleven ships are to be commanded
by French officers; and they say the five ships in the Caraccas
will soon be ready,--that they observed a number of seamen
rigging them.--Gibraltar, 29th April 1801.
List of the armament fitting out at Cadiz.
Guns.
Santissima Trinidada 140
Atlante 80
Ferrivel 80
San Antonio 80
Suberano 80
San Justo 74
San Januario 80
Intrepido 80
Firme 80
The above ships are commanded by French officers, and probably,
therefore, are those which are alluded to as having been ceded
to France.
Guns Guns
A. Real de St. Carlos 120 Bergantina St. Andre 24
St. Hermenegildo 120 Balandra Aglina 14
St. Fernando 120 St. Nicalao 14
St. Agustino 80 4 gun-boats [27] 2 }
St. Izidoro 80 20 built by the inhabitants }
Argonauta 80 of Cadiz 1 }
Fragata Sabina 44 18 gun-boats 1
Fragata Perula 40 4 burlates
[27] 24-pounders each.
Caesar, Cawsand Bay, 9th June 1801.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of their lordships'
secret orders, dated 6th instant; and, in compliance therewith,
I have directed Captain Stirling, of his Majesty's ship Pompee,
to put himself under my command.
Be pleased to inform their lordships that Admiral Sir Thomas
Pasley has acquainted me that there is no hired armed brig at
this port except the Louisa, and has placed the Joseph, hired
cutter, only under my orders.
I am, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To Evan Nepean, Esq. &c. &c. &c.
We need scarcely add that every possible exertion was made on the part
of the admiral, the captains, officers, and crews of the respective
ships, to get the squadron ready for sea; and in eight days the
equipment was completed.
Before we record a circumstance which, in rewarding the merits of the
new commander-in-chief, afforded great and universal satisfaction to
the royal navy, we take occasion to introduce a correspondence, which,
in order to avoid interruption of the narrative, has been omitted, and
which will now be found more interesting.
Royal George, between Ushant and the Black Rocks,
26th July 1800.
MY DEAR LORD,
I need not describe to your lordship the merit of Sir James
Saumarez, which cannot be surpassed. In a conversation I
accidentally had with him last evening, I learned that his
ambition had been much disappointed in not being created a
baronet; and he thought I was wanting, in not pointing to this
object in the letter I had the honour to write your lordship by
him, after the battle of the Nile, where he was second in
command; and he also conceives that your lordship led him to
hope this mark of approbation of his services would have been
conferred upon him. May I therefore trespass upon your
indulgence, to request you will bring it about, if possible, as
nothing can gratify me more, than that officers, who have
signalised themselves under my auspices, should be amply
rewarded.
Yours, most faithfully,
ST. VINCENT.
To the Right Hon. Earl Spencer.
A copy of the preceding having been sent by Earl St. Vincent to Sir
James, produced the following answer:--
MY LORD,
Permit me to express my sincere acknowledgments for the very
handsome letter you have done me the favour to write on a
certain subject to Lord Spencer. Whether it meets with the
expected success, or otherwise, I shall ever feel grateful for
your obliging intentions towards me: at the same time, I am
persuaded your lordship must coincide with my feelings, when I
observe that the boon now pointed out was no more than the
services I had the good fortune to be employed upon, gave me
reason to expect long before this.
That health, and every possible success may ever attend your
lordship, is the fervent wish of
My dear lord,
Your much obliged,
and faithful humble servant,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
Caesar, 29th July 1800.
On the 13th of June, his Majesty, having taken into consideration the
meritorious services of Sir James Saumarez, was pleased to create him
a Baronet of the United Kingdom; and, as an additional mark of the
royal favour, permission was granted under the King's sign manual to
wear the supporters to the arms of his family (which had been
registered in the Heralds' office since the reign of Charles the
Second); a privilege to which no commoner is entitled without a
dispensation from the Crown. Of these honours Sir James was informed
by Earl St. Vincent, at that time First Lord of the Admiralty, at the
moment the Caesar and squadron were about to proceed on one of the most
interesting, and, as it turned out, one of the most glorious
expeditions that ever left the shores of Great Britain.