1801.
Mole of Gibraltar.--Negociation for the exchange of prisoners
unsuccessful.--Captain Ferris and the officers of the Hannibal
return on parole.--They sail for England in the Plymouth lugger,
which carries home despatches and private letters.--Despatch
sent to Lord Keith.--Admiral Saumarez shifts his flag to the
Audacious.--Extraordinary exertions of the crew of the
Caesar.--Their admirable conduct.--Captain Brenton and the
garrison.--Arrival of the Spanish squadron at
Algeziras.--Increased exertions of the crews of the
squadron.--Private letters.--Preparations to attack the enemy.
The squadron being now in the Mole at Gibraltar, the wounded having
been removed to the hospital, and the necessary orders given for
refitting with all possible speed, the Admiral lost no time in turning
his attention to the situation of the captain, officers, and crew of
the unfortunate Hannibal, which had so nobly maintained the honour of
the British flag.
Sir Jahleel Brenton says, "He ordered me to take a flag of truce, and
wait upon the French admiral (Linois), proposing an exchange of
prisoners, which the latter refused, alleging that it was not in his
power to establish a cartel for the purpose, until he obtained the
sanction of the Minister of the Marine at Paris, to whom he had sent
off an express, as soon as the firing had ceased, on the preceding
day; but he consented to send over on parole Captain Ferris and the
officers of the Hannibal. The object of the French Admiral was very
obvious; he concluded we wanted to replace the men who were killed,
and wounded; but he justly thought, that sending officers on parole
would be an act of harmless courtesy, from which we could reap no
immediate benefit. It will be seen that, after the second action, when
his dispatches from Algeziras could scarcely have reached Paris, (only
six days having elapsed,) he did not wait for an answer from the
Minister of Marine. But circumstances had altered; we had taken a
line-of-battle ship, and burned two first-rates; and he then wished to
get back as many of the crews as possible."
The following correspondence, which took place between Sir James
Saumarez and the French Admiral Linois, shows the deep interest Sir
James took in the distressing situation of the crew of the Hannibal,
of which an account was brought to him by Captain Brenton, together
with the assurance that Captain Ferris and his officers would be
liberated on parole.
Caesar, off Rosia Bay, 8th July 1801.
SIR,
Solicitous as I am for the welfare of the men unfortunately
wounded on board his Majesty's ship Hannibal, and desirous to
have them conveyed as speedily as possible to this garrison, I
propose to send a boat early to-morrow morning with a flag of
truce, and I trust no objection can be made to their coming by
her.
Being informed that Captain Ferris and his officers have
permission to come on their parole, a boat will also be sent for
them. I have the honour to be, sir,
Your most obedient and most humble servant,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
To Rear-admiral Linois,
commanding the French squadron at Algeziras.
The boat having returned from Algeziras with Captain Ferris and his
officers, but not with the crew of the Hannibal, Sir James despatched
another boat, with the following letter to Admiral Linois:
Caesar, off Rosia Bay, 9th July 1801.
SIR,
Having received different reports, particularly from Captain
Ferris, that the men who had the misfortune of being wounded on
board his Majesty's ship Hannibal are left in the most
afflicting condition, and are unprovided with every kind of
refreshment, I am impelled, from motives of humanity, to renew
my application to you that they may be permitted to come to this
place by the boat now sent for them; and that you will also
permit those wounded men who are confined in the prison, and
who, I understand, are without any surgical attendance whatever,
to accompany them. I have the honour to be, sir,
With all possible regard, your obedient servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To Rear-admiral Linois,
commanding the French squadron at Algeziras.
This application was, however, not attended with success; and the
sufferings of the unfortunate wounded at Algeziras were extreme, until
circumstances changed, in consequence of the second action.
We shall now continue the authentic and interesting communication
which Sir Jahleel Brenton has so kindly made to us:
"The morning of the 7th July was passed in getting the Caesar
secured in the Mole, and in landing the wounded men that still
remained on board; also in stripping the ship, and in
ascertaining the amount of injury she had sustained. The
main-mast was so much injured that it became necessary to take
it out and get in a new one; the fore-mast was also very badly
wounded, but capable of being fished and rendered serviceable.
Every effort was made to complete our repairs, and get again
ready for sea. On the following day, Captain Ferris and his
officers, who were sent on parole, arrived. They were
accompanied by Lord Cochrane and the officers of the Speedy,
sloop of war, which had been taken on the 3rd by Linois'
squadron, off Malaga."
The Admiral now prepared duplicates of his despatches for the
Admiralty, which Lieutenant Janvarin, of the Calpe, who was taken in
the Caesar's boat, assisting the Hannibal, had been previously charged
to carry to Faro. These were confided to Lieutenant Hills, of the
Hannibal, who, with Captain Ferris, were embarked on board the
Plymouth lugger for England. Sir Jableel Brenton says: "On taking
leave of the Admiral, the scene was deeply interesting, and even
affecting. Sir James, after giving Captain Ferris the highest credit
for his gallant daring, to which the loss of the Hannibal was
attributed, and lamenting that their united endeavours had not been
crowned with the success they merited, added, adverting to his
despatches, 'Tell them, sir, that I feel convinced I shall soon have
an opportunity of attacking the enemy again, and that they may depend
on my availing myself of it.'"
On the 9th, in the afternoon, the Superb and Thames, which had
continued to watch the enemy off Cadiz, were seen coming through the
Straits under a crowd of canvass, with the signal for an enemy flying;
and they had scarcely rounded Cabrita Point before the Spanish
squadron, consisting of six sail of the line, were seen in pursuit of
them, and soon after anchored in Algeziras with the French squadron.
Sir James now added the following to his despatches to Lord Keith:
Caesar, Gibraltar, 9th July 1801.
MY LORD,
I have the honour to inform your lordship that the Superb and
Thames are now standing into the bay, with the signal for the
enemy's being in sight; and I understand from Governor O'Hara
that he has information from Cadiz that all the Spanish and
French ships in that port were ordered to Algeziras Bay to take
the French ships to Carthagena.
I hope to have all the squadron ready before this day week; and,
as they cannot possibly put to sea under a fortnight at the
earliest, I hope something may join me from your lordship before
they can put to sea: but, on the event of their sailing before
such junction, I shall follow them up with all the ships with
me, and proceed off Minorca, which will be my rendezvous till I
have the honour of hearing from your lordship.
I am sorry to mention that the Hannibal is got off; but Captain
Ferris, who has just come over on his parole, describes her in
the worst condition, as well as the three French ships, and does
not think they can be repaired under a fortnight or three weeks
at the earliest; as does Lord Cochrane, who is likewise come
over on his parole.
I have the honour to be
Your lordship's most obedient and most humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To Right Hon. Lord Keith, K.B. &c. &c. &c.
The public despatches being closed, Sir James wrote the following
letters, which were sent by the same conveyance; and, as they contain
his own private feelings on the occasion, they will be read with
interest:
Caesar, Rosia Bay, 6th July 1801.
MY DEAR RICHARD,
After the warm expectations my friends have always formed for my
success in the public service, they will be distressed on being
informed of my having failed in an enterprise with the squadron
on three French line-of-battle ships at anchor off Algeziras. I
was informed by different expresses from this garrison of their
having attempted to pass the Straits for Cadiz, and having
anchored at some distance from the batteries. I made sail
yesterday with the intention to attack them, if found
practicable. We got round the point of the bay at about seven
this morning, and at half-past eight the action began, and
during the first hour, promised the most favourable hopes of
success; when, by a most unfortunate circumstance, the Hannibal
got aground, and at once destroyed all my expectations, though
the action was continued for nearly four hours after.
Every possible effort was made to rescue her from the enemy's
fire; and after repeated attempts, and a very great risk of this
ship and the Audacious getting on shore under the enemy's
batteries, I was under the necessity of abandoning the Hannibal
to her fate. Although we have not succeeded in bringing off the
enemy's ships, they are, we believe, very seriously damaged. Two
of them are aground, and it is not expected they will be got
off.
Wednesday, 9th July 1801.
Having found a conveyance by way of Tangier, I sent you a
duplicate of this. The Superb and Thames have just made their
appearance, with the signal for the enemy being out of port. I
think it is a good thing to have drawn them this way, as I trust
the first Levanter will bring us ships from the Mediterranean.
Captain Ferris goes by this opportunity, and has promised to
forward this immediately to you. He will be heard of at the
Admiralty, or at the Adelphi Hotel. Great praise is due for the
brave defence of his ship.
10th July 1801.
It is incalculable how much I have on my hands, night and day;
but, thank God! my health is good, though my anxiety is great. A
fresh Levanter having sprung up, the lugger sails immediately.
Phil. Dumaresq is very well, as are all the others. Poor Graves
is the only person we have lost of the class of officers. I also
wrote to you, by way of Lisbon, only an hour since, and just
before the easterly wind set in. I trust none of my friends will
suffer anxiety on my account. This will be addressed to you, my
dear Richard, and you will forward it to my brother. He will be
happy in being able to satisfy those who have friends on board
that they have all escaped unhurt. H. Brock, with the young men
from the island, are all well. I am, &c.
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
To Richard Saumarez, Esq.
Extracts of letters written on the 7th July 1801, to Lady Saumarez:
I have formed a thousand apprehensions lest an account of the
events of yesterday should reach England through France before
the arrival of my despatches (which were sent off by way of
Faro), and fill your mind with cruel anxiety on my account; and
this fear is much increased lest those despatches should not
even arrive, as I was obliged to send them by a doubtful
opportunity, through Tetuan and Tangier, the wind not admitting
any vessel to pass the Straits.
Trusting, however, to their safety, I will not repeat their
contents; but will only observe that, when I sat down to write
to you, it was the first interval of rest from one of the most
bustling scenes I ever witnessed, and from experiencing one of
the severest disappointments I have ever known; having, for a
considerable period during the action, flattered myself with the
strongest confidence that the most complete success would have
attended the enterprise.
I resign myself to the decree of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, whose will
the winds obey; and I have great cause to be thankful for not
having been forsaken in the hour of danger, but for having my
courage strengthened as the peril increased. Feeling, as I do,
all the responsibility on an event of this importance to the
country, I should be miserable had I to reproach myself for
having undertaken the enterprise on light grounds, or with
having failed in the planning or in the execution; but, on the
contrary, it is admitted by every one to have been most
judicious. It is therefore only in the result that I have been
unfortunate, and that arising from unforeseen and inevitable
causes. I have been too much employed to reflect on the light in
which the business may be viewed in England; but, conscious of
having done my duty, and to the utmost of my exertions, I shall
be indifferent as to the rest. I only trust that all my friends,
but you more particularly, will be superior to any reflexions
that may be made, should there be any unfavourable to me; though
I hope for better things, and that with the liberal, at least,
that which has been well intended, and carried on with conduct
and bravery, will be held in some estimation.
Admiral Linois, from the specimen he had had of the determined
perseverance of the British commander-in-chief, had no wish to try
another contest; nor was it possible for him to escape the risk of
one, either by lying under the protection of the Spanish batteries, or
by proceeding to Cadiz. He lost no time, therefore, in sending an
express to the Spanish Admiral Mazzaredo, and the French Rear-admiral
Dumanoir, who, with Commodore Le Ray and other officers and men, had
previously arrived in two frigates at Cadiz for the purpose of
equipping the Spanish fleet, imploring the assistance of a squadron to
convoy them to Cadiz, before the English ships under Sir James
Saumarez could be refitted; adding in his despatch, "I have just
received advice that the enemy intends burning us at our anchorage. It
is in your power to save for the Republic three fine ships of the line
and a frigate by merely ordering the Spanish squadron to come and seek
us."
This demand, through the influence of Admiral Dumanoir, was
immediately acceded to by Mazzaredo, who ordered Vice-admiral Moreno
to proceed with five sail of the line, three frigates, and a lugger,
accompanied by the San Antonio, manned partly with French and
Spaniards, in which Admiral Dumanoir hoisted his flag. The movements
of these ships were observed by Captain Keats in the Superb, who, in
consequence of information he had received from an American, returned
with the Thames and Pasley off Cadiz.
At daylight, on the 9th, this squadron put to sea, except the San
Antonio, which, being unable to fetch out, came to an anchor in the
road. The rest made sail up the Straits, preceded by the Superb,
Thames, and Pasley; and, the wind being fair, the former reached
Algeziras about four P.M., while the latter, as already stated,
anchored in Gibraltar Bay, to unite their efforts in refitting the
shattered ships. On the next morning, the San Antonio, with Admiral
Dumanoir's flag, arrived at Algeziras.
As the object of this overwhelming force could be no other than to
conduct in safety the three French ships, and their prize the
Hannibal, to Cadiz or Carthagena, the exertions of the British
officers and men were redoubled in getting the damaged ships ready to
meet the enemy. They accomplished what has been justly acknowledged,
one of the most extraordinary undertakings ever known.
The Pompee was in too bad a state to leave any hopes that she could be
got ready in time; her men, therefore, were distributed to assist in
repairing the other ships: and all idea of refitting the Caesar was on
the point of being abandoned!
The following account given by Captain Brenton will be read with much
interest: "Sir James now expressed the greatest anxiety to have as
many of his little squadron as possible ready for action, that he
might avail himself at any moment of the motions of the enemy to make
an attack upon some part of them; and despairing, from the state of
the Caesar, that she could possibly be got in readiness before the
departure of the ships from Algeziras, he expressed a wish that the
deficiencies in the other ships might be made up from the crew of the
Caesar; but on my entreaty for permission to keep them while a
possibility remained of getting her in a state to receive his flag
again, he consented, hoisting it for the time on board the Audacious.
"On communicating to the people what had passed, there was a universal
cry, 'All hands all night and all day until the ship is ready!' so
earnest were they to carry the flag of their beloved Admiral again
into battle, and so sanguine in the expectation of victory,
notwithstanding the disparity of force,--nearly _two to one_! This I
could not consent to, as they would have been worn out and incapable
of further exertion; but I directed that all hands should be employed
during the day, and that they should work _watch and watch_ during the
night. They immediately commenced their various duties, with all the
energy and zeal that could be expected from men under such powerful
causes of excitement. The new main-mast was got in forthwith, and
extraordinary efforts made to refit the rigging.
"On Saturday, the 11th, the enemy showed symptoms of moving; and the
Admiral, fearing they might get out in the night, again suggested that
the people from the Caesar should be distributed, and every idea of
getting her ready abandoned; but I entreated, and obtained permission
to keep them during that night, under the promise that they should be
held in readiness at a minute's warning to proceed to the ship pointed
out to receive them.
"The enemy having anchored again, the Admiral went to dine with the
governor; and, on his return on board, was greatly delighted at
beholding the ship apparently ready for sea, although much yet
remained to be done."
We must here pay a just tribute to the professional abilities and
conduct of Captain (now Sir Jahleel) Brenton. He was, in the first
place, well aware of the magnitude of the labour which the men had to
perform, and saw the danger of allowing his brave crew to be worn out
with fatigue in attempting that to which the human frame is unequal.
He therefore decided that, instead of working on until the labour was
finished, according to the seamen's laudable wishes, they should have
such a portion of rest as would enable them to resume their labour
with renewed energy. In the second place, he knew that without system,
the exertions of the men would be in vain; but the admirable
directions he gave employed every man in what he was best able to
perform without impeding his neighbour, whilst every part of the
labour advanced simultaneously. There has, indeed, never yet been on
record an instance of a ship performing such a task so well and in so
short a time.
Although the services going on required many men to be on shore for
gunpowder and other stores, to replace what had been expended, there
was not a single complaint of any one absenting himself from his duty,
or of being intoxicated; though the inducement must have been great,
from the number of wine-houses on the Rock: but such was the desire of
these brave fellows to be avenged for the loss of the Hannibal, that
they would not allow any temptation to induce them to swerve from the
duty they had to perform.
The extraordinary anxiety of mind, and the multiplicity of duty he had
to perform, did not divert the attention of Sir James from the
situation of the unfortunate crew of the Hannibal, especially the
wounded, who were suffering as well from want of proper surgical care
as from the treatment they had received. He once more made a strong,
but fruitless attempt for their exchange, by addressing the following
letter to Admiral Linois:
Caesar, off Rosia Bay, 10th July 1801.
SIR,
I am impelled by motives of humanity again to renew my
application in behalf of the men unfortunately wounded on board
his Britannic Majesty's ship Hannibal, and to request they may
be permitted to come to this garrison without delay. A
proposition so conformable to the laws of civilised nations I
trust cannot be rejected; but, should you further refuse to
comply with it, you must take upon yourself the impression all
the world must have of so cruel a proceeding as to deny those
unhappy people the benefit of their own hospital, where they
would receive surgical assistance, and not be subjected to the
severe treatment they have so long experienced in their present
situation.
I am, sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Rear-admiral Linois, &c. &c. &c.
No answer having been given to this application, the correspondence
ended, to be resumed under more favourable circumstances.
Sir James now added to the duplicates of his despatches (which had
been sent in charge of Lieutenant Janvarin, by way of Tangier,) the
following letter to his brother:
Caesar, Gibraltar, 10th July 1801.
You will, I hope, receive the letters I have written to you on
the subject of the enterprise of our squadron against three
ships of the line and a frigate, at anchor in Algeziras Bay,
last Monday; for a more particular account of which I must refer
you to my public letter. But as my friends, with their usual
anxiety on my account, will naturally wish further information
from me, I must assure them in justice to myself and for their
satisfaction, that everything was done that depended on myself,
both in the planning and executing the business; but I cannot be
accountable for the accidents that prevented its success. Even
within an hour from our first engaging, and before any of our
ships had sustained much injury, the Pompee, which was
remarkably well placed against the inner ship, which proved to
be the French Admiral, had at one time nearly silenced her, and
must have done so in less than ten minutes, had not an
unfortunate flaw of wind _broke her sheer_; and from that moment
she was unable to bring one of her guns to bear on the enemy's
ship.
A short time after, the Hannibal got a fine breeze of wind, and
was lying up in the handsomest manner for the French ship; but
unfortunately, wishing to go between her and the shore, got
aground. Surely in either of these instances I was not
concerned.
I had, before this, cut our cables, to profit by a favourable
breeze to close the other two ships; but before we got near them
it failed us, as well as the Audacious, and with the current we
drove close to the island battery, where we remained a
considerable time before either of the ships could clear a shoal
close to it. At length a fine breeze sprung up, which gave the
most favourable hope of carrying us close to the enemy's ships,
and, by silencing them, to extricate the unfortunate Hannibal.
But here, again, it most unhappily failed us; and although we
had, at different times, opened a heavy fire upon them, we were
still not sufficiently near to silence them effectually; and,
the wind all the time leading us farther off, I was constrained
to abandon all hopes of success, and proceeded with the squadron
to this anchorage.
The Superb yesterday joined us, with the Thames. Captain Keats,
having seen the enemy coming out of Cadiz, appeared with the
signal of their being in sight, and they soon after came round
Cabrita Point. Two are three-deckers, and three are
seventy-fours, with three frigates. If it draws this force to
the Mediterranean, some good may come from it. A squadron is
hourly expected from Lord Keith, and probably some ships may
soon join us from England. We shall have all the ships in
readiness; and the junction of a few ships, would make us again
superior to the enemy's force. I must not forget to mention
that Captain Brenton has shown himself a brave and most able
officer.
It is with difficulty I have found a leisure moment to write
this. All I request of my friends is, to feel assured that the
failure of this enterprise has in no instance proceeded from
myself; and every one is ready to acknowledge that I did, in
every respect, all that depended on me. This, you will perceive,
is written in the midst of much bustle and a most active scene.
The despatches contained accounts of the arrival of the Spanish
squadron, and of Sir James's determination to attack them if they
attempted to put to sea, even with the force under his command. He
also sent despatches to Lisbon to delay any convoys which might be
sailing; and to Lord Keith, in the Mediterranean, to inform his
lordship of all the circumstances we have related. The Plymouth lugger
had already sailed, the wind being fair, with Captain Ferris, who, as
well as Lieutenant Hills, were bearers of the interesting details.
The intense interest which these circumstances created on the Rock of
Gibraltar is far beyond description; nor do we know whether the kind
and sympathising reception which the suffering heroes met with on
their return from Algeziras was more worthy of praise than the
unparalleled exertions made to renew the conflict. On the one hand,
had the squadron arrived after the most complete and glorious victory,
they could not have been received in a manner more gratifying to
their feelings; while, on the other hand, it was evident that every
man was worthy of such generous and such noble conduct.
The attention of the governor, the garrison, and the inhabitants,
although themselves in a state of privation, was unremitting. We shall
leave them for the present preparing to take farewell of each other on
the evening before the Admiral's departure, to meet what must have
appeared to every spectator an overwhelming foe!