related to my own particular part. July 21ˢᵗ we anchor’d here in yᵉ
Bay, and about 4 in the afternoon landed about 2000 marrines, Dutch and
all. I commanded yᵉ landing with three captaines more; all which was
don wᵗʰ little opposition. About 40 horse came downe from yᵉ towne,
wᶜʰ was all; and they run away soe soon as our guns began to play upon
them. We landed about 2 miles from the towne, in yᵉ Bay, and march’d
directly to the foot of the hill, were they posted themselves within
muskett shott of the gates; so cutt of all manner of communication
from yᵉ land. We hove into yᵉ towne this evening about 17 shells. The
Prince of Hess[b] landed with us and immediatly sent a summons to the
Governer, wᶜʰ did not returne any answer tell the next morning, and
then the Governer said he would defend the towne to the very last. Then
Admirall Byng, who commanded the cannonading, began to draw up all his
ships in a line before the towne; but, it proving little wind, could
not gett in with them all, so that we did little this day. There was
three small ships in the old mold, one of which annoy’d our camp by
fireing amongst them, having about 10 guns lying close in the mold and
just under a great bastion at yᵉ north corner of the towne. I proposed
to Sʳ George[c] the burning her in the night. He liked itt; accordingly
ordered what boats I would have to my assistance; and about 12 at night
I did it effectually, wᵗʰ the loss of but one man and 5 or 6 wounded.
July 23rd. At 4 this morning, Admˡ Byng began with his ships to
cannonade, a Dutch Rear Admˡ with 5 or 6 ships of theirs along with
him; which made a noble noise, being within half shot of the towne.
My ship not being upon service, I desired Sʳ George to make me his
aducon to carry his comands from tyme to tyme to admirall Byng, which
he did accordingly; and after about 2 hours continuall fireing sent
me with orders to forbare. Upon this I went to every ship in the line
wᵗʰ this orders, and coming on board Capt. Jumper,[d] in yᵉ Lenox,
found him extraordinary well posted within muskett shott of the new
mold head, and had beat them all out of yᵉ battery and of the mold, so
that I beleived we might attack it with our boats. I went immediatly
and acquainted Admˡ Byng wᵗʰ it, who ordered all the boats to be man’d
and arm’d. From him I went to Sʳ George and gave him my oppinion that
the mold might be attack’d. He immediatly made the signall for all the
boates in yᵉ fleet, and gave me the command of yᵉ attack, wᵗʰ 3 or 4
captaines along wᵗʰ me. I made all the hast I could with orders to
Admirall Byng to send me accordingly; but some of the boats got ashore
before I could reach them, wᵗʰ little or no opposition. Severall of our
men gott into yᵉ Castle; upon which it blew up. We had kill’d between
40 and 50 men. Most of all the boates that landed first were sunk;
about 100 or two wounded; upon which, all yᵗ remain’d came running
downe and leap’d into the water, being so mightyly surprized. I landed
within a minute after the accident, and rallied our men. We went over
a breach in the wall but one at a time, and took possesstion of the
hill. I immediatly sent Capt. Roffy[e] and Capt. Acton,[f] wᵗʰ between
40 and 50 men, and took possesstion of a bastion of 8 guns within less
then half muskett shott of the towne wall: and there we pitch’d our
collours. Soon after, Admˡ Byng came ashore to me and sent in a drumer
wᵗʰ a sommons, who returnd in about 2 hours wᵗʰ a letter in answer that
they would surrender the next day; wᶜʰ they accordingly did. I beleive
I had wᵗʰ me, at the first onsett, between 2 and 300 men; but we grew
in a very little time to neare 1000. This was the manner we took
Gibralter, which I hope we shall maintaine.
I hope, Sʳ, youle excuse this trouble I give, butt, beleiving that
every boddy here rights att this tyme uppon this occation, I could not
forbeare giveing my very good friend Sʳ Ricᵈ this perticuler accᵗᵗ of
yᵉ whole matter; which I dont doubt butt Capt. Haddock will give yᵉ
much yᵉ same accoᵗᵗ. Pray please to favour my spouse with a line or
two, feareing mine should miscarry. My most humble servis to my good
lady and all yʳ good family. I beg youle make use of this as farre as
you shall think fitt, itt being a trew accoᵗᵗ of yᵉ whole matter.
I am
Yʳ most harty humble Serᵗ and kinsman to serve, whilst
EDWᵈ WHITAKER.
P.S. This is rite all in a hurry, so yᵗ I hope youle excuse me.
* * * * *
[a] Afterwards knighted and Rear-Admiral. This letter has been printed
by Charnock in his _Biographia Navalis_; but it is worth re-printing.
[b] George, Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt.
[c] Rooke.
[d] Afterwards Sir William Jumper, Commissioner of the Navy.
[e] Kerril or Kerrit Roffey.
[f] Edward Acton, killed in action in 1706.
NICHOLAS HADDOCK[a] TO HIS FATHER SIR RICHARD HADDOCK.
Sᵗ George in Barcelona Road, this 1ˢᵗ of May, 1706, O.S.
HONᵈ Sʳ,
This comes to you by the Faulcon pink, which is sent home express wᵗʰ
the good news of our releiving Barcelona in the greatest extremity.
The French had made preparations for a generall assault that very day
we came; and it must have been infallibly taken, had we not had the
luckiest passage imaginable (being but five days from Lisbon to Cape
Martin, where we joynd Sʳ Jno. Leake).
Saturday last in the morning, when were about 5 leagues to the wᵗward
of Barcelona, my Lord Peterborow came of to the fleet wᵗʰ twelve hundᵈ
soldiers embarqued in felucas and boats, and in the afternoon got in
and landed them, wᵗʰ all the soldiers out of the transports and most
of the marines of the fleet. We have now about nine thousand soldiers
in the towne. The French army consisted at first of twenty thousand;
four of wᶜʰ, horse under the command of the Duke of Anjou.[b] Their
loss during this seige is computed to be five [thousand] including a
thousand sick and wounded they have left behind, when they raised the
seige, wᶜʰ was at twelve aclock last night. They have left 50 peices of
brass cannon mounted and 15 mortars, and are now bound to Roussilion.
They will find great difficultys on their march. The Miquelets,[c]
being very numerous and all in arms, will destroy a great many of ’em
before they get out of Catalonia, it being a close country. The French
squadron before this place consisted of 26 saile, line of battle ships.
They sailed the night before we came, having intelligence of us by
their scouts. They were all the supply the army had for provisions,
for the Catalans have not given them the least; nor could a man of ’em
stirr from his tent a musquet shot out of the Camp but they killed him.
We are now sending four ships with 6 hundred soldiers for Girone, to
reinforce that garrison, lest the French should make any attempt on it,
it lying in their way.
I hear there is an express come to Barcelona from my Lord Gallaway,
giving an account of his being got to Toledo and on his march for
Madrid. The lucky turn Providence has given to our affairs in these
parts I suppose will be joyfull news in England; and this being the
first certain accᵗ you’l have, this long letter wont seem tedious.
I can expect no letters from you till Sʳ Clowdsly joyne us, and then
do hope shall hear of your welfare and some good news in return of
all this, which, with my duty to yʳ self and mother and love to all
friends, is from,
Honᵈ Sir,
Yʳ dutifull Son,
Nˢ HADDOCK.
P.S.--We have had an eclipse of the sun to-day; lasted above two hours,
and for a quarter ’twas total and as dark as night. Wᵗ it may portend,
I leave to the learned. Our fleet consists of 50 saile in the line; 13
of wᶜʰ, Dutch.
* * * * *
[a] Afterwards Admiral.
[b] Philip V. of Spain.
[c] Irregulars of the militia of Catalonia.
THE SAME TO THE SAME.
Alicant, this 31ˢᵗ of July, 1706.
HONᵈ Sʳ,
I have both yʳ letters by Captⁿ Delevall,[a] as also the butter and
cheeses, for wᶜʰ I returne you thanks. I’m glad to hear both my
sisters are so well recovered by the Bath. Pray God continue their
healths. Sunday last we took this place, attacking it by land and
sea; and almost all the people of it are run up to the castle, wᵗʰ
the garrison, for protection. We assisted our army with 500 seamen. I
have been ashore with 50 of our ship’s company during the seige; am
very heartily fateigued, but very well in health. After we have got
the castle, I hear the fleet will go for the Islands of Minorca and
Majorca, and, after that, I hope home. If the Sᵗ George should not do,
intend asking Sʳ Jnᵒ Leake leave for my self.
I’m glad to hear the ship at Sheernes will be launcht so soon as March.
I hope I’m pretty secure of her. I desire your excuse for this bad
scrawle and blotted paper, but I write wᵗʰ a pen made wᵗʰ an old razor
that I find in the house I’m quartered in. I have no more to say but my
duty to yʳ self and mother and love to all freinds in London and Mile
end, and remaine,
Honᵈ Sʳ,
Yʳ dutifull Son,
N. HADDOCK.
P.S.--This lettʳ goes by the Rye.
To Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, at the Navy Office in Crutched Fryars,
London, these.
* * * * *
[a] George Delaval, of the Tilbury.
SIR RICHARD HADDOCK TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY.
25ᵗʰ July, 1709.
GENTLEMEN,
In the yeare 1672 I comanded as Captⁿ of the Royall James, under the Rᵗ
Honᵇˡᵉ the Earle of Sandwᶜʰ, in the Sowle Bay fight. The said shipp,
after a vigorous defence, was burnt by the Dutch; in wᶜʰ action I was
wounded, the cure of wᶜʰ cost me, in surgeons, apothicary, nurses, &c.,
betwext fower score and a hundred pounds. I have bine so remise and
negligent as not to demaund satisfaction for my reimbursemᵗ. Do pray
the favor of the bord I may have a bill made out, what you shall think
convenient, haveing bine out of my mony now 36 ys. I likewise, in the
yeare 1690 (being then one of the Comʳˢ for Victualling), was taken
into custody at Portsmᵒ, and brought up a prisoner from thence by
order of the then House of Comons, and remained as such a considerable
tyme in yᵉ hands of Mr. Topham, then sergant at armes to sᵈ house,
under pretence of our poisoning the fleet then at sea (under comᵈ of
Admˡˡ Herbert, now Earle of Torrington), with gutts in our beere and
gaules in our beefe;[a] and with great dificulty obtained to be bailed.
I must not call it injustice in that august assembly, what they did
to me; but it cost me about a hundred pounds to Mr. Topham for his
fees, and to lawyers soliciting the House of Comons, wᵗʰ expences of
entertainment whilst in custody; for satisfaction of wᶜʰ I presume
the bord will not think fitt to allow me, except directed soe to doe
by order of the Lord High Admˡˡ, for wᶜʰ shall make my aplication to
him; but for my cure, I doubt not the favor and justice of the bord in
ordering a bill to be made out.
I remain, Gentⁿ, yoʳ very humble servᵗ,
Rᵈ. HADDOCK.
* * * * *
[a] Macaulay’s “casks of meat which dogs would not touch, and barrels
of beer which smelt worse than bilge water.”--_Hist. of England_, ch.
xiv.
SIR RICHARD HADDOCK TO HIS GRANDSON.[a]
Clapham, 28ᵗʰ May, 1712, Wedensday.
DEARE GRANDSON,
I came yesterday to this place, and, according to my promise, do answer
yours of 18ᵗʰ instant from Christ Colledge in Oxford.
It happens to be this day 40 years that I was burnt out of the Royall
James in the Sole Bay fight against the Dutch. Am well pleased to find
the efforts you intend to make yourselfe famous in Westminster Hall.
It is like the saying of your Unckle Nichˢ, who doubted not but to be
as great as Sʳ Cloudesly Shovell was; and he pushes very faire for
it. Your father and family went to Wakehurst Satuarday last; tooke
Betty and Fanny Clark[b] downe wᵗʰ them; gote well thither. Yoʳ Unckle
Richard, the weeke past, hath bine very ill wᵗʰ a feavor and ague,
wᶜʰ kept me from hence longer then I designed; is under the advice of
Doctor Ratclif,[c] who gave me leave to come downe hither, promiseing
his care of him; and was downe staires when came away.
With my harty prayers for yoʳ health and wellfare, I am
Yoʳ most afecᵗ grandfather,
Rᵈ. H.
* * * * *
[a] This must be a son of Sir Richard’s daughter, who married a Mr.
Lydell.
[b] Children of another of Sir Richard’s daughters, who married John
Clarke, of Blake Hall, in Bobbingworth, co. Essex.
[c] No doubt Dr. John Radcliffe.
CAPTAIN NICHOLAS HADDOCK TO HIS WIFE.
Grafton at sea, about 10 leagues from Cape Passaro,
Aug. the 4ᵗʰ, 1718.
MY Dʳ FANNY,
The Superbe being orderd from the fleet wᵗʰ the Admirall’s letters, I
send this to tell you I am well.
Five days ago we had a battle wᵗʰ the Spanish fleet off of Cape
Passaro,[a] on the Island of Sicily, in wᶜʰ severall of their ships
were taken and some destroyd. The Grafton had her share in that action,
and the Admirall has been pleased to make me great compliments on my
behaviour that day. I shall soon be orderd to be refitted at Port
Mahon, the ship requiring it. I had fifty men killd and wounded. Among
the former was Lᵗ Bramble, who was appointed by the intrest of Sir
Cha. Wager. I’m sorry for him, he being a good officer. My Cousin
Haddock[b] chased towards the shoar after part of the Spanish fleet,
when they separated, wᵗʰ 4 or 5 other ships whose signalls were made
for that purpose, and they are not yet come into the fleet. However, I
doubt not but he is well, the ships that they were sent after being of
the smaller sort.
My dʳ, pray send to Mrs. Harris to tell her her spouse is well.[c]
He dined aboard me the day after the action; he was one of the ships
engaged.
Just before we saild from Naples I received yʳ letter, and am glad to
hear yʳself and the little boy are well. I give my love to all freinds,
and remaine, my dʳ Fanny,
Yʳ most affecᵗ husband,
Nˢ. HADDOCK.
* * * * *
[a] On the 31st July, when Sir George Byng almost destroyed the Spanish
fleet.
[b] Probably William Haddock. See above, p. 43, note d.
[c] Captain Barrow Harris, of the Breda.
THE SAME TO THE SAME.
Grafton, at Regio, Janʳʸ the 19ᵗʰ, O.S., 1718/9.
MY DEAR SPOUSE,
I send this to tell you I am well. I believe, before this come to you,
you will have heard of my having forced ashoar on Sicily a Spanish man
of war of 70 guns, wᶜʰ is overset and sunk. I recᵈ some shot from her,
but without much damage. My dʳ, we are here at an anchor, in company
wᵗʰ the Kent, Royˡ Oake, and Rochester, to block up Camock,[a] who is
at Messina and will not venture out, his squadron being much inferiour
to us. By the news we receive from England, I conjecture Spain will
soon be oblidgd to accept the terms proposed to ’em; after wᶜʰ I
suppose the bigger ships will be orderd home, where I shall always be
glad to be, whenever it consists wᵗʰ my honour; for, indeed, my dear
Fanny, I heartily love you.
Pray give my love to all freinds, and I remaine, my dʳ,
Yʳ most affect. husband,
Nˢ. HADDOCK.
P.S. This goes for Naples wᵗʰ an express that Capt. Mathews[b] sends to
the Admˡ, and from thence it will be forwarded to you.
Nˢ. H.
* * * * *
[a] George Cammock, the Spanish Rear-Admiral, who had taken refuge
in Messina. He slipped out in a frigate, which however he had to
abandon, and escaped by boat to land. He was an Irishman who had
served with distinction in the English navy under Queen Anne, but had
been dismissed on account of his Jacobite tendencies. He then entered
the Spanish service; and it is said that, if the Spanish Admiral had
followed his advice, the battle off Cape Passaro might have had a
different result.
[b] Thomas Mathews, afterwards Admiral, who commanded the blockading
force.
INDEX.
Acton, Edward, Captain:
at the capture of Gibraltar, 48
Aumont, Antoine d’, Marshal:
attempt on Ostend, 5, 6
Babb, Anna: 44
Balasore:
attacked by the English, 37-39
Barcelona:
relief of, 49
Blake, Robert, Admiral:
his last victory, 3
Blake, Thomas: 45
Bramble, Lieutenant: 53
Brandon, William:
letter, 35
Bristol, George Digby, Earl of: 13
Burstow, William, Captain: 15
Byng, Sir George, Admiral:
at the capture of Gibraltar, 46-48
Cammock, George, Spanish admiral: 54
Carter, Richard, Admiral:
killed at La Hogue, 42
Charles II. of England:
visits the fleet, 23, 24, 29
Chicheley, Isabella:
letter, 42
Clarke, Elizabeth: 53
Clarke, Fanny: 53
Courtney, Francis, Captain: 21
Coventry, Sir William: 7
Cromwell, Oliver, Lord Protector: 2
Davenant, ----: 39
Deane, Anthony, Navy Commissioner: 21
Delaval, George, Captain: 50
Emms, Fleetwood, Captain: 45
Estrees, Jean d’, Comte, Admiral: 23, 24
Fairborne, Sir Stafford, Admiral: 45
Finch, William, Captain: 20
Foules, Thomas, Captain: 20
Frowd, Philip, Postmaster: 36
Galway, Henry de Massue de Ruvigny, Earl of: 50
Gibraltar:
its capture, 46-48
Goodlad, ----: 10, 11, 12, 14
Grove, Henry: 39
Haddock, Andrew: 2
Haddock, Elizabeth:
letters to, 10, 12, 14, 19, 21
Haddock, Fanny or Frances:
letters to, 53, 54
Haddock, Joseph, Captain: 11, 19, 21;
letter from India, 37;
at attack on Balasore, 37-39
Haddock, Lydia: 3
Haddock, Nicholas, Captain:
at Vigo, 43, 45;
letters, 49, 50, 53, 54;
at Barcelona, 49;
at Cape Passaro, 53;
at Messina, 54
Haddock, Richard: 4, 13, 21;
his gallantry, 19
Haddock, Sir Richard, Admiral:
letters, 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 19, 21, 36, 43, 44, 51, 52;
with squadron off Dunkirk, 3-7;
declaration on the Dutch striking their flag, 9;
serves against the Dutch, 10-31;
account of the battle of Southwold Bay, 16-19;
wounded, 18;
journal, 22-31;
observations on naval engagements, 31-35;
reported desertion, 35, 36;
claim for compensation, 51, 52
Haddock, Richard, Captain: 43, 44, 53;
letter on the battle of La Hogue, 41-42
Haddock, William, Captain: letters to, 1, 3, 5, 6
Haddock, William: 3, 5, 43;
at battle of Cape Passaro, 54
Hambliton [Hamilton?] Colonel: 22
Harbin, Samuel: 39
Harbord, Sir Charles, 18
Harman, Sir John, Admiral: 21, 30
Harris, Barrow, Captain: 54
Hayward, John, Captain: 21
Heath, Captain:
attacks Balasore, 37-39
Heath, Thomas:
gallantry at La Hogue, 41
Hesse-Darmstadt, George, Prince of:
at the capture of Gibraltar, 46
Hinton, John: 39
Hodges, Captain: 44
Hogg, Christopher: 39
Hogue, La:
battle of, 41-42
Johnson, Francis: 40
Jordan, Sir Joseph, Admiral:
his conduct at Southwold Bay, 17, 18
Jumper, William, Captain:
at the capture of Gibraltar, 47
Kelsey, Thomas, Major-General: 1
Kerr, William, Captain: 45
Lane, Samuel: 15
Lydell, ----: 52
Mathews, Thomas, Captain: 55
Mayo, Thomas, Lieutenant: 18
Ossory, Thomas Butler, Earl of: 24
Ostend:
attempt on, 5, 6
Passaro, Cape: battle of, 53
Pennyman, Captain: 35
Peterborough, Charles Mordaunt, Earl of:
relieves Barcelona, 49
Philip V. of Spain: 49
Poole, Sir William, Captain: 14, 15, 16
Roffey, Kerril, Captain: 48
Rooke, Sir George, Admiral: 44, 45;
at the capture of Gibraltar, 47
Roxby, Henry: 40
Rupert, Prince: 23, 24, 28, 30, 31;
his actions with the Dutch, 19, 20, 26-28
Sadlington, Richard, Captain: 28
Sandwich, Edward Montague, Earl of, Admiral:
commanding off Dunkirk, 5;
at Southwold Bay, 16-19
Sawkell, Edmond: 35
Scarlet, Charles: 39
Sharpe, Captain: 39
Shovel, Sir Cloudesley, Admiral:
at La Hogue, 41, 45
Smart, John: 40
Sotherne, ----: 44
Southwold, or Sole, Bay:
battle of, 16-19
Stanier, Sir Richard, Admiral: 9
Stanley, ----, Factor at Balasore: 39
Starland, ----: 39
Storm of 1703: 45
Strickland, Sir Roger, Admiral: 22
Tempest, John, Captain: 20
Thanksgiving-day: 44
Topham, ----, Serjeant-at-Arms: 52
Trepassey, in Newfoundland:
action off, 43
Trevanion, Richard, Captain: 20, 21
Wasey, ----, Captain: 19
Werden, Robert, Captain: 20, 21
Whitaker, Edward, Captain:
account of the capture of Gibraltar, 46-48
White, Richard, Captain: 28
Willshaw, Thomas, Navy Commissioner: 44
York, James, Duke of:
account of battle of Southwold Bay addressed to, 16-19;
visits the fleet, 23, 24, 29
Young, Henry, Captain: 28