Owing to some mistake, the proposed battery against the Mollinochesco

was built and opened two days earlier than the time appointed.

Observing, however, that though this fort was considerably damaged, it

seemed evidently the intention of the enemy to repair rather than

evacuate it, on the evening of the 6th of July, the Royal Irish regiment

was ordered to move towards their left, exposing the men to the fire of

their artillery. At sun set, and during the greatest part of the night,

this diversion was seconded by a feigned attack of the Corsicans: which

so effectually deceived the enemy, that they withdrew a considerable

piquet from the spot where the principal battery was to be constructed,

in order to support the Mollinochesco; and, directing the whole of their

fire to that point, enabled the troops to complete their work.

This important position established, the enemy was compelled to evacuate

the Mollinochesco, and to withdraw the shipping under the protection of

the town.

A heavy firing immediately commenced on both sides; which continued,

with little intermission, till the 18th of that month: when, observing

that their batteries were considerably damaged, and a breach appearing

practicable on the west side of the Mozello, a disposition was made for

a general attack on the outworks, under cover of two batteries ordered

to be erected that night; which would, from their position, in the event

of a check, appear the principal object of the movement.

By the greatest exertions, this battery was completely constructed,

without discovery, within three hundred yards of the Mozello, an hour

before day-break: a signal gun was then fired from it, for the troops to

advance. Covered, in their approach, by two field pieces, they

proceeded, with a cool and steady confidence, and unloaded arms, towards

the enemy; forced their way through a smart fire of musquetry; and,

regardless of live shells thrown into the trench, or the additional

defence of pikes, stormed the Mozello: while the Royal Irish regiment,

with two pieces of cannon, equally regardless of opposition, carried the

enemy's battery on the left, and forced their trenches, without firing a

shot.

The possession of these very important posts, which the troops

maintained under the heaviest fire of shells, shot, and grape, induced

an offer to consider such terms as the garrison of Calvi might incline

to propose.

An unfavourable answer, however, being returned, the navy and army once

more united their efforts; and, in nine days, completed batteries of

thirteen guns, four mortars, and three howitzers, within six hundred

yards of the town. These opened with so well directed a fire, that the

enemy were unable to remain at their guns; and, in eighteen hours, sent

proposals, which terminated in a capitulation, and the expulsion of the

French from Corsica, on the 10th of August, after a siege of fifty-one

days.

The above account of the reduction of Calvi is extracted from the

dispatches of the military commander in chief, and affords a very good

idea of the siege.

Lord Hood, who arrived off Calvi on the 27th of June, where he continued

during the siege, in his dispatches to the Admiralty, writes--"The

Journal I here transmit from Captain Nelson, who had the command of the

seamen, will shew the daily occurrences of the siege; and whose zeal and

exertion I cannot sufficiently express--or, of that of Captain

Hallowell--who took it by turns to command in the advanced battery,

twenty-four hours at a time: and, I flatter myself, they, as well as the

other officers and seamen, will have full justice done them by the

general; it is, therefore, unnecessary for me to say more on the

subject."

What Lieutenant General Stuart did say, respecting Captain Nelson's

wonderful exertions and consummate skill, on this occasion, however,

instead of doing him fuller justice, was sufficiently moderate, and very

concise--"The assistance and co-operation of Captain Nelson, the

activity of Captain Hallowell, and the exertions of the navy, have

greatly contributed to the success of these movements."

Can any person of the smallest discernment, for a moment suppose, that a

mind like that of the heroic Nelson, could feel satisfied by such

indiscriminate and cold approbation as is here expressed? The slightest

glance even of his own modest Journal of the siege, must have convinced

every one, had it been given, as he might expect, to the public, of the

prodigious fatigue and perseverance, at least, which this great man

underwent, if it had not demonstrated the astonishing skill and bravery

which he is so well known to have there most eminently displayed.

An intelligent Corsican, now in England, Mr. Casalonga, perfectly

remembers the general estimation in which Captain Nelson was held

throughout the island, for the various prodigies of valour performed

there during the year 1794; particularly, at the siege of the tower of

Mortella, and the towns of Bastia and Calvi. Respecting this last place,

he observes, an official report was sent to the municipality of Ajaccio,

where himself was a member, that during the siege, which was very

obstinate and dangerous, the place being deemed impregnable, Captain

Nelson ran to every direction; and, in spite of a tremendous fire kept

up by the enemy, he erected his battery in such a position as to throw

shot on the besieged; who, perceiving their works destroyed, and public

and private buildings demolished, were soon panic struck, and sued for

capitulation.

Thus, while Captain Nelson was only considered, at home, as making one

among the many brave officers employed in this service, his

distinguished merits were so attractive in the eyes of foreigners, on

the spot, that they ascribed nearly the whole success to his

transcendent abilities.

Nothing can be more certain, than that his services were supereminently

beneficial; and, that the period was not yet arrived for their being

duly acknowledged.

Though not a word appears, in the official returns of the wounded at the

siege of Calvi, to intimate the fact; though not a single syllable of

regret is expressed, in the dispatches of either commander in chief; it

was at this very siege, that the hero had the misfortune to be entirely

deprived of the sight of his right eye. The calamitous accident was

occasioned by a shot from one of the enemy's batteries striking the

ground near the battery which he commanded; and driving, with prodigious

violence, some minute particles of sand, or small gravel, into that

tender organ.

Even this shocking event, with all it's attendant anguish, was incapable

of forcing him from his post. With a ribbon tied over his inflamed eye,

he persisted in directing the batteries, till the last fortress of

Corsica had submitted to his sovereign's arms.

Surely, if the total loss of sight in one eye, which himself is said

never to have considered as a wound, did not entitle his name to be

placed in the list of wounded officers, which seems somewhat doubtful,

the gallantry of remaining at his post would never have escaped Lord

Hood, as it seems to have done the Honourable Lieutenant General Stuart,

had he been present on the occasion.

On the 8th of August, two days before the capitulation was signed, Lord

Hood, who had received the thanks of both houses of parliament, for his

very gallant conduct in the expedition against Corsica, voted on Friday,

the 20th of June 1794; when, also, the like thanks were voted to all the

officers, sailors, and soldiers, engaged in that expedition; sent a

letter to Captain Nelson, dated on board the Victory, off Calvi, in

which he inclosed the above resolutions: observing that, having received

his majesty's commands, to communicate to the respective officers,

seamen, marines, and soldiers, who had been employed in the different

operations which had been successfully carried on against the enemy in

Corsica, a resolution of the two houses of parliament; he desires that

he will make known, to all in the Agamemnon, and such other officers and

seamen as are with him, and were employed at Bastia, the sense that is

entertained of their spirited and meritorious conduct.

This, too, which is merely an official letter, has been magnified, by

those who clearly know nothing about the matter, into an additional

honour conferred on Captain Nelson, and said to have been highly

flattering to his feelings.

How his feelings were in reality affected at this period, the reader

will presently have an opportunity of knowing from much better

authority.

In the mean time, Lord Hood sent duplicates of his former dispatches to

the Admiralty, dated on board the Victory, off Calvi, August 9, 1794. He

herewith transmits a continuation of Captain Nelson's Journal, from the

28th of July, to the 8th of August: also, the copy of a letter which he

had received from Captain Nelson, highly creditable to Lieutenant

Harrison, a transport agent; as well as to Mr. William Harrington,

master of the Willington, and the transports men; who were all anxiously

eager to serve on shore, or on board his majesty's ships, mentions

having taken possession of the Melpomene and Mignonne frigates: the

former, one of the finest ever built in France, carrying forty guns; the

other, only thirty-two. Captain Cunningham, charged with these

dispatches, who had been three months cruizing off Calvi, with infinite

diligence, and perseverance, under many difficulties, is recommended as

an officer of great merit, and highly deserving any favour that can be

shewn him.

Without wishing to detract from the merits of Captain Cunningham, it may

certainly be contended that he had not, during the time mentioned,

surpassed Captain Nelson, who receives no such decided praise, nor any

positive recommendation whatever.

These observations are drawn from the face of the public dispatches,

compared with a knowledge of the services and character of Captain

Nelson, as they were at that time manifesting themselves to all who

knew him.

His conspicuous merits, it should seem, were growing too conspicuous;

the power of his rising splendour, it might begin to be feared, would

too powerfully eclipse that which was getting into the wane; and,

therefore, though praise could not be entirely denied, it was by no

means to be lavishly bestowed. This is ever the cold and cautious

sentiment of mean and mercenary minds: it sometimes creeps into the

bosoms of even the liberal and the brave. In the former, it begets a

fixed principle of action; from the latter, it is generally soon

expelled by a little dispassionate reflection. It is like the last

struggle of age, contending against a conviction of the superior vigour

of youth: which, by a good parent, is often unwillingly relinquished, in

even corporeal considerations; scarcely ever, willingly, in those of

intellect.

Without meaning to hazard any particular application of these ideas,

there is good reason to think that he began now to be an object of

considerable attraction. His power, though still abundantly too confined

for his ability, had been in some degree extended; and his services

were, in consequence, so numerous and great, that he well merited

recommendation to an enlarged sphere of action.

That he thought himself slighted, is beyond a possibility of doubt:

smarting with the total loss of sight in one eye, and almost exhausted

by fatigue, he felt conscious of deserving applause more ardent than

any which he had yet obtained. He was, probably, not pleased to find

that his journal of the siege of Calvi did not appear, as perhaps it

ought to have done, in the Gazette; nor even the letter in commendation

of his voluntary coadjutors, which he had sent to Lord Hood. His

lordship, however, it is but just to remark, could by no means be

considered as accountable for these omissions, as he certainly

transmitted both these documents to government.

What were his sensations, at this juncture, it would be difficult

exactly to ascertain; but his consolation is known, and it was worthy of

his exalted mind--"They have not done me justice," said he, writing to

his eldest sister, Mrs. Bolton, "in the affair of Calvi; but, never

mind, I'll have a Gazette of my own."

On another occasion, soon after, he remarked that he had then been more

than a hundred days actually engaged, at sea and on shore, against the

enemy, since the commencement of the war; that he had the comfort to be

ever applauded by the commander in chief, but never to be rewarded: and,

what he considered as more mortifying than all the rest, for services in

which he was slightly wounded, others had been extravagantly praised,

who were very snug in bed all the time, far distant from the scene of

action.

In October 1794, Lord Hood returned to England; when the command of the

Mediterranean fleet devolved on the present Lord Hotham, with whom

Captain Nelson continued to serve with equally distinguished ability

wherever opportunities occurred.

At the latter end of December, and beginning of January 1795, they were

cruizing off Toulon for about three weeks: during fifteen days of which,

in such a series of bad weather as he had scarcely ever experienced,

they were almost constantly under storm stay-sails. They saw, while on

this cruise, three French frigates; and had no doubt that, as one of

them was a crippled ship, the Agamemnon, which sailed better than any

ship in the fleet, and was the nearest to them by a couple of leagues,

might have taken one or two of them. A line of battle ship, however,

never chasing on such occasions, and the admiral's anxiety to keep the

fleet together preventing him from making the signal for the frigates to

chase them till too late in the day, they unfortunately effected their

escape.

On the 10th of January, they arrived, from this unsuccessful cruise, in

the Gulph of St. Fiorenzo; where, a few days after, in a very heavy sea,

the Berwick, of seventy-four guns, Captain Smith, which was preparing to

join the fleet, not having the rigging set up, lost all it's masts, and

was rendered a complete wreck. The superiority of the Toulon fleet, at

that time, rendered this a very serious misfortune, and it led to one

which proved still greater.

The French, in fact, had sixteen ships of the line, besides the Sans

Culotte of a hundred and twenty guns, with twelve frigates and five

corvettes, then in the harbour; and thirty Marseilles ships were also

fitting out as transports, generally supposed to be intended for the

conveyance of troops on an expedition against our newly-acquired kingdom

of Corsica.

Admiral Hotham, in the mean time, was desirous of getting again to sea,

for the purpose of covering the convoy and expected reinforcements from

England; and this he was obliged to effect without waiting longer for

the Berwick. He had, in truth, at this period, much to contend with. His

fleet was only half manned; Italy was calling him to her defence; and

Corsica perpetually demanding the reinforcements and convoy hourly

expected.

The French, well aware how inadequate, in numbers and in strength,

Admiral Hotham must necessarily be for the accomplishment of all these

objects in the face of such superior force, came out with positive

orders to seek and to destroy the British Mediterranean fleet. This

being effected, which their presumption left them no doubt would soon

happen, their troops were to be landed, and the kingdom of Corsica

retaken.

On the 8th of March, Admiral Hotham being in Leghorn Road, received an

express from Genoa, that the French fleet, consisting of fifteen sail of

the line and three frigates, was seen on the 6th instant off the Isle of

Marguerite. This intelligence corresponding with a signal made from the

Moselle, then in the offing, for a fleet in the north-west quarter, he

immediately caused the squadron to be unmoored; and, at day-break the

following morning, put to sea, in pursuit of the enemy.

The Moselle having brought intelligence that the fleet seen was steering

to the southward, Admiral Hotham shaped his course for Corsica, lest

their destination should be against that island; dispatching the

Tarleton brig to St. Fiorenzo, with orders for the Berwick to join him

off Cape Corse. He had, however, the misfortune to learn, by the return

of the brig, the same night, that the Berwick had, two days before, been

captured by the enemy's fleet.

Though the French ships were seen daily by the advanced frigates, the

two squadrons did not get sight of each other till the 12th, when the

enemy was discovered to windward.

Next morning, observing them still in that direction, without any

apparent intention of coming down, the signal was made for a general

chace. The weather being squally, and blowing very fresh, the Ca-Ira of

eighty guns, formerly the Couronne, was discovered to be without it's

topmasts; which afforded Captain Freemantle, of the Inconstant frigate,

who was far advanced in the chace, an opportunity of shewing a good

proof of British enterprise, by attacking, raking, and harassing that

ship, till the coming up of Captain Nelson, in the Agamemnon, by whom it

was soon so completely cut up, as to be incapable of getting away: his

brave fellows, all the time, who appear to have been miraculously

preserved, working the ship about the enemy's stern and quarters, with

as much exactness as if going into Spithead. Though the Ca-Ira had

thirteen hundred men on board, and Captain Nelson only three hundred at

quarters, including himself--for this is his own account and mode of

reckoning--he had, after an action of two hours, in which a hundred and

ten of the enemy were killed and wounded, not one of his Agamemnons

slain, and no more than seven wounded. The Sans Culotte, however, of a

hundred and twenty guns, at length coming up, and the British heavy

ships being still distant, Admiral Hotham called him off; making the

signal for the squadron to form on the larboard line of bearing, in

which order they remained during the night.

In the morning of the 14th, the Ca-Ira was discovered in tow of the

Censeur of seventy-four guns, so far separated from their own squadron

as to afford a probable chance of cutting them off. The opportunity was

not lost; and, all sail being made to effect that purpose, the enemy

were reduced to the alternative of abandoning those ships, or coming to

battle. Our advanced ships were so closely supported in their attack on

the Ca-Ira and Censeur, that they were effectually cut off from any

assistance; and the conflict ended by the enemy's yielding them up:

satisfied, after all their boasts, by firing on the British line, as

they passed with a light air of wind, and evidently happy that our van

ships had suffered too much for the squadron to follow them with any

prospect of success.

The grand object of their vaunted armament, however, was completely

frustrated by this encounter. It could not, Captain Nelson observed, be

denominated a battle, as the enemy would not afford any opportunity of

closing with them; if they had, from the zeal and gallantry endeavoured

to be shewn by each individual captain, there was not the smallest doubt

that a glorious victory would have ensued.

The French ships had been all fitted with forges; and fired,

continually, from some of their guns, hot shot and shells. The

diabolical practice of having furnaces in their cockpits, however, was

found too dangerous to be long persisted in.

Several of the French ships were crippled, and some of them went off

towed by frigates, or without bowsprits, &c. The Sans Culotte got to

Genoa, and others to Vado Bay. The British squadron, with the prizes,

which were greatly shattered and very leaky, proceeded to St. Fiorenzo:

where it remained till the 22d; and then sailed for Leghorn, to join the

Blenheim and Bombay Castle, that it might again go in pursuit of some of

the French ships.

Captain Nelson obtained, on this occasion, the highest approbation of

our own fleet, and the handsomest and most liberal testimony from that

of the enemy.

The fleet having been refitted at Leghorn, and obtained another

seventy-four gun ship from the King of Naples, they proceeded to the

westward, for reinforcements, about the 10th of May; and afterwards went

to Minorca, where they remained some time waiting for a convoy's arrival

from Gibraltar.

Having returned to St. Fiorenzo the latter end of June, Captain Nelson

was dispatched, on the 4th of July, with the Agamemnon, Meleager,

Ariadne, Moselle, and the Mutine cutter, to co-operate with the Austrian

general in the recovery of Genoa.

The second day, however, he fell in with the French fleet, which Admiral

Hotham had supposed at Toulon, and was chased back to St. Fiorenzo. It

appears evident, from all their movements, that they did not know our

fleet was in port. The chace continued twenty-four hours; and, owing to

the freshness of the winds in these seas, he was occasionally hard

pressed; but they being, as he said, neither seamen nor officers, gave

him many advantages.

On the 7th, in the morning, Admiral Hotham was much surprised to learn

that the above squadron was seen in the offing, pursued into port by the

enemy's fleet. Immediately on their appearance, he made every

preparation to put to sea after them; having the mortification, in the

mean time, to behold Captain Nelson, with his little squadron, for

nearly seven hours, almost wholly in their possession. The shore, and

his knowledge of it, proved his greatest friends on this occasion.

Though most of the British ships were in the midst of watering and

refitting, by very great exertions, the whole fleet got under weigh that

night; but a calm, and swell, prevented their going out till the

morning.

It was not till day-break, on the 13th of July 1795, that they were

discovered by the fleet. At eight o'clock, Admiral Hotham, finding that

they had no other view than that of endeavouring to get off, made the

signal for a general chace. The baffling winds, and vexatious calms,

which render every naval operation in this country doubtful, soon

afterwards taking place, a few only of our van ships could come up with

the enemy's rear about noon. These they so warmly attacked, that one of

the sternmost ships, the Alcide of seventy-four guns, had struck in the

course of an hour. The rest of their fleet, favoured by a shift of wind,

that placed them to windward, had got so far into Frejus Bay, while the

greater part of our's was becalmed in the offing, that it became

impossible for anything farther to be effected.

Had the wind lasted twenty minutes longer, the six flyers, as they were

called, would have been alongside as many of the enemy. Captain Nelson

had every hope of getting the Agamemnon, one of these flyers, alongside

an eighty-gun ship, with a flag or broad pendant flying; but the west

wind dying away, and the east coming, gave them the advantage, and

enabled them to reach their own shore, from which they were not three

leagues distant.

Rear-Admiral Mann, who had shifted his flag to the Victory on this

occasion, commanded the six ships thus distinguished by their

superiority of sailing: he proved himself, Captain Nelson observed, a

good man, in every sense of the word.

The disappointment of our brave countrymen, on this day, must have been

prodigiously great. In the morning, there had been a hope of taking the

whole of the French fleet; and, even latterly, no bad prospect of

securing six sail of the line. Instead of which, they had only taken a

single ship, the Alcide; and that, such was the fortune of this luckless

day, took fire about half an hour after it had struck, and before being

taken into possession--said to be occasioned by a box of combustibles in

the fore-top--and the whole ship was soon in a blaze. Several boats,

from our fleet, were instantly dispatched to rescue as many as possible

of the unhappy crew from the devouring flames; and, by great exertion,

three hundred were saved: the remainder, consisting of about four

hundred, had the melancholy fate of being blown up with the ship.

The Agamemnon, with it's usual good fortune, had none killed in this

action, and only one wounded. It received, however, several shot under

water, which kept the hands pretty well employed at the pumps: but this,

Captain Nelson insisted, must have happened by accident, as he was very

certain they only fired high.

The six ships engaged were the Victory, Admiral Mann, and Captain

Reeve; Agamemnon, Nelson; Defence, Wells; Culloden, Troubridge;

Cumberland, Rowley; and Blenheim, Bazeley.

After anchoring for a few hours at St. Fiorenzo, with the fleet, Captain

Nelson was again dispatched, in the Agamemnon, with orders to sail as

before directed, when he had been chased back. Accordingly, with a light

squadron under his command, consisting of the Inconstant, Meleager,

Southampton, Tartar, Ariadne, and Speedy, he proceeded to co-operate

with the Austrian General De Vins: and, being informed by the general,

that a convoy of provisions and ammunition was arrived at Alassio, a

place in the possession of the French army, he proceeded thither on the

25th of August; where, within an hour, he took nine vessels, burnt a

tenth, and drove another on shore. Some of the enemy's cavalry fired on

the boats when boarding the vessels near shore, but not a single man was

killed or wounded. The French had two thousand horse and foot soldiers

in the town, which prevented his landing and destroying their magazines

of provisions and ammunition.

Captain Freemantle of the Inconstant, was sent, in the mean time, with

the Tartar, to Languelia, a town on the west side of the Bay of Alassio;

where, Captain Nelson observes, in his dispatches to Admiral Hotham,

published October 3,1795, in the London Gazette, that commander executed

his orders in a most officer-like manner. "I am indebted," he concludes,

"to every officer in the squadron, for their activity: but, most

particularly so, to Lieutenant George Andrews, first-lieutenant of the

Agamemnon; who, by his spirited and officer-like conduct, saved the

French corvette from going on shore."

The vessels taken were--a French corvette of ten guns, four swivels, and

eighty-seven men; a French gun-boat of one brass gun, four swivels, and

forty-nine men; a French galley of one brass gun, four swivels, and

thirty men; a like galley, with twenty-nine men; a French brig, in

ballast, burden a hundred tons; a French bark, burden seventy tons,

laden with powder and shells; a French brig, burden a hundred tons,

laden with wine; a galley, burden fifty tons, in ballast; and a tartane,

burden thirty-five tons, laden with wine: those destroyed--a bark, laden

with powder, drove on shore; and a ditto, laden with provisions, burnt.

Though this enterprise called for no particular exertion of great

ability, it was executed with very complete success; and the result was

both advantageous to the captors and their allies, and distressful to

the common enemy.

Admiral Hotham, in his dispatches to government, inclosing the account

of this business which he had received from Captain Nelson, handsomely

remarks that "his officer-like conduct upon this, and indeed upon every

occasion, where his services are called forth, reflects on him the

highest credit."

Admiral Hotham was a very brave and highly respectable commander; and,

being also a worthy man, he did whatever was in his power to serve

Captain Nelson, whose superior ability he would, probably, have himself

readily acknowledged on any occasion. He might not be sufficiently what

Captain Nelson called a man of business, to admire the agreed

co-operation with the Austrian army, though as ready as any man to

encounter the fleet of the enemy at sea: when, therefore, that

co-operation became necessary, Captain Nelson's known habits of

soldiering, immediately directed the admiral's attention to the

Brigadier; who had, accordingly, a not altogether unpleasant command of

the squadron at Vado Bay, consisting of thirteen sail of frigates and

sloops. This little fleet, however, with the exception of the above

expedition, did very little important business, not a single frigate

being allowed to chase out of sight.

It was about this period, that Captain Nelson had the satisfaction of

learning that he had, on the 6th of June preceding, in consequence of

the then promotion of flag-officers, been appointed one of the Colonels

of Marines.

He had, it seems, been in some expectation of this promotion, but little

imagined that it had already taken place: for, writing to Captain Locker

on the 18th of June, off Minorca, he observes that great changes had

taken place in the fleet, and that more were on the eve of doing so.

"Perhaps," adds he, "the Admiralty may commission me for some ship

here: if so, provided they give me the marines, I shall feel myself

bound to take her, much as I object to serving another winter campaign

without a little rest."

His health, indeed, had been considerably impaired before Lord Hood

quitted the station; but as he had, after the reduction of Corsica, less

occasion for much continued exertion, it was now, on the whole, rather

increased than diminished; and this timely promotion appears to have

operated as a powerful cordial restorative.

With the Austrian General De Vins, at Vado Bay, on the coast of Genoa,

he continued to co-operate during the whole time that Admiral Hotham

retained the command; who quitted it in November 1795, and was succeeded

by Sir John Jervis; the present Earl of St. Vincent.

This change seems to have been a very fortunate circumstance for Captain

Nelson; and, perhaps, on the whole, little less so for Sir John Jervis.

The new commander in chief was much too shrewd and discerning a

character not to see the full value of such an officer as Captain

Nelson. Himself a man of the highest bravery, and of the first

professional knowledge, he could not fail to recognize, in every act,

the vigorous intellect, and undaunted valour, which Captain Nelson

possessed. It was no slight shade of an uncertain tint, but a plain and

decided distinction of character clearly perceptible at a single glance.

Bravery and skill abound, and will, it is hoped, always abound, in the

British navy; and great, indeed, must be the merits of any one who

shines with superior lustre in a constellation of such general

brilliancy. Sir John had, under his command, many able officers; but he

immediately perceived that Captain Nelson was a star of the first

magnitude, and nobly resolved to remove every intervening cloud which

might prevent his appearing in full splendour.

The great importance, not only to both these exalted naval characters,

but to their country, which has been so much benefitted by their

respective and united services, must prevent the necessity of any

apology for reverting to the very origin of their acquaintance with each

other: a communication which the author of these memoirs has the honour

of being enabled to give, on no less authority than that of the Earl of

St. Vincent himself.

His lordship, while Sir John Jervis, was returning from the House of

Commons, of which he was then a member; when, in the Treasury Passage,

he perceived Captain Locker at a distance, whom he instantly knew, from

the singularity of his looking through an eye-glass fitted at the head

of his cane. Sir John immediately hailed his old friend: and Captain

Locker, coming up, expressed his happiness at seeing Sir John Jervis; as

he wished, he said, to introduce his _eleve_, Captain Nelson.

From that period, till the time when Sir John Jervis took the command of

the Mediterranean fleet, he had never again beheld Captain Nelson; who,

having served much with Lord Hood, and not knowing Sir John Jervis's

generous intentions to bring him still more forward, expressed a wish to

return to England in the Agamemnon. That ship, indeed, from it's then

bad state, was expected to be soon sent home: but Sir John Jervis seems

to have felt more unwilling to part with Captain Nelson than his ship.

On the death of Lord Hervey, the captain of the Zealous, which happened

soon after, Sir John Jervis immediately offered Captain Nelson the

command of that ship; which he declined, still persisting in his desire

to go home.

It was not long, however, before he became sufficiently sensible of Sir

John's great attachment to him, and now readily expressed the desire

which he felt to remain under his command. They were, thus, mutually

pleased with each other; and there resulted, from the harmony which

continued to prevail between these two truly great and heroic

characters, the utmost possible advantage to their country, and the most

complete glory to themselves.

On the 23d of February 1796, Captain Nelson, after looking into Toulon,

where there were then thirteen sail of the line and five frigates ready

for sea, left the commander in chief to the westward of Toulon, and

proceeded to Genoa.

In April, so highly did Sir John Jervis approve of Captain Nelson's

conduct, that he promoted him to the rank of temporary commodore, with

directions to wear a distinguishing pendant, which was accordingly

hoisted on board the old Agamemnon.

In May, orders having arrived for a third rate, the worst ship then in

the line, to return home with the convoy, there could be no doubt that

the Agamemnon must be the ship: and John Samuel Smith, Esq. the

commander of the Captain of seventy-four guns, being in a very ill state

of health, and desirous of going to England, Captain Nelson was

appointed to Captain Smith's ship; and he was to have went home in the

Agamemnon, had he not, shortly after, died at Gibraltar.

So completely, indeed, had Captain Nelson worn out his old and favourite

ship, by a series of hard service, that when it went into dock for

refitment, there was not a mast, yard, sail, or any part of the rigging,

which remained fit for service, the whole having been cut to pieces with

shot. The hull, also, was so greatly damaged, that it had for some time

been secured and kept together merely by having cables properly served

or thrapped round.

On the 11th of August, he obtained the permanent rank of commodore,

having a captain appointed to command under him in his new ship.

In the mean time, he had been also incessantly employed, and still

continued actively engaged till October, in the various arduous services

of blockading Leghorn; taking possession of Porto Ferrajio, with the

island of Caprea; and, lastly, in the evacuation of Bastia.

Having convoyed, in safety, all the British troops from Corsica to Porto

Ferrajio, he joined Sir John Jervis in St. Fiorenzo Bay, and proceeded

with him to Gibraltar.

On his way to Gibraltar, November 5, 1796, in writing to his friend

Captain Locker, he remarks that he has seen the first and the last of

the kingdom of Corsica, It's situation, he says, was certainly most

disirable for us; but the generality of the inhabitants were so greedy

of wealth, and so jealous of each other, that it would require the

patience of Job, and the riches of Croesus, to satisfy them. He adds,

that they say, of themselves, they are only to be governed by the ruling

power's shooting all it's enemies, and bribing all it's friends.

In this letter, too, he observes, to his old friend, with evident

exultation, that as soon as the fleet is united, which was then

expecting to be joined by Admiral Mann, he had no doubt that they should

look out for the combined fleet; who, he supposed, were about

thirty-four sail of the line, badly manned, and worse ordered: "while

our's," exclaims the gallant commodore, "is such a fleet as I never

before saw at sea! There is nothing, hardly, beyond our reach. I need

not give you the character of Sir John Jervis, you know him well;

therefore, I shall only say, that he is worthy of such a fleet, for he

knows how to use it in the most beneficial manner for our country."

After landing at Minorca, the 11th of November, where he observes that

they were on shore "upon velvet," the fleet proceeded to it's

destination, and soon safely arrived.

The commodore, however, remained but a short time at Gibraltar with the

fleet; being ordered, by the commander in chief, to remove his broad

pendant on board La Minerve frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by

Captain George Cockburne; and, accompanied by La Blanche of the same

force, Captain Preston commander, immediately to proceed to Porto

Ferrajio, for the purpose of bringing away the troops, and naval and

military stores, which still remained there, and which were much wanted

at Gibraltar, in consequence of the change of circumstances occasioned

by the recent commencement of the war with Spain.

During the night of the 19th of December, on his passage to Porto

Ferrajio, Commodore Nelson fell in with two Spanish frigates of

considerable force. The largest ship, which carried a poop light, was

immediately attacked by the commodore; who, at the same time, directed

La Blanche to bear down and engage the other. At forty minutes past ten,

La Minerve brought it's opponent to close action; and the fire

continued, without intermission, till half past one in the morning, when

the Spaniard struck. It proved to be La Sabina Spanish frigate of forty

guns; twenty-eight of them, on the main deck, being eighteen pounders;

with two hundred and eighty-six men, commanded by Captain Don Jacobo

Stuart. The captured ship lost it's mizen mast during the action; and

the main and fore masts were so damaged, that they both gave way on the

very first attempt to carry a press of sail. In this terrible conflict,

one hundred and sixty-four Spaniards, more than half the crew, were

killed and wounded; while La Minerve, though it's masts were shot

through, and it's rigging much cut, had only seven men killed, and

thirty-four wounded.

In Commodore Nelson's first letter to Sir John Jervis, relative to this

action, dated December 20, 1796, he assumes not the smallest merit, but

modestly gives the entire praise to his officers and crew.

"You are, Sir," says he, "so thoroughly acquainted with the merits

of Captain Cockburne, that it is needless for me to express them:

but the discipline of La Minerve does the highest credit to her

captain and lieutenants, and I wish fully to express the sense

which I have of their judgment and gallantry. Lieutenant

Culverhouse, the first lieutenant, is an old officer of very

distinguished merit; Lieutenants Hardy, Gage, and Noble, deserve

every praise which gallantry and zeal justly entitle them to, as

does every other officer and man in the ship.

"You will observe, Sir, I am sure, with regret, among the wounded,

Lieutenant James Noble; who quitted the Captain to serve with me,

and whose merits and repeated wounds, received in fighting the

enemies of our country, entitle him to every reward a grateful

nation can bestow."

In the handsomest manner, he thus liberally concludes with praising his

vanquished antagonist--"La Minerve's opponent being commanded by a

gallant officer, was well defended; which has caused her list of killed

and wounded to be great, and her masts, sails, and rigging, to be much

damaged."

Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with a proper number of men, being

put in charge of La Sabina, which was taken in tow, at four in the

morning, a Spanish frigate, known by it's signals, was seen coming up;

and, at half past four, engaged with La Minerve. Commodore Nelson now

cast off the prize, and directed Lieutenant Culverhouse to stand to the

southward. After a trial of strength for more than half an hour, the

Spaniard wore, and hauled off; or it would, the commodore was confident,

have shared the same fate as it's companion.

At this time, three other ships were seen standing for La Minerve. The

hope was now alive, that they were only frigates, and that La Blanche

was one of them: but, when the day dawned, it was mortifying to find

that they were two Spanish ships of the line, and two frigates, while La

Blanche was far to windward. In this situation, the enemy, by bringing

up the breeze frequently within shot, it required all the skill of

Captain Cockburne, which he eminently displayed, to get off with his

crippled ship.

"Here," says commodore Nelson, from whose letter to Sir John Jervis

the above facts are chiefly collected, "I must also do justice to

Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, and express my tribute of praise

for their management of the prize. A frigate repeatedly fired into

her without effect; and, at last, the Spanish admiral quitted the

pursuit of La Minerve for that of La Sabina, which was steering a

different course; evidently, with the intention of attracting the

notice of the admiral, as English colours were hoisted over the

Spanish. The Sabina's main and fore masts fell overboard before she

surrendered.

"This is, Sir, an unpleasant tale; but the merits of every officer

and man in La Minerve and her prize, were eminently conspicuous

through the whole of this arduous day. The enemy quitted the

pursuit of La Minerve at dark."

There were ten men wounded in this last attack, but none killed; and the

mainmast was much damaged, and the rigging greatly cut.

D'Arcy Preston, Esq. captain of La Blanche, had brought, on the

preceding night, a few minutes after La Minerve's first broadside, the

smaller Spanish frigate to close action. The enemy made but a trifling

resistance, and eight or nine broadsides completely silenced them; when

they called out for quarter, and their colours were hauled down.

"I am sorry to add," says Captain Preston, in his letter to

Commodore Nelson, written at sea, December 20, "the very near

approach of three fresh ships, two of which we discovered nearly

within gun-shot before we went into action, rendered my taking

possession of her impracticable; when I wore, to join La Minerve.

Finding the ships did not then close with the frigate, which I had

left much damaged in her hull, sails, and rigging, I again stood

after her: but she had, by this time, got her fore-sail, fore

top-sail, and fore top-gallant sail, set; and not only out-sailed

the Blanche, before the wind, but was joined by another ship

standing from the land.

"Nothing could exceed the steadiness and good conduct of the

first-lieutenant, Mr. Cowen; and the whole of the officers, and

ship's company, I have the honour to command. I have great pleasure

to inform you, that not one person was hurt, or the rigging the

least damaged.

"I beg leave to add, how much I am obliged to Captain Maitland, who

is on board, a passenger, to join his ship, for his very great

assistance on the quarter-deck during the action."

The worthy and gallant commodore was far less chagrined at the loss of

these two prizes, than at that of his brave officers and men who were

unfortunately on board that of which La Minerve had taken possession. He

seized, therefore, the first possible opportunity of sending a letter,

by a flag of truce, to his Excellency Don Miguel Gaston, Captain

General of the Department of Carthagena, of which the following

authentic copy is now for the first time printed.

"His Britannic Majesty's Ship

the Minerve, at Sea,

Dec. 24, 1796.

"SIR,

"The fortune of war put La Sabina into my possession, after she had

been most gallantly defended: the fickle dame returned her to you,

with some of my officers and men in her.

"I have endeavoured to make the captivity of Don Jacobo Stuart, her

brave commander, as light as possible; and I trust to the

generosity of your nation for it's being reciprocal for the British

officers and men.

"I consent, Sir, that Don Jacobo may be exchanged, and at full

liberty to serve his king, when Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy

are delivered into the garrison of Gibraltar, with such others as

may be agreed on by the cartel established between Gibraltar and

St. Roche, for the exchange of prisoners.

"I have also a domestic taken in La Sabina, his name is Israel

Coulson. Your excellency will, I am sure, order him to be

immediately restored to me, for which I shall consider myself as

obliged to you.

"I also trust, that those men now prisoners of war with you will be

sent to Gibraltar. It becomes great nations to act with generosity

to each other, and to soften the horrors of war.

"I have the honour to be, with the most perfect esteem, your most

obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

Not satisfied with this single application, he immediately strengthened

it by another epistle, which he addressed to the Spanish Admiral, Don

Juan Mareno. In this letter, he also kindly bears testimony to the

merits of the unfortunate commander of La Sabina. "I cannot," says he,

"allow Don Jacobo to return to you, without expressing my admiration of

his gallant conduct. To you, who have seen the state of his ship, it is

needless to mention the impossibility of her longer defence. I have lost

many brave men: but, in our masts, I was most fortunate; or, probably, I

should have had the honour of your acquaintance. But it pleased God to

order it otherwise, for which I am thankful. I have endeavoured to make

Don Jacobo's captivity as easy as possible; and I rely on your

generosity, for reciprocal treatment towards my brave officers and men,

your prisoners."

On the 24th of December, La Minerve captured, off the south end of

Sardinia, a French privateer, called the Maria, of six nine pounders,

and sixty-eight men; which was taken in tow, and carried safely into

Porto Ferrajio: they arrived at that port on the 27th, and found there

six of his majesty's ships at anchor.

After employing upwards of a month, in refitting ships, and obviating

various objections which had been unexpectedly made to the embarkation

of the troops and stores from Elba, on the 29th of January 1797, the

whole being embarked in twelve sail of transports, La Minerve, with the

Romulus, Southampton, Dido, Dolphin, Dromedary, and Sardine, sailed from

Porto Ferrajio.

Sir Gilbert Elliot, the late Viceroy of Corsica, since Lord Minto; with

the ingenious Colonel Drinkwater, Secretary at War for that island; and

the rest of the establishment; took their passage in La Minerve, with

Commodore Nelson: who, on his way to Gibraltar, looked into the ports of

the respective enemies, that he might be enabled to ascertain, and

report to the commander in chief, the apparent state of the combined

fleet.

On the 30th, he parted from the convoy, accompanied by the Romulus; and,

on the 1st of February, looked into Toulon harbour. They took, on the

5th, a small Spanish felucca; and, on the 6th, another. On the 9th,

looked into the harbour of Carthagena; and, on the 10th, safely moored

in Rosier Bay, Gibraltar: a few days after the Spanish fleet from

Carthagena had been seen to pass through the Straits.

The next day, Commodore Nelson had the pleasure to receive on board

Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with all the seamen belonging to La

Minerve, who had been liberated, by the Spaniards, and returned to

Gibraltar, in consequence of his judicious applications.

Anxious to join Sir John Jervis, that he might partake in the glory of

an expected engagement between the two fleets, on Saturday, the 11th, at

half past two in the afternoon, La Minerve weighed, and made sail; when,

on proceeding westward to the appointed place of rendezvous, two Spanish

ships of the line, cut or slipped from Algesiras, and gave chase. La

Minerve, however, making all possible sail, left them fast; and, in the

evening, was within four leagues of Cape Spartel.

In the morning of the 12th, at half past three, the report of several

guns was heard; which, there seemed little doubt, proceeded from the

Spanish fleet. The commodore, therefore, bore up to the northward.

Next morning, the 13th, he saw two strange sail bearing north

north-west, after which he made sail; and, at half past three, heard

several guns fired in that quarter, which was evidently the situation of

the Spanish fleet. At half past eight, Commodore Nelson saw the English

fleet; and made the private signal, which was answered by the commander

in chief.

On joining the fleet, Commodore Nelson communicated to Sir John Jervis

what he had remarked respecting the situation of the Spanish fleet; and

which, with other intelligence, induced the commander in chief to send

off dispatches to England, expressive of his hopes soon to come up with

the enemy; whom it was his determination to engage the first moment

possible.

Commodore Nelson having been made acquainted, by Sir John Jervis, with

the particulars of his plan for the intended order of battle, which had

several days before been imparted to the other commanders of the

respective ships, shifted his broad pendant, at half past six in the

morning, from La Minerve to his former ship, the Captain, of

seventy-four guns, Ralph Willet Miller, Esq. commander: shortly after

which, the signal was thrown out, for every ship to prepare for action.

Though, on joining the British fleet, the Lively frigate, commanded by

the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Garlies, was appointed to proceed

with Sir Gilbert Elliot, and the gentlemen accompanying him, to England;

there being reason to expect an approaching general engagement with the

Spanish fleet, the Lively, at the joint solicitations of Sir Gilbert

Elliot and Lord Garlies, who were desirous of waiting and observing the

issue, was detained with the squadron, and acted as a repeating frigate

during the action.

This circumstance enabled Colonel Drinkwater, who was on board the

Lively, to view that interesting scene with a precision and leisure

which could never have occurred to any person actually engaged in the

conflict.

To the elegant pen of this gentleman, the world is indebted for one of

the most accurate and masterly descriptions of a naval engagement which

has ever been given; and his correct and elegant pencil has also

illustrated his "Narrative of the Proceedings of the British Fleet,

commanded by Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B. on the 14th of February

1797," with engraved plans of the relative positions of the two fleets,

at the various most momentous periods of the celebrated battle off Cape

St. Vincent's.

From this ingenious pamphlet, now become exceedingly scarce, there will,

perhaps, be no impropriety in extracting the chief particulars of this,

at that time, unparalleled naval victory: particularly as, from the very

extraordinary share which Commodore Nelson actually had in this glorious

engagement, by disingenuously presenting a garbled account relative to

him alone, it might seem rather to appear as his battle, than that of

Sir John Jervis, the illustrious commander in chief; who derives, so

deservedly, from that splendid victory, his title of Earl of St.

Vincent.

The weakness of over-zealous friends is often more prejudicial than the

most violent efforts of professed enemies. No man ever less needed, or

less desired, to strip a single leaf from the honoured wreath of any

other hero, with the vain hope of augmenting his own, than the immortal

Nelson; no man ever more merited the whole of that which a generous

nation unanimously presented to Sir John Jervis, than the Earl of St.

Vincent.

"Before I enter," says Colonel Drinkwater, "on the detail of the

proceedings of the important day which will certainly immortalize

the name of Jervis, and of his brave seconds, it will be proper to

state the relative force of the British and Spanish fleets.

"The British fleet--or, to use, I believe, a more correct term, the

British squadron--consisted of fifteen sail of the line, four

frigates, a sloop of war, and a cutter; the Spanish fleet, of

twenty-seven sail of the line, ten frigates, and a brig.

"Before sun-set, in the evening of the 13th, the signal had been

made for the British squadron to prepare for battle, and the ships

were also directed to keep in close order during the night.

"At day-break, on the 14th--St. Valentine's Day--the British fleet

was in complete order, formed in two divisions, standing on a wind

to the south south-west. The morning was hazy. About half past six,

the Culloden made the signal for five sail in the south-west by

south quarter; which was soon after confirmed by the Lively and

Niger frigates, and that the strange sail were by the wind on the

starboard tack. The Bonne Citoyenne sloop of war, Captain Lindsey,

was therefore directed to reconnoitre.

"At a quarter past eight o'clock, the squadron was ordered,

by-signal, to form in a close order; and, in a few minutes

afterwards, the signal was repeated to prepare for battle.

"About half past nine o'clock, the Culloden, Blenheim, and Prince

George, were ordered to chase in the south by west quarter; which,

upon the Bonne Citoyenne making a signal that she saw eight sail in

that quarter, was afterwards strengthened by the Irresistible,

Colossus, and Orion.

"A little past ten o'clock, the Minerve frigate made the signal for

twenty sail in the south-west quarter; and, a few minutes after, of

eight sail in the south by west. Half an hour afterwards, the Bonne

Citoyenne made the signal that she could distinguish sixteen--and,

immediately afterwards, twenty-five--of the strange ships, to be of

the line. The enemy's fleet were, indeed, now become visible to all

the British squadron.

"The ships first discovered by the Culloden were separated from

their main body; which, being to windward, were bearing down in

some confusion, with a view of joining their separated ships. It

appeared to have been the British admiral's intention, on

discovering the separated ships of the enemy's fleet, to have cut

them off, if possible, before the main body could arrive to their

assistance; and, with this view, the fast-sailing ships of his

squadron were ordered to chase.

"Assured, now, of the near position of their main body, he probably

judged it most advisable to form his fleet into the line of battle;

and the signal was made for their forming the line of battle ahead

and astern, as most convenient. A signal was made, directing the

squadron to steer south south-west.

"About twenty minutes past eleven o'clock, the admiral pointed out

that the Victory, his flag-ship, would take her station next to the

Colossus. Some variation in steering was afterwards directed, in

order to let the rear ships close up. At twenty-six minutes past

eleven o'clock, the admiral communicated his intention to pass

through the enemy's line, hoisting his large flag and ensign; and,

soon after, the signal was made to engage.

"The British van, by this time, had approached the enemy; and the

destination of leading the British line into action, fell to the

lot of the Culloden, commanded by Captain Troubridge. About half

past eleven o'clock, the firing commenced, from the Culloden,

against the enemy's headmost ships to windward.

"As the British squadron advanced, the action became more general;

and it was soon apparent, that the British admiral had accomplished

his design of passing through the enemy's line.

"The animated and regular fire of the British squadron was but

feebly returned by the enemy's ships to windward; which, being

frustrated in their attempts to join the separated ships, had been

obliged to haul their wind on the larboard tack. Those to leeward,

and which were most effectually cut off from their main body,

attempted also to form on their larboard tack; apparently, with a

determination of either passing through, or to leeward of, our

line, and joining their friends: but the warm reception they met

with, from the centre ships of our squadron, soon obliged them to

put about; and, excepting one, the whole sought safety in flight,

and did not again appear in the action till the close of the day.

This single ship, which persevered in passing to leeward of the

British line, was so covered with smoke, that her intention was not

discovered till she had reached the rear: when she was not

permitted to pass without notice, but received the fire of our

sternmost ships; and, as she luffed round the rear, the Lively, and

other frigates, had also the honour of exchanging, with this

two-decker, several broadsides.

"Sir John Jervis having effected his first purpose, now directed

his whole attention to the enemy's main body to windward;

consisting, at this time, of eighteen sail of the line. At eight

minutes past twelve, the signal was therefore made for the British

fleet to tack in succession; and, soon after, the signal for again

passing the enemy's line.

"The Spanish admiral's plan seemed to be, to join his ships to

leeward, by wearing round the rear of our line; and the ships which

had passed, and exchanged shot, with our squadron, had actually

borne up with this view.

"This design, however, was frustrated by the timely opposition of

Commodore Nelson; whose station in the rear of the British line

afforded him an opportunity of observing this manoeuvre, and of

frustrating the Spanish admiral's intention. His ship, the Captain,

had no sooner passed the rear of the enemy's ships that were to

windward, than he ordered her to wear, and stood on the other tack

towards the enemy.

"In executing this bold, and decisive manoeuvre, the commodore

reached the sixth ship from the enemy's rear, which was the Spanish

admiral's flag, the Santissima Trinidada, of one hundred and

thirty-six guns; a ship of four decks, and said to be the largest

in the world. Notwithstanding the inequality of force, the

commodore instantly engaged this colossal opponent; and, for a

considerable time, had to contend not only with her, but with her

seconds ahead and astern, of three decks each. While he maintained

this unequal combat, which was viewed with admiration, mixed with

anxiety, his friends were flying to his support: and the enemy's

attention was soon directed to the Culloden, Captain Troubridge;

and, in a short time after, to the Blenheim, of ninety guns,

Captain Frederick; who, very opportunely, came to his assistance.

"The intrepid conduct of the commodore staggered the Spanish

admiral, who already appeared to waver in pursuing his intention of

joining the ships cut off by the British fleet; when the Culloden's

arrival, and Captain Troubridge's spirited support of the Captain,

together with the approach of the Blenheim, followed by

Rear-Admiral Parker, with the Prince George, Orion, Irresistible,

and Diadem, not far distant, determined the Spanish admiral to

change his design altogether, and to make the signal for the ships

of his main body to haul their wind, and make sail on the larboard

tack.

"Advantage was now apparent, in favour of the British squadron, and

not a moment was lost in improving it. As the ships of Rear-Admiral

Parker's division approached the enemy's ships, in support of the

Captain, and her gallant seconds, the Blenheim and Culloden, the

cannonade became more animated and impressive. The superiority of

the British fire over that of the enemy, and it's effects on the

enemy's hulls and sails, were so evident, that there was no longer

any hesitation in pronouncing a glorious termination of the

contest.

"The British squadron, at this time, was formed in two divisions,

both on the larboard tack: Rear-Admiral Parker, with the Blenheim,

Culloden, Prince George, Captain, Orion, and Irresistible, composed

one division, which was engaged with the enemy's rear; Sir John

Jervis, with the other division, consisting of the Excellent,

Victory, Barfleur, Namur, Egmont, Goliah, and Britannia, was

pressing forward in support of his advanced squadron, but had not

yet approached the real scene of action.

"While the British advanced division warmly pressed the enemy's

centre and rear, the admiral meditated, with his division, a

co-operation which must effectually compel some of them to

surrender.

"In the confusion of their retreat, several of the enemy's ships

had doubled on each other; and, in the rear, they were three or

four deep. It was, therefore, the British admiral's design to reach

the weathermost of these ships; and, then, to bear up, and rake

them all, in succession, with the seven ships composing his

division. His object, afterwards, was to pass on to the support of

his van division; which, from the length of time they had been

engaged, he judged might be in want of it. The casual position,

however, of the rear ships of his van division prevented his

executing this plan. The admiral, therefore, ordered the Excellent,

the leading ship of his own division, to bear up; and, with the

Victory, he himself passed to leeward of the enemy's rearmost and

leewardmost ships; which, though almost silenced in their fire,

continued obstinately to resist the animated attack of all their

opponents.

"Captain Collingwood, in the Excellent, in obedience to the

admiral's orders, passed between the two rearmost ships of the

enemy's line; giving to the one most to windward, a seventy-four,

so effectual a broadside, in addition to what had been done before,

that her captain was induced to submit. The Excellent, afterwards,

bore down on the ship to leeward, a three-decker: but, observing

the Orion engaged with her, and the Victory approaching her, he

threw into her only a few discharges of musketry, and passed on to

the support of the Captain, at that time warmly engaged with a

three-decker, carrying a flag. His interference here was

opportune, as the continual and long fire of the Captain had almost

expended the ammunition she had at hand, and the loss of her

fore-topmast, and other injuries she had received in her rigging,

had rendered her nearly ungovernable.

"The Spanish three-decker had lost her mizen-mast; and, before the

Excellent arrived in her proper station to open on this ship, the

three-decker dropped astern aboard of, and became entangled with, a

Spanish two-decker, that was her second. Thus doubled on each

other, the Excellent gave the two ships her fire; and then moved

forwards to assist the headmost ships in their attack on the

Spanish admiral, and the other ships of the enemy's centre.

"Meanwhile, Sir John Jervis, disappointed in his plan of raking the

enemy's rear ships, and having directed, as before observed, the

Excellent to bear up, ordered the Victory to be placed on the

lee-quarter of the rearmost ship of the enemy, a three-decker; and

having, by signal, ordered the Irresistible and Diadem to suspend

their firing, threw into the three-decker so powerful a discharge,

that her commander, seeing the Barfleur, carrying Vice-Admiral the

Honourable William Waldegrave's flag, ready to second the Victory,

thought proper to strike to the British commander in chief. Two of

the enemy's ships had now surrendered; and the Lively frigate, and

Diadem, had orders to secure the prizes. The next that fell, were

the two with which Commodore Nelson was engaged.

"While Captain Collingwood so nobly stepped in to his assistance,

as already mentioned. Captain Ralph Willet Miller, the commodore's

captain, was enabled to replenish his lockers with shot, and

prepare for a renewal of the fight. No sooner, therefore, had the

Excellent passed on, than the gallant commodore renewed the battle.

"The three-decker with which he was before engaged having fallen

aboard her second, that ship, of eighty-four guns, became now the

commodore's opponent. To her, therefore, he directed a vigorous

fire; nor was it feebly returned, as the loss on board the Captain

evinced, nearly twenty men being killed and wounded in a very few

minutes. It was now that the various damages already sustained by

that ship, through the long and arduous conflict which she had

maintained, appearing to render a continuance of the contest in the

usual way precarious, or perhaps impossible, that Commodore Nelson,

unable to bear the idea of parting with an enemy of whom he had so

thoroughly assured himself, instantly resolved on a bold and

decisive measure; and determined, whatever might be the event, to

attempt his opponent sword in hand. The boarders were accordingly

summoned, and orders given to lay his ship, the Captain, on board

the enemy.

"Fortune favours the brave! nor, on this occasion, was she

unmindful of her favourite. Captain Miller so judiciously directed

the course of the Captain, that she was laid aboard the starboard

quarter of the Spanish eighty-four; her spritsail-yard passing over

the enemy's poop, and hooking in her mizen shrouds: and, the word

to board being given, the officers and seamen, destined for this

duty, headed by Lieutenant Berry, together with the detachment of

the sixty-ninth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Pearson, then

doing duty as marines on board the Captain, passed with rapidity on

board the enemy's ship; and, in a short time, the San Nicolas was

in the possession of her intrepid assailants. The commodore's

impatience would not permit him to remain an inactive spectator of

this event. He knew, that the attempt was hazardous; and his

presence, he thought, might contribute to it's success. He,

therefore, accompanied the party in this attack: passing, from the

fore-chains of his own ship, into the enemy's quarter gallery; and,

thence, through the cabin, to the quarter-deck, where he arrived in

time to receive the sword of the dying commander, who was mortally

wounded by the boarders. For a few minutes after the officers had

submitted, the crew below were firing their lower-deck guns: this

irregularity, however, was soon corrected, and measures taken for

the security of the conquest. But this labour was no sooner

atchieved, than he found himself engaged in another, still more

arduous. The stern of the three-decker, his former opponent, was

directly amidships on the weather-beam of the San Nicolas; and,

from her poop and galleries, the enemy sorely annoyed, with

musketry, the British who had boarded the San Nicolas. The

commodore was not long in resolving on the conduct to be adopted on

this momentous occasion. The two alternatives that presented

themselves to his unshaken mind, were to quit the prize, or

instantly board the three-decker. Confident of the bravery of his

seamen, he determined on the latter. Directing, therefore, an

additional number of men to be sent from the Captain on board the

San Nicolas, the undaunted Commodore headed, himself, the

assailants in this new attack; vehemently exclaiming--"Westminster

Abbey! or, glorious victory!"

"Success, in a few minutes, and with little loss, crowned the

enterprise. Such, indeed, was the panic occasioned by his preceding

conduct, that the British no sooner appeared on the quarter-deck of

their new opponent, than the commandant advanced; and, asking for

the British commanding officer, dropped on one knee, and presented

to him his sword; mentioning, at the same time, as an excuse for

the Spanish admiral's not appearing, that he was dangerously

wounded. For a moment, Commodore Nelson could scarcely persuade

himself of this second instance of good fortune: he, therefore,

ordered the Spanish commandant, who had the rank of a brigadier, to

assemble the officers on the quarter-deck, and direct steps to be

instantly taken for communicating to the crew the surrender of the

ship. All the officers immediately appeared; and the commodore had

the surrender of the San Josef duly confirmed, by each of them

delivering to him his sword.

"William Fearney, one of the commodore's bargemen, had attended

close by his side throughout this perilous adventure. To him the

commodore gave in charge the swords of the Spanish officers, as he

received them; and the jolly tar, as they were delivered to him,

tucked these honourable trophies under his arm, with all the

_sang-froid_ imaginable. It was at this moment, also, that a

British sailor, who had long fought under the commodore, came up,

in the fullness of his heart; and, excusing the liberty he was

taking, asked to shake him by the hand, to congratulate him on

seeing him safe on the quarter-deck of a Spanish three decker.

"This new conquest had scarcely submitted, and the commodore

returned on board the San Nicolas, when the latter ship was

discovered to be on fire in two places. At the first moment,

appearances were alarming; but presence of mind, and resources,

were not wanting to the British officers in this emergency. The

firemen were immediately ordered from the Captain; and, proper

means being taken, the fires were soon got under.

"A signal was now made, by the Captain, for boats to assist in

separating her from her two prizes: and, as the Captain was

incapable of farther service till refitted, Commodore Nelson

hoisted his broad pendant, for the moment, on board La Minerve

frigate; and, in the evening, shifted it to the Irresistible of

seventy-four guns, Captain Martin.

"Four of the enemy's ships were now in possession of the British

squadron--two of three decks, the Salvador del Mondo, and the San

Josef, of a hundred and twelve guns each; one of eighty-four, the

San Nicolas; and the San Ysidro, of seventy-four guns--and the van

of the British line still continued to press hard the Santissima

Trinidada, and others, in the rear of the enemy's flying fleet.

"The close of the day, before the four prizes were secured,

undoubtedly saved the Spanish admiral's flag from falling into the

hands of the victors. The Santissima Trinidada, in which he carried

it, had been so much the object of attention, that the ship was a

perfect wreck when the action ceased. Many, indeed, aver that she

actually struck both her flag and ensign; hoisting a white flag, as

a signal of submission: but, as she continued her course, and

afterwards hoisted a Spanish jack, others doubt this circumstance.

It is, however, an indisputable truth, that her fire had been

silent for some time before this event is reported to have

occurred. It was a defensive combat, entirely, on their parts,

after Commodore Nelson obliged them to haul their wind on the

larboard tack.

"The loss of the enemy, in this engagement, must have been very

considerable. The fire of the British squadron was, throughout the

action, superior, in the proportion of five or six to one; and, if

we were to judge from the number of killed and wounded found on

board the prizes, their casualties, must greatly exceed the numbers

that have been usually computed. Almost all their wounded, that had

lost limbs, died for want of assistance; and many others, who were

wounded in other parts, were found dead in the holds.

"The loss of the British squadron, in killed and wounded, amounted

to exactly three hundred: moderate, indeed, when compared with that

of the enemy, and considering the duration of the action! But the

expenditure of ammunition was beyond any recent example. The

Culloden, it is said, expended one hundred and seventy barrels of

powder; the Captain, one hundred and forty-six; and the Blenheim,

one hundred and eighty: other ships expended in similar

proportions. It is by no means unworthy of remark, however, that

not a single British gun burst.

"The Captain fired more shot than are usually given to a ship of

her rate, at her first equipment in England: and it was observed

that, when shot or grape were wanting, on board this ship, for the

carronades, the tars substituted, in their place, nine-pounds shot,

seven of which were frequently discharged at one time; and this at

so short a distance, that every shot of the seven must have had

effect.

"I could wish to convey, in some adequate manner, the merits of the

chief personages in this glorious engagement; but the praise of

those who were most conspicuous will, after all, be best collected

from this faithful narrative of their actions: to express it, is

far above the power of my pen. I confess, the admiration with which

I viewed their conduct, would not permit me to be silent; or to

suppress the strong feelings excited in my mind, by all the glories

of that memorable day--if it were not for a real despair of

reaching the extraordinary merits of some, and for a sincere

apprehension of doing injustice even to those whom I might name, as

well as to those whom I might, from ignorance, omit. Certain it is,

that while the admiral, and some distinguished actors in this

scene, are covered with never-fading laurels--if others of the

squadron had not the same important share in the transactions of

the day, it was owing to circumstances not dependent on themselves,

and to no want of ardour or personal exertion.

"If I may be permitted to hazard an opinion, the whole squadron

have gained immortal honour; for the victory of the 14th of

February stands, in all it's circumstances, first and unparalleled

in naval history.

"The time mentioned in the narrative is taken from the minutes kept

on board the Victory. Some difference occurs between them and

those kept on board other ships; but I have thought proper to

follow the former, conceiving them to be the most correct."

Such is the account of this glorious victory, as described by Colonel

Drinkwater; who not only had the best possible view of the transactions

in general, but was favoured with many particulars from some of the most

intelligent officers who commanded or served on board the respective

ships.

The official letter of the commander in chief, as addressed, on this

occasion, by Sir John Jervis, to Evan Nepean, Esq. Secretary of the

Admiralty, and published in the London Gazette, it has been frequently

observed, was remarkable for not containing a single syllable of

individual praise. This circumstance has been differently accounted for,

by different persons, as they have been swayed by their prejudices,

their partialities, or their imaginations; few, however, appear to have

been very solicitous about the truth. Indeed, there are no

inconsiderable number of writers, and of readers too, who would be

rather mortified than pleased to discover any positive verity which

might overthrow, or even oppose, their own preconceived notions, however

unjust or erroneous.

That the omission to mention names was the result of design, and not of

accident, in the public letter of the commander in chief, is certainly

true; and the Earl of St. Vincent need never blush at avowing the

motive by which he was laudably actuated to avoid mentioning the names

of individuals. He had seen an instance of the fatal consequences of

such selections, in the then recent example of Lord Howe; who, with the

best intentions, had thus unfortunately excited the most cruel pangs in

the bosoms of many brave commanders. He resolved, therefore, with the

most humane and benevolent view, to speak only, to the public, in terms

of general approbation.

Having had occasion to say so much respecting this public letter, it's

omission might, by the malignant, be construed into a wish to prevent

it's being sufficiently investigated. Truth, however, is always a gainer

by minute enquiry: notwithstanding, therefore, the repetition which this

letter necessarily contains of what has been already seen by the reader

in Colonel Drinkwater's Narrative, it is here subjoined--

"Victory,

off Lagos Bay,

February 16, 1797.

"SIR,

"The hopes of falling in with the Spanish fleet, expressed in my

letter to you of the 13th instant, were confirmed, that night, by

our 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 south-east winds, I had never been able to reach:

and, that they were not more than three or four leagues from us. I

anxiously waited the dawn of day; when, being on the starboard

tack, Cape St. Vincent bearing east by north seven leagues, I had

the satisfaction of seeing a number of ships, extending from

south-west to south, the wind then at west by south. At forty

minutes past ten, the weather being extremely hazy, La Bonne

Citoyenne made the signal that the ships were of the line,

twenty-five in number: his majesty's squadron, consisting of the

fifteen ships of the line named in the margin, were happily formed,

in the most complete 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 o'clock, before it had time to connect 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 enterprize, 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 were captured, and the action ceased

about five o'clock in the evening. I inclose the most correct list

I have been able to obtain of the Spanish fleet opposed to me,

amounting to twenty-seven sail of the line; and an account of the

killed and wounded in his majesty's ships, as well as in those

taken from the enemy. The moment the latter, almost totally

dismasted, and his majesty's ships the Captain and Culloden, are in

a state to put to sea, I shall avail myself of the first favourable

winds to proceed off Cape St. Vincent, in my way to Lisbon. Captain

Calder, whose able assistance has greatly contributed to the public

service during my command, is the bearer of this; and will more

particularly describe, to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,

the movements of the squadron on the 14th, and the present state of

it. I am, &c.

"J. Jervis."

"Evan Nepean, Esq."

This is, certainly, a very fair hasty sketch of the business; in which,

though the names of particular commanders are not mentioned, for the

reasons already stated, they are, perhaps, more than sufficiently

hinted, to an eye of any discernment, by those of the ships described as

having suffered most severely in the action.

Nor is this all. Sir John Jervis, in his private letter, of the same

date, addressed to Lord Spencer, then First Lord of the Admiralty, as a

guide for merited promotion, was by no means backward in naming those

commanders who had been enabled most to distinguish themselves.

Of this important letter, which cannot fail to demonstrate that he did

ample justice to individual gallantry and exertion, the author has been

kindly honoured with an extract; which is now, for the first time,

presented to the public, with the consent of the Earl of St. Vincent.

"The correct conduct of every officer and man in the squadron, on

the 14th instant, made it improper to distinguish one more than

another, in my public letter; because I am confident that, had

those who were least in action been in the situation of the

fortunate few, their behaviour would not have been less

meritorious: yet, to your lordship, it becomes me to state, that

Captain Troubridge, in the Culloden, led the squadron through the

enemy in a masterly stile, and tacked the instant the signal flew;

and was gallantly supported by the Blenheim, Prince George, Orion,

Irresistible, and Colossus. The latter had her fore and

fore-topsail yards wounded, and they unfortunately broke in the

slings in stays; which threw her out, and impeded the tacking of

the Victory.

"Commodore Nelson, who was in the rear on the starboard tack, took

the lead on the larboard, and contributed very much to the fortune

of the day; as did Captain Collingwood: and, in the close, the San

Josef and San Nicolas having fallen foul of each other, the Captain

laid them on board; and Captain Berry, who served as a volunteer,

entered at the head of the boarders, and Commodore Nelson followed

immediately, and took possession of them both. The crippled state

of these ships, and the Captain, entangled as they were, and that

part of the enemy's fleet which had been kept off in the

morning--as described in the public letter--joining at the instant,

it became necessary to collect the squadron, to resist an attempt

to wrest these ships, the Salvador del Mundo, and San Ysidro, from

us, which occasioned the discontinuance of the action."

It is evident from this letter, and it's consequences, that the merits

of Commodore Nelson were now duly appreciated. The handsome

acknowledgment, by the commander in chief, that he had contributed much

to the fortune of the day, was a very sufficient hint that he ought to

participate in the honours and advantages which it might be expected to

produce. Sir John Jervis, accordingly, became the Earl of St. Vincent;

and Commodore Nelson, Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B.

In the mean time, so enraptured was Sir John Jervis, with the skill and

bravery which he had witnessed in the gallant commodore, that he

literally clasped him in his arms, when he came on board the Victory,

after the action--dirtied and disfigured as he was, with great part of

his hat shot away--and pressed to his own valiant bosom one of the most

heroic hearts that ever inhabited a human breast.

This undoubted fact is given on no less authority than that of Thomas

Bolton, Esq. who received it from the honourable lips of his immortal

brother-in-law.

A week after the action, on his way to Lisbon, the commodore wrote a

letter to Captain Locker, dated on board the Irresistible, Lagos Bay,

February 21, 1797; in which, observing that he had been too unwell to

write by the Lively frigate, which carried the news of victory to

England, he mentions that, as he knows how anxious his friend would be

for his welfare, both in health and reputation, he sends him a short

detail of the transactions of the Captain: adding that, if he approved

of it, he was at perfect liberty to insert it in the newspapers;

inserting the name of "Commodore," instead of "I." He mentions, that

Captain Miller and Berry, &c. authenticated the truth, till he quitted

the San Josef, to go on board La Minerve; and that, farther than this,

the detail should not be printed. As he does not write for the press, he

modestly intimates, there may be parts which require the pruning-knife,

which he desires him to use at discretion, without fear. "I pretend not

to say," concludes he, "that these ships might not have fallen, had I

not boarded them: but, truly, it was far from impossible that they might

have forged into the Spanish fleet, as the other two ships did."

Though the account inclosed in the above letter is in a considerable

degree anticipated by the more copious and general narrative of Colonel

Drinkwater, and in some measure by the letters of the commander in

chief, the circumstance of it's having been written by the heroic

commodore himself will be a better apology for inserting it, than any

that could be offered by his biographer for it's omission.

_A few Remarks relative to the Proceedings of his Majesty's Ship

Captain, on board of which Ship Commodore Nelson's Pendant was

flying on the 14th of February 1797._