THE _PETEREL_ SLOOP
It will, perhaps, be as well to recall some of the principal events of
the war, during the few years before Francis took up his command of the
_Peterel_, in order that his work may be better understood.
Spain had allied herself with France in 1796, and early in the
following year matters looked most unpromising for England. The British
fleet had been obliged to leave the Mediterranean. Bonaparte was
gaining successes against Austria on land. The peace negotiations,
which had been begun by France, had been peremptorily stopped, while
the French expedition to Ireland obviously owed its failure to bad
weather, and not in the least to any effective interference on the part
of the British Navy. Altogether the horizon was dark, and every one in
England was expecting to hear of crushing disaster dealt out by the
combined fleets of France and Spain, and all lived in fear of invasion.
Very different was the news that arrived in London early in March.
Sir John Jervis, with Nelson and Collingwood, met the Spanish fleet
off Cape St. Vincent on Valentine’s Day, and we all know the result.
As Jervis said on the morning of the fight, “A victory was essential
to England at this moment.” The confidence of the nation returned, and
was not lost again through the hard struggle of the following years. An
extract from the log of Lieutenant F. W. Austen, on board the frigate
_Seahorse_, in the Hamoaze, October 6, 1797, reads as follows: “Came
into harbour the _San Josef_, _Salvador del Mundo_, _San Nicolai_, and
_San Isidore_, Spanish line-of-battle ships, captured by the fleet
under Lord St. Vincent on the 14th February.”
After their defeat, the remainder of the Spanish fleet entered the port
of Cadiz, and were for the next two years blockaded by Admiral Jervis,
now Earl St. Vincent. In this blockade, Francis Austen took part,
serving in the _London_.
During this time of comparative inaction, the fearful mutinies,
described in a former chapter, seemed to be sapping the strength of
the Navy. The greater number of the British ships were concentrated
in the Channel under Lord Bridport, and were employed in watching the
harbour of Brest, in order to prevent the French fleet from escaping,
with what success we shall presently tell. Our flag was scarcely to
be seen inside the Mediterranean except on a few sloops of war. Each
side was waiting for some movement of aggression from the other. Now
was Bonaparte’s chance to get to the East. His plans were quietly and
secretly formed. An armament was prepared at Toulon almost unknown
to the British, and at the same time all possible measures to avert
suspicion were taken. The Spanish fleet in Cadiz formed up as if for
departure, and so kept Lord St. Vincent on the watch, while Bonaparte
himself stayed in Paris until the expedition was quite ready to start,
in order to give the idea that the invasion of England was intended.
Still it was not practicable to keep the preparations entirely secret
for any length of time.
Early in April 1798 Nelson sailed from England, joined St. Vincent
at Cadiz, and immediately went on into the Mediterranean, with three
ships of the line, to reconnoitre. He was reinforced by nine more under
Troubridge, and Lord St. Vincent had orders from home to follow with
the entire squadron if it should prove necessary. Nelson searched for
Bonaparte in the Mediterranean, and missed him twice. The French seized
Malta for the sake of getting their supplies through, but the British
as promptly blockaded it. At last, on August 1, Nelson came upon the
French fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay, and the Battle of the Nile was
fought. The situation now created can be briefly summarised. Bonaparte
was in Egypt, cut off from all communication with France, and however
determinedly he might turn his face towards Africa or Asia his position
was a serious one. Turkey almost immediately declared war against
France. Malta was still closely blockaded by the British. Nelson had
established himself at Palermo, on friendly terms with the King of
Naples, who had taken refuge in Sicily. The news of the Battle of the
Nile had spread far and wide, and France had good reason to fear that
the tide had turned against her.
Early in 1799 Bonaparte attacked Acre, and Sir Sydney Smith was sent to
harass his forces, and to compel him, if possible, to raise the siege.
At this time occurred one of those events which show how a slight
advantage, properly used, may decide the final issue. Matters were in
this critical state; every British ship in and near the Mediterranean
was employed at some important work, when that happened which might
have been the cause of serious disaster. Admiral Bruix got away from
Brest with a fleet of twenty-five sail of the line and ten smaller
ships.
The blame of this mishap is not at all easy to attach. Lord Bridport
was still in command of the Channel Fleet, but the Admiralty seemed to
prefer to keep him in touch with headquarters off the coast of Kent,
rather than to allow him to maintain a position whence he could more
easily keep watch on the French fleet. Now ensued an exciting time. No
one knew where the French fleet was, much less whither it was bound.
They had escaped in a thick fog, being seen only by _La Nymphe_, one of
the British frigates, whose officers, owing to the density of the fog,
imagined that they saw the fleet bring to under the land, and signalled
accordingly to Lord Bridport. When the fog lifted the French fleet was
no longer in sight.
Of course the first idea was that they had gone to Ireland, and off
went Lord Bridport to pursue them. A little later news was received
that they had sailed southward, and a correspondent at this time
writes: “Lord St. Vincent will have a fine field to exert his talents
if the French fleet join the Spanish, after capturing Lisbon.”
On the morning of May 5, from the Rock of Gibraltar, Lord St. Vincent
saw, with the deepest anxiety, the French fleet running before a
westerly gale into the Mediterranean. His most immediate fear was lest
Bruix should be on his way to help Bonaparte at Acre, and to overwhelm
Sydney Smith’s squadron. If so, the question was how to stop him. Lord
Bridport’s fleet was useless, as it was not until nearly four weeks
later that he was able to send help. Lord Keith was blockading Cadiz.
If he left, the whole Spanish fleet would be released and at liberty to
attack where they would. Nelson was at Palermo with only one British
line-of-battle ship, and great would be the consternation in the town
if that one ship were to be withdrawn. A small squadron was blockading
Malta, and a few ships were at Minorca under Commodore Duckworth,
but Port Mahon was not yet fully garrisoned. Troubridge was outside
Naples. Bruix might attack any of these divisions with the full force
of his fleet, or he might proceed straight to Egypt. St. Vincent had to
determine which of these positions should be abandoned in order to meet
the French fleet. He decided on ordering Keith into the Mediterranean
so as to concentrate the available forces, sending word as far as
possible to the outlying squadrons.
To Nelson at Palermo he wrote that he expected the enemy to proceed to
Malta and Alexandria. This despatch was entrusted to the _Hyena_, which
fell in with the _Peterel_, now under the command of Francis Austen.
The _Peterel_ was already on the way to Nelson with a despatch from
Minorca, and, being a fast-sailing sloop, the captain of the _Hyena_ at
once handed on the important paper to be delivered by Captain Austen.
The entries in the log of the _Peterel_ at this date tell their own
story:
“_May 10._--On the passage from Minorca to Palermo.
“12 noon.--Off shore four or five miles.
“2 o’clock.--Answered the private signal made by a ship in the S.S.E.
“4 o’clock.--Showed our pendants to a ship in the S.S.E.
“5 o’clock.--Joined H.M.S. _Hyena_; lowered the jolly-boat, and went on
board.
“10 past 5.--Up boat and made all sail; the _Hyena_ parted company,
standing to the N.W.
“_May 12._ A quarter past 9.--Saw a sail on the lee bow, made the
private signal to her, which was answered. Made the signal for having
gained intelligence, and repeated it with four guns, but it was not
answered.
“15 minutes past 11.--Hove to; lowered the jolly-boat and went on board
the stranger, which proved to be H.M.S. _Pallas_, with a convoy for the
westward.
“20 minutes past 11.--Up boat, filled, and made all sail as before.
Observed the _Pallas_ bear up and follow us with her convoy.
“_May 13._--At daylight, Cape Trepano (in Sicily). S.S.W. five or six
leagues.
“A quarter-past 3 P.M.--Shortened sail, backed ship, hove to and
lowered the boat. The first lieutenant went on shore with despatches
for Lord Nelson at Palermo.
“A quarter before 4.--The boat returned, hoisted her up, and made all
sail.
“NOTE.--The place at which the first lieutenant landed was on the
east side of the Bay, between Cape St. Vito and Cape Alos, and about
twenty-four miles by road from Palermo.”
The following is the letter which Captain Austen sent to the Admiral,
with the despatches:
“_Peterel_ AT SEA, OFF CAPE ST. VITO, _May 13, 1799_.
“MY LORD,--I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I
sailed from the Island of Minorca with his Majesty’s sloop
under my command, at 11 A.M. on Friday, the 10th inst., charged
with the accompanying despatch for your lordship, and the same
evening met his Majesty’s ship _Hyena_, about five leagues
S.E. by S. of Fort Mahon, from the captain of which I received
the paper enclosed; and judging from the contents of it that
its speedy arrival must be of the utmost consequence, and that
a passage by land may be performed in much less time than by
sea, with the wind as it now is at the E.S.E., I have directed
Mr. Staines, my first lieutenant, to land with the despatch
at Castella, and proceed with all possible expedition to your
lordship at Palermo, to which place I shall carry his Majesty’s
sloop as soon as I can.
“I fell in with his Majesty’s ship _Pallas_ and convoy
yesterday at 11 A.M., about fifteen leagues E.S.E. of Cape
Carbonera, and, in consequence of the intelligence I gave the
captain of that ship bore up with his convoy for Palermo. I
enclose the state and condition of his Majesty’s sloop under my
command, and have the honour to be,
“My lord,
“Your lordship’s most obedient
“humble servant,
“FRANCIS WM. AUSTEN.
“To the Rt. Hon. Lord Nelson, K.B.,
Etc., etc., etc.”
“_May 14._--At four o’clock hove to in Palermo Bay. The first
lieutenant returned on board. At six o’clock filled and made all sail
on the larboard tack, pinnace ahead towing.”
Nelson was at this time short of small vessels by which to send news.
He therefore employed the _Peterel_ to go on to the blockading squadron
off Malta with orders, which were delivered on board H.M.S. _Goliath_,
about noon on May 19. The _Peterel_ then returned to Minorca.
[Illustration: SLOOP OF WAR AND FRIGATE]
Bruix, contrary to expectation, did nothing with his chance. Probably
the aim of the Directory in sending him was to discover how far Spain
was to be relied upon for support, and there may have been no intention
of employing him to help Bonaparte, but Bruix seems to have had
a free hand in the matter, so that his own want of resolution and
failure of insight are the apparent causes of the expedition proving
inconclusive.
The Spanish fleet came out of Cadiz, as was of course to be expected,
and on May 30 Bruix sailed eastward from Toulon, getting into
communication with General Moreau at Genoa. The great matter was to
keep the two fleets from combining, and this might be done by following
the French fleet and beating it. Lord St. Vincent’s health now entirely
gave way, and he was obliged to give up the command to Keith, though it
is probable he expected to have his advice still followed. Lord Keith
sailed away in pursuit, but Bruix doubled on his tracks, and keeping
close in shore repassed Toulon, and got down to Cartagena, where he met
the Spanish fleet. Keith, instead of taking up the commanding position
earnestly recommended by St. Vincent, let his chance slip by going back
to Minorca, which he supposed to be in danger, and thus the conjunction
of the fleets took place. It was however followed by no adverse
results. Spain was lukewarm, and Bruix sailed back to Brest, having
accomplished nothing but an addition of fifteen ships to his fleet,
to serve as a pledge for the goodwill of the Spanish Government. Had
Bruix joined Bonaparte instead of the Spanish fleet, very different
results would almost certainly have followed.
The following proclamation will show clearly how important the support
of Spain was felt to be, and how anxious Bruix was lest there should be
any cause for disagreement.
“In the name of the French Republic.
“In the Road of Cartagena, on board the Admiral’s sloop the
_Ocean_, dated 24th June, in the seventh year of the French
Republic, Eustace Bruix commanding the French fleet.
“FRENCHMEN AND REPUBLICANS,--At last, united with our faithful
allies, we approach the period when we shall punish England and
relieve Europe from all its tyranny. Although I have no doubt,
my brave friends, of the sentiments which you have professed,
I felt myself bound to call upon you to give proofs of their
sincerity by every means in your power. Recollect that it is
for the interests of your country, and for your own _honour_,
to give to a nation, whom we esteem, the highest opinion of
us. That word alone is enough for Frenchmen. Do not above all
forget that you are come among a just and generous people, and
our most faithful allies. Respect their customs, their usages,
their religion. In a word, let everything be sacred to us.
Think the least departure from that which I am now prescribing
to you will be a crime in the eyes of the Republic, for which
it will be my duty to punish you. But, on the contrary, I am
convinced that you will give me an opportunity of praising your
conduct, and that will be the greatest recompence I can receive.
“E. BRUIX.”
Carrying Lord St. Vincent’s letter to Nelson seems to have been the
first service of importance which fell to the share of Captain Austen.
Perhaps some description of the more ordinary happenings of the life
on board of a sloop of war may prove of interest. The change from the
position of First Lieutenant on board a ship of the line to that of the
Captain of a small vessel must necessarily have been very marked.
Towards the end of 1798 the _Peterel_ had had the misfortune to be
captured by the Spaniards, who treated the captain (Charles Long) and
his crew very badly. The following day she was rescued by the _Argo_,
under Captain Bowen. Francis Austen was then given the command, and on
February 27 we find him taking over his new duties, the _Peterel_ being
then moored in Gibraltar Bay.
The first few months were spent in cruising about the west of the
Mediterranean. Almost every day there was a pursuit of some vessel of
more or less importance. Sometimes “the chace” proved to be a friendly
craft, sometimes she got away, but not infrequently was captured and
overhauled. On one occasion, Francis Austen remarks trenchantly, “Our
chace proved to be a tower on the land.”
Evidently the plan of procedure was always to follow up and find
out the nationality of any distant sail. If a friend, news was
interchanged, and often some help might be given. If an enemy, an
attack usually followed. One of these small encounters is described in
the log of the date March 23, 1799, the _Peterel_ then cruising off the
south side of Majorca.
“11 o’clock.--Saw a latteen-sail boat, appearing to be a privateer,
just within the western point of Cabrera. From the manœuvres of this
boat I judge her to be a privateer. When we first saw her she was
on the starboard tack, and seemed to be examining us. I could just
distinguish her hull from the Catharpins. She appeared to be full of
men. She was rigged with one large latteen sail, and might be about
fifteen to twenty tons.”
This boat was evidently not to be seen again until “At a quarter past
3, perceived the chace run round a point of the island into a cove,
under the protection of a castle situated on a high rock. This was
the same boat we saw in the forenoon. Our appearance had evidently
frightened them, and they judged it prudent to keep snug till we were
gone by, and, at the time they ventured out, supposed us too far off
to distinguish them. It was, indeed, with difficulty that we could, as
the distance was full three leagues, and their sail was nearly the same
colour as the rock along which they were passing.
“The cove or haven into which the boat went is about three-quarters of
a mile from the N.W. point of the island, and is completely land-locked
by the two points which form it overlapping. We were close in, not more
than a quarter of a mile from the westernmost of these points, but
could get no ground with forty fathoms line. The castle is situated
on a pinnacle rock or cliff on the eastern side of the entrance, and
from its situation I should judge it difficult of access to an hostile
approach. They had not more than two guns in it, and those were not
more than four- or six-pounders. Several of their shot went over us,
and others fell within a few yards on each side of us, but not one
struck the ship. Ours all went on shore, and I believe most of them
struck the castle, but there was too much motion to fire with very
great precision. This cove, from its situation, is a most excellent
place of resort for small privateers, as they are secure from the
effects of any wind, and can from the height discover the approach of
any vessel, and be ready to push out on them when they may be too close
to the island to effect their escape.”
With nightfall this attack had to be abandoned, and by six o’clock the
next morning, March 24, the _Peterel_ was in pursuit of another “chace.”
“At a quarter past 8, hoisted out the pinnace and launch and sent them
to board the chace.
“At 8 o’clock, I could discern with a glass the privateer, with his
sail furled, laying in his oars, just within the west point of the
cove, ready to pop out on the Spanish boat, and, but for our being so
near, certainly would have recaptured her, but when our boats put off
from the ship he went in again.
“At 10 o’clock, the boats returned with the chace, which proved to be
a Spanish coasting-vessel of 20 tons, from Cadiz bound to Barcelona
with wheat, prize to the _General Pigot_, a privateer belonging to
Gibraltar. Supplied him with a few baracoes of water.
“At 11 o’clock, in boats and made sail on the larboard tack.”
This account of a twenty-four hours on board the _Peterel_ will give
some idea of the constant interest and continual demand on the judgment
incidental to this life. This particular day, though a full one, was
barren of results. The privateer got out of the way of the _Peterel_,
and the chace which they did succeed in boarding had already
surrendered to another British ship. The entries of a few days later,
March 28, will show how varying was the success of these encounters. On
that day they secured three prizes in twelve hours.
“5 o’clock A.M., saw a strange sail bear S.W. by S. Bore up and set
royal and steering sails in chace.
“8 o’clock.--Fresh breezes and clear weather; came up with the chace
close off the west end of Ivica. Shortened sail and hove to, sent a
boat on board; she proved to be a Spanish brig laden with barley, from
Almeria bound to Barcelona. Sent an officer and eight men to take
possession, and took all the Spaniards out of her.
“At 10 o’clock.--Took her in tow, and made sail to the eastward.
“At half-past 10.--Saw a brig at the south part of Ivica, cast off the
tow, and made all sail in chace.
“Half-past 11.--In steering sails.
“At noon.--Moderate and clear weather, passing through between Ivica
and Formenterra, prize in company.
“Half-past 12.--Fired five guns at the chace to make her bring to, but
without effect.
“At 1 o’clock.--She anchored close under a signal tower with four guns
on it. Hoisted out the pinnace, and sent her armed under the direction
of the second lieutenant to board the vessel.
“Half-past 2.--The pinnace returned with the brig; sent her away to
cut out a small vessel, which was then riding about half a mile to the
westward of the tower. The brig appears to be French, but no one was
found on board her. Sent an officer and five men to take charge of her.
“At 5 o’clock.--The pinnace returned with the other vessel, a Spanish
settee, appearing by papers found on board to be the Alicant packet.
Her crew had quitted her on seeing our boats approach. Sent an officer
and five men on board to take charge of her. Took her in tow and made
sail; prizes in company.”
Such days as this were of quite frequent occurrence. Sometimes the
prizes were of great value, as on April 11, when the _Peterel_, in
company with the _Powerful_ and the _Leviathan_, assisted in capturing
a vessel which they thought to be a despatch-boat, and therefore of the
first importance. She proved to be a fishing-boat, employed in carrying
a brigadier-general, a lieutenant-colonel, and a captain of the Walloon
Guards over to Ivica from Alicant. She had on board specie to the
amount of 9000 dollars. The _Peterel’s_ share of this valuable prize
was 1469 dollars, which was paid out in the following proportions:
To a captain 750 dollars
” a lieutenant 62½ ”
” a warrant officer 36¾ ”
” a petty officer 10¼ ”
” a foremast man 2 ”
It is to be feared that the prize-money was a doubtful blessing to
the foremast hands, especially as the _Peterel_ was then nearing Port
Mahon, where they lay at anchor for three days, during which it was no
doubt easy to incur the punishments for drunkenness and neglect of duty
which we find meted out two days later.
Another capture of political importance is detailed on the 26th April,
when a Spanish tartan, the _San Antonio de Padua_, was brought to,
having on board fifty-three soldiers belonging to a company of the 3rd
battalion of the Walloon Guards, who were being conveyed from Barcelona
to Majorca. These, with sailors and a few recruits also on board,
summed up a capture of seventy-nine Spanish prisoners, who were taken
on board the _Peterel_.
The tartan was manned by a midshipman and seven men, and taken in tow.
The prisoners were afterwards transferred to the _Centaur_, and the
prize, after everything was taken out of her, was scuttled.
These few instances will serve to show the kind of life of which we get
such tantalising hints in “Persuasion.”
The account Captain Wentworth gives to the two Miss Musgroves and to
Admiral Croft of his earlier commands is a case in point. The date is
not the same, for we remember that Captain Wentworth first got employ
in the year six (1806), soon after he had parted in anger from Anne
Elliot.
“The Miss Musgroves were just fetching the ‘Navy List’ (their own ‘Navy
List,’ the first there had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting down
together to pore over it, with the professed view of finding out the
ships which Captain Wentworth had commanded.
“‘Your first was the _Asp_, I remember. We will look for the _Asp_.’
“‘You will not find her there. Quite worn out and broken up. I was the
last man who commanded her. Hardly fit for service then. Reported fit
for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West
Indies.’
“The girls looked all amazement.
“‘The Admiralty,’ he continued, ‘entertain themselves now and then with
sending a few hundred men to sea in a ship not fit to be employed. But
they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that may
just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to
distinguish the very set who may be least missed.’
“‘Phoo! phoo!’ cried the Admiral. ‘What stuff these young fellows talk!
Never was there a better sloop than the _Asp_ in her day. For an old
built sloop you would not see her equal. Lucky fellow to get her! He
knows there must have been twenty better men than himself applying for
her at the same time. Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no
more interest than his.’
“‘I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you,’ replied Captain Wentworth
seriously. ‘I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can
desire. It was a great object with me at the time to be at sea; a very
great object. I wanted to be doing something.’
“‘To be sure you did. What should a young fellow like you do ashore
for half a year together? If a man has not a wife, he soon wants to be
afloat again.’
“‘But, Captain Wentworth,’ cried Louisa, ‘how vexed you must have been
when you came to the _Asp_, to see what an old thing they had given
you.’
“‘I knew pretty well what she was before that day,’ said he, smiling. ‘I
had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to the fashion
and strength of an old pelisse, which you had seen lent about among
half your acquaintance ever since you could remember, and which at last
on some very wet day is lent to yourself. Ah! she was a dear old _Asp_
to me. She did all I wanted. I knew she would. I knew that we should
either go to the bottom together, or that she would be the making of
me; and I never had two days of foul weather all the time I was at sea
in her; and after taking privateers enough to be very entertaining, I
had the good luck in my passage home the next autumn to fall in with
the very French frigate I wanted. I brought her into Plymouth; and here
was another instance of luck. We had not been six hours in the Sound
when a gale came on which lasted four days and four nights, and which
would have done for poor old _Asp_ in half the time, our touch with the
Great Nation not having improved our condition. Four and twenty hours
later and I should only have been a gallant Captain Wentworth in a
small paragraph at one corner of the newspapers; and being lost in only
a sloop, nobody would have thought about me.’
“The girls were now hunting for the _Laconia_; and Captain Wentworth
could not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume into
his own hands to save them the trouble, and once more read aloud the
little statement of her name and rate, and present non-commissioned
class. Observing over it that she too had been one of the best friends
man ever had.
“‘Ah, those were pleasant days when I had the _Laconia_! How fast I
made money in her! A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise
together off the Western Islands. Poor Harville, sister! You know how
much he wanted money: worse than myself. He had a wife. Excellent
fellow! I shall never forget his happiness. He felt it all so much for
her sake. I wished for him again next summer, when I had still the
same luck in the Mediterranean.’”
One cannot but feel, when one comes on such a conversation in Jane
Austen’s novel, how perfectly she understood the details of her
brothers’ lives. Her interest and sympathy were so great that we can
almost hear Francis and Charles recounting experiences to their home
circle, with a delicious dwelling on the dangers, for the sake of
inward shudders, or “more open exclamations of pity and horror” from
their hearers, with sidelong hits at the Admiralty, and with the true
sailor’s love of, and pride in, the vessels he has commanded.