ST. DOMINGO
Francis Austen in the letter to Miss Gibson expresses two wishes,
neither of which was to be fulfilled.
He never got into a frigate, as he himself foresaw.
Service in a frigate would have been more exciting, as well as
more profitable, than in a ship of the line. The frigates got the
intelligence, and secured most prizes.
His other wish, that his letters might seek him in vain in the West
Indies, was also not to be gratified, for before two months were
over he was again on the passage thither, though whether he had the
consolation of meeting his letters is another matter. As this voyage
culminated in the action of St. Domingo, and the capture of several
valuable prizes, the need for “comfort and support” was certainly
not so great as after the disappointment of missing Trafalgar. How
great that disappointment was his letter testifies. And something
must be added to, rather than taken away from, this, in allowing for
his natural reserve. From a man of his temperament every word means
more than if Charles had been the writer. The fact that the log of
the _Canopus_, on the day when the news of Trafalgar was received, is
headed “Off Gibraltar, a melancholy situation,” is the only indication
to be found there of the state of feeling on board. Otherwise, there is
nothing but rejoicing in the greatness and completeness of the victory,
and sorrow at the death of the Commander-in-Chief.
The account of this second cruise begins with the arrival of Sir John
Duckworth.
“_November 15._ _Superb_ (Vice-Admiral Sir John Duckworth) and
_Powerful_ joined company off Cape St. Mary (Portugal).
“Order of sailing:
WEATHER LINE. LEE LINE.
_Superb._ _Canopus._
_Spencer._ _Donegal._
_Agamemnon._ _Powerful._
“_November 29._--Saw a man-of-war in the E.N.E. standing towards us;
perceived the stranger had the signal flying to speak with the Admiral,
and for having intelligence to communicate. The _Agamemnon_ showed her
number, and made telegraph signal ‘Information of the enemy’s squadron.
Six sail of the line off Madeira.’
“Let off rockets to draw the attention of the squadron in the W.N.W.
“Sir Edward Berry came on board, and stated that at eight yesterday
evening, Captain Langford of the _Lark_ informed him that on the 20th
of this month he fell in with a French squadron of six ships of the
line, three frigates and two brigs, in Lat. 30 N., Long. 19 W., which
chased his convoy to the S.S.E. He escaped by altering his course in
the night. Two days after he fell in with the West India outward-bound
convoy, and was directed by Captain Lake of the _Topaz_ to proceed with
the intelligence to the senior officer off Cadiz.”
This news was confirmed on December 1, and by the 5th the whole
squadron had reached Madeira, only to find, as usual, that the enemy
had gone somewhere else. They went on to the Canary Islands, still
cruising in search of the French. The entries on December 24 and 25
tell of the meeting with and chase of another squadron, not that which
was afterwards engaged at St. Domingo.
“_December 24_, _Arethusa_ and convoy met the enemy’s squadron which
we were in search of on December 16 in Lat. 40, Long. 13. The convoy
dispersed, and it is hoped that none were taken. By the last accounts
from the Continent, the French had suffered an important check, in
which 8026 were taken beside those killed.” This was, of course,
an entirely unfounded report, as no severe check had occurred to
Napoleon’s arms, in fact the great victory of Austerlitz was just won.
“_December 25_, half-past six A.M., saw seven sail in the S.W.; tacked
ship and made all sail. Answered signal for a general chace. Perceived
the strangers to be vessels of war, and not English. At eight, answered
signal to prepare for battle, at nine tacked, at ten cleared the ship
for action. Light baffling airs. The strange squadron standing to the
southward under all sail; _Superb_, _Spencer_, and _Agamemnon_ south,
six or seven miles; _Powerful_, N.W., three miles; _Donegal_ and
_Amethyst_, S.S.W., four or five miles; _Acasta_, E. by S., one mile.
“At sunset the chace just in sight ahead from the top-gallant yard. Our
advanced ships S.E. five or six leagues. At six lost sight of all the
squadron but the _Donegal_ and _Powerful_.
“When the strange sails were first seen, they appeared to be steering
to the S.W., and to be a good deal scattered, the nearest being about
ten miles from us, and some barely in sight from the deck. They
all were seen to make a multiplicity of signals, and it was soon
discovered, from their sails, signals, and general appearance, that
they were French.
“Their force was five ships of the line and two frigates. At eight
o’clock the weathermost bore down as if to form a line of battle, and,
shortly after that, made all sail on the larboard tack. Owing to the
baffling and varying winds, and the enemy catching every puff first,
we had the mortification of seeing them increase their distance every
moment.”
It is clear that the escape of this squadron was largely due to the
slow sailing of some of these ships. The _Canopus_ herself did not sail
well in light winds, having been more than two years in commission
without docking, and the _Powerful_, a few days afterwards, sprung
her foreyard, and had to be detached from the squadron. At the end of
the chase, the distance between the leading ship, _Superb_, and the
_Donegal_, the last of the squadron, is estimated in James’ _Naval
History_ at forty-five miles.
The squadron then made sail for Barbadoes in order to revictual, and,
after coming in for a heavy gale, arrived there on January 12. On
the 11th, news was received by a vessel from England, which had been
spoken, that Denmark had joined the coalition against France.
It is perhaps noteworthy that the highest records in any of these logs
are those during the gale on January 8, 9, and 10, when the _Canopus_
attained ten knots per hour, and made six hundred and sixty-one miles
in three days.
Rear-Admiral Cochrane joined the squadron with the _Northumberland_,
and acted as second in command to Sir John Duckworth. He had held the
same post under Nelson in June 1805, for the few days when the fleet
was in West Indian waters.
From Barbadoes they went on to St. Christopher. It is an instance
of the difficulties of warfare in the then state of the Navy, that
thirteen men took the opportunity of the _Canopus_ being anchored close
inshore to desert from her, by swimming ashore in the night. No doubt
similar trouble was felt on other ships of the squadron.
“On _February 1_, _Kingfisher_ brought intelligence that a Danish
schooner belonging to Santa Cruz had, on January 25, seen a squadron
of French men-of-war, seven of the line and four frigates, in the
Mona passage. The master was on board the _Alexandre_, a 74, and the
_Brave_, a three-decker, where he was informed they were part of a
squadron of ten of the line, and ten frigates and one brig, which had
sailed from Brest forty days before, and had separated in crossing the
Atlantic.
“_February 2._ At four the _Superb_ made signal for the flag-officers
of the squadron.”
On February 3 this intelligence of the arrival of the enemy at St.
Domingo was confirmed, and great must have been the joy thereat.
On February 6 took place the battle of St. Domingo. The log gives an
account which is bare of all detail, except that which is entirely
nautical.
“At daylight the frigates ahead six or seven miles.
“Extent of land N.E. by E., and N.W. by W.; nearest part three or four
leagues. _Acasta_ made signal for one sail W.N.W. at a quarter past
six, ‘That the strange sail had been observed to fire guns.’
“Half-past six, ‘For eight sail W.N.W.’
“A quarter before seven, ‘Enemy’s ships of war are at anchor.’
“Ten minutes to seven, ‘Enemy’s ships are getting under way.’
“Five minutes before seven, ‘Enemy’s ships are of the line.’
“At seven, saw eight sail under the land, standing to the westward,
under press of sail. Answered signal, ‘Prepare for battle.’
“At eight, signal, ‘Engage as coming up with the enemy, and take
stations for mutual support.’
“Five minutes past eight, ‘Make all sail possible, preserving the same
order.’ Perceived the enemy’s force to consist of one three-decker,
four two-deckers, two frigates, and a corvette.
“At a quarter past ten, the _Superb_ commenced to fire on the enemy’s
van. At twenty past ten, the _Northumberland_ and _Spencer_ began
firing. At half-past, we opened our fire on the first ship in the
enemy’s line, at that time engaged by the _Spencer_, passing close
across her bows, with one broadside brought her masts by the board.
Stood on towards the three-decker, firing occasionally at her and two
other of the enemy’s ships, as we could get our guns to bear. All the
squadron in action.
“At a quarter to eleven, the _Atlas_ ran on board of us, and carried
away our bowsprit, but got clear without doing us material damage.
“At ten minutes to eleven, the dismasted ship struck, as did shortly
after two others. Engaged with the three-decker, which appeared to be
pushing for the shore. At ten minutes to twelve, gave her a raking
broadside, which brought down her mizen mast, and appeared to do great
damage to her stern and quarter.
“At twelve o’clock she ran ashore. Wore ship and fired our larboard
broadside at the remaining two-decker, which was also making for the
shore. At ten past twelve, discontinued the action.”
A rather more stirring account of the action is given in a private
letter from an officer on board the _Superb_.
This letter also contains the story of the chase of the former squadron
on Christmas Day.
“After leaving Lord Collingwood we fell in with a French squadron on
December 25, off the Canaries, which we now know was commanded by
Jerome Bonaparte.
“You cannot conceive the joy expressed by every one on board. Every
individual thought himself a king, and expected that day to be one
of the happiest Christmases he had ever spent. But from the very
bad sailing of several ships of the fleet, Jerome had the good luck
to escape, and the joy of the squadron was turned into melancholy,
which had not altogether worn off until we found the squadron at St.
Domingo (quite a different one). I can give you very little idea of
the exultation expressed by every countenance when we were certain of
bringing them to action. The scene was truly grand, particularly when
you consider the feelings on board the two squadrons, the one making
every exertion to get away, and determined to run the gauntlet in order
to escape, and the other straining every nerve to prevent their flight.
They were at this time going before the wind, and we were endeavouring
to cross them, in order to prevent the possibility of their escape,
which fortunately, from the superior sailing of the _Superb_, we were
able to effect.
“The enemy brought their two largest ships together (_l’Alexandre_,
the headmost, and _l’Impériale_) seemingly with a view to quiet the
fire of the English Admiral in the _Superb_, before any of the other
ships could come up; but in this they were disappointed, for the
second broadside from the _Superb_ fortunately did such execution
on board the enemy’s headmost ship, _l’Alexandre_, that she became
quite unmanageable and lost her station. The three-decker was by this
time within pistol-shot of the _Superb_, and apparently reserving
her fire for us; but at this critical moment Admiral Cochrane in the
_Northumberland_ came up, and notwithstanding the small distance
between the _Superb_ and _l’Impériale_, he gallantly placed her between
us, and received the whole broadside of the largest, and esteemed the
finest, ship in the French navy. Several of the shot passed quite
through the _Northumberland_ into the _Superb_. The action then
became general, and, as you must be already informed, terminated most
honourably for the British Navy; for although the enemy was a little
inferior, yet, according to the most accurate calculation, they were
entirely annihilated in the short space of one hour.”
According to the log of the _Canopus_, the time seems to have been
nearer two hours than one, but something must be allowed for the
enthusiasm of the young officer who writes this letter, and his pride
in the very “superior sailing” and other perfections of the _Superb_.
Jerome Bonaparte was not in command of the whole squadron sighted on
Christmas Day, but was captain of one of the ships, the _Veteran_. He
soon became tired of the sea, however, finding the throne of Westphalia
more congenial to his tastes.
The exact comparison between the enemy’s force and that of our own is
given in the log.
ENGLISH LINE. GUNS. MEN. FRENCH LINE. GUNS. MEN.
_Superb_ 74 590 _Le Diomède_ 80 900
_Northumberland_ 74 590 _L’Impériale_ 120 1300
_Spencer_ 74 590 _L’Alexandre_ 80 1080
_Agamemnon_ 64 490 _Le Jupitre_ 74 700
_Canopus_ 80 700 _Le Brave_ 74 700
_Donegal_ 74 590
_Atlas_ 74 590
FRIGATES, &C.
_Acasta_ 40 320 _La Comette_ 40 350
_Magicienne_ 36 250 _La Félicité_ 40 350
_Kingfisher_ 36 250 _La Diligente_ 24 200
_Epervier_ 16 95
[Illustration: Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Austen, K.C.B.’s writing-desk]
The following letter was written by Captain Austen to Mary Gibson on
the day after the action:
“_Canopus_, OFF ST. DOMINGO, _February 7, 1806_.
“MY DEAREST MARY,--The news of an action with an enemy’s
squadron flies like wildfire in England, and I have no doubt
but you will have heard of the one we had yesterday soon after
the vessel which goes home shall arrive. It will, therefore,
I am sure, be a source of satisfaction to you and my other
friends at Ramsgate to have proof under my own hand of my
having escaped unhurt from the conflict. We had intelligence
while laying at St. Kitt’s, on the 2nd instant, that a
French squadron had arrived at St. Domingo, and immediately
quitted that place in pursuit. Happily yesterday morning at
daylight we got sight of them at anchor off the town of St.
Domingo, consisting of one ship of 120 guns, two of 80, two of
74, and three frigates. Soon as we appeared in view, they got
under sail, not to meet, but to avoid us. We had one 80-gun
ship, five of 74, and one of 64, besides two frigates and four
corvettes. Our situation was such as to prevent their escape.
The action commenced at half-past ten, and was finally over by
half-past twelve, when three of the enemy’s ships were in our
possession, and the other two dismasted and on the rocks. The
frigates escaped. Had we been two miles farther off the land we
should have got the whole. We must, however, be truly thankful
for the mercies which have been showed us in effecting such a
victory with a comparatively inconsiderable loss. The Admiral
is sending the prizes, and such of our own ships as have
suffered most, to Jamaica, where, I suppose, we shall follow
as soon as we have ascertained that the two ships on shore are
in such a state as to prevent their getting off again. I am in
hopes this action will be the means of our speedy quitting this
country, and perhaps to return to Old England. Oh, how my heart
throbs at the idea! The _Canopus_ sails so bad that we were
nearly the last ship in action; when we did get up, however,
we had our share of it. Our people behaved admirably well, and
displayed astonishing coolness during the whole time.
“The first broadside we gave brought our opponent’s three masts
down at once, and towards the close of the business we also had
the satisfaction of giving the three-decker a tickling which
knocked all _his sticks_ away. We were so intermingled with the
enemy that it was impossible to confine our attack to one, and
though no one vessel struck to us in particular, I am sure we
had a share in each. The Admiral is sending off his despatches,
and I have only a few minutes which I have been able to steal
from my duty on deck to write these few hurried lines. They
will, I trust, be equal to a volume....
“P.S.--We have not suffered much in masts and rigging, and I
fancy not an officer is killed in the whole squadron.”
The work of repairs had immediately to be considered after the action
was over, and no doubt the “duty on deck” was very exacting when
Francis Austen managed to snatch time to scrawl this letter for the
relief of anxious ones at home.
The end of the two ships which ran on shore is given in the log.
“_February 9_, at eight. Saw the two ships which ran on shore during
the action of the 6th, appearing to be full of water and quite wrecks.
“Observed the frigates to fire several guns at them. At 9 shortened
sail and hove to. The _Epervier_ stood towards the wrecks with a flag
of truce. _Epervier_ made telegraph signal: ‘There are about twenty men
on board the three-decker, and sixty on board the two-decker. Boats can
approach; take them off, and fire the hulls if ordered.’
“Admiral made telegraph signal: ‘Send two boats to the _Acasta_ to
assist in bringing off prisoners.’ At a quarter past four, observed the
wrecks to be on fire.”
Soon after they were all on the passage towards Jamaica.
On February 12, an amusing incident is logged. Amusing it is in our
eyes, though perfectly seriously recorded.
“_12._ _Acasta_ made telegraph signals: An American ship four days
from Trinidad. The master reports that he saw there an English
gazette, containing particulars of great successes gained by the
allied powers on the Continent over the French, who are stated to
have been everywhere beaten, their armies destroyed, and Bonaparte
flying or killed. This had been brought to Trinidad by the mail boat
from Barbadoes, and the garrison fired a night salute on the joyful
occasion.”
This was, of course, quite at variance with facts.
The voyage home from Jamaica was uneventful, except for the constant
trouble given by _l’Alexandre_, which had evidently been badly damaged
in the action, and had at last to be taken in tow. It was a happier
home-coming for Captain Austen than he had looked forward to soon after
Trafalgar. To return after a successful action with three prizes in
company was a better fate than had then seemed possible.
They arrived on April 29, when the record stands:
“Saw the lighthouse of St. Agnes bearing N.N.E. by E., distant six or
seven leagues; made signal for seeing land,” with what feelings it
is easier to imagine than to describe. Such a description has been
attempted over and over again, with varying degrees of success. Jane
Austen tells of a sailor’s leave-taking and return only once, and
then, as is her way, by the simple narration of details. Anne Elliot
and Captain Harville are having the time-honoured argument as to the
relative strength of the feelings of men and women, and to illustrate
his point Captain Harville says: “If I could but make you comprehend
what a man suffers when he takes a last look at his wife and children,
and watches the boat he has sent them off in, as long as it is in
sight, and then turns away and says, ‘God knows whether we ever meet
again.’ And then if I could convey to you the glow of his soul when he
does see them again; when coming back after a twelvemonths’ absence,
perhaps, he calculates how soon it be possible to get them there,
pretending to deceive himself, and saying, ‘They cannot be here till
such a day,’ but all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and
seeing them arrive at last, as if heaven had given them wings, by many
hours sooner still. If I could explain to you all this, and all that a
man can bear and do, and glories to do for the sake of these treasures
of his existence....”
Jane Austen must, indeed, have known something of the feelings of “such
men as have hearts,” and the troubles and joys of the seafaring life.
Several of the West Indian Governments and Trading Associations voted
addresses, as well as more substantial recognition, to the Admirals
and officers engaged at St. Domingo, who also received the thanks of
Parliament on their return to England.