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AN
ACCOUNT
OF THE
CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST INDIES,
IN THE YEAR 1794,
UNDER THE COMMAND OF THEIR EXCELLENCIES
_LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR CHARLES GREY, K. B._
AND
_VICE ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K. B._
COMMANDERS IN CHIEF IN THE WEST INDIES;
WITH
THE REDUCTION
OF THE
ISLANDS OF MARTINIQUE, ST. LUCIA, GUADALOUPE,
MARIGALANTE, DESIADA, &c.
AND THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED THOSE UNPARALLELED SUCCESSES,
AND CAUSED THE LOSS OF GUADALOUPE.
_By the Rev. COOPER WILLYAMS, A. M._
VICAR OF EXNING, SUFFOLK,
AND LATE CHAPLAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP BOYNE.
LONDON:
_PRINTED BY T. BENSLEY_;
FOR G. NICOL, BOOKSELLER TO HIS MAJESTY, PALL-MALL; B. AND J. WHITE,
FLEET-STREET; AND J. ROBSON, NEW BOND-STREET.
1796.
TO
GENERAL SIR CHARLES GREY,
KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH,
AND
ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS,
KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, AND COMMANDER
IN CHIEF OF HIS MAJESTY'S FLEETS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN,
_THIS SHORT ACCOUNT_
OF
THEIR BRILLIANT EXERTIONS IN THEIR COUNTRY'S CAUSE,
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY
THEIR OBEDIENT
AND GRATEFUL HUMBLE SERVANT,
COOPER WILLYAMS.
EXNING, AUGUST 10, 1796.
PREFACE.
When an author lays his book before the public, unless it be a work of
genius, some account of his motives for so doing is generally expected.
As this is a work that pretends to nothing but authenticity, and to be a
plain relation of facts, I shall only premise, that, placed in a
situation which gave me an opportunity of being witness to most of the
principal transactions of the expedition under Sir CHARLES GREY and Sir
JOHN JERVIS in the West Indies, and having leisure and inclination to
minute down the occurrences as they presented themselves, I venture to
appear before the public with such humble pretensions alone, as the
result of that opportunity and leisure can give me.
My original intention reached no further than to publish a few views of
some interesting subjects, which abound in the Caraibean Islands; but I
selected those only which were rendered most so by particular events.
Though I pretend not to the powers of an artist (being self-taught), yet
I beg leave to urge in excuse for that want of spirit and picturesque
effect which, I fear, is but too apparent in my drawings, that they are
scrupulously exact, and accurately delineate the subjects they profess
to represent.
When I at first communicated my design of publishing a few drawings,
taken during the West India Expedition, many of my friends, and some of
the officers who served with me, knowing that I had kept a journal of
the transactions, desired me to add a short account of them to accompany
the engravings.
To those, at all conversant with writing such accounts, it will not
appear strange, that, as I proceeded to retrace those events which form
the most prominent feature of my life, I found a pleasure in recognising
many a transaction that had almost faded from my memory, and by degrees
it increased under my hand, till it became of size sufficient to form a
volume, and I was enabled to lay it before the public in a more
respectable form than I at first intended. But, that I may not
appropriate to myself merit belonging to another, I take a pleasure in
avowing, that through the kindness of an officer, who, from his rank, is
not more conspicuous than respected by the general tenor of his conduct,
I have been favoured with the assistance of a journal by an ingenious
and active officer of his division, which has greatly contributed to the
embellishment of my work, by the communication of many local
circumstances, impossible for me otherwise to have been acquainted
with. The like assistance I have also to acknowledge from a friend who
served under General Prescott during his gallant defence of Fort
Matilda.
By the favour and indulgence of the Commander in Chief, I have been
permitted to make extracts from the public order-book of the army; these
form a large appendix, which, I trust, will not only confirm the
accuracy of my narration, but will prove both useful and entertaining to
the army in general.
Such has been the origin and progress of this publication; to the
candour, therefore, of the public I commit myself, trusting that, as my
ambition has been humble, I shall not be exposed to the severity of
literary criticism for not having obtained that which I have never
attempted.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
_Expedition to the West Indies determined on ... Sir Charles Grey and
Sir John Jervis appointed Commanders in Chief ... The Boyne sails from
Spithead ... Occurrences on the voyage from thence to Carlisle Bay,
Barbadoes._
CHAPTER II.
_The Commanders in Chief prepare for the expedition against Martinique
... Gun-boats constructed, and described ... A short account of
Barbadoes ... Sale of slaves ... A list of the fleet._
CHAPTER III.
_The fleet sails from Barbadoes ... Anchors on the south coast of
Martinique ... Capture of a battery ... General Grey lands with his army
... Flag of truce fired on by the enemy ... The Commanders in Chief
attack the island at three different places at the same time._
CHAPTER IV.
_March of the Commander in Chief from Trois Rivieres to Sallee ...
Occurrences on the march ... General Whyte detached.... Takes Pigeon
Island ... The Admiral anchors off Pigeon Island ... Description of the
Bay of Fort Royal ... The third brigade lands at Cas de Navires._
CHAPTER V.
_General Dundas lands on the north east side of the island ... Trinite
taken ... Colonel Cradock attacked, Captain McEwen killed ... General
Dundas forms a junction with Sir Charles Grey ... March towards St.
Pierre ... Colonel Campbell killed ... St. Pierre attacked by sea, and
taken ... Description of that town._
CHAPTER VI.
_The enemy retire into Fort Bourbon and Fort Louis ... The Admiral
attacks Fort Louis with the bomb-ketch and gun-boats ... Camp of seamen
formed at Point Negro ... A wharf built in the Cul de sac de Cohee;
stores and ammunition landed there ... General Bellgarde attempts to cut
off the communication between the army and navy, but is beaten, and his
camp on Sourier taken ... Head Quarters established on Sourier ...
General Rochambeau sends an aid-de-camp to the Commanders in Chief ...
The navy make a road, and drag the guns to the heights of Sourier._
CHAPTER VII.
Forts Bourbon and Louis closely invested ... Batteries on the first
parallel erected ... The seamen employed in getting guns to the
batteries on the west side ... A dangerous pass described ... Captain
Miln mortally wounded; he dies; his character ... Bellgarde delivers
himself and army into the hands of Sir Charles Grey ... His Royal
Highness Prince Edward arrives, and takes a command ... Batteries opened
against Fort Bourbon ... Lieutenant Bowen's spirited conduct ... Fort
Louis taken by storm ... Captain Faulknor's gallant conduct ... Fort
Bourbon surrenders._
CHAPTER VIII.
_General Prescott is left governor of Martinique ... The Commanders in
Chief sail for St. Lucia ... General Dundas lands near Pigeon Island ...
The fleet anchors at Marigot de Rosseaux ... Prince Edward lands with
the grenadiers, and marches towards Morne Fortune ... Colonel Coote
lands with the light infantry ... The fleet anchors in Barrington's Bay
... Colonel Coote storms a redoubt on the Morne ... General Ricard
surrenders the island ... Colonel Sir Charles Gordon left governor of
St. Lucia ... The Commanders in Chief sail to Martinique._
CHAPTER IX.
_Expedition against Guadaloupe ... The Isles de Saintes attacked and
taken ... The Boyne and Veteran anchor off Grozier ... The troops land
under cover of the Winchelsea frigate ... Captain Lord Garlies wounded
... Fort Fleur d'Epee taken by storm ... Fort Louis and the town of
Point a Pitre taken ... Casualties ... General description of the
island._
CHAPTER X.
_The General embarks his army, and lands on Basse Terre at Petit Bourg
... Occurrences on the march towards Palmiste ... The Admiral anchors in
Ance de Baillif ... General Dundas lands, and forms a communication with
Sir Charles Grey ... The Palmiste taken by assault ... General Collot
delivers up Fort St. Charles, and the island of Guadaloupe and its
dependencies to the Commanders in Chief._
CHAPTER XI.
_The charges of extorted contributions and oppressions, alledged against
the Commanders in Chief by certain interested individuals, refuted ...
The real causes of the loss of Guadaloupe._
CHAPTER XII.
_General Dundas dies of the yellow fever ... His character ... A French
squadron arrives in the West Indies, and takes possession of Grande
Terre ... The Commanders in Chief on receiving an account thereof return
to Guadaloupe ... General Grey lands at Grande Terre, and takes
possession of the heights of Mascot ... Several actions take place ... A
truce to bury the dead ... An unsuccessful attack on Point a Pitre._
CHAPTER XIII.
_The Commanders in Chief sail to Martinique ... Proceedings there and at
Guadaloupe ... Camp Berville taken ... Occurrences thereupon ... General
Prescott enters Fort Matilda, which is invested by the French ... Sir
John Vaughan and Admiral Caldwell arrive in the West Indies ... Sir
Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis resign their command, and return to
Europe._
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
_His Royal Highness Field Marshal the Duke of York._
A
Charles Abbott, Esq. Queen's Square, Bloomsbury.
John William Adams, Esq.
.... Armit, Esq. Army Agent, Dublin.
Colonel Harvey Aston, 12th regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel Astley, Norfolk light dragoons, Burgh Hall, Norfolk.
J. P. Allix, Esq. Swaffham Court, Cambridgeshire.
Richard Allnutt, Esq. South Park, Penthurst, Kent; two copies.
Mr. Alken, No. 2, Francis Street, Gower Street.
B
Right Honourable Lord Blaney, Lieutenant Colonel 66th regim.
Honourable Captain Charles Boyle, 62d regiment, Aid-de-camp to the Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland.
Colonel Brownrigg, Coldstream regiment of guards.
Lieutenant Colonel Bayley.
Thomas Barrett, Esq. Lee, near Canterbury.
I. Bargrave, Esq. Eastry Court, Kent.
S. Baker, Esq. Lynn Regis, Norfolk.
James Rickard Barker, jun. Esq. Swaffham, Cambridgeshire.
Reverend Dr. Bates, Freckingham.
Major Barnard, New Romney light dragoons.
Henry Bell, Esq. Wallington, near Downham, Norfolk.
Colonel Blackwood, 33d regiment light dragoons.
William Boys, Esq. F. R. S. and F. S. A. Sandwich, Kent.
Mr. Boys, Eastry, Kent.
Rev. Edward Tymewell Brydges, Wootton Court, Kent.
Lieutenant Colonel Brydges, New Romney light dragoons.
Samuel Egerton Brydges, Esq. F.S.A. Denton Court, Kent, Captain in the
New Romney light dragoons; two copies.
Mrs. Brydges, Precincts, Canterbury.
Mrs. Bryant, Exning, Suffolk.
Mrs. Breton, Gogmagog Hills, near Cambridge.
Lieutenant Colonel Brereton, 63d regiment.
Lieutenant Samuel Brown, New Romney light dragoons.
Major Burnet, 43d regiment.
Mr. Brome, Dublin Castle.
..... Blades, Esq.
Mr. Bensley, Bolt Court, Fleet Street.
C
His Grace John Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; two copies.
His Excellency Earl Camden, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
The Right Hon. Lieutenant Colonel, Viscount Conyngham.
Colonel Lord Clements.
Colonel Sir Edward Crofton.
Honourable Lieutenant Colonel George Lowry Cole.
Right Hon. General Cuningham, Commander in Chief in Ireland.
Right Honourable William Burton Conyngham.
Brigadier General Cradock, Quarter Master General in Ireland.
Lieutenant General Crosbie.
Reverend Edward Cage, Eastlinge, Kent, Chaplain to the New Romney light
dragoons.
Reverend Thomas Cookes, Barbourne House, Worcestershire.
Mrs. Cookes.
Lieutenant Henry Cookes, New Romney light dragoons.
Mr. Thomas Secundus Cookes, of his Majesty's ship St. George.
Mr. Denham Cookes, Worcester college, Oxford.
Mr. Charles Cookes.
Colonel Coote, 70th regiment.
Mrs. Coote.
.... Coote, Esq.
Christopher Cooke, Esq. Beaufort Buildings, Strand.
T. Collingwood, Esq. Gray's Inn.
Rev. T. Cogan, East Deane, Surrey.
T. W. Coke, Esq. Holkham, Norfolk.
Lieutenant Colonel Crosbie, 22d regiment, and Deputy Adjutant General in
Ireland.
Robert Cromp, Esq. Frinsted, Kent.
Mr. John Cruikshank, Rector of the Academy in Banff.
D
Right Honourable Lord Delaval.
Reverend Dr. Dering, Prebendary of Canterbury.
Col. Cholmely Dering, New Romney light dragoons.
John Thurlow Dering, Esq. Crow Hall, Norfolk; two copies.
Captain Donkin, 44th regiment.
James Dallaway, M. B. F.S.A.
E
Right Honourable Mr. Elliott, Secretary at War, Ireland.
Edward Everard, sen. Esq. Lynn Regis, Norfolk.
F
Right Honourable Earl Fitzwilliam; two copies.
Honourable Edward Foley, M. P. Lower Seymour Street.
Mr. Farringdon, Foulkes Buildings, London.
Miss Farringdon, Camberwell.
Mrs. Faulknor.
Lieutenant Colonel Fisher, 9th regiment, Manchester Square.
Captain Finlay, Richmond House.
Lieutenant Foster, 38th regiment.
Reverend Dr. Frampton, D. D. Exning, Suffolk.
G
General Sir Charles Grey, K.B.; three copies.
Right Honourable Lord Glentworth.
Sir Henry Grey, Baronet, Howick, Northumberland.
Lady Gresley, Drakelow, Derbyshire.
Sir Robert Goodere, Cavendish Square.
Mrs. Goodere, Exning, Suffolk.
W. Gordon, Esq. Aberdour, Banff.
Charles Grey, Esq. M. P. Hertford Street, Mayfair; two copies.
Mrs. Grey, Hertford Street, Mayfair.
Lieutenant Colonel Henry Grey, 18th regiment light dragoons.
Major Thomas Grey, 39th regiment.
Captain George Grey, Commander of his Majesty's ship Victory.
Captain William Grey, 21st regiment.
Edward Gregory, Esq. Leman Street, Goodman's Fields.
J. Graeme, Esq.
George Gipps, Esq. Canterbury.
Isaac Gervais, Esq. Doctors Commons.
H
Sir Henry Harpur, Baronet, Upper Brook-street.
Sir Benjamin Hammett, Knight, Lombard Street.
Major General Hewitt, Adjutant General of Ireland.
Mrs. Harrison, Bourne Place, Kent.
Major Hare, 12th regiment light dragoons, Aid-de-camp to the Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland.
Mr. K. S. Haggerstone, Cambridge.
Christ. Hand, Esq. Cheveley Green.
Reverend James Hand, Cheveley, Cambridgeshire.
C. J. Harford, Esq. Stapleton, Gloucestershire.
Henry Wise Harvey, Esq. Hearnden, Kent.
Captain John Harvey, of his Majesty's ship Prince of Wales.
Mr. George Gerard Haughs.
Mrs. Herring, Precincts, Canterbury.
Reverend J. Hippisley, A.M. Stow on the Wolde, Gloucestershire.
Reverend Thomas Hey, D. D. of Wickham Breux, Kent.
J
Admiral Sir John Jervis, K. B. Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean;
three copies.
Christopher Jefferson, Esq. Dullingham, Cambridgeshire.
Henry Jackson, Esq. 106, Fenchurch Street, London.
Major General Johnson.
K
Honourable George King, Colonel of the Cork regiment of militia.
George Kittoe, Esq. Ridge House, Antigua.
Sir Edward Knatchbull, Bart. M. P. Marsham Hatch, Kent.
L
His Grace the Duke of Leinster.
Right Honourable Lady Charlotte Lenox.
Honourable Colonel Lenox.
Sir William Lemon, Baronet, M. P. Carelew, Cornwall.
John Lagier Lamotte, Esq.
Mr. Henry Lamotte, Clapton, Middlesex.
Captain Locke, 26th regiment light dragoons.
Reverend Dr. Lynch, Archdeacon and Prebendary of Canterbury.
Rev. William Long, LL.D. Sternfield, Suffolk.
Reverend Daniel Lysons, F.R.S. and F.S.A. Putney, Surrey.
Mr. W. H. Lunn, Bookseller, Cambridge; four copies.
Rev. N. C. Lane, A. M. Christ's College, Cambridge.
M
Lady Mill, Arlingham, Gloucestershire.
Brigadier General Myers.
Lieutenant Colonel Manley, royal artillery.
Lieutenant Col. M'Clary, Aberlash, Carmarthenshire; two copies.
Lieut. Col. Madden, 15th regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel M'Donald.
Sir Charles Mitchell, Knt. Commander of the William Pitt East Indiaman.
Mr. James Miln, Arbroath.
N
Major General Needham.
Reverend James Nasmith, A.M. Leverington, Cambridgeshire.
Reverend Edward Nares, A.M. Fellow of Merton College, Oxford.
Mr. Norton, Bookseller, Bristol.
O
William Owen, Esq. Trinity College, Cambridge.
P
Right Hon. Sir John Parnell, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ireland.
James Palmer, Esq. Dulwich, Surrey; two copies.
Reverend Dr. Pennington, D. D. Eastry, Kent.
Rev. Montagu Pennington. A. M.
Mr. Philpot, Canterbury.
George Ponsonby, Esq. Bishop's Court, near Dublin.
J. Plumptre, Esq. Fridville, Herts.
Reverend Charles Powlett, A. M. junior, Hackwood Farm, Hants.
Edward Roger Pratt, Esq. Ryston Hall, Norfolk.
Lieutenant Colonel Pratt, royal Irish artillery.
Captain D'Arcy Preston, royal navy.
George Purvis, Esq. Titchfield, Hants, Secretary to Admiral Sir John
Jervis.
Major Perryn, Great George Street.
R
Reverend Anth. Luther Richardson, LL. B. Kennet, Cambridgeshire.
Mr. James Robertson, Gellymell, near Banff.
William Rose, Esq. Mountcoffer, near Banff.
E. Rolfe, jun. Esq. Hankoe, Norfolk.
S
Right Hon. Lord Sondes, Rockingham Castle.
Colonel Sir James St. Clair Erskine, Bart. 12th reg. light dragoons.
Charles Henry Selwyn, Esq. Lieutenant Governor of the island of
Montserrat.
Reverend George Selwyn, King's Road, Bedford Row.
Matthew Henry Scott, Esq. Captain in the royal navy.
W. Sharpe, Esq. Fulham, Middlesex.
Samuel Shirt, Esq. 27, Mincing Lane, London.
Rev. Stebbing Shaw, B.D. F.S.A. Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge.
Reverend Mr. Alexander Simpson, Old Aberdeen.
Rev. Thomas Jenyns Smith, A. M. First Fellow of Dulwich College.
Mr. David Souter, Melrose, near Banff; five copies.
Mr. Stewart Souter, Duff House, Banff.
Lieutenant Colonel Stuart, 3d regiment guards.
Rev. James Symes, Hollis Street.
Powell Snell, Esq. Guiting Orange, Gloucestershire, and Captain of the
royal Gloucestershire yeomen cavalry.
Richard Sill, Esq. A. B, Clare Hall, Cambridge.
T
Right Honourable the Earl of Tyrconnel.
George Talbot, Esq. Temple Guiting, Gloucestershire.
T. Tyndall, Esq. Weston Lodge, Somersetshire.
Captain Thomas, 28th regiment.
Captain Herbert Taylor, 2d dragoon guards, and Aid de Camp to his Royal
Highness the Duke of York.
Captain Edward Taylor, New Romney light dragoons.
Mr. William Thompson, Mile-End Green.
Mrs. Treacher, Henley on Thames.
Reverend Stephen Tucker, A. M. Linsted, Kent.
John Townley, Esq. Clare Hall, Cambridge.
Lieutenant Colonel Thewles, 30th regiment light dragoons.
V
Captain George Vaughan, of the royal navy.
Mrs. Vernon, Norwich.
Captain Vaumorel, 30th regiment.
W
Colonel, the Earl of Westmeath.
Sir Charles Watson, Baronet, Swaffham, Cambridgeshire.
Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. M. P. Winterdyne, Worcestershire.
Major General Whyte.
Mrs. Watson, Swaffham, Cambridgeshire.
Mr. J. Webster, Merchant, Banff.
Charles Hollis Western, Esq. M. P. Felix Hall, Essex.
Edw. Weatherby, Esq. Newmarket.
Thomas M. Waller, Esq. Lieutenant royal navy.
Samuel Whitbread, sen. Esq. M. P.
Samuel Whitbread, jun. Esq. M. P. 17, Lower Grosvenor Street; two
copies.
Rev. Edward Wilson, B. D. Moulton, Suffolk.
Mrs. Willyams, Exning, Suffolk.
John Hanbury Williams, Esq. Coldbrook, Monmouthshire.
Major Wilder, Pall Mall.
Captain Isaac Wolley, royal navy.
Reverend Godfrey Wolley, Hutton Bushel, Yorkshire.
J. Whatley, Esq. Wraxall Lodge, Somersetshire, and Captain in the Royal
South Gloucestershire regiment of militia.
James Wyborn, Esq. Hull, Kent
.... Western, Esq.
Mr. Thomas Henry Wilson, No. 13, Cornhill.
EXPEDITION
AGAINST THE
_FRENCH WEST INDIA ISLANDS_.
CHAPTER I.
EXPEDITION TO THE WEST INDIES DETERMINED ON ... SIR CHARLES GREY AND
SIR JOHN JERVIS APPOINTED COMMANDERS IN CHIEF ... THE BOYNE SAILS
FROM SPITHEAD ... OCCURRENCES ON THE VOYAGE FROM THENCE TO CARLISLE
BAY, BARBADOES.
In the latter end of the year 1793, his Majesty having determined to
send a formidable armament to the West Indies, to reduce the French
islands in that quarter, and to secure his own from any attack of the
enemy, Lieutenant General Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the Bath, was
promoted to the rank of General in America, and Commander in Chief in
the West Indies. Several officers of distinguished abilities were also
appointed to act under him; and Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis, Knight of
the Bath, was nominated Commander in Chief of the naval force on the
same expedition.
After much delay, occasioned by nearly half the original force being
withdrawn from the armament intended for the West Indies, and applied to
another purpose, on the 24th of November, 1793, the Boyne of 98 guns,
Captain Grey commander, having Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis's flag
flying at the fore-topmast head, made the signal for sailing to the
fleet destined with her for this expedition, and dropped down to St.
Helen's, where she lay at single anchor, waiting for those ships that
were not ready; the ordnance storeships were particularly tardy. This
morning an unfortunate accident befel Mr. Scott, second lieutenant of
the Boyne, whose arm was broken by a block giving way in the fore part
of the ship, where he was stationed; but happily, by the care and skill
of Mr. Weir the surgeon, he was nearly recovered by the time the ship
reached Barbadoes.
On Tuesday the 26th of November the Boyne weighed anchor, and with the
rest of the fleet sailed from St. Helen's with a fair wind down channel.
On the 27th we lay to off Portland Road, waiting for the Quebec frigate,
which remained at Spithead to hasten the storeships and transports (that
were not at first ready to sail with the Boyne), and to convoy them
through the Needles.
On the 28th of November, in the morning, we were off the Land's End, and
were soon afterwards becalmed for a short time. In the evening, a fresh
breeze springing up, we proceeded on our voyage. Before it was dark
eight sail were seen from the mast head.
On the 29th we passed Commodore Paisley in the Bellerophon, with several
frigates in company. The Commodore saluted the Admiral's flag with
thirteen guns, which was returned from the Boyne with eleven guns.
As it may be proper to inform the reader that, in consequence of a
particular invitation from the Admiral, the Commander in Chief and his
suite, with several of the officers on the staff under him, were
passengers in the Boyne, I shall here subjoin their names.
His Excellency Sir Charles Grey, K. B. Commander in Chief.
Major General Thomas Dundas.
Lieutenant Colonel Symes, Quarter Master General.
Major Henry Grey, Deputy Quarter Master General.
Lieut. Col. Fisher, Secretary to the Commander in Chief.
Major Lyon, Deputy Adjutant General.
Captain Finch Mason, }
Lieut. John Cunningham,} Aid de Camps to the Commander in Chief.
Captain Newton Ogle, }
Capt. Maitland, Aid de Camp to Major General Dundas.
Dr. Wardle, Surgeon on the Staff.
Also Chevalier Sancee, a brave and ingenious French Officer, whom
the Commander in Chief took with him, as being acquainted with the
island of Martinique, and the fortifications of Fort Bourbon and St.
Louis, having served under the Marquis de Bouille at the construction
of the former works.
Thus, by the friendly intercourse subsisting between the two Commanders
in Chief, the time on the passage was most usefully employed in forming
plans of operation, which could not have been executed with that
promptness that distinguished the ensuing campaign, had it been
otherwise.
On Tuesday the 3d of December, the Rose frigate, Captain Riou, parted
company; as did, on the 7th following, Commodore Thompson and part of
the convoy, and we proceeded with the greater dispatch on our voyage.
On the 8th of December the wind proved foul, with rain and hazy weather.
At night, in the middle watch, we were attacked by a squall of wind and
rain, accompanied by a heavy sea, which struck the rudder with such
violence, that the men at the wheel losing their hold, were thrown down;
and the tiller breaking loose, stove in the gunner's cabin; at the same
time the pinnace, a six-oared boat, that was suspended over the stern,
was washed away, and totally lost.
On the 9th of December in the morning, the ship was taken aback by a
sudden squall of wind, attended with thunder and lightning, with a most
tremendous sea; we then wore ship, and stood to the south west. Those
who have never sailed in a ship of war of the first or second rate, can
form no idea of the grandeur and awfulness of the scene when so large a
body is struggling with contending elements. As the ship rolls through
the high swell her sides appear to twist and bend in a surprising
manner. The guns hanging on one side, and pressing against the other,
seem as if, at every roll, they would, by their immense weight, force
their way through; which, added to the cracking of the cordage, the
roaring of the wind, and a variety of other noises, forms a scene of
surprise and alarm to the inexperienced voyager.
This squally weather continued at intervals for four days. On the 12th
we saw some sea gulls. On the 13th two strange sail hove in sight; the
Ulysses chased one of them, and we made sail after the other, and fired
several shot at her to bring her to; but in the evening were obliged to
give up the pursuit, for fear of parting from our convoy, which however
happened in the following night, during a heavy gale of wind.
On Saturday the 14th we saw a gull, and several turtle passed near the
ship.
On the 16th land was discovered at four P. M. supposed to be the island
of Porto Santo. All this day we sailed at the rate of seven and eight
knots an hour. Tuesday the 17th of December we found that during the
night we had passed by the island of Madeira; but this morning tacked
and stood towards it, and arrived off Funchial, the capital of that
island, of which we had a delightful view. As we approached the land the
surrounding country had a very beautiful appearance, especially after a
long voyage, when the eye has been wearied by the uninteresting sameness
of an extended ocean. The town of Funchial, so named from the Portuguese
word funcho, fennel, which grows in great abundance on the neighbouring
rocks, is situated at the bottom of a bay, and is a large ill-built
town: it has many churches and convents; but as we did not go on shore,
I can give no particular description of them. Immediately behind the
town the hills rise gradually one above the other, terminating in
prodigious high mountains, which are plentifully covered almost half-way
up with plantations of vines, interspersed with churches and elegant
houses. High up in the mountains, in a valley is seen a convent, which
we were informed is dedicated to our Lady of the Mountain. All the
buildings being white, formed very conspicuous, and not unpleasing
objects in the landscape. The mountains in this island are very high.
Pico Ruevo is supposed to be from its base near a mile in perpendicular
height, much higher than any land in England or Wales. The sides of all
the hills are well covered to a certain height with vines, above which,
to a vast extent, are woods of pine, chesnut, and a variety of other
trees unknown to Europe. The principal refreshments to be procured here
are wine, water, and onions; the latter are the finest in the world, and
in great plenty.
It being the Admiral's determination to lose no time, we only lay-to off
Funchial, till the wine intended for the use of the officers and ship's
company was taken on board; and it being the birth day of the Queen of
Portugal, we saluted the fort in honour of the day with twenty-one guns,
which was returned with an equal number. In the evening we made sail for
our destination; and fortunately from this time had a fair wind till we
got into the trades. On the 24th we passed the tropic of Cancer, lat. at
noon 23. 21. N. long. 32. W. The usual ceremony was observed by the
crew (having first obtained the Captain's permission): a grotesque
Neptune and Amphitrite were drawn by their attendants on the
quarter-deck, where, after a solemn ditty chaunted by his aquatic
majesty, the usual collections were made, which, from the munificence of
the General and his friends, together with the contributions of those
officers of the ship who had never crossed the tropic before, amounted
to a sum sufficient to supply the ship's company with plenty of
vegetables on their arrival at Barbadoes.
The 25th of December, being Christmas day, divine service was performed
on the quarter-deck by the Chaplain, the crew appearing as on a Sunday,
in clean trowsers and jackets: and here I must beg leave to mention,
that I never saw more regularity and decorum in any place of worship
than is invariably observed on board of his Majesty's ships of war.
This day we passed an American brig; and the weather being fair,
Lieutenant Bowen and Captain Mason went on board her. She was from
Cadiz, and reported, that yesterday she passed a Spanish man of war
bound for Europe.
On the 26th of December we saw several albicores, dolphins, and grampus,
and shoals of flying fish; lat. at noon 22. 10. N. long. 34. 46. W.
On the 29th of December, being Sunday, and the weather fair, divine
service was performed as usual.
The heat of the climate now began to be troublesome to those who had
been unaccustomed to it.
On Monday the 6th of January, 1794, land was discovered from the
mast-head, which proved to be the island of Barbadoes; and by noon the
Boyne anchored in Carlisle Bay[1].
[1] On our arrival we found several of the ships that had parted
company on the voyage; and each day after brought more of them,
till the whole were collected.