and Lieutenant Gregory of the _Contest_ gun-brig, induced them to
volunteer to flank the battery on Point d’Equillon, whilst we should
attack in the rear by land; but it was carried at once, and one of
fifty men who were stationed to three 36-pounders was made
prisoner—the rest escaped. The battery is laid in ruins—guns
spiked—carriages burnt—barrack and magazine blown up, and all the
shells thrown into the sea. The convoy got into a river beyond our
reach. Lieutenant Mapleton, Mr. Sutherland, master, and Mr. Hillier
were with me, and as they do on all occasions so they did at this time
whatever was in their power for his Majesty’s service. The petty
officers, seamen, and marines failed not to justify the opinion that
there was before reason to form; yet it would be inexcusable were not
the names of the quartermasters Barden and Casey particularly
mentioned, as men highly deserving any favour that can be shown in the
line to which they aspire.
“I have the honour, &c. &c.
“COCHRANE.
“Edw. Thornborough, Esq.,
“Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”
Early in the morning on the 14th of May, the _Pallas_ again stood in
close to the Isle of Aix, to renew her reconnoissance of the French
squadron under Admiral Allemand, then anchored at the entrance of
the Antioche passage, and also in the hope of once more getting
within range of the vessels which we had failed to bring to an
action on the 25th ultimo. In order to prevent their again taking
shelter under the batteries on Isle d’Aix, we cleared for action and
ran within range of the latter; the frigate shortly afterwards
getting under weigh to meet us.
Scarcely had she done so, than the three brigs also got under weigh
to support her, making a formidable addition to the force to be
encountered, the frigate alone showing a broadside superior to ours.
We however remained under our topsails by the wind to await them,
and when, the brigs came within point-blank shot, a broadside from
the _Pallas_ dismantled one of them. We then veered and engaged the
frigate and the other brig—the batteries on Isle d’Aix meanwhile
firing at us.
After an hour’s fighting, we observed that considerable damage had
been done by the fire of the _Pallas_ to the frigate and another of
the brigs, the maintopsail yard of the latter being cut through, and
the aftersails of the frigate shot away, though the action was not
continuous, owing to the frequent necessity on our part of tacking
to avoid shoals.
About one o’clock we managed to gain the wind of the frigate, and
running between her and the batteries, gave her two or three smart
broadsides, on which her fire slackened, and she showed signs of
meditating a retreat. Perceiving this, I directed Mr. Sutherland,
the master, to lay us aboard, which at 1.40 P.M. was gallantly but
rather too eagerly effected.
Just at this moment, unobserved by us, the French frigate grounded
on a shoal, so that on coming in contact, the spars and rigging of
both vessels were dismantled. The concussion drove our guns back
into the ports, in which position the broadside was again
discharged, and the shot tore through her sides with crushing
effect, her men taking refuge below, so that the only return to this
broadside was three pistol shots fired at random. The French captain
was the only man who gallantly remained on deck.
To clear away our own wreck was one object; to board the frigate the
next; but two more frigates were observed to quit the enemy’s
squadron, and crowd all sail to her assistance. This, in our
crippled condition, was too much; there was, therefore, nothing for
it but to quit the grounded ship and save ourselves. Accordingly we
bore up, and made what sail was possible, cutting away and repairing
the wreck as we best could; the two frigates following in chase.
Fortunately the sloop _Kingfisher_, commanded by the gallant
Captain, now Admiral, Seymour, seeing our disabled condition,
promptly ran down and took us in tow[33]; on which the enemy
desisted from the pursuit, turning their attention to their disabled
consort. The subjoined report to Admiral Thornborough details a few
other particulars of the action, though at that time we neither knew
the names nor the strength of our opponents.
“His Majesty’s Ship _Pallas_, 14th May,
“Off the Island of Oleron, May 15th, 1806.
“SIR,—This morning when close to Isle d’Aix, reconnoitring the French
squadron, it gave me great joy to find our late opponent, the black
frigate, and her companions the three brigs, getting under sail; we
formed high expectations that the long wished-for opportunity was at
last arrived.
“The _Pallas_ remained under topsails by the wind to await them; at
half-past eleven a smart point blank firing commenced on both sides,
which was severely felt by the enemy. The maintopsailyard of one of
the brigs was cut through, and the frigate lost her aftersails. The
batteries on l’Isle d’Aix opened on the _Pallas_, and a cannonade
continued, interrupted on our part only by the necessity we were under
to make various tacks to avoid the shoals, till one o’clock, when our
endeavour to gain the wind of the enemy and get between him and the
batteries proved successful; an effectual distance was now chosen, a
few broadsides were poured in, the enemy’s fire slackened. I ordered
ours to cease, and directed Mr. Sutherland, the master, to run the
frigate on board, with intention effectually to prevent her retreat.
“The enemy’s side thrust our guns back into the ports, the whole were
then discharged, the effect and crash were dreadful; their decks were
deserted; three pistol shots were the unequal return.
“With confidence I say that the frigate was lost to France had not the
unequal collision tore away our foretopmast, jibboom, fore and
maintopsailyards, spritsailyards, bumpkin, cathead, chain plates,
forerigging, foresail, and bower anchor, with which last I intended to
hook on, but all proved insufficient. She was yet lost to France had
not the French admiral, seeing his frigate’s foreyard gone, her
rigging ruined, and the danger she was in, sent two others to her
assistance.
“The _Pallas_ being a wreck, we came out with what sail could be set,
and his Majesty’s sloop the _Kingfisher_ afterwards took us in tow.
“The officers and ship’s company behaved as usual; to the names of
Lieutenants Haswell and Mapleton, whom I have mentioned on other
occasions, I have to add that of Lieutenant Robins, who had just
joined.
“I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
“COCHRANE.”
“_Killed._—David Thompson, marine.
“_Wounded._—Mr. Andrews, midshipman, very badly; John Coger, and three
other seamen, slightly.
“Edw. Thornborough, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”
-----
Footnote 33:
“Since the publication of the first edition, Admiral Seymour has
kindly supplied me with the following interesting particulars,
which had escaped my recollection:
“I remember that on the 14th, the morning in question, the
_Kingfisher_ being off the Chaperon Lighthouse, within which I had
directions from Admiral Thornborough not to go, in consequence of
his having thought I had risked the _Kingfisher_ two days before
by too near an approach to the French squadron—that the _Pallas_
passed in towards Basque Roads (as I supposed, to reconnoitre the
enemy), and when I saw you exchanging shots with the enemy’s guard
frigate, I had no idea you would have attempted to carry her when
so near the squadron.
“The moment, however, I saw that you had run on board the
_Minerve_, and that, on separating, you had lost your foretopmast
and topsailyards, I immediately stood in to assist you, and as we
had a leading wind, and the distance from the Pertuis d’Antioche
not being, I think, above six miles, I have a clear recollection
that within the hour, we gave you the end of a hawser.
“Perhaps I may be able to recall to your recollection that when we
took you in tow, the wind had drawn more westerly, and that we
could not weather Isle Rhe on the port tack, so were obliged to go
about and stand towards the two fresh French frigates and brigs
which were standing towards us. On our approach they backed their
maintopsails, when they might have brought the _Pallas_ and
_Kingfisher_ to action. You then desired me to go round, and we
fetched out on the port tack, the French offering no molestation,
although their squadron was apparently ready for sea.
“In going into this old story, I may add that I have already seen
that there can be no disposition to undervalue the assistance I
afforded you in 1806, when you so handsomely acknowledge that
which I desired to afford you on another occasion in 1809.[34]
“Yours very faithfully, G. SEYMOUR.”
Footnote 34:
In Aix Roads. See page 392.
-----
On the 17th, being still ignorant of the name of the frigate we had
engaged, we landed some French prisoners under a flag of truce, and
thus learned that she was the 40-gun frigate _La Minerve_. The brigs
were ascertained to be the _Lynx_, _Sylphe_, and _Palinure_, each
carrying 16 guns.
On the 18th, the _Pallas_ was ordered to Plymouth in charge of a
convoy of transports, and arrived on the 27th without any other
occurrence worthy of notice.
A device practised by us when, at various times, running close in to
the French shore, must not be omitted. A number of printed
proclamations, addressed to the French people, had been put on
board, with instructions to embrace every opportunity of getting
them distributed. The opportunities for this were, of course, few,
being chiefly confined to the crews of boats or small fishing craft,
who would scarcely have ventured on their distribution, had the
proclamation been entrusted to them.
The device resorted to was the construction of small kites, to which
a number of proclamations were attached. To the string which held
the kite, a match was appended in such a way, that when the kite was
flown over the land, the retaining string became burned through, and
dispersed the proclamations, which, to the great annoyance of the
French government, thus became widely distributed over the country.
CHAP. XII.
MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.
MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.—ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.—SEEK PROMOTION FOR
HASWELL.—CUTTING OUT LE CÆSAR.—GROSS INSTANCE OF PARTIALITY.—CLARET
AGAINST SMALL BEER.—STORY OF MR. CROKER.—MR. CROKER’S
REVENGE.—COMMAND THE IMPÉRIEUSE.—DRIFT TOWARDS USHANT.—JOIN THE
SQUADRON IN THE BASQUE ROADS.—ANCHOR OFF CORDOVAN.—SUPPLY THE
ATALANTE.
On the termination of the cruise, the _Pallas_ was thoroughly refitted,
the interval thus occupied affording me time for relaxation, but nothing
occurred worthy of record till, in the July following, the electors of
Honiton chose me as their representative in parliament.
The story of this election is worth relating. My former discomfiture at
Honiton, and the ten guineas a head paid to those who had voted for me
on the previous occasion, will be fresh in the recollection of the
reader. A general election being at hand, no time was lost in proceeding
to Honiton, where considerable sensation was created by my entrance into
the town in a _vis-à-vis_ and six, followed by several carriages and
four filled with officers and seamen of the _Pallas_, who volunteered to
accompany me on the occasion.
Our reception by the townspeople was enthusiastic, the more so, perhaps,
from the general belief that my capture of the Spanish galleons—as they
were termed—had endowed me with untold wealth; whilst an equally
fabulous amount was believed to have resulted from our recent cruise,
during which my supporters would have been not a little surprised to
learn that neither myself, officers, nor crew, had gained anything but a
quantity of wine, which nobody would buy; whilst for the destruction of
three French corvettes we never received a shilling!
Aware of my previous objection to bribery, not a word was asked by my
partisans as to the price expected in exchange for their suffrages. It
was enough that my former friends had received ten guineas each after my
defeat, and it was judged best to leave the cost of success to my
discretion.
My return was triumphant, and this effected, it was then plainly asked,
what _ex post facto_ consideration was to be expected by those who had
supported me in so delicate a manner.
“Not one farthing!” was the reply.
“But, my Lord, you gave ten guineas a head to the minority at the last
election, and the majority have been calculating on something handsome
on the present occasion.”
“No doubt. The former gift was for their disinterested conduct in not
taking the bribe of five pounds from the agents of my opponent. For me
now to pay them would be a violation of my own previously expressed
principles.”
Finding nothing could be got from me in the way of money payment for
their support, it was put to my generosity whether I would not, at
least, give my constituents a public supper.
“By all means,” was my reply, “and it will give me great satisfaction to
know that so rational a display of patriotism has superseded a system of
bribery, which reflects even less credit on the donor than the
recipients.”
Alas! for the vanity of good intentions. The permission thus given was
converted into a public treat; not only for my partisans, but for my
opponents, their wives, children, and friends; in short, for the whole
town! The result showed itself in a bill _for some twelve hundred
pounds_! which I refused to pay, but was eventually compelled to
liquidate, in a way which will form a very curious episode hereafter.
One of my first steps, subsequent to the election, was to apply to the
Admiralty for the promotion of my first lieutenant, Haswell, who had so
gallantly cut out the _Tapageuse_ from the Bordeaux river; and also for
that of poor Parker, whose case has been notified in connection with the
_Speedy_, though it was not till after my becoming a member of the House
of Commons that he was promoted after the fashion previously narrated.
It is unnecessary to recapitulate the services of these gallant
officers, further than to state briefly, that on the 6th of April, 1806,
Lieutenant Haswell, with the boats of the _Pallas_ alone, acting under
my orders, cut out the French guardship, _La Tapageuse_, from the river
Garonne, and brought off his prize, in the face of heavy batteries, and
despite the endeavours of two vessels of war—each of equal force to the
captured corvette. For this service Lieutenant Haswell remained
unpromoted.
On the 15th of July, in the same year, the boats of Sir Samuel Hood’s
squadron, under the orders of Lieutenant Sibley, performed the somewhat
similar, though certainly not superior exploit, of cutting out _Le
Cæsar_, of 16 guns and 86 men, from the same anchorage. Within three
weeks after the performance of this service, Lieutenant Sibley was
_promoted to the rank of commander_, and so palpable an instance of
favouritism determined me to urge afresh the neglected claims of both
Parker and Haswell.
My renewed application being met with evasion in the case of both
officers, I plainly intimated to the Admiralty authorities that it would
be my duty to bring before the House of Commons a partiality so
detrimental to the interests of the navy. The threat produced what
justice refused to concede, and these deserving officers were both made
Commanders on the 15th of August, 1806; Parker, for a service performed
upwards of five years before, and Haswell for one four months
previously. Notwithstanding this lapse of time, Haswell’s promotion was
dated _eleven days after_ that of Lieutenant Sibley! though the former
officer had effected with the boats of a small frigate, and against
_three_ ships of war, as much as Lieutenant Sibley had accomplished
against _only one_, though with the boats of a whole squadron! viz. the
boats of the _Centaur_, _Conqueror_, _Revenge_, _Achilles_, _Prince of
Wales_, _Polyphemus_, _Monarch_, _Iris_, and _Indefatigable_. Lieut.
Sibley’s exploit with this overwhelming force had a medal awarded, and
appears in the Navy List to this day; Lieut. Haswell’s capture of the
_Tapageuse_ under my directions was unnoticed in any way.
The fact is, that neither of my highly meritorious officers would have
been promoted, but that, after Lieutenant Sibley’s promotion for a less
distinguished service, it was impossible to evade their claims if
brought under the notice of the legislature; and it was only by this
threatened exposure of such palpable injustice that the promotion of
either officer was obtained.
Another gross instance of partiality in the course pursued by the
Admiralty towards my officers and crews, consisted in the refusal to
purchase the _Tapageuse_ into the navy; though the _Cæsar_—prize to Sir
Samuel Hood’s squadron—was so purchased. For the four vessels of war,
viz. the _Tapageuse_, 14 guns; the _Malicieuse_, 18 guns; the _Garonne_,
22; and the _Gloire_, 24,—total, 78 guns, driven on shore by the
_Pallas_, in one day, no remuneration was awarded: the pretence for
withholding it being, that as there were no proceeds there could be no
reward; whilst, as the enemy’s crews escaped, head money was denied,
though the Act of Parliament conferring it, was expressly framed to meet
such cases, the nonpayment practically deciding, that it was not worth a
commander’s while to expose himself and ship in destroying enemy’s
vessels! Supposing it to have been necessary to adhere stringently to
the Admiralty regulation, the rule itself rendered it the more incumbent
on the Board to give remuneration for the _Tapageuse_, by purchasing
that vessel into the service, as was done to Lieutenant Sibley and his
men in the case of the _Cæsar_. Such remuneration was, however, wholly
withheld.[35]
-----
Footnote 35:
If a vessel were captured and destroyed, head money was awarded, as in
the case of the _Calcutta_, which surrendered to the _Impérieuse_ in
the subsequent affair of Basque Roads. It was sworn to by others that
she surrendered to the squadron; but that this was not the case is
proved by the French government having shot her captain for
surrendering _to me alone_; a sentence which was not likely to have
been passed had he surrendered to eight or ten ships. In this case
head money was awarded to Lord Gambier’s fleet, on which account I
declined to touch a shilling of it.
-----
Another curious circumstance connected with the _Pallas_ may be here
mentioned. As the reader is aware, that ship—on her last cruise—had
taken a number of chasse-marées, some of which were laden with the
finest vintages of the south of France. Independently of the wine
gratuitously supplied by the _Pallas_ to the squadron of Admiral
Thornborough, a large quantity of the finest had been reserved to be
sold for the benefit of the captors; so much, in fact, that in an easily
glutted market, like that of Plymouth, it was not saleable for anything
beyond the duty.
An offer was made to the Victualling Board to accept, for our claret,
the price of the villanous small beer then served out to ships’
companies, so that Jack might have a treat without additional expense to
the nation. The offer was unwisely refused, despite the benefit to the
health of the men.
As customs officers were placed on board the prize-vessels containing
the wine, considerable expense was incurred. We therefore found it
imperative that something should be done with it, and as the Victualling
Board refused to take it, there was no alternative but to knock out the
bungs of the casks, and empty the wine overboard.
My agent had, however, orders to pay duty on two pipes, and to forward
them, on my account, to my uncle the Honourable Basil Cochrane, who had
kindly offered to stow them in his cellars in Portman Square. Knowing
the quality of the wine, the agent took upon himself to forward seven
pipes instead of two, and on these duty was paid. As it was impossible
to consume such a quantity, the whole was bottled, in order to await
opportunity for its disposal.
On this wine hangs a curious story. My residence in town was in Old
Palace Yard, and one of my constant visitors was the late Mr. Croker, of
the Admiralty, then on the look-out for political employment. This
gentleman had an invitation to my table as often as he might think
proper, and of this—from a similarity of taste and habit, as I was
willing to believe—he so far availed himself as to become my daily
guest; receiving a cordial reception, from friendship towards a person
of ardent mind, who had to struggle as I had done to gain a position.
Croker was one day dining with me, when some of the _Pallas_ wine was
placed on the table. Expressing his admiration of my “superb claret,”
for such it really was, notwithstanding that the Victualling Board had
rejected wine of a similar quality for the use of seamen, though offered
at the price of small beer, he asked me to let him have some of it. The
reply was, that he should have as much as he pleased, at the cost of
duty and bottling, taking the wine as I had done from the French, for
nothing: jocosely remarking, that the claret would be all the better for
coming from a friend instead of an enemy, he stated his intention to
avail himself of my offer.
Shortly after this incident, Croker, who had previously been in
parliament, was appointed secretary to the Admiralty, and from that day
forward he never presented himself at my apartments; nor did I, by any
chance, meet him till some time afterwards, we encountered each other,
by accident, near Whitehall.
Recognising me in a way meant to convey the idea, that as he was now my
master, our relations were slightly altered, I asked him why he had not
sent for his wine? His reply was, “Why, really I have no use for it, my
friends having supplied me more liberally than I have occasion for!”
Well knowing the meaning of this, I made him a reply expressive of my
appreciation of his conduct towards me personally, as well as of the
wine sources from which he had been so liberally supplied. This, of
course, was conclusive as to any future acquaintance, and we parted
without one additional word.
This incident converted into a foe one who had been regarded by me in
the spirit of sincere and disinterested friendship. He was, moreover, in
a position to make his enmity felt, and when I was hunted down by that
infamous trial which blasted at a blow my hopes and reputation, the
weight of official vengeance was all the more keenly felt, as being the
return of former hospitality.
In my previous attempts to call the attention of the House to naval
abuses, Croker was my constant opponent; and as, in our days of
friendship, I had unreservedly unbosomed to him my views and plans of
action, he was in a condition to fight me with my own weapons, which
thus became employed in continuance of the corrupt system at which they
were aimed. If, at that period, there were any naval abuses requiring
reformation, Mr. Croker was certainly the greatest stumbling-block to
their removal, for no better reason than that plans for their remedy
emanated from me, though in the days of our friendship, he had not only
approved those plans, but even suggested others.
On the 23rd of August, 1806, I was appointed to the command of the
_Impérieuse_ frigate, which was commissioned on the 2nd of September
following, the crew of the _Pallas_ being turned over to her.
We left Plymouth on the 17th of November, but in a very unfit condition
for sea.
The alacrity of the port authorities to obtain praise for despatching
vessels to sea before they were in fit condition, was reprehensible. It
was a point in those days for port admirals to hurry off ships,
regardless of consequences, immediately after orders for their sailing
were received; this “_despatch_,” as it was incorrectly termed, securing
the commendation of the Admiralty, whom no officer dared to inform of
the danger to which both ships and crews were thereby exposed.
The case of the _Impérieuse_ was very near proving the fallacy of the
system. She was ordered to put to sea, the moment the rudder—which was
being hung—would steer the ship. The order was of necessity obeyed. We
were therefore compelled to leave port with a lighter full of provisions
on one side, a second with ordnance stores on the other, and a third
filled with gunpowder towing astern. We had not even opportunity to
secure the guns; the quarter-deck cannonades were not shipped on their
slides; and all was in the utmost confusion.