an anchor in Gulf Dumet. At 3 A.M. the boats were manned to destroy a
building which we had been informed was a custom-house. This having been
set fire to, they returned on board, and were shortly afterwards
despatched to destroy another signal-station; but as troops were now
perceived on the lookout, it was not worth while to risk the men, and
the boats were recalled. We then got under sail, passing once more close
to Montpelier and Cette, where we again joined the gun-boat, and stood
into the Bay of Perpignan—forming the west portion of Marseilles
Bay—where we destroyed another signal-station called Cañet.
At 3 A.M., on the 24th, the morning being still dark, we manned three
boats to destroy another signal-station called St. Maguire, about three
miles distant, and at about half-past four, when within ten yards of the
beach, were saluted by two heavy guns with grape, which, passing over
the boats, luckily did no damage. Fearing an ambuscade, we pulled out of
reach of musketry, but calculating that the French would not venture far
in the dark—my favourite time for attacks of any kind—instead of
returning to the ship, we made straight for the signal-station, and blew
it up amidst a dropping fire of musketry, which, as we could not be
distinguished, failed in its direction, and consequently did no harm.
Having completed our work, we next marched along the beach in line
towards a battery, observed on the previous evening, skirmishing as we
proceeded, our boats meanwhile covering us with their 9-pounders; the
French also keeping up a constant fire with their guns, but in a wrong
direction.
On storming the battery, with the usual British cheer, the enemy rushed
out in an opposite direction, firing as they went, but without effect.
We then took possession of two brass 24-pounders, but whilst making
preparations to get them off were alarmed by recall guns from the
frigate, from the masthead of which, as day was now beginning to break,
a force of cavalry had been seen making for us over the crest of a hill.
We had already had one narrow escape, for on taking possession of the
battery it was found that the magazine was prepared for blowing us up,
but fortunately, in the hurry of its late occupants to escape, the match
had not caught fire. There was, however, now no time to be lost, so
placing a barrel of powder under each gun and setting fire to the
matches, both were blown up, as was also the battery itself by lighting
the match attached to the magazine.
This somewhat staggered the cavalry in pursuit, but they soon recovered,
and some smart skirmishing took place on our retreat to the boats, which
all the time maintained a well-directed fire on the enemy, keeping them
in check, so that we got clear off with the loss of one seaman only—a
gallant fellow named Hogan—who was blown up and terribly shattered, in
consequence of a cartouch box buckled round his waist having exploded
while setting fire to the trains. We otherwise arrived safe on board
about 7 A.M., somewhat fatigued by the night’s adventure.
We now got under sail, passing close to Perpignan, and were fired upon
from Point Vendré, where a French brig of war lay at anchor under the
fortification, and therefore was too well protected to be safely
interfered with.
In this cruise against the French signal stations, the precaution of
obtaining their signal books before destroying the semaphores was
adopted; and in order to make the enemy believe that the books also were
destroyed, all the papers found were scattered about in a half-burnt
condition. The trick was successful, and the French authorities,
considering that the signal books had been destroyed also, did not deem
it necessary to alter their signals, which were forwarded by me to Lord
Collingwood, who was thus informed by the French semaphores, when
re-established, of all the movements of their own ships, as well as of
the British ships from the promontory of Italy northward!
CHAP. XVI.
CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_—CONTINUED.
THE FRENCH FLEET.—THE MOLE OF CIOTAT.—THE GULF OF FOZ.—TAKE POSSESSION
OF THE BATTERY.—SILENCE THE BATTERIES.—ANCHOR OFF CETTE.—DESPATCH
THE PRIZES.—HOW WE OBTAINED FRESH WATER.—DEMOLISH A
TELEGRAPH.—FRIGATE TO LEEWARD.—ORDERED TO GIBRALTAR.—INGRATITUDE OF
GOVERNMENT.—LETTER OF LORD COLLINGWOOD.—LETTER OF LORD COCHRANE.
On the 2nd of September the _Impérieuse_ rejoined the fleet off Toulon,
and received orders from Lord Collingwood to renew operations on the
enemy’s coasts. As the French, though by our previous operations, and by
the spirit thereby inspired amongst the inhabitants, were disinclined to
advance into Catalonia, they were nevertheless in considerable force in
the neighbourhood of Figueras and Rosas, we therefore leisurely sailed
in the direction of the latter port.
Keeping well in with the French coast, some gunboats were observed at 8
A.M. on the following morning close in with the town of Ciotat, between
Toulon and Marseilles. One of these being somewhat detached, we hoisted
out all boats in chase, but on the remaining gunboats and a battery on
shore opening a heavy fire on them, they were recalled, and we cleared
for action. At 10 A.M. six sail of French line-of-battle ships were
observed to quit Toulon, but as they were far to leeward, there was
nothing to apprehend from their interference; indeed after manœuvring
for a short time, they returned to port, no doubt satisfied that the
firing which had taken place was of little importance.
At 11 A.M. we anchored under an island, within range of our main deck
guns, but in such a position as to shelter us from the fire of the
battery, which, finding that their guns could not be brought to bear,
commenced a constant discharge of shells; but as no accurate aim could
be taken, these inflicted no damage, though occasionally dropping near
us. Taking no notice of these, we out boats, and sending them to a point
out of sight of the battery, commenced throwing rockets into the town,
which was twice set on fire; but as the houses were for the most part
built of stone, the conflagration was confined to the spot where it had
broken out. Our reason for molesting the town was that the inhabitants
everywhere showed themselves in arms to oppose us.
Finding the place impervious to rockets, and the ship being too far out
for a successful cannonade, we got under weigh, and took up a position
within range of the fort, on which we continued firing till 8 P.M.,
almost every shot falling in the place. As it now came on to blow hard
from the N.W., we were obliged to anchor.
During the night the enemy had got up a large gun close to the
lighthouse, and by 10 o’clock on the following morning, a squadron
consisting of four line-of-battle ships and three frigates left Toulon
and commenced beating up towards us. We therefore did not again open
fire, being unwilling to excite the squadron to pursue us.
However, at 3 P.M., as a large settee was running into the mole of
Ciotat, we discharged two shots at her, which went over and fell in the
town. Upon this the mortar battery, seeing their squadron approaching,
again opened fire, but, as before, without effect. We took no notice of
this, but seeing the enemy manning the gun at the lighthouse, we beat to
quarters, and prepared everything in case they should fire upon us,
which was done at 4 P.M.
We again opened a heavy fire upon the town, every shot telling upon the
houses, from which the inhabitants fled, no person being anywhere
visible. At the expiration of an hour the lighthouse people left off
firing, and the gun was pointed eastward to show that they did not
intend to renew the conflict, upon which we ceased also, my object being
not to batter the town, but to get possession of some of the numerous
vessels anchored within the mole.
This purpose was, however, defeated by the perseverance of the Toulon
squadron, the headmost ship of which—a fine frigate—was now within six
miles of us, and coming up fast, supported by the others. We therefore
thought best to get under weigh, and did so under the fire of batteries
and mortars, none of which touched us. As soon as the enemy’s fleet saw
us under sail, they bore up and again ran into Toulon.
On the 6th at midday, we anchored in the Bay of Marseilles, within half
a mile from the shore, just out of range of the strongly fortified
islands in the bay. Our appearance created the greatest alarm on the
coast, from which people were hurrying with their movables beyond the
reach of shot. We had, however, no intention to molest them.
The _Impérieuse_ was now becalmed till midday on the 7th, when a breeze
springing up, we again got under sail, and exchanged signals with the
_Spartan_, which shortly afterwards joined company. Having discovered
three vessels lying in a small cove, we out boats, and brought out two
of them, setting fire to the other. As the enemy had numerous troops
ashore, they opened a brisk fire on the boats, and would probably have
defeated our intention, had not the ships kept up a fire upon them
whenever they approached. Thus aided, the boats lost only one man, with
another wounded.
On the 8th the _Spartan_ and _Impérieuse_ stood towards the Gulf of Foz,
where, seeing a number of troops placed for the defence of a signal
telegraph, both ships manned boats, and in addition to the seamen, the
marines of the _Impérieuse_ were sent with a nine-pounder field
piece—one of our prizes from Duhesme’s army. On effecting a landing, the
enemy’s troops retired to the interior, when, firing two volleys after
them, the telegraph named Tignes was taken and blown up, the signals
being secured as before.
On the 9th we passed close to Port Vendre, _Spartan_ in company, and
anchored about a mile from the shore; but an alarm having been raised,
and the troops on shore having got our range, we were at 3 A.M. on the
10th, compelled to shift our position.
Before daylight the boats of both ships were manned, and pulled on
shore, a battery firing at us, but as the shot went over, no mischief
was done. Our seamen and marines having landed to the right of the
battery, the enemy’s troops fled, and we took possession, spiking the
guns, destroying their carriages, and blowing up the barracks. These
operations were scarcely completed, when a considerable body of troops
made their appearance in the distance, and by the time we returned on
board, a number of cavalry and artillery had assembled on the site of
their demolished battery.
We now passed close to a small fishing town, where other guns were
observed in position, both on the right and on the left, these being
manned by regular troops and backed by hundreds of armed peasantry, who
showed a bolder front than had the garrison of the battery recently
destroyed. By way of feint, to draw off the attention of the cavalry,
both _Spartan_ and _Impérieuse_ manned their small boats and the rocket
boats with the ships’ boys, dressed in marines’ scarlet jackets,
despatching these at some distance towards the right, as though an
attack were there intended. The device was successful, and a body of
cavalry, as we anticipated, promptly set off to receive them.
Meanwhile the ships stood towards the town, under a smart fire from the
batteries, the shot from which several times took effect. When close in,
the _Impérieuse_ opened her broadside, and the _Spartan_ following, an
incessant fire was kept up for an hour, at the expiration of which the
marines of both ships were landed. As soon as the boats touched the
shore, the enemy fled from the battery, the guns of which were
immediately spiked.
The cavalry, which had gone off to repel the sham attack to the right,
having found out the trick which had been played upon them, were now
seen galloping back to save the battery, which had just been rendered
useless, and from which our marines were now re-embarking. So intent
were they on rescuing their guns, that they did not appear to have
noticed the altered position of the ships, which, as soon as the
horsemen approached within musket shot, opened upon them with grape so
effectually, that all who were not knocked out of their saddles rode off
as fast as they could, and the marines leisurely returned to their
respective ships.
As the French troops had now taken shelter in the town, and the people
were everywhere armed, I returned to the _Impérieuse_ for the large
boats, in each of which a gun was mounted, with the object of clearing
the beach and silencing the other battery. By 6 o’clock this was
accomplished, not only the battery, but many of the houses and vessels
being destroyed. As our boats neared the town, a numerous body of troops
again began a brisk fire with musketry; and by the time one of the
largest vessels, which yet remained undemolished, could be blown up, the
fire became so warm that it was advisable to cease from further
operations, and we returned to the frigate.
In this affair a considerable number of people must have been killed
ashore during the five hours and a half continued firing; the cavalry
and infantry engaged amounting to several hundreds, whilst the armed
inhabitants mustered in equal, if not superior numbers. Neither
_Spartan_ nor _Impérieuse_ had any killed, and only a few wounded,
though, from their proximity to the shore, the rigging of both ships was
a good deal cut up, and several shots passed through their hulls.
Besides the seamen, we had only fifty marines engaged, thirty from the
_Impérieuse_, and twenty from the _Spartan_.
On the 11th at 8 P.M. we anchored off the town of Cette, just out of
gunshot, the batteries on shore however maintaining a brisk fire, which
was consequently thrown away.
At midnight two boats were despatched from the _Impérieuse_ and one from
the _Spartan_, to throw rockets into the town, the batteries continuing
their fire in all directions till daylight, but doing no damage.
At 4 A.M. on the 12th we got under weigh, and when within a mile of the
shore, between Cette and Montpellier, sent the boats to burn two large
pontoons, close to the signal station, which the _Impérieuse_ had
attempted to destroy on the 18th _ultimo_. One of the pontoons was
burned, and the other blown up without opposition, together with the
signal station and other public buildings which we had not been able to
destroy on the former occasion. A number of troops showed themselves,
but were contented with firing at a harmless distance. As nothing more
remained to be done, we again made sail.
On the morning of the 13th a convoy was discovered in shore. As soon as
they saw us, the vessels composing it altered their course, and by 12
o’clock had taken refuge in a deep bay in the vicinity, it being, no
doubt, calculated that we should not venture to pass over an extensive
shoal, which almost closed up the entrance of the bay. By careful
sounding we, however, managed to effect a passage, and three of the
smaller vessels perceiving that we should attain our object, passed over
the opposite end of the shoal and got away.
About midday it blew a hurricane, and both ships were rapidly driving
towards shore, but by letting go another anchor they were brought up. In
about a couple of hours the wind abated, when we weighed and anchored
close to the remaining vessels, taking possession of the whole that
remained, viz. a ship, two brigs, a bombard, a xebec, and a settee, but
all aground. We, however, succeeded in getting off the ship, one brig,
the bombard, and settee. The remainder were burned. During these
operations a body of French troops lined the beach; we did not, however,
attempt to molest them, as it was still blowing so hard that the prizes
were with difficulty got off.
On the 16th we despatched some of the prizes to Gibraltar, and the
remainder to Rosas. The _Spartan_ now parted company with us to rejoin
the Toulon fleet, and the _Impérieuse_ held on her course for Rosas with
the prize brig in tow, she having been so much damaged by beating on the
shoals before she was captured, as to require the greatest exertion to
keep her afloat.
On the 18th we came to an anchor off Rosas, and on the 23rd, having
patched up our prize, she was sent to Gibraltar in charge of Lieutenant
Mapleton.
On the 24th the _Impérieuse_ again sailed for the French coast, and
passing Cette, stood into the Gulf of Foz.
In these cruises our greatest difficulty was to procure fresh water,
which was only to be obtained on the enemy’s coast, so that the men had
frequently to be placed on short allowance. As we were now destitute of
this necessary, I determined to run for the entrance of the Rhone, and
fill up with water by a novel expedient. Our foretopmast studding-sails
were sewn up and converted into huge bags nearly watertight, these—as
the water at the river’s mouth was brackish—were sent in the boats
higher up the stream where it was pure. The bags being there filled,
were towed alongside the ship, and the water pumped as quickly as
possible into the hold by means of the fire engine, the operation being
repeated till we had obtained a sufficient supply.
Having thus replenished our water, we made an attempt to obtain fresh
meat also at the enemy’s expense. Whilst engaged in watering, a number
of cattle had been observed grazing on the banks of the river, and a
party was taken on shore to secure some. But this time circumstances
were against us. The lowlands on the banks of the river having been
flooded, we found on landing a complete morass; the men nevertheless
gave chase to the cattle, but they were so wild, that after a run of
three miles, often up to the middle in water, nothing was caught but the
herdsman, a poor wretch, who no doubt believing, according to current
report in France, that the English killed all their prisoners, began to
prepare for death in the most exemplary manner, scarcely crediting the
evidence of his senses on being liberated.
In this excursion we had perceived a new telegraph station, about three
miles from Foz, the building being complete with the exception of the
machine. We set fire to the building, but the destruction not being
fully accomplished, the boats were again sent on shore to blow it up,
which was done in the presence of about a hundred troops assembled for
its protection. A shot from the ship was so well aimed that it fell
right amongst the party, killing one man and wounding several. A few
more shots completely dispersed them in such haste as to compel them to
relinquish their dead comrade.
On inspecting the abandoned body through a glass, it evidently appeared
to be that of an officer, and hence it occurred to me that he might have
papers about him which would prove useful. In order to secure them, if
there were any, the frigate’s barge was again despatched on shore, but
before the men could land, a horse was brought from the interior, and
the body being laid across him, a shot was fired from the ship over the
heads of the party in charge of the horse, which becoming restive, the
body was again abandoned. The boat’s crew having by this time landed,
found it to be that of an officer, as I had conjectured, the poor fellow
having been nearly cut in two by a round shot. As no papers of any
consequence were found, our men wrapped him in a sheet which the troops
had brought with the horse, and again returned on board.
The _Impérieuse_ continued her course along the coast, and on the 3Oth,
seeing some small vessels at anchor near Boni, the boats were sent to
destroy them. This being effected in the face of a detachment of troops
and the armed population of a small fishing town, the latter also shared
the same fate. Passing close to Boni, we saw several vessels at anchor,
and made preparations to attack them, but it coming on to blow hard from
the westward, we held on our course towards Marseilles, off which a
large polacca-rigged ship passed astern of the _Impérieuse_, out of
gunshot. The boats were lowered, but the wind increasing, they had to be
taken on board again, and the polacca got into Marseilles, which was
then distant about eight miles.
On the 1st of October we again passed close to Ciotat, but saw nothing
to attract our attention. On the 2nd some French ships were discovered
at anchor near the land to the westward of Toulon, and several guns were
fired at us from four batteries on the coast, but without damage, as we
were not within reach of shot.
Seeing a frigate to leeward, we exchanged numbers, and found her to be
our former consort the _Spartan_, which had been engaged in
reconnoitring the enemy’s port. Shortly afterwards she bore up and made
all sail, the French line-of-battle ships quitting port in pursuit. When
within about four miles of these we came to the wind, and the _Spartan_
signalled that, since the previous evening, five of the enemy’s frigates
and a storeship had sailed from Toulon.
As the _Spartan_ again signalled for us to pass within hail, I went on
board, and from the information communicated, bore up in search of the
admiral. Not finding him where we expected to fall in with him, we ran
with a fair wind for Minorca, arriving off Port Mahon on the 5th.
As there was only a Spanish ship of the line in harbour, we again
proceeded in quest of the flagship, and soon after midday fell in with
her on her way to Minorca. On communicating to Lord Collingwood
intelligence of the escape of the five frigates from Toulon, his
lordship ordered the _Impérieuse_ to Gibraltar with despatches. We
therefore wore ship and made sail for that port, where we arrived
without further incident.
For these operations on the coast of France I never received the
slightest acknowledgment from the Admiralty, though, regardless of
prize-money, I had completely disorganised the telegraphic communication
of the enemy, from the seat of war in Catalonia to one of the principal
naval arsenals of France; and had created an amount of terrorism on the
French coast, which, from inculcating the belief that it was intended to
be followed up, prevented the French Government from further attempts at
throwing a military force on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. This, as
has been said, was my object, as the Spaniards were now in alliance with
us. For the panic thus created on the French coast, and its
consequences, French writers have given me credit, but the British
Government none!
By people of narrow views it has been said that such operations formed
no business of mine, and that my zeal exceeded my discretion, which I
deny. The commander-in-chief, Lord Collingwood—confiding in my
discretion—had sent me to do what I could to assist the Spaniards and
annoy the French—and I am proud to say that both objects were effected
to his lordship’s satisfaction, as will appear from his letters. What
damage can I do to the enemy? was my guiding principle, and the
excitement of accomplishing the mischief was my only reward,—for I got
no other.
To the disgrace of the then corrupt British administration, which
withheld not only reward, but praise, because I had connected myself
with a radical constituency, and had set up as a reformer of naval
abuses, nothing was manifested in return for these services but hatred.
I am proud, however, to make known the subjoined testimony of Lord
Collingwood, who gave me the credit of paralysing the enemy’s operations
by the panic which the _Impérieuse_ created on the coast of France; thus
neutralising military expeditions intended to act against Catalonia, or,
in other words, preventing, by means of a single frigate, the march of
an army into the Mediterranean provinces of Spain, where it could at the
time have operated with complete effect. Posterity may not believe the
effect of these exertions as narrated by myself. To Lord Collingwood
they _must_ give credit.
“Admiralty Office, Jan. 7th, 1809.
“_Copy of a Letter from_ Vice-Admiral LORD COLLINGWOOD,
_Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s ships and vessels in the
Mediterranean, to the_ Hon. WELLESLEY POLE, _dated on board the_
Ocean, _off Toulon, the 19th of October, 1808_.