1811.
Buonaparte declares he will conquer a "Maritime
Peace."--Illness of George III.--Prince of Wales Regent.--Sir
James obtains leave of absence.--The Victory sent to Lisbon
with troops.--Attack on Anholt.--Gallant defence of the
garrison.--Sir James continues in the Baltic at the request of
ministers.--Letters respecting Anholt.--Letters from the Duke
of Brunswick and answers thereto.--Arrival in Sweden of Sir
James.--Letters to Mr. Yorke and Admiral
Reynolds.--Negotiations on the sequestration of English ships
at Carlscrona.--Conference with Baron Tawast.--Written document
from the Baron unsatisfactory.--Letter from the Admiralty.--Sir
James remonstrates with the Swedish Government.--Evasive
answer.--Further correspondence.--Value of sequestered
property.--Capture of two Danish privateers.--Gallant conduct
of Lieut. St. Clair and Mr. Purcell.--Determination of Russia
not to accede to the terms of France.--The Crown Prince places
implicit confidence in Sir James.--Arrival of Mr. Thornton.--He
is smuggled into the city of Gothenburg.--Amicable confirmation
of the Ghent treaty.--Situation of the fleet.--Sir James's
letter.--Disaster of the St. George and convoy.--Admiral
Reynolds's letter.--Arrival of St. George at Wingo.--Sailing of
the fleet.--St. George and Hero's convoy put back.--Sail
again.--Melancholy wrecks of the St. George and
Defence.--Captain Pater's narrative.--Remarks.--Loss of the
Hero and convoy.--Proceedings of the Victory.--Remarks on
crossing the North Sea.--Sir James arrives at Spithead.
The beginning of the year 1811 was remarkable, as being the period at
which the tyrant of France had arrived at the summit of his career. He
had seized upon Hamburg and every other place on the Continent,
whence a seaman could be procured, and had declared that with one
hundred and fifty sail of the line he would humble the navy of England
and conquer a "Maritime Peace." The disasters of 1810, that ended with
the loss of his Majesty's ship Minotaur, and a large convoy on the
Haake Sands, and the illness of his Majesty George the Third, which
terminated only with the life of that excellent Monarch, threw a damp
on the spirits of the nation, and caused a suspension of all Royal
functions until the appointment of the Regency, on which his Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales took the reins of government at one of
the most eventful periods that ever occurred in the history of the
empire.
Sir James, immediately after his communications with the Admiralty and
the Ministers, applied for and obtained leave of absence. His ship,
the Victory, with seven sail of the line under Sir Joseph Yorke, was
employed in transporting troops to Lisbon, which was surrounded by
Massena's army; but she returned in time to receive Sir James's flag,
which was hoisted on the 2nd of April.
The island of Anholt, which had been garrisoned by seamen and marines
under the command of Captain James W. Maurice, of the Royal Navy, was
attacked on the 23rd of March by a body of Danish troops, amounting to
1600 men; but they were so well received by the Governor and his
brave crew (for the island was on the establishment of a vessel of
war) that they were forced to capitulate, with the loss of their
leader Major Melstedt, two officers, and 500 of their people in
killed, wounded, and prisoners; while Capt. Baker, of the Tartar, and
Captain J.P. Stewart, of the Sheldrake, chased and took several of
their gun-boats employed on that expedition.
Sir James had finished his three years in the Baltic, the time
generally prescribed for an Admiral commanding-in-chief to remain on
one station, and it was now his turn to have a command in the
Mediterranean, which was considered more lucrative; but his conduct
during his command in the Baltic had so completely gained the
confidence and good-will of the Swedes, and it had now become of such
importance to keep them, with such a general as Bernadotte at their
head, on good terms, that he was requested to continue on that most
important command, as the only chance of accomplishing the desirable
object of a Northern coalition. Nothing could be more delicate or more
difficult than the situation in which Sir James was now placed, for
while it required firmness to uphold the dignity of the empire which
he represented, as the only diplomatic functionary as well as
commander-in-chief in the North, tact, wisdom, and forbearance were
equally indispensable. These qualities Sir James possessed in a
superlative degree, and the Author, who from his knowledge of the
Swedish language was employed confidentially on all the communications
which subsequently took place, can testify that it is to the wise
policy of the Admiral that the nation owes the success of these
negociations. It is the opinion of Swedish and Russian diplomatists
that had Sir James not been employed, the Northern Coalition, which
was so fatal to the ambitious views of Buonaparte, never would have
taken place; and for such a service no reward which it was in the
power of Government to bestow on him would have been too great. There
can be no doubt, had the lamented Perceval not met with an untimely
end by the hand of an assassin, that he would at the close of 1812
have been rewarded by the Peerage which was so long unaccountably
withheld.
Sir James was still in London when he received the statement of the
discomfiture of the Danish attack on Anholt, a particular account of
which may be seen in James's Naval History.
The following letters on this gallant affair, which have not yet been
published, will be perused with interest.
London, 10th April 1811.
MY DEAR SIR,
I most heartily congratulate you on the brilliant success of
the brave garrison under your command in having repulsed an
attack of the enemy's select troops, consisting of as many
thousands as the whole band opposed to them amounted to
hundreds, and by the gallantry and intrepid conduct of your
valiant heroes, succeeded in taking a greater number of
prisoners than your whole collected force. Mr. Yorke having
signified to me that he should write to you, I can only assure
you that this gallant affair is the theme of every one's
praise, and has excited the admiration of all, and I have no
doubt but your services upon this occasion will be duly
appreciated by the Admiralty. I have great pleasure in adding
that Lieutenant Baker is made a commander, and that Captain
Torrens and Lieut. Fisher are recommended to his Royal Highness
the Prince Regent for Brevet rank.
I have, &c. with high regard,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Captain Maurice, Governor of Anholt.
In Captain Maurice's letter the Danish force was estimated at 4,000
men, but it does not appear that their numbers exceeded 3,000,
including the crews of the gun-vessels. Sixteen hundred men only were
landed, and the defence which these made was highly creditable to
them. It has therefore been justly said, that "if the British gained
honour by their victory, the Danes lost none by their defeat." The
unexpected arrival of the Tartar frigate and Sheldrake sloop turned
the scale; the Danish gun-boats being unable to cope with that naval
force, abandoned the brave troops they had landed as soon as the
frigate and sloop were discovered. Before the fleet left England, Sir
James received the following letter from his Serene Highness the Duke
of Brunswick:
Great George Street, London, 6th April 1811.
SIR,
I take the liberty to recommend to your kindness Major
Nordenfeldt, who is gone to Germany on private affairs of my
family. I imagine that the difficulties he has met with in
returning to England are the cause of his having been more than
six months absent. If circumstances should allow him to pass
from Colberg to this country, I request your interference on
his behalf, and that you would have the goodness to communicate
to him the inclosed order of Government[12] for landing either
at Portsmouth or Yarmouth.
I am, &c.
William, Duke of Brunswick.
To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez.
[12] The order alluded to was from the Treasury to the Customs,
desiring the officers to transmit the effects of the Duchess of
Brunswick to London under the office seal.
To this letter Sir James wrote the following answer:
St. James's Place, London, 6th April 1811.
SIR,
I have received the honour of your Serene Highness's letter
respecting Major Nordenfeldts, and inclosing one from Mr.
Harrison of the Treasury, which I shall have great pleasure in
delivering to Major Nordenfeldts, should I meet with him on his
way from Colberg, and I shall also use my endeavours to
facilitate his means of returning to England.
I have the honour to be,
With the highest respect, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick.
The deposed King of Sweden, after having spent the winter in England,
was embarked on board the Horatio to return to the Continent, but
choosing to remain longer than necessary on board that ship, Sir James
wrote instructions how to act respecting him; but he had fortunately
disembarked before Sir James's arrival in the Baltic. He sailed from
the Downs on the 28th of April and arrived at Gothenburg on the 2nd of
May 1811, where he was received joyfully by the Swedes, although they
could not publicly give vent to their feelings.
On Sir James's arrival he wrote the following letter to the Admiralty:
Victory, in Wingo Sound, 3rd May 1811.
I have the honour to acquaint you with my arrival here
yesterday morning, after a short passage of only four days from
the Downs. Admiral Reynolds arrived here with the detachment
from Hosley Bay ten days before, and Admiral Dixon yesterday
evening. The weather proving unfavourable, I have received no
communication from Gothenburg, except by a letter from Mr.
Consul Smith, informing me that, on his having signified my
arrival to the Governor, he immediately despatched a courier to
Stockholm, agreeably to orders he had received from thence, and
that when the courier reached Stockholm, it would determine the
commander-in-chief Count Essen's journey to Gothenburg, which
had been postponed until the account of my arrival was
received.
The Consul adds, that everything was very tranquil hitherto,
and that I should see him soon on board the Victory. I
received letters from Mr. Fenwick informing me that the Danes
were fitting out more than double the number of privateers and
armed vessels than they did last year, intending, if possible,
to obstruct the passage of the convoys through the Belt. This
is a service that I fear will be attended with much hazard and
difficulty, if the trade is carried on to any considerable
extent.
The island of Anholt is threatened with a second attack, and
will require stationary force for its protection.
I am, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To the Right Hon. C. Yorke, &c. &c. &c.
On the 4th of May Sir James received the alarming intelligence that
the cargoes of both goods and colonial produce at Carlshamn, were
ordered by the Governor of Carlscrona to be discharged and conveyed up
the country. Admiral Puke had also ordered three of the largest
merchant ships to be fitted as block ships for the additional defence
of Carlshamn, which was considered as a bad omen.
No one, excepting Sir James, doubted that this was an act of
hostility, and that a retaliation on our part would speedily take
place. The Admiral, however, judged that it was only to keep quiet the
French agents. He accordingly forbore to proceed to hostilities, and
wrote the following letter to Mr. Yorke:
Victory, Wingo Sound, 11th May 1811.
SIR,
I received two days ago the enclosed from Mr. Fenwick,
informing me of the unloading of the cargoes on board the
neutral vessels at Carlshamn, and that the British goods and
colonial produce had been conveyed up the country. Although Mr.
Fenwick appears under very considerable alarm at the
circumstance, I do not believe it to have been with any hostile
views against our commerce, although it certainly requires
explanation, and I have written to Mr. Smith upon the subject.
I expected to have received some communication from Stockholm,
in consequence of the courier which was despatched upon my
arrival; but nothing has as yet reached me. This is rather a
dubious crisis, and I trust soon to be better informed of the
sentiments of the Swedish Government towards us; at the same
time, I have no reason to believe they are more hostile than
last year.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Jas. Saumarez.
To the Right Hon. C. Yorke, &c. &c. &c.
At the same time Sir James wrote the following letter to Rear-admiral
Reynolds, who had been ordered to Hano, the place of rendezvous, which
is only six leagues from Carlshamn.
Victory, in Wingo Sound, 11th May 1811.
MY DEAR REYNOLDS,
This will be delivered to you by Mr. Wilkinson, the gentleman I
mentioned to you on leaving the Victory: he proposes
establishing himself upon Hano Island for the furtherance of
commercial arrangements, and as he is well known as a person of
respectability, I beg leave to introduce him to your friendly
offices.
I have not been able as yet to obtain any explanation of the
extraordinary circumstance that has taken place at Carlshamn,
and I am as yet uninformed whether it has been a business of
the merchants only, or by direction of the Government. As soon
as I can receive any information, I shall write to you by a
courier; in the mean time, we cannot act with too great
moderation in the present state of affairs.
Believe me,
With the highest regard, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To Rear-admiral Reynolds, &c. &c. &c.
Meanwhile Sir James, instead of making any hostile demonstration, most
readily complied with the request of Count Rosen, the Governor of
Gothenburg, to grant him a licence for a vessel to sail to Lubeck for
medicine and drugs for the use of Sweden, and enclosed him passports
for Baron Stedinck for the purpose of allowing two vessels to proceed
to St. Petersburg, to convey his excellency from thence to Stockholm.
He concludes his letter thus: "I take this opportunity to express the
satisfaction it affords me to have it in my power to comply with your
wishes," &c. (14th May) making no mention of the affair at Carlshamn.
On the 17th Mr. Smith came on board the Victory, being desired by
Count Rosen to inquire whether, in the event of differences between
Sweden and Norway, the hostile measures of Sweden would be opposed by
Sir James, to which he replied that he was not authorised to make any
opposition to such an attack, but that he did not consider himself
justified in supporting it without having instructions from
Government; at the same time Sir James received information by an
officer who had been some time a prisoner at Christian Sand,
representing that place as open to an attack in order to capture the
merchant vessels therein, as well as the flotilla.
It was evident that the Swedes were very intent on the possession of
Norway, either by negotiation or otherwise; but it was questionable
whether such an addition would be advisable. Sir James was of opinion
that if Norway could be rendered independent of Denmark or of any
other country, it was not improbable that the inhabitants of that
country would accede to proposals to that effect, if assured of the
support of our Government and the advantage of our trade to them. Sir
James both personally and by letter, previously to his coming on
board, had expressed to Mr. Smith that the sequestration of the
British property at Carlshamn had been by no means satisfactorily
explained, and requested that an account of this apparently
unjustifiable measure should be speedily given, assuring them that
nothing short of the full restitution of the property would be
accepted, and requiring that his strongest remonstrances should be
transmitted to Stockholm without delay. The consequence was the
appearance of the Baron Tawast, who came with a flag of truce
ostensibly to treat for the exchange of prisoners, but virtually to
explain the affair of Carlshamn. The usual articles for the cartel
were exchanged, ratified, and published, and need not be inserted
here; but the true mission of the Swedish general will be best
understood from the following letter, which Sir James wrote
immediately after the conference.
Victory, in Wingo Sound, 23rd May 1811.
SIR,
I request you will please to inform the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty that Major-General Baron Tawast,
commander-in-chief of the Swedish forces at Gothenburg and the
coast adjacent, in the absence of his excellency Count Essen,
having yesterday come on board his Majesty's ship Victory,
under a flag of truce, for the purpose of entering into an
arrangement with me for the exchange of prisoners, and other
points connected with the present state of affairs between our
respective nations, informed me, that he was instructed to
communicate to me, in the most confidential manner, that it was
the earnest wish of the Swedish Government to keep up the most
amicable terms with Great Britain; and that it was not
intended, under any circumstances, to commit any acts of
hostility whatever; that the supplies of water and fresh
provisions for the use of the squadron should be facilitated
both at Hano Bay and Gothenburg, for which purpose picquets
should be withdrawn from the points the most convenient for
these articles to be received; that the correspondence, both by
post or by courier, should be continued unmolested; and that,
in the event of any British subjects being made prisoners on
any part of the coast, they would be immediately liberated, for
which purpose the cartel intended to be ratified had been
proposed. That the appearance of any hostile measure was only
intended for demonstration, and in order to elude the
vigilance of French spies, who might be dispersed in the
country.
With respect to the late transaction at Carlshamn in landing
the cargoes from the Russian or Danish vessels, it was in
retaliation for the Swedish property sequestered last year in
the ports of those nations, but that the measure was not
intended to operate against merchandise belonging to British
merchants under any other flag, the whole of which would be
secured, and the underwriters, _secretement_, indemnified for
the value of the cargoes that were insured in England.
I strongly represented to Baron Tawast that the merchandise and
colonial produce on board the Russian vessels were positively
the property of British merchants trading to the Baltic, under
licences from one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of
State, and which had been left in one of the ports of Sweden
upon the strength of the declaration made to me in the month of
November last year, that the property of British merchants
would be secured to them, notwithstanding the imperious
necessity which Sweden had been under of declaring war against
England; and that his Majesty's Government would doubtless
expect the same to be restored; or that the merchants would be
indemnified for the full value of the cargoes landed from the
vessels under the Prussian flag; and I requested him to put in
writing what were the real intentions of the Swedish Government
upon that subject; but this he positively declined, nor would
he allow Mr. Consul Smith, who was present when this discussion
took place, to insert any part of it in writing. I signified to
Baron Tawast, for the information of the Swedish Government,
that it was far from my intention to commit any act of
hostility against Sweden, and that I was confident it was the
wish of my Government to keep upon an amicable footing as long
as circumstances would possibly admit; that I received
instructions to allow the coasting trade of Sweden to pass
unmolested, and that I had reason to hope it might be extended
to the ports in Swedish Pomerania, on which the Baron laid so
great a stress, but that I was very apprehensive that the late
measures adopted against the British property at Carlshamn, and
the want of more satisfactory explanations than he appeared
instructed to make to me upon that subject, could not fail
being very ill received by my Government.
Baron Tawast was particularly solicitous that the communication
which he made to me should be considered in the strictest
confidence, and expressed his hopes that the whole of the
conference would be kept a profound secret, which I assured him
I should take particular care to signify in the statement I
transmitted for the information of Government.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
Jas. Saumarez.
To J.W. Croker, Esq. &c. &c. &c.
On the 24th May, the Author being sent confidentially by the Admiral
to insist on some written document to explain the views of the Swedish
Government in the sequestration of British property at Carlshamn, he
obtained a promise, in presence of Mr. Smith, that the demand should
be complied with after the arrival of the Stockholm post that evening;
and accordingly on the following day the Baron Tawast transmitted what
he termed the substance of his verbal communication with Admiral
Saumarez.
1. That the ships under Prussian colours loaded with colonial
produce were detained as reprisals for Swedish ships detained
and confiscated in Prussian ports.
2. That the same step has been taken with the Danish ships, in
consequence of their having captured vessels belonging to
Sweden.
3. That Sweden has been forced by imperious demands to
confiscate all colonial produce found at Carlshamn under
whatever flag, that the cargoes are put into safe stores, and
that the ships are permitted to depart paying nothing, and that
these steps are taken to avoid great inconvenience and to hope
for better times.
4. We engage to indemnify all merchandise insured in England,
therefore, only those merchants who have neglected to insure
will lose.
5. Colonial produce belonging to Swedish subjects will not be
seized or confiscated.
6. Ships having made false declarations, and found loaded with
warlike stores, will be confiscated, as also in time of peace.
7. It is engaged to give every possible facility for watering
and supplying the English fleet with provisions: the same shall
be given to Admiral Reynolds at Hano.
The above explanations stating the substance of the conference,
according to Baron Tawast, being by no means satisfactory to Sir
James, and indeed at variance with what he had inferred from it, he
wrote the following letter to Mr. Smith:
Victory, in Wingo Sound, 25th May 1811.
SIR,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date,
enclosing Baron Tawast's explanations of the late transactions
at Carlshamn. With regard to the first article, it does not
appear that any indemnification is held out for the property
landed from the vessels under the Prussian flag at Carlshamn,
which is represented as an act of retaliation for similar
cargoes, belonging to Sweden, having been confiscated in the
Prussian ports. Neither does the 4th article hold out any
indemnification but to such property as may have been insured
in England, it stating that the loss would fall only upon those
merchants who have neglected to insure their cargoes. I request
you will be pleased to report to Baron Tawast, what I had
before the honour of stating to him, that Government will
naturally expect that the British merchants will be indemnified
for whatever property belongs to them which has been landed
from vessels in Sweden, trading under licences from one of his
Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, at the same time
informing him that I shall transmit by the earliest opportunity
to Government, under strict secrecy, a copy of the document you
enclosed to me, and you will also be pleased to express to him
my acknowledgments for the facility with which the supplies are
proposed to be conveyed to the squadron at this anchorage and
in Hano Bay.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To J. Smith, Esq. Gothenburg.
Sir James at the same time enclosed the document to the Secretary of
the Admiralty, as a confidential communication to the Board. He also
wrote a private letter to Mr. Yorke, which we prefer inserting, as it
gives a more full and explicit detail of all the circumstances of the
transaction, and because it is an answer to the following letter from
him which precedes it, and which was received by Sir James at that
moment.
Admiralty, 21st May 1811.
SIR,
I had the honour to receive your letters of the 3rd, 4th, and
11th inst. and am glad to hear that the first divisions of your
squadron made so favourable a passage to their rendezvous in
Wingo Sound. The four ships with Linzee, which have been ready
for some days, have been detained by the strong easterly winds;
and though they sailed from St. Helen's the day before
yesterday, I should not wonder to hear that they have put back
again. Impetueux is getting forward, and we shall send her to
you as soon as we can spare her from the reserve. Fisguard
ought to be ready, but is to call at Deal for M. de Begenhas,
Minister from Portugal to Russia, whom you will have the
goodness to land as well as you can at Gothenburg, that he may
find his own way forward.
I think we ought not to listen for a moment to any Swedish
projects on Norway; my own opinion is that Bernadotte is
playing us false, and at any rate I, for one, should dread to
see a consolidation of the Swedish and Norwegian power, such as
it is, in his, or indeed in any hand.
Since the arrival of the accounts of the landing the cargoes at
Carlshamn, and the accompanying measures, considerable distrust
appears to prevail here about alternate views of the Swedish
Government. A little more time will develop their plans in all
probability; in the mean time it seems very desirable that the
bulk of your efficient force should remain where it is (in the
Sleeve) to be ready to receive the requisite orders. Admiral
Young has taken his station off West Cassel, and has fifteen
sail of the line. Enemy, eleven in the Scheldt, three in Texel,
and two at Helvoet. When the Impetueux joins, you will have
eighteen, which is as many as we shall be able to give you for
some time at least.
The public letters will have apprised you of the views of the
Board of Trade and of the Government in the several points on
which it was important that you should be informed. The Swedes
should be gently but steadily convinced that it is in our power
to resent this ill usage, and to turn the consequence of
perfidy on the inventors; but the evil day should be postponed
as long as possible and every practicable chance should be
given them of remaining in the right path.
Accounts have been received this morning from Oporto via
Bristol in eight days, which give us reason to suppose that
Massena has had a good beating near Almeida on the 3rd, 4th,
and 5th inst., and has been obliged to retire towards
Salamanca, with the loss of four thousand killed, and seven
hundred prisoners. The British loss is stated at twelve
hundred. It is very probable, as when the last accounts came
away a battle was shortly expected.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
C. Yorke.
To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart., K.B. &c. &c.
Victory, in Wingo Sound, 28th May 1811.
DEAR SIR,
I have received the honour of your letter of the 21st, and I
beg to assure you that I shall pay particular attention to that
part of it which relates to the measures to be pursued with
this country. With the exception of the affair at Carlshamn,
which took place previously to my arrival, nothing has occurred
to cause any interruption to the same intercourse as was held
last year. The usual supplies are continued, and the places
pointed out whence they can be most readily received. There
certainly appears great prevarication on the part of the
Swedish Government relative to the property landed from the
neutral vessels at Carlshamn; and in an object of such
importance, I beg to suggest the expediency of one or two
persons, duly authorised by the merchants and underwriters
concerned in the Baltic trade, repairing to Stockholm for the
purpose of asserting their claims, and seeing how far this
Government may be disposed to indemnify them for the property
sequestered. The sooner such a measure is adopted the better,
as should it be delayed, and any alteration take place betwixt
the two Governments, the whole will be lost. From what passed
between Baron Tawast and myself, I have reason to believe that
Sweden would accede to this proposal.
In my letter to the Board I have recommended that the two bomb
vessels that were intended for this station, should be
expedited; their appearance alone would have the best effect in
intimidating the Swedes to a compliance with our just demands.
I am in hourly expectation of seeing the ships from Spithead;
the addition of the Impetueux will, I hope, make us
sufficiently strong in line-of-battle ships, but two or three
good frigates are much required.
I beg to offer you my sincere congratulations on the continued
success of the army under Lord Wellington, and I trust the
accounts from Spain will prove equally splendid.
With the highest regard,
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
The Right Hon. Chas. Yorke.
P.S.--I have received no further accounts from Mr. Smith
relative to the rupture between Russia and France, which makes
me apprehend that the reports have not been confirmed.
It now became Sir James's duty to make a strong remonstrance to the
Swedish Government. Anticipating the worst, he had made dispositions
of the force under his command, which were at least sufficient to
ensure respect. This was well known to Baron Tawast, whose visit was
probably, in addition to other objects, to ascertain whether or not
resistance could be effectually made in the event of hostile measures
being taken. The following is the remonstrance alluded to.
His Britannic Majesty's ship Victory, Wingo Sound,
30th May 1811.
SIR,
I have the honour to inform your excellency that intelligence
having been received by his Majesty's Government, that the
cargoes belonging to British subjects, and that have been
insured to a considerable amount in England, embarked in
vessels belonging to Prussia, Denmark, Mecklenburg, and other
States, have been landed in Sweden by order of the Swedish
Government, under pretext of making reprisals for the Swedish
property said to have been confiscated in Prussia and
Denmark,--I have been directed to remonstrate in the strongest
manner against measures so deeply affecting the interest of his
Majesty's subjects, and at the same time to signify to the
Swedish Government that I cannot permit such proceedings, under
whatever pretext they may be disguised, and that if acts of so
injurious a tendency are persevered in, I shall be obliged to
depart from that indulgent course I have hitherto pursued
towards Sweden.
In requesting your excellency will be pleased to make known the
above communication to your Government, I beg to renew the
assurances of the perfect consideration with which I have the
honour to be, Sir, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To his Excellency M. General Baron de Tawast,
Commander-in-chief, &c. Gothenburg.
Baron Tawast's reply to this letter was a simple assurance that no
hostile act was intended, and that the Swedish Government had been
compelled to act as it had done. He had no doubt but eventually the
English merchants would be indemnified, and he trusted that Sir James
would not insist on sending his remonstrance to Government as he had
no doubt that Baron Von Essen, who was expected in a few days, would
explain all to his satisfaction, and that a rupture would thereby be
avoided. The same assurances were given to Mr. Consul Smith, but their
proceedings had so evidently the appearance of gaining time that Sir
James firmly insisted that his remonstrance should be transmitted to
Government through the medium of Baron Essen, and in reply to a note
from Consul Smith and Baron Tawast he wrote the following:
Victory, in Wingo Sound, 6th June 1811.
SIR,
I request you will signify to Baron Tawast, that I can have no
objection to the letter I had the honour to address to him on
the 30th ultimo being communicated to the Swedish Government
through the means of his Excellency Count Essen; but having
received directions from England to make the remonstrance it
contained on the very unexpected measures adopted against the
property of the British, I hold it my indispensable duty to
require that it should be transmitted to the Government at
Stockholm.
It could never be expected by this country that England would
pass with indifference a measure so seriously affecting the
interests of British merchants; and Government will naturally
expect some satisfactory explanation upon the subject. Those
made to me by Count Rosen and Baron Tawast have been
transmitted without delay, and I hope those in reply to the
remonstrance I have made by order of Government will prove of a
satisfactory nature.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To J. Smith, Esq., Gothenburg.
P.S.--You will be pleased to signify to his Excellency Count
Rosen and General Baron Tawast, that I have not replied to the
confidential communications they have done me the honour to
make, as you would more fully convey to them any sentiments
upon the subject to which they relate, and at the same time
express to them my most ardent hope that the amicable
intercourse that has existed between both countries, may not be
interrupted by the present unfortunate altercation.
His Britannic Majesty's ship Victory, in Wingo Sound,
6th June 1811.
Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez has the honour to signify to M.
General Baron Tawast that he has lost no time in transmitting
to his Government the note his excellency has been pleased to
address to him on the 4th inst. in reply to his letter of the
30th ultimo, remonstrating by order of his Government against
the late measures pursued in Sweden upon the British property
landed from the neutral vessels in the Swedish ports, and which
Baron Tawast was requested to communicate to his Government.
Notwithstanding the reasons assigned by Baron Tawast for
wishing to delay transmitting to Stockholm the remonstrance
above mentioned, the Vice-admiral thinks it his indispensable
duty (having received instructions from his Government to that
effect) to request that it should be communicated either
through the means of his Excellency Count Essen, or direct to
the Ministers at Stockholm, according as Baron Tawast may judge
most advisable; and the Vice-admiral hopes that the reply from
the Swedish Government will be of a nature to convince England
of the uprightness of its intentions in the proceedings
adverted to, and that the amicable course hitherto pursued will
meet with no further interruption.
The Vice-admiral requests Baron Tawast will receive the
assurance of his perfect consideration.
At the same time Sir James sent a detail of his proceedings to the
Admiralty, with a disposition of the fleet, which was now prepared for
the worst. He recommended that proper persons should be sent to Sweden
for the purpose of making claims for the merchants and underwriters,
and he also desired that bomb-vessels might be sent to him, which
would show that his remonstrance was serious. By letters from Mr. Foy
at Stockholm, and from Mr. Consul Fenwick at Helsingburg, Sir James
learnt that the amount of property confiscated at Carlshamn amounted
to 500,000_l._, about half of which was insured; that the measure of
confiscation was very unpopular in Sweden, but that every one relied
on his moderation and forbearance. From this time forward the
situation of Sweden was extraordinary beyond precedent, as fully
represented in the following extract of a letter which the Swedish
Admiral Krusenstjerna subsequently wrote to the Author:
I know nothing, says he, of politics, but I find our situation
very singular. Our _friends_ the French and Danes express their
friendship to us with unremitted zeal in capturing and robbing
from us our merchant vessels, whilst our _enemies_ the English
let them pass unmolested from one port to another. We did not
suffer by one hundred times as much from these two nations, the
time we were at war against them, as we do now when they call
themselves our friends and allies.
The Danes, not content with attacking ships passing through the Sound
and Belt, had the audacity to send their privateers to the coast of
Sweden, only eight leagues to the southward of Wingo, where the
Victory was at anchor. Information being given of their position, a
small one was surprised and taken without resistance by two of the
Victory's boats under Lieutenants Ross and Brenton. In September,
accounts were obtained that two of superior force had taken a position
among the small islands ten leagues to the southward of Gothenburg,
when Lieut. D.L. St. Clair and Mr. E. Purcell, midshipman, were
detached from the Victory in search of them. The Danes, not
calculating on the prowess of British officers and men, left their
vessels in a small creek, probably as a decoy, landed their guns, and
planted them on an eminence which commanded them, and on the approach
of the Victory's boats had promised themselves the capture of a part
of the crew and the boats of the English commander-in-chief. But
Lieutenant St. Clair, to the astonishment of the enemy, pushed
directly for the battery, and ascending the hill gallantly stormed and
carried it at the point of the sword, the Danes having fled on the
approach of the assailants. Few prisoners were made, but both
privateers were taken and carried to the Victory on the following
morning.
Sir James duly appreciated the bravery of these officers, and having
represented their gallant conduct to the Lords of the Admiralty,
Lieut. St. Clair was promoted to the rank of commander, and
subsequently employed in the Baltic and coast of Spain. Mr. Purcell,
who had particularly distinguished himself, was made Lieutenant, and
is now a Captain of the Royal Navy.
Sir James's remonstrances had at length the desired effect. After
several confidential interviews which the Author had with Count Rosen,
it was agreed that the Count should come privately on board the
Victory, to explain everything to the commander-in-chief, which he did
on the 25th of June. The following letter to Mr. Yorke will show the
happy result of Sir James's wise conduct and well-timed firmness in
this important crisis.
Victory, Wingo Sound, 26th June 1811.
DEAR SIR,
If I could have had any further doubts upon my mind relative to
the sincerity of the intentions of this Government, they have
been perfectly removed by the conversation I had yesterday with
Count Rosen, who came on board the Victory, by desire of the
Crown Prince, in consequence of my remonstrance upon the affair
at Carlshamn, as will appear by my public letter. Count Rosen
assured me that it was the earnest desire of the Crown Prince
to render Sweden independent of France whenever he could do so
consistent with her security, but they are so apprehensive
that, in the event of the difference between Russia and France
being settled, Bonaparte will bring that country to act against
Sweden, they dare not openly avow that sentiment. I informed
Count Rosen that so long as Sweden acted up to the system he
mentioned to be intended towards England, I had every reason to
believe that his Majesty's Government would be satisfied with
it; but that if it should be deviated from, I had the
authority, and they might be assured I would exert the utmost
in my power to resent any aggression on the part of Sweden,
with which he was perfectly satisfied, and informed me that he
would communicate to the Crown Prince precisely what I stated
to him. There have been very serious commotions in Scania on
account of the conscriptions, wherein several of the peasantry
have lost their lives, and about three thousand guards under
the Prince, and a strong body of troops, have been ordered to
that province to restore order. I have had the honour to
receive your letter of the 14th by the Impetueux, and since
that one of the 8th, with a commission for Mr. Delisle, for
which I beg to return my thanks.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To the Right Hon. Chas. Yorke, &c. &c. &c.
Soon after this letter was despatched, Sir James received information
that Russia had determined not to accede to the terms of Bonaparte,
and that a rupture was likely to take place; the situation of Sweden,
therefore, became every day more critical. She had now to determine
whether she would throw herself into the arms of France for
protection, or still depend on England for independence, Had
hostilities actually commenced, the former would, doubtless, have been
her decision, and it is impossible to say what might have been the
consequences. On the one hand the restoration of Finland was the
probable result of an alliance with France, while the whole force of
Russia was employed in repelling the invaders; and on the other hand,
Norway might be added, as an indemnification for the loss of
Pomerania.
Trusting in the honour of the British Admiral, the Crown Prince of
Sweden did not hesitate to place the most implicit confidence in Sir
James. The negotiation for a treaty of peace, and for a coalition
against the tyrant of France, only wanted the presence of an
accredited Plenipotentiary to make it complete.
The Oberon sloop of war arrived with an officer of distinction, who
proceeded through Sweden to the Continent, and soon after several
Russian noblemen arrived from St. Petersburg with despatches of
importance. The despatches received by the Oberon contained
instructions respecting the affair of Carlshamn; and notwithstanding
the opinions and assurances of Sir James to the contrary, the
Ministers continued to suspect the Crown Prince of Sweden to be
insincere. Being, however, still desirous of remaining at peace with
Sweden, Sir James continued his friendly and courteous policy. The
bomb-ships he sent for had arrived, and his force, both within and
without the Baltic, being formidable, gave Sweden a good excuse for
not proceeding to hostilities, although she had declared war.
Sir James having declared that he "would not fire the first gun,"
things went on as usual, and the restrictions which he found necessary
to put on the Swedish trade, to prevent supplies being thrown into
Norway, was also a good proof to Bonaparte that Sweden was not
favourable to England. During this summer the Tartar frigate was
lost, and two gun-brigs were captured by the Danes, from whom several
privateers and gun-boats were taken, and an exchange of prisoners was
made. At length it was communicated that war between France and Russia
was inevitable, and Sweden having refused to permit French troops to
pass into Norway, ostensibly for the invasion of Scotland, determined
to join England; but it was advisable to keep this state of affairs a
profound secret.
In the mean time the negotiations for an offensive and defensive
alliance continued, and were ready for ratification when the Oberon
arrived with Mr. (now Sir Edward) Thornton. This ship, on leaving
Portsmouth, was supposed to be bound for the West Indies, and letters
were actually on board her for the Leeward Islands; but on opening her
sealed orders, Capt. Murray, her commander, found he was destined for
Gothenburg, and that he was to have no communication on his passage
with any other ship. Being unacquainted with the coast of Sweden, and
having no pilot on board, his ship unfortunately ran on shore in a
thick fog; the guns were thrown overboard, and every exertion made in
vain to get the ship off. It is scarcely possible to describe the
anxiety of Mr. Thornton (who had been hitherto supposed to be a
passenger for the West Indies) until the morning gun of the Victory
informed them that their ship was on the rocks to the northward of
Wingo Beacon, over which the flag of the Victory (white at the fore)
could be plainly distinguished, and in an hour afterwards he was safe
in the Admiral's cabin.
The utmost caution was still necessary in communicating with Count
Rosen, and so strictly were the orders given by the commandant of the
castle complied with, that several attempts to get Mr. Thornton on
shore were unsuccessful. He was at length smuggled into the fort as a
servant of the Author, who had, from his knowledge of the Swedish
language, no difficulty in passing the gates as a Swedish officer.
Thus were all differences happily adjusted: it was determined to keep
up the appearance of war without committing any act of hostility on
either side.
We shall now turn to the situation of the fleet. Admiral Reynolds had
been stationed at Hano, which is near Matvick, where the convoys
assembled, and which were with very little loss protected through the
Belt. On the 9th of November, the St. George sailed from Hano with the
last homeward bound convoy, which had been put back by a gale on the
1st.
The account of the disasters that befel this unfortunate fleet, which,
as a prelude to the losses which afterwards took place, must be
interesting to every reader, will be best given from the lamented
Admiral's own report to Sir James, which has not before appeared in
print.
St. George, off Nystad, bearing N.N.E. 1/4 E., 19th November
1811.
SIR,
It gives me inexpressible concern to inform you of the sad
disaster which has befallen his Majesty's ship St. George,
bearing my flag. I have already detailed to you, sir, the gale
of the 1st instant, which caused the merchant ships to return
to Matvick for shelter, and transmitted you convoy lists of one
hundred and twenty sail, which sailed from Hano Bay with us on
the 9th instant, besides twelve more which had no instructions.
On the evening of the 10th we had severe weather, and anchored
between Moen Island and Dars Head. On the morning of the 12th
we weighed, and (the wind heading us before dark) anchored off
Nystad with the convoy pretty well collected. At the close of
the evening of the 15th, the weather was remarkably fine, but
about ten at night it began to blow strong with a heavy, swell
from W.S.W., and we veered to a cable and half on the small
bower. The gale increasing, we veered to two cables, and should
probably have rode the gale out safe had not a large ship of
the convoy drove athwart hawse and parted our cable. The best
bower was immediately let go, and veered to two cables, which
did not check her. We then let go the sheet anchor and gave her
two cables on that also, but she would not look at it. By this
time we had shoaled our water from ten to eight fathoms, and
the fury of the gale increasing, we continued to shoal into
seven and six fathoms, when the pilots and officers advised the
cutting away the masts as the only means of saving the ship and
the lives of the people. I resisted their advice for some
time, in hopes that a favourable lull might bring the ship up;
but when she had drifted into a quarterless five, and still
driving before a tempest of wind and rain, I ordered the axe to
be laid to the mast, and soon after they were over the side:
the ship struck violently several times, and the rudder was
torn away with a tremendous crash. About four in the morning
the strength of the gale abated, and her shocks were less
violent. Every officer and man in the ship were now employed
erecting jury-masts, hoping that by lightening her we should be
able to float her off; and at daylight I telegraphed Captain
Pater of the Cressy to prepare us a Pakenham rudder; and it
still blowing too strong for boats to come to us, I made
signals for the Rose and Bellete to anchor a cable's length
from us and from each other, upon our larboard bow, that when
it moderated we might send hawsers to them to endeavour to
heave us off. Nystad now bore N.N.E. 1/2 E. distant about five
miles, and Skielbye church E.N.E., and the ship lay in four
fathoms water. On the 16th we were busily employed rigging
jury-masts. Towards the evening it moderated, and about four in
the morning of the 17th we had the cheering happiness to find
she had swung to her anchor. The hands were instantly turned to
the capstan, and we hove short on the sheet cable. The night
signal was then made for the assistance of boats, and having
happily succeeded in warping her into deep water, we made sail
(with which we steered her) with a fine breeze from the
eastward, and anchored near the convoy in eleven fathoms.
I have much pleasure in acquainting you, sir, that the officers
and ship's company merit my warmest praise for the constant
exertions and cheerful obedience with which they conducted
themselves throughout this distressing scene. Captain Guion
was unwearied and indefatigable, and his abilities could never
have been better shown than on this trying occasion. It is no
small consolation to me that in the awful moment of the masts
going over the side, and throughout the whole terrific gale,
not a man was hurt.
I have now, sir, to acquaint you that out of one hundred and
twenty sail which were at anchor here when the gale began, only
seventy-six are now remaining; twelve are seen wrecked upon the
Danish coast and in the enemy's possession; two ran foul of
each other, and both went to the bottom, and in the midst of
the gale several of the smaller vessels were observed
dismasted, and the sea making an entire breach over them; it is
much to be feared they foundered at their anchors. Many
remaining here are so much disabled that I doubt whether they
will be able to proceed with us, although they have had every
assistance from his Majesty's ships which could be given them.
I am happy, sir, to tell you that the St. George has her
jury-masts rigged, and her rudder hung, and is in every respect
as complete to proceed with the convoy (the first favourable
wind) as hands can make her in our present situation.
Before I conclude this narrative, permit me to insert my public
acknowledgments of the prompt and timely assistance I received
from every Captain of his Majesty's ships under my orders,
which accelerated our equipment much sooner than otherwise
could be expected.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
R.C. REYNOLDS.
Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. K.B.
&c. &c. &c.
James received the above letter on the 29th of November, when
he despatched a vessel with the disastrous intelligence to
England. In his answer to Admiral Reynolds we find the
following paragraph:
Greatly as I lament the severe injury sustained on board the
St. George, and the melancholy loss of so many vessels of the
convoy by the tempestuous weather, I am fully persuaded that
every possible means, which judgment and skill could dictate,
were employed by you for the safety of his Majesty's ships and
the preservation of the convoy under such perilous
circumstances, and I highly applaud the good conduct manifested
by the officers and men of the St. George during the whole of
so trying an occasion, and the alacrity and exertions displayed
by them in having jury-masts erected during the continuance of
the gale, which reflects the highest credit on Captain Guion,
for the good order and discipline preserved in the ship. I also
feel great satisfaction in observing your marked approval of
the prompt and ready assistance you received from all the
Captains of his Majesty's ships and vessels under your orders.
Accounts from Captain Dashwood informed Sir James that thirty out of
the fifty-six vessels supposed to be lost had reached Matvick with the
loss of their anchors and cables, and that he would take them under
his convoy as soon as they could be got ready to sail.
Admiral Reynolds received assistance from Admirals Dixon and Bertie,
who were stationed in the Belt, and the St. George with her convoy
reached Wingo Sound in safety on the 2nd of December. As the season
was so far advanced, it was proposed to leave the St. George at
Gothenburg during the winter, but Admiral Reynolds entreated that he
might be permitted to navigate the ship to England, which, he said in
hearing of the Author, was "as fit to make her passage with the
assistance of another ship of the line as any in the fleet." Sir James
did not accede to his wishes until he had also taken the opinion of
Capt. Guion; and it was at length determined that she should be
attended by the Cressy, Capt. Pater, and the Defence, Capt. Atkins,
while the Hero, Capt. Newman, took charge of the convoy.
During the stay of the fleet in Wingo Sound, court-martials were held
on the Commanders and crews of the Manly and Safeguard gun-brigs,
which had been captured by the Danes, and the crews exchanged; also on
the boatswain of the Anholt Island, which had been considered a ship,
but as the pendant had not been flying in the island, doubts had
arisen in the minds of the members of the court, and reference was
made to the Admiralty, with a request that the law officers of the
Crown might be consulted as to the legality of holding a naval
court-martial on the accused.
The St. George had topmasts as lower masts, and top-gallant masts as
topmasts. Her temporary rudder was well fitted and secured. The
Cressy, which had towed her from the Belt, was ordered to take her
again in tow. Everything was prepared for the departure of the whole,
but the wind and weather continued unfavourable, and Sir James again
repeated his wish that the St. George should remain instead of the
Ardent, into which Sir George Hope had hoisted his flag, having orders
to remain in Wingo Sound until the Pyramus, Captain Dashwood, and
Ranger, Captain Acklom, should arrive with the last convoy, which
Captain Dashwood subsequently succeeded in bringing safely through the
Sound, much to his credit, at that late season of the year.
On the 18th of December the wind came from the N.E. when the whole
fleet weighed and made sail. The first squadron consisted of the
Victory, Vigo, Dreadnought, Orion, Mercury, and Snipe; the second
comprised the St. George in tow of the Cressy, the Defence, and
Bellete, and the third the convoy under the Hero and the Grasshopper;
but the wind coming too far to the northward to enable the convoy to
weather the Scaw, the signal was made from the Victory for it to
return into port. At sunset on the 19th the St. George was seen well
to windward of that dangerous headland; but it appeared that she, with
her division, bore up during the night, when the wind came to the
westward of north, as will be seen by the following account of the
proceedings of H.M.S. Cressy, given officially to Sir James by Captain
Pater.
Narrative of the circumstances relating to the St. George since
parting company with the Victory, on the 19th December 1811.
On the night of the 19th December, lost sight of the Victory,
Dreadnought, Vigo, and Orion. On the 20th at half past eight
A.M. signal from the St. George to wear; at ten A.M. the St.
George cast off the tow rope; moderate breezes and hazy
weather; hauled up to the S.E. to get soundings on the Jutland
shore, in order to round the Scaw the better. During the night
fresh breezes and hazy weather; a strong current from the S.W.
setting to the N.E. swept the squadron close to Saloe beacon, on
the Swedish coast. On the morning of the 21st light airs and
hazy, a strong current setting about north at the rate of three
miles per hour: very great difficulty in keeping the ships from
falling on the rocks, they not being further than three miles
off, with a heavy swell right on, and no wind to command the
ships, or stem the current. Telegraph from the St. George to
the Cressy about half past eleven, A.M. "What shall we do this
night?" Cressy's answer, "In a few minutes I will give my
opinion." At three quarters past eleven, A.M., telegraph from
Cressy to St. George, "Anchor in Saloe if possible." About noon
got a Swedish pilot from Saloe, brought by the Bellete. At one
P.M. a strong breeze sprung up from N.N.E. and N.E. St. George,
Cressy, Defence, and Bellete made sail (close-reefed the
topsails, reefed courses, top-gallant masts struck) to the
westward, and continued our course all night through the
Sleeve. St. George steered and sailed very well about five
knots per hour. At ten A.M. on the 22nd, saw the land on the
lee beam, distance eight leagues; made the same known to the
St. George. At half-past eleven made the signal to the St.
George for the Holmes, bearing S.S.W. distance six or seven
leagues. At four P.M. Bovenbergen bore south about seven
leagues; stood to the westward all night; moderate weather,
wind about N. or N. by W. On the 23rd, at nine A.M., Cressy to
the St. George by signal, "Shall I take you in tow?" answered
with the negative flag: observed one of her rudder guys gone,
and the people repairing it. Wind had shifted to N.W. by W. the
squadron wore about seven hours thirty minutes A.M. and stood
to the N.E., with a view to open the Sleeve, the weather
appearing to indicate a gale of wind from that quarter. At ten
A.M. strong gales and squally with rain; St. George
close-reefed courses and topsails, then stood to the N.E. At
half-past eleven P.M. very strong gales split our foresail; St.
George took in topsails and courses. At one P.M. strong gales;
St. George set her foresail. At half-past two P.M. strong and
heavy squalls of wind and rain from the N.W. with a heavy sea;
observed the St. George to labour very much and roll very deep.
St. George shortened all sail except the mizen-staysail and
try-sail; St. George drifting to leeward so much as to oblige
us to bear up three or four times in a watch, each time one
mile, or three quarters at least, in order to keep to leeward
of her; the land of Bovenbergen on her lee bow about three
points, the Holmes right a head of her. The wind had at four
P.M. shifted to the N.N.W.; the land on her lee beam, nine
leagues, was that part of Jutland a few miles to the southward
of Bovenbergen. At eight o'clock the Horn Reef, bearing S.S.W.
distance forty miles; at this time a tremendous heavy sea was
setting on the shore in the direction of E.S.E. At six lost
sight of the Bellete; the last sight we had of the Defence she
was standing with her head in shore, E.N.E. under storm
mizen-stay-sail and try-sail. At nine P.M. the gale still
increasing; St. George, as before, drifting about N.E. or N.E.
by E. with storm mizen-stay-sail and try-sail only, appearing
from some cause to be unable to wear, as she never attempted
it, although it was the most safe and profitable tack to be
upon, there being no possibility of getting off on the larboard
tack, but on the contrary must inevitably go on shore; this I
particularly remarked with great anxiety and concern from three
o'clock that afternoon, and was constantly in expectation of
his wearing, and carrying what sail he could on the starboard
tack, in order, if possible, to clear the Horn Reef: although
the clearing of the reef might be doubtful, it was the only
chance left, and would at least have given him a longer drift;
but from his not doing so, I am of opinion _his masts had
complained and were unable to carry any more sail_, as well as
the rudder, which certainly wanted securing. At ten P.M. as no
steps were taken by the St. George to wear, and finding from
our soundings and reckoning we were only nine leagues from the
land on our lee beam, that we could not possibly clear the land
on the larboard tack, and having drifted so far to the
eastward, it became a doubt whether we should be able to clear
the Horn Reef, and that there was no time to lose, on which to
resolve either to cut away all our masts and try to hold on by
our anchors, after having run into shoal water, which we have
reason to believe was nearer than our reckoning gave us. Had we
taken such a step our success would have been very doubtful,
although we might previously have cut away our masts, and made
the ship a complete wreck for that purpose, as we had only two
bower anchors and two cables on each, (the bower cables in each
being half worn,) no spare anchor to trust to, the sheet anchor
being broken in the shank, and only an old worn-out bower cable
(kept to be surveyed) which was bent to it. The Defence, I
believe, was differently situated in this respect; but that is
a mere conjecture. Thus the situation of the Cressy was very
alarming, which had most sensibly struck every individual on
board; the officers particularly, who had been so strongly
impressed with our perilous situation for some time before,
lamenting and verbally stating to me their opinion of our
inability and impossibility of being able to render any service
to the St. George, even in any way whatever, risk the Cressy as
much as I would. I desired them all to consult and let me know
their opinion in writing, which they did in the accompanying
hasty scrawl: No. 1, delivered about ten o'clock, and No. 2,
about quarter before eleven. Their sentiments and opinion being
the same as my own on the subject, namely, that we could not be
of any service to the St. George or to any person on board,
whatever might be her fate under the existing circumstances,
and that our destruction was certain if we lost any time in
getting on the other tack,--I then (after having ordered every
thing to be ready to cut away our masts) embraced the
alternative to wear and carry sail to save the ship, which I
did at half-past ten P.M. and passed close to the St. George
with our reefed fore-sail only, in order to induce him to wear,
and give him the opportunity of signifying his wish for me to
remain with him, if he did not approve of what we did, which he
might have done by four lights, in a diamond signal No. 30, or
by firing three guns, also night signal No. 30, "Keep your wind
on the larboard tack." Heavy and severe as the gale was, there
was considerable light, as we had a moon; although not seen,
yet it enlightened the atmosphere so as to enable us to see
every mast, sail, or any object that was above her hammocks: we
were so close in passing, that we could in moderate weather, at
such a distance, have conversed with great ease; and were about
a quarter of an hour in passing her; so that his not making any
signal, and his still keeping the St. George's head on the same
tack, I considered I had his approbation to use every endeavour
to clear the land and save the ship from being wrecked on the
lee shore.
The remainder of Captain Pater's narrative need not be given, as it
relates only to the proceedings in his own ship, and his arrival in
the Downs on the 30th December; neither need we give the opinions
alluded to, as they are a repetition of that of the Captain, and
signed by the five lieutenants, the master, the pilot, and the purser.
The first account of the wreck of the St. George and Defence was
received by a flag of truce, sent by the Danish General Tellequist
from Randers, that on the night between the 23rd and 24th of December,
a few miles to the southward of the Holmes, the fatal catastrophe took
place. The Danish commander-in-chief, after expressing much sympathy
and feeling on the sad disaster, informs Captain Maurice that the
bodies of Captain Atkins and other officers had been found and
interred with military honours, but they had not then discovered the
body of the Admiral. It appeared from the account of the survivors,
eighteen in number, (twelve belonging to the St. George and six to the
Defence,) that the St. George struck about one o'clock on the morning
of the 24th, and soon afterwards the Defence, a short distance to the
northward of her. The anchors in both ships were immediately let go,
and the masts cut away; the St. George came for a short time head to
wind. About four she parted in the middle; the sea making a fair
breach over the ships, many of the crew were washed overboard, while
others were killed or frozen to death where they had tied themselves
to the weather-railing, among whom were the Admiral and his young and
gallant friend Captain Guion. It is related that one tremendous sea
struck the Defence with such inconceivable force that it lifted the
spare anchor out of its berth, threw it upon end, and in its fall it
killed about thirty men! The fury of the waves had swept all before
them; two of the men were saved in a little Norway yawl belonging to
the Author, which his lamented friend Captain Guion had offered to
take home for him, and which was the only boat that reached the shore;
some were saved on the poop of the St. George when torn from her about
five o'clock.
Captain Atkins and Mr. Royston, Secretary to the Admiral, were both
picked up by the Danes ere life was quite extinct, but all the
kindness and humane endeavours of that hospitable people failed in
keeping up animation. It was affirmed by the survivors of the Defence,
that on the Cressy wearing, the master went to Captain Atkins, and
reported that the St. George must inevitably be wrecked, and that
destruction would also attend the Defence if she did not follow the
Cressy! To this Captain Atkins said, "Has the Defence's signal been
made to part company?" and being answered in the negative, he replied,
"Then I will not leave him." Such heroic sentiments, however worthy of
the gallant Captain, cannot be justified when it was impossible to
render assistance, and the sacrifice not only of his own men, but the
valuable lives of seven hundred others, must have been the well-known
consequence.
Captain Pater's conduct became the subject of a court-martial, by
which he was honourably acquitted. Could he by staying longer with his
Admiral have rendered him any relief he never would have quitted him,
nor did he do so until it became his bounden duty to preserve his own
ship and the gallant crew he commanded.
From the testimony of the survivors of the St. George, who arrived on
board the Victory in April 1812, we learnt that the St. George lost
all her jury-masts and rudder before midnight, that she was many hours
in nine fathoms water, and that the anchors were not let go until she
struck the ground. We do not mean to argue on the probability, if she
had anchored, that she would have brought up or rode out the gale, but
after masts and rudder were gone, surely there was a chance. We
mention it to call the attention of those who may be at some future
period in a similar situation, and as a circumstance which appears by
the following extract of a letter to have struck Sir James, who had
often successfully depended on his anchors under trying occasions.
After a minute perusal of Captain Pater's narrative, I cannot
but express my serious apprehension for the safety of the St.
George upon so dangerous a coast and under such perilous
circumstances; at the same time there still exists a hope that
she may have been brought up at her anchors, and weathered the
severity of the gale, of which I fervently pray their lordships
may soon receive information.
We have dwelt longer on the mournful subject than we intended to do,
in consequence of opinions having been entertained that Sir James had
not consulted Admiral Reynolds and Captain Guion on the subject of the
return of the St. George from Gothenburg, and that therefore some
blame might be attached to him as commander-in-chief. Now, we are not
only able from personal knowledge to contradict these reports, but to
assure our readers that the opinions of these experienced and gallant
officers were actually taken, and likewise those of Captains Pater and
Atkins, immediately on the arrival of the ship at Gothenburg. The
fleet having been detained at Wingo Sound by storms and westerly winds
until the 18th, Admiral Reynolds repeatedly entreated Sir James to
permit the ship to cross the North Sea, and in a conversation the
Author had with Captain Guion, there was in his opinion not the
smallest doubt of her capability of performing the voyage. So well did
she sail that she beat many of the ships of the convoy that sailed at
the same time, and on the morning of the 19th she was still in sight
of the squadron. The loss of the Hero and her convoy, on the Hawk
Sands off the Texel, took place on the same disastrous night, and with
no less fatal consequences.
It appears from letters received from Sir George Hope, that this
convoy returned to Wingo Sound in obedience to signals from the
Victory, but sailed on the 21st with the same breeze, which induced
the St. George to leave Saloe. She succeeded in getting out of the
Sleeve, and having a fair N.W. gale, unfortunately shaped her course
too far to the eastward. Captain Newman and all the crew, excepting
about forty men, perished.
The account of this event, having been published by Capt. Brenton and
other naval historians, need not be further dwelt on. The loss of the
three ships and convoy, as well as that of the Saldanha, in which not
less than five thousand men perished, was made a question in the
House of Commons, when Mr. Yorke, first Lord of the Admiralty, touched
on the mournful subject with so much feeling that it drew forth an
elegant and well-merited expression from Mr. Whitbread, who observed,
that "the calamities were the effect of misfortune alone, and that it
was a consolation to reflect that no blame could be imputed to any
one."
Although Sir James was conscious that such was really the case, it
need scarcely be added that his mind was deeply affected when the
melancholy news arrived, nor could he for many months conceal his
affliction.
The last convoy under Captain Dashwood of the Pyramus, arrived safely.
Instead of passing through the Belt as intended, he availed himself of
a strong S.S.W. wind, and boldly pushed through the Malmoe Channel, led
by the Ranger, Captain Acklom, who so much distinguished himself on
this occasion as to gain his promotion to the rank of post-captain as
a reward for his services.
This convoy consisted of one hundred and twenty sail, leaving only
twelve vessels at Carlshamn, which were a part of the St. George's
convoy that could not obtain anchors and cables. They were off
Falsterbo on the 20th of December, when the wind, which had been
northerly, shifted to the S.W.; on the 23rd they reached Elsineur
Roads, and on the 28th Gothenburg, whence they sailed in company with
Rear-admiral Hope in the Ardent, who had thus finished the service of
the Baltic for the season.
Colonel Dornberg, who had been employed on the Continent
confidentially, had ascertained that Prussia would be forced to join
France against Russia, therefore the Government transports with arms
intended for their assistance were sent back, and formed part of the
Hero's unfortunate convoy.
The Victory, after parting with the St. George, was detained by
baffling winds and thick weather. Fortunately on the 21st good
altitudes of the sun were obtained for the chronometers, and thereby
the situation of the fleet was determined before the storm began on
the 22nd: at noon it blew a strong gale from N.W. (by compass);
Leostoff bore N. 31, W. 203 miles, the Texel S. 136 miles; but an
allowance of two points was made for what was called _indraft_, and
the course steered was S.W. by W. On the 23rd the storm increased with
inconceivable violence: the Victory was scudding under close-reefed
main-top-sail. At noon the signal was made for longitude, when it
appeared that the reckoning of the whole fleet was much to the
westward of the Victory, particularly the Vigo, no less than
eighty-four miles; but none of the ships had observations for the
chronometers, and therefore the commander-in-chief determined on
running by the reckoning of his own ship; and had he not done so, the
whole fleet would have shared the fate of the Hero in the same spot!
At ten P.M. soundings were struck on the broad fourteen, which cleared
up all doubts on the subject; on the next day the gale moderated, the
fleet passed the Gallopere light and anchored to stop tide; on
Christmas-day passed down Channel, and in the evening anchored in St.
Helen's.
I may here observe with propriety, that I have since found the
deviation from the true course, which by pilots and masters of ships
had been attributed to _indraft_, &c. was occasioned entirely by the
_deviation_ of the magnetic needle when steering to the S.W. the point
on which the attraction found in almost every ship was, by a series of
experiments, established to be, from one to two points; (see Ross's
voyage 1818;) while it is notorious that if the ship was standing N.E.
the opposite point, it had been always found that not only no
allowance for _indraft_ was necessary, but that the error in the
reckoning was on the opposite way; and we therefore conclude that many
ships have been lost for want of making the necessary allowance for
the _deviation_ of the compass in steering across the North Sea, in a
storm from N.W.
A correspondence was carried on with the Captains of this squadron
without leading to any satisfactory reason for the extraordinary
errors in the reckonings of each ship, and it is mentioned here to
warn those who may be in a similar situation, and to induce them to
obtain the errors of their compasses, for which plain rules have been
given, if they are not provided with Professor Barlow's apparatus.
On the arrival of the Victory at Spithead, Sir James applied for leave
of absence, and arriving in town received the unqualified approbation
of Ministers, and of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, for his
wise and firm conduct on this critical situation of affairs in the
Baltic, and for the important service he had rendered the country in
maintaining peace, and in supporting the dignity of the Crown and the
best interests of the community.