In Commodore Nelson's first letter to Sir John Jervis, relative to this action, dated December 20, 1796, he assumes not the smallest merit, but modestly gives the entire praise to his officers and crew.
"You are, Sir," says he, "so thoroughly acquainted with the merits of Captain Cockburne, that it is needless for me to express them: but the discipline of La Minerve does the highest credit to her captain and lieutenants, and I wish fully to express the sense which I have of their judgment and gallantry. Lieutenant Culverhouse, the first lieutenant, is an old officer of very distinguished merit; Lieutenants Hardy, Gage, and Noble, deserve every praise which gallantry and zeal justly entitle them to, as does every other officer and man in the ship.
"You will observe, Sir, I am sure, with regret, among the wounded, Lieutenant James Noble; who quitted the Captain to serve with me, and whose merits and repeated wounds, received in fighting the enemies of our country, entitle him to every reward a grateful nation can bestow."
In the handsomest manner, he thus liberally concludes with praising his vanquished antagonist—"La Minerve's opponent being commanded by a gallant officer, was well defended; which has caused her list of killed and wounded to be great, and her masts, sails, and rigging, to be much damaged."
Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with a proper number of men, being put in charge of La Sabina, which was taken in tow, at four in the morning, a Spanish frigate, known by it's signals, was seen coming up; and, at half past four, engaged with La Minerve. Commodore Nelson now cast off the prize, and directed Lieutenant Culverhouse to stand to the southward. After a trial of strength for more than half an hour, the Spaniard wore, and hauled off; or it would, the commodore was confident, have shared the same fate as it's companion.
At this time, three other ships were seen standing for La Minerve. The hope was now alive, that they were only frigates, and that La Blanche was one of them: but, when the day dawned, it was mortifying to find that they were two Spanish ships of the line, and two frigates, while La Blanche was far to windward. In this situation, the enemy, by bringing up the breeze frequently within shot, it required all the skill of Captain Cockburne, which he eminently displayed, to get off with his crippled ship.
"Here," says commodore Nelson, from whose letter to Sir John Jervis the above facts are chiefly collected, "I must also do justice to Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, and express my tribute of praise for their management of the prize. A frigate repeatedly fired into her without effect; and, at last, the Spanish admiral quitted the pursuit of La Minerve for that of La Sabina, which was steering a different course; evidently, with the intention of attracting the notice of the admiral, as English colours were hoisted over the Spanish. The Sabina's main and fore masts fell overboard before she surrendered.
"This is, Sir, an unpleasant tale; but the merits of every officer and man in La Minerve and her prize, were eminently conspicuous through the whole of this arduous day. The enemy quitted the pursuit of La Minerve at dark."
There were ten men wounded in this last attack, but none killed; and the mainmast was much damaged, and the rigging greatly cut.
D'Arcy Preston, Esq. captain of La Blanche, had brought, on the preceding night, a few minutes after La Minerve's first broadside, the smaller Spanish frigate to close action. The enemy made but a trifling resistance, and eight or nine broadsides completely silenced them; when they called out for quarter, and their colours were hauled down.
"I am sorry to add," says Captain Preston, in his letter to Commodore Nelson, written at sea, December 20, "the very near approach of three fresh ships, two of which we discovered nearly within gun-shot before we went into action, rendered my taking possession of her impracticable; when I wore, to join La Minerve. Finding the ships did not then close with the frigate, which I had left much damaged in her hull, sails, and rigging, I again stood after her: but she had, by this time, got her fore-sail, fore top-sail, and fore top-gallant sail, set; and not only out-sailed the Blanche, before the wind, but was joined by another ship standing from the land.
"Nothing could exceed the steadiness and good conduct of the first-lieutenant, Mr. Cowen; and the whole of the officers, and ship's company, I have the honour to command. I have great pleasure to inform you, that not one person was hurt, or the rigging the least damaged.
"I beg leave to add, how much I am obliged to Captain Maitland, who is on board, a passenger, to join his ship, for his very great assistance on the quarter-deck during the action."
The worthy and gallant commodore was far less chagrined at the loss of these two prizes, than at that of his brave officers and men who were unfortunately on board that of which La Minerve had taken possession. He seized, therefore, the first possible opportunity of sending a letter, by a flag of truce, to his Excellency Don Miguel Gaston, Captain General of the Department of Carthagena, of which the following authentic copy is now for the first time printed.
"His Britannic Majesty's Ship the Minerve, at Sea, Dec. 24, 1796.
"SIR,
"The fortune of war put La Sabina into my possession, after she had been most gallantly defended: the fickle dame returned her to you, with some of my officers and men in her.
"I have endeavoured to make the captivity of Don Jacobo Stuart, her brave commander, as light as possible; and I trust to the generosity of your nation for it's being reciprocal for the British officers and men.
"I consent, Sir, that Don Jacobo may be exchanged, and at full liberty to serve his king, when Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy are delivered into the garrison of Gibraltar, with such others as may be agreed on by the cartel established between Gibraltar and St. Roche, for the exchange of prisoners.
"I have also a domestic taken in La Sabina, his name is Israel Coulson. Your excellency will, I am sure, order him to be immediately restored to me, for which I shall consider myself as obliged to you.
"I also trust, that those men now prisoners of war with you will be sent to Gibraltar. It becomes great nations to act with generosity to each other, and to soften the horrors of war.
"I have the honour to be, with the most perfect esteem, your most obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
Not satisfied with this single application, he immediately strengthened it by another epistle, which he addressed to the Spanish Admiral, Don Juan Mareno. In this letter, he also kindly bears testimony to the merits of the unfortunate commander of La Sabina. "I cannot," says he, "allow Don Jacobo to return to you, without expressing my admiration of his gallant conduct. To you, who have seen the state of his ship, it is needless to mention the impossibility of her longer defence. I have lost many brave men: but, in our masts, I was most fortunate; or, probably, I should have had the honour of your acquaintance. But it pleased God to order it otherwise, for which I am thankful. I have endeavoured to make Don Jacobo's captivity as easy as possible; and I rely on your generosity, for reciprocal treatment towards my brave officers and men, your prisoners."
On the 24th of December, La Minerve captured, off the south end of Sardinia, a French privateer, called the Maria, of six nine pounders, and sixty-eight men; which was taken in tow, and carried safely into Porto Ferrajio: they arrived at that port on the 27th, and found there six of his majesty's ships at anchor.
After employing upwards of a month, in refitting ships, and obviating various objections which had been unexpectedly made to the embarkation of the troops and stores from Elba, on the 29th of January 1797, the whole being embarked in twelve sail of transports, La Minerve, with the Romulus, Southampton, Dido, Dolphin, Dromedary, and Sardine, sailed from Porto Ferrajio.
Sir Gilbert Elliot, the late Viceroy of Corsica, since Lord Minto; with the ingenious Colonel Drinkwater, Secretary at War for that island; and the rest of the establishment; took their passage in La Minerve, with Commodore Nelson: who, on his way to Gibraltar, looked into the ports of the respective enemies, that he might be enabled to ascertain, and report to the commander in chief, the apparent state of the combined fleet.
On the 30th, he parted from the convoy, accompanied by the Romulus; and, on the 1st of February, looked into Toulon harbour. They took, on the 5th, a small Spanish felucca; and, on the 6th, another. On the 9th, looked into the harbour of Carthagena; and, on the 10th, safely moored in Rosier Bay, Gibraltar: a few days after the Spanish fleet from Carthagena had been seen to pass through the Straits.
The next day, Commodore Nelson had the pleasure to receive on board
Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with all the seamen belonging to La
Minerve, who had been liberated, by the Spaniards, and returned to
Gibraltar, in consequence of his judicious applications.
Anxious to join Sir John Jervis, that he might partake in the glory of an expected engagement between the two fleets, on Saturday, the 11th, at half past two in the afternoon, La Minerve weighed, and made sail; when, on proceeding westward to the appointed place of rendezvous, two Spanish ships of the line, cut or slipped from Algesiras, and gave chase. La Minerve, however, making all possible sail, left them fast; and, in the evening, was within four leagues of Cape Spartel.
In the morning of the 12th, at half past three, the report of several guns was heard; which, there seemed little doubt, proceeded from the Spanish fleet. The commodore, therefore, bore up to the northward.
Next morning, the 13th, he saw two strange sail bearing north north-west, after which he made sail; and, at half past three, heard several guns fired in that quarter, which was evidently the situation of the Spanish fleet. At half past eight, Commodore Nelson saw the English fleet; and made the private signal, which was answered by the commander in chief.
On joining the fleet, Commodore Nelson communicated to Sir John Jervis what he had remarked respecting the situation of the Spanish fleet; and which, with other intelligence, induced the commander in chief to send off dispatches to England, expressive of his hopes soon to come up with the enemy; whom it was his determination to engage the first moment possible.
Commodore Nelson having been made acquainted, by Sir John Jervis, with the particulars of his plan for the intended order of battle, which had several days before been imparted to the other commanders of the respective ships, shifted his broad pendant, at half past six in the morning, from La Minerve to his former ship, the Captain, of seventy-four guns, Ralph Willet Miller, Esq. commander: shortly after which, the signal was thrown out, for every ship to prepare for action.
Though, on joining the British fleet, the Lively frigate, commanded by the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Garlies, was appointed to proceed with Sir Gilbert Elliot, and the gentlemen accompanying him, to England; there being reason to expect an approaching general engagement with the Spanish fleet, the Lively, at the joint solicitations of Sir Gilbert Elliot and Lord Garlies, who were desirous of waiting and observing the issue, was detained with the squadron, and acted as a repeating frigate during the action.
This circumstance enabled Colonel Drinkwater, who was on board the Lively, to view that interesting scene with a precision and leisure which could never have occurred to any person actually engaged in the conflict.
To the elegant pen of this gentleman, the world is indebted for one of the most accurate and masterly descriptions of a naval engagement which has ever been given; and his correct and elegant pencil has also illustrated his "Narrative of the Proceedings of the British Fleet, commanded by Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B. on the 14th of February 1797," with engraved plans of the relative positions of the two fleets, at the various most momentous periods of the celebrated battle off Cape St. Vincent's.
From this ingenious pamphlet, now become exceedingly scarce, there will, perhaps, be no impropriety in extracting the chief particulars of this, at that time, unparalleled naval victory: particularly as, from the very extraordinary share which Commodore Nelson actually had in this glorious engagement, by disingenuously presenting a garbled account relative to him alone, it might seem rather to appear as his battle, than that of Sir John Jervis, the illustrious commander in chief; who derives, so deservedly, from that splendid victory, his title of Earl of St. Vincent.
The weakness of over-zealous friends is often more prejudicial than the most violent efforts of professed enemies. No man ever less needed, or less desired, to strip a single leaf from the honoured wreath of any other hero, with the vain hope of augmenting his own, than the immortal Nelson; no man ever more merited the whole of that which a generous nation unanimously presented to Sir John Jervis, than the Earl of St. Vincent.
"Before I enter," says Colonel Drinkwater, "on the detail of the proceedings of the important day which will certainly immortalize the name of Jervis, and of his brave seconds, it will be proper to state the relative force of the British and Spanish fleets.
"The British fleet—or, to use, I believe, a more correct term, the British squadron—consisted of fifteen sail of the line, four frigates, a sloop of war, and a cutter; the Spanish fleet, of twenty-seven sail of the line, ten frigates, and a brig.
"Before sun-set, in the evening of the 13th, the signal had been made for the British squadron to prepare for battle, and the ships were also directed to keep in close order during the night.
"At day-break, on the 14th—St. Valentine's Day—the British fleet was in complete order, formed in two divisions, standing on a wind to the south south-west. The morning was hazy. About half past six, the Culloden made the signal for five sail in the south-west by south quarter; which was soon after confirmed by the Lively and Niger frigates, and that the strange sail were by the wind on the starboard tack. The Bonne Citoyenne sloop of war, Captain Lindsey, was therefore directed to reconnoitre.
"At a quarter past eight o'clock, the squadron was ordered, by-signal, to form in a close order; and, in a few minutes afterwards, the signal was repeated to prepare for battle.
"About half past nine o'clock, the Culloden, Blenheim, and Prince George, were ordered to chase in the south by west quarter; which, upon the Bonne Citoyenne making a signal that she saw eight sail in that quarter, was afterwards strengthened by the Irresistible, Colossus, and Orion.
"A little past ten o'clock, the Minerve frigate made the signal for twenty sail in the south-west quarter; and, a few minutes after, of eight sail in the south by west. Half an hour afterwards, the Bonne Citoyenne made the signal that she could distinguish sixteen—and, immediately afterwards, twenty-five—of the strange ships, to be of the line. The enemy's fleet were, indeed, now become visible to all the British squadron.
"The ships first discovered by the Culloden were separated from their main body; which, being to windward, were bearing down in some confusion, with a view of joining their separated ships. It appeared to have been the British admiral's intention, on discovering the separated ships of the enemy's fleet, to have cut them off, if possible, before the main body could arrive to their assistance; and, with this view, the fast-sailing ships of his squadron were ordered to chase.
"Assured, now, of the near position of their main body, he probably judged it most advisable to form his fleet into the line of battle; and the signal was made for their forming the line of battle ahead and astern, as most convenient. A signal was made, directing the squadron to steer south south-west.
"About twenty minutes past eleven o'clock, the admiral pointed out that the Victory, his flag-ship, would take her station next to the Colossus. Some variation in steering was afterwards directed, in order to let the rear ships close up. At twenty-six minutes past eleven o'clock, the admiral communicated his intention to pass through the enemy's line, hoisting his large flag and ensign; and, soon after, the signal was made to engage.
"The British van, by this time, had approached the enemy; and the destination of leading the British line into action, fell to the lot of the Culloden, commanded by Captain Troubridge. About half past eleven o'clock, the firing commenced, from the Culloden, against the enemy's headmost ships to windward.
"As the British squadron advanced, the action became more general; and it was soon apparent, that the British admiral had accomplished his design of passing through the enemy's line.
"The animated and regular fire of the British squadron was but feebly returned by the enemy's ships to windward; which, being frustrated in their attempts to join the separated ships, had been obliged to haul their wind on the larboard tack. Those to leeward, and which were most effectually cut off from their main body, attempted also to form on their larboard tack; apparently, with a determination of either passing through, or to leeward of, our line, and joining their friends: but the warm reception they met with, from the centre ships of our squadron, soon obliged them to put about; and, excepting one, the whole sought safety in flight, and did not again appear in the action till the close of the day. This single ship, which persevered in passing to leeward of the British line, was so covered with smoke, that her intention was not discovered till she had reached the rear: when she was not permitted to pass without notice, but received the fire of our sternmost ships; and, as she luffed round the rear, the Lively, and other frigates, had also the honour of exchanging, with this two-decker, several broadsides.
"Sir John Jervis having effected his first purpose, now directed his whole attention to the enemy's main body to windward; consisting, at this time, of eighteen sail of the line. At eight minutes past twelve, the signal was therefore made for the British fleet to tack in succession; and, soon after, the signal for again passing the enemy's line.
"The Spanish admiral's plan seemed to be, to join his ships to leeward, by wearing round the rear of our line; and the ships which had passed, and exchanged shot, with our squadron, had actually borne up with this view.
"This design, however, was frustrated by the timely opposition of Commodore Nelson; whose station in the rear of the British line afforded him an opportunity of observing this manoeuvre, and of frustrating the Spanish admiral's intention. His ship, the Captain, had no sooner passed the rear of the enemy's ships that were to windward, than he ordered her to wear, and stood on the other tack towards the enemy.
"In executing this bold, and decisive manoeuvre, the commodore reached the sixth ship from the enemy's rear, which was the Spanish admiral's flag, the Santissima Trinidada, of one hundred and thirty-six guns; a ship of four decks, and said to be the largest in the world. Notwithstanding the inequality of force, the commodore instantly engaged this colossal opponent; and, for a considerable time, had to contend not only with her, but with her seconds ahead and astern, of three decks each. While he maintained this unequal combat, which was viewed with admiration, mixed with anxiety, his friends were flying to his support: and the enemy's attention was soon directed to the Culloden, Captain Troubridge; and, in a short time after, to the Blenheim, of ninety guns, Captain Frederick; who, very opportunely, came to his assistance.
"The intrepid conduct of the commodore staggered the Spanish admiral, who already appeared to waver in pursuing his intention of joining the ships cut off by the British fleet; when the Culloden's arrival, and Captain Troubridge's spirited support of the Captain, together with the approach of the Blenheim, followed by Rear-Admiral Parker, with the Prince George, Orion, Irresistible, and Diadem, not far distant, determined the Spanish admiral to change his design altogether, and to make the signal for the ships of his main body to haul their wind, and make sail on the larboard tack.
"Advantage was now apparent, in favour of the British squadron, and not a moment was lost in improving it. As the ships of Rear-Admiral Parker's division approached the enemy's ships, in support of the Captain, and her gallant seconds, the Blenheim and Culloden, the cannonade became more animated and impressive. The superiority of the British fire over that of the enemy, and it's effects on the enemy's hulls and sails, were so evident, that there was no longer any hesitation in pronouncing a glorious termination of the contest.
"The British squadron, at this time, was formed in two divisions, both on the larboard tack: Rear-Admiral Parker, with the Blenheim, Culloden, Prince George, Captain, Orion, and Irresistible, composed one division, which was engaged with the enemy's rear; Sir John Jervis, with the other division, consisting of the Excellent, Victory, Barfleur, Namur, Egmont, Goliah, and Britannia, was pressing forward in support of his advanced squadron, but had not yet approached the real scene of action.
"While the British advanced division warmly pressed the enemy's centre and rear, the admiral meditated, with his division, a co-operation which must effectually compel some of them to surrender.
"In the confusion of their retreat, several of the enemy's ships had doubled on each other; and, in the rear, they were three or four deep. It was, therefore, the British admiral's design to reach the weathermost of these ships; and, then, to bear up, and rake them all, in succession, with the seven ships composing his division. His object, afterwards, was to pass on to the support of his van division; which, from the length of time they had been engaged, he judged might be in want of it. The casual position, however, of the rear ships of his van division prevented his executing this plan. The admiral, therefore, ordered the Excellent, the leading ship of his own division, to bear up; and, with the Victory, he himself passed to leeward of the enemy's rearmost and leewardmost ships; which, though almost silenced in their fire, continued obstinately to resist the animated attack of all their opponents.
"Captain Collingwood, in the Excellent, in obedience to the admiral's orders, passed between the two rearmost ships of the enemy's line; giving to the one most to windward, a seventy-four, so effectual a broadside, in addition to what had been done before, that her captain was induced to submit. The Excellent, afterwards, bore down on the ship to leeward, a three-decker: but, observing the Orion engaged with her, and the Victory approaching her, he threw into her only a few discharges of musketry, and passed on to the support of the Captain, at that time warmly engaged with a three-decker, carrying a flag. His interference here was opportune, as the continual and long fire of the Captain had almost expended the ammunition she had at hand, and the loss of her fore-topmast, and other injuries she had received in her rigging, had rendered her nearly ungovernable.
"The Spanish three-decker had lost her mizen-mast; and, before the Excellent arrived in her proper station to open on this ship, the three-decker dropped astern aboard of, and became entangled with, a Spanish two-decker, that was her second. Thus doubled on each other, the Excellent gave the two ships her fire; and then moved forwards to assist the headmost ships in their attack on the Spanish admiral, and the other ships of the enemy's centre.
"Meanwhile, Sir John Jervis, disappointed in his plan of raking the enemy's rear ships, and having directed, as before observed, the Excellent to bear up, ordered the Victory to be placed on the lee-quarter of the rearmost ship of the enemy, a three-decker; and having, by signal, ordered the Irresistible and Diadem to suspend their firing, threw into the three-decker so powerful a discharge, that her commander, seeing the Barfleur, carrying Vice-Admiral the Honourable William Waldegrave's flag, ready to second the Victory, thought proper to strike to the British commander in chief. Two of the enemy's ships had now surrendered; and the Lively frigate, and Diadem, had orders to secure the prizes. The next that fell, were the two with which Commodore Nelson was engaged.
"While Captain Collingwood so nobly stepped in to his assistance, as already mentioned. Captain Ralph Willet Miller, the commodore's captain, was enabled to replenish his lockers with shot, and prepare for a renewal of the fight. No sooner, therefore, had the Excellent passed on, than the gallant commodore renewed the battle.
"The three-decker with which he was before engaged having fallen aboard her second, that ship, of eighty-four guns, became now the commodore's opponent. To her, therefore, he directed a vigorous fire; nor was it feebly returned, as the loss on board the Captain evinced, nearly twenty men being killed and wounded in a very few minutes. It was now that the various damages already sustained by that ship, through the long and arduous conflict which she had maintained, appearing to render a continuance of the contest in the usual way precarious, or perhaps impossible, that Commodore Nelson, unable to bear the idea of parting with an enemy of whom he had so thoroughly assured himself, instantly resolved on a bold and decisive measure; and determined, whatever might be the event, to attempt his opponent sword in hand. The boarders were accordingly summoned, and orders given to lay his ship, the Captain, on board the enemy.
"Fortune favours the brave! nor, on this occasion, was she unmindful of her favourite. Captain Miller so judiciously directed the course of the Captain, that she was laid aboard the starboard quarter of the Spanish eighty-four; her spritsail-yard passing over the enemy's poop, and hooking in her mizen shrouds: and, the word to board being given, the officers and seamen, destined for this duty, headed by Lieutenant Berry, together with the detachment of the sixty-ninth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Pearson, then doing duty as marines on board the Captain, passed with rapidity on board the enemy's ship; and, in a short time, the San Nicolas was in the possession of her intrepid assailants. The commodore's impatience would not permit him to remain an inactive spectator of this event. He knew, that the attempt was hazardous; and his presence, he thought, might contribute to it's success. He, therefore, accompanied the party in this attack: passing, from the fore-chains of his own ship, into the enemy's quarter gallery; and, thence, through the cabin, to the quarter-deck, where he arrived in time to receive the sword of the dying commander, who was mortally wounded by the boarders. For a few minutes after the officers had submitted, the crew below were firing their lower-deck guns: this irregularity, however, was soon corrected, and measures taken for the security of the conquest. But this labour was no sooner atchieved, than he found himself engaged in another, still more arduous. The stern of the three-decker, his former opponent, was directly amidships on the weather-beam of the San Nicolas; and, from her poop and galleries, the enemy sorely annoyed, with musketry, the British who had boarded the San Nicolas. The commodore was not long in resolving on the conduct to be adopted on this momentous occasion. The two alternatives that presented themselves to his unshaken mind, were to quit the prize, or instantly board the three-decker. Confident of the bravery of his seamen, he determined on the latter. Directing, therefore, an additional number of men to be sent from the Captain on board the San Nicolas, the undaunted Commodore headed, himself, the assailants in this new attack; vehemently exclaiming—"Westminster Abbey! or, glorious victory!"
"Success, in a few minutes, and with little loss, crowned the enterprise. Such, indeed, was the panic occasioned by his preceding conduct, that the British no sooner appeared on the quarter-deck of their new opponent, than the commandant advanced; and, asking for the British commanding officer, dropped on one knee, and presented to him his sword; mentioning, at the same time, as an excuse for the Spanish admiral's not appearing, that he was dangerously wounded. For a moment, Commodore Nelson could scarcely persuade himself of this second instance of good fortune: he, therefore, ordered the Spanish commandant, who had the rank of a brigadier, to assemble the officers on the quarter-deck, and direct steps to be instantly taken for communicating to the crew the surrender of the ship. All the officers immediately appeared; and the commodore had the surrender of the San Josef duly confirmed, by each of them delivering to him his sword.
"William Fearney, one of the commodore's bargemen, had attended close by his side throughout this perilous adventure. To him the commodore gave in charge the swords of the Spanish officers, as he received them; and the jolly tar, as they were delivered to him, tucked these honourable trophies under his arm, with all the sang-froid imaginable. It was at this moment, also, that a British sailor, who had long fought under the commodore, came up, in the fullness of his heart; and, excusing the liberty he was taking, asked to shake him by the hand, to congratulate him on seeing him safe on the quarter-deck of a Spanish three decker.
"This new conquest had scarcely submitted, and the commodore returned on board the San Nicolas, when the latter ship was discovered to be on fire in two places. At the first moment, appearances were alarming; but presence of mind, and resources, were not wanting to the British officers in this emergency. The firemen were immediately ordered from the Captain; and, proper means being taken, the fires were soon got under.
"A signal was now made, by the Captain, for boats to assist in separating her from her two prizes: and, as the Captain was incapable of farther service till refitted, Commodore Nelson hoisted his broad pendant, for the moment, on board La Minerve frigate; and, in the evening, shifted it to the Irresistible of seventy-four guns, Captain Martin.
"Four of the enemy's ships were now in possession of the British squadron—two of three decks, the Salvador del Mondo, and the San Josef, of a hundred and twelve guns each; one of eighty-four, the San Nicolas; and the San Ysidro, of seventy-four guns—and the van of the British line still continued to press hard the Santissima Trinidada, and others, in the rear of the enemy's flying fleet.
"The close of the day, before the four prizes were secured, undoubtedly saved the Spanish admiral's flag from falling into the hands of the victors. The Santissima Trinidada, in which he carried it, had been so much the object of attention, that the ship was a perfect wreck when the action ceased. Many, indeed, aver that she actually struck both her flag and ensign; hoisting a white flag, as a signal of submission: but, as she continued her course, and afterwards hoisted a Spanish jack, others doubt this circumstance. It is, however, an indisputable truth, that her fire had been silent for some time before this event is reported to have occurred. It was a defensive combat, entirely, on their parts, after Commodore Nelson obliged them to haul their wind on the larboard tack.
"The loss of the enemy, in this engagement, must have been very considerable. The fire of the British squadron was, throughout the action, superior, in the proportion of five or six to one; and, if we were to judge from the number of killed and wounded found on board the prizes, their casualties, must greatly exceed the numbers that have been usually computed. Almost all their wounded, that had lost limbs, died for want of assistance; and many others, who were wounded in other parts, were found dead in the holds.
"The loss of the British squadron, in killed and wounded, amounted to exactly three hundred: moderate, indeed, when compared with that of the enemy, and considering the duration of the action! But the expenditure of ammunition was beyond any recent example. The Culloden, it is said, expended one hundred and seventy barrels of powder; the Captain, one hundred and forty-six; and the Blenheim, one hundred and eighty: other ships expended in similar proportions. It is by no means unworthy of remark, however, that not a single British gun burst.
"The Captain fired more shot than are usually given to a ship of her rate, at her first equipment in England: and it was observed that, when shot or grape were wanting, on board this ship, for the carronades, the tars substituted, in their place, nine-pounds shot, seven of which were frequently discharged at one time; and this at so short a distance, that every shot of the seven must have had effect.
"I could wish to convey, in some adequate manner, the merits of the chief personages in this glorious engagement; but the praise of those who were most conspicuous will, after all, be best collected from this faithful narrative of their actions: to express it, is far above the power of my pen. I confess, the admiration with which I viewed their conduct, would not permit me to be silent; or to suppress the strong feelings excited in my mind, by all the glories of that memorable day—if it were not for a real despair of reaching the extraordinary merits of some, and for a sincere apprehension of doing injustice even to those whom I might name, as well as to those whom I might, from ignorance, omit. Certain it is, that while the admiral, and some distinguished actors in this scene, are covered with never-fading laurels—if others of the squadron had not the same important share in the transactions of the day, it was owing to circumstances not dependent on themselves, and to no want of ardour or personal exertion.
"If I may be permitted to hazard an opinion, the whole squadron have gained immortal honour; for the victory of the 14th of February stands, in all it's circumstances, first and unparalleled in naval history.
"The time mentioned in the narrative is taken from the minutes kept on board the Victory. Some difference occurs between them and those kept on board other ships; but I have thought proper to follow the former, conceiving them to be the most correct."
Such is the account of this glorious victory, as described by Colonel Drinkwater; who not only had the best possible view of the transactions in general, but was favoured with many particulars from some of the most intelligent officers who commanded or served on board the respective ships.
The official letter of the commander in chief, as addressed, on this occasion, by Sir John Jervis, to Evan Nepean, Esq. Secretary of the Admiralty, and published in the London Gazette, it has been frequently observed, was remarkable for not containing a single syllable of individual praise. This circumstance has been differently accounted for, by different persons, as they have been swayed by their prejudices, their partialities, or their imaginations; few, however, appear to have been very solicitous about the truth. Indeed, there are no inconsiderable number of writers, and of readers too, who would be rather mortified than pleased to discover any positive verity which might overthrow, or even oppose, their own preconceived notions, however unjust or erroneous.
That the omission to mention names was the result of design, and not of accident, in the public letter of the commander in chief, is certainly true; and the Earl of St. Vincent need never blush at avowing the motive by which he was laudably actuated to avoid mentioning the names of individuals. He had seen an instance of the fatal consequences of such selections, in the then recent example of Lord Howe; who, with the best intentions, had thus unfortunately excited the most cruel pangs in the bosoms of many brave commanders. He resolved, therefore, with the most humane and benevolent view, to speak only, to the public, in terms of general approbation.
Having had occasion to say so much respecting this public letter, it's omission might, by the malignant, be construed into a wish to prevent it's being sufficiently investigated. Truth, however, is always a gainer by minute enquiry: notwithstanding, therefore, the repetition which this letter necessarily contains of what has been already seen by the reader in Colonel Drinkwater's Narrative, it is here subjoined—
"Victory, off Lagos Bay, February 16, 1797.
"SIR,
"The hopes of falling in with the Spanish fleet, expressed in my letter to you of the 13th instant, were confirmed, that night, by our distinctly hearing the report of their signal-guns, and by intelligence received from Captain Foote, of his majesty's ship Niger, who had, with equal judgment and perseverance, kept company with them for several days, on my prescribed rendezvous; which, from the strong south-east winds, I had never been able to reach: and, that they were not more than three or four leagues from us. I anxiously waited the dawn of day; when, being on the starboard tack, Cape St. Vincent bearing east by north seven leagues, I had the satisfaction of seeing a number of ships, extending from south-west to south, the wind then at west by south. At forty minutes past ten, the weather being extremely hazy, La Bonne Citoyenne made the signal that the ships were of the line, twenty-five in number: his majesty's squadron, consisting of the fifteen ships of the line named in the margin, were happily formed, in the most complete order of sailing, in two lines. By carrying a press of sail, I was fortunate in getting in with the enemy's fleet at half past eleven o'clock, before it had time to connect and form a regular order of battle. Such a moment was not to be lost: and, confident in the skill, valour, and discipline, of the officers and men I had the happiness to command, and judging that the honour of his majesty's arms, and the circumstances of the war in these seas, required a considerable degree of enterprize, I felt myself justified in departing from the regular system; and, passing through their fleet, in a line formed with the utmost celerity, tacked, and thereby separated one-third from the main body. After a partial cannonade, which prevented their rejunction till the evening, and by the very great exertions of the ships which had the good fortune to arrive up with the enemy on the larboard tack, the ships named in the margin were captured, and the action ceased about five o'clock in the evening. I inclose the most correct list I have been able to obtain of the Spanish fleet opposed to me, amounting to twenty-seven sail of the line; and an account of the killed and wounded in his majesty's ships, as well as in those taken from the enemy. The moment the latter, almost totally dismasted, and his majesty's ships the Captain and Culloden, are in a state to put to sea, I shall avail myself of the first favourable winds to proceed off Cape St. Vincent, in my way to Lisbon. Captain Calder, whose able assistance has greatly contributed to the public service during my command, is the bearer of this; and will more particularly describe, to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the movements of the squadron on the 14th, and the present state of it. I am, &c.
"J. Jervis."
"Evan Nepean, Esq."
This is, certainly, a very fair hasty sketch of the business; in which, though the names of particular commanders are not mentioned, for the reasons already stated, they are, perhaps, more than sufficiently hinted, to an eye of any discernment, by those of the ships described as having suffered most severely in the action.
Nor is this all. Sir John Jervis, in his private letter, of the same date, addressed to Lord Spencer, then First Lord of the Admiralty, as a guide for merited promotion, was by no means backward in naming those commanders who had been enabled most to distinguish themselves.
Of this important letter, which cannot fail to demonstrate that he did ample justice to individual gallantry and exertion, the author has been kindly honoured with an extract; which is now, for the first time, presented to the public, with the consent of the Earl of St. Vincent.
"The correct conduct of every officer and man in the squadron, on the 14th instant, made it improper to distinguish one more than another, in my public letter; because I am confident that, had those who were least in action been in the situation of the fortunate few, their behaviour would not have been less meritorious: yet, to your lordship, it becomes me to state, that Captain Troubridge, in the Culloden, led the squadron through the enemy in a masterly stile, and tacked the instant the signal flew; and was gallantly supported by the Blenheim, Prince George, Orion, Irresistible, and Colossus. The latter had her fore and fore-topsail yards wounded, and they unfortunately broke in the slings in stays; which threw her out, and impeded the tacking of the Victory.
"Commodore Nelson, who was in the rear on the starboard tack, took the lead on the larboard, and contributed very much to the fortune of the day; as did Captain Collingwood: and, in the close, the San Josef and San Nicolas having fallen foul of each other, the Captain laid them on board; and Captain Berry, who served as a volunteer, entered at the head of the boarders, and Commodore Nelson followed immediately, and took possession of them both. The crippled state of these ships, and the Captain, entangled as they were, and that part of the enemy's fleet which had been kept off in the morning—as described in the public letter—joining at the instant, it became necessary to collect the squadron, to resist an attempt to wrest these ships, the Salvador del Mundo, and San Ysidro, from us, which occasioned the discontinuance of the action."
It is evident from this letter, and it's consequences, that the merits of Commodore Nelson were now duly appreciated. The handsome acknowledgment, by the commander in chief, that he had contributed much to the fortune of the day, was a very sufficient hint that he ought to participate in the honours and advantages which it might be expected to produce. Sir John Jervis, accordingly, became the Earl of St. Vincent; and Commodore Nelson, Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B.
In the mean time, so enraptured was Sir John Jervis, with the skill and bravery which he had witnessed in the gallant commodore, that he literally clasped him in his arms, when he came on board the Victory, after the action—dirtied and disfigured as he was, with great part of his hat shot away—and pressed to his own valiant bosom one of the most heroic hearts that ever inhabited a human breast.
This undoubted fact is given on no less authority than that of Thomas Bolton, Esq. who received it from the honourable lips of his immortal brother-in-law.
A week after the action, on his way to Lisbon, the commodore wrote a letter to Captain Locker, dated on board the Irresistible, Lagos Bay, February 21, 1797; in which, observing that he had been too unwell to write by the Lively frigate, which carried the news of victory to England, he mentions that, as he knows how anxious his friend would be for his welfare, both in health and reputation, he sends him a short detail of the transactions of the Captain: adding that, if he approved of it, he was at perfect liberty to insert it in the newspapers; inserting the name of "Commodore," instead of "I." He mentions, that Captain Miller and Berry, &c. authenticated the truth, till he quitted the San Josef, to go on board La Minerve; and that, farther than this, the detail should not be printed. As he does not write for the press, he modestly intimates, there may be parts which require the pruning-knife, which he desires him to use at discretion, without fear. "I pretend not to say," concludes he, "that these ships might not have fallen, had I not boarded them: but, truly, it was far from impossible that they might have forged into the Spanish fleet, as the other two ships did."
Though the account inclosed in the above letter is in a considerable degree anticipated by the more copious and general narrative of Colonel Drinkwater, and in some measure by the letters of the commander in chief, the circumstance of it's having been written by the heroic commodore himself will be a better apology for inserting it, than any that could be offered by his biographer for it's omission.
A few Remarks relative to the Proceedings of his Majesty's Ship Captain, on board of which Ship Commodore Nelson's Pendant was flying on the 14th of February 1797.
WRITTEN BY THE COMMODORE.
"At one P.M. the Captain having passed the sternmost of the enemy's ships, which formed their van, and part of their centre, consisting of seventeen sail of the line, they on the starboard, we on the larboard tack, the admiral made the signal to tack in succession; but, perceiving all the Spanish ships to bear up before the wind, evidently with an intention of forcing their line, going large, and joining their separated divisions, at that time engaged with some of our centre ships, or flying from us—to prevent either of their schemes from taking place, I ordered the ship to be wore; and, passing between the Diadem and Excellent, at a quarter past one o'clock, was engaged with the headmost, and of course leewardmost, of the Spanish division. The ships, which I knew, were the Santissima Trinidada of one hundred and thirty-six guns, San Josef of one hundred and twelve, Salvador del Mundo of one hundred and twelve, San Nicolas of eighty; there was another first-rate, and a seventy-four, names unknown.
"I was immediately joined, and most nobly supported, by the Culloden, Captain Troubridge. The Spanish fleet, not wishing, I suppose, to have a decisive battle, hauled to the wind on the larboard tack, which brought the ships abovementioned to be the leewardmost and sternmost ships in their fleet. For near an hour, I believe, but I do not pretend to be correct as to time, did the Culloden and Captain support this not only apparently, but really, unequal contest; when the Blenheim, passing between us and the enemy, gave us a respite, and sickened the Dons. At this time, the Salvador del Mundo, and San Ysidro, dropped astern; and were fired into, in a masterly stile, by the Excellent, Captain Collingwood, who compelled the San Ysidro to hoist English colours; and, I thought, the large ship, Salvador del Mundo, had also struck: but Captain Collingwood, disdaining the parade of taking possession of a vanquished enemy, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail set, to save his old friend and messmate; who was, to appearance, in a critical state. The Blenheim being ahead, the Culloden crippled and astern, the Excellent ranged up within two feet of the San Nicolas, giving a most tremendous fire. The San Nicolas luffing up, the San Josef fell on board her; and the Excellent, passing on for the Santissima Trinidada, the Captain resumed her station abreast of them, and close alongside. At this time, the Captain having lost her fore-top-mast, not a sail, shroud, nor rope left, her wheel away, and incapable of farther service in the line or in chace, I directed Captain Miller to put the helm a-starboard; and, calling for the boarders, ordered them to board. The soldiers of the sixty-ninth, with an alacrity which will ever do them credit, and Lieutenant Pearson of the same regiment, were almost the foremost on this service. The first man who jumped into the enemy's mizen chains was Captain Berry, late my first-lieutenant—Captain Miller was in the act of going, also, but I directed him to remain—he was supported by our spritsail yard, which hooked in the mizen rigging. A soldier of the sixty-ninth regiment having broken the upper quarter-gallery window, I jumped in, myself, and was followed by others as fast as possible. I found the cabin doors fastened, and some Spanish officers fired their pistols: but, having broke open the doors, the soldiers fired; and the Spanish brigadier—commodore, with a distinguishing pendant—instantly fell, as retreating to the quarter-deck; where immediately onwards, for the quarter-deck; where I found Captain Berry in possession of the poop, and the Spanish ensign hauling down. I passed with my people, and Lieutenant Pearson, on the larboard gangway, to the forecastle; where I met two or three Spanish officers, prisoners to my seamen. They delivered me their swords. A fire of pistols or muskets, opening from the admiral's stern-gallery of the San Josef, I directed the soldiers to fire into her stern; and, calling to Captain Miller, ordered him to send more men into the San Nicolas, and directed my people to board the first-rate, which was done in an instant, Captain Berry assisting me into the main-chains. At this moment, a Spanish officer looked over the quarter-deck rail, and said they surrendered. From this most welcome intelligence, it was not long before I was on the quarter-deck; where the Spanish captain, with a bow, presented me his sword, and said the admiral was dying of his wounds. I asked him, on his honour, if the ship surrendered. He declared, she was. On which, I gave him my hand; and desired him to call in his officers, and ship's company, and tell them of it: and, on the quarter-deck of a Spanish first-rate, extravagant as the story may seem, did I receive the swords of vanquished Spaniards; which, as I received, I gave to William Fearney, one of my bargemen; who put them, with the greatest sang-froid, under his arm. I was surrounded by Captain Berry, Lieutenant Pearson of the sixty-ninth regiment, John Sykes, John Thompson, Francis Cooke—all old Agamemnons—and several other brave men, seamen and soldiers. Thus fell these ships.
"N.B. In boarding the San Nicolas, I believe, we had about seven killed, and ten wounded; and about twenty Spaniards lost their lives by a foolish resistance. None were lost, I believe, in boarding the San Josef.
"Rear-Admiral Don Francisco Winthuysen died of his wounds on board the San Josef, and Commodore Gerraldelino on board the San Nicolas, soon after the action ceased.
"Don Enrique M'Donal was killed on board the San Nicolas, when boarded by the Captain."
The second day after writing the letter which inclosed the above admirable account of the proceedings of the Captain, on the memorable 14th of February, the fleet sailed from Lagos Bay, and proceeded to Lisbon, which they reached on the 27th instant.
The rejoicings of the Portuguese at this glorious victory over the Spaniards were little less ardent than if it had been their own; and their reception of the British heroes, at Lisbon, was cordial beyond conception.
While the fleet remained at anchor in the Tagus, his majesty's ships the Orion, Minerve, Romulus, Southampton, Andromache, Bonne Citoyenne, Leander, and Raven, received orders to put themselves under the command of Commodore Nelson; and, on the 6th of March, sailed from the Tagus, with sealed instructions to the squadron, which were only to be opened in case of separation.
The intention of this cruize is fully unveiled in a letter, written to a friend in England, dated on board the Irresistible, off Lagos Bay, March 16, 1797; in which he observes—"I am here, looking out for the Viceroy of Mexico, with three sail of the line, and hope to meet him. Two first-rates, and a seventy-four, are with him; but the larger the ships, the better the mark.
"The Spanish fleet," he adds, "is in Cadiz; the officers hooted, and pelted, by the mobility. Their first report was, the action happening in a foggy day; when the fog cleared up, they only saw fifteen sail of the line: therefore, concluded that, at least, five of our's were sunk in the action. My usual good fortune attended me; which, I know, will give you, among my other friends, satisfaction."
This letter is extracted from the Naval Chronicle: the following is from a private letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, bearing the same date—"Our cruize, as yet, has been unfortunate; but, I believe, no vessels have passed, which were not examined. The squadron want nothing, and are remarkably healthy. I shall remain off Cape St. Vincent's till I receive your farther orders."
Though the object of this cruize was pursued with uncommon ardour, the viceroy appears to have eluded all the vigilance of the British squadron; which, on the 20th of March, was joined by the Captain, when Commodore Nelson again hoisted his broad pendant on board that ship.
On the 2d of April, he joined the commander in chief off Cadiz; and, on the 11th of that month, having received orders to blockade this port, wrote to apprize the American and Danish consuls of the event.
About the middle of this month, having been promoted to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue, he was ordered, by Sir John Jervis, to bring off the garrison of Porto Ferrajio; a service which he performed with his usual address: and, as usual, he gives all the praise to his coadjutors. This will abundantly appear in the following letter to Sir John Jervis, dated on board the Captain, off Cape Pallas, May 1, 1797.
"DEAR SIR,
"As I shall send away the Rose Cutter the moment I see the Rock, you will know, from her arrival, that we are in a fair way for arriving safe at Gibraltar. I spoke a Danish frigate, on the 27th of April, from Malaga four days. He says, the Spanish fleet has most positive orders to come to sea, and fight you. This makes me doubly anxious to join you. I have not interfered with Captain Freemantle's charge and arrangement of the convoy: it could not be in better hands; therefore, I only overshadow them with my wings. I have the satisfaction to tell you, that all the troops—except the Royals, who were always intended to be embarked in the ships of war—are embarked in the transports; with the exception of twenty, and General Horneck, who are in two vessels loaded with wine. I offered to take a hundred into each ship of my squadron, but I found there was not the smallest necessity for it. I hope, Sir, you will state this point at home; as it would have been a severe reflection on me, not to have left what was necessary for the embarkation of the army. I rejoice in this opportunity of vindicating my conduct; and beg leave again to recommend Lieutenant Day, agent for transports, to your notice. I placed my reliance on his judgment, not to leave a ship more than was necessary; and, I am not deceived: a more zealous, active officer, as agent for transports, I never met with. General De Burgh also speaks of him in the highest terms; and, I hope, the Transport Board will keep their promise of recommending those officers in their service who eminently distinguish themselves; which, I take upon myself to say, Lieutenant Day has not only done at Bastia, but at Porto Ferrajio. For his conduct at the former place, you was so good, on my stating his services, to recommend him to the Admiralty; I should not do justice to his majesty's service, were I not to urge it again.
"I have the pleasure to add, that all the captains under my orders
have conducted themselves like zealous, good officers.
"I have the honour to be, Sir, with the greatest respect, your most
obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
On the 20th of May, having arrived safely at Gibraltar, he received a letter from James Simpson, Esq. the American consul; mentioning, that twelve sail of vessels belonging to the United States of America, with their cargoes on board, were in the road of Malaga, unable to proceed on their respective voyages, because three French privateers were waiting to seize on them the moment they got from under the guns of that port, and there was no doubt that the French consul would adjudge them to be good prizes, as he had recently adjudged several American vessels and cargoes. The consul added, that it was impossible to get protection for them, unless the commodore should be pleased to afford them that of his majesty's fleet till they got close to the Barbary coast, where they would consider themselves as safe. He accordingly sent, the very next day, the Andromache frigate, Captain Mansfield, for that purpose. In the mean time, he returned a polite answer to the consul: in which he observed that, by thus freely granting the protection of the British flag to the subjects of the United States, he was sure of fulfilling the wishes of his sovereign; and, he hoped, of strengthening the harmony which at present so happily subsisted between the two nations.
On the 27th, he shifted his flag from the Captain to the Theseus; and was appointed to the command of the inner squadron, at the blockade of Cadiz.
A curious proof occurs, at this period, of the conciliatory conduct, amiable manners, and more than chivalrous gallantry, of the heroic commodore and his commander in chief. This is contained in a letter addressed to the Spanish admiral, Don Josef de Mazerendo, dated on board the Theseus, May 30, 1797, as follows—
"SIR,
"I have the honour of sending your excellency a packet from Sir John Jervis; and I embrace the opportunity of assuring you of my high esteem for your character. The 4th of June being the birth-day of my Royal Master, Sir John Jervis intends firing a feu de joye, at eight o'clock in the evening; and has desired me to mention it to your excellency, that the ladies at Cadiz may not be alarmed at the firing. Believe me your excellency's most faithful servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
The Spanish admiral's answer, addressed to Sir Horatio Nelson, equally deserves to be recorded, as partaking of the same liberal spirit.
"On board the Conception, off Cadiz, 1st June 1797.
"MY DEAR SIR,
"I correspond to the urbanity merited by the letter with which you honoured me the 30th of May last.
"The ladies of Cadiz, accustomed to the noisy sounds of salutes of the vessels of war, will sit, and will hear what Sir John Jervis means to regale them with, for the evening of the 4th current, in honour of his Britannic majesty's birth-day; and the general wish of the Spanish nation cannot but interest itself in so august a motive.
"God preserve you, many years. I kiss your hands.
"Your attentive servant, "Josef de Mazerendo.
"P.S. I beg that you will be pleased to direct the two adjoined letters to the Admiral Jervis and to Sir James Saumarez."
Flags of truce, indeed, were continually passing, at this time, between the British and Spanish commanders; and peace, by the latter, at least, was ardently wished for.
The naval fête, proposed for his majesty's birth-day, had another object, which could not very courteously be hinted to the Spanish admiral. On that day, it seems, Rear-Admiral Nelson was invested, by his commander in chief, who personated the king on this occasion, with the insignia of the order of the Bath, and the gold medal, which had been transmitted by the sovereign, in consequence of the glorious victory of the 14th of February over the Spanish fleet.
The mutual civilities between the Spanish and British officers, while in expectation of peace, were certainly to the honour of both parties. It seems, however, to have been soon suspected, that advantage was taken of a most humane indulgence.
On the 30th of June, a letter was addressed, by Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio
Nelson, to Don Josef Mazerendo, the Spanish admiral, from on board the
Theseus, which evidently intimated apprehensions of such an effect.
"SIR,
"I am directed by my worthy commander in chief to inform your excellency, that numbers of the Spanish fishing-boats are found at such a distance from the land as plainly to evince that they have something farther in view than catching fish; and, therefore, that orders are given, that no fishing vessel be in future permitted to go farther from the shore than their usual fishing ground; which, we understand, is in about thirty-five fathoms water. Your excellency, I am confident, will receive this communication as an additional mark of attention from my commander in chief to the inhabitants of Cadiz and it's environs; and will take measures for the information of the fishermen that their boats will be sunk, if found acting in contradiction to this notification of the British admiral. With every sincere good wish towards your excellency, believe me, your most obedient,
"Horatio Nelson."
This seems the prelude of augmented precaution, and a more rigid adherence to the closeness of the blockade. It was usual to send, nightly, a guard of one or two boats, manned and armed, from each ship, into the very mouth of the harbour. These were supported by some gun-boats, purposely fitted for the occasion; and which, in case of attack, depended for their own protection on the interior line of ships under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson. With a view to enforce a strict attention throughout all the inferior branches of the service, the rear-admiral was accustomed to be rowed, in his barge, through these guard-boats, after they had been duly stationed for the night. Thus officers and men were kept constantly in a state of alertness; and ready to repel any attack which might be meditated against them from the blockaded port itself. The Spaniards, too, had equipped a number of gun-boats and large launches, in which they also rowed guard during the night, to prevent any nearer approach of the blockaders; who might, otherwise, they feared, suddenly annoy their fleet. On these occasions, they sometimes approached each other; and several little skirmishes had occurred, but none of any importance.
As the Spaniards seemed to be perpetually increasing the number of these gun-boats and armed launches, the British commander in chief thought it necessary to give them a timely check. So that, notwithstanding the occasional civilities of their epistolary correspondence, such are often the necessary deceptions of war, that hostilities were, perhaps, all the time, meditating by both parties. Certain it is, that on the night of the 3d of July, only three days after the date of the above letter, Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson received orders actually to bombard Cadiz, without any polite intimation to the ladies of that city of the real danger which now awaited them.
His letter to the commander in chief, on this occasion, will inform the reader how far it was successful.
"Theseus, July 4, 1797.
"SIR,
"In obedience to your orders, the Thunder bomb was placed, by the good management of Lieutenant Gomley, her present commander, assisted by Mr. Jackson, master of the Ville de Paris, who volunteered his able services, within two thousand five hundred yards of the walls of Cadiz; and the shells were thrown from her, with much precision, under the direction of Lieutenant Baynes of the Royal Artillery. But, unfortunately, it was soon found, that the large mortar was materially injured, from it's former services; I therefore judged it proper to order her to return, under the protection of the Goliah, Terpsichore, and Fox; which were kept under sail for that purpose, and for whose active services I feel much obliged.
"The Spaniards having sent out a great number of mortar and gun-boats, and armed launches, I directed a vigorous attack to be made on them; which was done with such gallantry, that they were drove and pursued close to the walls of Cadiz, and must have suffered considerable loss: and I have the pleasure to inform you, that two mortar-boats, and an armed launch, remain in our possession.
"I feel myself particularly indebted, for the successful termination of this contest, to the gallantry of Captains Freemantle and Miller, the former of whom accompanied me in my barge: and to my coxswain, John Sykes; who, in defending my person, is severely wounded, as was Captain Freemantle, slightly, in the attack: and my praises are, generally, due to every officer and man; some of whom I saw behave in the most noble manner, and I regret that it is not in my power to particularize them.
"I must also beg to be permitted to express my admiration of Don Miguel Tyrason, the commander of the Spanish gun-boats. In his barge, he laid my boat alongside, and his resistance was such as to honour a brave officer; eighteen of the twenty-six being killed, and himself and all the rest wounded.
"Not having a correct list of our killed and wounded, I can only state that, I believe, about six are killed, and twenty wounded.
"I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
The encounter so modestly described in the above letter, was one of the sharpest conflicts in which the heroic writer had ever been engaged. Sir Horatio fought, hand to hand, with the Spanish commandant; and, though the crew of his own barge consisted only of himself, Captain Freemantle, the coxswain, and ten bargemen, they killed or wounded the whole of the twenty-six men, with the commandant, who were in the Spanish armed launch. Never, indeed, had the rear-admiral been in a more perilous state. It was always his opinion, that he would probably have lost his life, if his brave and most faithful coxswain, John Sykes, whose name deserves to be coexistent with that of Nelson, had not wilfully interposed his own head to save him from the blow of a Spanish sabre, which this generous man plainly perceived must otherwise prove fatal to his beloved master; and, though the poor fellow thus readily received the diverted stroke, it inflicted on his skull a very dangerous wound, which was for some time thought to be incurable. Even before this unexampled proof of attachment, had that worthy and gallant man saved Sir Horatio, more than once during the conflict, from the dangerous blows of his numerous assailants; several of whom Sykes, as well as his master, had mortally wounded.