'"■$■-■¥. ' ..' * . MEMOIRS OF THE prVfessionjl life Of the Right Honourable HORATIO LORD VISCOUNT NELSON, VlCE'AjhimAL OF TEE WHITE, Knight of the Order of the Bath, Duke of Bronte in Sicily, Grand Cross of the Orders of Ferdinand and of Merit, and Knight of the Imperial Order of the Ciescent. COMPREHENDING Authentic and circumstantial Details of his GLORIOUS JCHIEVEMENTS UNDER tIi'e SBriM) Mm, And a Sketch of his ?arliameutary Conduct and Private Charader. WITH BIOGRAPHICAL PARTICULARS OF CONTEMPORARY NAVAL OFFICERS. BY JOSHUA WHITE, Esq. ' My son though alone is brave : Oscar is like a beam of the sky ! Come ye dim ghosts of my fathers, and behold my deeds in war: I may fall, but I will be renowned ! Where the danger threatens I rejoice in the slgrmi" . ObSlAN. SECOND EDITION. CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED. ALBION PRL SS PRINTED 1 rUBLIS.HED BY JAMES CUNDEE, Ivy-Lane, Paternoster-Row, London. 1806. DA 87 ./ TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE CHARLES LORD BARHAM, ADMIRAL OF THE RED, FIRST LORD COMMISSIONER OF THE ADMIRALTY OF GREAT BRITAIN; UNDEIt WHOSE AUSPICES THE GLORIOUS VICTORY OFF TRAFALGAR WAS ACCOMPLISHED, THIS WORK IS DEDICATED, WITH THE GREATEST RESPECT, BY HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. / J/f^ JDFERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. W ITH the most grateful sense of the approbation of his labors, demonstrated by the uncommonly rapid sale -~ of a large impression of this work, the author takes the liberty of directing the attention of the public to the im- provements which will be found in this second Edition, Stimulated by their patronage to increased exertions, he has not only been careful to interweave into it all the authenticated facts which have transpired since its Jirst publication, and to add much valuable and interesting matter in the form of notes, but has also enriched it with many new biographical particulars of distinguished naval .-flRcers whose history is connected with that of the lamented h€ro, Lord Nelson. V ii such additional recommendations he submits to a Brit publis this improved edition of his work, claiming t'^^'x indulgence for such imperfections as the recent date feji oome events of which it treats may have^ rendered tina- voidable. Anxious to do justice to a subject so dear to the bosom of every Englishman, the author has spared no labor nor industry in the collection of information. As many individuals may, undoubtedly, be in possession of facts which have not come to his knowledge, he ventures to soli- cit the communication of any circumstances that may tend still farther to illustrate the history or character of that powerful, yet humble instrument in the hands of Providence for chastising the enemies of his country, who is the chief subject of the following Memoirs. Any favors of this nature, addressed to the Publisher, will be thankfully received, and respectfully attended to. FAC SIMILE OF THE HAND-WRITING OF THE LATE LORD NELSON, As every relic, however trifling, of a man so extraordi- nary as Lord Nelson, cannot fail to prove interesting, we lay before our readers a fac simile of his hand-writing, taken from original letters. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that nothing more strongly tends to cherish those virtues which honour human nature, than the memoirs of characters who Jiave been particularly distinguished by them. Independent of the interest which they never fail to excite, they scatter in generous mind$ seeds of emu- lotion, which spring up, and in time produce noble fruit. The following pages contain a faithful record of the deeds of one, zvho, as a hero and a man, holds forth a glorious example of the sublime elevation to which the human mind is permitted to aspire. The foun- dation of this envied distinction to zvhich he attained must be sought in those stern principles of virtue, in VlU PREPACK. those prof ound sentiments of piety, xvhich he iinhihed, from his venerable parent. With the farmery as his compass, and the latter, as his sheet-anchor, he em- harked early in the voyage of life — a voyage of un- paralleled brilliancy and success, With unwearied assiduity he applied himself to the study of all the minutice of the profession in which he had engaged. By study he acquired skill, and by practice he obtained experience, zvhile he perfected himself at the same time in the virtues of constancy, patience, and perseverance, which he found in the sequel such ample occasion to exercise. By long obedience he became qualified to command. Never did he neglect to avail himself of an opportu- nity of acquiring honourable distinction ; but it was only in the middle of the last war that he burst upon the world as a liuninary of the first ?nagnitude. At the battle of A SOU KIR he rose like a sun in the east; and, like the sun too after a summer*s day of glory, he set in the zvest at the battle of TRAFALGAR, leav- ing the ocean in a blaze as he went down, and in dark- ness when he had descended. In ages to come, ivhen the stranger who visits our island shall enquire for the monument of Nelson, the answer will be : ^^ Behold his country ivhich he saved,^' Nor was Britain alone indebted to his talents and to his prowess ; foreign nations vied with each other in expressing their gratitude to him, and never did individual receive so many testimonies of thankful acknowledgment. While he chastised the enemies of PREFAC2. IX his country y his exertions zvere iyitariahly employed in repressing the spirit of anarchy and rapacity, xvhich they so industriously disseminated ; and he may undoubtedly be considered as an instrument chosen by that God to zvhom he never failed to ascribe all the glory of his successes, to blast the projects, and to check the zvild career of a monster, who has been too long the common disturber of human repose. Such zvas Nelson, the pride of his country, and an ornament to human nature; xvhose exploits and zvhosc virtues must be to every Briton a subject of lively in* terest and proud exultation. These I have endeavour- ed to delineate in the following pages. No pains have been spared to render the perfor7nance as com" plete as possible ; and I trust I shall not be found to exaggerate, if I assert, that it ivill afford new in" terest in repeated perusal, and may, at any future period, be consulted with advantage, as matter of useful reference. To render it still more worthy of public patronage, biographical notices of many dis- tinguished contemporary naval ajfcers, mentioned in these Memoirs, have been subjoined, and will, it is hoped, be looked upon as an interesting accompani- ment. To the seaman this work zvill, it is presumed, prove more particularly acceptable, as nothing has been neglected that could rnake its utility to him as exten- sive as possible. All the practical information, con- nected with the professional career of the idol of Mm British navy, has been carefidly introduced, and b X PREFACE. plans of the three'^hrious engagements, hy which hr established his claim to irnmoj^tality, are represent- €d in the like number of engravings, Hoiv far I have fuljilled the object I proposed to myself it is now for the public to decide ; conscious that my best endeavours have been cheerfully exerted for their gratification, I submit the work to their Judgment, hoping that it may be the means of stimu- lating others to emulate his virtues and his achieve- ments ; to live as lie lived, and, when their duty calls^ them, to die as he died I J.W, *#* In the Official Letter from Lord Nelson to Evan Nepean, Esq. rela* tive to liis first attack on Boulogne, p. 238. the name of Captain FyerSf of the Soyal Artillery, who was unfortunately wounded in that gallant enterprize, is spelt jF/Yjr^rij which we take the preseot apportunity to correct. Directions for placing the Plates, Page The Portrait to face the Title Plan of the Battle of Aboukir 1 13 Copenhagen 196 Trafalgar 304 XI INTRODUCTORY LINES. BY W. CAREY, ESQ. OH, lov'd and cherish'd as thy country's boast Thy voice a triumph, and thy name a host I O gallant chief in battle long renown'd, In death by Victory and glory crown'd ! While we tliy fall with fruitless grief deplore. Our pride, our brave defender now no more 1 Our prostrate foes, tho' broken by defeat. Look up, forgetful of their vanquish' d state. Throw off their fears, their future conquests see> And deem our fleets and armies lost in thee ! *' Presumptuous hope !" Britannia proudlj^ cries. Indignant lightnings flashing from her eyes : " What though my hero, late your country's dread> " My mighty hero slumbers wiih the dead ; * " Tho' he my conq'ring navies now no more '• Shall lead to triumph on your frighted shore, *' No more and honor'd,'' he fell in the arms of Vic- tory, who was twining fresh laurels round the brows of her favorite son, bequeathing to his country his glory, and to the world the brilliant example of his transcendent virtues. To trace a faithful picture of his actions and exploits in his progress towards the attainment of that glory, and to exhibit an accurate delineation of those virtues, is the object of the following pages. Horatio was the fourth son of the venerable Edmund Nelson, rector of Burnham Thorpe, in the county of Norfolk, by Miss Catherine Suck- ling, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Suckling, preben- dary of Westminster. His father's family had been long resident at Hilborough, in the same county, of which living the Nelsons have, for a considerable period, been the patrons. His mo- ther was the grand-daughter of the late Sir Charles Turner, of Warham, who married the sister of Sir Robert Walpole, and was of course related to the noble families of Walpole, Choi- 20 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF mondeley, and Townshend. Her ancestors have been seated at Woodton, in Norfolk, nearly three centuries. The parsonage-house of the rectory of Burn- ham, is rendered illustrious as the birth-place of Horatio Nelson. He came into the world on the 29th of September, 1758. The first rudiments of education were instilled into his aspiring mind at the High School of Norwich, whence he was afterwards removed to North Walsham. At this early period of life he imbibed from his father and his preceptors such principles of religion, honor, and morality, as were indelibly impressed on his mind, and laid the foundation of that spirit of unaffected piety, which has so eminently dis- tinguished him, in all the perilous and trying situ- ations to which he was afterwards subjected. In the tender years of infancy, he, doubtless, exhibited to the eye of his observant parent many traits indicative of the daring hardihood which formed such a conspicuous feature of his charac- ter. Of these few are on record ; the following anecdote has, however, been preserved : Being on a visit when quite a child, at his grand-mother's at Hilborough, he, one day, went out a bird's- nesting, with a companion of about his own age. The hour of dinner arrived, but Horatio never made his appearance. The old lady^ became alarmed, and dispatched messengers different LORD NELSON. 21 ways in quest of him. The young ramblers were, at length, discovered under a hedge, counting over the spoils of the day. His grand-mother began to scold him for being absent without per- mission, and concluded with saying, " I wonder f€ar did not drive you home." — *' Madam, (re- plied Horatio, innocently,) I never saw fear.'' Our young hero was not allowed sufficient time to receive a finished education ; but what he want- ed in learning was, in the sequel, amply compensate edby natural good sense and talents, aided by early experience and deep reflection. In 1770, being then twelve years of age, he was taken from the school, at North Walsham, by his uncle, Captain Maurice Suckhng, * who received him on board his own ship, she Raisonable, of 64} guns. An altercation, relative to the Falkland Islands, just then portended hostilities with Spain ; but the misunderstanding being soon adjusted, the Rai- * Captain Suckling commanded the Dreadnought, in the West Indies, in the month of October, 1757, when, in com- pany with Captain Forrest, of the Augusta, and Captain Langdon, of the Edinburgh, they attacked, near Cape Francois, seven French ships, three of which were of the liae. In this encounter the Dreadnought had 59 men kil- led and wounded. Tn April, 1775, Captain Suckling suc- ceeded Sir Hugh Palliser as Comptroller of the Navy, and, in 1778, was elected Member of Parliament for Ports- mouth, He died in the month of July^ the same year. 22 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF sonnable was paid off. With such an excellent guide as his uncle, he would undoubtedly have made a rapid progress in the path of honour ; but as circumstances prevented him from enjoying the benefit of his instructions, Captain Suckling plac- ed him on board a West-India ship, under the care of Mr. John Rathbone, who had served un- der him in the Dreadnought. After having made one voyage, he was received by his uncle, in July 1772, on board the Triumph, then lying at Chat- ham. By his voyage to the West Indies Horatio had gained a considerable practical knowledge of sea- manship, but Captain Suckling discovered with great concern that he had conceived a strong a- version to the Ptoyal Navy. His firmness, added to his thorough knowledge of the human heart, enabled him to employ the means of combating v;ith success this unreasonable antipathy of his inexperienced nephew ; and though it required much time and trouble to reconcile him to the duty of a king's ship, and to subdue his prejudices, yet they at length yielded to the influence of good example, and to the principles which his worthy father had early instilled into his mind. The ambition of becoming a thorough-bred seaman, which the young Horatio in an eminent degree possessed, was the instrument by which Captain Suckling attempted and effected this revolution. LORD NELSON. 23 He held out as a reward to the aspiring mariner, that if he attended with diligence to his duty, he should be permitted to go in the cutter and deck- ed long-boat, attached to the ship of the com- manding officer at Chatham. This operated on the mind of his nephew as he wished, and the consequence was, that young Nelson became an excellent pilot for vessels of that class which sail- ed from Chatham to the Tower of London, or down the Swin Channel to the North Foreland. Each subsequent trial of navigating difficult pas- sages inspired him with a sense of his own ability, and created that confidence in himself which is the essential characteristic of a fearless and un- daunted mind. Early in the year 1773, two vessels were fitted out by government for a voyage of discovery to- wards the north pole. Its object was to ascertain how far it was possible to sail in that direction, to decide for ever the long- agitated question con- cerning the practicability of a north-east passage into the Pacific Ocean, aiid to make such astro- nomical observations as might prove of service to navigation. The Race-horse and Carcase bomb- ketches were fitted out expressly for this expedi- tion ; the command of the former was given to Captain Phipps, (afterwards Lord Mulgrave) and the latter to Captain (now admiral Lutwidge.) — A voyage in which so much was to be seen and 24 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF learned, excited the ardent curiosity and enter- prising genius of young Nelson, and filled him with an irresistible desire to make one of the party. The dangers they were likely to encoun- ter only served to stimulate his ambition ; and though instruction had been issued, that no boys should be received on board, yet he was so ear- nest in his solicitations to be appointed coxswain to Captain Lutwidge, that this officer, struck with the undaunted resolution he manifested to be em- ployed in such an arduous undertaking, received him in that capacity, and thus laid the founda- tion of a friendship which continued without abatement through every subsequent period of life. ^ The ships sailed on the 2nd of June, and dur- ing the voyage our youthful coxswain conducted himself in such a manner as to obtain the particu- lar notice of Captain Phipps, who formed a high ©pinion of his character. Abundant occasions presented themselves for the young navigator to * One other exception of the same kind was made in tlie person of Philip D'Auvergne, now duke of Bouillon and rear-admiral of the redj who, though under the pre- scribed age, was permitted to accompany the expedition. The engravings which illustrate the account of the voyage, published by Captain Phipps, were all taken from original sketches made on the spot by Mr. D'Auvernge, who was also charged with the Meteorological Registers. LORD NELSON. 2o display those eminent qualities of intrepidity and perseverance with which he was gifted. On the 3 1st of July the two vessels were in a most perilous situation off the Seven Islands, a cluster situated to the north of Spitzbergen, in latitude 80 deg. 14 minutes* Here they suddenly found them- selves fast amidst immense fields of ice, and our youthful mariner might justly have apphed to him- self and his companions, the beautiful apostrophe of the Poet of the Seasons : — • Miserable they ! Who here entangled in the gathering ice, Take their last look of the descending sun ; While full of death and fierce with ten-fold frost. The long, long night, incumbent o'er their heads Falls horrible. Such was the Briton's fate, * As with first prow, (what have not Britons dar'd !) ■ He for the passage sought, attempted since ^ So much in vain, and seeming to be shut By jealous nature with eternal bars. In this dilemma the ship's companies endeavor^ cd to cut a passage to the westward by sawing through pieces of ice, some of which were twelv*; jfeet thick, but with so little success, that their ut- most efforts, for a whole day, could not move the vessels more than two hundred yards. In this dreadful state they remained nearly five days, * Sir Hugh Willoughby, sent by Queea Elizabeth t© discover aN. E. passage. G MS PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF during which Horatio, whose mind glowed with increased energy at the sight of danger, obtained, after repeated sohcitations, the command of a four-oared cutter, with twelve men, for the pur- pose of exploring channels and beraking the ice. On the 13th of August, a brisk wind springing up at N. N. E. effected their deliverance from this precarious situation, and Captain Phipps, finding it impracticable to penetrate farther northward, returned to the harbor of Smeerenberg, on the coast of Spitzbergen, a region of which it may be with justice asserted, that Here Winter holds his unrejoicing court ; And through his airy hall the loud misrule Of driving tempests is for ever heard : Here the grim tyrant meditates his wrath ; Here arms his winds with all-subduing frosts. Moulds his fierce hail, aud treasures up his snows ! The cool intrepidity possessed by our young mariner, even amid scenes so dreadful and fore- boding, is evinced by the following anecdote. — During one of the nights, which in those high la- titudes are generally clear, young Nelson, not- withstanding the extreme bitterness of the cold, was missing from the ship. Immediate search was made after him, but in vain, and every one gave him up for lost. As the rays of the rismg sun illumed the horizon, he was, however, dis- covered by his astonished messmates, at a consi- lORD NELSON. 27 derable distance on the ice, armed with a single musket, in anxious pursuit of a prodigious bear. The lock being injured, the piece would not go off, and he had pursued the shaggy animal in the hope of tiring him, and being at length able to effect his purpose with the butt-end. Being reprimanded on his return, by Captain Lutwidge, for quitting the ship without permission, and asked, m a se- vere tone, what motive could induce him to at* tempt such a rash undertaking ; the young hero, with great simplicity replied : *^ I wished. Sir, to get the skin for my father T' We are at a loss which to admire most, the matchless courage of the youth, or his ardent desire to afford pleasure to his worthy parent. Captain Phipps having reached, in the prosecu- tion of his voyage, the latitude of 81 degrees, 36 minutes, north latitude, and between that and the latitude of 79 degrees, traversed 17 degrees and a half of longitude, returned to England, where the ships were paid off in the month of October, 3773. Mr. Nelson now longed to explore the torrid as he had already done the frigid zone, and accordingly exerted his interest to obtain an ap- pointment in one of the ships of the squadron then equipping for the East-Indies. Nothing less than such a distant voyage was capable of satis- fying the ardor of his mind, and his thirst of nau- tical knowledge. He obtained a birth in the Sea- c2 28 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF horse, of 20 guns, under the gallant Captain Farmer.* In this ship he was stationed to watch in the fore-top, and was afterwards placed on the quarter-deck. During the period of his ser- ■* This brave officer, in 1779, commanded the Quebec, of 52 guns, in which ship, on the 6th of October, he en- gaged, off Ushant, the French frigate. La Surveillante, of 40 guns. The action began at ten in the morning, and continued with the greatest obstinacy for three hours and a half. Both vessels were totally dismasted, and on board of each other. Unfortunately the Quebec, by firing through her sails which were lying over the side, took fire, and the ship was soon in flames, which, in spite of every effort, it was found impossible to extinguish. Captain Farmer was severely wounded, and though frequently solicited to leave his ship, he remained fixed in his resolution of sharing the fate of his bold companions. The Quebec continued to burn with unremitting fury till six in the evening, when she blew up with her colors ^ing ; her brave commander, with most of his officers and crew, perished. The Kambler cutter was at the same time engaged at some distance with a French cutter, in company with La Surveillante. The Frenchman at length set all his sails, and bore away, and the Kambler's rigging and sails were so much damaged, that it would have been in vain to pursue. At this mo- ment her commander. Lieutenant George, discovered that the Quebec was on fire, but being to leeward, with little wind, and a great swell, he was unable to render any other assistance than by sending his boat, which brought off two mi dshipmen and fourteen seamen ; and thirteen more of the c rew were providentially rescued from destructioa by a Russian vessel that chanced to pass the wreck. LORD NELSON. £9 vice in the Sea-horse, he visited almost every part of the Indian seas between Bengal and Bus- sorah ; but his continued ill-health at length in- duced Sir Edward Hughes, who always treated him with the utmost kindness, to send him to England in the Dolphin. That ship w^as paid off at Woolwich, in September, 1776? and on tlie 26th of the same month Sir James Douglas, then commanding at Portsmouth, gave him an order to act as lieutenant of the Worcester, of 64 guns, Captain Mark Robinson,* who was under sailing * Captain Kobinson was a gentleman of the most distin- guished merit in his profession. He was born in 1722, and at the age of fourteen entered into the naval service of his countr3^. He was actively engaged in most of the combats under the command of Sir Peter Warren and Lord Hawke. As commander of the Falcon, his conduct and bravery were highly conspicuous at the reduction of Guadaloupe^ where his ship sunk under him. He was afterwards appointed to the command of the Towey, on the coast of America, where he had the satisfaction of saving Charlestown from the effect of an alarming conflagration, a service for which the "merchants of South Carolina expressed their gratitude by a public vote of thanks, dated January 14th, 1771, and a valuable piece of plate. He was then promoted to the Worcester, and in Admiral Keppel's action, in 1178, he led the rear-division of the fleet. Being transferred to the Shrewsbury, he led the British fleet five times into action jn that ship. In the last of these engagements, off the Che- sapeake on the 5th September, 1781, under Admiral Graves *he Shrewsbury suffered more severely than any other ship 50 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OP orders for Gibraltar, with a convoy. In the same kind of service he was engaged till April the fol- lowing year, and during the greatest part of that interval in uncommonly boisterous weather. A strict attention to his professional duties, added to seven years practice, had rendered Mr. Nel- son such a complete seaman, that though he had not attained his nineteenth year, yet Captain Robinson placed the greatest confidence in his skill and prudence, and was frequently heard to say, that he felt as easy at night when it was Nelson's watch, as when the oldest officer on board had charge of the ship. Thus we have in this illustrious character a striking example, that to learn to command it is first necessary to obej^, and that in order to obtain distinction in any pro- fession, something more than a superficial know- ledge is absolutely requisite. Having passed his examination for the rank of lieutenant, on the 8th of April, 1777, Mr. Nel- son, the following day, received a commission as second of the Lowestofle, of 32 guns, Captain William Locker,'^ with whom he proceeded to in the fleet. On this occasion Captain Robinson himself, received a severe wound in the hip, and lost a leg. Alter this misfortune he was put on the list of superannuated rear-admirals, and died at his house in Bath, the 23d of Js^ovember, 1799. * In 1792, on the prospect of a war with Spain, Captain 6 LORD NELSON. 31 Jamaica. A circumstance soon afterwards oc- curred in wJiich he gave a striking indication of that intrepid spirit which no danger could ever subdue or appal. In a strong gale of wind and a heavy sea, the Lowestoffe came up with an American letter of marque, which struck to the British frigate. Captain Locker ordered the first lieutenant to board her; but this, owing to the tremendous sea, he was unable to accom- plish. *' Have I then no officer who can board the prize ?" exclaimed Captain Locker on his re- turn. The master immediately ran to the gang- way, with the intention of jumping into the boat, when he was suddenly stopped by Lieutenant Nelson, with these words : " It is my turn now ; if I come back, it will be yours." It is unne- cessary to add, that his attempt was crowned with success. Finding that his station in the Lowestoffe was not sufficiently active for his restless mind, he solicited an appointment to the command of a schooner, tender to the frigate. In this small vessel he eagerly embraced every opportunity of rendering himself a complete pilot for all the in- Locker was raised to the rank of commodore, and hoisted hiS broad pendant on board the Sandwich, of 90 guns, as commander in chief at the Nore. On the 16th of Februar^^, 1793, he was appointed lieutenant-governor of Greenwich Hospital, where he died on the 26th of December, 1800, 5# PROFESSIONAL LIFE O? tricate passages among the islands called Keys, situate to the northward of St. Domingo. In 1772, soon after the arrival of Sir Peter Parker on the Jamaica station, he appointed Lieutenant Nelson third of the Bristol, his flag- ship. He soon became by rotation the first, and it was in this vessel that he concluded his ser- vices as a lieutenant. On the 8th of December the same year he was appointed commander of the Badger brig, and received orders to protect the Mosquito shore and the Bay of Honduras against the depredations of American privateers. Of this duty he acquitted himself so much to the satisfaction of the settlers, that they unani- mously voted him their thanks, and expressed deep regret on his quitting that station. While he commanded the Badger, he was lying at Mon- tego Bay, Jamaica, where he was joined by his majesty *s ship Glasgow, which soon after her ar- rival accidentally took fire ; and it was owing principally to the unceasing exertions and pre- sence of mind of Captain Nelson, that the vessel and her whole crew were rescued from imminent destruction. Captain Nelson was made post on the 1 1th of June, 1779. He had been nine years in the ser- vice, and had made himself not only an able of- ficer but likewise a most skilful pilot, which from the first had been the object of his constant am- LORD NELSON. 53 bition. Endowed by nature with unconimon quickness of perception, and a ready fund of re- source,' he was far from suffering talents of such value to be bestowed in vain. The first ship to which Captain Nelson was ap- pointed, after his promotion, was the Hincbinr brooke. It was soon after this event that the ar- rival of Count D'Estaing at St. Domingo, with a numerous fleet and army, led to the expecta- tion of an immediate attack on Jamaica. At this critical conjuncture, the command of the batteries at Port Royal, which, being the key to the naval force of Kingston, and to the seat of government at Spanish Town, was considered the most important post in Jamaica, was entrust- ed to Captain Nelson. In January, 1780, an expedition having been planned for the reduction of Fort Juan, on the river St. John, in the gulph of Mexico, the com- mand of the naval department was given to Cap- tain Nelson, while Major Poison superintended the military. In this arduous service he dis- played his usual zeal and energy ; quitting his ship, he directed the transporting of the troops one hundred miles up a river, which none but Spaniards had ever navigated since the time of the buccaneers. Major Poison bore ample tes- timony of the exertions and intrepidity of his gallant colleague, who, after storming one of the D 34 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF enemy's out-posts, situated on an island in the river, constructed batteries, and fought the Spa- niards with their own guns. To his conduct and excellent dispositions the subsequent re- duction of Fort Juan was principally to be ascribed. The excessive fatigue necessarily attendant on an expedition of such a nature, and in such a climate, greatly impaired the health of Captain Nelson, who was soon afterwards appointed to the Janus, of 44 guns, on the Jamaica station, and took his passage in the Victor sloop to join his ship. Notwithstanding the medical assistance he received, and the kind attention of Sir Peter Parker, his health continued rapidly declining, so that he was under the necessity of returning to England in the Lion, commanded by the Honor- able William Cornwallis ; and it was not till after a residence of eleven weeks at Bath, that he re- covered the use of his limbs. Of a disposition too active to remain long un- employed, no sooner was Captain Nelson's health in some measure re-established, than he accepted the command of the Albemarle, in Au- gust, I7B1, and his delicate constitution had to undergo another severe trial, from his being sta- tioned, during the whole of the ensuing winter, in the North Seas. In April, the year following, he sailed with a convoy, under the command of Cap- LORD NELSON. 55 tkin Pringle, for Newfoundland and Quebec. During a cruize off Boston, he was chased by three ships of the line and the Iris frigate. As they were all better sailers than the Albemarle, and were gaining upon him very fast, he had no other chance of escape, than, trusting to Provi- dence and his own experience in pilotage, to run his ship among the shoals of St. George's Bank. The line of battle ships, alarmed for their own safety, quitted the pursuit, but the frigate still persevered in the chase, and had approach- ed within little more than gun-shot, when Cap- tain Nelson ordered the main-top-sail of bis lit- tle frigate to be laid to the mast, that he might be prepared for battle, on which the enemy, de- clining the engagement, immediately tacked, and stood to rejoin her consorts. In October, 17S2, Captain Nelson sailed from- Quebec with a convoy for New York, where he joined the fleet under the command of Sir Sa- muel (now Lord) Hood. With that officer he proceeded to the West Indies, where he continued actively employed until the conclusion of the peace. Captain Nelson was soon afterwards or- dered to England, and on his way attended his Royal Highness, Prince William Henry, on his visit to the Havannah. On his arrival at Ports- mouth, the Albemarle was paid off, and in the autumn of 1783, Captain Nelson visited France D 2 30 PROFESSIOIN AL LIFE OF for the benefit of his health. In that country he remained till the spring of the following year, when he was appointed to the command of the Boreas, of 28 guns, and ordered to the West- Indies. On the Leeward-Island station a new scene was now opened to the officers of the British navy. The Americans, who, as colonists, en- joyed almost the whole of the trade from Ame- rica to the West-India islands, forgot, on the con- clusion of peace, that they were then to be consi- dered as having no more privileges in this com- merce than foreigners. Their claims were, how- ever, favored by all the West Indians to whose interest they tended, and particularly by the go- vernors and custom-house officers, who asserted, that, by the Navigation Act, the Americans had a right to trade. Captain Nelson, with that penetration and solidity of judgment, which he manifested on every occasion, considered the sub- ject in a very different point of view, and determined that nothing should dismay him while enforcing the maritime^laws of his country. He, accord- ingly, intimated with firmness to the governors and officers of the customs, as well as to the Ame- ricans, what he imagined to be his duty, and a few days afterwards seized several America.t^ ves- sels, found in the act of carrying on a trade which ke looked upon as ilhcit. This proceeding drew I LORD NELSON. 57 Mpon him the hatred of all parties, who perse- cuted him with such inveteracy, that he could not venture with safety to leave his ship. Conscious- ness of the rectitude of his conduct supported his great mind under these trying circumstances, and he had likewise the satisfaction to find, that, on an investigation of his proceedings, they were ap- proved by government. Towards the close of 17S6, Captain Nelson was joined on his station by Prince William Henry, in the Pegasus frigate. His conduct, as command- ing-officer, gained him the esteem of his royal highness, and their friendship increased with advancing years. In March, 1787, Captain Nelson married Mrs. Frances Herbert Nesbit, widow of Dr. Nesbit, of the island of Nevis, daughter of Wilh am Herbert, Esq. senior judge, and niece to Mr. Herbert, president of that is- land. Prince William Henry gave away the bride. In the mouth of June following. Captain Nelson sailed for England, and on the 30th of November the Boreas frigate was paid off at Sheerness. Our hero now retired to enjoy the comforts of domestic happiness, at the parsonage-house of Burnham, which his father gave up to him as a place of residence ; and here he passed the inter- val of peace in rural occupations and in solitude. From the age of twelve years he had been inces- 38 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF santly engaged in a continued succesion of events arising out of his professional duties, in a compli- cation of perils and emergencies. He now, for the first time, had leisure to strengthen by reflec- tion the experience he had obtained, to combine the various ideas which a quick yet souri^ obser- vation had collected, and to improve and i'jicrease that knowledge of himself and of mankind, which is so essential to those who are called upon by their country to command with firmness, and tcr obey without a murmur. LORD NELSON. 39 CHAP. 11. FROM 1790 TO 1797. Captain Nelson is appointed to the Agamemnon — His cou- rage and ability — Conducts the operations of the seamen against Bastia and Calvi — Loses the sight of his right eye at the siege of the latter — Takes a French convoy at Alassio — Appointed to the rank of commodore — Hoists his flag on board La Minerve — Takes the Spanish frigate. La Sabina- -Falls in, on his return from Porto Ferrajo^ with the whole Spanish fleet — Rejoins tlie Admiral — En- gagement off Cape St. Vincent — Remarks on that action written by himself— Account of the victory — He receives the order of the Bath — Extracts from letters written soon after the victory—Hoists his flag as a rear-adrairal—Bora- bardment of Cadiz. — He is sent to attack Teneriffe — Loses his right-arm-— Is obliged to return to England in consequence of that misfortune. V/APTAiN Nelson continued to enjoy the sweets of rural retirement till the dispute, rela- tive to Nootka Sound, in 1/90, threatened an ap- proaching rupture with Spain. Glowing with patriotic ardor, he left his retreat to offer his ser- vices ; but his endeavors to obtain a command were ineffectual. Two more years passed away 40 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF in peace, but at length, the 30th of January, 1793, again called forth this distinguished cha- racter, destined to appear like a brilliant constel- lation in the political horizon. He was appoint- ed to the Agamemnon, of 64* guns, in a manner the most grateful to his feelings, hurt by the inef- ficacy of his former applications, and was soon or- dered to proceed to the Mediterranean, under the command of the gallant veteran Lord Hood. The greatest part of the crew of the Agamem- non was composed of men raised in the neighbor- hood of Burnham Thorpe; and such was the ge- neral opinion of his conduct and abilities as an officer, that gentlemen were solicitous to place their sons under his command ; and it must be ad- mitted, that if they wished them to obtain an in- sight into the pro ession, founded upon practice and example, they could not have selected a fitter master. The unbounded confidence reposed by Lord Hood in Captain Nelson, while he commanded the Agamemnon, sufficiently manifests the high opinion he entertained of his courage and abihty to execute the arduous services with which he ■^vas entrusted. Scarcely a gazette appeared but it contained an account of some service perform- ed, some gallantry displayed, or some enterprize undertaken by the brave captain and crew of the Agamemnon. If a ship was to be cut out of a bar- LORD NELSON. 41 bor, or a battery to be dismounted, Horatio Nel- son was invariably foremost on the occasion, placing himself in the hottest of the battle, and exposing his person to the same risks as the meanest seaman. Such voluntary contempt of danger is, perhaps, not always prudent or justifi- able in a commander, but it is certainly generous and often successful. Men will exert themselves more and with greater alacrity, when they find that nothing more is required on the one hand than is submitted to on the other, andgreat advan- tages will counterbalance great hazard. Ac- cordingly, before he quitted his old ship, it was justly observed, that he had not only fairly worn her out, but had also exhausted himself and his ship's company. . These habits of active service seemed to have had the effect of bracing his origi- nally delicate constitution, and enabling him to support such excessive fatigue. On the 21st of October, 1793, part of his crew being absent at Toulon, and in prizes, and having only 345 men at quarters, Captain Nelson fell in with four French frigates and a corvette, which he instantly attacked. A brisk firing con- tinued for nearly four hours, when the enemy hauled their wind and made off. The masts and rigging of the Agamemnon were so disabled as to prevent the captain from hazarding a pursuit. The success and the activity of the Agamem- 42 I^ROFESSIONAL LIFE OF non while under the command of Captain Nel- son, may, perhaps, be imputed to a very simple cause,— that of the national spirit of an EngHsh crew being awakened into full action, and di- rected towards a proper end, by the skill and courage of their commander. But the biogra- pher whose part it is not to remain satisfied with general causes, cannot but imagine that he per- ceives another : The greatest part of the ship^s company, as already observed, were more pecu- liarly the countrymen of their commander. A moment's reflection on the human character, will be sufficient to convince us of the force of this principle. The natural courage of the men is inflamed to greater exertions by their attachment to their commander and to each other. The body become animated with a spirit of emulation peculiar to themselves ; they consider themselves as forming a separate community, as did the crew of the Agamemnon, who thus felt a pride in rais- ing their appellation of " men of Norfolk" to reputation and distinction. In time of danger, when great exertions and consequently great mo- tives are required, might not this principle be ap- plied with considerable effect ?— The greater the affinity between the officer and his men, and be- tween the men and each other, in the same pro- portion will their attachment, their sympathy, and their efforts in the common cause be aug- mented. The affections of private and domestic life are thus pressed into public service ; men fight not only for their country, but for their commander, for themselves, and what is, perhaps, yet stronger than all, for the honor of their pe- culiar body and the distinction of their native^ district. In the operations against Bastia and Calvi, ia the island of Corsica, in J 794, Lord Hood bore ample testimony to the skill and unremitting ex- ertions of Captain Nelson. During the memora- ble siege of the former, he commanded a brigade of seamen on shore, at the batteries, having the Captains Hunt, Sericold, * and BuUen, under his orders ; and on this occasion he gave distin- guished proofs of zeal and intrepidity. In his public dispatch, relating the capture of this for- tress, Lord Hood thus expresses himself:--* * Captain Sericold commanded the Proselyte gun-boat> and greatly distinguished himself in these attacks onshore. At the siege of Calvi^ he was killed hy a grape-shot, while getting the last gun into its place on one of the batteries.— " The king," says Lord Hood, in his official dispatch, '^ had not a more meritorious young captain in his navy. He commanded the floating-battery which was burnt by a red-hot shot, before Bastia, and afterwards served with infi- nite reputation at the batteries on shore. Independent of my regard and esteem for him, I feel his loss to be a public one," E 2 44 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF ** Captain Nelson, of his Majesty's ship Aga- memnon, who had the command and direction of the seamen, in landing the guns, mortars, and. stores, and Captain Hunt, who commanded at. the batteries, very ably assisted by Captain Bul-r len and Captain Sericold, and the Lieutenants Gore, Hotham, Stiles, Andrews, and Brisbane, have an ample claim to my gratitude, as the seamen, under their management, worj^ed the guns with great judgment and alacrity ; never was a higher spirit or greater perseverance exhibited; and I am happy to say, that no other contention was at any time known, than who should be most forward and indefatigable in promoting his Majesty's service f for though the difficulties they had to struggle with were many and various, the perfect harmony and good-humor that universally prevailed throughout the siege, overcame them all/' The uncertainty of a seaman's life cannot be better described than in the language of Captain Nelson, who, in a letter he transmitted on this oc- casion to Mr. Evan Davies, of Swansea, informing him of the death of his son, thus expressed him- self: — **'From the nature of our profession we hold life by a more precarious tenure than many others, but when we fall we trust it is to benefit our country. So fell your son, by a cannon ball, un- der my immediate command at the siege of Bas- 2 LORD NELSON. 45 tia. I had taken him on shore with me, from his' abiUties and attention to his duty/' Calvi was the next point of attack. At the siege of that place, in the months of July and August, 1794-? Captain Nelson likewise distin- guished himself in a brilhant manner, when com- manding an advanced battery of seamen on shore. It was on this occasion that he had the misfortune to lose the sight of his right eye, in consequence of a shot from one of the enemy's batteries striking against that which he com- manded, and driving some particles of sand with prodigious force against his face. For his impor- tant services in the reduction of Corsica, Captain Nelson, in common with the rest of the officers and seamen, received the thanks of both houses of parliament. In the month of October, 1794, Lord Hood left the Mediterranean, and the command de- volved on Admiral, now Lord Hotham, who ho- nored Captain Nelson with the same confidence as his predecessor. He distinguished himself in the actions with the French fleet on the 13th and 14th of March, 1795, when the Ca-ira, of 80 guns, and the Censeur, of 74, fell prizes to Bri- tish prowess, and on the 13th of July, when the Alcide, of 74 guns, was taken and blew up. During the chace on the former occasion, one of the French line of battle ships having lost her 46 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF top-masts, this circumstance afforded Captain Freemantle, of the Inconstant frigate, who was then far advanced in the chace, an opportunity of exhibiting a proof of British enterprize, by attacking, raking, and harassing iier, till the ar- rival of the Agamemnon. He was then most ably seconded by Captain Nelson, who did her so much damage that she was unable to recover herself. By this time, however, the two British captains were at such a distance from their own fleet that they were obliged to quit their antago- nist, as several of the enemy's ships were ad- vancing to her assistance. Captain Nelson was soon afterwards directed by Admiral Hotham to co-operate with the Aus- trian General, De Vins, at Vado Bay, in the ter- ritory of Genoa. Having there received infor- mation that a convoy of arms and ammunition had arrived at Alassio, a place in the possession of the French army, he proceeded to that place on the 26th of August, accompanied by the ves- sels under his command, and in less than an hour cut out nine ships, besides two which were des- troyed. This service was effected without the loss of a man either killed or wounded ; and had not the town been defended by 2000 soldiers, horse and foot, he would have rendered his suc- cess more complete by landing and destroying the magazines of ammunition and provisions. " His LORD NEL30N. 47 officer-like conduct/' says Admiral Hotham in his public dispatch, ^' upon this, and, indeed, upon every occasion where his services are called forth, Teflects upon him the highest credit/' During the whole time Admiral Hotham re- tained the command, our hero was employed in the most arduous services, the blockade of Leg- horn, the taking of Porto Ferrajo, and lastly, the evacuation of Bastia. Having convoyed the troops in safety from that place to Porto^Ferrajo, he joined Admiral Sir John Jervis, who had su- perseded Admiral Hotham in the Mediterranean, in the Bay of St. Fiorenzo. In April, 179^, the commander in chief, in consequence of his ap- probation of Captain Nelson's conduct, directed him to wear a broad pendant as commodore ; in the following month he was removed from his favorite ship the Agamemnon, to the Captain of 74 guns, and, in August, a captain was appointed under him. On the 25th of April, 179^, having received intelligence that a convoy, laden with stores for the French army, had anchored at Loano, the commodore immediately proceeded off that place. On his approach, he was considerably disappoint- ed to observe only four vessels lying under the batteries, which opened upon the ships as they ad- vanced into the bay. Their fire was returned by 48 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF the commodore and the ships under his command, and their boats were dispatched to board and bring off the vessels. This service was performed with equal gallantry and success, notwithstanding the heavy fire kept up from the shore very near to which the vessels were lying. Being in the Gulph of Genoa, on the 31st of May, the commodore gave chace to six vessels which hoisted French colors, and anchored close under a battery, in the bay of Oneglia. The commodore directed Captain Cockburn, of the Meleager, to lead in, which he did in a most offi- cer-like manner, and the same afternoon the Aga- memnon and Meleager anchored in less than four fathoms water. After a short resistance from the battery and vessels, the boats of the English squa- dron took possession of them under a smart fire of musketry. The enemy, after they had surren- dered, cut their cables and ran their vessels on shore, but they were afterwards got off.* . * The following were the vessels taken on this occasion : A ship of 8 guns, and 20 brass patteraroes, laden with corn and rice. A ketch laden with muskets, and cases of ammunition, A galley laden with wine. A ditto with corn. La Genie, ketch, 3 eighteen-pounders, 2 swivels, 60 men. La Humero D'Ougel, gun-boat, 1 eighteen-pounder, 4i swivels, 30 men. LORD NELSOiN. 49 Having afterwards proceeded with the com- mander-in-chief to Gibraltar, Commodore Nel- son, in the month of December, 1796, hoisted his broad pendant on board La Minerve frigate, of 32 guns. Captain George Cockburn, and was sent with that ship and La Blanche of the same force, commanded by Captain Preston, to Porto Ferrajo, to bring away the naval stores left at that place, of which the fleet at Gibral- tar was much in want. On his passage thither, on the night of the 19th of December, he fell in with two Spanish frigates: he immediate- ly attacked the ship which carried the poop- light, and directed the Blanche to bear down and engage the other. At forty minutes past ten at night the commodore brought the enemy to close action, which continued without intermission until half past one. Notwithstanding the superior force of the Spanish vessel, the fire of the Eng- lish was maintained with such effect, that La Sa- bina, of 40 guns, twenty-eight of which were eighteen-pounders, struck to La Minerve. La Sabina was commanded by Don Jacobo Stuart, Transports — La Bonne Mere, 250 tons, laden with brass 21-pounders, thirteen-inch mortars, and gun-carriages. La Vierge de Consolation, 120 tons ditto. Le Jean Baptiste, 100 tons, laden with provisions. Name unknown, 100 tons, with Austrian prisoners. "St. Anne de Paix, 70 tons, laden with entrenching tools, F oO PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF who had 164 men killed and wounded during the action, in which he lost his mizen-mast. On board La Minerve seven men were killed and thirty- four wounded ; all her masts were shot through, and the rigging much damaged. Scarcely was this victory obtained and the prize taken in tow, when a frigate was seen ad- vancing, at four in the morning, of the 20th, and, b}' her signals, was discovered to be Spanish. At half past four she came to action with La Mi- ne? ve, who cast oif the prize, which, under the command of Lieutenant Culverhouse, was di- rected to stand to the southward. After a trial of strength of more than an hour, the enemy hauled off " or I am confident,^' says the com- modore, ^^ she would have shared the fate of her companion,'^ At this time three other ships were seen standing for La Minerve, and at the dawn of day the commodore had the mortification to per- ceive that they were two Spanish ships of the line and two frigates, and that the Blanche was far to windward. Notwithstanding all the exertions of the officers and men belonging to La Minerve to repair the damages that ship had sustained, all iheir labors would probably have been ineffectual for her preservation, had they not been assisted by a diversion of the lieutenant placed in the prize. A frigate repeatedly fired into her with- out effect, and at length the Spanish admiral LORD NELSON. 51 quitted the pursuit of the commodore, for that of La Sabina, which steered a different course, evidently with the intention of attracting the notice of the enemy ; nor did she surrender till after the loss of her remaining masts. In the mean time La Blanche had silenced her antago- nist, but owing to the same unfortunate coinci- dence of circumstances, had been prevented from taking possession of her prize. The letter in which the commodore acquaints Sir John Jervis with the particulars of this ac- tion, affords a noble and generous instance of that modest spirit which ever pervaded the mind of this great man. He assumes no merit to him- self, but transfers the whole to Captain Cock- burn, his officers, and crew. " You are so thoroughly acquainted,'' says he, " with the me- rits of Captain Cockburn, 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 I have of their judgment and gallantry. Lieutenant Culverhouse, the first lieutenant, is an old officer of distinguished merit; Lieute*^ nants 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." , On the 29th of January the commodore sailed 2f 52 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF in La Minerve from Porto Ferrajo, on her return to Gibraltar, having on board Sir Gilbert Elliott, (now Lord Minto,) late viceroy of Corsica, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Drink water, and others of his suite- Having reconnoitered the principal ports of the enemy in the Mediterranean, the commo- dore arrived at Gibraltar, where his impatience to rejoin Sir John Jervis permitted him to remain only one day. Proceeding thence to the west- ward, on the 1 Ith of February, he was chased by two Spanish line of battle ships, and at the mouth of the Streights fell in with their whole fleet, which had come out of Carthagena. The commodore fortunately escaped, and on the 13th of February he joined the admiral off Cape St. Vincent. He immediately communicated the in- telligence relative to the force and state of the enemy, and shifted his pendant on board his for- mer ship the Captain. He had scarcely removed from La Minerve, when the signal was thrown out for the British fleet to prepare for action, and the ships were directed to keep close order during the night. As the gazette account conveys a very imper- fect idea of the exploits of the heroic commo- dore on the glorious l^th of February, the rea- der shall first be presented with the invaluable re- marks of the gallant Nelson himself on the events of that day, which are farther illustrated by the LORD NELSON. 53 interesting account of the engagement by Lieute- nant-colonel Drinkwater, who had an opportu- nity of observing the manoeuvres of both fleets on board the Lively, repeating frigate, commanded by Viscount Garlies. ^* AJex Remarks, relative to mi/self in the Captain, ** in which Ship my Pendant was flying on the " most glorious Valentine's Day, 1 797- " 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 larboard, we on the starboard 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 forming their line, going large, 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 effect, I ordered the ship to be wore, and passing between the Diadem and the Excellent, at a quarter past one o'clock, was engaged with the headmost, and, of course, lee- wardmost of the Spanish division. The ships which I knew were the Santissima Trinadada, 136; San Josef, 112; Salvador del Mundo, 112; San Nicholas, 80 ; another first-rate, and a 7^> names unknown. 54 PBOFESSIONAI, LIFE OF " 1 was immediately joined and most nobly sup- ported by the CuUoden, Captain Troubridge ; the Spanish fleet not wishing, I suppose, to have a decisive battle, hauled to the wind on the lar- board tack, which brought the ships above-men- tioned to be the leewardmost and stern-most ships in their fleet. For near an hour, I believe, (but do not pretend to be correct as to time) did the Culloden and Captain support this apparently, but not really, unequal contest ; when the Blen- heim passing between us and the enemy, gave us a respite, and sickened the Dons. " At this time the Salvador del Mundo and San Isidro dropped astern, and were fired into, in a masterly style, by the Excellent, Captain Col- lingwood, who compelled the San Isidro to hoist English colours ; and I tliought the large ship, Sal- vador 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 a-head ; the Culloden crippled and astern. The Excellent ranged up within two feet of the San Nicholas, giving a most tremendous fire. The San Nicho- las luffing up, the San Josef fell on board her; and the Excellent passing on for the Sant. Trinidad a, the Captain resumed her station abreast of them, LORD NELSON. 55 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 the chase, 1 directed Captain Miller to put the helm a-star- board, and calling for the boarders, ordered them to board. ** The soldiers of the 69th, with an alacrity which will ever do them credit, and Lieutenant Pearson, of the same regiment, were almost the foremost in this service : the first man who jumped into the mizen chains was Captain Berry, late my first lieutenant, (Captain Miller was in the very act of going also, but I ordered him to re- main): he was supported from our sprit-sail yard, which hooked in the mizen rigging. A soldier of the 69th regiment having broken the upper quar- ter-gallery window, I jumped in myself, and was followed by others as fast as possible. I found the cabin doors fastened, and some Spanish offi- cers fired their pistols ; but having broken open the doors, the soldiers fired ; and the Spanish Bri- gadier (commodore with a distinguishing pendant) fell, as retreating to the quarter-deck. I pushed 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 56 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF 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 sol- diers to fire into her stern ; and calling to Cap- tain Miller, ordered him to send more men into the San Nicholas ; 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 had 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 honor, if the ship was surrendered ; he declared she was : on which I gave him my hand, and desired him to call on his officers and ship's company, and tell them of it; which he did :— and on the quarter-deck of a Spanish first-rate, extravagant as the story may- seem, did I receive the swords of vanquished Spa- niards : 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 Capt. Berry, Lieut. Pearson,* of the 6Sth regiment, John Sykes, John Thom- * Lieutenant, afterwards Captain Pearson, died in the year 1801, aged 27 years, as he was returning home fropa Honduras, I LORD NELSON. 57 son, Francis Cooke, all old Agamemnons,"^ and several other brave men, seamen, and soldiers. Thus fell these ships! N. B. In boarding the San Nicholas, T believe we lost about seven killed and ten wounded, and about twenty Spaniards lost their lives by a fool- ish resistance. None were lost, I believe, in boarding the San Josef. CHOHATIO NELSON. Signed ^ RALPH WILLETT MILLER. (E. BERRY. What the commodore's modesty prevented him from relating more fully, shall now be supplied from the circumstantial narrative of Lieutenant- Colonel Drinkwater, by which it will appear how much of the honour of this glorious action is to * The commodore had learned duly to appreciate the ▼alour of the crew of the Agamemnon, in the variety of service in which she was engaged in the Mediterranean, while under his command. When that ship came into dock to be refitted, in October, 1796, she had not a mast, yard, sail, or any part of her rigging, but what was so cut to pieces with shot, that it was obliged to be repaired. Her bull had long been kept together by cables served round. It was in this vessel, that when he once put into Cadiz to water, previous to the commencement of hostilities with Spain, he exclaimed, on beholding the Spanish fleet : — • *' These ships are certainly the finest in the world ! Thank God, the Spaniards cannot build men !" G 58 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF be ascri- ed to the skill and conduct of the daring Nelson. When Sir John Jervis, on the fourteenth of February, had accomplished his bold intention of breaking the enemy's line, the Spanish admi- ral, who had been separated to windward with his main body, consisting of eighteen ships of the line, from nine ships that were cut off to leeward, appeared to make a movement, as if with a view to join the latter. This design was completely frustrated by the timely opposition of Commo- dore Nelson, whose station, in the rear of the British line, afforded him an opportunity of ob- serving this manoeuvre: 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 bore the Spanish admiral's flag, the Santissima Trinidada, of J 36 guns, a ship of four decks, reported to be the largest in the world. Notwithstanding the inequality of force, the commodore immediately engaged this colossal opponent ; and for a considerable time had to contend, not only with her, but with her seconds a-head and a-stern, each of three decks. While he maintained this unequal combat, whicb 3 LORD NELSON. 59 was viewed with admiration, mixed with anxiety, his friends were flying to his support : the enemy's attention was soon directed to the Culloden, Cap- tain Troubridge, and, in a short time after, to the Blenheim, of 90 guns, Captain Frederick, who opportunely came to his assistance. The intrepid conduct of the commodore stag- gered the Spanish admiral, who already appeared to waver in pursuing his intention of joining the ships cut off by the British fleet ; when the Cullo- den's timely arrival, and Captain Troubridge's spirited support of the commodore, together with the approach of the Blenheim, followed by Rear- Admiral Parker, with the Prince George, Orion, Irresistible and Diadem, not far distant, deter- mined the Spanish admiral to change his design altogether, and to throw out the signal for the ships of the main body to haul their wind, and to make sail on the larboard tack. Not a moment was lost in improving the advan- tage now apparent in favour of the British squad- ron : as the ships of Rear-Ad miral Parker's divi- sion approached the enemy's ships in support of the Captain (Commodore Nelson's ship) and her gallant seconds, the Blenheim and Culloden, the cannonade became more animated and impres- sive. In this manner did Commodore Nelson engage a Spanish three-decker, until he had nearly expended all the ammunition in his ship, G 2 60 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF which had suffered the loss of her fore-top masty and received such considerable damage in her sails and rigging, that she was almost rendered hors du combat. At this critical period the Spa-^ nish three-decker, having lost her mizen-mast, fell on bo?.rd a Spanish two-decker, of 84 gunsj that was her second : this latter ship, conse- quently, now became the commodore's opponent, and a most vigorous fire was kept up for some time by both ships, within pistol-shot. It was now that the commodore's ship lost many men, and that the damages already sus- tained, through the long and arduous conflict which she had maintained, appeared to render a continuance of the contest in the usual way precarious, or perhaps impossible. At this cri- tical moment, the commodore from a sudden impulse, 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 summoned, and orders given to lay his ship on board the enemy. Fortune favours the brave ; nor, on this occa- sion, was she unmindful of her favourite. Ralph Willett Miller, the commodore's captain, so ju- diciously directed the course of his ship, that he laid her a-board the star-board quarter of the Spanish eighty-four : — her sprit-sail yard passing over the enemy's poop, and hooking in her mizen . LORD NELSON. 6l shrouds ; when the word to board being given, the officers and seamen destined for this perilous duty, headed by Lieutenant (now Sir Edward) Berry, together with the detachment of the 69th regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Pearson, then doing duty as marines, on board the Cap- tain, passed with rapidity on board the enemy's ship ; and, in a short time, the San Nicholas was in the possession of her intrepid assailants. The commodore's ardour would not permit him to remain an inactive spectator of this scene. He was aware the attempt was hazardous, and he thought his presence might animate his brave companions, and contribute to the success of this bold enterprize: he, therefor^, as if by magic impulse, 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 th'e sword of the dying com- mander, who had been mortally wounded by the boarders. He had not been long employed in taking the necessary measures to secure this hard- earned conquest, when he found himself engaged in a more arduous task. The stern of the three- decker, his former opponent, was placed directly amidship of the weather-beam of the prize San Nicholas, and from her poop and galleries the enemy sorely annoyed, with musquetry, the €S 6^ PROFESSIONAL LIFE. OF British who had boarded the San Nicholas. The commodore was not long in resolving on the con- duct to be adopted on this momentous occa- sion; the two alternatives that presented them- selves to his unshaken mind, were to quit the prize, or instantly board the three-decker. Con- fident in the bravery of his seamen, he deter- mined on the latter. Directing, therefore, an additional number of men to be sent from the Captain on board the San Nicholas, the undaunt- ed commodore, whom no danger ever appalled, headed himself the assailants in this new attack, exclaiming: — '* Westminster Abbey, or GLORIOUS VICTORY !" Success in a few minutes, and with little loss, crowned the enterprize. 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 Command- ant advanced, and asking" for the British com- manding-officer, dropped on one knee, and pre- sented his sword ; apologizing, at the same time, for the Spanish admiral's not appearing, as he was dangerously wounded. For a moment com- modore Nelson could scarcely persuade himself of the reality of this second instance of good for- tune : he, therefore, ordered the Spanish conl- mandant, who had the rank of a brigadier, to assemble the officers on the quarter-deck, and to LORD NELSON. 63 direct means to be takea instantly for communi- cating to the crew the surrender of the ship. All the officers immediately appeared ; and the com- modore had the surrender of the San Josef duly confirmed, by each of them delivering his sword. The coxswain of the commodore's barge had attended close by his side throughout this peri- lous attempt. To him the commodore gave in charge the swords of the Spanish officers as he received them ; and the undaunted tar, as they were delivered to him, tucked these honourable trophies under his arm with all the coolness ima- ginable. It was at this moment also, that a Bri- tish sailor, who had long fought under the com- modore, came up in the fulness of his heart, and excusing the liberty he was taking, asked to shake him by the hand, to congratulate him upon see- ing 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 Ni- cholas, when the latter ship was discovered to be on fire in two places. At the first moment ap- pearances were alarming ; but the presence of mind and resources of the commodore and his officers, in this emergency, soon got the fire un- der. A signal was immediately made by the Captain for boats to assist in disentangling her from the 64 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF two prizes ; and as she was incapable of farther service until refitted, the commodore again hoist- ed his pendant for the moment, on board La Mi- nerve frigate ; and in the evening shifted it to the Irresistible, Captain Martin ; but as soon as the Captain was refitted, he re-hoisted his pendant on board the latter ship. For such distinguished gallantry on the ^1 4th of February, he received the insignia of the Bath, and a gold medal from his Sovereign, and was also presented with the freedom of the city of London. The following extracts from letters written soon after the period of this victory, to a friend in En- gland, shew, in a striking manner, that temper of mind which he ever displayed in his actions. The first is dated " Irresistible, off Lagos Bay, March l6th/' In this he says : ^M am here looking for the Viceroy of Mexico, with three sail of the hue, and I 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 is in Cadiz; the officers hooted and pelted by the mobility. Their first report was, the action hap- pening on a foggy day, when the fog cleared up they only saw fifteen sail of the line, therefore concluded, at least, five of ours were sunk in the action. My usual good fortune atterided me, which 1 know will give you and my other friends LORD NELSON. 65 satisfaction/' In the second, dated " Captain, off Cadiz, April 10/' he thus expresses himself: " Many thanks for your most kind congratula- tions on our success ; but I hope the good people of England will have something else to talk about — more recent victories ; for if our ships are but carried close by the officers, 1 will answer for a British fleet being always successful. The Spa- niards threaten us they will come out and take their revenge ; the sooner the better ; but I will not believe it till I see it ; and if they do, what will the mines of Mexico and Peru signify com- pared with the honor I doubt not we shall gain by fighting an angry Don ; they will have 30 sail of the line, we 2u, or 22, but I fear we shall have a peace before they are ready to come out/' In the month of April, Sir Horatio Nelson hoisted his flag as rear-admiral of the blue, and soon afterwards shifted it from the Captain to the Theseus, and was appointed to the command of the inner squadron engaged in the blockade of Cadiz. In this duty his personal courage was, if possible, more conspicuous than in any of his former services. On the 3d of July he made an attack on the gun-boats and armed launches of the Spaniards, which had come out, pursued them to ihe walls of Cadiz with considerable da- mage, and the loss of two gun-boats and one launch, that were taken. II 00 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF On this occasion, Sir Horatio being in his barge with only its usual complement often men and the coxswain, accompanied by Captain Free- mantle, the commander of the Spanish gun- boats, Don Miguel Tyrason, in a barge rowed by t*wenty-six oars, and carrying thirty men iji- cluding officers, made a most desperate attempt to overpower the British hero and his brave com- panions. The contest was long and doubtful ; they fought hand to hand with their swords; twice was the admiral's life saved by his faithful coxswain, John Sykes, who parried several blows aimed at him, and mortally wounded his assail- ants. At length, eighteen of the Spaniards being killed, the commandant and all the rest wounded, the rear-admiral, with bis gallant crew, succeeded in carrying the enemy's barge. With that gene- rosity which is ever inseparable from true valor, he pays a handsome tribute of praise to the gal- lantry of Don Miguel Tyrason, " whose resist- ance,^' he says, in his letter to the commander-in- chief, " was such as to do honor to a brave of- ficer." Sir John Jervis, in his report of this affair to the Admiralty, dated the 5th of July, says : " The rear-admiral, who is always present in the most arduous enterprises, with the assistance of some other barges, boarded and carried two of the ene- nvy*s gun-boats, and a large launch belonging to LORD NELSON. 67 one of their ships of war, with the commandant of the flotilla. Rear-Admiral Nelson's actions speak for themselves ; any praise of mine would fall very far short of his merit/' On the night of the 5th, Sir Horatio ordered a second bombardment of Cadiz, which produced considerable effect upon the town, and among the shipping. On the night of the Sth he medi- tated another operation under his own immediate direction, but the wind blew so strong down the bay, that it was found impossible to bring up the bomb-vessels to the point of attack in time. The Earl of St. Vincent, from a variety of intel- ligence he had received, was led to believe that the town of Santa Cruz in the island of Tene- riffe was an assailable object. On the 15th of July, he therefore directed Rear-Admiral Nelson to make an attack on that place. On the 25th, at half-past five in the evening, the squadron came to an anchor a few miles to the northward of Santa Cruz; and the rear-admiral finding it im- possible for the ships to approach sufficiently near the town to cannonade it with any effect, ordered a body of one thousand seamen and marines to be immediately landed, under the direction of Captains Troubr^dge, Hood, Thomson, Free- mantle, Bowen, Miller, and Waller, who hand- somely volunteered their services. At eleven o'clock the men were all in the boats, and rowed H 2 68 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF towards the shore in six divisions. Captains Freeman tie and Bov/en accompanied the rear- admiral to regulate the attack. At half-past one in the morning, the boats had approached the Mole-head within half gun-shot midiscovered, when the alarm-bells suddenly rang, and a tre- mendous fire was opened from one end of the town to the other. The Fox cutter, with about 1 80 men on board, received a shot under water on her approaching the town, and instantly sunk : Lieutenant Gibson, her commander, and 96 men perished. The same melancholy fate befel the boat in which were Captain Bo wen and his first lieutenant, who were saved. The night being ex- tremely dark, the boats were unable to keep toge- ther; the rear-admiral, with Captains Thomson and Freemantle, and four or five boats, landed at the Mole, which they stormed and carried, although defended by four or five hundred men, and six 24-pounders, which they spiked. Capt. Bowen was killed while engaged in this business.* * " Among the killed/* says the rear-admiral, in his dispatch to Earl St. Vincent, *' it is with the deepest sor- row I have to place the name of Captain Richard Bowen, of his Majesty's ship, Terpsichore, than whom a more able, enterprizing, and gallant officer, does not grace his Ma- jesty's naval service." How deservedly this praise was bestowed on Captain Bowen will appear when it is recollected how nobly he had LORD NELSON. 69 Such a heavy fire of musketry and grape-shot was kept up from the citadel and the houses at the Mole-head, that it was impossible to advance, and distinguished himself in the Terpsichore of 32 guns, and 215 men, in the preceding year. Being on a cruize off Carthagena, at day-light in the morning of the 13th of October, 1796, he discovered a frigate to windward, ap- parently in chase of him, and, at the same moment, a small Spanish vessel which he conceived to be a tender passed him, steering for Carthagena. Captain Bowen's situation was not the most desirable for engaging a ship which seemed much superior in size, his crew being consi- derably reduced by having left thirty men at the hospital, and having a still greater number on board either danger- ously ill, or in a convalescent state. In addition to this disadvantage, he was not far distant from an enemy's port, so that, in the event of a victory, he could sarceiy flatter himself with being able to carry off his prize. Relying however, on the tried valor of his remaining crew, with whom he had experienced a variety of service for two years and a half, he resolved, at all hazards, to risk an action rather than suffer a king's ship to be disgraced, or the cha- racter of a British seaman tarnished by an attempt to fly from an enemy not much superior, excepting in bulk. He, therefore, continued to stand on without any altera- tion of his course. At half past nine, A. M. the enemy- came within hail, and hauled up on the Terpsichore's weather-beam. As Captain Bowen conceived the enemy- only wanted to place himself, and point his guns with greater advantage, he ordered a gun to be fired to try his intentions. This was instantly answered with a whole broadside. Tlie Terpsichore returned the attack with such 2 70 PROFESSIOISAL LIFE OF the whole party was, almost to a man, either killed or wounded. The rear-admiral himself lost his right arm by a cannon-shot, and Captains Thom- son and Freemantle were slightly wounded. In the mean time Captains Troubridge, Hood, Mil- ler, and Waller, landed with many of the boats a little to the southward of the citadel, passing through a violent surf, which stove the boats, an unremitting fire, that the greatest part of the Spaniards were soon driven from their guns. The captain, a high- spirited officer, rallied the few men on whom he could pre- vail to stand by him, and maintained the contest for nearly an hour and a half, when the Terpsichore drew up along side, with all her guns charged and pointed. Captain Bowen now hailed her commander, entreating him to save himself and the remainder of his people, and not per- severe any longer in a fruitless resistance. It was not v/ith- '^ out considerable difficulty that he prevailed on his gallant enemy to avoid certain destruction by striking his colours, though almost all his crew had run from their quarters, and the ship was nearly a wreck. She proved to be the Ma- honesa, of 34 guns, besides cohorns and swivels, cora- raanded by Thomas ilgalda. In this action, in which the enemy had 30 men killed, and as many wounded, Capt, Bowen lost none of his brave crew, and had only 4 wounded. In December, the same year, Capt. Bowen, after an ob- stinate engagement of above an hour, took the French fri- gate. La Vestale, of 36 guns, and oOO men, but being able to spare no more than one officer, and eight seamen, to take cere of the prize, the crew again made themselves masters of the ship, and escaped into Cadiz. LORD NELSON. 71 and wetted all the amunition. Notwithstand- ing these difficulties, they pushed over the line wall and took possession of the town. Their force consisted of 80 marines, as many pike-men, and 180 small-armed seamen. Having formed in the great square of the town, Captain Trou- bridge determined to storm the citadel, but on his approach, he found it too strong to render such an attempt praciicable. At day-light, finding that it would be impossi- ble to make any farther impression on the town, Captain Troubridge sent a message to the go- vernor, informing him, that if he should be per- mitted to embark his men without molestation, the squadron before the town w^ould not injure it. The governor returned for answer, that he thought, in their situation, the English ought to surrender themselves prisoners of war. Cap- tain Troubridge, with the true spirit of a British seaman, replied, that, unless the terms he had offered were accepted, in five minutes he would set the town on fire, and attack the Spaniards at the point of the bayonet. This produced com- pliance on the part of the governor, Don Juan Antonio Gutierrez, who, with a generosity truly worthy of admiration, furnished the retreating invaders with a ratio of biscuit and wine, and at the same time intimated to the rear-admiral, that he was at liberty to send on shore, and purchase 72 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF whatever refreshments the squadron stood in need of, as long as they remained off the island. On this disastrous night, in which two hundred and forty-six gallant officers, seamen, and ma- rines were killed, drowned, and wounded, the life of Sir Horatio Nelson was providentially sav- ed by Lieutenant Nisbet, the son of his wife, by her former marriage. The admiral received his wound soon after his detachment had landed. — The shock struck him to the ground, and the party pressing on with the usual ardour of British seamen, he was left for some minutes by himself. Lieutenant Nisbet missing him, turned back, and after some search in the dark, found his brave father-in-law extended on the ground, with his arm * shattered, and apparently lifeless. He in- stantly bound his neck-handkerchief round the admiral's arm, and raising him upon his back, carried him to the beach. With the assistance of some sailors he carried him into one of the boats, and put off to the Theseus, under a tre- mendous, though ill-directed, fire from the ene* my's battery. The same night, at ten o'clock, his arm was amputated on board the Theseus ; * The sword which the commodore used on this occasion, was bequeathed to him by Admiral Walpole on his death- bed j stating, as a reason for the bequest, that it was the sword he carried when he lost his arm in vanquishing the enemies of his country. LORD NELSON. 73 and such was the command he possessed over himself, amid pain and bodily affliction, that he immediately began his official letter, which he finished by eleven. The following day he like- wise wrote to Lady Nelson, and after relating the circumstances that had so recently occurred, he concluded : 'M know it will add much to your pleasure, in finding that your son Josiah, under God's providence, was instrumental in saving my life/'* Although this enterprize was unsuccessful, yet his Majesty's arms acquired ' by the attempt a great degree of lustre ; and, as the rear-admiral ^- Though there is ever^' reason to believe, that the above is a correct statement of this affair, yet a positive contradic- tion of it has appeared. According to the other account, the circumstances attending the admiral's misfortune were as follovir : Soon after landing, as the party were advancing, the admiral was struck by the shot, which carried away his arm at the elbow. He instantly turned to Captain Thomp- son, who, witli Mr. John Ebetson, midshipman, Andrew Webb, and James Ryan, seamen, all of the Leander, were close behind him, and exclaimed : " The Dons have me at last !'* Captain Thompson and the above-mentioned party assisted in binding up his arm, and the seamen accompani- ed him to the beach, where they placed him in a boat,, and took him on board the Theseus. It is likewise said, that he afterwards allowed Andrew Webb, now (1805) a serjeant in the loth foot, an annuity of five pounds, for his services on this occasion. I 74 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF himself expresses it, in his letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, more daring intrepidity was never shewn, than by the captains, officers, and men, he had the honor to command. The painful operation of amputating his arm having been performed on board, at night, in consequence of some mistake in taking up the arteries. Sir Horatio was afterwards afflicted with excruciating pains, and was obliged to quit, for a time, the theatre of his achievements and his glory, and to repair to England for advice. LORD NELSON. 75 CHJP. III. FROM 1797 TO 1798. Sir Horatio Nelson's Memorial of Services — Receives a pension from his Majesty — Hoists his flag on board the Vanguard, and joins the fleet under Earl St. Vincent — Is detached into the Mediterranean with three ships — Is joined by a reinforcement of ten sail — Pursues the French fleets-Proceeds to Egypt — Returns to Sicily — Steers a second time for Alexandria — Attacks the French fleet in the bay of Aboukir — Particulars of the engage- ment — The admiral is wounded — His letter announcing the victory — Line of battle of the French and English fleets — ^The admiral's letter to the governor of Bombay — He is presented by Captain Hallowell with a coffin, made from the main-mast of L'Orient— His arrival at Naples. This misfortune having imposed on the gallant rear-admiral a temporary suspension of his labors, he reluctantly repaired to England. On his first appearance at court, he was received in the most gracious and tender manner by his sovereign, who expressed his sorrow at the loss which he had sustained, and the impaired state of his health, which might deprive his country of his I 2 76 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF future services. '^ You have lost your right arm/' observed the king. '' But not my right hand," replied Sir Horatio, ** as I have the honor of presenting Captain Berry to you; and besides, may it please your Majesty, 1 can never think that a loss which the performance of my duty has occasioned, and so long as 1 have a foot to stand on, I will combat for my king and country!'' As a small conpensation for a whole life of danger, hardship, enterprize, and service, he re- ceived, towards the conclusion of the year 1797? a pension of one thousand pounds per annum. — Previous to the issuing of this grant, a positive custom required, that he should distinctly state his services in a memorial to his Majesty; and one more brilliant never met the eye of the sove- reign of a brave nation. The following is a copy of it.— " To the King's most excellent Majesty, the Memorial of Sir Horatio Nelson,, K. B, and a Rear-Admiral in your Majesty's Fleet. " HUMBLY SHEWETH, " That during the present war your memorialist has been in four actions with the fleets of the enemy ; viz. on the 13th and 14th of March, 1795, on the 13th of July, 1795, and on the 14th of February, 1797 ; in three actions with frigates^ in six engagements against batteries; in ton ac- tions, in boats, employed in cutting out of harbors, in destroying vessels, and in taking three towns. Your me- Hiorialist has also served on shore four months, and coft\- LORD NELSON. 77 manded the batteries at the sieges of Bastia and Calvi : that, during the war, he has assisted at the capture of seven sail of the line, six frigates, four corvettes, and eleven pri- vateers of different sizes ; and taken and destroyed near fiftj merchant vessels ; and your memorialist has actually been engaged against the enemy upwards of one hundred and twenty times. In which service your memorialist has lost his right eye and right arm, and been severely wounded and bruised in his body; all of which services and wounds ^-our memorialist most humbly submits to your Majesty's most gracious consideration. (Signed) " HORATIO NELSON." " Ocfober, 1797." It was the 1 3th of December, before the sur- geon who attended him, pronounced him fit for service ; * and on the 19th, as the ship intended to carry his flag was not ready, the Vanguard was commissioned for that purpose. On the 1st of April, 1798, Sir Horatio sailed with a convoy * The spirit of piety which ever pervaded the mind of this great man, was evidently conspicuous in every circum- stance of his life. After his recovery on this occasion, the following thanksgiving was read, by his desire, at St. George's, Hanover Square : '' An officer desires to return thanks to Almighty God for his recovery from a, severe wound, and also for the many mercies bestowed upon him. " Dec. 8, 1797, for next Sunday.'' The original of this paper, which was delivered by Lord Nelson himself to Mr. Greville of St. George's, is at present in the possession of his son, the Rev. Mr. Greville of Great IVIaddox Street. 78 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF from Spithead ; but, at the back of the isle of Wight, the wind coming to the westward, he was obliged to return to St. Helen's. On the pth he again sailed with the convoy for Lisbon, and on the 29th joined Earl St. Vincent before Cadiz. To fight and to conquer had hitherto been fa- miliar to Sir .Horatio Nelson ; but he had always acted under the immediate direction of a supe- rior officer ; he was now about to enter a career, that called for the exercise of those energies and qualities which raise the true hero above the level of the mass of mankind, and constitute the character of a great commander. These, it will be seen, he not only fully possessed, but admira- bly exerted^ The French, it was well known, were at this time fitting out a most formidable armament at Toulon, the destination of which was kept a pro- found secret. No sooner had Sir Horatio joined the Earlof St. Vincent, than his lordship detached him to watch the motions of the enemy. He ac- cordingly sailed on the 30th of April, the day after his arrival, with the Orion and Alexander, of 74 guns each, the Emerald and Terpsichore frigates, and La Bonne Citoyenne sloop of war. On the 9th of May the squadron sailed from Gibraltar, and nothing material occurred till the 22d, at two o'clock in the morning, when a vio- lent squall of wind overtook the ships in the LORD NELSON. 79 gulph of Lyons, and carried away the top-masts and fore-mast of the rear-admiral's ship the Van- guard. At the moment of tliis accident the squadron was not many leagues distant from the French fleet, under Buonaparte, which had, that very day, set sail from Toulon. The frigates having parted company, the three line of battle ships bore up for Sardinia, the Alexander taking the Vanguard in tow, and on the 24th they reached, with great difficulty, the road of St. Pierre, The rear-admiral was not only unable to obtain the assistance he had expected from the governor of that place, as a neutral port, but the latter had even received orders from the French not to admit any British ship into the harbor. He could not, however, prevent the squadron from anchoring in the road; and the resources which British seamen always find within them- selves, soon supplied every deficiency. By the active exertions of Captain Berry and the assis- tance of Captains Ball and Saumarez, the Van- guard was equipped with a jury fore-mast and top-mast, and on the fourth day after their ar- rival the squadron again put to sea. Eager to execute the orders he had received, the rear-admiral lost no time in sailing to some friendly port where he might have got his disabled ship refitted, nor did he express the smallest in- tention of shifting his flag, which the peculiar cir- "BO PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF cumstances of the Vanguard might have seemed to render desirable ; but immediately steered for the appointed rendezvous. There he arrived on the 4th of June, and the following day was joined by La Mutine, Captain Hardy, who brought the acceptable intelligence that Captain Troubridge had been detached from the fleet with ten sail of the line, and a fifty-gun ship, to reinforce the rear-admiral. This intelligence diffused universal joy throughout the little squadron, and Sir Ho- ratio observed with exultation to Captain Berry, that he should then be a match for any hostile fleet in the Mediterranean, which it would be his only desire to encounter. On the 6th the squadron was spread, anxiously looking out for the expected reinforcement, which was now the sole object of the rear admiral's at- tention and anxiety. He had received certain intelligence of the departure of the French from Toulon, and so entirely was his rnind engrossed with the desire of joining the promised reinforce- ment in order to pursue the enemy, that though he was informed, by a vessel he spoke with, that several sail then in sight were Spanish ships rich- ly laden, he refused to deviate from his course. Prize-money was not his object; all selfish con- siderations were absorbed in his great mind by his solicitude for the honor and the interest of his country. On the 8th, at noon, ten sail were dis- LORD NELSON. gl covered from the mast-head ; they were soon found to be British ships of war, and at sun-set the junction so ardently desired by the admiral was effected. Sir Horatio had received no instructions what course he was now to steer, nor had he any certain intelHgence relative to the destination of the hos- tile armament. He was therefore left entirely to his own judgment, and knowing that the enemy had sailed with a north-west wind, he was na- turally led to conclude that they were bound up the Mediterranean. He immediately dispatched La Mutine to Civita Vecchia, and along the Ro- man coast, to oVjtain intelligence, while he him- self steered with the fleet for Corsica, which island they reached on the 12th of June. Unable to learn any thing there, the admiral on the fol* lowing day continued his course to the Roman coast, where he was rejoined by La Mutine. Captain Hardy had been equally unsuccessful, and the admiral now resolved to steer towards Naples, in the hope of gaining seme satisfactory information. On the l6th the fleet came in sight of Mount Vesuvius, and Captain Troubridge was dispatched in La INIutine to obtain what intelligence he could from Sir William Hamilton. He returned, with a report only, that the French had sailed towards Malta. Lamenting that even a day had been lost K 6^ PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF by visiting Naples, the admiral pushed by the^ shortest cut through the Faro di Messina, which the fleet passed on the 20th. The joy with which the arrival of Sir Horatio was hailed by the Sici^ lians gave sincere satisfaction to every one on board the squadron. Here the admiral received information from the British consul that Malta had actually surrendered to the French, and he instantly formed a plan for attacking their fleet in the harbour of Goza, where it was reported to be then at anchor. The squadron immediately bore away for Malta with a pressof sail, but at day-light on the 22d of June, La JMutine spoke with a Genoese brig from that island, which gave intelligence that the French had sailed on the 18th, with a fresh gale at north-west. The admiral was not long in de- termining what course to take ; the signal to bear up, and to steer to the south-east with all possible sail was instantly made. He now concluded that Egypt was the object of the enemy's destination, and to Egypt he accordingly proceeded. On the way the fleet spoke with only three vessels, two of which had come from Alexandria, and the other from the Archipelago, without having seen any thing of the French. On the 29th of June the Pharos of Alexandria was discovered, and nearing the land with a press of sail, the admiral perceived, to his great surprize and disappoint- LORD NELSON. 83 ment, that there was not a single French ship ia either of the harbors. The governor of Alex- andria was as much astonished at the sight of the British squadron, as he was at the information that a French fieet was probably on its passage for that place. Disappointed, but not discouraged, the admi- ral now deeply and anxiously deliberated what could possibly have been the course of the French fleet, or their ultimate destination. His restless and active mind would not permit him to remain a moment in the same place ; he, therefore, shaped his course northward, for the coast ofCa- ramanea, to reach as quickly as possible some place where information might be obtained, and likewise to take in a supply of water, of which the ships began to run short. On the 4th of July the fleet made the coast of Caranianea; and, steering along the south side of the island of Candia, under a press of sail both night and day, with a contrary wind, on the 18th came again in sight of the island of Sicily. The admiral re- solved to enter the port of Syracuse, a harbor with which not a person in the fleet was ac-. quainted. Every ship, however, got safely in, through the skill and judgment of the officers, and immediately began to take in water with all possible expedition. By the promptitude and uncommon exertions of every individual in the K 2 84 PROFESSIONAL LIFE Of fleet, this necessary service was completed in ^ve days. While at Syracuse the admiral received vague accounts that the enemy had not been seen either in the Archipelago or the Adriatic, and he was likewise assured that they had not gone down the Mediterranean. This confirmed him in his- former opinion that Egypt was the object of their destination. Though the pursuit v/as still uncer- tain, yet neither former disappointment nor the hardships and fatigues already endured, could deter him from steering to the quarter where there was a chance of finding the enemy.* ♦ It appears, at first sight, not a little extraordinary that (he French fieet should have been missed by the gallant admiral both on his first passage to Egypt and his return to Syracuse ; but this circumstance is very clearly account- ed for in the following manner : The French steered for Candia, and consequently made an angular pas- sage to Alexandria; the English fleet, on the contrary, steered directly for that place. The smallness of the latter made it necessary to sail in close order, and therefore the space which it covered was very limited. Besides, the ad- miral had no frigates that he could have detached upon the look-out, and the constant haze of the atmosphere in that climate, still farther diminished the chance of descrying the enemy. The distance between Candia and the coast of Barbary being about 35 leagues, affords sufficient space for two large fleets to pass without mutual observation, espe- cially under the circumstances already stated. From the circumstance of the British fleet steering up to the north- LORD NELSOK. 85 On the 25th of July the squadron left Syracuse. Sir Horatio had still received no positive informa- tion concerning the enemy, but it occurred to him that some authentic intelhgence might be ob- tained in the Morea. He steered for that coast, and, on the 28th, being off the gulph of Coron, Captain Troubridge was dispatched to that place in the Culloder. In less than three hours he re- turned with an account from the governor of Co- ron, that the enemy had been seen about four weeks before, proceeding in a south-east direc- tion from Candia. Upon this information the ad- miral resolved once more to visit Alexandria, and accordingly steered for that place. At noon, on the 1st of August, the squadron came in sight of the harbour of Alexandria, which was soon discovered to be full of vessels, and the French flag was perceived flying on board of some of the ships. Every bosom swelled with joy at the sight of the enemy, and none received from it more heart-felt satisfaction than the admiral him- self. On the valour and conduct of every captain in the squadron. Sir Horatio justly placed the firm- est reliance. During the whole of his cruize, it ward on its return, while that of the enemy took a soathern course, it is obvious that their chance of meeting was stiU less than before. 86 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF bad been his practice, whenever circumstances would permit, to assemble the captains on board the Vanguard, and there fully to explain to them his own ideas of the different and best modes of attack, together with such plans as he purposed to execute on falling in with the enemy, whatever might be their situation, by night or by day. There was no possible position in which they could be found, that he had not taken into his calculation, and for the most advantageous at- tack of which he had not digested and arranged the best possible disposition of his force. Each of the captains of his squadron was, therefore, tho- roughly acquainted with the masterly ideas of their admiral, on the subject of naval tactics; and, upon surveying the situation of the enemy, these officers could ascertain with precision what were the ideas and intentions of their commander, without the aid of any farther instructions. By these means signals were rendered almost unne- cessary, much time was saved, and the almost undivided attention of every captain could be paid to the conduct of his particular ship, a cir- cumxstance of almost incalculable advantage to the general service. The destination of the French armament was involved in doubt and vmcertainty. The admiral, however, was forcibly struck by the considera- tion, that as it was commanded by the mau 6 LORD NELSON. 87 trhom the French had dignified with the title of the Conqueror of Italy, and as it had on board a very large body of troops, it was destined for some attempt which the land force might execute without the aid of the fleet. It therefore became a material consideration with him, in case he had fallen in with the hostile armament at sea, to pre- vent the transports from making their escape, and reaching in safety the place of rendezvous. He therefore formed a plan, so to arrange his force, as to engage the whole attention of the enemy's ships of war, and at the same time to destroy as many as possible of the convoy. Conformably to this plan, he had resolved to divide his force into three squadrons, in the following manner: VANGUARD, ORION, CULLODEN, MINOTAUR, GOLIATH, THESEUS, LEANDER, MAJI.SKC, ALEXANDER, AUDACIOUS, BELLEROPHON. SWIFTSURE. DEFENCE, ZEALOUS. Of these squadrons, two were to attack the ships of war, while the third was to pursue the transports, and to sink and destroy as many of them as it could. How well this plan was ar- ranged for annoying the enemy, must be obvious to every capacity, and no doubt can be enter- tained, that, had circumstances occasioned it to be put into execution, the success would have been as complete and as signal as that which S8 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF awaited his projected mode of attack at anchor. How deservedly the hero was entitled to all the glory he acquired by his success, must be ap- parent, when it is known that accident had no share in the victory ; but that all his plans were matured two months before an opportunity pre- sented of executing any of them, and that they were already familiar to the understanding of every captain in his fleet. The Pharos of Alexandria was discovered by the fleet at noon, on the first of August. The preceding evening the Alexander and Swiftsure had been detached a-head, to reconnoitre the ports of Alexandria, while the rest of the squad- ron remained in the offing. The enemy's fleet was first discovered by the Zealous, Captain Hood, who communicated, by signal, the number of their ships, sixteen, lying at anchor, in line of battle, in a bay, which was afterwards found to be that of Aboukir. The admiral instantly hauled his wind, a m.ovement that was observed and immediately followed by the whole squadron, and at the same time he recalled the Alexander and Swiftsure. At a quarter past three P. M, the admiral made the signal to prepare for battle, and at four, he directed the ships of his squadron to prepare to anchor with springs on their cables, and signi- fied his intention to engage the van and centre of LORD NELSON. 89 the enemy. His idea in this disposition of his force was, first to secure the victory, and then to make the most of it, according to circumstances. The squadron stood in for the enemy's fleet, in close lixie of battle ; and as all the officers were totally unacquainted with the bay, each ship kept sounding as she advanced. Notwithstanding this precaution, Captain Trou- bridge, in his eager desire to gain a forward sta- tion in the contest, unfortunately ran aground on a reef of hidden rocks, that extends a considera- ble distance from the island, forming the north- west point of the bay of Aboukir. This unfortu- nate circumstance was severely felt at the mo- ment by the admiral, and all the officers of the squadron ; but nothing could equal the anxiety and the anguish of mind experienced by the cap^ tain himself, during so many eventful hours. Rut one consolation presented itself to him in the midst of the distresses of his situation, a feeble one it is true, that his ship served as a beacon to several others advancing close in his rear, and which might otherwise have experienced a similar misfortune. Never was more heroism displayed than in the prompt decision of the British admiral. When his squadron was well collected round him, he determined, without loss of time, to attack the foe, formidable as was their appearance ; supe- L 50 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF rior in number, weight of metal, and size ; night coming on, and in an unknown navigation. His honor, his character, and his life were staked on the decision of the enterprize, for it was well known, that conquest or death was his deter- mined object. His resolution was instantly formed, and his in- tentions made known to the fleet, by the signal for the headmost ship to bear down and engage, as she reached the van of the enemy ; the next ship to pass by and engage the second ship of the line, and so on. With alacrity was this signal obej^ed : the sure presage of victory gladdened the heart of every Briton, and a general ardour pervaded all ranks. The commanders, with that courage which distinguishes men inured to dan- ger, saw the hazard of the contest and prepared to meet it. Their ships were trained to every ex- ercise of arms ; all means of preservation from fire, leaks, and other casualties, were arranged in order ; a bower cable was got out of the after part of each ship, and bent forward, that she might anchor by the stern ; the dreadful engines of destruction were ready primed and doubly loaded; the men at their quarters awaiting, in silent expectation, the orders of their superiors: the officers looking respectfully towards their cap- tains, and awaiting with firmness the awful mo- ment. The enemy's line presented a most for- 1 LORD NELSON. 91 midable appearance : it was anchored in a com- pact order, close in with the shore, describing an obtuse angle in its form, flanked with gun-boats, mortar- vessels, and four large frigates, and \vith a battery of guns and mortars on an island, near which it was necessary to pass. This situation gave the enemy the most decided advantage, as they had nothing to attend to but their artillery, their superior skill in the use of which has so often secured them splendid victories on shore. In short, each ship being at anchor, became a fixed battery. This posjition of the French presented the most formidable obstacles : but these the admiral viewed with the eye of a seaman determined on attack. It instantly struck his comprehensive and penetrating mind, that where there was room for an enemy^s ship to swing, there must be room for one of his to anchor. No farther sig- nals than those already made were necessary, the admiraFs designs being fully known to the whole squadron. The Goliath, Captain Foley, had the honour to lead inside. The water was smooth, and a pleasant breeze soon brought him within reach of the guns of the enemy. About a quarter past six he received the first fire from the van ships, as well as from the batteries and gun-boats, with which their van was strengthened. In two mi- I. 2 9'i PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF minutes he returned the fire, then doubled their line, and anchored alongside of the second ship in the van. Captain Hood, in the Zealous, fol- lowed close, and took his station on the bows of the Guerrier with great judgment. In twelve minutes the Guerrier was totally dismasted, and in ten minutes more the Goliath had likewise shot away the masts of her opponent, the Conquer- ant. The third ship that doubled the van of the French line was the Orion, commanded by Sir James Saumarez. A frigate, La Serieuse, fired upon him as he passed, and Sir James ordered a few guns to be pointed at her. A broadside was, however, discharged, and the frigate instantly sunk. He then proceeded and took his station on the larboard bow of the Frankhn, and the quarter of the Peuple Souverain, receiving and returning the fire of both. The Audacious, Cap- tain Gould, next followed, and dropped anchor on the bows of the Conquerant, where he com- menced a spirited and galling fire. Captain Mil- ler, in the Theseus, was the last that anchored between the French line and the shore. Passing between the Guerrier and the Zealous, he could not resist the opportunity which offered, as he brushed the Frenchman's sides, of pouring in an effective broadside : he then took his station on the larboard side of the Spartiate. LORD NELSON. 93 The Vanguard, distinguished by the flag of Admiral Nelson,* now entered the battle. Aware of the impossibility of the rear of the enemy, which was to leeward, coming to the assistance of the van, he determined to redouble his efforts to conquer one part before he attacked the rest. In pursuance of that resolution, he himself set the example to the rest of his fleet, and anchored on the other side of the enemy's line, who, in consequence, were completely between two fires. So firmly resolved was Sir Horatio to conquer or to perish in the attempt, that he led into action with six ensigns or flags, red, white, and blue, flying in different parts of the rigging, and could not even bear to reflect on the possibility of the colors being carried away by a random shot from the enemy. The Vanguard having anchored within half- pistol-shot on the larboard side of the Spartiate, covered the approach of the ships in the rear, and opened a most animated fire on her opponent. In a few minutes every man stationed at the first six guns in the fore- part of the Vanguard's deck, were all either * Sir Horatio Nelson, as rear-admiral of the blue, carri- ed the blue flag at the mizen, but from a standing order of Earl St. Vincent, the coramander-in-chief, the squadron wore the white, or St. George's ensign, in the action ; and it is remarkable, that this occasioned the display of the Cross upon the renowned coast of Egypt. 94 PRdFESSIONAL LIFE OF killed or wounded, and one gun in particular was repeatedly cleared. The admiral, however, kept up such a severe and well-directed fire, that being totally dismasted, and having lost a great num- ber of her crew, the Spartiate was obliged to call for quarter. When the Vanguard anchored alongside of the Spartiate, she became exposed, at the same time, to the raking are of L'Aquilon, the next ship in the enemy's line. Owing, however, to the gal- lant and judicious manner in which Captain Louis took his station a-head of the Vanguard, the Minotaur not only effectually reheved her from this distressing situation, but obliged her oppo- nent to strike to her superior prowess. The Bellerophon, commanded by Captain Dar- by, now entered the conflict, and running down the line, dropped anchor alongside of UOrient, of 120 guns, bearing the flag of the French com- mander-in-Chief, Admiral Brueys. Captam Pey- ton followed close, and with great judgment, took his station a-head of the Minotaur, by which the line remained unbroken : he engaged, on the larboard bow, the Franklin of 80 guns, which ship carried the flag of rear-admiral Blan- quet, the second in command. The Majestic, . commanded by Captain Westcott, next came into action, and closely engaged the Heureux on the starboard bow, receiving also the lire of the LORD NELSON. 95 Tonnant, of 80 guns, astern of UOrient. Tlie superior weight of metal pouring in from those two ships, soon made dreadful havoc in the Ma- jestic. Captain Westcott* fell by a musket-shot, while exerting himself with the utmost gallantry * Captain Wtstcott was likewise present with Lord Howe m his memorable engagement with the Frencli fleet, on the 1st of June, 1794. He then commanded the Impregnable^ of 98 guns, the flag-ship of Rear admiral Caldwell. This gallant officer was son of a baker in Devonshire, and was frequently sent by his father on business to the neigh- boring mill. . In one of these visits it happened that, from the accidental breaking of a rope, the machine was disorder- ed. Neither the owner nor his man being equal to the task of repairing the damage, young Westcott offered to use his skill in splicing the rope, although attended with consi- derable difficulty and danger. The miller complied, and was so well pleased with the manner in whicli the job was executed, that he told him he was fit for a sailor, since he could splice so well ; adding, that if he should ever have an inclination to go to sea, he would get him a birth. The pro- posal was accepted by the lad ; an opportunity presented itself, and he began his naval career in the humble capacity of a cabin-boy. In this situation he contrived to exercise his abilities to such good purpose, and evinced such acute- ness of understanding, that it was not long before he was introduced among the midshipmen. Farther advancement was the reward of his good conduct, and he became so sig- nally conspicuous both for skill and bravery, that he was ra- pidly promoted to the honorable station in which he lost his life. Had he survived the battle, his seniority of appoint- ment would have obtained him an adrairaPs flag. 96 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF to counteract the advantages possessed by the enemy in size and number, by the energy and vivacity of his fire. Mr. Cuthbert, the first lieu- tenant, continued the unequal conflict with de- termined courage aid re6oiution. The Alexander and Swiftsure now came in for their share of glory. Having been prevented from assisting at the commencement of the bat- tle, by bearing down to reconnoitre Alexandria, and afterwards being obHged to alter their course, to avoid the shoal that had proved so fatal to the Culloden, it was eight o'clock before they came into action. For some time the combatants had been enveloped in total darkness, which was only dispelled by the frequent flashes from Cheir guns; and the volumes of smoke now rolling down the line, from the fierce fire of those engaged to windward, rendered it extremely difficult for those of the British ships that came in last to take their station to distinguish friend from foe. To remedy this evil. Admiral Nel- son directed his fleet to hoist four Hghts hori- zontally at the mizen-peak, as soon as it was dark. The Swiftsure was bearing down under a press of sail, and had got within range of the enemy^s guns, when Captain Hallowell perceived a ship standing out of action, under her fore- sail and foretop-sail, having no lights displayed. Sup- tORD NELSON. 97 posing her to be an enemy, he was at first in- cHned to fire into her ; but as this would have broken the plan he had laid down for his con- duct, namely, not to suffer a shot to be fired till the sails were all clued up, and the ship had an- chored in her station, he desisted. Fortunate it was that he did, for the ship in question was af- terwards found to be the Bellerophon, which had sustained such serious damage from the over- whelming fire of the French Admiral's enormous ship, UOrient, that Captain Darby found it ne- cessary to fall out of the action, being himself wounded, having two lieutenants killed, and nearly two hundred men killed and wounded. His remaining mast falling soon afterwards, and killing in its fall several officers and men, among the rest another of his lieutenants, he was never ^ble to regain his station. About eight o'clock the Swiftsure anchored in the place which had been before occupied by the Bellerophon, and immediately began a steady and well-directed fire on the quarter of the Frank- lin, and the bows of L'Orient. At the same instant the Alexander passed under the stern of the French admiral, and anchored within-side,, on his larboard quarter, raking him, and keeping up a severe fire of musketry on his decks. The last ship which entered this bloody con- flu;t was the Leander^ Captain Thompson bor^ H 98 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OP up to the Culloden on seeing her strike, that he might afford any assistance in his power, to get her off from her unfortunate situation, but iind- mg that nothing could be done, and unwilhng that his services should be lost, where they could be more effective, he made sail for the scene of action. With a degree of judgment highly ho- norable to his professional character, be ad- vanced towards the enemy's line on the outside, and dropped his anchor athwart hawse of the Franklin, raking her with great success ; all the shot from the Leander's broadside, which passed that vessel striking the ship of the French com- mander-in-chief. In the van, four of the French ships had al- ready struck their colors to the British flag. The battle now raged chiefly in the centre. The Frank- lin, UOrient, Tonnant, and Heureux, were in hot action, making every exertion to recover the glory |that had been lost by their comrades. Meanwhile the British admiral, himself, received a dangerous wound. It was supposed to have proceeded from landgride-shot, or a piece of iron : the skin of his forehead, being cut with it at right angles, hung down over his face^ Captain Berry, who happened to stand near him caught the ad- miral in his arms. It was the first idea of Sir Horatio, and that of every other person, that he was shot through the head. On being carried in- LORD NELSON. ^9 to the cock-pit, where several of his gallant crew were stretched with their shattered and mangled limbs, the surgeon with great anxiety immediate- ly came to the admiral. ** No,^^ replied the hero, " I will take my turn with my brave followers.'' The agony of the wound increasing, he became convinced that the idea he had long indulged of dying in battle was now about to be accomplish- ed. He immediately sent for his chaplain the Rev. Mr. Comyns, and begged of him to remem- ber him to Lady Nelson, and signed a commis- sion, appointing his friend, the brave Hardy, post- captain in the Vanguard. He felt so grateful to Captain Louis for having so nobly supported him in the commencement of the action, that about nine o'clo ck he directed his first lieutenant, Mr. Capel, to go on board the Minotaur in the jolly- boat, and desire that Captain LouisVould come to him, for he could not enjoy a moment's peace, till he had thanked him for his conduct : adding, *' this is the hundred and twenty-fourth time 1 have been engaged, but I believe it is now nearly over with me/' Captain Louis immediatel}" has- tened on board the Vanguard, and the meeting which took place between the admiral and him, was affecting in the extreme. The latter hung over his bleeding friend in silent sorrow. '^ Fare- wel, dear Louis,'' said the magnanimous Nelson, " I shall never forget the obligation 1 am under M 2 -^ 100 PROFESSIONAL LIFE Ol to you for your brave and generous conduct; and now, whatever may become of me, my mind is at peace/^ With the composure of the hero and the christian, he then resigned himself to death.' Providence, however, willed otherwise^ arid had determined to preserve him for farther triumphs. When the surgeon came to examine the wound, it evidently appeared that it was not mortal ; the joyful intelligence was quickly cir- culated throughout the ship, and filled every bo- som with new animation. About half past eight, the Aquilon and the Peuple Souverain were taken possession of by the English, and Captain Berry sent a lieutenant and a party of marines for the same purpose to the Spartiate, which had struck to the Vanguard. The officer returned by the boat the French cap- tain's sword, which Captain Berry immediately delivered to the admiral, who was then below in consequence of his wound. At this time the vic- tory appeared decisive in favour of the British arms, for though UHeureux and Tonnant were not taken possession of, they were considered aa completely subdued, which pleasing intelligence Captain Berry had likewise the satisfaction of communicating in person to the admiral. A few minutes after nine a fire was observed to have broken out in the cabin of UOrient; to that point Captain Hallowell ordered as many LORD KELSON. 101 guns as could be spared from firing on the Frank- lin to be directed, and that Captain Allen of the marines should throw in the whole fire of his musketry on the enemy's quarter, while the Alex- ander on the other side was keeping up an inces- sant shower of shot to the same point. The con- flagration now began to rage with dreadful fury: still the French admiral sustained the honor of his flag with heroic firmness; but at length a period was put to his exertions by a cannon-ball, which cut him asunder. He had before received three desperate wounds, one on the head and two in his body, but could not be prevailed upon to quit his station on the arm-chest. His captain, Casa Bianca, fell by his side. Several of the officers and men, seeing the impracticability of extin- guishing the fire, which had now extended itself along the upper decks, and was flaming up the masts, jumped overboard ; some supporting them- selves on spars and pieces of wreck, others swim- ming with all their might to escape the dreaded catastrophe. Shot flying in all directions, dashed many of them to pieces ; others were picked up by the boats of the fleet, or dragged into the lower ports of the nearest ships. The British sailors, *' Daring beyond what fable sings of old, " Yet mild in conquest and humane as bold." stretched forth their hands to save a fallen enemy, 10£ PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF though the battle, at that moment, raged with un- eontrolled fury. The Swiftsure, anchored withm half pistol shot of the larboard bow of L'Orient, 3aved the lives of the commissary, first lieutenant, and ten men, drawn out of the water through the lower deck ports during the hottest part of the action. The situation of the Alexander and Swiftsure became perilous in the extreme. The expected explosion of such a ship as L'Orient was to be dreaded as involving all around in cer- tain destruction. Captain Hallo well, however, determined not to move from his devoted station, though repeatedly urged to do so. He perceived the advantage he possessed in being to windward of the burning ship. Captain Ball was not so for- tunate ; twice he had the mortification to per- ceive that the fire of the enemy had communi- cated to the Alexander. He was, therefore, under the necessity of changing his birth and moving to a greater distance. The admiral was informed, by Captain Berry, of the situation of the enemy. Forgetting his own sufferings, he hastened on deck; the first consideration that struck his feeling mind, v/as, concern for the danger of such a number of lives. To save as many of them as possible, he ordered Captain Berry to make every exertion in his power. A boat, the only one that could swim, was dispatched from the Vanguard; the other LORD NELSON. 103 ships immediately followed the example, ^aiid above seventy drowning wretches were preserved by those so lately employed in their destruction, ^' Reckless of peril, through the fiery wave *' See ! British mercy steers each prostrate foe to save !" The van of the English fleet having, for the present, finished their part in the glorious con- test, now enjoyed a sublime view of the two lines illumined by the fire of the ill-fated foe ; the co- lors of the contending vessels being plainly dis- tinguished. The moon, which had by this time risen, opposing her cold light to the warm glow of the fire beneath, added to the grandeur and solemnity of the picture. The flames had now made such progress that an explosion was in- stantly expected, yet the enemy, on the lower deck, either insensible of the danger that threat- ened them, or impelled by the last paroxysms of despair and vengeance, continued to fire. At thirty-seven minutes past nine, the fatal explosion happened ^. The fire communicated * The destruction of L'Orient is thus described by Mr. Sotheby, in his animated Poem on the achievements of this tremendous night : Aloft, mid either navy rais'd Tower*d a vast wreck, that far o'er ocean blaz'd. Like Etna, pouring from the sea-girt height A fiery torrent through the stjria 3 1D4 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF to the magazine, and UOrient blew up with a. crashing sound that deafened all around hen The tremulous motion, felt to the very bottom of each ship, was hke that of an earthquake. An awful pause and deathlike silence of about three minutes ensued, before the fragments, driven to a vast height into the air, could descend ; and then the greatest apprehension was formed, from the volumes of burning matter which threatened to fall on the decks and rigging of the surround- ing ships. Fortunately, however, no material da- mage occurred. A port-fire fell into the main- royal of the Alexander, and she was once more in danger of sharing the fate of the enemy ; but by the exertions of Captain Ball, the flames were There frenzy's shrilling outcry smote the ear ; And visions flash'd that struck the brave with fear. Through the torn decks, rent sides, and shiver'd sails. As rush'd th' expanding flame before the gales. Pale sw^arms were seen, who dash'd in wild dismay Thro' bursting fires that clos'd around their way : Some on the masts and blazing cordage hung. Or headlong plung'd the crowded waves among; And on the pile of dying and of dead Gash'd with wide wounds, th' unyielding chieftain bled^ Now seen, and now no more ! — Mid globes of fire That burst around and blaz'd above the pyre. Death wav'd his torch and fir'd th' imprisoned blast. High in mid air the shiver'd fabric cast. And rode upon the storm and shouted as it past. I LORD NELSON. 105 soon extinguished. Two large pieces of the wreck likewise dropped into the main and fore- tops of the Swiftsure, from which the men had been fortunately withdrawn. An awful silence now reigned for several mi- nutes, as if the contending squadrons, struck with horror at the dreadful event, which in an instant had hurled so many brave men into the air, had forgotten their hostile rage, in pity to the suf- ferers. But short was the pause of death : ven- geance soon roused the drooping spirits of the enemy. The Franklin, which now bore the French commander's flag, opened her fire with redoubled fury on the Defence and Swiftsure, and made the signal for renewed hostilities. Tlie Swiftsure, being disengaged from her late formi- dable adversary, had leisure to direct her whok fire into the quarter of the foe that had thus pre- sumed to break the solemn silence ; and in a very short time, by the well-directed and steady fire of these two ships, and the Leander on her bows, the Franyin was compelled to call for quarter, and struck to a superior force. The Alexander, the Majestic, and occasionally the Swiftsure, were now the only British ships engaged ; but the commander of the latter, find- ing that he could not direct his guns clear of the Alexander, which had dropped between him and the Tonnant, and fearful lest he should fire into N 106 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF a friend, desisted, althdugli he was severely an- noyed by the shot of the Tonnant, which was fal- ling thick about him. Most of the EngUsh ships were so cut up m their masts and rigging, that they were unable to set any sail or to move from their stations. The firing ceased entirely about three in the morning of the 2d of August} biit at four, just as the day began to dawn, the Alex- ander and Majestic recommenced the action with the Tonnant, Guillaume ^fl^^^©^M^§§3^p^M Timoleon. The Heureux arid Mefdure "had fal- len out of the line, and anchored a considerable distance to leeward. ^^ t^^j:^"! Ma a^. ^jnamb yi^ Captain Miller, perMv%| theH^i&e^^ €dMe^y bore down to assist his friends, and began a furi- ous cannonade on the enemy. The Theseus had as yet fortunately received but little damage in her masts and rigging, and that little had been repaired by the active exertions of her comman- der, as soon as the first part of the action in the van had terminated in favor of the British ami5. L'Artemise frigate, stationed on the left of the centre of the French line, fired a broadside at the Theseus, and then struck her colors. Cap- tain Miller dispatched an oflficer to take posses- sion of her, but when the boat had arrived with- in a short distance, she burst into a flame arid blew up. This unofficer-like and treacherous conduct will 'Me6t Eternal disgrace on the dams LORD NELSON. 107 of Estandlet, who commanded her. After hav- ing surrendered his ship by striking her ensign and pendant, conscious that he was then se- cure from immediate danger, he set fire to her, and with most of his crew, escaped to the shore. At six o'clock the Leander having as yet re- ceived but little damage, was ordered by signal from the admiral to assist the ships engaged, which she accordingly obeyed. At this time the action between the three British ships Alexander, Majestic, and Theseus, and the Guillaume Tell, Genereux, Tonnant, and Timoleon had become very distant, as the latter continued imperceptibly to drop to leeward, and the Theseus was obliged to veer on two cables to keep within reach of them. At eight A. M. the Goliath bore down and an- chored near the Theseus, the French ships having brought to again. The fire of the British was now chiefly turned against the Heureux and Mer- cure which were soon obliged to surrender. The Timoleon was ashore, and the Tonnant was ren- dered a complete wreck. Under these circum- stances Rear-Admiral Villeneuve, in the Guil- laume Tell, of 80 guns, perceiving that few, if any, of our ships were in a condition to make sail, resolved to lose no time in escaping from the in- evitable fate that would otherwise have awaited kirn. About eleven o'clock he cut his cable and N 2 108 PROFES'SIONAL LIFE OF got under weigh, and his example was followed by the Genereax, with the two frigates, La Jus- tice and La Diane. Perceiving their intention, the British admiral by signal ordered tire Zealous to intercept them. Unfortunately none of the windward ships wa« in a condition to second this attempt to stop the fu- gitives. Captain Hood did all that could be done : as they passed by him, he received and returned the fire of each in succession. The damage he sustained prevented him from tacking, and the admiral, with his usual judgment, gave the signal of recal. ^ :>r!Ocnq sdj to vrn:- The whole day of the 2d was epfiployed^y the British admiral, his officers and men, in securing the ships that had struck, and in repairing the damages their own had sustained. Though this was fully sufficient to occupy their attention, yet the mind of that great and good man was too deeply impressed with the most pious gratitude to the Supreme Being, for the success which had crowned his endeavours in the cause of his coun- try, to delay returning his public acknowledg- ments for the divine favor. On the morning of the 2d, he therefore issued the following memo- randum to the different captains of his squadron. LORD NELSON. 109 ** Vanguard, off (he Mouth of the NilCf 2d Day of August, 1798. ^* Almighty God having blessed his Majesty's arms with victory, the admiral intends returning public thanks- giving for the same at two o^clock this day, and he recom- mends every ship doing the same as soon as convenient.*' "To tlie respective Captains of the Squadron. Accordingly at two o'clock public service was performed on the quarter-deck of the Vanguard, by the Rev. Mr. Comyn, the other ships following the example of the admiral, though perhaps not all at the same time. This solemn act of grati- tude to heaven seemed to make a deep impression on many of the prisoners, and some of them even remarked, " that it was no wonder the English ofiicers could maintain such discipline and order, when it was possible to impress the minds of their men with such sentiments, after a victory so great, and at a moment of such seeming confusion.*' The same day the following memorandum, ex- pressive of the admiral's sentiments of the noble exertions of the different officers and men of his squadron, was sent round to all the ships: *' Vanguard, off the Mouth of flie Nile* J ^III rn; ■ 2d Dny of Aug. 1798. -"^«E udmiral most heartily congratulates the captains, officers, seamen, and marines of the squadron he has the Jionor to command, on the event of the late action ; and he desires they will accept his most sincere and cordial thanks for their very gallant behaviour in this glorious battle. It must strike forcibly every British seaman, how superior 110 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF their conduct is, when in discipline and good order, to the riotous behaviour of lawless Frenchmen; " The squadron may be assured the admiral will not fail, with his dispatches, to represent their truly meritorious conduct in the strongest terms to the commander in chief." *' To the Captains of the Ships of the Squadron." On the 2d the Arabs and Mamelukes, who had lined the shores of the bay, beheld with trans- port that victory had declared itself in favor of the English. Their exultation was almost equal to that of the conquerors, and for the three fol- lowing nights the whole coast and country, as far as the eye could reach, were illuminated in cele- bration of the victory. It was not till the morning that the Culloden could be got off from her disagreeable situation, and it was found that she had suffered consider- able damage in her bottom; the rudder was beaten off, and the crew could scarcely keep her afloat with all pumps going. The resources of Captain Troubridge's mind were admirably ex- erted on this trying occasion : — in four days he had a new rudder made on his own deck, which was immediately shipped, and the Culloden, though still very leaky, was, however, in a state fit for actual service* In the morning of the 3d of August, there re* mained in the bay only the Timoleon and Ton- nant of the French line that were not taken or 2 LOUD NELSON. Ill destroyed. As these vessels were both dismasted, and consequently could not escape, they were naturally the last of which the conquerors thought of taking possession. The former being aground near the coast, the captain, with his crew, es- caped in their boats after setting her on fire, and in a short time she blew up. A flag of truce had been sent to the Tonnant, but she refused to sub- mit; on the Theseus going down to her, followed by the Swiftsure, she struck without farther re- sistance. Her cable had been cut, and she had drifted on shore, but, by the activity of Captain Miller, she was soon got off again, and secured in the British line. This completed the conquest of the French fleet in the bay of Aboukir, and the British flag rode triumphant on the Egyptian seas. The admiral, knowing that the wounded of his own ships had been taken care of, with his usual humanity made those of the enemy one of the first objects of his attention. He established a truce with the commandant of Aboukir, and through him intimated to the governor of Alex- andria, that it was his intention to allow all the wounded Frenchmen to be taken ashore, and attended by their own surgeons. This proposal was readily acceded to, and was carried into ef- fect on the following day. On the 5th of August, Captain Berry, of the 112 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Vanguard, sailed in the Leander with the admi- ral's dispatches to the commander in chief, off Cadiz, A few days afterwards, he likewise sent away the Hon. Capt. Capel, of the Mutine sloop, with orders to land at Naples, and thence to pro- ceed to England. That officer was charged with a copy of the above-mentioned dispatches, and likewise a letter to the secretary of the admiralty to the following effect : — « Vanguard, Mouth of the Nile. Aug. 7, 1798. " SIR, " Herewith I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of my letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, together with a line of battle of the English and French squadrons, also a list of the killed and wounded. I have the pleasure to inform you, that eight of our ships have already top-gallant-yards across, and are ready lor any service ; the others, with the prizes, will soon be ready for sea. In an event of this im- portance, I have thought it right to send Captain Capel with a copy of my letter to the commander in chief over land, which I hope their lordships will approve ; and beg leave to refer them to Captain Capel, who is a most excel- lent officer, and fully able to give every information ; and I beg leave to recommend him to their lordships' notice. '^ I have the honor to be, &c. « HORATIO NELSON, " F. S. The island I have takeu possession of, and brought off the two thirteen-iuch mortars, all the brass guns, and destroyed the iron ones. ** Evan Nepean, Esq." The letter to Lord St, Vincent was as follows : \^ LORD NELSON. US " Vanguard, off ihe Mouth of the Nile, August 3, 1798. ** MY LORD, " Almighty God has blessed his Majesty's arms in the late battle, with a great victory over the fleet of the enemy, whom 1 attacked at sun-set on the 1st of August, off the ruouth of the Nile. The enemy were moored in a strong line of battle for defending the entrance of the bay (of Shoals), flanked by numerous gun-boats, four frigates, and a battery of guns and mortars on an island in their van ; but nothing could withstand the squadron your lordship did me the honor to place under my command. Their high state of discipline is well known to you, and with the judgment of the captains, together with their valor, and that of the oflicers and men of every descri^Dtion, it was absolutely irresistible. " Could any thing from my pen add to the characters of the captains, I would write it with pleasure, but that is impossible. ' I hdve to regret the loss of Captain Weslcott, of the Majestic, who was killed early in the action ; but the ship uas continued to be fought so well by her first lieutenant, Mr. Cuthbert, that I have given him an order to command her till your lordship's pleasure is known. *' The ships of the enemy, all but their two rear-ships, are nearly dismasted ; and those two, with two frigates, I am sorry to say, made their escape ; nor was it, I assure you, in my power to prevent them. Captain Plood most handsomely endeavoured to do it, but I had no ship in a condition to support the Zealous, and I was obliged to call her in. '* The support and assistance I have received from Cap- tain Berry cannot be sufficiently expressed. I was wounded in ihe head, and obliged to be carried off the deck, but the service sustained no loss by that event. Captain Berry o Plan of the Battle of Aboiikir. EXPLANATION. • A A. Tlie French ships drawn up i use angle, and moored on spring cables. F. The Leander, whicli broke the enemy's ine, and dropped anclioi between the head CC. Two fort structed our van. and an island that ob- ■D. The French frigates La Diane Justice, L'Artemise, La Serieuse ; the' former of whicJi escaped, the tliird was bu and the Jast dismasted and sunk. E. The English ship Culloden, which on shore in leading the van division of fleet between the enemy and their batteries Le GuiUaui H. The' y .igypt toward Bosetta. Egypt towards Alexandria, jf Aljoukir, or Bequieves. 114 PROFESSIOMAL LIFE OF was fully equal to the important service then going on, and to him 1 must beg leave to refer yow for every informa- tion relative to this victory. He will present you with the flag of the second in command, that of the commander in chief being burned in L'Orient. " Herewith I transmit you lists of the killed and wounded, and the lines of battle, of ourselves and the French. '* I have the honor to be, &c. " HORATIO NELSON." *'To Admiral the Earl of St. Vincent, Commander in Chief, &c. &c. &c. off Cadiz." Ship's names. Culloden Theseus Alexander Vanguard Minotaur Leander Swiftsure Audacious Defence Zealous Orion Goliath Majestic Bellerophon LaMutinebrig LINE OF BATTLE. Captains. r. Troubridge - - , R.W.Miller* - Alexander J. Ball ^ RearAd. Sir H. Nelson, K.B. I Edward Berry Thomas Louis - - . T. B. Thompson - - > B. Hallowell Davidi^e Gould - - _ ,lolm Peyton - _ - Samuel Hood - _ . Sir James Saumarez Thomas Foley _ - _ George B. Westcott Henry D. E. Darby Guns. Men 74 590 74 590 74 590 74 595 74 640 50 343 74 590 74 590 74 590 74 590 74 590 74 590 74 590 74 590 HORATIO NELSON. Vanguard, off the Mouth of the NiUj Aug. 3, 1798. ^ This distinguished officer did not long survive the glory he acquired on this occasion. He was born at New LORD NELSON. 115 PRENCH LINE OF BATTLE. Ships names. Commanders, Guns. Men. Le Guerrier - - _ 74 600 taken Le Conquerant _ 74 700 taken Le Spartiate - - 74 700 taken Le Souverain Peuple 1 Blanquet, 1st C 74 700 taken Le Franklin - - > centre ad- < \ miral f 1 Brueys, adm. C 80 800 taken L'Orient - - - >& command- < 3 er in chief ( no 10 10 burnt Le Tonnant - - - _ - 80 800 taken L'Heureux - - _ 74 700 taken Le Timoleon - - - - _ 74 700 burnt Le Mercure - - Villeneuve'2d 74 700 taken Le Guillaume Tell centre ad- miral 80 800 escaped Le Genereux - - - 74 700 escaped HORA no NELSON. Vanguard, off the Mo ith of the Nile, Aug. 3, 17 98. FRIGATES. York, in America, in 1762, and was educated at the Royal Academy at Portsmouth, by his grandfather, Mr. George Witchell. In 1778 he entered into the navy, was in all the actions fought under the command of Admirals Barring- ton, Rodney, Hood, and Graves, and assisted in the taking of several of the West India Islands. In 1793 he was employed as a lieutenant in the batteries at Toulon, and at the destruction of the French ships in the harbour; and assisted at the reduction of St. Fiorenzo, Bastia and Calvi. He was soon afterwards promoted to the command of the Poulette, one of the French frigates brought from Toulon, fitted as a fire-ship, for the purpose of burning o 2 116 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF FRTGATES. Ship?. Guns. Men. La Diane - - - 48 SOO escaped La Justice - - - 44 300 escaped L'Artemise - - S6 250 burnt Le Serieux - - - se> '^50 dismasted and sunk. HORATIO NELSON, Vanguard off the Mouth of the Nile, Au^. 3, 1798. llieir fleet in Gourjean Bay. After the failure of that en- terprize, he was present in the general actions under the command of Lord Hotham, and was appointed successively to the JMignonne and the Unite. In the memorable actioa of the lith February, 1797, he had a very distinguished situation, being, as we have already seen, commander of the Captain, under Commodore Nelson. He was soon af- terwards removed to the Theseus. In the blockade of Cadiz, Captain Miller was always employed in the boats, and at Teneriife he was the first man that entered the ene- my's works at the Mole. His share in the glorious engage- ment of the 1st of August has already been fully described. Sir Sydney Smith, when he sailed up the Mediterranean, particularly requested the assistance of Captain Miller, who was accordingly ordered by Earl St. Vincent to follow that officer. During the siege of Acre, Captain Miller com- manded the naval force, and likewise occasionally landed to act in concert with Sir Sydney, who, on receiving intel- ligence that a squadron of French frigates had left Alex- andria, for the purpose of landing ammunition and stores at Jaiia, for Bonaparte, dispatched him to intercept them. In this service he was unfortunately killed, by the burst- in^ of some shells on board the Theseus, on the Hth, LORD NELSON. 117 A RETURN OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED On Board of his Majesty's Ships under the Command of Sir Horatio Neho?i, K. B, In an Action with the French, at Anchor, on the 1st of August, 1798, off the Mouth of the Nile. KILLED. WOUNDED Ships names. O c e 1 f2 O c I 1 00 flj .5 Total. Theseus 5 1 24 5 35 Alexander 1 13 .5 48 5 72 Vanguard 3 20 7 7 60 8 105 Minotaur 2 18 3 4 54 6 87 Swiftsure 7 1 19 2 29 Audacious 1 2 31 2 36 Defence 3 1 9 2 15 Zealous 1 7 8 Orion 1 11 1 5 18 6 42 Goliath 2 1'2 7 4 28 9 62 Majestic 3 33 14 3 124 16 193 Bellerophon 4 32 13 3 126 17 197 Leander 14 14 Total • 16 156 46 37 562 78 895 May, 1799. In consideration of his services, government granted his widow a pension of 1001. per annum, and to her two daughters, the one eight and the other seven years old at his death, 251. per annum each, till they marry. 118 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF The Names of the OiBcers killed and wounded on this glo- rious occasion, were as follow : KILLED. Ships. Officers names- Rank. Vanguard Captain of Marines - Thomas Seymour Midshipman - John G. Taylor - - Ditto Alexander John Collins Lieutenant Orion . T^nirrl Captain's Clerk — jDdiru - " Goliath - William Davies - - Master's Mate - - Andrew Brown - - Midshipman Majestic - George B. Westcott - Captain - . Zebedee Ford - - Midshipman i - Andrew Gil more - - Boatswain ' Bellerophon Robert Savage Daniel Lieutenant - W. Launder - - - Ditto - - _ George Jolliffe - - Ditto - Thomas Ellison - - Master's Mate Minotaur J. S. Kirchner - - Master - _ - Peter Walters - - WOUNDED. Master's Mate Ships. Officers names. Rank. Vanguard N. Vassal - - - . Lieutenant - J. Adye - - - - Ditto - - _ J. Campbell* - - - Admiral's Secretary - M. Austin - - - - Boatswain - - - J. Weatherston - - Midshipman - George Antrim - Ditto Theseus - Alexander XJ„ „,],;„„ Lieutenant Captain Alexander J. Ball, Esq. - J. Cresswell - - - Captain of Marines - W. Lawson - - - Master - G. Buliey - - - - Midshipman - - - Luke Anderson - - Ditto Audacious John James - - _ Lieutenant. * - Christopher Font Gunner Orion - - Sir James Saumurez - Captain - . _ Peter Sadler - - - Boatswain - - - Philip Richardson Midshipman - - - Ch. Miell - - - - Ditto »_____ Fun ff^ vith the wound in my head, that I am sensible I am not so clear as I could wish ; but whilst a ray of reason remains, my heart and hand shall ever be exerted for ihe benefit of our king and country. " I have the honor to be, &c. « HORATIO NELSON."" A victory more complete and more important in its consequences, had never graced the annals even of the British navy. Oat of a fleet of se- venteen sail, four only escaped captivity or de- struction. The daring enterprize of the attack could only be rivalled by the persevering courage with which it was supported, and the unparalleled success with which it was crowned.* * Soon after the victory the following letter w^as written by the venerable father of the admiral to the Rev. B. Allot, in answer to his congratulations on the occasion : '^ My great and good son went into the world without fortune, but with a heart replete with every moral and re- V 1'2£ PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF For a week after the battle, the bay of Abou- kir was covered with the floating bodies of the slain. These exhibited a most painful and hor- rid spectacle, and though men were continually employed in sinking the bodies with shot, yet many of them slipped off, and appeared again upon the surface. Considering the heat of the weather, it is almost a wonder that no pestilen- tial disorder broke out, in consequence, among our gallant countrymen. The captains of the British squadron eagerly vied with each other in sending various presents made from the wreck of UOrient, to the hero under whose auspices this signal victory had been ligious virtue. These have been his compass to steer by; and it has pleased God to be his shield in the day of battle, and to give success to his ^vishes to be of service to his country. His country seems sensible of his services; but should he ever meet with ingratitude his scars will cry out, and plead his cause ; for at the siege of Bastia he lost an e^^e ; at TeneriiFe an arm ; on the memorable 14th of Fe- bruary he received a severe blow on his body, which he still feels ; and now a wound on the head. After all this, you will believe his bloom of countenance must be faded . but the spirit beareth up yet as vigorous as ever. On the 29th of September he completed his 40th year ; cheerful, generous, and good ; fearing no evil because he has done none ; an honor to my grey hairs^ which, with every mark of old age, creep fast upon me.'* lORD NELSON. VIS achieved. Among the rest Captain Hallowell, of the Swiftsure, ordered his carpenter to make a coffin solely from the wreck, both as to wood and iron. The carpenter, accordingly, finished one with considerable elegance, from the main- mast of the ill-fated ship, and it was presented to the admiral with the following note : — " Swifcsure, August, 1798. " SIR, " I HAVE taken the liberty of presenting you a coffiti made from the main-mast of L'Orient, that when you have finished your military career in this world, you may be buried in one of your trophies ; but that that period may- be far distant is the earnest wish of your sincere friend, " B. HALLOWELL. *< sir Horatio Nelson, '* Rear-Admiral of the Blue, &c.'> This present of his brave officer, Sir Horatio prized so highly, that for some months he had it placed upright in his cabin, till, at length, the en- treaties of an old servant, prevailed on him to allow it to be carried below. On the 18th of August, having lefitted the ships of his fleet and prizes, in the best manner the stores which he had would permit, the admi- ral sailed from the bay of Aboukir, leaving Ca|^- tain Samuel Hood* with four sail of the line and * This active officer was commander ofthe Juno friaate at the period ofthe evacuation of Toulon, previous to which p2 124 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF two frigates to block up thv2 port of Alexandria, and to intercept any supplies which might be sent to the French army. event he had sailed on a cruize. On his return, ignorant of what had happened in his absence, he sailed into the harbor, and carae to an anchor. The evening was hazy, with heavy rain ; no colors were displayed on the batteries, or if there were, they were either not visible, or English. A boat came alongside tlie Juno, and several Frenchmen of the new municipality went on board. They were asked for news, and perceiving the mistake that still reigned, they conversed with Captain Hood as if they were under the British government. Fortunately the tri-colored cockade in one of their hats caught his eye, and he perceived the treacherous tendency of their visit. With great presence of mind he ordered some refreshments to be set before -them, •went on deck, and communicated to the officers and crew the situation of the ship, directing them to slip the cable, and make every possible exertion to sail out of the harbor. This he effected, in defiance of a heavy cannonade from the fort and batteries, as he passed, and soon after joined the fleet under the -command of Lord Hood. — The gallant exertions of Captahi Hood, under the command of the hero of the Nile, are noticed above, but one circumstance it may not be improper to add. Previous to the attack on the French line in the bay of Aboukir, the admiral hailed Cap- tain Hood to enquire, if he thought there was sufficient depth of water for our ships between the enemy and the shore? Captain Hood said he did not know, but with the Admiral's permission he would lead m, and try. The Go- liath, however, being the fastest sailer, and having the start, first gained the post of honor, — Captain Hood was next en* LOUD NELSON. 125^ Sir James Saumarez"^ received directions to proceed with the trophies of the victory, and gaged in co-operating in the expulsion of the French from the Roman territory ; and in 1801 commanded the Vene- rable, one of the ships of the squadron under Sir James Saumarez. In the engagement off Algesiras he particularly distinguished himself, by pursuing and bringing to action the Formidable, a French ship of 84 guns, which he had nearly silenced, when his main-mast was shot away. This accident enabled his antagonist to escape. " The highest praise," says Sir James Saumarez, in his letter to the Admi- ralty on this occasion, " is due to Captain Hood, the officers, and men of the Venerable, for their spirit and gallantry in the action, which entitled them to better success." — On the renewal of hostilities in 1803, Captain Hood was appointed commanderju Chief on the Leeward Island station, with the rank of commodore. * The British navy cannot boast a more distinguished officer than Sir James Saumarez. He was born in Guernsey in the year 1757, and entered into the service in 1770. He commenced his career of honor in the Montreal, and re- mained on the Mediterranean station till the year 177.5, when he was appointed lieutenant of the Bristol, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Peter Parker, with whom he pro- ceeded to Charlestown, in South Carolina, in the attack of which he greatly distinguished himself. In the action with the Dutch fleet off the Dogger Bank, Mr. S. was a lieu- tenant of Sir Hyde Parker's flag-ship the Fortitude, and for his gallantry on that occasion was appointed to the com- mand of the Preston, and promoted to the rank of master and commander. After serving for some time in the chan- ael fleet under Admiral Keropenfelt, he was detached tp 126 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF ships of the squadron which were in the most crippled state, to Gibraltar. the West Indies, where he was soon afterwards appointed hy Sir Samuel (now Lord) Hood, to the Russel of 74 guns, when he was only twenty-four years of age. In that ship Captain Saumarez contributed not a little to the success of the glorious iSth of April, 1782. At the commencement of the late war, he hoisted his pendant on board the Cres- cent frigate of 36 guns, and being on a cruise off Cherbourg, fell in with the R-e-union, a French frigate of the same force, which he took after a close action of two hours, without the loss of a single man in his own ship, though the enemy had 1?0 killed and wounded. For his gallantry in this affair, he received the honor of knighthood. Being re- moved to the Orion, of 74 guns, he came in for a share of the honor of Lord Brid port's action off Port L'Orient, on the 3d of June, 1795. In Lord St. Vincent's victory, Sir James displayed his accustomed gallantry, and closing with the Salvador del Mundo, of 11^;^ guns, he engaged her singly within pistol-shot for upwards of an hour, till he compelled her to strike. His exertions in the glorious battle of the Nile have been amply detailed. After that victory he con- veyed the prizes to Gibraltar, and towards the conclusion of 1793, arrived in England, where the Orion, being found to want considerable repairs, was paid off. Sir James was then appointed to the Caesar, of 84 guns, and in this ship he performed the perilous service of commanding the advanced squadron stationed off the Black Rocks at the entrance of Brest harbor. On the 1st of January, 1801, Sir James was promoted to be a flag-officer; soon after which he was created a baronet^ and received the order of the Bath. In June, the same year, he took the command of a squadron LORD NELSON. 127 On the 22 d of September, Sir Horatio arrived at Naples, in the Vanguard. He there found the Culloden and Alexander, which had arrived four days before him. The King of Naples in- stantly went off in his barge, and honored the admiral with a visit on board the Vanguard, where he remained until she ai^chored. On his landing, the hero of the Nile was received amidst the shouts of a rejoicing people who hailed him as their deliverer. destined to blockade Cadiz. During his co.nmand on this station he placed his name in the very highest rank of Bri- tish naval heroes bj the engagement off Algeziras, in which, •with a squadron of five sail of the line, which had been dis- abled in action only five days before, he attacked an ene- my's fleet consisting of two ships of 112 guns, one of 94> three of 84, four of 74, four frigates, and a considerable number of gun-boats. The result was the destruction of the Keal Carlos, and San Hermenigelod, of 112 guns each, which blew up, and the capture of the San Antonio, of 74. — Tn June, 1803, Sir James received the command of a squadron stationed off Guernsey. — For his numerous and meritorious services, be enjoys from government a pensioii of 12001. per annum. 128 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF CHJP. IF. FROM 1799 TO 1800. Sir Horatio Nelson is elevated to the Peerage — Presents^ the Sword of the French Admiral, taken at Aboukir, ta the City of London — Receives an additional Pension — Sentiments of Parliament concerning his Victory — Valu- able presents sent him by the Grand Signor — Capture of the Leander, carrying his dispatches to Earl St. Vincent, by the French — His Proceedings at Naples and Palermo — Distinctions conferred on him by the King of Naples — Naval Fete, given in honor of him, at Palermo — A monument decreed him by the inhabitants of Rome — He takes the Genereux — Is landed ill in Sicily— Capture of the Guillaurae Tell, by his Ship the Foudroyant — His Lordship returns to England. On the 2d of October, tbe intelligence of tbe glorious victory of Aboukir was brought to En- gland by the Hon. Captain Capel. Never was ex- ultation so universally diffused among all ranks of people. Public rejoicings and illuminations were continued for several days, and a subscrip- tion was immediately opened, for the relief of the widows and children of the brave men who fell in the glorious conflict. On the 6th his Majesty created the brave admiral a peer of Great Bri- LORD NELSON. 1^9 tain, by the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile and of Burnham Thorpe, in the county of Nor- folk. The sword, which the French admiral, Blan- quet, had surrendered to Sir Horatio was deli- vered by the gallant commander to Captain Ca- pel, to be presented to the city of London, with the following letter to the Lord Mayor : *' Vanguard, Mouth of the Nil6 • Aug. 8, J798. *' MY lORD, '' Having the honor of being a freeman of the city of London, I take the liberty of sending to your lordship the sword of the communding Frencti admiral, M. Blanquet, who survived after the battle of the First, oiTthe Kile ; and request that the city of London will honor me witli the ac- ceptance of it, as a remembrance, that Britannia still rules the weaves, which, that she may ever do, is the fervent prayer of " Your lordship's most obedient servant, *' HORATIO NELSON." On the l6th of October, the committee ap- pointed to consider of the best manner of dis- posing of the sword, presented to the court b^ Admiral Nelson, reported the foilovv'ing resolu- tion, which was agreed to : *' That the sword, delivered up to our gallant hero, Lord Nelson, by the French admiral, M. Blanquet, be put up in the most conspicuous place, in the common- Q ISO PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF council chamber, with the following inscription, engraved on a marble tablet— T/^e sword of Mons. Blanquet, the commanding French admiral^ in the glorious engagement of the Nile, on the first of Au- gust, 1/98, presented to the court by the Right Hon, Rear-admiral Lord Nelson/' How highly the services of the brave admiral were appreciated by his country, was evinced on the meeting of Parliament, in the month of No- vember. His Majesty, in opening the session, as usual, by a speech from the throne, bore the most flattering testimony to his deserts. — *' The unex- ampled series of our naval triumphs has received fresh splendor from the memorable and decisive action, in which a detachment of my fleet, under the command of Rear-admiral Lord Nelson, at- tacked and almost destroyed a superior force of the enemy, strengthened by every advantage of situation. By this great and brilliant victory, an enterprize, of which the injustice, perfidy, and extravagance, had fixed the attention of the world, and which was peculiarly directed against some of the most valuable -interests of the Bri- tish empire, has, in the first instance, been turned to the confusion of its authors; and the blow thus given to the power and influence of France, has afforded an opening which, if improved by suita- ble exertions on the part of the otlier powers, may lead to the general deliverance of Europe.** lORD NELSON^ 131 A few days afterwards, a message from the king was presented to the House of Commons by Mr. Pitt relative to his lordship, to the following ef- fect : — '' His Majesty, having taken into his se- rious consideration the signal and glorious vic- tory obtained by Rear-admiral Lord Nelson over a superior force of the enemy, in the action off the mouth of the Nile, on the 1st of August last, not only highly honorable to himself, but singu- larly beneficial to the interests of these kingdoms; and being desirous to bestow a signal and lasting mark of his favor on the said Admiral Lord Nel- son, did grant unto him, the said Admiral Lord Nelson, an annuity of two thousand pounds per annum. But his Majesty, not possessing the means of continuing the same, nor having it in his power to secure it to the said Lord Nelson beyond his own life, recommends it to his faithful commons to make such provisions as to them fehould appear fit, to enable his Majesty to carry his intentions into effect/' — Mr. Pitt accordingly moved, that a pension of two thousand pounds per annum, to commence on the first of August, 1798, should be granted to Admiral Lord Nel- son, of the Nile, and his two next successors in the title.'' General Walpole, who seconded this motion, thought that Lord Kelson should also have a higher degree of rank. INIr, Pitt, in reply, ob- 0^2 132 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF served, that, " entertaining the highest sense of the transcendent merits of Admiral Nelson, he thought it needless to enter at any length into the question of rank. His fame must be coeval with the British name ; and it would be remem- bered, that he had obtained the greatest naval victory on record, when no man would think it worth his while to ask, whether he had been cre- ated a baron, a viscount, or an earl." Mr. Johnes declared, that in his opinion, the consequences of Lord Nelson's achievement were such, as to en- title him to the appellation oi the Savior ofman^ kind. These eulogiums, more flattering than any other compensations to the noble mind of his lordship, were not the only rewards bestowed by his grateful countrymen. The East-India Com- pany, conscious of the critical situation from which their possessions had been rescued by his intrepidity, presented him with ten thousand pounds ; the city of London a sword, valued at two hundred guineas ; and the Turkey company with a piece of plate of great value. The cap- tains of the fleet, under his command, likewise or- dered an elegant sword to be made and presented to his lordship, the hilt to represent a crocodile, with the names of the ships and their command- ers engraved upon it. The thanks of both houses of parliament had been previously voted to the LORD NELSON. 133 brave admiral,* the captains, officers, seamen, and marines for the resolute and intrepid conduct which they displayed on this occasion. The cap- tains were ordered to be presented with gold me- dals, emblematical of the victory. Captain Har- dy, of La Mutine, the only sloop in company, was promoted to the rank of post-captain in the Vanguard, in the room of Captain Berry, who had been sent with the admiral's dispatches to Loid St. Vincent; and the first lieutenants of the line of battle ships, excepting the Culloden, v,^hich had unfortunately run aground, had been * The following answer was returned by his lordship to the vote of thanks : <' Vanguard, Palermo, Jan. 31, 1799. " SIR, " Believe me, T feel as I ought the noble reward which our country has bestowed on nie by its thanks j and I beg. Sir, you will have the goodness to express to the honorable house my gratitude. I can answer for that of my brave brethren, who fought with me in the battle of the Nile. — To you. Sir, who have not only so handsomely, but so ele- gantly, conveyed to me the resolutions of the House, words are inadequate to express what I feel ; but believe me. Sir, I am with every sentiment of respect and esteem, *' Your most obliged and faithful servant. NELSOX. *' To the Right Honorable Henry Addington, " Speaker of tlie House of Commons." 134 l^ROFESSIONAL LIFE OF prevented from sharing in the action, were ap» pointed masters and commanders. While the hero of the Nile and his brave com- panions were receiving honors, emoluments, and distinction from their grateful country, foreign nations likewise endeavored to express the high sense they entertained of their exploits. As soon as the intelligence of the victory reached Con- stantinople, the Grand Signior directed a superb diamond aigrette, called a ckekngk, or plume of triumph, to be taken from one of the imperial turbans, and to be sent to the admiral, together with a pelice of sable fur of the first quality. He likewise ordered a purse of two thousand sequins to be distributed among the British seamen who had been wounded in the battle. A note, of which the following is a translation, was at the same time delivered to Mr. Spencer Smith, the British minister at Constantinople. '^ It is but lately, that, by a written communi- cation, it has been made known how much the Sublime Porte rejoiced at the first advice of the English squadron, in the White Sea, having de- feated the French squadron off Alexandria, in Egypt. *' By recent accounts, comprehending a spe- cific detail of the action, it appears now more po- sitive, that his Britannic Majesty's fleet has actu- jloud nelson. 135 ally destroyed by that action the best ships the French had in their possession. " This joyful event, therefore, laying this em- pire under an obligation, and the service rendered by our much-esteemed friend. Admiral Nelson, on this occasion, being of a nature to call for pub- lic acknowledgment, his imperial majesty, the powerful, formidable, and most magnificent Grand Signior, has destined as a present, in his imperial name, to the said admiral, a diamond aigrette^ (clielengk) and a sable fur, with broad sleeves ; besides two thousand sequins to be distributed among the wounded of his crew. And as the English minister is constantly zealous, by his en- deavours to the encrease of friendship between the two courts, it is hoped he will not fail to make known this circumstance to his court, and to so- licit the permission of the powerful and august king of England, for the said admiral to put on and wear the said aigrette and pelice. %2f. 8, 1798." These presents were conveyed to his lordship at Naples, in charge^ of an effendi, or secretary, in the Alcmene frigate. The effendi and his suite, thirteen in number, performed their part with great gravity and dignity. They put on their no- ble robes in his anti-chamber, and presented the aigrette on cushions, after the oriental manner. The robe, lined with the finest sable imaginable, 5 136 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF was of scarlet [cloth, and of inestimable value. The aigrette, a kind of feather, represented a hand with thirteen fingers, which were of dia- monds, and alluded to the thirteen ships taken and destroyed at Aboukir ; the size was that of a child's hand, about six years old, when opened. Th^ centre diamond, and the four round it, were estimated at one thousand pounds each, and there were three hundred more well set. These two presents were accompanied by several others of less value, and a letter full of assurances of friend- ship from the Grand Signior, whose request to his Britannic Majesty, relative to the noble ad- miral, was instantly complied with.* * The following is the notice which appeared on the oc- casion in the London Gazette, of the S'^d Nov. 1798; " Whitehall, Nov. 20. The king has been graciously pleased to give and grant unto the right honorable Horatio Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Burnham Thorpe, in the county of Norfolk, rear-admiral of the blue squadron of his majesty's fleet, and knight of the most honorable military order of the Bath, in consideration of the great zeal, cou- rase, and perseverance manifested by him upon divers oc- casions, and particularly of his able and gallant conduct in the glorious and decisive victory obtained over the French fleet, near the mouth of the Nile, on the first day of Au- gust last, his royal licence and authority, that he and his issue may bear the following honorable augmentations to his armorial ensigns : viz. " A chief undulatecT argent, thereon waves of the sea, fram which a palm-tree issuant, between I LORD NELSON. 137 From the Grand Signior's mother he likewise received a rose, set with diamonds; from the emperor Paul, a comphmentary letter, written with his own hand, accompanied with a portrait of his imperial majesty of all the Russias, most superbly set in brilliants ; from the king of Sar- dinia a letter, and a box set wuth diamonds ; and from the inhabitants of the island of Zante, a gold-headed sword and cane, as an acknowledg- ment^ that, had it not been for the battle of the a disabled ship on the de:xter and a ruinous battery on the sinister, all proper ; and for his crest, on a naval crown. Or, Chelengk, or Plume of Triumph, presented to him by the Grand Signior, as a mark of hi-s high esteem, and of his sense of the gallant conduct of the said Horatio Baron Nel- son in the said glorious and decisive victory ; with the mot- to — " Pahxiam qui meruit ferat;" and to his supporters, being a sailor on the dexter, and a lion on the sinister, the honorable augmentations foilov^^ing : viz. In the hand of the sailor a paim-branch, and another in the paw of the iion, hath proper, witli the addition of a tri-colored flag and staff in the mouth of the latter ; which augmentations to the supporters to be borne by the said Horatio Baron Nelson, tmd by those to whom the said dignity shall descend, in vir- tue of his Majesty's letters-patent of creation ; and that the same may be first duly exemphfied according to the laws of arms, and recorded in the Heralds' Office. '^ And also to order, that his Majest3^'s said concession and special Uiaik of his royal favor be registered in Jiis col- lege of arms." a 138 PPwOFESSIONAL LIFE OF Nile, they could not have been liberated from French cruelty. It appeared in the sequel how judiciously the noble admiral had acted, in sending home a du- plicate of his dispatches, relative to the victory, by overland conveyance. The Leander, Cap- tain Thompson, having on board Captain Berry, charged with those to the commander - in- chief, fell in, on the l6th of August, off the island of Candia, with the Genereux, one of the run- away ships, which had escaped from the Nile after the engagement. She stood with a fine breeze towards the Leander, which was becalm- ed, with 80 men short of her complement, and a number on board who had been wounded on the 1 st of August. Under these circumstances^ Cap- tain Thompson did not think himself justified in seeking an action with an enemy so much his su- perior in point of size and force. He accordingly availed himself of all the means in his power to avoid it; but soon found, that, from the Lean- der^s inferiority of sailing, it would be impossible to escape. He, therefore, with all sail set, steer- ed such a course as he judged would enable him to receive his adversary to the best advantage. At eight, A. M. the Genereux, being to wind- ward, had approached within random shot of the Leander, with Neapolitan colours, which she then changed to French. Capt, Thompson, not LORD NELSON. 139 deceived by this artifice, had been convinced for some time that she belonged to the latter nation. At nine, she was within half gun-shot of the Lean- der's weather-quarter, when Captain Thompson hauled up sufficiently to bringhisbroadside to bear, and immediately commenced a vigorous canno- nade, which was returned. The ships continued nearing each other till half past ten, keeping up a constant and heavy fire. The enemy now avail- ed himself of the disabled condition of the Lean- der, to lay her on board on the larboard bow ; but a most spirited and v;ell-directed fire from the small party of marines on the poop and quar- ter-deck, supported by a furious cannonade, pre- vented the enemy from taking advantage of bis situation, and he was repulsed with great slaugh- ter. A light breeze, giving the ships way, en- abled Captain Thompson to disentangle himself from the enemy; and soon after v;ards he had the satisfaction to luff under his stern, and passing witliin ten yards, discharged every gun into him. The action was now continued without intermis- sion, within pistol-shot, till half-past three in the afternoon, when the enemy, with a hght breeze, passed the Leander's bows, and brought himself on her starboard side, where the guns had been nearly all disabled from the wreck of the spars, which had fallen on that side. As this produced a cessation of fire on her part, the enemy hailed to R 2 140 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF enquire if she had surrendered. The Leander was totally ungovernable, being a complete wreck, not having a thing standing, but the shattered re- mains of the fore and main-masls, and the bow- sprit ; her hull cut to pieces, and her decks full of killed and wounded. In this defenceless situa- tion. Captain Thompson, who was himself badly wounded, and had not the most distant hope of success, asked Captain Berry if he thought he could do more. Captain Berry coinciding in the opinion that farther resistance would be vain and impracticable, he directed an answer to be given in the affirmative, and the eneniy took possession of his Majesty's ship. The Genereux, commanded by M. Lejoille, chef de divisio?i, carried 74 guns, and had on board 9OO men, of whom 100 were killed, and 188 wounded in the conflict. The Leander had 35 killed, and 58 wounded.* * The reader will not be displeased to have an opportu- nity of comparing with the above account, the official state- ment of the captain of the Genereux, of his exploits at the battle of the Nile, and on the present occasion. *' Corfu, Sept. 3, 179S. '' I HAVE the pleasure to announce to 3^ou my arrival at Corfu. I have been here for some days past, having brought in the English ship, Leander, of seventy-four guns, which I met near the islands of Goza and Gandia, near a mile from the shore. This ship had been sent with dis- patches from B.equieres (Aboukir) Road^ where the Eng- LORD NELSON. 141 No sooner had Captain Thompson and his officers arrived on board the Genereux, than they isli had attacked us on the 1st of August. We were at ar> chor, but in a position certainly not very secure for our squadron, of this bad situation they took advantage, and having placed us between two fireS;, a most dreadful slaugh- ter took place, the ships not being at a greater distance than pistol-shot, and at anchor. From the circumstance of the wind, with relation to the English ships, we should have been superior in the contest, if L'Orient, our admiral's ship, had not blown up, v/hich threw us all into disorder ; as, to avoid the flames, which had already reached Le Tonnant, every vessel was obliged to shift her station. Having, how- ever placed my ship in a situation favorable to the direc- tion of her guns, 1 fought her till three in the morning of the day following that, on which, at ten in the evening L'Orient blew up. '' By a singular accident I missed having a broadside at Captain Darb}^, who sailed with us in the last war from the Cape of Good Hope to Cadiz. His ship, the Bellerophon, of 74 guns, sailed past me about half past ten in the even- ing, having lost her main and mizen-masts. I fired three guns at her, which carried away the mast she was hoisting, and struck away one of the ianthorns of the poop. " I immediately ordered one of my officers to go in pur- suit of, and to bring on board my ship, the captain of this vessel; but half an hour afterwards, when I was about to send my boat on board her, the fire from several English sliips compelled me rather to think of answering their guns than of taking possession of the other ship ; and the slow •manner in which the officer, whom I had dispatched, pro- ceeded to execute ray orders, was the cause of my failing to take possession of her. 14^ PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF v-ere plundered of every article belonging to them, excepting the clothes they wore. In vain they expostulated with the French captain on this harsh treatment, and when they reminded him of the situation of the French officers made priso- ners by Admiral Nelson, in comparison with those now taken in the Leander, he coolly re- plied : J'en suis fache, inais le fait est que les Fran." fois sont hons ait pillage^ — " 1 am sorry for it ; but the fact is that the French are expert at plunder/' Captain Berry expressed a wish to have a pair of pistols, of which he had been plundered, returned to him. On being produced by the man who took them, the French captain immediately secured them for himself, telling Cap- tain Berry that he would give him a pair of French pistols to protect him on his journey home ; but this promise was never performed. Various other acts of cruelty were endured by Captain Thompson and his gallant crew. The " As to the Leander, I was obliged to figlit with her for nearly four hours and three quarters. She carries seven- tj^-four guns, 24 and 30-pounders on her lower deck, and 12-pounders on her upper. I should have made myself master of her in less than an hour, had we been at close fighting. Daring the engagement we boarded her; I should have succeeded in carrying her by boarding, had I had » more active crew. (Signed) ''LEJOILLE, JUN.« LORD NELSON. 143 French even carried their inhumanity to such a pilch, that at the very moment the surgeon of the Leander was performing the chirurgical opera- tions, they robbed him of his mstruments, and the wound which Captain Thompson had received was near proving fatal by their forcibly with- holding the attendance of his surgeon.* * The barbarous treatment inflicted on these brave mea was 'continued after their arrival at Corfu, as is evident from the following letter from Mr. Stanley, the British con- sul at Trieste to the Lords of the Admiralty : — ■ « MY LORDS, *' Trieste, 3d December, 1799. *' Thirty seamen of the Leander which was taken and carried into Corfu, arrived here from that island the 20th ult. These poor men were forced away in three small in- convenient vessels, ten in each, some of them being badly wounded, and in a very weak state, being obliged to lie oa the decks, exposed to the inclemency of the season seven- teen daj^s. On Friday ten more arrived from the same place. The first thirty having finished their quarantine of thirteen days, came out this morning, much recovered, from the attention to their health and food. The last ten have suffered much more than the others, being twenty-three, days on their passage, and so short of provisions, that had not some passengers taken compassion on them, they must have perished. I am sorry to observe the French behaved very badly to them in the shortness of provisions. I hope, by proiw2r care, to be able to restore these valuable and meritorious men to their country and families. '- I have the honor to be, &c. *' EDWARD STANLEY. « 6 144 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF It was at Naples that the noble admiral was in- formed of the capture of his brave companions, and there likewise on the 21st of December, on the approach of the French army, he received the king and the whole royal family on board the Vanguard, and conveyed them to Palermo, in Sicily. In the month of March, ^799y his lord* ship arranged a plan for recovering the islands in the bay of Naples, and for supporting the royalists who were again making head in the kingdom. In IMay he shifted his flag on board the Foudroyant, of 80 guns, having been ad- vanced, on the 14th of February, to the rank of rear-admiral of the red. In June the French evacuated Naples, retain- ing possession of the strong castle of St. Elmo> and towards the conclusion of the month Lord Nelson arrived from Palermo in the port of that capital. Finding that Cardinal Ruffo had con- cluded a disgraceful convention with the French- and Neapolitan rebels, which was disapproved by the king, his lordship declared it to be null and void. One of the first articles was, that a pardon should be granted to Prince Carraccioli, the chief of the revolutionary party : him, however, Lord Kelson ordered to be immediately arrested, tried, and hanged v/ithin twenty-four hours after the sen- tence was pronounced. Several other articles of LORD NELSON. 145 the convention were likewise set aside by his lordship.* The next step necessary to be taken was to dispossess the French of the castle of St. Elmo. For this purpose a large detachment of' seamen and marines from the squadron was landed, under the command of Captain Troubridge, of the Cul- loden, who was assisted for the first seven days by Captain Ball of the Alexander f ; but the ad- * Ho'.v far it might have been more politic to have par- doned the offenders, and to have confirmed the treaty con- cluded with the revolutionary party at Naples, we shall not examine. Certain it is, however, that this is the only part of the public conduct of the noble admiral, during his active and eventful life, on which two opinions are enter- tained. That horror of treason aud anarchy of every kind which he uniformly evinced, led to the decisive measures which he adopted on this,occasion. t Captain Alexander John Ball was soon afterwards so- licited by the inhabitants of Malta to take upon himself the civil and military command of the island. He complied with their desire, and in this station gave them so much satisfaction that they sent a deputation to his Sicilian ma- j esty and to Lord Nelson, requesting that Captain Ball might be appointed governor. They acceded, and he re- mained at Malta until he was appointed naval commissioner at Gibraltar. For his services in the Mediterranean, he re- ceived from his sovereign the honor of knighthood, and the rank of commander of the order of St. Ferdinand azid of Merit, was conferred upon him by the king of the Two Si- 146 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF miral wanting the services of that officer in the blockade of Malta, his place was supplied by Captain Hallowell, of the Swiftsure*. A party of cilies. In November, 1B05, he was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral of the blue. * Captain Hallowell served with great distinction at the reduction of Bastia, in Corsica. He was afterwards ap- pointed to the command of the Courageux, of 74 guns, ■which ship, being driven from anchor in Gibraltar Bay by a violent gale of wind, stood too far over to the Barbary coast in the night, and struck upon a rock, where she was soon dashed to pieces. This melancholy accident was at- tended with the loss of nearly 500 brave men, only 124 of the crew being saved. Captain Hallowell was attending a court-martial when the ship broke adrift, and it blew so hard that he could not get on board, otherwise his country would probably have had to regret the loss of another brave and valuable officer. After the loss of his ship. Captain Hallo- well was received on board the Victory, Sir John Jervis's flag-ship, and served as a volunteer in the action of the 1 4th of February, 1797. The share he took in the battle of the Nile, in the Swiftsure, has been amply related. He afterwards assisted at the reduction of Malta. In Ju]y, 1801, Captain Hallowell was proceeding with a convoy to that island, when he fell in with a French squadron, under Admirat^Gantheaume, who was returning from an unsuc- cessful attempt to land reinforcements for the army of Egypt. With four ships of equal or superior force to the Swiftsure, this gallant officer maintained an unequal con- flict ot above an hour, when the crippled state of his ship compelled him to strike. Since the commencement of the LORD NELSON. 147 Russians and Portuguese joined Captain Trou- bridge, and rendered essential service during the siege, which continued from the 3d to the 12th July, when the castle capitulated. * present war. Captain Hallowell has been appointed to the< command of theTigre, in which he accompanied Lord Nel- son in the first part of the year 1805, in his memorable chace to Egypt and the West-Indies. * The following are extracts of letters written hy his lordship on the above events^ to the secretary of the Ad- miralty, and to admiral Lord Keith, who had succeeded Earl St. Vincent as commander in chief in the Mediter- ranean. "Bay of Naples, 27th June, 1799. '' I AM happy in being able to congratulate their lord- ships on the possession of the city of Naples. St. Elmo is yet in the hands of the French, but the castles of Ovo and Nuovo I took possession of last evening, and his Sicilian Majesty's colors are now flying on them. *' Evan Nepean, Esq.^ «' Foudroyant, Bay of Naples, l3[b July, 1792. " I HAVE the pleasure to inform you of the surrender of fort St. Elmo, after open batteries of eight days, during which time our heavy batteries were advanced within 180 yards of the ditch. The very great strength of St.^lmo, and its more formidable position, will mark with what for titude, perseverance, and activity, the combined forces must have acted. Captain Troubridge was the officer selected for the command of the forces landed from the squadron. Captain BaU assisted him for seven days, till his services were wanted at Malta, when his place was ably supplied by S 2 148 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF His lordship having, as his Neapolitan majesty was pleased to say, reconquered his kingdom, Captain Hallowell, an officer of the most distinguished merit, and to whom Captain Troubridge expresses the highest obligation. Captain Hood, with a garrison for Castel Nuovo, and to keep good order in the capital, waS' also landed from the squadron ; and I have the pleasure to tell you, that no capital is more quiet than that of Naples. I transmit Captain Troubridge's letter to me, with returns of killed and wounded. I have to state to your lordship, that although the abilities and resources of my brave friend Troubridge are well known to all the world, yet even he had difficulties to struggle with in every way, which the state of the capital will easily bring to your idea, that has raised his great character even higher than it was before. " I am, &c, " NELSON. " Right Hon. Lord Keith, &c." «' Foudroyant, Naples Bay, July 23, 1799. " MY LORD, " His Sicilian Majesty arrived in this bay on the 10th, and immediately hoisted his flag on board the Foudroyant, where his Majesty still remains with all his ministers. *' I have the honor to be, &c, '* NELSON." "Right Hon. Lord Keith, &c." *' Bay of Naples, 14th July, 1799. '♦' Herewith I have the honor of sending you copies of my letters to the commander in chief, and the capitulation granted to the French in St. Elmo. All the chief rebels are now on board his Majesty's fleet. Capua and Gaieta ■will very soon be in our possession, when flie kingdom will be liberated from anarchy and misery." *' Evan Nepean, Esq.** LORD NELSON. 149 and placed him on his throne, conveyed that mo- narch back to Palermo, on the gth of August, after he had been upwards of four weeks on board the Foudro37ant. On the 13th his majesty pre- sented him with a sword* magnificently enriched with diamonds of the value of sixty thousand du- cats, and conferred on him the title of Duke of Bronte, annexing to it the feud of that naiie, producing a revenue of 30001. per annum. This title was in allusion to the thunders of the battle off the Nile, Bronte being the forge of the Cy- clops, in which were made the thunders of Jove. On the 3d of September a naval fete was given to their Sicilian Majesties, at Palermo, by their youngest son, Prince Leopold, to celebrate the recover}^ of their kingdom under the auspices of his lordship, who was present with the admirals of the Russian and Turkish squadrons, their offi- cers, and a few of the principal nobility of Na- * Valuable as was this present, the anecdote attending it must have rendered it doubly precious in the eyes of the noble admiral. Charles the Third, on his departure for Spain, presented this sword to his son, the King of Naples, observing as he delivered it : *' With this sword I conquer- ed the kingdom which I now resign to you : it ought, in fu- ture, to be possessed by the first defender of the same, or by him who shall restore it to you, in case it should ever be lost." 150 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF pies and Palermo. Their majesties .received the company, and the young prince, then nine years of age, and educated for the navy, did the honors of the evening in his midshipman's uniform. The three princesses, and the consort of the hereditary prince, each v/ore round her neck some ornament allusive to Lord Nelson and his victories. The entertainment began with a magnificent fire-work in the garden of the palace ; it represented the English and French fleets at Aboukir, the ever- memorable battle off the Nile, and the total de- feat of the enemy's ships, concluding with the ex- plosion of L'Orient, and the blowing up of the tri-colored flag. By a singular coincidence it happened to be the anniversary of the day on which the first news of his lordship's achievement arrived at Naples. The queen took notice of this circumstance, and turning to Cadir Bey, the Turkish admiral, said : '' On this day, last year, we received from Lady Hamilton intelhgence of this great man's victory, which not only saved your country and ours, but all Europe." After the fire-works a cantata was performed, entitled, <' The Happy Concord." It expressed the pub- lic joy for the deliverance of the two kingdoms, loyal wishes for the prosperity of their majesties and the royal family, and for that of Lord Nelson in the following lines : LORD NELSON. 151 *' Long live the British hero ! '' Long live great Nelson ! " It is he that drove far from us all affliction, ^' It is he who gave peace to oar troubled hearts !" Amid these flattering demonstrations of grati- tude and applause, which might have intoxicated a mind less firm and less modest, that of his lord- ship was not to be diverted from his attention to the interest of his country. On the arrival of the Russian squadron at Naples, the admiral dispatch- ed Commodore Troubridge* to blockade Ci- * This gallant officer has passed almost the whole of his life in active service, and has had repeated occasions of dis- tinguishing himself for that zeal and intrepidity which has so justly exalted his naval character. On that memorable day, when fifteen British ships of the line attacked and con- quered twenty -seven sail of Spanish men of war of the largest size off Cape St. Vincent, and bore away four of their ships as trophies of the victory. Captain Troubridge of the Culloden, had the honor of leading the van into battle. The accident, which so cruelly disappointed his hopes of acquiring new laurels'at the battle of Aboukir, has been al- ready described. For his services in the Mediterranean, subsequent to that period, he was created a baronet, and was invested with the rank of a commander of the order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit by the king of the Two Sicilies. In 1800 he was first Captain of the Channel-fleet, under Sir Hyde Parker, and on the 21st of February, 1801, he was appointed to the honorable situation of lord of the ad- miralty. Since the commencement of the present war. Sir 2 152 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF vita Vecchia, and to drive the French from th< Roman territory; at the same time directing him to offer the enemy very favourable conditions if they would evacuate that state. With these terms the French general, Grenier, thought fit to com- ply, and they were signed on board the Culloden. Accordingly, on the 29th and 30th of Septem- ber, a detachment of 200 seamen and marines were landed from the Minotaur and Culloden, and took possession of Civita Vecchia, Corneto and Tolfa. General Bouchard, and Captain Louis,. of the Minotaur, were sent to take possession of Rome on the same terms. Thus was fulfilled a prophecy made to his lordship on his arrival at Naples : *' That he should take Rome by his ships.^* At the moment this convention was concluded, all the rarest works of art at Rome were packed up by the French, and ready to be sent away. By the arrival of the English squadron, this de- sign was, however, frustrated, and the inhabi- tants of Rome, as a tribute of gratitude to his lordship, resolved to erect a superb monument in honour of him in that city. On this occasion his lordship wrote the following letter to the agent, Thomas Troubridge, who had previously attained to the rank of a fiag-officer, has been appointed to a command itt the East Indies. tORD NELSON. 153 to whom the conduct of the business was com- mitted: " Palermo, Dec, ]9tU. '' DEAR SIR, '' Sir VVillam Hamilton has been so kind to communi- cate to me the distinguished honor intended me by the in- iiabitants, by you, and other professors and admirers of the line arts at Rome, to erect a monument. T have not words sufficient to express my feelings on hearing that my action? have contributed to preserve the works which form the school of fine arts in Italy, which the modern Goths wanted to carry off and destroy. " That they may always remain in the only place worthy of them — Rome, are, and will be my fervent wishes, toge- ther with the esteem of, '' Dear Sir, *' Your most obliged servant, " BRONTE AND NELSON^." His lordship remained at Palermo till the be- ginning of the year 1 800, when Vice-Admiral Lord Keith, the commander-in-chief in the Me- diterranean, received intelligence that the French intended to make the attempt to throw succours into Malta, which was, at that time, closely be- sieged. He, therefore, directed Lord Nelson to proceed to windw^ard of the island, to look out with three sail of the line, while he himself, in the Queen Charlotte, lay close in with the mouth of the harbour. On the 18th of February, Lord Nelson had the satisfaction of falUng in with one of his old enemies, the Genereux, who was less T 154 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF fortunate on this occasion than she bad been in her former encounter with his lordship. His let- ter to Lord Keith concerning this affair is as fol- lows : — « Foudroyant, at Sea, off Cape di Corvo, eight leagues west of Cape Passaro, off Shore about four miles, 18ih February, 1800. ** MY LORD, ''This morning, at day-light, being in company with the ships named in the margin (Northumberland, Auda- cious, and El Corso brig), I saw the Alexander in chase of a line of battle-ship, three frigates, and a corvette. At about eight o'clock she fired several shot at one of the ene- my's frigates, which struck her colours, and leaving her to be secured by the ships astern, continued the chase. I directed Captain Gould, of the Audacious, and the El Corso brig, to take charge of this prize. ^* At half-past one, P.M. the frigates and corvette tacked to the westward ; but the line of battle-ship not being able to tack without coming to action with the Alexander, bore up. The Success being to leeward. Captain Peard, with great judgment and gallantry, lay across his hawse, and raked him with several broadsides : in passing the French ship's broadside, several shot struck the Success, by which one man was killed, and the master and eight men wounded. " At half-past four, the Foudroyant and Northumber- land coming up, the former fired two shot, when the French ship fired her broadside, and struck her colours. She proved to be the Genereux, of 74 guns, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Perre, c6mmander in chief of the French naval force in the Mediterranean, having a number of troops on board from Toulon, bound for the relief of Malta. I attri- bute our success to be principally owing to the extreme good management of Lieutenant William Harrington, who 3 LORD NELSON. 155 commands the Alexander in the ahsence of Captain Ball, and I am much pleased with the gallant behaviour of Cap- tain Peard, of the Success, as also with the alacrity and good conduct of Captain Martin and Sir Edward Berry. " I have sent Lieutenant Andrew Thompson, first lieu- tenant of the Foudroyant, to take charge of the Genereux, whom I beg leave to recommend to your lordship for pro- motion ; and have sent her, under care of the Northumber- land and Alexander, to Syracuse, to wait your lordship's orders, " I have the honor to be, &c. " My lord,&c. « BRONTE AND NELSON.' Soon after this event his lordship was taken so' ill that he was under the necessity of going on shore in Sicily, leaving his captain, Sir Edward Berry,* in the command of the Foudroyaut, who, during the absence of the admiral, had the pecu- liar gratification of taking, after an obstinate en- gagement, the Guillaume Tell, of 86 guns, and 1000 men, the only remaining ship of the French fleet which was in the action of the 1st of Au- gust. Captain Manley Dixon, being stationed off Malta with a squadron of ships of war, he di- ^ On his return to England, after the taking of the Le- ander, this gallant officer received the honor of knighthood, and wa5 presented with the freedom of the city of London. He was soon afterwards presented b}'^ the Queen of Naples with a gold box and a diamond ring for his services in the Mediterranean, T 2 156 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF rected Captain Blackwood, of the Penelope, on the night of the 30th of March, to stand close in to La Valette, in order to observe the enemy's motions more narrowly. About midnight he dis- covered a large ship, and dispatched the Minorca to inform Captain Dixon of the circumstance ; at the same time making the necessary signals, and giving chace himself. The ships of the squadron instantly cut, or slipped their cables, and went in pursuit, under a press of sail, guided only by the cannonading of the Penelope. At day-break Captain Dixon, in the Lion, had arrived within gun-shot of the chace. The Penelope, whose well-directed lire during the night, had carried away her main and mizen top-masts and main- yard, was within musket-shot raking her; the enemy appeared to be in great confusion, being reduced to his head-sails going with the wind on the quarter. The Lion was run close alongside, the yard-arms of both ships being just clear ; a destructive broadside of three-round shot was poured in, luffing up across the bow, when the enemy's jib-boom passed between the main and mizen-shrouds; after a short interval the boom was carried away, and the ships were dis- entangled. Captain Dixon^s object was to pre- vent either being boarded, as the enemy's ship was full of men, or exposing himself to her pow- erful broadside: he, therefore, maintained his LORD NELSON. 157 position across her bow, firing to great advan* tage ; while she could only return with her bow- chasers and musquetry, the fire of which was, however, prodigious. In this manner the action had continued about fifty minutes, when the Foudroyant came up with a press of canvas, and Sir Edward Berry laying her so close alongside the enemy, that her spare anchor was but just clear of his mizen-chains, hailed the French commander, Admiral Decr«^s, and ordered him to strike. He answered by bran- dishing his sword over his headland discharged a musket at Sir Edward. This was followed by a broadside, which nearly unrigged the Foudrovant, whose guns, however, being prepared with three round shots in each, poured a most tremendous and effectual discharge, crashing through and through the enemy, and forming a perfect chord of harmopy in the ears of her gallant crew. The next broadside carried away the main and mizen- masts of the Guillaume Tell, at the same time the Foudroyant's fore-top mast, jib-boom, sprit-sail,, main top-sail yard, stay-sails, fore-sail and main- sail were all in tatters. In this situation it wa& difUcult to make the ship fall off so as to main- tain her position. The combatants, therefore, separated for a few minutes, when Sir Edward Berry called his men from the main-deck, and cutting away part of the wreck, once more got 153 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF the ship under command, and again laid her close alongside her determined opponent, who nailed his colors to the stump of the mast, and displayed his flag on a pole above them. Sir Ed- Avard now commenced a tremendous and well- directed fire, his men having got into a system of firing every gun twice, or three times in a mi* nute, regularly going through the exercise. The Lion and Penelope were meanwhile doing great execution. At length, the fore-mast of the Guil- laume Tell, being, likewise, shot away, she struck her colours. In this obstinate conflict, which lasted an hour and a half, the Foudroyant had 8 men killed and 6 1 wounded, among whom was Sir Edward Berry, slightly ; the Lion, 7 killed, and 38 wounded ; and the Penelope, 2 killed, and 2 wounded. The Foudroyant expended l62 barrels of powder, 1200 thirty-two-pound shot, 1240 twenty-pound, 100 eighteen-pound, and 200 twelve-pound ditto. The slaughter on board the Guillaume Tell was very great, more than 200 of her crew being killed and wounded. On her arrival in England her name was changed. to the Malta. After witnessing the complete annihilation or capture of that armament to which he had so successfully given the death-blow off the mouth of the Nile, and the surrender of Malta, his lord? ship set out for England. LORD NELSON. 159 CHJP. F. Lord Nelson arrives in England — His distinguished recep- tion — Address of Chamberlain Clarke, and his Lordship'* answer — Appointed second in command in the expedition to the Baltic — Instructions previous to the attack of the Danish line of defence before Copenhagen — Battle of Copenhagen — Correspondence between his lordship and the Prince of Denmark — Official letters relative to the battle — Account of the Engagement, by a native of Den- mark — Armistice — His Lordship follows the Fleet in an open Boat — Succeeds to the chief Command — Is elevat- ed to the dignity of Viscount — Receives the thanks of both houses of Parliament, for his Conduct at the Battle of Copenhagen — invests Admiral Graves with the Order of the Bath — Resigns the command of the Fleet — Cor- respondence with the Swedish Admiral. -LiEAViNG Palermo in the company of Sir William and Lady Hamilton, the noble admiral on the 6th of November, 1800, landed at Yar- mouth, after an absence of three years from his native land. The moment he stepped on shore, the people assembled in crowds to greet the hero, and taking the horses from his carriage, drew him to the Wrestlers Inn, amidst the loudest ac- l60 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF clamations. The mayor and corporation imme- diately waited on his lordship, and presented him with the freedom of the town, voted him some time before for his eminent services. The in- fantry in the place paraded before the inn, with their regimental band, firing feux de joie of mus- ketry and ordnance till midnight. On leaving the town, the corps of cavalry unexpectedly drew up, and followed the carriage to the boundary of the county. On his way to London, his lordship called at the house of his father, who had left it only a few days before for town, where the noble admiral arrived on the 8th. He ahghted at Ne- rot's hotel, in King-street, St. James's, where he was welcomed with repeated huzzas. The 9th being Lord Mayor's day, his lordship was invited to the civic feast, and joined the ca- valcade in its way to Guildhall. Admiring crowds instantly surrounded th^ carriage of his lordship, and taking out the horses, drew him to Guildhall amidst incessant shouts of applause. All the way as he passed he was greeted by the ladies from the windows with their handkerchiefs, and by the loudest acclamations. A very elegant sword, voted to his lordship by the corporation, after the battle of Aboukir, was presented to him by Mr. Chamberlain Clarke, who thus addressed his lordship on the occasion : — LOUD NELSON. 161 *^ LORD NELSON, " In cheerful obedience to an unanimous reso- lution of the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London' in common-council assembled, I present your lordship with the thanks of the court, for the very important victory obtained by a squadron of his Majesty's ships under your command, over a su- perior French fleet, off the rnouth of the Nile, on the 1st of August, 179S ; a victory, splendid and decisive, unexampled in naval history, and re- flecting the highest honor on the courage and abilities of your lordship and your officers, and the discipline and irresistible bravery of British seamen; and which must be productive of the greatest advantages to this country and to every part of the civilized world by tending to frustrate the designs of our implacable enemy, and by rousing other nations to unite and to resist their unprincipled ambition. " And as a farther testimony of the high es- teem which the court entertains of your lordship's public services, and of the eminent advantages "which you have rendered your country, I have the honor to present to your lordship this sword. ^' The consequences of the action 1 am thus called on to applaud are perhaps unequalled in the history of mankind ! A numerous army which V i6q PROFESSIONAL LiFE OF had triumphed in Europe over brave and veteran troops, commanded by officers of the most esta- blished reputation, landed in Egypt, under the command of him who now sways the Gallic scep- tre, with designs of the most ambitious and ex- tensive nature. One of their objects, as acknow- ledged by themselves was, to annihilate, by de- grees, the English East-India trade, and finally, to get into their possession the whole commerce of Africa and Asia. *' Such were the gigantic views of our implaca- ble foes, and such confidence had they in the fleet which conveyed them, and on the station it took on the coast of the devoted country, that it bade defiance to the whole navy of Britain. But at this momentous period, the Almighty directed your lordship, as his chosen instrument, to check their pride and crush their force, as a maritime power, during the present contest. *' The circumstances attending this grand dis- play of providential interposition and British prowess, must interest the feelings of every En- glishman. Had a space been chosen to exhibit to the world a struggle for superiority in nautical skill and personal valor between the two greatest naval powers of the globe, none could have been more happily selected. The three grand divi- jsions of the ancient world were witnesses, and the shores which had beheld the destruction of the ii LOUD NELSON. l63 Persian navy by the Greeks and the heroic acts of Sesostris, now resounded with the echo of British thunder. To your lordship belongs the praise of having added glory to such a scene. The heroes we applaud would, themselves, have ap- plauded us; and he who, ages since, led his three hundred against an almost countless host, might, on that proud day, have wished himself a Briton ! ** The thanks of your country, my lord, at- tend you; its honors await you; but a higher praise than even these imply is yours. In the moment of your unexampled victory you saved your country — in the next moment you did still more — you exemplified that virtue which the heathen world could not emulate: and in the pious No?i 71 obis do mine, of your modest dispatches, you have enforced a most important truth — that the most independent conqueror felt, in the most intoxicating point of time, the influence and pro- tection of Him, whom our enemies, to their shame and their ruin, had foolishly and impiously defied. " May the same power, my lord, ever protect and reward you ! May it long, very long, spare to the empire so illustrious a teacher, and so po- tent a champion !" To this address Lord Nelson made the foltow- ing short, but impressive reply : — 164 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF ^' SIR, " It is with the greatest pride and satisfaction 1 receive from the honorable court this testimony of their approbation of my conduct ; and with this very sword ^ (holding it up in his left and remaining hand) I hope soon to aid in reducing our implacable and inveterate enemy to proper and due limits — without which this country can neither hope for, nor expect, a solid, honorable; and permanent peace/' Eager to exert himself in the service of his country, his lordship delayed not a moment, after reaching his native shore, to solicit a re-appoint- ment to actual command. His request was im- mediately complied with, and the San Josef, of 1 iO guns, one of the ships he had himself taken off Cape St. Vincent, was appointed to receive his flag. His friend. Captain Hardy, was nomi- nated to command her under his lordship, who, on the 1st of January, 1801, was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral of the Blue. The destination of his lordship was, however, speedily changed. A league that struck at the * This sword of admirable workmanship cost two hun- dred guineas. It was richly ornamented, the handle gold, with blue enamel, studded with diamonds. The crocodile appeared as emblematical of the grand event, and the guard was supported by anchors. LORD NELSON. l65 dearest interests of Great Britain bad been con- certed between the three powers of the north, t Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, v/ho obstinately- resisted the right claimed by this country of searching neutral vessels. The sovereign of the latter had even laid an embargo on all the British ships in his ports, whose crews he treated with unexampled cruelty. The system adopted by the Northern Coalition, as it was denominated, loudly called for the active and spirited interpo- sition of the British government ; and, accord- ingly, a pow^erful armament was fitted out to en- force that reason to which a milder conduct could not prevail upon these powers to listen. Of this armament Lord Nelson was appointed second in command,* under Admiral Sir Hyde Parker. On the 2d of March his lordship sailed from Portsmouth in the St. George, of QS guns, with,, a squadron of men of war, fire-ships, and gun- vessels, for the Downs, where he took on board a great number of fiat-bottomed boats, and seve- ral pieces of heavy battering artillery, and then * It is said, that when his lordship went to receive his last orders previous to sailing, from his old friend and pa- tron, the Earl of St. Vincent, then first lord of the Admi- ralty, he found tliem contained in one short and emphatic sentence, pronounced with the usual energy of that illus- trious character : *' Damn it. Nelson, send them to the d«- vil vour own way !" 2 166 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF proceeded to Yarmouth to join the other ships destined for this expedition. Here two compa- nies of the rifle-corps, under the orders of Coi. Stewart, embarked in the St. George ; besides which, the fleet took on board the 49tli regiment, commanded by Colonel Brock, and a detachment of artillery. On the i2th, at day-break, this armament, consisting of 17 sail of the line, 4 frigates, 10 gun-brigs, nearly as many bomb-ketches, and other small vessels, making, in the whole, nearly 50 sail, got under weigh from Yarmouth Roads, and on the IQth made the Scaw, which was the first general rendezvous of the fleet. Previous to passing the Sound, the British admiral once more had recourse to negociation wath the Danish mo- narch, and during the interval which it occupied, an incident occurred, which, though trivial in it- self, proves the perfect security in which the Danes then thought themselves from any hostile attack. An officer of distinction went on board the admiral with a verbal answer to one of his proposals, and finding some difficulty in express- ing with accuracy the sentiments of his court, he was requested to communicate them in writing. The pen brought for this purpose happening" to be ill-pointed, he held it up, and with a sarcastic smile observed to those around him : " If your LORD NELSON. l67 guns are not better pointed than your pens, you will make little impression on Copenhagen/' At day-break on the 26th the fleet got under weigh, and stood to the westward, for the purpose as it was generally believed at first, of passing the Great Belt. On the 28th the order was given to prepare for battle, which, as usual, was re- ceived with acclamations of joy by the British tars, who were now convinced that the passage of the Sound was decided upon. Nothing but the appointment of a popular leader was now want- ing to maintain and to direct to the accomplish- ment of an enterprize that spirit of enthusiasm which pervaded every bosom; and fortunately for the honor of England, this service was allot- ted to the hero of the Nile, who had so olten led British tars to glory. It had long been a received opinion that the possession of Cronberg castle gave the Danes an uncontrolled command of the passage of the Sound. The Danes trusting too much to the strength of this fortress and relying on the co-ope- ration of the Swedes at Helsingborg, on the oppo- site shore, had neglected by floating batteries to render the approach of the English fleet more difficult. On the morning of the 30th the admi- ral made the signal to weigh and to form the or- der of battle. The nomination of the conqueror of Aboukir to lead the van division was regarded 168 PKOFESSIONAL LIFE 6F as a sure presage of victory, and diffused a spirit of confidence and emulation which the name of Nelson never failed to excite among British sea- men. Sir Hyde Parker, with his division in the rear, formed a corps of reserve. Such was the alacrity displayed in the execution of the admi- ral's orders, that at half-past six, the Monarch, which had been appointed to lead the fleet, was so far advanced that the enemy commenced a heavy fire from the whole range of their posi- tions, which was immediately returned by the leading ships and by some of those of the centre and rear divisions. Nothing contributed so much towards the success of the British fleet on that day, as the silence of the Swedish batteries, from which not a single shot was fired ; and at half- past ten every ship had passed the Sound without the slightest accident, except the bursting of one of the guns of the Isis, by which six or seven of her crew were killed and wounded. The shells thrown from the bomb-vessels killed \60 people on shore at Elsineur. The whole fleet soon came to an anchor off Co- penhagen, and immediately afterwards Sir Hyde Parker, Lord Nelson, Captain Freemantle, Colo- nel Stewart and the Captain of the fleet went in a lugger to reconnoitre the enemy's force. The Danes opened a heavy fire, on them, but they persevered in sounding till they were satisfiedj LORD NELSON. 1^9 and then returned to their respective ships. The enemy had had abundant time to prepare to give their opponents a warm reception. The harbor of Copenhagen was covered by a formidable line of defence,'consisting of six sail of the line, eleven floating batteries, mounting from 26 twenty-four pounders to 1 8 eighteen-pounders, one bomb- ship and schooner gun vessel. These were sup- ported by the Crown islands, mounting 88 pieces of cannon, four sail of the line moored across the mouth of the harbor, and batteries on the island of Amak. On the 3 1 st of March the fleet weighed from the island of Hven, and stood close in. The po-* sition of the enemy was again more minutely examined, and it was resolved to make the attack from tlie southward. Lord Nelson, who had vo- lunteered his services for this purpose, and bad shifted his flag on board the Elephant, of 74* guns,* issued the following orders for the attack : * The ships assigned for this bold eaterprize were the following ; — • Ships Guns Commanders Edgar 74 Capt. George Murray Ardent ..••., 64 .... Thomas Bertie Bellona 74 Sir T. B Thompson Agamemnon ,.64 . ... R. D. Fancourt Glatton 64 William Howell Isis 50 J.Walker E'^p*'-' ''^IcS'.t!"^:!!,''"'''''"'^ Ganges .,,^.-74 J. T. Freemantle X 170 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF ^^ As Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson cannot with precision mark the situation of the different de- scriptions of the enemy's floating batteries, and smaller vessels lying between their two-decked ships and hulks ; the ships which are opposed to the floating batteries, &c. &c. will find their sta- tions, by observing the stations of the ships to be Opposed to the two-decked ships and hulks. LINE OF BATTLE.. {Edgar x Ardent I . , , , / Glatton l^'^ to.^^^^ ^^ sue- Isis i cession. Agamemnon^ " The Edgar to anchor a breast of No. 5 (a sixty-four-gun ship, hulk). The Ardent to pass Ship Guns Commanders Monarch ...... 74 R. Mosse Tip{\ar^re 74 5 ^^ear-Admiral T. Graves •^^^^""^^ ^^l Capt. R. Retalick Russel .... 74 ... . W. Cumraing Polyphemus .. 64 . J. Sawford Desiree 40 .... H. Inman Amazon 38 .... Edward Riou Blanche - 36 ..-.G.E.Hammond Aicmene - 32 . S.Sutton Dart SO J, F. Devonshire Jamaica 26 .... Jonas Rose Arrow 30 .... Cruiser ...... 18 .... James Brisbane Harpy 18 W. Blrchall Zephyr, fire -ship 16 .-.• CI otw. Upton Otter, ditto . . . . 14 .... George JVrKinley LOED NELSON. 171 the Edgar, and anchor abreast of No. G and 7. The Glatton to pass the Ardent, and anchor a- breast of No. C), (a sixty-four gun ship, hulk). The Isis to anchor abreast of No. 2, (a sixty- four gun ship, hulk). The Agamemnon to anchor abreast of No. I . Bellona Elephant Gauges Monarch Defiance Russel Polyphemus To take their sta- tion and anchor as ► is prescribed by tlie following arrange- \ ment. Memorandum, No. 1 begins with the eneniy's first ship to the southward. iVo. Itate, 64 Supposed No. ofg^ins TnoiinU ed on one side, 23 26 Stat'w7i of the line as they are to anchor and engage. ] Isis Agamemnon. Desiree is to follow Agamemnon, and rake No. 2. ■ Low floating bat- *" ) teries, ship rig- ( I ged, ratlser lie i within the line. ' ItishopedtheDesirec's fire will not only rake No. 1, but also rake these two floatingbat- teries. Capt. Pvose is to place the six gun brigs so as to rake them also* x2 172 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF No. Rate. 5 64 6 5 Pontoon 7 I Frigate, hulk 8 ^ Small, no guns 9 I visible. 64 I Ship, gun-boat of 22 guns Pontoons, or I Floating bat. 74 14 5 Pontoons or 1.5 l Floating bat. Guns, Station of the Line, 4'C. 27 Edgar Ardent ! 16 17 18 19 64 64 64 64 30 11 12 9 36 12 12 30 SO 30 30 ^fiS ^ small ship,sup- } I posed a bomb. J J Glatton ( C Bellonato give her at- < tention to support C the Glatton. Elephant •< Ganges Monarch Defiance Russel Polyphemus. 11 The six gun-boats Captain Rose is to place with the Jamaica, to make a raking fire upon No. 3. The gun-boats, it is presumed, may get far enough astern of No. 1 , to take Nos. 3 and 4, and Captain Rose is to advance with the ships and vessels, under his orders, to the northward, as he may perceive the British fire to cease where he is first stationed. " Nos. 1,2, 3, and 4 being subdued, which is expected ^to happen at an early period, the Isis and Agamemnon are to cut their cables, and im- mediately make sail and take their station a-head of the Polyphemus, in order to support that part LORD NELSON. 173 of the line. One flat-boat, manned and armed, is to remain upon the off side of each line of battle ship. The remaining flat-boats, with the boats for boarding, which will be sent by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, under the command of the first lieutenant of the London, are to keep as near to the Elephant as possible, but out of the line of fire, and to be ready to receive the directions of Lord Nelson. " The four launches, w^ith anchors and cables which will be sent by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, under the command of a lieutenant of the Lon- don, to be as near to the Elephant as possible, out of the line of fire, ready to receive orders from Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson. ^' The Alcmene, Blanche, Arrow, Dart, Ze- phyr and Otter fire-ships, are to proceed under the orders of Captain Riou, of the Amazon, to perform such service as he is directed by Lord ' Nelson/' Such were the arrangements made by his lord- ship, and with how much judgment the success amply testified. Had it not been, indeed, for ac- cidents which no human prudence could possibly foresee, and which prevented its complete execu- tion, the result would undoubtedly have been still more decisive. On the 2d^ at ten in the morning, his lordship, with the van-division of the fleet, attacked the enemy's line of defence* 174 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF According to his directions the Edgar led on, fol- lowed by the Ardent, Elephant, Ganges, Mo- narch, Bellona, Defiance, Isis, and Glatton. The Bellona, Russel, and Polyphemus got aground, all the rest anchored as they came up. The re- mainder of the fleet under Sir Hyde Parker, forming a reserve, got under weigh, to keep the Crown Batteries in awe, and to cover such ships as might be disabled, but owing to the unfavor- able wind and the strong current, it could not work up to share in the glory of the day. Aided by the nature of the situation, which not only deprived the British admiral of the services of several of his ships, but exposed them to the galling fire of the batteries, the enemy made a vigorous resistance, and for four hours main- tained one of the most obstinate and bloody en- gagements recorded in the annals of naval war- fare. Besides their other advantages, the enemy possessed that of being able to receive reinforce* ments from the shore, and so prodigious was the slaughter made among them, that some of their ships were said to have been manned twice or three times over during the sanguinary conflict. Nothing but the enthusiastic impetuosity of Bri- tish seamen, conducted by a leader like Lord Kelson, could have vanquished such a resistance. At two o'clock in the afternoon the fire of the Danes slackened, and seventeen of their vessels LORD NELSON. 173 and block-ships were sunk, burnt, or taken. Such a decisive victory nothing but the superior abilities and bravery of his lordship could have achieved ; but, to the laurel of conquest, he now added a wreath far more honourable. The whole Danish line to the south of the Three Crowns' batteries, was either destroyed or in the posses- sion of the victors; but still those batteries con- tinued firing on the British fleet, and particularly annoyed the Bellona and the Isis, which were aground. Desirous of preventing the farther effu- sion of blood, and saving many valuable lives on both sides, the conqueror dispatched a flag of truce to the shore, and a note to the foUowinc: effect : — ^' Lord Nelson has directions to spare Den- mark when no longer resisting; but if the firing is continued en the part of Denmark, Lord Nel- son must be obliged to set fire to all the floating- batteries he has taken, without having the power of saving the brave Danes who have defended them. " Dated on board his Majesty's ship Elephant, Copenhagen Roadsj April 2, 1801. (Signed) " NELSON AND BRONTE, " Vice-Admiral under command of i\dmiriialf-past threein the afternoon, two divisions of the English fleet, under the command of Vice-Admiral Lor4 Nelson, and a rear-admiral, weighed anchor and stood eastward and by south of the middle pas- sage of the road, where they anchored. This force con- sisted of twelve ships of the line an<3 several large frigates, gun-boats, and other smaller vessels, in all thirty-one sail. " On the 2d of April, at three quarters-past nine in the morning, the wind S. E. both the vessels to the south, and those to the north of the Middle Road, weighed anchor, the ships of the line and heavy frigates, under Lord Nel- son, steered for the Konigstiefe, to take their station in t»rder along the line of defence confided to me. The gun- 184 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF ^' Elephant, off Copenhagen, '^ 3d April, 1801e '' Sir, ** In obedience to your directions to report the proceedings of the squadron named in the mar- boats and small vessels took their station nearer to the town, and the division of Admiral Parker, consisting of eight ships i)f the line and some small vessels, steered with a press of «ail southwards, to the right wing of defence. " At half past ten the foremost ships of Admiral Nel- 5on^s division passed the southernmost ships of the line of defence. I gave those ships that were within shot the sig- lial for hattle. The block-shi])S, Provesteen and Vagrien> and immediately after these the Jutland, between which and the block-ship, Dannebrog, the leading English ship (of 74 guns) fixed her station, by throwing out one of her rear-anchors, obeyed the signal by a well-directed and well-supported fire. By degrees the rest of the ships came up, and as they sailed past on both sides of the ships already at anchor, they formed a thick line, which, as it stretched northwards to the ship of the line, the Zealand, engaged not more than two-thirds of the line of defence committed to me ; while the Three Crowns batter^^, and the block-ships. Elephant and Mars, with the frigate HieU peren, did not come at all into the action. *' In half an hour the battle was general. Ten ships of the line, among which was one of 80 guns, the rest chief- ly seventy-fours, and from six to eight frigates, on the one side; on the other, seven block-ships, of -which only X)ne of seventy-four guns, the rest of sixty-four and under two frigates and six small vessels. This was the respective strength of the two parties. The enemy had oa the whole 6 LORD NELSON. 185 gin, (Elephant, Deiiance, Monarch, Bellona, Ed- gar, Russel, Ganges, Glatton, Isis, Agamemnon, two ships to one, and the block-ship, Provesteen, had, be- sides a ship of the line and the rear-admiral, two frigate* against her, by which she was raked the whole time without being able to return a shot. " If I only recapitulate, historically, what your high- ness, and along with you a great portion of the citizens of Denmark and Europe liave seen, I may venture to call that an unequal combat, which was maintained and Sirp> ported for four hours and a half, with unexampled courage and effect, in which the fire of the superior force was so much weakened for an hour before the end of the battle that several English ships, and particularly Lord Nelson's were obliged to fire only single shots ; that this hero him- self, in the middle and very heat of the battle, sent a flag of truce onshore, to propose a cessation 'of hostilities; if I add, that it was announced to me that two English ships of the line had struck, but being supported by the assistance of fresh ships, again hoisted their flags ; I may, in such circumstances, be permitted to say, and, I believe, I may appeal to the enemy's own confession, that in this engage- ment, Denmark's ancient naval reputation blazed forth with such incredible splendour, that, I thank heaven, all Europe are the witnesses of it. *' Yet the scale, if not equal, did not decline far to the disadvantage of Denmark. The ships that were first and most obstinately attacked, even surrounded, by the enemy, the incomparable Provesteen, fought till almost all her guns were dismounted. But these vessels were obliged to give way to superior force, and the Danish fire ceased along the whole line, from north to south. " At half past eleven the Dannebrog, ship of the line^ z 186 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Polyphemus, Ardent, Amazon, Desiree, Blanche, Alcmene; sloops, Dart, Arrow, Cruizer, and Har- which lay alongside Admiral Nelson, was set on fire. I repaired with mj flag on board the Holstein, of the line, belonging to the north wing. But the Dannebrog long kept her flag flying in spite of this disaster. At the end of the battle she had two hundred and seventy men killed and wounded. " At half-past two the Holstein was so shattered, and had so many killed and wounded, and so mar.y guns dis- mounted, that I then carried the pennant to be hoisted instead of my flag, and went on shore to the battery of the Three Crowns from which I commanded the north wing, which was slightly engaged with the division of Ad- miral Parker, till about four o'clock, when I received or- ders from your Royal Highness to put an end to the en- gagement. *' Thus the quarter of the line of defence from the Three Crowns to the frigate Hielperen was in the power of the enemy, and the Hielperen thus finding herself alone, slip- ped her cables, and steered to Sterbfen. The ship Elven after she had received many shots in her hull, and had her masts and rigging shot away, and a great number killed and wounded, retreated within the Crowns. The gun-boats Nyborg and Aggershuus, which last towed the former away, when near sinking, ran ashore ; and the Grenier floatincr-battery, which had suffered much, together with the block-ship, Dannebrog, shortly after the battle blew up. ** Besides the visible loss the enemy have suffered, I am convinced their loss in killed and wounded is considerable The advantage the enemy have gained by their victory too ' consists merely in ships which are not fit for use, in spiked tannon, and in gunpowder damaged by sea- water. LORD NELSON. 187 py ; fire-ships, Zephyr and Otter; bombs, Discove- ry, Sulphur, Hecla, Explosion, Zebra, Terror, and Volcano,) which you did me the honour to place under my command, I beg leave to inform you^ that having, by the assistance of that able officer Captain Riou, and the unremitting exertions of Captain Brisbane, and the masters of the Ama- zon and Cruiser in particular, buoyed the Chan- nel of the Outer Deep, and the position of the Middle Ground, the squadron passed in safety,. and anchored off Draco the evening of the first; and that yesterday morning 1 made the signal for the squadron to weigh and to engage the Danish line, consisting of six sail of the line, eleven float- ing batteries, mounting from 26 twenty-four- pounders to ] 8 eighteen-pounders, and one bomb- ship, besides schooner gun-vessels. These were " The number of killed and wounded cannot yet be ex- actly ascertained ; but I calculate it from 16 to 1800 men. Among the former it is with grief that I mention the cap- tains of the block-ship Infodsretten, and the frigate Cron- berg, Captain Tliura, and first lieutenant Hauch, with several other brave officers ; among the wounded, the com- mander of the Dannebrog, who, besides other wounds, has loiit his right hand. " I want expressions to do justice to the unexampled courage of the officers and crews. The battle itself caa alone enable you to form an idea of it, (Signed) Olfert Fischer. z 2 .188 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF supported by the Crown Islands, mounting eighty eight cannon, and four sail of the line moored in the harbour's mouth, and some batteries on the island of Amak. The bomb-vessels and schooner made their escape, the other seventeen sail are sunk, burnt, or taken, being the whole of the Danish line to the southward of the Crown Islands, after a battle of four hours. *' From the very intricate navigation, the Bel- lona and Russel unfortunately grounded, but although not in the situation assigned them, yet so placed as to be of great service. The Aga- memnon could not weather the shoal of the Mid- dle, and was obliged to anchor ; but not the smallest blame can be attached to Captain Fan- court ; it was an event to which all the ships ware liable. These accidents prevented the ex- tension of our line by the three ships before-men- tioned, who would, I am confident, have silenced the Crown Islands, the two other ships in the harbour's mouth, and prevented the heavy loss in the Defiance and Monarchy and which, unhap- pily, threw the gallant and good Captain Riou, (to whom I had given the command of the fri- gates and sloops named in tha margin,* to assist in the attack of the ships at the harbour's mouth) under a very heavy fire ; the consequence has ^ * Blanche, Alcmene, Dart, Arrow, Zephyr, and O ter. LORD NELSON. 189 been the death of Captain Riou,* and many brave officers and men in the frigates and sloops. The bombs were directed and took their stations abreast of the Elephant, and threw some shells into the arsenal. Captain Rose, who volunteered his services to direct the gun-brigs, did every thing that was possible to get them forward, but the current was too strong for them to be of ser- vice during the action ; but not the less merit is due to Captain Rose, and I believe all the offi- cers and crews of the gun-brigs, for their exer- tions. The boats of those ships of the fleet which were not ordered on the attack, afforded us every assistance, and the officers and men wlio were in * The name of Captain Edward Riou is well known, on account of his wonderful preservation when commander of the Guardian, which struck on an island of ice, on her passage to Botany Bay, in the year 1789. He was ap- pointed post-captain in 1794, and was ordered to the West Lidies in the Beaulieu, of 40 guns. Ill health, ha\^ing the following year, compelled him to return to Europe, he re- ceived an appointment to the Princess Augusta yacht, and afterwards, in July, 1799, to the Amazon of 58 guns, in ■^hicli he fell. He was killed by a chain shot from the Crown battery, when in the act of cheering his men, eight of whom had the moment before been killed by a single shot. There were no fewer than eighty pieces of cannon playing at one time on the Amazon from that batter}^ In gratitude for a life spent and sacrificed in the service of his country, parliament decreed that a monument should be erected to his memory in the cathedral of St. Paul. 190 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF them merit my warmest approbation. The De- siree took her station in raking the southernmost Danish ship of the line, and performed the greatest service. <' The action began at five minutes past ten. The van, led by Captain George Murray, of the Edgar, "^ was as well followed up by every cap- tain, officer, and man in the squadron. It is my duty to state to you the high and distinguished merit and gallantry of Rear- Admiral Graves. To Captain Foley, who permitted me the honor of hoisting my flag in the Elephant, 1 feel under the greatest obhgations ; his advice was necessary on many important occasions during the battle.f I * Captain George Murray, who commanded the Edgar, was captain of the Colossus of 74 guns in Earl St. Vincent's, engagement with the Spanish fleet ou the 14th of February, 1797. On his return, in the same ship, with a convoy from Lisbon in December, 1791, the Colossus was drivea upon the rocks near the island of Scilly, and totally lost. In the summer of 1800 he surveyed the entrance to the Baltic with a degree of accuracy which had never before been attempted, and on this occasion he had offered his services to lead the British fleet through the Great Belt, if the admiral thought proper to attempt a passage that way. t In the operations against Corsica, Captain Foley com- manded the St. George, of 98 guns, the flag-ship of Rear- Admiral Gell. In Lord St. Vincent's victory he likewise bore a distinguished part, as he commanded the Britannia of 100 guns, which ship bore the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Thompson. His conduct in the battle of the Nil* : has already been recorded. LORD NELSON. 191 beg leave to express how much I feel indebted to every captain, officer, and man, for their zeal and distinguished bravery on this occasion. The ho- norable Colonel Stewart did me the favor to be on board the Elephant, and himself, with every other officer and soldier under his orders, shared, with pleasure, the toils and the dangers of the day. The loss in such a battle has necessarily been very heavy. Amongst many other brave officers and men who were killed, I have, with sorrow, to place the name of Captain Mosse*, of the Monarch, who has left a wife and six chil- dren to lament his loss ; and among the wounded that of Captain Sir Thomas B. Thompson,f of the Bellona. I havethe honor to be, &c. " NELSON AND BRONTE." * Captain Mosse was an excellent officer. He com- manded the Sandwich, at the Nore, at the time when the alarming mutiny broke out in that ship, in the year 1797. — A handsome monument was voted by parliament, to bo erected to his memory in St. Paul's cathedral, and a pension was granted by the government to his widow. Du- ring the action in which he fell, his ship, the Monarch, having by some means got foul of the rigging of the Ganges, one of the seamen, who had been employed in clearing them, finding himself on board the Ganges, jumped over- board, and swam towards the Monarch, swearing he would never desert his ship. A boat immediately put off and saved the poor fellow's life. + Sir Thomas Boulden Thompson, whose conduct at the attack on Santa Cruz, in the island of Teneriffe^ ia 19^ PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF List of the Killed and Wounded in the Attack on the Danish Line of Defence, Batteries, fefc. on the ^d of April. Edgar — 24 seamen, 2 marines, 3 soldiers of the 49th regiment killed ; 79 seamen, 17 marines, 8 soldiers of the 49th regiment wounded. Total 133. MjOnarch — 35 seamen, 12 marines, 8 soldiers of the 49th regiment killed ; 101 seamen, 34 marines, 20 soldiers of the 49th regiment wounded. Total 210. Bellona — 9 seamen, 2 marines killed 3 48 seamen, 10 marines, 5 soldiers wounded. Total 74. Defiance — 17 seamen, 3 marines, 2 soldiers, killed; S5 seamen, 5 miirines, 7 soldiers wounded. Total 69, Isis — 22 seamen, 4 marines, 2 soldiers of the rifle corps killed; 69 seamen, 13 marines, 2 soldiers of the rifle corps wounded. Total 112 Amazon — 10 seamen, 1 marine killed; 7 seamen, 2 marines wounded. Total 32. Glatton — 17 killed, 34 wounded. Total 51. Desiree — 3 wounded. Blanche — 6 seamen, one marine killed; 7 seamen, 2 marines wounded. Total 16. Polyphemus — 4 seamen, 1 marine killed; 20 seamen, 4 marines wounded. Total 29. the battle of the Nile, and in the defence of his ship Ihe Leander against the Genereux, has already been recorded, received the honour of knighthood soon after his arrival in England, in 1798. His services were likewise rewarded with a pension of 300/. per annum, which, after the loss of his leg in the battle of Copenhagen, was raised to 500^ He likewise enjoys the command of the Mar}^, yacht, stationed at Deptford. Since his retirement from the active duties of his profession, this gallant oflicer has resided on a farm of considerable extent nearBush^'^ Park, engaged in the humble toils of agricultural pursuits. LORD NELSON. 193 Elephant — 4 seamen, 3 marines, 1 soldier of the rifle corps, killed ; 8 seamen, 1 marine, 2 soldiers of the rifle corps wounded. Total 19. Alcmene — 5 seamen killed; 12 seamen, 2 marines, wounded — Total 19. Dart — 2 killed, 1 wounded. Total S. Ganges — 5 killed ; 1 missing. Total 6. RussEL — 5 seamen, 1 marine wounded. Total 6. Ardent — ^9 seamen and marines killed; 64 seamen and marines wounded. Total 93. Officers killed, Edgar — Edmund Johnson, first lieutenant; Lieut. Ben- jamin Spencer, marines. Defiance — George Gray, lieutenant; Matthew Cobb pilot. Elephant — Capt. James Bawden of the Cornish mi- ners, volunteer in the rifle corps; Mr. Henry Yaulden master's mate. Polyphemus — Mr. Daniel Lamond, master; Mr. Henry Long, lieutenant of the marines ; Mr. George JM'Kinlaj IMr. Thomas Ham, midshipmen; Mr. Grant, lieutenant of the rifle corps. Ganges — Mr. Robert Stewart, master Dart — Mr. Edwin Sandys, lieutenant. Glatton — Mr. Alexander Nicholson, pilot. Monarch — Captain Robert Mosse. Amazon — Captain Edward Riou; Hon. George Tucket, midshipman : Mr. Jos. Rose, captain's clerk. Ardent — Mr. George Hoare, midshipman. Officers wounded. Tdgar — Joshua Johnson, second lieutenant; William Goldfinch, fifth lieutenant; Mr. Gahagan, Mr. Whimper, Mr. Ridge, Mr. Prootor, Mr. Domett, midshipmen, slightly. 2 A 194 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Defiance — Mr. Paterson, boatswain ; Mr. Gallaway, midshipman • Mr. Niblet, captain's clerk, Mr. Stephenson pilot. Elephant — Mr. Robert GilL midshipman of the St. George; Mr. Hugh Mitchell^ midshipman. Alcmene — Mr. Henry Baker, acting third lieutenant; Mr. Charles Meredith, lieutenant of the marines; Mr. Charles Church, boatswain; Mr. G. A. Spearing, master's mate ; Mr. Pratt, pilot. Polyphemus — Mr. Edward Burr, boatswain. Desiree — Mr. King, lieutenant, slightl}^ Isis — Mr. Richard Cormack, lieutenant; Mr. Reuben Pain, Mr. Simon Frazer, Mr. Charles Jones, midshipmen. Ganges — Mr. Isaac Davis, pilot, badly. Glatton — Mr. Tindal, lieutenant; Mr. Robert Thomp- son, master's mate ; Mr. John Williams, midshipman. Monarch — Mr. William Minchin, lieutenant; Mr. James Marrie, lieutenant of marines; Mr. James Dennis, lieutenant of the 49th regiment; Mr. Henry Swim.mer, Mr. W. J. Bowes, Mr. Thomas Harlowe, Mr. George Mor- gan, Mr. Philip Le Vesconte, midshipmen ; Mr. W^illiam Joy, boatswain. Bellona — Sir T. B. Thompson, captain, lost his leg ; Mr. Thomas Southej^, lieutenant; Mr. Thomas Wilks lieutenant, slightly ; Capt. Alexander Sharp, of the 49th regiment, badly ; Mr. James Eraraerton, master'^ mate, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Edward Daubeny, Mr. William Sitford, Mr. Fig, midshipmen. Amazon — Mr. James Harry, Mr. Philip Horn, master's mates. The folIowiDg list of the naval force composing the Danish line of defence, with remarks, extract- ed from a pamphlet published in the English lan- guage at Copenhagen soon after the action. / LORD NELSON, 195 S s^ t- -Z a c;-^ 7' = •:? -^ ::= /;: o $i ^ ti ^ ^ S g '^ S o -Q "5 '^ t: IS ^ .':: ^ ^^ fee's rt iJ o -^== = r5=-rr. -^ 's ';5 ? '"^ ,^ "^ --T ±" ^ c« s: 7i 73 •s ^ H q q ;^ ^^ H H H o ''.Ti 'H tH "^ 13 ■"— - 5^ ^ P C *o — 'sO Ci 'o t- 'o io o 00 i^ CQ rr:) , ^ 1-^ ,_, -rt r-l CO "-i rH ) o .^ t-l r= .:i ce o u^ Q 00 o ii rt ^ C3 Q 05 fcJD , tJD O tX) C ~ t; cs o >■ a, ^ c^ 'z ^ t- rH --« j2 <-< <1^ ^-J5^S q KO > 5^ -:4 o ^ 196 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF The Force remaining in the Road to defend the Harbour mi" the Orders of Chamberlain Stein Bilk. Elephanten, block -ship. Captain Von Thura, No. 19, *70 Guns. Mars, biock-sliip. Captain Gyldeufeldt, No. 20, 64 guns. Dannemark, ship of the line, Chamberlain Stein Bille, No. 21, 74 guns. Trekroner, ship of the line. Captain Riegelster;, No. 22, */4 guns. Iris, frigate. Captain W. Braun, No. 23, 40 guns. Sarpen, and Nidelben, brigs, of 18 guns each. Twelve chebecks, each of two 24-pounders. — Two ditto, 12-pounders. — The great Trekroner battery of thirty 24, pounders. — Ditto^ thirty-eight 36-pounders. — Ditto, one 96-pound carronades. Provided with three furnaces to heat balls. Such was the result of a day in which the prudence and humanity of Lord Nelson shone with a brilliancy not inferior to his courage and intrepidity. He is said to have himself acknow- ledged to Colonel Lindholm, that notwithstanding the many obstinate conflicts in which he had been engaged, he had seen nothing that equalled the resistance of the Danes, and was confident the French would not have withstood for one hour the fire to which his countrymen had ex- posed themselves, without flinching, for four. The following circumstantial account of this splendid victory, by a native of Denmark, who was a spectator of the engagement from the shore> is too interestino; not to be introduced in this 7^ ^ A/ ■:< iL 'X X / v,/ ;/ i' LOPwD NELSON. 197 place. It commences with the passage of the Sound. '^ On the morning of March the 30th, about seven o'clock, the thundering peals of Cronberg, put an end to suspense. Very shortly after we could discern the fleet, which approached rapidly. The tremendous cannonading from the fojt gave us an idea of what it might effect, if it could r.each its object. His Majesty of Sweden, (who observed the passage of the fleet from Helsing- borg) appeared sensible of this; and, after the cannonading had ceased, dispatched an officer to compliment the governor of Cronberg. " As ihe gale was blowing fresh, the British soon advanced within seven or eight miles of the city, where they came to an anchor. A frigate, a lugger, and a brig, got rather nearer; but the bat- tery of the Three Crowns, and the fire from the block-ships, compelled them to retire. The mag- nificence of this spectacle naturally left various impressions on our minds ; but whether favorable or unfavorable, they were soon forgotten in the enthusiasm and unanimity which prevailed among all classes. The question was not, TFIio is the Enemy ? but. Where is the Enemy ? It was a moment of impending danger: the duty w^e owed our country, therefore, inspired us with only one sentiment. The noble spirit displayed by the students at the siege in 1 658-60^ was equally con- 198 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF spicuous in their successors; who, with one hand and one heart, associated themselves into a corps of twelve hundred; while those sons of the Muses whom age and infirmity prevented from rallying round the standard of patriotism, did all in their power to encourage and confirm so laudable an effort. Chamberlain Lindenkrone sent a thousand dollars to the aid of those students whose private means were unequal to the expence of their pub- lic duties. " The first and second days passed quietly over; but on the morning of April the 1st, we could perceive an unusual bustle among the Eng- lish shipping. Some frigates and lighter vessels got under weigh, and were employed in sounding. Towards evening, twelve sail of the line, all the frigates, and most of the smaller vessels, weighed, and with a northern breeze, passed through the Hollander Deep. Admiral Parker, with eight sail of the line and two small vessels, preserved his station, while Admiral Nelson anchored, with his division, beyond the fire of our outermost ships. " Conjecture was now at an end. A change of wind to the southward would enable Lord Nel- son to bear down with his division ; and we an- xiously awaited the awful moment. Our ships were moored with four anchors, and manned, in- discriminately, by people of all descriptions, has- LORD ISELSON. 199 tily collected for the present emergency : they had been constantly on the alert during the two former nights, a third was now added to their fa- tigue ; and when it is considered, that these peo- ple were unacquainted with the exercise of great guns ; that they were all day employed in prac- tising, and all night in watching, the compliment paid them by Mr. Bardenfleth, first lieutenant on board the Charlotte Amelia, in his professional account of the battle, will not be deemed super- fluous. He says, * The spirit which animated all hands on board, and not their real strength, enabled them to perform what they did.' " The morning of April 2d dawned, and the ■ wind blowing southerly, our commodore made a signal for the whole line to lay their broadside to the enemy. Between nine and ten both divisions of the British weighed, and our^commodore hoist- ed the flag of defiance from the Danbrog. Ad- miral Parker, with the zeal that is characteristic of a British seaman, beat up against wind and current, towards the battery of the Three Crowns, proposing to awe our ships in the inner roads, while the hero of the Nile bore right down upon our line, " The Edgar led the British van, advancing in a most gallant style against the Proevesteen, 58 guns, which opened her fire on the former five 20O PHOFESSIONAL LIFE OF minutes after ten. The Vagrien, 50 guns, then poured in a broadside just as the Edgar was upon the tack to take her station ; a second broadside was discharged froni the Proevesteen, when the whole of the British line gained rapidly on ours : in a few minutes two-third parts of our ships were in action. As our line was not broken, only one half of the force on either side was consequently engaged. '' Our foremost ship, the Proevesteen, was ex- posed, during the whole of the action, to the fire of the Polyphemus, of 64 guns, the Pvussel, and the Eellona, which two latter ships ran aground at the commencement of the battle; but this misfortune (as Lord Nelson observed) did not impede their service. The Proevesteen was, at the same time, raked by La Desiree, of 40 guns, and a gun-brig. Great as was the dislinctiou, w^iich Commodore Fischer, in his report, confer- red on the Proevesteen and her gallant Captain Lassen, ' notwithstanding my high sense of Da- nish bravery, it was heightened by the conduct of the Proevesteen, which continued to fight till all her guns were dismounted,' the compliment of Lord Nelson is, in my opinion, greater. — (' Nos. i, 2, 3, and 4, being ^uhdwe(\^ -which is expected to happen at an early period, the Isis and Againem.non are to cut their cables, and imme- LORD NELSON. 201 diately make sail and take their station ahead of the Polyphemus, in order to support that part of the line/) " Captain Rusbrigh stood, on this occasion, as undaunted on the quarter-deck of the Vagrien, as when a lieutenant, on board the Formidable, under the gallant Rodney, on the 12th of April, 17S2. — For England he assisted to acquire glory and success ; for Denmark he obtained only the former, ** Soon after eleven o'clock, the Danbrog, G-i guns, Captain Braun, took fire, which compelled Commodore Fischer to shift his broad pendant to the Holstein ; but Braun continued to fight her till he lost his right hand. Captain Lemning suc- ceeded in the command ; and although the flames blazed around them, threatening immediate de- struction, the Danbrog maintained her fire, till the close of the engagement, against her powerful adversary, the Glatton, which mounted 6S-pound carronades on her lower deck. " When Commodore Fischer, famed for the coolness and perspicuity of his judgment m the hour of trial, left the Danbrog, the battle raged with the utmost fury. The British, finding that our foremost ships were far from slackening their fire, now extended their line, and at noon ail our ships, as well as the battery, were strenuously en- gaged in the awful contest. 2 b S02 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF *' Captain Thura, of the Infoedsretten, 64 guns, fell at the beginning of the action; and all the subaltern officers were either killed or wounded, except a lieutenant and a marine officer. In this state of confusion, the colors were, by accident, struck. The British, however, made no attempt to board the Infoedsretten, she being rather dan- gerously moored athwart our battery. A boat was dis])atched from the ship to carry the tidings of her commander's death to the Prince Royal, who had, from the dawn of day, taken his station upon a battery. Here, amid showers of shells and cannon-balls, Frederic the wise, the good? and the brave, superintended calmly and actively, for the assistance of the ships engaged. By shew- ing how a prince ought to meet danger, he taught ethers to despise it. " When the prince received the message from -the Infoedsretten, he turned round, and with an air that gave confidence to all about him, said : * Gentlemen, Thura is killed ; who of you will take the command?' — ' I will/ replied M. Schroedersee, in a feeble voice, and hastened eagerly on board. This gentleman had been a captain in the navy; but on account of ill health bad lately resigned. The hour of necessity seem- ed to invigorate bis wasted form, and in hopes to »erve his country, he forgot his want of strength. *' The crew, .seeing a new commander coming XOKD NELSON. 203 'Silong-side, hoisted their colors, and fired a broad- side. When he came on deck, he found great numbers killed and wounded, and therefore in- stantly called to those that had rowed him, to get quickly on board. It was his last effort, a ball struck him, and Schroedersee was no more ! Mr. Nissen, a lieutenant in the navy, who attend- ed this gallant tar to bis noble fate, next took the command, and continued to fight the ship for tha remainder of the day. " The engagement had now. lasted upwards of three hours without a glimpse of victory on either side. A determined perseverance appeared to in^ flame both parties. Our line stedfastly preserved its original position, and every ship maintained her station except the Rendsborg praam, which drove ashore, her cables having been shot away at the commencement of the attack; and the Hven, a repeating sloop of war, which had sheer-* ed off a little after twelve, her masts being very materially damaged. When the British fleet flrst bore down upon us, the eleven gun-boats retired, " About two o'clock the fire from the respec- tive fleets abated considerably, and our ships ap- peared very much disabled. The damage sus* tained by the British vv^as apparently trivial, from our ships having constantly directed their fire at the enemy's hull. This was undoubtedly the slowest method of disabling an adversary ; yet it 2 5 2 204 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF was the surest, and certainly is, at all events, preferable to chance. Considering the exposed situation of our men on board, it was a matter of real surprise, that so few comparatively, suffered from the immense quantity of shot which had been poured upon them. Had every ball that struck our masts, wounded our hulls, there would, in all probtibility, have been no prisoners of war. ** At two o'clock, the Nyborg praam, having ber main and mizen-masts, bowsprit, and fore- top-mast, shot away, and the captain, perceiving her almost ready to sink, ordered the cables to be cut, and the fore-sail to be set, that they might steer for the inner road. As he passed the line, he descried the Aggershuus, a vessel of the same description as his own, in the most miserable plight, her masts having all gone by the board, and the hull on the eve of sinking. Captain Rothe shewed himself a true seaman, who not only meets his own danger, but also cheerfully shares in that of others. Having made fast a cable from his stern to the stern of the Aggershuus, ha towed her off, and thus obtained as glorious a triumph as if he had come in with an enemy's ship. " Soon after two o'clock. Commodore Fischer removed his broad pendant from the Holstein to the battery of the Three Crowns, whence he com- manded during the latter part of the engageiueat. LORD NELSON. 205 At this moment, Lieutenant Lillienskiold find- ing his ship, the Hielperen, surrounded by a su- perior force, cut his cables and brought her safe into the inner roads. Mr. LiUienskiold was no stranger to the business of the day ; he had, in the year 1799? fought in the West Indies with a privateer ; and both contended so obstinately that they were obliged to separate for want of powder. ^' Last, though not least, is Mr. Viilemoes, a second lieutenant, who commanded the floating battery, No. L Much has been said about his skill in manoeuvring his raft, which consisted merely of a number of beams nailed together : on them a flooring was laid to support the guns. It was square with a breast-work, full of port-holes and without masts. I shall not take upon myself to argue how far it were possible to manage such a log ; but merely say, the manner in which Ville^ moes manoeuvred his guns, and ultimately saved his raft, attracted the notice of Lord Nelson, whose ship lay for some time opposite the floats ing battery. That admiral, is said, in the hand- somest manner to have noticed to the PrincQ Royal how much the country, on future occa- sions, might fairly expect from the abilities of young Viilemoes. This trait of his lordship, I consider as a never-fading flower, in the wrq^th t05 PROFESSIONAL LIFE O^ which military talents and success have twined around his brow."^ ^ jp.Oftir " At half past two, our lire had nearly: sub- sided ; but the Jutland, the last ship that re- turned the enemy's shot, was still engaged, as was the Proevesteen. However the Three Crowns had just opened its batteries with a dreadful effect, when the white flag was unfurled from Lord Nel- son's main-top. An English boat, with a flag of truce, came alongside the Elephanten, the captain of which sent an oflicer in his boat to accompany it on shore. The battery, in the mean time, kept up a heavy cannonade, as did the Elephanten. As the wind had been south south-west, south and south-east, the whole day, Admiral Parker's division advanced but very little; insomuch that * *' Lord Nelson," says Mr. Carr, '^ spoke in raptures of the bravery of the Danes, and particularly requested the prince to introduce him to a very young officer, whom he described as having performed wonders during the battle, by attacking his own ship immediately under her lower guns. It happened to be the gallant young Villemoes, a stripling of seventeen : the British hero embraced him with the enthusiasm of a brother, and delicately intimated to the prince, that he ought to make him an admiral, to which the prince very happily replied : " If, my lord, I were to make all my brave officers admirals, I should have no captaifi$ or Jieutenauts in my service/' LORD NELSON. 207 k broadside from the Ramilies, a 74, (his fore- most ship) fell very short of the battery. " The flag of truce having delivered a dispatch to the Prince Royal, returned ; and soon after- wards orders were sent to the commander of the battery to cease firing; their guns had, in the meantime, been pointed with the utmost effect on the Monarch and the Ganges, which ships were aukwardly situated on the shoal of the battery. Two flags were then dispatched from shore to ad- mirals Parker and Nelson ; while the British took possession of eleven of our ships. " In the course of the afternoon Admiral Nel- son came in his barge into the inner roads, and went on board the Denmark, where he partook of some refreshment, and then proceeded ashore. On his landing he was received by the people neither with acclamations, nor with murmurs ; they did not degrade themselves with the former nor disgrace themselves with the latter. The ad- miral was received, as one brave enemy ever ought to receive another — he was received with respect. A carriage was provided for his lord- ship, which he, however, dechned, and walked amidst an immense crowd of persons, anxious to catch a glimpse of the British hero, to the palace of the Prince Royal.* After dinner, the admiral * Mr. Carr, in his Northern Summer, gives an account pf his lordship's reception^ which differs a little from tli» 208 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OT was introduced to the Prince, and the negociation commenced. The next day his lordship came again on shore and dined with the Prince Royal, as he did frequently, till the ninth of April, when the armistice w^as finally concluded. " In one of his visits to Copenhagen, Lord Nelson inspected our Naval Academy, to which he, in a manner highly honorable to himself and to us, presented some gold medals of value to be distributed among the most skilful of the mid- shipmen.'* above statement. " Upon his arrival at the quay," says that traveller, " he found a carriage which had been sent for him by Mr. D., a merchant of high respectability^, the confusion being too great to enable the prince to send one of the royal carriages. The gallant admiral proceeded to the palace in the Octagon, through crowds of people whose fury was rising to phrenzy, and amongst whom his person was in more imminent danger than even from the cannon of the block-ships ; but nothing could shake the soul of such a man. Arrived at the palace in the Octagon, he calmly descended from the carriage, amidst the murmurs and groans of the enraged concourse, which not even the pre- sence of the Danish officers, who accompanied him, could restrain. The crown prince received him in the hall, and conducted him up stairs, and presented him to the king. The objects of this impressive interview were soon adjusted to the perfect satisfaction of Lord Nelson and his applaud- ing country ; that done, he assumed the gaiety and good humour of a visitor^ and partook of some refreshments with the crown prince," I LORD NELSON. £09 The negociation commenced by bis lordship immediately after the battle of Copenhagen, ter- minated, as has been observed in the preceding extract, in an armistice concluded on the ninth of April. The terms of this armistice, in which Lord Nelson was the principal agent on the part of his Britannic Majesty, were as follow : — " The Danish government on the one hand, end Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Knight, com- mander-in-chief of his Britannic Majesty's naval forces in the road of Copenhagen on the other, being from motives of humanity, equally anxious to put a stop to the farther effusion of blood, and to save the city of Copenhagen, from the disas- trous consequences which may attend a farther prosecution of hostilities against that cUy, have mutually agreed upon a military armistice or suspension of arms. *' His Danish Majesty having, for that purpose, appointed Major-general Ernest Frederic Wal- terstorf, Camberlain to his Danish Majesty, and colonel of a regiment and x^djutant-general Hans Lindholm, captain in his Danish Majesty's navy, his commissioners for agreeing about the terras of the said armistice, and Admiral Sir Hyde Par- ker, Knight, having with the same view duly au- thorized the Right Honorable Lord Nelson of the Kile, Knight of the most honorable Order of the Bath, Duke of Bronte in Sicily, Knight of the 2 c £10 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Grand Cross of the Orders of St. Ferdinand and of Merit, and of the Imperial Order of the Cres- cent, Vice-admiral in the fleet of his Britannic Majesty, and the Honorable William Stewart, Lieutenant-colonel in his Britannic Majesty's ser- vice, and Member of Parliament, and command- ing a detachment of his Britannic Majesty's forces, embarked : these said commissioners have met this day, and having exchanged their respective powers have agreed upon the following terms : — *' Art. 1. From the moment of the signature of this armistice, all hostilities shall immediately cease between the fleet, under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, and the city of Co- penhagen, and all the armed ships and vessels of his Danish Majesty, in the road or harbor of that city, as likewise between the different islands and provinces of Denmark, Jutland included. " Art.H. The armed ships and vessels belong- ing to his Danish Majesty shall remain in their present actual situation as to armament, equip- ment, and hostile position ; and the treaty com- monly understood as the treaty of armed neutra- lity, shall as far as relates to the co-operation of Denmark, be suspended, while the armistice re- mains in force. *' On the other side, the armed ships and vessels under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Par- ker, shall, in no manner whatsoever, molest the LORD NELSON. 211 city of Copenhagen, or his Danish Majesty's arm- ed ships and vessels on the coasts of the different islands and provinces of Denmark, Jutland in- cluded ; and in order to avoid every thing which might otherwise create uneasiness or jealousy, Sir Hyde Parker, shall not suffer any of the ships or vessels under his command to approach within gun-shot of the armed ships or forts of his Danish Majesty in the road of Copenhagen : this restric- tion shall not, however, extend to vessels neces- sarily passing, or re-passing through the Caspar or King^s Channel. Art. III. This armistice is to protect the city of Copenhagen, as also the coasts of Denmark, of Jutland, and the islands included, against the attack of any other naval forct which his Britan- nic Majesty may now, or hereafter, during its remaining in force, have in these seas. " Art. IV. The fleet of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker shall be permitted to provide itself at Co- penhagen, and along the coasts of the different islands and provinces of Denmark, and Jutland included, with every thing which it may require for the health and comfort of the crews. *' Art. V. Adm. Sir Hyde Parker shall send on shore all such subjects of his Danish Majesty as are now on board the British fleet under his command, the Danish government engaging to give an acknowledgment for them, as also for ^1 2 c 2 Cil2 PROFESSIONAL LIFE Of 8iich wounded as were permitted to be lauded after the action of the 2d iust. in order that they may be accounted for in favor of Great Britain in the unfortunate event of the renewal of hosti- lities. " Art. VI. The coasting-trade carried on hy Denmark, along all such parts of her coast as are included in the operation of this armistice, shall be unmolested by any British ships or ves- sels whatever, and instructions given accordingly by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker.^ " Art. VII. This armistice is to continue unin- terrupted by the contracting parties for the space of fourteen weeks from the signature hereof, at the expiration of which time it shall be in the power of either of the said parties to declare a cessation of the same, and to recommence hosti- lities upon giving fourteen days previous notice. *' The conditions of this armistice are, upon all occasions, to be explained in the most liberal and loyal manner, so as to remove all grounds for farther disputes, and facilitate the means of brincring about the restoration of harmony and good understanding between the two kingdoms, *' In faith, whereof we, the undersigned com- missioners, in virtue of our full powers, have signed the present armistice, and have affixed to it the seal of our arms. *' Done on board his Britannic Majesty's ship I LOKB NELSON. €13 London, in Copenhagen-Roads, April the 9thy 1801. {(L. S.) NELSON AND BBONTE. (L. S.) WM. STEWART. (L.S.) ERN.FRED. WALTERSTORF. (L. S.) HANS LINDHOLM. ** In pursuance of my abovementioned autho- rity I ratify this document with my hand, (L.S.) FREDERIC. Ratified by me (L. S.) HYDE PARKER, Admiral and Commander in Chief of hir Britannic Majesty's Fleet." The valor and the prudence of his lordship having thus eminently contributed to oblige one of the members of the Northern Confederacy to renounce the system which those powers had adopted, Admiral Sir Hyde Parker proceeded to accomplish the rest of his instructions, leaving Lord Nelson in the St. George, to follow, with the disabled ships, as soon as their damages could be repaired. The captured vessels were so terribly cut up, that it was found necessary to destroy them all excepting the Holstein, of 64 guns, which was fitted up as an hospital ship for the reception of the sick and wounded. The British fleet now proceeded into the Bal- tic ; their passage through the narrow channel between the island of Amak and Saltholm, called the Grounds, was attended with considerable 3 214 PEOFESSIONAL LIFE OF difficulty. Most of the ships touched, and two or three ran aground ; but, at length, all of them got through in safety, to the astonishment of Danes, Swedes, Russians, and Prussians, who could scarcely believe the evidence of their sen- ses, in beholding such a fleet as was never before seen in those seas, succeed in entering the Baltic by such a route. After the success at Copenhagen, the next im- mediate object of attack was the Russian fleet at Revel. Hearing, however, that a Swedish squad- ron was at sea, with the intention of forming a junction with the Russian fleet. Sir Hyde Parker shaped his course toward the northern extremity of the island of Bornholm, where he was led to expect a meeting with the Swedish squadron. I'he Swedish ships were actually there, but on the approach of the British fleet they crowded all the sail they could carry, and saved them- selves behind the forts, which are situated on small islands that command all the entrances into Carlscrona. On the 18th of April the St. George got her guns on board an American ship, for the purpose of passing over the Grounds, and following Sir Hyde Parker : but the wind proving foul pre- vented her from moving. At six, the same even- ing, Lord Nelson received advice, by letter from the commander-in-chief, that the Swedish squa- LORD NELSON. 215 dron had been seen by the look-oat frigates. The moment he had read this account he ordered a boat to be manned, and jumping into her, he ordered her to put off after the fleet with all pos- sible expedition. Such was his eagerness to join the squadron, that he set out without even wait- ing for a boat-cloak, notwithstanding the incle- mency of the weather, and though he had to row twenty-four miles against the wind and current. His anxiety in the boat, for nearly six hours, lest the fleet should have sailed before he got on board, and lest it should not catch the Swedish squadron, can only be conceived by those who have enjoyed opportunities of personally observ- ing the unbounded zeal of this truly great man. The cold was excessive, and the master of the Bellona, whom he had ordered to accompany him, having a great coat along with him in the boat, requested his lordship to put it on. " No,^» replied the hero, " I am not cold ; my anxiety fc>r my country will keep me warm.'' *^ Do you think the fleet has sailed ?'' said he a moment af- terwards to the same officer. " I should suppose not, my lord/' *^ If they are we shall follow them to Carlscrona in the boat, by God !" The idea of going the distance of fifty leagues in a small boat rowing six oars, without the least food or suste- nance of any kind, evinces how entirely every Other earthly consideration was banished from ^l6 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF his mind by the solicitude to serve his country. About midnight the boat reached the fleet, and his lordship |went on board the Elephant, com- manded by his old friend and companion, Capt. Foley. On the/ipth the whole fleet was in fullchace; and at noon nine Swedish men of war were des- cried, moored at the entrance of tlie harbor of. Carlscrona. This position Admiral Parker de- termined to attack, but first dispatched the Dart sloop, with a flag of truce to the Swedish admi- ral, acquainting him with the accommodation of the dispute with Denmark, and requesting to be informed of the line of conduct which the court of Sweden intended to adopt. The Dart returned in about three hours with a provisionary answer from Vice-Admiral Cronstadt : and on the 28d his Swedish Majesty arrived at Carlscrona, and signified to the British commander-in-chief, that, though he was resolved to adhere to the northern confederacy, he was, nevertheless, willing to listen to any equitable proposals that might be made by England for the adjustment of the ex- isting differences. Having assured himself of the pacific disposi- tion of the Swedish monarch, Sir Hyde Parker was preparing to bear away for the gulph of Fin- land, when a lugger arrived in the fleet under a press of sail from Copenhagen. She brought dis- LORD NELSON. 217 patches from the Russian ambassador at that city to the admiral. They contained overtures from the Emperor Alexander (who after the sud- den death of his father had ascended the throne of Russia) of such an amicable and conciliatory nature, as to put an end to all the operations of the EngHsh squadron, which immediately re- turned to Kioge Bay. Here Sir Hyde Parker left the fleet, and sailed in the Blanche frigate for England. * The chief * Sir Hyde Parker served with great distinction during the American war, on the coast of that continent, as com- mander of the Phojnix, of 44 guns, in which he was in im- minent danger of destruction, when she was wrecked, in the year 1779, off the island of Cuba. A highly animated ac- count of this misfortune was given by his first lieutenant, Mr. Archer, in a letter to his mother in England. The whole of the crew, excepting about twenty, were savcit. Sir Hyde was then appointed to the Latona, of 38 guns, in which he sailed with the squadron under the command of his father, and was present at the engagement with thf* Dutch fleet off the Dogger Bank. Soon after this event he -was promoted to the Goliath, a new ship of 74 guns, in which he joined the Channel fleet. He was afterwards sent out with the squadron dispatched for the relief of Gibraltar, and had the honorable post of leader to the van of the Bri- tish fleet in the skirmish which took place on that occasion. After the peace of 17S3, the Goliath was stationed at Portsmouth as a guard-ship. In 1787, when a rupture with France was apprehended, on account of the affairs of Hol- land, Sir Hjde was appointed to the Orion, but as tht 2 D 1 £18 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF command consequently devolved on Lord Nel- son, who, on the J 9th of May, was advanced to the dignity of Viscount of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, The thanks of both houses of parliament had previously been \oted 10 his lordship, and in a manner than which nothing could have been more grateful to his feel- ings. The motions of thanks were made in both houses on the l6th of April. In the House of Lords the Earl of St. Vincent declared, *' that the conduct of the officers engaged in this expe- dition far surpassed any thing that was to be found in the glorious annals of the British navy/' The Duke of Clarence highly complimented Lord Nelson on his courage and intrepidity, which for- alarm soon subsided, that ship was immediately put out of commission, and her commander once more retired into private life. On the commencement of the war with France in 1793, Sir Hyde was advanced to the rank of a flag^ officer, and served in the Mediterranean as first captain to Lord Hood, and afterwards to Lord Hothara. In 1794, having attained to.the rank of vice-admiral of the blue, he hoisted his flag on board the St. George, of 98 guns, and commanded a division of the fleet in the actions, under Lord Hotham, with the French. In 1796 he was ap- pointed to the chief command on the Jamaica station, where he remained three years, and on his return received an appointment in the Channel fleet. The expedition to Copenhagen was the last public service in which Sir Hyde Parker was engaged. i LORD NELSON. 219 tune seemed to back in every enterprize in which he was engaged : and acknowledged his personal olDligations, as a prince of the blood, to the gal- lant commanders, and to the whole fleet, for the accomplishment of a victory, which, proba- bly, in its effect, would restore the possessions on the continent to his family, together with the peace and security of the British empire and of Europe. Lord Hood could not content himself with giving a silent vote ; because he had been personally convinced, while he had the honor of having those two illustrious officers (Lord Nelson and Sir Hyde Parker) serving under him, that it was impossible there could be two more coura- geous and able commanders, or who were more zealous in their country's cause. The tribute paid to his lordship's talents in the house of commons was not less flattering. Mr. Addington, who moved the thanks of the house, declared that *' no action had taken place in the course of the war which contributed more to sus- tain the character, and to add to the lustre of the 'British arms. For its execution, Sir Hyde Parker, Lord Nelson, and Rear- Admiral Graves, three most distinguished officers had been selected ; and thus prepared, the armament proceeded to "the north. To enter into all the particulars of 'the service was unnecessary; it was sufficient, therefore, to say, that the fleet, after passing the 2 D 2 2Q>0 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Sound, advanced to Copenhagen, Such was the situation of the enem/s force, that all our ships could not possibly be engaged. In these circum- stances Sir Hyde Parker had, with a degree of judgment which refracted the highest credit on his choice, appointed Lord Nelson, whose name had already been covered with glory and renown, to the execution of the important enterprize. Great, however, as was the courage, the skill, and the success, which had formerly been dis- played by this illustrious commander at Aboukir, it was not greater than that which had been ex- hibited in the attack upon the fleet moored for the defence of Copenhagen. But this was not all. After the line of defence was destroyed, and while a tremendous fire was still continued. Lord Nelson retired to his cabin, and addressed a let- ter to the Prince Royal of Denmark. He thea asked that a flag of truce might be permitted to land, adding, at the same time, that if this was denied, he must be obliged to demolish the float- ing-batteries that were in his power ; and that, in such case, he could not answer for the lives of the brave men by whom they had been defended. To the answer which required to know the mo- tive of such a measure, his reply was — ^^that his only motive was humanity ; that his wish was to prevent the farther effusion of blood ; and that no victory which he could possibly gain would af- 1 LORD NELSON. £21 ford him so much pleasure as would result from his being the instrument of restoring the amica- ble intercourse which had so long existed be- tween his sovereign and the government of Den- mark. Lord Nelson, in consequence, went on shore, and was received by a brave and generous people — for brave they had shewn themselves in their defence, and generous in the oblivion of their loss — with the loudest and most general acclama- tions."^ The Prince Royal of Denmark had also received his lordship in a manner conformable to his high character. The negociations which en- sued between them, it would be highly improper for him; at that time, to state ; but this he must observe, that Lord Nelson had shewn himself as wise as he was brave, and proved that, in the same person may be united the talents of the warrior and the statesman. The manner in which he spoke of Admiral Graves, Colonel Stewart^ and the rest of the officers who had co-operated with him, shewed the kindness of his nature and the gallantry of his spirit. He gave, in fact, due j)raise for their good conduct to all.'* * - No man, indeed, was ever more ready to be- stow commendation on desert tlian Lord Nelson, and it may be fairly presumed that his lordship • t * If the preceding statements be correct, Mr. Adding- tou must have been misinformed on this particular. ©22 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF derived particular satisfaction from a part he bad to perform in his quality of commander-in-chief, while the fleet lay in Kioge Bay. The king hav- ing been pleased to reward the services of Admi- ral Graves with the Order of the Bath, the cere- mony of investing him with the ensigns of that order took place on the 14th of June, on board Lord Nelson's ship, the St. George. A chair was placed on the gratings of the sky-light on the quarter-deck, with the royal standard suspended over it, shewing the king's arms ; the chair was covered with the union flag; a guard was ranged on each side of the quarter-deck, and the captains of the fleet attended in their full-dress uniforms. The royal standard was hoisted the moment the procession began, which took place in the follow- ing order : Lord Nelson came up the ladder in the fore-part of the quarter-deck and made three reverences to the throne, after which he placed himself on the right side of it. Captain Parker, bearing the sword of state, (being that which was presented to his lordship by the captains who fought under his command at the battle of the Nile,) followed Lord Nelson, and placed himself on his right side, a little in advance, making three reverences to the throne, and one to his lordship. Mr. Waliis, his lordship's ^secretary, followed, bearing in his hand, on a satin cushion, the ensigns of the order, making similar reve- tORD NELSON. £23 i:ences to the throne and to Lord Nelson ; Cap- tain Parker then read the Duke of Portland's order lo his lordship, which beuig ended, Rear- admiral Graves was introduced between Captains Hardy and Retalick, making three reverences to the throne and one to Lord Nelson. The rear- admiral knelt down, and Lord Nelson, in the name of his xMajesty, laid the sword on the shoulders of the rear-admiral ; the knight-elect then rose, and his lordship, with the assistance of Captains Hardy and Retalick, put the ribbon over the new knight's right shoulder, and placed the star on his left breast. Lord Nelson then ad- dressed him in the following words : '' Sir Thomas Graves-- Having fulfilled the commands of his Majesty, in investing you with the ensigns of the most honourable and military order of the Bath, 1 cannot but express how much I feel gratified, that it should have fallen to my lot to be directed to confer this justly merited honour and special mark of royal favour upon you ; for I cafinot but reflect, that I was an eye- witness of your high merit and distinguished gal- lantry on the memorable 2d of April, and for which you are now so honorably rewarded. I iiope these honors conferjed upon you, will prove to the officers of the service, that a strict perseverance in the pursuit of glorious actions, and the imitation of your brave and laudable ^24 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF conduct, will ever insure them the favors and reward of our most gracious sovereign, and the thanks and gratitude of our country/'* * Among the names which hold a distinguished place irt the annals of the British navy, that of Graves cannot be mentioned without respect. Sir Thomas is allied to the noble family of that name, and commenced his naval ca- reer under his uncle, Admiral Samuel Graves, and then served in the Antelope under Captain (afterwards Lord) Graves, at that time governor of Newfoundland. In the year 1765, he accompanied that officer to Africa, as lieute- nant of the Shannon. When Lord MuJgrave was prepa- ring for his expedition to the North Pole, he selected Mr. Graves to be one of the lieutenants of his own ship, the Kacehorse, and in that perilous voyage he strongly recom- mended himself to his commander by his firmness and intre- pidity. In the American war, Mr. Graves w^as actively employed on the coast of that continent under his relation the admiral, and afterwards under Admiral Arbuthnot, who, in 1781, promoted him to be post-captain of the Bed- ford. In this ship he was present at the actions with Count de Grasse, off the Chesapeak ; in Basse Terre Road, St. Kitt's ; and in the memorable engagement of the l!^th of April, 1782, oif Guadaloupe. On the two latter occasions the Bedford carried the broad pendant of Admiral Affleck. Ill the autumn of 1782, Captain Graves took the command of the Magicienne frigate of 32 guns. In this vessel he fell in with the Sybiile, a French frigate of 40 guns, and a small ship of 24, with which he fought one of the most de- sperate actions that occurred during the whole of th.e Ame- rican contest ; and nothing but the loss of all his masts prevented Captain Graves from making prizes of his two LORD NELSON. 225 When his lordship had finished this speech, the procession retired in the same manner as it came, excepting the new knight, who went first, making one reverence to Lord Nelson and three to the throne. The moment the ribbon was put on, the v/hole fleet fired a salute of twenty-one guns, and when the ceremony was finished, the standard was hauled down. Not many days after the performance of this pleasing duty, his lordship communicated to the fleet the necessity he was under of resigning the command, in the following memorandum. " St. George, Kioge Bay, Jane 18, 1801. *' Lord Nelson has been obhged, from the late very bad state of his health, to apply to the lords opponents. Notwithstanding all the applications of Cap- tain Graves to be employed during the late war, he was unable to procure an appointment till the month of Octo- ber, 1801, when he received the command of the Cumber- land, of 74 guns, and proceeded to join the fleet off Brest. On the great proraotion which took place on the 1st of January, 1801, Mr. Graves was raised to the rank of Admi- ral of the White, and in March hoisted his flag on board the Polyphemus, of 64 guns, with which he was ordered to join the fleet destined for the Baltic, under Sir Hyde Par- ker. He soon afterwards shifted kis flag into the Defiance, in which he so nobly seconded Lord Nelson at the battle of Copenhagen. His conduct on that occasion, and the re- wards bestowed upon him for his services, are described above Since the commencement of hostilities, in 1803, Sir Thomas has held a command in the Fleet before Brest> in the Foudroyant. 226 PROFESSIOJ^AL LIFE OF commissioners of the admiralty for leave to re- turn to England, which their lordships have been pleased to comply with. But Lord Nelson cannot allow himself to leave the fleet without express- ing to the admirals, captains, officers, and men, how sensibly he has felt, and does feel, all their kindness to him, and also how nobly and honour- ably they have supported him in the hour of bat- tle, and the readiness they have shewn to main- tain the honour of their king and country, on many occasions which have offered ; and had more opportunities presented themselves, Lord Nelson is perfectly persuaded they would have added more glory to their country. Lord Nelson cannot but observe, with the highest satisfaction which can fill the breast of a British admiral, that (with the exception of the glaring misconduct of the officers of the Tigress and Cracker gun- brigs, and the charges alledged against the lieu- tenant of the Terror bomb,) out of 18,000 of which the fleet is composed, not a complaint has been made of any officer or man in it; and he cannot but remark, that the extraordinary health of this fleet, under the blessing of Almighty God, is to be attributed to the great regularity^ exact discipline, and cheerful obedience of every indi- vidual of the fleet. The vice-admiral assures them, that he will not fail to represent to the lords commissioners of the admiralty their highly LORD NELSON. 227 praiseworthy conduct ; and if it pleases God that the vice-adn^iral recovers his health, he will fee proud, on some future day, to go with them iu pursuit of farther glory, and to assist in making the name of our king beloved and respected by all the world. '^ BRONTE AND NELSON " To the respective admirals, captains, &c." Havii3g accordingly resigned the command to Vice- Admiral Pole, his lordship went on board the Kite brig, and proceeded to England. While Lord Nelson held the chief command of the fleet iu the Baltic, several leUers passed be- tween him and the Swedish Admiral Cronstadt, relative to the subject of dispute between the two countries. A copy of this correspondence, which cannot prove wholly uninteresting, is subjoined. *' Letter from Admiral Lord Nelson to Vice-Admiral Cronstadt, Commander-in-chief of the Swedish Fleet, received at Carlscrona by a Flag of Truce, on the loth of May, 1801. " sm, *^ The former commander-in-chief of the Bri- tish fleet in the Baltic, having, at the request of the emperor of Russia, consented not to interrupt the Swedish navigation, it would be extremely unpleasant to me should any thing happen which 2 E 2 fl28 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF might for a moment disturb the returning har- mony and friendship between Sweden and Great Britain. Your excellency must therefore permit me to inform you, that I am not directed to ab- stain from hostihties should I meet with the Swedish fleet at sea. As it is therefore in your power to prevent this, 1 am convinced that you will consider this intimation as a friendly mea- sure on my part, and communicate the same to his Swedish majesty. I intreat your excelleacy to believe that I am, with the utmost respect, '' Your most obedient servant, " NELSON AND BRONTE. '' On board the Prince George^ in the Baltic.'^ The following answer was x'eturned by Vice- Admiral Cronstadt : " ADMIRAL, '^ I HAVE had the honor to receive the letter of your excellency of the 8th instant, and have transmitted it to the king my master, who is gone from hence to Stockholm; when 1 shall receive his answer, I will do myself the honor to forward it to you immediately. " C. O. CRONSTADT. " Admiral and Commander-in-chief • of the Fleet at Carlscrona. *' Carlscrona^, May 10, 1801." LORD NELSONr £29 ^* Letter from Admiral Nelson to Admiral Cronstadt, Commander-in-chief of the Swedish Fleet, received at Carlscrona, the 24th of May, 1801. '' St. George, at Sea, May 23, 1801. " SIR, " In the correspondence which your excellency had with the late commander-in-chief of the Bri- tish fleet in the Baltic, who notified to you that the Swedish trade in the Cattegat and the Baltic should not be molested by British cruizers ; I find no counter-declaration to the same tenor on the part of Sweden. I must therefore request of your excellency an explicit declaration, that the trade of Great Britain in the Cattegat and the Baltic shall in no manner be molested by Sweden. Your excellency will perceive the necessity of such a reciprocal declaration. " I am, with the utmost respect, '^ Your excellency's most humble servant, '' NELSON AND BRONTE." To this the Swedish commander returned the following answer : *' ADMIRAL, *^ I HAVE to-day had the honour to receive the letter of your excellency of the 23d instant. As my instructions do not permit me to issue my orders relative to the conduct to be pursued with 2oO PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF respect to the trade of Great Britain, 1 shall transmit the letter of your excellency to the king my master ; and when 1 receive the commands of his majesty on the subject, shall immediately have the honor to communicate to you an official answer. " I remain, with the utmost respect, " CRONSTADT/' An extra post from Stockholm, of the 20th^ however, bringing the royal ordinance relative to the English trade, the cutter Hoff was immedi- ately dispatched with a flag of truce, and the fol- lowing letter : " Carlscrona, May 24. <^ ADMIRAL LORD NELSON, ** I HAVE this moment received the orders of the king my master, for taking off the embargo of the trade and navigation to England, a copy of which I herewith transmit to your excellency, as your excellency in your excellency's letter of yes- terday requested it of me, and as 1 am now ena- bled, according to my promise, to return you an official answer. I am, &c. "CRONSTADT." " Letter from Vice-Admiral Cronstadt to Lord Nel on. "Carlscrona, June 7, 1801. ** ADMIRAL, " With the most gracious approbation of the kina mv master, I have the honor to signify to 5 LORD NELSON. 231 your excellency, that, according to the latest ac- counts from St. Petersburgh, his excellency Lord St. Helen's has arrived there, and that the pre- sent difference will soon be adjusted in an equi- table and pacific manner. I am hereby afforded a new opportunity of assuring your excellency of my sincere and high esteem. - CRONSTADT, His Majesty's adjutant on board the fleet, and commander at Carlscrona. Vice-Admiral Pole, who had succeeded Lord Nelson as commander of the English fleet in the Baltic, returned to this letter the following an- swer : '' On board his Britannic Majesty's ship the St. George, in Kioge Ba^^ June 22, 1801. *^ ADMIRAL " I THIS morning received your letter of the 17th. On this occasion I cannot but lament that I do not understand the Swedish language, and especially, as I am consequently in doubt whether your letter has been rightly translated to me. 1 am, however, sufiicientiy acquainted with its con- tents, to entreat you to assure his Swedish ma- jesty, in my name, that I acknowledge with the greatest pleasure his gracious condescension, in informing me that Lord St. Helen's is arrived at St. Petersburgh, and that it may be expected that the negociations carrying on there will soon be 232 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF concluded on the most friendly, equitable, and durable conditions, as is the wish of the King my master, and his whole kingdom. On my arrival here, on the 1 8th inst. Lord Nelson returned to England. The state of his health renders it ne- cessary that he should retire from the service for a time. I entreat you, admiral, to accept my sincere wish that a perfect amity may soon be re- stored between the two nations which we have the honor to serve, and to permit me to assure you of the high esteem with which *' I am, &c. " CHAKLES POLE, " Vice-admiral and Commander-in-chief of his Britannic Majesty's fleet in the Baltic.'* ^ORD NELSON. 233 CHJP. ri. 1801. Arrival of Lord Nelson in England— He is appointed to a command in the Cliannel— First attack on the shipping at Boulogne — His address on the occasion — Official details relative to the second attack at Boulogne — Preliminariei of peace — Heraldic particular!. On the 1st of July, 1801, his lordship arrived at Yarmouth, and immediately on landing pro- ceeded to the hospital, to visit the sick and wound- ed who had fought under his command before Copenhagen. He then set out on his way to London, and was accompanied by a troop of ca- valry as far as Lowestoffe. Just at this period the immense preparations which were making along the whole coast of France, rendered it probable that the invasion, with which that country had so long menaced the British shore, was on the eve of being attempted, Jn this state of public affairs, it could not be ima- gined that Lord Nelson would remain inactive, 2r €34 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF A very few days after his arrival, he was ap- pointed to the command of the Channel, from Portsmouth to the Streights of Dover, and up to the northern extremity of the island, and was in- vested with extraordinary and extensive powers. A squadron of . sixteen frigates, together with all the gun-boats and small craft within that range^ were placed under his orders; and in considera- tion of the inconvenience to which his lordship was exposed by the loss of his arm, he was allowed by the admiralty the unprecedented indulgence of having three aides-de-camp. The French had assembled at Boulogne a vast number of gun-boats, and other small vessels^ preparatory to their threatened invasion ; and it was to this point that the attention of government was directed in the, appointment of Lord Nelson to this command. The attack of an enemy in his own ports was perfectly familiar to his lordship^ and they knew that if any officer in the British navy could make a successful attempt on the flo- tilla in the harbor of Boulogne, it must be the hero who had so recently triumphed in the road of Copenhagen, No sooner had he received his appointment, than he hoisted his flag on board theTJnite fri- gate at Sheerness, and hastened to the station as-* signed him. Instead of taking the usual course to the Nore, he chose to cross the Naze, whicii 6 lORD NELSON. 23J iad always been considered unnavigable for ships of war, and to which, from this circumstance, was given the name of Nelson's Channel, He immedi- ately proceeded off Boulogne, and on the morn- ing of the 4th of August, perceiving a favorable opportunity for annoying the enemy's shipping, he directed an attack to be made on them by the bomb-vessels. The result is thus stated, in a letter addressed to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated off Boulogne, the 4th of August. " SIR, *' The enemy's vessels, brigs, and flats (lugger-rigged), end a schooner, twenty-four in number, were this morning nt day-light, anchored in a line in the front of Boulogne. The wind being favourable for the bombs to act, I made the signal for them to weigh, and to throw shells at the vessels, but as little as possible to annoy the town : the captains placed their ships in the best possible position, and in a few hours three of the flats and a brig were sunk ; and iu the course of the morning six were on shore, evidently much damaged. At six in the evening, being high-water, five of the vessels which had been aground hauled with difficulty into the Mole ; the others remained under water : I believe the whole of the vessels would have gone inside the pier, but for want of water. What damage the enemy lias sustained, beyond what we see, it is impossible to tell. The whole of this affair is of no further consequence than to show the enemy they cannot, with impunity, come out- side their ports.— Their officers of the artillery threw the shells with great skill ; and I am sorry that Captain 2 F 2 ^56 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Freyers, of the royal artillery, is slightly wounded by th« bursting of an enemy's shell, and two seamen are also wounded. A flat gun-vessel is this moment sunk. " I am, &c. &c. " NELS6n and BRONTE.'* The day following this first attack on the flo- tilla of Boulogne, his lordship issued the follow- ing address to his squadron : " Medusa, off Boulogne, August 5th. " Lord Nelson has reason to be very much satisfied with the captains of the bombs, for their placing of the ves- sels yesterday : it was impossible that they could have been better situated ; and the artillery officers have shown great skill in entirely disabling ten of the armed vessels out of twenty-four opposed to them, and many others Lord Nel- son believes are much damaged. The commander-in-chief cannot avoid noticing the great zeal and desire to attack the enemy in a closer and different combat, which mani- fested itself in all ranks of persons, and which Lord Nelson would gladly have given full scope to, had the attempt at that moment been proper ; but the officers and others nmy^ rely, that an early opportunity shall be given them for showing their judgment, zeal, and bravery. The hired and revenue cutters kept under sail, and performed the duty intrusted to them with a great deal of skill. (Signed) « NELSON and BRONTE." It was not long before his lordship afforded his brave companions an opportunity of distinguish- ing themselves. The flotilla of the enemy being again moored in front of Boulogne, and in force LORD NELSON. 237 considerably greater than before, Lord Nelson formed a plan for attacking them by night, and on that of the 15th of August it was put into execution. The details of this enterprize are thus given by his lordship, and the officers to whose conduct it was committed. *' Medusa, off Boulogne, Aug. 16. " SIR, *' Having judged it proper to attempt bringing off the enemy's flotilla, moored in the front of Boulogne, I directed the attack to be made by four divisions of boats, for board- ing, under the command of captains Soraerville, Cotgrave, Jones, and Parker ; and a division of howitzer-boats, un- der Captain Conn. The boats put off from the Medusa at half past eleven o'clock last night, in the best possible or- der, and before one o'clock this morning the firing began ; and I had from the judgment of the officers, and the zeal and gallantry of every man, the most perfect confidence of com plete success ; but the darkness of the night, with the tide and half tide, separated the divisions, and to all not arriving at the same happy moment with Captain Parker, is to be attributed the failure of success. But I beg to be perfectly understood, that not the smallest blame attaches itself to any person; for although the divisions did not ar- f ive together, yet each (except the fourth division, which could not be got up before day) made a successful attack on that part of the enemy they fell in with, and actually took possession of many brigs and flats, and cut their cables ; but many of them being aground, at the moment of the battle's ceasing on board them, the vessels were filled with trollies upon voUies of musquetry, the enemy being per- tSS PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF fectly regardless of their own men, who must have suffered equally with us, it was therefore impossible to remain on hoard, even to burn them : but allow me to say, who have seen much service in this war, that more determined perse- vering courage I never witnessed, and that nothing but the inipossibility of being successful, from the causes I have mentioned, could have prevented me from having to con- gratulate their lordships. But although in point of value the loss of such gallant and good men is incalculable ; yet, in point of number, it has fallen short of my expectations. I must also beg leave to state, that greater.zeal and more ardent desire to distinguish themselves by an attack on the enemy were never shown than by all the captains, officers, and crews of all the different descriptions of vessels under my command. The commanders of the Hunter and Gi'^y^ hound revenue cutters went in their boats in the most hand- some and gallant manner to the attack. " Amongst the many brave men wounded, I have, witk the deepest regret, to place the name of my gallant, good friend, and able assistant, Captain Edward T. Parker ,* ^ Captain Parker was wounded in the thigh, and every attention was paid to him that his lamentable situation de- manded. The Earl of St. Vincent, with that humanity which ever marked his conduct, sent his own surgeon down to Deal, where he was landed, to attend him ; and great hopes were for a time entertained, that not only bis life, but likewise his limb might be saved. These flattering ex- pectations were however disappointed : he suffered amputa- tion very high in the thigh, on the 16th of September ; one of the arteries burst, and the great effusion of blood liTought -bira so low^ that after languishing till the 26th of LORD NELSON. 239 * also my flag-lieutenant^ Frederic Langford, who has served with me many years : they were both wounded in attempt^ ing to board the French commodore. To Captain Gore, of the Medusa, I feel the highest obligations; and when tb.eir lordships look at the loss of the Medusa on this occasion, they will agree with me that the honour of my flag, and the cause of" their king and country, could never have beea placed in more gallant hands. Captain Bedford, of the Leyden, with Captain Gore, very handsomely offered their services to serve under a master and commander : but I did not think it fair to the latter; and I only mention it to mark the zeal of those officers. From the nature of the attack, only a few prisoners were made ; a lieutenant, eight seamen, and eight soldiers, are all they brought oflL Herewith, I send the reports of the several commanders of divisions, and a return of killed and wounded. " I have the honour to be, &c. « NELSON and BRONTEj, « Evan Nepean, Esq." the same month he expired, to the great regret of his gal- lant commander. Lord Nelson, His remains were interred on the 27th, in the Chapel burying-ground, at Deal, with all the honors due to his rank and distinguished character. Lord Nelson appeared in the procession as one of the mour- ners, with Admiral Lutwidge and Lord George Cavendish. —On his professional merits it is needless to pass any en- comium : to have been raised to the rank of master and commander when scarcely twenty-one years old ; to have been distinguished at this early age, in the most brilliant era of the naval annals of England ; and, above all, to be transmitted to posterity as " the good and gallant friend and able assistant," of the greatest of modern heroes, are facts which speak more powerfully than any panegyric. ^40 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF " p. S. Captain Somerville was the senior master and commander employed/* " Eugenie, off Boulogne, Aug. 16, 1801. " MY LORD, " In obedience to jour lordship*s direction to state the proceedings of the first division of boats which you did me the honour to place under mjcommand,forthe purpose of at- tacking the enemy's flotilla in the bay of Boulogne, I beg leave tc acquaint you, that after leaving the Medusa last night, I found myself, on getting on shore, carried consi- derably, hy the rapidity of the tide, to the eastward of the above-mentioned place ; and finding that I was not likely to reach it in the order prescribed, I gave directions for the jjoats to cast each other off. By so doing, I was enabled to get to the enemy's flotilla a little before the dawn of day, and in the best order possible attacked, close to the pier- head, a brig, which, after a sharp contest, I carried. Pre- vious to so doing, her cables were cut ; but I was prevented from towing her out, by her being secured with a chain, and in consequence of a very heavy fire of rausquetry and grape-shot that was directed at us from the shore, three lug- gers and another brig within half pistol shot ; and not see- ing the least prospect of being able to get her off, T was obliged to abandon her, and push out of the bay, as it was then completely daylight. The undaunted and resolute behaviour of the officers, seamen, and marines, was unpa- ralleled ; and I have to lament the loss of several of those brave men, a list of whom I enclose herewith. " I have the honour to be, &;c. " P. SOMERVILLE, « Lord Viscount Nelson, K. B.« LORD NELSON. 24l "Medusa, off Boulogne, Aug. 16. " MY LORD, ''After the complete arrangement which was made, tlie perfect good understanding and regularity with which the boats you did me the honour to put under my command, left the Medusa, 1 have an anxious feeling to explain to your lordship the failure of our enterprise, that on its out- set promised every success. Agreeable to your lordship's instructions, I proceeded with the second division of the boats under my direction (the half of which were under the direction of Lieutenant Williams, senior of the IMedusa), to attack the part of the enemy's flotilla appointed for me, and at half past twelve had the good fortune to find myself close to them ; when I ordered Lieutenant Williams with his subdivision, to push on to attack the vessels to the north- ward of me, while I, with the others, ran alongside a large brig off the Mole Head, wearing the commodore's pennant. It is at this moment that I feel myself at a loss for words to do justice to the officers and crew of the Medusa, who were in the boat with me, and to Lieutenant Langford, the offi- cers and crew of the same ship, who nobly seconded us in thcbarge, until all her crew were killed or wounded ; and to the Hon. Mr. Cathcart, who commanded the Medusa's cutter, and sustained the attack with the greatest intrepi- dity, until the dangerous situation I was left in obliged me to call him to the assistance of the sufferers in my boat. The boats were no sooner alongside, than we attempted to board ; but a very strong netting, traced up to her lower yards, baffled all our endeavours, and an instantaneous dis- charge of her guns and small arras, from about 200 soldiers on her gunwale, knocked myself, Mr. Kirby, the master of tbe Medusa, and Mr. Gore, a midshipman, with two thirds 2 G 242 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF of the crew, upon our backs into the boat, all either killed or wounded desperately. The barge and cutter, being on the outside, sheered oiFwith the tide ; but the flat-boat, in which I was, being alongside, there was not an officer or man left to govern her, must have fallen into the hands of the enemy, had not Mr. Cathcart taken her in tow, and car- ried her off. '' Mr, Williams led his subdivision up to the enemy with the most intrepid gallantry, took one lugger, and attacked a brig : while his crews, I am concerned to say, suffered equally with ourselves : nearly the whole of his boat's crew were killed or wounded : Lieut. Pelley, who commanded the Medusa's launch, and the Hon. Mr. Maitland, were severely wounded ; and Mr. W. Bristow, master's mate in the Medusa's cutter, under Lieutenant Stewart, was killed. " I now feel it my duty to assure your lordship, that nothing could surpass the zeal, courage, and readiness of every description of officers and men^ under my command ; and I am sorry that my words fall short of their merits, though we could not accomplish the object we were or- dered to. — I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) "E.T.PARKEU. ** Lord Viscount Nelson." «' Gannet, August 16", 180 L " MY LORD. "On the night of the 15th instant, the third division of boats which I had the honour to command,^ assembled on board his Majesty's ship York, agreeable to your lordship's direction, and at eleven P. M. by signal from the Medusa, proceeded without loss of time to attack the enemy's fio- LOUD NELSON. 243 tilla ofF Boulogne, as directed by your lordship; and as I thought it most adviseable to endeavour to reduce the lar- gest vessel first, I lost no time in making the attack ; but in consequence of my leading the division, and the enemy opening a heavy fire from several batteries, I thought it ad- viseable to give the enemy as little time as possible, cut the tow-rope, and did not wait for the other boats, so that it was some little time before the heavy boats could get up : I received so many shots through the boat's bottom, that I soon found her in a sinking state ; and as it was not possible to stop so many shot-holes, was obliged with the men to take to another boat, and have the pleasure to acquaint your lordship that I received particular support from the boats of %\s Majesty's shi]> York, which soon ran up with the rest of the division I had the honour to command : but finding no prospect of success, and the number of men killed and wounded in the different, boats, and the constant fire from the thore of grape and small arms, thought it for the good of his Majesty's service to withdraw the boats between two and three in the morning, as we could not board her, al- though every effort was made, " I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed; *' I. COTGRAVE. * Lord Viscount Nelson, K. B." " Ilis Majesty's Ship Isis, Sunday, Aug. 16, 1801. *' MY LORD, *' In consequence of directions received from your lord- ship, I last night, on the signal being made on board the Medusa, left this ship with the boats of the fourth division, Ibrmed into two close lines, and immediately joined tho ^ G 2 ^44 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF other divisions under the stern of the Medusa, and from thence proceeded to put your lordship's order into execu- tion, attacking the westernmost part of the enemy's flotilla : but;, notwithstanding every exertion made, owing to the rapidity of the tide, we could not, until near day-light, get to the westward of any part of the enemy's line; on ap- proaching the eastern part of which, in order to assist the :first division, then engaged, we met them returning. Under these circumstances, and the day breaking apace, I judged it prudent to direct the officers commanding the differeat boats to return to their respective ships. '^ J have the honour to be, &c. '* ROBT. JONES. " P. S. None killed or wounded on board an of the fourth division. " Lord Viscount Nelson, K. B." ** Discovery, off Boulogne, Aug. 16, 180L "MY LORD> '^ I beg leave to make my report to your lordship of the four howitzer boats that I had the honour to command in the «ittack of the enemy last night. '^ Having led-in to support Captain Parker's division, keeping between his lines until the enemy opened their fire on him, we keeping on towards the pier until I was aground in the headmost boat, then opened our fire, and threw about eight shells into it ; but, from the strength of the tide coming out of the harbour, was not able to keep off the pier-head, but continued our fire on the camp, until the enemy's fire had totally slackened, and Captain Parker's division had passed without me. I beg leave to mention to your Lord- LORD NELSON. 245 ship, that I was ably supported b}^ the other boats. — Cap* tain Broome and Lieutenant Beam, of the royal artillery, did every thing in their power to annoy the enemy ; the other officers of artillery were detached in the other four howitzer boats. "I have the honour to be, &:c. ♦'JOHN CONN. •* Lord Viscount Nelson, K. B." An Account of Officers, Seamen, and Marines killed and wounded in the Boats of his Majesty's Ships and Fesstls in the Attack of the French Flotilla, moored btfort Bouloarne^ on the flight (ftlie Ijih of August. First Division. Leyden — 8 seamen, 3 marines killed; 5 officers,. 20 sea- men, 15 marines wounded Total 51. Eugenie — 3 seamen killed; one officer, 5 seamen wounded. Total 9. Jamaica — 1 officer, 3 seamen killed; 1 officer, 4 sea- men, 4 marines wounded. Total 13. Seco)td Division, Medusa — 2 officers, 14 seamen, 4 marines killed; 5 officers, 24 seamen, 6 marines wounded. Total 55. QuEENBORouGH CuTTER — 1 seamau killed; 6 seamea wounded. Total 7. Third Division. York — 1 officer, 2 seamen killed ; 1 officer, 10 seamen, 5 marines wounded. Total 1 9. Gannet — 1 seaman killed ; 2 seamen wounded. To tal 3. Ferreter — 2 seamen wounded. Express — 4 seamen wounded. 246 PROFESSIONAL lif:e of ExpLosroN— 1 seaman killed; 2 seamen wounded. Total 3. PiscovERY — 1 seaman wounded. Fourth Division, None killed or wounded. Total. 4 officers, 33 seamen, 7 marines killed ; 14 offi- cers, 84 seamen, 30 marines wounded. Total 172, Names of Officers killed and wounded, Leyden — Lieutenants Thomas Oliver, Francis Dicken- son, badly; Captain Young of the marines, badly; Mr. Francis Burney, master's mate ; Mr, Samuel Spratley, mid- shipman, wounded. Eugenie — Mr. William Basset, acting-lieutenant, wounded. Jamaica — Mr Alexander Rutherford, master's mate, killed; Lieutenant Jeremiah Skelton, wounded. Medusa — Mr. William Gore*, Mr. William Bristow, Mr. William Gore was son of Lieut. Colonel Gore of the Bristol volunteer infantry. He was only in his six- teenth year, and promised to prove an honour to his family, an ornament to his profession, and a valuable officer to his country. Previous to receiving the fatal stroke which ter- minated his life, he had been wounded by five rausket-balls in attempting to board, and everj^ man in the boat with him was either killed or wounded. Mr. Bristow, his brother midshipman, was a youth of like merit. On the 18th of August these two young officers were both interred at Deal, in one grave. Their excellent commander. Lord Nelson, followed their bodies to the ground, with eight captains of the navy, preceded by a file of marines, who fired three vol- iies over the place of interment. His lordship was much affected, and was seen to shed tears during the performance of this last tribute of respect to these two gallant youths. LORD NELSON. 24? Biidshipman, killed ; Captain Edward Thornborough Par-* ker. Lord Nelson's aid-de-camp ; Lieutenants Charles Pel- ley, Frederic Langford; Mr. William Kirby, master; the Hon. Anthony Maitland, midshipman, wounded. York — Mr. Berry, midshipman, killed; Mr. Brown gunner, wounded Mr. Richard Williamson, commander of the Greyhound Revenue Cutter, wounded, and one seaman belonging to the Greyhound likewise wounded. NELSON AND BRONTE. Medusa, August 16, 1801. After the failure of this second attack his lord- ship expressed his high approbation of the zeal and gallantry displayed on this occasion in the following terms : — " Medusa, Downs, Aug. 18. *' VicE-Admiral Lord Nelson has the greatest satisfac- tion in sending to the captains, officers, and men under his command, that were employed in the late attempt on the' enemy's flotilla off Boulogne, an extract of a letter which he has received from the first lord of the Admiralty, not only approving of their zeal and persevering courage, but bestowing the highest praises on them. *' The vice-admiral begs to assure them, that the enemy will not have reason to boast of their security ; for he trusts, ere long, to assist them in person in a way which will com- pletely annihilate the whole of them. Lord Nelson is con- vinced, that if it had been possible for men to have brought the enemy's flotilla out, the men that were employed to do so would have accomplished it. The moment the enemy have the audacity to cast oiF the chains which fix their ves- g4S PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF sels to the ground, that moment Lord Nelson is well per- suaded they will be conducted by his brave followers to a British port, or sent to the bottom. (Signed) «' NELSON AND BRONTE." " Extract of a Letter from Earl St. Vincent to Lord Viscount Nelson, K. B. dated the 17th inst. *' It is not given us to command success — Your lordship, and the gallant officers and men under your orders most certainly deserve it ; and I cannot sufficiently express my admiration of the zeal and persevering courage with which this gal- lant enterprize was followed up ; lamenting most sincerely the loss sustained in it. The manner in which the enemy's flotilla was fastened to the ground, and to each other, could not have been foreseen. The highest praise is due to your lord- ship, and all under your command, who were ac- tors in this gallant attempt/' These daring attacks, though they failed of ac- complishing the object to which they were imme- diately directed, had, however, the e^ect of obliging the enemy to turn their attention rather lo the defence of their own coast than to the in- vasion of Britain. Their failure was attributable to no circumstance that could reflect the least discredit on any person concerned. The French owed their safety, not to the skill of their sea- men, the valor of their soldiers, or the strength 3 / LORD NELSON. 24^ of their batteries, bat to means of defence which nothing but a consciousness of the superior intre- pidity and talents opposed to them could have induced them to adopt. "^ Such was the state of affairs when the signing of the preliminaries of peace put a period, for a short time, to the active and glorious labors of Lord Nelson, and he retired to repose beneath his. hard-earned laurels, and to the enjoyment of domestic felicity, at the seat which he had pur- chased at Merton, in Surrey. Previous to this event it was announced, on the 4th of August, that the king had been pleased to grant the dignity of Baron of the United King- dom of Great Britain and Ireland to the Right Honorable Viscount Nelson, Knight of the most honorable Order of the Bath, and Vice-Admiral of the Blue Squadron of his Majesty's fleet (Duke of Bronte in Sicily, Knight of the Grand Cross of the Orders of St. Ferdinand and of Merit, and the Imperial Order of the Crescent), and to the heirs male of his body, lawfully begotten, by the * The following impromptu was written on occasion of the second attack on Boulogne : Exult not France, that Nelson's vengeful blow. Has not as usual your destruction gain'd ; S'dy what you will, this truth the world must know, Altho' unconquer'd, you were left enchain'd, 2 H £50 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF name, style, and title of Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Ililborough, in the county of Nor- folk ; with remainders to Edmund Nelson, clerk, rector of Burnham Thorpe, in the said county of Norfolk, father of the said Horatio Viscount Nelson, and the heirs male of his body, lawfully begotten ; and to the heirs male lawfully begot- ten, and to be begotten, severally and successive- ly, of Susannah, the wife of Thomas Bolton, Esq. and sister of the said Horatio Viscount Nel- son ; and in default of such issue to the heirs male of Catherine, the wife of George Matcham, Esq. another sister of the said Horatio Viscount Nelson/' On the 12th of September, following, another notice appeared to the following effect : *' The king was pleased, by a warrant under his royal signet and sign-manual, bearing date the 7 th day of January last, to give and grant unto Horatio Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Burn- ham Thorpe, in the county of Norfolk (now Vis- count Nelson), Knight of the most honorable mihtary Order of the Bath, and Vice-Admiral of the Blue Squadron of his Majesty's fleet, his royal licence and permission to receive and bear the Great Cross of the order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit, conferred on him by Ferdinand IV. King of the Two Sicilies. J LORD NELSON. £51 ' " The king was also pleased, by warrant under his royal signet and sign-manual, bearing date the 9th of January last, to give and grant unto the said Horatio Nelson, now Viscount Nelson, his royal licence and permission to accept for himself and his heirs, the title of Duke of Bronte, with the fief of the duchy annexed thereto, also conferred upon him by the said King of the Two Sicilies. '' And also to command that these his Majes- ty's concessions and declarations be respectively registered in his College of Arms/' 2 I 2 PROPESSIONAL LIFE OF CHAP. riL 1314^ TO U05. Parliaiiienlary conduct of Lord Nelson — His speech on the motion of thanks to Sir James Saumarez — On the Navy- Abuse Bill— Renewal of hostilities with France — His lordship is appointed to the chief command in the Medi- terranean—Partial action with the Toulon fleet^-His an- swer in a vote of thanks of the Corporation of London- Anecdote of an officer of hi> ship— -He sails in pursuit of the combined French and Spanish fleet — Proceeds to Egypt — Returns to Gibraltar — Follows the enemy to the West Indies — Drives them back to Europe — Returns to England — Sails to take the command off Cadiz with ex- traordinary powers — Attacks the combined fleet — Is kill- ed during the engagement — Particulars of his last mo- raents-Oflicial account of the victory—Miscellaneous anec- dotes of his lordship, and remarks on his character. Xiis lordship now had an opportunity of enjoy- ing, in tranquil retirement, the sweets of that peace which he himself had so largely contributed to conquer. In the family circle by which he was surrounded at Merton, he tasted that ineffable dehght arising from the intercourse of affection ^ and the charms of friendship. These were so much the more soothing to his feeling mind, as he had been for so many years exposed, almost LORD NELSON. 253 without intermission, to sufferings, fatigue, and hardship, of every description. His affability, and the gentleness of his manners gained him the heart of every one who approached him, and his humanity was the theme of universal admira- tion. Though the noble admiral reposed during the short interval of peace, from the perils and the labours of his professional career, he punctually attended to his public duties of a different kind. His extraordinary deserts had elevated him to a place among the hereditary advisers of his Ma- jesty, and he was indefatigable in fulfilling the im- portant functions of that high station. His na- tural modesty prevented him, it is true, from dis- playing his sentiments on many of the subjects that came before the house 'for discussion, but whenever he did speak, what he said was so much to the purpose, and expressed with such energy and ability, that he commanded the attention and the respect of all who heard him. When the Earl of St. Vmcent, on the 30th of October, 1801, moved in the house of lords that the thanks of the house should be given to Sir James Saumarez, for his gallant and distinguish- ed conduct with the combined French and Spa- nish fleet off' Algeziras, the motion was strenu ously seconded by Lord Viscount Nelson. He said, *' he could not give a silent vote to a motion 254 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF that so cordially had his consent. He had the ho- nour to be the friend of Sir James Saumarez. The noble earl at the head of the admiralty had se- lected that great officer to watch the French in that important quarter, and the noble earl had not been deceived in his choice. He would as- sert, that a greater action was never fought than that of Sir James Saumarez. The gallant admi- ral had before that action undertaken an enter- prize, which none but the most gallant officer and the bravest seamen could have attempted. He had failed through an accident, by the falHng of the wind ; for he ventured to say, if that had not failed him, Sir James Saumarez would have captured the French fleet. The promptness with which Sir James refitted ; the spirit with which he attacked a superior force after his recent dis- aster, and the masterly conduct of the action, he did not think were ever surpassed.'^ His lordship entered very much into the detail of the action, and said, ^^ that the merit of Sir J. Saumarez would be less wondered at, when the school in which he was educated was considered by their lordships. He was educated at first under Lord Hood, and afterwards under the noble earl near him (Lord St. Vincent).'' His lordship then gave an account of some of the memorable ser- vices of Sir James Saumarez when a captain, and LORD NELSON. 255 concluded by apologizing to the house for the trouble he had given their lordships. On the 3d of November, the same year, when the preliminaries of peace with France were taken into consideration in the house of lords, and mi- nisters were censured for consenting to give up Malta, the noble admiral made some observa- tions relative to the importance of that islan^. He said, '* that when he was sent down the Me" diterranean, Malta was in the hands of the French, and on his return from Aboukir it was his first object to blockade the island, because he deemed it an invaluable service to rescue it from their possession. In any other view it was not of much consequence, being at too great a distance from Toulon to watch the enemy's fleet from that port in time of war. In peace it would require a gar- rison of 7000 men, in war of twice that number, without being of any real utility. The Cape of Good Hope would be equally detrimental if re- tained by Great Britain : and though it certainly ought not to be given up to the French, this ces- sion would be preferable to keeping it. Though the war had been long, he believed his Majesty had seized the first opportunity of making peace, and he was satisfied it was the best that existing circumstances admitted." A few days afterwards, on the 12th of Novem- ber, when Lord Hobart rose to move the thanks 256 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF of the house to the naval officers and seamen who had co-operated in the conquest of Eg}^pt, Lord Nelson said, that *^ the service of Egypt was of a double nature^yet of equal importance; it fell to the lot of the army to fight, and of the navy to labour ; they had equally performed their duty, and were equally entitled to thanks/' When, in 1802, the noble lord at the head of the admiralty with a laudable zeal for the public interest, and the advantage of individuals, pro- jected the plan for the correction of abuses com- mitted by certain boards employed in the naval department of the public service, and by prize- agents, Lord Nelson stood forth the zealous sup- porter of his friend and patron. On the second reading of the bill for appointing commissioners to enquire into these abuses, on the 21st of De- cember, his lordship rose, and with that solici- tude for the interests of his profession which ever marked his character and endeared him to every seaman, made an animated speech to the follow- ing effect: — *' My Lords, in the absence of my noble friend, who is at the head of the admiralty, I think it my duty to say a few words to their lordships, in regard to a bill, of which the objects have an express reference to the interests of my profes- sion as a seaman. It undoubtedly originated in the feeling of the admiralty, thit they have not LORD NELSON. S57 the power to remedy certain abuses which they perceive to be the most injurious to the public service. Every man knows that there are such abuses; I hope there is none among us who would not gladly do all that can be constitution- ally effected to correct them. Yet, if I had heard of any objection of weight urged against the mea- sure in the present bill, I should certainly have hesitated to do any thing to promote its progress through the forms of this house. But I can re- collect only one thing, with which I have been struck, as possibly exceptionable in its tenor. It authorizes the commissioners to call for, and to inspect the books of merchants who may have bad transactions of business with any of the boards or prize agents, into whose conduct they are to enquire. But the credit of the British mer- chant is the support of the commerce of the world : his books are not lightly, nor for any or- dinary purpose to be taken out of his own hands. The secrets of his business are not to be too cu- riously pryed into. The books of a single rner* chant may betray the secrets, not only of his own affairs, but of those with whom he is principally connected in business, and the reciprocal confi- dence of the whole conunercial world, nia;y , by the authoritative enquiry of these commibsione) s be shaken. All this, at least, I should have teart^d as liable to happen; if the persoiis who are atuued 2 I ^58 I'ROrESSIONAL LIFE OF in the bill had not been men whose characters are above all suspicion of indiscretion or malice, I may presume it to be the common conviction of the merchants, that in such hands they may be safe; since they have made no opposition to the bill in its progress, and since they have offer- ed no appearance against it, by counsel at your lordships' bar. And truly, my Lords, if the bill be thus superior to all objection, I can affirm that the necessities, the wrongs of those who are em- ployed in the naval service of their country most loudly call for the redress which it proposes. From the highest admiral in the service, to the poorest cabin-boy that walks the street, there is not a man but may be in distress with large sums of wages due to him, of which he shall by no di- ligence of request be able to obtain payment : not a man whose intreaties will be readily an- swered with ought but insult at the proper places for his application, if he come not with par- ticular recommendations to a preference. From the highest admiral to the meanest seaman, what- ever may be the sums of prize-money due to him, no man can tell when he may securely call any part of it his own. A man may have forty thousand pounds due to him in prize-money, and yet may be dismissed without a shilling, if he ask for it at the proper office, without particular re- commendation. Are these things to be tolerated? LORD NELSON. 259 Is it for the interest, is it for the honor of the country that they should not be as speedily as possible redressed? I should be as unwilhng as any man to give an overweening preference to the interests of my own profession. But I cannot help thinking, that, under all the circumstances- of the business, your lordsjiips will be strongly disposed to advance this bill into a law, as speedi- ly as may be consistent with the order of your proceedings, and with due prudence of delibera- tion/' In the consideration of this bill, in a commit- tee of the whole house, on the following day, the D'uke of Clarence having suggested the propriety ©f instituting a distinct enquiry, under a particu- lar act, into the abuses of prize-agency. Lord Nelson coincided in the opinion of his Royal Highness, and expressed a desire that the investi- gation of the flagrant abuses by prize-agenti might be made the subject of a separate act.-"* His lordship, at the same time, owned, that ther« might be instances in which the delays in the pay- ment of prize-money resulted, not from the vil- lainy of the agents, but from accidents not easily - avoidable in the common course of human af- fairs. Little more than a year had elapsed from the ratification of the definitive treaty of peace, ■wben hi» Majesty, on the l6th of May, 1803^ 2 I 2' Q.60 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF announced, by a message, a rupture with France, to both houses of parUament. Short were the : periods of repose which the noble admiral was '; destined to enjoy. Had he possessed a mind less - ardently desirous of glory. Lord Nelson might with justice have advanced his long services, se-i vere sufferings, and infirm health, as a plea for an honorable retirement; but private considera- tions were never placed by him in competition with public benefit. No sooner was the loud clarion of defiance sounded by the insolent foe, than his lordship, animated by the hope of again hurling British vengeance on the head of the up- start, hastened to make a tender to the govern* ment of services too valuable not to be accept- ed. He was immediately appointed to the com- mand of the fleet in the Mediterranean, and on the 20th of May sailed from Portsmouth in the Victory, of 110 guns, accompanied by the Am- phion frigate. On this station many tedious months passed away in watching the enemy's fleet in the port of Toulon. Patience and vigilance were the only qualities his lordship was called upon to exert, and these he proved that he possessed in an equal degree with intrepidity and courage. So far from keeping tlie French fleet closely blockaded, the plan pursued by the noble admiral was, to remain at a considerable distance from the port LORD NELSON. S6l with his squadron, so as to afford the enemy every facility to come out, confident of gaining fresh laurels could he but entice them from under the guns of their own batteries. This hope was near- ly realized on the 23d of May, 1804, when Lord Nelson detached Rear-admiral Campbell, in the Canopus, of 84 guns, with the Donegal, of the same force, and the Amazon frigate, to recon- noitre the outer road of Toulon. This service was performed by Admiral Campbell, who re- mained for some hours as near the mouth of the harbor as the batteries would permit ; when the French admiral, Latouche Treville, got under weigh, and stood out towards the little British squadron with two ships of 84 guns, three of 74, three frigates of 44, and a corvette. The frigates and the Swiftsure, of 74 guns, gained considera- bly, and the headmost of the former opened a distant teazing fire on the Donegal. This was not to be long borne patiently by her commander. Sir Richard Strachan, who luffed up and fired a broadside, which instantly checked the ardor of the enemy. Some shot from the Canopus, at the same time, retarded the progress of the Swift- Hure. The force of the French fleet was so far superior to Admiral Campbell's little squadron, that it would have been madness to hazard an engagement ; he therefore made sail, and the enemy continued to follow for some time under a t^^ PROFESSIONAL LIFE Ofi crowd of canvas; but, (according to the expres- ition of an officer of the Canopus) fearing lest be should be decoyed into the jaws of the Viscount, who with the remainder of the fleet, was nine leagues distant, Latouche Treville hauled his wind, and returned to Toulon covered with glory ^ The same night the British ships joined the admi- ral, who, having heard the firing indistinctly, had detached the Leviathan towards Toulon ; but before she had proceeded far, Admiral Camp* bell was discovered returning. For his conduct during this long interval of fruitless expectation, his lordship received the thanks of the corporation of London. Nothing can afford a more striking illustration of the ge- nerosity of his sentiments, than the answer which he wrote on this occasion. It was as follows: Victory, August 1, 1804, '' MY LORD, " This day I am honoured with your lordship's letter of April 9th, transmitting me the resolutions of the corpora- tion of London, thanking me as commanding the fleet block- ading Toulon. " I do assure your lordship that there is not that man breathing who sets a higher value upon the thanks of his fellow-cilizens of London than myself; bat I should feel a» much ashamed to receive them for a particular service marked in the resolution, if I felt that I did not come within that line of service, as I should feel hurt at having a great victory passed over without notice. LOUD NELSON. £6S •' I beg to inform your lordship that the port of Touloii bas never been blockaded by me : quite the reverse; every opportunity has been oflPered the enemy to put to sea, for it is there that we hope to realize the hopes and expectations of our country, and I trust tliat they will not be disap- pointed. *' Your lordship will judge of my feelings upon seeing that all the junior flag-officers of other fleets, and even some of the captains, have received the thanks of iht corporation of London, whilst the junior flag-officers of the Mediterranean fleet are entirely omitted. I own it has struck me very forcibly ; for, where the information of the junior flag-officers and captains of other fleets was obtain- ed, the same information could have been given of the flag- officers of this fleet and the captains ; and it was my duty to state, that more able and zealous flag-officers and cap- tains do not grace the British navy than those I have the honour and happiness to command. It likewise appears, my lord, a most extraordinary circumstance, that Rear- Ad rairal Sir Richard Bickerton should have been, as second in command in the Mediterranean fleet, twice passed ever by the corporation of London ; once after the Egyptian ex- pedition, when the first and third in command were thanked — and now again. Consciousness of high desert, instead of neglect, made the rear-admiral reisolve to let the matter rest until he could have an opportunity personally to call upon the lord mayor to account for such an extraordinary omission; but, from this second omission, I owe it to that excellent officer not to pass it by. '^ And I do assure your lordship, that the constant, zeal- ous, and cordial support I have had in my command from both Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, and Rear-Ad- miral Campbell, has been such as calls forth all my thank^ and admiration. We have shared together the constant a>- 5^64 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF tentlon of being more tlian fourteen months at sea, an(5 are ready to share the dangers and glory of a day of battle j therefore it is impossible that I can ever allow myself to be separated in thanks from such supporters. I have the ho- nour to remain, with the very highest respect, your lord- ship's most faithful and obedient servant, (Signed) " NELSON and BRONTE. *' To the right hon. the Lord Mayor/' Soon afterwards^ a circumstance occurred, which, though trifling in itself, yet, as it serves to illustrate the sentiments of humanity which ever influenced his lordship, and the patronage he invariably bestowed on merit, it would be un- pardonable to pass over in silence. On the 1 1th of September, a seaman of the Victory fell from the forecastle into the sea. On hearing the cry of a man overboard, Mr. Edward Flin, a volun- teer, jumped after him from the quarter-deck, and, notwithstanding the extreme darkness of the night, and the ship being at the time under sail, he had the good fortune to save the man. — The next morning Lord Nelson sent for Mr. Flin, and presented him with a lieutenant's commission, appointing him to the Bittern sloop of war. He told him, at the same time, that he would strongly ■ recommend him to the lords of the admiralty; in consequence of which, their lordships confirmed the appointment. Since the destruction of the French fleet at LORD NELSON. 265 Aboukir, the enemy's squadrons had been so closely confined within their own harbors, that the appearance of a single ship of war was con- sidered a rarity, and the British naval force had no other occupation than to blockade the havens of France. On the renewal of the war this system, though severely censured by some, was again resorted to, and fleets were stationed without intermission off the ports of Brest, Boulogne, Rochefort, and Toulon. Meanwhile the ambi- tious Buonaparte made the restoration of the French marine the particular object of his at- tention. The French armies assembled on the coasts, and the menacing preparations for the in- vasion of the British islands, drew the attention of the government from the immediate object of the fleets that were equipping at different ports, for the purpose of wounding Great Britain in the tenderest part. With the year 1805, the politics of the enemy seemed to have undergone a sudden change. — A French squadron, under Rear- Admiral Missiessi, got out of Rochfort, and having escaped the ob- servation of the English cruisers, was pillaging the West-India islands, when a second and more formidable expedition left Toulon. Lord Nelson had stationed himself at the distance of about forty miles from that port, observing the whole line of the Italian, French, and Spanish coasts 2 K £66 PROFESSIONAL vXIFE OF from Palermo, by Leghorn, Toulon, and Barce- lona, to the Streights of Gibraltar. Through this extent of sea his ships cruized in every direction and detained all the French and Spanish vessels they chanced to meet with. On the 15th of January, Admiral Villeneuve put to sea with his squadron, consisting of eleven sail of the line and two frigates. The Seahorse^ Lord Nelson's look-out frigate, immediately made the necessary signal, and narrowly escaped being taken by the enemy. The Venus sloop of 10 guns, with dispatches from his lordship, unfortunately fell into their hands ; but the dispatches had pre- viously been thrown overboard. No sooner was his lordship informed of Ville- neuve's departure, than he v/ent in pursuit of him. Report had assigned Egypt as the destination of the French squadron, and this idea seemed to be confirmed by a variety of circumstances. Eager to counteract the enemy's design, the admiral, on the 20th of January, sent advice to the British ambassador at Constantinople, that the Toulon fleet had sailed with a considerable number of troops on board, probably intended to make a descent on the Morea, or on Egypt. The same information he likewise transmitted to the com- mandant of Coron, in the Morea. Having taken this precaution, the noble admi- ral immediately proceeded in quest of the enemy, 5 LORD NELSON. 26? and on the 29th of January arrived off the Li- pari Islands. The appearance of such a for- midable force excited great commotion, before the colors could be distinguished, on the Sicilian coast, where it was mistaken for the Toulon fleet, which was there reported to have on board ten thousand men, destined for that island. On the SOth his lordship endeavoured to pass through the Streight of Messina, but w^as prevented by the strong south wind. This he however accomplish- ed the following day ; and being disappointed in the expectation of meeting with the eneiuy in those seas, he continued his course witnout loss of time towards Malta. Deceived by false intelhgence. Lord Nelson now determined to revisit those shores which had a few years before been the theatre of his glory. Panting with the hope of again annihilating the enemies of his country, he- steered with his squa- dron for the bay of Aboukir. Here it was again mistaken for the French fleet ; the terrified inha- bitants forsook the towns on the coast, which were found deserted by the crews of the boats that landed to procure refreshments. Such is the indolence of these wretched people, that in the short interval which had elapsed since the British forces evacuated the country, the fortifi- cations both of Alexandria and Aboukir had been so neglected, as to have fallen entirely to ruin. 2 K 2 ^68 PKOPESSIONAL LIFE OF Finding here no foe to encounter, but strongly prepossessed with the idea that the French fleet was on its way to Egypt^ Lord Nelson returned to Sicily, with the view to intercept it. Ville- neuve had, in the mean time, quietly returned to Toulon. Secure in the distance of his terrific foe, when all his preparations were completed, he proceeded to the accomplishment of the grand plan which had been projected. On the 30th of March he again left Toulon with eleven sail of the line, a frigate, and two corvettes, in which were embarked 10,000 chosen troops, under the command of General Lauriston. He first sailed to Carthagena, where the six ships under the Spanish Admiral Salcedo, were not in readiness to join iiim. Fearful of losing time, Villeneuve pur- sued his course to Cadiz, where he was expected by Admiral Gravina with six Spanish sail of the line, having on board 2280 troops. On the 9th of April the French fleet appeared off Cadiz. Sir John Orde, who was blockading that port with five ships of the line, was unable to prevent the junction of the Spanish squadron with that of France. Villeneuve was near enough to force him to an action, but his instructions prescribed him a different destination. He im- mediately sent directions to the French ship of the line, L'Aigle, which had long lain at Cadiz, to put to sea, and was soon afterwards joined by I LORD NELSON. 269 Admiral Grayina with six sail of the line and five frigates. The French ships were, Effroyable of ]10 guns, Duguay Trouin of 90, Intrepide and Fidele of 84, Magistrat, Provence, Vaiitour, San- guinaire, Hazard, Concorde, Caesar, and Aigle ; the Spanish were the Argonaut, San Raphael, El Fermo, Terrible, America, and Espana. Na- ture seemed to favor this junction ; a strong east wind soon carried the combined fleet out of sight of Cadiz. On his return from the shores of Egypt, the noble admiral watched with anxious expectation for the enemy in the Sicilian seas till the middle of April. It was not till then that he received the disagreeable intelligence that he had been misled. His penetrating mind now conjectured that nothing but the British West- Indies could be the object of the enemy, and thither he deter- mined to pursue them. Having arrived at the mouth of the Streights of Gibraltar, he put into Tetuan Bay on the 2d of May, where he took on board water and other necessaries. In the night of the 4th the squadron weighed, and being close under Ceuta, the Spaniards opened a fire on the ships, but none of their shot reached them. They came to an anchor in the bay of Gibraltar on the 5th, and passing, the next day, through the Streights, arrived at Lagos Bay on the 10th. Here the admiral took in some stores £70 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OT from the transports, which were with Sir John Orde off Cadiz when he first discovered the French fleet, and which had run into the bay for safety. Here too his lordship received positive information that the combined squadrons had proceeded to the West-Indies. Inspired with fresh ardor, he flew on the wings of the wind in pursuit of the foe, sensible of the mjschiefs that must result to his country from the loss of her West-India possessions. INIay the 1 1th, he weighed from Lagos Bay, and v.dth a fleet of ten sail of the line and three frigates,"^ steered for Madeira, which was seen by the squadron on the * The names of his lordship's companions in this memo- rable chace ought not to be omitted. His fleet consisted of the following vessels : Ships, Guns. Commanders. ^ Vice-Adm. Lord Nelson, Victory .- HO > Kear-Admiral Murray, ) Captain T. Hardy. Canopus 80 ) Rear-Adrairal T. Louis. Le Tigre ---- 80 Captain Hallowell. Donegal 80 Malcolm. Spencer ^"4 Hon. R. Stopford. Conqueror 74 I. Pellew. Superb 74 R. G. Keates. Belleisle 74 W. Hargood. Leviathan 'J^ H. Bayntun. Swiftsure 7-4 Rutherford. Decade 36 Stuart. Amazon 38 Parker. Amphion 32 Sutton. f LORD NELSON. 271 15th. Leaving that island, the admiral sailed without intermission till the 1st of June, when he spoke two vessels bound for England, who in- formed him that the combined fleet had passed Barbadoes ten days before, and was then at Mar- tinique. During this pursuit the mind of the gal- lant admiral incessantly dwelt on the hope of fal- ling in with the enemy. He one day observed, with great glee : — '^ There is just a French- man a piece for each English ship, leaving me out of the question to fight the Spaniards, and when I haul down my colours, I expect every captain of the fleet to do the same, but not till then/' After a passage of twenty-four days from Cape St. Vincent, his lordship arrived on the 4th of June at Barbadoes. The French fleet, from which the squadron of Admiral G ravin a had se- parated, had reached Martinique on the 14th of May, and on the 27th had taken the Diamond Rock, with the little English garrison by which it was defended. At Martinique they remained upwards of three weeks, taking in water and pro- visions, without attempting any thing either against the British islands or the inferior squa- drons under Admirals Cochrane and Dacres. At Barbadoes the noble admiral received in- formation that the hostile fleet had sailed to at- tack Trinidad. Two thousand troops under Ge- il72 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF neral Sir William Myers* were immediately em- barked, and having been joined by Admiral Cochrane with two ships of the line, Lord Nelson again set sail the day after his arrival to the southward. Anticipation already beheld in the Gulph of Paria another Aboukir. Being now nearly certain of meeting with the enemy, who had so long eluded his anxious pur- suit, his lordship shaped his course for Trinidad, On the morning of the 7th he came in sight of the island, and discovered that it was under such an alarm, that all the signals from the squadron could not prevent the troops from blowing up Fort Abercromby, and making their retreat to- wards the town. This circumstance confirmed him in the opinion that the enemy had arrived and carried the island, but on entering the har- bor, the English colors were perceived flying, and he found, to his extreme mortification, that he had been once more deceived. Patience and perseverance under disappoint- ment of this kind, were qualities in which his lordship had previously more than one occasion * This excellent officer, whose conciliatory conduct, while commander of the southern district in Ireland, during the critical period of the rebellion, will long be recollected with gratitude in that country, died a very few weeks after the above event on the 29th July, 1805. LORD NELSON. 273 to exercise himself. Finding*bis information in- correct, nothing was left but to go to the north- ward, taking all the islands in their turn. Ac- cordingly on the 8th, the squadron weighed, and the following day reached Grenada, where his lordship was informed by the Jason frigate that the enemy's fleet had left Martinique the same morning, and had been seen steering in a north- ern direction. This intelligence inspired him with fresh hopes ; after so long a chase he found him- self not more than three days' sail behind them, and in case they meditated an attack on Antigua or any other island, he was confident of render- ing that design abortive. The French, however, were far from entertain- ing any such intention. Villeneuve contented himself with the glory he had already acquired by the occupation of the Diamond Ptock and the capture of the Cyane, of 24 guns ; and having been again joined by Gravina, he hastened to re- turn to Europe. He had heard of the arrival of Nelson, and fled panic-struck by his name from the regions of the west, as he had once done from his thunders on the shores of Egypt. The hero of Aboukir proceeded to Antigua, . where dispatches from the governor, Lord La- vington, conflrmed the intelligence he had already received, namely, that the enemy were gone northward, and had been seen from Antigua^ 2 L 274 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF very distinctly, four days before. He was now convinced that they were returning to Europe, and therefore landing the troops with all possible dispatch, he hurried away in the hope of over- taking them before they should reach any of their own ports. On the 14th of June he sailed from Antigua, and on the jpth sent off the Decade for England, and the Martin sloop to Gibraltar, with advice that the combined fleet was on its way to Europe. He arrived off Cape St. Vincent on thre 17th of July, and on the 20th at Gibraltar, where he obtained a supply of stores and gun- powder. The fresh beef and other provisions for the relief of his brave and unwearied crews, were wholly procured at Tetuan. This equipment of his squadron, together with the arrangements he made with Admiral Collingwood, for preventing the combined fleet from entering Cadiz, were completed in the short space of ^\e days. This business being finished, the noble admiral again passed through the Streights, and on the 29th of July resumed his station off Cape St. Vincent, just sixty-three days after his departure from it for the Westt Indies. Never, id the naval annals of this, or any other country, was such an example of promptitude, decision, and rapidity displayed as on this occa- sion, and great as the noble admiral had shewn himself^ in his former achievements, his talents XORD NELSON. 275 never shone with such lustre, and his resources were never exhibited to such advantage as in this memorable expedition. It may even fairly be asserted, that never had he before rendered such important services to his country. He had rescued, by the mere terror of his name, our West-India possessions from the jaws of a rapacious foe. In the short space of six months he had twice traversed the Mediter* ranean and the Atlantic, from the shores of the Nile to the Gulph of Mexico. Each succeeding disappointment seemed to inflame him with new ardour in this unparalleled chace ; and when he at length found that the enemy had eluded all his diligence, he instantly sent home advice of their return, that measures might be taken for the pur* pose of intercepting them. In consequence of this precaution, a squadron of fifteen sail of the line, under Sir Robert Calder, was cruising between Ferrol and Corunna, when, on the 22d of July, the combined fleet appeared in sight. Undaunted by tlie superiority of num- bers, the British admiral boldly advanced to the attack. Filled with the tremendous idea of Lord Nelson, who, like a spectre, haunted the fugi- tives, Villeneuve and Gravina concluded that it was the squadron under his lordship which they had fallen in with. Under this impression, se- 2 L 2 276 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF veral of the French and Spanish ships at once bore down and attacked the Windsor Castle, of 9S guns, which they mistook for the flag-ship of the noble admiral himself. The San Raphael of 84 and El Fermo of 74 guns, fell prizes to British prowess in this unequal contest. The un- favourable weather which ensued, prevented the renewal of the action, and gave the enemy an op- portunity to escape first into Vigo, and after- wards into Ferrol. Lord Nelson receiving intelligence of this event, proceeded to England, leaving his fleet, except- ing the Victory and the Superb, Captain Keates, which accompanied him to Portsmouth, under the command of Admiral Cornwallis, before Brest. He arrived on the 17th of August at Portsmouth, and as the Victory had communicated with the garrison at Gibraltar, his lordship consequently tecame subject to the quarantine regulations. As soon as the ship brought up, and he had commu- nicated by signal with the port-admiral, he ad- dressed the following letter to the collector of the customs : *< Victory, Spithead, Aug. 18, 1805. " The Victory, with the fleet under my command, left Gibraltar twenty-seven days ago, at which time there was not a fever in the garrison: nor, as Doctor Fellows told me, any apprehension of one. The fleet late under my command I left with Admiral Cornwallis, on the 1.5th of LORD NELSON. 277 August, at which time they were in the nicst perfect health ; neither the Victory nor tlie Superb have on board even an object for the hospital j to the truth of which 1 pledge mj word of honour. (Signed) « NELSON ^ND BRONTE, *' To the Collector of the Customs, or those whom it may concern." In consequence of this letter, the noble admi- ral was permitted to land, for the last time, on his native shore. An immense concourse of peo- ple, who had collected on the ramparts and other places, as soon as his flag was discovered, testi- fied those feelings which officers, like his lordship, never fail to find in their grateful countrymen. During the approach of his barge, and on his landing, he was hailed with loud and reiterated acclamations. He immediately set out for Lon- don, where he arrived on the 20th of August. The same morning he had an interview with Lord Barham, after which he walked to the navy-of- fice, Somerset-house, and thence returned to the Admiralty. A great crowd of persons thronged around, eager to greet with loud acclamations the Hero of the Nile and the Saviour of the West In- dies. While his lordship remained in town, he resided at Gordon's hotel, in Albemarle- street; where, on the 28th, a deputation from the West India merchants, with Sir Richard Neave at their head. 278 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF waited upon him with an address of thanks for the vigor and perseverance which he had displayed in the protection of the western colonies.* The address being presented by Sir Richard, his lord- ship after returning thanks for the honour con- ferred upon him, offered his sincere assurance that his services were ready to be employed wherever his Majesty should be pleased to ap- point him. A written answer was likewise sent by his lordship to Sir Richard Neave and the committee, to this effect : *' I beg leave to ex-^ * The resolutions of the Committee on this subject were^ as follow : — Extracts from the Minutes *of Meetings of the West Jnditt Merchants, August 23, 1805. " Sib Richard Neave, Bart, in the Chair. *' Resolved, That the prompt determination of Lord Nelson to quit the Mediterranean in search of the French fleet, his sagacity in judging of and ascertaining their course, his bold and unwearied pursuit of the combined French and Spanish squadrons to the West Indies, and back again to Europe, have been very instrumental to the safety of the West India islands in general, and well deserve the grate- ful acknowledgments of every individual connected with those colonies. " llesolved. That a deputation from the Committee of Merchants of London trading to the West Indies, be ap- pointed to wait on Vice- Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, to express these their sentiments, and to offer him their un- feigned thanks. LORD NELSON. tlQ press to you and the committee of West-India merchants, the great satisfaction I feel in their approbation of my conduct. It was, I conceived, perfectly clear that the combined squadrons were gone to the West Indies, and therefore it became my duty to follow them, — But, I assure you, from the state of defence in which our large islands are placed, with the number of regular troops, nu- merous, well-disciplined, and zealous militia, I was confident not any troops which their com- bined squadron could carry, would make any im- pression upon any of our large islands before a very superior force would arrive for their re* lief/^ In the mean time the combined fleet at Ferrol, having been reinforced by the Spanish squadrons of Admirals Grandellana and Gourdon, sailed again on the 4th of August, to the number of 34 ships of the line, before any English naval force arrived off that, port, and on the 22d this formi- dable fleet put into Cadiz. Sir Robert Calder join- ing the division under Admiral Collingwood, blocked them up with 26 sail of the line in that harbor. Sir Robert being ordered home, Lord Nelson was appointed to the chief command on that station. Government had received ample proof that the abilities and zeal of his lordship were equal to any contingency. He was therefore entrusted with !280 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF powers more unlimited than were ever confided to any naval commander. His instructions were, at the same time, the most concise that could possibly be delivered, merely ascertaining his com- mand, which was to extend from Cadiz Bay over the whole of the Mediterranean sea ; and he was left to act as he pleased in any sudden emergency that might require the exercise of his judgment, as in his recent pursuit of the combined fleet to tlie shores of Egypt and the West Indies. Furnished with these powers, so honorable to himself and to the government which conferred them, his lordship, on the 7th of September, took his final leave of the board of admiralty, and hastened to Portsmouth to proceed to the station assigned him. He went on board his flag-ship, the Victory, and accompanied by the Ajax and De- fiance of 74 guns, the Agamemnon of 64, and the Euryalus of 38, he quitted the shores of Eng- land, which, alas! he was destined nevermore to behold. It would appear, from a variety of circumstan- ces, that the hero had a strong presentiment of the fate that awaited him. After his last return from the West Indies he is said to have frequently ex- pressed to his intimate friends, that life had almost become burthensome and inditterent to him, and that his principal desire of living arose from th& wish that he might have an opportunity of meet- LOHD NELSON. 281 ing, once more, the enemies of his country on hi* proper element; and declaring his perfect confi- dence, that, whenever he should next encounter them, he should either return to his country a corpse, or bring the greatest part of the fleet of Ijis opponents into a British port. In some of the private letters, which he wrote after joining, the fleet, he thus expressed himself: " It is the first wish of my heart to bring the enemy to ac- tion, and to die in the arms of victory." Nay^ only the day before his departure from London, he called at the house of Mr. Peddison, under- taker, in Brewer Street, to whose care the coffift presented to him by Captain Hallo well was con- fided; and with that familiar good-humour which accompanied his address on every occasion, de- sired him to have the attestation engraved on the lid, " as he thought it highly probable he should want it on his return.** The wish of his gallant spirit was too speedily realized. He joined his fleet off Cadiz, on the 28th of September, but at such a late hour, that the communication of his arrival was not made till the following morning. Here he re- solved again to adopt the plan he had followed off Toulon. He neither remained directly off Cadiz, nor within sight of the port. His great object was to induce the enemy to venture out.. *• Let them come out," he would often say.— 2 M S8S PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF *^ My object is not to induce them by the display of all my force to remain in port, but to do every . thing in my power to tempt them to come out/' In pursuance of this design, he never kept all his fleet before Cadiz. This was the manner in which it was stationed— The pAiryahis frigate was within half a mile of the mouth of the har- bor, to watch the enerny^s movements, and give bim the earliest intelligence. Off the harbor, but at a greater distance, he had about seven or eight sail of the line. He remained himself off Cape St. Mary with the rest of his fleet, and a line of frigates extended and communicat- ed between him and the seven or eight sail off. Cadiz. The advantage of this plan was, that he could receive supplies and reinfoi cements off Cape St. Mary without the enemy's being in- formed of it, and thus they remained constantly ignorant of the real force under his command. The Board of Admiralty deserved every praise for the active and vigorous exertions they had made to place the force under his lordship in the best possible state. The combined fleets in Ca- diz had engaged their particular attention, and three or four additional sail of the line were sent out to him from England. Of this reinforcement the enemy, from his lordship's judicious method of stationing his fleet, remained perfectly igno- rant. LORD NELSON. 283 His lordship had received from the Admiralty such information as induced him to believe that the enemy would soon put to sea. He had ar- ranged, before he left London, to assume the command of the fleet, a plan by which he would fight the enem.y upon a new principle; it was extrem.ely simple, but it was no sooner made known than it carried conviction to every naval oflficer ; it afibrcit d a complete remedy for that inconvenient S3'stem which requires a great va- riety and frequent changes of signals. '' 1 shall never distract my fleet,'' said he, " in the day of battle, with a superabundance of signals/' He ordered all the captains on board the Victory, Jind laid before them his new plan.— It was one of the pecuUar features of Lord Nelson's charac- ter, to be able, by the clearness and precision of his plans and orders, to make every man under- stand him in an instant : the new plan carried immediate conviction to them— they ail ex- claimed, that it could not but be successful. On the 1st of Octo!>er he wrote a letter to^ one of his most intimate friends, in which there, is this passage: ** I believe my arrival was mos-t- welcome, not only to the commander of the^ fleet, but to every individual in it : and whea I came to explain to them my plan of attack, it was hke an electric shock — some shed tears — all approved. It was new; it was. singular ; it was f84 t^ROFESSIONAL LIFE OF simple ; and from admirals downwards it was re» peated — it must succeed if ^ver they will allow U8 to get at them/' In another letter, dated the 6th of October, he wrote, I have not the smallest doubt that the enemy are deterrr.ined to put to sea, and our battle must soon be fought, although they will be so v€ry superior in number to my present force, yet 1 must do my best, and have no fears but that I shall spoil their voyage ; but my wish is to do much more ; and therefore hope that the admiralty have been active in sending me ships, for it is only numbers which can annihilate. A decisive stroke on their fleet would make half a peace. If I can do that, 1 shall as soon as pos- sible ask to come home and get my rest, at least, for the winter. Jf no other inducement was wanting for my exertion, this would be suffici- ent, for what greater reward could the country bestow than to let me come to you, my friends, and to dear, dear Merton and to come to you a victor, would be victory thrice gained " October the 7th. Since waiting yesterday, I am more and more assured that the combined fleet will put to sea. Happy will they be who are present, and disappointed will those be who are absent.^' The noble admiral's desire of a little rest wa» LORD NELSON. t85 a natural consequence of his impaired health. He had not been in England more than three weeks, after his unprecedented exertions for the preservation of the West Indies, when he was again called upon to take the command off Cadiz. He had declared this short interval of repose the happiest days of his life, and he had greatly recovered from his fatigue. He did not, however, hesitate a mo- mejit to obey the call of his country, and just be^ fore he went upon the service which ternainated his glorious career, he said to his friend Admiral Stirling, *^ My health is so bad that I ought to retire, but as my generous country seems to think I could do something, if I were to meet the enemy 1 feel it to be a duty to do what 1 can. I shall therefore go, and hope I shall be able to meet and conquer them ; and I shall think my hfe gloriously sacrsficed in such a cause.'^ His health was far from being re-established when he joined the fleet. Only two days after he assumed the command, he was seized with a violent spasm, which lasted several hours. Of this attack be gives the following account in a letter to an intimate friend, dated the 1st of Oc- tober ; — " 1 have had, about four o'clock this morning, one of my dreadful spasms, which has almost enervated me. It is very odd : I was hardly ever better than yesterday. I slept un- £86 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF commonly well, but was awoke with this disor- der. My opinion of its effect some day has never altered ; however, it is entirely gone off. The good people of England will not believe that rest of body and mind is necessary for me ; perhaps this spasm may not come again these six months. 1 had been writing seven hours yesterday.^ — Per- haps that had some hand in bringing it on.'' One of the last letters he wrote was dated about a fortnight before the battle in which he yielded his invaluable life. The following is an extract : '* The reception I met with on joining the fleet caused the sweetest sensation of my life. The officers who came on board to welcome my re- turn, forgot my rank as commai.der-in chief in the enthusiasm with which the^^ greeted me. As soon as these emotions were past, 1 laid before them the plan 1 had previously arranged for at- tacking the enemy, and it was not only my plea- sure to find it generally approved, but clearly perceived and understood. The enemy are still in port, but something must be immediately done to provoke or lure them to a battle. My duty to my country demands it, and the hopes centered in me will, I hope in God, be realized. In less than a fortnight expect to hear from me, or of me ; for who can foresee the fate of battle. Put LORD NELSON. £87 up your prayers for my success, and may God protect all my friends I" The commanders of the combined fleet had re- ceived orders to put to sea the first opportunity that should be afforded them, either if the Bri- tish fleet should be weakened by detachments, or compelled by stress of weather to quit the block- ade of Cadiz. Their object is supposed to have been, to collect in their passage the squadron at Carthagena, and to proceed to Toulon, where, being joined by the vessels in that' port, they would have formed a fleet of between 40 and 50 sail, with which it was their design to prevent, if possible, the sailing of any expedition with Bri- tish troops from Malta, or with Russian troops from Corfu. The course they were steering and the account given in Vice-Admiral CoUingwood's subsequent dispatches, justify this presumption. Admiral Louis had been detached on the 19th of October by Lord Nelson, with seven sail of the line to Tetuan Bay, for provisions and other ne- cessaries. The enemy were informed of this cir- cumstance, and conceiving that the British fleet w^as reduced to about twenty sail o( the line, they resolved to seize an opportunity so favorable foi executing the peremptory commands they had re- ceived. On the 20th, Admiral Vilieneuve and four other admirals, with 33 sail of the line, 7 ■frigates, and 8 corvettes got under weigh, and on ^88 PROFESSIONAL LIFE O? the 21st fell in with his lordship, with 26 ships of the line, a few leagues from Cape Trafalgar. The heroic Nelson now saw within his 'reach the enemy of whom he had been so long in pur- suit. When he found that he had placed them in such a situation that they could not avoid an en- gagement, he displayed the utmost animation,, and his usual confidence of victory; he said to Captain Hardy,* and the other officers who sur- * This brave officer, the pupil and the friend of the heroic Nelson, first brought himself into notice when lieu- tenant of La Mmerve, by the capture of La Mutine, a French corvette, in the road of Santa Cruz, in the island of Teneriffe. He commanded the boats of the frigates La Minerve and Lively, which were dispatched on this ha- zardous enterprize. In defiance of a smart fire of musketry from the brig, he boarded and carried her almost immedi- ately. This gave an alarm to the town, whence a heavy fire of artillery and musketry was opened, as well as from a large ship lying in the road. Li spite of the enemy's fire, which continued without intermission for nearly an hour. Lieutenant Hardy succeeded in towing the brig out of the reach of the batteries, to which, for want of wind, they were for a considerable time much exposed. For the gallantry he had displayed in this ?ifFair, the Earl of St. Vincent rewarded Lieutenant Hardy with the command of La Mutine, which appointment was confirmed by the Ad- miralty. His services with the fleet under Lord Nelson in the Mediterranean have been fully described. In 1801, Captain Hardy was appointed to the Isis, of 50 guns, and on the re-commencement of hostilities in 1803, accompa- nied his Lordship in the Victory, which he has commandeel till the present time. LORD NELSON. £89 rounded him on the quarter-deck, " Now they cannot escape us ; I think we sh.ill at least make sure of twenty of them — I f.hall probably lose a leg, but that will be purchctsing a victory cheap- ly/' About twelve at noon the action began, and the last siu^ual before it commenced was a private signal by telegraph — a signal too empha* tjc ever to be forgotten—*' England expects eve- ry man to do his duty/' The conduct of their leader was fully adequate to rouze the British officers to deeds of hardy enterprize. It was his intention to have begun the engagement by pas- sing ahead of the Bucentaure, the flag ship of Admiral Villeneuve, that the Victory might be ahead of that ship and astern of the Santissima Trinidada, but the Bucentaure shooting ahead, his lordship was obliged to go under her stern, raked her, and luffed up on her starboard side. The Bucentaure fired four broadsides at the Victory before his lordship ordered the ports to be open- ed, when the whole broadside, which was double- shotted, was fired into her, and the discharge made such a tremendous crash that the Bucen- taure was seen to heel. A short time after this Admiral Villeneuve sent below to enquire the number of her then killed and wounded, w^hich proved to be the amazing number of 365 killed and 2J9 wounded. He immediately ordered his flag to be struck, the Bucentaure being then 2 N 290 PROFESJSIONAL LI^^ OF dismasted and quite unmanageable. Lord Nel- son, upon this, shot ahead to the Spanish Admi- ral's ship, the superb Santissima Trinidada, Witb^ this same Santissima Trinidada he had already^ gained the highest honor in grappling, during the-^ action off Cape St. Vincent, on the 1 4th of Fe- ■ bruary, 1797. Sl>e was the largest ship in the world, carried 136 guns, and had four decks.' The hero ordered the Victory to be carried along- ^ side his old acquaintaiK:e, as he called her, and'; to be lashed to this tremendous opponent. The conflict was horrible; the enemy were engaged at the muzzle of their guns. A dreadful carnage was made in the Spanish ships, which were full olF men. The Santissima Trinidada had on board l600 including a corps of troops, among whom were some sharp-shooters. The conflict had continued with great obsti- nacy for two hours, when Lord Nelson was con- versing with his first lieutenant, Mr. Pascho, Captain Adair, of the marines, and Mr. Scott, his secretary, admiring the gallant style in which Admiral Collingwood led his division into action* He was suddenly saluted with a shower of mus- ketry from the tops of the Trinidada, which was repeated briskly for several rounds. Mr. Scott was killed by a musket-ball, which entered his head. He instantly fell down dead, and Captais Adair shared the same fate. Lieutenant Pascho lORD NELSON. 291 received a wound, and out of 1 10 marines sta- tioned on th& poop and quarter-deck, upwards of 80 were kiikd or wounded. His lordship having in the morning put on the stars of his different ord rs, the badi.es of honor he had gained in ma ly a hard-fought battle, his secretary and chaplain intreated him, previous to the engage- ment, to take them off, fearing, but too justly, that his dress might expose him. " No,'' re- plied the hero, " in honor I gained them; in honor I will die in them." Captain Hardy ob- serving from the manner in which the sharp- shooters fired, that it was their object to single ont tlie officers, repeatedly requested Lord Nel- son to change his coat, or to put on a great-coat over it. The undaunted admiral answered he had not time. Too soon were Captain Hardy^s appreliensions verified. A shot from the main- top of the Bucentaure carried away part of the epaulet, and penetrating through the star, entered his left breast, and took a direction through the vital parts— he staggered against the officer near him, and was immediately carried below. The surgeons were busily employed upon the wound- ed — his lordship desired, as on a former occa- sion, to take his turn. As soon as the surgeon examined the wound, he saw it was mortal. The gallant hero had his eyes fixed attentively upon *liim-*-lie saw the surgeon turn pale, and his coua- 2 N 2 ^9'2 PROFESSIONAL LIFE Of tenance assume the deepest impression of grief — ^ *' it is mortal, I see/' said he. The surgeon did not, or could not speak. He desired to be placed upon a chair, and directed Captain Hardy to at- tend him. He spoke no more of his wound, ex- cept when he first communicated to the captain the surgeon's conviction. He employed the short time he lived in dictating orders relative to the battle, in receiving reports, in enquiring what was the condition of the enemy, and what ships had struck. He lived about an hour, during wliich time he remained perfectly collected, and displayed the same heroic magnanimity in the arms of death that had marked his conduct in^ every action of his glorious life. To the last moment he was able to give directions with the utmost clearness and precision. Like General Wolfe breathing out his life on the heights of Abraham, he inquired " whether the enemy gave way ?'* He was gratified with the intelligence conveyed to him almost every mo- ment, that more of the enemy's ships had struck. As life ebbed fast away, the number augmented. He was told that fifteen had struck ; he seemed enraptured with the intelligence. The last that struck before his death was the superb Santissima Trinidada. When he heard that she had struck, he appeared convulsed with joy ; he lived but a few mjoments afterwards.— With that piety which 6 LORD NELSON. 295 had ever formed a distinguished feature of his character, he returned thanks to God that he bad permitted him to die in the arms of victory. He desired his blessing to be conveyed to all ^Yho were the nearest to his heart ; and whom he could have wished to have again embraced. " I know I am dying," said he ; '* I could have wished to survive to breathe my last on British ground, but the will of God be done." He laid his head upon the shoulder of Captain Hardy, who remained with him to the last, and in a few moments his gallant soul escaped for ever! *< Hold ! pride of Albion ! more thou canst not will ; Fale drops the scale — the main is Britain's still I Thy country's safe, unparallel'd thy fame. Go — seize the crown no h^ro else can claim,** So spake the Genius of the British shore. That o'er Trafalgar mark'd the battle's roar. Great Nelson's spirit ey'd the starry prize. And mid a blaze of glory pierced the skies. Just before his dissolution he spoke in raptures of the event of the day, and sent his last instruc- tions and his regards to Admiral Collingwood, de- siring, " that he would make his affectionate fai ewel to all his brother seamen throughout the fleet !" Such was the end of Horatio Lord Viscount Kelson, of whom we may truly say, we fear that '*■ We ne'er shall look upoa his like again .'* t94 I^ROF^SSIONAL LIFE OF It was known on board the Trinidada that^t^ie British admiral had been wounded, and the mo?, inent he fell there was a general shout on board:^^ the Spanish ship. Short, however, was the exul- tation of her €rew, wlx) were soon obliged to strike to the irresistible prowess of the British tars. After this conquest the Victory subdued a third ship, which closed the engagement with her. Admiral Colllngwood with his division of the British fleet, was meanwhile closely engaged with the rear of tlie enemy. The Royal Sovereign, indeed, was in action twenty minutes before any other ship. Her opponent was the Santa Anna, of 112 guns, bearing the flag of Vice- Admiral Don Ignatio d'Aliva. During the conflict the Royal Sovereign had the misfortune to be dis- masted, on which the Euryalus, Captain Black- wood, was sent to her assistance. Such was the spirit of the men even in this situation, that they hailed her with : " My little ship, heave our head round, that our broadside may bear, and we shall Boon be at the sally-port." The Euryalus then hove her head round, and she gave the Santa Anna a broadside that crushed her side in. After Captain Blackwood had performed this service. Admiral Collingwood sent him to the Vic- tory, to enquire after Lord Nelson, Captaia Blackwood went in his own boat, which was 16RD NELSON* 295 rowed down the whole fleet. * It is an honor* able agreement between two contending fleets that * The Hon. Captain Blackwood is the sixth, and young, est son of a noble Irish family. He acquired the rudiments of his profession under the late Admiral Macbride, and ■was present in some of the most brilliant actions during the Ainerican war. At different periods, and in various quar- ters of the globe, he has served under all the great admirals of the present reign. He served under Lord Howe in the Royal Charlotte as his signal midshipman during the period of the Spanish armament. In the memorable 1st of June, 1794, he was first lieutenant of the Invincible, of 74 guns, which captured the Juste, of 84, after a close action of two hours, yard-arm and yard-arm. On the return of the fleet to Portsmouth, he was made master and commander, and appointed to the Megara fire-ship attached to the Channel fleet under Lord Howe. He was next promoted to the Brilliant frigate, of 28 guns, in which, after chasing a Spa- nish frigate of superior force under the batteries of Tene- riffe, he was engaged by La Vertu and La Regeneree French frigates, of 44 guns each. La Vertu first brought him to action, but was beaten off with the loss of her fore- mast. He maintained a contest equally successful with her consort, and ccaped. On his return he was made post, and rewarded for this exploit with the command of tlie Penelope, a fine new frigate, of 36 guns, and attached to Lord Nelson's fleet in the Mediterranean. In this ship, ■which for discipline, sailing, and raanoeuvring was the ad- miration of every officer who saw her, he was stationed by his lordship off the harbor of Malta, to watch the Guiilaume Tell, of 84 guns. His conduct in the subsequent action •with that ship has been described above, and amplejustice was done to it by both the British and French commanders* 296 VROFESSIONAL LIFE OF they never fire on the frigates, nor on any cutter or boat, unless they make part of the opposing force. Captain Blackwood got on board the Vic- tory through one of the ports, while she was en- gaging the Santissima Trinidada, and there re- ceived the melancholy intelligence of the death of the commander-in-chief. The Santa Anna soon afterwards struck to the Tonnant, of 84. and was taken possession of by a lieutenant, an officer of marines, and sixty ma- rines and seamen. The dreadful hurricane v^hich succeeded the battle, drove the Santa Anna to- wards the shore, and there was every reason to suppose, as her starboard side was beaten in, that she Vv'ould go down. The British seamen being insufficient to manage this large ship, the com-^ manding ofiicer, as is usual in caplured vessels, ~- .. - ... , ., ,. , . :■ ., ■' ... ' -a The laUer^ in his official letter, ascribes his capture to the intrepidity of the captain of the English frigate in pre* viously bringing him to action, and damaging his rigging. He was entrusted with the charge of towing this prize into port. In the expedition against the French in Egypt, Captain Blackwood again had an opportunity of distin- guishing himself. At the commencement of the present war, he was among the foremost to press forward to serve Lis country, and was immediately appointed to the Eury- alus, then just launched, in which he acquired new distinc* lion for his activity and ability on the coast of Ireland under Lord Gardner, at Boulogne under Lord Keith, and vff Cadiz under Lord Nelson. LORD NELSON. 297 required some of the prisoners to Assist. The storm still continued in all its fury, and these men, instead of aiding in the preservation of the ship, rose upon the EngUsh, and being joined by the rest of the crew, made them prisoners of war, and ran the ship into Cadiz. These miscreants, however, who after being beaten in fair fighting, struck their colors and accepted quarter, whea another broadside would have sent them to the bottom, and yet behaved in this dishonorable manner, were not Spaniards, but Frenchmen, by whom the ship was entirely manned. When the weather moderated, the Spanish commandant of Cadiz, with that honor by which his nation has often been distinguished, sent off the British sea- men and marines in a cartel to the Sirius. Both the French and Spaniards fought despe- rately ; the former seemed desirous of clearing themselves from the imputation thrown upon them by the latter, after the action with Sir Ro- bert Calder, of having wished to make the Spa- niards bear the brunt of the battle. Admiral Gravina is said to have declared, that he had been thrust forward in that action, but that he would this time make the French take an equal share ; they did so, and both fought bravely. — Many of our ships had two or more on them at a time. The Temeraire was boarded by two ships at once ; they poured upon the quarter-deck ia 2q £98 FROrESSIONAL LIFE OF great numbers, rushed to the flag-stafi, and tore down the colours. Our gallant tars were in the highest degree enraged ; they immediately turned- to— cleared the deck of every one of the enemy ; most were killed, the rest were forced overboard ; the colours were hoisted amidst loud huzzas, and the two ships which had boarded her, v/ere forc- ed in their turn to strike their colours. It is worthy of remark, and perhaps a similar instance never occurred in the history of naval combats, that after the gallant crew of the Temeralre had carried the two ships opposed to her, they turned the enemy's guns to good account during the re- mainder of the action. Capt. Freemantle, in the Neptune, of 98 guns, had two Spanish ships of the same force to con-^ tend with, and in consequence of the calm which prevailed, brought both his broadsides to bear so effectually on his opponents as to carry away all their masts; and though he himself lost, compa- ratively, but few men, the slaughter on board the Spaniards when they struck was truly dreadful. The Dreadnought, Captain Conn, having dis, masted her antagonist in the most gallant style, passed on to the Prince of Asturias, bearing the flag of the Spanish commander-in-chief. She made from the Dreadnought with all sail, but not until she had been raked with three tremen* dous, and well-directed broadsides. LORD NELSON. £99 The Leviathan, Captain Bayntun, after passing through th6 enemy's line, dismasted her oppo- nent, raked the Santissima Trinidada, and passed on the St. Augustine, one of seven who appeared to be coming to surround her. She was silenced in a quarter of an hour, and the gallant crew of the Leviathan making her fast with a hawser, towed her into the fleet with the English jack fly- ing, ller fire now ceased for a short time, bi;t only to be renewed with fresh animation. The French ship LTntrepide had, by distant firmg, cut the sails and rigging of the Leviathan, but three more British ships coming up, after a noble resistance she was compelled to surrender. In the Earl of Northesk the commander-in- chief found a worthy second, and a gallant emu- lator ol his great example. The Britannia, (Old Ironsides, as our brave sailors call her) certamly did no discredit to the glorious name she bears ; she broke through the enemy's line, astern of their fourteenth ship, pouring in on each side a most tremendous and destructive fire, and spread- ting havock and dismay wherever she went. In a few minutes, she totally dismasted a French eighty-gun ship, from which a while hankerchief was waved in token of submission. Leaving her to be picked up by some of our frigates, the Bri- tannia passed on to others of the enemy, and con- xiinued engaging frequently on both sides, and * 2 o 2 500 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF with two or three at a time, with very little inter- mission, for upwards of four hours. The Beileisle was totally dismasted within one hour after the commencement of the action. Notwithstanding the misfortune, her brave com- mander. Captain Hargood, by the dexterous use of his sweeps, brought his broadside to bear upon his two opponents, so as to maintain an effective fire upon them during the remainder of the en- gagement. The battle lasted four hours, and a dead calm prevailing the whole of the day, every shot told and did some execution; but four of the British ships were so becalmed, that they w^ere unable to share the glory of the conflict, which, with their co-operation, would probably liave proved still more decisive. On the surrender of the Bucentaur, an officer and one hundred men were sent to take possession of her. They conducted themselves with that mo- deration and forbearance to a vanquished enemy which is characteristic of Britons. The violent storm, which so soon followed the engagement, prevented the removal of the prisoners, and drove the Bucentaure towards Cadiz, when the French- men, from' their superior numbers, were easily . enabled to regain possession of the ship, and carry her into the harbour, where, however, she was stranded, and completely wrecked. The crew, and the party of Englishmen, were taken off the LORD NELSON. 301 wreck by the boats of one of the French frigates in the harbour, and carried on board of the ves- sel. The infamous and cowardly crew of the frigate, when they saw some of the gallant con- querors of their admiral and his fleet completely in their power, unarmed, and exhausted with fatigue and shipwreck, and incapable of resist- ance — in this situation did these dastardly French- men, in revenge for the defeat they had sustain- ed, assault and treat with the utmost cruelty, and with every species of insult and inhumanity, many of the unfortunate and defenceless English pri- soners, whom the fury of the elements, and not the fate of battle, had thus subjected to their power. Upwards of one hundred of our gallant sea- men perished during the gale of wind after the action, in their generous efforts to save the pri- soners out of the different prizes. Among the numerous and singular exertions that were made on this occasion, by all the ships of the fleet, the conduct of Captain Malcolm, and the crew of the Donnegal, who, at the imminent hazard of being totally lost, rescued hundreds of the enemy from a watery grave, is particularly w^orthy of notice.-^ — During the violence of the gale, when that ship was riding at anchor near the Berwick, then in possession of the English, some of the French prisoners on board the prize, in a fit of madness or desperation, cut the cables of the S02 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Berwick, in consequence of which she immedi- ately drove towards the dangerous shoals of St. Lucar, then to leeward, v/here there was hardly a chance of a man beinoj saved. In this situation Captain Malcolm, vvdtbout hesitation, ordered the cables of the Donnegal to be instantly cut, and stood after the Berwick, to which be dis-^ patched his boats, with orders first to save all the wounded Frenchmen, before they brought off any of the English, which order was most punctually complied with ; the English were next removed ; but, before the boats could return, the Berwick struck upon the shoals, and every soul on board perished, to the number of 300, The wounded Frenchmen, who were thus saved, v/ere supplied with the cots and bedding which had been pre* pared for our own sick and wounded ; and, after being treated with every kindness and mark of attention, they were sent into Cadiz by a flag of truce, with all the cots and bedding in which they had been placed, that they might suffer as little pain or inconvenience as posssibie in their removal. Another trait of generosity of a sea- man of this ship deserves to be recorded. On the 25th of October, whilst the Donnegal was at anchor off Cadiz, in a violent gale of wind, one of the Spanish prisoners fell overboard. Though the sea was running so high that they had not ventured to hoist out a boat for twelve LORD NELSON. 303 hours before, two seamen belonging to the Don- negal immediately jumped overboard after him, in hopes of saving his hfe, to the admiration of the Spaniards, who were lost in astonishment at so daring an act. The poor man, however, sunk and was drowned, just as one of the English seamen had nearly got hold of him; a boat was immediatnly lowered, and fortunately the two gallant fellows were got safe on board again. The hero of Aboukir sunk to rest on the bosom of Victory, which crow^ned the last achievement of his life with a glory that even eclipsed the lus- tre of all his former exploits. Nineteen sail of the line were the prize of this dear-bought con- quest. Among the prisoners was Villeneuve. himself, v;ho at first was almost frantic with grief and despair. He considered his defeat as a dream, and could scarcely persuade himself that he was a prisoner, and that his fine fleet had, in the short space of four hours, been consigned to total destruction. Soon after the action, the Santissima Trinidada sunk, with all on board her, and the Achille, a French 84, blew up. The Pickle sr,hooner used uncommon exertion in picking up the men, and succeeded in getting safe on board l60 of her crew, who were put below, and offered every ac- commodation. The gratitude of the Frenchmen, however, by no means kept pace with the huma- S04 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF nity of our brave tars; very few of them seemed grateful for their lives, or acknowledged the kind- ness and attention shewn to them. Scarcely were they left by themselves, before they began to con- cert measures for capturing the schooner; but being overheard by an officer, he fastened down the hatches, and by that means preserved the ship. Many of the officers and seamen, who were in this tremendous conflict, have stated, that they were astonished to see such a large fleet destroyed in so short a time. The masts and rigging fell over the sides of the enemy^s ships with such rapidity, that it appeared more the effect of machinery than any thing that could have been produced by tlie force of a cannonade in an engagement. The details of this glorious encounter, and the operations of the British fleet subsequent to it, are thus officially given by the successor of the heroic Nelson, Admiral (now Lord) Coilingwood. <* Euryalus, otf Cape Trafalgar, Oct. 22, 1805. *' SIR, « The ever-to-be-lamented death of Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, who, in the late conflict with the enemy, fell in the hour of victory, leaves to me the duty of inform- ing my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that on the 19th instant, it was communicated to the Commander in Chief, from the ships watching the motions of the enemy in Cadiz, that the combined fleet had put to sea ; as thty sailed with light winds westerly, his Lordship concluded theip destination was the Mediterranean, and immediately made LOTID NELSON. 305 all sail for tlie Streight's entrance, with the British squa- dron, consisting of twenty-seven ships, three of tbern sixty- fours, where his Lordship was informed by Captain Black- wood (whose vigilance in watching, and giving notice of tlie enemy's movements, has been highly meritorious), that they had not yet passed the Streights. *' On Monday, the 21st inst. at day-light, when Cape Tra- falgar bore E. by S. about seven leagues, the enemy was discovered six or seven miles to the eastward, the wind about west, and very light, the Commander in Chief imme-r diately made the signal for the fleet to bear up in two columns, as they are formed in order of sailing, a mode of attack his Lordship had previously directed, to avoid the inconvenience and delay, in forming a line of battle in the usual manner. The enemy's line consisted of thirty-three ships (of which eighteen were French and fifteen Spanish) commanded in chief by Admiral Villeneuve ; the Spaniards, under the direction of Gravina, wore, with their heads to the northward, and formed their line of battle with great closeness and correctness, but as the mode of attack was unusual, so the structure of their line was new; — it formed a crescent, convexing to leeward, so that in leading down to their centre, I had both their van and rear abaft the beam ; before the fire opened, every alternate ship was about a cable's lerigtlj to windward of her second a-head and a- stern, forming a kind of double lines and appeared, when on their beam, to leave a very little interval between them, and this without crowding their ships. Admiral Villeneuve was in the Bucentaure in the centre, and the Prince of Asturias bore Gravina's flag in the rear; but the French and Spani-h ships were mixed without any apparent regard to order of national squadron. " As the mode of our attack had been previously deter- mined on, and communicated to the flag-officers and cap- 2 P S06 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF tains, few signals were necessary, and none were made> except to direct close order as the lines bore down. " The Commander in Chief, in the Yicto rj, led the wea* ther column, and the Royal Sovereign^ which bore nij flag, the lee. *^ The action began at twelve o'clock, by the leading ships of the columns breaking through the enemy's line, the Commander in Chief about the tenth ship from the Tan, the tsecond in command about the twelfth from the rear, lead- ing the van of the enemy unoccupied ;. the succeeding ship» breaking through^ in all parts, a-stern of their leaders, and engaging the enemy at the muzzles of their guns ; the con- flict was severe ; the enemy's ships were fought with a gal- lantry highly honorable to their officers, but the attack on them was irresistible ; and it pleased the Almighty Dispose? tf all events, to grant his Majesty's arms a complete and glorious victory : about three p, ra. many of the enemy ^s ships having struck their colours, their line gave way ; Admiral Gravina, with tea ships, joining their frigates lo= leeward, stood towards Cadiz. The five headmost ships ia their van tacked, and standing to the southward, to wind- ward of the British line, were engaged, and the sternraost of them taken ; the others went off, leaving to his- Majesty's- squadron nineteen ships of the line (of which two are first rates, the Santissima Trinidada and the Santa Anna), with three flag officers^ viz. Admiral Villeneuve (the Commander in Chief), Don Ignalio Maria D'Aliva, Vice-Admiral, and the Spanish Rear-Hdmiral, Don Baltazar Hidalgo Cisne- ros. '' After such a victory, it may appear unnecessary to enter into encomiums on the particular parts taken by the several commanders jthe conclusion says more on the subject than I have language to express ; the spirit which animated aU LORD NELSON. 307 was tlie same ; when all exert themselves zealously in their country's service, all desire that their high merits should stand recorded ; and never was high merit more conspi- cuous than in the battle I have described. " The Achille (a French 74), after having surrendered, by some mismanagement of the Frenchmen, took fire, and blew up; two hundred of her men were saved by the ten- ders. *' A circumstance occurred during the action, which sq ftrongly marks the invincible spirit of British seamen, when engaging the enemies of their country, that I cannot resist the pleasure I have in making it known to their Lordships; the Temeraire was boarded by accident, or design, by a French ship on one side, and a Spaniard on the other -, the contest was vigorous, but, in the end, the combined ensigni were torn from the poop, and the British hoisted in their places. '' Such a battle could not be fought without sustaining a great loss of men. I have not only to lament, in common with the British navy, and the British nation, in the fall of the Commander in Chief, the loss of a hero, whose nam^ will be immortal, and his memory ever dear to his country; but my heart is rent with the most poignant grief for tho -death of a friend, to whom, by many years' intimacy, and A perfect knowledge of the virtues of his mind, which in- spired ideas superior to the common race of men, I was bound by the strongest ties of affection ; a grief to which even the glorious occasion in which he ftU, does not bring the consolation which perhaps it ought ; his Lordship re- ceived a musket-ball in his left breast, about the middle of the action, and sent an officer to me immediately, with his last farewel, and soon after expired. *^ I have also to lament the loss of those excellent officers^ 2 P 2 808 PBOFESSIONAL LIFE OV Captains DufF* of the Mars, and Cooke of the Bellerophon ', I have yet heard of none others. '^ I fear the numbers thai have fallen will be found very- great when the returns come to me ; but it having blown a gale of wind ever since the action, I have not yet had it in mj power to collect an}' reports from the ships. " The Royal Sovereign having lost her masts, except the tottering foremast, I called the Euryalus to me, while the action continued, which ship lying within hail, made mj signals, a service Captain Blackwood performed with great attention. After the action, I shifted my flag to her, that I might more easily communicate my orders to, and collect the ships, and towed the Royal Sovereign out to seaward. The whole fleet were now in a very perilous situation, many dismasted, all shattered, in thirteen fathom water, off the shoals of Trafalgar; and when T made the signal to prepare to anchor, few of the ships had an anchor to let go, their cables being shot; but the same good Providence which aided us through such a day, preserved us in the night, by the wind shifting a few points, and drifting the ships off the land, except four of the captured dismasted ships, which are now at anchor oiF Trafalgar, and I hope will ride safe until those gales are over. *' Having thus detailed the proceedings of the fleet on this occasion, I beg to congratulate their Lordships on a victory, which, T hope, w411 add a ray to the glory of his Majesty's crown, and be attended with public benefit to our country, " I am, &c. »' William Marsden, Esq. '^ C. COLLINGWOOD. * Captain Duff had on board the Mars, during the action, two sons, one aged twelve, the other about fifteen. Early in the contest the first had both his legs carried away by a shot ; the second fell soon afterwards; and to complete the distressing group, the father himself was added to the list of the slain. LORD NELSON. S09 ^ The Order in uhich the Ships of the British Squadron at- tacked the Combined Fleets on the 21s« of October, 1805. VAX. Victory Temeraire Neptune Conqueror Leviathan Ajnx Orion Ai^aniemnoii Minotaur Spartiaie Britannia Africa Enrjalus Sirius Phabe Naiad Pickle Schooner Enlreprenaate Cutter REAR. Hoyal Sovereign Mars Beiieisle Ton n ant Bellcrophon Colossus AchiUe Polyphemus Hevenge Swiftsure Defence Thunderer Defiance Prince DreadnouG:ht 'C. COLLING Vv'OOD." ^^ GENERAL ORDER. " Euryalus, Oct. ^2, 1805. '^TflE ever-to-be-lanrented death of Lord Viscount Nelson, Duke of Bronte, the Commander-in-Chief, who fell in the action of the 21st, in the arms of victory, covered with glory, whose memory will be ever dear to the British navy, and the British nation, whose zeal for the honor of his king, and for the interests of his country, will be ever held up as a shining example for a British seaman, leaves to me a duty to return my thanks to the Right Honorable Rear- Admiral, the Captains, Officers, Seamen, and detachments 310 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF of Royal Marines, serving on board his Majesty's squadron aow under my command, for their conduct on that day: ;but where can I find language to express ray sentiments of the valor and skill which were displayed by the Officers, the Seamen, and Marines, in the battle with the enemy, where every individual appeared an hero, on whom the glory of his country depended j the attack was irresistible, and the issue of it adds to the page of our naval annals, a brilliant instance of what Britons can do, when their King «nd their countr^^ need their service. *' To the Right Honorable Rear-Admiral the Earl of Northesk, to the Captains, Officers, and Seamen, and to the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Privates of tlie Royal Marines, I beg to give my sincere and hearty thanks for their highly meritorious conduct, both in the action, and in their zeal and activity in bringing the cap- tured ships out from the perilous situation in which they were, after their surrender, among the shoals of Trafalgar, 4n boisterous weather. *' And I desire that the respective captains will be pleased to communicate to the Officers, Seamen, and Royal Ma- rines, this public testimony of my high approbation of their conduct, and my thanks for it. C. COLLINGWOOD; " To the Right Honorable Rear-Admiral the Earl of Northesk, and the respective Captains and Commanders." *' GENERAL ORDER. ^' The Almighty God, whose arm is strength, having of his great mercy been pleased to crown the exertion of his Majest^f's fleet with success, in giving them a complete victory over their enemies, on the 21st of this month ; and ^hat ail praise and thanksgiving may be offered up to the LORD NELSON. $11 throne of Grace for the great benefits to our country and to mankind, '' I have thought proper, that a day should be appointed of general humiliation before God, and thanksgiving for this his mercilul goodness, imploring forgiveness of sins, a continuation of his Divine mercy, and his constant aid to us, in the defence of our country's liberties and laws, with' out which the utmost efforts of man are nought, and direct therefore that , be appointed for this purpose. *' Given on board the Euryalus, off Cape Trafalgar, 22d October, 1805. '' C. COLLINGWOOD. *' To the respective Captains and Commanders. " N. 'S. The fleet having been dispersed by a gale of wiiid, no day as yet has been able to be appointed for this^ holy purpose. " Euryalus, off Cadiz, Oct. 24, 1805. *' SIK, *' In my letter of the 22d, I detailed to you, for the information of my lords commissioners of the admiralty, the proceedings of his Majesty's squadron on the day of action^ and that preceding it, since vvhich, I have had a continued series of misfortunes ; but they are of a kind that human prudence could not possibly provide against, or my skill prevent. " On the 22d, in the morning, a strong southerly wind blew^, with squally weather, which, however, did not pre- vent the activity of the officers and seamen of such ships as^ were manageable from getting hold of many of the prizes (thirteen or fourteen) and towing them off to the westward, •when T ordered them to rendezvous round tlie Royal Sovereign, in tow by the Neptune ; but, on the 23d, the gale increased, and the sea ran so high, that many of therat 512 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF broke the tow-rope, and drifted far to leeward before tbe5r were got hold of again, and some of them, taking advan- tage in the dark and boisterous night, got before ihe wind, and have perhaps drifted upon the shore, and sunk r on the afternoon of that day, the remnant of the Combined Fleet ten sail of ships, who had not been much engaged, stood up to leeward of my shattered and straggled charge, as if meaning to attack them, which obliged me to collect a force out of the least injured ships, and form to leeward for theii defence ; all this retarded the progress of the hulks, and the bad weather continuing, determined me to destroy all the ieewardmost that could be cleared of the men, considering, that keeping possession of the ships was a matter of little consequence, compared with the chance of their falling again into the hands of the enemy ; but this was an arduous task in the high sea which was running. I hope, however, it has been accomplished to a considerable extent : I in- trusted it to skilful officers, who would spare no pains to execute what was possible. The captains of the Prince and Neptune cleared the Trinidad, and sunk her. Captains Hope, Bayntun, and Malcolm, who joined the fleet this moment from Gibraltar, had the charge of destroying four others. The Kedoubtable sunk astern of the Swiftsure, while in tow. The Santa Anna, I have no doubt, has sunk, as her side was almost entirely beaten in ; and such is the shattered condition of the whole of them, that unless the weather moderates, I doubt whether I shall be able to carry a ship of them into port. I hope their Lordships will approve of what I (having only in consideration the de- struction of the enemy's fleet), have thought a measure of absolute necessity. " I have taken Admiral Yilleneuve into this ship ; Vice- Admiral Don Aliva is dead. Whenever the temper of the weather will permit, and I can spare a frigate, (for there LORD NELSON. 313 Ifrere only four in the action with the fleet, Euryalus, Sirius, Phoebe, and Naiad ', the Melpomene joined the 22d, and the Eurydice and Scout the 23d), I shall collect the other flag-officers, and send them to England, \vith their flags, if they do not all go to the bottom, to be laid at his Majesty's feet. " There were four thousand troops embarked, under the command of General Contamin, who was taken with Admiral Villeneuve in the Bucentaure. '' I am^ Sir, &c. <' C. COLLINGWOOD." « W. Marsden, Esq." *' Euryalus, ofl" Cadiz, October 28. ** SIR, *' Since ray letter to you of the 24th, stating the pro- ceedings of his Majesty's squadron, our situation has been the most critical, and our employment the most arduous that ever a fleet was engaged in. On the 24th and 25th, it blew a most violent gale of wind, which completely dis- persed the ships, and drove the captured hulls in all direc- tions. 1 have since been employed in collecting and de- stroying them, where they are at anchor upon the coast between Cadiz and six leagues westward of San Lucar, without the prospect of saving one to bring into port. I mentioned in my former letter the joining of the Donegal and Melpomene after the action; I cannot sufficiently praise the activity of their commanders, in giving assistance to the squadron in destroying the enemy's ships. The Defiance, after having stuck to the Aigle as long as pos- sible, in hopes of saving her from wreck, which separated her for some time from the squadron, was obliged to aban- don her to her fate, and she went on shore. Captain Dur- ham's exertions have been very great. I hope I shall get 2 Q 314 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF them all destroyed by to-morrow, if the weather keeps mo- derate. In the gale the Royal Sovereign and Mars lost their fore-masts, and are now rigging anew, where the body of the squadron is at anchor to the N. W. of San Lucar. I find that on the return of Gravina to Cadiz, he was imme- diately ordered to sea again, and came out, which made it necessary for me to form a line, to cover the disabled hulls; that niglit it blew hard, and his ship, the Prince of Asturias, was dismasted, and returned into port; the Rayo was also dismasted, and fell into our hands 3 Don Enrigue M. Douel had his broad pendant in the Rayo, and from him I find the Santa Anna was driven near Cadiz, and towed in by a frigate. " 1 am. Sir, &c. (Signed) " C. COLLINGWOOD." « W. Marsden, Esq." "His Majesty's Ship Clueen, off Cape «' Trafalgar, November 4, 1805. " SIR, "On the 28th ultimo Unformed you of the proceedings of the squadron to that time. The weather continued very bad, the wind blowing from the S. W., the squadron not in a situation of safety, and seeing little prospect of getting the captured ships off rhe land, and great risk of some of them getting into port, I determined no longer to delay the destroying them, and to get the squadron out of the deep bay. The extraordinary exertion of Captain Capel, however, saved the French Swiftsure ; and his ship, the Phoebe, to- gether with the Donegal, Captain Malcolm, afterwards brought out the Bahama. Indeed, nothing can exceed the perseverance of all the officers employed in this service. Captain Hope rigged, and succeeded in bringing out th(? LORD NELSON. 315 Ildefonso; all of which will, I hope, have arrived safe at Gibraltar. For the rest. Sir, I enclose you a list of all the enemy's fleet, which were in the action, and how they are disposed of, which, T believe, is perfectly correct. I informed you, in my letter of the 28th, that the rem- nant of the enemy's fleet came out a second time, to en- deavour, in the bad weather, to cut off some of the hulks, when the Rayo was dismasted, and fell into our hands; she afterwards parted her cable, went on shore, and was wrecked. The Indomptable, one of the same squadron, was also driven on shore, wrecked, and her crew perished. The Santa Anna and Algeziras being driven near the shore of Cadiz, got such assistance as has enabled them to get in ; but the ruin of their fleet is as complete as could be expected, under the circumstances of fighting them close to their own shore. Had the battle been in the ocean, still fewer would have escaped. Twenty sail of the line are taken or destroyed ; and of those which got in, not more than three are in a repairable state for a length of time. Kear-Admiral Louis, in the Canopus, who had been detached with the Queen, Spencer, and Tigre, to compietQ the water, &c. of these ships, and to see the convoy in safety a certain distance up the Mediterranean, joined me on the 30th. In clearing the captured ships of prisoners, I found so many wounded men, that to alleviate human misery a| much as was in my power, I sent to the Marquis de Solana, Governor-General of Andalusia, to offer him the wounded to the care of their country, on receipts being given ; a proposal which was received with the greatest thankfulness, not only by the governor, but the whole country resounds •with expressions of gratitude. Two French frigates were sent out to receive them, with a proper officer to give re- ceipts, bringing with them all the English who had beea 2q2 316 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF wrecked in several of the ships, and an offer from thip Marquis de Solana of the use of their hospitals for our wounded, pledging the honor of Spain for their being carefully attended, *' I have ordered rilost of the Spanish prisoners to be released ; the officers on parole, the men for receipts given, and a condition that they do not serve in war, by sea of land, until exchanged, '' By mj correspondence with the Marquis, I found that Vice-Admiral D'Aiiva was not dead, but dangerously wounded ; and I wrote to him a letter, claiming him as a prisoner of war ; a copy of which I enclose, together with a statement of the flag-officers of the combined fleet. " I am, &c. " C. COLLINGWOOD . *' A List of the Combined Fleets of France and Spam hi the Action of 1st October, 1B05, off Cape Trafalgar, shewing how they are disposed of 1. Spanish ship San Ildefonso, of 74 guns. Brigadier Dop Joseph de Vargas, sent to Gibraltar. 2. Spanish ship San Juan Nepomuceno, of 74 guns. Bri- gadier Don Cosme Churruca, sent to Gibraltar. 3. Spanish ship Bahama, of 74 guns, Biigadier Don A. J). Galiano, sent to Gibraltar. 4. French ship Swiftsure, of 74 guns. Monsieur Villema- drin, sent to Gibraltar, 5. Spanish ship Monarca, of 74 guns, Don Jeodoro Argu- mosa, wrecked off San Lucar. 6. French ship Fougeux, of 74 guns. Monsieur Beaa- douin, wrecked off Trafalgar, all perished, and thirty of the Teraeraire's men. 7. French ship Indomptable, of 84 guns. Monsieur Hu- bert, wrecked off Rota, all perished. 6. J'tengh ship Bucentaure, of 80 ^uns^ Admiral Vijle*- LORD NELSON. 517 lieuve Commander in Chief; Captains Prigny and Majen- die ; wrecked on the Porqiies, some of the crew saved. 9. Spanish ship San Francisco de Asis, of 74 guns, Don Louis de Flores^ wrecked near Kota. 10. Spanish ship El Kayo, of 1 00 guns. Brigadier Don Henrique Macdonel, wrecked near San Lucar. 11. Spanish ship Neptuno^ of 84 guns. Brigadier Don Cayetano Valdes, wrecked between Kola and Catolina. 12. French ship Argonaute, of 74 guns. Monsieur Epron^ on shore in the port of Cadiz. 13. French ship Berwick, of 74 guns. Monsieur Camas, "wrecked to the northward of San Lucar. 14. French ship Aigle, of 74 guns. Monsieur Courrege, wrecked near Rota. 15. French ship Achllle, of 74 guns. Monsieur de Nieu- port, burnt during the action. 16. French ship Intrepide, of 74 guns. Monsieur Infor- net, burnt by the Britannia. 17. Spanish ship San Augustin, of 74 guns, Brigadier Don Felipe X. Cagigal, burnt by the Leviathan. 18. Spanish ship Santissiraa Trinidada, of 140 guns, Rear-Admiral Don Baltazar H. Cisneros, Brigadier Don F. Uriarte, sunk by the Prince, Neptune, &c. 19. French ship Redoubtable, of 74 guns. Monsieur Lucas, sunk astern of the Swiftsure ; Temeraire lost thir- teen, and Swiftsure five men. 20. Spanish ship Argonauta, of 80 guns, Don xlntonio Parejo, sunk by tlie Ajax. 21. Spanish ship Santa Anna, of 1\'2 guns, Vice-Admiral Don Ignatio D'Aliva, Captain Don Joseph de Gardoqui, taken, but got into Cadiz in the gale, dismasted. ^2. French ship Algeziras, of 74 guns, Rear-Admiral Magon (killed). Captain Monsieur Bruard, taken, but got into Cadiz in the gale, dismasted. 318 PROFESSIONAL LIFfi OF 23. French ship Pluton, of 74 guns. Monsieur Cosmao, returned to Cadiz in a sinking state. 24. Spanish ship San Juste, of 74 guns, Don Miguel Gaston, returned to Cadiz, has a foremast only. 25. Spanish ship San Leandro, of 64 guns, Don Joseph de Quevedo, returned to Cadiz dismasted. 26. French ship Neptune, of 84 guns, Monsieur Mais- tral, returned to Cadiz, and perfect. 27. French ship Heros, of 74 guns, Monsieur Poulain, returned to Cadiz, lower masts in, and Admiral Rossilie's flag on board. 28. Spanish ship Principe D'Asturias, of 112 guns. Ad- miral Don F. Gravina, Don Antonio Escano, &c. returned to Cadiz, dismasted. 29. Spanish ship Montanez, of 74 guns, Don Francisco Alcedo, returned to Cadiz. 30. French Ship Formidable, of 80 guns, Rear-Admiral Dumanoir, hauled to the southward, and escaped. 31. French ship Mont Blanc, of 74 guns. Monsieur 1« Villegries, hauled to the southward, and escaped. 32. French ship Scipion, of 74 guns, Monsieur Berenger, hauled to the southward, and escaped. 33. French ship Duguay Trouin, of 7i guns, Monsieur Touflet, hauled to the southward, and escaped.* ABSTRACT. At Gibraltar 4 Destroyed 16 In Cadiz, wrecks 6? q In Cadiz, serviceable sj Escaped to the southward ..-...-. 4 Total 33 * The four last-mertioned ships were captured by Sir Richard Strachan on tiie 4th November, LORD NELSON. 319 A TAst of the Names and Rank of the Flag Officers of the Combined Fleets of France and Spain, in the Action of the 2Ut of October, 1805. Admiral Villeneuve, Commander-in-chief; Bucentaure — Taken. Admiral Don Frederico Gravina ; Principe d'Asturias — Escaped, in Cadiz, wounded in the arm. Vice-Admiral Don Ignatio Maria d'Aliva; Santa Anna ' — Wounded severely in the head, taken, but was driven into Cadiz in the Santa Anna. Kear-Admiral Don Baitazar Hidalgo Cisneros ; Santissi- ma Trinidada — ^Taken. Rear-Admiral Magon ; Algeziras — KilJed. Rear-Admiral Dumanoir ; Formidable — Escaped. " Euryalus, off Cadiz, Octobei 27, 1805. " MY LORD MARQUIS, "A great number of Spanish subjects having been wound- ed in the late action between the British and the combined fleets of Spain and France, on the 21st instant, humanity, and ray desire to alleviate the sufferings of these wounded men, dictate to me to offer to your Excellency their en- largement, that they may be taken proper care of in the hospitals on shore, provided your Excellency will send boats to convey them, with a proper officer to give receipts for the number, and acknowledge them in your Excellen- cy's answer to this letter, to be prisoners of war, to be ex- changed before they serve again. '' I beg to assure your Excellency of my high considera- tion, and that I am, &c. «' C. COLLINGWOOD. «* To his Excellency the Marquis de Solana, Captain-General of Andalusia, Gover- i)or, &c. &c. Cadiz." 320 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Conditions on which the Spanish wounded Prisoners were releasedj and sent on Shore to the Hospital. I Guillame Valverde, having been authorised and em- powered by the Marquis de Solana, Governor General of Andalusia and of Cadiz, to receive from the English squa- dron the wounded prisoners, and such persons as may be necessar}^ to their care, which release, and enlargement of the wounded, &c. is agreed to, on the part of the Com- mandei' in Chief of the British squadron, on the positive condition, that none of the said prisoners shall be emploj^ed again, in any public service of the crown of Spain, either by sea or land, until they are regularly exchanged. Signed on board his Britannic Majesty^s ship Euryalus, at sea, 50th October, 1805. GUILL. DE VALVERDE, EdecandeS. E. *< Euryalusj off Cadiz, October 30, 1805. " SIR, '' It is with great pleasure that I have heard the wound you received in the action is in a hopeful way of recovery, and that your country may still have the benefit of your future service. " But, Sir, you surrendered yourself to me, and it was in consideration only of the state of your wound, that you were not removed into my ship. I could not disturb the repose of a man supposed to be in his last moments ; but your sword, the emblem of your service, was delivered to me by your captain^ and I expect that you consider your- self a. prisoner of war, until you shall be regularly exchang- ed by cartel. " I have the honour to be, &c. " C. COLLIN GWOOa " To Vice-Admiral Don Ignatio Maria D'Aliva. Sent under cover to Admiral Gravina." LORD NELSON. J'2l An Abstract of the Killed and Wounded on board the respec- tive Ships composing the British Squadron under the Com^ mand. of the Right Honourable Vice-Admiral Lord Vis- count Nelson in the Action of the 2Ut of October, 1805, off Cape Trafalgar, with the Combined Fleets of France and Spai7i, Victory — 4 officers, 3 pettj/ officeis, 32 seamen, and 13 marines, killed ; 4 officers, 5 petty officers, 59 seamen, and 9 marines, wounded — ^Total 132. Royal Sovereign — 3 officers, ^2 petty officers, 29 seamen, «ind 13 marines, killed ; 3 officers, 5 petty officers, 70 sea- men, and 16 marines, womided — Total, 141, Britannia — 1 officer, 8 seamen, and 1 marine, killed ; 1 officer, 1 petty officer, 33 seamen, and 7 marines, wounded —Total, 52. Temeraire — 3 officers, 1 pett}^ officer, 35 seamen, and ^ marines, killed ; 3 officers, 2 petty officers, 59 seamen, and 12 marines, wounded — ^Total, 123. Prince, none. Neptune — 10 seamen, killed ; 1 petty officer, 30 seamen, and 3 marines, wounded — Total, 44. Dreadnought — 6 seamen and 1 marine, killed ; 1 officer, 2 petty officers, 19 seamen, and 4 marines, wounded — Total, 33. Tonnant, not received. Mars — 1 officer, 3 }jetty officers, 17 seamen, and 8 ma- rines, killed ', 4 officers, 5 petty officers, 44 seamen, and 16 marines, wounded- -Total, 98. Bellerophon — 2 officers, 1 petty officer, 20 seamen, and 4 marines, killed; 2 officers, 4 petty officers, 97 seamen, and 20 marines, wounded — Total, 150. Minotaur — 3 seamen, killed; 1 officer, 1 petty officer, 17 seamen, and 3 marines, wounded — Total; 25. 2 R 32^ PROFESSIOMAL LIFE OF Revenge — 2 petty officers, 18 searaen, and 8 marines, killed, 4 officers, 58 seamen, and 9 marines, wounded — - Total, 79. Conqueror — 2 officers, 1 seaman, killed ; 2 officers, 7 sea* men, wounded— Total, 12. Leviathan-'^ seamen and 2 marines, killed; 1 petty pfficer, 17 seamen, and 4 marines, wounded — Total, 26. Ajax — 2 seamen, killed ; 9 seamen, wounded — ^Total, 1 1. Orion — 1 seaman, killed ; 2 petty officers, 17 seamen, and 4 marines, wounded— Total, 24. Agamemnon — 2 seanien, killed ; 7 seamen, wounded — Total 9. Spartiate — 3 seamen, killed; 1 officer, 2 petty officers, 16 seamen, and 1 marine, wounded — Total, 23. AJrica — 12 seamen, and 6 marines, killed; 2 officers, h petty officers, 30 seamen, and 7 marines, wounded — To. tal, 62. Belleisle — 2 officers, 1 petty officer, 22 seamen, and 8 marines, killed; 3 officers, 3 petty officers, 68 seamen, and 19 marines, wounded — Total, 126. Colossus — 1 officer, 31 seamen, and 8 marines, killed; 5 officers, 9 petty officers, 115 seamen, and 31 marines, wounded — Tottil, 200. Achille — 1 petty officer, 6 seamen, and 6 marines, killed ; 4 officers, 4 petty officers, 37 seamen, and 14 marines^ ■wounded — Total, 72. Polyphemus — 2 seamen, killed ; 4 seamen, wounded — • Total, 6. Su^iftsure — 7 seamen, and 2 marines, killed ; 1 petty offi- cer, 6 seamen, and 1 nic,rine, wounded — Total, 17. Defend: — 4 seamen, and 3 marines, killed ; 23 seamen and 6 marines, wounded — Total, 36. Thunderer — 2 seamen, and 2 marines, killed ; 2 petty ©fficers, 9 seamen, and 1 marine, wounded — Total, 16 LORD NELSON. SQ,S Defiance — ^ officers, 1 petty officer, 8 seamen, and 6 ma- rines, killed ; 1 officer, 4 petty officers 39 seamen, and 9 marines, wounded — Total, 70. Total — 21 officers, 13 petty officers, 283 seamen, and lOi marines, killed ; 41 officers, 57 petty officers 870 sea- men, and 196 marines, wounded — ^Totai, 1587. « C. COLLIN GWOOI>. Return of the Names of the Officers and Petty Officers hilled and wounded 07i hoard the Ships if the British Squadron in the Action with the Combined Fleets of France and Spain, off Cape Trafaigar, on the 'ilst October, 1805. Victory — Tlie Right Hon. Lord Viscount Nelson, K. B. Vice-Admiral of the White, Commander in Chief, &c. &c. &c.; John Scott, Esq. secretary ; Charles W. Adair, ciip- tain royal marines; William Ram, lieutenant; Robert Smith and Alexander Palmer, midshipmen; Thomas Whip- ple, captain's clerk, Jloyal Sovereign-^Bnce Gilliland, lieutenant ; William. Chalmers, master ; Robert Green, seror.d lieutenant of royal marines; John Aikenhead, and Thomas Braund, midshipmen. JBritanMia-— Francis Roskruge, lieutenant. Temeraire — Simeon Busigny, captain of royal marines; John Kingston, lieutenant of royal marines ; Lewis Oades^ carpenter; William Pitts, midshipman. Prince, none ; — Neptune, none ; — Dreadnought, none. Tonnant, no return. Mars — George Duff, captain; Alexander Duff, master's mate; Edmund Corljn, and Heiiry Morgan, midshipmen. 2 R 2 Sit PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Bellerophoii — ^John Goote, first captain ; Edward Over- ton, master j John Simmons, midshipman. Minotaur, none. Revenge — Thomas Grier and Edward F. Brooks, mid- hipmen. Conqueror — Robert Lloyd, and William M. St. George, lieutenants. Leviathauy none; — AJax, none; — Orion, none; — Aga- memnon, none; — Spartiate, none; — Africa, none. ^e/Ze/s/e— Ebenezer Geall, and John Woodin, lieute» nants; George Nind, midshipman. Colossus — Thomas Scriven^ master. AchiMe — Francis John Mugg, midshipman. PohjphemiLs, none; — Swlftsiire, none; — Defence, none. Thunderer, none. Defiance — ^Thomas Simons, lieutenant; William Forster, boatswain; James Williamson, midshipman. WOUNDED. Victory — John Pasco, and G. Miller Bligh, lieutenants, Lewis B. Keeves, and J. G. Peake, lieutenants of royal marines ; William Kivers (slightly), G. A. Westphall, and Richard Bulkeley, midshipmen ; John Geoghehan, agent- victualler's clerk. Royal Sovereign — John Clavell, and James Bashford, lieutenants ; James le Vesconte, second-lieutenant of royal marines ; William Watson, masterVmate ; Gilbert Kenni- cott, Grenville Thompson, John Campbell, and John Far- rant, midshipmen ; Isaac Wilkinson, boatswain. Britannia — Stephen Trounce, master ; William Grint,. midshipman. LORD NELSON. 325 Temeraire — James Mould, lieutenant ; Samuel J. Payne, lieutenant of ro^^al marines ; John Brooks, Boatswain ; T. S. Price, raaster's-mate ; John Eastman, midshipman. Prince, none. Neptune — -Hurrell, captain's clerk. l^readnought. .J'dmes L. Lloyd (slightly), lieutenant; Andrew M^Cullock, and James Saffin, Midshipmen. Tonnant. .'No return. Mars. -Edward Garrett, and James Black, lieutenants; Thomas Cook, master ; Thomas Norman, second captain of royal marines; John Yonge, George Guiren, William John Cook, John Jenkins, and Alfred Lukraft, midship- men. Bellerophon. .James Wemyss, captain of royal marines; Thomas Kobinson, boatswain ; Edward Hartley, master's- mate ; William N. Jewell, James Stone, Thomas Bant, and George Pearson, midshipmen. Minotaur, — James Robinson, boatswain ; John Samuel Smith, midshipman. Revenge. — Robert Moorsom, captain (slightly) ; Luke Brokenshaw, master ; John Berry, lieutenant ; Peter Lily (slightly), captain of ro^'al marines. Conqueror. — Thomas Wearing, lieutenant of royal ma- rines ; Philip Mendel, lieutenant of his imperial majesty's navy (both slightly). Leviathan, — J. W. W^atson, midshipman (slightly). AJax, none. Orion,-^ Sause, C: P. Cable, midshipmen; (both slightly.) Agamemnon, none. Spartiate — John Clarke, boatswain ; — Bellairs and ■ Knapman, midshipmen. Africa — Matthew Hay, acting-lieutenant ; James Tyn- more, captain of royal marines ; Henry West, and Abraham 526 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF Turner, master'smates ; Frederick White (slightly), Phi- lip J. Elmhurst, and John P. Bailey, midshipmen, BeUeisle — William Terrie, lieutenant; John Owen, firs^ lieutenant of royal marines 3 Andrew Gibson, boatswain ; William Henry Pearson, and William Culfield, master's mates; Samuel Jago, midshipman; J. T. Hodge, volunteer, first class. Co/ossus— James N. Morris, captain ; George Bully, lieu- tenant ; William Forster, acting lieutenant; John Benson, lieutenant of royal marines ; Henry Milbanke, master's mate ; William Herringham^FrederickTliistlewayte (slight- ly),Thomas G. Reece, Henry Snellgrove, Rawden McLean, George Wharrie, Tim. Renou, and George Denton, mid- shipmen ; William Adamson, boatswain. Achille — Parkins Prynn (slightly), and Josias Bray, lieu- tenants; Pralms Westroppe, captain of royal marines; Wil- liam Leddon, lieutenant of royal marines; George Pegge, master's mate ; William H. Staines and Wm. J. Snow, mid- shipmen ; W. Smith Warren, volunteer, first class. Polyphemus, none. Swiftsure — Alexander Bell Handcock, midshipman. Defence, none. Thunderer — John Snell, master's-mate ; Alexander Gal- loway, midshipman. Defiance — P. C. Durham, (slightly), captain ; James Spratt and Robert Browne, master's mates ; John Hodge and Edmund Andrew Chapman, midshipmen. C. COLLING WOOD. Captain Blackwood, who brought home the last of these dispatches from the commander-in- chief, delivered the following correction of an error which had crept into it ; LORD NELSON. 32? Admiralty-Office, Nov. 30, 1805. *^ SIR, '' Observing in the Gazette Extraordinary, of the 27th instant, that the number of the eneraj^^s ships taken and €lestro3'ed, in consequence of the action of the 21st of Oc- tober, is stated at twenty sail of the line, I take the liberty of mentioning to you, for the information of ray lords com- missioners of the admiralty, that as this must be intended to include the French ship Argonaute, of 74 guns, which ship I had an opportunity of knowing was safe in the port of Cadiz, it will be proper to state the actual number taken and destroyed at nineteen sail of the line. This apparent inaccuracy was occasioned by the dispatch of the com- mander-in-chief, dated the 4th, having been made up be- fore ray last return with a flag of truce from that port. [ am, &c. HENRY BLACKWOOD. *' William Marsden, E^q. The four ships of the enemy's van which went off to the southward at the conclusion of the en- gagement, as mentioned above by Admiral Col- lingwood, were French ships, Formidable of 80 guns, jNlont Blanc and Scipion of 74 guns each. Rear- Admiral Dumanoir led on this division to the perpetration of a deed worthy of the sangui- nary days of a IVIarat or a Robespierre. How- ever incredible it may appear, the fact has been confirmed by the testimony of many Spanish offi- cers of rank, that these wretches, in their flight, iired for some time upon the Santissima Triul- dada, and the other prizes which had struck to the English, by which wanton act of unparalleled 328 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF ferocity, several hundreds of the Spaniards were killed and wounded. But it was not long that these savages were permitted to felicitate themselves on their good fortune. Sir Richard Strachan, who had under his command the same number of ships, and of exactly the same force, had the good fortune to fall in with the fugitives, while cruizing before Ferrol, on the night of the 2d of November. The next day at noon he brought them to action, and after an obstinate engagement of three hours and a half, compelled the whole of them to strike. * '»• The following circumstance is too intimately connected with the lamented hero of these Memoirs, to be omitted here. As Colonel Tjrwhitt, with other gentlemen, was looking at the prizes taken by Sir Richard Strachan, going up Plymouth harbor, on the l^th of November, he observed a fine little boy, of an open countenance, cheering with his playfellows, who frequently called him Nelson. This being several times repeated, raised the curiosity of the gentle- man to inquire who the boy was. Colonel Tyrwhitt went to the cottage of his father, a quarryman, who lived at Rusty Anchor, under the West Hoe. The boy soon after- wards arrived, and at first appeared rather shy, but after a little conversation his timidity wore off, and he said that Lord Nelson was his god-father, but that he was shot and killed the other day in a great battle. Ihis served to excite the colonel's curiosity, and he entered the hut, where he found the father, (who had lost a limb in the Minotaur at the battle of the Nile), and his wife and four children, clean, though but poorly dressed. He inquired whether it I LORD NELSON. S29 Thus, out. of a formidable fleet of 33 sail of the line, which sailed from Cadiz on the 20th of Oc- tober, only ten remained to the enemy that were fiot taken or destroyed. By this stroke they lost between 20 and 30,000 seamen, four admi- rals, one general, and most of their best officers. On the arrival of the intelligence of the splen- did achievement at Trafalgar on the British shore, one universal sentiment pervaded every bosom. That the triumph, great and glorious as it was, had been dearly purchased, and that such was the general opinion was powerfully evinced in the •was true that Lord Nelson was the god-father of the little boy, and was answered in the affirmative. The mother then produced the certificate of his baptism at the British Fac- tory Chapel, Leghorn, in July , 1800, attested by the Rev. Mr. Com^^ns, and signed by Lady Hamilton, Sir William Hamilton, and Lord Nelson, after whom the child was named Horatio Nelson. His mother was washerwoman on board the Minotaur when the child was born in the bay of Leghorn, and his lordship, when he stood sponsor^ promised when the boy grevv up, to give him a nautical education, and put him to sea. When he sailed for England, he de- sired these poor people to write to him when they should be settled, but this, through ignorance, they had neglected to do. The Minotaur was paid off at Plymouth, and the father, with the aid of his small pension, had by his industry contrived to maintain his family ever since. Colonel Tyr- whitt immediately resolved to prosecute his lordship's in- tentions, and to give the child a regular nautical education to fit him fo/ the naval service of his country. 2 s S30 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF deep affliction with which the news of Lord Nel- son's death was received. The victory created none of 'those enthusiastic emotions in the pubHc mind which naval successes have, in every former instance, produced. There was not a man who did not think the life of thfe hero of the Nile, of Copenhagen, and of Trafalgar, too great a price for the destruction of twenty sail of French and Spanish men of war. No ebullitions of popular transport, no demonstrations of public joy, mark- ed this great and important event. The honest and manly feeling of the people appeared in the manner it ought ; they felt an inward satisfaction at the triumph of the favorite arms ; they mourn- ed with all the sincerity and poignancy of domes* tic grief, the death of their hero. * And they did weep, dear was the hero of their souls j he went out to battle, and the foe vanished !' When the painfully pleasing intelHgence was: transmitted to their Majesties at Windsor, the queen called the princesses around her, and read the dispatch aloud, while the whole royal group dropped a tear to the memory of Nelson. His Majesty in particular was deeply afflicted. — A proclamation was issued for a day of thanks- giving to be held on the 5th of December, for the signal and important victory obtained by his lordship; and his Majesty was pleased to confer on his brother and heir the dignity of a LORD NELSON. Sol Tiscount and earl. The official notice to that ef- fect was made in the following terms : " Whitehall, Nov. 9.— His Majesty has been- pleased to grant to the Rev. WilUam Nelson, D. D. now Lord Nelson, brother and heir to the- late Lord Viscount Nelson, who, after a series of transcendent and heroic services, fell gloriously on the 21st of October last, in the moment of brilliant and decisive victory, the dignity of a Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, by the names, styles, and titles, of Viscount Merton and Earl Nelson, of Trafalgar, and of Merton, in the county of Surry, the same to descend to the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, and in default there- of, to the heirs male successively of Susanna, wife of Thomas Bolton, Esq. and Catharine, wife of George Matcham, Esq. sisters of the late Lord -Viscount Nelson/' Admiral Collingwood, the worthy successor of his lordship, was created a peer of Great Bri- tain * He was not only confirmed in the com- * Lord Collingwood was the pupil of Admiral Roddam, hj whom he was first brought forward in his profession. In Lord Howe's engagement on the 1st of June, 1794, he was captain of the Barfleur, of 98 guns, the flag-ship of Rear-Ad miral Bowyer. To Lord St. Vincent's Auctory over the Spanish fleet in 1797, the exertions of Captain Colling- wood in the Excellent most materially contributed. His 'J S Q £32 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF maiid of the fleet in the Mediterranean, but iili consequence of the intrepidity, skill and pru- dence he had manifested, the admiralty invested him with the same extensive powers entrusted to his immortal predecessor. The Prince of Wales, after the first emotions of his sorrow for the loss of such a distinguished officer, whom he had long honored with his con- fidence and esteem, directed a letter to be writ- ten to Mr. Angerstein, in which his Royal High- ness expressed a confident hope, that from the ardent zeal which he and his patriotic coadjutors had manifested on all great national occasions, some public memorial would arise, under their auspices, on which the high achievements of Lord Nelson might be durably recorded to future ages. His Royal Highness concluded by requesting, that to any plan which should be thus proposed, and adopted, his name might be added, with the sum of fiwe hundred guineas annexed to it. After such a circumstantial detail of the life and transactions of the late Lord Viscount Nel- son, the reader will not expect any long and la- bored eulogy of his character. With that he must already be so intimately acquainted, as to render it superfluous to enlarge on the subject. services are admirably stated by the incomparable hero of these Memoirs, in his remarks on that glorious day, which are contained in the second chapter of this volume. XORO KELSON. 333 His actions themselves record his virtues and his talents with greater energy and eloquence than the tongue of the orator, or the pen of the histo- rian. To pass them over entirely in silence would, however, be unpardonable. Lord Nelson was one of those great and rare productions which justify the boldest flights of poetry when panegyrizing the highest virtue, va- lor, public spirit, and patriotism, of which man is capable. He was one of those who maintained the competition of modern times with the proud- est days of Greece and Rome. Never did the annals of the world present a more exalted in- stance of personal valor, of superiority to every little passion, of devoted patriotism, than it has been the fortune of Britain to behold in Lord Nelson. With courage the most ardent he com- bined piety the most sublime, and to the great- est avarice of glory he joined unusual modesty.* * The annexed letter, froro his lordship to Lady Nelson, written during his pursuit of the French fleet, previous to the battle of the Nile, afl'uids a most impressive lesson on the emptiness of human vanity and self-conceit : Vanguard, St. Peter's Island, off Sardinia, May 24, 1798. " MY DEAREST FANNY, '' I OUGHT not to call what has happened to the Van- guard by the cold name of accident. I believe firmly it -was the Almighty goodness, to check ray consummate va- ^aity J t hope it has made me a better officer, as I feel it has 3 334 PROFESSIONAL LITE OP Never was man better qualified for the station he filled : he was indisputably the greatest admi- ral the world ever produced. Other commanders have afforded eminent proofs of skill, courage, and good conduct, but he possessed all the re- quisite qualities in a pre-eminent degree. Ori- ginal in his ideas, he was never confined by the routine of practice, or the maxims of those who are fearful of deviating from the beaten path. Ever fertile in resources, his plans embraced al- most every possible situation in which he could be placed ; and he possessed the faculty of ex- plaining his ideas with such clearness and preci- sion to those who were to co-operate with him, that every one under his command knew what .made me a better man. I kiss with all humility the rod. Figure to yourself, on Sunday evening, at sun-set, a vain man walking in his cabin, with a squadron around him, who looked up to their chief to lead them to glory, and in whom their chief placed the firmest reliance, that the proudest ships, of equal numbers, belonging to ^France, would have bowed their flags, and with a very rich prize lying by him. Figure to yourself, on Monday morning, when the sun rose, this proud, conceited man, his ship dis- masted, his fleet dispersed, and himself in such distress, that the meanest frigate out of France would have been an unwelcome guest. But it has pleased Almighty God to bring us into a safe port, where, although we are refused the rights of humanity, yet the Vanguard will, in two days, get to sea again as an EngUsh man of war.** LORD NELSON. S3& part he liad to act withGiit the delay of farther €ommunication. Intelligent, as well as bold in his coi^eptions, he discerned that to be practi- cable which the coldness of regular maxims re- ' garded as impossible, and scarcely found diffi- culty where others had placed invincible obsta- cles. As prompt in execution as he was rapid in decision, his actions immediately followed his^ counsels; and his antagonists knew not which most to apprehend, the wisdom of his plans, or the celerity with which they were executed. Like Alexander, his attacks seemed to anticipate the notice of his approach, and his enemies were sur- prised to find themselves conquered before they expected the commencement of the contest. Never was leader better acquainted with the art of infusing into his gallant followers the same heroic sentiments that animated his own bosom. A thorough seaman himself, nursed in the lap of hardship, he knew how to adapt his behavior to those he commanded, and never did an officer possess their affections in a higher degree. To this love and veneration he was not only indebted for his early successes, but even for his life, as there was scarcely one of his crew who would not have sacrificed himself to save his commander. A striking instance, how much he was adored by his men, occurred during the last fatal conflict off Trafalgar. A seaman of the Victory was un- SS6 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF der the hands of the surgeon, suffering the ainpu- tation of an arm. '* ^S ell/' said he, " this, by some would be considered a misfortune; but I shall be proud of it, as I shall resemble the more our brave commander-in-chief.'* Before the opera- tion was finished, tidings was brought below that Lord Nelson was shot ; the man, who had never shrunk from the pain he had endured, started from his seat, and exclaimed — " Good God ! I would rather the shot had taken off my head, and spared his life V' Nor must this veneration be entirely attri- buted to that unreserved participation which his lordship took, in all the dangers to which his followers were exposed. Humanity was a power- ful principle of his soul. Never was there a com- mander who devoted such incessant and such mi*- nute attention to every thing that could contri- bute to the health, happiness, and comfort of his crews. To this attention must be ascribed the high state of health in his fleet,* and its constant •* As it is presumed that tliis attempt to delineate the ac- tions of the greatest naval commander that, perhaps, eyer existed either in ancient or modern times, may be honored with the perusal of officers of the same profession, the fol- lowing facts are subjoined, not only as illustrative of the character of his lordship, but in the hope that an imitation of his measures may tend to promote the welfare ^of the service. LORD NELSON. 537 readiness to sail at a moment's notice to any quarter where its services might be required. From an official account of the state of health in Lord Nelson's fleet, manned with Irom 6000 to 8000 seamen and marines, during two years campaign in the Mediterranean and West Indies, it appears that the total number of deaths on board were 100 ; of men sent to the hospital, 141 ; and of the medium number on the sick lists, 190 ; or 18 to each ship, nearly. The following causes are assigned by Dr. Gillespie, the physician to the fleet, fur the high state of health in which it has been preserved, unexampled perhaps in any squadron heretofore employed on a foreign station : 1. " To the attention paid by his lordship to the victual- ing and purveying for the fleet, in causing good wholesome wine to be used in room of spirits ; fresh beef as often as could possibly be procured ; vegetables and fruit were always provided in a sufficient quantity, when they could be purchased ; and an abundant supply of excellent sweet water was always allowed to the ship's company. a. " The ships were preserved, as far as possible, from the baneful efi'ects of humidity, b}^ avoiding the wetting of the decks, (at least between the decks) by the use of stoves and ventilators below. 3. '' The constant activity and motion in which the fleet was preserved, being always at sea, and never exposed to the consequences of the idleness and intemperance which too often take place on board of ships lying in harbour, may doubtless be assigned as a principal cause of the good state of health of the crews of this fleet. 4. " Intemperance and skulking were never so little prac- tised in any fleet as in this ; as the ships were rarely or never in port, the opportunity of procuring spirits, or going to an hospital, by imposing on the surgeon, were difficult or 2 T S38 PROFESSIOKAL LIFE OF Of the humanity and generosity of his lord- 6hip numerous instances might undoubtedly be impossible, hence these causes of disease were subtracted. 5. " Cheerfulness amongst tlie men was promoted by music and dancing, and theatrical amusements : the exam- ple of which was given by the commander in chief in the A^ictory, and may with reason be reckoned amongst the causes of the preservation of the health of the men. 6. " The sick were in general very comfortably accom- modated, lodged in airy sick births, in many ships placed on a regular sick diet, and supplied with live stock, vege- tables, fruit, soft bread, macaroni, and other articles of diet and refreshments, whenever the circumstances of the service, and the situation of the fleet, would admit of these supplies being furnished. 7. ^' By a standing order of the commander in chiefj Peruvian bark mixed in wine or spirits, was regularly served to the men employed in the wooding and watering service ; a drachm of Peruvian bark to one gill of spirits, or two of wine, was the proportion allowed for each man ; to be administered in divided proportions, on going on shore, and on returning on board. The method followed was to give the bark in a small quantity of wine or spirits, and to wash it down with a glass of wine or spirits, mixed with an equal proportion of water ; it was found that the spirits answered better as a vehicle for the bark than the wine, as was experienced on board some of the ships, in which wine had been used, but afterwards left off, and spirits were used in lieu thereof. — By the returns made hy the respec- tive surgeons of the ships to the physician to the fleet, re- porting on the eilBcac}' of this mode of prevention of the fevers, which might have been occasioned in consequence €f the fatigue and exposure to the weather, and immersion LORD NELSOiN. 339 adduced from his private life by those who were most intimately acquainted with them. The traits which are subjoined, will, however, be suf- ficient to illustrate the feelings that ever swayed his bosom. — During his visit to Salisbury, in December, 1800, his eye was attracted by a sailor, among the crowd assembled before the council-house, who proved to be one of those who had fought under his lordship at the battle of the Nile. The recollection of a man who had hazarded his life with himself for the glory of his country, associated with the idea of his having been one among the many humble instruments of his own exaltation, instantly touched his heart. He called him forward, and after expressing the cordial satisfaction he should ever feel in meeting with anyone who had borne a part in that proud day, he dismissed the tar with a handsome pre- in water by the seamen in wooding and watering ; it fully appears that the practice entirely obviated every ill effect which might have been occasioned with regard to the health of the wooding and watering parties ; and that it effec- tually prevented the occurrence of fevers, whether inter- mittent or continued. This is the more worthy of remark, as it is well known to experienced officers in the navy, that on foreign stations sickness very often finds its way into ships of war, from the wooding and watering parties beincr first attacked by fevers, in consequence of fatigue and ex- posure, which fevers often spread amongst the ship's com- pany, and become a formidable and epidemic disease/' 2x2 340 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF 5ent.— Another man appeared, who had met with a like misfortune at the Helder to that which his lordship experienced at Teneriffe. The simila- rity of his own situation with the predicament of the poor man before him, banished every cir- cumstance of distinction from the brave admiral's mind, and excited his sympathy. The only dif- ference it allowed him to recollect was, that of bis own better fortune, of which he soon availed himself to give his fellow-sufferer a generous token of his commiseration. — It is a fact not more sin- gular than true, that among the applauding mul- titude whom his presence had assembled, he next discovered a person who had attended him at the time he lost his arm, and who had assisted at the amputation. The noble admiral beckoned him up stairs, and meeting him as he approached the room, took him by the hand, with a present in his own, and with a look ex- pressive of grateful remembrance of the service he had rendered him on that occasion. As the man retired, he took from his bosom a piece of lace, which he had torn from the sleeve of the amputated arm, declaring, he would preserve it till his last breath, in memory of his late gallant commander, whom he should always deem it the highest honor of his life to have served. Lord Nelson bade him adieu, with an emotion which he was unable to suppress. LORD NELSON. 341 The talents of this extraordinary man were equalled only by his modesty. Of this quality which never fails to shed augmented lustre on merit, 'numberless instances will be found re- corded in these memoirs. One more will not, however, be deemed superfluous.— When he was once receiving the meed of well-earned applause at a royal table, he observed, with the generosity which ever accompanies genuine worth, that his successes were owing to his good fortune, which had placed him in those stations ; " for,^^ added he, " there are many other officers who would have done as much under similar circumstances : one I will venture to name-— Christopher Parker.'' That gallant admiral (who died in May, 1804) was the early companion and intimate friend of Lord Nelson, This noble warrior likewise afforded a distin* guished example of a virtue which, by some, has unjustly been thought almost incompatible with his profession. The life and actions of Lord Nelson breathe a spirit of unfeigned piety, which must not only have had the happiest influence on the minds of his brave companions, but will not be lost on those who shall hereafter emulate his career of glory. He went out to meet the enemies of his country, confiding in the strength of the God of battles. ''Twas this confidence that in- spired him with designs of unexampled boldness, 342 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF that filled his soul with the courage, the compo* sure, and the contempt of danger, which marked all his undertakings. 'Twas this that preserved him from the infection of that vanity, in which the human mind is too much inclined to indulge, and that led him, instead of assumina; to himself the merit of his successes, to ascribe all the glory of his achievements to the arm of the Almighty. Such was Horatio Lord Nelson, whose proud- est honor, he has been heard to say, was to be called a British Sailor, and to whom may justly be applied the impressive words, employed on a similar occasion : ''As his life was honora- ble, so was his death glorious. His memory will be recorded in the annals of his countrj^, and embalmed in the recollection of a grateful pos- terity.'^ He had run his career of glory, he had *' fought this good fight,'' and now enjoys the crown of a brilliant immortality. With th€ author of the Night Thoughts we may say : Sorae, when they die, die all ; their mould'rlng chiy Is but an emblem of their memories : The space quite closes up through which the^^ pass'd. That HE has liv'd, lie leaves a mark behind, Shall pluck the shining page from vulgar time. And leave it whole to late posterity. Of the truth of a remark, v/hich Lord Nelson has been frequently heard to make, " that per- severance in any profession will most probably 5 LORD NELSON. 345 meet its reward, without the inf:uence of any contingent int<^,rest/' he afforded in his own per- son a striking instance. The history of his life shews what diht^ence may accomphsh and what indolence has cften lost ; it inspires the despond- ing mind with new energy, and furnishes the per- severing with fresh hope. " The splendor of that genius/* as it has been justly observed, "which enveloped all his plans in the blaze of conviction, will continue to light his successors to the brightest and most dazzling tri- umphs. He lives in the companions of his voy- ages and his victories ; he survives in the grati- tude and admiration of his countrymen ; he will never cease to breathe in those who were fired with the glories of his reputation and the splen- dor of his achievements. The fire of genius is the electricity of the soul, but the spark once communicated, dwells in a congenial mind. There was not, perhaps, in the catalogue of his many transcendent qualities, one that contributed more effectually to the public service, than this effect of his extraordinary genius. He not only excited the ardor of those of his own profession, but the greatness of his character kindled a corre- spondent sentiment in almost every class of so- ciety. This was particularly the case with the rising generation ; not a school-boy could ever read of the exploits of this immortal herO; with- 344 PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF out feeling his little heart swell with eagerness and ambition to tread in his illustrious footsteps. There are many instances of the original destina- tion of children having been changed in obedi- ence to this impulse. Among others, a fine boy, the son of Mr. McCarthy, was so irresistibly smit- ten with the desire of participating in the lustre of the perils and the triumphs of the hero of the Nile, that his father was induced to alter his views for him, and to indulge his noble ambition. The little warrior was a sharer in the glory of that day, which terminated the mortal career of his heart's idol. But the principles that induced him to fol- low the fortunes of that great admiral will never expire. The spirit of Nelson will survive in all those, to whom he imparted by instruction or ex- ample the elements of his transcendent genius.* That spirit which took its flight on the wings of victory to the regions of immortal bliss, will still hover round the navy of England, the temple of his fame, and descending to the latest posterity, will animate the hardy sons of Britain to pursue * The following extempore lines will not be thought un- worthy of a place here : His parting breath each sailor catches And mournful bids the sad adieu. But tho* his body^s under hatches. His spirit lives among the crew. 1.0RD NELSON. 345 his glorious career, and to emulate bis matchless achievements V By his will Lord Nelson appointed his brother and Mr. Hazlevvood his executors. It was made under the impression, that he should have little to bestow, excepting the glory he had so nobly acquired. Avarice, or a solicitude for private emolument were qualities of too mean a stamp to enter into the composition of his truly great mind. Before he went out, for the last time, to take the command of the Mediterranean fleet, he was obliged to dispose of such of his jewels as were not of a nature to be left to his family, as trophies to illustrate the titles conferred on him by his king, and the sovereigns in alliance with his country. These, including the rich chelengk of the Grand Seignior, and the sword of the King of Naples, he left to the Earl his brother, to descend with the title. To Lady Viscountess Nelson he bequeathed 1000 pounds a year, in addition to her private fortune. His estate of Bronte, the revenue of which he laid out in improvements, under the direction of Mr. Gibbs, banker, at Palermo, he left, subject to a small legacy, to his brother now Earl Nelson. In his will he likewise ex' pressed a desire that his body should be in- terred by the side of his revered father, at Burnham Thorpe, unless his Majesty should be graciously pleased to direct otherwise. 2 V 346 PROFESSIONAL LIFE Of The pension of two thousand pounds a year, voted by parliament to Lord Nelson and the heirs male of his body, fell with him, as he had no children. His lordship affords an addi- tional instance to the many that might be ad- duced, of celebrated military characters who have died without issue. It was a singular circumstance, that the very day after his lordship had finished his mortal ca- reer, the honourable Mrs. Darner presented t® the common council ot the city of London an admirable bust of the hero, executed by her- self; little conscious that she was erecting the first public monument to his departed worth. The following pathetic lines, written by W. T. Fitzgerald, Esq. which so accurately express the sentiments of every British bosom, relative to the lamented Hero of these memoirs, are too ap* proprjate not to be introduced here. WHILE England beams one universal blaze. The faithful tribute of a nation's praise ! For naval deeds achiev'd, of high renown. And honours added to the British Crown, Js there a Briton's breast that does not beat At Nelson's triumph ! and the foe's defeat? However poor, he shares the gen'rous flame. And glows, exulting, at the Hero's name. Immortal Nelson ! here my throbbing heart. Swelling with sorrow, acts no borrow'd part. May I not say, and say it with a tear. That, wfth his death, the triumph's bought too dear ? LOTID NELSON. Ml B^t wIjo can murmur? Glorious was his doom; The heart of ev'ry Briton is his tomb ! The nation's fav'rite, and his Sov'reign's pride. He rul'd despotic Lord of Ocean*s tide ! Each coast reraember'd for some deed of fame. Was made illustrious by Great Nelson's name; Denmark, Iberia, Egypt's trophied shore. Heard the dread thunder of his cannon's roar! While laurels, won from evesy hostile fleet. He laid, in triumph, at his Monarch's feet; And Hist'ry ever shall record the day. Bright with his glory in Trafalgar's bay. In torrid climes where Nature pants for breath. Or tainted gales bring pestilence and death ; Where hurricanes are born, and whirlwinds sweep The raging billows of th* Atlantic deep. Nelson had sought, but long had sought in vain. The still retreating fleets of France and Spain ; When found, at last, he crush'd them on the flood. And seal'd the awful conquest— -with his blood ! Yes, as he liv'd, so did the hero fall — Crouch'd at his feet, he saw the humbled Gaul ; Saw hostile navies into ruins hurPd, And England's trident rule the wat'ry world ! Then did he, laurel-crown'd, and wrapp'd in fire. Upborne on Viet'ry's outspread wings — expire ! ! Suspended be the shouts that rend the skies — England's triumphant ! — but her Nelson diest A gratefu^l nation mourns her Hero dead. And 'dews with tears the laurels on his head! Laurels, for ever green ! for ever new ! Bequeath'd, with Nelson's dying breath, to you! FINIS. NEW BOOKS, Published by James Cundee^ Ivy-Laite^ Paternoster- Row y London ^ Embellished with upwards of Forty Ens;ravlngsof Engag:ements by 5»ea, from original Designs, forming Four handsome Volumes, in l2mo. containing upwards of Four Hundred Pages each, together with Por- traits of the most popular Naval Commanders, price 11. 2s. in extra Boards i THE BRITISH TRIDENT; Or, Register of Naval Actions : Including authentic y\ccountsof all the most REMARKABLE ENGAGEMENTS AT SEA, In which tlie British Flag has been eminently distinguished: From the Period of the memorable DEFEAT OF THE SP.ANISH ARMADxA to the present Time. Printed uniform with the preceding Work, and embellished with forty- two Engravings, from Subjects taken from the VVoi k ; THE MARINER'S CHRONICLE ; Being a Collection of themobt ioierestina Narratives of SHIPWRECKS, FIRES, FAMINES, And o'fi-t' Calamities, incident to a Life of Maritime Enterprize ; With autlieiuic Particulars of the extraordinary Adventures and Suffer- ings of the Crews, their Reception and Treatment on distajit Shores, and a concise Description of the COUNTRY, CUSTOMS, AND MANNERS OF THE INHABITANTS. including an Account of the Deliverance of the Survivors. BY ARCHIBALD DUNCAN, Late of the Royal Navy. History of Saint Domingo, Elegantly printed in €luarto, containing upwards of Five Hundred Pages and embellished wim elegant Maps and illustrative Engravings, price 21. 2s. bds. AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OT THC BLACK EMPIRE OF HAYTI; Comprehending a View of the principal Transactions of the RtVOLU» TION of ST. DOMINGO, with its Ancient and Modern Slate. BY MARCUS RAINSFORD, ESQ. Late Captain Third West - India Regiment, &c &€% J. Cundee, Printer Ivy-Lane.