Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez Volume I Part 26

JAMES SAUMAREZ.

The Right Honourable the Earl of St. Vincent, &c. &c. &c.

The following is an extract of a letter which Sir James wrote to Lady Saumarez, and sent by the same opportunity. It will be found to give an accurate description of the important anchorage of which he was the first who was so daring as to take advantage in stormy weather, with the squadron under his command.

Caesar, Douvarnenez Bay, Sept. 24th, 1800.

We anch.o.r.ed at eleven last night, and this morning found ourselves in one of the finest bays I have ever seen. It is far more s.p.a.cious than Torbay, and much more enclosed; consequently more secure against all winds. It is the same distance from Brest by sea as Dartmouth is from Torbay; and by land the same as from Brixham, not being more than five miles across, over a hilly country; subst.i.tuting the Bec de Chevre for the Berry Head, and it exactly forms the counter part to Torbay. It abounds with the finest fish, of which we shall profit.

As it is not possible for the ships to sail from Brest but with an easterly wind, which blows directly out of this bay, we can always be beforehand with them.

25th.--It has continued to blow hard since we entered this bay, and it has now risen to a severe storm. I wish you knew how well sheltered we are in this famous anchorage. Captain Pierrepont has been with me since yesterday: he has been near fourteen weeks at sea, and, as you may suppose, very tired. I am better satisfied with my situation than since I have been in the Channel fleet, and find it far preferable to being attached to it.

Monday, 29th Sept.

I trust my letter by the Marlborough has reached you this morning, which will have set your mind at ease as to our safety after the gales we encountered last week. I wrote to you yesterday, but too hastily to express, as I wished, the happiness I derived from having just received your letters of the 15th and 19th. They had been too long and too anxiously looked for not to receive the most cordial and heartfelt welcome. I am in hourly expectation of seeing the fleet, the letters from the Earl acquainting me with his intention of putting to sea the moment the weather moderated. The Superb, with Centaur and Warrior, hove in sight this afternoon,--the only ships I have seen since last Tuesday, when I went into Douvarnenez Bay; and I have the satisfaction to reflect that, notwithstanding the tempestuous weather, this squadron has been enabled to keep its station, although all the other detachments have been driven from theirs. Now that your letter gives me reason to believe you entertain serious thoughts of going to Guernsey, like your father I lose my courage at the prospect of it. I sincerely wish I had never suggested the idea, which I was induced to do from the hope of the war being over, and that you would pa.s.s the winter more comfortably than in England during the dreary months. I am now become a very coward on the subject, and leave it to you to determine as you think best; at the same time a.s.suring you that I shall endeavour to be reconciled to whatever plan is adopted which is most likely to conduce to your comfort. Your account of our dear girls gives me the most heartfelt satisfaction, and of the increasing strength of the sweet dove in particular, whom I truly long to behold,--a happiness I still hope to enjoy ere many weeks are elapsed. I shall expect a letter from the dear boy by the next opportunity from Plymouth.

The next letter to the Earl of St. Vincent gives an account of the further proceedings of his squadron, and the situation of the enemy's fleet in Brest, which proves how successful his endeavours had been in preventing its meditated escape.

Caesar, off the Black Rocks, 28th September 1800.

MY LORD,

Soon after I despatched my letter by the Marlborough, dated from Douvarnenez Bay, the wind having shifted to the northward, I got under sail with the squadron; but in the evening it came to the south-west, with thick weather: I returned to the anchorage, as did Captain Knight, with the Montague and Naiad.

It continued to blow very strong till yesterday noon, when the wind suddenly shifted to N. and N. by E. I immediately got under sail, and stood out of the bay; the Pompee leaving a bower-anchor, her cable having parted in endeavouring to weigh it. From the report of several signal-guns fired in Brest soon after the sudden change of wind, I have no doubt of the preparatory movements of the enemy to put to sea, had the wind continued favourable for them; and I carried a press of sail during the night, in order to be off St. Matthew's Point early this morning to watch their motions.

I had a full view of the enemy's fleet, and counted twenty-two sail with their top-gallant-masts struck, but apparently ready for sea. Having made the signal to the Megaera to reconnoitre, I beg to refer your lordship to Captain Hill for a more particular report of their state and numbers.

I have the honour to be, my lord, Your lordship's obedient and most humble servant, JAMES SAUMAREZ.

The Right Honourable the Earl of St. Vincent, &c. &c. &c.

His Majesty's ship Montague, with the Naiad, and Suwarrow schooner, went through the bay yesterday evening.

Ville de Paris, Torbay, 4th October, 1800.

SIR,

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your several letters of the 25th, 26th, 28th ultimo, and 1st instant, detailing your proceedings with his Majesty's ships under your orders; the whole of which I very much approve, particularly the taking under your command Captains Sutton and King, with the ships and vessels attached to them: and you will herewith receive orders to their respective captains and commanders to put themselves under your command, and obey your orders for their future proceedings in the important duty of watching the combined fleets.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant, ST. VINCENT.

Sir James Saumarez.

By this bold and unexpected step, (which the French have since characterised as a piece of _impudence_,) Sir James completely frustrated the meditated escape of the combined fleets, which were now thirty-two in number, seven of which were three-deckers. He had, moreover, the honour of being the first to defy the enemy in his own anchorage, proving at the same time that it would not be so easy as formerly to elude the vigilance of the advanced squadron.

The weather having moderated after the second return to Douvarnenez Bay, the squadron resumed the anchorage near the Black Rocks, daily reconnoitring the enemy, destroying several small vessels which attempted to get in, and keeping under sail when the wind was westerly. In continuation to Lady Saumarez he writes:

Oct. 4th 1800.

The anxiety inseparable from this cruise is very considerably alleviated from knowing the fleet is in port, which must prove of the greatest benefit both to officers and men, and to the service in general. I find the rumours of peace are vanished, and that war is determined upon. I trust events will be favourable to this country. There is no doubt the French are much distressed for provisions in the neighbourhood of Brest, and that discontent prevails among their troops, who are ill-paid, ill-fed, and badly clothed. It is horrid to see the leading men of all nations so infatuated for war, at a time peace is so much to be desired for the sake of humanity.

Caesar, Bay of Brest, 18th Oct.

The delightful weather we have enjoyed this last week has enabled me to remain at anchor off the Black Rocks. They have lost their gloom from the serene atmosphere, but more particularly from having had such frequent tidings from you, as scarce a day has pa.s.sed (I believe not one) without being joined by something from the fleet. Yesterday, the Earl sent me a message that he expected my flag to be hoisted in a very few days; and Troubridge writes to me the promotion was to extend to Sir Edward Pellew; and,--what think you!--that Lord St. Vincent has actually written for Captain Brenton to be appointed my flag-captain. His lordship, in his letter, tells me that Capt.

Thornbrough is to remain in the Mars, and will relieve me here, if the measure he has proposed is acceded to: so you may perceive I have some grounds on which to form my hopes; but I do not wish _you_ to dwell too much upon it.

21st.--I am now _solus_. Captain Brenton, who I mentioned had been staying with me, is gone to the Ville de Paris. I know no one I should prefer as captain under my flag. He is a steady, sensible, good officer, and of great experience, having served several years with admirals as a lieutenant. Captain Cook dined with me to-day on a _Black Rock_ dinner, viz. a fine piece of salmon and a nice little _cochon-de-lait_, with _entremets_, removes, &c. The salmon was sent me with a basket of vegetables from Plymouth, I suspect from Captain Markham; the roaster was a present from Captain Hood, who, being under sail, could not dine with me. I mention these trifles because I know they please you.

The boats occasionally go to the small islands and procure bullocks, &c.; and, as fast as the stock is purchased, they contrive to replenish it from the mainland,--a proof they are well satisfied with the price we pay for it, which is fixed by themselves.

26th Oct.--After near a fortnight pa.s.sed at what the Earl now calls the Elysian Lake (instead of Siberia), a westerly wind compelled me to get under sail yesterday afternoon; and it was fortunate that I did so, as it has blown a gale since that time.

By the Megaera, which has joined me this evening, I find the fleet is to go to Torbay; and, from what Sir Thomas Troubridge writes, I conjecture the Earl intends to go on sh.o.r.e part of the winter.... While we remained at an anchor the boats of the squadron were occasionally detached in pursuit of the enemy's vessels. Last Monday they chased one close under the batteries at the entrance of Brest, which has afforded me an opportunity of making favourable mention of Mr. Lamborn and Mr. Wood, who were employed on that service. The Earl has desired me to send the latter to him to be promoted. The Canada, which was ordered to cover the boats, took possession of three Spaniards belonging to the Principe de Asturias, Don Gravina's flag-ship, who were fishing in a small boat. They are to be returned without being exchanged, agreeably to what I suggested, and I shall send in a flag of truce the first favourable weather. We were so comfortably anch.o.r.ed the last fortnight, and so agreeably employed, that it has nearly spoilt me for the remainder of the cruise. Of the promotion nothing further is said, and I have not heard when I am to be released. If I am kept out much longer, and have the duty of an admiral without my flag, I fear I shall grow _sulky_ and impatient. It is not improbable Captain Sutton may relieve me in the charge of this squadron, as I doubt Sir Edward Pellew being yet ready. I fear the second return of the fleet will have again set your heart palpitating, and caused you another disappointment at the Caesar not being with it.

October 30th.--Yesterday I received a very civil reply to the letter I wrote to Don Gravina, who wishes that I may live many thousand years. The French received the officer from the Canada who was entrusted with the flag of truce with great politeness.

I sent Maingy from this ship as interpreter. They remained at Camaret till the following morning. You will not be displeased to hear that the Caesar must go into port _from necessity_, having sprung her main-yard; but, if possible, I shall delay it three or four weeks longer, notwithstanding my _threat_ of losing patience. I shall depend on finding you at Dartmouth.

Caesar, Nov. 1st.

I remain without any of your letters since the 20th, which I feel a grievous circ.u.mstance, particularly at this time, when I am left in doubt whether you are still at Dartmouth, or gone to Bath. This morning I experienced a severe disappointment. The Nile cutter, whose tardy approach for four hours was anxiously waited for, at last joined without any letters, having left Plymouth with sealed orders. We have such blessed weather at present that it is almost impious to be discontented; yet I cannot enjoy it while I remain so long without hearing from you.

I accuse the Earl of indifference to the comfort of those whom it is inc.u.mbent on him to attend to. Since he has left this station there has been scarcely a day that the wind has not been favourable for vessels to join us. A fortnight or three weeks more and I hope my turn will come, when, if things do not meet my expectations, I shall be tempted to take leave of the good ship, and look out for a snug cottage to pa.s.s some time in the enjoyment of your society. I am serious, _je t'a.s.sure_. I understand Sir Hyde Parker is to command in the absence of the chief. _Cela ne me plait pas aucunement_; for, after having been employed upon this important and arduous service with acknowledged credit, I shall certainly very ill brook being hurried out of port in the usual manner to serve with him: I therefore _go on sh.o.r.e_ unless my views are complied with. I hope to-morrow to have letters from you to acknowledge the receipt of. At present I am much out of humour, and with too much cause to be easily reconciled on any other terms but of hearing from you.

2nd.--Another disappointment this morning, having been joined by a lugger which we hoped had letters, but which proves to be from another quarter. I look for the Nimrod: if she joins us to-morrow I shall be satisfied. It has blown strong all day, with very thick weather. I hope for better success, but I still continue out of temper.

3rd.--The Superb, which has been in sight since daylight, is at last joining. Imagine my impatience after a whole fortnight since the date of your last letter. Captain Sutton, who is now with me, has not brought a single letter. I send this by the Courageux, and have only time to say that the Edgar is hourly expected, and possibly we may be more fortunate. A ship is in sight: I hope it is her.

On the 9th of November the fleet experienced one of the severest gales ever known, which did immense damage to the shipping; but, except the loss of some storm-sails, the Caesar sustained no injury; while several of the others lost masts and yards, obliging them to return to port.

But Sir James kept his station; indeed, during the whole fifteen weeks he had the command, not a vessel either sailed from, or entered, the harbour of Brest.

At last, seeing their escape impossible, they began to dismantle the ships; and Sir James received the following letter from Earl St.

Vincent:

MY DEAR SIR,

The Impetueux took in her guns this day, and Sir Edward Pellew will receive his orders to-morrow morning; and, if the wind favours his getting out of Hamoaze, he will be with you in the course of the week. You will receive by him orders to proceed to Spithead; but I shall be very glad to see you here _en route_, and I will inform Lady Saumarez by to-morrow's post of your probable approach.

Lord Spencer has been fully impressed by me of the long and arduous service you have undergone, and seems well disposed to give you the respite so justly due to the cheerfulness with which you have conducted the most important employment of this war. I am not in the secret when the promotion is to take effect. Private letters from town and the newspapers are full of it, and I am morally certain it will be out soon; for one of the ninety-gun ships, commanded by an officer very near the head of the list of captains, is nominated for Sir Erasmus Gower's flag, which appears conclusive.

Sir Hyde Parker has asked leave of absence; and, as the size of the fleet of observation is much reduced, I conceive it will be granted.

Yours, most truly, Torr Abbey, 2nd December, 1800.

ST. VINCENT.

To Sir James Saumarez.

The following extract, which alludes to the preceding, was written by Sir James to Lady Saumarez on the

29th Dec.--The Earl informs me of his intention to write to you.