much of the Enemy's Flotilla as they are able-say only one halt or two-thirds; it will create a most powerful diversion, for the bows of our Flotilla will be opposed to their unarmed sterns, and the courage of Britons will never, I believe, allow one Frenchman to leave the beach. A great number of Deal and Dover Boats to be on board our Vessels off the Port of Boulogne, to give notice of the direction taken by the Enemy. If it is calm, Vessels in the Channel can make signals of intelligence to our shores, from the North Foreland to Orfordness, and even as far as Solebay, not an improbable place, about seventy or eighty miles from London. A Flotilla to be kept near Margate and Ramsgate, to consist of Gun-boats and Flat-boats; another Squadron to be stationed near the centre, between Orfordness and North Foreland, and the third in Hosely' Bay. The Floating Batteries are stationed in all proper positions for defending the different Channels, and the smaller Vessels will always have a resort in the support of the stationed Ships. The moment of the Enemy's movement from Boulogne, is to be considered as the movement of the Enemy from Dunkirk. Supposing it calm, the Flotillas are to be rowed, and the heavy ones towed, (except the stationed Ships,) those near Margate, three or four leagues to the north of the North Foreland; those from Hosely Bay, a little approaching the Centre Division, but always keeping an eye towards Solebay; the Centre Division to advance half-way between the two. The more fast Rowing boats, called Thames Galleys, which can be procured the better, to carry orders, information, &c. &c. Whenever the Enemy's Flotilla can be seen, our Divisions are to unite, but not intermix, and to be ready to execute such orders as may be deemed necessary, or as the indispensable circumstances may require. For this purpose, men of such confidence in each other should be looked for, that (as far as human foresight can go,) no little jealousy may creep into any man's mind, but to be all animated with the same. desire of preventing the descent of the Enemy on our Coasts. Stationary Floating Batteries are not, from any apparent advantage, to be moved, for the tide may prevent their re 1 Lord Nelson always wrote "Hollesley" Hosely Bay. suming the very important stations assigned them they are on no account to be supposed neglected, even should the Enemy surround them, for they may rely on support, and reflect that perhaps their gallant conduct may prevent the mischievous designs of the Enemy. Whatever plans may be adopted, the moment the Enemy touch our Coast, be it where it may, they are to be attacked by every man afloat and on shore: this must be perfectly understood. Never fear the event. The Flat Boats can probably be manned (partly, at least,) with the Sea Fencibles, (the numbers or fixed places of whom I am entirely ignorant of,) but the Flat Boats they may man to be in grand and sub-divisions, commanded by their own Captains and Lieutenants, as far as is possible. The number of Flat Boats is unknown to me, as also the other means of defence in Small Craft; but I am clearly of opinion that a proportion of the small force should be kept to watch the Flat-boats from Boulogne, and the others in the way I have presumed to suggest. These are offered as merely the rude ideas of the moment, and are only meant as a Sea plan of defence for the City of London; but I believe other parts may likewise be menaced, if the Brest fleet, and those from Rochfort and Holland put to sea; although I feel confident that the Fleets of the Enemy will meet the same fate which has always attended them, yet their sailing will facilitate the coming over of their Flotilla, as they will naturally suppose our attention will be called only to the Fleets. TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 293.] [About 25th July, 1801.] Sir, I have this morning received my commission as Commander-in-Chief of a Squadron of Ships and Vessels employed on a particular service. My command is to extend from Orfordness to Beachy Head, on both Shores; but without interfering with either the Nore or Downs command. I assure your Royal Highness that I feel my ability to render service, in this new sort of command, only in my zeal; in many other respects I am sensible of much deficiency, and require that great allowance should be made for me. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Sir, London, July 26th, 1801. Captain Parker of H. M. Ship Sloop Amaranthe, under my command, having represented to me that his Sloop is not ready for sea, and as the services of Captain Parker will be very useful to me in my situation, I have to beg you will request their Lordships to grant him leave to be with me on the service I am employed on. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Sheerness, July 27th, 1801. Sir, I have to request you will be pleased to inform the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty with my arrival at this place, and that I have hoisted my Flag on board H. M. Ship Unité, in Sheerness Harbour. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Letter-Book.] Unité, Sheerness, 28th July, 1801. I beg leave to send you, for the information of their Lordships, a statement of the Stations the Ships that are here 5 Captain Edward Thornborough Parker, to whom Lord Nelson became so much attached as to call him "his son." Few events in Nelson's life occasioned him such grief as the death of Captain Parker, from a wound, in September following. under my command have already taken and are to take. I NELSON AND Bronte. am, &c. The Redoubt, Haughty, Gallant, Glatton, Vlieter, } Batavier, Ardent, Daphne, Serapis, In the East Swale, under the command of Captain John [James] Shepard of the Redoubt. At the Wallett, Glatton to go. Pan Sand. In the entrance of Margate Roads, the North Foreland Light about S.W., and the buoy of the Sand N. B. E., at the distance of a mile and a half, for the purpose of preventing the Enemy from coming inside Margate Sand, and to be ready to go round the head of the Sand, in case the Enemy should go up the Queen's Channel. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 294.] Sheerness, 28th July, 1801. Everything, my dear Lord, must have a beginning, and we are literally at the foundation of our fabric of defence. I agree perfectly with you, that we must keep the Enemy as far from our own Coasts as possible, and be able to attack them the moment they come out of their Ports. . . . As soon as all the orders are given, it is my intention to go to Deal, and to consult with Admiral Lutwidge. Should the Enemy ... Captain James Keith Shepard, who died a Vice-Admiral of the Red, in 1843. T'ide vol. i. p. 85. Vice-Admiral of the White, Alexander Græme, Commander-in Chief at the Nore. He died an Admiral of the Red in 1818. approach our Coasts near the Thames, our Dock-yards can man Flat-boats if they are kept in readiness; and this Yard has 100 men, who can man two Flats which are ordered to be fitted out. If the Unité arrives at the Nore this day, I shall go on board her, in order to show that we must all get to our posts as speedily as possible. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD BERRY, H.M.S. RUBY. [Autograph, in the possession of Lady Berry.] My dear Sir Edward, July 28th, 1801. Although by the Admiralty orders I am not absolutely to take you under my command, yet I am authorized to give you any directions which I may judge proper; therefore I send you two Gun-brigs to be under your command, and I wish them to be exercised, in order to make them fit for any real service. I am only beginning the Defence, and a beginning there must be of all things. I shall send you some Revenue Cutters, who must always be kept on the look-out, so that you may not be surprised in the night by an Enemy close to you. Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND Bronte. TO VICE-ADMIRAL GRÆME, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, AT THE Sir, NORE. Unité, Sheerness, July 29th, 1801. I have to request that you will direct such Ships, Vessels, and Revenue Cutters, as are or may be placed under my command, (who have not received particular orders from me,) to proceed and put themselves under the command of the Senior Captains, either at the Squadron stationed off Hosely Bay, or the Squadron stationed to the southward of Margate Sand. The Attack and Defender, I have directed, so soon as they are manned, to join the Squadron off Margate Sand. I have the honour to be, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. |