Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Leyden, Downs, 30th July, 1801. I beg you will be pleased to acquaint their Lordships that having arranged everything at Sheerness, I thought it right to come here, where I arrived last night, and hoisted my Flag for the present on board the Leyden; I am now employed issuing the necessary directions to the several Ships under my command at this anchorage. I have sent for the Medusa, in which ship I mean to go over to the Coast of France. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 294.] Deal, July 30th, 1801. As I had arranged everything possible for me to do at Sheerness, I thought it best to set off for the Downs by the way of Feversham, as I wished to see Captain Becher" on the subject of the Sea-Fencibles. I had previously sent Captain Shepard to desire that a Mr. Salisbury would meet me; as he was a person of respectability, rich, (got it by the fair trade,) and of great influence amongst the Seafaring men on that part of the Coast, particularly about Whitstable. I made him sensible of the necessity of our Ships, which were to be stationed off the Sand-heads, being manned. He thought if the Admiralty, through me, gave the men assurances that they should be returned to their homes, when the danger of the Invasion was passed, that the Sea-folk would go; but that they were always afraid of some trick: this service, my dear Lord, above all others, would be terrible for me to get up and harangue like a Recruiting Serjeant! I do not think I could get through it; but as I am come forth, I feel that I 8 Captain Alexander Becher: he commanded the Sea Fencibles at Feversham; was Posted in April 1802, and died about 1826. ought to do this disagreeable service as well as any other, if judged necessary. I hoisted my Flag here this morning. The Medusa is sent for, and I propose going over to the Coast of Boulogne, if possible, to-morrow or next day morning, and to take Captain Fyers' of the Artillery with me; to return here, and then to go off Flushing with a Captain Owen' of the Nemesis: I have thoughts of fixing a Squadron of Small Vessels under him, if I find him equal to my expectation from his writing, and of stationing Captain Bedford of the Leyden, whose good sense and Officer-like conduct I have heard much commended, to support him off Flushing; and also for Captain Owen to have the chief command of the Ships and Vessels anchored off Margate Sand. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 294.] Deal, July 31st, 1801. Our force will, by your great exertions, soon get so formidable, that the Enemy will hardly venture out. I shall endeavour in the morning to ascertain the possibility of destroying their Vessels in the Harbour of Boulogne. I send you the Return of men in the Master-Attendant's department in Sheerness yard, (247,) who could man on an emergency the six upper Vessels: for the time must come, if the Enemy approaches, that all work, except fighting, would stand still; therefore I propose, if we have not men to man them at present, that at least the Vessels should be prepared and ready for the Dock-yard men to be put on board, commanded by their own Officers; which could be of the greatest consequence, and they could always get either to the Essex Coast, or towards Margate, in any weather the Enemy would attempt coming over. Other Yards may be also able to do much. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Captain Peter Fyers, of the Artillery; now a Major-General, and a Companion of the Bath. 1828. Now Vice-Admiral Sir Edward William Campbell Rich Owen, G.C.B., G.C.H. Captain William Bedford: he died a Vice-Admiral of the White, in 1827 or TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON. My dear Sir, [Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers.] Deal, July 31st, 1801. I beg to thank you for your kind communication of His Majesty's goodness, in granting the extension of the Barony to my Father's family. To-morrow, I am going to the Coast of France, and shall take an Artillery-Officer with me, who will be able to form a judgment as to the possibility of the effect of shells on the Enemy's Vessels at Boulogne. Our means of defence so rapidly increase, that it will soon be almost improbable that the Enemy should attempt to come out of their Ports, on the Coasts near us. You may rely on my zeal (which is all I pretend to) to endeavour to merit the good opinion you are pleased to entertain of me; and ever consider ine, your most obliged and obedient servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. ii. p. 295.] Off Boulogne, 2nd August, 1801. I have been looking at Boulogne this morning, and see their Line of Vessels, all armed, which lie outside the Port. Captain Fyers, of the Artillery, thinks that they are stationed to add strength to the place. The French are erecting Batteries both for guns and mortars on each side of the Town, as if fearful of an attack. All accounts agree, that fifty or sixty is the full number of Boats, large and small, at Boulogne, and that these can be moved out of the reach of shells; however, I have sent for the Bombs, and will try what can be done. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN JOHN RUSSEL, H.M. SLOOP GIER, OFF GRAVELINES. [Autograph, in the possession of his Son, Thomas Russel, Esq., Assistant-Surgeon in the Service of the East India Company.] Secret. Dear Sir, August 2nd, 1801, 9 P.M. I approve very much of your movement towards Gravelines, and I wish you, when you can ascertain what is the Enemy's force in Dunkirk Roads, to let me know, and whether they are not to be attacked in the night of to-morrow, and what force you would wish to have for that service. I can send you some of the Sloops with Gover's guns, and some Revenue Cutters, and more Gun-brigs. But let me know your opinion, if possible, by to-morrow forenoon's tide. Except to the Captains, (and Pilots, such as are necessary to be consulted) and to whom, enjoin secrecy, do not say a word. I am, dear Sir, your most obedient Servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 295.] Medusa, off Boulogne, August 3rd, 1801. The wind falling nearly to a calm, and, what was worse, coming to the northward, I called the Bombs off after they had fired ten or twelve shells, some of which went as far as the Town, but without any effect that we could see. We have, however, ascertained that we can bombard the Vessels at proper times of tide, and, with the wind to the southward of the west, with great facility. I hope the wind will come westerly, when we can fully try the effect of shells. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. 3 Captain John Russel, of the Gier: he was Posted in 1802; afterwards commanded the Sea Fencibles in Argyleshire, and died between 1809 and 1814. TO ADMIRAL SKEFFINGTON LUTWIDGE, DOWNS. [Autograph, in the possession of Major Lutwidge.] My dear Admiral, August 3rd, 1801, 8 A.M. Many thanks for your letters and for the accounts from Captain Richardson' and Lieutenant Baker; the Armed Vessels outside of Boulogne are twenty-four, probably intended to cover the entrance of the Vessels from the westward; but of the Craft which I have seen, I do not think it possible to row them to England; and sail they cannot. Yesterday, I ordered Jamaica and six other Vessels to take their station between Porté Point and Etaples; a number of Vessels came yesterday morning into the Road of Dunkirk; Captain Russel has his eye upon them. No fishing-boats have been out yesterday or this morning; the wind is so far to the northward, that I doubt if the Bombs can be sent in this morning to try a few shells. Ever your obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. If you keep the King George, then the Cygnet will run to and fro. TO THE SENIOR CAPTAINS, OFF DIEPPE. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Medusa, August 3rd, 1801. I returned your old Cruizer, the Stag, and also, the Stag Revenue Cutter. I have also stationed the Jamaica, Captain Rose, and six other Vessels, between Etaples and Point Portel; therefore, they will be [able] to keep a good look-out further westward. It is of great consequence, the destruction of the Enemy's Flat boats; and I wish you to let me know, if any of Apparently Captain William Richardson, of the Autumn: he was Posted in 1804, and died in August 1818. 5 Apparently Lieutenant John Baker, elder brother of the late Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Baker, K.C.B.: he then commanded the Vixen Gun brig; was made a Commander in April 1802, was Posted in October 1810; and died in 1838. Captain Jonas Rose, of the Jamaica, which Ship he commanded at Copenhagen, (vide p. 314, ante:) he was Posted on the 1st of January, 1801, and died between 1816 and 1820. |