the Boats of the several Vessels under their orders having burnt a quantity of pitch, tar, and turpentine, destroyed three Gun-boats, took two Launches, and a Flat-boat about forty-five feet long, and eighteen or twenty wide, mounted with one brass 8-inch howitzer: this Boat sunk astern of the Hound. The business on the part of our Boats was conducted with much spirit; and much praise is due to Lieutenant Agassiz' of the Hound, and Lieutenant le Viscont' of the Jamaica, for their brave example on this occasion. I have the honour to be, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. MEMORANDUM. Medusa, Downs, 23rd Angust, 1801. Enclosed to the Commissioners of the Customs two letters which I had received from Lieutenant Sayers, commanding the Express, respecting spirits which he had seized on board the Brig Williams, belonging to in Cornwall, and stated the conduct of the Tide Surveyor at Deal as highly reprehensible (in my opinion) for not acquainting Lieutenant Sayers when he took the spirits out of the Brig, and for saying that the Vessel could be done nothing to, in consequence of her having a regular clearance from the Port where she took in her cargo of iron. In my opinion she ought to have been detained, to answer for having the spirits on board her. TO ADMIRAL LUTWIDGE. [Autograph, in the possession of Major Lutwidge.] My dear Admiral, Medusa, West Capel, Angust 24th, 1801. Six Pilots say that it is impossible, without buoys or beacons, for our Ships to go to Flushing; and that if all the Lieutenant James John Charles Agassiz: he was made a Commander in April 1802, and retired as a Post Captain in September 1840. • Lieutenant Philip le Viscont: he was wounded, while a Midshipman of the Monarch, at Copenhagen, and was made a Lieutenant in the following month. In 1816, he was promoted to the rank of Commander. buoys and beacons were as usual, that we could not return without a fair wind and flowing water. Had I known as much before I sailed from the Downs, I would not have come such a wild-goose chase; but Captain Owen is close to us, and I shall know all Captain Owen's ideas. His zeal, I am afraid, has made him overleap sandbanks and tides, and laid him aboard the Enemy; but I must clear away these little obstacles before I can give him scope for intentions. I admire his desire, and could join most heartily in it; but we cannot do impossibilities, and I am as little used to find out the impossibles as most folks; and I think I can discriminate between the impracticable and the fair prospect of success. I have seen Captain Owen, and find it as I suppose. Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 302.] My dear Lord, At Sea, 24th August, 1801. I weighed from the Downs: sending, after we were under sail, for old Yawkins,' a knowing one. I examined him and some others, separately, respecting Flushing; and I find that it is a very difficult thing to take any Ship of sixteen feet draught of water up there, and without the marks, almost impossible... The French have expected me at Flushing every day; therefore I look upon the attempt to be out of the question. I shall have a stout Squadron under Dungeness, which is a station far preferable to the Downs, both for watching the Enemy and as a safe anchorage, and perfectly sure of getting at them, if they approach that part of the Kingdom. It appears that the Enemy, whether they lie below Flushing or abreast of it, can quit their anchorage any moment, and go up inside the Dog Sand, where we cannot follow them. I am convinced, from what I hear, that the thing is not to be done; but if the weather be favourable to-morrow, I will look at them in a Cutter. Captain Owen is an Officer of great zeal, and wished to have removed all obstacles to get at the Enemy. Master of the King George Hired Cutter. I never heard of more firmness than was shown by the good and gallant Captain Somerville. I felt much in sending an Officer who has a wife and eight children, all dependent on his life. Although he has not reported himself injured, yet I fear he has suffered in his head, by the bow-gun of a Brig that was fired over him. Your handsome letter will confirm, to the Officers and the men, when sent on necessary yet dangerous duty, that at least the First Lord of the Admiralty values their exertions, although success may not crown their endeavours. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Medusa, off West Capel, August 25th, 1801. I sailed from the Downs on Sunday, and off the North Foreland was joined by the Squadron from Margate, making in the whole, when united off West Capel, thirty Sail, from sixty-four guns to fourteen, including three Bombs and three Fire-vessels. From my consultation with the Pilots on Sunday afternoon, I had not much hopes of being able to get at the Enemy, supposing they lay even below Flushing; and yesterday afternoon, upon a further consultation with the Pilots, I found that the attempt would be improper, for there were so many ifs necessary to bring us out again, that I gave the matter up. But further, to satisfy my own mind, I this morning went on board the King George Hired Cutter, Mr. Yawkins, Master, who carried me up the Welling Channel, four or five leagues from our Ships, and near three from the Enemy; the tide running strong up, and the wind falling, it was necessary to get out again. From this distant observation of Captain Gore and myself, with the local knowledge of Mr. Yawkins, I believe that the Enemy's whole force consisted of a Ship of the Line, Dutch, French Frigate, another small Ship, and two or three Brigs laying close to the Town of Flushing, and abreast of it; which position being likewise abreast of the Dog Sand, would render a successful attack almost impossible, for even supposing ourselves able to get alongside the Enemy, they could whenever they pleased, with the flood tide, cut their cables and retreat towards the Ramakins, and leave us with the impossibility of anything else than silencing the fire from Flushing. Under these circumstances, I hesitated not one moment to direct the Ships and Vessels with me to proceed to the several stations assigned them, which I [cannot] have the honour to transmit, without acquainting their Lordships that I cannot but admire Captain Owen's zeal in his anxious desire to get at the Enemy, but under all the circumstances which I have stated, I could not think myself justifiable in acting against my own judgment. I have the honour to be, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amazon, Downs, 28th August, 1801. I am to request that you will be pleased to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the enclosed letter which I received from Lieutenant Sayes, Commanding His Majesty's Advice-boat Express; and at the same time move their Lordships to grant an additional number of men to the said Vessel; for, her yards being so square and her breadth great, that I perfectly agree with the Lieutenant that thirty men are not sufficient to manage her; she ought, at least, to have a Cutter's complement. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO GEORGE SMITH, ESQ., CAMER, KENT. [Autograph, in the possession of his Son, William Masters Smith, of Camer, Esq.] My dear Sir, Deal, August 31st, 1801. any I shall always be happy when it is in my power to do thing you wish me, when I recollect that we are twentyfive years' acquaintance, and that although we have scarcely ever met, yet through the medium of our joint and excellent Vide vol. i. p. 36. friend Locker, whose memory I shall revere to the last moment of my life-we have never lost sight of each other in life. I have inquired how the farm goes on, I know you have heard how my carcase has fared. You know enough of the Sea service to be sensible that some expenses must attend Mr. Feilding's son', and at (I hope) the close of a war it should be considered well the putting a lad to sea; however, if the lad comes, you may rely that I shall have great pleasure in doing every kind thing for him. Ishall never forget our visit to Mr. Feilding, and I beg, my dear Sir, that you will ever believe me, your most obliged and obedient, NELSON AND Bronte. TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ., SWANLAND HOUSE, MORPETH, [Autograph, in the possession of Colonel Davison.] My dear Davison, August 31st, 1801. Many thanks for your truly kind letter of 22nd. Dear Parker is as well as can be expected; but whether he is to live or die, or whether he ever will be able to walk again, even the Surgeons cannot tell. He has youth on his side, and that is all that can be said for him. Your conduct respecting the Head-money is like yourself, and therefore unlike any other Agent for Prizes. I am sure the Captors are obliged to you for getting so much Head money, for thein; and I suppose the value of the Ship and stores, and brass cannon will be paid for. On the subject of brass guns, I suppose near thirty have been saved; and as they are worth £400 or £500 a piece, they must be looked after. In every Ship I hear they have brass guns: it will come to be plunder, if not looked after. Captain Hancock, of the Cruizer Sloop, landed two at Yarmouth, and perhaps has others on board. The Arrow, Captain Brodie, has, I am told, five on board; Captain Dixon, of the Ramilies, had eighteen on board; and other Ships We ought to have saved £70,000 worth of brass, had guns. Mr. Henry Feilding, the son of the Reverend Allen Feilding, son of the author of "Tom Jones." Mr. Henry Feilding did not enter the Navy; and he is now Rector of Blean, near Canterbury. |