Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez Volume I Part 10

The squadron returned to Plymouth Sound on the 14th of June, when Sir James sent the following letter to his brother:--

Sat.u.r.day, 14th June 1794.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

We sailed from the island at four yesterday morning, unluckily too soon for the arrival of the packet; by which I lost all the pretty things you, with other friends, said to me on the business of last Sunday. We remain also uninformed of Lord Howe's victory, except that we know a general action has taken place favourable to us. This evening will, I hope, clear up all our doubts.

The French squadron put into Cancalle Bay the day after our rencontre, and I have reason to think were rather sore from our well-directed fire. That their fire did not take more effect on the Crescent, must be ascribed to a superior Providence; as, I will own to you, I never saw shot fall thicker about any s.h.i.+p than at the time we hauled up for Vason Bay.

My old pilot, Jean Breton, has infinite merit, and I must have him recommended to that very laudable society for the encouragement of the protection of the commerce of the country.

He has a large family, to whom any pecuniary recompense will be of service; but as two other pilots exerted themselves, one on board the Druid, and the other in this s.h.i.+p, I hope they will also be considered. Mention this to my worthy friend the Lord Mayor, who will probably have the goodness to undertake the business.

I am proceeding to Plymouth for further orders, and you may rest a.s.sured of hearing from me when any thing is fixed. The Valiant lugger has this instant joined me from Plymouth, and has brought me the extraordinary Gazette; I most truly rejoice at the good news it contains, though I am savage enough to wish a few more had been sunk or taken.

This business absorbs all lesser considerations, and I must be satisfied if I can only be considered the _horse-radish_ to garnish the roast beef.

Adieu, my worthy Richard: lose no time, as the Admiral writes to me we shall sail again early next week. I hope to arrive in the Sound this evening.

Yours affectionately, JAS. SAUMAREZ.

Sir James was, however, disappointed in receiving an answer from his brother, being ordered to sail in command of a squadron. The following letter concludes the account of the late meritorious affair:

Plymouth, Crescent, June 1794.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

I have been much disappointed, not to receive a single line from you since we sailed from this place, although I am convinced you must have written by way of Guernsey. To-morrow I sail with a squadron of six frigates under my command, viz. Crescent, Nymphe, Blonde, Druid, Concorde, and Severn: my only fear is, that we shall not be so fortunate as to fall in with the enemy.

Admiral McBride has shown me his reply from the Admiralty to his letter, inclosing my account of our late business off Guernsey.

It is highly flattering to myself, and expressive of their approbation of my conduct in the strongest terms. I doubt my letter being published, as it is only in instances where success has been the consequence.

What a n.o.ble business that of Lord Howe! And how well he has fulfilled the expectations which those who knew him had formed of his character! Several of my friends are here who were in that action, and speak in the highest strain of panegyric of the whole of his conduct.

I wait for my wife being again on her legs to compose on the late victory. Why have you not a turn for poetry and music, so as to indite a song on this subject, in lieu of the famous Ninety-second, that has had the run of a whole century?.

Adieu, my worthy friend! I am truly and faithfully yours, JAS. SAUMAREZ.

CHAPTER VIII.

1794, 1795.

Sir James commands a Squadron of Frigates, in the Channel.--Visit to Weymouth.--Joins the Channel Fleet.--Black Rocks.--Private Letters and Instructions.--Appointed to the Orion.--Crescent's Officers and Crew volunteer to follow him.--Appointed to the Marlborough (_pro tempore_).--Commands a detached Squadron.--Returns to the Orion, attached to the Channel Fleet.--Private Letters.--Lord Bridport's Action.--Orion, the headmost s.h.i.+p, begins the battle.--Official Letter.--Two private Accounts.--Returns to Portsmouth--Expedition to Isle Dieu.--Returns to Spithead.

Captain Saumarez, whose conduct in his late encounter with the enemy's squadron had called forth the admiration of his country, and the high approbation of the Admiralty, was continued in command of the squadron destined to protect the Channel islands. Admiral McBride emphatically said, "their defence could not be in better hands." Sir James left Plymouth on the 16th of June 1794, and arrived at Guernsey on the following day. The enemy's large s.h.i.+ps escaped to Brest before any force could be brought to intercept them. The station of Saumarez was from Cape Barfleur to the Seven Islands; and, on the English coast, between the Isle of Wight and the Start, having four frigates under his command. The following letter to his brother gives an amusing account of a false alarm, occasioned by the squadron while his Majesty George the Third was at Weymouth:

Crescent, 18th September 1794.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

I was made happy yesterday by the sight of your handwriting, of which I had for a considerable time been deprived. You will have learnt from the Lord Mayor of our short cruise off Cherbourg. On our return, Sunday evening, we caused an alarm I had little expected: the Trusty, having fallen in with the four frigates, made the private signal, which, not being distinctly seen, remained unanswered. In consequence of which she proceeded to Weymouth Road, making signals of an enemy. The troops were ordered under arms, the batteries manned, and the royal carriages got in readiness. At our approach to the road after dark, a shot was fired from the Trusty. This s.h.i.+p was secured with springs on her cables, and was ready to pour her broadside, when I fortunately made the night-signal, to denote we were friends. I immediately went on sh.o.r.e, and found the royal family at the rooms, not without apprehension of the enemy's landing.

The King desired to see me, and very heartily laughed at the circ.u.mstance. I remained near an hour in conference with their Majesties in the tea-room; a very distinguished honour, I a.s.sure you, as even the lords in waiting are scarcely ever admitted during meals: I was highly flattered at the very gracious and flattering reception I met with. The next day they were on the water, and the King expressed himself much satisfied with the manoeuvres of the squadron under my directions. Lady S. and Mrs. Le Marchant, of Bath, were on board the Crescent, and I was happy in the company of Mr. G----. All dined on board, and seemed well satisfied with the day.

I expect Admiral McBride the beginning of next week; at which time we shall either go to Plymouth or Portsmouth, to complete our provisions. The weather is so bad that we must not expect the packet from Guernsey, and it prevents the one from Weymouth putting to sea. Love to my sister and children.

Yours most affectionately, Jas. Saumarez.

The Crescent continued on Channel service until the 10th of October, when she returned to Cawsand Bay; and, after a short cruise in the entrance of the Channel, she came to Plymouth to be refitted on the 4th of November. On the 8th she was taken into dock, not having been coppered since 1784. Sir James had now an opportunity of enjoying repose for two months, (his s.h.i.+p being in course of repair,) till the 15th of January 1795, when he was immediately attached to the grand fleet under Earl Howe.

The following instructions will show the nature of the arduous service on which Saumarez was destined to be employed for a considerable time:

Instructions for the conduct of s.h.i.+ps appointed to obtain intelligence of the state of the enemy's naval force at Brest.

Two frigates, supported by one or more s.h.i.+ps of the line, will be most generally appointed for obtaining intelligence of the enemy's naval force, from time to time, when the wind has been favourable to their fleet, or detachment thereof, to put to sea.

The frigates so appointed are meant to stretch from Ushant inward to the Black Rocks, together or in succession, as requisite for their mutual support, and better means of communicating with the covering s.h.i.+ps; and off St. Matthew's Point, or so as to discover whether the enemy's fleet are still in Brest water, and, if easily practicable, the number and situation of the enemy's s.h.i.+ps of war there, and in the adjacent anchoring bays without the Goulet. The covering s.h.i.+ps of the line, it is supposed, will generally answer the purpose of their appointment by keeping off, or a little within, the Black Rocks, whilst the frigates are advanced to the more eastern situation before mentioned. The several captains so employed are, nevertheless, to be governed on this service by the state of the weather and movements of the enemy, as they see best in their discretion, or may be directed by the commanding officer, for being able to get to sea with facility when necessary for the purpose of this appointment; and, having made the intended discovery, they are to return for reporting observations to me with all convenient despatch. They are to observe, that the capture of single s.h.i.+ps of the line or frigates, or any action with the enemy not absolutely requisite for the security of their s.h.i.+ps, is not an object of equal moment to compensate for any delay in conveying the earliest information to me, by signal or personal intercourse, of the state or motions of the enemy as aforesaid. The ordering of the fleet in their absence on this service will be calculated for arriving off Ushant as early as possible the next morning, on these occasions if the detached s.h.i.+ps should not have joined the fleet the preceding day, in view to take advantage of every opportunity to intercept the s.h.i.+ps of the enemy attempting to put to sea from Brest. And as it may be requisite often to renew this appointment, the intention will be expressed by signal No. 181, together with the particular signals (one or more) of the s.h.i.+ps of the line and frigates then meant to be so employed; and the signal No. 124 will be subsequently made when the s.h.i.+ps are to part company from the fleet for such purpose.

Given on board the Queen Charlotte, Torbay, 5th February 1795.

HOWE.

To Sir James Saumarez, Captain H.M.S. Crescent.

On this occasion Sir James Saumarez wrote the following letter to his brother, which shows the high opinion entertained of his services off the Black Rocks by his lords.h.i.+p:

Spithead, 15th January 1795.

I had the pleasure of yours yesterday morning, and have only time to acquaint you that part of the fleet are now dropping down to St. Helen's, and to-morrow we hope to put to sea. The wind is far to the southward, but I hope we shall be able to get down Channel before it comes to the westward. There can be little doubt but the enemy's fleet are still at sea. If we have the good fortune to meet them, the business will be glorious for the country.

Our line consists of thirty-five, ten of which are three-deckers. The French have only thirty-two, and four only of three-deckers. My situation in the fleet (repeating frigate) is certainly more desirable than a less conspicuous one; at the same time, I would rather command a seventy-four. Lord Howe is remarkably gracious, and has overwhelmed me with compliments in his opinion of my merits. I have the more to accomplish in order to show myself deserving of it. Be a.s.sured of my zealous endeavours. Adieu! Give my sincere love to my sister and dear children.

I am ever affectionately yours, JAS. SAUMAREZ.

Sir James always preferred the command of a s.h.i.+p of the line to a frigate, notwithstanding the chances of prize-money are in favour of the latter. He accordingly made the following application to the First Lord of the Admiralty; and it will be seen, by the subsequent correspondence, that his wishes were complied with.

MY LORD,

I beg leave to acquaint your lords.h.i.+p, that some time since I made application to be appointed to a line-of-battle s.h.i.+p, and the Earl of Chatham was pleased to signify his intention of meeting my wishes the earliest opportunity. I shall esteem myself greatly obliged to your lords.h.i.+p to appoint me to one, and at the same time to permit me to take my officers and s.h.i.+p's company.

I have the honour to be, &c. &c.

JAMES SAUMAREZ.

Right Honourable Earl Spencer.

SIR,