PRIVATE DIARY. [From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. ii. p. 415.] 21st June, 1805. Midnight, nearly calm, saw three planks, which I think came from the French Fleet. Very miserable, which is very foolish. NELSON AND Bronte. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, at Sea, June 26th, 1805. Sir, I herewith transmit you for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of an order issued on the 5th instant, to the Captains of His Majesty's Ships named in the margin,' directing them for the reasons therein mentioned to victual the Troops at full allowance of provisions, instead of two-thirds, as is usually the custom. The cheerfulness with which they embarked, and the fatigue of marching all night from the different out-posts, deserved my particular notice; and therefore considering that we should soon be in Action with the Enemy, and that the Troops, at any rate, would only be on board the Fleet a few days, I thought it advisable to order them to be victualled the same as the Seamen, judging that a distinction (under the above circumstances, when unanimity and a hearty joint co-operation were necessary) would have been detrimental to the Service. I therefore trust their Lordships will approve of my having done so, and be pleased to give the necessary directions to the Victualling-Board, that the respective Pursers may be allowed credit for the same on passing their Accounts. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Victory, Northumberland, Canopus, Superb, Spencer, Belleisle, Conqueror Tigre, Leviathan, Donegal, Swiftsure, Spartiate. Vide p. 446, ante. Sir, TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H.M. SHIP AMPHION. [Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.] Victory, June 30th, 1805. As it is of the very utmost importance that I should know, as speedily as possible, if the Enemy's Fleet from the West Indies have entered the Mediterranean, I have, therefore, to desire that you will proceed, (when I shall make the signal for that purpose,) without one moment's loss of time, to Tangier Bay, sending a Boat on shore for information to Mr. Matra, the British Consul, to know from him if the Enemy have entered the Straits, or are gone into Cadiz; and such other information as may be important for me to be acquainted with. You will keep my near approach as secret as you can, desiring the Officers to say they left me at sea, and that they do not know which way I was going. And you will also request Mr. Matra to keep my near approach a secret; that if the Enemy's Fleet is gone up the Mediterranean, no Vessels may be sent with information. You will delay as little time as possible at Tangier; and I rely on your zeal, activity, and attention to this very important service; and that I shall find the Amphion from seven to sixteen leagues West from Cape Spartel. Should you hear that I am gone to any other place after the Enemy, you will follow me, as I have not a single Frigate with me. I am, Sir, with the highest esteem, your most obliged and faithful servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. It will be desirable for every Frigate and Vessel you may meet between St. Vincent's and Cape Spartel, to join me on the afore-mentioned Rendezvous, unless they are upon very important service. N. AND B. Sir, TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, at Sea, 30th June, 1805. I herewith transmit you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a Report of Survey held this day on Lieutenant Thomas Wing,' of his Majesty's Ship Amazon, and beg to acquaint you, for their information, that I have appointed Mr. Philip Horn, Midshipman of the Victory, to act as Lieutenant of the said Ship, in Mr. Wing's room, and herewith transmit you a copy of his acting order, which you will be pleased to lay before their Lordships for confirmation. Mr. Horn is an Admiralty recommendation, an elève of the late Captain Riou's, and was, while with him, severely wounded in the thigh, on board the Amazon, in the Battle at Copenhagen. In addition to these circumstances, he is a very promising and deserving young man. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO J. M. MATRA, ESQ., H. M. CONSUL AT TANGIERS. [From a Press-copy in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Victory, June 30th, 1805. Sir, I have sent the Amphion, Captain Sutton, to Tangier-Bay, in order to receive such intelligence of the Enemy's Fleet as you may be able to give him. It is a very interesting moment for me to know if the Enemy have entered the Mediterranean, or are gone to Cadiz: therefore, I shall thank you to tell Captain Sutton all you know relative to the Enemy's Fleet, and such other information as you may be so good as to give him. I have further to request that my near approach may be kept as great a secret as is possible. Should the Enemy's Fleet not have passed the Straits, it is very possible that I may anchor the Fleet in Tangier Bay, and therefore should be glad to know if I can procure bullocks, onions, lemons, and oranges' for the Ships' Companies, for which will be paid dollars. Upon all these points your kind information will most truly oblige, Sir, your most obedient Servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. The Combined Fleet passed to the Northward of Antigua on June 8th. 2 Lieutenant Thomas Wing: he died a Lieutenant in 1837. Mr. Phillip Thicknesse Horn: his Commission, as Lieutenant, was dated 7th October 1805; and having been First Lieutenant of the Superb at Algiers, in 1816, when he was severely wounded, he was promoted to be a Commander in September of that year, in which rank he died in 1825 or 1826. TO CAPTAIN PARKER, H. M. SHIP AMAZON. [From a Press Copy in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Sir, Victory, June 30th, 1805. As information is at this moment of the very utmost importance respecting the Enemy's Fleet, I have therefore to desire that you will make the best of your way, when I shall make the signal for the Amazon to proceed upon this service, by Cape St. Vincent, Cape St. Mary's and off Cadiz, that I may be informed, as expeditiously as possible, if the Enemy's Fleet from the West Indies have entered the Port of Cadiz, or gone into the Mediterranean; and you will join me directly off Cape Spartel, from seven to twelve leagues West from it, where I shall expect your arrival with the greatest anxiety. If, before you get so far as Cadiz, that you can get information, which may be depended upon, you will go to the abovementioned Rendezvous, and wait my arrival; and should you hear of either my having followed the Enemy into the Mediterranean, or gone to any other place in pursuit of them, you will endeavour to join me with all expedition. I know with what confidence I may rely upon your activity, zeal, and attention to this service, so highly important to our Country, and be assured, I am, with the highest regard, your most obedient, humble servant, NELSON AND Bronte. Should you meet Frigates or Sloops, not employed upon very important service, it is of the greatest consequence that they should join me on the above Rendezvous. N. AND B. TO REAR-ADMIRAL LOUIS. [Autograph, in the possession of the Reverend Dr. Raffles. "July 1st. Noon. Light breezes and clear. St. Mary's (Azores) S. 89 E., distance 175 leagues.'Victory's Log.] My dear Admiral, Victory, July 1st, 1805. I think you may with great safety venture to dine on board the Victory to-day, for I too much fear that we shall not have a wind to move us faster than Boats can pass. you no news, but Amazon may bring us some. dear Louis, yours most faithfully, I can tell Ever, my NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN HARGOOD, H. M. SHIP BELLEISLE. [From the "Memoir of the Life and Services of Admiral Sir William Hargood, G.C.B., G.C.H.," p. 112.] My dear Hargood, Victory, July 1st, 1805. As the day is very fine, I was in hopes that you would have come on board, and dined. From winds, and the expectation of wind, I have been afraid to ask my friends to dinner; but I need not, I hope, assure you, how glad I am always to see you, being, my dear Hargood, yours most faithfully, NELSON AND Bronte. PRIVATE DIARY. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 415. "8th July. A.M. At 11:30, saw the Island of St. Michael's E.S.E. per compass, distance 17 leagues.”— Victory's Log.] 8th July, 1805. We crawled thirty-three miles the last twenty-four hours; my only hope is, that the Enemy's Fleet are near us, and in the same situation. All night light breezes, standing to the Eastward, to go to the Northward of St. Michael's. At times squally with rain. On examining the Spanish log and chart we had taken in a Bark from La Guira, I find that the Combined Squadrons went in sight of Cape Blanco, and passed close to the Salvages. 4 At 5, A.M. on the 1st of July, the Amazon made the signal for a strange sail, S.S.W., which she proceeded to examine, but nothing more occurs in the Victory's Log, or Signal Log, on the subject. June 28th. ❝ P.M. At 5:45, observed the Amazon to hoist French colours. 7, Amazon fired a gun. 29th June, A.M. 640, observed the Amazon with her chase in tow."-Signal Log. "Daylight, observed the Amazon having a Settee in tow, which proved to be Spaniard from La Guira. Noon, St. Mary's (Azores) N 85° E., distance 210 leagues."-Victory's Log. |