TO REAR-ADMIRAL KNIGHT, GIBRALTAR. [From a Press-copy in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker. "22nd July. A.M. At 9:30, weighed and made sail. Noon, Squadron in Company. P.M. At 7.30, anchored (in Mazri Bay, Tetuan). Squadron anchored as convenient. H. M. Ship Amazon anchored here.”—Victory's Log.] My dear Admiral, Victory, July 22nd, 1805. Be so good as to allow the Gun-Brig to bring over to Tetuan 3000lbs. of onions, which I have desired Mr. Cutforth to put on board her for the Pursers, as I find we shall get no onions for the people's broth at Tetuan. The Brig shall not anchor, or be detained one moment. This will much oblige NELSON AND Bronte. yours faithfully, TO REAR-ADMIRAL KNIGHT, GIBRALTAR. [From a Press-copy in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] My dear Admiral, Victory, July 22nd, 1805, As far as my humble judgment goes, it appears that the Gibraltar station (which I shall in my Order define), probably from Malaga to some leagues outside Cape Spartel, is intended by the Admiralty to be left to your charge, and that whatever happens within the limits of the Gibraltar station, I shall of course look to you for an account: therefore, it is my duty as far as I can, to appoint a proper force for this very important service, and for the neglect of which Admiral Collingwood sent me yesterday a complaint from the Merchants to the Admiralty, respecting the capture of two American Ships in the Gut, with cargoes valued at £100,000, which were carried into Algesiras. If the wind is Westerly, I shall go to Tetuan: if Easterly, out of the Straits. Collingwood thinks the Enemy is gone to the Bay therefore I long for water, that I may be able to follow them, which I shall do, if to Madras. I send you a copy of the complaint of the Merchants. Yours faithfully, NELSON AND Bronte, From a Press-copy in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Sir, Victory, July 22nd, 1805. I have been honoured with your letter of yesterday respecting Signals. It is certainly desirable that the Enemy should not know all our Signals; but Admirals are restricted by the Admiralty from altering the Flags, or, indeed, meddling with the Signals, as they intend that all Fleets and Ships which may meet, should perfectly understand each other. The Number of the Ship is only a part of our signal, for knowing whether the Ships are friends when they meet at sea. I am much obliged by your good wishes, and am, Sir, your very obedient servant, NELSON AND Bronte. TO J. CUTFORTH, ESQ. [From a Press-copy in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Dear Sir, Victory, July 22nd, 1805. Be so good as to purchase, and put on board the Gun-Brig, whose Lieutenant will deliver you this letter, 3000lbs. of onions, for the use of the Pursers; and I find none will be procured at Tetuan. The price, I hear, will probably be twopence, or twopence half-penny per lb., but send the price. Mr. Ford shall receive the money from the Pursers. Pray, have this done as soon as possible. Captain Hardy saw a Spanish Boat with about that quantity laying at the old Mole, and you can send one of your people, to see them weighed into the Brig. I am, dear Sir, your obliged, humble Servant, NELSON AND Bronte, The address is illegible. PRIVATE DIARY. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 417.] 22nd July, 1805. Bring the Tower on the Cape at the Western side of the Bay, [of Mazri, near Tetuan] to bear from W.N.W. to W. b S. and abreast of the Bay, from half a mile to one and a half mile distant, where there is from ten to twenty fathom water. The River runs inside a sandy beach and parallel to it, so that Boats may lay alongside the beach the whole extent of the Bay, and roll their casks over to the River, and fill them. NELSON AND Bronte. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. 66 [Autograph, in the Admiralty. July 23rd. Noon. Weighed, and made sail." -Victory's Log. Sir, Victory, Tetuan Bay, July 23rd, 1805. I have seen in their Lordships' orders to Vice-Admiral Collingwood, that the Frigate and Sloops upon the Malta Station are ordered to put themselves under his command; and, as he has ordered them to join him, I take for granted, for services outside the Mediterranean, and as I have not heard that any force is stationed in the environs of Malta, to give protection to the Convoys required for that Island, to and from the Archipelago, Adriatic, Sicily, and Naples, and to Barbary for cattle, I beg leave to apprise their Lordships that Malta cannot more than exist, and that our Troops would be placed in a situation of great distress, without a Naval force to ensure their necessary supplies; and for these services and carrying the Ships from England up the Archipelago and Adriatic, there ought always to be (and my losses have been occasioned by my never having had sufficient means for their protection) two Vessels with each Convoy, to protect them from the swarms of Row-boats, Privateers; and, I am now informed, the Enemy have a Ship-Privateer of twenty-two guns, one hundred and seventy men, and a large Brig of sixteen guns and one hundred men. The force which, always when I had it, I judged it necessary to keep to the Eastward of Sicily was and not less is wanted now-one Frigate, 12-pounders; four Sloops of War; the Spider, Renard, and Ventura Schooners, and Hirondelle Cutter, to which I often added Anson Frigate, and Cameleon, and other Sloops. The Station of Gibraltar, and to watch the French Ship in Cadiz was always (except for a few weeks when I recalled the Donegal) never without a Line-of-Battle Ship, three Frigates, two Sloops; and more when I had them. The watching Toulon and Genoa at this moment will require more Frigates than when the Fleet was up the Mediterranean, or the French Frigates and Sloops will convoy their Troops to their destination. A Ship of the Line has always been stationed at Naples, not only for the protection of our Merchants and their property, but also with secret orders for the reception of the Royal Family of Naples. His Majesty, through the Secretary of State, has always approved of this precaution; and his Minister has been ordered to declare that the personal safety of their Sicilian Majesties was an object always near his heart: in short, the pledge I believe has been given that a Ship of the Line should always be in Naples Bay-at least, I have understood it so; and by their Lordships' orders of 31st May and 28th August, 1804, I am directed to have a Frigate at the disposal of his Sardinian Majesty, and to protect the Island of Sardinia. These services I have endeavoured to perform, and left all the force of Frigates and Sloops in my power for the services ordered by the Board when the Fleet came down; and I must beg leave to refer Lord Barham to a secret letter of the Cabinet for these and other important services expected from me, signed by Lord Melville. I herewith transmit you a statement of the force which I think necessary to the Eastward of Carthagena for performing the services intrusted to my care; and when I get the lists of Frigates and Sloops, I shall apportion them as far as their number will allow, and my judgment will admit. I have the honour to be, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Force' necessary for the different Stations in the Mediter ranean: An autograph of this paper is in the possession of Earl Nelson. To watch Toulon, Genoa, Leghorn, to prevent the removal of Troops by sea, to guard Sardinia, and occasionally to call at Palermo, in Sicily-Four Frigates. N.B.-If the French Line-of-Battle Ship is launched, and at sea from Genoa, then two Sail of the Line, two Frigates, and one Sloop. TO WATCH CARTHAGENA. Line-of-Battle Ships. Two Frigates. One Sloop, or three Frigates in lieu. GIBRALTAR STATION-extent, from Old Malaga, to ten leagues West of Cape Spartel-at least, the number of Two Frigates, Two Ship Sloops, Two Gun-Brigs. N.B.-The Gun-Brigs, singly, are not considered equal to four Gun-Boats, as their shot never reach the Gun-Boats, Perhaps it would be better Sloops might perhaps then be which always keep at long shot. to have them at Malta; and two drawn from thence, unless these Brigs can be fitted with one eighteen pounder on each side, and one at the head and stern. OFF CAPE ST. VINCENT. One Frigate. WITH ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD, off Cadiz. Two Frigates. Two Bombs; Childers Sloop. WITH LORD NELSON'S SQUADRON. Two Frigates. N.B.-A Frigate and a Sloop wanted for the Convoy from Malta, ordered by their Lordships to sail every two months. NELSON AND BRONTE. |