TO CAPTAIN RICHARD GOODWIN KEATS, H. M. SHIP SUPERB. [Order-Book.] Victory, Madalena Islands, 15th May, 1804. You are hereby required and directed to proceed immediately, with his Majesty's Ship Superb, under your command to Malta; and on your arrival there, endeavour to procure an intelligent Interpreter, who is perfectly acquainted with the language spoken by the Dey of Algiers, that you may be able, with exactitude, to communicate through him with the Dey, on the different objects of your instructions, which are herewith transmitted. So soon as you have procured an Interpreter, you will proceed immediately from Malta (taking with you the Renard Schooner, or any of the Sloops of War which may be at that place) to the Bay of Algiers, and endeavour to put in execution the purport of my letter, which accompanies this. When the object of your instructions is settled with the Dey, you will send the Renard, or such other Vessel as may be with you, to Malta, with an account of the result thereof, to Sir Alexander Ball at that place, and join me in his Majesty's Ship Superb, on Rendezvous No. 102, without a moment's loss of time. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN LEWIS SHEPHEARD, H. M. SHIP THISBE. Sir, [Letter-Book.] Victory, Madalena Islands, 16th May, 1804. I am to desire you will proceed with his Majesty's Ship Thisbe, together with the Victuallers under your charge, and join me on Rendezvous No. 102, as communicated to you by Captain Donnelly of the Narcissus, where you will find the Squadron, or orders for your further proceedings. In joining me on the said Rendezvous, I must recommend you will proceed through the Straits of Bonifaccio, passing on the West side of the Island of Corsica, and not attempt to go round Cape Corse, as in the event of the wind coming strong from the N.W., it would be an awkward passage for a stranger, particularly with Victuallers under his charge. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. [Letter-Book. "Thursday, 17th May.-At 5, P.M. weighed, as did the Squadron. Made sail into the Eastern Bay. At 6-10, anchored: Squadron anchored here. Friday, 18th May, A.M. At 6-30, weighed and made sail to the Eastward, through the Biche Channel, as did the Squadron for Terranova Bay. At 1, P.M. shortened sail and anchored: Squadron anchored here. Saturday, 19th May, A.M. At 5:30, weighed and made sail out of Terranova Bay. Stood to the Eastward, as did the Squadron. Termagant rejoined. Three Algerine Cruizers in the N.W.; showed our Colours to them. At 8, P.M. a Ship in the S.W. made the signal of distress, and wanting immediate assistance. Sent the Pinnace to her assistance. The Ship that wanted assistance proved to be the Excellent, which struck on an unknown reef in the Eastern passage to the Madalena Islands."-Victory's Log.] Sir, Victory, Madalena Islands, 17th May, 1804. I have received your letter of the 4th ultimo, together with a copy of a memorandum from Captain Bligh, respecting the variance in the two Charts, made by Captain Ryves, of the Madalena and Barelino Islands, and also the copies of them, signifying their Lordships' direction to transmit such remarks as may contribute to the perfection of the said Charts. In answer thereto, you will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Captain Ryves, and the Masters of the Gibraltar and Victory, have strictly examined the said two copies, and cannot discover any material difference, except the soundings marked in red ink, taken by the Victory, and a few small rocks, which are visible above water, in what is called Agincourt Sound, but of no consequence whatever. Captain Ryves's Chart is, therefore, as perfect in its original state as can be made, except by the nice and accurate hand of an expert Surveyor, and then it would not be more useful. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. P.S.-On passing by the East entrance of the Madalena Islands, on the 20th instant, his Majesty's Ship Excellent struck on a reef of rocks, which is not laid down in Captain Ryves's Chart. She received no hurt whatever, being perfectly smooth water when she struck. The bearings, &c., of this reef, taken by Mr. Atkinson, Master of the Victory, are herewith inclosed. N. AND B. may not plead ignorance of the Act above mentioned, as he will be made answerable for a breach of it. You will direct the Officer of Artillery to muster, when you think necessary, the clothes of the Artillery, and direct him to take care that the men are kept in cleanliness and discipline, becoming such a fine body of men. You will give directions that the mortars and Artillery-stores are examined occasionally, in order that they may be always fit for service, and direct the Officer of Artillery to report to you any defect in them, that such directions may be given as the case shall require. And in every respect you will pay the same attention to the Artillery embarked on board the Bomb under your command, as is paid to Officers and Men of the Navy of like rank. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. N.B.-A letter of the above tenour and date was delivered to the Commanders of the Etna and Acheron Bomb-Vessels. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN THE HONOURABLE COURTENAY BOYLE, H. M. SHIP SEAHORSE. [Letter-Book.] Victory, at Sea, 19th May, 1804. Sir, Should this, contrary to my expectation, find you at the Madalena Islands, I am to desire you will join the Squadron (who is proceeding by Cape Corse to Rendezvous No. 102) without a moment's loss of time. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Letter-Book.] Victory, 19th May, 1804. Sir, I herewith transmit you a letter from Mr. Bauguier, Purser of his Majesty's Sloop Termagant, which you will please to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for their consideration; and, at the same time acquaint their Lordships that I have not thought proper to comply with his request without their direction, as it is not possible for me to judge how far the necessary attention has been paid to the preservation of the provisions and stores committed to his charge, since his appointment to that Sloop. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN RYVES, H. M. SHIP GIBRALTAR. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Victory, at Sea, 19th May, 1804. On examining the Vouchers for the purchase of provisions for the Company of his Majesty's Ship Gibraltar, under your command, between the 21st September 1803, and the 6th instant, at Naples, there appears a charge of upwards of a hundred pounds sterling, for onions, cabbages, leeks, and pumpkins, for the people during the said time. I must therefore desire, as it was the duty of the Purser of the said Ship to have purchased a sufficient quantity of vegetables for the Ship's Company's soup, the fresh meat days, which ought not to have been included in the vouchers, that you inform me with the reason of this very extraordinary charge. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Victory, at Sea, 19th May, 1804. In answer to your letter of the 6th ultimo, I request you will be pleased to inform the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that although Mr. Thomas Pearse1 did not produce documents for having served his time, yet the Passing Captains were satisfied that he had done so, and that he had taken out Query, if the present Lieutenant Thomas Pearse, who obtained that rank on the 1st of August 1807 ? his time at the Navy Office, which, by some mistake, he had left behind. It also comes within my certain knowledge, that Mr. Pearse has been upwards of six years in his Majesty's Service. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty, and "London Gazette" of June 1804.] Victory, at Sea, 19th May, 1804. Sir, I herewith transmit you for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty a copy of a letter from Captain Pettet, commander of his Majesty's Sloop Termagant, giving an account of the Boats of that Sloop having, on the 15th instant, taken possession of the French Xebeck Privateer, Felicité, off Port Favona, in Corsica, which, it appears the Enemy had scuttled previous to leaving her, as she soon afterwards sank. I am very much pleased with Captain Pettet's exertions in having destroyed this Vessel, as she was one of the finest Privateers in this Country, and had captured two of our Merchantmen last year off Tunis. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, at Sea, 19th May, 1804. Sir, I have received the duplicate and triplicate of your Secret Letter, dated the 9th March last, signifying their Lordships' direction to govern myself in conformity with the instructions contained in Lord Hobart's letter, with respect to the Dey of Algiers, so far as the same can be done consistently with the due attention to the more important object of watching the French force in Toulon. In answer to which, you will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that I have sent the Superb to Algiers and given Captain Keats 4 This letter was published in the London Gazette. |