Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez Volume II Part 25

Captain Pater's conduct became the subject of a court-martial, by which he was honourably acquitted. Could he by staying longer with his Admiral have rendered him any relief he never would have quitted him, nor did he do so until it became his bounden duty to preserve his own s.h.i.+p and the gallant crew he commanded.

From the testimony of the survivors of the St. George, who arrived on board the Victory in April 1812, we learnt that the St. George lost all her jury-masts and rudder before midnight, that she was many hours in nine fathoms water, and that the anchors were not let go until she struck the ground. We do not mean to argue on the probability, if she had anch.o.r.ed, that she would have brought up or rode out the gale, but after masts and rudder were gone, surely there was a chance. We mention it to call the attention of those who may be at some future period in a similar situation, and as a circ.u.mstance which appears by the following extract of a letter to have struck Sir James, who had often successfully depended on his anchors under trying occasions.

After a minute perusal of Captain Pater's narrative, I cannot but express my serious apprehension for the safety of the St.

George upon so dangerous a coast and under such perilous circ.u.mstances; at the same time there still exists a hope that she may have been brought up at her anchors, and weathered the severity of the gale, of which I fervently pray their lords.h.i.+ps may soon receive information.

We have dwelt longer on the mournful subject than we intended to do, in consequence of opinions having been entertained that Sir James had not consulted Admiral Reynolds and Captain Guion on the subject of the return of the St. George from Gothenburg, and that therefore some blame might be attached to him as commander-in-chief. Now, we are not only able from personal knowledge to contradict these reports, but to a.s.sure our readers that the opinions of these experienced and gallant officers were actually taken, and likewise those of Captains Pater and Atkins, immediately on the arrival of the s.h.i.+p at Gothenburg. The fleet having been detained at Wingo Sound by storms and westerly winds until the 18th, Admiral Reynolds repeatedly entreated Sir James to permit the s.h.i.+p to cross the North Sea, and in a conversation the Author had with Captain Guion, there was in his opinion not the smallest doubt of her capability of performing the voyage. So well did she sail that she beat many of the s.h.i.+ps of the convoy that sailed at the same time, and on the morning of the 19th she was still in sight of the squadron. The loss of the Hero and her convoy, on the Hawk Sands off the Texel, took place on the same disastrous night, and with no less fatal consequences.

It appears from letters received from Sir George Hope, that this convoy returned to Wingo Sound in obedience to signals from the Victory, but sailed on the 21st with the same breeze, which induced the St. George to leave Salo. She succeeded in getting out of the Sleeve, and having a fair N.W. gale, unfortunately shaped her course too far to the eastward. Captain Newman and all the crew, excepting about forty men, perished.

The account of this event, having been published by Capt. Brenton and other naval historians, need not be further dwelt on. The loss of the three s.h.i.+ps and convoy, as well as that of the Saldanha, in which not less than five thousand men perished, was made a question in the House of Commons, when Mr. Yorke, first Lord of the Admiralty, touched on the mournful subject with so much feeling that it drew forth an elegant and well-merited expression from Mr. Whitbread, who observed, that "the calamities were the effect of misfortune alone, and that it was a consolation to reflect that no blame could be imputed to any one."

Although Sir James was conscious that such was really the case, it need scarcely be added that his mind was deeply affected when the melancholy news arrived, nor could he for many months conceal his affliction.

The last convoy under Captain Dashwood of the Pyramus, arrived safely.

Instead of pa.s.sing through the Belt as intended, he availed himself of a strong S.S.W. wind, and boldly pushed through the Malmo Channel, led by the Ranger, Captain Acklom, who so much distinguished himself on this occasion as to gain his promotion to the rank of post-captain as a reward for his services.

This convoy consisted of one hundred and twenty sail, leaving only twelve vessels at Carlshamn, which were a part of the St. George's convoy that could not obtain anchors and cables. They were off Falsterbo on the 20th of December, when the wind, which had been northerly, s.h.i.+fted to the S.W.; on the 23rd they reached Elsineur Roads, and on the 28th Gothenburg, whence they sailed in company with Rear-admiral Hope in the Ardent, who had thus finished the service of the Baltic for the season.

Colonel Dornberg, who had been employed on the Continent confidentially, had ascertained that Prussia would be forced to join France against Russia, therefore the Government transports with arms intended for their a.s.sistance were sent back, and formed part of the Hero's unfortunate convoy.

The Victory, after parting with the St. George, was detained by baffling winds and thick weather. Fortunately on the 21st good alt.i.tudes of the sun were obtained for the chronometers, and thereby the situation of the fleet was determined before the storm began on the 22nd: at noon it blew a strong gale from N.W. (by compa.s.s); Leostoff bore N. 31, W. 203 miles, the Texel S. 136 miles; but an allowance of two points was made for what was called _indraft_, and the course steered was S.W. by W. On the 23rd the storm increased with inconceivable violence: the Victory was scudding under close-reefed main-top-sail. At noon the signal was made for longitude, when it appeared that the reckoning of the whole fleet was much to the westward of the Victory, particularly the Vigo, no less than eighty-four miles; but none of the s.h.i.+ps had observations for the chronometers, and therefore the commander-in-chief determined on running by the reckoning of his own s.h.i.+p; and had he not done so, the whole fleet would have shared the fate of the Hero in the same spot!

At ten P.M. soundings were struck on the broad fourteen, which cleared up all doubts on the subject; on the next day the gale moderated, the fleet pa.s.sed the Gallopere light and anch.o.r.ed to stop tide; on Christmas-day pa.s.sed down Channel, and in the evening anch.o.r.ed in St.

Helen's.

I may here observe with propriety, that I have since found the deviation from the true course, which by pilots and masters of s.h.i.+ps had been attributed to _indraft_, &c. was occasioned entirely by the _deviation_ of the magnetic needle when steering to the S.W. the point on which the attraction found in almost every s.h.i.+p was, by a series of experiments, established to be, from one to two points; (see Ross's voyage 1818;) while it is notorious that if the s.h.i.+p was standing N.E.

the opposite point, it had been always found that not only no allowance for _indraft_ was necessary, but that the error in the reckoning was on the opposite way; and we therefore conclude that many s.h.i.+ps have been lost for want of making the necessary allowance for the _deviation_ of the compa.s.s in steering across the North Sea, in a storm from N.W.

A correspondence was carried on with the Captains of this squadron without leading to any satisfactory reason for the extraordinary errors in the reckonings of each s.h.i.+p, and it is mentioned here to warn those who may be in a similar situation, and to induce them to obtain the errors of their compa.s.ses, for which plain rules have been given, if they are not provided with Professor Barlow's apparatus.

On the arrival of the Victory at Spithead, Sir James applied for leave of absence, and arriving in town received the unqualified approbation of Ministers, and of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, for his wise and firm conduct on this critical situation of affairs in the Baltic, and for the important service he had rendered the country in maintaining peace, and in supporting the dignity of the Crown and the best interests of the community.

CHAPTER XIII.

1812.

State of Europe in 1812.--Critical situation of Sweden and Russia.--Advance of Buonaparte.--Sir James Saumarez resumes the command in the Baltic.--Attack on Anholt prevented.--Proceedings of the advanced squadron.--Arrival of the Victory at Gothenburg.--Capture and destruction of a Danish frigate and two brigs.--Captain Stewart's gallant conduct.--Official letters.--Capture of a s.h.i.+p in Pillau Roads.--L. Jones's gallant conduct.--Official letters.--Peace with Russia.--Correspondence with Mr. Thornton and Earl Cathcart, who is appointed Amba.s.sador to the Court of St.

Petersburg.--Proceedings of the hostile armies on the frontiers of Russia.--Admiral Byam Martin sent to co-operate.--Siege of Riga.--Diversion made by Admiral Martin in Dantzig Bay.--Capture and destruction of four French privateers.--Ratification of peace with Russia and Sweden.--Sir James named Knight Grand Cross of the Sword of Sweden.--His Swedish Majesty's letter and the answer.--Emperor Alexander sends the Russian fleet to England.--Defeat of the French at Polosk, Borodino, Moscow.--Retreat of Buonaparte.--Archangel fleet arrives.--Earl Cathcart.--Mr. Saumarez's tour to bo and St. Petersburg, and return to the Admiral with despatches.--Afflicting news from England.--Sir James's conduct on that occasion.--He is relieved by Sir George Hope.--Returns to England.--Strikes his flag.

The state of Europe at the commencement of this year left no doubt that a severe struggle for independence was approaching. It was evident that under the pretence of conquering a maritime peace, Buonaparte's ambition was nothing short of continental empire; his armies had been gradually advancing, and, under various pretexts, taking possession of every fortress in Prussia, and towards the frontiers of Russia. Supposing himself in a position to enforce the ruinous demands which he well knew could not be granted, he looked forward with confidence to the subjugation of Russia, after which Sweden would become an easy conquest. Alexander saw that the existence of his empire depended on the exertions he was now compelled to make, and before the conclusion of the last year, his intentions of resistance were secretly made known both to the British and Swedish cabinets. It was now deemed fortunate that the wise and temperate policy of Sir James had been the means of forming that coalition, which was subsequently the saving of Europe.

So important did Government consider the continuation of Sir James as commander-in-chief in the Baltic, that while in London, at Tunbridge Wells, and other places where he resided, the whole of the correspondence pa.s.sed through him, and as the spring advanced he was again entreated to finish the good work he had begun. As his force was now to consist of only ten sail of the line, he did not judge a Captain of the fleet to be necessary; but Rear-admirals Byam Martin and J.N. Morris were at his request appointed to serve under him, and it may be truly added that two officers better qualified to support his plans could not have been found.

Early in the spring, Captain Dashwood, who had so highly distinguished himself in carrying a valuable convoy through the Sound at the close of last year, was sent with a squadron of sloops to afford protection to the island of Anholt, which was again threatened by the Danes, but on the appearance of this detachment, the attempt, if ever intended, was abandoned. On this service the Fly sloop was unfortunately lost on Anholt Reef.

In April, Rear-admiral Morris was despatched with the advanced squadron and arrived at Wingo Sound about the middle of April, having been previously informed of the state of affairs in Sweden, and instructed to keep up the appearance of hostility without committing any positive act; in the mean time a fleet of line of battle s.h.i.+ps was fitting out at Carlscrona, and strict orders were issued that in the event of their putting to sea they were not to be molested by his Majesty's s.h.i.+ps. A correspondence was entered into with the Danish auditor-general respecting the exchange of prisoners, in which a demand was made for the release of all the Danish prisoners in lieu of all English, which would have been ten to one in favour of Denmark; but the chief object was the release of a Danish officer, who, after having struck his colours, attempted to destroy his s.h.i.+p, contrary to the laws and usages of war, and who had been detained in consequence.

This request was at first refused, but in consequence of the kind treatment of the unfortunate crews who suffered s.h.i.+pwreck, and who were unconditionally liberated, the exchange took place.

Sir James hoisted his flag in the Victory on the 14th of April, and on the 28th sailed from the Downs. On the 3rd May he arrived at Gothenburg, having then under his command ten sail of the line, seven frigates, and fourteen smaller vessels. Admiral Morris, with a strong detachment, pa.s.sed through the Belt to Hano, where he carried on the service relating to convoys, and the prevention of troops being sent across the Belt to the Danish islands, which were no doubt intended to menace Sweden into compliance with the demands and views of Buonaparte.

This campaign commenced with several brilliant naval actions, among which the following is most worthy of being recorded. During the spring the Danes had succeeded in stationing a large frigate and six large brigs on the coast of Norway, for the purpose of attacking our convoys in pa.s.sing through the Cattegat, which, in order to protect the trade, had obliged Sir James to station the Dictator of sixty-four guns, and three brigs, off that part of the coast. The result cannot be more fully given than in the following extract of Captain Stewart's letter to Sir James:

H.M.S. Dictator, Sleeve, 7th July 1812.

SIR,

I have the honour to inform you, that yesterday evening being off Mardoe, with the Podargus, Calypso, and Flamer, the mast-heads of the squadron were seen over the rocks, and Captain Robilliard of the Podargus, in the most handsome manner, volunteered to lead the squadron in to attack them, he having a man on board acquainted with the place; and as neither the pilots nor masters of either of the s.h.i.+ps conceived themselves equal to the charge, I did not hesitate to accept his kind offer, well knowing the British flag would meet nothing but honour in such hands.

In the entrance of the pa.s.sage the Podargus unfortunately took the ground, by which circ.u.mstance I was deprived of the valuable and gallant services of her commander during the remainder of the day, and was in consequence obliged to leave the Flamer to her a.s.sistance; but in Captain Weir, of the Calypso, I found everything that could be wished for, which in a great measure made up for the loss I had sustained in the Podargus and Flamer.

By this time, seven hours thirty minutes P.M. we had arrived within one mile of the enemy, who were running inside of the rocks under a press of sail. The Calypso, which had also grounded for a short time, was now leading us through the pa.s.sage, and both she and ourselves engaged with the squadron and numerous gun-boats; however, at nine hours thirty minutes, I had the satisfaction, after sailing twelve miles through a pa.s.sage in some places scarcely wide enough to admit of our studding-sail booms being out, of running the Dictator's bow upon the land with her broadside towards the enemy (within hail) as per margin, (Nayaden, Laaland, Samsoe, and Kiel,) who were anch.o.r.ed with springs on their cables close together, and supported by gun-boats, in the small creek of Lingoe, the Calypso most n.o.bly following us up. In half an hour the frigate was literally battered to atoms, and the flames bursting forth from her hatchways; the brigs had also struck, and most of the gun-boats were completely beaten, and some sunk.

The action had scarcely ceased and the s.h.i.+p afloat, than we found ourselves again attacked by gun-boats, which had retreated on seeing the fate of their squadron, and were again collecting from all quarters; but Captain Weir, of the Calypso, having taking a most advantageous position, engaged them with the greatest gallantry and effect. Indeed I am at a loss how to express my approbation of the prompt exertion of this gallant and meritorious officer. The Podargus and Flamer, in the mean time, were warmly engaged with numerous batteries and gun-boats, both brigs being aground; but by the uncommon exertion and extreme gallantry of Capt. Robilliard, and the officers and crews of the brigs, they at last got afloat, very much cut up. On this occasion Lieut. England particularly distinguished himself.

At three A.M. having got the Dictator, Calypso, and prize brigs in the fair way, we attempted to get out through the pa.s.sage, when we were a.s.sailed by a division of gun-boats from behind the rocks, so situated that not a gun could be brought to bear on them from either vessel. In this situation the prize brigs grounded, and notwithstanding every exertion on the part of Lieut. James Wilkie of this s.h.i.+p, who was on board the Laaland, and had extinguished a fire on board her, which was burning with great fury, and Lieut. Hooper of the Calypso, in the Kiel, we had to abandon them complete wrecks, humanity forbidding us setting them on fire, owing to the number of wounded men they had on board.

Captain Stewart's letter concludes with the highest praise on all the officers and men in the squadron he commanded, and subjoins a list of nine men killed, and thirty-seven wounded and missing. The enemy admitted that they had lost three hundred men, but it was supposed that five hundred was nearer the number. We are sorry to record that some of the Danish officers violated their parole and treacherously rose on their protectors, after medical aid had been afforded them under the sacred sanction of a flag-of-truce!

Sir James enclosed Captain Stewart's narrative in the following letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty:

SIR,--I have the highest satisfaction in transmitting to you, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the inclosed letter, which I have this day received from Captain Stewart, of H.M.S. Dictator, detailing the particulars of a most gallant exploit, performed by him and the two sloops and the gun-brig named on the margin (Podargus, Calypso, and Flamer,) upon the Danish frigate Nayaden, three large sloops of war, and numerous gun-boats, within the Rocks of Wardoe, on the coast of Norway, supported by batteries on the sh.o.r.e; in which the enemy's frigate has been totally destroyed, and the sloops of war completely disabled, besides several of the gun-boats sunk. It is impossible to express in an adequate manner the undaunted spirit displayed by Captain Stewart, and all the officers and men under his orders, in this arduous enterprise, which, I am a.s.sured, will be duly appreciated by their Lords.h.i.+ps. Captain Stewart speaks in the strongest terms of the gallantry and zeal of Captain Robilliard, of the Podargus; Captain Weir, of the Calypso; and Lieut. Thomas England, of the Flamer gun-brig; he also recommends Lieut. Buchanan, first of the Dictator, to their Lords.h.i.+ps' favourable notice.

I have, &c. &c. &c.

JAMES SAUMAREZ.

J.W. Croker, Esq.

To this their lords.h.i.+ps expressed their high approbation, and promoted Captain Stewart, Weir, and Lieutenant England immediately, and Capt.

Robilliard soon after, for the gallantry, zeal, and judgment they displayed.

The following letter from Captain J. Ross, of the Briseis, gives an account of a gallant exploit performed by the boats of that s.h.i.+p.

Briseis, off Pillaw, 29th June 1812.

SIR,

I have the honour to inform you that, in pursuance of your orders, I stood in yesterday to communicate with the merchant vessel Urania, in Pillaw Roads, when I perceived her to be in possession of the French troops, and that it was intended to destroy her on our approach. I therefore tacked and stood off, judging it the most likely way to save the s.h.i.+p (which was employed by Messrs. Solly and Sons on the part of government) from destruction, and the remainder of her cargo from falling into the hands of the enemy. I resolved, however, to surprise her in the night. Lieutenant Thomas Jones, first of the Briseis, Mr. Palmer, mids.h.i.+pman, and eighteen men, were sent in the pinnace on that service. At midnight, when within pistol shot, they were hailed and fired upon by the enemy, who had six guns and four swivels on board the Urania, which was surrounded by craft and smaller boats; but every obstacle was overcome by Lieutenant Jones and his crew, who gave three cheers, boarded over the craft, and drove the enemy off deck into their boats on the opposite side, leaving behind part of their arms. The cable was then cut, and she was brought out, together with a French scout, that was employed unloading her.

On our side I have to regret the loss of one seaman killed; the sergeant of the Royal Marines badly wounded; Mr. Palmer, mids.h.i.+pman, and one seaman, slightly wounded; but the enemy must have suffered far more severely from being exposed in their turn to the fire from the Urania after they had abandoned her.

My pen cannot do sufficient justice to the merit of Lieut.

Jones, who has on a former occasion received the approbation of the commander-in-chief, for his gallantry and zeal; but when I leave the plain statement of this to recommend him, I am happy in the conviction that his valour will be duly appreciated by yourself and the commander-in-chief. Lieutenant Jones informs me that Mr. Palmer, who has pa.s.sed for Lieutenant, behaved in the most gallant manner, and I think him also highly deserving promotion.