Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez Volume II Part 33

APPENDIX D.

LETTER WRITTEN BY H.S.H. THE STADTHOLDER, ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS.

"n.o.ble, respectable, virtuous, well-beloved, and trusty subjects!--We have learnt with the highest satisfaction that the squadron of the State under Rear-admiral Zoutman, although much inferior in s.h.i.+ps, guns, and men, to the English squadron of Vice-admiral Parker, did, on the 5th instant, so valiantly resist its attack, that the English fleet, after an obstinate engagement, which lasted from eight in the morning till half an hour past eleven, was obliged to cease firing and retire. The heroic courage with which Rear-admiral Zoutman, the captains, officers, and subalterns, common sailors, and soldiers, concerned in the action, and who, through the blessing of Almighty G.o.d, so well discharged their duty during the engagement, merits our particular approbation and praise; therefore we have thought proper, by this present, to write, to thank publicly, in our name, the said rear-admiral, captains, officers, subalterns, sailors, and soldiers, by causing it to be read on board every s.h.i.+p which partook in the action, and whose captains and crews fought with such valour; and that an authentic copy of it be delivered by the secretary of the fleet to the State, as well as to the said Rear-admiral Zoutman, as the commander of the s.h.i.+ps under his orders with whose conduct the said admiral has reason to be satisfied; further testifying that we doubt not that they, and all the officers of the state, sailors and soldiers, will, on every occasion that may offer, give proofs that the State wants not defenders of their dear country and its liberty; and that the ancient heroic valour of the Batavians still exists, and will never be extinct.

"Wherefore, n.o.ble, respectable, virtuous, and well-beloved subjects, we recommend you to the Divine protection.

"Your affectionate friend, "G. PR. D'ORANGE."

APPENDIX E.

BY RICHD. KEMPENFELT, REAR-ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE.

"You are with the utmost despatch to proceed with his Majesty's s.h.i.+p under your command to Barbadoes, and if any s.h.i.+ps-of-war are there, you are to deliver to the senior officer one of those letters addressed to the commander of any of his Majesty's s.h.i.+ps, acquainting him that you have one to the same purpose to the commander-in-chief, following such directions as he may think proper to give you.

"If none of his Majesty's s.h.i.+ps should be at Barbadoes, you are then to inform yourself where the commander-in-chief is, and proceed with all diligence in quest of him.

"You are carefully to avoid coming near any vessel you may see on your pa.s.sage.

"You are to communicate to all King's s.h.i.+ps you meet with, or others of our nation, as also to all governors of islands you may touch at, the intelligence you are charged with, in order to its being as speedily and generally dispersed as possible.

"RICHD. KEMPENFELT.

"Dated on board his Majesty's s.h.i.+p Victory, "at sea, 15th December 1781.

"To Capt. Saumarez, H.M.S. Tisiphone."

(CIRCULAR LETTER.)

"SIR,--Having fallen in on the 12th instant (Ashurst bearing N.

sixty-one degrees E. distance fifty-three leagues) with a squadron of the enemy's s.h.i.+ps-of-war with about two hundred transports, having on board 12,000 troops, 10,000 of which, the prisoners I have taken inform me are designed for the West Indies, with such s.h.i.+ps of the line as are marked in the enclosed list, I have therefore thought it expedient to despatch this intelligence to you. I am, sir, your obedient servant,

"R. Kempenfelt."

"To the senior Officer," &c.

List of s.h.i.+ps of the line with the French convoy (agreeing with Admiralty intelligence).

Guns.

La Bretagne 110 Capt. Mons. Le Comte de Guichen.

L'Invincible 110.

Le Majestueux 110 " Mons. Le Comte de Rochoin.

Le Royal Louis 112 " Mons. de Bausset.

Le Terrible 110.

La Couronne 84 " Mons. de la Mothe Piquet.

Go as far as Madeira, then to Cadiz.

Le Triomphant 84 Capt. Le Marquis de Vaudreuil.

Le Pegase 74.

Le Magnifique 74.

L'Actif 74.

Le Dauphin Royal 70.

Le Bien-Aime 74.

Le Zodiaque 74.

Le Brave 64.

Le Robuste 74.

To separate off Madeira with convoy for the West Indies.

Le Fendant 74.

L'Argonaute 64.

Le Hardi } Jamaica fleet.

L'Alexandre } Bound to the East Indies with 3,000 troops.

Le Lion 64.

L'Indien 64.

To go to Cadiz with de Guichen.

APPENDIX F.

ADMIRAL RODNEY'S LETTER.

"On the 5th of April I received intelligence that the enemy were embarking their troops on board the s.h.i.+ps-of-war, and concluded that they intended to sail in a few days. Captain Byron of the Andromache, an active and diligent officer, watched their motions with such attention, that on the 8th inst. at day-light he made out the enemy's signal of coming out and standing to N.W. I instantly made the signal to weigh, and having looked into the Bays of Fort Royal and St.

Pierre, I made signal for a general chase, and before day-light came up with the enemy under Dominique, where both fleets were becalmed, and continued so for some time. The enemy first got the wind, and stood towards Guadaloupe.

"My van division, under that gallant officer Sir Samuel Hood, received it next, and stood after them. At nine the enemy began to cannonade my van, which was returned with the greatest briskness. The baffling winds did not permit part of the centre division to get into action with the enemy's rear till half-past eleven; and then only the s.h.i.+p next me in line of battle, &c. The enemy's cannonade ceased upon my rear's approach, but not before they had done considerable damage to the s.h.i.+ps in the van, and disabled the Royal Oak and Montague, &c.

"The night of the 9th inst. the fleet lay-to to repair their damages.

The 10th they continued to turn to windward under a very easy sail, the enemy continuing to do the same; and always had it in their power to come into action, which they cautiously avoided, and rendered it impossible for me to force them in the situation they were in, between the Saints and the island of Dominique.

"On the 11th, the enemy having gained considerably to the windward, and the wind blowing a fresh steady gale, I made the signal for a general chase to windward, which continued the whole day; and towards sunset one of the enemy's s.h.i.+ps, damaged in the late action, falling to leeward, the Count de Gra.s.se bore down with his whole fleet to her protection, which brought him so near that I flattered myself he would give me an opportunity of engaging him next day. With that view I threw out the signal for the form of sailing, and stood with the whole fleet to the southward till two in the morning, then tacked, and had the happiness, at day-light, to find my most sanguine desire was near being accomplished, by my having it in my power to force the enemy to battle."

Note from Lord Rodney's narrative contained in a private letter.

"The 10th of April and the 11th were employed in endeavouring to bring the enemy to battle, and on the 11th, late in the afternoon, the enemy bore down to protect two of their own s.h.i.+ps, who were in danger of being cut off. This brought them to the position the Admiral wished; he instantly issued orders to sail during the night in the order of sailing; to put out all lights; to stand to the southward till two in the morning, and then the whole fleet to tack without signal. This deceived the enemy, who had no conception that the British fleet should be so near them at day-light: we instantly formed the line of battle on our starboard tack, the enemy formed theirs on the larboard tack, and had made the signal to wear; but the nearness of the British squadron prevented its being put into execution; and the British fleet taking the lee gage, the Admiral made the signal to engage and close."

List of the French fleet commanded by the Comte de Gra.s.se in order of battle 9th and 12th April, 1782.