Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez Volume I Part 9

Observing the headmost of the enemy gaining very fast on the two s.h.i.+ps, I hauled in for the sh.o.r.e with the view of drawing off her attention; which answered my purpose, as she immediately hauled up after me, and maintained a brisk fire for some time, but without effect. She then bore away, but the Druid and Eurydice were too far ahead; and soon after they hauled their wind to the northward.

I feel every satisfaction in acquainting you that, from the spirit and bravery of my officers and men on this occasion, I am persuaded it would have had every effect, had we had a more equal force to contend with. I met with a n.o.ble support in Captain Ellison; and I have only to regret that Captain Cole was not in a s.h.i.+p of sufficient force to allow of my deriving advantage from his tact and intrepidity.

I am, with every respect, sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant, JAS. SAUMAREZ.

Rear-Admiral John McBride.

RELATIVE FORCE OF THE ENGLISH AND FRENCH SQUADRONS.

_English._

Guns. Weight of shot.

Crescent 36 630 Druid 36 630 Eurydice 20 240 ---------- Total 92 1500

The cutters and luggers went off to Plymouth when the action began.

_French._

Guns. Weight of shot.

Le Scaevola (razee) 54 1656 Le Brutus (ditto) 54 1656 La Danae 36 800 La Felicite 36 800 La Terreur. 12 144 --- ---- Total 192 5056

Thus it appears that the French were 100 guns, and 3556 pounds in weight of metal, superior to the English squadron.

This exploit, which has been justly considered by every officer of the navy a masterpiece of professional skill, as well as of presence of mind and intrepidity, should be more particularly related than in the above very modest public letter. The superiority of the enemy being much too great to be opposed with any chance of success, it became the imperative duty of Saumarez to effect, if possible, the escape of his s.h.i.+ps, to which the enemy immediately gave chase. Observing that his own s.h.i.+p and the Druid had the advantage in sailing, and that the Eurydice, which was not only in bad condition but a bad sailer, would fall into their hands, he shortened sail, and having ordered the Eurydice by signal to push for Guernsey, he contrived, by occasionally showing a disposition to engage, to amuse the enemy, and lead him off until the Eurydice was safe. He now tacked, and, in order to save the Druid, closed with the enemy, pa.s.sing along their line; and the capture of the Crescent seemed at one time inevitable. The Druid meanwhile made her escape, with the Eurydice, into Guernsey Roads.

But Sir James Saumarez had for his own preservation a scheme which, in the first instance, required great courage; in the second, a perfect knowledge of a most dangerous and intricate channel; and, in the last, a consummate skill in the management of his s.h.i.+p. He was himself well acquainted with the coast, and possessed an experienced pilot, John Breton, a native, whose house was on that extremity of the island. As soon therefore as the other two s.h.i.+ps were secure, he bore up as if to run his s.h.i.+p on the rocks, to avoid capture. Ordering his pilot to steer the Crescent through a narrow pa.s.sage between the rocks, which had never before been attempted by a s.h.i.+p of her size, and defying the enemy to follow him, he reached the anchorage in safety,[10] to the no small surprise and mortification of the French, who, after firing some time over the rocks at the s.h.i.+p, were obliged, by the shot of the Crescent and that of the batteries, to give up the contest.

[10] See Engraving and Diagram.

It is worthy of remark that, after pa.s.sing through the narrow channel, the s.h.i.+p had to sail so near to the sh.o.r.e of Catel parish, that he could distinctly see his own house,--a position truly singular, for behind he beheld a French prison, and before him his own fireside!

While pa.s.sing through the narrowest part of the channel, Sir James asked the pilot if he was sure he could see the marks for running through? when he replied, "I am quite sure, for there is _your_ house, and there is my own!"

The gratification which Sir James must have felt in having, by his admirable skill and daring, so completely succeeded in saving the whole of the s.h.i.+ps, could not but be highly augmented by the circ.u.mstance of his countrymen, and even his family and friends, being eye-witnesses of his gallant and judicious conduct.

Lieutenant-governor Small, who, with a mult.i.tude of the inhabitants, beheld the whole of these masterly evolutions, immediately published the following flattering testimonial in his general orders, which was afterwards transmitted to Sir James by the brigade-major in a polite letter.

Parole, _Saumarez_; countersign, _Crescent._

The lieutenant-governor cannot, without doing injustice to his own feelings, help taking notice thus publicly of the gallant and distinguished conduct of Sir James Saumarez, with the officers and men of his Majesty's s.h.i.+ps Crescent, Druid, and Eurydice, under his command, in the very unequal conflict of yesterday, where their consummate professional skill and masterly manoeuvres demonstrated with brilliant effect the superiority of British seamans.h.i.+p and bravery, by repelling and frustrating the views of at least treble their force and weight of metal.

This cheering instance of spirit and perseverance in a detachment of our royal navy, could not fail of presenting an animating and pleasing example to his Majesty's land forces, both of the line and island troops, who were anxious spectators, and beheld with admiration the active conduct of their brave countrymen.

To the loyal inhabitants of Guernsey it afforded cause of real exultation to witness the manly and excellent conduct of an officer of whom this flouris.h.i.+ng island has to boast he is a native.

The governor of Guernsey, as a further mark of admiration at the gallant conduct of Sir James Saumarez, wrote the following letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty:

Government-house, Guernsey, 9th June 1794.

SIR,

I do myself the honour of transmitting herewith a copy of what I deemed proper to insert this day in the public orders issued to his Majesty's forces stationed on the island of Guernsey, under my command. May I request that this tribute of well-earned approbation from a brother officer may be communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Should it appear irregular that an extra-official communication of this nature comes from a department not immediately under their lords.h.i.+ps' cognizance, the impropriety on my part I trust will be indulgently forgiven, as it arises from an irresistible impulse of wis.h.i.+ng to do justice to merit and exertions far indeed above my praise. As an officer honoured with a public and confidential situation, and having from sh.o.r.e been an eye-witness of the gallant intrepidity of Sir James Saumarez, and sailors of his Majesty's s.h.i.+ps Crescent, Druid, and Eurydice, under his command, I consider it my duty to express, although still inadequately, my opinion of the conduct of men whose modesty (the infallible concomitant of merit) may, in reporting to you, come short of what thousands of loyal and anxious spectators from this island beheld with joy and satisfaction, in the display of superior address and British bravery alluded to.

I have the honour to subscribe myself, With esteem and high regard, sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant, JOHN SMALL.

To Philip Stephens, Esq. &c. &c. &c.

N.B. The enclosure has been already given.

The following general memorandum was issued to the squadron, dated

Crescent, Guernsey Roads, 9th June 1794.

General Memorandum.

Sir James Saumarez desires to return his best thanks to Captain Ellison, and the officers and men of H.M.S. Druid, for their spirited conduct and bravery on the 8th instant, in having, jointly with the Crescent, repelled s.h.i.+ps of the enemy treble our force. It is to be regretted that the bad sailing of the Eurydice prevented their deriving the advantage they otherwise would have received from Captain Cole and his brave s.h.i.+p's company.

Crescent, Guernsey Roads, 9th June 1794.

General Memorandum.

Sir James Saumarez requests Captain Cole will signify to the officers and s.h.i.+p's company of his Majesty's s.h.i.+p Eurydice, under his command, how truly mortified he felt himself at being deprived of their support and a.s.sistance on the 8th instant, in consequence of the bad sailing of their s.h.i.+p. Had the enemy's force on that day permitted their being brought to action on more equal terms, he is too fully persuaded of the gallantry and bravery of British seamen not to be convinced of its having been attended with the most signal success.

Early in the action, the small vessels, being separated by the enemy, bore up for Plymouth. The Valiant arrived first with bad news; and then Mr. Hall, of the c.o.c.kchafer, went to Admiral McBride, and informed him that the whole of Sir James Saumarez' squadron was taken.

The admiral, who was then suffering under a fit of the gout, demanded if he saw them strike; to which Mr. Hall replied that he did not, but they could not escape. This so enraged the admiral, who would not believe Sir James's squadron had been taken, that he threatened to throw his crutch at him, and sent him out of his presence in a very summary manner, charging him to return to Guernsey with the following letter:

Tuesday, 10th June.

MY DEAR SIR,

If I can gather anything right from Hall, of the little lugger that ran away from you, this will find you at Guernsey, and I hope in good health, with your a.s.sociates; to whom remember me.

The conduct of the small craft you are the best judge of, and I shall suspend my conjectures till I see or hear from you on that subject. As you must naturally have received damage, you will, I think, do well to return hither, by which time I suppose La Margaretta will arrive. Yesterday evening Sir Roger Curtis landed from the Phaeton. He left Lord Howe on the 4th. I know not the particulars, but there has been a general action; and I think Monsieur Jean Bon L'Andre and his Guillotine have had a thorough drubbing. We have lost very few officers of rank. Lord Howe is perfectly well, of which I give you joy.

Yours, my dear sir, most affectionately, JOHN McBRIDE.

Meanwhile the commodore, in consequence of the enemy's motions, wrote the following letter to the Admiralty:

Crescent, Guernsey Road, 11th June 1794.

SIR,

I have despatched the Active cutter to Spithead, to acquaint you, for the information of their lords.h.i.+ps, that the French squadron which engaged his Majesty's s.h.i.+ps under my command on Sunday last, put into Cancalle Bay the day following. I have reason to believe they are part of the squadron that chased this s.h.i.+p, in company with the Nymphe and Concorde, on the 2nd instant, off the Seven Islands; and that the s.h.i.+ps of the line that were then in company proceeded to Brest.

His Majesty's s.h.i.+p Severn joined me this morning from Plymouth; and I propose to proceed to the Sound to-morrow, in compliance with orders from Rear-admiral McBride.

JAMES SAUMAREZ.

Philip Stephens, Esq. Secretary, &c. &c. &c.