By some unfortunate accident, in the night of the 3d, the Bellona missed the squadron, and never afterward joined them. This was a severe mortification to Captain Pater, who was a zealous and a gallant officer. The commencement of the day of the 4th No-. vember is copied from the log of the Eolus. 66 "Monday, Nov. 4.-At daylight the enemy's squadron, consisting of four two-decked ships, about five miles ahead. At half-past nine, the Santa Margaretta and Phoenix occasionally firing on the enemy, who returned their stern chase guns, hoisting French colours with a rear-admiral's flag. At noon, moderate weather, the wind S. E. one of the ships astern, I suppose to be the Revolutionaire, the other coming up fast (the Namur). Course, N. 30 E. distance one hundred and fifteen miles, lat. obs. 46° 25′ N. long. 6° 18′ W. The Rochebonnes, S. 87° E. distant fifty-eight leagues. At quarter-past twelve, the Cæsar opened her fire on the ship bearing the admiral's flag, the Hero and Courageux likewise commenced on the two ships astern of the admiral, which was immediately returned; at half-past twelve, the headmost ship, in luffing up to get the Cæsar between two fires, came round; the Cæsar observing this luffed and passed her close to windward, the other ships tacked to support her. At quarter before one (the Æolus) stood across the headmost ship and opened our fire on her, and getting nearly becalmed under her lee, remained in that situation some time; the Phoenix and Æolus keeping up a constant and heavy fire on her, and their whole line, as we passed; receiving their fire in return. The Revolutionaire now came up and followed us; the Cæsar, Hero, and Courageux, about this time having got round, and the Namur, who had just joined, recommenced, and the action became general. At half-past one, the Æolus tacked, and made sail up, and continued, with the Revolutionaire and Phœnix, under the stern of one of the line of battle ships, separate from the rest, with the loss of her mizenmast, and fore-topmast, and receiving her stern chase guns, till about three, when, her mainmast falling, she struck, and was taken possession of by the Revolutionaire. The Admiral's ship struck nearly about the same time, having lost her mainmast. (Æolus) made sail up to the other ships, which were still in action with the Cæsar and Hero; both struck before we reached them; all their lower masts (with the exception of one ship's. foremast) going over the side nearly at the same moment; hove to, and sent a boat with an officer to take possession of the Mont Blanc, which struck to the Cæsar; employed during the night receiving prisoners; sent one watch of the ship's company on board of her." On taking possession of these ships, it was immediately ascertained, that. they were a part of the combined fleet at Trafalgar; and when we reflect that they must have had a very considerable share in that battle, and that, consequently, the spirits of both the officers and men were severely depressed by the events which they had. so recently witnessed, we shall allow Admiral Dumanoir, and his captains, full credit for their gallant defence. The British squadron consisted of four sail of the line, well appointed; one of them, the Cæsar, an eighty-four gun ship, besides four good frigates, whose active assistance has been noticed. With all these allowances in favour of the French, the action was exceedingly admired for its neatness, for the vigilance and seamanship of the Commodore, and his brave associates; and to crown the deed, with the people on shore, all the four prizes were brought safely into port. Sir Richard Strachan, two days before his despatches reached the admiralty, had been promoted to the rank of rear-admiral of the blue; and the captains who served with him, subsequently received marks of royal approbation.. We conclude this chapter (as usual) with the public letter and official returns. Being off Ferrol, working to the westward, with the wind westerly, on the evening of the 2d, we observed a frigate in the N. W. making signals; made all sail to join her before night, and followed by the ships named in the margin,* we came up with her at eleven at night; and at the moment she joined us, we saw six large ships near us. We were delighted. I de * Cæsar, Hero, Courageux, and Namur. Bellona, Eolus, Santa Margaretta, far to leeward in the south-east. sired him to tell the captains of the ships of the line astern to follow me, as I meant to engage them directly; and immediately bore away in the Cæsar for the purpose, making all the signals I could, to indicate our movements to our ships; the moon enabled us to see the enemy bear away in a line abreast, closely formed; but we lost sight of them when it set, and I was obliged to reduce our sails, the Hero, Courageux, and Æolus, being the only ships we could see. We continued steering to the E. N. E. all night, and in the morning observed the Santa Margaretta near us; at nine we discovered the enemy, of four sail of the line, in the N. E. under all sail. We had also every thing set, and came up with them fast; in the evening, we observed three sail astern; and the Phoenix spoke me at night. I found that active officer, Captain Baker, had delivered my orders, and I sent him on to assist the Santa Margaretta in leading us up to the enemy. At daylight we were near them, and the Santa Margaretta had begun in a very gallant manner to fire upon their rear, and was soon joined by the Phoenix. A little before noon, the French, finding an action unavoidable, began to take in their small sails, and form in a line, bearing on the starboard tack; we did the same, and I communicated my intention by hailing to the captains, "That I should attack the centre and rear," and at noon began the battle; in a short time the van ship of the enemy tacked, which almost directly made the action close and general; the Namur joined soon after we tacked, which we did as soon as we could get the ships round, and I directed her by signal, to engage the van; at half-past three the action ceased, the enemy having fought to admiration, and not surrendering till their ships were unmanageable. I have returned thanks to the captains of the ships of the line and the frigates, and they speak in high terms of approbation of their respective officers and ships' companies. If any thing could add to the good opinion I had already formed of the officers and crew of the Cæsar, it is their gallant conduct in this day's battle. The enemy have suffered much, but our ships not more than is to be expected on these occasions. You may judge of my surprise, Sir, when I found the ships we had taken were not the Rochefort squadron, but from Cadiz. I have the honour to be, &c. R. J. STRACHAN. Hon. W. Cornwallis, Admiral of the white, and Commander-in-chief, &c. &c. &c. |