Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

Mem.

TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.

Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.

It is expected in fine weather that the Ships in Order of Sailing do not keep more than two cables' length from each other. NELSON AND Bronte.

Mem.

TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.

Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.

As gales of wind increase so suddenly in this Country, the Ships of the Fleet are directed, particularly in the night, to shorten sail, and get top-gallant yards and masts down, and take such other precautions as the Captains may judge necessary, without waiting for the Admiral's motions.

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.

[Original in the Admiralty.]

Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.

Sir,

By the Royal Sovereign, which joined the Fleet on the 8th inst. from Portsmouth, I received their Lordships' secret orders, dated the 21st ult., together with the inclosure therein referred to from the Right Honourable Lord Castlereagh, directing me, after providing effectually for the blockade of Cadiz, to keep in view the object of covering such operations as Sir James Craig may undertake from the Enemy's Naval Force in the Mediterranean, and for this purpose to keep a constant communication with that Officer, so as to be regularly apprized of any movements he may make.

In answer to which I request you will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that due regard shall be paid to their order above mentioned; and with respect to the Naval Force required to watch the Enemy

at Toulon and Genoa, I beg to refer you to my letter of the 6th inst. I shall as frequently as possible communicate with General Sir James Craig; but I must here beg leave to mention for their Lordships' information, that to keep up a constant communication, as directed by their said order, would require three Brigs or Sloops for this particular service, and I could then only expect to hear from the General once a month. Their Lordships may however be assured that every means I have at present in my power shall be used to comply with their direction, until a reinforcement of Sloops are sent out. This additional service will require three Sloops to be added to the number deficient, as mentioned in my Return of the 7th instant.' I am, Sir, &c.,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.

[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham Collingwood.]

My dear Coll.,

October 10th, 1805.

All shall be done about changes that you wish, whether you are in Royal Sovereign or Dreadnought, the one or the other take a station next you, and then you will not be hurried. There are some vacancies for Lieutenants in Sovereign at present you will find Lieutenants who you may wish. Perhaps Lieutenant Hewson would waive his rank to be in a Flag Ship. He is a very good Officer, I have always heard. Palmer lost the Berwick when Littlejohn was killed. If it will suit your convenience, will you dine here at half-past

1 Vide p. 85, ante.

* Lieutenant George Hewson, who was made a Commander in December 1807, was Posted in 1817, and is still living. It appears that he would not "waive his rank," and was consequently removed to the Dreadnought.

3 Lieutenant Nesbitt Palmer, who was made a Commander in December 1805, he was First Lieutenant of the Berwick, Captain Littlejohn, when that Ship was captured in March, 1795. (Vide vol. ii. p. 11.) Captain Palmer commanded the Alacrity in her discreditable Action off Corsica, in May 1811, when, it is painful to state, she was captured by l'Abeille, a Brig of equal force!

two? Do as you like. The bread being taken out is provoking. We want that more than anything.

Yours faithfully,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

Give me Blackwood's letter when we meet, as I keep all the reports of Cadiz. All the stores for Gibraltar had better go on board the Malabar."

TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.

[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham Collingwood.]

My dear Coll.,

Victory, October 10th, 1805.

You will receive the Commission and Order as you desired. I think we are near enough, for the weather if it is fine, [the wind] serves, and we are in sight, they never will move; and should it turn bad, we may be forced into the Mediterranean, and thus leave them at liberty to go to the Westward, although at present I am sure Mediterranean is their destination. I shall make the signal at half-past four or five for Boats to repair on board, and make sail under topsails, and perhaps fore-sail; supposing the wind to remain, stand into the latitude of Cadiz, and then wear to the Southward for the night.

Should the Enemy move, I have directed the Vessels coming with the information, to fire a gun every three

4

• In reply to this letter, Vice-Admiral Collingwood wrote :

"My dear Lord,

"Dreadnought, October 10th, 1805.

"This is a delightful day for our business, and I hope much will be done in clearing the Transports. I find the bread which was in the Duncan, is removed to the Shields, and they are taking it out, but I have no account from him............ There is a little mistake in Mr. Gillisland's commission, as he is removed by it from the Sovereign to the Dreadnought, instead of from the Dreadnought to the Sovereign. I have sent to Mr. Hewson to ask him if he will waive his right of seniority, and stay in the Ship he is-if he does I shall be glad............I really think these people in Cadiz are about to move, and wish to Heaven we were done with the Transports, and could get a little nearer to them; and now I have only to assure your Lordship that I will hasten everything as much as I possibly can; and have the honour to be, &c., CUTHB. COLLINGWOOD."—Autograph in the Nelson Papers.

minutes, and burn a rocket from the mast-head every halfhour. It is then probable that I shall make the signal, bear up, and steer for the entrance of the Straits.

I will settle the account with the Purser of Eurydice. I am not a little troubled about Sir Robert Calder. Durham has refused voluntarily to go home.-Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.

Cadiz, N. 71 E. 15 leagues.

Malabar, I fear, will not be able to take heavy cables on the wine. Why not put them in her between decks? If you sent me the Dispenser's letters I have mislaid them, but I don't want them. Etna goes direct to Gibraltar with the mails.5

TO CAPTAIN THE HON. HENRY BLACKWOOD,
H. M. SHIP EURYALUS.

[From "Blackwood's Magazine" for July, 1833.]

Victory, October 10th, 1805. Cadiz, East, 13 Leagues.

My dear Blackwood,

Keep your five Frigates, Weazle and Pickle, and let me know every movement. I rely on you, that we can't miss

5 "TO LORD VISCOUNT NELSON AND BRONTE.

"Dreadnought, October 10th, 1805.

"My dear Lord, "While this Transport business is going on, we cannot be better placed, and I suppose the Ships to leeward are in sight to communicate their first motion. I wish I could go on board the Victuallers; for they go on exceedingly slow. They will never have such another day. I shall go on board the Sovereign as soon as I have dined. My baggage has been long there. I send your Lordship the Agent of the Hospital's letter. I thought I had put them into the last trunk. I have had all the gratuitous medicines surveyed some time past, and demands gone to Gibraltar; but the Dispenser came out in the last Convoy, and was not there to supply them at the time. The first Ship, I dare say, which arrives from Gibraltar, will make all complete in that department. I think Sir Robert Calder had better not urge Durham, if he declares that he cannot be useful to him. It makes my heart ache. Whenever the Malabar is cleared of provisions I will manage the cables somehow. I am told the Sovereign has a great quantity of other stores, as tar, sugar, &c., which can well be distributed in the Fleet, when I have time to look round. The Achille wanted caulking much. I ordered a gang on board of her to shut her up before the wet weather comes.

I send your Lordship the letter I received just now from the Admiralty, because I think it will give you pleasure to find my proceedings approved. I have the honour, &c., CUTH. COLLINGWOOD.”—Autograph.

getting hold of them, and I will give them such a shaking as they never yet experienced; at least I will lay down my life in the attempt. We are a very powerful Fleet, and not to be held cheap. I have told Parker, and do you direct Ships bringing information of their coming out, to fire guns every three minutes by the watch, and in the night to fire off rockets, if they have them, from the mast-head. I have nothing more to say, than I hope they will sail to-night. Ever yours most faithfully,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, BART., MALTA.

[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 439.]

11th October, 1805.

I have five Frigates, a Brig, and a Schooner watching them closely, an Advanced Squadron of fast-sailing Ships between me and the Frigates, and the body of the Fleet from fifteen to eighteen leagues West of Cadiz. I am aware there will be moments when it might be wished we were closer; but I have considered all possible circumstances, and believe there will often be times, in strong gales of Westerly wind, when we may often wish ourselves farther off, as we shall be in danger of being driven into the Mediterranean; when, if they choose to go Westward, they will have no interruption. However, whether I am right or wrong, I act from the best of my judgment. Admiral Murray is in England, settling the affairs of his father-in-law, lately dead: he might have had his Flag, if he pleased, in this Fleet. Hardy is much recovered. I have pressed the necessity of two Sail of the Line, two Frigates, and two Sloops, to scour the Mediterranean from Toulon, Genoa, &c., &c., and to preserve Sardinia-round the Southern end of it to Toulon again, as a fixture. For Malta, and the Convoys to the Adriatic, &c. one small Frigate, four good Sloops of War, and the four Vessels commanded by Lieutenants. I am, &c., NELSON ANd Bronte.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »