Part 15
“All in this ship showed great zeal for his Majesty’s service. The warrant officers and Mr. Tattnall, midshipman, supplied the place of commissioned officers. The absence of Lieutenant Mapleton is much to be regretted. He would have gloried in the expedition with the boats. The assistance rendered by Mr. Drummond of the Royal Marines was such as might have been expected. Subjoined is the list of wounded, together with that of vessels captured and destroyed since the 26th ult.
“I am, &c. &c. COCHRANE.
“To Vice-Admiral Thornborough.”
“_Prince of Wales_, off Rochefort, 9th April, 1806.
“MY LORD,—I have the honour to transmit to your lordship a copy of a letter I have this day received from Captain Lord Cochrane of H. M. S. _Pallas_, under my orders. It will not be necessary for me, my Lord, to comment on the intrepidity and good conduct displayed by Lord Cochrane, his officers and men, in the execution of a very hazardous enterprise in the Garonne, a river, the most difficult, perhaps, in its navigation, of any on the coast. The complete success that attended the enterprise, as well as the destruction of the vessels of war mentioned in the said letter on the coast of Arcasson, speaks their merits more fully than is in my power to do. To which may be fairly added, that nothing can show more clearly the high state of discipline of the crew of the _Pallas_ than the humanity shown by them in the conflict.
“I have the honour, &c. &c. “EDWARD THORNBOROUGH.
“The Right Hon. the Earl St. Vincent.”
“_Hibernia_, off Ushant, April 14th, 1806.
“SIR,—I yesterday received from Admiral Thornborough a letter with its enclosure from Captain Lord Cochrane, of which copies are herewith transmitted for the information of my Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty.
“The gallant and successful exertions of the _Pallas_ therein detailed, reflect very high honour on her captain, officers and crew, and call for my warmest approbation.
“I am, &c. &c. ST. VINCENT. “W. Marsden, Esq.”
The cold, reluctant praise bestowed by this letter, was no doubt intended by Lord St. Vincent as a wet blanket on the whole affair, and contrasts strongly with the warm-hearted sailor-like frankness of Admiral Thornborough. It had its full effect; not a word of approbation did I receive from the Admiralty. The _Tapageuse_ was not bought into the navy, though a similar vessel, subsequently captured by another officer at the same place, was purchased. My First Lieutenant, Haswell, was not promoted. In short, if we had done something worthy of disapprobation, it could scarcely have been more marked. On this subject further comment will presently become necessary.
To return to our cruise. On the 14th of April we again quitted the squadron, and made for the corvettes run on shore on the 7th. The French had erected a battery for the protection of one of them which was still sound in the hull; but we silenced the battery and set fire to the corvette. After this the _Pallas_ proceeded towards the wreck of the northermost vessel stranded, but as strong breezes came on, and she was evidently breaking up in the surf, we deemed it prudent to work off shore, and in so doing captured another vessel, which turned out to be a French packet.
On the 20th the _Pallas_ ran down abreast of the remaining corvette, and out boats for the purpose of burning her; but these being exposed to the fire of another battery which had been thrown up to protect the wreck, and the _Pallas_ not being able, on account of the shoaliness of the water, to get near enough to fire with effect, we desisted from the attempt, and again made sail.
On the 23rd we came to an anchor off the Malmaison passage, and on the following day reconnoitred the French squadron inside Isle Rhe. Whilst thus engaged, the British squadron appeared to windward, and shortly afterwards came to an anchor.
On the 24th we worked up to windward to join the admiral, and on the following day stood into Basque Roads to reconnoitre the enemy’s squadron. On approaching within gunshot, a frigate and three brigs got under weigh, and we made sail to meet them, endeavouring to bring them to action by firing several broadsides at them. On this they tacked after returning the fire, and stood in under their batteries. Having completed our reconnoissance, we beat out again and rejoined the admiral, to whom I made the annexed report.
“H. M. S. _Pallas_, off Isle d’Aix, April 25th, 1806.
“SIR,—Having stood within gunshot of the French squadron this morning, I find it to consist of the following vessels.
“One of three decks, 16 ports below; one of 80 guns, 15 ports; three of 74, 14 ports; two heavy frigates, of 40 guns; three light frigates, 13 ports on main-deck, and three brigs of from 14 to 16 guns.
“The _Calcutta_[31] is not among them. Neither are there any corvettes, unless a very clumsy 20-gun ship can be called one. The ships of the line have all their topmasts struck and topgallant yards across. They are all very deep, more so than vessels are in general for common voyages.
“They may be easily burned, or they may be taken by sending here eight or ten thousand men, as if intended for the Mediterranean. If people at home would hold their tongues about it[32], possession might thus be gained of the Isle d’Oleron, upon which all the enemy’s vessels may be driven by sending fire vessels to the eastward of Isle d’Aix.
“A frigate and the three brigs were ordered to get under weigh. These stood towards the _Pallas_ and exchanged a few broadsides. After waiting from ten o’clock till past two, close to Isle d’Aix, we were obliged to come out no better than we went in. They could not be persuaded to stand from under their batteries.
“I have the honour, &c. &c. “COCHRANE. “Edw. Thornborough, Esq., “Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”
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Footnote 31:
An Indiaman, recently captured by the French off St. Helena.
Footnote 32:
It is a curious fact, that there being no such thing as confidence or secrecy in official quarters in England, the French were as well advised as to our movements as were our own commanders, and were consequently prepared at all points.
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Having found by experience that the French had organised a system of signal-houses, by means of which they were able to indicate the exact position of an enemy, so as to warn their coasters from impending danger, I resolved on destroying one of their principal stations on Isle Rhe, at the town of St. Martin. The result will be gathered from the subjoined despatch to Admiral Thornborough.
“_Pallas_, St. Martin’s Road, Isle Rhe, May 10th, 1806.
“SIR,—The French trade having been kept in port of late, in a great measure by their knowledge of the exact position of his Majesty’s cruisers, constantly announced at the signal-posts; it appeared to me to be some object, as there was nothing better to do, to endeavour to stop this practice.
“Accordingly, the two posts at Point Delaroche were demolished, next that of Caliola. Then two in L’Anse de Repos, one of which Lieutenant Haswell and Mr. Hillier the gunner took in a neat style from upwards of 100 militia. The marines and boats’ crews behaved exceedingly well. All the flags have been brought off, and the houses built by government burnt to the ground.
“Yesterday too the zeal of Lieutenant Norton of the _Frisk_ cutter, and Lieutenant Gregory of the _Contest_ gun-brig, induced them to volunteer to flank the battery on Point d’Equillon, whilst we should attack in the rear by land; but it was carried at once, and one of fifty men who were stationed to three 36-pounders was made prisoner—the rest escaped. The battery is laid in ruins—guns spiked—carriages burnt—barrack and magazine blown up, and all the shells thrown into the sea. The convoy got into a river beyond our reach. Lieutenant Mapleton, Mr. Sutherland, master, and Mr. Hillier were with me, and as they do on all occasions so they did at this time whatever was in their power for his Majesty’s service. The petty officers, seamen, and marines failed not to justify the opinion that there was before reason to form; yet it would be inexcusable were not the names of the quartermasters Barden and Casey particularly mentioned, as men highly deserving any favour that can be shown in the line to which they aspire.
“I have the honour, &c. &c. “COCHRANE.
“Edw. Thornborough, Esq., “Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”
Early in the morning on the 14th of May, the _Pallas_ again stood in close to the Isle of Aix, to renew her reconnoissance of the French squadron under Admiral Allemand, then anchored at the entrance of the Antioche passage, and also in the hope of once more getting within range of the vessels which we had failed to bring to an action on the 25th ultimo. In order to prevent their again taking shelter under the batteries on Isle d’Aix, we cleared for action and ran within range of the latter; the frigate shortly afterwards getting under weigh to meet us.
Scarcely had she done so, than the three brigs also got under weigh to support her, making a formidable addition to the force to be encountered, the frigate alone showing a broadside superior to ours. We however remained under our topsails by the wind to await them, and when, the brigs came within point-blank shot, a broadside from the _Pallas_ dismantled one of them. We then veered and engaged the frigate and the other brig—the batteries on Isle d’Aix meanwhile firing at us.
After an hour’s fighting, we observed that considerable damage had been done by the fire of the _Pallas_ to the frigate and another of the brigs, the maintopsail yard of the latter being cut through, and the aftersails of the frigate shot away, though the action was not continuous, owing to the frequent necessity on our part of tacking to avoid shoals.
About one o’clock we managed to gain the wind of the frigate, and running between her and the batteries, gave her two or three smart broadsides, on which her fire slackened, and she showed signs of meditating a retreat. Perceiving this, I directed Mr. Sutherland, the master, to lay us aboard, which at 1.40 P.M. was gallantly but rather too eagerly effected.
Just at this moment, unobserved by us, the French frigate grounded on a shoal, so that on coming in contact, the spars and rigging of both vessels were dismantled. The concussion drove our guns back into the ports, in which position the broadside was again discharged, and the shot tore through her sides with crushing effect, her men taking refuge below, so that the only return to this broadside was three pistol shots fired at random. The French captain was the only man who gallantly remained on deck.
To clear away our own wreck was one object; to board the frigate the next; but two more frigates were observed to quit the enemy’s squadron, and crowd all sail to her assistance. This, in our crippled condition, was too much; there was, therefore, nothing for it but to quit the grounded ship and save ourselves. Accordingly we bore up, and made what sail was possible, cutting away and repairing the wreck as we best could; the two frigates following in chase.
Fortunately the sloop _Kingfisher_, commanded by the gallant Captain, now Admiral, Seymour, seeing our disabled condition, promptly ran down and took us in tow[33]; on which the enemy desisted from the pursuit, turning their attention to their disabled consort. The subjoined report to Admiral Thornborough details a few other particulars of the action, though at that time we neither knew the names nor the strength of our opponents.
“His Majesty’s Ship _Pallas_, 14th May, “Off the Island of Oleron, May 15th, 1806.
“SIR,—This morning when close to Isle d’Aix, reconnoitring the French squadron, it gave me great joy to find our late opponent, the black frigate, and her companions the three brigs, getting under sail; we formed high expectations that the long wished-for opportunity was at last arrived.
“The _Pallas_ remained under topsails by the wind to await them; at half-past eleven a smart point blank firing commenced on both sides, which was severely felt by the enemy. The maintopsailyard of one of the brigs was cut through, and the frigate lost her aftersails. The batteries on l’Isle d’Aix opened on the _Pallas_, and a cannonade continued, interrupted on our part only by the necessity we were under to make various tacks to avoid the shoals, till one o’clock, when our endeavour to gain the wind of the enemy and get between him and the batteries proved successful; an effectual distance was now chosen, a few broadsides were poured in, the enemy’s fire slackened. I ordered ours to cease, and directed Mr. Sutherland, the master, to run the frigate on board, with intention effectually to prevent her retreat.
“The enemy’s side thrust our guns back into the ports, the whole were then discharged, the effect and crash were dreadful; their decks were deserted; three pistol shots were the unequal return.
“With confidence I say that the frigate was lost to France had not the unequal collision tore away our foretopmast, jibboom, fore and maintopsailyards, spritsailyards, bumpkin, cathead, chain plates, forerigging, foresail, and bower anchor, with which last I intended to hook on, but all proved insufficient. She was yet lost to France had not the French admiral, seeing his frigate’s foreyard gone, her rigging ruined, and the danger she was in, sent two others to her assistance.
“The _Pallas_ being a wreck, we came out with what sail could be set, and his Majesty’s sloop the _Kingfisher_ afterwards took us in tow.
“The officers and ship’s company behaved as usual; to the names of Lieutenants Haswell and Mapleton, whom I have mentioned on other occasions, I have to add that of Lieutenant Robins, who had just joined.
“I have the honour to be, &c. &c. “COCHRANE.”
“_Killed._—David Thompson, marine.
“_Wounded._—Mr. Andrews, midshipman, very badly; John Coger, and three other seamen, slightly.
“Edw. Thornborough, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue.”
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Footnote 33:
“Since the publication of the first edition, Admiral Seymour has kindly supplied me with the following interesting particulars, which had escaped my recollection:
“I remember that on the 14th, the morning in question, the _Kingfisher_ being off the Chaperon Lighthouse, within which I had directions from Admiral Thornborough not to go, in consequence of his having thought I had risked the _Kingfisher_ two days before by too near an approach to the French squadron—that the _Pallas_ passed in towards Basque Roads (as I supposed, to reconnoitre the enemy), and when I saw you exchanging shots with the enemy’s guard frigate, I had no idea you would have attempted to carry her when so near the squadron.
“The moment, however, I saw that you had run on board the _Minerve_, and that, on separating, you had lost your foretopmast and topsailyards, I immediately stood in to assist you, and as we had a leading wind, and the distance from the Pertuis d’Antioche not being, I think, above six miles, I have a clear recollection that within the hour, we gave you the end of a hawser.
“Perhaps I may be able to recall to your recollection that when we took you in tow, the wind had drawn more westerly, and that we could not weather Isle Rhe on the port tack, so were obliged to go about and stand towards the two fresh French frigates and brigs which were standing towards us. On our approach they backed their maintopsails, when they might have brought the _Pallas_ and _Kingfisher_ to action. You then desired me to go round, and we fetched out on the port tack, the French offering no molestation, although their squadron was apparently ready for sea.
“In going into this old story, I may add that I have already seen that there can be no disposition to undervalue the assistance I afforded you in 1806, when you so handsomely acknowledge that which I desired to afford you on another occasion in 1809.[34]
“Yours very faithfully, G. SEYMOUR.”
Footnote 34:
In Aix Roads. See page 392.
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On the 17th, being still ignorant of the name of the frigate we had engaged, we landed some French prisoners under a flag of truce, and thus learned that she was the 40-gun frigate _La Minerve_. The brigs were ascertained to be the _Lynx_, _Sylphe_, and _Palinure_, each carrying 16 guns.
On the 18th, the _Pallas_ was ordered to Plymouth in charge of a convoy of transports, and arrived on the 27th without any other occurrence worthy of notice.
A device practised by us when, at various times, running close in to the French shore, must not be omitted. A number of printed proclamations, addressed to the French people, had been put on board, with instructions to embrace every opportunity of getting them distributed. The opportunities for this were, of course, few, being chiefly confined to the crews of boats or small fishing craft, who would scarcely have ventured on their distribution, had the proclamation been entrusted to them.
The device resorted to was the construction of small kites, to which a number of proclamations were attached. To the string which held the kite, a match was appended in such a way, that when the kite was flown over the land, the retaining string became burned through, and dispersed the proclamations, which, to the great annoyance of the French government, thus became widely distributed over the country.
CHAP. XII.
MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.
MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.—ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.—SEEK PROMOTION FOR HASWELL.—CUTTING OUT LE CÆSAR.—GROSS INSTANCE OF PARTIALITY.—CLARET AGAINST SMALL BEER.—STORY OF MR. CROKER.—MR. CROKER’S REVENGE.—COMMAND THE IMPÉRIEUSE.—DRIFT TOWARDS USHANT.—JOIN THE SQUADRON IN THE BASQUE ROADS.—ANCHOR OFF CORDOVAN.—SUPPLY THE ATALANTE.
On the termination of the cruise, the _Pallas_ was thoroughly refitted, the interval thus occupied affording me time for relaxation, but nothing occurred worthy of record till, in the July following, the electors of Honiton chose me as their representative in parliament.
The story of this election is worth relating. My former discomfiture at Honiton, and the ten guineas a head paid to those who had voted for me on the previous occasion, will be fresh in the recollection of the reader. A general election being at hand, no time was lost in proceeding to Honiton, where considerable sensation was created by my entrance into the town in a _vis-à-vis_ and six, followed by several carriages and four filled with officers and seamen of the _Pallas_, who volunteered to accompany me on the occasion.
Our reception by the townspeople was enthusiastic, the more so, perhaps, from the general belief that my capture of the Spanish galleons—as they were termed—had endowed me with untold wealth; whilst an equally fabulous amount was believed to have resulted from our recent cruise, during which my supporters would have been not a little surprised to learn that neither myself, officers, nor crew, had gained anything but a quantity of wine, which nobody would buy; whilst for the destruction of three French corvettes we never received a shilling!
Aware of my previous objection to bribery, not a word was asked by my partisans as to the price expected in exchange for their suffrages. It was enough that my former friends had received ten guineas each after my defeat, and it was judged best to leave the cost of success to my discretion.
My return was triumphant, and this effected, it was then plainly asked, what _ex post facto_ consideration was to be expected by those who had supported me in so delicate a manner.
“Not one farthing!” was the reply.
“But, my Lord, you gave ten guineas a head to the minority at the last election, and the majority have been calculating on something handsome on the present occasion.”
“No doubt. The former gift was for their disinterested conduct in not taking the bribe of five pounds from the agents of my opponent. For me now to pay them would be a violation of my own previously expressed principles.”
Finding nothing could be got from me in the way of money payment for their support, it was put to my generosity whether I would not, at least, give my constituents a public supper.
“By all means,” was my reply, “and it will give me great satisfaction to know that so rational a display of patriotism has superseded a system of bribery, which reflects even less credit on the donor than the recipients.”
Alas! for the vanity of good intentions. The permission thus given was converted into a public treat; not only for my partisans, but for my opponents, their wives, children, and friends; in short, for the whole town! The result showed itself in a bill _for some twelve hundred pounds_! which I refused to pay, but was eventually compelled to liquidate, in a way which will form a very curious episode hereafter.
One of my first steps, subsequent to the election, was to apply to the Admiralty for the promotion of my first lieutenant, Haswell, who had so gallantly cut out the _Tapageuse_ from the Bordeaux river; and also for that of poor Parker, whose case has been notified in connection with the _Speedy_, though it was not till after my becoming a member of the House of Commons that he was promoted after the fashion previously narrated.
It is unnecessary to recapitulate the services of these gallant officers, further than to state briefly, that on the 6th of April, 1806, Lieutenant Haswell, with the boats of the _Pallas_ alone, acting under my orders, cut out the French guardship, _La Tapageuse_, from the river Garonne, and brought off his prize, in the face of heavy batteries, and despite the endeavours of two vessels of war—each of equal force to the captured corvette. For this service Lieutenant Haswell remained unpromoted.
On the 15th of July, in the same year, the boats of Sir Samuel Hood’s squadron, under the orders of Lieutenant Sibley, performed the somewhat similar, though certainly not superior exploit, of cutting out _Le Cæsar_, of 16 guns and 86 men, from the same anchorage. Within three weeks after the performance of this service, Lieutenant Sibley was _promoted to the rank of commander_, and so palpable an instance of favouritism determined me to urge afresh the neglected claims of both Parker and Haswell.
My renewed application being met with evasion in the case of both officers, I plainly intimated to the Admiralty authorities that it would be my duty to bring before the House of Commons a partiality so detrimental to the interests of the navy. The threat produced what justice refused to concede, and these deserving officers were both made Commanders on the 15th of August, 1806; Parker, for a service performed upwards of five years before, and Haswell for one four months previously. Notwithstanding this lapse of time, Haswell’s promotion was dated _eleven days after_ that of Lieutenant Sibley! though the former officer had effected with the boats of a small frigate, and against _three_ ships of war, as much as Lieutenant Sibley had accomplished against _only one_, though with the boats of a whole squadron! viz. the boats of the _Centaur_, _Conqueror_, _Revenge_, _Achilles_, _Prince of Wales_, _Polyphemus_, _Monarch_, _Iris_, and _Indefatigable_. Lieut. Sibley’s exploit with this overwhelming force had a medal awarded, and appears in the Navy List to this day; Lieut. Haswell’s capture of the _Tapageuse_ under my directions was unnoticed in any way.