Volume II Part 14 (1/2)
”SIR,
”I have received no official reports, but I have letters from Commodore Troubridge, Captain Dixon, and Sir Edward Berry, telling me of the capture of the William Tell, on the morning of the 30th of March, after a gallant defence of three hours. The Lion and Foudroyant lost each about forty killed and wounded. The French s.h.i.+p is dismasted; the French Admiral, Decres, wounded; and the Foudroyant much shattered. I send Sir Edward Berry's hasty note.
Thus, owing to my brave friends, is the entire destruction of the French Mediterranean fleet to be attributed, and my orders from the great Earl of St. Vincent are fulfilled. Captain Blackwood, of the Penelope, and Captain Long, of the Vincejo, have the greatest merit. My task is done; my health is finished; and, probably, my retreat for ever fixed--unless another French fleet should be placed for me to look after. Ever your most obedient humble servant,
”Bronte Nelson of the Nile.”
”Evan Nepean, Esq.”
The letter of Commodore Troubridge, above mentioned, contains the following particulars.
”Culloden, Marsa Scirocco, 1st April 1800.
”MY LORD,
”I most sincerely congratulate your lords.h.i.+p on the capture of Le Guillaume Tell, the thirteenth and last of the line of battle s.h.i.+ps of the famous Egyptian squadron. I would have given one thousand guineas your health had permitted your being in the Foudroyant. I hear Le Guillaume Tell is dismasted, and Foudroyant little better.
I have sent three top-masts, spare-sails, lower and top-gallant caps, spars, &c. to refit, and make jury-masts. As I do not feel authorized to send any of these prisoners away until I hear from your lords.h.i.+p, I have sent two transports to take them in. The Maltese seamen I shall divide; the miserable wretches that Vaubois was sending away as lumber, I mean to _return to him_, in his own way--put them on the glacis, and fire on them if they attempt to come away. I really think, the officers should not be permitted to go to France for some time. Their business was, to have returned with men and provisions. Suppose we could get them to Mahon, with orders to carry them to England in the convoy. As I shall see your lords.h.i.+p here soon, you can settle that then. The French wounded, I have ordered to be landed at Syracuse. If the Foudroyant is not ready, or in a state to fetch your lords.h.i.+p, what are your wishes?
The other three s.h.i.+ps are preparing to sail from Valette the first wind. Northumberland goes out, with my men, to-day. If the Foudroyant had not come as she did, Le Guillaume Tell would have beat all we had. The Penelope is the only effective s.h.i.+p; if she goes, we shall be badly off. Much credit is due to Captains Blackwood and Long; the latter, I beg your lords.h.i.+p to recommend to the commander in chief. Every thing shall be done, in my power. If the s.h.i.+ps were here, I could soon refit them. My people begin to droop, from hard work; the prize still sticks to us. I long to get Diana and Justice to compleat the gang. In my former letter, I acquainted your lords.h.i.+p, that I every night placed a lieutenant, and three trusty men, with a night-gla.s.s, in a house close to the enemy's works, to watch the s.h.i.+ps. The signals from them apprized the s.h.i.+ps she was moving; and answered, fully, my expectations.
Rely on all and every exertion in my power. I am so busy, I have not time to write you more at present. I have the honour to be, my lord, your lords.h.i.+p's most obedient humble servant,
”T. Troubridge.”
”Right Hon. Lord Nelson, K.B. &c.”
The following is Captain Dixon's official account of the action, transmitted to Sir Thomas Troubridge; and, as it contains much fuller particulars than his hasty private letter, which had been inclosed to Lord Nelson, it is here inserted instead of that communication.
”Lion, at Sea, off Cape Pa.s.saro, 31st March 1800.
”SIR,
”I have the honour to inform you that, yesterday morning, at nine o'clock, Cape Pa.s.saro bearing north half east, distant seven leagues, the French s.h.i.+p of war Le Guillaume Tell, of eighty-six guns, and one thousand men, bearing the flag of Contre-Admiral Decres, surrendered, after a most gallant and obstinate defence of three hours and a half, to his majesty's s.h.i.+ps Foudroyant, Lion, and Penelope. To declare the particulars of this very important capture, I have to inform you, that the signal rockets and cannonading from our batteries at Malta, the midnight preceding, with the favourable strong southerly gale, together with the darkness which succeeded the setting of the moon, convinced me the enemy's s.h.i.+ps of war were attempting to effect an escape: and which was immediately ascertained, by that judicious and truly valuable officer, Captain Blackwood of the Penelope; who had been stationed, a few hours before, between the Lion and Valette, for the purpose of observing closely the motions of the enemy. Nearly at midnight, an enemy's s.h.i.+p was descried by him; when the Minorca was sent to inform me of it, giving chase himself, and apprizing me, by signal, that the strange s.h.i.+ps seen were hauled to the wind on the starboard tack. I lost not one moment, in making the signal for the squadron to cut, or slip; and directed Captain Miller of the Minorca, to run down to the Foudroyant and Alexander with the intelligence, and to repeat the signal. Under a press of canva.s.s, I chased until five in the morning, solely guided by the cannonading of the Penelope; and, as a direction to the squadron, a rocket and blue light were shewn every half hour from the Lion. As the day broke, I found myself in gun-shot of the chase; and the Penelope, within musket-shot, raking her; the effects of whose well-directed fire, during the night, had shot away the main and mizen top-masts and main-yard. The enemy appeared in great confusion, being reduced to his head-sails, going with the wind on the quarter. The Lion was run close along-side, the yard-arms of both s.h.i.+ps being just clear, when a destructive broadside, of three round shot in each gun, was poured in, luffing up across the bow, when the enemy's jib-boom pa.s.sed between the main and mizen shrouds. After a short interval, I had the pleasure to see the boom carried away, and the s.h.i.+ps disentangled; maintaining a position across the bow, and firing to great advantage. I was not the least solicitous, either to board or to be boarded: as the enemy appeared of immense bulk, and full of men, keeping up a prodigious fire of musketry; which, with the bow-chasers, she could, for a long time, only use. I found it absolutely necessary, if possible, to keep from the broadside of this s.h.i.+p. After being engaged about forty minutes, the Foudroyant was seen under a press of canva.s.s; and soon pa.s.sed, hailing the enemy to strike: which being declined, a very heavy fire, from both s.h.i.+ps, broadside to broadside, was most gallantly maintained, the Lion and Penelope being frequently in situations to do great execution. In short, Sir, after an action, the hottest that probably was ever maintained by an enemy's; s.h.i.+p, opposed to those of his majesty, and being totally dismasted, the French admiral's flag and colours were struck. I have not language to express the high sense of obligation which I feel myself under to Captain Blackwood, for his prompt and able conduct, in leading the line of battle s.h.i.+ps to the enemy, for the gallantry and spirit so highly conspicuous in him, and for his admirable management of the frigate. To your discriminating judgment, it is unnecessary to remark, of what real value and importance such an officer must ever be considered to his majesty's service. The termination of the battle must be attributed to the spirited fire of the Foudroyant; whose Captain, Sir Edward Berry, has justly added another laurel to the many he has gathered during the war. Captain Blackwood speaks in very high terms of the active and gallant conduct of Captain Long of the Vincejo, during the night; and I beg to mention the services of Captains Broughton and Miller. The crippled condition of the Lion and Foudroyant, made it necessary for me to direct Captain Blackwood to take possession of the enemy, take him in tow, and proceed to Syracuse. I received the greatest possible a.s.sistance from Lieutenant Joseph Paty, senior officer of the Lion; and from Mr. Spence, the master: who, together with the other officers, and s.h.i.+p's company, shewed the most determined gallantry.
Captains Sir Edward Berry and Blackwood have reported to me the same gallant and animated behaviour in the officers and crews of their respective s.h.i.+ps. I am sorry to say, that the three s.h.i.+ps have suffered much in killed and wounded; and the loss of the enemy is prodigious, being upwards of two hundred. I refer you to the inclosed reports for farther particulars as to the state of his majesty's s.h.i.+ps, and have the honour to remain, Sir, your's most truly,
Manly Dixon.
P.S. The Guillaume Tell is of the largest dimensions, and carries thirty-six pounders on the lower gun-deck, twenty-four pounders on the main-deck, twelve pounders on the quarter-deck, and thirty-two carronades on the p.o.o.p.”
Sir Thomas Troubridge.”
Copious as the above account of this action may seem, the following affectionate letter of Sir Edward Berry, to Lord Nelson, relates so many interesting particulars of the contest, not elsewhere mentioned, and is so characteristically amiable, that it would be unpardonable to omit such a valuable doc.u.ment.
”Foudroyant, at Sea, Cape Pa.s.saro North by East Eight or Nine Leagues.
30th March 1800.