The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2Harrison, James
History
The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2
Harrison, James
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Biography; Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805
At noon, the 18th, steering for the Straits Mouth, Admiral Collingwood
passed to the northward, with three sail of the line and two or three
frigates. Cape Spartel was then in sight; but no French fleet, or any
information about them. "How sorrowful this makes me!" writes his
lordship; "but, I cannot help myself." Next morning, at day-light, the
fleet bore up for Gibraltar Bay; where, at eight o'clock, they securely
anchored, but could gain no information of the enemy.
On Saturday, July the 20th, 1805, while the fleet were employed in
compleating provisions and stores--"I went on shore," writes his
lordship, "for the first time, since June 16, 1803; and, from having my
foot out of the Victory, two years wanting ten days."
Having sent dispatches to England, and finished getting ready for sea,
next day, Lord Nelson, on the following morning, ordered the Amphion to
Sir Richard Bickerton, off Carthagena, and proceeded with the fleet to
Tetuan; or, rather, to Mazin Bay, about eight miles to the south-east of
Tetuan customhouse, where the river is very fine, and the situation
peculiarly convenient for watering. Many of the ships got two hundred
tons on board in a single day. Several bullocks were here purchased, and
a considerable quantity of onions. At noon, on the 24th, having gained
no intelligence, the fleet again weighed, and stood for Ceuta; but
variable winds, and a thick fog, kept them all night in Gibraltar Gut.
About four o'clock, next morning, the Termagant joined, with an account
of the combined fleet's having been seen, the 19th of June, by the
Curieux brig, standing to the northward. At eight, the Spaniards fired a
few shot, from Tariffa, at the Victory; which, however, took no effect.
At noon, they saw Admiral Collingwood's squadron; and Lord Nelson sent
letters to the admiral, with arrangements for preventing the combined
fleet from entering Cadiz, while his lordship proceeded to seek them
nearer home. On the 26th, the Spartiate got on board the Victory; but,
fortunately, neither ship suffered any material damage. Having traversed
the Bay of Biscay, without discovering any thing of the enemy, his
lordship, on the 28th, at day-light, came abreast of Cape St. Vincent;
from whence, with faint hopes of finding them, he pursued his northerly
course toward the north-west of Ireland, By foul winds, and very
unfavourable weather, this proved a most tediously vexatious voyage.
Unable, after all, to fetch Ireland, on account of the northerly winds,
his lordship, in the afternoon of August 12, was informed by the Niobe,
Captain Scott, three weeks from the channel fleet, that there had not,
at that time, been the smallest intelligence of the enemy's arrival in
any of the ports. He also learned, that they had not been heard of on
the Irish coast. Having exhausted every rational conjecture with regard
to their situation, he resolved on reinforcing Admiral Cornwallis with
his squadron; lest the combined fleet of France and Spain should, by
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account