After a loss of 150 men killed, wounded, and missing, a re-embarkation was effected, and the fleet sailed on the 1st of October for the Bay of Borneuff, off Quiberon, to the south of Quimperlay: a detachment of Marines was entrenched at Quimperlay to guard the landing-place; the remainder, under Colonel Holmes, was united with the army: some troops were landed on the 4th of October on the peninsula of Quiberon, and, after remaining ashore some days, the whole returned to England.
1747
The number of Marines for the year 1747 was eleven thousand one hundred and fifty, as included in the parliamentary vote of that year.
On the 28th of February, 1747, His Majesty King George II. directed, that the several regiments of Marines, which were then existing, or might hereafter be raised, should be placed under the entire command of the Lords Commissioners for executing the office of High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland.
The following Royal Warrant was issued on this subject:—
“To Our Commissioners for executing the office of High Admiral of Our Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and to Our Commissioners for executing the office of our High Admiral for the time being.”
(Copy)
“Whereas We have thought it necessary for the good of Our Service to put under your immediate and entire command all our Marine regiments now raised, or hereafter to be raised; Our Will and Pleasure therefore is, that you do lake upon you the immediate and entire command of the said Marine forces accordingly; and for the better government of our said Marine regiments, we have thought fit to empower and authorise you to prepare and publish such rules and ordinances as are fit to be observed by our said Marine forces under your command, hereby strictly charging and requiring the several colonels and other officers, who shall from time to time be employed in the said regiments, to take notice thereof, and in all respects to conform themselves to such directions accordingly, and to cause exact musters to be taken of them, as well at sea as on shore, and that the same be transmitted to our Commissary-General of Marines, in order to the more speedy clearing of the accounts of our said Marine regiments. And whereas, by the establishment, provision is made for such contingent charges as may arise in this service, and to the use of our said forces, you are hereby further authorized to direct the payment of the said money, in such proportions as you shall, in your discretion, think necessary, for the purpose aforesaid.
“And for executing the several powers and authorities herein expressed this shall be your warrant. And so we bid you heartily farewell.
“Given at our Court at St. James’s, this 28th February, 1746–7, in the 20th year of our reign.