Copy of Instructions to the Senior Officer of the advanced squadron off the Black Rocks.
You are hereby required and directed to take under your command the advanced squadron, composed of his Majesty's ships named on the other side hereof, (whose captains are instructed to obey your orders,) stationed off the Black Rocks and in the Bay of Brest, for the purpose of watching the combined fleets in that port; adopting such measures as you shall judge necessary for gaining every possible information of their force, condition, and movements.
In the execution of this most important service, the line-of-battle ships (composing the advanced squadron) are to be anchored during an easterly wind in the Iroise Passage, as well to support the look-out frigates, as to intercept a squadron of the enemy which is held in constant readiness to slip out the very first opportunity that shall offer; and during a westerly wind, you are not to fail in making Brest every day, if possible, but at all events to take such precautions as will enable you to resume your former position in the Iroise, on the first appearance of easterly wind.
You are to communicate to me from time to time every intelligence you may obtain respecting the enemy; and in case he should come out in great force, while the squadron under my command is in this rendezvous, you are to give me immediate notice thereof, and also the officers commanding the detachments off the Passage Du Raz, Isle Grois, and in Quiberon Bay; but, in the event of my being compelled by tempestuous weather to take shelter in Torbay, and of the enemy seizing that opportunity of putting to sea, you are to give me information thereof by every means in your power: taking under your command the detachments off the Passage Du Raz, Isle Grois, and in Quiberon Bay, together with the ships named in the margin,[25] which are directed to keep as near the Black Rocks as possible, under the orders of Captain Sutton, for the support of your ships; and to hang upon and use your utmost endeavours to harass the enemy's rear until the approach of this squadron, which, you may be assured, will be in pursuit.
Given on board the Royal George,
off Ushant, 7th August 1800.
St. Vincent.
To Sir John Borlase Warren,
Bart. K.B. Rear-admiral of
the Blue, &c. &c. &c.
By command of the Admiral. Ben. Tucker.
An exact copy. Given the 8th August 1800
John Borlase Warren.
Sir James now proceeded, in the Cæsar, to assume the important command off the Black Rocks, which had deservedly obtained the name of New Siberia, as being the least desirable of stations for a ship-of-war. It is, indeed, scarcely possible to describe any situation more miserable; for, besides being at the very entrance of a port containing twenty-five sail of the line ready for sea, which might slip out and attack the squadron of six, the ships are two-thirds surrounded with rocks and dangers, which afford no shelter; while they are open to the S.W. winds. They have often great difficulty in working out, sometimes against the tide as well as against the wind; and, in reconnoitring, they are exposed to the fire of the enemy on each side of Brest Water.
The following extracts of private letters written by Sir James to Lady Saumarez, will be found interesting, as they convey the best idea of his situation.
Cæsar, off the Black Rocks, Sunday evening, 2d Sept. 1800.