CHAPTER XV.
1801.
Observations on the Battle of Algeziras.—Copies of the Journals of the Spencer, Audacious, and Venerable.—Remarks on them.—Further particulars.—The Spanish account.—The French account.—Bulletin from the Moniteur.—Anecdote of an occurrence at St. Malo.—Sword presented to Linois.—Lines on the occasion.—His improvement of Naval tactics.—Epigram.—Anecdote of the intrepidity of one of the Cæsar's men.
It has been mentioned in the preceding chapter that, owing chiefly to the minutes of Captain Ferris's court-martial, and to the discrepancies in different statements, a controversy has arisen on the subject. In order to avoid the possibility of our becoming a party thereto, correct copies of the logs, which are now at the Record Office in the Admiralty, are subjoined, after having been compared with those at Somerset House.
Copy of the Log of his Majesty's ship Spencer, 6th July 1801.
Moderate and cloudy,—spoke his Majesty's ship Cæsar, which informed us of having intelligence of three sail of French line-of-battle ships and a frigate being in Algeziras Bay,—answered the signal to prepare for battle at anchor,—employed clearing ship for battle at anchor; at 6h. Apes hill S. E.; at half-past 6 beat the general to quarters,—ship clear for action; a.m. light airs and variable; at 4h. sprung up a breeze from the westward; at 7h.58m. saw three French sail-of-the-line and one frigate, lying under the protection of the Spanish batteries of Algeziras, and a strong fortified island to the southward, and a number of forts and redoubts to the westward of them.
At 8h.17m. the batteries commenced firing on the Venerable, Pompée, and Audacious,—Venerable commenced firing; at 9h.11m. we commenced firing; at 9h.35m. found the sheet-cable cut through by the enemy's shot; at 9h. 48m. anchored between the Cæsar and the Hannibal, Audacious astern, the Pompée on our larboard bow, having a battery and the French Admiral's ship to oppose us on our larboard beam, a battery and gun-boats ahead; at 10h.33m. dismasted and disabled a gun-boat that was rowing to the assistance of the others; at 10h. 39m. cut the cable per Admiral's order whilst wearing,—the gun-boats attempted to approach us from under the land, but the brisk fire that was kept up made them retreat in great disorder; at 11h.3m. answered the signal to come to the wind on the larboard tack (No. 98); at 11h.7m. commenced firing at the outer ships of the enemy, which was kept up at intervals.
At 11h.37m. observed the Hannibal under the batteries at the north end of the town, with her main-top-mast shot away and aground, but keeping up a brisk fire on the enemy's ships and batteries; p.m. Hannibal still on shore, but keeping up a brisk fire at the enemy's ships and batteries; at 1h.16m. observed the Hannibal to slacken her fire, shortly after the ensign hauled down and hoisted union downwards; at 1h.35m. observed the enemy's boats boarding the Hannibal; at 1h.44m. ceased firing,—found the ship had suffered considerably in her hull, having several shots on both sides between wind and water. Our loss in the action was six killed, twenty-seven badly wounded, two of whom died of their wounds. The fore-mast, bowsprit, main-top-mast, main-top-gallant yard, and main-top-sail yard badly wounded; the boats and booms shot through in several places; the cutter and yawl that were towing astern were sunk by the enemy. At 6h.30m. anchored per signal, and moored ship in Rosia Bay, Gibraltar.
The following is a correct copy of the Audacious's log, at Somerset House.
This log, like the former, begins in the evening of the 5th July 1801.