[d] William Kerr. Dismissed the service, in 1708, for joining in a contraband trade with the enemy.
Captain Edward Whitaker[a] to Sir Richard Haddock.
Dated on board her Majᵗⁱᵉˢ ship Dorsetshire, in Gibralter Bay, July yᵉ 29ᵗʰ [1704].
Sʳ,
I heare give you an accoᵗ of our good success, especially what has related to my own particular part. July 21ˢᵗ we anchor’d here in yᵉ Bay, and about 4 in the afternoon landed about 2000 marrines, Dutch and all. I commanded yᵉ landing with three captaines more; all which was don wᵗʰ little opposition. About 40 horse came downe from yᵉ towne, wᶜʰ was all; and they run away soe soon as our guns began to play upon them. We landed about 2 miles from the towne, in yᵉ Bay, and march’d directly to the foot of the hill, were they posted themselves within muskett shott of the gates; so cutt of all manner of communication from yᵉ land. We hove into yᵉ towne this evening about 17 shells. The Prince of Hess[] landed with us and immediatly sent a summons to the Governer, wᶜʰ did not returne any answer tell the next morning, and then the Governer said he would defend the towne to the very last. Then Admirall Byng, who commanded the cannonading, began to draw up all his ships in a line before the towne; but, it proving little wind, could not gett in with them all, so that we did little this day. There was three small ships in the old mold, one of which annoy’d our camp by fireing amongst them, having about 10 guns lying close in the mold and just under a great bastion at yᵉ north corner of the towne. I proposed to Sʳ George[c] the burning her in the night. He liked itt; accordingly ordered what boats I would have to my assistance; and about 12 at night I did it effectually, wᵗʰ the loss of but one man and 5 or 6 wounded.
July 23rd. At 4 this morning, Admˡ Byng began with his ships to cannonade, a Dutch Rear Admˡ with 5 or 6 ships of theirs along with him; which made a noble noise, being within half shot of the towne. My ship not being upon service, I desired Sʳ George to make me his aducon to carry his comands from tyme to tyme to admirall Byng, which he did accordingly; and after about 2 hours continuall fireing sent me with orders to forbare. Upon this I went to every ship in the line wᵗʰ this orders, and coming on board Capt. Jumper,[d] in yᵉ Lenox, found him extraordinary well posted within muskett shott of the new mold head, and had beat them all out of yᵉ battery and of the mold, so that I beleived we might attack it with our boats. I went immediatly and acquainted Admˡ Byng wᵗʰ it, who ordered all the boats to be man’d and arm’d. From him I went to Sʳ George and gave him my oppinion that the mold might be attack’d. He immediatly made the signall for all the boates in yᵉ fleet, and gave me the command of yᵉ attack, wᵗʰ 3 or 4 captaines along wᵗʰ me. I made all the hast I could with orders to Admirall Byng to send me accordingly; but some of the boats got ashore before I could reach them, wᵗʰ little or no opposition. Severall of our men gott into yᵉ Castle; upon which it blew up. We had kill’d between 40 and 50 men. Most of all the boates that landed first were sunk; about 100 or two wounded; upon which, all yᵗ remain’d came running downe and leap’d into the water, being so mightyly surprized. I landed within a minute after the accident, and rallied our men. We went over a breach in the wall but one at a time, and took possesstion of the hill. I immediatly sent Capt. Roffy[e] and Capt. Acton,[f] wᵗʰ between 40 and 50 men, and took possesstion of a bastion of 8 guns within less then half muskett shott of the towne wall: and there we pitch’d our collours. Soon after, Admˡ Byng came ashore to me and sent in a drumer wᵗʰ a sommons, who returnd in about 2 hours wᵗʰ a letter in answer that they would surrender the next day; wᶜʰ they accordingly did. I beleive I had wᵗʰ me, at the first onsett, between 2 and 300 men; but we grew in a very little time to neare 1000. This was the manner we took Gibralter, which I hope we shall maintaine.
I hope, Sʳ, youle excuse this trouble I give, butt, beleiving that every boddy here rights att this tyme uppon this occation, I could not forbeare giveing my very good friend Sʳ Ricᵈ this perticuler accᵗᵗ of yᵉ whole matter; which I dont doubt butt Capt. Haddock will give yᵉ much yᵉ same accoᵗᵗ. Pray please to favour my spouse with a line or two, feareing mine should miscarry. My most humble servis to my good lady and all yʳ good family. I beg youle make use of this as farre as you shall think fitt, itt being a trew accoᵗᵗ of yᵉ whole matter.
I am
Yʳ most harty humble Serᵗ and kinsman to serve, whilst