Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers by J. H. Hubback (top 10 novels .TXT) 📖
- Author: J. H. Hubback
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“I was on board the Euryalus yesterday, in which ship Admiral Collingwood has his flag at present, and was introduced to the French Admiral Villeneuve, who is a prisoner there. He appears to be about forty-five years of age, of dark complexion, with rather an unmeaning countenance, and has not much the appearance of a gentleman. He is, however, so much of a Frenchman as to bear his misfortunes with cheerfulness.
“I do not yet know in what way we are to be employed, but imagine that, as the Canopus is a perfect ship at present, we shall be left with such others as are fit to remain at sea, to watch the enemy in the port; while those ships which have been damaged will go to Gibraltar to refit. Many of them will, I daresay, be sent home, as well because proper masts cannot be procured for them here, as that it will now be unnecessary to keep so large a fleet on this station.
“By the death of Lord Nelson I have again lost all chance of a frigate. I had asked his lordship to appoint me to one when he had the opportunity, and, though I had no positive promise from him, I have reason to believe he would have attended to my wishes. Of Admiral Collingwood I do not know enough to allow of my making a similar request; and not having been in the action I have no claims of service to urge in support of my wishes. I must, therefore, remain in the Canopus, though on many accounts I am more than ever anxious to get into a frigate.
“November 4.—We have just rejoined the fleet after having been detached to examine the coast and assist distressed ships, and hear the Euryalus is to sail very shortly for England with the Admiral’s despatches, containing, I presume, the details of the action, with the particular loss of each ship, all of which you will learn from the public papers more correctly than I can possibly relate them, for, indeed, I have as yet learnt scarce anything more than I have already given you.
“I am anxiously expecting letters from England, and as our last news from Lisbon mentioned four packets being due I hope soon to hear of their arrival, and to be again blessed with the sight of a well-known handwriting, which is always a cordial to my heart, and never surely did I stand more in need of some such support. I yesterday received a letter from Henry, dated the 1st of October, which was brought out by Captain MacKay of the Scout, who is an acquaintance of mine, and an intimate friend of my brother Charles. The Scout came away on too short a notice to admit of Henry’s writing to you or he would have done it. He sends me pleasing accounts of all my family, which is, of course, gratifying to me.
“I must now, my dearest love, bid you farewell, having said all I had got to say. Make my kindest remembrances to all your family at Ramsgate and elsewhere.”
Miss Gibson must, indeed, have been hardhearted if she did not acquit her lover of neglect on receiving such a letter as this while he was on active service. It is written, as was usual, on one large sheet of notepaper, the “envelope,” that is the fourth page, full, except where the folds come outside, and the whole crossed in the fine, neat handwriting of the day, very like that of Jane Austen herself.
The scene in Cadiz Bay, after the action of Trafalgar, can be imagined from the few facts given in the log of the Canopus on her arrival from Tetuan.
“October 30, at 11, saw a French ship of the line dismasted at the entrance of the harbour. On standing in to reconnoitre the position of the enemy’s ship it was judged impossible to bring her out with the wind as it was, and that it was not worth the risque of disabling one of the squadron in an attempt to destroy her. She appeared to be warping fast in, and to have a great length of hawser laid out. The batteries fired several shells over us.
“31st.—Passed the Juno and a Spanish 74 at anchor. The Spanish vessel, San Ildefonso, had lost all her masts, but was then getting up jury masts.
“At a quarter past four, closed the Euryalus, having Vice-Admiral Collingwood’s flag, shortened sail and hove to. The Admiral (also the Captain) went on board the Euryalus. Several ships at anchor around us.
“A French frigate and brig, with flags of truce, in the squadron.
“At four we had passed the Ajax, Leviathan, and Orion at anchor, all of them, to appearance, but little damaged in the action. The Leviathan was fishing her main yard, and the Ajax shifting her fore-top mast. A large ship, supposed to be the T���m���raire, was at anchor to the northward of San Luca, with fore and mizentop masts gone; and eight others were seen from the masthead to the W.N.W.
“November 1.—Saw the wreck of a ship lying on the Marragotes shoal.
“November 19.—Saw the T���m���raire, Royal Sovereign, Tonnant, Leviathan, and Mars. These five ships are returning here under jury masts, having suffered considerably in the action of the 21st ult.
“The Sovereign was in tow of the Leviathan, which seemed to be the most perfect ship of the whole.”
The Canopus, as Francis Austen foresaw, was left at Cadiz with those ships which had suffered but slightly, as well as those which had shared their own hard fate of being out of the action altogether. Here they stayed till the end of the month, awaiting further developments.
FRANCIS AUSTEN in the letter to Miss Gibson expresses two wishes, neither of which was to be fulfilled.
He never got into a frigate, as he himself foresaw.
Service in a frigate would have been more exciting, as well as more profitable, than in a ship of the line. The frigates got the intelligence, and secured most prizes.
His other wish, that his letters might seek him in vain in the West Indies, was also not to be gratified, for before two months were over he was again on the passage thither, though whether he had the consolation of meeting his letters is another matter. As this voyage culminated in the action of St. Domingo, and the capture of several valuable prizes, the need for “comfort and support” was certainly not so great as after the disappointment of missing Trafalgar. How great that disappointment was his letter testifies. And something must be added to, rather than taken away from, this, in allowing for his natural reserve. From a man of his temperament every word means more than if Charles had been the writer. The fact that the log of the Canopus, on the day when the news of Trafalgar was received, is headed “Off Gibraltar, a melancholy situation,” is the only indication to be found there of the state of feeling on board. Otherwise, there is nothing but rejoicing in the greatness and completeness of the victory, and sorrow at the death of the Commander-in-Chief.
The account of this second cruise begins with the arrival of Sir John Duckworth.
“November 15. Superb (Vice-Admiral Sir John Duckworth) and Powerful joined company off Cape St. Mary (Portugal).
“Order of sailing:
WEATHER LINE.
LEE LINE.
Superb.
Canopus.
Spencer.
Donegal.
Agamemnon.
Powerful.
“November 29.—Saw a man-of-war in the E.N.E. standing towards us; perceived the stranger had the signal flying to speak with the Admiral, and for having intelligence to communicate. The Agamemnon showed her number, and made telegraph signal ‘Information of the enemy’s squadron. Six sail of the line off Madeira.’
“Let off rockets to draw the attention of the squadron in the W.N.W.
“Sir Edward Berry came on board, and stated that at eight yesterday evening, Captain Langford of the Lark informed him that on the 20th of this month he fell in with a French squadron of six ships of the line, three frigates and two brigs, in Lat. 30 N., Long. 19W., which chased his convoy to the S.S.E. He escaped by altering his course in the night. Two days after he fell in with the West India outward-bound convoy, and was directed by Captain Lake of the Topaz to proceed with the intelligence to the senior officer off Cadiz.”
This news was confirmed on December 1, and by the 5th the whole squadron had reached Madeira, only to find, as usual, that the enemy had gone somewhere else. They went on to the Canary Islands, still cruising in search of the French. The entries on December 24 and 25 tell of the meeting with and chase of another squadron, not that which was afterwards engaged at St. Domingo.
“December 24, Arethusa and convoy met the enemy’s squadron which we were in search of on December 16 in Lat. 40, Long. 13. The convoy dispersed, and it is hoped that none were taken. By the last accounts from the Continent, the French had suffered an important check, in which 8026 were taken beside those killed.” This was, of course, an entirely unfounded report, as no severe check had occurred to Napoleon’s arms, in the great victory of Austerlitz was just won.
“December 25, half-past six A.M., saw seven sail in the S.W.; tacked ship and made all sail. Answered signal for a general chace. Perceived the strangers to be vessels of war, and not English. At eight, answered signal to prepare for battle, at nine tacked, at ten cleared the ship for action. Light baffling airs. The strange squadron standing to the southward under all sail; Superb, Spencer, and Agamemnon south, six or seven miles; Powerful, N.W., three miles; Donegal and Amethyst, S.S.W., four or five miles ; Acasta, E. by S., one mile.
“At sunset the chace just in sight ahead from the top-gallant yard. Our advanced ships S.E. five or six leagues. At six lost sight of all the squadron but the Donegal and Powerful.
“When the strange sails were first seen, they appeared to be steering to the S.W., and to be a good deal scattered, the nearest being about ten miles from us, and some barely in sight from the deck. They all were seen to make a multiplicity of signals, and it was soon discovered, from their sails, signals, and general appearance, that they were French.
“Their force was five ships of the line and two frigates. At eight o’clock the weathermost bore down as if to form a line of battle, and, shortly after that, made all sail on the larboard tack. Owing to the baffling and varying winds, and the enemy catching every puff first, we had the mortification of seeing them increase their distance every moment.”
It is clear that the escape of this squadron was largely due to the slow sailing of some of these ships. The Canopus herself did not sail well in light winds, having been more than two years in
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