Correspondence of the Family of Haddock, 1657-1719

Chapter II: Part 2

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There is severall Capᵗˢ killed that we have already an account of; I hope no more. Capt. Finch in the Yorke, Capt. Tempest in the Sweepestakes, Capt. Fowles in the Lyon; and Capt. Werden, in the Heneretta, mortality wounded.[b] We have severall of our ships shattered, not above two disabled, and none, as I heare of, lost, but 2 or 2 fire ships burnt.

We ride now wᵗʰin 3 leagues of the Dutch fleete; they ride in the place we atacqued them in, and we in our former birth, only about 2 leagues further of the shore. How soone we shall fight them againe cannot resolve, but in yᵉ place they now ride I iudge we shall not atacque them a second tyme. I beleive the Prince may shift his ship and goe into some other; but of yᵗ in my next.

I desire that thanks and prayes may be returned to Almighty God for his preservation of me. My humble duty to my deare mother; loving saluts to my brothers and sisters, and all my deare relations. God in mercy blesse and preserve them all, and send us a joyfull meeteing. Wᵗʰ my intire love and saluts to thee wᵗʰ my daughter and litle Dickee, I remaine

Thine, till death us part,

RICHARD HADDOCK.

We have a rumor that Capt. Trevanion[c] is killed, comdᵍ the Dreadnought; but I hope it is not true.

* * * * *

[a] Rupert.

[b] William Finch, third son of Thomas, first Earl of Winchilsea; John Tempest, Thomas Foules, and Robert Werden. The last was not killed in this action, according to Charnock, _Biogr. Navalis_.

[c] Richard Trevanion. He was not killed. He followed James II. into exile.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

Yet on bord yᵉ R. Charles, this 31 May, 1673.

MY DEARE BETTY,

I wrote the two dayes since of God’s goodnes to mee in oʳ late bataile. I gave the accᵗ of Capt. Trevanions suposed to be killed, but he is well; and allso Capt. Courtney,[a] wᶜʰ was reported to be killed, is alive and well. Capt. Worden is since dead of his wounds.[b] We are now shifting ships, goeing on bord the London; the reason I gave in my last. Sʳ Jnᵒ Harman[c] goes from the London into the Sovraigne, and Capt. Hayward[d] out ye Sovraigne into this ship. It is no smal trouble to me to part from this brave ship; her only fault is she is tender sided, in all respects otherwayes the best ship in the world.

My deare, I am very well; My broʳ Joseph and unckle Richard likewise. The Prince in good health, and our fleet prepareing for another incounter, if the Dutch comes out. My deare, I am thyne till death,

RICHARD HADDOCK.

Pray, if Comʳ Deane[e] be not in towne, send forward the inclosed to Portsmᵒ.

* * * * *

[a] Francis Courtney. He fell in the action with the Dutch on the 11th August of this year.

[b] This is denied. (See above, p. 20, note b.)

[c] Became Vice-Admiral of the Red, on the death of Sir Edward Spragge, this year.

[d] John Hayward. He fell in the action of 11th August, this year.

[e] Anthony Deane, Commissioner of the Navy at Portsmouth.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

R. Charles, rideing Nᵒ, 7 leagues from Oostend,
this 1st June, 1673; Sonday.

MY DEARE BETTY,

Wee ride in sight of our neighbours the Dutch, not above 3 in 4 leagues distant. This morning they were under saile; we thought they would have come of to us. We put ourselves in a posture to recᵉ them. They have now the wind of us, being easterly; and may come out if they please. This morning we have accᵗ from a good hand from Oostend yᵗ they sent in 6 or 7 disabled ships to Flushing, two whereof sunck in going in. They likewise sent on shore 400 or 500 wounded men, and, as they advize from Oostend, comᵈ was given not to speake of the fight at Flushing. So doe beleive, till they recrute ther strength, we shall not heare of them; however, we are not wanting to prepare ourselves agᵗ they come. The Swiftsure is this day come to us; had like to have bine snapt Tuesday last by the Amsterdam squadron yᵗ came into the Schoon Velt tyme enough to fight.

I have but little else to write to thee. Sʳ Roger Strickland sends his hoy to Deptford for watter; and these goe by Sʳ Ed. Spragg’s yacht, who caryes up one Coll. Hambliton into the River, who lost his legg on bord us. Pray lett me heare from thee by one or both of them. My humble duty to my deare mother; love and saluts to all freinds in genˡˡ. Wᵗʰ my deare love to thy selfe, my daughter, and little Richard, I remayne

Thyne, till death us part,

RICHARD HADDOCK.

JOURNAL [OF CAPTAIN RICHARD HADDOCK] IN HIS MAJᵗʸˢ SHIP R. CHARLES, MAY, 1673.

_Aᵒ. 1673._

May 11. This Sonday morneing, about 7 aclock, we anchored in the Prince’s fleet, to the westwards of them, about 2 leagues to the westwards of Dongenesse, in 1 fadom watter, yᵉ lighthouse beareing N.E. by E. This day I went on bord the St. Michell to waite on yᵉ Prince, who comanded me to weigh and plye up to his ship; but, bloweing so hard, could not.

12. This Monday morneing wind at N.E. and N.E. by N.; blew very hard, and raine some part of the forenoone; could not weigh.

13. This Tuesday morneing, yᵉ wind at north, we wayed and gote up to the Prince’s ship, the St. Michel; anchored alongst her side without her. This forenoone his Highnes Prince Rupert came on bord us, but went of at noone; dyned on bord the R. Prince; after diner returned on bord us. This day we tooke on bord all the Prince’s retenue and goods, &c.; struck downe some of our gunns into hold, to recᵉ new ones in ther roomes. All this afternoone yᵉ wind at north; constant rain.

14. This Wedensday we tooke on bord seaverall of the new gunns and mounted them. The wind this day came round from the N.W. to S.Wᵗ., S.E. and E. by Nᵒ. This day the French fleet apeared in sight about noone; being litle wind, they anchored short of us about 3 leagues.

15. This Thursday we mounted all the rest of the new gunns; the wind at N.Eᵗ. to E.N.E. Yᵉ French fleet wayed and plyed towards us; anchored about 4 miles short of us.

16. This Fryday morneing the French fleet weighed and plyed up to us. About 9 a clock this morneing Monsʳ Conte d’Estrees,[a] ther Admˡˡ, who wore his flagg at yᵉ foretopmast head, being V. Admˡˡ of Fraunce, past by us about musket shote or somewᵗ more asterne of us; struck his flagg, lored his topsailes and saluted us, I meane yᵉ Prince, wᵗʰ 13 peece of ordnance; we returned him eleven in answer. Presantly after Monsʳ Conte d’Estrees came on bord us, to waite on his Highnes yᵉ Prince. This evening came of from Rye his Majᵗʸ and R. Highnes in there yachts; came on bord us; stayed about one hower and a halfe, and then returned to the yachts againe after 8 at night.

17. This Satuarday morneing, the wind at N. by E., blowing very fresh, the Prince went on bord the Cleeveland yacht to waite upon his Majᵗʸ; and about ½ an hower after the King, Duke, and Prince came on bord this ship. This forenoone we spread a standard in the mizen shrowds, fired a gunn to call on bord us the flagg oficers. This day the King and Duke dyned on bord us. The wind hath blowne very hard at N.N.E. and N.E. by N. all day.

18. This Sonday the wind vered to the east and by north, and back to yᵉ N.N.Eᵗ. at night; blew very fresh all day. This day the King dyned on bord Conte d’Estrees; the standard at maine topmast head; his flagg struck wᶜʰ he wore at the foretopmast head. This evening the King and Duke supt on bord us, and at 9 aclock tooke ther leaves of us and went on shore to Rye. This day the noble Lord Ossory[b] hoysted the Reare Admˡˡ blew flagg on bord the St. Michael.

19. This Monday morning, about 3 aclock, being at anchor still, the wind at E.N.Eᵗ., we designed to weigh, but, bloweing fresh, we rode fast all this day.

20. This Tuesday, at 3 in the morneing, being alaramed by seavrall gunns from the eastwards, we fired a gunn and put out a light in the mainetopmast shrowds, our signall of weighing, but did not weigh by reason of the ebb tyde, the wind being at S.Eᵗ. We had intelligence, by a sloop, of 70 saile of Hollanders seene on the back of yᵉ Goodwin, and wᵗʰout the Sᵒ Sands Head; but proved to be, by our 2d intelligence by the litle Greyhound, a fleet of Hamburghers of 26 saile only. This forenoone we weighed with all the fleet; stood to the southwards; at noone tackt; litle wind. We anchored about 2 aclock, yᵉ Nesse light howse N. by E., in 21 fadoms, 7 miles distance. This day his Highnes the Prince dyned on bord the Conte d’Estrees, who struck his flagg as soone as the Prince was on bord him, and the Prince’s Jack flagg hoysted up at mainetopmast head; and, whilst the Prince remaind on bord him, his flagg (I meane yᵉ Conte d’Estrees) was kept furld. Towards evening the Hamburgʳˢ fleet plyed by us to the wᵗwards; gave us many gunns in saluts. Yᵉ wind, since 4 in the afternoone, at W.S.W. and Wᵗ. This night we rode fast.

21. This 21 day, Wedensday morneing, at 4 aclock, we wayed wᵗʰ the whole fleet; wind at W. by Nᵒ., a fine fresh gale. By 10 aclock the wind came to yᵉ S.Wᵗ. We steered away on the back of the Goodwin. About 4, afternoone, we anchored in 10 fadom watter, on the flatts of the Nᵒ Forland, the lighthouse beareing W. by S. southerly, about 6 miles distant.

22. This Thursday morneing we wayed by 5 aclock; steered away E. by Nᵒ. and E.N.Eᵗ. to goe cleare of the showld of the Falls;[c] the wind at S.W., a fine gale. After we had gote without ye Falls, we hauled up E. b. S. and E.S.E.; a fresh gale at S.W. About 4 in the afternoone we made the coast of Flaunders. At 6, evening, we anchored in 15 fadoms watter, Oostend spire steeples beareing S.E. by Sᵒ, 5 leagues distant. This evening we saw the Dutch fleet, part of them; they rode in Schonvelt. Our scout gave us accᵗ they were but 86 saile, the outside, small and great. They wayed and turned up amongst yᵉ bancks towards the Weelings.

23. This Fryday morneing, by 6 aclock, yᵉ flood being done, we wayed; wind at S.S.W., litle wind. We stood in; drew our ships into a lyne of batayle. Our squadron ledd the van, the French in the midle, and yᵉ blew squadron in the reare. We sayled and drove soe farr to the N.E. wards that we brought Oostend steeples south easterly, about 5 leagues or six leagues of. Anchored in 11 fadom watter, within the oyster bancks. Yᵉ Dutch fleet, yᵉ nᵒmost, bore E.N.E.; and yᵉ southmost Eᵗ, southerly from us, about 3 leagues. This night have had but litle wind at S.S.W. and S.Wᵗ.

24. This Satuarday morneing we intended, if the should watter hindred not, to goe in wᵗʰ our fleet and set upon the Dutch; sending a party of 35 men of warr, 13 fire ships, and 24 tendors ahead of us, to make the onsett, and we wᵗʰ the whole fleet to have seconded them. But this our intention was this day prevented by God Almighty’s providence, the wind bloweing very hard at S.W. and Wᵗ.S.Wᵗ. This morneing came in to the fleet the Soveraigne, Victory, and Dyamond, out of the river of Thames. Yesterday our scouts gave us accᵗ that yᵉ Dutch fleet, of all sorts that could be told, did not exceed 84. All this day the wind hath blowne very hard at S.W. and W.S.W.; forct us strick our yard, and some ships both topmast and yard.

25. This Sonday the wind hath blowne very hard at W.S.Wᵗ.; forct us in yᵉ afternoone to strick our topmasts and get our sprit-saile yard under the boltsprit. This day severall of the French ships broke from ther ground tackle, but brought up againe wᵗʰ other anchors and rode fast.

26. This Monday, in the forenoon, the wind continued bloweing hard at W.S.W., as did also the night past, but not so violently as the day formerly. In the afternoone the wind dullered. We sett our topmasts and got up oʳ yards; our neighbours the Dutch did the like also. Toward evening indiferent faire weather.

27. This Tuesday the wind hath bine from the S.Wᵗ. back to yᵉ S.Eᵗ., wᵗʰ very thick weather, and then veered to the N.Wᵗ., wᵗʰ some tymes very thick [weather] and raine and wind; all this day very unconstant weather. This afternoone we spread our red flagg for the severall divissions drawne out of the fleet to get themselves into a body for the first onsett upon the enemy; but did not weigh ourselves. Our party out of our squadron anchored to leewards of us, and neere half way betweene yᵉ Dutch fleet and ours. This day yᵉ standard was spread for the flagg oficers. When come on bord, twas resolved that tomorrow, about 10 in the morning, the flood being done and faire weather, that we weigh and atacque the Dutch fleet now rideing in the Schoonvelt, steereing with an easey saile upon them; and, in case they go in to Flushing, then to anchor in their places; and, that they stand of into sea, to stand out with them.

28. This Wedensday morneing, being indiferent faire weather, we prepared our ship; gote upp our sheat anchor, slung our yards, &c. The wind at west, a fresh gale. By 10 aclock we gote up our anchor, and made sayle. Brave weather; wind at W. b. N. and W.N.Wᵗ. We wᵗʰ our squadron steered N.E. b. E. wᵗʰ the north end of the Dutch fleet, yᵉ French wᵗʰ the body, and yᵉ blew squadron wᵗʰ the south part of them. To 11 aclock thay rode most of them fast at anchor, not so much as ther fore topsailes loose. About 12 at noone we bore downe upon the Dutch and ingaged ther van, and the French in the body, our blew squadron in the reare. We fought till twas darke, tacking to and againe in the Schoon Velt. What certaine damage we did the enemy we cannot tell. This night we sailed and drove out againe; came into 6 fadom watter on yᵉ oyster banck. By day light we were gote 3 leagues without the Schoon Velt.

29. This Thursday morneing we anchored in 13 fadom watter by our judgement, S. b. Eᵗ. from Oostend, 6 or 7 leagues of. This day yᵉ Prince called a councill of flagg oficers. Ordered, that yᵉ respective flaggs call ther divissions on bord and take accᵗ of what damages recᵈ yesterday in the bataile. This day the wind blew very hard at S.Wᵗ.; forct us to strick our topmasts and yards and veere out our shot of cable 2½ without bord. This afternoone, about 3 aclock, the Prince sent away a packet for Whitehall, by whome I wrote for London.

30. This Fryday the wind blew very hard, most part of the day, at S.Wᵗ. and W.S.Wᵗ. Towards evening lesse wind. We got up our topmasts.

31. This Satuarday forenoone, foggy weather; afternoone, very faire weather; the wind at N.Eᵗ. This day the Prince tooke resolution to shift shipps, ours being so tender that we could not beare out our lower tire of gunns in the late bataile.

June 1. This Sonday, yᵉ first day of June, the Dutch fleet many of them were under saile, but came not out to us. We gote up our anchor and came to saile wᵗʰ all the fleet, but anchored againe and birth’t our selves in our anchoring posture agreed on, to say: the flaggs to ride N. and south of each other, 4 cables length distant; and the ships of the severall divissions to ride N.W. and S.E. from there flaggs, 2 cable length distant of one side and the other; the flagg ships as they are ranged in ther line of bataile. This day we struck some broken gunns down into hold, and some whole, to the number of tenn, to stiffen our ship if posible.

2. This Monday the wind blowes very fresh at N.E., and did so all the last night and the day before. This day the Prince resolved to shift his ship and goe on bord the R. Soveraigne.

3. This Tuesday evening his Highnes the Prince went on bord the Soveraigne. I and Capt. Young[d] followed him, and this night lay on bord her.

4. This Wedensday morneing, very early, I went on bord the R. Charles to shift the men. Chose out 250 men to come on bord the Soveraigne.

* * * * *

[a] Jean, Comte d’Estrées.

[b] Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossory.

[c] A long narrow shoal off the North Foreland.

[d] Henry Young.

JOURNALL IN THE R. SOVERAIGNE, JUNE, 1673.

This 4th day of June, Wedensday, before noone, the Dutch fleet, then rideing in Schoonvelt, all wayed and came to saile and came out to us. We wayed with our fleet; put ourselves in the best posture we could; but, makeing saile, we gote ahead next the blew squadron, leaveing most of the French in the reare, with our Vice Admirall. Betwixt 4 and 5 aclock the Dutch fleet--Trump in the van, De Rutter in the body--bore downe towards us (the wind at N.Eᵗ., a very fresh gale). We ingaged till twas darke, more then ½ range of our shot distant. We kept our lufe; they did likewise the same; would not come close to us. What damage we did them we know not. On our parts we lost 2 fire ships; shatterd our ships, many of them, in hull, masts, yards, and rigging. Comdʳˢ killed were: Capt. White of the Warspight, and Capt. Sadleton of the Crowne.[a] What number of men slaine in the fleet, know not. This night we stood to the northwards with our foresaile and mainetopsailes only. Most of the Dutch fleet, at 12 aclock at night, tackt away from us; the remainder tackt after them at 2 aclock.

5. Betwixt 4 and 5 we tackt of after them; stood of wᵗʰ 2 topsailes; put out our Jack flagg. Called a council of warr to know the condition of our fleet; found our ships to be shatred in our masts and rigging, not to be repaired in the sea; our powder and shot the greatest part spent in two batailes. Haveing no shot in the fleet for recrute, twas resolved by the Prince, for the more expedition (_sic_) fitting the fleet out againe, to saile for the buoy of the Nore. We tackt; stood in for the shore, seeing Laistoforland.[b] Stood away alongst the shore, wᵗʰout the sands called Alborough knapes. The wind at N.E., we steered away S.W. by S., haveing an ebb tyde to goe without the Shipwash.[c] The flood comeing upon us sett us in so neare yᵉ Sheepewash, that we were within a mile and a halfe of itt. We hauld of south, and, after we were about that sand, we steered up the Swine.[d] After 8 at night we anchored in 13 fadom watter, above the Gunflit at least 2 miles. All the fleet likewise anchored.

6. This Fryday morneing the wind came to the S.W.; litle wind. We wayed to plye up, and plyed the tyde to an end. Anchored about 2 miles belowe the Midle Ground buoy,[e] in 8 fadom watter.

7. This Satuarday, 8 in the morning, we wayed; wind at Wᵗ. and W. b. N. We turned up as high as the Oase Edge buoy;[f] there anchored and rode all night.

8. This Sonday, wind at east, we wayed and ran up to the buoy of the Nore. There anchored, about a mile below the buoy.

9. This Monday the wind blew very hard at Eᵗ and E.S.Eᵗ, with raine; forct us to strick our topmasts and yards. The wind hath blowne very hard all this day, and vered back to the E.N.Eᵗ.

10. This Tuesday, wind came to the north. Slaby weather and cold; bloweing a fresh gale.

11. This Wedensday wind at N.Wᵗ. and north. This day the King and Duke came on bord us. At night, after they had supt, went on bord ther yachts.

12. This Thursday the wind at Eᵗ to S.Eᵗ. The King came out Sheerenes about noone and dyned on bord us. This evening his Majᵗʸ and Duke of Yorke tooke there leave of us and went in ther yachts to London.

13. This Fryday the wind blew hard at E.N.Eᵗ. This day we were falcely allarum’d by the Holmes frigᵗᵗ comeing up from the Gunflet wᵗʰ topgalant sails flying and fired gunns, uppon a certaine, or rather uncertaine, intelligence that 19 or 20 saile of Dutch men of warr were seene wᵗʰout the Gallaper. All this day it hath blowne very hard, wᵗʰ some raine.

14. This Satuarday morneing, about 5 aclock, his Highnes Prince Rupert went up the river in our barge for Black Heath. The wind at S.Eᵗ. This day Sʳ John Harman, upon the receipt of a packet from Whitehall, called a councill of warr. There ordered to send downe 7 or 8 frigᵗᵗˢ and as many fireships, to ride twixt the Oase Edge and Redd Sand,[g] and the rest to birth themselves N.N.E. and S.S.W. one of each other, at yᵉ Nore.

15. This Sonday the wind hath bine from north to W.S.W.; little wind till evening. It then blew hard, westerly. This day we had intelligence, by a Hellicar land[h] dogger, that 17 saile of Dutch men of warr were rideing without the Gonflitt. Yesterday he was on bord them.

16. This Monday the wind hath bine at Wᵗ. bloweing fresh. Towards evening the wind came to the S.S.Wᵗ. This day I sent up the Barbabella wᵗʰ our empty caske to London. Tookeing (_sic_) aship of beere about 60 ts.

17. This Tuesday wind at S.E.; faire weather; I sent Bassets hoy up to Chatham againe for stores.

18. This Wedensday morning wind at south and S.Eᵗ. I went into yᵉ Swale, to setle our muster booke of the R. Charles.

19. This Thursday wind at north and N.Wᵗ.; some tyme badd weather.

20. This Fryday we tooke on bord 16 ts. of watter. The wind hath bine at north and back to W.S.Wᵗ.; sometymes badd weather.

21. This Satuarday the wind at S.W. In the afternoone the Prince returned on bord againe.

22. This Sonday wind southerly. The Prince went into Sheerenes.

23. This Monday wind at S.S.W. to W.N.Wᵗ.; sometymes bad weather. This day yᵉ Prince went on shore on Essex side; came on bord againe at noone. This day severall of our fleet came out Sheerenes.

29. To this Sonday we have had the winds southerly to the west; some 3 days badd weather. Have bine dispatching our ships out Sheerenes, and takeing in our provissions. The Dutch fleet rideing in the Slade Way and at the Gonflitt since Wedensday. This night his Highnes yᵉ Prince lay on bord the Monmouth yacht.

* * * * *

[a] Richard White and Richard Sadlington.

[b] Lowestoft Ness.

[c] The Shipwash sand-bank off the mouth of the Deben.

[d] The King’s Channel or East Swin, running down east of the Gunfleet sands, off the Essex shore.

[e] The Middle Ground shoal lies at the mouth of the Thames, some miles below the Nore, on the Kentish side of the river.

[f] The Oaze Edge shoal near the Middle Ground, but on the Essex side.

[g] The Red Sand lies between the Ooze Edge and the Middle Ground.

[h] Heligoland.

NAVAL OPERATIONS, 1652-1673; WITH OBSERVATIONS BY CAPTAIN RICHARD HADDOCK.

[a] A mistake for May.

[b] On the 29th November. It was after this action that Van Tromp hoisted the broom at his mast-head.

[c] On the 2nd and 3rd June, off the North Foreland.

[d] Off the Dutch coast.

[e] Before declaration of war, in retaliation for attacks by the Dutch on the colonies.

[f] Sir Thomas Tiddiman, or Teddiman.

[g] The Governor of Bergen not having yet received the instructions from his Government and refusing to admit the English fleet.

[h] Sir Christopher Mings; died of wounds received in the action of 1st June.

[i] Bandaris in the island of Schelling.

[j] Sir Robert Robinson.

[k] The day that the Dutch were in the Medway.

[l] The Middle, a shoal off Foulness, between the West Swin and the East Swin or King’s Channel.

[m] Near the mouth of the Thames, off the village of Lee on the Essex side.

[n] Thomas Harman.

[o] Adrian Brackell, the captain of the Dutch man-of-war.

WILLIAM BRANDON TO SIR RICHARD HADDOCK.

Portsmᵒ Victuallᵍ Office,
July 24ᵗʰ, 1688.

HONᵇˡᵉ Sʳ,

The last post brought a news letter to this place, wherein are these words: It is reported that Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, Capt. Pennyman, and severall other seamen, are gone for Holland; wᶜʰ are lookt upon heere as a verry greate reflection upon your Honʳ, that cannott without ingratitude and breach of duty omit acquainting you with itt and the author’s name, wᶜʰ is Edmond Sawkell, att the Generall Post Office. I have and shall vindicate your Honʳ to my outmost power; and begg leave to subscribe myself

Yoʳ Honʳˢ

Most humble and obedient servᵗ,

Wᵐ BRANDON.

To the Honᵇˡᵉ Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, Knᵗ, one of the Commʳˢ for
Victualling his Majᵗʸˢ Navy, att the office on Tower Hill,
London, These.

SIR RICHARD HADDOCK TO PHILIP FROWD.[a]

Tower Hill, London, this 29th July, 1688.

Sʳ,

The last weeke, in a news lettr wrote by a servᵗ of yours, one Mr. Edmᵈ Sawkell, there is a scandallous reflection on my honʳ and reputation, by his writeing that Sʳ Rᵈ Haddock wᵗʰ seuerall other seamen were gone into Holland, wᶜʰ I have recᵈ aᶜᶜᵗ of sᵈ letter from 3 or 4 countys, and must beleive it hath flowne all the kingdome over.

Sʳ, I was this day to waite on you at yʳ post ofice; but, haveing accᵗ given me that you were in the country, thought fitt, before I spake wᵗʰ Mr. Sawkill, to give you notice hereof, and yᵗ you will readylie conclude I shall expect satisfaction from him for this scandall, at least yᵗ he finds out his author or else must conclud him to be the inventor himselfe. I do presume you know me so well as to beleive, however the King may please to deale wᵗʰ me (wᶜʰ hetherto hath bine extra kind), I shall never forsake my loyalty and duty to him, even to my last breath. Praying a lyne or two in answer, with great respect, I remaine

Your very afectᵉ servant,

Rᵈ H.

TO JN. (_sic_) FROWD, ESQ.

* * * * *

[a] Postmaster-General.

CAPTAIN JOSEPH HADDOCK TO HIS BROTHER, SIR RICHARD HADDOCK.

Abord the Ship Princess of Denmark,
17th Xber, 1688. Balasore Roade.

Sʳ RICHᵈ HADDOCK.

MY EVER HONᵈ BROTHER,

My last, of the 7ᵗʰ Augᵗ from Visagapatam, gave yoʳ Honʳ accᵗ of our arrivall Madras and of our affaires to that tyme. The 10ᵗʰ Augᵗ we saild thence for Balasore, wher we arriv’d the 15ᵗʰ; in wᶜʰ bay we have contᵈ and rid out the monsoone, wᶜʰ has prov’d favourabler then expected (beinge leape yeare).

The 15ᵗʰ 7ber Capᵗ Heath arriv’d this place, who, by virtue of the President and Counsell of Madras order requir’d my goeinge up wᵗʰ hime to Chuttynutte[a] in the river of Hugly (the place where our Agent and factorie resided), myselfe wᵗʰ the rest of the comandʳˢ of the Europe Shipps then in the river to assist hime in the Rᵗ Honᵇˡᵉ Compˢ affairs.[b] In fews days after our getting up to Chuttynutte, a letter was writ to the Nabob of Dacca (the cheife govenʳ of that citty), who had formerly requested our Agent that if we would assist hime wᵗʰ ships to transport soulders and horss from Chottagam to Arraccan (they beinge in warrs wᵗʰ that Kinge), he would give us his Pharwanna[c] of a settlemᵗ of trade, wᵗʰ prevaledges as formerly accordinge to the 12 articles formerly sent hime from our agent &c. Capt. Heath, in the letter sent, condesended to the Nabob’s request, in suplyinge hime wᵗʰ 10 ships and vessells for the Mogull’s occations, to transport ther soulders and horss, provided they would allow of the buildinge of a fortyfiction wᵗʰin the river of Hugly, for the better security of the Rᵗ Honᵇˡᵉ Compˢ estate and serᵗˢ; wᵗʰout wᶜʰ grant of a fortyfied place the Compˢ ordʳˢ possitive are, to wᵗʰdraw off all our factory from this place.

We continued heere 5 weeks for the Nabob’s answer to the proposall: but not comeing, we, haveinge taken off all the Honᵇˡᵉ Compˢ concernes from the shoare, saild from Chuttynᵗʸ the 8ᵗʰ 9ber, and passed by ther fortts peaceably. At our arrival Balasore found that the govenʳ of the towne had (some tyme before our comeinge) detaind the Rᵗ Honᵇˡᵉ Compˢ goods, beinge this yeares investmᵗˢ, alsoe partic. mens goods; and would not permit none of the factors, nor our people that were ashoure buying provit[ions], to come off. Capᵗ Heath sent 2 of our factors wᵗʰ a letter to the govenʳ (who was come downe to the bancksall, or point of sand goeinge into the river, wher he was makeinge a fortyfication), to demand the Rᵗ Honbᵉ Compˢ goods wᵗʰ all our men. His answer was, what he did was by order from the Nabob; and, if he did dilliver our goods and men, should loose his head. 3 days after, 2 of the factors were againe sent to aquaint the govenʳ that our intention was to depart out these parts peaceable, we haveinge come away out Hugly river wᵗʰout doeinge any act of hostillity to any of the Mogull’s subjects; therfore requird hime to send off our goods and people by faire meanes; if not, we would have them by force of armes. Wᶜʰ hee not permitting them too goe off, the next day all our soulders, about 320, and upwards 240 seamen were put into the small vessels and all our boates; and early next morninge they landed a mile to the W.ward of the fort (wᶜʰ the govnʳ had rais’d); against wᶜʰ landinge place they had planted 5 small guns on a sandhill, wᶜʰ they discharg’d at our men, and killd 2 and wounded 2 more; soe fled from the guns. And soone after, the cheife capᵗ of our soulders had drawne all the soulders and seamen in order of battalia, marcht up to the fort, wᶜʰ, at ther aproach, fired all ther guns they had planted to the land; but, soone after, the govenʳ and all his men fleed out the fort wᵗʰout doeing much harme to our men; the wᶜʰ we possest wᵗʰout any farther opposition. In and about this fort they had upwards 40 guns mounted and a good wall made wᵗʰ timber and clay; might have bine sufficient (if manag’d by Europeans) to [have] wᵗʰstood a great armie of men, or at least done much more mischief then they did.

The govenʳ, after deserted his fort, made all hast possable up to Balasore towne, and orderd the factory house (in wᶜʰ were confind all our people, thirteene in number) to be sett on fire. Our people in the house defended themselves bravely, killinge sevˡ of the Moors; but by the firsness of the fire were forct to surrender themselves on tearmes to have ther lives and good useage. The next day Capt. Heath (who went ashoare wᵗʰ the soulders--Capᵗ Sharpe comanded the small vessells and boates that were to goe over the barr, leaveinge mee in comand of the ships in the roade) went up with all the soulders and seamen to Balasore towne by watter and landed short of old Balasore fort, the wᶜʰ they soone tooke; soe marcht into the towne, few or noe people beinge left to oppose them; the govenʳ disertinge it at ther comeinge, caryinge wᵗʰ hime all our English, amongst wᶜʰ are 3 of our ships compᵃ, vizᵗ. Mr. Davenant (beinge ashoare buyinge provit[ions]), Charles Scarlet, midshipman, and Sam Harbin, gunʳ, serᵗ of Capⁿ Heath’s, his pursur, and 3 more, Mr. Stanly, cheife of the factory, the rest free men that trades in the country. As yet we cannot gett the govenʳ to give ther releasemᵗ. We have sent sevˡ messingers to hime, that we have not burnt ther towne nor ships, expectinge he would dilliver up our men; but, if not, we will returne and doe both. Our soulders (but seamen more espetially) have comitted many inhuemane actions in the towne, plundringe not only Moors but sevˡ Portugeese houses, and killed sevˡ innocent people. We have had the greatest loss in this axtion, vizᵗ. 4 men killd and 3 wounded. Ther names are: Mr. Starland, 3d mate, Henry Grove, cheife trumpetter, Christopher Hogg, and Jnᵒ Hinton, who very indiscreetly went out wᵗʰ sevˡ more seamen to a garden house, expectinge great plunder, were cut off, sevˡ of them, by a party of horss. The 3 wounded are Henʳʸ Roxby, Franˢ Johnson, and Jnᵒ Smart.

I have, by the Williamson (by whom this is alsoe intended you), sent Sʳ Henʳʸ Johnson and Sʳ Tho. Rawlinson, and alsoe to my wife, a list of our dead &cᵃ men, in all 44. Our supernumery men wᶜʰ I brought out of England, beinge 27, at my arivall Madras, I aquaintd the President therwᵗʰ, who offred them to Cap. Bromwell, the Rotchester haveinge lost most of ther men. But he refuseinge to pay the charge the Honᵇˡᵉ Compᵃ were at sendinge them out, they were not taken out ther; and what of them that are alive doe still remaine in our ship, not beinge demanded here by the agent. I supose our owners will be alowed for them at 50ˢ per mᵒ, noe longer then our departure Madras, to wᶜʰ tyme we had lost 30 men. I doe not repent ther continueinge abord, haveinge had soe great mortolaty and most of them the best of our seamen.

I supose our next enterprize will be towards Chottagam, a place neere the coast of Arraccan. The Rᵗ Honᵇˡᵉ Compᵃ possative orders are for endeavouringe the takinge it; but I feare we shall not have strength sufficient to effect it, the Nabob haveinge sent many thousand of [men] this yeare ther to over run and take the kingdome of Arracan. The king of that country beinge some tyme since dead, part of the people are in rebelion against the present govermᵗ; by whᶜʰ its supos’d the Mogullers will goe farr in takeing that country this yeare, and we frustrated of our designe.

Honᵇˡᵉ Sir, I have not writt to any of owners (except the 2 in charty party), beleivinge we shall returne to Madras before the Williamson sailes for England. Our ship is in a very good condition and very thite. I beleive our stay in India will be the extreme of our tyme, for at present noe prospect of a freight for Europe; and I feare the brave trade of Bengall will be lost, at whᶜʰ the Dutch and French rejoyce, that this trade may wholy fall to them.

I have not elce to add; only please to present my duty, respects, and love to all our deere relations and freinds. Thus, wᵗʰ my due respects to yoʳ selfe and my good lady sister, doe remaine,

Honᵇˡᵉ Sʳ, yoʳ affectionate bro. and Serᵗ, whilst

JOˢ HADDOCK.

Sʳ I recᵈ yoʳ letter, alsoe one from my wife sent per the Defence; and returne my humble thancks for it.

For the Honᵇˡᵉ Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, at his house on Tower Hill.
Present. London.

Pʳ the Williamson, Capt. Ashby, Comandʳ, D.G.

* * * * *

[a] Chuttanuttee, now Calcutta.

[b] Early in 1686 the Company fitted out an expedition to retaliate on the Nawab of Bengal for past injuries, and to attempt to seize Chittagong. But before the arrival of the forces a premature quarrel with the natives forced the English to abandon Hoogly and retire to Chuttanuttee. In Sept. 1687, a truce was patched up, but the Company was not satisfied. An armament was despatched under command of Heath. The result was the attack on Balasore, as told in this letter, an abortive attempt on Chittagong, and the abandonment of the Company’s factories in Bengal.--See Mill’s _Hist. of British India_, book i. chap. v.

[c] Farwana, the licence granted by a viceroy; as distinguished from a firman, granted by a sovereign.

RICHARD HADDOCK[a] TO HIS FATHER, SIR RICHARD HADDOCK.

Aprill[b] yᵉ 23ᵈ [1692]; Munday, in yᵉ Hooke.[c]

HONOURD Sʳ,

This is to acquaint of our ingaging wᵗʰ yᵉ French and of our haveing gott yᵉ victory. Wee mett yᵐ of sea, May 19. There was about 60 saile. Wee fought yᵐ from 11 to 9 att night; since wᶜʰ, have been in pursuit of yᵐ. There is run ashoare, in Sherbrook bay, Torveil[d] wᵗʰ 3 more capitall ships, wᶜʰ are now burned. Cozen Tom Heath[e] burnt Torveil; and have chased 14 saile more in yᵉ Hooke, where wee now are. Sʳ Cloudsly Shovel is goeing in wᵗʰ yᵉ 3ᵈ rates and fire-ships to destroy yᵐ. Wee have been soe unfortunate as [to] lose Rear Admˡˡ Carter[f] in yᵉ fight. I am very well and have received no wound; only a small splinter hitt mee on yᵉ thigh, but did no damage, only made itt black and blew. I would write more particularly, but yᵉ vessell I heare is goeing away presently; soe, haveing no more att present, butt duty to your self and my mother,

I remain your dutyfull Son,

RICHᵈ HADDOCK.

Cozen Ruffin is alive and very well. I will write yᵉ particulars of our fight as soon as wee come into any port.

Rᵈ H.

For Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, att yᵉ Navy Office, in Crutched Fryers,
London.

* * * * *

[a] Afterwards Comptroller of the Navy. See Preface.

[b] A slip of the pen for _May_.

[c] “The Hooke” and “Sherbrook,” nautical English for La Hogue and Cherbourg.

[d] Tourville fought in the great three-decker “Royal Sun,” the largest vessel afloat.

[e] Afterwards captain of the Chester. Died in the West Indies in 1693.

[f] “Carter was the first who broke the French line. He was struck by a splinter of one of his own yard-arms, and fell dying on the deck. He would not let go his sword. ‘Fight the ship,’ were his last words; ‘fight the ship as long as she can swim.’”--Macaulay, _Hist. of England_, chap. xviii.

ISABELLA CHICHELEY[a] TO SIR RICHARD HADDOCK.

Wedensday night, the 4 July, [16]94.

Your good nature, Sʳ, hath drawne upon you the gossupin of a company of women. My sisters desire we may drinke our punch with you to-morrow in the evening, about six aclocke, if it is not inconvenient to you. I should have sent to you to day, but was prevented. However, Sʳ, it may yett be ajorned for longer time, if you are othere wise disposed. The docters are sending me to Tunbridge ere long, soe that a warm foundation before drinking those cold waters will not [be] amisse for, Sʳ,

Your oblidged, humble servant,

ISABELLA CHICHELEY.

For Sʳ Rich. Haddocke, These.

* * * * *

[a] Probably related to Admiral Sir John Chicheley.

SIR RICHARD HADDOCK TO HIS SON RICHARD.

Navy Office, this 27th Novʳ, 1702.

DEARE SON,

I have yoʳˢ of yesterday’s date, from the Downes, wᶜʰ brings us the joyfull tydeings of yoʳ safe arrivall there. Yoʳ long passage from Newfoundland put us in great feare of your wellfare, and perticularly your moʳ hath bine for a month or 5 weekes crying for you and yoʳ brother Nicˢ safety; but blessed be God you are both come well home. Your broʳ now with us came up from the Downes by leave from his Captⁿ, and hath behaved himself with so much bravery and couradge that he hath gained the good report of the Duke of Ormond, his Captⁿ, &c., both in the action at Rotta and St. Mary Port,[a] and Vigo, and was the first man that borded one of the gallions at Vigo,[b] wᶜʰ is come home. I do not find by yoʳ letter that you were wᵗʰ your Comodore at the takeing and destroying the French shipps to the southwards of Trepassa,[c] and consequently you will not come in for your share of that capture. The news papers tells us yoʳ prize is got into Plymᵒ, and for your boate wᵗʰ 5 men you say you left behind at Plymᵒ we never heard anything of it, wᶜʰ gives you trouble; and because you write not of my Coz Wᵐ’ˢ[d] wellfare, I am conscernd for feare he might be in that boate. To morrow morning I intend to go to yᵉ Admᵗʸ and endeavor you may come into the River, if his R. Highness orders your cleaneing.

God Allmighty hath blest yᵉ forces of her Majᵗʸ and her Allies, both by land and sea, in a wonderfull manner; for wᶜʰ we lately had a publick day of thanksgiveing in this citty. The Queene, House of Lords and Comons, wᵗʰ the Bishops, Judges, &c. came to Sᵗ Paul’s Church, where, after sermon, Te Deum was sung.

Since your leaveing England, two of our bord are dead, vizᵗ. Mr. Sotherne and my good freind Comʳ Willshaw,[e] who dyed yᵉ 23ᵈ Sepʳ last. My Coz Anna Babb, that was in one of our almes houses at Stepny, is likewise dead, and my poore Cozⁿ Lockwood’s son in law, Cozⁿ Hodges, dyed lately at Gosport, since his arrivall from Cadix and Vigo, who waited a tender on yᵉ Duke of Ormond’s shipp. We are all in good health, praised be God, and do kindly salut you. I am your most afectionᵗ father,

Rᵈ HADDOCK.

Pray let me know how yoʳ shipp proves. I have concernd my selfe to get one of yᵉ 4ᵗʰ rates building at Deptford for you, and this day spake to Sʳ Geo. Rooke about it, and formerly to yᵉ other 3 Councill of yᵉ Lord High Admˡˡ. I know she is tender by your reifeing your courses; and twas well hinted in yours to yᵉ Admᵗʸ. I am glad you past by Plymᵒ. Orders went thither some tyme since to cleane you and severall of yoʳ consarts.

Rᵈ H.

On Her Majesty’s Service. To Captⁿ Richard Haddock, Comandʳ of
her Majᵗʸ Shipp the Reserve, these present, In yᵉ Downes.

* * * * *

[a] In the expedition against Cadiz, the Duke of Ormond effected a landing at Rota at the north end of the Bay of Cadiz, on the 15th August, and occupied Puerto de Santa Maria, on the east of the Bay, six days afterwards.

[b] The attack on the shipping in Vigo took place on the 12th October.

[c] Trepassey, in Newfoundland.

[d] This is probably the William Haddock noticed by Charnock, _Biographia Navalis_, iv. 44, who died in 1726. He may have been the son of Richard Haddock, Sir Richard’s uncle.

[e] Thomas Willshaw, Commissioner of the Navy and Master of the Trinity House.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

Navy Office, this 10ᵗʰ Decembʳ, 1703.

MY DEARE SON,

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Correspondence of the Family of Haddock, 1657-1719Chapter II: Part 2

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