Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber's note: Minor spelling inconsistencies, mainly hyphenated words, have been harmonised. Obvious printer errors have been repaired. The Latin number (i) in the text refers to a transcriber's note at the end of this e-book.

MEMOIRS AND CORRESPONDENCE

OF

ADMIRAL LORD DE SAUMAREZ.

FROM ORIGINAL PAPERS IN POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY.

BY SIR JOHN ROSS, CAPTAIN IN THE ROYAL NAVY.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, Publisher in Ordinary to her Majesty. 1838.

LONDON: PRINTED BY SAMUEL, BENTLEY, Dorset Street, Fleet Street.

Transcriber's note: Minor spelling inconsistencies--mainly
hyphenated words--have been harmonised. Obvious printer errors
have been corrected, but the original spelling has been
retained.

The Latin number (i) behind a word refers to the transcriber's
notes at the end of this e-book.

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

Genealogy of the family of Saumarez.--Curious Record.--Branches of
the late family.--Marriage of the late Lord de Saumarez. Page 7

CHAPTER II.

Commencement of his Career.--His Education.--Visit of the Duke of
Gloucester to Guernsey.--Decides for the Navy.--Is put on the
Solebay's books.--School at London.--Embarks in the
Montreal.--Winchelsea, Pembroke, Levant.--Smyrna.--Returns
home.--Passes for Lieutenant.--Embarks in the Bristol.--Proposal to
leave the Navy.--Attack on Fort Sullivan.--Gallant Conduct.--Is made
Lieutenant.--Bristol, Chatham, Lady Parker.--Commands the
Spitfire.--Rhode Island.--Many Engagements.--War with
France.--Appearance of the French Fleet under D'Estaing.--Spitfire
burnt.--Appearance of Lord Howe. Page 14

CHAPTER III.

Serves ashore.--Returns to England in the Leviathan.--Providential
escape from shipwreck.--Visits Guernsey.--Joins the Victory.--A
journey to London.--Joins the Fortitude.--Battle off the Dogger
Bank.--Anecdotes of Admiral Parker.--Lieut. Saumarez promoted to the
rank of Master and Commander.--Appointed to the Tisiphone.--Sails for
the West Indies with Admiral Kempenfelt.--Action with Comte de
Guichen.--Captures a French ship of thirty-six guns.--Is despatched to
Sir Samuel Hood.--Arrives at Barbadoes.--Escapes from two French
men-of-war.--Passes through an intricate channel.--Joins Sir Samuel
Hood.--Gallant conduct in cutting out a vessel.--Tisiphone ordered
home.--Fortunate exchange with Captain Stanhope.--Takes command of the
Russel. Page 41

CHAPTER IV.

Situation of the Hostile Fleets.--Surrender of Brimstone
Hill.--Junction of the Fleets.--Antigua.--St. Lucia.--Sailing of the
French Fleet under Comte de Grasse.--Action of the 9th of April.--12th
of April.--Gallant conduct of the Russel.--Captain Saumarez returns to
Jamaica.--Comes to England with Convoy.--Is paid off at Chatham, and
confirmed a Post-captain. Page 65

CHAPTER V.

Captain Saumarez returns to Guernsey.--His exemplary Conduct.--Visits
Cherbourg.--Is introduced to the French King.--Returns.--Changes at
Guernsey.--Prince William Henry visits the Island twice.--His
Reception.--Appearance of Hostilities in 1787.--Captain Saumarez is
appointed to the Ambuscade, and pays her off.--His Letter on his
Marriage.--Remarks thereon.--Armament of 1790.--Saumarez commissions
and pays off the Raisonable.--War of 1793.--Appointed to command the
Crescent.--First Cruise; takes a prize and saves Alderney.--Second
Cruise; captures a cutter.--Third Cruise.--Return.--Crescent docked
and refitted. Page 84

CHAPTER VI.

Crescent refitted.--Sails for the Channel Islands.--Falls in with the
French frigate La Reunion.--Particular account of the action.--Letters
from Captain Saumarez to his brother.--Brings his prize to
Portsmouth.--Official letters.--Letters from various persons.--Ship
refitting.--Captain Saumarez obtains leave of absence.--Is knighted
for his gallant conduct. Page 99

CHAPTER VII.

Sir James Saumarez is placed under the orders of Admiral McBride.--Is
detached, and attacks an Enemy's squadron.--Narrow Escape from
Shipwreck.--Off Havre.--Cherbourg.--Private letters relating the
particulars of several Cruises on the French coast.--Gallant Action
with a French squadron of superior force off Guernsey. Page 119

CHAPTER VIII.

Sir James commands a Squadron of Frigates, in the Channel.--Visit to
Weymouth.--Joins the Channel Fleet.--Black Rocks.--Private Letters and
Instructions.--Appointed to the Orion.--Crescent's Officers and Crew
volunteer to follow him.--Appointed to the Marlborough (_pro
tempore_).--Commands a detached Squadron.--Returns to the Orion,
attached to the Channel Fleet.--Private Letters.--Lord Bridport's
Action.--Orion, the headmost Ship, begins the battle.--Official
Letter.--Two private Accounts.--Returns to Portsmouth.--Expedition to
Isle Dieu.--Returns to Spithead. Page 143

CHAPTER IX.

Orion taken into dock.--Is refitted, and joins the Channel
Fleet.--Detached on a particular service.--Returns.--Proceeds to
reinforce Sir John Jervis.--List of his fleet.--Battle with Spanish
Fleet off Cape St. Vincent described in a private letter.--Conduct of
Saumarez in the action.--Salvador del Mundo strikes to the Orion, and
is taken possession of by her Lieutenant.--Engages the Santissima
Trinidada.--She strikes to the Orion.--Remarks on that
occasion.--Lagos Bay.--Lisbon.--Sir James sails on a cruise with
Admiral Sir H. Nelson.--Returns.--Commands the advanced
squadron.--Several private letters.--Commands the advanced squadron
off Cadiz.--Mutiny in the fleet.--Anecdote and remarks thereon.
Page 164