Chapter VI

1793.

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.

The Crescent being now ready for sea, but with thirteen men short of her complement, Captain Saumarez applied to have the number filled up, as her masts and yards were of the same dimensions as those of a frigate of thirty-eight guns; he also requested such increase as the Lords of the Admiralty thought proper: but these applications were unsuccessful, and on the 10th of October he received orders from Sir Peter Parker, the port-admiral, to "hold himself in constant readiness to put to sea at a moment's warning;" and it was not long before the following order was received from the Admiralty.

By the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High
Admiral, &c.

You are hereby required and directed to proceed in the ship
under your command, without a moment's loss of time, to the
islands of Guernsey and Jersey; and so soon as you shall have
delivered the pacquets you will herewith receive, addressed to
the commanding officers of his Majesty's troops serving in these
islands, you are to repair with the said ship off St. Maloes,
and use your best endeavours to obtain such information of the
enemy's forces there, as circumstances will admit.

Having so done, you are to return with the said ship with all
possible despatch, for further orders, transmitting to our
secretary, for our information, by post-office express, an
account of your arrival and proceedings.

Given under our hands, this 18th October 1793,
A. GARDNER.
J. SMYTH.
P. AFFLECK.

To Captain Saumarez, R.N.

For several days previously to the 19th, it had been reported that a French frigate usually quitted the port of Cherbourg at night, and returned next morning with what prizes she had picked up: this, together with the information that an armament was preparing for the invasion of Jersey, caused Captain Saumarez to make extraordinary exertions to get to sea; and, although the wind was light, he fortunately succeeded in getting round St. Helens before night. Early on the morning, on the 20th, he was close to the light-house off Cape Barfleur.

ACTION BETWEEN THE CRESCENT AND REUNION.

This gallant action, which we are now about to describe, having been misrepresented in every account yet published, we have, in order to make the circumstances attending it more easily understood, illustrated the positions by a diagram, showing the masterly manoeuvre performed by the Crescent, and the relative situation of the ships at the commencement and the end of the conflict. The engraving shows the state and situation of the two ships at the time the Reunion surrendered.

During the night, the wind had been so far to the westward as to enable the Crescent to fetch Cape Barfleur, while the Reunion, which left Cherbourg in the evening, stood to the northward, in hopes of meeting with merchant-ships coming up Channel. The two frigates, therefore, must have crossed each other at no great distance; but the wind having changed towards the south about daylight, and the French frigate being unable to fetch back to Cherbourg, broke off with her head to the eastward, while the Crescent, by coming up on the opposite tack, was enabled to weather and get in shore of the enemy.

Shortly after day-break Captain Saumarez saw two sail standing on the starboard tack towards the Crescent, and it appears that they had approached her within two miles before they discovered themselves to be under the lee of an English frigate: they then tacked and made all sail, either for the purpose of trying to escape, or to approach nearer to Cherbourg, that they might have the assistance of their consort then in the harbour with her sails hoisted up. It was soon evident that the Crescent, now "clean out of dock," had the advantage in sailing; and, by half-past ten, Captain Saumarez, by edging down, took his position on the enemy's larboard quarter within pistol-shot, when the action began.

Captain John Tancock, who was then a midshipman stationed on the main-deck, says that the men had directions to fire at the rudder of their opponent, which was very soon disabled, while the main-topsail-yard and fore-yard were both shot away. The enemy fired so high that scarcely any shot struck the hull of the Crescent; but, consequently, her fore-topsail-yard, and soon afterwards her fore-top-mast, fell over the starboard gangway. Hitherto the ship had been kept in her first position by backing and filling the mizen-topsail, but now she came to, and eventually _came round_: but Captain Saumarez, whose presence of mind never forsook him, brailed up the mizen, and, by keeping all the square-sails aback, gave the ship a _stern-board_; at the same time, by keeping the _helm up_, she wore round on her heel, obtaining a position under the stern and on the starboard quarter, while the enemy was lying with his yards square and totally unmanageable. This manoeuvre is shown in the diagram, to which an explanation is added.

Illustration:

C. The Crescent. R. The Reunion. 1. Commencement of the action. 2. The Crescent's track in wearing on her heel. 3. The position when the Reunion struck.

In passing under the enemy's stern, it was observed that his colours had been shot away, and, supposing he had struck, the firing ceased; but, on coming round on the starboard quarter, the enemy again opened his fire. The Crescent, having now got her larboard guns to bear, returned his broadside with such effect, that at twenty minutes past noon the officers of the Reunion waved their hats and flags to indicate that they had surrendered. The engraving represents the situation of the two ships at this moment; and Captain Sir Thomas Mansel, who was then a midshipman, declares it to be correct.

The combat now ceased, and the prize was taken possession of by Lieutenant (now Admiral) Sir George Parker, who received the usual order to carry her into port. The French captain being sent on board the Crescent, they began to remove the prisoners and repair damages. When the action began, a ship had been seen under the land to the eastward, about four leagues distant; this was supposed to be an enemy: but it turned out to be the Circe, Captain Yorke, who joined four hours after the action, and took part of the prisoners. In the mean time the cutter made off towards Cherbourg, out of which harbour the wind and adverse tide prevented the other frigate, said to be La Semillante, from getting to assist the Reunion.

The following very concise official letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty from Captain Saumarez, supplies the rest of the detail.

Crescent, off Cherbourg, 20th October 1793.

SIR,

I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that this morning, being
off Cape Barfleur in his Majesty's ship Crescent, under my
command, I fell in with a French frigate, which, after a close
action of two hours and ten minutes, struck to his Majesty's
colours: she proved to be the Reunion, mounting thirty-six guns,
and manned with three hundred and twenty men.

I am singularly happy in being able to inform their lordships
that she has been obtained without the loss of a single man, or
even any wounded, although her own loss has been very
considerable indeed, having, as the prisoners informed me, one
hundred and twenty killed and wounded.

I must beg leave to render the most ample justice to the
officers and ship's company of the Crescent, for their cool and
steady behaviour during the action; and I take this opportunity
to recommend to their lordships' notice the three lieutenants,
Messrs. Parker, Otter, and Rye: their conduct has afforded me
the utmost satisfaction.

I have the honour to be,
With the greatest respect, sir,
Your most obedient and very humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To Philip Stephens, Esq. Admiralty.

P.S.--The Reunion was accompanied by a cutter, which did not
attempt to come into action, but made for Cherbourg.

Captain Saumarez was now on his passage to Portsmouth, where he had left his wife and infant children only two days before, in pursuit of an implacable enemy known to be not many leagues distant! It was the first battle he had fought since he became a husband and a father; and his feelings, as he returned triumphantly to the bosom of his family, can be easier imagined than described.

The anxiety and excitement inseparable from the day of battle had subsided, the prisoners had been removed, the captive Frenchmen with whom he had been sympathizing had retired, and he was at length left alone to meditate on that remarkable dispensation of Divine favour which had been so fully and especially manifested towards him: he had gloriously wrested from an enemy, fighting under the proud banner of liberty, a ship equal to his own in weight of metal and superior by seventy men in numbers, after a furious contest of above two hours, without a man being hurt by his opponent, who lost one hundred and twenty men killed and wounded: a fact unparalleled in the page of history. With the generality of mankind, such circumstances were well calculated to raise feelings of proud exultation; but these were never cherished in the breast of Saumarez. Having done all in his power to soothe the affliction of his vanquished enemy, his first impulse was to offer up his thanksgivings and acknowledgments to the great GIVER of all victory, and to implore that his mind might not be too highly elevated by his glorious success. After despatching his unpresuming letter to the Admiralty, which has been already given, he wrote to his brother, in London, the following letter:

Crescent, 21st Oct. 1793.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

You will rejoice with me at the success that has attended our
short cruise. On Saturday evening we sailed from Spithead; and
the next morning, being about three leagues from Cape Barfleur,
we saw two sail standing towards us from under Cherbourg, which
I soon discovered to be a French frigate and a cutter. We were
on the larboard tack with the wind off shore; I was happy in
being able to keep between them and the land. When about two
miles from us, the frigate tacked with all her sail set, and the
cutter made sail to windward: we edged down to her, and at a
cable's distance, at half-past ten, began the action, which
continued with scarcely any intermission two hours and ten
minutes.

Both ships were soon cut up in their sails and rigging, our
fore-topsail yard being shot away, and soon after the
fore-top-mast; the ship came to, and wearing on the other tack,
gave us an opportunity to fire our guns, which were so well
served that the French ship soon became unmanageable, and
enabled us to rake her fore and aft; in which situation she
struck her colours. I must observe that they had been before
shot away, and, imagining she had struck, I gave orders to cease
firing; she, however, soon relieved us of our suspense by giving
us her broadside: we were so well prepared, and kept up so good
a fire, that in a short time after they waved their colours and
made signs from the gunwale with their hats that they had
struck.

I immediately sent Mr. Parker to take possession of the ship,
and send the first and second captains on board the Crescent.
They informed me that the ship they had surrendered was La
Reunion, mounting thirty-six guns and three hundred and
twenty-one men. When we came into action, another frigate was in
sight to the eastward, which we took to be her consort; we
therefore lost no time to exchange prisoners, and repair our
damages, in the best manner we could: she, however, proved to be
the Circe, and joined us four hours after the action ceased.

The circumstance that has made me most happy from this
engagement is, that we have not had a single person hurt by the
enemy, and but one man injured, who had his leg fractured by the
recoil of a gun. There being little wind the sea was perfectly
calm; and I had the satisfaction to observe that most of our
shot were perfectly well directed. The enemy's frigate is indeed
most sadly a wreck, thirty-four men killed and eighty-four
wounded, many of them mortally; one officer only has suffered,
being badly wounded. She was commanded by Citizen Denain,
capitaine de vaisseau, to whose obstinacy they ascribe the
sacrifice of many lives.

It is unnecessary for me to observe, my dear Richard, the great
happiness I derive from the consciousness that this event will
afford you and all our friends particular satisfaction. My dear
Martha, too,--I scarcely know how I shall disclose the
circumstance to her; it embarrasses me as much as if it were a
mournful subject. One observation is incumbent on me to make,
namely, that Captain Yorke used every possible exertion to join
us sooner, and that he has most readily afforded us every
assistance we required,

I now remain, your ever affectionate brother,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.

Captain Saumarez had now realized his ardent desire for an opportunity of distinguishing himself, such as was afforded to his gallant brother-officer of the Nymphe; and it is a singular coincidence that each should have written to his brother on the day of action, under similar circumstances of triumph and excitement. These interesting documents seem to have decided the superiority of the British over the French navy, at the commencement of the French revolution, and in reference to that of Saumarez, we cannot but dwell with admiration on the humility and acuteness of feeling with which it is replete!

The Circe, which had joined four hours after the action, was despatched to Guernsey to execute the service on which Captain Saumarez had been ordered; but the Crescent and her prize, in proceeding to Spithead, were detained by light winds and calms. On the 22nd, she arrived off the Isle of Wight, when Lieutenant Otter was sent to Portsmouth in the boat with the following official letter:

Crescent, off the Isle of Wight, 22d Oct. 1793.

SIR,

I BEG you will be pleased to inform my Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, that, being unable to gain Spithead from the
prevailing calms, I have thought it expedient to despatch
Lieutenant Otter with the intelligence I have the honour to
convey to their lordships.

Having been prevented by the action with La Reunion from
complying with their lordships' orders, I directed the Hon.
Captain Yorke, who joined me in his Majesty's ship Circe, to
proceed with the pacquets I was charged with for the commanding
officers of his Majesty's troops at Guernsey and Jersey, and
from thence to proceed to St. Maloes, and return to Spithead,
agreeable to their lordships' orders.

I beg to observe, that Captain Yorke gave me every possible
assistance, and has taken one hundred and sixty prisoners from
the Reunion, which I directed him to land in the island of
Guernsey.

I have the honour to be, sir,
Your most humble servant,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.

To Philip Stephens, Esq.

The Crescent arrived at Spithead on the following day, and with her prize was ordered into harbour; the former to have her damages repaired, and the latter to be surveyed and purchased for his Majesty's service.

Before we submit the interesting official and private letters which
Captain Saumarez received on his arrival, and which may be considered
as the best proof of the sensation which this gallant action created,
it becomes our duty to state the comparative force of the two
frigates.
Weight
of
_Crescent._ No. Size. No. Size. No. Size. Total. metal.
Broadside guns 13 18pr. 4 18pr. car. 1 9pr. 36 315lbs.
_Reunion._
Broadside guns 13 14pr. 3 40pr. car. 4 7pr. 40 330lbs.
Difference of guns, and of weight of shot in favour
of La Reunion 4 15lbs.
_Crescent._ Men 257 Tons 888
_Reunion._ Men 320 Tons 951
Difference in favour of La
Reunion 63 63
N.B. The weight has been reduced to English pounds.

The Crescent lost her fore-top-mast; her sails and rigging were much damaged, but very few shot struck her hull; and the only man hurt was at the first broadside, when his leg was fractured by the recoil of a gun.

La Reunion, on the contrary, had many shot in her hull, and her stern was very much shattered. After she was in dock, we saw where a shot had entered the starboard quarter, and made its way out of the larboard bow. It was said to have killed and wounded twenty-one men! The head of her rudder and wheel were shot away, and the fore-yard and main-topsail-yard came down early in the action: she was, in short, a complete wreck, as represented in the plate. The hopes that the ship seen to the eastward under the land was a friend, induced the French captain to delay surrendering after defence could no longer be effectual.

The head-money was only paid for three hundred men; but there was no doubt that three hundred and twenty-one were on board at the commencement of the action, as many of the slain were thrown overboard, and the French officers, for obvious reasons, wished to make their force less than it was. According to Captains Tancock and Mansell, forty men were killed, and eighty wounded. The cutter which was in company, believed to be L'Esperance, mounting fourteen guns, made off for Cherbourg with sweeps and sails as soon as the firing commenced. La Reunion's consort, believed to be the Semillante, made an attempt to get out of Cherbourg, but was prevented by the tide, when she sent a boat full of men, it was supposed, to reinforce the former, but which returned when it was observed that her fate was decided. The French shore, only five miles distant, was crowded with spectators.

There is no action between two single ships on record, where consummate skill in naval tactics has been so brilliantly and successfully displayed as in that which we have just described. The patriotic reader must not imagine that, because the Crescent had "none" either killed or wounded, the captain and officers of La Reunion did not do their utmost, and far less that they were deficient in courage. The severe loss they sustained, and the obstinacy with which their ship was defended, has fully proved their bravery. Had the Crescent at once boarded the Reunion, which was in her power, and carried her sword in hand, as in the case of the Nymphe and Cleopatre, it would have been perhaps better calculated to excite feelings of admiration in the general reader, who is not acquainted with naval affairs; but this mode of attack is one which, we must acquaint them, might readily be made by any officer moderately skilled in naval tactics. It is where the commander of a ship, by his presence of mind and skilful manoeuvring, succeeds in the defeat and capture of an enemy, that the superiority is manifest; and it is to him who has thus proved that he possesses the _tact_ to accomplish his object, and yet spare the valuable lives of his men, that the meed of praise is most justly due.

Crescent, Spithead, 23rd October 1793.

SIR,

I beg you will be pleased to inform my Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty of my arrival at Spithead in H.M. ship Crescent,
under my command, and the prize La Reunion, and from thence into
Portsmouth Harbour, conformable with orders from Sir Peter
Parker.

I have the honour to be,
Your obedient humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To Philip Stephens, Esq.

Admiralty, October 24th, 1793.

SIR,

I learnt yesterday with great satisfaction the account of your
action with the French frigate La Reunion, and beg to
congratulate you very sincerely on your success on this
occasion. The greatest praise seems due to the bravery and good
conduct of the officers and men of the Crescent. I shall be
extremely happy, as soon as it is convenient to you, to have the
pleasure of seeing you in town, and of presenting you to his
Majesty on an occasion so highly honourable to you. I am, sir,

Your very faithful humble servant,
CHATHAM.
(First Lord of the Admiralty.)

To Captain Saumarez.

Admiralty, 24th October 1793.

DEAR SIR,

I was this morning so happy as to receive your letter, conveying
the agreeable account of your having captured the French frigate
La Reunion, and which I lost no time in communicating to Lord
Chatham, who will himself express to you his very high sense of
your distinguished conduct, as well as his great satisfaction at
the account you have given of the exemplary and gallant
behaviour of your officers and men. I beg, my dear sir, to
congratulate you most sincerely on an event which adds such
lustre to your professional character, at the same time that it
entitles you to every reward from your country, and

I remain, with great regard,
Your very faithful
and obedient humble servant,
J. HUNT.
(Private Secretary.)

To Captain Saumarez, &c.

St. James's-square, 24th October 1793.

SIR,

Lord Chatham was so obliging as to acquaint me yesterday with
your success, and at the same time with his fullest approbation
of your conduct, which you may be assured gave me great
pleasure. I have this day the favour of your letter, and thank
you for your kind attention in informing me of what you might be
confident would give me particular satisfaction.

I am, with great regard, sir,
Your obedient humble servant,
AMHERST.

To Captain James Saumarez.

FROM THE REV. R.B. NICHOLLS.
28th October 1793, Middleham, Yorkshire.

DEAR SIR,

Accept my warmest congratulations on your late very
extraordinary and glorious success, which I consider as a signal
favour and blessing upon you from the God of armies, whom I
invoke, and shall ever, on your behalf, that the path of
happiness and glory, temporal and eternal, may be successfully
trodden by you, and that you may long live an example of the
blessings that Heaven has for a Cornelius. Continue me in your
friendly remembrance, which I shall ever consider as an honour.

I am, dear sir,
Your most affectionate
and most obedient humble servant,
R.B. NICHOLLS.

To Captain Saumarez, &c.

Portsmouth, 30th October 1793.

DEAR SIR,

I am infinitely obliged to you for your kindness and attention
to George Parker. I have not as yet heard from Lord Chatham, but
suppose I shall in a day or two. This morning I reckon you will
kiss hands, and return home "Sir James." Such an honour obtained
on such an occasion is worthy the solicitation of a duke. If
anything material occurs, be so good to favour me with a line.
Lady Parker unites in every good wish for your rib and yourself,
with

Yours, most sincerely,
P. PARKER.

To Captain Saumarez.

Captain Saumarez, after a happy visit to his family at Ryde, repaired to London, on leave of absence; and, on being presented to his Majesty, received the well-merited honour of knighthood, and his first lieutenant (now Admiral Sir) George Parker, was promoted to the rank of master and commander. Sir James, having applied for an extension of his leave, enjoyed the society of his friends in London until the 14th of November, when he and Lady Saumarez returned to their family at Ryde. The following letter to his brother, descriptive of other marks of respect which had been paid to him, will be read with interest:

Ryde, Isle of Wight, 16th Nov. 1793.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

It was not before yesterday that we were enabled to return to
our little treasure in this island, owing to official business
and the badness of the weather. We found all in perfect good
health except our little girl, who has been for some time very
unwell, and has suffered exceedingly; she is at present rather
better, and we hope her disorder is past its height. Mr. Le
Marchant has fixed for next Monday to leave the island. I shall
endeavour to accompany them to Southampton, and, after that,
trust to opportunities hereafter offering to enable me to see
them at Bath.

I do not expect the Crescent will be ready to leave the harbour
before the middle of next week; what our destination will then
be must remain uncertain. Sir John Jarvis has this morning made
the signal for sailing, and it is expected will put to sea on
Monday or Tuesday next. I mean to return to Portsmouth to-day or
to-morrow, that I may have an opportunity of seeing General
Dundas before his departure.

Our last letters from the island (Guernsey) are of the 6th; no
particular news. You will be concerned to hear of the fate of
the unlucky Thames; when the particulars are received, I am
persuaded it will be found that the ship has not been given
away. The report is, that, after a severe action with a
six-and-thirty, she was next day attacked by the Carmagniolle,
to which ship she struck. Sir E. Pellew is cruising with the
Circe off St. Maloes; the French have no ships at present at
Cherbourg.

Yesterday I received a very polite letter from Mr. Marsham,
inclosing the resolution of the 14th instant from the committee
for encouraging the capture of French privateers, voting me a
piece of plate, value one hundred guineas, which I consider a
very high compliment paid to my earnest endeavours. But I am not
quite so well pleased with a letter from Mr. Cooke, who has the
distribution of the fees which he says are due from those who
receive the honour of knighthood, and which amount to 103_l._
6_s._ 8_d._ In reply to this, I have referred him to whoever
paid the above fees for Sir E. Pellew, on whom that honour was
conferred on a similar occasion. I fear it may not be taken
well; at the same time, I think it hard to pay so much for an
honour which my services have been thought to deserve.

Captain Parker came down to Portsmouth last Thursday, without
having obtained an interview with Lord Chatham. I am, however,
persuaded he will soon get a ship. The other arrangements are
not yet made. Mr. Warren has gone to London, to endeavour to get
over the difficulty of not having served his rated time; if he
does, he is to be third lieutenant.

You must now permit me to return you and my dear sister our most
sincere thanks for the kind hospitality we experienced under
your roof; we not only ate of your board and drank of your cup,
but you gave us your very bed to repose on: when shall we have
it in our power to requite such goodness? At any rate, receive
this tribute of our warmest gratitude.

I hope your dear children, whom we almost considered as ours,
are very well: bestow on them a thousand kisses from us. With
our most sincere love, I remain, my dear brother,

Ever affectionately yours,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.

On the 22nd of November, the Crescent came out of harbour, and was reported ready for sea; and Sir James Saumarez was now ready to proceed, and to add fresh laurels to those he had so gloriously gained in the service of his king and country.