Every Man Will Do His Duty (17 page)

The frigates having orders to take in charge the prizes not already taken possession of, the four were soon secured as well as circumstances permitted; and the
Captain
having suffered very considerably in her masts and rigging, the
Minerve
was ordered to take her in tow.

At the close of the evening, the British fleet was again formed in most admirable line of battle, on a wind with their heads to the southward, and the
Niger
frigate ordered to look out during the night.

The close of the day, before the four prizes were secured, undoubtedly saved the Spanish admiral’s flag from falling into the hands of the victors. The
Santissima Trinidad,
in which he carried it, had been so much the object of attention that the ship was a perfect wreck when the action ceased. Many indeed aver that she actually struck both her flag and ensign, hoisting a flag as a signal of submission; but as she continued her course, and afterwards hoisted a Spanish jack, others doubt this circumstance. It is however, a truth that her fire had been silent for some time before this event is reported to have occurred.

The loss of the enemy in this engagement must have been very considerable. The fire of the British squadron was, throughout the action, superior in the proportion of five or six to one; and if we were to judge from the number of killed and wounded found on board the prizes, their casualties must greatly exceed the numbers that have been usually computed. Almost all their wounded that had lost limbs died for want of assistance; and many others, who were wounded in other parts, were found dead in the holds.

The loss of the British squadron, in killed and wounded, amounted to exactly three hundred: moderate indeed, when compared with that of the enemy, and considering the duration of the action! But the expenditure of ammunition was, I am told, beyond any recent example. The
Culloden
expended, it is said, one hundred and seventy barrels of powder; the
Captain,
one hundred and forty-six; and the
Blenheim,
one hundred and eighty; other ships expended in the same proportion. It is not unworthy of remark also that not a single gun in the British squadron burst in this action.

The
Captain
fired more shot than are usually given to a ship of her rate, at her first equipment in England; and it was observed, that when shot or grape were wanting on board this ship for the carronades, the tars substituted in their place nine-pounds shot, seven of which were frequently discharged at one time, and then at so short a distance that every shot of the seven must have had effect.

If I may be permitted to hazard an opinion, the whole squadron have gained immortal honor; for the victory of the 14th of February stands, in all its circumstances, first and unparalleled in naval history.

Thus, my dear Sir, you have the most interesting particulars of this brilliant affair. I have other anecdotes in store; which I reserve until we meet to talk over this, as well as other occurrences, that have happened since we parted. I cannot, however, conclude my letter without remarking, for your satisfaction, knowing you to be a particular man, that the time mentioned in the narrative is taken from the minutes kept on board the V
ICTORY.
Some difference occurs between them and those kept on board other ships; but I have thought proper to follow the former, conceiving them to be the most correct. In the hope of our meeting in a few days, I remain,

MY DEAR SIR
, &
C.

J. DRINKWATER.

On the morning of the 15th, Sir Gilbert Elliot proceeded to offer to the British admiral his congratulations on the success of the previous day. Lord Garlies of course accompanied him.
¹
I was to have been of this party, and was actually descending the side ladder, when, being in uniform, it was discovered that I was without side-arms, for which I returned; but, when I got back to the gangway, the place destined for me was occupied by
another person. My friends kindly offered to make room for me, but as this could not be done without occasioning great inconvenience to the whole party, I reluctantly gave up the intention of accompanying them.

My disappointment, however, was amply made up by what took place immediately after the
Lively
’s barge had left the frigate. A boat was seen approaching the
Lively
on the opposite side, and I heard with surprise, and no little pleasure, that Nelson was on board of her. Seeing me on the quarter-deck, the commodore immediately approached me, offering his hand, which I seized with a most cordial grasp, expressing, at the same time, my high admiration of the gallant conduct of the
Captain
on the preceding day, and my warmest congratulations on the success of the battle.

“Where is Sir Gilbert?” was his first inquiry “Gone with Lord Garlies to the
Victory
,” was my reply.—“I hoped,” he rejoined, “to have caught him before he saw the admiral, but come below with me,” and he led the way to the cabin.

Seated alone with the commodore, I renewed in the most expressive terms, my congratulations on his safety from the perils of such a fight, and on the very distinguished part he had personally taken in the action, of which many particulars had by this time reached the
Lively.
He received my compliments with great modesty, though evidently with great satisfaction. I then remarked that, as the
Lively
would bear the glorious news to England, I should feel much obliged by his giving me as many particulars of the proceedings of his ship, the
Captain,
and of his own conduct in the capture of the two ships, as he was disposed to communicate. Our intimacy was such that I felt no difficulty in drawing from him these details; and this circumstance will be an apology for my making these remarks with such great freedom. I observed to him that the position of the
Captain
appeared to all of us in the
Lively
to be for a long time most extraordinary and unaccountable. We had expected every instant to see the ship annihilated by the overpowering force to which she was singly opposed. In the animation of conversation, I went so far as to ask, “How came you, commodore, to get into that singular and perilous situation?” He good-naturedly replied, “I’ll tell you how it happened. The admiral’s intention, I saw, was to cut off the detached squadron of eight sail and afterwards attack the main body, weakened by this separation. Observing, however, as our squadron advanced and became engaged with the enemy’s ships, that the main body of the enemy were pushing to join their friends to leeward, by passing in the rear of our squadron, I thought, unless by some prompt and extraordinary measure, the main body could be diverted from this course, until Sir John (at that time in action in the
Victory)
could see their plan, his well arranged designs on the enemy would be frustrated. I therefore ordered the
Captain
to wear, and
passing the rear of our squadron, directed Captain Miller to steer for the centre of the enemy’s fleet, where was their admiral-in-chief, seconded by two three-deckers, hoping by this proceeding to confound them, and, if possible, make them change their course (as he did), and thus afford Sir John Jervis time to see their movements, and take measures to follow up his original intention.”—I do not say that Nelson expressed himself in exactly the above words, but his statement was to the same effect.
¹²

In compliance with my request, he then gave me the details of his boarding the
St. Nicholas,
and afterwards the
St. Josef,
which are given in the original Narrative, adding the following particulars:—“I saw (and then he spoke with increased animation) that from the disabled state of the
Captain,
and the effective attack of the approaching British ships, I was likely to have my beaten opponent taken from me; I therefore decided to board the
St Nicholas,
which I had chiefly fought and considered to be my prize. Orders were given to lay the
Captain
aboard of her: the spritsail-yard passed into her mizen rigging. Lieutenant Berry with the ship’s boarders, and Captain Pearson with the 69th regiment (acting as marines on board the
Captain),
soon got possession of the enemy’s ship. Assisted by one of the sailors, I got from the fore-chains into the quarter-gallery through the window, and thence through the cabin to the quarter-deck, where I found my gallant friends already triumphant.” He then gave me the details of the extraordinary circumstances attending his afterwards getting possession of the
St. Josef.
Of course, my high admiration of his conduct was often expressed, as he proceeded, in giving me these very interesting particulars, of which I made pencil notes on a scrap of paper I found at hand; and these communications from my gallant friend were the more valuable from their
being made before he had seen any other officer of the fleet, except Captain G. Martin, of the
Irresistible,
to which ship he had repaired for refreshment and repose, until the
Captain,
his own ship, almost a wreck in her rigging, &c., could be put into manageable order.

Towards the conclusion of this interesting interview, I repeated my cordial felicitations at his personal safety, after such very perilous achievements. I then adverted to the honors that must attend such distinguished services. “The admiral,” I observed, “of course will be made a peer, and his seconds in command noticed accordingly. As for you, commodore,” I continued, “they will make you a baronet.” The word was scarcely uttered, when placing his hand on my arm, and looking me most expressively in the face, he said, “No, no: if they want to mark my services, it must not be in that manner.”—“Oh!” said I, interrupting him, “you wish to be made a Knight of the Bath,” for I could not imagine that his ambition, at that time, led him to expect a peerage. My supposition proved to be correct, for he instantly answered me, “Yes; if my services have been of any value, let them be noticed in a way that the public may know me—or them.” I cannot distinctly remember which of these terms was used, but, from his manner, I could have no doubt of his meaning, that he wished to bear about his person some honorary distinction, to attract the public eye, and mark his professional services.

This casual discovery of Nelson’s peculiar feelings on this subject was not forgotten, or without consequences. As was expected, his Majesty, in reward for Nelson’s distinguished conduct, had intended to create him a baronet. Sir Gilbert Elliot, who took a warm interest in Nelson’s welfare, called on me in London to impart this news; when I made known to him the purport of my conversation on board the
Lively,
and suggested that it was advisable to make this circumstance known to the government. Sir Gilbert saw the matter in the same light. He lost no time in communicating what had passed on this subject to some member of the cabinet, Lord Spencer, I believe, who was then at the head of the Admiralty Board, and his lordship took steps to meet Nelson’s wishes, in the manner most likely to gratify his feelings, by obtaining for him, instead of a baronetcy, the Order of the Bath, although, for that purpose, it was necessary to make him an extra knight.

What I had noticed in the above interview with Nelson, agreed perfectly with the opinion I formed from all I observed during our subsequent acquaintance. The attainment of public honours, and an ambition to be distinguished above his fellows, were his master passions. His conduct was constantly actuated by these predominant feelings. It will account for the personal gratification he invariably evinced at receiving the many decorative
honors presented to him by almost every power in Europe in amity with Great Britain; but, in reference to such distinctions, it may be observed, that if such pre-eminent talents as those of this most extraordinary man could be so cheaply purchased, the English nation, and indeed Europe, situated as she then was, had only to approve and applaud his moderation.

When Nelson quitted the
Lively,
he went on board the
Victory
to receive from his gallant Chief, Sir John Jervis, and from his friend, Sir Gilbert Elliot, those congratulations and commendations which he so highly merited.

There being little wind on the 15th of February, both fleets, as has been already remarked, remained almost becalmed in sight of each other. That of the enemy appeared in great disorder; the British squadron was concentrated. On the 16th, the British squadron was still off Cape St. Vincent, which, on account of the adverse wind, and the disabled state of the prizes, the squadron could not weather. If they could have passed to the westward of the Cape, it was thought the admiral would have proceeded to Lisbon.

During the day, some movements of the enemy indicating an intention of approaching the British squadron, Sir John, closely attentive to their proceedings, ordered the frigates to assemble round the
Victory,
to be at hand to act towards the prizes (which, in case of a renewal of hostilities, might embarrass him) in such manner as circumstances might point out.

Various reports were in circulation regarding their disposal in case of another action. Amongst other measures, it was rumoured that it had been suggested to run the four prizes ashore on the coast of Portugal, and to leave the Spanish crews to shift for themselves. All conjecture on this head was, however, removed in the afternoon: finding it not practicable to get round Cape St. Vincent, the admiral made the signal to bear away for Lagos Bay, a few leagues to leeward, where the squadron and the prizes came to anchor in the evening.
³

On the 17th, despatches were sent off by land to Lisbon, giving information of the late victory. In the course of the day, intelligence reached Sir John, through an American trader, that a large three-decker, supposed to be the
Santissima Trinidad,
had been seen off Cape St. Mary’s, in distress, with an English frigate hovering round her. Two frigates were in consequence detached to bring her in, or to destroy her; but although the disabled ship proved to be the ship in question, her crew at length contrived to get her into port.