In the Hour of Victory

by Sam Willis

  But having gained very credible intelligence on the 21st of the same Month, whereby I had reason to suppose the French Fleet was then but a few Leagues farther to the Westward, the course before steered was altered accordingly. –

  On the morning of the 28th the Enemy were discovered, far to Windward: And partial Actions were engaged with them, that Evening and the next day. –

  The Weather Gage having been obtained in the progress of the last mentioned day, and the Fleet being in a situation for bringing the enemy to close Action the 1st instant, the ships bore up together for that purpose, between 7 and 8 oClock in the Morning.

  The French, their force consisting of twenty six Ships of the Line, opposed to His Majesty’s Fleet of twenty five, (the Audacious having parted Company with the Sternmost Ship of the Enemys Line, captured in the Night of the 28th:) waited for the Action, and sustained the attack, with their customary resolution. –

  In less than an hour after the close Action commenced in the Centre, the French Admiral engaged by the Queen Charlotte, crowded off: And was followed by most of the Ships of his Van, in condition to carry Sail after him: Leaving with us, about ten or twelve of his totally crippled or totally dismasted Ships, exclusive of one sunk in the Engagement. The Queen Charlotte had then lost her Fore Topmast; And the Main Topmast fell over the side very soon after. –

  The greater number of the other Ships of the British Fleet, were at this time so much disabled or widely separated, and under such circumstances with respect to those Ships of the Enemy in a state for Action, and with which the firing was still continued, that two or three, even of their dismasted Ships attempting to get away under a Spritsail singly, or smaller Sail raised on the Stump of the Foremast, could not be detained. –

  Seven remained in our possession, One of which however, sunk before the adequate assistance could be given to her crew: But many were saved.

  The Brunswick having lost her Mizen Mast in the Action, and drifted to Leeward of the French retreating Ships, was obliged to put away large to the Northward from them. Not seeing her chaced by the Enemy in that predicament, I flatter myself she may arrive in safety at Plymouth. – All the other twenty four Ships of His Majesty’s Fleet, reassembled later in the day: and I am preparing to return with them, as soon as the Captured Ships of the Enemy are secured, for Spithead. –

  The material injury to His Majesty’s Ships I understand, is confined principally to their Masts and Yards, which I conclude will be speedily replaced. –

  I have not been yet able to collect regular Accounts of the Killed and Wounded in the different Ships. Captain Montagu is the only Officer of his Rank who fell in the Action. The Numbers of both description I hope will prove small, the nature of the Service considered: But I have the concern of being required to add on the same subject, that the Rear Admirals Bowyer and Pasley, and Captain Hutt of the Queen, have each had a Leg taken off. They are however (I have the satisfaction to hear) in a favorable state under those Misfortunes. – In the captured ships, the numbers of Killed and Wounded appear to be very considerable. –

  Though I shall have on the subject of these different actions with the Enemy distinguished examples hereafter to report, I presume the determined bravery of the several Ranks of Officers, and the Ships Companies employed under my authority, will have been already sufficiently denoted by the effect of their spirited exertions. And I trust I shall be excused for postponing the more detailed narrative of the other transactions of the Fleet thereon; for being communicated at a future opportunity: more especially as my first Captain Sir Roger Curtis, who is charged with this Dispatch, will be able to give the farther information the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty may at this time require. – It is incumbent on me nevertheless now to add, that I am greatly indebted to him for his Councils as well as Conduct in every branch of my Official duties: And I have similar assistance in the late occurrences, to acknowledge of my second Captain Sir Andrew Douglas.

  I am with great consideration

  Sir

  Your most obedient Servant

  Howe

  P.S.

  The names and Force of the captured French Ships

  with the Fleet, is transmitted herewith.

  PHILIP STEPHENS ESQR

  &C &C &C

  Admiral R. Howe to P. Stephens, 6 June 1794

  Four days later Howe wrote to the Admiralty again, this time offering more detail of the major engagements fought on 28 and 29 May. He noted how the French seamanship was so poor on 28 May that they took several hours to form into line, valuable intelligence that suggested either that the French ships were undermanned or that they were crewed by inexperienced sailors or that the sailors were crippled by sickness, all of which, in fact, were true. Howe goes on to describe the action between Pasley’s advance squadron, of which the Audacious (p. 43) was a part, and he mentions her Captain, William Parker, by name for his spirited conduct. Howe then admits to his ignorance of subsequent events as night fell, which is further exposed by his inaccurate claim that the Révolutionnaire struck to the Audacious.

  The complex engagement on 29 May is then described in some detail and Howe devotes particular attention to his signal to pass through the enemy line, which could not be seen by the rest of the fleet. He is also careful to mention the conduct of the Caesar, commanded by Anthony Molloy, a man with a poor reputation. Molloy was in the van of the fleet and should have initiated Howe’s intended manoeuvre, but his failure to act crippled Howe’s tactical plan; Howe had no choice but to tack his flagship, the Queen Charlotte, and head for the enemy line himself. Howe’s bold example was copied and three British ships cut through the French line.

  Howe is also careful to mention several successful manoeuvres made by the enemy. These were significant. In contrast with the poor French seamanship implied earlier in his letter, these manoeuvres were complex, performed under the guns of the enemy and in very poor visibility. This was clear evidence of impressive French seamanship, but where did the truth lie? In the woolly incompetence of 28 May or in the skilful professionalism of 29 May? Which enemy were the British sailors fighting?

  Howe finishes his letter by carefully refusing to mention the good conduct of any deserving captain or flag-officer. This ran against the grain of tradition but Howe argues that, because he was unable to see every ship in his fleet all of the time, he could not possibly comment on the behaviour of all of his captains. He therefore allowed them to speak for themselves and included several other reports along with his dispatch. This final paragraph created a world of trouble for Howe and his captains. The Admiralty and the public did not want to hear from the captains but from Howe; they wanted the Admiral to honour those who most deserved it. Howe was eventually forced to name those he considered to have been conspicuously brave and some of those captains who were not named took their absence from his list as a sign of displeasure. Among the latter was Cuthbert Collingwood, then Rear-Admiral George Bowyer’s flag captain. Bowyer was injured early on and Collingwood commanded the Barfleur throughout the battle as if she were his own. He was so cross at being ignored by Howe that, when he was offered a medal for his subsequent gallantry at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797, he refused it until he was given a medal for The First of June. The Admiralty swiftly caved in to his demands in a clear acknowledgement that Howe’s list of gallants from 1794 was by no means comprehensive.

  THE CHARLOTTE AT SEA

  THE 6TH OF JUNE 1794

  Sir

  In the Extract of the Journal herewith enclosed, the proceedings of the Fleet are stated from the time of leaving St Helens on the 2d of last Month, to that of the first discovery of the French Fleet on the 28th of the same. For the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I have now therefore to relate, the subsequent transactions not already communicated in my Dispatch of the 2d instant, to be delivered by my first Captain Sir Roger Curtis. –

  Early in the morning of the 28th the Enemy were discovered by the adva
nced Frigates far distant on the Weather Bow. The Wind then fresh from the SbW – with a very rough sea. –

  They came down for some time, in a loose Order: seemingly unapprized that they had the British Fleet in view. After hauling to the Wind when they came nearer, they were some hours before they could completely form in regular Order of Battle upon the Starboard Tack: The British Fleet continuing as before, in Order of Sailing. –

  The time required for the Enemy to perfect their Disposition had facilitated the nearer approach of His Majesty’s Fleet to them; And for the separately appointed and detached part of it, commanded by Rear Admiral Pasley, to be placed more advantageously for making an impression on their Rear. –

  The Signals denoting that intention being made, the Rear Admiral near upon the close of Day, led his Division on with peculiar firmness, and attacked a three-decked Ship (the Revolutionaire) the Sternmost in the Enemys Line. –

  Making known soon after that he had a Topmast disabled, assistance was directed to be given to him in that Situation. The quick approach of Night only allowed me to observe, that Lord Hugh Seymour (Conway) in the Leviathan, with equal good judgement and determined Courage, pushed up alongside of the three-decked French Ship: And was supported as it appeared, by Captain William Parker of the Audacious, in a most spirited manner. –

  The darkness which now prevailed, did not admit of my making any more accurate observations on the conduct of those Ships and others concerned in the same Service. But I have since learnt, that the Leviathan stretched on farther ahead for bringing the second Ship from the Enemys Rear to Action, as soon as her former Station could be occupied by a succeeding British Ship. Also, that the three-decked Ship in the Enemy’s rear as aforesaid, being unsustained by their other Ships, struck to the Audacious: And that they parted Company together soon after. –

  The two opponent Fleets continued on the Starboard Tack in a parallel direction, the Enemy still to Windward the remainder of the Night. The British Fleet, appearing in the morning of the 29th when in Order of Battle, to be far enough Advanced for the Ships in the Van to make some farther impression on the Enemys Rear, was tacked in succession with that intent. –

  The enemy wore hereupon from Van to Rear And continued edging down in Line ahead to engage the Van of the British Fleet. When arrived at such distance as to be just able to reach our most advanced Ships, their headmost Ships as they came successively into the Wake of their respective seconds ahead, opened with that distant fire upon the headmost Ships of the British Van. The Signal for passing through their Line, made when the Fleet tacked before, was then renewed. –

  It could not be for sometime seen through the fire from the two Fleets in the Van, to what extent that Signal was complied with. But as the Smoke dispersed at intervals, it was observed that the Cæsar the leading ship of the British Van, after being about on the Starboard Tack and come abreast of the Queen Charlotte, had not kept to the Wind; And that the appointed movement would consequently be liable to fail of the purposed effect. The Queen Charlotte was therefore immediately tacked: And, followed by the Bellerophon her second astern, (and soon after joined by the Leviathan) passed through in Action, between the fifth and sixth Ships in the rear of the Enemys Line. She was put about again on the Larboard Tack forthwith, after the Enemy, in preparation for renewing the Action with the advantage of that weathermost situation. –

  The rest of the British Fleet being at this time passing to Leeward and without the Sternmost ship mostly of the French Line, the Enemy wore again to the Eastward in succession, for succouring the disabled Ships of their Rear: Which intention, by reason of the then disunited state of the Fleet, and having no more than the two cripled Ships the Bellerophon and Leviathan at that time near me, I was unable to obstruct. –

  The Enemy having succeeded in that operation, wore round again, after some distant cannonading of the nearest British Ships occasionally returned, and stood away in Order of Battle on the Larboard Tack: Attended upon by the British Fleet in the same Order, (but with the Weather gage retained) as soon as the Ships coming forward to close with the Queen Charlotte, were suitably arranged. –

  The Fleets remained separated some few Miles, in view at times on the intermission of a thick Fog which lasted most part of the two next days. –

  The Commander of a Fleet, their Lordships know, is unavoidably so confined in his view of the Occurrences in Battle, as to be little capable of rendering personal testimony to the meritorious services of Officers who have profited most extensively, by the opportunities to distinguish themselves on such occasions – To fulfill that part of my public duty, in the best manner I am able; after having acquainted you in my Letter of the 2d instant (a duplicate of which is now added) with the principal incidents during the Action of the preceding day; I herewith likewise transmit, the Reports (those from Rear Admiral Bowyer in his present state excepted) which I had called for from the several Flag Officers and Captain of the Fleet: Whereby the Board will become informed of those meritorious Services of the Commanders, and animated intrepidity of their Ships Companies, to which the defeat of the Enemy with every advantage of situation and circumstance in their favor, is truly to be ascribed. To that purport also, I beg my testimony in behalf of the Officers and Company of every description in the Queen Charlotte, may be accepted.

  I am with great consideration

  Sir

  Your most obedient

  Humble Servant

  Howe

  SIR PHILIP STEPHENS ESQR

  SECRETARY &C &C

  13 JUNE

  AT ¾ PAST 9 P.M.

  Survey of the French fleet, 31 May 1794

  All of the other battles in this book were fought on a single day and between two fresh fleets. The Glorious First of June is unique, therefore, because it was the third of three significant engagements fought over five days. After the first two engagements of 28 and 29 May there was a two-day break as the fleets shadowed each other through the Atlantic fog, biding their time until the moment for battle came again. This gave both fleets time to repair and also time for a little maritime espionage, beautifully captured in this document, a survey of the condition of the French fleet made on the day before the main battle. Seven ships were missing one or two masts and one was so shattered that she was being towed.

  A note at the bottom of the page is instructive because it records that some of these repairs had been made good by the morning. It is an important reminder that these ships carried a great many spare parts, and if an appropriate piece could not be found, one could be made from other parts of the rig or from other spares. Topgallant yards could thus become jibbooms or spritsail yards; a spare topmast could become a main yard; a topsail yard could become a topgallant mast. Cracked masts and yards could be ‘fished’ by tying splints around the broken section. Even if an entire mast had been lost, a ship could still be given sufficient headway, using her surviving sails, to maintain steerage. In short, it was very difficult indeed to disable a sailing warship for any significant period of time. The process of repair therefore became a crucial factor that could influence the outcome of a battle, and never more so than on 30 and 31 May as both fleets raced to repair for the major action that they both knew was coming. Not since the very first contact on 28 May, when Villaret had lured Howe away from the convoy rendezvous, had the French attempted to run from the British. Villaret was prepared to fight and Howe knew it. When this list was made, therefore, much still hung in the balance. The French repairs were continuing and so were the British. Who would be in the best condition to fight on the following day?

  THE FRENCH LINE OF BATTLE, MAY 31ST 1794.

  VAN

  1st

  Ship.

  A Two Decker compleat.

  2

  –

  Ditto

  3

  –

  Ditto

  4

  –

  Ditto without a Mizen Topmast

  5

  –
/>
  A Three Decker without a Foretopgallant Mast.

  6

  –

  A Two Decker compleat

  7

  –

  Ditto

  8

  –

  Ditto

  9

  –

  Ditto

  10

  –

  Ditto

  11

  –

  Ditto without Topgallant Masts, Foretopsl and Cross Jack Yards, and towed by her Leader.

  12

  –

  A Two Decker compleat.

  13

  –

  A Three Decker

  14

  –

  A Two Decker without a Mizentopmast

  15

  –

  A Two Decker compleat

  16

  –

  A Two Decker, Maintopsail close reeft, her Top Gallant Masts & Mizentopmt down

  17

  –

  A Two Decker compleat

  18

  –

  Ditto

  19

  –

  Ditto

  20

  –

  Ditto

  21

  –

  A Two Decker Foretopsail close reeft

  22

  –

  A Two Decker, her Foretopgallant Mast, & Jib Boom gone.