lament the loss of Mr. Williams, master, an excellent officer, with many other valuable people killed and wounded, a list of whom I have the honor to enclose[1]. I am, &c.
“To Sir James Saumnrez, Bart.”
On his return to Gibraltar, Sir James Saumarez issued the following General Memorandum:–
“Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart, has the happiness to offer his most heartfelt congratulations to the captains, officers, and men, of the ships he has the honor to command, on the signal success with which it has pleased the Almighty God to crown their zealous exertions in the service of their country.
“To the discipline and valour of British seamen, is to be ascribed their great superiority over the enemy, who, although treble the force of the English squadron, in number of guns and weight of metal, have been so singularly defeated.
“The Rear-Admiral has not failed to transmit, in his late despatches, a report of the unparalleled exertions of all the officers and men in refitting his Majesty’s ships after the battle of Algeziras (where their conduct and bravery were equally conspicuous,) which has led to the late glorious success.”
The Venerable’s captain, officers, and crew, had afterwards the satisfaction of receiving the particular thanks of the Admiralty, in addition to the general vote of thanks from Parliament, for their great and extraordinary exertions, by which, in conjunction with those of the other ships, Sir James Saumarez was enabled to make an attempt, the splendour and astonishing success of which are not exceeded by any of those heroic achievements which formed and fixed the character of the British navy in the late glorious wars. Posterity will scarcely credit, that the squadron under that gallant and most worthy officer, disabled as it had been in action only six days before[2], could be in a condition to follow, and determined to fight, the combined squadrons, amounting to two first rates, one other 3-decker, three 80-gun-ships, and three 74’s, exclusive of the Hannibal their prize. Not all the familiarity of the British navy with brilliant success – not the memory of the battles of a Duncan or a Nelson – not the
- ↑ 18 killed, 87 wounded.
- ↑ See Vol. II, Part I, p. 266.
