Thus, during an eventful period of only seven days, two battles were fought by Sir James Saumarez, under peculiar disadvantages, and they contributed not a little to augment his reputation. The combined squadrons had on board a large body of troops, and were to have proceeded against Lisbon, which place it is most probable would have fallen into their hands, had they not been thus timely prevented from going thither.
In order to confer on him a signal mark of favour, the star and ribband of the most honourable military order of the Bath were transmitted by his late Majesty, and Sir James was invested with them by Lieutenant-Governor O’Hara, in the presence of all the officers of the garrison of Gibraltar. He also received the unanimous thanks of both Houses of Parliament, together with a pension of 1200l. per annum for life[1], and the freedom of the city of London, accompanied by a handsome sword. The vote of thanks was moved in the House of Lords by Earl St. Vincent, and seconded by Lord Nelson, who bore ample testimony to the exalted character of Sir James, and concluded with these words: “A greater action was never fought than that of Sir James Saumarez.
- ↑ March 24, 1803, the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered the following message from the King to the House of Commons;:
“G. R.
“His Majesty having taken into his most gracious consideration the eminent services of Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez, Knight of the most honourable Order of the Bath, and particularly the valour, promptness, and intrepidity he displayed in an engagement with a Spanish squadron upon the 12th of July 1801, in the Straits of Gibraltar, recommends it to his faithful Commons to grant unto him, the said Sir James Saumarer, K.B. an annuity of twelve hundred pounds, for the term of his natural life.”
On the following day the House having resolved itself into a Committee on his Majesty’s message, the Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, that the annual sum of 1200/. be granted to his Majesty, to enable him to reward the services of Sir James Saumarez, out of the Consolidated Fund of Great Britain, to take effect from the 12th of July 1801. The motion was agreed to.
of her crew were wounded, and the greater part severely. The enemy’s loss was never ascertained; but it is reported, that of the 1840 men composing the crews of the Spanish 3-deckers, burnt during the action, only 84 were saved. The French Commodore Le Roy was wounded in action with the Superb.
