learning that his conduct on all occasions had been fully approved by the illustrious Nelson, as will be seen by the following extract from his Lordship’s last letter to him [many others of an equally gratifying nature, are given at full length in the Naval Chronicle for Oct. 1807]:–
“I take this opportunity to convey to you my full approbation of your zealous activity in the various services performed by his Majesty’s sloop under your command, and I am sorry that the state of that vessel deprives the station for the present of your further services[1].”
We cannot do better than by describing Captain Vincent’s subsequent proceedings in his own words, and illustrating his narrative by extracts from that of Captain Farquhar.
“The first part of our passage,” says Captain Vincent, “was favorable until we reached the westward of the island of Ivica, when we met with strong westerly winds, and a series of bad weather, by which the convoy suffered some damage; one vessel was supposed to have foundered, and two others separated; but as the damage sustained was not of sufficiently serious consequence to delay the convoy, I was urged to pursue the voyage, with the anxious hope of soon having an easterly wind to carry us through the Straits of Gibraltar.
“Early in the morning of the 3d Feb. (1805), per log, the Duchess of Rutland transport, which had been missing some days, joined. The weather was then quite moderate, with light breezes from the N.E. At 8 A.M. I made the signal for the convoy to steer W. by N., Cape Caxine (near Algiers) bearing south; the Acheron and thirty-two sail in company. At 8-30, altered course to W.N.W., being well to the southward, and made the signal for the sternmost ships to make more sail. Two sail had been observed drawing up a-stern, bearing E.S.E.; I had hopes they were the missing vessels, but soon perceived they were large. At half-past ten I asked,
- ↑ The Arrow had suffered much through tempestuous weather since her arrival on the Mediterranean station; and Lord Nelson was under the necessity of sending her home to be docked, in consequence of the Master Shipwright at Malta declaring that she was too weak to undergo the process of heaving down. The wooden tanks fitted in her hold for the better stowage of water, and many interior parts of her hull, were quite rotten; and the carpenters appointed to survey her reported that she was generally defective.
