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July 3.
The Assurance, at the Buoy of the Nore. |
Capt. Ralph Lashills to the Navy Commissioners. I desire you
to let me have some tickets and certificates for sick men. The
reason I am here is that, by his Royal Highness' order, I turned
over 80 men into the Royal Charles, and was sent here to recruit,
wherein I crave your assistance. I have got 15 since I came here.
[Ibid. No. 249.] |
July 6.
Jamaica. |
Sir T. Lynch to the same. Advising them of a bill
for 320l. charged on them for supplying the Welcome and Assistance, besides the other two for 790l., which were for victualling
the Welcome about seven months and the Assistance above nine,
and fitting them both for England, everything here being twice
as dear as there, and hoping that his bills will not come back
protested, as he would not only be discredited, but must pay 30
per cent. [Ibid. No. 250.] |
July 10.
6 p.m. The Prince, at anchor before the Vlye. |
Capt. John Narbrough to the same. His Royal Highness and
all the flag officers are in health, and the fleet is in a good condition, riding 14 leagues N.W. from the Vlye. We have had this
week much blowing weather. The fleet being at anchor has kept
together. The Moncke lost her bowsprit and foremast, but will
be kept in the fleet. Some anchors and cables have been lost, but
I cannot yet give an account of the particulars. The water vessel
of Robert Elfreth sprung a leak and was sent for England. I
desire she and the rest of the water vessels be sent to the fleet as
soon as possible, for at present it is the only thing wanting. The
major part of the fleet boil their provisions in salt water. No
prizes have been brought into the fleet as yet. Some frigates are
now cruising. Wind W.N.W., a fresh gale. [Ibid. No. 251.] |
July 11.
The Plymouth, |
Capt. Richard Le Neve to the Navy Commissioners. A very
dangerous leak has forced me, having lost the fleet, to come into
harbour. I inform you that more speedy care may be taken for
sending her in, for she is almost ready to sink at anchor. I wait
for orders at the Buoy of the Nore. The bearer, Capt. Burstow,
who has been very kind in keeping us company, can give you a
better account. I intend for Sheerness or Lee Road the first
opportunity, for if bad weather should come we shall run a great
hazard here; therefore I desire orders with all possible haste.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 331, No. 252.] |
July 15.
The Prince. |
Capt. John Narbrough to the same. His Royal Highness is in health. We are with the whole fleet, at anchor 14
leagues N.W. from the Vlye. We have had much blowing
weather ever since our being here, which has hindered our proceeding further. The winds have been all the time between S.W.
and N.N.W. I cannot give any account as yet of what damage
has been done, for boats have not been able to pass from ship to
ship. Our small craft have been forced from their anchors. I
hope they are safe. I believe many boats and small anchors are
lost. Water is much wanting in the whole fleet. I desire the
water ships may be suddenly sent us. Our provisions being to
grow short, the whole fleet to-day is put to two-thirds allowance of
provisions. We have not yet met with any ships of the enemies nor
with any news of them. Wind N.W. [Ibid. No. 253.] |
July 16.
Chatham. |
Thomas Lewsley to [the same]. Reporting on the
condition and price of a parcel of oak timber belonging to
John Tomlins, at Oare, near Faversham. [Copy. Ibid. No. 254.] |
July 20.
6 a.m. The Assurance, riding off Harwich. |
Capt. Ralph Lashills to the same. I have given notice
to all the water ships and victuallers, being about seven
or eight, and they have promised to be forth this morning's tide,
for yesterday the tide was past before our boat got ashore. Capt.
Courtenay got down to the Buoy of the Gunfleet at seven yesternight. I hope we shall sail to-day, but there is no wind at
present. [Ibid. No. 255.] |
July 23.
The Prince, on the east end of the Dogger Bank, lat. 55° 26, at noon. |
Capt. John Narbrough to the same. His Royal Highness
and all the flag officers are well. We are now with the whole
fleet under sail, standing to and fro on the south side of the
Dogger Bank, in 25 fathoms on the East end of it. It is
intended the fleet shall lie hereabouts for some time. We have
had much blowing weather and N.W. winds. We have not met
with one Hollander since our departure from England. Our
frigates are constantly cruising all these seas over. I understand
as yet we have received little damage. Some have lost anchors
and cables and boats. We have rode out all this blowing
weather, and have kept the whole fleet together. We are now
in all 74 ships of war, English and French. Fresh water is much
wanted in the fleet, and provisions begin to grow short. We hope
both will come the first southerly winds. The men now keep
their healths indifferently. Wind W.N.W., a fresh gale. [Ibid.
No. 256.] |
July 26.
10 p.m. Chatham. |
Col. T. Middleton to the Navy Commissioners. I went to the
Buoy of the Nore this morning, and found most of the fleet under
sail and gone out of my reach. I left your orders with Capt.
Coleman, to deliver to the captains of those that were not gone,
which he has done. After delivering him your orders about receiving the men from the Fairfax, I returned to the Fairfax,
which was got up to Sharpness, where, the tide being done, she
anchored, where I ordered Capt. Coleman to come to me. I
stayed till I saw all the men called over, and I ordered the horseboat to take them in and carry them on board the Gloucester,
but I never saw such a parcel of pitiful men. There were on
board 180 odd. Capt. Coleman took 115, of whom about 10 or
12 looked like seamen, the rest such as we call Poca Robor, naked,
pitiful souls, such as I would not give bread and water to for
their labour. It's true most of them were young lads, and in time
some may make good men. The Gloucester wants 40 or 50 tons
of ballast, which was written for a month since, but is not yet
come. The Ruby wants two cables and a maintopsail, and has
on board eight or ten days' victuals, and none here to supply
them. I fear we shall hazard our spring with the Plymouth for
want of iron work to fasten what is done. All expedition shall
be used to get up the Fairfax, but without other winds she cannot
come up. The Plymouth will want 80 or 100 tons of ballast,
which was also written for, but none came. [1¼ page. S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 331, No. 257.] |
July 31.
Chatham. |
The same to the same. We have not a cable in store
from 16 to 11 inches. One of 16 I sent on board,
and I have ordered two of 15 to be made, and shall
send one on board when finished, or send two, if I can,
and bring that of 16 ashore. The captain of the Ruby told
me their maintopsail was good canvas, but would have had it for
cabins. It is only split, and will make a very good sail. I told
him if he would send it ashore I would give him a new one, and
he should have some canvas fit for nothing else to make cabins
of. This was on Sunday, but I have not heard from him since.
However, I shall send him a new top sail and bring the old one
ashore, and the remainder of the two worn cables, but I know
he is a whipster. [Ibid. No. 258.] |
