1702.
Sept. 11.
Bredah.
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123. Vice-Admiral Benbow to the Secretary of State [Earl of
Nottingham]. The 7 July I received H.E.'s the Lord High
Admirall's declaration of war with France and Spain, as also
H.M. Declaration which I have communicated as desired. The
11 July we sailed from before Port Royal with H.M. ship in
the margent [Bredah, Defyance, Windsor, Ruby, Falmouth, Greenwich, Colchester, Pendennis, Strombolo f.p., Carcass bomb, Cresswell
tender, Recovery sloop], with a designe to joyne Rear-Admiral
Whetstone, but having advice the 14th by the Colchester and
Pendennis, who that day joyned in, that Mounsr. Du Cass was
expected at Logann, which is on the north side of Hispaniola,
I plyed for that part; nothing of moment happened till the 21st,
then took a small sloop near Cape Tiberoone. On the 24th by
accident the Strombolo fireship's gunroom blew up and broke
several of her beams, shattered her bulkheads, and disabled
her so far that was obliged to send the Pendennis with her for
Port Royall, as also the Bomb vessell and her Tender, which
sailed so intollerably heavy that we could gett but little ground.
The 27 we came into the Gulf of Logan and not far from the
Towne we saw severall ships at anchor, and one under sail who
sent her boat to discover who we were, but she came a little to
near, our boat took her before she gott on board, the people of
this boat informed that there were five or six merchant ships at
Logan, and that the ships wch. they belonged to was a King's
ship, and could carry 50 guns but now had but 30 mounted.
I persued him and prest him so hard that when he saw all hopes
lost for making his escape, run ashore and blew up, it being now
night we lay as near the shore as convenient. The 28 in the
morning came before the Towne of Logann, where there was
but one ship of about 18 gunns, the rest sailed from thence before
day in order to secure themselves in a harbour which is called
the Cue, but we having some ships between them and home, took
three of them and sank another; this ship of 18 guns was hauled
ashore under their fortifications, which was a Battery of about
12 guns. We fired at their battery, sent our boats and burnt
the ship aground, which could not be gott off, the ship that was
sunk had sixteen guns, and one brought away of 16, the other
30 and one brigantine of six. These ships has in them some
wine and brandy and some small matter of sugar. The 29 we
came before Pettit Guavus, but finding no ships went not into
the place. We saw 3 or 4 ships in the Cue, a harbour which lyes
much within the Land, and well fortified by nature etc., did not
think it safe nor convenient to run such a risk for so small matter.
We continued in this Bay till Aug. 2, standing from one end of
the part that is inhabited to the other, fateaging the inhabitants
who expected our landing, but our circumstances would not
admitt of it. Wee saild for Cape Doña Maria, where is a good
Bay and water, were we arrived the 5th, having advices that
Mounsr. Du Cass is gone to Cartagena and from thence to Porto
Bello, I design to sail on that coast with H.M. ships in the
Margent (Bredah, Defyance, Ruby, Greenwich, Falmouth, Windsor).
Accordingly we sailed on the 10th Augt., and stretcht over towards
the coast of Sta. Martha, near that place the 19th in the morning,
we spyed tenn sail to the Eastward, little wind at East, we made
the best of our way to come up with them, about noon the wind
came out of the sea, then we could lye with them, and soon
perceived them to be Frenchmen, some of our ships three or four
mile astarne, I made the signall for battle, and went with an
easy sail to have them come up, and steered with the French,
who steered to the Westward along shore, under their two topsailes, there was of them four sturdy ships from 60 to 70 guns,
one great Dutch-built ship about 30 or 40 guns, and one small
ship full of soldiers, the rest were a sloop and three small ships.
I was very uneasy to see our ships so long a coming up, and in
such disorder, our line of battle was as per margent (Defyance,
Pendennis, Windsor, Bredah, Greenwich, Ruby, Falmouth), the
Defyance being to lead, whose Commander I found did not make
all the haste he might into his station, as also the Windsor. I
sent to them to make more sail; the night approaching we steered
alongside of the enemy, and endeavoured to near them, being
to windward and steering large, but not with a design to atackt
them, before the Defyance was abrest of the headmost ship;
but before this was done the Falmouth in the rear attackt the
Flemish ship, the Windsor the ship abrest of her, as also did the
Defyance. Soon after we were obliged to do the same, having
receiv'd the fire of the French ship abrest of us. The Defyance
and Windsor after they had received two or three broadsides
from the enemy luft out of the line, out of gunshott; the two
(s)tarnemost ships of the French lay upon us, which very much
gauled us, our ships in the Rear not coming up as they ought:
it was four a clock when we begun, and continued till it was dark.
We kept them Company all night steering to the Westward.
I did believe that if I order'd a new line of Battle and lead myselfe
on all tacks (perceiving the French would decline fighting if they
could) might do the better, and that our people for shame would
not fail to follow a good example. The line of Battle and orders
are enclosed. 20th. At daylight in the morning I found we
were near the enemy, only the Ruby up with us, the rest of our
ships three, four and five mile astarne; it proved little wind,
and we were within gunshott of all the Enemy, they were so
civell as not to fire, otherwise must have received a great deal
of damage: at 2 this afternoone, the sea breeze came, the enemy
gott into a line making what sail they could; our ships not
coming up; we with the Ruby plyed our chase guns on them
till night, then left of; keeping them company all night. 21st.
At daylight in the Morning we being on the Quarter of the second
ship of the Enemys and within point blank shott, the Ruby being
ahead of us, she fired at the Ruby, which the Ruby returned, the
two ship which were ahead fell off, being little wind, brought
their guns to bear on the Ruby; we brought our guns to bear
on this ship which first begun and shattered him very much,
which obliged him to tow from us, but the Ruby being so much
shattered in her masts, sailes and rigging that I was obliged to
lye by her and send boats to tow her off; this action held almost
two hours, during which the Rear ship of the enemy was abreast
of the Defyance and Windsor, who never fired one gun, tho'
within point blank; at 8 a gale of wind sprung up, the Enemy
making what sail they could: we chasing in hopes to come up
with them, then abrest of the River Grandy, our ships then in
good order for battle, wch. was more than I saw before, being
then in hopes they would consider their Duty, the Ruby being
disabled lay astarne; at two this afternoon I gott abrest of two
of the Starnmost and finding we gott nothing of them, in hopes
to disable them in their masts and rigging, I began to fire on them,
as did some of our ships astarne, but we lying abrest of them,
they pointed wholly at us, wch. gauled us much in our rigging,
and dismounted two or three of our Lower Tier guns; this held
about Two hours: they gott without shott, we making what
sail we could to come up with them, but they using all the ships
[? shifts] possibly they could to evade fighting (and when so,
'tis a very hard matter to joyne battle), this night we used our
utmost endeavour to keep them Company. 22nd. This morning
at daylight the Greenwich was about Three leagues astarne,
tho' the line of battle was never struck night nor day, the rest
of our ships indifferent near (except the Ruby), the Enemy about
a mile and a half ahead: at 3 this afternoon the wind came to
the Southward, which before was Easterly; this gave the Enemy
the weather Gage, but in tacking we fetcht within gunshott of
the sternmost of them, firing at each other, but our line being
much out of order, and some of our ships three mile astarne,
this night I perceived that the Enemy was very uneasy, altering
their courses very often, between the West and the North. 23rd.
At daylight this morning the Enemy was about six mile ahead
of us, and the great Dutch ship separated from them out of sight,
some of our Squadron at this time more than four mile astarne
(viz., Defyance and Windsor), we making what sail we could
after them; at 10 a clock the Enemy tackt, the wind then at
E.N.E., but very variable; we fetcht within point blank shott
of two of them passing our Broadsides at each other; most of
our ships could not come within shott, soon after we tackt and
persued them what we could; about noon we took from them
a small English ship called the Ann galley, which they had taken
off of Lisbourne; the Ruby being disabled could not keep Company,
I ordered her for Port Royall; at 8 this night our squadron
was all fair by us, being then distance from the Enemy about
Two mile, they steering S.E., and very little wind then at N.W.,
and variable, we steering after them and all our ships (except
the Falmouth) falling much astarne; at 12 the Enemy began to
separate, we steering after the sternmost. 24th. At 2 in the
morning we came up within call of her, it being very little wind,
being all clear fired our Broadside with double and round alow,
and Round and partrid(g)e aloft, which he returned very heartyly;
at 3 a clock by a chain shott my right Legg was broke to peices,
and was carryed downe, this continued till day, then see seemingly
the ruines of a ship of about 70 gunns, her Main Yard downe
and shott to peices, her foretopsail yard shot away, her Mizonmast shott by the board, all her rigging gone and her sides bored
to peices with our double-headed shott, the Falmouth assisted in
this matter very much, and no other ship; soon after day we
saw the other part of the Enemy coming towards us, with a
strong squale of wind Easterly; at the same time the Windsor,
Pendennis and Greenwich coming ahead of the Enemy towards
us, came to Leeward of the disabled ship, fired their Broadsides
past her and stood to the Southward, then the Defyance following
them who came also to Leeward the disabled ship fired part of
her broadside, the disabled ship did not fire above twenty guns
at the Defyance, before he put her helme a weather and runn
away right before the wind, lowered both her topsailes and run
to leeward of the Falmouth (which was then a gunshot to leeward
of us, knotting her rigging) not having any regard to the signall
of Battle, the Enemy seeing our other three ships stand to the
Southward, expected they would have tackt and stood with
them, they brought to with their heads to the Northward, they
then being about two mile from us, we being then within halfe gun
shott of the disabled ship: the enemy seeing those three ships
did not tack, bore downe upon us and run between the disabled
ship and us, giving us all the fire they had, in which they shott
our main topsailyard and shatter'd our rigging much, having
none of our ships near us, neither did they take notice of the
Batle's signall, but all in a confused hurry: the Captain fired
two guns at those ships ahead in order to put them in mind of
their duty, the French seeing this great disorder of fear and
confusion amongst us, brought too and lay by there owne disabled
ship, reman'd her, and took her in a Tow, our Rigging being
much shattered we lay till 10 a clock, our ship being again fitted,
the Captaine acquainted me of it, I ordered him to persue the
Enemy and told him I would give them battle, at that time
the Enemy was about three mile from us and to leeward, having
the disabled ship in a Tow steering N.E., the wind at S.S.W., we
making all the sail after them we could, our Batle signall always
out notwithstanding our ships running confusedly one amongst
another, which appeared much like fear, and gave the Enemy
no small encouragement having before seen the behaviour of some
of us; I ordered Capt. Fogg to send to the Captaines to keep
their line, and behave themselves like men, Capt. Fogg sent this
message by Capt. Wade to Capt. Kirkby and Capt. Constable,
who told them I was very angry that they did not behave themselves better; soon after this message Capt. Kirkby came on
board me, and before he askt how I did, he repeated these words,
that he wonder'd I would offer to engage the Enemy again, and
said it was not requisite nor convenient after six days tryall of
their strength, and magnified the strength of the French, lessening
ours, I did then believe there was a snake in the Grass, otherwise
should not have mett with so many misfortunes. I told him
that was but his opinion, I would send for the rest of the Captaines
and know theirs; accordingly order'd Capt. Fogg to make the
Signall and there opinion was as enclosed. When I saw this
I was well assured that they had no mind to fight, and that all
our misfortunes heretofore came threw cowardice, and that the
objections they made for not fighting was eronious; I thought
it not fit further to venture for if the Enemy could have disabled
me, they would soon have dispatcht them, except those that had
good heels, wch. I believe then would not have been wanting;
when this opinion of theirs was given we were abroadside of the
Enemy, and the only oppertunity to fight in Six days; we were
one 70 gun ship, one of 64, one of 60 and three of 50, our masts
and yards etc. in as good a condition as could be expected, and
not eight men kill'd amongst them all besides those of the Bredah,
ammunition sufficient, I then and all our men willing, and to
referr this to a fitter oppertunity which never could be expected,
to me was a perfect deniall. They likewise say that the French
had five men-of-war from 60 to 80 guns, wch. is false, for there
was but 4 from 60 to 70, and one of them in a Tow, being all to
peices, and as to their numbers of men, they are well thin'd,
believing we have as many good as they: if this be allow'd,
there is no going to sea for a Flagg etc. unless he carry his Father,
Sons or Brothers to assist in the day of batle. I thought always
till now that a good Example would make any Body fight. This
night we parted with the French, but with no small regret to me,
and made the best of our way to Port Royall, where we arrived
the 31st with our ships, where we found Rear Admll. Whetstone
with the rest of H.M. ships. Signed, J. Benbow. Endorsed,
R. Jan. 11, 1702/3. 5½ pp. Enclosed, |
Sept. 11.
Bredah. Sept. 24. |
124. Vice-Admiral Benbow to the Secretary of State [Earl of
Nottingham]. Begins with Duplicate of preceding letter. Continues:
Bredah in Port Royall Harbour, Sept. 24, 1702. I have advice
that the Duke of Albuquerque did embark on Mounsr. Du Cass's
Squadron at the Groyne, as also 1,500 Spanish soldiers which
was brought into these parts by eight Frenchmen of war and
14 Transport ships; the first place they came to was Porto Rico,
where they wooded and water'd, cleared several of their Transport
ships sending them for Europe after three days stay in that
place, then sailed to the Westward, and off of the East end of
Hyspaniola they separated, which I judge might be about the
10 August; the Duke of Albuquerque with Two men-of-war, one
of 60, the other of 70 guns, with four transport ships having a
thousand Spanish soldiers on board run downe the North side of
Hyspaniola bound for Vera Cruix; Mounsr. Du Cass with six
men-of-war and three transport ships went downe on the North
side with Five hundred Spanish soldiers and stopt at Sta. Domingo—did not stay, but sailed for Ryo de Hatch, lay before that
place about six hours, where he left two men-of-war, one of fifty,
the other of forty guns, to settle the Assento. From thence he
designed for Cartagena and Porto Bello, there to land the soldiers.
This advice I have had from the Commander of the ship I took
the other of forty guns, to settle the Assento. From thence he
from him. [See above.] The 20th of this inst. arrived here
H.M.S. York and Norwich, as also all the storeships and victuallers
which came out with them, which to us were very welcome, also
H.R.H. the Lord High Admirall's Order for sending a ship for
New England to convoy home two merchant-ships loaden with
masts etc., which is complyed with, likewise for sending a manof war to Barbadoes, there being a great number of merchant
ships that requires convoy home. Yesterday came into this
Port a merchant ship, which in stress of wether had lost her
mast who sailed from Barbadoes about the 10 August, the Master
of which informes me that the merchant ships were all sailed
in June last, and that he left but three sail in that place, for
which reason deferr sending a ship that way. Allso shall in all
duty observe H.R.H. Orders as to the impressing of men in
these parts, which has been with all care complyed with as my
Instructions directs, which he is pleased to referr me to. I have
not imprest one man from the shore, nor ordered any since my
being in these parts, nor no were else, more then the orders from
the Governour (for the time being) directs, which is to take one
man in five out of all ships and vessels coming into this port,
which has not been exceeded, having given as strict orders as
possible to that purpose, and will use my utmost endeavour, if a live,
to see them comply'd with; the people in these parts are very
buisy with their privateers, and 'tis by report what they
generally write is seldom true; if I had not more regard for the
safety of the Queen's Island and there goods more then they have
themselves, this Island would not be long out of the possession
of the French, for I dare really believe that at this time (now
these privateers are out) besides the soldiers, which are not above
350, there is not 1,000 effective men on the Island, so that there
owne security must be forct upon them, for at this time here is
neither Law nor Governour, so that every man in a manner
seems to do what is right in his own eyes; but I hope all will
do well, and that things come into a right center, when are (e'er?)
H.M. shall be pleased to send a Governing soldier here. We are
using all the dispatch we can in fitting our ships, which will be
ready in a little time, considering my circumstances and a
shattered legg having lain at this time 32 days on my back in
this Torrid Zone. I have not as yett proceeded to try any of the
Captaines which refused to do their duty, but hope in a little
time to do it. The Glo'cester is careened, the Kingstone and Ruby
are fitting for it. Our Powder decays mightyly in these parts,
besides the consumption otherwise; so that I humbly conceive
it absolutely necessary that there be 15 or 20 rounds of powder,
shott, parchment paper etc. sent here, if it is thought these ships
shall continue in these parts. Those few men we have stands
pretty well, but are so small in number that no great matters
can be expected more than doing their endeavours when occasion
may offer, which I hope never to see wanting again. I have
ordered the Dunkirk to cruize off of the East end of this Island.
Signed, J. Benbow. Endorsed, R. Jan. 6, 1702/3. Enclosed, |
