Letters and Papers of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thos. Byam Martin, G.C.B. (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ...A new Duguay Trouin, built in one of the western ports, joined Villeneuve at Ferrol in July 1805, fought at Trafalgar, and, having escaped from there, was captured by Sir Richard Strachan on 4 November. This was the ship that became the Implacable, and was commanded by B. Martin in the Baltic (cf. vol. ii. passim). She is still (1902) in existence as a unit of the Lion training establishment in Hamoaze. 2 Sic; it is a term I have never heard, but Smyth (Sailors' Word-Book) explains it as making much leeway, going sideways, like a crab. French squadron; and when night came on we bore up and pursued our course to Tripoli unobserved by the enemy, who it seemed, from intelligence we afterwards received, was more alarmed than we were, taking us for the advanced squadron of the English fleet, and they consequently hauled as close in shore as they could, and threw up defences. Of the force and position of this squadron Lord Hood had obtained accurate information before Captain Lumsdaine received his orders, but not a word escaped him as to the conduct we were to pursue; so that while my commodore was rubbing his fingers with delight at his happy escape and safe arrival at Tripoli with the ship full of presents, the admiral was taking a very different view of the business; for on Captain Lumsdaine's letter being delivered to his lordship by Captain Trigge, his dissatisfaction was expressed with much warmth, and a declaration that he would try Captain Lumsdaine and myself by a court-martial for disobedience of orders, and thereby disappointing his plans, to the great injury of the public service. This very disagreeable manifestation of the admiral's temper in regard to this matter, however harsh and unjust, was no joke to one very anxiously looking for a post commis...