Pages from Palmer, Volume 3- Part II, b the Navy UNPDF

152 THE PERLUSTRATION OF

of £7,000. Since its construction the sand has gradually accumulated

so as greatly to reduce the depth of water round the pier.*

M

ANY distinguished persons have from time to time em-

barked and lauded at Yarmouth, and we will here pause

to give some account of them and of N AVAL A FFAIRS

generally. During the 13th and 14th centuries, whenever

the exigencies of the state were sufficiently urgent, the Kings of

England exercised the prerogative of seizing the vessels of private

persons either for attack or defence; the owners receiving compensation

from the crown. Great Yarmouth was one of the ports principally relied

on for a supply of ships, men, and nautical skill. In 1205 a list was made

of all galleys or vessels then ready for service in war; by which it

appears that London then had five, and Yarmouth three. In 1242

Yarmouth was required to provide three of her best ships with six boats

and one galley, all sufficiently manned and armed. When in 1257

Richard Earl of Cornwall, younger son of King John, was elected King

of the Romans, the Archbishop of Cologne, the Bishop of Liege, the

Bishop of Utrecht and several nobles, came over for the purpose of

conducting him abroad. They set sail from Yarmouth Roads on the 29th

of April with forty-eight ships, and reached Dort in Holland on the 3rd

of March. In 1295 a Yarmouth fleet of fifty-three vessels put to sea and

proceeded to Cherbourg, which town they captured and burnt, and also

"spoiled a rich abbey." In the following year, whilst Edward I. was

engaged in the Scottish war, intelligence was received

* The shore— Maritima incrementa— the ground between ordinary high and low

water mark—belongs prima facie and of common right to the crown; and this right was

exercised by the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Woods, Forests, and Land Revenue,

who compelled the promoters of this pier to pay £80 to the crown for liberty to drive piles

into the shore for the support of the pier. A shore may however belong to a subject, or be

annexed to a manor; and it is a question whether, under the grant of King John of the

burgh in fee-farm, the King's right to the foreshore here did not also pass. As the sea has

receded, another question arises, to whom doth the increase belong? It is a rule, of law

that an increase per alluvionem belongs to the crown; but where this occurs, as at

Yarmouth, by insensible degrees, the alluvium belongs to the adjacent owner.

GREAT YARMOUTH

153

that one thousand men of Flanders, disguised as fishermen, were

preparing to attack and burn Yarmouth, whereupon orders were given to

collect all available vessels, and Sir John Botetout came down to

assume the command. Finding a warm reception prepared for them the

attack was never made. Great rivalry and jealously at this time existed

between the mariners of Yarmouth and those of the Cinque Ports, which

in 1297 broke out into open warfare. Edward I. having made great

preparations for the invasion of Flanders, sailed from Winchelsea, then

a port of importance, with a mighty fleet and a gallant army. When at

Sluys the smouldering enmity between the two great divisions of his

fleet broke out into a flame. The seamen fell to blows, and fought with

such fury that, despite of the king's intervention, twenty of the

Yarmouth ships were destroyed, and most of those on board perished.

Three of the king's largest vessels were driven to sea to escape the same

fate. In 1304 Edward I. paid the arrears of wages due to the masters of

two Yarmouth vessels, by giving them a ship, which he had built at

Newcastle. In 1308 Yarmouth sent "good ships" for the defence of

Berwick against the Scots; and in the following year, two ships, with

forty men each, were provided for the defence of Perth. In 1315 one

hundred foot soldiers were levied in Norfolk, and dispatched in the

Christopher of Yarmouth to Lord Botetout's fleet.

Robert A SHMAN , a burgess of Yarmouth, was in 1319 appointed

Admiral and Captain of the ships going against the Scots. His flag-ship

was the Michael of Yarmouth;* and in 1323 Yarmouth furnished

twenty ships for an expedition against Scotland. In 1333 H ENRY

R ANDOLF , a burgess of Yarmouth, was appointed "Captain and Admiral

of all ships in the-king's service going to Scotland." In 1337 the

Yarmouth navy, consisting of twenty armed vessels, under the

command of Sir John de Roos, proceeded to Dortrecht to convoy

Henry, Bishop of Lincoln, the Earl of Salisbury, and the Earl of

Huntingdon (the king's plenipotentiaries at the Court of Hainault) to

England; and

* Each vessel carried from thirty to fifty men, with one or two "constables" who were petty

officers, entrusted with the discipline of Che crew. The men had for wages threepence per

day; and the constables sixpence; whilst the admiral received five shillings.

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while so engaged they fell in with and captured two Flemish ships with

240 men, and having on board £15,000 in money. In the following year

the bailiffs and the men of Yarmouth sent out a fleet, well armed and

equipped, to go against the king's enemies at sea "the space of a whole

month, at their own costs and charges." In 1338 the Earl of Lancaster

sailed for Antwerp with troops for the king. The fleet in Yarmouth

Roads was then commanded by Sir Walter Manny, KG. The services

rendered by Yarmouth ships and men at the battle of Sluys and the

"winning of Calais" have already been mentioned. It appears by the Pell

Rolls that in 1370 John Hankyn, the king's serjeant-at-arms, was sent to

Yarmouth to retain ships, and bring the same to Southampton for the

passage of Robert de Knollys to Normandy.* In the previous year Hugh

Fastolfe was assigned to array ships in the port of Yarmouth, and to pay

for mariners for the king's fleet then at Sandwich. In 1375 Thomas

Palmer obtained a license to seize some vessels lying at Blakeney, and

employ them in transporting provisions and stores for the king's service

in Scotland. In 1349 a squadron of Spanish ships passed suddenly up the

Garonne, and finding many English vessels at Bordeaux laden with

wine, they cruelly murdered the English seamen and carried away the

ships, though in time of peace. This outrage was avenged in the

following year, by the capture in the channel of twenty-four great

Spanish ships, laden with cloth and other valuable goods, which were

brought into English harbours, and Edward III. acquired for himself the

title of "Avenger of Merchants." In 1395 Yarmouth, Norwich, and the

coast towns of Norfolk fitted out a number of ships to fight against some

Danish pirates roving about, but many of the former were overcome and

their crews slain or taken prisoners and had to pay ransom and it is said

the merchants lost £20,000 in coin. In 1512 Henry VIII requested the

King of Spain to send a new fleet, well armed and provisioned, to

Yarmouth Roads, where the English fleet would be

* The arms of Sir Robert Knollys ( gu., on a chev. arg., three roses gu), appear in

Harpley Church, which he is said to have built, and also in Sculthorpe Church, impaling

those of Beverley—arg., a fess dancette betw. three leopards' heads, sa. See Notes on

Harpley Church by Mrs. Herbert Jones in the Original Papers of the Norfolk and Norwich

Archaeological Society, vol. viii., p. 19.

GREAT YARMOUTH

155

kept in readiness. (State Papers, i. p.83.) The capture of two French

ships in Yarmouth Roads in 1544 has already been mentioned. In 1546

three French ships came into the Roads and captured an English vessel,

which they attempted to carry off; whereupon the townsmen presently

drew down to the seaside two brass pieces of cannon and fired at them,

and the Frenchmen returned the fire but no damage was done.

Whereupon the bailiffs caused "two sacres" to be drawn down right

opposite the ships, which pieces being discharged pierced through the

Frenchmen, who then attempted to make off. In the meantime the

townsmen "made ready a man-of-war," and with thirty boats in

company pursued the enemy. A brisk encounter ensued, but the

townsmen when attempting to board ran their ship aground; and then the

Frenchmen "poured whole vollies of shot into the ship and among the

boats, but without doing any harm." At last the Frenchmen finding

themselves surrounded by the boats and exposed to the town's ordnance,

which galled them very much and killed some of their men, were

compelled to surrender; and the Henry and the Lion, both of Dieppe,

were taken possession of by the townsmen and brought in, but the third

ship grounded on the Newarp Sand and there perished. Sixteen

Frenchmen were killed, many more were wounded, and 120 were taken

prisoners. Of these only 20 were detained until they were ransomed. The

two prizes were rigged and employed in his majesty's wars, wherein

they did great service; and the town received special commendation. In

1554 fifty sail of ships were lost near Yarmouth in one day. On the

accession of Queen Elizabeth the inhabitants petitioned to have two

ships-of-war sent to protect them against pirates, Who they said had so

greatly increased that "no merchant or fisherman trafficking or fishing

on that coast could escape their hands," whereby they were not only

"greatly hindered" but sometimes were "thowen over the boarde."* In

1560 Admiral Winter, in command of a fleet destined for Scotland,

anchored in Yarmouth Roads. Leaving two ships there, the Bull and the

Salter, " for the safety of the victuals and munition," he again set

*Here we have the meaning of the expression "thrown overboard; "the "board"

"being some planking formerly placed on each side of the whip for greater strength, and

protection.

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THE PERLUSTRATION OF

sail; but when off Flamborough Head " the traverse of the weather " was such

that the ships lost all their boats and the fleet was dispersed. (See Winter's

Journal.) In 1563 Sir Thomas Gresham applied to Secretary Cecil for "two or

three ships-of-war" to waft him over from Yarmouth to Zealand, "there being

divers French ships-of-war abroad." His purpose was to negotiate bonds for

satisfying the Queen's creditors.* In 1569 Edmund Babington, who had assumed

the title of admiral, brought three large piratical barques into Yarmouth Broads,

and anchored there. The bailiffs immediately demanded to see his commission,

upon which he produced a letter of marque granted by the French Admiral

Chatillon, which had long before been revoked by proclamation. This being

unsatisfactory the bailiffs opened fire upon the ships, whereupon they made off,

but not until Babington's vessel had received much damage, and she was

subsequently lost on a sand. Babington's wife complained to the Privy Council

of this inhospitable reception, but so far from affording her any redress, the

bailiffs were "commended for their services." In 1578 the bailiffs informed Sir

Francis Walsingham that they had apprehended Thomas Hitchcok, a "notorious

pirate," and that Lord Clinton had captured another pirate named Scarborough;

and a fortnight afterwards they sent up a copy of the examination of the latter

"for spoiling two Spanish ships," In 1585 four hundred soldiers were embarked

at Yarmouth for Holland. The bailiffs (Roger Drury and William Musgrove)

expended £347 in this matter, and had to apply for repayment to the Sari of

Leicester and Sir Francis Walsingham, In the following year the Lord-Admiral

Howard wrote to the bailiffs respecting two French vessels bound to Dieppe

with rye then in Yarmouth Harbour, directing them to sell the cargoes, "as the

country thereabouts stood in need of the same " . In 1588 a letter was received

from Sir Francis Drake enquiring what the town would adventure " in a service

of her majesty shortly to be performed by him." The answer was the fitting out

of a ship called the

* See vol. i., pp. 109, 304; and vol. ii, p. 363. Sir Thomas Greshamhad considerable

estates in Norfolk and Suffolk; It is said that a great part of the timber used in building the

Royal Exchange was taken from his lands at Battisford in Suffolk. Anne, daughter of Sir

Thomas Gresham, married Nathaniel Bacon,

GREAT YARMOUTH

157

name of God, and sending her forth, "in a warlike manner " to join her majesty's

fleet,* destined to defeat the Spanish Armada.

Of the gentlemen of Norfolk who served in the English fleet was Roger

Townshend of Rainham, who after the defeat of the Spaniards was knighted by

the Lord Admiral; a privilege then exercised by great commanders. For his

services Lord Howard of Effingham was in 1596 created Earl of Nottingham;

and in 1601 was chosen High Steward of Yarmouth, in succession to the Earl of

Essex who had been beheaded. P. C., p. 324.

In December, 1596, the bailiffs received orders "to fit out a man-of-war,"

and early in the following year they procured "a serviceable ship" for that

purpose at an expense of £425. John Some was appointed captain with the

approbation of the Lord Admiral, Thomas Cottie, f lieutenant, and Thomas

Bradshawe of Southwold, chief surgeon. She had on board eight large pieces of

cannon with other military stores and. sixty men, with provisions and all other

necessaries. This ship joined the royal fleet at Plymouth and proceeded to

Cadiz, which city was taken and plundered; and afterwards returned home laden

with booty, or what we should, now call "loot." Capt. Some proved to be a

brave and worthy officer, and acquitted himself so much to the satisfaction of

the Lord Admiral that the latter addressed a letter to the bailiffs on behalf of the

captain, and he was rewarded by a present of £100. t

In 1601 Sir Francis Yere, being on his return from the Low Countries, was

wind bound at Yarmouth, and. at the same time the Earl of Northumberland

came to Yarmouth to pass over to Flanders. There had been some "dryness "

between these great men. On the earl's arrival Sir Francis paid him a visit,

observing that he did so as they happened to be in the same town; although

otherwise he would not have troubled him. The earl replied he was sorry Sir

Francis

* She was provided with six minions, eight falcons, twenty muskets, five dozen

pikes, and twenty short swords. The ship, however, soon, met with a disaster by the

bursting of a piece of ordnance.

f Thomas Cottie was bailiff in 1602.

t The lieutenant received £3 2, and the other officers arid crew were also rewarded.

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"had troubled both himself and him, seeing he might thank the wind for his

courtesy,"—and so they parted.* (Mentioned in a letter to Lord Burghley.) The

town had been required to provide and victual ships for the transport of 600

soldiers to the Low Countries. The inhabitants also contributed towards "setting

forth a ship to Cadiz." In 1614 Christian, King of Denmark, landed with his

Lord Admiral and Lord Chancellor. They posted to Brentwood, where they

slept, preserving a strict incognito. Next day they dined at an Inn in Aldgate, and

thence the king proceeded in a hackney coach to Somerset House, where his

sister, the queen, then held her court; and entered the presence chamber before

she was aware of his being in England. f In 1619 a book of all ships in the Port

of Yarmouth fit for the service of the crown, with the number of men and

"furniture of war," was sent to Sir Thomas Southwell, Vice-Admiral of Norfolk.

In December 1625, the Commissioners of the Navy complained that the taking

of "two English ships by the Dunkirkers off Yarmouth" might have been

prevented, had the king's ships been engaged "beating up and down;" instead of

which, by reason of "these Christmas holidays," the captains, masters,

boatswains, gunners, and carpenters, "were not on board their ships nor gave

any attendance to the service, leaving their ships a prey to any who might have

assaulted them." (State Papers.) In 1620 Sir Fulke Greville brought two ships

into Yarmouth Roads. Capt. John Pennington, writing to the Admiralty in 1631,

states his hopes of meeting at Yarmouth the ships, which were to come out of

Scotland with troops, under the Marquis of Hamilton, to proceed thence to the

Downs. He prays for a strong gale to take away the soldiers*

* In the following year the duke challenged Sir Francis Vere. The latter had defended

Ostend against the Archduke Albert in 1601, and Northumberland, who had joined the

fleet, was present at the siege.

f This jovial monarch was however, fond of display, A writer of the period informs

ue that the king's pages and the guards of his person were dressed in blue velvet,

embroidered with silver lace. They wore white hats with silver bands, and white and blue

stockings. His trumpeters had white-satin doublets, and blue-velvet hose trimmed with

silk and silver lace; their cloaks were of sundry colours, their hats white with blue and

gold bands. His sommon soldiers wore white doublets, and blue hose trimmed with white

lace; and the sergeant who led the trumpeters wore a coat of carnation velvet.

GREAT YARMOUTH

159

stomachs," as he was badly supplied with victuals, he arrived in

Yarmouth Roads "at the same instant as the Scots ships came in" with

6,000 men; but fortunately Sir James Ramsay also arrived with

provisions. This was in July; and in September he returned to take on

board Sir Henry Vane, going out as Ambassador to Sweden.

"Tomorrow," says he, "we must drink water, for our beer is all gone."

After considerable delay Sir Henry was landed at Gluckstadt. In the

following year Pennington was employed to convey the Earl of Leicester

from Yarmouth to Hamburgh, and was requested to provide the

necessary supplies. Lord Leicester said, be should have at his table eight

or nine gentlemen, some ten gentleman-attendants and twenty serving

men, footmen, and cooks. He promises to send "a buck or two baked in

pies, and four or five of the fairest chimes of beef pickled, and some

wine." In 1636 the Earl of Northumberland, K.G. (son of the last-

mentioned earl), being in Yarmouth Roads with six ships, landed, and was

entertained at the house of Mr. Bailiff Johnson at the town's charge; on

which occasion half a pound of gunpowder was served out to every

"musketeer who appeared with his arms complete, to do honor to the

Lord General of His Majesty's Navy," as the earl was styled. In 1642 the

civil war having broken out, the queen who had fled to Holland busied

herself in procuring arms and ammunition for the king's service, and

considerable supplies were sent to England.* One of the queen's ships

meeting with bad weather, sprung aleak, which, compelled her to put

into Yarmouth, where she was detained. One hundred and fifty soldiers

who were found on board were disarmed and

* It is well known that Charles I. kept up a constant correspondence with Queen

Henrietta Maria. Writing from Newcastle in 1648 he informed her that Hudson (who had

been the king's guide to the Scots army) had "been sent expressly to assure him that most

of his eastern and other counties were resolved to rise in arms and declare for him, by

putting a great body of men into the field and possessing all the important places," upon

certain conditions respecting which he had sent Hudson away "well satisfied." He added,

"Now, I assure you, I neither have nor do build anything on this design (though I could

but embrace it), for I go on in my affairs as if this were not. I desire thee not to take

notice, only command Sir Thomas Glemham to come to Lynn as soon as he can, where

his friends and mine will tell him what to do." The fate of Hudson's endeavour to effect a

rising in favour of the king, which did not come off until June, 1648, is detailed in Peck's

Desid. Curiosa, ii. p. 378.

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secured until they could be sent by sea to London, in safe custody. The ship was

adjudged to be a lawful prize. She was fitted out by the town, and called The

Adventure 1 . John Purvis was appointed captain, and subsequently Capt. Welch,

and she took several prizes presumed to be royalists; but on the other hand a

number of armed vessels fitted out at other ports, and assuming to be royalists

plundered the Yarmouth traders on pretence of their being rebels. Such are the

distractions of civil war. In 1643 an order of Parliament was received

authorising the recorder to consult with the bailiffs, merchants, and inhabitants,

as to advancing money to provide a winter guard for ships upon the sea coast;

the expense to be secured upon the customs or by some other means. A

committee was appointed, but nothing more appears to have been done at that

time. Rapin 2 , after giving an account of the revolt of the fleet in 1648, says that

the Prince of Wales, afterwards Charles II., who was then in Paris, hastened to

Helvoet Slays, where he was received by the seamen with great respect and joy.

His design was to seize Yarmouth, and while sailing for that port the prince took

a ship of London, bound to Rotterdam laden with cloth, belonging to the

merchant adventurers, valued at £40,000. On the 27th of July eight sail of the

line, having the Prince of Wales on board, anchored in Yarmouth Roads, but the

town having been placed in a posture of defence and no assistance being given

by the inhabitants, the enterprise was abandoned, and the fleet sailed for the

Downs. The bailiffs were thanked by the Parliament for this proof of their

"eminent good affection." In August, 1652, a great many Dutch prisoners of war

were sent into Yarmouth by Admiral Blake; and in the same month Yarmouth

fitted out two small vessels or "scouts" for the service of the state. In this year,

also, the Prince of Orange landed at Yarmouth, "with lingering looks of regret

towards Holland," his principality having been confiscated by Francis I. of

France. In the following year Capt. Wilkes, in the Swan frigate, captured the Sea

Rudder of Autusson in Holland, "at the back of Winterton Sands," brought her

into Yarmouth Roads and delivered her to Major Wilde "and the rest of the

collectors of prize goods." Many Yarmouth fishing vessels were captured by an

Ostend sloop, which was subsequently taken by the Pearl frigate; but ultimately

these depre-

1 See Swinden’s History of Great Yarmouth , pp.557, 558, (section 17 on superdisk)

regarding the Adventure .

2 The History of England , written in French, by Monsieur Rapin De Thoyras, was

translated into English, with additional notes, by N Tindal, M.A., Vicar of Great Waltham,

Essex, 1732.

Most copies now seem to be deteriorating. The print is very small. It would be great to get

this history re-printed and searchable.

GREAT YARMOUTH

161

dations were effectually stopped by Admiral Blake, who sent many of his

prisoners to Yarmouth. In 1660 trade was again harassed "by the Ostenders."

Capt. Robert Wilkinson, commanding the Satisfaction, writing to the

Commissioners of the Admiralty, says that hearing a ship had been taken by

them, he went off and re-took her, and five Ostenders found on board were

lodged in Yarmouth Gaol. He adds that he met Ostend vessels daily, but they

generally out-sailed him. In the same year Capt. Richard Hodges, being on the

Yarmouth station, escorted some Scotch vessels to Leith and then "transported"

General Baynes and his wife to London. (State Papers, p. 42. At this time the

Garland was at Yarmouth, commanded by Capt. Ableson; and also the Hunter

frigate, Capt. Robert Duck, both employed in convoying merchantmen and

protecting the fisheries. In September, 1660, Capt. Seth Hawley having arrived

in Yarmouth Roads in the Rosebud from Ireland, with his convoys all safe,

except a few driven apart by storms, "rejoiced at the wonderful change in the

civil government." (Admiralty Papers, p. 265.) Capt. Robert Wyard, of the Paul

frigate, arriving in the same month from the East,* reported that his ship was

strong and Serviceable, and that he would "gladly show his affection to the

Duke of York, who he desired might be glorious in all his achievements;" and

Capt. Holly, who arrived in the Rosebush, "would gladly proceed in her to show

his attachment to the duke." In September, 1660, Capt. Curle of H. M. S. Maria

was ordered to Yarmouth Roads, "to prevent pretended Portugal men-of-war

from wronging English merchants." (Admiralty Papers, p. 273.) The following,

anecdote testifies that Yarmouth seamen had not lost their audacity and

independence. Edward Watson, then master of a Yarmouth trader, sailing under

the convoy of H. M. S. Fame, Capt. Wright, captured a foreign vessel; at which

Wright was highly indignant. Filing into the trader, he ordered Watson on board

and

* He brought with him two Iceland horses for the king, two for tho duke, and

one for Sir George Carteret; and he reported to the Admiralty that he had discharged

four men "for abuse of their drink at the Orkney Isles." (Admiralty Papers, p.91 )

Capt. Clarke of H. M. S. Little Mary, who discharged some seamen "for not being

able," hoped in his letter to the Admiralty that they would "be found civil at pay day."

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demanded his commission, but as he had none Wright abused and assaulted

him, for which indignities Watson petitioned the Admiralty for redress. (State

Papers, p. 10.) In 1665 an expected engagement between the English and

Dutch fleets was watched for with great anxiety by government, who sent

messengers to Yarmouth to gain the earliest intelligence.* Dennis Gauden,

writing to Samuel Pepys in 1665, reports that he had "removed victuals from

Yarmouth, as it was impossible with safety to send any into the Roads in winter

time." (State Papers, p. 86.) In the above year there landed twenty-three seamen

who had been taken prisoners by the Dutch, but who had escaped from Home.

On the 15th of August, 1666; Sir Philip Howard and Colonel Seymour landed

with an account of the attack on Schelling. Yarmouth Roads are too open to be

safe in bad weather, and we find Capt. Lightfoot of H. M. S. Speedwell

representing to the Admiralty in December, 1665, "the danger which so large a

frigate would sustain by continuing there," and instanced " the loss of twenty sail

in the last storm." (State Papers, p. 82.) In 1662 a Dutch vessel in Yarmouth

Roads without a commission, was sent to the Downs for refusing to lower sail to

the king's ships. During a storm, which happened in September, 1671, a Dutch

man-of-war, employed in protecting the Dutch fishing boats, foundered at her

anchor, and all on board perished. The Duke of York being in command of the

fleet anchored in Southwold Bay, a supply of wine and an abundance of fresh

provisions were sent to him as a present from the town; and in the following

year, after the battle of Solebay, some of the wounded officers and men were

landed at Yarmouth (vol. i. , p. 191; State Papers, p. 948). In 1681 the Duke of

York (afterwards James II.) landed at Yarmouth, as has already

* On the 5th June, 1665, the government agents were able to report that a battle

had successfully taken place, and that "the bells are ringing and colours flying,

which displeases some in this town who are friends of the Dutch and have grown

impudent through the negligence of the king's friends," and they add a strange

canard, then circulated, that "the Duke of York had deserted the engagement, and had

gone ashore in disguise, hoping the Dutch would beat, and then down would go the

bishops" About this time Capt. William Hill of H. M. S. Coventry, writing to Secretary

Pepy a, ascribes a report of the plague being among his crew to Sir Thomas Medowe, who

he says "may be an honest man to the king, but no wise man in his actions," (See vol. i.,

p. 153.)

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163

been mentioned (vol. ii., p. 97). Prince George of Denmark landed in

1687, and "took post for Windsor the same day." In 1689 Capt.Minns,

in command of the Saffire, was here.* Admiral Benbow, one of the

most popular of naval commanders, landed here in 1696, having been in

pursuit of Du Brat on the coast of Norway; and the town presented him

with a bountiful supply of fresh provisions. f On the 16th of March,

1696, Capt. Withart, in command of a squadron of men-of-war,

anchored in Yarmouth Boads, In the following year the Garland, the

Winchelsea, the Mermaid, and the Bedford were on this station. When

Queen Anne proclaimed war against France, in consequence of Louis

XIV. having acknowledged the pretender, a French ship was forthwith

captured and brought into Yarmouth Harbour, and her crew lodged in

gaol. In 1705 the Marquis of Carmarthen, K.G., t Vice-Admiral of the

Red, arrived with his squadron in Yarmouth Roads and landed at the

Jetty. Presents of fresh provisions were sent off to his ship. The

unfortunate Admiral Byng landed from the Stately, 74, on his return

from the Baltic in 1709. (See vol. ii., p. 160.) On the 27th of June, 1711,

the Advice man-of-war, commanded by Lord Duffus, was attacked in

Yarmouth Roads by eight Dunkirk privateers.§ She shewed fight, and

did not strike her flag until two-thirds of her crew were killed or

wounded, including her noble captain who was desperately

* Son of Sir Christopher Minns, killed in the great naval battle with the Dutch in

1666. He offered Dean Davies to make him chaplain of his ship, "averring it to be worth

£60 per annum, besides all accommodation." The Dean was too wise to accept this, offer,

for the position of chaplain on board a man-of-war was then and for many years

afterwards a very uncomfortable one. He was not allowed to mess in the ward room, and

was subjected to great indignities.

f His name will always live in Hood's song, where he makes & forlorn damsel

say— " For they have taken my beau Ben

" To sail with old Benbow;"

and then she commiserates his fate by adding—

" they put him on board a tender,

" What a hardship that must be .'"

t Sir Thomas Osborne, elevated to the peerage in 1673 as Baron Osborne, was in the

next year created Earl of Danby and Marquis of Carmarthen. He died in 1712.

§ Yarmouth had cause to lament the disgraceful sale of Dunkirk, to Louis XIV.; for

whenever war broke out that port became the resort of privateers, who greatly harassed

her trade. See Combe's History of the Sale of Dunkirk published in 1748.

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THE PERLUSTRATION OF

hurt, and was kept a close prisoner till the conclusion of peace.* In 1715

some Dutch troops having arrived in Yarmouth Roads, the men were

landed, "treated" by the corporation, and re-embarked, for which

hospitality the town was thanked by Lord Townshend, then one of the

principal Secretaries of State. On the 19th of October, 1739, war was

proclaimed against Spain; and it was not long before-the Yarmouth

shipowners begaa to sutler. Among other captures were the Vigilance,

Hill, on a voyage to Civita Vecchia; the Hare, Goodwin; the Charming

Peggy, with wine from Oporto; the William and Mary, Palgrave, from

Ancona; and many others. These losses were increased when, in 1744,

war was declared against France. The Dolphin, Wilson, on her voyage

to Rotterdam, and the Prince William, Palmer, from Oporto, were

captured and carried into Dunkirk ; as were also the Buxton, the John

and Mary, and many more. On the other hand H. M. S. Hawke (Capt.

Shirley), brought in a large Dutch flyboat, estimated to be worth

£30,000 ; and many captures of the enemy's merchantmen were made. In

1746 the Benjamin and Anne of Yarmouth, Sayers master, was taken

and carried into Cherbourg. Lord Rodney, f : then a very young captain,

was appointed to the Centurion in 1742, and in that ship cruised for two

years on the North Sea, and commanded on this station while the

pretender was in Edinburgh. In the same year Lord Carteret landed.

He had embarked at the Hague, and had been driven as far

* Lord Duffus joined the pretender in 1715; on whose defeat he escaped to the

continent, but having been captured at Hamburgh was brought back and sent to the

Tower. In 1717 he was released under the Act of Grace, and withdrew to Russia, where he

obtained the rank of admiral, and married Charlotte, daughter of Erick da Sioblade,

Governor of Gottanburg, and died about 1730, leaving a son, the father of James Lord

Duffus, to whom, the family honors wore restored in 1826.

f He was the godson of George II., and entered the navy at twelve years of age under

a royal "letter of service," the last ever granted; and attained the rank of captain when,

twenty-four years of age. The corporation voted the freedom of the borough to Lord

Rodney after his victory over the French fleet in the West Indies in 1782; which vote was

personally communicated to him by Mr. Townshend and Mr. Walpole, the then Members

for the Borough, on the return of the admiral to England, who in his reply modestly

attributed his success to the gallantry of the officers and men whom he had the honor to

command. Mr, Townshend, in a letter to Mr. Palgrave (the then mayor), gave an account

of his visit to Lord Rodney. See P.C. p. 267.)

GREAT YARMOUTH

165

as Hull in a storm. He was so well pleased at landing that he gave the

captain of the vessel one hundred guineas, with ten guineas to the

lieutenant, and a sum of money to the crew. In 1744 Capt. Ormond

Tomson and the crew of H. M. S. Rye landed here, having lost their

vessel about six leagues out. In 1745 La Soldi, a French ship,

proceeding with some officers of distinction to join the rebels in

Scotland, was captured off Yarmouth by the Sheerness man-of-war. In

the same year a French privateer was forced on shore by two king's

ships, and all her crew perished. In 1747 the North Star, French

privateer of twenty guns and ninety-four men, and the Charron privateer

of Dunkirk, were captured and brought in; and in the following year Le

Frere Aisne of Boulogne was taken by the Dispatch sloop, Capt.

Barnsley. On the other hand the trade of the port greatly suffered. The

Thomas and William, the Sarah, Pigeon, the Anna, Harrison, the

Richard, Hurst, and a ship bringing to Yarmouth the equipage and

horses of a nobleman were all taken by the enemy and had to be

ransomed. Peace with France and Spain was proclaimed at the Market

Cross with great joy on the 7th of February, 1749 and a day of general

thanksgiving was observed. War with France having again broken out,

the Amerique, 600 tons, from St. Domingo, was in 1757 brought in by

H. M. S. Squirrel, having on board a cargo valued at £150,000 . The

Dispatch sloop brought in three vessels laden with corn for the French

army. In the next year the Ranger, Round, and Peggy, sloops-of-war,

captured a Dunkirk privateer, the Vandanger, carrying forty-nine men.

But the shipowners again suffered. The John and Mary, Simpson, was

taken and ransomed for £250; and many other Yarmouth vessels shared

a similar fate. In 1761 H. M. sloop Swan brought in a French privateer

of superior force, "which seemed so much astonished at seeing the

English flag that she struck her colours without firing a shot." Her crew

of thirty men were sent to prison; and a few days later a Dunkirk

privateer was captured, which had done much mischief to coasters, and

had 1,200 guineas on board, the fruit of numerous ransoms. Her crew of

seventy-seven men were landed and lodged in Gaol, which was guarded

by the Norfolk Militia. In August of this year Lord Anson's fleet was

seen outside the sands, having been driven out of their course by

contrary winds.

166

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

A merchantman having been taken by a French cutter, four men were

put on board the prize, the master and mate only remaining in her. The

latter rose on the Frenchmen and drove them into the cabin. The next

day one of the Frenchmen attempted to run the master through the body,

but the mate disarmed and dispatched him. Another Frenchman fired a

pistol at the mate but missed him, and the master then killed the

Frenchman and threw the body overboard. The remaining two French-

men were compelled to bring the vessel to Yarmouth, and were then

lodged in the Gaol. Numerous as were the prizes brought in, it is not to

be supposed that the English had it all their own way. The losses

sustained by ship-owners were very heavy. On one occasion this year

fifteen, vessels sailed from the port, of which eleven were speedily

captured by the enemy. In 1762 H. M. S. Humber was lost on

Hasborough Sand during a very severe gale; and many vessels

belonging to Yarmouth were stranded. H. M. S. Swan lost her masts and

threw her guns overboard. In 1763 twenty-two sail of transports came

into the Roads with troops from Williamstadt. Seven hundred men

under the command of General Hodgson, landed here, and a few days

afterwards marched to Norwich en route for London. A battalion of the

third Regiment of Guards also landed and "made a fine appearance."

Some troops of the Oxford Blues were brought into the harbour and

landed with their horses; and some days afterwards marched to Beccles.

In 1763 fifty of Bland's dragoons arrived from Germany, and were

disbanded A transport commanded by Capt. Hume of Yarmouth

brought in and landed six hundred Highlanders from Germany. Lord

Malmesbury informs us (Letters ii., p. 140) that Madame la Perri è re,*

the wife of the Sardinian Ambassador to the Court of St. James', coming

from the Hague in 1765 was driven north, and the vessel ran aground on

a sand in the vicinity of Yarmouth and was nearly lost. In 1768 a ship,

called the Lady Agatha from Hamburgh, was lost in these Roads. Her

cargo was estimated at £50,000. Another King of Denmark visited

England in 1768. Sylas Neville called him "a woman-like painted

puppy." Being at the Theatre, Neville says "I was within a yard of "the

Danish tyrant. O heaven! what an instance of the corruption of

* She was an Englishwoman, n eé Speed, celebrated for her wit.

GREAT YARMOUTH

167

mankind, that a great nation should submit to the will—nay the absolute

will—of a puny vicious boy, unfit to govern himself, and made for the

distaff (like Sardanapalus) and not for the rod of power." His majesty,

who was under twenty years of age, was received in this country with

great distinction. He paid a visit to Cambridge; but came no nearer to

Yarmouth. In 1773 Capt. Lutwich landed from the Carcase, in which

vessel he had been on an expedition to the North Pole, having on board

Horatio Nelson, then a lad; who was soon after his return transfered to

the Seahorse, Capt. Farmer, with whom he went to the East Indies. In

August, 1781, Nelson, then a commander, was commissioned to the

Albemarle; and kept during the remainder of the year in the North Sea.

Sailing from Yarmouth Roads, Nelson arrived in the Downs on the 3rd

of January, 1782; and when on shore paying his respects to the senior

officer a heavy gale arose, during which the Albemarle lost her bowsprit

and foremast; and in the midst of the storm Nelson insisted upon being

put on board. In 1783 he was appointed to the Boreas frigate of 28

guns, and ordered to the Leeward Island station. He returned in 1787,

and resided for some time at his native village of Burnham Thorpe. Sir

Charles Douglas and other officers landed in 1787, bringing the news

that 30,000 Prussian troops were within two days' march of the Hague,

and that there had been great riots attended wibh bloodshed at Helvoet

Sluys. In 1791 Sir Charles Knowles arrived on the impress service; and

a cutter was stationed in the Roads to take away the impressed men. In

January, 1793, the ministry, notwithstanding their pacific intentions,

found an appeal to arms inevitable. Nelson, then at Burnham Thorpe,

was appointed to the Agamemnon; and immediately after joining, he

says in a letter to his wife, that he had "sent out a lieutenant and four

raids to get men in Norfolk, and forward them to Lynn and Yarmouth."

The necessity for the British army, under the Duke of York, going into

winter quarters in November, 1793, gave rise to a handsome

subscription here towards providing the troops with warm clothing. The

first prize taken after the breaking out of the war with France in 1793

was the Custine French privateer, brought into these Roads by H. M. S.

Savage. In 1794 Earl Spencer and Mr. Grenville landed after a stormy

168

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

passage. It had taken them four weeks to fravel from Vienna to the port

of embarkation. On the 26th of February, 1795, the Courier packet,

Capt. Thompson, sailed for Cuxhaven, having on board the Prince de

Casticicala, the Greffier Fagel, Count Bentinct, and other distinguished

foreigners. About the same time the Prime of Wales, cutter, when at sea,

fell in with a small boat and four men, one of whom proved to be a

king's messenger from the British army at Deventer. They were taken

on board and landed at Yarmouth, their boat being east adrift. In 1794

several transports anchored in the Roads with troops which had

evacuated Holland.* In the month of May the Earl of Balcarres landed

with the 63rd Regiment of the Line (the Suffolk), nearly 600 strong.

They "marched into barracks in high spirits," although they had many

sick and wounded. The last boats landed sixty women and children.

They remained here some time under the

* Sir James McGrigor, then Surgeon to the 88th or Connaught Rangers, a newly-

raised regiment, says he was carried on board sick and insensible from fever, but he adds

"at sea I gained appetite and strength wonderfully; and by the time we cast anchor at

Yarmouth I was able to come on deck; and we then enjoyed, what had for some time been

unknown to us, English wheaten bread, butter, and milk, with tea and sugar. By the time

the regiment reached Norwich I had nearly recovered from my extremely debilitated state;

and it was well I got into health, for a very heavy press of duty devolved upon me. Several

of the other regiments returned also from the continent; and of these the 53rd and the 2nd

Dragoon Guards and others landed at Yarmouth, and were sent to Norwich; which had a

very strong garrison on account of the turbulent state of the population. "At this period,"

says Sir James, "the revolutionary feeling had found its way from France to England, "

and in no place was the admiration of what had been effected in France, together with the

spirit of republicanism, greater than in Norwich. On our first arrival the officers could

hardly appear in the streets without insult from the populace. At night, if they went out,

they were knocked down; and attempts were made to sow disaffection among the soldiers.

Desertions became frequent; and at length so numerous that it was no unusual occurrence

for twenty or thirty men of the garrison to desert in a night. We found there was a society

in Norwich for the encouragement of desertion. It was amply supplied with funds; and the

members' secreted the soldiers, provided thorn with coloured clothes and money, and then

dispatched them to their respective homes. At this time typhus fever broke out in every

regiment in the garrison; and committed dreadful havoc. A large building was hired for

the reception of the worst cases; and as senior surgeon I assumed the superintendence of

the whole, and took my orders from General Johnstone, who commanded the troops at

Norwich." Autobiography of Sir James McGrigor, p. 39.

GREAT YARMOUTH

169

command of Lieut.-Colonel J. Leveson Gower.* During the year 1794

Holland was overrun by the French troops, and a revolutionary

government having been established under the style of the Batavian

Republic, England found it her duly to weaken the maritime power of

this new ally of her great enemy. Accordingly in January, 1795, orders

were received at Yarmouth to seize and detain all Dutch vessels, and a

small British squadron, came into Yarmouth Roads, under the command

of Vice-Admiral Duncan, with orders to watch the motions of the Dutch

fleet lying in the Texel. In 1795 the body of the Right Hon. Lord E. H.

J. Spencer, second son of the Duke of Marlborough, late Ambassador at

Berlin, was landed at Yarmouth from the Courier packet, Capt.

Thompson. f In 1795 Capt. (afterwards Rear-Admiral) James Carthew

joined the North-Sea fleet in the Brilliant frigate. t In

*A liberal subscription was entered into for the relief of the sick and wounded; and

on the king's birthday the whole regiment had a dinner given to them by the inhabitants;

each soldier being allowed nearly 2lbs. of beef and pudding, with an ample supply of

bread and potatoes, washed down by a quart of porter.

f The corpse was sent away to its final resting place in grand funereal pomp; but

when the procession was passings through Aylesbury, five days afterwards, the coffin,

which had been much shaken on the rough roads of the continent, fell to pieces, and

presented the corpse in a shocking state, the death having occurred, just three months

previous.

t He also commanded the Astroea., 32; and the Crescent , 36, both attached to the

Yarmouth station. He died in 1856, aged 86. His elder brother, John Oar the w of

Liskoard, was private secretary to Mr. Pitt, and afterwards Master of the Mint.

There was another admiral of this name, "William Carthew, who was the eldest son

of the Rev. Thomas Carthew of "Woodbridge Abbey, Suffolk, by his first wife,

Elisabeth, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Morden. He and his brother Thomas, who

was an officer of marines, were serving on board the Hannibal 1 when that ship was

captured in 1782 on her way to the East Indies, by a superior French force under

Suffrein, who had the barbarity to hand them over to Hyder Ali. By that despot

they were marched in irons to Bangalore, and there chained together by the legs.

After enduring many indignities and privations they were released under the treaty

of 1784 and returned home, having been by their friends long given up as lost.

Lieut. Carthew, at the instance of Sir John Jervis, was next appointed to the Prince,

98; and having been made a commander was employed to convoy Prince Edward,

afterwards Duke of Kent, to Canada with troops; in which service he offended His

Royal Highness by refusing to allow court martials on the soldiers to be held on

board his ship; which conduct was approved by the Admiralty. On the breaking

out of the war with the French Republic, he commanded a ship on the coast of

1 Here is some of the history of the Hannibal The Hannibal, by 1859, had been converted

to steam as well as sail. It was the Commanded by Captain Gordon, and was serving in the

Mediterranean, where it acted as troop transport, sailing and steaming around the Med.,

carrying soldiers and sailors from port to port. Gerard Noel was on board this ship as a

naval cadet, during 1859 and 1860, and drew in great detail the ships passage from day to

day. In addition, he recorded the hours sailed, and those steamed. This and another map

that he drew, came into my possession when left in a battered rusty map tube, at Hopton

Hall, which I purchased from Sir Gerard Noel’s grand-daughter, Susan, in 1989. I have the

map framed, and many pictures also of Admiral Sir Gerard Uctred Noel taken when

posted as Admiral of the Nore, to Japan, in 1906. The Hannibal eventually became a

floating berth for troops at Plymouth, dismasted and dis-gunned. There is a photo of

Hannibal in that state, in the Plymouth docks, where the Victory is now. The Victory was

the ship that Noel was next posted to from the Hannibal. The logs of the Hannibal are

preserved in the Public Record Office at Kew. The photo of the ship can be found in The

Last Sailing Battlefleet , by Andrew Lambert, 1991, p.84. According to Lambert, the

Hannibal was a 90 gunner, converted to steam. She was one of the ships built by Symonds

in the 1840’s but a date for her being laid down is not given, leading me to think that this

was then a rebuild of an earlier ship.

170 THE PERLUSTRATION OF

the same year Admiral Sir Willoughby Lake, then a captain, had the

command of the Weazle, sloop-of-war, stationed between Yarmouth and

Flamborough Head, for the protection of the fishery. Early in the spring

of 1795 the Duke of Wellington, then, Colonel Wellesley, landed with

his regiment (the 33rd) at Harwich, and marched with it to Warley in

Essex, where a camp was formed.* On the 2nd of September, 1795, H.

M. S. Carysford arrived in Yarmouth Roads and landed the Duo de

Bourbon, the Marquis Vandreul, and several other French noblemen. In

the same month the Duchess of Cumberland and the Hon. Mrs. Luttrell

arrived, and shortly afterwards embarked on board the King George

packet, Capt. Deane, for Cuxhaven; and at the same time the Countess

Cowper embarked on board the Prince of Orange, Capt. Bridge, for the

same port. In October following, the Bishop of Winchester (Hon.

Brownlow North) and family arrived in the Daedalus frigate from

Hamburgh. This vessel and another frigate convoyed some transports

with troops, one of which was lost on the Scroby Sand and forty-three

horses perished. In February, 1796, a vessel arrived laden with corn,

which some English sailors, prisoners at Brest, had seized there, and in

which

Holland, under Admiral McBride. After many years of active and meritorious service he

retired to Woodbridge, and, having attained the rank of rear-admiral, died there in 1837,

aged 70. He married Pleasance, daughter of Graham Thomas Myers, Esq., only brother of

General Sir W. Myers, Bart., K.C.B., but left no issue. The Carthews were originally a

Cornish family, and bore for their arms or., a chev. sa., between three marrs ppr. Crest,

on a wreath of the colours a marr ; ducally gorged or.; and for a motto, Bedhoh fyr ha hob

drok. The first-named admiral bore a chev. gu. for difference. Under the will of Edward

North, Esq., of Benacre, who died in 1708, that estate came to his nephew, Thomas

Carthew, Esq., of the Inner Temple, who in about the year 1721 erected Benacre Hall,

where he resided until 1743 when it was sold to Sir William Gooch, Bart, (see vol. ii., p.

99), who made it the family seat. This Thomas Carthew married Sarah, daughter of Sir

Thomas Powys, Knt., a Judge of the Court of Queen's Bench. Many members of the

Carthew family are buried in Benacre Church. The hall is now leased to Earl Dudley. 1

* Detachments of the 33rd Regiment were quartered at Yarmouth in 1872.

f Among other refugees well known in Yarmouth was the Marquis Spoleto, who

took up his abode at Cambridge, where he taught languages in a manner at least

satisfactory to himself. "Have you many pupils this term?" said Macleane, afterwards

Principal of Brighton College. "Vel, I ave vone in Hebrew," was the reply. " I had no idea,

you know Hebrew," observed Macleans. "Yel no; not exactly," said the Italian, " but then,

you see, we do not begin for vone five week."

1 The hall was divided into apartments, sold off after a grand auction of the contents

in 2000 (See RRH).

GREAT YARMOUTH

171

they had made their escape. On the 24th of June following Admiral

McBride came into these Roads in command of a very powerful fleet.

Most of the captains serving under him were afterwards highly

distinguished; as Sir Richard Bickerton in the Ramillies, 74 ; Capt.

Thornborough in the Robust, 74; Capt. Halsted in the Phoenix, 36; Capt.

Pellew in the Amphion, 32; and Capt. Hardy in the Badger, 16. Three

Russian men-of-war also came in under the command of Admiral Tate. At

this time Capt. (afterwards Vice-Admiral) Winthrop commanded the

Circe, 28 guns, on the Yarmouth station. She was afterwards engaged in

the capture of the Helder. Napoleon had by this time made his name

known in the world, and a French, privateer, called the Buonaparte,

mounting 18 guns, was captured off the Texel and brought into

Yarmouth.* In September, 1796, Admiral McBride came into these

Roads, and hauled down his flag on board the Russell; and was

succeeded by Admiral Duncan, who soon afterwards shifted his flag to

the Venerable. On the 28th of February, 1797, Mr. Hunter, sen., a King's

messenger destined for Vienna with important dispatches, embarked at

Yarmouth, but after being at sea for six days was driven back. On the

29th of May, 1797, the Lion, Standard, and Belliquex men-of-war came

into Yarmouth Roads With the red flag flying at the topgallant mast-head

of each vessel. The mutiny at the Nore had broken out. The Nassau and

other vessels then lying in the Roadstead followed the example. The

delegates sent an officer on shore, who waited on the mayor to dispel

any alarm which might be felt by the inhabitants when they heard the

guns, as it was the intention of the mutineers to fire the usual salute in

honor of the day (the restoration of Charles II.); and later some of the

delegates landed, and sought an interview with the chief magistrate, to

assure him that although resolved to have their

* She had a numerous crew, who, with others amounting in all to 196 prisoners of

war, were soon afterwards marched from Yarmouth to Stilton. Later in the year 140

French and Dutch prisoners were marched to Yaxley Barracks. As they came out of

prison the captain of a privateer mingled with the crowd and effected his escape. During

the following years, until the termination, of the war, prisoners were being constantly

landed and marched to depots at a distance from the coast.

f Admiral Duncan arrived in the Glasgow frigate, 36 guns, commanded by Capt.

Duff.

172

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

grievances redressed, it was their intention to preserve order. On the

following day the whole fleet sailed for the Nore, The North-Sea fleet

had been so thinned, says James, by the secession of the disaffected

ships, that Admiral Duncan towards the end of May, found himself at

sea with only the Venerable, 74, and the Adamant, 50. Nevertheless he

proceeded to his station off theTexel; within which harbour was

anchored, the Dutch fleet comprising fifteen sail of the line, under the

command of Vice-Admiral de Winter, At length several line of battle

ships joined the British admiral, so that by the end of the summer the

two fleets became of about equal force. A succession of equinoctial

gales and the want of supplies compelled Admiral Duncan to quit his

station and retire into Yarmouth Roads, where, on the 9th of October,

1797, he received intelligence that de Winter had embraced the

opportunity of putting to sea for the purpose of joining the French fleet

at Brest. Duncan immediately went forth to meet the foe, and on the

11th of October the memorable battle of Camperdown was fought.

Vice-Admiral Onslow, who was second in command, with his flag

flying in the Monarch, broke the enemy's line and commenced a close

combat, and although that ship received greater injury than any other

(except the Ardent), she compelled the Jupiter, 74, with the flag of

Vice-Admiral Reyntjes on board, to strike to her. The English fleet

returned to Yarmouth Roads in triumph, bringing with them eight sail of

the line and two fifty-gun ships; and were received with frantic

demonstrations of joy, the town being crowded to excess with visitors.*

The admiral's

* The universal satisfaction caused by the victory of Camperdown, excited many

local poetical effusions. One contains these stanzas:—

" Let every British heart exult, and fame his deeds define,

" Who dar'd to practice what he taught, and broke the threatening line."

Your plaudits now unite to give, with voice, and heart, and hand;

" Great Duncan lives — no more we fear proud Gallia's hostile band.

Now Dutchmen rue the fatal day, they joined the bloody train;

" Their sordid souls in secret curse the bribe which forg'd the chain.

" At Onslow’ s name they shrink appalled, and from his cannon fly;"

Enslav'd for life, compell'd to fight, and yet afraid to die,

" The people closely crowd the beach, the conquering band to hail;"

And eager look with trembling eyes, upon each tattered sail.

" Their wounded brethren to their hearts, they cordial welcome home;

" And shed for those compassion's tear, who found a watery tomb."

GREAT YARMOUTH

173

wife, Henrietta, second daughter of the Right Hon.Robert Dundas, on

hearing the news hastened to the beach, and was on the Jetty to receive

her victorious husband when he landed. Five days after the battle of

Camperdown the Monmouth, 64, commanded by Capt. (afterwards Rear-

Admiral) Walker, was seen to enter Yarmouth Boads having in tow the

Alkmaar, Dutch ship of the line, which she had captured, after having

been for one hour and a half closely engaged with her and the Delft, and

having subsequently encountered a heavy gale. The Delft, foundered, but

the greater part of her crew were saved. The loss of the English at the

battle of Camperdown in killed and wounded, was 1,040; and that of the

Dutch considerably more. It took three days to land the wounded at

Yarmouth, where both friend and foe were treated with the utmost care

and kindness.* One of the most distinguished of Duncan's captains was

Trollope, who in 1797, when in command of the Russell, 74, watched

the enemy's fleet in the Texel when the admiral returned to Yarmouth

Koads to refit. He had previously commanded the Glatton, 56; and in

1796, when cruising off Helvoet Sluys, he sailed into the midst of a

French squadron, mistaking it for the British. Nothing daunted, he

attacked two of the largest ships, going between them and pouring in a

heavy fire on both sides, and fiually the whole squadron took to flight.

Trollope returned into Yarmouth Roads, where he was received with

loud applause. He was presented with the freedom of the borough; he

died an admiral and a K.C.B. in 1839, aged 84.

The news of the battle of the Nile, which was fought on the 1st of

August, 1798; was not known at Yarmouth until early in October, when

* A rare engraving, from " a drawing on the spot," by Rowlandson, in his peculiar

and most effective style, of the landing of the wounded at Yarmouth after the battle of

Camperdown, has been copied expressly for this worthy the autotype process.

Rowlandson, whose engravings in the Tour of Dr. Syntax and other well-known works

will long he admired, was born in 1756, and was contemporary with Grose, Bunbury, and

Gillray. He died in 1827. Some of the wounded sailors were sent to Norwich, where they

were lodged in barracks in St. George's Colegate, described by the surgeons as a very

close part of the city, and some of the worst cases were afterwards admitted into the

Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and placed under the charge of Mr. Doune and Mr.

Martineau. A man from the Monmouth, whose arm was amputated, when nearly well,

escaped over a wall of considerable height, and got so intoxicated that in endeavouring to

return he fell and hurt the stump so much that he died.

174

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

Capt. Capel, son of the Earl of Essex, landed with dispatches. It was

received with great joy throughout the County of Norfolk.*

When Duncan resigned his command he was succeeded by Sir

Richard Onslow, who hoisted his flag on board the Monarch, 74, Capt.

O'Brien. f

Chateaubriand landed at Yarmouth Jetty in 1796, t and was followed

by Niebuhr in 1798.§ On the 16th of September in the latter year,

Wordsworth and Coleridge embarked at Yarmouth for the continent. ¶

Campbell, the poet, when he first left Scotland, landed at Yarmouth. In

1798 the widow of that wild enthusiast, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, who

two months previously had died of the wounds received when captured

by Capt. Ryan, whom he killed, and by Justice Swan, whom he

wounded, embarked at Yarmouth for Hamburgh. She was attended to

the packet by her brother-in-law, Lord Henry Fitzgerald.|| In July of this

year Lord Duncan returned and took the command of the North-Sea

fleet, hoisting his flag on board the Belliquex which ship he subsequently

changed for the Kent. In the following month Lord Elgin, the

* The following entry was made in the parish register of Brandon Parva. Said a

prayer for Admiral Nelson's glorious victory over the French fleet at Alexandria in Egypt,

for which he was made a lord, and is own brother to the Rev. Mr. Nelson, Rector of this

parish. The latter succeeded his heroic brother in the peerage, and was created an earl, but

added nothing to the lustre of the name.

f Captain (afterwards Admiral) Sutton was for a short time flag-captain to Sir

Richard Onslow in the Monarch. He died at Ditchingham Lodge, near Bungay, in 1832,

aged 72.

t He for some time resided at Bungay. He returned to France in 1800, and died at

Paris in 1848. He was made Minister of State by Louis XVIII.

§ This distinguished Danish historian was then only twenty years of age. Bunsen

says that his letters to his parents, written from England and containing many details of

great interest, were unfortunately burnt. He died in 1831.

¶ They had already made themselves famous, especially by the recent publication of

the Lyrical Ballads, among which the Ancient Mariner first appeared. Wedgewood

generously contributed to Coleridge's pecuniary means to enable him to take this tour, of

which the only records are a few letters in the Biographic Literaria, but the fruits of

which are apparent in his subsequent works. Smile's Group of Englishmen, .p. 98.

|| This was the beautiful, and unfortunate Pamela, the supposed daughter of the Duc

d’ Orleans (Egalité) and Madame de Genlis. She was on her way to Hamburgh where she

resided for some time; but ultimately retired to Toulouse, where she died in 1831, Aged

57.

GREAT YARMOUTH

175

British Ambassador at Berlin, landed; and the Princess of Hesse sailed

for the continent. Count Rumford was also among the arrivals. Before

Christmas Lord Duncan came in and struck his flag; and was succeeded

in his command by Admiral Dickson. In this year H.R.H. the Duke of

Gloucester came to Yarmouth (but not by sea, having been staying at

Norwich), and put up at the Wrestlers. On the 17th of December, 1798,

Mr. Mares, a king's messenger came to Yarmouth with dispatches for

the continent, and embarked in a packet for Cuxhaven, but in

consequence of the ice could not land, and the packet after being ten

days at sea was compelled to return to Yarmouth. On the 1st of January

following he made another attempt, but after being eleven, days at sea

without being able to land, was again obliged to return. In the bleak

month of January, 1799, landed Capt. Halkett and the survivors of the

Apollo frigate, 38 guns, which had been lost on the coast of Holland.

Capt. Halkett was tried here by court-martial and acquitted; but the pilot

was broke. On the 28th. of the same month the Right Honorable

Thomas Grenville,* Special Envoy at Berlin, who had iu the previous

December embarked in the Amphion, but had be em compelled to return

not being able to effect a landing as the Elbe was then frozen, went on

board the Proserpine frigate, 28 guns, apt. James Wallis. He was

received on the quarter-deck by a salute; and the frigate was got

underway with a fresh breeze at W.S.W. On the 30th she reached

Heligoland, where she took a pilot for the Elbe, on reaching which it

was found that all the buoys had been removed. The Prince of Wales

packet boat, which had accompanied the frigate from Yarmouth, then

went ahead to lead the way, and the frigate would have made good her

passage had it not been for a blinding snow storm, accompanied by

heavy masses of ice, which compelled her to retrace her course, in doing

which she struck upon the Scaron Sand, where she became a complete

wreck. The officers and crew, with the envoy and his suite, made their

escape across the ice, and his excellency after enduring great hardships

eventually reached his place of destination. Three king's messengers,

Mason, Shaw, and Detry (the latter an extra

* He was not successful, as a negotiator; and will be best remembered by his

gift of a splendid library now in the British Museum. He died in 1846, aged 91.

176

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

one), were on board the Proserpine, but escaped with their lives.* On

the 23rd of January in the same year (1799) two king's messengers (Mr.

East and Mr. Hunter, sen.) embarked for Cuxhaven, one for St.

Petersburg, the other for Vienna. The packet was wrecked on the Island

of Newark near Cuxhaven, but the messengers got on shore with their

dispatches, and proceeded to their respective destinations. In April,

1799, there arrived a fly-boat having on board the body of Mr.

Cornwallis, son of the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, which was

forwarded to Brome for interment. f On the 12th of May the Courier

cutter, commanded by Lieut. Searle, left Yarmouth Roads to join the

Latona frigate off the Texel. Having observed an armed brig off

Winterton in the act of capturing a merchant vessel, he made sail and

brought her to close action. The brig proved to be a French privateer,

carrying 16 guns. After a fight of nearly two hours the Frenchman made

off, and was lost in the darkness of night. At day-

* Two females were on hoard the Proserpine when she was stranded,—one a strong

healthy woman, and accustomed to the hardships of the sea; the other a weak and delicate

creature who had never been on hoard a ship until the evening previous to sailing. Her

husband had been impressed, and she went on board to bid him farewell, when owing to a

change of weather and the urgency of the mission, the ship put to sea. This alone was a

great discomfort as she was expecting her confinement, and in a few hours she was

delivered of a dead child. In this weak state she was compelled to leave the wreck to travel

through ice and snow, and to combat with the bitter north wind, hail, and sleet. The more

robust woman had an infant nine months old, which was frozen in the mother's arms, and

she herself sank down in the snow and perished; but the more delicate one, strange to say,

performed her perilous journey (in which twelve of the ship's crew perished) and was

preserved. A "narrative" of the loss of the Proserpine was compiled by John Wright, first

lieutenant, and published in 1799. Capt. Wallis on his return to Yarmouth was tried by

court-martial, and honorably acquitted.

t The estate of Brome in Suffolk was acquired in the 14th century by the marriage of

John Cornwallis with Phillippe, daughter and co-heir of Robert Buxton or Buckton, and

continued with their descendants for four centuries. On the death of Charles, second

Marquis Cornwallis, in 1823, s.p.m., the marquisate became extinct, but the earldom

devolved on his uncle, the above-named bishop, who died in 1824, aged 80. Brome Hall

was erected in 1550, and was a remarkably fine specimen of old English grandeur. It has

been demolished, and the family have become extinct; and their once ample possessions

have passed into other hands. They bore sa., guttée d' eau, on a fess arg., three cornish

cloughs ppr.; and for a crest, on a mount vert., a stag lodged regardant arg.

GREAT YARMOUTH

177

light the following morning Lieut. Searle saw a sail in the north-east,

which he hoped might be his old antagonist, but it turned out to be the

French privateer schooner Ribbott é ur, which, the Courier instantly

captured and brought in triumph into Yarmouth Roads. This was not

Lieut. Searle's only exploit, for in November of the same year, when

cruising off Flushing, he fell in with and captured the French cutter-

privateer Guerrier, commanded by Citizen Felix Lallemand, after a

warm and close action which lasted fifty minutes. In this month of May,

Lord William Bentinck arrived at Yarmouth, and shortly afterwards

embarked for the continent.* In July, 1799, Capt. Swinbourne landed,

bringing news of the victory obtained by Suwarrow over Marshal

Macdonald. At this time the British Government determined to land a

large force in Holland, under the command of the Duke of York. Troops

were sent to Yarmouth for embarkation, and a large number of vessels

assembled in Yarmouth Roads to take part in what became known as the

"Helder Expedition." In December, 1799, a king's messenger (Mr.

Hunter, sen.) came to Yarmouth bearing dispatches for Vienna, and was

detained here fourteen days by contrary winds. At last he set sail, but

after being at sea for two days the ship was driven on shore at Harwich,

where he was detained for six days by a violent gale. He again started

once more for Cuxhaven, but the passage being so obstructed by ice he

was compelled to disembark at Heligoland, where he was detained for

twenty days. He then hired a vessel to take him to Cuxhaven, which

place he reached after being eight days at sea; but owing to the

accumulation of ice he had to remain seventeen days at Cuxhaven

before he could return.

In August, 1799, Capt. Winthrop, who commanded the Circe

frigate on the Yarmouth station, was dispatched from Lord Duncan's

ship with a flag of truce to the Dutch Admiral Storey, inviting him to

deliver up his ships for the use of the Prince of Orange; and he was also

the bearer of a proclamation signed by the prince addressed to the

Dutch nation. Admiral Storey having declined the proposal made to

him, the British troops were landed, the Helder was captured by Major-

General Moore, and thirteen Dutch ships-of-war then at anchor in the

Nieuwe

* He eventually "became Governor-General of India, and died in 1339.

178

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

Diep were taken, possession of by Captain. Winthrop. Thereupon, the

Texel being open, Vice-Admiral Mitchell took his squadron in prepared

to engage the Dutch fleet, but a change had come over the Dutch sailors

since Camperdown, for they refused to fight on this occasion, and

Admiral Storey was compelled to surrender his whole fleet, comprising

twenty-five ships, to the British admiral, who took possession of the

same in the name of the Prince of Orange. On the 17th of August the

17th Regiment of Foot, 1,200 strong, chiefly composed of volunteers

from the Militia Regiments, was dispatched in hot haste to join the

invading army. In September five sail of Russian men-of-war arrived in

Yarmouth Roads, under the command of Admiral Tschitschakow,

having 6,000 troops on board. After some successes the British army

was defeated and compelled to retrace their steps and evacuate Holland.

In October, 1799, hundreds of wounded men were landed at Yarmouth,

and with them two women, camp followers, natives of Norwich, one of

whom had lost an arm and the other a leg. A fleet of transports followed,

bearing back the unsuccessful army. Prince William of Gloucester, the

Earl of Chatham, and Lord Paget landed and dined with Lord Duncan. A

brigade of guards also landed, commanded by Colonel Wynyard,

followed by twenty-four regiments of the line and some cavalry,

numbering in all about 25,000 men. They were marched off as quickly

as possible to Norwich.* The inhabitants of Yarmouth had ample

opportunity upon this and many other occasions for the exercise of

hospitality towards military officers, some of whom were often in a

destitute state; and in November, 1799, Sir William Scott, afterwards

Lord Stowell, f wrote to Mr. Cory, recommending to his attention

Colonel Brock and Major Vincent of the 49th Regiment, "from whom,"

says Sir William, "I received much hospitality during my short time in

Holland." The Duke of York himself landed from the June. He was

accompanied by General Dundas and Sir Home Popham. The populace

generously

* They entered Norwich by torchlight, where through the great exertions of the

mayor (William Herring, Esq.) this large force was accommodated for the night.

f He was in Yarmouth in September, 1709) and was entertained at a public

dinner, being then Judge of the High Court of Admiralty.

GREAT YARMOUTH

179

forgetful of his want of success, took the horses from the duke's carriage

and drew it from the beach to Lord Duncan's lodgings. His royal

highness afterwards went to the Bear and posted to London. In October,

1799, the Lutine frigate of 32 guns, Capt. Skinner, sailed from

Yarmouth Roads, having on board several passengers and bullion to the

value of a million and a half for the supply of the British army; in

addition to which were the crown jewels belonging to the Prince of

Orange, which had been then recently reset by those well-known

jewellers, Rundell and Bridge. Bullion also was-sent in her by private

firms for the relief of the mercantile houses at Hamburgh, and a large

cargo of merchandize, so that the ship and her contents were estimated

at a total value of three millions sterling. On approaching Zuyder Zee

she encountered a storm, and the ship was driven on a sandbank

between the islands of Wieland and Terschelling and there wrecked, and

almost all the crew, numbering nearly two hundred, were drowned.

Some years after this event a company was formed for the purpose of

endeavouring to recover the sunken treasure, under an agreement

whereby the Dutch Government was to receive one half of the proceeds;

and in the course of a few years by means of the diving bell £160,000

worth of bullion was raised, and equally divided between the company

and the King of Holland.* On the 29 t h of November the Prussian

Minister, Baron Jacobi, landed here and proceeded to London on a

special mission. On the 30th of November intelligence was received that

Capt. Temple, sent from this port for the purpose, had captured the

French privateer lugger Fantasie, carrying fourteen guns and sixty men.

In this year Captain Broke, afterwards Sir Philip Broke, f of Shannon

and Chesapeake fame, was employed on the Yarmouth station to protect

the trade of the town. Captain (afterwards Admiral Sir John)

Ommanney, com-

* The marine insurers had lost heartily by this wreck, but the Dutch Government for

many years refused to recognise their claims. Ultimately however the committee of

Lloyd's obtained payment of £20,000 to be employed in making another attempt. A table

made out of the ship's rudder, and the rudder chain and ship's bell, have been placed in the

committee-room at Lloyd's, with a suitable inscription.

f Descended from a family who in the reign, of Henry VIII. acquired by marriage

with an heiress of the Fastolfes an estate at Nacton in Suffolk, which has ever since

remained with them.,

180

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

manding H. M. Sloop Busy, captured the French lugger privateer La

Dragon of 16 tons, belonging to Dunkirk and the sloop Driver, Capt.

Dunbar, captured and brought in the schooner privateer Le Barras, 14

guns, and landed fifty-seven French prisoners. In 1799 a tempest,

memorable for its violence and fatal effects, ravaged the eastern coast,

and drove from their anchors all the ships lying in Yarmouth Roads. f In

January, 1800, the Prince of Orange again came to Yarmouth and

embarked; as did also, on the 3rd of April, Henry Crabb Robinson, who

landed at Cuxhaven on the 6 th . In July following Lord Carysford,

Ambassador to Berlin, embarked on board the Zatona; and Lord

Camelford sailed in the Rose cutter for Hamburgh. Among the arrivals

and departures this year may be noticed the Marquis of Salisbury and

Sir Hans Sloane.

Napoleon, impelled by an implacable hostility to Great Britain,

determined at this time to exclude her ships from all continental ports;

to abolish the right of search j and to establish "armed neutralities." In

July, 1800, the commander of the Danish frigate Freya having refused

to allow his convoy to be searched, the British captain, by whom the

demand was made, laid his vessel alongside the Dane, and after a smart

action captured her and brought her into the Downs. The English

cabinet having previously obtained intelligence of the hostile

negotiations going on in the northern courts relative to neutral rights,

and deeming it probable that the above event would be made the signal

* See vol, i, p. 328. The lugger was discovered running along the Dutch coast, and

after a short chase was driven close in shore, about five miles south of Egmont, where she

struck her colours. Ten of the crew endeavoured to escape in the ship's boat, which upset

in the surf and eight were drowned.

f The greater part were wrecked on the northern coast: and it was believed that many

of them might hays been saved, had a light been fixed on the Bell Rock to point out the

entrances to the Firths of Forth and Tay. Among other lamentable shipwrecks which took

place on the Inchcape about the same time was H.M.S. York, 74 guns, which went down

with all her crew. It was not until the close of the year 1810 that a permanent lighthouse,

designed by Rennie, was erected on the Bell Rock. Smiles ii, p. 232.

J Diary, vol. i., p. 69; and vol. ii., p. 286. He was for some years a leading counsel

on the Norfolk circuit. He tells us that in Yarmouth he became acquainted with Sir

Edward Parry, the Arctic voyager.

GREAT YARMOUTH

181

for openly declaring their intentions, resolved to anticipate the attack by

sending Lord Whitworth to Copenhagen, backed by a sufficient force.*

His lordship came down to Yarmouth., and soon afterwards sailed for

Copenhagen, accompanied by a strong squadron, consisting of nine sail

of the line, four bomb ketches, and five gun boats, under the command

of Admiral Dickson. In this expedition the Ardent, 64, was commanded

by Capt. (afterward Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas) Bertie. f In October,

1800, Mr. Mason, a king's messenger, embarked at Yarmouth, but being

unable to reach Cuxhaven on account of the ice, put into Heligoland,

where he was detained for twenty-two days. On the 31st of the same

month another messenger (Mr. Hunter) left with dispatches for Vienna,

but being unable to reach Cuxhaven on account of a tempestuous sea, he

landed on the Island of Newark (sometimes called the Mud Bank), and

hired a fishing boat which took him to Cuxhaven, where he engaged

another boat to Crisendorff, and thence proceeded by land to Vienna. t In

December 1800, Mr. Scott, a king's messenger with dispatches from

Vienna, being unable to reach Yarmouth on account of adverse winds,

landed from a boat at Cromer and posted to London. In August, 1800,

the carriage of the Turkish Ambassador, then on his way to Yarmouth for

embarkation, broke down shortly after leaving Colchester. The Turk

alighted and went into a neighbouring wood, where he caused a carpet

to be spread, a fire to be kindled and coffee prepared; and there under a

canopy fixed to some tree he seated himself in the Turkish style, and

quietly smoked a pipe till the carriage was repaired. On the 6th of

November, 1800, Lord Nelson landed, as has already been related (vol.

i., p. 185). He was received with all that spontaneous homage which

popular enthusiasm can

*Ann. Reg., p.p. 94, 95. Alison's History, VOL . V ii., p. 350.

f The Ardent formed one of the squadron under Nelson at the battle of Copenhagen,

where Capt. Bertie greatly distinguished himself. Having obtained his flag he was

appointed to a command in the Baltic; and when in the Dictator, 64, in 1809 he returned

to Yarmouth Roads, having "been driven from his station in the Sound by the appearance

of ice". He died in 1825.

t Such were the dangers, delays, and difficulties which beset king's messengers at a

time when speed was of the utmost importance, the dispatches they carried frequently

deciding the fate of armies and kingdoms.

182

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

alone originate—a tribute more flattering than the highest official

honors. The battered hero was welcomed with universal acclamations ;

he had for eight years fought in the front of England's battles, and

success had vindicated what would otherwise have been termed

rashness.* In January, 1801, Admiral Dickson having been made a full

admiral, hoisted his flag (blue) at the main, on board the Princess of

Orange. In the same month H. M. S. Pylades captured and brought in

the Neptunas of Amsterdam, estimated to be worth £40,000; and the

Favorite sent in a French lugger of 14 guns, with the extraordinary

name of the Anti-christ, Another French privateer, called the Devil of

Calais, captured a number of English merchantmen. At this time the

Dolphin packet, Capt. Flyn was, after an engagement of two hours,

captured and carried into the Texel. She had on board Sir Robert

Barclay and many passengers, including two ladies. An exchange of

prisoners having been arranged, one hundred and fifty men belonging to

different regiments were landed here. In February, 1801, Admiral Sir

Hyde Parker arrived at Yarmouth, and hoisted his flag (blue) at the

main on board the Ardent, took the command of the fleet destined to

break up the “armed

* Shortly after his return to England a portrait of Nelson was painted by an artist

named Abbott (at that time held in much esteem), for Robert Butcher, Esq., of Grove

House, Bungay, and remained in his possession until his death, when it was purchased by

Messrs. Graves and Co., print sellers. In 1777 Nelson was appointed second Lieutenant of

the Lowestoffe, a frigate of 32 guns, then, commanded by Capt. Locker, afterwards

Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital. It was the practice in the last century to

name ships-of-war after the principal cities, towns, and seaports in the kingdom. Thus we

had the Yarmouth of 64 guns, Norwich 50, Colchester 80, Cambridge 80, Harwich 50,

and many others. Surely this was better than calling our ships by the names of heathen

gods and goddesses. A remarkable circumstance occurred when the Yarmouth, under the

command of Capt. Vincent, was cruising off Antigua in 1779. She saw and chased six

sail; and having come up with the largest, which proved to be the Randolph, American

privateer, an engagement began. Within twenty minutes the American blew up, and great

part of her wreck falling on the Yarmouth killed five and wounded twelve of her crew.

Five days afterwards Capt. Vincent being in chase saw a piece of wreck with four men

upon it. He then gave up the chase, bore down and picked them up. They proved to be the

only survivors of the crew of the Randolph, numbering three hundred and five men. The

Yarmouth ultimately became a receiving ship at Plymouth, and in 1796 the Amphion

frigate, Capt. Israel Pellew, was lying alongside, when the latter blew up with a loss of

three hundred men.

GREAT YARMOUTH

183

neutrality" of Russia, Sweden, and Denmark., a confederacy which

foreboded the most disastrous consequences to this country; and on the

2nd of March Nelson came into Yarmouth Roads with seven sail of the

line to strengthen the fleet already here. Nelson had his flag flying on

hoard the St. George, 98 guns; and the town was speedily thronged with

visitors eager to view the fleet and see the Norfolk hero. Sir Hyde

Parker being at his lodgings on shore, Nelson reported his arrival and

intimated his intention of waiting upon him next day. "We "breakfasted

that morning as usual soon after six o'clock," says an officer of the ship,

"for we were always up before daylight; and went on shore so as to be at

Sir Hyde Parker's door by eight o'clock, Lord Nelson choosing to be

amusingly exact to that hour, which he considered a late one for

business." While lying in Yarmouth Roads Nelson received a letter from

Sir Edward Berry, directing his attention to a new plan for pointing

guns. "I shall of course look at it," says Nelson in reply, " but I hope we

shall be able as usual to get so close to our enemies that our shot cannot

miss their object; and that we shall again give our northern enemies that

hail-storm of bullets, which is so emphatically described in the Naval

Chronicle, and which gives to our dear country the dominion of the

sea.* Nelson. Says he found his chief a little nervous about dark nights

and fields of ice, but adds the hero ''we must brace up, for these are not

times for nervous systems." Nelson strongly urged upon Sir Hyde

Parker that "not a moment should be lost in attacking the enemy;" and

the fleet sailed from Yarmouth Roads on the 12th of March, forced the

passage of the Sound, and fought the battle of Copenhagen. f A fishing

boat brought in and

* Nelson also addressed a letter from Yarmouth Roads to Mr. Pillans, "Grand-

master of the Ancient Order of Gregorians" at Norwich, with thanks for his election

into that society. Ever mindful of his friends, Nelson, about this time, appointed

the Rev. Stephen George Comyn to be Chaplain of the San Josef. Comyn had been

with him both at the Nile and Copenhagen; Nelson was much attached to him, and

stood sponser for his son, the present Rev. Horatio Nelson Comyn, Rector of

Brunstead and Vicar of Walcot, Norfolk.

f Massey is of opinion that if this expedition had been placed under Nelson's

orders from the time it left Yarmouth Roads, the triple league of the Baltic powers

would have been more speedily dissolved and with less effusion of blood. Nelson

never revisited Yarmouth.

184

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

landed, on the 16th. of March, Admiral Tottie, who on the previous day

had sailed from Yarmouth Roads in the Invincible, 74 guns.

" A stately ship with all her bravery on,

" And tackle trim, "

Whilst proceeding out of Hasborough Gat (with the intention of joining

the fleet under Nelson) she struck on Smith's Knowl, and Capt. Rannie

and four hundred men perished. The catastrophe was attributed to the

ignorance and carelessness of the pilot. On the 15th of April the mail

coach, entered, the town with colours flying, bringing the news of the

destruction of the Banish fleet, by which England maintained her

supremacy at sea. f Shortly afterwards Lord C. Bentinck and Sir Robert

Barclay arrived from Cuxhaven. On the 13th of May the Blanche arrived,

in Yarmouth Roads and landed Sir Hyde Parker. In this month the

Danish Ambassador, Count Bernstorf, landed, and every respect was

paid to him. In June of this year Lord Grantham sailed in the Dolphin,

Capt. Flynn, t for Hamburgh; and Lord St. Helens, the British

Ambassador to the Court of St. Petersburgh, embarked in the Zatona,

Capt. Sotherton; in which vessel Counts Woronzow and Novorsceltzolt

were also allowed passage. In the following month. Capt. Sir Edward

Berry arrived in the Ruby; and Rear-Admiral Graves brought into the

Roads his division of the Baltic fleet. Shortly afterwards Admiral C.

Parker arrived in the Princess of Orange; and H. M. frigate Shannon

landed Lord Carysford from Hamburgh. M. Moloitz landed on the 1st

of

* See Schomberg's N aval Chronology, vol. iii., p. 495. Rannie had been made a

post-captain for his conduct at the Holder, " Do you know all the sands on this coast," said

the master of a vessel to an Irishman who had undertaken to act as a pilot. "Sure I do,"

said he,—"and that's one of them," he added as the ship grounded on the Newcome.

f Nelson was equally a favorite with officers and men. When compelled, after the

battle of Copenhagen, to retire for a time from active service on account of his health, the

following toast was given on board every ship,—"May he who is no longer our

commander, ever be our example."

" Behold proud Denmark's haughty crest,

"To British valour now bends low; "

' T’was Nelson stood the bloody test,

" And gain'd fresh laurels for his brow."

t Capt. Matthew Flynn, commanding the King George packet, was this year married

to Miss Eager, sister of Mr. John Eager already mentioned.

GREAT YARM OUTH

185

October, bringing news from Constantinople of the surrender of

Alexandria to the English army under General Hutchinson. On the 1st of

November, 1801, the Prince of Orange arrived at the Angel from

London, and was on the following day waited upon by the mayor and

corporation, and the principal naval and military officers in the town,

and the prince dined with them, at the Wrestlers. He remained waiting

for a wind till the 10th, when he sailed for Cuxhaven. Orders were

received in 1802 to prepare for immediate service every ship-of-war

then at Yarmouth. They were to be provisioned and equipped for five

months, and to put to sea with all possible dispatch. Admiral. Sir

Thomas Graves, K.B., was at this time second in command. On the 5th

of May peace was proclaimed: and although Yarmouth had greatly

benefited by the war, yet there was every outward demonstration of

rejoicing. The proclamation was read at the Market Cross, and the

sword was sheathed according to ancient custom*

On the 24th of May, 1802, the Duke of Cambridge embarked on

board the Amphion frigate, Capt. Fraser, having been appointed Regent

of Hanover. He was accompanied by Major Digens. On the renewal of

the war with France in 1803, Lord Keith, was appointed to the

command of the North-Sea fleet, and of all ships in the Channel as far

west as Selsea-bill, but he did not reside at Yarmouth. He held this

extensive command until 1807, when it was divided. He was succeeded,

in the North Sea by Admiral Thomas Macnamara Russell, who hoisted

his flag on board the Dictator, and took up his residence at Yarmouth. f

* Under the charter of Charles II. the mayor is entitled to have a sword in a scabbard

carried before him "everywhere within, the borough, and the liberties thereof." "When

"war is declared the word is drawn and canned "naked" until peace is proclaimed, when it

is returned to its sheath. See M. p. 361; and. P.C. p. 41.

f He entered the navy when a mere child, as the custom then was, and for fourteen

years served as a midshipman. "When in command of the Hussar, 20 guns, he

fought and took the French frigate La Sybille of 88 guns. In 1800 he was advanced

to the rank of rear-admiral, When at Yarmouth he had the blockade of the Texel

under his charge. This blockade was one of the most efficient ever known; and,

notwithstanding the dangerous nature of the service, was attended with no loss.

He became a full admiral in 1812, and died in 1814 (whilst driving in his carriage at

Great Cranford, near Poole), aged 81. To the qualities of a thorough seaman, and

the science of an able naval tactitian, he added the nicest and highest sense of honor

186

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

"With the recommencement of hostilities, Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas

Thornborough* was appointed to a division of the North-Sea fleet under

Lord Keith, and hoisted his flag in the Defence, 74; and was engaged in

the blockade of the Texel. The threats of invasion which soon followed,

although causing no dismay, created some uneasiness. Many of the

inhabitants took lodgings in some of the inland towns for their wives

and children, that they might escape the first ferocity of the invaders in

case they effected a landing; for the license of the French soldiers over

the peaceable inhabitants of conquered nations was well known. On the

summit of the cliff at Boulogne there is a sort of observatory with

residential rooms annexed, bearing the following external inscription—

Poste d’ observation de l’ Empereur Napoleon; the enclosure being

designated— Enclos de la baraque de l’ Emperor and de l' Admiral.

This was in fact the station from which the great commander

“----------- looked towards England ;”

and from this spot might be seen the havoc caused by Nelson in the

Medusa, when he sank two floating batteries and destroyed such gun-

boats as laid within range outside the harbour of Boulogne. j

On the 13th of June, 1803, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince

William of Gloucester landed here from the Amethyst frigate, Capt.

Campbell, having narrowly escaped being taken prisoners by the

advanced guard of the French army. About the same time also landed

Mr. Liston, late British Ambassador at the Hague, who was permitted to

come over under a flag of truce. Admiral Thorn borough captured and

sent in the longe William Ling, a Dutch vessel bound for Rouen, having

on board "four swans consigned to Buonaparte." In the following month

Lord Burghersh arrived at the Angel Inn, and soon afterwards sailed in

the Amethyst frigate for Copenhagen. On the 18th

and the manners and urbanity of a courtier. He was brave, generous, and humane."

Sea Naval Chronicle, v. 17, p.442. A well-known officer of this fleet was Sir George

Burlton, then called the "Lively Captain Burlton," from commanding a frigate of

that name.

* He was frequently to be seen on Yarmouth Jetty. He died in 1834, aged 78.

f Here, on the 14th.of June, 1856, a statue of Napoleon I. was erected to

commemorate the alliance between France and England. Musgrave's Pilgrimage

into Dauphin é , vol. i., p. 11.

GREAT YARMOUTH

187

of November following three fishing vessels brought into these Roads

and landed the crew of the Circe frigate of 32 guns, which, whilst in

chase of a French privateer, struck on a sand and was totally lost. On the

14th of April, 1804, Sir Sydney Smith, "Hero of Acre," arrived in the

Antelope from the Flushing station; and a few days afterwards landed

and proceeded on a tour through the county." The Antelope brought over

and landed the 67th Regiment of the Line, under the command of

Colonel Gordon. In the same month the Eagle, 74, Capt. Colby, R.N.,

broke from her moorings in a, gale of wind and came on shore, but was

got off again. In the same year Lord Gower and suite arrived at the

Wrestlers, and embarked in the Amethyst frigate on a foreign mission.

The Eight Hon. Charles Arbuthnot also arrived at the Angel Inn; and

embarked on a mission to the Ottoman Porte. On the 1st of November,

1804, landed M ONSIEUR , next brother of Louis XVIII., who had been to

visit him at Calmar. On the 18th the Romney a fine ship of 50 guns, left

Yarmouth Roads for the Texel. f On the following morning seeing the

masts of three vessels supposed to form part of the British fleet, she

made towards them and ran on the Haak Sand, five miles west of the

Texel, where those vessels whose masts were seen had been wrecked

during the previous night. The Romney was totally lost; and her officers

and men escaping in the boats and upon rafts, were taken prisoners by

the Dutch; but their Admiral Kilkkert very handsomely discharged them

all on parole, and Capt. Colville and his officers returned to Yarmouth.

The Alert cutter picked up the master's mate and thirteen men from a raft

and brought them in. The thanks of the inhabitants were given to Capt.

Hancock, R.N., who with the Cruiser sloop-of-war had captured a large

French privateer of 18 guns, commanded by the noted Blackman, who,

it is said, was born at Dunkirk of English parents. His crew were

marched prisoners to Norwich on the 26th of December. When

Blackman and his officers were landed they attempted to escape by

bribing the guard; and in con-

* He was connected with Norfolk, his father, Captain Smith, having married a

daughter of Mr.Wilkinson of Burnham, whose other daughter married Lord Camelford.

f She was laden with bullocks, fowl, and vegetables for the blockading squadron,

and had trunks, parcels, and letters for almost every officer on that dreary station

the whole of which were lost.

188

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

sequence were sent on board the Monmouth. Among those who sought

refuge on our shores were the nuns of Montargis, who landed here in

1805, and afterwards found an asylum, at Bodney Hall in Norfolk,

where, on the 9th of July, Elvise Adelaide, daughter of the Prince de

Conde, took the veil.* In 1805 there arrived in these Roads H. M. sloop

Scorpion, bringing in the L’ Honneur, Capt. Antonie Dondet, and the

brig Mary of Lynn, previously captured by the Frenchman Jean Saint

Faust, noted for his successful depredations on British commerce in

these seas, was a passenger on board the l’ Honneur. The Ross Militia,

under the command of Colonel Macleod, landed at Yarmouth in 1805

and marched to Norwich. Three days previously, three men of this

regiment were washed overboard in a storm. A boat with seven sailors

was immediately hoisted out to go to their assistance, but it upset and all

perished. Mr. Donaldson, a king's messenger, proceeding from

Yarmouth to Cuxhaven in the schooner Pigeon, was wrecked on the

coast of Holland. In October, 1805, the exultation excited by the news

of Nelson's victory over the combined fleets of France and Spain, was

saddened by the account of the hero's death. f In December, 1805, the

Earl of Harrowby, Ambassador to the Court of St. Petersburgh, arrived

here, and sailed in the Venus frigate; and Lord Cathcart, appointed

Commander-in-chief of the Britannic forces on the continent, embarked

in the Vestal frigate. In the same month the Duke of Cambridge sailed in

the Orpheus. All Dutch prisoners in the town were this year exchanged.

Admiral Billy

* Great was the disappointment of the ardent youths of Yarmouth when they

rushed to the beach to see the supposed lovely creatures land, and found a lot of hard-

featured shrivelled old women worn out by fatigue, and suffering from maladie-de-mer.

f Thomas Clabbon of Tasmania, who died in 1371, aged 78, for many years

Drum-major of the 86th Regiment of the Line, was one of the drummers at Nelson's

funeral, as he was fond of relating. Sir George Jackson, then an attache at the

Berlin Embassy, happening to be in London, was selected to carry the news of the

battle of Trafalgar to the Court of Prussia. He embarked at Harwich, and travelled with all

expedition, but had the mortification of finding on his arrival at Berlin that the news had

preceded him by a few hours; a Yarmouth vessel, which sailed from this port on the same

day, entrusted with a Gazette for the fleet off the Texel, having made a quicker passage,

and the intelligence having been forwarded through Holland. Jackson's Diary, vol. i., p.

367. Thomas Gent (see vol. ii., p, 358) wrote An Ode on the death of Nelson.

GREAT Y ARMOUTH

189

Douglas was appointed Port-Admiral, and Admiral Russell commanded

the fleet off the Texel. In January, 1806. Lord Harrowby and Mr.

Hammond debarked from the Flora frigate, Capt. Brand; and in the

same month Lord Paget landed with three regiments of Light Dragoons

and three Brigades of Infantry. In the same month General Lord

Cathcart and Major-General Lord Bagot landed from the Majestic; and

in March following Lord Harrington landed, accompanied by his son

and several Hanoverian officers. In August, Sir A. Paget, our

Ambassador at Vienna, landed from the Amaranthe, and soon

afterwards Lord G. L. Gower arrived from St. Petersburgh in the

Ariadne. Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, having retired from active

service, came for a time to Yarmouth. In the same year Viscount

Trafalgar, then a youth of eighteen years, the only son of Earl Nelson

and heir to all the honours won by his heroic uncle, came to Yarmouth,

and accompanied Admiral Russell with the North-Sea squadron to the

Texel. He died in 1808, unmarried. In this year the Blanche frigate,

Capt. Lavie, brought into these Roads the French frigate La Guerriere

of 50 guns, which had been taken after a desperate action of forty-five

minutes. The Frenchman had captured a Yarmouth vessel and eight

whalers, all of which she had destroyed. In October 1806, Lord Morpeth

came down to Yarmouth, accompanied by Mr. Bartle Frere, Mr. Ross,

and two or three messengers, and embarked for Hamburgh in a frigate

which was waiting for him.* In November, 1806, the Earl of Moira,

Master-General of the Ordnance, arrived and made an inspection; in the

following month Lord Hutchinson embarked in the Astrea frigate for the

continent; and the Marquis of Douglas sailed in the Ariadne for St.

Petersburgh. On the 26th of July, 1807, the fleet under the command of

Lord Gambier, and numbering sixty-nine pennants, came into these

Roads. Vice-Admiral Stanhope was second in command; and the Hero

of Acre was on board the flagship Prince of Wales, 98 guns. This fleet

was destined for the Baltic, the troops

* The history of his going there was this. The cabinet at Berlin, alarmed at the

recent measures of Buonaparte, had made overtures to the British government, and

had sent the Prussian Minister, Count Haugwitz, to Hamburgh to meet the

English Envoy. Lord Morpeth went on to Weimar. The battle of Jena soon

followed, and his lordship was in danger of falling into the hands of the French.

190

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

being under the command of Lord Gathcart. On the 2nd of August,

1807, Mr. Francis Jackson and suits embarked for Tonningen, on a

special mission to Denmark.* At the same time the fleet sailed from

Yarmouth Roads. The troops were disembarked on the 12th of August;

after some ineffectual negotiation, Copenhagen was invested and

bombarded, and on the 6th of September the citadel and arsenal fell into

the hands of the British, together with the Danish fleet. On the 22nd of

September Sir George Jackson, on his return from Copenhagen, landed

here from the Halcyon sloop-of-war. f On the 28th of October Lord

Cathcart landed at Yarmouth from the Africaine frigate, and was

received with, demonstrations of great joy. He immediately posted to

Windsor where he waited upon the king, who soon afterwards created

him a British peer. On the following day Lord Gambier landed, having

returned to these Roads with his fleet, comprising thirty-two sail of the

line, including the Danish fleet, and a great number of frigates and

smaller vessels. In the next month Capt. Lord George Stuart landed

from the L’Amiable frigate, having brought in the famous privateer Le

Decide which had captured thirty prizes. Lord George was well known

in Yarmouth society for several years afterwards. t On the 2nd of

November, 1807, Louis XVIIL landed here, as has been related (vol. i. ,

p. 197). § January the 9th, 1808, Lord G. L. Gower,

* "I left town," he says in a letter to his mother, "at 7 a.m., but owing to the

scarcity of horses did not reach Yarmouth till 9 o'clock the next morning; and now it

blows so fresh that it is difficult to communicate with the shipping. By a strange

confusion, of orders sent from the Admiralty, I know not yet which ship I am to go in.

My corps is now assembled, and I assure you we are formidable both in numbers and

appearance" On the following day he writes again from Yarmouth, "Twenty-

seven hours have been lost here, and I thought at one moment that I should have to

return, or send one of my staff to town for more positive orders to furnish me with a

conveyance.''—Jackson's Diary.

f Writing from Yarmouth to his mother at Bath, he says "I am satisfied in the

recollection of the multiplied events of the last two months, and of the share I have

had in them."

t He was the seventh son of the first Marquis of Bute, and died a Rear-Admiral

in 1841, aged 61.

§ The seamen of the Majestie who rowed him on shore refused to take the £15

which Louis had ordered to be distributed among them. Their reasons arc given in

a very characteristic letter addressed to the admiral, and published in P.C. p. 287.

GREAT YARMOUTH

191

on his return from a mission to the Court of St. Petersburgh, landed from the

Proserpine. He had sailed three weeks previously, but had been driven back by

a storm, and finally left Gothenburg on the 2nd of January,* Lord Hutchinson,

who had been on a special mission to the King of Prussia, and who landed about

the same time, had been in no such danger, as he arrived in the Bellette sloop-

of-war. On the 22nd of March, 1808, the Stately, commanded, by Capt.,

(afterwards Sir George) Parker, and the Nassau, Capt. Robert Campbell,

proceeding towards the Great Belt descried and chased a strange sail, which

proved to be the Danish Prindts Christian-Frederic, 74, Capt. Jessen. When the

British ships reached the Dane they opened fire, but before the first Lieutenant

of the Stately could take possession the Dane grounded, and it being impossible

to get the captured ship afloat she was set on fire by her captors, and in a short

time blew up. She had fifty-five men killed and eighty-eight wounded, a loss

sufficient to prove that her commander did not surrender his ship earlier than

was consistent with the honour of the Danish flag. In May following Admiral

Sir Richard Keats, having hoisted his flag on board the Superb, came into

Yarmouth Roads, and was joined by the Mars, Capt. Lukin, some sloops-of-

war, and about 160 sail of transports, having from 10,000 to 12,000 men on

board, under the command of General Sir John Moore. The latter landed at the

Jetty and was well received. Major-Generals Paget and Murray accompanied

the expedition, as did Captain Burgoyne, then a young officer of engineers,

afterwards a field-marshal. The expedition sailed for Sweden, but nothing came

of it. On the 24th of May, 1808, the British hired cutter Swan, under the

command of Lieut. Mark Robinson Lucas (already mentioned), being off the

island of Bornholm

Louis XVIII entered Paris on the 3rd of May, 1814, after an exile of twenty-two

years. He was accompanied by the Chevalier De Bardelin, a French emigrant, who

had lived in Norwich for the previous fifteen years. Another of his followers,

M. Joseph Leonard Monsigny, did not join the king, but continued to reside at

Norwich, where he died in 1820, aged 80. He had held the post of private secretary

to Louis XVI.

* The Danes twice took the vessel, which had on board his lordship's plate and

effects, but on each occasion had to relinquish their prize on the production of a

Russian passport, backed by the Danish Minister at St. Petersburgh.

192

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

with dispatches for Sir Samuel Hood, the commander-in-chief, a Danish

cutter-rigged vessel was observed standing from the land. The Swan

having contrived to get within musket shot of her opened fire, and after

an action of twenty minutes duration the Dane blew up and sunk. The

Swan now laid nearly becalmed under the land, and the battery of

Bornholm still firing and several boats approaching from the shore,

Lieut. Lucas was compelled to move off. Sir James Saumares; in his

dispatches to Sir Samuel Hood said "Great praise is due to Lieut. Lucas

for his spirited attack on a vessel of superior force under the protection

of the enemy's batteries;" but the question arises whether a vessel

carrying dispatches should under any circumstances engage with, the

enemy. On the 2nd of January, 1809, the 32-gun frigate Amiable, Capt.

Lord George Stuart, being off the Wellbank discovered a strange sail,

and after a chase of twenty-four hours' duration came up with the French

ship-corvette Iris, and after a short running fight, during which the

Amiable received considerable damage, the Iris hauled down her

colours. The Stately, 74, Capt. George Parker, arrived from the Baltic in

1800, and landed Admiral Bertie. News came of the abandonment of the

Waleheren expedition. On the 10th of May, 1810, Vice-Admiral Sir J.

Saumarez sailed from Yarmouth Roads in the Victory, 100 guns, bound

for the Baltic, accompanied by seven sail of the line. In the same year

the Victory came into the Roads and landed Admiral Somers. He had

with him the Formidable, 98, the St. George (once Nelson's ship), 98,

the Dreadnought, 98, and several other

------- brave old, ships, whose names are writ in glory,"

making in all fourteen sail of the line.

On the 14th of November, 1810, G USTAVUS IV., the deposed King

of Sweden, landed here from the Tartarus sloop-of-war, Capt.

Mainwaring, under the assumed name of Count Gottorp. He embarked

on board an American vessel at Riga; and in the Baltic quitted her for

the British ship Ruby, from which he subsequently transferred himself

to the Tartarus, and arrived in Yarmouth Roads on the 13th of

November, and next day was brought on shore by the beach yawl Sir

Francis Burdett. He was welcomed by Lord Gambier and the local

authorities;

GREAT YARMOUTH

193

although his arrival was considered by government as "painful and

embarrassing." He was received with, much enthusiasm by the

populace, and one gentleman (the Rev. S. L. Barker), in order to be the

first to take royalty by the hand, waded up to his knees in the surf. The

people harnessed themselves to the carriage, which conveyed the king

from the beach, and, according to Dr. Doran, the ladies "kissed him as

ardently as their sisters in town afterwards kissed old Blucher." They

knew him only as a fallen monarch, whose restoration to his kingdom

was not improbable; for few then supposed that the "Frenchman"

(Bernadotte) would continue long upon the Swedish throne. The

amusing doctor goes on to say that "the farmers of Colchester greeted

him almost as warmly as the ladies of Yarmouth had done." He had an

English gentleman, Mr. Pierrepoint, as escort; British noblemen were

proud to entertain him; apartments were fitted up for him in Hampton

Court Palace; and he passed part of the following year at Hartwell with

Louis XVIII. In 1812 Gustavus returned to Yarmouth and embarked for

Altona; and even ventured to show himself at Hamburgh, then occupied

by the French, He assumed the title of Duke of Holstein, but

relinquished it at the request of the Danish government. Under the

former designation of Count Gottorp he resided for some time at Bale,

and after many eccentric wanderings under that title, and the more

modest appellation of Colonel Gustafson, died at St. Gall in Switzerland

on the 7th of February, 1837, aged 58.*

* It is said that the king had a small picture by Raffael which he highly valued, and

on leaving his dominions he had it taken out of its frame and rolled up to be carried away

with him. When the King landed at Yarmouth the picture could not be found. The

circumstance became known to a London dealer, who on enquiry found that the king had

been during part of the voyage on board a Yarmouth vessel. He therefore came down, and

after much enquiry ascertained that in the vessel's hold a small painting on canvas had

been found, which had been taken possession of by one of the sailors as a present to his

wife for the adornment of their humble dwelling; and there it was found and purchased for

a few shillings. Another picture anecdote may here find a place. West, a London dealer,

purchased a "Waterfall" for a trifling sum; and immediately sold the picture to the late Mr.

Phillips for £15. The latter pronounced it to be by Rysdael; and disposed of it to Mr.

Isaacs, a well-known dealer frequently visiting Yarmouth, where he sold the picture to

Capt. Gunthorpe for a good price; but after a time taking it back again in exchange, Isaacs

eventually obtained, as he asserted, 300 guineas for it

194

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

In 1810 thirty-six men belonging; to the ting's German Legion were

landed. From H. M. S. Roebuck, "standing much in need of clothing.'' In the

same year Capt. Ryves in the Africa, 64, convoyed two hundred

merchant vessels through the Great Belt into Yarmouth Roads, where he

left them in safety, In May, 1810, Capt. Brenton, in command of the

Spartan frigate, while cruising off Naples was attacked by a French

squadron. A heavy fire was opened on her, and in a few minutes Capt.

Brenton was dangerously wounded. The command then devolved upon

Lieut. George Wickens Willes, already mentioned.* A good position

was gained by the Spartan, and the French squadron retreated under the

batteries, but the frigate Sparviere was captured by the former. For the

distinguished part which he took in this action, Lieut. Willes was

promoted to the rank of commander. In the following year Capt. Willes

had the Leveret on the Yarmouth station. One of her boats, with one

from the Osprey and one from the Britomart captured the lugger Eole

of Dunkirk, of 14 guns, near Heligoland. Admiral Lord Gardner was in

1811 in command at Yarmouth. Lord George Stuart at this time

commanded the 88-gun frigate Horatio; and her boats captured a

Danish cutter on the coast of Norway. In March of this year the Ex-King

of Sweden sailed from Yarmouth on his return to the continent. In 1811

the Americana, on a voyage from Amsterdam to Boston, was captured

and brought in by H. M. S. Desireé. On board the prize was found a

female slave, who it appears had been purchased by Col. Predyon of the

East India Company's Service of her mother at Ceylon. The mayor

applied to the African Institution to procure the liberation of the girl

from slavery. Zachary Macaulay, the father of Lord Macaulay, then

secretary of that society, suggested that the captain of the frigate, in

libelling his prize in the Admiralty Court, should include the girl among

the goods and chattels; for, if the legality of the capture were confirmed

by the court, the girl would be freed from her old master and

"condemned into liberty," and placed under the custody of the Collector

of Customs. Lord Cathcart, Ambassador extraordinary to the Court of

Russia, accompanied by Lord Walpole, Secretary of Legation,

embarked here in 1812, the former on board

* See vol. i.., p. 269. George, his eldest son, was in 1874 advanced to the rank of R e a r - A d mi r a l .

GREAT YARMOUTH

195

the Aquilon for St. Petersburgh, the latter in the Calipso for the head-

quarters of the Russian army. On the 15th of April, 1813, the Prince of

Orange landed at the Jetty. In the same month Sir Charles Stewart,

brother to Lord Castlereagh, then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs;

the recently appointed Ambassador to the Court of Berlin, embarked in

the Nymphe and was landed at Cuxhaven.* Admiral Sir William

Bowles, writing from on board the Aquilon in Yarmouth Roads in 1812,

says, in a letter to Lord Fitzharris, "I have come here for a week to

refresh my people; for a month's cruise off the Texel knocks them up

more than five times that period to the westward." In 1813 the Duke of

Cumberland embarked from Yarmouth, when proceeding to Hanover as

the king's representative for that Electorate, on the French being driven

out of Germany. f On the 11th of August, 1813, the Earl of Aberdeen

embarked here on board the Cydnas frigate on a special mission to the

Emperor of Austria, accompanied by the Hon. E. Lamb as public

secretary, and by Mr. Morier as private secretary. In November of this

year the Duke of Clarence landed at the Jetty. In 1813 a subscription

amounting to near £400 was entered into for the parents, widows,

orphans, and others depending for support on the brave men who lost

their lives in the St. George, Defence, Hero, Saldanha, and others of his

majesty's ships during the preceding winter. Rear-Admiral Sir Edward

Berry, K.C.B., was frequently at Yarmouth. t Another officer well

known in Yarmouth was Rear-Admiral Black, R.N., who had served as

a midshipman with Lord Howe and Lord Bridport when they gained

their respective victories. He was at the taking of Surinam in 1799, and

after being for many years engaged in active service, and having

commanded the Racoon from 1809 to 1814 retired to Ormesby, where

he died in 1853, aged 81. When in command of the Weasel in the

Mediterranean

* See Diaries and Letters of Sir George Jackson, vol. iv., p. 66, wherein Sir Charles is

frequently mentioned, as also Lord Aberdeen, Lord Walpole, Lord Cathcart, and Mr. O.

B. Rumbold, who was afterwards for so many years M.P. for Yarmouth.

f He was conveyed to Gottenburg by the Nymphen, 42, commanded by Capt.

Hancock, an officer well known in Yarmouth, who died a Rear-Admiral in 1840, aged 73,

t See vol. ii, p. 193. He was presented with the freedom, of the borough.

196

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

in 1813 she was attacked by gunboats, and was fired upon from a

battery she was obliged to pass. Capt. Black compelled the gunboats to

sheer off, but the Weasel sustained heavy loss. Another officer well

known in Yarmouth was Capt. Macnamara, who in 1803 shot Lieut.-Col

Montgomery in a duel, on account of a difference arising out of a fight

between their dogs in Hyde Park. Capt. Macnamara was himself

severely wounded. He served with distinction under Nelson and Jervis.

Having been appointed to the Dictator, 74, he served for two years on

the North-Sea station; and then removed to the Edgar. In 1808 he was

employed in the Baltic, and was next appointed to the Berwick, 74, in

which he was engaged on various services in the North Sea. He died a

Rear-Admiral in 1826. The West Norfolk Regiment of Militia, which

had been doing duty at Edinburgh, landed here, 14th July, 1814, under

the command of Lieut.-Colonel Nelthorpe* One effect of the peace of

1815 was that on the 24th of September in that year, eight large French

fishing boats from Dieppe made their appearance in Yarmouth Roads,

and also forty sail of Dutch schuyts. In 1815 there landed from H. M. S.

Ernest a little fair-haired midshipman, who was destined in after years

to fight with a keener weapon than a dirk— D OUGLAS J ERROLD . J In

1820 Sir Charles Bagot, Ambassador to St. Petersburgh, embarked on

board the Liffey, 50 guns, commanded by Capt. Sir Henry Duncan. The

Right Hon. Vesey Fitzgerald, Ambassador to Sweden and Russia,

embarked here in 1820. J The Duke of

* The Nelthorpes in 1717 purchased of Sir Charles Turner an estate at Linford in

Norfolk, upon which, they erected "a very agreeable seat," instead of the old hall which

had been the residence of the Mundfords. They also purchased an estate at Hilburgh in

Norf lk of the Hares.

o

f He was a son of Samuel Jerrold, a strolling actor. His eldest brother adopted his

father's profession, and became a member of the Norwich, company, acting under the

assumed name of Fitzgerald. The Ernest was employed in conveying some of the soldiers

wounded at Waterloo to England, and young Jerrold became so disgusted by the scenes he

witnessed as to induce him to quit the navy. The poor invalids binding their sores upon

deck—their raw stumps and festering wounds— "their groans and curses—gave rise to

that horror of war which abided in him through life. He had been as it were behind the

scenes, and had witnessed the dire effects of war denuded of its excitement and glory.

t The rapid extension of railways to all parts of the continent has rendered a sea

voyage, even under steam, less rapid and convenient than a journey by land, and Great

Yarmouth has ceased to be a place of embarkation.

GREAT YARMOUTH

197

Clarence, afterwards King William. II., and his duchess, afterwards

Queen Adelaide, landed here. In 1858 two Prussian frigates, one the

Thetis (which the English government had exchanged for two gunboats)

and the other the Gefion, under the command of Prince Adalbert of

Prussia, east anchor in the Roads; and after the firing of salutes Prince

Von Schwartizburgh-Sonderhausen and other officers landed. In

September of the same year came into the harbour the screw-steamer

yacht Grille (Grasshopper), belonging to the King of Prussia, then

considered the fastest screw steamer afloat. She was commanded by

Baron Bothwell, and there were on board Lieut. Baron St. Paul, Baron

Dobenack, and Count Monte. The last time a wooden fleet ever sailed

into Yarmouth Roads was on the 30th of June, 1860. It was a glorious

sight to those who had never seen the like; and it revived the memory of

the past to those who had. The flag-ship, Royal Albert, 121 guns, having

on board Admiral Dacres, led the van, closely followed by the Donegal,

101; Edgar, 91 ; Aboukir, 91; Conqueror, 101; Trafalgar, 91; Centurion,

91; Algiers, 91; Mara, 80; Mersey, 40; Diadem, 32; and the covettes

Greyhound and Locust. They entered by Hewett's channel, and proved

to demonstration that the largest vessels in the royal navy could use it

with safety. These wooden ships, gorgeous in appearance, rich in

tradition, and associated in the past with all our naval glories, will be

seen no more. In 1860 Prince Napoleon, son of Jerome once King of

Westphalia, embarked from the Britannia Pier on board the Imperial

Yacht, Jerome Napoleon, waiting there to receive him, and proceeded to

Scotland. In May 1862, a portion of the Channel fleet visited Yarmouth;

and on the 1st of June the St. George, 90 guns, with 900 men, having;

Prince Alfred (afterwards Duke of Edinburgh) on board, anchored in the

Roads. Attended by the Rev. W. L. Onslow and Major Cowell, the

prince landed and witnessed a cricket match on the South Denes. In

August, 1862, part of the Channel fleet of ironclads, under the command

of Rear-Admiral Randolph, C.B., anchored in Yarmouth Roads. The

admiral's ship was the Achilles, of 6,121 tons and 1,250 horse power,

and carried 750 men . On the 14th of July, 1863, the Channel squadron,

under the command of Admiral Dacres, brought up in Yarmouth Roads;

comprising nine ships of 6,300 horse-

198

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

power, carrying 293 guns and 4,799 men. In 1869 the Extradition Act

was put in force here. Soren Sorenson, a young Danish seaman, was

brought on shore under an order from the Secretary of State. When the

Danish brig Peter was lying in the harbour of Marseilles, a quarrel took

place on board her between the deceased and another seaman, named

Christian Hunsen, over a prune pie which the men had at dinner, and of

which the deceased was accused of taking more than his share. A fight

ensued, when the prisoner getting the worse of it, seized a knife and

struck the deceased with it on his left side just under his heart, and two

days afterwards he died of the wound. The vessel sailed from Marseilles

to this port, and on her arrival the accused was brought before the

Borough Magistrates and handed over to the Danish authorities. In

May, 1872, the Dutch man-of-war brig Tornate, Capt. Ten Bosch, came

into the harbour. Being a training ship she had on board 100 boys. The

last occasion upon which any portion of the Channel fleet anchored in

Yarmouth Roads was on Sunday, the 20th of September, 1874, when the

armour-plated ship Northumberland of 6,621 tons, the Sultan , 5,281 tons,

and the Monarch turret-ship of 5,710 tons, steamed through the Cockle

Gat and brought up in line opposite the town, where they remained until

the 23rd of September; thus giving the inhabitants an opportunity of

estimating the progress made in the art of naval warfare. This portion of

the Channel fleet was under the command of Rear-Admiral George

Hancock.*

T HE first house fronting the sea to the south of the Assembly Rooms

was erected by J AMES C UDDON , Esq., barrister-at-law, f from a design

by Morant, for his own residence, and was by him called

* He was of a Norfolk family, and his father, Capt. Hancock, had seventy years

previously commanded a man-of-war on the Yarmouth station. As Admiral Hancock and

some officers of the fleet were leaving the Town Hall, where a ball had been given in

their honour, two women fell into the river. Lieut. Newington of the marines, attached to

H. M. S, Sultan, immediately jumped in and saved them both. In acknowledgment of this

gallant act a subscription was entered into, and Lieut. Newington was presented with a

breech-loading fowling-piece.

f Edward Cuddon was Bailiff of Dunwich in 1302, and was the ancestor of the

Cuddons of Shaddingfield, Sotterley, and Weston in Suffolk, and of the City of

GREAT YARMOUTH

199

Shaddingfield Lodge. Subsequently (from 1868 to 1871) it was occupied by

Arthur Henry Jenney, Esq,* It has recently been purchased by Samuel

Nightingale, Esq., for his own residence. A view of this house has been

given in vol. ii., p. 206.

When it became know that the Prince of Wales intended to visit

Yarmouth, Mr. Cuddon promptly offered Shaddingfield Lodge for the

reception of His Royal Highness and his suite; and such offer having

been accepted, Mr. Cuddon spared no expense or trouble in rendering the

house suitable for his distinguished guest. The Prince of Wales arrived

Norwich. The same appears on the court roll, for the Manor of Sotterley in 1434. They

acquired by marriage a good estate at Shaddingfield, which they held for some years.

Suckling's Suffolk, vol. i., p. 294. There is a pedigree of Cuddon in Sylvanus Morgan's

M.S. collections preserved at Blickling Hall. They bore arg., a chev. gu. on a chief arg.,

three bezant or. Bernard James Cuddon, tho only child of James Cuddon, Esq., married in

1869 Harriett, only child of Angus Fletcher, Esq., of Dunans, Argyleshire, and assumed in

addition the name of Fletcher.

* He is descended from an old family seated from a very early period at Knottishall in

Suffolk, and at Knodeshall and Hardwick in Norfolk. They bore for their arms— erm., a

bend gu., cotised or., which they quartered with the shields of

Fastolf and other ancient families ; and for a crest on a glove in fess

arg., a hawk or falcon close or., belled, Francis Jenney of

Knodeshall married Anne, daughter and co-heir of George Rede of

Thorington, Suffolk. Sir William Jenney was a Judge of the King's

Bench in 1477; and Sir Christopher Jenney, his grandson, was a

Judge of Common Pleas in 1530, William Jenney, the father of the

last-named judge, married in 1470 Audrey, daughter of Sir Robert

Clare, Knt., of Ormesby. John Jenny was Member for Norwich in

1452, and again in 1477. He married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Thomas

Wetherby, a rich Alderman of Norwich, from whom be acquired an estate at Intwood,

afterwards sold to the Greshams. William Wayte, writing to John Paston in 1450, after

advising him "to labour to be Knight of the Shire, recommends him to "ordain that John

Jenney be burgess for Yarmouth," for, adds he, "they (the Jenneys) can say well." Arthur

Jenney of Knodishall married in 1559 Elye, daughter of George Jernegan, Esq., of

Somerleyton. This family of Jenney is now seated at Bredfield in Suffolk, which estate

was acquired in 1683 by the marriage of Edmund, second son of Sir Robert Jenney, Knt.,

with Dorothy, daughter and co-heir of Robert Marryott of Bredfield, Kirby, p. 140; Page,

p.24 5. Persons of the same name, if not of the same family, formerly resided in Yarmouth,

William Gregson Jenney had a house on the west side of King Street; and William

Jenney, merchant, was a freeman of Yarmouth, and voted at the contested election in

1812. The name is supposed to have been originally Guisnes, and thence corrupted to

Gyney and Jenney.