MAY 29. 1694: This Day we had little Wind, and variable, from the S.S.E. round the Compass. In the Morning we had the Signal for the Fleet to Weigh; but falling calm, rode fast. Afternoon the Wind came to the N. W. with Showers of Rain, and at Night much Lightning.

[Page 6]On the 30th. about 4 a Clock in the Morning we had the Signal for Weighing, the Wind at N. N. W. and then to N. W. We came to Sail, and about 10 a Clock Donnoze bore S. W. by W. about 5 Miles distant. At 8 at Night the Needles bore N. W. by W. about 3 Leagues distant, we standing off all that Night.

On the 31st. At 4 in the Morning the High Land of St. Albans bore N. ½ W. of us, about 3 Leagues distant. We had little Wind at N. W. About 9 there was a Council of War held on Board the Britannia, where were present,

• Mr. Russel, Admiral of the Fleet.
• The Lord Berkeley, Admiral of the Blue.
• Sir Cloudesley Shovel, Vice-Admiral of the Red.
• Colonel Aylmer,. Vice-Admiral of the Blue.
• Colonel Mitchel, Rear-Admiral of the Red
• The Marquis of Caermarthen, Rear-Admiral of the Blue.
• Captain Bing, eldest Captain to the Admiral.
• Lieutenant-General Talmash.
• Earl of Macclesfield.
• The Lord Cutts.
• Sir Martin Beckman.
• [Page 7]Admiral Allemonde, Admiral of the Dutch.
• Vice-Admiral Vander-Putten.
• Vice-Admiral Schey.
• Vice-Admiral, Vander-Goes.
• Rear-Admiral Everten.
• Captain Vander-Duten.

Where it was Resolved,

First, That the Fleet designed for Brest should make the best of their way for Camarett Bay, and Anchor there, where the Land-Forces were to be immedi­ately disembarked, and the Fleet to remain at An­chor, 'till they had Advice from Lieutenant-General Talmash of the Condition of the Fort on the Star­board side going in, and what Forces he might find there.

Secondly, That the going into Brest Water with the Fleet being taken into Consideration, 'twas not then thought advisable, to come to any positive Resolution at what time to go in, but to have that matter to be considered of, when the Fleet arrived at Camarett Bay.

Thirdly, That a Red Ensign on the Fore-Top-Mast-Head on Board the Admiral, and firing a Gun, was agreed upon to be the Signal for the Soldiers Imbarking on Board the small Vessels and Boats; [Page 8]and the taking down the said Signal, and firing Two Guns, the Signal for the Soldier's going from the Fleet on Shore.

But in going on Board the Britannia, there arose a Fogg, which lasted 'till Noon; then came a fine fresh Gale of Wind which clear'd up the Fogg; and at 8 at Night Portland bore N. W. by N. a­bout 3 Leagues distant.

June 1st. At 4 a Clock in the Morning, Port­land bore N. W. about 5 Leagues distant, the Wind at W. by S. and at 8 (the Ebbing spent) we An­chored in 29 Fathom Water, (Portland bearing N. ½ W. about 4 Leagues distant) with pleasant Weather. At 2 Afternoon we came to Sail again, and at 8 at Night the Start bore W. S. W. ½ S. a­bout 6 Leagues distant; and at 9 we Anchored in 19 Fathom Water, with a small Breeze Northerly.

On the Second, at 3 a Clock in the Morning we Weighed, it being calm; and at 6 the Berry-Head bore W. by S. about 5 Leagues; at half an Hour after 9 we Anchored in 25 Fathom Water, where we lay till half an Hour after 2, then Weighed, having a fine Gale at S. W. and at 8 at Night the Berry bore W. S. W. about 3 Leagues distant, the Wind at N. W.

[Page 9] June 3d. We had a Calm all the Morning, till about 7 a clock; then a small Gale at N. N. W. Afterwards veering to the W. and W. S. W. At Noon we had the start W. B. S. about 3 Leagues distant. And at 8 at Night N. W. B. N. about 3 Leagues, the Wind then at N. W.

On the 4th. At 4 a clock in the Morning, the Bolt bore N. W. about 3 Leagues distant, the Wind at W. N. W. afterwards came about to S. W. B. S. At Noon, the Bolt L and was N. B. W. half W. about 5 Leagues distant; and at 8 at Night, the Ram-head N. W. half W. about 5 leagues distant; all the Fleet at this time plying to the Westward.

On the 5th. At 4 a clock in the Afternoon (the Wind at N. W. and the Ram-head bearing N. of us, about 37 Miles distant) we parted from Admiral Russel, with 29 Sail of Line of Battel Ships, English and Dutch (besides small Frigats, Fire-Ships, Machines, Tenders, Well-Boats, and 5 Bomb-Vessels) under the Command of my Lord Berkely: The Admiral, with the rest of the Fleet, at the same time, making the best of his Way for the Streights, and We for Camarett-Bay.

[Page 10]On the 6th. At 9 a clock in the Morn­ing, my Lord Berkeley made the Signal for a Council of War, for consulting, directing and ordering all things to be in a readiness for Landing in Camarett-Bay. And,

1st. It was agreed to put in Execution the Resolutions of the Council of War afore-men­tion'd, held on board the Britannia, the 31st. of May, Admiral Russel President.

2dly. It was resolved to send a Lieutenant in each of the Ship's Boats (that carry the Men on shore) to Command them.

3dly. It being Propos'd to go in without Flags, it was Resolv'd in the Negative.

My Lord Cutts advis'd landing all the Grena­diers (which were about 600) a little before the rest of the Forces, that (in case the Enemy should be intrench'd, and that it should be re­solv'd to attack them) we might be in a bet­ter Condition to force their Entrenchments; and also advis'd, That before they should land, a Captain, with 50 Grenadiers, might go on shore, [Page 11]to discover the Posture and Countenance of the Enemy; for 'twas his Lordship's Opinion (if their Intrenchments were very strong, and su­stain'd by Regular Troops) not to attack them, believing the thing, in such a case, not to be practicable; but if the Grenadiers should all land, then the rest of the Forces should imme­diately land to sustain them. This Advice of his Lordship's was by all extremely well-approved of, and Lieutenant-General Talmash himself agreed it should be so: accordingly it was order'd, That all the Grenadiers should be embark'd on the Well-Boats, and my Lord Cutts very honoura­bly offer'd his Service to Command them; which Lieutenant-General Talmash also consen­ted to.

It was also consulted at this Council of War, Whether we should stand in for Camarett-Bay that Night (though in the Night,) And 'twas Resolv'd, To endeavour to make the Land that Evening, and to go in as far as we could in the Night. Accordingly we made sail, and about 6 a clock in the Evening we saw Ushant, bear­ing S. E. half E. about 7 Leagues distant; but at 10, so many of our Tenders and Well-Boats, besides some Ships, were so far a-stern, [Page 12]that we were forc'd to lie by for them, till 3 the next Morning.

June 7th. At Three a clock in the Morning we made sail, the Wind at N. N. E. At Four, had Ushant E. S. E. of us, about Three Leagues distant. At Twelve, St. Matthew's-Cloyster bore N. E. B. E. And at Half an hour after One (the Tyde of Ebb being strongly made) we were forc'd to come to an Anchor about a league S. S. E. from St. Matthew's Point, in 20 Fathom Water. At Five (the Tyde of Flood being made) we weighed again, and stood in; and at Seven, came to an Anchor between Camarett-Bay, and the Bay of Bertheaume, in 16 Fathom Water.

In our coming in (the Wind shortning upon us) we were forc'd to make two Trips from side to side, before we could get to our design'd Anchoring-place. In which time, we were re­ceived with Bombs from 4 Points of high Land. The first Bomb that was thrown at us, was from the West Point of Camarett Bay, our Ships being forc'd (at first) to stand near that Point, the Wind being at N. N. E. so that we had several Bombs thrown at us before we tack'd, and stood the [Page 13]other way, and after we were about, and had stood pretty near the N. Shore, we were also re­ceived with several Bombs from an old Castle which stood very high upon a little Island close to the W. Point of Bertheaume Bay; and after we had tack'd again, as we were standing in to come to an Anchor, the other Two Points on each side of the Narrow, going into Brest Road, (one on the N. side, called Point des Minoux; the other on the S. side, called Point des Filletes, (which is the W. end of Point 'Spanicle,) play'd also their Bombs at us. But the Two latter could not throw them so far as our Ships, tho' the Two former did; and after we were come to an An­chor, they continu'd throwing Bombs at us from all the afore-mention'd Places, till Ten a clock at night, but did us no damage at all.

A little before we came to an Anchor, My Lord Cutts, and my self, agreed to go on Board my Galley, and look into Camarett-Bay, taking a­long with us Sir John Jacobs, Captain Pitman, Captain Hammond, Mr. Vanbrooke, &c. that were on Board the Royal William, and accordingly went on Board my Lord Berkely for leave, where we met my Lord Mohun, and Mr. Wharton, who also desir'd to go along with us; and having stood [Page 14]well into the Bay, so as to gain a good View of it, we were warmly fir'd at by Camarett-Fort; but by the Assistance of those few little Guns we had in the Galley, and the good Sailing of her, we made a shift in our own Smoke to get out a­gain, without any Damage.

Then we return'd on Board my Lord Berkely, and after having given an Account of the Posture of the Bay, and the Situation of its Castle, how advantagiously it lay for defending the Landing-Places; 'twas thought fit that Two Ships of a­bout 60 Guns each, should be sent in, in the morning to batter that Castle, and accordingly my Lord Berkely ordered the Monk, and a Dutch Man of War, about the same Force, to go in for that purpose. But I (having view'd the Place) did believe that Two Ships would not be sufficient to cover our Boats at their Landing, from the Fire of that Fort, and therefore mov'd his Lordship to think of sending such a Num­ber, as would be sufficient not only to secure the Boats from the Shot of the Castle, but also give Assistance to our Land-Forces, (when landing) by playing some of our Cannon upon the Enemies Troops, which we had great Reason to believe would strongly oppose them; finding them much [Page 15]better prepared on all sides, with Mortars, Guns, and Men, than we expected: But all my Pro­posals in that Matter, my Lord Berkely referr'd to the Opinion of a Council of War, which he then resolved to call the next morning by Three or Four a clock.

On the 8th. at Break of Day, was a stark Calm, and so great a Fog, that we could not see half the length of our Ships from us, and continued so till between 6 and 7, at which time the day clear'd up, so that the Signal for a Coun­cil of War was easily perceived; as also that for Embarking the Soldiers, at the same time we saw drawn up in a Line, upon the High-land on the W. side of Camarett-Bay, Fourteen Squa­drons of the Enemies Horse, which appeared to us to be Regular Troops, being all very well cloathed.

Between Seven and Eight a Clock, the Coun­cil of War, consisting of the English and Dutch Flags, and the General Officers of the Land-For­ces, were assembled, and after consulting what was best to be done, for the securing our Land-Forces, on their Approach to the Enemies Shore, and to cover their Landing, 'twas resolved (as I [Page 16]had proposed to my Lord Berkely the night before) to send in Three English, and Three Dutch Fri­gats more, besides the Monk and Dutch Man of War afore-mentioned, which were only ordered to batter the Fort, and I (having the night before been in the Bay, and view'd the Posture thereof) offer'd my Service to Command the Ships ordered on this Occasion; which being Accepted of, I desir'd also, that Lieutenant-General Talmash might fend some fitting Land-Officers, to go in with me, who (when we were come to an Anchor in the Bay) might be able, and return soon enough to give him an Account of all the Difficulties was possible for us, from our Ships, to discover in any of the proper Landing-Places, so that he might the better avoid those Difficulties, and land in the most easie Place of Access; which also was agreed to, and accordingly the Lieute­nant-General appointed Monsieur Mountergis to go with me.

In all other Matters, this Council of War a­greed in their Resolutions with that of the 6th. excepting this Addition, That when my Lord Berkely should hoist a White Flag at the Fore-Top-Mast Head, all the Ships, Small Vessels, and Boats, should come off, and make the [Page 17]best of their Way, out of the Bay to him a­gain.

Before the Council of War was ended, se­veral of the Vessels and Boats, (in which the Land-Forces were Embarqu'd) came under my Lord Berkley's Stern, but the Mysty Wea­ther before, and the Calm, which yet conti­nued, hindred them from getting to that Rendezvous, so soon as was design'd, by Three or Four Hours.

I also desir'd my Lord Berkely (tho' he had ordered the Monk, and Damiaten, a Dutch Man of War, to go in and batter that Fort, before I came in with the other six Ships,) that he would give me leave to go in with the Monk, and lay her and the said Dutch-man in the most proper Stations for so doing, be­cause neither of the Captains knew any thing of the Figure of that place, and I could ea­sily return time enough, for leading in the o­ther six Ships, and place them also to the best Advantage; which his Lordship granted, and agreed would be very convenient, so taking my leave of him, I went on Board the Charles [Page 18]Galley, and hoisted my Flag there, he not being willing I should hoist it on Board the Monk, because he would have me take the greatest care of posting the other six Frigates as conveniently as could be to cover our For­ces landing, and to annoy (as much as possi­ble) the Enemies Forces, which we had great reason to believe was intrencht on the East side of the Bay; so that to have hoisted my Flag on board the Monk, to have struck it again, (when 'twas absolutely necessary to have it on board another Ship for leading in the rest to their design'd Stations) would have given such encouragement to the Enemy, that they would have thought they had knook'd down a Flag-Officer, or that they had done us a great deal more damage than they did.

The Six Ships appointed to go into the Bay with me on this occasion, were the Greenwich, a Ship with Fifty-four Guns mounted, the Charles Galley with Thirty-two, and the Shorehim with Thirty-two; and the Drakenstein with Forty-four, the Wesep with Thirty, and the Wolfe with Thirty; but the Greenwich, (on board of which I had design'd to have horsted [Page 19]my Flag) by reason of the Negligence of her Commander, (whose Name is Weyghman) or his Cowardice, or both, had disobey'd my Orders, and came not near me all that day; so that the best half of the English. Force, in that little Detachment, was left behind: After I had hoisted my Flag I called together the Five Captains, that afterwards went in with me, and gave them as good a Descrip­tion, by a Map, as I could, of the Bay we were going into, and how I design'd they should be there Posted, and what we were then to do, Ordering them with the Five Ships under their Command to follow at such a convenient Distance from me, as that (after I had posted the Monk, and Dutch Man of War appointed to batter the Fort) I might return time enough to lead them into their proper Stations.

Then I went on Board the Monk, it be­ing about Twelve of the Clock at Noon, making the best of my way in for the Bay: But it continued yet so calm, that I was forc'd to get Boats to tow us on our way, and as soon as we were separated a little [Page 20]from the Fleet, the Enemy began to throw their Bombs very fast upon us from Point des Fillettes, and the VV. Point of Camarett-Bay, and after we were come within Three Quarters of a Mile of the latter, one of their Bombs broke just over our Heads, in the Monk, a great piece of which struck through her Poop, and Two Decks more, and came out again into the VVater near one of the Stern Ports, on the Larboard-side in the Gun-Room, killing Two Marines of my own Company, and wounding a Third which stood close by me on the Poop, and soon after (which was about One of the Clock) a fine Breeze sprung up at North-VVest, which set us apace into the Bay, and as soon as we were come up a-brest of the VVest-Point, Camarett-Fort fir'd very fast at us; and we being [Page 21]forc'd, at that time, to stand with our Stem right upon it, the Shot from thence did us a great deal of Damage; they, for a considerable time having the opportunity of Raking us fore and aft, (no Shot from the Fort being thrown at us of a less nature than a Demi-Cannon,) and we not able to bring any but our chase Guns to bear upon them. And after we were pret­ty well shot into the Bay, we were furpriz'd with Three Batteries firing upon us; which we did not perceive, or know any thing of, till we felt their Shot: two of which, as we were going in, was on our Starboard-side, one of Three Guns, and the other of Five, and another of Six Guns, upon our Starboard Bow, close by Camarett-Church. There was also a Redoubt stood pretty high behind the Fort and the Church, which had five or six [Page 22]Guns mounted, but of a small nature. So when the rest of the Ships came up, finding all these Batteries so ex­tremely defensive against us, I was forc'd to alter my former Resolutions of placing them; and after I had brought the Monk, and a Dutch Man of War, into the most proper Station I could judge, for battering the Fort, I was necessitated my self to go on board every particular Ship, that was following me, to fix some of them, so as to give Diversion to those Batteries; and the others in the most conve­nient Stations I could at that time get them to, for defending our Land-Forces (on their approach to the Shore) from the Cannon-shot; and also to execute our Design on the Enemies Land-Forces, and cover our own on their Descent. But I had no sooner parted from the Monck, but [Page 23]the Wind came about to the N. E. which then also made it very diffi­cult for me to prosecute my De­sign; but with getting most of their Boats together, and towing first one Ship, and then another, I made a shift, at last, to post them in such a manner, that I am very well assured, gave great Succour to our Land-Forces, and also a considerable An­noyance of the Enemy; though not so much as they should have done, had not the Wind unluckily come about from the Westward to the East­ward.

As soon as we were come to an Anchor, Monsieur Mountergis, as well as my self, plainly perceived that the Enemy had very advanta­giously intrench'd themselves at e­very place where there was any pos­sibility [Page 24]of Landing; and there was also great numbers of Foot drawn behind their Trenches, besides some Regular Troops of Horse. And as we were standing into the Bay, we saw all those Squadrons of Horse (which were before drawn up on the high Land on the VVest-side of the Bay) riding round, as fast as they could, to the design'd Landing­place.

As soon as we had seen these uncomfortable Prospects, Monsieur Mountergis went with all speed to acquaint the Lieutenant-General there­with; who was at that time with most of the Land-Forces pretty well advanc'd towards the Bay, (the Sig­nal being made for the Forces going on shore as soon as I began to engage.)

[Page 25]I thought our Land Forces mov'd towards the Shore in great disorder, and how it hap­pned I know not, but Lieutenant General Talmash, with a small number of Well-boates in a kind of confused manner, went on shore under a little Rock on the South side of the small Bay, where they landed: And I saw no prosecution of that regular way of landing, which my Lord Cutt's proposed, and was be­fore agreed on; but having a great deal on my hands, and so little assistance, that I was forc'd, generally to go on my own Mes­sages, I am able to give but little account of what was done close by the Shore: Only that when I saw the Boates, and small Vessels (in which our Land Forces were imbarqu'd) had made their retreat from thence, (except­ing such as stuck fast there, in which a great many men were kill'd, and out of which others were taken Prisoners, and some jumpt into the Water, endeavouring that way to make their escape) I went with my 20 Oar'd­boat pretty close to the Shore in hopes to save some, and had the good fortune to take [Page 26]up several before they were drown'd; at the same time I had the opportunity to take notice of the disposition of that little Bay. The Enemy just then making a run­ning Fire round all their Trenches, and from every Battery they had rais'd on this occasi­on; and tho they also fir'd Ball at us, it presently shew'd they meant it only as a signal of their Victory, but by that means I easi­ly discovered how they were provided.

This was a Sandy Bay, about 300 yards in Front, and was naturally easie of access, and was flankt on the right, and left with strong Earth-works, and Cannon, and had a deep Trench of Communication, from one work to the other fronting the Water, with­in less than half Musquet-shot from the wa­terside. But according to my poor judgment in matters of this kind, the preparations they had made was such (the great number of the Troops both of Horfe and Foot, which they had behind their Works to sustain them, considered) it would have been altogether [Page 27]impossible (had we had double our Force) to have executed our Design.

Our Ships both at their comming in, and when anchored in the Bay made a very vigorous fire upon the Enemy for about 3 hours but Camarett-fort had such thick Walls and our men was so undisciplin'd and such ill Marks­men, that I believe we did the Fort but little Damage, tho we occasion'd their men to run out of it twice, and saw their Officers, driving them back again, but after that, our men seeing the Boates with the Land Forces were repulsed, and forc't to retreat, and the French Batteries firing still very vigorously on them, and every moment some of them falling, and many kill'd and wounded; great numbers of the Ships Companies that were there, both Dutch and English, ran into the Hold, in spight of all the Officers could do to prevent it.

As soon as I had disposed of the poor men I sav'd from drowning, I went on Board the Charles Gally again, and after I had been [Page 28]there about half and hour, I saw the signal made for bringing off the Ships, and accor­dingly sent to every Ship to get off as fast as they could: But the greatest difficulty I had in all this Action was to effect that part, for almost all their Rigging was cut to pieces, and most of their Masts and Yards disabled, so that there was no way left to preserve them, but by Towing them off with great number of Boates, and we had but very few left with this Little Squadron, by reason almost all the Boates in the Fleet were forc't to be made use of for the assistance of the Landforces. So that Boates being our only remedy, and de­lay in getting them, of most dangerous conse­quence, and fearing an inferior Officer might not be so speedily obey'd, I was oblig'd to go my self after the Pinnaces and Barges, car­rying off some of the Officers of the Land For­ces, and (disimbarking some of them) force in as many of the Boates as I could procure, timely enough, to tow off the Ships, the Boates Crews being very unwilling to go back to such a hot place notwithstanding I return'd with them, [Page 29]and then not having enow to imploy in towing off two Ships at once, I first clapt them all to the Charles Gally, she being the farthest ad­vanc'd into the Bay, and the most disabled in her Masts, Sails and Rigging, and also her Rudder having received such an unlucky Shot, as made it wholly unserviceable to her. But by this time the Shoreham, whose Masts, Sails and Rigging were not so much disa­bled as the rest, by the assistance of two or three Boates got out of the Bay clear of all. And after I had tow'd the Charles Gally so far out as that she had weathered the Rock, close by the West Point of the Bay, I took all the Boates from her but three, and brought them back with all Expedition, and clapt them to the Monk At this time the Dutch Man of War (which I had posted with her Broad-side to the little Bay, where our Forces attempted to Land) being a great deal to windward of the rest, (and having received very little Damage, as being at the greatest distance from Camarett-fort, and the [Page 30]Batteries on the West side,) immediately sailed out, without the assistance of any Boates. Whereupon, her Boates, with what other Dutch Boates I could meet, I sent to the assistance of two of the other Dutch-men of War, which lay on the West side of the Bay, and in a short time, tho they were very much shatter'd, made a shift to get out. By that time they were out, the Monk had got up her Anchors; and after I had given the Fort her broadside (as near as I could) in a Volley, (the boates being all ready) I made them tow her Head round off in that Smoke, and so continue towing as fast as they could. No sooner was her Smoke dispersed, but the Ene­my (perceiving her going off) fir'd (I think) more vigorously at her than they had done all the time before, and (her Stem lying fair with the Fort) what Shot then took place in her, (raking her fore and aft) did her more damage, than she had receiv'd most of the time before: She being not far from the West side of this Bay, and the Wind at E. N. E. [Page 31]and having no Sails to make use of, but her tow Courses, all her Topmasts, Rigging, Yards, and her Rudder also being so much disabled, that she had no Steeridge, but what the boates gave her, occasion'd her driving so much to­wards that shore, so that we were forc'd to make the Boates to tow all they could to windward, which laid them so open to the Forts Shot, which the Enemy perceiving, fir'd as fast as they could at them, and their Shot flew so thick among the Boats, that it dishearten­ed their Crews, that they gave over towing, and ran all of a huddle under the shelter of the Ship, notwithstanding all the Officers could say or do to encourage them; so that for their encourage­ment I was forc'd to go my self in my own boat, and tow, in the middle of them, that the Ship might be kept from the Rock near the point to the Leward of her, towards which she then drove very fast. I had been but a little while among them, before a shot struck through a boat, on my Right, hand, which wounded a Lieuten­nant and one of his Men, and almost sunk [Page 32]her, and a little while after, came a Shell in­to a Boat on my left hand, close by me which killed four Men and wounded two more, and sunk the Boat, all at once; and this so disincourag'd my Men, that they all gave over towing, and began to get under the shelter of the Ship again, so that I was forc'd my self to fire a Musquet at them, and to take up another to do the same, before I could make them return to their work.

With these difficulties I made a shift to get the Monk clear of this dangerous Rock, and brought her off, tho she did not escape coming upon it near half her Length, where if she had struck she would have most cer­tainly been lost.

After I had got her clear, and out of all danger, there was but one Ship left be­hind, which was a small Dutch-Man of 30 Gunn's called the Weesep. I had some time before called to severall Dutch Boats to go and [Page 33]help her, but finding they had not obey'd my Order, I was going my self, when I saw two Boats put off from her side: I row'd up to them, to know in what condi­tion She was, and found an English Ensign in one of them; who told me, the Captain, with all his Officers, and Men, were kill'd, but what I saw in those two Boats; and that the Ship had Twelve Foot Water in Hold, and was sinking: He said likewise, that half the Company he belong'd to, being acciden­tally left on Board with him, were all kill'd, but himself, a Drummer, and one Man more; and seeing there was no possibility of saving her, I went immediately to my Lord Berke­ley, who was then on Board the Dread-nought (where the General was carried in order to his going to England, for the taking care of the Wound he had received in his Thigh:) most of the Flag and General Officers of the Land Forces, being also then on Board the Dread-nought to see the Lieutenant General. My Lord Berkeley thought it very convenient to consult what was best to be done, and with­out making a Signal for a Council of War, he [Page 34]sent for the rest of the Flag-Officers; and after a long Consultation, the Result was as fol­lows, word for word.

After this Consultation was over, every Officer returned to his proper Ship.

In this Action, all the Captains (both English and Dutch) who com­manded the Ships that went into Camarett Bay, behaved themselves with great Gallantry, and particu­larly [Page 38]Captain Warren, Commander of the Monk; who not only shewed himself to be a Man of extraordina­ry Courage, but in all kinds beha­ved himself as well as 'twas possible for a Commander to do.

On this occasion most of the Vo­lunteers on Board the Royal William offered me their Service, which I accepted of, and they all behaved themselves extraordinarily well, and were most of them of great use to me, particularly Mr. Vanbrooke, Cap­tain Chasseloup, Mr. Bonard, and Mr. Dixon (my Secretary.)

Mr. Vanbrooke during all this A­ction, stuck very close to me, and in a great many things, was ex­tremely serviceable both by his ad­vice and otherwise.

[Page 39]Captain Chasseloup was with me both in the Monk, and Charles Galley, in which Ships, he was often forc'd to do the Duty both of Lieutenant and Master; and without him, (he knowing the place particularly well) I should not have been able to have posted the Ships so conveni­ently as I did.

The Charles Galley having but one Lieutenant on Board Her, and he so dull a Creature, that he was very useless, Mr. Bonard and Dixon were forc'd to supply his Defects, which each of them perform'd with so much Courage and Dexterity, that with­out them, the Captain would have had no assistance, and the Ship have been much more unserviceable than She was.

[Page 40]Mr. Shewell, my Chaplain, would needs go along with me likewise on this occasion, and was very service­able, shewing a great deal of Brave­ry himself, and giving good Advice, and thereby great incouragement to the Seamen.

Theophilus Hodgson (my Eldest Lieutenant) went also voluntarily along with me, whose Service (had he not been with us at our going in and coming out) we should have much wanted, for besides the Service he did in general, when it was hard to find any of the Monks People that would attempt it, he very readily clap'd a Spring upon Her Cable, by that means to bring Her Broad-side to bear on the Enemies Fort, and in get­ting the Ship off, he both performed [Page 41]the Duty of several Officers, as also of a com­mon Seaman, during the whole Action, he did not only shew himself to be an extraordi­nary stout Man, but wonderfully active.

Mr. Ripley (the Chief Mate of the Royal William) was also with me, who (after the Master of the Monk was kill'd) did his Duty, and was a great help to us in saving the Ship.

Two young Gentlemen, whose Names were Tankard and Trow, were also very ser­viceable on board the Monk in this Action; but the latter had the Misfortune to have his Leg taken off with the very last Shot that struck the Ship, of which Wound he died in 3 or 4 hours.

The three English and four Dutch Men of War, that were then under my Command, have lost about 400 Men.

The Loss that the Land-Forces have su­stain'd, I am not acquainted with; but 'tis reported that the Killed, Wounded and Taken, are about 700 Men.

[Page 42] June 9th. 1694.

PUrsuant to the Resolutions of a Coun­cil of War held last Night, at Five a-Clock this Morning we came to Sail, the Wind at E. S. E. and stood out of the Bay, at Noon had Fountain-head S. S. E. four Leagues distant, falling calm till six in the Evening; then a fine Breeze at N. E. at eight at Night, the South-end of Ushant bore N. by W. four Leagues distant.

On the 10th.

At four this Morning, Ushant bore S. E. by S. about five Leagues distant, the Wind at E. by S. veering to the S. E. seve­ral Ships appear'd in sight, which prov'd to be the Bomb-vessels and Store-ships, which we had so long wanted: Upon which there was a Council of War called, where being proposed, whether (since their Arrival) we should alter the Resolutions of the last Council of [Page 43]War, it was resolved in the Negative; so we made Sail for Spithead, and at eight at Night had Ushant S. by E. ½ E. about nine Leagues distant.

On the 11th.

Little Wind from E. S. E. to South, in­clining to Calms. Since we took our depar­ture last Night, we have gone N. E. se­venteen miles distant, Latitude per Account 49 d. 18 m. departure from Ushant four miles East, it being S. ½ W. 38 miles.

On the 12th.

Thick rainy Weather blowing hard all day, the Wind from E. S. E. to W. S. W. and back to S. E. again: Our Course per board, all Impediments allowed, is N. E ½ N. 52 miles, difference of Latitude 40. and Meridian distance 32 miles, Latitude per Ac­count 49 d. 58 m. Meridian distance from Ushant 36 Miles East, it bearing S. S. W. ½ W. 28 Leag. and 2 miles; about four in the Afternoon [Page 44]we handed both Top-sails, bore up, and came to our Larboard tack till about eleven, then brought to; to the Eastward again; and in bearing up, a Ship run on board us, and split our Fore-Sail, and carried away our Fore-top Gallant-mast, broke his own Spritsail-yard, which with the Sail hung to the bunt of our Fore-sail, then dropt over­board: He also lost his Sprit-sail Top-mast, and so got clear.

On the 13th.

At six this Morning we saw the Bolt North, four Leagues from us; at eight the Start had the same bearing and distance, the Wind at S. W. fair weather, veering to the E. S. E. At eight at night the Bill of Portland bore N. E. by E. about four Leagues; then came up with us the Surlings and Newport, two small Frigats bound for New England. All the following Night proved but little Wind.

[Page 45] On the 14th.

At four this morning the Bill of Portland bore N. N. W. about 5 Leagues distant, the Wind at S. W. a fine small Gale: At twelve we had the Needles N. ½ E. about three Leagues distant in the Evening; sometimes Calm, and sometimes a small Breeze at E. S. E. We drove till the Flood was done, and then anchored in 12 Fathom-water, being 12 a-clock at night, Donnoze bearing N. by W. and Cul. Cliff N. by E.

On the 15th.

At 6 this morning we weighed, having a fine Gale at S. W. and at half an hour after ten we anchored within St. Helen's Road in seventeen Fathom-water, where we moored, Jilkiker bearing N. W. ½ W. and St. Helen's Point, South-Westerly.

[Page 46]My Lord Berkeley, during all this Expedi­tion, has had a great deal of unusual trouble by reason of the Imbarcations of the Soldiers; notwithstanding which (both, by his Advice at Councils of War, and issuing of Orders, which his Lordship has done very methodically) hath behaved himself (in my Opinion) with all the Conduct and Prudence that could be expected from any Gentleman in his Station.

Lieutenant-General Talmash, the Earl of Macclesfield, my Lord Cutts, and all the Offi­cers of the Land-Forces (I think) have shown all the forwardness and readiness imaginable, for the attempting any thing that was possible to be done on this occasion.

There are no Officers of Note (that I can yet hear of) kill'd in this Action, but Mon­sieur Lamote; and Lieutenant-General Talmash died the Tuesday following of the Wound he re­ceived in his Thigh; but there are several Captains, &c. who are either kill'd or taken, whose Names I am as yet ignorant of.