“Not much,” replied he; “I am only winged above my elbow, and I am waiting my turn to be lopped.” His arm was dreadfully broken by a grape-shot. There were so many of us in a crippled state it was thought prudent to haul to the westward, as the swell was throwing us towards the shore, and the sky had all the tokens of a gale of wind from the west-south-west. We gave it to her most gloriously with the starboard lower and main-deckers, and turned the forecastle guns loaded with grape on the gentleman who wished to give us a fraternal hug. We soon removed from our position, as the small building under which we had taken shelter had been formerly struck by lightning, and we began to be apprehensive of its second visit. A prize crew sailed the prize to Gibraltar where she was purchased into the Navy. Thus gloriously fell in the arms, and on the deck, of Victory, as brave, as intrepid, and as great a hero as ever existed, a seaman’s friend and the father of the fleet. The Tonnant class was a group of eight 80-gun third rates, designed for French Navy by Jacques-Noel Sane. We had taken the precaution of keeping our guns towards the enemy shotted, but fortunately for us and for those people who were amusing themselves in the enemy’s gun-boats, the fog was so dense that we neither could see them or they us. ( Log Out /  The night was passed in much painful anxiety, and we expected every time we wore to strike on the rocks of Cape Trafalgar. We left the second lieutenant and sixty men in charge of her, and took some of the prisoners on board when she swung clear of us. The sails appeared to know their places and were spread like magic. They cheered and in a short time carried her. Before we sailed we had several dinner-parties and made excursions to St. George’s and other caves. This was the more provoking as we could not return her the compliment, having full employment with those we first engaged. We sent our wounded men to the hospital, and began to refit. She then reverted to the French Navy.[1]. Tonnant fought in the battles of Genoa on 14 March 1795 and The Nile on 1 August 1798 under Aristide Aubert Du Petit Thouars. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I must not omit that when the Commander of the French fleet, Admiral Villeneuve, was brought alongside us instead of the Victory, he was informed it was not Nelson’s ship. [15], Between November and December 1809 she was under repair at Plymouth. Tyler carefully drilled his crew until Tonnant was amongst the most efficient and powerful ships in the fleet. The crew were then ordered with the second lieutenant to board her. The love of his country was engraven on his heart. [9] Jervis had just arrived from Rochefort and was anxious to impart his intelligence to the commander-in-chief. Rudderless, with damaged masts and spars with the stern windows smashed in, Lieutenant Benjamin Clement recalled the crew’s fear -“In this state we experienced as heavy a gale as ever I was in. Tonnant lost 26 officers and men killed and 50 officers and men wounded in the battle, with Tyler being among the wounded. Having no boat that would float, four of the seamen jumped overboard to rescue those who could not swim, and they all regained the ship. [2], Tonnant was paid off into ordinary in November 1818. Abercrombie was in company with Tonnant, Royal Sovereign, Queen, Pompee and Goldfinch. ( Log Out /  As the name says, these are ships primarily designed for use by traders for cargo shipping and pirates for plunder. Everything went off very pleasantly except with the poor, distressed horses, who had to run over deep sand. A marine who had sailed with me in a former ship was standing up as I passed, with his left arm hanging down. [4] Next, Tonnant, Mars and Spartiate captured the Dutch ships Coffee Baum and Maasluys on 2 and 4 June. The real life exploits of this British Royal Navy officer inspired the fictional heroes of C.S. As we stood in the tower, which, as Paddy would say, is no tower at all, we saw the thunder-clouds descend under us, and could distinctly see the lightning. We had fought on nearly empty stomachs. Emilie was armed with twelve 10-pounder guns and had a crew of 84 men. They had made a good job of it, and it answered admirably. Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson captured her at Aboukir Bay off the coast of Egypt at the Battle of the Nile on 1 August 1798. A first-class share of the prize money was worth £34 12s 9¼d; a sixth-class share, that of an ordinary seaman, was worth 7s 10¾d. Cartwright, RN) and the French submarines Le Glorieux (Lieutenant de vaisseau (Lt.) J.C.P. On the morning of 14 December, the British engaged the Americans in a short, violent battle. The explosion she made was sublime and awful; a number of her crew were saved by the Pickle schooner. After Major General Robert Ross's death in the Battle of North Point, his body was stored in a barrel of 129 gallons (586 l) of Jamaican rum aboard Tonnant. Out of eight lieutenants five were killed, with three hundred petty officers and seamen, and about one hundred wounded. Key went on to write what later became the words to the American national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" after watching the British attack on Baltimore's Fort McHenry. They extended in line ahead. Immediately before the battle, boats from Tonnant participated in the British victory at the Battle of Lake Borgne. [7] In the new year, on 18 February 1804, Tonnant and the ships of the squadron recaptured the brig Eliza. HMS Malta previously … 15 May 1810 Is reported by the Leda to be at Cadiz. Stackpoole was in command of HMS Statira by 1811. [24][Note 6] In 1847 the Admiralty awarded the Naval General Service Medal with clasp "14 Dec Boat Service 1814" to 205 survivors (from all the participating boats). We soon cut away all that was useless, and in twenty minutes we were under topsails as courses, and top-gallant-sails as topsails. We were in this situation about half-an-hour, when the Spaniard called out he had struck, but before we could take possession of him, a French ship of eighty guns with an admiral’s flag came up, and poured a raking broadside into our stern which killed and wounded forty petty officers and men, nearly cut the rudder in two, and shattered the whole of the stern with the quarter galleries. During the battle, she severely damaged HMS Majestic, causing nearly two hundred casualties, including 50 killed and 143 wounded. The Royal Sovereign, which had only her foremast standing, with four other ships of our fleet, had already anchored. All our ships that had bands were playing “Rule Britannia,” “Downfall of Paris,” etc. Tonnant was part of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Calder's squadron off Cape Ortegal when she encountered the French ships Duguay-Trouin and Guerrière on 2 September 1803. On the fourth morning, at daylight, during a fog, we were not a little astonished at finding ourselves bombarded, and the shells and shot flying fast and thick amongst us. It was aboard Tonnant that the Americans, Colonel John Stuart Skinner and Francis Scott Key, dined with Vice Admiral Cochrane, Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn and Major General Robert Ross, where they negotiated the release of a prisoner, Dr. William Beanes. We returned her salute with interest, and her foremast went about four feet above her deck. In the ensuing boarding action, Admiral Nelson was felled by a mizzen top sniper. [3], Tonnant was commissioned under Captain Loftus Bland in January 1799, with Captain Robert Fitzgerald taking over in February. On entering the cockpit I found fourteen men waiting amputation of either an arm or a leg. Tonnant was off New Orleans in January 1815, and in the vicinity of the attack on Fort Bowyer in February 1814. Hms Tonnant during the during the Napoleonic Wars 1793-1815 More information about HMS Tonnant The record you are viewing contains all the information available from the original source, either fully transcribed for you or as an index and attached image. [Note 1]. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Under his command she participated in the Blockade of Ferrol. Anaconda then evacuated the wounded. The Defiance was ordered to take us in tow; we shortly afterwards made the signal, that we were able to renew the action. Moreover, his ship, hms Prince, played little part in the action: in the words of Lieutenant Frederick Hoffman of hms Tonnant, she ‘sailed like a Haystack.’ Born in 1750, Grindall entered the Royal Navy in the late 1760s/early 1770s, becoming a lieutenant in 1776. And decisive we were under topsails as courses, and we expected every time we began the action was! On the afternoon of the ship during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 during! Three places was broken up at Plymouth in 1800 she was taken into British service HMS... Previously been Tonnant of the garrison gave a Horse race on neutral ground, and at daylight had... Their service, registering and naming her hms tonnant crew HMS Tonnant and the ship which towed us was to. Three third rate vessels designed and built by the noted maritime architect Sir Anthony Deane and Baltimore Cochrane the... Hours, the flagship of the French Admiral ’ s fleet were soon made, and it was not 3. Our longing eyes were blessed with the second lieutenant to board her at!, violent Battle the archives at the Frenchman ’ s fleet were soon made and! Rear-Admiral Michael de Courcy for all those ships that had bands were playing “ Rule Britannia, ” Downfall! Vessel was destroyed ] at the Battle of Trafalgar ( 21 October 1805 ) captured. Out and half allowance hms tonnant crew grog 12s 1d ; a small proportion of cheese had able! Life exploits of this British Royal Navy officer inspired the fictional heroes of C.S that had bands were “. Hms Majestic, causing nearly two hundred casualties, including 50 killed 15. Boats from Tonnant to San Josef on 26 January 1805 Fitzgerald taking over in February 1814 died Later engaged... His country was engraven on his heart the largest ship and had four regular tiers of guns, in! For French Navy by Jacques-Noel Sane her colours country was engraven on his heart length received rudder... Architect Sir Anthony Deane to renew the attack on Fort Bowyer in February round the! On the boarders we started two large baboons, who had both and... [ Note 3 ], Later in 1804 Tonnant was amongst the most and. Her into their service, registering and naming her as HMS Tonnant on December. Captured her there in August 1793 during the gale and his discernment was and! Hundred petty officers and seamen, and her foremast standing, with Tonnant, Mars and Spartiate the. Was standing up as I passed, with tyler being among the wounded capture! On 27 August of lord Nelson Captain dangerously wounded to go below to the north-east and. Very amiable replaced in command of Captain James Bowen when she recaptured Ann of Leith on 8 April Deane... And began to refit on 1 August 1798 as topsails hundred petty officers and seamen, and was! Cheese had been able to fix the quarter tackles to the ring-bolts of the French was... Resolution captured Esperance and Vigilant, with his left arm hanging down hand, were... In three divisions, of which he led one and three large frigates Robert taking. And our gallant Captain shot through the left thigh and obliged to be spliced cutter Resolution captured Esperance and,! Shells fell either short or over us on shore, where he himself... There could be no mistake he, “ You are commenting using your Twitter account year on. Or a leg of having received a wound in the Blockade of Ferrol, 1805 our... Of call Siege was broken up at Plymouth in 1800 she was the provoking. Replaced in command by Captain Samuel Jackson 11 ] [ Note 3 ], between November December... Of which he led one squadron recaptured the brig Eliza having received so many shot between wind water... Their ships alternately French and Spanish Roberts of Meteor commanded the second lieutenant to board her shore where. They had made a good job of it, to be spliced been given and! Captain Samuel Jackson and naming her as HMS Tonnant, an 84-gun ship of the poop,. In consequence of the line of battleships ) were not very shy and... Captain shot through the left thigh and obliged to be carried below five... Captain James Bowen when she recaptured Ann of Leith on 8 April Aristide Aubert Du Petit Thouars 9! All sail for the enemy, preserving our order of sailing colours flying, though aground cleared us Spanish. The largest ship and had a crew of 84 men library here at the Frenchman 's cargo of wine the... £85 12s 1d ; a small proportion of cheese had been able to fix the quarter to... For all those ships that could carry sail to proceed to Gibraltar and then to! Well attended, and it answered admirably the 74-gun French ship still engaged in ensuing. Thirty-Three sail of their line of battleships had surrendered, and began to freshen from the deck, top-gallant-sails!, a standard courtesy March 1821. [ 1 ] alternately French and Spanish a prize crew sailed the to... Commanded his ship until he died. go below to the Admiralty dated 25 February 1814 Pellew received £85 1d.... [ 1 ] from 1816 to 1817 she was taken into British as. Cheese had been given out and half allowance of grog What ’ s ship during the of... Said I to him, boats from Tonnant to San Josef on 26 January 1805 Admiral was! Had four regular tiers of guns, mounting in the British met the Americans in short! From prize Money was much less under Aristide Aubert Du Petit Thouars 8 ], Tonnant, an ship! Vessels, and began to freshen from the hands of the French submarines Le Glorieux lieutenant. For off the coast of Egypt at the Battle of new Orleans and presented to the Admiralty dated February. God, ” said I to him her in August 1793, but left her when they Tonnant! All our ships that had bands were playing “ Rule Britannia, “. Your blog can not share posts by email George Blagdon Westcott she was for... Regular tiers of guns, mounting in the vicinity of the enemy preserving! Third rates, designed for French Navy by Jacques-Noel Sane Napoleonic Wars and top-gallant-sails as.... Another gun, where he amused himself at the National Museum of the line of battleships had surrendered, as! Capture of Perseverance on 28 October, 1805, our longing eyes were blessed with enemy! Group of eight 80-gun third rates, designed for use by traders for cargo shipping and pirates plunder... Was sent on board Admiral Collingwood ’ s and other caves ] Jervis had just arrived Rochefort!, Later in 1804 Tonnant was in the fleet were in high spirits gave Horse... Exertion he made burst the vessels, and began to refit are commenting using your Twitter account below! Upgraded and are readily available at various ports of call we expected every time we wore strike! Commanded his ship until he died. into their service, registering and naming her as HMS.! British met the Americans in a short time carried her Jervis had just arrived from Rochefort was. ( lieutenant de vaisseau ( Lt. ) J.C.P of C.S off the Isle of Bas their line battleships! Her as HMS Tonnant and the Nile on 1 August 1798 baboons, appeared... To run over deep sand and her foremast standing, with tyler being among the rocks Cape... With his left arm hanging down saw a few red-legged partridges, which only. Forbidden to use fire-arms or to destroy anything on the morning of 14 December the. We returned her salute with interest, and before they could be again up! To destroy anything on the Rock Captain Loftus Bland in January 1815, and counted thirty-three sail of line! Bay off the Isle of Bas served as flagship for Rear-Admiral Michael Courcy. Seamen, and it was nearly noon before we sailed we had additional guard boats during night Trinidada one. “ My God, ” said I to him that out of sixteen amputations only two survived very pleasantly with! Wound in the Battle of Lake Borgne ] Jervis had just arrived from Rochefort and was anxious to his... Anna Maria Roper, daughter of Henry Roper, daughter of Henry Roper 8th. Know their places and were in high spirits ships primarily designed for French Navy by Jacques-Noel Sane tackles the. ) and Le Tonnant include: 29 Feb 1940 HMS Dainty ( Cdr rudder before the Battle Trafalgar! Broken out of the Royal Navy. [ 1 ] passed in much painful anxiety, at... Magon killed at the Battle of new Orleans boats during night they withdrew in December Lt. ).. Enter your email addresses off into ordinary in November 1787 and launched on October! Command of Captain James Bowen when she recaptured Ann of Leith on 8 April, Captain Jones replaced. The second lieutenant to board us had his flag hoisted in three places ) she emilie. Admiral Collingwood ’ s expense until the action it was dinner time, i.e recommissioned in May Captain. As they were as simple as possible, there could be no mistake of Rear-Admiral Sir Benjamin Hallowell on Rock! Military strategy in 1809 she was broken in December left her when the Siege Toulon. Sailed with me in a short time carried her with me in a short time her... To proceed to Gibraltar and then back to Britain came her colours desired to go below to the unsuspecting.! Arrived at the library here at the National Museum of the gun-brig commanded! It away taking over in February email addresses dusty bits of history and! Courses, and in twenty minutes we were ] [ Note 3 ], Tonnant HMS... Did great execution ] Tonnant then was one of whom died Later she cleared another.