# Royal Naval Biography/Layman, William

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WILLIAM LAYMAN, Esq. [Commander.]
In answer to a circular letter from the Admiralty, dated July 30th, 1817, this officer wrote as follows:–
“When master’s-mate of the Myrmidon, I did, at the age of seventeen years, scuttle the lower-deck In a very heavy gale of wind, to which measure was attributed the preservation of the ship. When paid off, after having been four years in the Myrmidon, I received the strongest testimony as to the execution of my duty, with a recommendation to Captain Brown, stating that I should be found ‘a great acquisition on board the Amphion.’ The manner of my performing my duty in that ship will speak for itself; the Duke of Clarence, when commanding the Pegasus, in the West Indies, having twice applied for me: but Captain Brown declined his assent, and did not afterwards, when I was seized with fever (from my exertions in heaving down the ship, after both lieutenants had died at Jamaica), acquiesce in my leaving the ship, until the medical men represented that a change of climate was the only chance to save my life. In consequence of the report of the Commissioners of Woods, Forests, &c. published in 1792, stating, ‘Such is the present state of the growing timber, and the prospect of future supply, that this country will, in all probability, experience a fatal want of great oak timber, and become dependent on other powers for the means of supporting her navy,’ I was induced to pay the most unremitting attention to the resources of our Eastern possessions for naval purposes; and upon which subject I submitted some suggestions to H.M. Ministers, in 1797: these were well received.”
In 1800, Mr. Layman was promoted to the rank of lieutenant; on which occasion he made an application to the Earl of St. Vincent, which was thus replied to:–
“I desired Captain Grey to assure you, that I should be happy to have you in the ship with me; and, if there is nothing to detain you longer ashore, by shewing this letter to the captain of any ship of war under my orders, coming to this rendezvous” (before Brest), “you will be sure to receive all the attention due to your character, and the very laudable zeal which inspires you to serve under the auspices of
(Signed)“St. Vincent.”
On joining the Earl’s flag-ship, Lieutenant Layman presented to his Lordship a plan for building a ship of the line and a frigate annually at Bombay, which was soon afterwards ordered to be carried into execution. He also suggested, ​during the scarcity in 1800, the propriety of restricting ships bound to India from carrying out superfluous bread and stores; which proposal met with great attention, and was acted upon. Shortly before the battle of Copenhagen, being then a lieutenant of Nelson’s flag-ship, he thus addressed that great hero:–
“My Lord,– I beg leave to request, that in the event of boat duty, for either boarding, towing off the enemy’s fireships, carrying down our own, or any other particular service, your lordship will do me the favor of employment. And as the best concerted plans often miscarry, from one man being made to depend en another, should the nature of the service require hut one lieutenant, and I have the honor of being engaged in the undertaking, it will be an additional favor conferred on, my Lord, your most obedient, &c.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
The high opinion entertained of his conduct on the memorable 2d April, 1801, will be seen by the following testimonials:–
"Merton, Surrey, March 1st, 1802.
“My dear Sir,– I have been favored with your letter, requesting I would state the nature of the services you had been employed in from the St. George.
“That you were always ready to go on every service I am sure; for the only favor you ever asked of me was, to be sent on all services of danger and difficulties, and I always understood you acquitted yourself as an able officer and seaman. You were in the Isis at the battle of Copenhagen, and Captain Walker gave me a high character of the conduct of the officers and men of the St. George. Believe me to be fully sensible of all your merits; and I have no scruple in saying, that if your interest does not get you promoted, at any future time when I may be employed, I shall be happy in receiving you; for I am your sincere friend.
(Signed)“Nelson & Bronte.”
“To Lieutenant Layman.”
“Charles Street, St. James’s, May 26th, 1802.
“Sir,– I do not hesitate to state it as my opinion and firm belief, that very important services were rendered by you on the 2d of April last year, on board H.M.S. Isis, during the action off Copenhagen. I may venture too, with less presumption, to give this opinion to the world, when I accompany it by Captain Walker’s avowal of the fact, and the general admiration of your conduct on the occasion, evinced by the officers and men of my regiment, who were so fortunate as to be under Captain Walker’s command, and employed with you on the Isis’s lower-deck, at that period ​of the battle when, from five guns only working, you, by great exertions, manned and replaced the whole of the larboard battery, and that under a fire from the enemy, which the state of the Isis, after the engagement, fully bore testimony to the weight of. Not having been on board the same ship with you on that memorable day, I have only to state my firm reliance on the accuracy of every degree of honor which was attributed to you; and, after having heard but one general opinion in the Baltic fleet on the subject, it is with regret, as well as surprise, that I now learn, from your letter, that the noble lord at the head of the Admiralty considers your services, which were great as well as voluntary on the occasion in question, as but of small importance. My information, as well as the general opinion at the above period, must have widely erred, if such a subsequent review of your conduct can now prove to be a correct one, or what is merited by you. With every expression of wish for your future success in your profession, I beg leave to subscribe myself, &c.
(Signed)“W. Stewart.”
During the peace of Amiens, notice having been given in the House of Commons, by Mr. Canning, of an intended motion respecting the cultivation of Trinidad, Lieutenant Layman submitted to His Majesty’s Ministers that the most effectual manner of doing away with the slave-trade would he to introduce the skill and industry of free labourers, together with the valuable productions of the East, into the West Indies; and at the same time he proposed the establishment of Chinese husbandmen in the island of Ceylon. Both of these suggestions were considered deserving of adoption, as shewn in the following letters:–
“H.M.S. Centaur, Sept 3d, 1806.
“Sir,– I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, on the subject of a plan you submitted to Government in 1802, for the cultivation of Trinidad, which was referred by the Secretary of State to the Commissioners for that island, and in consequence of which you met us by appointment at the Treasury, and were informed by the Right Hon. John Sullivan, then Under Secretary of State, that the execution of the measure only waited an official report of the Commissioners. The termination of the commission, owing to the disagreement between Colonels Fullerton and Picton, certainly prevented the report; and as you state it is unknown to his Majesty’s present Ministers in whom the idea first originated, I have ​great pleasure in telling you, I always understood the plan of introducing Chinese into the West Indies was first suggested by you, whilst I was one of the said Commissioners; and I must. Sir, do you the justice to say, I never heard of any other person having proposed such a measure. Yours, &c.
(Signed)“Samuel Hood, Commodore.”
“October 1st, 1810.
“Dear Layman, – My brother, who has lately returned from Ceylon, tells me, that upon his arrival there he was surprised to find the ship surrounded by boats, loaded with vegetables of all kinds, for sale at moderate prices, and particularly so, as on a former voyage not a cabbage or pumpkin could be procured. On inquiry, it appeared that this circumstance was owing to the industry of the Chinese. General Maitland, the governor, being desirous of having a large morass cleared and drained, had some time before applied to some of the natives of Ceylon, who had given in an estimate of the expence and time within which they would undertake, with 100 men, to complete it. The general, not satisfied with this, applied to some Chinese, and having agreed to give them the produce of the soil for a certain number of years, twenty-five of them cleared and drained the morass, and converted it into a productive garden, in less time than the one hundred natives had proposed.
“My brother went over the garden with the governor, and nothing could be more complete. The Chinese had fenced it, and built houses; had divided it into different allotments among themselves, and, by turns, guarded it by night. They were peaceable and orderly to a degree; they worked in the gardens, and the women regularly took the produce to market for sale.
“I have thought this would be interesting to you, knowing what your mind is employed upon. I talked to my brother about introducing Chinese into the West Indies, and he has no doubt it would answer. His ideas of their indefatigable industry, agricultural talents, and disposition to emigrate, are precisely the same as yours. General Maitland is encouraging them to make sugar in Ceylon, which is in some progress. I am, dear Layman, your’s sincerely,
(Signed)“William Le Blanc.”
On the 28th May 1803, Lieutenant Layman, then again serving under Nelson, was appointed prize-master of l’Ambuscade 32, in which ship he captured two of the enemy’s merchant vessels, whilst on his passage to Gibraltar. In October following, he was promoted to the command of the Weazle sloop; and on the 6th Mar. 1804, the following ​address in his favor, signed by all the principal merchants and inhabitants of the above rock, was presented to Lieutenant-Governor Sir Thomas Trigge:–
“We, the undersigned merchants and traders residing at Gibraltar, conceive, with sincere concern, that the late loss of H.M.S. Weazle, commanded by Captain Layman, will materially affect the security of our trade, unless early remedied. Having witnessed and felt the benefit resulting from the extraordinary and unremitted exertions of Captain Layman, in keeping the Straits free from French privateers, which have so long been destructive to the trade of this port; and as few or none of these cruisers have of late dared to venture into the Gut, it is beyond comparison a proof how fully the Weazle performed the service on which she was employed. We, therefore, sincerely lament that the late boisterous and thick foggy weather has for the present deprived us of Captain Layman’s exertions and skill, by the loss of the said vessel on the rocks off Cabritta Point. Being persuaded that no man is more capable of supporting and protecting the trade passing the Straits, and convoying the supplies to this place, from his constant study and knowledge of the different bays and inlets, as well on the neighbouring coasts of Spain as those of Barbary, we shall be exceedingly obliged, if your Excellency will do us the favor strongly to recommend to Lord Nelson, that Captain Layman, his officers, and crew, may be appointed to a vessel of force suitable to support and protect us, in the manner they have hitherto done, not only to our satisfaction, but to the benefit of the public in general. We shall feel highly gratified if your Excellency will second our wishes, by a statement to Lord Nelson of the advantages we have experienced during the time Captain Layman has been on this station, as well as of the necessity of having a suitable vessel stationed in the Gut; and we beg that, if necessary, his Lordship will have the goodness to represent this our petition to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.”
On the 2d of the following month, Nelson, then unaware of the disaster which had befallen his protége, wrote to a mutual friend as follows:–
“I hope the Admiralty will confirm Layman; for he is not only attached to me, but is indeed a very active officer. It was his venturing to know more about India than Troubridge did, that made them look shy upon him; – his tongue runs too fast. I often tell him neither to talk nor write so much.”
In the course of the same year, Commander Layman was appointed to the Raven sloop, of which vessel the following mention is made in a work entitled “Elements and Practice of Naval Architecture:” –
“The Raven upon being fitted for sea, at Woolwich, under the direction of her very active and ingenious commander, had, agreeabIe to his recommendation, among other alterations, the two foremost ports closed up, and the guns taken away. In lieu of them was fitted amid-ships, immediately before the fore-mast, a 68-pounder carronade, upon a traverse carriage, so as to fire clear of the gunwale, in almost every direction; and, in lieu of the two stern-chasers, a similar carronade was mounted abaft. The wonderful accession of force derived from these alterations, and the great advantages to be derived from them in chase, in clearing an enemy’s coast, &c. are too obvious to need a comment.”
In Feb. 1805, Commander Layman, then a prisoner-of-war at Puerto-Santa-Maria, near Cadiz, made the following report to Lord Nelson:–
“It is my painful duty to narrate to your lordship an event as grievous as unexpected; for having quitted England on the 21st instant, in command of H.M. sloop Raven, charged with despatches for Sir John Orde and your lordship, with directions to put myself under your orders, I arrived at the rendezvous of Sir John Orde’s squadron, from two to ten leagues off Cadiz, on the 28th, with a fresh breeze from the westward, when not seeing any thing of the squadron, I reduced the sail from whole to treble-reefed topsail, and hove-to at 9 p.m.; a few minutes before 10 o’clock, I went upon deck to look round, and desired the lead to be hove; and on the officer of the watch reporting there was not any soundings with 80 fathoms of line, I delivered the following order in writing:–
‘Memorandum. – January 28th, 1805.
‘With the wind westerly lye-to with head to the southward till 4 a.m. and then to the northward; keeping the lead going every half hour, and acquaint me if there are soundings, or any alterations.
(Signed)‘W. Layman.’
“I then retired to my cot, and about 12 o’clock was called by the officer of the watch, and acquainted that he saw the lights of the squadron; but before I could get on my things, the officer came down the ladder, and said they were the lights at Cadiz; at this time he appeared to me flurried. I instantly went on deck, veered ship, and hove the lead; had ten fathoms the first cast, but only five before the vessel was round, and we veered on each tack as the water shoaled; for the night being dark, with heavy rain, and the alarm frequently given of rocks and shoals, it was impossible to anchor, or see our way out till day-light; when I must beg of our lordship to judge of my feelings, in finding we were within the enemy’s ships of war at anchor off Cadiz on one side, as well as the batteries and Fort Santa Catalina on the other, with the wind then blowing strong from the westward, and a very heavy swell; but I was determined the Raven should not be tamely surrendered, and by a press of sail not only cleared the ​enemy’s fort and batteries, but the ships and gun-boats; by carrying the vessel gunwale under, I beat her over the shoals, notwithstanding the fears and cries of many of the crew, amongst whom was the boatswain; and by 10 o’clock was to windward of San Sebastian, and laying up W.S.W. when the main-yard broke in the slings. From this serious accident, the vessel driving fast to leeward, obliged us to anchor on the Rota side, clear of the guns at Cadiz. At this time some gun-boats attempted to annoy us; but in defiance of all we rigged the main-boom for a main-yard, and were ready to make sail, for which we anxiously waited an opportunity, the wind having increased to a very heavy gale, with a tremendous sea, dark night, and heavy rain. As the vessel at first drifted with one anchor and cable down, we were now riding by two anchors and two cables in end upon each; but it was impossible for them to long withstand the violence of the wind and sea, and with one tremendous surge she parted from both. Sail was instantly set, and a last attempt made to work out; but shortly after she struck, when the despatches, signals, and all other papers of consequence, were thrown overboard by me, with two 32lb. shot, and some lead, to sink them, as it appeared now impossible to save the vessel, which was completely at the mercy of the wind, and heavy rolling groundswell; as, however, the flood-tide and indraught was setting strong, the close-reefed fore-top-sail was set on the cap; she was kept athwart the tide and swell, until a-breast a bight near Fort St. Catalina, by which the lives of all the people were saved except two, and even those would not have been drowned, had they not quitted the vessel contrary to my positive orders: for the gale being at its greatest height at the top of high water, when the vessel went on shore, and bilged in three places; she laid comparatively quiet as the tide receded; and as the wind had lulled considerably by low water, when the inner and heeling side was left dry, the people were enabled to land on a sandy beach.
“After getting on shore, I conceived it necessary, from the circumstance of being prisoners, that inquiry should be made, whether the orders I gave had been complied with; and it appears, from the declaration of the quartermaster at the conn, man at the wheel, boatswain’s mate of the watch, &c. that the lead had not been hove from the time I quitted the deck, and that when the lights were seen, the officer of the watch was below, and not then sober. Should the evidence of these people at the court martial correspond with their deposition so recently after, when the events are so fresh in their memory, I shall have to lament that an officer whom on former service I have had occasion to commend for his vigilance, should, from neglect, have been the cause of so fine a vessel being wrecked.
“Of my own conduct on this trying occasion, it would be presumptuous in me, my Lord, to speak; but in this afflictive event, it is the greatest consolation, from the praise you have been pleased to give me, that on this occasion, when the eyes of all Cadiz were spectators, I have received the most honorable testimony from the very people that I was employed ​against, as will appear by the accompanying letter from the Captain-General the Marquis de la Solano; and which is the more gratifying, as I was unacquainted with such intention until the letter was very handsomely conveyed to me by our late Consul-General, Mr. Duff.
“I am informed by the agent for prisoners of war, that an exchange will soon take place; after which I shall lose no time in bringing the officers and people to your lordship; and, in the interim, beg leave to assure you, that misfortune will not make me lose sight of my duty; and that in a great national object, which I know your lordship to have in view, I hope to make myself useful. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
[translation of enclosure.]
“Cadiz, February 13th, 1806.
“Sir,– By the next post I shall forward to the Captain-General of Catalonia, the letter you sent me in your’s of the 8th instant, for Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, since it only contains the loss of the English brig of war Raven, whose captain, in honor to truth, I must acknowledge, from what I saw myself, and what I heard from the most intelligent men employed upon the naval service of the King my master, used all efforts imaginable that depended upon great exertion and good seamanship, to save the vessel, and manoeuvred with the greatest skill and judgment.
(Signed)“El Marquis de la Solano.”
“To James Duff, Esq.”
Unfortunately for Commander Layman, he was advised by Lord Nelson, as an act of humanity, to cancel what he had written respecting the pusillanimity of his boatswain, the negligence of the master of the Raven, and the still more reprehensible conduct of the officer who had charge of the first watch on the night of Jan. 1805. “You will not be censured,” said Nelson; “but it will give an opportunity for ill-natured people to say you had no occasion to make this official statement; and, as it is the business of the president of the court-martial, by which you are to be tried, to find out all these things, I wish you would omit the passages reflecting on their conduct; but particularly that part relative to the misbehaviour of the officer of the watch, who will be sentenced to death, if your narrative, worded as it is at present, is laid before the Court.” To Commander Layman’s infinite astonishment, the Court declared that there had been a great want of necessary caution on his part, in approaching ​the land; and adjudged him “to be severely reprimanded, and put at the bottom of the list” of all those who had attained the same rank as himself previous to the day of his trial, Mar. 9th, 1805. “I did not expect this,” declared the heroic and humane admiral; “but it is all my fault; never mind, I’ll get you over it.” On the ensuing day, he wrote to the then head of the naval administration in terms as follow:–
“Victory, at Sea, Mar. 10th, 1805.
“My dear Lord, – I enclose some remarks made by Captain Layman whilst he was in Spain, after the very unfortunate loss of that fine sloop which your lordship was so good as to give him the command of. Your lordship will find the remarks flow from a most intelligent and active mind, and may be useful, should any expedition take place against Cadiz. And, my dear Lord, give me leave to recommend Captain Layman to your kind protection; for, notwithstanding the court-martial has thought him deserving of censure, for his running in with the land, yet, my Lord, allow me to say, that his misfortune was, perhaps, conceiving that other people’s abilities were equal to his own, which, indeed, very few people’s are.
“I own myself one of those who do not fear the shore; for hardly any great things are done in a small ship by a man that does; – therefore I make very great allowances for him: indeed his station was intended never to be from the shore in the Straits, and if he did not every day risk his sloop, he would be useless upon that station. Captain Layman has served with me in three ships, and I am well acquainted with his bravery, zeal, judgment, and activity; nor do I regret the loss of the Raven, compared to the value of Captain Layman’s services, which are a national loss.
“You must, my dear Lord, forgive the warmth which I express for Captain Layman; but he is in adversity, and therefore has the more claim to my attention and regard. If I had been censured every time I have run ships or fleets under my command into great danger, I should long ago have been out of the service, and never in the House of Peers. Believe me, my dear Lord, &c.
(Signed)“Nelson & Bronte.”
“To Henry Viscount Melville.”
(Enclosure).
“Cadiz, February 21st, 1805.
“My Lord, – Having, from a recent unfortunate event, been enabled to examine minutely into the present state of the fortifications, troops, and means of defence at Cadiz, the Carracas, Port Santo-Maria, and Fort ​Sta. Catalina, I conceive it my duty to communicate my dear-bought observations, which I alluded to in my official letter to your lordship; and as your experience and former services against the Spaniards will enable you to decide on the practicability of obtaining possession of these places, with the whole of the fleet and arsenal, I shall take the liberty to sketch how so great a national object may be accomplished.
“The success of such an enterprise would depend much on promptitude and strict secrecy – no parade of an expedition should appear before Cadiz, nor any neutral ship be permitted to communicate intelligence; but the ships of war, with the troops on board, should make sail from the offing at the close of day, so as to anchor after dark between Rota and San Sebastian; the time that answers best for this, on account of the tide and dark nights, would be on the fifth or sixth day of the moon. Immediately the boats are ready, an advance party should paddle to where the Raven was wrecked, and proceeding under cover of a trench to the western part of Fort Sta. Catalina, escalade it, and get possession of the magazine, but, avoiding the use of powder, rely upon cold steel, until the enemy surrendered the fort, when a signal should be made for the van division to land in the bay to the westward of Port Santa-Maria, march to the northern part of that town, where there is no barrier, and surround the barracks containing the regiment of carbineers, the chosen cavalry of Spain, who, with all people bearing arms, should be secured in the Torre de la Vitoria. To avoid the exposure. of our men by musketry from the houses, and prevent the disorderly conduct and plunder which the English committed in 1704, the troops should take post in an olive ground, which is entrenched, and completely commands the town. After bringing Santa-Maria to terms, a detachment should be sent to secure the bridges of the Guadalete and San-Pedro rivers, and another to take possession of Rota.
“Fort Sta. Catalina is not only of great importance, from being considered the key of the harbour, but from commanding the north shore; consequently the possession of it would secure an anchorage in the bay for the English fleet; and if the means of defence are not much increased before the attack is made, I have no hesitation to declare, that I will undertake, with 250 men, to put your lordship in possession of it; but should any extraordinary preparations on the part of the enemy prevent its being carried by surprise, it may be taken by the van division landing to the westward, and getting a battering train on the height which commands the fort: but this should not detain the troops on their way to Santa-Maria, which it is a great object to get early possession of, in order to cut off all supplies of provisions and fresh water to Cadiz. The rear divisions of the army should land before day-light near Torre-Gorda, or the small river of Arillo. The first object of the rear division should be to secure the post of Suazo bridge, which would not only insure a communication with the van division, but possession of Ysla-de-Leon, the naval arsenal at the Carracas, and Spanish ships there; and as Suazo is ​the only place from whence resistance can be expected, it is presumed that the rear division, assisted by a naval force, will be able to carry Fort St. Luis and Matagorda.
“If no alarm is given, the centre division should enter the bay of Caseta, in flat-bottomed boats, three hours before daylight, and, leaving a detachment to possess the batteries on San Sebastian, land on a sandy beach within thirty yards of the parapet, which in that part is so low, and in such condition when I was there, that by a coup-de-main any number of troops might readily have entered Cadiz; after which, the enemy’s fleet at anchor off the city would not long contend with your lordship, as the guns of the fortress would be turned upon them.
“Should this desirable object not succeed, the centre division should land on the south side of the isthmus, gain possession of Puntales, and the batteries of Corales; and when the heavy artillery and mortars are ready to open, Cadiz may be summoned; as, exclusive of your lordship’s presence, which would prevent the animosity and jealousy which sometimes occur between sea and land commanders, I am convinced, from what I have seen and heard the Spaniards express, that there is not any thing that would so intimidate them, and speedily secure possession of the ships and arsenal, which they might be induced to surrender, in order to save so opulent a city from destruction: at all events, it would be humane to make the proposal; and I beg leave, my Lord, to suggest a cautionary measure of apprizing the enemy, that if they attempted to set Are to the ships or destroy the arsenal, no quarter would be given.
“This being intended merely as an outline, to do away the necessity and expence of a blockading squadron, by obtaining possession of twenty-three sail of the line, &c.&c. I have not, in a measure of such magnitude, particularized the best construction and mode of arming small vessels to act against the enemy’s gun-boats, &c., and cover the landing of the troops, previous to forming a moveable flank battery; therefore only beg leave to generally remark, that the description of vessels best adapted for this service, are such as are required for the Straits and Gibraltar; which your lordship has already done me the honor to so emphatically approve.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
“To Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, &c. &c. &c.”
Commander Layman returned from the Mediterranean fleet to Gibraltar, in the Renown 74, Captain Sir Richard Strachan, who, in a conversation respecting the court-martial by which his guest had been tried, and alluding to one of the officers who composed it, observed, – “I was also a member, and can therefore communicate nothing; but ____ is a bad-hearted man.” If we could, by any possibility, ascertain the name of the ​person thus spoken of by Sir Richard, it should not be omitted: On the 27th Mar. 1805, the mercantile community of the rock thus addressed Lieutenant-Governor the Hon. Fox.
“Sir,– It may not hitherto have been officially communicated to your Excellency, the strong representation made in last year by most of the principal merchants and inhabitants of this place materially concerned in the extension of its trade, so very beneficial to the mother country, in favor of Captain Layman, R.N., then commander of the Weazel brig of war, appointed to this station. That gentleman’s superior knowledge and information with regard to the tides and currents of this bay, and the whole of the Straits in general, from his long practice in going between this place and the Barbary and Spanish coasts, east and west, gave us all a superior satisfaction and security that we had not previously thereto experienced, by the terror he caused, and the unusual diligence he performed in keeping the enemies’ cruisers in general from annoying our trade.
“We now find Captain Layman here on his way to England, after the loss of a very fine sloop he commanded, the Raven, that was meant to be stationed here, and would have given us every protection. The formidable appearance and strength of the enemies’ cruisers at present in and about this bay and neighbourhood, requires the most serious attention and vigilance; not any provision that we know of has hitherto been made to obstruct such formidable enemies.
“We have therefore most earnestly to request your excellency, that after taking the fullest information from Captain Layman, of the best methods to be adopted to protect and keep open our communication with the rest of Europe, that we shall consider ourselves under particular obligations to your excellency, if you will strenuously recommend, countenance, and support Captain Layman’s application to have a particular command, for the purpose of protecting our trade, being assured his endeavours will be exerted for the general benefit; as under his directions, with suitable cruisers, we flatter ourselves he may be able to set aside all the formidable opposition which the enemy have provided towards annihilating our trade.”
Commander Layman arrived at Portsmouth in May 1805, and on the 3th Sept. following. Lord Nelson addressed a letter, which we shall now transcribe, to J. D. Thompson, Esq. nephew and private secretary to the then First Lord of the Admiralty.
“My dear Sir,– This will be delivered to you by Captain Layman, who, if he had not been a very active zealous officer, I am certain would not have lost his fine sloop, the Raven.
“The sentence of the court-martial, placing him at the bottom of the list, I have too much respect for such a tribunal to say a word about. But ​this I will assert, that I consider Captain Layman as a most able, active, brave, and zealous officer; and that the sentence of the Court has neither altered my public or private opinion of his great merits; the loss of the services of men of such rare abilities is to be lamented by the country. My wish at present is, to place Captain Layman well with Lord Barham, and that his lordship may possess my opinion of him.”
During Nelson’s short stay in England, after pursuing the combined fleets of France and Spain to and from the West Indies, he was desired by the Admiralty to submit his ideas of the best description of naval force to be employed at Gibraltar; strong representations having been made to Government of the depredations committed by French and Spanish cruisers in the Gut. His plan was, the formation of a naval brigade; and he warmly recommended that it should be placed under the direction of Commander Layman, who thus concludes his memorandum of services, dated Aug. 29th, 1817:
“Although I was taken by Lord Nelson to the Admiralty, and a promise given to send me. out to the Mediterranean, yet the next month terminating his lordship’s glorious career, the promise was forgot, and my offer of service rejected. As, however, the premature decay of our ships of war was making rapid strides, and I had succeeded in a discovery of preparing forest trees for immediate use, as well as increasing the strength and duration of timber and ships, I expressed a willingness to disclose the discovery, on condition, that as much depended on the performance of the measure, if the principle was adopted, I should have the direction of the execution; which met with so mortifying a reception, that if guided by my feelings, I should not have renewed the subject: but considering the matter to be of the greatest national importance, I conceived it would be supine in me to give it up from a sneer, and unfounded assertion, which might proceed from the assumption of an individual only; or if opposed by a body, from prejudice, which was the case for years against the coppering of ships, it might be ultimately removed by the evidence of facts. I trust it cannot be considered improper, when an officer is desired to state his services, to shew what he is farther able and willing to do. Therefore, in a public point of view, on so important a subject as the means of supporting our navy, I beg to submit to inspection two pieces of the Scotch larch, with which a ship is about to be built at Woolwich. The specimens were originally in one piece, till separated by the saw; the one in its natural state, with the cause of decomposition remaining, weighed 496 oz. per cubic foot, broke with 466 lbs.; the other, after having 22 oz. per cubic foot of corruptive matter removed, and the cohesion of the wood increased, as may be seen by its durity, sustained 728 lbs.; the advantages require no ​comment; and although timber cannot in any way he so well or so speedily prepared as in a few days when the tree is standing, yet as the principle is applicable to all timber, durable ships may he more readily built than those prone to rapid decay; and I yet hope to be the humble means of rendering that service.”
In 1812, the following correspondence took place between this officer and Viscount Melville:
“April 9th, 1812.
“My Lord, – The late Lord Melville, when at the head of the Admiralty, having been pleased to encourage a plan I had suggested for arming cruisers in the Straits of Gibraltar, by ordering the Raven to be fitted for that service in the manner I bad proposed, fitted with circular traversing flank guns, and Chinese sculls, and appointing me to the command; which vessel having been unfortunately lost, and the circumstance attending the loss not fairly brought before the court-martial, a very harsh sentence was passed upon me; I take the liberty of enclosing to your lordship the copy of a letter from the commander-in-chief, the late Lord Nelson, to whom the misstatement was fully known; trusting that it will not be considered an unfavorable introduction of me to your lordship.
“The particular object of my present application is to represent to your lordship, that I had frequent confidential conversations with the late Lord Nelson on naval matters, particularly the evils which arose from the short duration of our ships of war, and the desirable object of obtaining an ample supply of more durable timber: it was intended by his lordship that I should communicate with the late Lord Melville on these points, and on the means of bringing the resources of Malabar into action; being subjects on which it is well known the active mind of that distinguished character was most ardently engaged; but as the late Lord Melville was not in office when I reached England, the intention was frustrated. The subject, however, must be admitted to be of the greatest national importance, both in point of maritime strength and finance. I have therefore been preparing a memoir, with a view of having the subject brought before parliament; but as your lordship may perhaps deem the matter deserving of previous investigation, I beg leave to state, that if proper encouragement is given, I shall be happy to lay before your lordship the most valuable and important information; having, from observation and actual experiments, ascertained a mode by which the strength of all timber may be much augmented and preserved from decay, and thereby the duration of ships much increased, which may be readily proved by the building of a frigate as a test.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
“To Robert Viscount Melville, First Lord of the Admiralty.”
“Admiralty, 11th April, 1812.
“Sir,– I have received your letter of the 9th instant, enclosing a meat satisfactory one from the late Lord Nelson, and I shall be happy to receive any communication you may have to make on the subject of your experiments on timber.
(Signed)“Melville.”
“To Captain Layman.”
“April 18th, 1812.
“My Lord,– I was honored with your lordship’s letter on the 14th instant, inviting me to communicate my experiments on encreasing the strength and duration of timber, and in consequence beg leave to enclose a Prospectus, containing the heads of the information I shall be enabled to lay before your lordship.
“This subject has been the principal object of my research, both at home and abroad, for many years, and all the knowledge I have acquired, from observation and study, of a matter so closely combined with the maritime strength and finances of the United Kingdom, I am ready to communicate freely for the benefit of my country; and which I should prefer to any gain I might derive from an exclusive patent, or by imparting the invention to other nations. But as every one has a fair and just claim to expect that his talents or his industry should be rewarded, in proportion to the advantages which the public or individuals derive from them, I trust it will not be considered by your lordship as improper on my part to premise, that before I make any disclosure of this discovery, I shall hope to receive some assurance, that if the principle of the plan proposed is approved, I may rely upon receiving public recompense by promotion, and such suitable employment, as under the direction of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, may successfully effect the great and desirable object of extricating the country from dependence on foreign powers for the means of supporting our navy, by reducing the consumption of timber to the least possible expenditure, and by increasing its duration, &c.; as well as providing within ourselves a future permanent supply, equal to such expenditure.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
“To Robert Vscount Melville.”
“Admiralty, 21st April, 1812.
“Sir,– I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, enclosing a Prospectus on the improvement of Forest Trees.
“I am much obliged to you for laying before me the general outline of your plan, and perfectly agree with you, that every individual is entitled to reward, in proportion to the advantage which the public may derive from his talents or industry; but as I do not feel myself at liberty to hold out to you any expectations of promotion or employment, as a recompense ​for your discoveries, I should suppose you would prefer making application for an exclusive patent, or pecuniary reward.
(Signed)“Melville.”
“To Captain Layman.”
“April 28th, 1812.
“My Lord,– I deeply lament that your lordship should not feel yourself at liberty to hold out any expectation to me of promotion and employment.
“However, as the door appears to be shut against the claims I might produce to that rank and situation which I should have preferred to any pecuniary reward; and as I am desirous of communicating my discovery for the public good, instead of reserving the benefit of it to myself, by an exclusive patent, I beg leave to represent to your lordship, that if the general outline should be considered by Government as deserving of attention, I am ready to submit all my information and experiments on the subject to the investigation of a competent committee; it being understood, that if upon investigation the principle of the plan proposed should be approved, and considered of national utility, I shall be entitled to an adequate remuneration.
“I beg leave to add, that it would be most agreeable to my feelings as the inventor, and I should hope most consistent with the public advantage, that such remuneration should be derived from my being nominated to an honorable station in the superintendance of the execution.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
“To Robert Viscount Melville.”
"Admiralty 1st May, 1812.
“Sir,– I have received your letter of the 28th ult. requesting that your information respecting the improvement of timber should be submitted to the investigation of a competent committee; and I have to inform you, that the Board of Admiralty, although obliged by the readiness you have shewn to make known the details of your experiments, do not conceive that they are likely to be of that public advantage as to make it advisable to adopt the measure you suggest.
(Signed)“Melville.”
“To Captain Layman.”
“9th July, 1812.
“My Lord, – Although your lordship’s reception of the Plan which I had the honor to submit to you, for the improvement of timber, &c. might induce me to apprehend that any farther application on that subject may be deemed intrusive; yet having since that time demonstrated the reality of my discovery before the Board of Agriculture, and several members of both Houses of Parliament, I beg leave to enclose the result of the experiments, as recorded in the Minutes of that Board, for your lordship’s consideration, as a subject connected with the welfare of the Navy and the State:–
(minute.)
‘Board of Agriculture, June 2d, 1812.
‘The Board adjourned, to examine some experiments made by Captain Layman, on the preparation of forest trees for immediate use on being felled, by which the specific gravity is reduced, and the sap (or embryo) wood rendered useful, as well as the strength and duration of the timber considerably increased. The following is the result:–
‘1. Poplar (Lombardy), cut from a tree in a growing state, broke with 336 lb.
‘2. Poplar (Lombardy), counterpart piece of ditto, prepared, in three hours, bore 368 lb.
‘3. Seasoned English oak, broke with 784 lb.
‘4. Seasoned English oak, prepared, bore 902 lb. This piece, when broken, proved to be naturally defective internally; but a sound piece, prepared by Captain Layman, appeared to have sustained 1007 lb.
‘5. Sap or embryo wood of oak prepared and preserved, bore 930 lb.
‘6. Counterpart piece of ditto in its natural state, broke with 536 lb.
‘7. Common white deal, in its natural state, broke with 339 lb.
‘8. Counterpart piece, prepared and preserved, bore 508 lb.
‘Note. – Specimens were produced by Captain Layman to the Board, of the matter composing the decomposition of wood.’
“The rapid decay of our ships of war, particularly exemplified in the recent instance of the Queen Charlotte (which was in a state of rottenness in less than twelve months), having become a matter of serious consequence, I have ascertained a mode by which not only the cause of such premature decay may be removed, but the progress of dry rot prevented; which I am prepared to prove, should your lordship think proper to direct a piece of the most decayed, and a piece of the soundest timber of the Queen Charlotte to be delivered to me. I have been induced to trouble your lordship with this letter, from feelings strongly impressed with the great advantages which would result by increasing the duration of ships, and decreasing the consumption of timber; but should my plan not be thought deserving the attention of the executive naval government, I cannot satisfy my own mind that it should be lost to the public, and shall therefore have it submitted to the consideration of Parliament.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
“To Robert Viscount Melville.”
“Admiralty, 10th July, 1812.
“Sir,– – I have received your letter of yesterday’s date, and I have transmitted it to the Board for consideration.
(Signed)“Melville.”
“Captain Layman.”
On the 11th of the same month, the Secretary of the Admiralty wrote to Commander Layman as follows:–
“Sir.– The Viscount Melville having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, your letter to his lordship of the 9th instant, detailing the result of certain experiments which had been made with the preparation invented by yourself tor increasing the strength of timber, and preventing the appearance or progress of the dry rot therein; I am commanded by their lordships to acquaint you, that they have given directions to the Navy Board, for two pieces of the wood of his Majesty’s ship the Qneen Charlotte, the one in the soundest, and the other in the most decayed state, to be furnished to you, as you have desired, in order to its being subjected to the trial that you propose to make.
“My lords have, however, directed me to add, that having given directions for making experiments with regard to this matter upon certain plans that have been offered to them, with a reasonable prospect of success, their lordships see no reason to give you any trouble upon the subject in question; especially as your statements do not materially differ from those which they have already received, and upon which the experiments are founded; but, with reference to the last paragraph of your letter, my lords have directed me to Inform you, that they have not any objection to your laying your plan before Parliament.
(Signed)“J. W. Croker.”
“To Captain Layman, R.N.”
In August 1812, Commander Layman again entered into a correspondence with the Admiralty: –
“Sir,– Having demonstrated before the Navy Board the facts annexed, as proofs of preserving timber from decay, increasing its strength, and also submitted specimens to shew the practicability of preparing forest trees, so as to remove the cause of premature decay, and thereby render them fit for immediate conversion on being felled; as well as a mode of giving to wood the pliability required in naval architecture for thick stuff and plank, without the evil consequences which accelerate decomposition when the timbers are covered in with boiled plank, or the injury received by burning; I was desirous to establish the fact upon a more enlarged scale, by the building of a frigate or any other ship, as a test of increased strength and duration; but as the Navy Board informed me, ‘that if they find the inclination they had not the power,’ I am induced to request you ​will submit the circumstances to the determination of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; as, should their lordships think proper, ships may not only he built of increased strength and duration, but I am ready to prove, that other English timber, as well as oak, may be rendered superior to what is precariously obtained at great expence from foreign countries. I am Sir, &c.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
“J. W. Croker, Esq.”
“Admiralty Office, 22d August, 1812.
“Sir,– Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a report from the Navy Beard of yesterday’s date, upon your letter of the 14th inst. relative to your plan for the preservation of timber, I am commanded to acquaint you, that their lordships do not think it necessary that you should give yourself any farther trouble on the subject.
(Signed)“J. Barrow.”
“To Captain Layman, R.N.”
Shortly after this. Commander Layman addressed the Navy Board as follows:–
“Gentlemen, – The evils which arise from the rapid decay of our ships of war, cannot but occasion me to regret, that my endeavours to verify the facts upon a more enlarged scale – of the practicability of preparing forest trees for immediate conversion, as well as increasing the strength and durability of all timber, by the building of a ship as a test of duration, should not have been considered as a proper object for the officers in that department to recommend, when the subject was referred from the Admiralty to the Navy Board; particularly, as exclusive of the premature decay that I observed to have commenced on the outer side of thr timbers of the Queen Charlotte, next to the boiled plank, which being excluded from light and air, accelerated fermentation and putrefaction, thereby promoting decomposition, I was forcibly struck with the pernicious effect which the gallic acid contained in the oak, and acting upon an iron bolt, had produced on the timber in not more than two years, This corrosion, although different in its action, and not so rapid in its progress as the rot, is equally destructive to the timber, and a great cause of the frequent and large repairs our fleet requires; as iron, from its strength, is in many parts of a ship indispensable.
“I exerted myself to discover a mode by which this evil consequence might be prevented, by preserving iron from corrosion, and was proceeding with every prospect of success, as two of my experiments had not contracted any rust whatever, although one had been immersed in a liquid much more acrimonious than is contained even in the timber of Brazil, which it appears is about to be introduced: but great was my disappointment; and I cannot but lament that all my labours and expence for twenty years, to acquire the means of increasing the duration of our navy, so ​obviously important in its consequences, by materially decreasing the consumption of timber and demand for ships, should have been rendered abortive by opinion only, without test by comparison. I am, &c.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
In December, 1812, the experiments on timber carried on at Woolwich by a Mr. Lukin, under the immediate direction of the Admiralty and Navy Boards, as stated in Mr. Croker’s letter of July 11th, 1812, “with a reasonable prospect of success," was rendered conclusive, as the timber exploded, the building and part of the dock-yard wall was blown up, and several men killed and wounded. In Jan. 1813, Commander Layman published the “Precursor” to a work which he was then employed in compiling, entitled “An Outline of Maritime History, with General Events, from the Creation of the Universe to the termination of the French Revolutionary War, 1814-15; including a particular account of the State and Condition of the British Navy at the latter period; with a Supplemental Memoir on Forest Trees and Timber, as connected with the Naval Power and Prosperity of the United Kingdom; containing an Expose of a discovery for speedily preparing Forest Trees for immediate conversion and service, by removing the Cause of premature Decomposition, and encreasing the Strength, as well as Duration of Timber – thereby furnishing the means to prevent the possibility of rapid decay by Dry-rot, or otherwise, in Ships, and all Structures wherein Wood is used: demonstrated by actual experiments.”
During the sitting of Parliament, in 1813, the rotten condition of our navy was stated in the House of Peers by Earl Darnley, who noticed ihe neglect of Captain Layman’s proposal to prevent the evil in future; said that, “if any one wished for information on the subject, he should read the ‘Precursor;’ and hoped the noble lord at the head of the Admiralty would pay due attention to the subject,” intimating, that otherwise he should bring the matter before their lordships. Viscount Melville, in reply, stated, that the Admiralty were at all times disposed to attend to this subject. But as no notice whatever was taken by the next session, Captain Layman thus addressed the First Lord:–
“May 3d, 1813.
“My Lord, – I have the honor to inform your lordship, that having completed a series of experiments on improving the timber of Great Britain, as well as what is produced in the provinces, I am about to solicit Parliament for a Committee to inquire; into the practicability and advantages of my discovery, in augmenting the strength and duration of timber; thereby decreasing the consumption, and preventing the rapid decay of our ships of war.
“With this view, I am desirous to have the subject introduced upon its own bottom, totally distinct from party; and which having solely for its object the support of our naval power, I earnestly hope and trust will have the sanction of the marine minister.
(Signed)“W. Layman.”
“Robert Viscount Melville.”
(Answer.)
“Admiralty, 6th May, 1813.
“Sir,– I have received your letter of the 3d instant, acquainting me of your intention of bringing the subject of your experiments on the improvement of timber for the navy under the consideration of Parliament; and such steps will no doubt be taken in regard to the objects you have in view, as may be thought expedient by the House to which you may address your petition.
(Signed)“Melville.”
Commander Layman next addressed the Admiralty on the inadequacy of our frigates to contend with such ships as those in the service of North America, the tonnage of the latter being equal, and the broadside weight of metal even superior, to many British third-rates. His memorial on the subject of preparing forest trees for immediate service was presented to the House of Lords, by Earl Darnley, in June 1814; and to the Commons, by Mr. Charles Forbes, in April 1816; on which latter occasion, an official personage, now deceased, observed, that he “should not object to the petition being laid before the House, but he wished to repel any insinuation that the Admiralty had been guilty of neglect. The truth was, that so many proposals of this nature were laid before them, that they would not be justified in accepting every one: the present, however, had by no means passed unnoticed.” Commander Layman subsequently published a valuable pamphlet, entitled “The Pioneer, or Strictures on Maritime Strength and Economy;” containing remarks on British ​Seamen and Impressment; suggestions for decreasing the demand on public revenue, and the consumption of materials, by increasing the duration of ships and efficiency of the navy; syllabus of a work entitled Outlines for a Maritime History, &c. &c. He is said to have terminated his existence in the year 1826.
* ↑ Commander of the land forces employed in the expedition against the Northern Confederacy.
* ↑ See Nav. Chron. xxxvii, 452–458.
* ↑ See p. 331.
* ↑ The substance of this Prospectus is inserted in Nicholson’s Philosophical Journal, for May, 1813.
* ↑ This experiment was made to show in how short a time wood could be prepared for use from a growing tree; but a young standing Weymouth pine, which was experimented upon with a view to masting timber, and which was three days in preparing, had not only all its corruptible juices withdrawn, by which its weight was reduced, but its strength increased from 243 to 450.”