The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-12-27 00:00:00

dery dill Jr.. the lint. when w formed a joilaion '
wills the prises.
Considering the wind, and the relative situation of
the two heti. dirt's", the Igkr, coed the Bridal! flees
have neared the enemy and renewed the anion?—
'['hat is merely a matter of opinion. It is impos.ible
for me to say. whether we could have neared the
enemy. We did not lay our beads towards them
I have ;beady nsontioned my belief. that the
Wind was N. W. and by N. on the tad, and that
'the enemy bete from N. W. to W. and by N. con.
rqtrently we mold not have (etched them tiny part
pt that day. if they had chosen to avoid us. I mean
by going on the contrary tack—by laying our head'
towards them.
, et show
anion on
appeared
keep com-
and I saw
to tritew
the ships
(lima the
the 24th ?
from the

- the enemy
steering to the
-4 by E. ?—1
do Beet fol-
lowing - thought
i•oper to do co.
Did the Vice-Admiral at any lime on the lath
chew any disposition to renew the action
that question answered by the scores to the t:4eced-
ing one.
Court.-4.1t is a specific question.-.:We con-
tinued, as I have said before steering from the
enemy; of COW'S, there could bin. movement, on
our part, towards a renewal of the contest.
I)id the Vice-Admiral. according to your remark
and observation. do every thing that might have
lawn done, on the is.3d and 24th, to renew the en-
gagement. and to take and destroy every ship which
it was his duty to engage ?—We never attempted
t 6 resew the action. or had our heads towards the
enemy. I haat said before. it appeard to me, the
Admiral's °Nee was to cover the crippled ships.
Cuert—Ar the time. the British fleet bore down
10 the crippled ships, in what state was the II inda•r
pm& P----She appeared to have lost her tore-top-
and not to able to make sail.
t other •'"--• of the British ' unable

ships _ __. feet were
to keep company with the Vice-Admiral, had be
endeavoured to bring the enemy to altion don't
knew that any other was disabled.
I mean during the whole time, from the 22J to
the time you lost sight of the enemy ?—I don't
know of any other.
Sir Robert Calder—Under what sails, and at what
rate did we edge down to the crippled ships, on the
morning of the 23d f—l believe the body of the
feet was under reefed top-sails.
Imenattu know at what rate of sailing f—l do
not know; log log will tell.
Was there not a heavy swell on the morning ei
the .4th, arid yolk*, wind, that I made a signal fair
sailing in its rider i—There was a considerable
swell, hot I do not secolloh the signal.
Was there net danger of the ships running foal
of each other ; that is the reason et the question
think there was little wind in the early put of
the day.
Were you acquainted with the returns which had
beeomade of the damages which the squares bad
*attired ?—No.
Were you acquainted with the orders under which
I abed i—No.
What face bad the enemy at Roclifoct, when yes
left it to' put yourself under my command t—Frons
report, one three-sleeker, two DO- gust ships, two
e.' 4's, and stone stnaller sew% whether two Of
three frigates, I do net knew.
On which slat leak that t—l believe my ciders
wire abodt diet nth or kith of Jody%
what state did you keys them understood
04 war 'emir for sea. and await ea take the first
opluntuisitjr of robing out t and s signal had beat
made to me on The Morning I le* Roillifort, that
the entmy "at carting.
Red their ships been frequently anger sail during
ifie those 'you wine of Roctitort ?—1 know no other
day but that—Captain Fleming's signal was by Isle-
gtaph- 1 Made' neater, aced the signal then was,
Oat the etterayhad anchored agaia.
Cottl4 they have put to sea with the wind with
which you roue to me?--Certainly.
Have you since learned they did put to see on or
&diet the r/th tie at what other time i—l have
understood they did put to sea about that time, but
the precise day I do not know.
Did you receive a letter from me on woke, after
the action f—Yes, I had two letters from Sir R.
Caller, on service, after the action, of different
dams.
Did the first give you any reason, and what, for
standing to the northward with the Windier Castle
And prizes ?—1 morn produce the letter itself.
Court—That wilt be most satisfactory.
Admiral Stirling accordingly produced the let-
ter, which is of the following tenor :
" Prince of Wales, at Sea, the "tth Joie, 114^5.
" My dear So...fermis ere to resin. ,eta my roost heacklt
taw** for year unrcniittiag a.rentsonr„ mid (or the very gal-
ivant •epport you rend7red the during the whole of the at-
crun ‘..0 the gYil WM. tied the weather been favourable, and
we could have wen 5, have made the necessary signal*, •,.
Date availed ourselves of verse of the mistakes of the coat y,
lam fatly evonrineed we should base made the victivy much
More complete t I was üb:iged to stand to the northward thug
far, in order to Crier the Windsor Cattle and the two captured
ships. t think they are new safe from the combined, as well
a, the Rechthet siguatirea; and I ant going hack to Cape
Emisterre, it homy of teeing Lord Nelson, Ido ... I shall
p: cowl of Ferrol, to tee If any raiattraals (11,1..rioaity gimold
wl•e, whee I may her so attack the sheeny to trlnasitagc
W.shotig lig all pourbiosuccesa. i are, my dear snitii,g, ever
year's must truly audtuncerely-

(iipsed) "IltsreLßT CALDER."
By Sir ft.ibeet Calder—ls this the answer?—(ee-
¢,btrnr • letter)—lt is not the answer. It is a letter
written in reply to it. I sent, by the same convey<
adue, a letter to the Vice-Admiral, on service.
You will observe, they Are of different slates.
One is the 124th, the ether the 25th ?—I had no or-
pnitunity of se•iding the letter of the MAI, till 1 in
e<cised it in the other. l should not have written
ruck a letter to my ecmmasuling efEcer, on
*trice.

11)• lett* Pektllli b Sir 11.. Calder Wm tied
read. sad is as
u levy, Out Jute. teal.
"' KyDear Str.awl thank you Innen for year letter of yes.
harder, and an assure you. wits great trurdl, 1 Want, sad do
mean. to give you all the support in my 'moue. {hope you
made a good tale to please Jelin Bull, for you had a goad sub
feet to write on; and I thiuk you have coiwineed Monsieur
Bonaparte, that he always get to seal, and limns again,
WA impunity. Emote haste, arid believe sire, Mast truly,
yours, (Sighed) a CHAILASS STIRLING."
(On His Majesty's service.)
Sir R. Calder, B.rt
Question by Sir A. Cahler.—Do you wish the
other letter read'-.-I can here no objenion. It
will be perfeetly agreeable to •me. The letter which
has been read, I did not wet' e on service.
The Conn then ordered 'the other letter to be read,
whiCh is as follows :
Glory, 24th July, 1803
My Dear 54...1 conr;ratulate yea on the capture of the
Spaniard:, from a fume ro very superior to that *pissed to it,
and I think, if the Mears ships, which at one time showed a
dispedition tre mippoit them, had followed the intention, die
consequence might/ furs been ileci.ire. The greet übjeCt I
had in view ores r es, rear orgies, by keeping in a erimpact
line, whilst the signal for that purpose remained in force, and.
therefore, as 1/ Raisenable ...heed with you, my Captain took
good care 0.40 nothing ciruld pass between his and this ship.
tit, surrender of the Spaniard.. I directed the War-
oiwr end and assist in taking toemewiton, and afterwards
sent tirade: orders to the Thunderer, as there was nu know-
ing,. (ruin the thickness of the weather, what might other-
vie be the consequence, if your attention was confined to the
•a,,. I likewise ord,red the Egypticitoe, when I got sight
of her, to get the prize.' on the Mule tack wan us, and to tow
them to leotard ut. sue ships, which "Tiers will, I hope,
meet with your approbarion. I know not why there was a se-
paration in the night. Captain Litisee went, in porosities of
his lufstruetions, and reio.ned me Wine the morning. We
had only one man kilted and four wounded ; the lorry:aid
was grazed, which we have fished; and what was otherwiie
was net of ;i
a I have g, ple.stire in bearing trartimeny tu the seal of
Captain Wrrcu a 41 and feel lunch confidence,
from the plod ermitict of the -row .elong.iag to the
where my flag i- dying, if our good fortune shuuld -again lead
up /gains( 'he rot 01 our ecunty
a Relieve me, with great .theme, Dear Sir, year obedient
humble arosaar,
(Slued) " CHARLES STIRLING."
Sit R. Calder, Wart.
Admiral Stirling then added--I believe that let-
ter was sent to the Admiral on the 25th; and I
hail the honour to wait on him in the afternoon. by-
his permission ; and, to the best of my recellenion,
that was my reason for not returning an official an.
ewer. Ido not remember any other communication
with the Admiral, from about midnight of the 22J.
By Sir R. Calder—Did I not always place our
fleet between the Windsor Castle and the captured
ships, while in tow of our ships 1-I'he British fleet
was always between them.
Was not the English squadron always placed by
me between that of the enemy and the port of Fer-
rol, so long as the enemy con issued us inght I—The
British fleet was nearer to Ferrel than the enemy,
till they crossed our stern on the 24th.
When they crossed our stern, could they have
fetched h errol do not think they could, as we
had the wind.
Court—What distance was Ow British fleet from
Rochlort the morning after the anion do not
know. The chart will tell can tell the latitude
and longitude. On the ionise/ink day, at noon, by
the. Master's reckoning, Cape Finistarre, bore S.k.
by E. 40 leagues.
Henry (paddock, Master of the Gimp examined,
What was the distance between the fleet,
en the 24th of July 1414, from the Ports of Ferrol
1 and lochfaeltlwwCape Finisterre was then the place
' Croat which we reckoned. It was distant about 99
or 40 Wpm sad the difference between it and
Ferrol is triers, see above three leagues. As to 1
Rochfort. I ono *eat widow the chart.
Do you know the Thrt of Ferrol /--.Yes, by look-
iog into the .meth of the harbour, and having a
plan of the harbour.
Can an .newsy'. fleet Come out of that port with
the wind at North, or with *ay wind you had be-
tween the time of the anion and 8 p..e. of the 24th
--I am not positive how the wind blew during the
whole of that time. They could not, however,
corn* out with a wind at N.N.W. end I can hardly
suppose they could with a wind at North.
Sir R. Calder being asked. whether he had any
questions to put to this witness ? aoswered, " I can.
nut ask any question of that Gentleman." He was,
however. called back. and desired to examine his
lug-book, when he stated, that it appeared from
the log, that, on the' 4th, from eight a. M. to eight
p. w. nuclei tan*. the wind was titan N.N.C. to
N.E.
Could an enemy's ship have come out of Ferrol
with the wind at N.N.E. or at N.E. ?—At N.L. it
eornq out ; hut, to the best of my judgment.
it would be atteialed with considerable difficulty to
come out with the wind at N N.E.
Rear-Admiral George Martin, late Captain of
the Befifter, being required, as admiral Stirling
had been, to state ;he relative situation' of the two
fleets, and the occurrences v hick took.place after
the battle of the 22d, an:: to the time that they lost
sight of the enemy's Reet ; &aid, that not having
made any minute relative to the lawiness, and not
expedieg to be called before a Court Martial, he
did not teel hirnsch prepared to enter into a narra-
tive of the faits, or to answer question. He left
tile Bac/leis, in a bad state of health, and not having
since seen his log-book, he did not feel his mind
equal, considering the regard which he must natu-
rally at the time have bestowed on his own ship,
at :his distance of time, to state the occurrences of
twenty-ft t.r hours. He should, however, he ready,
according to the best of Lis recolleftiJn and judg-
ment, to answer ar.y specific questions which might
be put to him. lie was then asked.
Was a signal made f:crn the Vice-Admiral's ship,
en the morning of the 23d, and at what hour, to
know what ships had occasion to lie-to to refit 1-• A
signal was made generally. early in the morning;
bet I cannot say what the returns were.
%Vhat answer was made from your ship ?—I
answered in the negative. We did nut require to
lie-to.
What was the relative situation of the two fleets
on Tuesday the 23d, at day-break?--Thelit/our,
Hero, riamph, and. I think, the Agamemnon, were
al,out live miles to-the leeward, and nearly as much.
or between four and tile miles to the windward or
ourou-o fleet, neatly midway between the two.
How was ;he wini at that time ? I he wind was
from W. to W.N.W.

What course were the fleets that steering ?—The
.on fleets wLie then steering on larlogard tack ;
.uur &Olin somewhat dispel-41J. rht 17.iinderte and

,• • •
Made ar 444474 with thC out of
and were not seen by us till eight o'clock in the
morning.
Did the British fleet alter their courk by sailing
with the wind, more to leeward, and thereby in-
crease their distance from the enemy ?—On a signal
being made by one of the ships, for the Metre, Than-
direr, and prizes to leeward. the British fleet bore
up to close with them.
Considering the wind, and the relative situation of
the two dens, during the 23d of Jnly, could the
British fleet have neared the enemy, and renewed
the engagement?--The enemy being rather abaft
the beam, the British fleet naturally would have
neared them, had they tacked ; but whether they
could have renewed the engagement, must have
depended in a great measure on the enemy, they
being to windward.
Did the Vice-Admiral shew any disposition to re-
new the a&ion on the 2Jd ?—No.
Were the lights of the enemy's fleets seen at any
time during the night between Tuesday, the 2id, end
the morning of the 24th t—ln the early part of the
evening they were seen ; but, before I went to bed,
I cannot say : they were not reported to MC as
such.
Sir R. Calder said, he should save the Court a
great deal of trouble. on the head of his having, or not
having, evinced a disposition to renew the engage-
ment on the 23d. He accordingly gave in an ad-
mission to the following effed :—" I admit that I
did not shew any such disposition, except by haul-
ing my wind, when the enemy bore down, as by do-
ing so, I must have separated myself from the crip-
pled ships and prizes."
Question to Admiral Martin—At day-light, on
Wednesday the ''24th, what were the relative situa-
tions of the two fleets, and how was the wiud
wind was very moderate, nearly a calm. At seven
or eight o'clock, a breeze sprang up from N. by
E. which bronght the enemy neatly tight a-stern.
At that time there was a considerable distance, the
whole of the fleet not kiting in sight from the
deck.
Did the enemy at any time of tie morning of the
24th, and at what time, hear away to the southward
and eastward ?—1 cannot say at what hour they
bore away. Their head WAS to the S. E., and thy
did not appear close to the wind. •
Could the British fleet have punned them on that
day with the prospect of advantage ?—Every ship
but the Windsor Castle appeared to me to be in a
condition to pursue the enemy. I speak, however,
only from appearances, not having an opportunity
of knowing what they suffered.
DA the Vice-Admiral, any time on the day of
the 'pith, spew a disposition to renew the action ?
Sir Hebert Calder—My wish being, as I have al-
ready said, 10 save the Court every possible trouble,
I bete also admit that I did not show any such dis-
position, and for reasons which I shall hereafter
state.
Question to the witness—Did the Vice-Admiral,
front your remarks and ohs', vations, do every thing
in his power, and that he might have done, from the
morning of the 23d, till you lost sight of the enemy,
to renew the engagement, and to take and destroy
every ship, which it was his duty to engage ?
I consider that I have already ebswered this, in
my answers to the two former questions, when I
say, that the Vice-Admiral never did endeavour to
renew the engagement, or to stand towards the ene-
my, either on the 23:1 or 24th of July.
Sir Robert Calder.—And I have admitted that I
never did.
The Court said, they had some questions to put
to the Witness ; but the admissions of the Prisoner
rendered their doing so unnecessary.
Examined by Sir Robert Calder.—Did the ene-
my ever chase, or make any attempt to force me to
attion, either on the 23J or 21. th ?—The enemy bore
up in the afternoon of the23d, as I then thought, for
the purpose of renewing the action; but, by their
hauling their wind again, as soon as they closed a ith
the laewardmost ships, 1 believe, it was only intend-
ed for that purpose.
Did I keep my wind when the enemy bore down?
—Yes; I observed you hauled to the Wiwi when
the earmy was coming down.
Was there not a heavy sea, and so little wind, on
the morning of the '24th, that I made a signal to
keep the ships in open order ?—1 have already said
them was little wind, and I do recoiled of the sig-
nal to keep open order being made.
Could I have pursued the enemy on the 24th,
without separating the rest of the sqliadrun from
the Windsor Cattle and prizes, and front the frigates
which had them in tow ?--Certainly tun, without
separating from the prizes ; and not, under a press
of sail, without separating from the Inadsor Castle.
Did I not always place our squadron between the
enemy, and the Windsor Castle and captured ships,
when in tow of our ships?.--It appeared to me to be
the intention of Sir Robert Calder, from the time
of the action, to keep company with them till they
separated by signal.
Was not the British Squadron always placed by
me between the enemy and the port of Ferrol, so
long as the enemy remained in sight ?---We certainly
were between them, whether the particular position
was taken for that purpose or not.
Mr. Bicknell, who assisted Mr. Greatham, the
Deputy Judge Advocate, in the cnnduding of the
prosecution, here remarked, that Sir R. Calder har-
ing admitted, that all the ships but the litindsor
Castle were in a condition to renew the it he
had thought fit, he (Mr. Bickneli) thought his task
was at an end.
Sir Robert Calder said, he had made no such
admission. He did indeed admit that the Wiadsor
Caine was the only ship that did make a return to
that effed.
Mr. Bicknell said, be thought that admission
pretty equivalent.
Captain William Charles Durham, of the De-
fence, was then called.
Were you ordered to reconnoitre the enemy's
fleet on the 24th of July, and at what chile ?
About six or seven in the morning.
Did you, at any time that day, make a signal to
the Vice-Admiral, to know if you should %till keep
the enemy in sight, and at what sure ? —I did, after
four, or between five and six o'clock that evening.
Were you to windward of the enemy at that
time ?--Yes.
Court—When you last saw the enemy's nett,
• under what sail were they standing, and what course
mete they *Reefing ?---They were under their top•

Did the Vice-Admiral make any signal.
*my disposition to endeavner to renew the ;
that day ?—I have berme stated. that it ;
to me that the Admiral's objet was is ht
pang with the crippled ships on that day, a;
no other signal indicative if an intention
the contest, after he stilted 'lathes' gay of
wanted to ?
Did the Vice-Admiral_ *le any step to
British fleet to bear up aft* the enemy on tl
—The British Beet continued standing, f
ettensy, front the time haye befere.nsenuoi
Could the British ha; have pursued th
with advantase nn the Roth. they stearin
S. and by S. and the wind Wing N. and b
do not *sow any *idioms the British
lowing the enemy, if the Admiral had