24th May 1794 Log of the HMS Satyr

24th May 1794
The Biscay Cruise

Wind :  Southerly 

State of the sea (wind+sea)

Degree   Height (m) Height (ft)  Description
4            1.25–2.50     4.1–8.2     Moderate

Character of the sea swell

Moderate :  Long Track of HMS Satyr 24th May Orders: Date: 0800 (Forenoon watch) 24 May 1794 Intelligence: It is and you have just returned from meeting the Admiral aboard HMS Charlotte 100. We are lying off Brest at 48.7N 5.0W in 70 fathoms, and the rocks known as the Saints are fine off our port bow. The seabed is sand. The wind is Southerly and the sea state is 4 Moderate with a long swell. It will be worse in the Bay Captains orders for the day of 24 May 1794........................Wind: Southerly I would like to see the Sailing Master, Mr. Clegg. ‘Remain standing Mr. Clegg. Now my man, it has been brought to my attention that you have requested to keep an eye on Mr. Blair. Well out with it man! Explain yourself; I will not have ill feeling between my officers. Why exactly does one of my officers need to be watched? And we’ll have none of your cheese metaphors!) I would also like to see the Purser; ‘Now then Mr Brown…..may I call you Prudence? I do realise that I am new to the ship and may not be au fait with the idiosyncrasies of your former Captain but I would like to beg your indulgence if I may? Lt Bookbinder has provided me with a copy of your accounts and I would be greatly obliged if you could elaborate on a couple of entries. Firstly, you have requisitioned 10 casks of rum, yet Mr. Bookbinder’s inspection only accounts for eight. Secondly, I note that our stern is only painted yellow; pray tell where is the missing gold leaf?’ To the 1st Lieutenant, ‘Thank you for you report Mr Bookbinder, I have examined the punishment book and have a few questions. In your opinion is there a problem with discipline on the ship? I note that Mr Hood seems quite free with his punishments; I would like you to keep an eye on young Mr Hood if you please.’ I would also like a report from the Bosun, regarding our boats. What is their current condition, how many do we have and what is their capacity? We will set a course close hauled on the starboard tack, tacking to clear the Saints and bringing us to a position 47° 47'N 5° 6'W Saintes bearing E by N. From there we will proceed under Full Sail, Close hauled on starboard tack bearing ESE until we raise Ilse de Grois le Chats bearing N. We will then lie under furled sail whilst I switch charts! 24th May     First watch: 2000 to 0000     Middle watch: 0000 to 0400     Morning watch: 0400 to 0800  Briefing by the Admiral     Forenoon watch: 0800 to 1200  47.50N 4.45W   On heading for the Saints a depth sounding of by the mark 4 caused Sailing Master Clegg to swiftly wear the ship around earlier than planned, losing some time.  Mr Blair had the helm but gave no orders.   3 fathoms would have risked us being aground even though the chart said six.  The Saints are visible as islets only slightly further  east, but there are hidden rocks marked here. Similarly he went about on the run around the Saints rather than tack.  He seems a cautious man.  He explains privately that Mr Blair seems over confident in his abilities, but if he has overstepped the mark he will withdraw his advice on this officer. Midshipman Hood recommends two Topmen, Reeves and Mortimer for punishment (Insult to an Officer - Midshipman Hood)  Incident occurred when Satyr was putting about.   Afternoon watch: 1200 to 1600  47.35N 4.22W  Sighting.  The HMS Nymphe is close hauling under full sail at an impressive speed, some twelve miles ahead, matching your course.  He made it through the Ras then, and that is a weatherly ship!  His course seems to be for Quiberon Bay.  First Officer recommends that both Topmen were provoked by Hood,  BUT that in ordinary circumstances you would have to administer a lashing to back up your officer or Discipline will fall.  Bookbinder actually thinks that in this case making an example of Hood by mast-heading him would be good for discipline.  "The little shit has been causing no end of bother Sir. It would put a stop to him, and cheer up our people."  The Satyr clears the Pennemarc rocks with her Captain at the helm, although the depth soundings are well over 50 fathoms on a long line..  Some movement observed on the cliffs, probably civilians in panic.  The Boatswain reports that the ships boats are all in excellent condition as per: Launch Forty men Barge  Forty men Cutter twenty men Captain's gig Coxswain and ten  First dog watch: 1600 to 1800    47.22N   3.52W     First Officer reports having discovered the gold leaf in the Purser's stores (But swears it has only just appeared.  Similarly the two missing casks of rum are now back.  Bookbinder suspects that a Cook's mate, Alastair Darling was in cahoots with the Purser and that you have thrown both into a panic.  The HMS Nymphe is now out of sight. Clegg has an idea where the Honourable Captain Quincy may be.  "By Cheesus Sir, he's lying off the Isle de Grois somewhere."   From the mast head Topman Reeves reports that he can see vessels in the anchorage at Belle Isle, "looks like two Privateer corvettes,"  AND over the Birvideaux rocks there are ships in the Quiberon anchorage (He things these are a Corvette and a big Merchantman, perhaps a French West Indies vessel.)  You are at mid point between the two anchorages, but out of sight of land, just the tops of those vessels.  Last dog watch: 1800 to 2000    47.30N  3.46W ship at furled sail, drift is 1kt due south.    Midshipmen fighting in the gun room.  Mr Hood and Mr Thicke.  Bookbinder (does the man ever sleep) informs you that the fracas was the result of allegations of bullying and undue intimacy against Mr Hood.  "Damn me," he comments, "that idiot Farthingdale may be our best Middie!  At least he doesn`t have the Greek problem."  Bookbinder has mast-headed the pair of them, but if you wish to take further action... First watch: 2000 to 0000.  47.30N  3.46W  HMS Nymphe runs into the area just south of the Cats, blocking the egress from the Isle de Grois anchorage.  Clegg thinks she anchored just before sunset.  ("she was run out sir, but is showing no lights, you Gouda like Captain Quincy Sir.  He is mature." ) 25th May The Position at the beginning of the First watch  46.25N  3.15W     Furled south of the Birdvideaux and the Isle de Grois. Young Cameron is keen to lead a cutting out operation.  "They won`t have seen us Sir!"  We have four Ships boats Sir."  Lt Blair seems less keen and is visibly shaken.   Bookbinder merely nods at you with perfect confidence in your decision, (but comments "too long a pull for the boats into Quiberon with a knot of current running south here")  Clegg comments that you couldn't do feta than listen to Bookbinder. Pue, the political Officer tells you that he has business further South, and that if you could land him on the sand at Quiberon that would fulfill your obligation to him.  He seems resigned to the danger, but then he is going into enemy territory.  Odd people these political fellows. Your Orders Sir.  Do you rescue the lady from the beach by signalling with your stern lights (but you would have to get the ship closer, or cut out the damn Frenchies in hope of gaining the Admiral vital information on the whereabouts of that French Squadron.   Or have a go at those Corvette Privateers?

Addendum and Extraneous signals

Uriah the Umpire

Ah, it seems that its all a little lighter than reported.   A quick consultation of Old Ma Finnigan's Cider Drinkers Alamanc indicates that sunset at 47.25 degrees is 20.56 Rise is 05.29.   (http://www.dawnsun.net/astro/suncalc/)

Doesn't change the fact that you still have some light.  Donning your tweed  Mast Climbing Pantalons you make for the tops to get a better look.

The HMS Nymphe is anchored down, bow facing North due to the knot of current running south here.  With your telescope you can clearly see Captain the Honourable Quincy at his masthead looking at you through a huge silver telescope.  No doubt one of his Dawlish creations.  What the Dickens is he up to?  And just who is this Dickens fellow, never heard of him!

In the Isle de Grois anchorage you can still see two French ships, a big Merchantman and a Corvette of 20 guns.  The current running south has them pointing their bows north at anchor too.  

The Belle Isle anchorage has two Corvettes probably also 20 guns, Privateers from their look.  It's doubtful they can see you from their position.  

It's 20.00hrs Captain.  You have a little light left it seems.  Orders? 

Captain Christmas Quilp

Make the private signal. Signal Nymphe our intention to cut out the Ilse de Grasse vessels. Does he require assistance?

Uriah the Umpire

Before you can signal the HMS Nymphe, she flies the general signal Number 9 for Assistance.  You see that the Nymphe has shortened her cable and hauled the anchor that's only just gone down. Mr Clegg nods his head sagely, "He's goin in by Cheesus!".  Nymphe is still run out.  You signal your intention to cut out the Isle de Grois vessels, but he's going in with the Nymphe herself.   A quick look at the chart will tell you that there are few options for getting out of Quiberon, but in a Souther wind its just about possible.  Damn the fellow for a madman!  ,