HMS Satyr 25th May 1794

I deem it my duty to investigate the, as yet unconfirmed, report regarding the French convoy. Therefore I intend to look into the Basque Roads. I believe  a course close hauled on the larboard tack (SSW) should take us out of the bay. By tacking after clearing Belle Isle we should be able to set a course to put us due south of I. Dieu (chart attached)

HMS Satyr Ships Log
25th May 1794

    Middle watch: 0000 to 0400

Ship made ready in all respects for Sea.

  

   Morning watch: 0400 to 0800

Anchor hove short.  Broad reach WSW, out of Isle De Grois. 

0730 Ship sighted NE.  Steering SW.  12 miles.  British Frigate. 

   Forenoon watch: 0800 to 1200

Turned for the leg, ENE and Belle Isle.  Mr Clegg seems concerned that a squall could hit and embay the ship.  The wind is however holding SE at Strength 5.  The sea state has however changed to short. French Fishing smack stopped, and traded for fresh fish.  Mr Bookbinder trades some Rum and the crew freely chat.  Le Manche a frigate of 40 guns has been at Belle Isle, as well as two privateer corvettes. 

    Afternoon watch: 1200 to 1600

    South of Belle Isle.  Sighted the British merchantman Nancy.  Unbelievably it's that idiot Horatio Pugwash in Command.  He shows Mr Bookbinder orders from the Admiralty.  He expects to meet with Captain Whitmore this afternoon and you came as quite a shock to him.  A French Emigre Officer is aboard and Pue asks you to leave the situation alone.  The Government are sending guns to the Vendean Rebels, but it is a touchy political situation.  It seems you have stumbled upon Captain Quincy`s secret orders.

    First dog watch: 1600 to 1800

The Dog leg back into Biscay.  No Sightings

    Last dog watch: 1800 to 2000

Heading back for the Basque Roads.  French Merchantman the Alys, a sloop.  Hauls down as soon as she sees you. 

You will need to select an Officer to take charge of the prize, with five men to handle her back to Plymouth.  She is running a cargo of olive oil and wine from Bordeaux.  Alternately Pue points out that she could be useful as a small tender.

    First watch: 2000 to 0000

2130.  Dusk 46.00N 2.30W  Due South of the Roche Bonne

Clegg briefs you on the Basque Roads.  There are three passages into the anchorage (Where the anchor is on the chart... ahem)  The Southern passage is covered by a battery at the Chateau on the Isle Daix.   In many places there is no more than three fathoms except at high tide.  That will be tomorrow morning from 8am.  Satyr draws less than three fathoms but only just, at high tide there will be an extra two fathoms in the anchorage.   The French have had great three deckers in the Roads, but only by using the tide.  The North channel has the most water, but also has the Le Jart anchorage at its entrance, and it is a tight squeeze from there south into the anchorage.  The middle channel where the French usually anchor down has 10 to 15 fathoms but little sailing room.  Clegg has a French chart attached.  

If the convoy is expected here there will be activity in the anchorage and ashore in La Rochelle and at the Jart.  The Political Officer Lord Pue really wants to go look for himself.  There is something that man isn`t telling you.

Apart from the huge white rolling surf over the flat rock shelf of the Roche Bonne there is nothing to see.    Bookbinder fancifully points out that far in the future such a pace could be a major venue for a sport he calls "Surfing."  He probably needs to sleep!

Link to Clegg's Chart

Link to Clegg's Pilot book on the Basque Roads