French prisoners etc.

Notes:

28 Dec 1800 by the French prize-master of a brig retaken by the Plymouth lugger, it is learnt that there are three large frigates and a corvette at St. Maloes ready for sea, but cannot proceed to sea for want of hands. So much encouragement has been given to fit out privateers, that there were on the list of this month fitting for and at sea as follows :
From Dunkirk and Calais, sixteen privateers from twenty-four to fourteen guns.
From Boulogne and Dieppe, thirty-two ditto from twenty to fourteen guns.
From St. Valleroy, nine ditto from twenty-two to fourteen guns.
From Havre de Grace and St. Maloes, thirty ditto, from twenty-eight to fourteen guns.
From Boulogne and Dieppe, thirty-two ditto from twenty to fourteen guns.
From St. Valleroy, nine ditto from twenty-two to fourteen guns.
From Havre de Grace and St. Maloes, thirty ditto, from twenty-eight to fourteen guns.
The above are exclusive of numerous row-boats.
It should be observed that all French privateers above St. Maloes cruise in the Narrows, North Sea, and towards the Baltic, to interrupt our trade in that quarter.

19 Feb 1801 from the latest accounts received about Gantheaume's squadron, it appears they were seen in lat. 45� in the Bay of Biscay, as late as the 4th inst. apparently laying to waiting for a reinforcement from Ferrol.

22 Feb 1801 the French squadron got out of Brest in a violent gale of wind the 23d ult. the sea then running mountains high, and got through the Passage du Raz. Our fleet by the same gale was blown off the coast.

27 Mar 1801 a French brig of 14 guns, and a cutter of 12 guns, were seen last evening hovering off the Start ; but by the fishing-boats this morning it is learnt, that they had not been seen since ; supposed to have gone for St. Maloes.

Circa Aug-Sep 1801 Mr. Kene, late Surgeon of the London, is appointed Surgeon to the French prison, at Liverpool.

29 Aug 1801 this morning embarked at Mill Bay, on board the flotilla of gun boats, 500 French prisoners from Mill Prison, for the prison ships in Hamoaze.

13 Sep 1801 last night and this morning 1250 French prisoners were embarked from Mill Bay in gunboats, and taken on board the 7 prison ships fitted for their reception in Hamoaze. The prisons will be cleared this week, when the guard will be reduced from a Captain's to a Subaltern's.

15 Sep 1801 this morning the whole of the different Prisons at Mill Prison were cleared, and 4,500 French prisoners are safe on board the prison ships in Hamoaze.

5 Oct 1801 on Admiral Sir Thomas Paisley, sending copies of the extraordinary gazette on board the prison ships in Hamoaze, the most frantic joy prevailed among the prisoners on board ; even the convalescent prisoners got out of their hammocks, and danced between decks.

26 Oct 1801 embarked on board 4 transports for Havre and Morlaix, 450 convalescent French prisoners, from the prison ships in Hamoaze, the joy these poor fellows shewed on leaving the prison ships was extreme, as some had been confined nearly seven years, owing to the great balance of French prisoners in our favour during the whole of the war.

10 Apr 1802 orders issued by the Agent for prisoners, of war, at the approaching departure of the French prisoners, and to call in their respective legal debts contracted in the towns of Plymouth Dock and Stonehouse.

20 Apr 1802 came into Plymouth Sound several trawl boats, which had sailed with French prisoners for Morlaix, St. Maloes, and Havre ; they report that provisions were plenty, but pork particularly dear.

21 Apr 1802 the whole ef the French prisoners are embarked at Plymouth, and the last cartel sailed this morning. The indefatigable exertions in making out the lists and counter lists in taking up cartels for nearly four thousand French prisoners, reflects the highest credit on the agent for prisoners of war at this port and his secretaries, as they were only four days completing this business. Letters of thanks from M. Otto, and the Transport Board, courted in the handsomest terms, have been received by the agent on the occasion.

29 Apr 1802 letters received by J. Cleverton, Esq. Agent for prisoners of war at Plymouth, from the Transport Board and from M. Otto, couched in the handsomest terms, expressive of their thanks for the great expedition used in shipping off the French prisoners for their own country.

2 May 1802 an order received at Plymouth from the Lords of the Admiralty to the Sick and Hurt Board at the Royal Naval Hospital here, to receive all prisoners of war of any nation we have been at war with, during the late contest, who may arrive from foreign stations, and to victual them till they can be sent to their respective countries, a humane measure, and very creditable to the British Government.

French ship 20 Nov 1802 came into Plymouth a large French ship, from Ostend and Dieppe, bound to the Straits, in damage.

France 9 Sep 1802 it is reported at Plymouth, by the latest accounts from the sea ports of France, brought by a Gentleman who has visited Brest, L'Orient, and Rochefort, it appears that the building of men of war and of the line goes on briskly, as no less than sixteen ships of the line, from 120 to 74, are almost ready for launching in this and the next mouth.

Circa 27 Jun 1803 Capt Thesiger, apptd Superintendent of French Prisoners, at Portsmouth, and Capt Presland at Liverpool.

29 Aug 1803 200 French prisoners departed Mill prison, Plymouth, to be marched to Stapleton prison, at Bristol.

Circa 17 Sep 1803 Mr. S Hammock/Hammick, jun. is appointed surgeon of the French prisoners of war at Mill Prison, Plymouth.

3 Oct 1803 it is reported at Portsmouth that all the French Prisoners on board the prison ships here are to be marched to Norman Cross.

9 Nov 1803 300 French and Dutch prisoners were landed from the prison ships at Plymouth early this morning and are in the process of being marched under the supervision of the 81st Regt to Bristol, this being in the event of the port of Plymouth being attacked by the French, in the light of the many promises having been made by Napoleon to invade England.

Circa 1 Sep 1804 Mr Forest apptd Surgeon of Norman Cross French prisoner of war camp, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire ; formerly in Huntingdonshire.

Circa 15 Sep 1804 the majority of the French prisoners of war, held on board the prison ships at Portsmouth, have been transferred to Norman Cross prisoner of war camp, parts of which have been researched by the Time Team archaeologists, so there may well be a copy of the programme around somewhere ?

Circa 22 Sep 1804 1,200 French prisoners of war from St Domingo, have been put on board the prison ships at Plymouth. 600 who had been confined there for some time have been sent to Stapleton Prison.

Circa 15 Dec 1804 a forged one pound note was discovered by Capt Presland, RN, the Agent at Norman Cross, the engraving was said to have been ingeniously and well executed.