1797 - Admiral Duncan off Camperdown


 
Contents

Next Page

Previous Page

10 Pages >>

10 Pages <<
Naval History of Great Britain - Vol II
1797 British and Dutch Fleets 78

anchor. On the 19th, at 5 a.m., the Brutus was seen, but not in the same place : the ship had weighed, and was now at anchor, with Goree Gatt open astern of her. At 6 a.m., not considering herself safe with two British frigates for her opponents, the Brutus reweighed, and ran over the flats into the Maese. At 7 a.m. the Endymion and Beaulieu, being thus frustrated in their object, hauled their wind and stood off. The Endymion's casualties were confined to the loss of her foretopgallant yard, and some trifling injury to her sails and rigging.

On the 17th, the day of his arrival at the Nore, Admiral Duncan was created a baron and a viscount of Great Britain, by the titles of Baron Duncan of Lundie, and Viscount Duncan of Camperdown. At the same time Vice-admiral Onslow was created a baronet, and Captains Trollope and Fairfax were made knights-bannerets. Gold medals were also struck, to commemorate the victory, and presented to the admirals and captains, to be worn in the same manner as those given on Earl Howe's and Sir John Jervis's victories. The thanks of both houses of parliament were unanimously voted to the fleet ; and the city of London presented Lord Duncan with its freedom and a sword of 200 guineas value, and the same, with a sword of 100 guineas value, to Sir Richard Onslow.

As on all similar occasions, the first lieutenant of every ship present in this battle received a step in his rank. The names of those serving on board the line-of-battle ships were, according to the best of our researches,* as follows: William Renton, Venerable; John Winne, Monarch; Charles Burroughs, Russel; Thomas Linthorne, Montagu; John Smith, Bedford; ; Ulick Jennings, Powerful ; Richard Power, Triumph ; Robert England, Belliqueux; William Lane, Agincourt; Christopher Watson, Lancaster; George Morris, Ardent; Thomas Halton, Veteran; John M'Taggart, Director; Charles Bullen, Monmouth; William Lamb, Isis; and Christopher John Williams Nesham, Adamant.

Unfortunately, justice required that at least one captain should be tried by a court-martial, for his delinquency in the glorious battle for the successful result of which the above rewards had been so justly bestowed. Captain Williamson, of the Agincourt, was the officer so tried. The court sat from December 4th to January 1st, on board the Circe at Sheerness, upon two charges : one for disobedience of signals and not going into action ; the other for cowardice or disaffection. The court considered the first charge as proved, but not the second, and sentenced Captain Williamson to be placed at the bottom of the list of post-captains, and to be rendered incapable thenceforward of serving in the navy.

* See p. 52.

^ back to top ^