Correspondence book, 1799 Apr 26-1801 Jun 14

This vellum-bound volume contains copies of orders given and received by James Hawkins Whitshed, Rear Admiral of the White, on board Queen Charlotte.

Orders Given:

• A copy of distinguishing signals and vanes to be used by the squadron, including double pendants, undated
• A copy of order to the captains of the Repulse, Captain, Defiance, Bellona, Phoenix and Ethalion, placing them under Whitshed’s command and ordering that the signals and instructions of Lord Bridport are to be used until further notice, as well general sailing order in case of separation, an Order of Battle and Order of Sailing for the squadron, 1799 May 6
• Copy of an order issued to Captain Young of the Ethalion to proceed to Cape St. Vincent to obtain all possible information regarding the French fleet, seen off Cape St. Mary and rendezvous w/ the squadron in Lagos Bay, 1799 May 20
• Order adding the Caroline, and later Atlas, Caesar, Magnificent, Resolution and Temeraire, to the squadron under Whitshed’s command. Numerous orders related to surveys, provisioning, manning, appointment, discharges, repairs, etc. issued by Whitshed, including lists of all sails, tackle and stores to be surveyed, 1799 May 21
• Copy of an order appointing Sir James Saumarez in Caesar, commodore of a squadron consisting of Atlas, Magnificent, Resolution, 1799 Dec 24
• Copy of an order placing London, Pompee, Ramillies, Hector and Montague, and later Venerable, Robust and Magnificent, Marlboro, Elephant, Cambrian, Naiad, Superbe and Alcmene under Whitshed’s command (on board Temeraire in Spithead 8 February 1800). Following repair, watering and provisioning, many of the ships are then re-dispatched to join St. Vincent off Brest

• Copies of orders, as noted above, to Whitshed to hoist his flag in Queen Charlotte, muster his squadron and proceed to rendezvous off Cadiz with St. Vincent, or failing that to proceed to Gibraltar, and to immediately report any news of the French fleet lately sailed from Brest, 1799 May 3
• Orders placing Whitshed under the command of St. Vincent and later Lord Keith, Bridport, Gardner, St. Vincent, 1799 Jun 1
• Copy of an order from Lord Keith, ordering training of men from all ships in landing and small-arms techniques, specifying their formation into companies of 60 with a lieutenant and four midshipmen for each, 1799 Jun 3
• Order from Lord Bridport, directing that crews not be allowed ashore without proper officers, due to complaints from locals regarding the depredation of their orchards. In particular, officers should prevent spare trousers and bags from being taken on shore, 1799 Oct 9
• Copy of an order from Lord Bridport directing all captains to carefully examine the crews of all captured ship to identify mutineers from HMS Danae, given up to the enemy after the crew was “seduced by some French prisoners” on board. A list of names of all mutineers is attached, 1800 Apr
• An order, noting the “scarcity of corn” (10 April 1800) and an order increasing payments for bread saved from allowances to and directing that pursers maintain detailed lists of savings and directing that ship’s company’s be informed that “during the present scarcity of grain, as small a quantity of bread as possible should be consumed,” 1800 Apr 14
• Copy of an order from Lord St. Vincent, ordering all ships of the line to keep station, in particular noting that sail should be increased in small proportions, the moment the ship is perceived to drop, with special notice being taken for the officers of the middle watch to preserve close order at daybreak, 1800 May 13
• Order from Lord St. Vincent pardoning one James Riley, convicted of desertion, due to St. Vincent recently being appointed commander of the Squadron “confident that it will operate to prevent a crime never meant to be overlooked in the future,” 1800 May 14
• Order from St. Vincent directing Whitshed to Cawsand Bay to oversee provisioning and watering of all ships of the squadron sent there, 1800 Jun 27
• Numerous orders from St. Vincent to all ships of the squadron on a variety of topics, ranging from limits on the sails to be rigged on ships boats and quantity of oakum to be kept on board, to inoculation against disease to disapproval of the practice of pursers “issuing a greater quantity of spirits of wine to individuals than the stated allowance.” Other orders concern reporting of “seditious expressions made use of in the wardroom”, “introduction of any women of notorious ill-fame into the Ward room of any ship,” and the “thoughtless” turning away of victualling hoys loaded with beer water and provisions, 1800 Sep
• Copy of an order directing, that in view of the embargo imposed by Russia on all English ships, that particular economy be used related to cables and cordage, and that twice-laid rope will be issued for all ordinary purposes. Rope worn out for use as braces, clew lines, etc. shall be saved for other uses and that rope shall be made on board from junk and condemned hawsers, 1800 Nov 30
• Copy of an order to take and bring in all Russian merchant vessels, 1800 Dec 17
• Copy of an order from Lord William Cornwallis (now in command) informing all captains and officers that it has been determined that prize money is not subject to a “duty upon income,” 1801 Mar 13
• Copy of an order that all Russian officers serving aboard British ships should be discharged and sent to London under parole, 1801 Mar 20
• Copy of an order announcing the orders in council revoking the embargo against Russian, Danish and Swedish vessels, 1801 Jun 14