pose to take the first opportunity of giving him one, if the duke and you approve. The duke and Anson did approve, and ordered a captain's commission to be forthwith made out for him. In this year several actions were fought singly and successfully by his Majesty's ships of war with those of the enemy of superior force in guns and men, in which the great disparity in the numbers of killed and wounded, in favour of the British, clearly pointed out the superior skill of the latter in gunnery and seamanship. The Defiance, for instance, captured the Ambuscade, of forty guns and three hundred men, having killed and wounded twenty-six of the enemy; the Defiance had one killed and three wounded. The Portland, Captain Stevens, of fifty guns, after a close engagement of two hours, captured L'Auguste, of fifty guns and four hundred and seventy men; killed fifty and wounded ninety-four. The Portland had five killed and thirteen wounded. The Nottingham, Captain P. Saumarez, of sixty guns and four hundred men, had an obstinate engagement of two hours with the Mars, of sixty-four guns and five hundred men; killed twenty-three men and wounded nineteen, having only three killed and nine wounded. Many other similar instances occurred in the course of the year 1746. * Anson's Collections, No. 270. He adds in a P.S., "I have just heard the Duke of Newcastle say, it is a shame if Phillips is not made captain of the Solebay. So probably the king is inclined that way." CHAPTER IV. BRILLIANT EXPLOITS OF THE NAVY. Order in Council for improving the building of Ships-Mode of promoting Admirals-Situation of old Captains-Orders in Council for their relief, by appointing them retired Rear-Admirals -Objectionable clause in the order-First established uniformThe year 1747 glorious for the British Navy-Duke of Bedford's opinion regarding the distribution of the fleet-Lord Sandwich'sLord Anson's disposition of it—his information of two squadrons of the enemy about to sail-Makes preparations to intercept them— Determines to hoist his flag-Selects Rear-Admiral Warren for his second-Letter of the Duchess of Bedford-Falls in with, attacks, and takes six French ships of war-Admiral Warren pursues the rest-Great rejoicings on this first victory-Congratulations from Duke of Bedford and Lord Sandwich-Fox's squadron falls in with and captures a large portion of the St. Domingo fleetRear-Admiral Hawke appointed to command a squadron to intercept that of M. Letendeur-Engages and takes five sail of the line and one fifty out of the eight-His account of the action-Captain Fox's conduct brought before a court-martial-is dismissed his ship, and never after employed-Numerous captures made, and several single actions fought-M. de Conflans taken by Captain Shirley his unfounded charges against that officer-Captain Shirley's exposure of them-Relative ranks of army and navy settled-Boscawen sent to India with a large force of ships and troops-Unsuccessful attempt on Pondicherry-Hears of the peace, and returns to England. 1746 to 1749, ANSON'S active measures for preparing the fleet for sea, and his great desire for introducing an improved class of ships, and also for bettering the condition of the old captains of the navy, soon showed themselves by two important Orders in council, both of which could only have emanated from him, whom experience had taught to feel the evils which he was anxious to remove. The first memorial of the Board relates to the building of ships. It states that, on examining the methods of building ships of the royal navy, the Lords of the Admiralty found that no establishment or regulation had been made since the year 1719, and that those regulations had been long since discontinued, and, instead thereof, ships had been built according to particular schemes or propositions, without any standard or uniformity, those of the same rate being often of unequal dimensions, so that the stores and furniture of one would not fit another of the same class, a matter of infinite inconvenience in point of service,* as well as the occasion of extravagance in point of expense; that they likewise found several complaints that the scantlings of the ships are not so large and strong as they should be, and that the ships themselves are crank, and heel so much in blowing weather, as not to be able to open their lee-ports, at the same time that ships of other nations go upright, with all their batteries open, and ready for action. It states that, "These and other defects showed the necessity of establishing a fixed standard for building the ships of the royal navy, and that, thereupon, they gave orders to Sir Jacob Acworth, surveyor of the navy, and also to the masters shipwrights of his Majesty's * Lord Nelson most deeply felt, and frequently complained of this great inconvenience. dock-yards, and likewise to some eminent shipbuilders on the river Thames, to take this matter into their consideration, and to propose and lay before the Lords Commissioners their several opinions in writing, of such a system or establishment for building a ship of each rate, as might amend and rectify the present mistakes and errors therein, and contribute towards obtaining all the proper advantages and qualities that are essential to the making them good ships of war; which they having accordingly done, the said Lords Commissioners thought it proper, in the next place, to refer all the said reports to Sir John Norris, admiral of his Majesty's fleet, directing him to summon such of the flag-officers as were not in service at sea, such commissioners of the navy as have been commanders at sea, such captains as have served as commodores, and such other senior captains as should be thought fit, and to meet together and examine the said reports, as well as some other propositions of the same nature." It then goes on to state, that "having finished their deliberations with great judgment and exactness," they submitted several propositions to the Board, which are not here necessary to enumerate or detail. The propositions were approved, and, in consequence of this business-like memorial, a better class of ships were introduced into the navy, but still imperfect, as the first, that were built and ready four years afterwards, were discovered to be, representa tions having been made by several captains that they did not steer so easy nor sail so well as was expected; and therefore, on the 5th July, 1750, another memorial from the Board was presented to the Lords Justices (the king then in Hanover), stating that, being on the point of ordering three ninety-gun ships, one eighty, one seventy, and two of sixty guns, they pray to be allowed to make such variations in the scheme of 1746 as may be thought necessary to improve them as ships of war. The second memorial to the King in Council regarded promotion and retirement of flag-officers. It was intended to be an act of grace and favour in behalf of the veteran captains of the navy, who had long suffered, both in point of honour and emolument, by being passed over in the promotion of flag-officers; while their names were kept at the head of the efficient list of captains, with the scanty allowance of the half-pay then established, which, to the seniors, was 10s. a day. At that time brevet promotions of flagofficers appear to have been unknown, and seniority wholly disregarded. When one or two admirals were required to be added to the list of flag-officers, the Board looked down the list until they arrived at one whom they considered the best entitled to receive the rank, and who was accordingly selected; undoubtedly the most effectual mode to obtain good * * The edition of the printed instructions brought out this year (1747) says, "No brevet commission shall be allowed." L |