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THE THREE DORSET CAPTAINS 
AT TRAFALGAR 



THE 

THREE DORSET CAPTAINS 
AT TRAFALGAR 

THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY 

CHARLES BULLEN 

HENRY DIGBY 

BY A. M. BROADLEY 

AUTHOR OF " TUNIS PAST AND PRESENT," 
" HOW WE DEFENDED ARAHI," ETC. 

AND R. G. BARTELOT, M.A. 

AUTHOR OF "A HISTORY OF CREWKERNE SCHOOL " 



LONDON 
JOHN MUUllAY, ALBEMARLE STREET 

1906 



TO 

THOSE DESCENDANTS AND KINSMEN 

OF 

THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY 
CHARLES BULLEN, AND HENRY DIGBY 

THE THREE DORSET CAPTAINS AT TRAFALGAR 

'■•WHO ARE LIVING ON THE 2 1 ST OCTOBER I905, THE CENTENARY 

OF NELSON'S GREAT VICTORY 

THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 

BY THE AUTHORS 



Wi 



PREFACE 

OF all the subordinate characters in the tragedy of 
Trafalgar, the personality of Thomas Masterman 
Hardy is unquestionably by far the most interesting, 
striking, and attractive. The " Kiss me, Hardy " of the 
dying Nelson has perhaps taken a firmer hold on the 
popular imagination than either the "Remember" of 
Charles Stuart, or the real or supposed " My country, 
oh my country" of William Pitt. 

Another of the " greatest sailor's " utterances during 
the brief interview which preceded Hardy's return to his 
duties on deck, within about half an hour of " his Lord's " 
death, is scarcely less distinctly graven on men's minds. 
It was, as we are told by the able author of Nelson 
and his Captains, the timely quotation of the words, 
" Anchor, Hardy, anchor," more than forty years later, 
by which Sir Herbert Edwardes steadied in a moment 
of supreme difficulty, the iron nerve of the worn-out and 
over-wrought Sir John Lawrence.^ 

No sooner did the belated news of the battle reach 
England than the whole kingdom was flooded with popular 
mementoes of the great event which had saved her from 
the long-feared foreign invasion, while depriving her 
of her foremost sailor. In all these souvenirs — songs, 
broadsides, glass-pictures, engravings, or pottery — the 
favourite theme was that of the most familiar death scene 
in naval history — Nelson expiring in the arms of Hardy. 
1 Nelson and his Captains, W. H. Fitchett, p. 63. 



X PREFACE 

Two-and-twenty years after Trafalgar, the late Admiral 
Sir VV. William Phipps Hornby was serving with Hardy, 
then Commander-in-Chief of the Experimental Squadron 
at Portsmouth. Shortly before his death, Sir William 
Hornby communicated to Mr Henry Newbolt an old 
Trafalgar ^ong, " The Quarter-gunner's Yarn," i containing 
the following verses : — 

" Our captain was Hardy, the pride of us all, 
I'll ask for none better when danger shall call. 
He was hardy by nature and Hardy by name. 
And soon by his condoct to honour he came. 

" The Victory led, to her flag it was due. 
Though the Tenieraires thought themselves Admirals too, 
But Lord Nelson he hailed them with masterful grace, 
' Cap'n Harvey I'll thank you to keep in your place.' 

"To our battering next the Redoubtable struck, 
■But her sharpshooters gave us the worst of the luck, 
Lord Nelson was wounded, most cruel to tell, 
' They've done for me, Hardy,' he cried as he fell. 

" When the captain reported a victory won, 
'Thank God,' he kept saying, 'my duty I've done' ; 
At last came the moment to kiss him good-bye. 
And the captam for once had the salt in his eye. 

"' Now anchor, dear Hardy,' the admiral cried, 
But before we could make it he fainted and died ; 
All night in the trough of the sea we were tossed, 
And for want of ground tackle good prizes were lost. 

"Then we hauled down the flag, at the fore it was red, 
And blue at the mizzen was hoisted instead 
By Nelson's famed captain, the pride of each tar 
Who fought in the Victory off Cape Trafalgar." 

In the times immediately following Trafalgar the 
■" Mummers Play " was still enacted every succeeding 
Christmastide in the mansions and farmhouses of the 
"West, and specially in the county of Hardy's birth, 

1 The Year of Trafalgar^ by Henry Newbolt, p. 232-3-4. London: 
John Murray, 1905. 



PREFACE xi 

" St George," " Captain Bluster," " Room," and the " Egj^p- 
tian King," may claim direct descent from the Middle 
Ages, but an interlude was added dealing with the absorb- 
ing topic of the hour, and in which the sole dramatis 
persotKE were Nelson and Hardy. For the nonce the floor 
of the room in which the rustic actors performed was 
supposed to be the deck of the Victory. The following 
dialogue, for half a century at least, never failed to provoke 
the utmost enthusiasm : — 

Nelson. " Hardy, I be wounded." 
Hardy. " Not mortually I hopes, my lord." 

Nelson. " Mortually I be afeared. Kiss me, Hardy, thank God 
I've done my duty." 

The friendship which existed between Nelson and 
Hardy for over ten years was of the closest description. 
Nothing could ever interrupt it. Nelson regarded Hardy 
not merely as " a right-hand man " like the resourceful 
Berry, or an able and courageous seaman like Ball, 
Troubridge, Keats, and others. Hardy possessed all their 
good qualities, but he had other attributes which led 
Nelson to feel he might safely make him the recipient 
of his most intimate confidences. Possibly the strong 
union of sympathy which linked them together was inten- 
sified by their strange diversity of both temperament and 
physique. It is difficult to imagine a more striking con- 
trast than that presented by the pale-faced, stunted, and 
attenuated Admiral — "that cripple-gaited, one-eyed, one- 
armed little naval critter," as Sam Slick has been made 
to describe him — and the captain — tall, broad-shouldered, 
muscular, robust, rubicund of countenance and hearty in 
manner, like his stalwart Dorset forebears. Nelson was 
habitually moody, sensitive and fretful^ at times he was 
despondent, but Hardy could always cheer him with a 
ringing laugh, an unruffled temper, and a constant dis- 
position to look on the bright side of things. The 
intense personal regard for one another of these two 



xii PREFACE 

comrades imparts a peculiar interest to the letters of Hardy 
which will now be read for the first time. 

At Nelson's funeral it was Thomas Masterman Hardy 
who bore the " banner of emblems." It must not be 
forgotten that Hardy took part in all Nelson's principal 
naval engagements — St Vincent, the Nile and Copenhagen, 
as well as Trafalgar — but so important was the role played 
by Hardy at Trafalgar that it overshadows many notable 
occurrences in his career both before and after the most 
memorable 21st October of history. From December 1796, 
when Nelson hoisted his broad pendant on board the La 
Mincrve^ of which ship Hardy had been appointed lieutenant 
on the preceding 20th August, they became inseparable 
friends. The victor of the Nile very soon realised the merits 
of the future captain of the Victory. " I never knew Hardy 
wrong upon any professional subject," said Nelson; "he 
seems imbued with an intuitive right judgment." It was 
not, therefore, surprising that Nelson trusted Hardy 
implicitly, and the same confidence was placed in him 
by Lady Nelson and other members of their family. To 
all of them he was "dear Hardy," and their affection was 
repaid by the most sterling loyalty. Hardy was ever 
jealous of the fair fame of the great admiral, who regarded 
him as one of his best friends and ablest officers almost 
from the day he saved him from capture by the Spaniards 
in February 1797. That Hardy often told Nelson home 
truths is abundantly evident from the voluminous corre- 
spondence which now sees the light. 

When Hardy returned to England after Trafalgar he was 
in his thirty-seventh year. He survived Nelson for four- 
and-thirty years, dying in harness as Governor of Greenwich 
Hospital on the 20th September 1839, having served the 
State under no less than four sovereigns, including her 
late Majesty, Queen Victoria. Between 1806 and 1827 
(when he finally struck his flag), on the 22nd anniversary 
of Trafalgar, Hard\' rendered invaluable services to 
his country both on the North and South America 



PREFACE xiii 

Stations. It has even been said that his tact and prudence 
alone saved England from a third war with the United 
States. In 1830, when Lord Gre\' formed his first Cabinet, 
William IV. only accepted the nomination of Sir James 
Graham (whose name he declared he had never heard of) 
to the post of First Lord of the Admiralty on the under-, 
standing that Sir T. M. Hardy, whom he knew well, and 
of whose ability and prudence he entertained the highest 
opinion, should be First Sea Lord. Hardy moved to 
Whitehall, where for four years he threw all his consti- 
tutional energy into the discharge of his official duties. 
In the traditions of the Admiralty he is remembered as 
one of the best and most far-sighted men who ever held 
that responsible post. A portion of the Hardy corre- 
spondence deals with that all-important epoch of his 
career, as well as with the closing da\'s of his life, which 
he spent in company with many other Trafalgar survivors 
at Greenwich Hospital, of which he became governor, and 
where he more than once welcomed his brother sailor, the 
"jolly young tarry breeks " of 1782, now known as "Good 
King William." 

It is somewhat surprising that the life of Thomas 
Masterman Hardy has never been written, and that until 
a very few months ago, the places of his birth and baptism 
were matters of historic doubt. Last July, however, a 
Nelson and Trafalgar Exhibition was held at Dorchester, 
the capital of Hardy's county, under the auspices of the 
Rev. S. E. V. Filleul, Rector of All Saints' Church, in that 
town, assisted by a local committee. The result of the 
activity of Mr Filleul and his associates was to bring 
together, in one room, a number of rare, and in many 
cases, unique relics connected, not only with Lord Nelson 
himself, but with the lives and exploits of Thomas Hardy, 
captain of the Victory, Charles Bullen, captain of the 
Britannia, ^.nd Henry Digby, captain of the Africa. The 
portion of the Dorchester Exhibition devoted to Hardy was 
of quite exceptional interest, for it contained relics of every 



xiv PREFACE 

-description, ranging from medals and miniatures to the 
watch he wore while he held the dying Nelson in his arms, 
the pencil-case he used to note the signals during the battle 
of Trafalgar, with the marks of his teeth still clearly visible 
upon it, and the silver shoe buckle, shattered by a splinter 
only a few minutes before the British Commander-in-Chief 
received his death wound. 

Mr Filleul was fortunate enough to obtain the active 
co-operation of Hardy's direct descendants and representa- 
tives, including Sir Malcolm MacGregor, Lady Helen 
MacGregor, Mrs John Thynne, and Mr Atholl MacGregor, 
while Mrs Manfield and her son Mr William Hardy 
Manfield, the present possessors of Sir T. M. Hardy's old 
home at Portisham, contributed other objects of great 
historic value. The loan was also obtained of several 
autograph letters written by Hardy to his brother-in-law, 
Mr John Callard Manfield, a former Mayor of Dorchester, 
who, in the days of Trafalgar, and for some years previ- 
ously, carried on the solicitor's business which has now, 
after various changes, passed into the hands of Mr H. 
A. Huxtable, like his predecessor, an ex - Mayor of 
Dorchester, and who now holds the post of Town Clerk 
of Weymouth. The presence of these autographs in the 
exhibition eventually led to the discovery of several other 
bundles of Hardy's letters, beginning 26th May 1798, and 
ending 29th April 1839, less than five months before his 
death. Mr Manfield died 21st June 1808, and the latter 
portions of the Hardy correspondence are addressed to 
Joseph Hardy, the admiral's elder brother, who survived 
him. 

In addition to this unlooked-for discovery of hitherto 
unknown Hardy letters, the writers have been enabled to 
use other important MSS., including a letter written by 
Hardy to his brother Joseph at the age of thirteen, now in 
the possession of Mrs John Thynne, and other communica- 
tions addressed by him to Mr Edmund Noble, Sir Benjamin 
Hallowell-Carew, K.C.B., and others. 



PREFACE 



XV 



The captain of the Victory had no pretence to scholar- 
ship in the modern sense of the word. He often wrote in 
a hurry, and under circumstances of considerable excite- 
ment. Sometimes he is racked with anxiety for the reputa- 
tion of his " dear Lord " ; other letters are jotted down in 
the intervals of travel by land or sea. Occasionally he 
writes with the din of battle still ringing in his ears,; to 
give the Dorset folk the earliest news of great victories 
and stirring events, quorum pars magna f nit ^ for Thomas 
Masterman Hardy was ever in the thickest of the fight. 
From first to last, Hardy wrote from the heart, and it has 
been deemed expedient to publish the letters just as he 
penned them, with the errors uncorrected. 

Hardy's letters may not throw aa important light on 
the larger questions of naval history, but they certainly 
very materially help us to a closer acquaintance, with the 
personality of Nelson, as well as that of all those who played 
a prominent part in the great naval drama,, of which he was 
the central figure. They are remarkable also for the spirit 
of affectionate regard to his own people which they 
breathe throughout, and the deep love he entertained for 
his native county. With him, charity always commenced 
at home. Digby might want him to give a berth to the 
son of some meritorious clergyman, but Hardy preferred 
the recommendations which came from Dorchester or 
" Possum." In very many of these letters we have ample 
evidence of his constant care for the boys from Dorset — the 
Balstons, the Robertses, and the Manfields — as well as of 
that singular sweetness of disposition and temper, which 
endeared him to " old Nelson " (as Hardy affectionately 
called him), who, just after Copenhagen, wrote to Alexander 
Ball at Malta : " All in the fleet are so truly kind to me 
that I should be a wretch not to cheer up. P'oley has put 
me under a regimen of milk at four in the morning ; 
Murray has given me lozenges — Hardy is as good as ever'' 
The picturesque side of life in the Navy during the Great 
War, as graphically depicted in Commander C. N. Robin- 



xvi PREFACE 

son's deservedly popular Britisli Fleet, is reflected through- 
out the earlier portions of the Hardy correspondence. 
Without the information there given, it would have been 
difficult to understand many of the matters to which Hardy 
frequently alludes. 

The Appendix contains a complete pedigree, not 
only showing Hardy's lineal connection with Clement le 
Hardi, Bailly and Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey in i/j-83 
and 1488, but giving the names of the whole of his 
descendants alive at the centenary of Trafalgar. It is 
certainly an auspicious coincidence that at the present 
moment Hardy's grandson, Sir Evan MacGregor, K.C.B., 
is Permanent Secretary of the Admiralty. The room he 
now occupies is in close proximity to the apartments 
tenanted sixty years since by Sir Thomas and Lady 
Hardy, the latter of whom lived till 1877, and is vividly 
remembered by Sir Evan. " Little," writes Sir John 
Briggs,^ " could Lord Nelson's favourite captain have 
anticipated that his own grandson would, at the end of 
the nineteenth century, assist in carrying out the views he 
entertained, and the opinions he expressed as First Sea 
Lord of Sir James Graham's Board of 1830, and as his 
representative witness all those great and important 
changes which he then predicted science and steam would 
render inevitably necessary throughout every branch of 
the Naval Service." 

From two roughly-bound folio volumes of stamped 
receipts in the possession of Messrs Maggs, of 109 Strand, 
the writers have been enabled to compile a complete and 
accurate muster-roll of the Victory on the 21st October 
1805. The earlier of these records, dated August 1806, 
deals with the division pro rata of the ^^300,000 voted by 
Parliament for the whole of the Trafalgar Fleet, while the 
latter, begun in April 1807, shows in the minutest detail 
the distribution of the sum total of the Trafalgar Prize 
Money and Bounty J^ills. The first page of the Victory 
^ Naval Administrators^ 1827-1892. London, 1897, p. 44, 



PREFACE xvii 

section of both these vakiable registers (which should 
certainly find a home either at Whitehall or in the British 
Museum) have been reproduced (by Messrs Maggs' per- 
mis'iion) amongst our illustrations. 

The writers desire to offer their thanks for valuable 
assistance rendered to them in the course of their labours 
by Mr H. A. Huxtable, by whose kind permission the 
Hardy correspondence in his possession is now published, 
as well as to Lady Helen MacGregor, Sir Evan MacGregor, 
K.C.B., Miss Eva Mary MacGregor, Mrs J. C. Thynne, Mr 
Atholl MacGregor, Mrs William Manfield and her son 
Mr William Hardy Manfield, the Rev. S. E. V. Filleul, 
Commander Charles N. Robinson, R.N., Colonel Bullen 
of Catherston [great-great-nephew of John Bullen, 
father of Admiral Sir Charles Bullen], Lord Digby of 
Minterne, Mrs Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle, Mr 
Owen F. Daniel, Miss M. M. Roberts of the Grove, Burton 
Bradstock, and the Rev. H. Pentin, Vicar of Milton 
Abbas, for useful aid either as regards incidents in the 
careers of Hardy, Digby, and Bullen, or the reproductions 
of original portraits and other illustrations. They gratefully 
acknowledge the courtesy of Messrs Maggs in lending them 
the Trafalgar Receipt Books, and that of the Rev. Sir John 
Molyneux, Bart., Vicar of Portisham, the Rev. W. F. Cornish, 
Rector of Steepleton, the Rev. H. Pigou, Rector of Long 
Bredy, and the Rev. F. W. Crick, Rector of Litton Cheney, 
for allowing them access to the registers of their respective 
parishes. 

In order to explain as far as possible the true import of 
Hardy's letters, and to give something like an adequate 
idea of the invaluable services rendered to his " king and 
country," by the captain of the Victory during a career 
extending over nearly sixty years, the writers have had 
recourse to the works of standard authors dealing with our 
naval annals between the years 1780 and 1840. They 
desire to express the deep obligations they are under to 

b 



xviii PREFACE 

Captain Mahan,^ Mr Henry Nevvbolt,'- Commander Charles 
N. Robinson,^ Mr W. H. Fitchett, B.A., LL.D.,* Professor 
John Knox Laughton,^ Secretary of the Navy Records 
Society (probably the greatest living authority on Nelson 
bibliography), Mr David Hannay,*^ and last but not least, 
the able correspondent of The Times'^ whose masterly 
elucidation of the tactics of Trafalgar in a series of articles 
recently published, has been the admiration of all those 
interested in the achievements of Lord Nelson and his 
captains. 

While the sheets of this work were going through the 
press, another very interesting discovery was made, viz., 
the " remark book" of Richard Francis Roberts, one of 
Hardy's midshipmen on board the Victory at the battle of 
Trafalgar. It has been used with the sanction of its owner. 
Miss Roberts, in the chapter relating to that momentous 
event in Hardy's career. 

For many years a Dorset or Dorsetshire figured in the 
list of British ships-of-war. The first Dorsetshire, a third- 
rate of 80 guns, was built at Southampton in 1694. She 
was a vessel of 1 176 tons, and carried a crew of 476 men. 
She was rebuilt at Portsmouth in 17 12, and finally taken to 
pieces in 1749. Then- came the Dorset^ a large yacht with 
swivel guns only, constructed at Deptford, November 1752 
— August 1753. She survived the Great War, and in the 
spring of Waterloo year fetched £^0. The second Dorset- 
shire ,\xdiS a third-rate of 80 guns, built at Portsmouth 
in 1757. She was broken up in 1775. Two men-of-war 

' T/ie Life of Nelson^ Captain A. T. Mahan. London : Sampson, 
Low, Marston & Co., 1897. 

- T/ie Year of Trafalgar. London: John Murray, 1905. 

^ The British Fleet, Commander C.N. Robinson. London : Cdorge 
Bell, 1896. 

■* Nelson and his Captains. London : Smith, Elder & Co.-, 1904 

•'' The Nelson Memorial., by John Kno.x Laughton. London ; George 
Allen, 1896. Biography of N6ls6n in D. N. B., etc., etc. 

•^ Introduction to. reissue of Southey's Life of Nelson: 

^ The Times, September 16, 19, 26, 30, and October 19, 1905. 



PREFACE xix 

have been named after Lord Hood — like Hardy, a native 
of Dorset — viz., the Hood (late Edgar), a second-rate of 
80 guns, launched in 1856, and sold in 1888 for ;^50oo. 
The existing //ic^^/, a battleship of 14,150 tons, was com- 
pleted for sea at Chatham in 1893, and is now in commis- 
sion in reserve at Devonport. The disappearance of 
Dorsetshire and Dorset as ship names is unaccountable, 
and for a time the county of Hardy and the Hoods has 
had to console herself with the reflection that the ancient 
regiment of foot, bearing her name, can still boast of the 
proud device, " Primus in Indis," as well as that of " Mortis 
Insignia Calpe." If, in years to come, the name of the 
Dorset, the Dorsetshire, or possibly the Hardy, be bestowed 
on one of the armour-clads, of which the First Sea Lord of 
1830-4 foretold the existence and realised at least some of 
the possibilities, the story of Hardy, Bullen, and Digby, 
the three Dorset captains at Trafalgar, will not have been 
told in vain. 



CONTENTS 

CilAP. PAGE 

I. Dorset and her Famous Sailors . . . r 

II. The Dorset Hardys and their Jersey Forei;ears. 7 

III. The Birth, Birthplace, and Boyhood of Thomas 

Masterman Hardy . . . . .12 

IV, Hardy's Schooldays at Crewkerne anu Milton 

Abbas. His Early Experiences in the Navy 
AND Merchant Service [1778-1790] . . .17 

V. Hardy as Midshipman and Lieutenant [1790-1797]. 26 

VI. Hardy as Commander of the "Mutine" [June 16, 

1797— August 3, 1798J 33 

VII. Hardy as Flag-Captain of the "Vanguard" and 

" FOUDROYANT." WiTH NELSON IN NAPLES AND 

Sicily. [4TH August 1798 — i2TH October 1799] . 37 

VIII. Hardy's Holiday in England. He Awaits the 

Return of Nelson . . . . -45 

IX. Hardy onge more Nelson's Flag-Captain. His 
Comhands of the "Namur," "San Josef," and 
"St George." The Battle of Copenhagen. 
[November 1800 — April 1801] . . . -55 

X. From the Battle of Copenhagen [2ND April 1801] to 
THE Peace of Amiens [27TH March 1802]. Hardy, 
Captain OF THE "St George" AND THE "Isis" . 66 

XI. From the Peace of Amiens [March 27, 1802] to 
Hardy's Appointment as Flag-Captain of the 
"Victory" [July 21, 1803] . . . .89 

XII. Nelson and Hardy once more in the Mediter- 
ranean. The Blockade of Toulon [i8th May 
1803 TO 3 1ST Dec. 1804] . . . . .108 

XIII. The Year OF Trafalgar [1805] . . . -125 

XIV. Trafalgar, October 2ist, 1805 . . . .136 
XV. After Trafalgar [1806-1816] . . . .148 



xxii CONTENTS 

CriAP. PAGE 

XVI. Hardy in Command of the "Princess Augusta" 
Yacht and the "Superb" [June 23, 18 15 — August 
II, 1819] . . . . . , .167 

XVII. Hardy Commodore and Commander-in-Chief on the 

South America Station [1819-1824] . . . 179 

XVIII. Hardy Rear-AdiMiral. He Returns Home, Escorts 
THE Expeditionary Force to Lisbon, Commands 
the Experimental Squadron and Strikes his 
Flag [1824-1827] . . . . . .. 194 

XIX. Hardy Rests on his Laurels [1827-1830]. He 
becomes First Sea Lord of the Admiralty in 
THE Government of Earl Grey [November 1830 — 
July 1834] . . . . . . .205 

XX. Sir Thomas Hardy, Bart., G.C.B., Governor |of 
Greenwich Hospital (1834-1839). His Death 
there, 20th september 1 839 .... 220 

XXI. Hardy Memorials at Greenwich Hospital and in 

Dorset : Hardy Portraits .... 238 

XXII. Charles Bullen, Captain of the " Britannia,,' at 

Trafalgar [1768-1853] ..... 245 

XXIII. Henry Digby, Captain of the "Africa," at 

Trafalgar [1768-1842] ..... 259 



APPENDICES 

A. The Muster-roll of the Victory, October 21, 1805 . . 273 

B. " Remark Book " of R. F. Roberts of Burton Bradstock . 286 

C. Grant of Arms to Thomas Masterman Hardy, dated i8th 

January 1806 . .... . . . 287 

D. Pedigree of the Hardys of Portisham, Co. Dorset Behveen 288-289 

E. Wills of the Hardys . . . . . .289 

F. Official List of the Naval Services of V^ice-Admiral Sir Thomas 

Masterman Hardy, Bart. . . . . . 292 

G. Statement of Account between, Hardy and his Agent, George 

Maxwell . . ... . . . 294 

H. Grant of Arms made to Charles Bullen, C.B., 3rd November 

1817 . . . . . . . .298 

I, The Bullens of Weymouth and Charmouth . . , 301 

J. The Digbys of Sherborne and Minterne . . , . 302 

K. The Song of the Burton Volunteers . . . . 303 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



THE THREE DORSET CAPTAINS 
AT TRAFALGAR 



CHAPTER I 

DORSET AND HER FAMOUS SAILORS 

ALTHOUGH Dorset is one of the smallest of the 
maritime counties of England, she has played an 
important part in our naval annals ever since the far- 
off days of the ninth century, when the Wessex fisher- 
men and peasantry looked down with dismay from the 
cliffs of Golden Cap and Thorncombe Beacon on the 
destruction of the fleet of King Ethelwulf by their Danish 
adversaries. The disaster of A.D. 843 was evidently taken 
to heart by the vanquished Saxons, for thirty-four years 
later it was signally avenged by the brilliant victory won 
by the marine forces of King Alfred in Swanage Bay, 
when no less than 120 Danish ships were sunk and the 
few vessels which contrived to evade pursuit were dashed 
to pieces on the Peverel Rocks. The Dorset littoral 
from Liliput Hill and Canford Cliffs on the east to Lyme 
Regis and Charmouth on the west, measures about 70 
miles. In the centre the peninsula of Portland, assuming 
the shape of a booted foot, apparently kicking contemptu- 
ously at any possible invader of England's shores, helps 
to form West Bay on one side of the Chesil Beach and 
Weymouth Bay on the other. The latter terminates in 
the chapel-crowned headland of St Aldhelm (commonly 
known as St Alban), while further eastwards, towards the 

A 



2 DORSET AND HER SAILORS 

Hampshire borders, lie the smaller bays of Swanage and 
Studland, and the land-locked harbour of Poole, once 
securely guarded by the castle of Brownsee or Branksea 
Island. Lines of lofty cliffs, bare of verdure, inaccessible 
and often well-nigh perpendicular, broken here and there 
b^y verdant valleys and st.retches of golden sand, are the 
cfliaracteristic features of the Dorset sea-board, the scene of 
some of the most terrible shipwrecks of history and the 
home of many generations of sturdy sailors. The Dorset 
smuggler was in his day quite as adventurous as his 
Cornish cotifrere, and in the . beautiful and picturesque 
hinterland hidden behind the yellow cliffs, all sorts of 
cleverly-contrived hiding-places and over-spacious cellars 
still k^ep the memory of their prowess, green. In the 
print-room of the British Museum may be seen a set of 
maps. portraying the coasf of Dorset as it was in Henry 
Vill.'s time. They are embellished with rude drawings 
pf- towns, castles, churches, ships, and beacons, to say 
nothing of sundry stately swans and stags with enormous 
antlers. The greater part of the names (notwithstanding 
the primitive spelling) are easily recognisable, and the 
" Cobbe " at Lyme Regis looks very much like what it is 
now and what it must have been two hundred and twenty 
years ago, when the luckless Monmouth stumbled and fell 
as he set his foot upon it on his way to Sedgemoor and Tower 
Hill. These charts demonstrate sufficiently the importance 
of Dorset' as a naval centre in the middle of the sixteenth 
century, which was to close with the complete' discomfiture 
of the Armada called " Invincible," off PortTand T3ill. 

~ We must not forget, however, that long before that 
'^crowning victory " was achieved, Weymouth, Poole, 
Lyme Regis, and Wareham had all made notable con- 
tributions of men and ships to the force which crossed 
the Channel to win the battle of Crec^ and cover the 
knglish arms with glory. Tn this expedition, at least 
31 Dorset ships and 479 Dorset mariners took part. 
As far back as King John's reign the best cordage came 



BINGHAM AND SUMMERS 3 

from Bridport, which, as " Byrportte," figures conspicuously 
in the suggestive sketches of the Tudor hydrogirapher. 
In 1322 Sir Nicholas Cheney, Sheriff of Dorset, sought in 
vain to recover from the king his out-of-pocket expenses — 
70 shillings and some odd pence — incurred by the dispatch 
of six "ropers " from Bridport to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 
About the time of the elaboration of these early maps of 
the Dorset littoral, an Act of Parliament made short wOrk 
of unauthorised " ropers" on the ground that " Time-out- 
of-mind Bridport (' Byrportte ') had made all the great 
cables, ropes, hawsers, and other tackling for the Royal 
Navy and the most part of other ships within this realm." 
The ingenious Leland came to Bridport and was evidently 
taken in by the ancient joke arising out of the varied 
uses to which good rope was put, for he asserts gravely 
that " at Bridportt be made good daggers." The old saw 
about being " stabbed by a Bridport dagger " (/.<•., hanged), 
was evidently in vogue in the days when Sir Richard 
Bingham [1528-1598-99], the first of Dorset's famous sea- 
dogs, was giving proof of his skill as a sailor, soldier, and 
statesman. The captain of the Sioiftsurc eventually 
became Marshal of Ireland, but died before he coiild 
assume the reins of office. As Governor of Connaught, 
ten years before, he had mercilessly butchered the Spanish 
sailors who had survived the engagement off Portland 
Bill, only to meet with a still more terrible fate on the 
rock-bound shores of Ireland. Bingham's native county 
had placed 8 ships and 340 men at the disposal of the Lord 
High Admiral, who commenced the destruction off the 
Dorset coast,- on which various relics of the Armada have 
been cast up by the waves ever since. 

Sir George Summers or Somers [1554-1610], the ship- 
mate of Raleigh and the discoverer of the Bermudas, was 
born at " Lyme of the King." Summers was one of the 
boldest and most successful of the, early sixteenth-century 
"adventurers." Having taken many prizes, including a 
particularly rich " carrack " off Lisbon, he came home to be 



4 DORSET AND HER SAILORS 

knighted by James I., and sit in Parliament for L}'me Regis. 
Having escaped the perils of the Gunpowder Plot, he once 
more crossed the Atlantic to colonise Virginia and discover 
the Bermudas, where he unfortunately died "of the surfeit 
of eating of a pig." His nephew and heir, Matthew 
Summers, brought his embalmed body back to Berne 
Manor, the mansion on the banks of the Char which he 
bad purchased with the proceeds of his "prize-taking." 
The house still exists, but American travellers look in vain 
for his grave or any memorial of him in the beautiful church 
of St Candida and Holy Cross, where he was laid to rest. 
Forty-three years after the death of Summers, the 
Portland waters were again the scene of another memorable 
engagement. For three entire days (February 18-20), 
Robert Blake maintained a death-struggle with Van 
Tromp, upon whom he finally inflicted a complete defeat, 
capturing 1 1 men of war and 30 merchantmen. 

Within easy walking distance of Summers' home at 
Whitchurch is the modernised farmhouse of Little Windsor, 
where, in Charles H.'s reign lived Alexander Hood, from 
whom the six seamen bearing that name are descended. 
Lieutenant Arthur Hood, R.N., lost on the Poj/iona, Captain 
Alexander Hood, who fell in the naval duel between the 
Mars and the Hercule on the 21st April 1798, and Admiral 
Sir Samuel Hood, were his great-grandchildren, through his 
eldest son and namesake ; while from the youngest, the 
Rev. Samuel Hood, Vicar of Thorncombe and Master of 
the Beaminster Grammar School, sprang the much more 
celebrated Admiral Samuel Hood, Viscount Hood, and 
Admiral Alexander Hood, Viscount Bridport. P'rom 
the cliffs of West Bay (the modern name for what 
was only twenty years ago generally known as Bridport 
Harbour), one can see Thorncombe Beacon to the west, as 
well as the heights of Lewesdon and Pillsdon (the "Cow" 
and " Calf" of the sailors of Nelson's time), which rise 
above the aboriginal home of the Hoods at Little Windsor 
and the old-fashioned town of Beaminster where Samuel 



THE HOODS AND DIGBYS 5 

Hood, the schoolmaster, espoused Mary Hoskins the 
mother of two naval peers — Lord Hood and Lord Bridport. 
The Bullens, from whom came Admiral Sir Charles Bullen, 
who commanded the Britannia at Trafalgar, have long 
been associated with Charmouth, which immediately adjoins 
both Lyme Regis and Whitchurch — the birthplace and 
burial-place of Summers. 

Close to Thorncombe, Charmouth, and Whitchurch is 
Hawkchurch, whence came Admiral Sir William Domett 
[1752-1828J, another hero of the Great War, who dis- 
tinguished himself as flag-captain to Lord Bridport, 
assisted Thomas Hardy to promotion in the earlier days 
of his career, and eventually represented the united 
boroughs of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in the House 
of Commons. Sir William Domett sleeps in his native 
village, in one of the most romantic of Dorset God's acres, 
where a lengthy inscription on a tablet inside the church 
sets forth all his professional achievements. 

Admiral Robert Digby [1752-1815], the first instructor 
of William IV. in his "jolly young tarry breeks " days, and 
Admiral Henry Digby [1770- 1842], who commanded the 
Africa at Trafalgar, are both associated with Minterne in 
central Dorset, but turning eastwards on the rising ground 
above West Bay, a massive column some seven miles away 
at once arrests the view. It stands out boldly on the grassy 
summit of Blagdon on Blackdown Hill, where, as at 
Thorncombe, Norchard, Lewesdon, Cerne Abbas, Badbury, 
Bubb Down, Blackdown (in Hawkchurch), Bulbarrow, 
Frampton, Lytchett, Ridgeway, Woodbury, and Penbury 
Hills, the Dorset yeomen in 1805, and the years which 
preceded it, guarded and watched the beacons which were 
to announce the always-expected arrival of the " Corsican 
ogre " on these shores. The obelisk in question com- 
memorates the valour and virtues of Dorset's favourite 
naval hero, Thomas Masterman Hardy, captain of the 
Victory^ at once the most intimate and the most trusted of 
all Nelson's companions in arms, and to whom the dying 



6 • DORSET AND HER SAILORS 

admiral murmured his last words on the afternoon of the 
2 1st October 1805, while the shadows of night were falling 
fast on distant Dorset, an<i Joseph Hardy, the captain's 
elder brother, unconscious of what was taking place off the 
coast of Spain, was climbing up the steep sides of Black- 
down Hill to tend the beacon, the lighting of which was no 
longer necessary. 

The Hardy Monument (as it has been called for 
nearly three-quarters of a century) possesses no artistic 
or architectural merits,- but its position is singularly appro- 
priate. It dominates the greater part of that Dorset 
littoral and its hinterland which has given England so 
m.any brave sailors in the past and from which the crews of 
His Majesty's fleet are still largely recruited. It is in 
immediate proximity to Kingston Russell, where Hardy 
was born in the same eventful year as Napoleon and 
Wellington, while his parents lived in the old home of 
the Dukes of Bedford, as well as to Portisham, the 
" Possum " of his correspondence, where Hardy spent the 
greater part of his boyhood, and which, almost unchanged 
and untouched since Hardy left it, still shelters many of 
the most characteristic and interesting relics and mementos 
of Thomas Masterman Hardy. The object of the follow- 
ing pages is to tell as briefly as may be, and as much as 
possible in his own words, the hitherto unrevealed story of ■ 
the life of the captain of the Victory — Nelson's "dear- 
Hardy," on many ships and in many lands. 



CHAt'TER II 

THE DORSET HARDYS AND THEIR JERSEY FOREBE'ARSI 

THOMAS MASTERMAN' HARDY was the last ot 
four distinguished admirals who could one and all 
claim descent from Clement le Hardy or Hardi, Bailly otf 
Jersey in 1483, and five years later Lieutenant-Governor of 
that island, where the Le Hardis had flourished exceiedjngly 
during the Middle Ages, and from whence the yo4nger 
son of Bailly John Hardy emigrated to England vers 
roucst, i.e., to Dorsetshire.^ TJie first of the four admiralis 
Hardy, was, like the last, i?^med Thomas. He was the 
son of John Hardy, Solicitor-General of Jersey. Born in 
the year of the great fire of London, he won a knight- 
hood at the hands of Queen Anne for the share he toojc 
in the complete destruction of the combined fleets of 
Frarbce and Spain in Vigo Bay. Having represented 
Weymouth in Parliament for some years, Sir Thoma,s 
Hardy died in 1732 and was buried in Westminster 
Abbey, where his tomb is still to be seen. The first 
Sir Charles Hardy was born in 1680, his father Philip 
Hardy, son of John Hardy, the Jersey Solicitor-General, 
holding the office of commissioner ; of garrisons in 

^ A pedigree of French Hardys of Vieques and Beaulieu in France 
is in possessioA of Mrs J. C. Thynne. Although the Christian names 
are often identical, it establishes no connection with the Hardis of 
Jersey. ', 



8 THE DORSET HARDYS 

Guernsey. Having commanded with distinction the 
WeyvioictJi and the Guernsey, he earned a knighthood in 
consideration of long service in the royal yacht, the 
Carolina, and died in 1744 a Lord Commissioner of the 
Admiralty. His son, afterwards Sir Charles Hardy the 
younger, was born amidst the excitement occasioned by 
the Old Pretender's bootless invasion of England in 17 15. 
He won his first laurels as captain of the Jersey in a 
severe action fought off the Portuguese coast with the 
French ship Saint Esprit. Ten years later (1755) he 
was appointed Governor of New York, and before leaving 
England was knighted by George H. In 1759 he was 
second in command when Sir Edward Hawke won his 
memorable victory in Quiberon Bay. Sir Charles Hardy 
(who sat for a time in the House of Commons as M.P. 
for Portsmouth) was for nine years Governor of Greenwich 
Hospital, where his portrait by Romney still hangs in 
the Painted Hall. 

The relations between the Channel Islands, and 
the Dorset littoral which directly faces them, have always 
been of a very intimate character ever since the days 
of William the Norman. For a time they both formed 
part of the same ecclesiastical diocese, and Weymouth 
has always been the port through which the produce of 
the fertile Channel Islands reached the English markets. 
This traditional intimacy accounts for the presence on the 
Dorset coast of such names as the Poole Havillands, Jolliffes, 
and Filliters ; the Swanage Chinchins ; the Parmiters of 
Corfe Castle ; the Loups and Lerousses of Wareham ; 
the Russells and Keynells of Weymouth and Kingston 
Russell; the Halletts, Traverses, Denziloes, Gerrards, and 
Jeffords of Bridport ; and the Perrotts, Limbrys, and Doll- 
ings of Lyme Regis and Charmouth. Another well- 
known descendant of the Jersey Hardys was Sir Thomas 
Duffus Hardy [1804- 1878], Deputy-Keeper of the Public 
Records, whose pedigree in some detail figures in the 
Armorial of Jersey, edited by Mr J. Bertrand Payne. 



HARDY'S NATIVE VILLAGE 9 

There are few places on the Dorset sea-board which 
have not at some time or other been the homes of the 
Hardys. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries 
they possessed land at Toller Whelme, Wolcombe Ma- 
travers, Sydling, Frampton, Frome St Ouintin, Melcombe 
Regis, Compton Abbas, Askerswell, Abbotsbiiry, and Por- 
tisham. In the " Herald's Visitations of 1565 " the right of 
the Hardys of Toller Whelme and Wolcombe Hall to 
bear the same arms as the le Hardis or Hardys of Jersey 
was recorded and subsequently confirmed by Sir William 
Dethick, the Garter King at Arms (see Pedigree). The 
Grammar School at Dorchester was founded by Thomas 
Hardy, of Melcombe Regis Prior}', in 1569, and after 
the lapse of three centuries his crest — a wyvern's head 
— is still worn on the cricket caps of the Dorchester 
aliiumi. It is from a nephew of this Thomas Hardy 
that the Portisham branch of the fam.ily, to which Sir 
T. M. Hardy's immediate ancestors belonged, traces its 
descent. 

Portisham, a t\'pical Dorset village of the more 
prosperous kind, nestles amongst the hills within two miles 
of the coast, in the hinterland of Abbotsbury and the 
Chesil Beach. It will be further alluded to in the chapter 
dealing with the upbringing and the boyhood of the future 
captain of the Victory. Here, in the principal house of the 
parish, the foundations of which were laid in Tudor times, 
lived generation after generation of Hardys, who farmed 
their own estate, brewed their own beer, and pressed their 
own cyder. While the Frampton Hardys sided with the 
Parliamentarians, Joseph Hard}% of Portisham (Sir T. M. 
Hardy's great-great-great uncle) and his loyal brother-in- 
law, William Weare, of the same village, declared boldly for 
church and king,^ suffering thereby a sequestration of their 
properly and enduring much persecution. The Hardys 
and Weares sleep side by side in vaults both below and 

' See Mayo's Dorset Co7)uinftcc\ p. 452, and Hutchin's Histoiy of 
Dorset, 3rd ed., vol. ii., p. 765. 



lA THE DORSET HARDYS 

around the beautiful old church of Portisham, of which they 
were often wardens and eventually became patrons. In 
the exterior of the southern wall may still be seen the 
time-worn and lichen-stained monument of William Weare, 
on which the following curious inscription is still decipher- 
able : — 

" William Weare lies Heere in dust, 

As thou and I and all men must, 

Once plundred by Sabaean force 

Some cald it war but others worse 

With confidence he pleads his cause, 

And Kings to be above those laws. 

September's eyghth day died hee 

When neare the date of 63 

Anno Domini 1670." 

William W^eare married Joane, daughter of Anthony 
Hardy, of Portisham, on the 3rd May 1646, and mentions 
his brother-in-laW, Mr Joseph Hardy, in his will, dated 
1670. The " Sabaean " force alluded to in the inscription, 
refers to the sequestration of stock, valued at i!^i40, in 1644 
by order of the Roundhead Committee. In the reigns of 
William III., Queen Anne, and George I., II., and III., 
Joseph Hardy, Thomas Masterman Hardy's grandfather, 
lived at Portisham House, where he died on i6th January 
1778, when in his eighty-ninth year. He had married 
his cousin, the grand-daughter of that ardent royalist, 
William Weare, thus still further cementing the alliance 
between the two families. Thomas Masterman Hardy 
must have known his venerable grandfather, who lived till 
he was nine years old. Nearly thirty )-cars later, when the 
Heralds College was busily engaged over the record of his 
pedigree, in accordance with the stipulations of the patent 
of baronetcy won at Tr'afalgar, he wrote thus to his brother- 
in-law at Dorchester : — 

" Mr Nayler ^ wants to know who was the Eather of my 
Grandmother Hardy. Of course my Aunt can tell and 

* S4r George Nayler, York Herald, Garter King-of-Arms, 1S22. 



"ANCHOR, HARDY, ANCHOR" ii 

then I believe the redigree will be finally settled ; at least 
I hope so." 

Doubtless the information thus asked for was immedi- 
ately forthcoming, but the pedigree which appears in the 
Appendix is the only one which can claim anything like 
completeness, for, as has already been mentioned, the 
actual place of Hardy's birth was unknown until the 
summer of 1905. Sir T. M. Hardy neither sought for nor 
adopted the Trafalgar augmentations of arms so freely 
granted by Sir Isaac Heard ^ to the fortunate winners of 
so much prize money. He continued to use the old Jersey 
coat and crest of the Le Hardis, notwithstanding the slight 
changes introduced into his armorial bearings previous to 
the issue of the baronetcy grant Nor, as far as it can 
be ascertained, does it appear that he ever adopted the 
naval crown and dragon's heads allotted him, or the motto 
" Anchor, Hardy, Anchor," suggested by the sailor prince, 
under whom, when the latter became King of England, he 
was destined to serve as First Sea Lord of the Admiralty. 

1 Garter King-of-Arms, 1784- 1822. 



CHAPTER III 

THE BIRTH, BH-ITHPLACE, AND BOYHOOD OF THOMAS 
MASTERMAN HARDY 

THE future captain of the Victory was born at King- 
ston Russell House, in the heart of the beautiful 
valley of the Bride, on the 5th April 1769 — the eventful 
year which gave the world so many of the principal actors in 
the drama of the Great War, including Napoleon Bonaparte, 
Arthur Wellesley and Nicholas John de Dieu Soult. 
Hardy was the junior by four weeks of the Duke of 
Wellington, and by four months the senior of the great 
master of statecraft, whose ambitious schemes of invasion 
and conquest he helped so materially to combat. 

He was the second son of Joseph Hardy, of Portisham 
[1733-1785], and Nanny, his wife [1737-1799], daughter and 
co-heiress of Thomas Masterman, gentleman, of Kingston 
Russell and Winterbourne St Martin. For at least seven 
years prior to Thomas Hardy's birth, his parents had 
resided at Kingston Russell House, which had previously 
been tenanted by Nanny Hardy's parents, Thomas and 
Mary Masterman, who died there in 1763 and 1757 
respectively. Like the Hardys, the Mastermans were 
honoured in the parish registers with the title of" Esquire," 
and may be presumed, therefore, to have been at least 
small landowners farming their own estate. Like the 
Hard)'s and the Weares, the Mastermans were originally 
natives of Portisham, where, as far back as 1690, they 
held the farm of P'riar Waddon, and where a Masterman 
Charity still keeps them in remembrance. Kingston 



KINGSTON RUSSELL HOUSE 13 

Russell House was a mansion of nnore than ordinary 
importance. Although the facade of Portland stone is 
in the severest form of that classical architecture which 
delighted the soul of Christopher Wren, the back still 
retains high mullioned Tudor windows, from which the 
brittle bluish glass of Elizabethan times has not wholly 
disappeared. It was, in some shape or other, the aboriginal 
home of the wealthy and powerful Russells (once probably 
Rousselles), from which John Russell,^ afterwards the first 
Earl of Bedford, is supposed to have started on the journey 
across the hills to Wolfeton or Wolveton House (now the 
property of Mr Albert Bankes), where by his linguistic skill 
he won the favour of the shipwrecked Archduke Philip of 
Austria, son-in-law of King Ferdinand of Spain, and laid 
the foundations of the fortunes of his family. 

Opposite the entrance of Portisham House, to which 
Thomas Masterman Hardy's father and mother removed in 
1778, on the death of Joseph Hardy, the elder, stands a 
weather-worn sun-dial, which they must have brought with 
them from Kingston Russell. It bears the following inscrip- 
tion : "Joseph Hardy, Esq., Kingston Russell, 1767. Lat. 50. 
Fugio fuge." In accordance with the custom of the times, in 
the case of the upper classes, Thomas Masterman Hardy 
was christened privately two days after his birth. Four 
weeks later he was taken in due course to Long Bredy 
Church, where his father and mother had been married 
from Kingston Russell House on the 31st March 1755, 
and there publicly received " into the Congregation." The 
entry in the Long Bredy register runs as follows : — 
"Baptized, Anno Dom"' 1769, Thomas Masterman, son 
of Joseph Hardy, and Nanny his wife, was baptized 
April 7th, and rec*^ into the Church, May 4th." 

The early years of Hardy's life were indeed cast in 

pleasant places, for there is nothing more picturesque to be 

found in the whole of Wessex than the verdant valley 

through which the limpid Bride winds, now swiftly and now 

' John Russell, Earl of Bedford [1485-1555]. 



14 BIRTH, BIRTHPLACE, AND BOYHOOD 

slowly, from its source in the Bridehead hills, past Kingston 
Russell, the two Bredys, Litton Cheney and Barwick, until 
it joins the sea some 6 miles to the west at Burton Brad- 
stock, formerly known as Briditon or the town of the 
Bride, just .as Bridport is the town of the Brit, the sister 
river which rises in the neighbourhood of Beaminster and 
joins the Channel at a short distance from the mouth of 
the Bride. Little is known of this the most peaceful 
portion of Hardy's life. He probably saw the sea for 
the first time when carried over a spur of the hill, now 
crowned by the Hardy Monument, to see his octogenarian 
grandfather at Portisham House. He may also have 
visited his Hardy cousins, who lived at the Hyde, near 
Bridport, obtaining from the road be}'ond Burton a 
glimpse of the glories of West Bay and the cliffs of Thorn- 
combe Beacon, and Golden Cap. It is possible he was 
also taken to Shapwick, near Blandford, where lived a 
number of somewhat distant Masterman kinsmen. 

A series of gates, not too easy to open, has as yet saved 
the road from Burton to Kingston Russell from the invasion 
of the motor-car, and even the cyclist finds his progress a 
matter of difficulty. It would, however, be well-nigh im- 
possible to discover a more delightful afternoon's walk than 
that which Thomas Masterman Hardy, his brothers Joseph 
and John, and his sisters EHzabeth, Ann, Mary, Catherine, 
Martha, and Augusta must often have taken. The oldest of 
them all was Elizabeth, who was twelve years of age when 
her afterwards celebrated brother was born. His brother 
John was only two years his junior, and the baby of the 
youthful party at Kingston Russell wa^ his sister Augusta, 
born only twelve months before the laj-cs ct pcnatcs of the 
Hardys were finally transferred to the family house at 
Portisham. The scene has changed very little during the 
century and a quarter which have rolled by since then. 
It is true that the early Victorian restorer has wrought sad 
havoc in the quaint churches of the Bride Valley, from 
which many memorials of the past have vanished for ever, 



THE VALLEY OE THE BRIDE ix, 

but the banks of the Bride are not a whit less lovely now 
than they were then, and the hedgerows which border the 
narrow road are still a delightful tangle of maple and 
hazel, alder and " snag," wild hops and " withy wind," " old 
man's beard " (clematis) and honeysuckle. Sleek cattle 
graze knee-deep in rich meadows by the water side, in the 
shade of giant elms and venerable oak trees, beneath which 
Thomas Hardy and his brothers and sisters may have 
pla}-ed, while in search of the primroses, bluebells, " ragged 
Robin," "Stars of Bethlehem," " cherry pie " (soap wort), 
and the lilac "■ butter burr," which grow in profusion 
between Kingston Russell and Burton. On one side of 
the vale, far above the stretches of purple heather and 
bracken fern, are perched the villages of Puncknowle and 
Sw\ re, the homes of many a Dorset sailor who fought 
with " Cap'n Hardy on the deck of the J ^tctorj^ "; on the 
other rises the keel-shaped hill of Shipton Beacon (a 
favourite haunt of the smuggler), towering far above the 
tiny church of Chilcombe, which still shelters a rude-carved 
altar-piece of cedar wood, saved as tradition asserts from 
the oratory of one of the Arnriada wrecks. Next comes 
Litton Cheney, erstwhile the residence of those doughty 
warriors, the Cheneys, kinsmen of the stalwart and valiant 
Sir John Cheney, whose exploits at Crecy were chronicled 
by Froissart, where palms and other sub-tropical plants 
grow luxuriantly amongst a series of fish-ponds formed in 
the grounds of the rectory by one of the tributaries of the 
Bride rushing down the hill slopes. In the same parish 
stands Baglake Farm, once the abode of the Dorset 
Napiers, and the scene of a well-known Civil War 
ghost-story. 

Leaving Long Bredy Church behind you, you tra- 
verse the broad meadows over .which Thomas Masterman 
Hardy must have been carried to his christeninp- 
A wire fence now. nsurrDunds the historic and once 
stately home of the Russells, the Mastermans, and the 
Hard}s, which the Dukes of Bedford are allowing to 



,i6 BIRTH, BIRTHPLACE, AND BOYHOOD 

become a ruin, although the massive roof still remains 
intact. The arms of the Russells have been cut bodily 
out of the centre of the heavy pediment which surmounts 
the facade. Doors and windows have been removed, and 
the empty spaces thus created are now filled up with 
brickwork. In the interior all is fast falling into decay. 
The oak wainscoting has gone to Woburn ; the main stair- 
case will soon be altogether inaccessible ; but the spacious 
corridor, which should be lighted by the half closed-up 
Tudor windows, retains something of its pristine charm, 
and traces are still discernible of old glass, neglected 
pictures, dilapidated hangings, and elaborate decoration. 
Above the intruding brickwork, which has replaced the 
ponderous front door, is a stone slab on which the 
astonished pilgrim in the footsteps of Hardy reads the 
words: — "John Lothrop Motley, Minister of the United 
States, Historian of the Dutch Republic, died at Kingston 
Manor House, May 20th, 1877." The swallows have made 
their nests in the spaces once covered by the dethroned 
panelling, but the broad flight of eight steps leading up to 
the entrance hall defies alike the ravages of time and 
weather. As far as Kingston Russell is concerned, the 
presence of the Hardys is clean forgotten, although the 
public memorial to the great sailor born there is plainly 
seen on the bleak summit of Blagdon or Blackdown 
Hill. You contrive to creep over a heap of rubbish into 
the death-chamber of Motley ; possibly it was also the 
birth-room of Hardy. In any case, your guide remembers 
the time before the desertion of the old house was 
decreed, when "Duke William" and "Duke Hastings" 
came down to Kingston Russell to walk the boundaries. 
Surely the preservation of the home of the Dorset Russells, 
the birthplace of Thomas Masterman Hardy, and the 
scene of the death of John Lothrop Motley, would be 
worthy of the present bearer of the motto, " Che sara sara " 
— the owner of the green meadows and fertile fields of the 
beautiful valley of the Bride? 



CHAPTER IV 

HARDY'S SCHOOLDAYS AT CREWKERNE AND MILTON 
ABBAS. HIS EARLY EXPERIENCES IN THE NAVY 
AND MERCHANT SERVICE [1778-I790J 

THE spring of 1778 witnessed the removal of the whole 
of the Hardy family from Kingston Russell to 
" Possum." The eldest of Joseph Hardy's children, 
Elizabeth, was just of age and about to marry John 
Thresher, who belonged to another ancient Portisham 
family, established there some years before the defeat of the 
Spanish Armada by Lord Howard of Effingham, off Port- 
land Bill, might have been clearly seen from the high land 
above the village, the leading inhabitant of which, one John 
Studley, had contributed £2^ to the national defence fund. 
Her next sister, then a girl of twenty, remained all her life 
unmarried, but the third and fourth daughters of Joseph 
and Nanny Hardy — Mary and Catherine — in 1778, aged 
eighteen and sixteen respectively, in the course of the next 
few years became the wives of James Balston and John 
Callard Manfield, the latter of whom was destined to 
become Thomas Hardy's legal adviser and the recipient of 
his confidential correspondence. Their two youngest 
sisters, Martha and Augusta (the latter in 1778 a baby), 
never married. Of Thomas Hardy's two brothers, Joseph, 
the elder (aged fourteen in 1778) was five years his senior. 
In after life he married Miss White of Cerne and resided 
at Charminster, where he died some years after the demise 
of the captain of the Victory. John, the youngest of 
17 B 



i8 SCHOOLDAYS AND EARLY EXPERIENCES 

Joseph Hardy's sons (a child of seven when his parents 
went to Hve at Portisham) never married, and after 
he reached manhood farmed the Hardy lands in and 
near their native village until he died, on the 25th .April 
1822. If the childhood of Thomas Hardy and his 
brothers and sisters at Kingston Russell is clean forgotten 
as far as the dwellers in the Bride Valley are concerned, 
their life at " Possum " is still the subject of local legend. 
Joseph Hardy offered his sons ponies to scour the bridle- 
paths of the Dorset downs, but the proffered favour was 
declined by the embryo sailor, who replied that " Joe and 
Jack might have horses, but that he wanted a wooden one," 
thereby meaning that he intended to go to sea. 

In the latter half of the eighteenth century, country 
squires like Joseph Hardy were in the habit of sending 
their sons to school at an age which would now be 
regarded as abnormally early. As far as grammar 
schools are concerned, Dorset could boast of something 
approaching an enibarras de iHcJiesses. Within easy reach 
of Portisham and the Valley of the Bride were the 
flourishing educational establishments of Wimborne 
(founded in 1496 by the Countess Margaret, only 
daughter of John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset ;) Milton 
Abbas, established a quarter of a century later by VVilliam 
Middleton, Abbot of Milton ; Sherborne (chartered, on the 
13th May 1550 by Edward VI. of pious memory) and 
Dorchester (built and endowed in 1569 by Thomas 
Hardy of Melcombe Priory, an ancestral kinsman of 
the Portisham Hardys), to say nothing of minor 
seminaries at Beaminster, Gillingham, and Cranborne, 
Thomas Hardy, however, was at first sent to none of 
these. Just across the Somerset border, and not more 
than 18 miles from Portisham, prospered exceedingly the 
ancient grammar school of Crewkerne, which had originated 
at the end of the fifteenth century in the munificent 
benefactions of John de Combe, Precentor of Exeter and 
formerly Rector of the picturesque little town then called 



CREVVKERNE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 19, 

Crokehorn.^ Between 1762 and 1787 the. fortunes of John 
de Combe's foundation were entrusted to two worthy, 
pedagogues, who enjoyed something more than merely 
local fame. The first of these was the Rev. Robert Burnett, 
Patch, B.A., Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, who in 1780- 
was succeeded by the still better known Rev. Robert 
Iloadly Ashe, D.D., a connection of the celebrated Bishop; 
Hoadly, of Salisbury a,nd Winchester, who had at one time-' 
no less than eighty boarders. It was to this school that 
Thomas Masterman Hardy went soon after the settling- 
down of his parents at Portisham House. 

The old building in which Hardy, and in all probability 
his two brothers, acquired the rudiments and doubtless, 
received correction at the hands of the worthy Mr Patch, 
and the eminent Dr Ashe, both stern and uncompromising 
believers in the theory and practice of King Solomon's, 
precept on the subject of the rod, still exists close to 
Combe's old church of St Bartholomew. The ancient brass 
over the. entrance, with its curious inscription ending in the 
lines, " Venite filii obedite mihi timorem domini ego vos 
docebo," was about a quarter of a century ago transferred 
to a new and more ornate school-house. Although' the 
whole of the registers prior to 1828 have disappeared, there 
is no lack of information as to the state of the school 
about the time Hardy must have arrived there, probably, 
after a long ride over Blagdon Hill, and through the two 
valleys of the Bride and the Brit. The following were the 
modest requirements of a Crewkerne boarder in the matter, 
of wardrobe : — 

" Ten shirts 

Eight ' necks ' 

Six pair of stockings 

Four handkerchiefs 

One worsthred nightcap 

One white waistcoat." 

' See Histoy of Crewkertie School, by the Rev. R. Grosvenor ' 
Bartelot, M.A. ; Crewkerne, James Wheatley, 1899. 



20 SCHOOLDAYS AND EARLY EXPERIENCES 

The diversions at Crewkerne were by no means con- 
fined to such orthodox games as cricket and football. 
One learns from the MS. comm'on-place book of John 
Banger Russell, of Beaminster, himself an old Crewkernian, 
that on every Shrove Tuesday the boys were accustomed 
to indulge in cock-fighting in the school-room and under 
the superintendence of the masters. After the contests 
the victor was expected to write a copy of verses on his 
triumph. If success fell to a youth of tender years he 
was required to procure a poetic effusion from one of 
his seniors. Mr Russell observes that the contending 
cocks at Crewkerne were armed with steel spurs, and 
adds naively that " such indulgences w^ere calculated to 
give boys a fondness for that cruel and unmanly diversion." 
Amongst Hardy's Crewkerne contemporaries was one 
at least who won name and fame in after life, viz., William 
Draper Best, a day boy, who eventually held the office 
of Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and was sub- 
sequently created Baron Wynford. In 1816, as Sergeant 
Best ^ he represented Sir T. M. Hardy in a delicate and 
important lawsuit, in which he won a verdict for his client. 

Hardy's lesson-books were soon closed, for a time at 
least, for in the late autumn of 1781 he returned to Portis- 
ham to prepare for joining H.M.'s brig Helena, then 
commanded by Captain Francis Roberts of Burton Brad- 
stock, a relative of the Churchills of West Compton or 
Compton Abbas and the Browns of Mappercombe, all 
of them neighbours of the Hardys in the Kingston 
Russell days.^ On the 30th November of this year 

^ Ste. post, p. 168. 

^ Francis Roberts (born 1749, died 1794). As first lieutenant, he was 
the only surviving officer of the Quebec frigate after the famous engage- 
ment with the Surveillanfe. In the same year that Hardy joined the 
Helena, Roberts had acquired fresh distinction by carrying despatches 
on her to Gibraltar, through the thick of the fire of the enemy's flotilla. 
He died on board the Success, of yellow fever, off Jamaica, ist September 
1794, aged 45, after thirty-six years' service in the navy. His nephew, 
R. F. Roberts, served with Hardy as midshipman on the Victory sX 



HARDY WRITES HOME 21 

begins Hardy's naval record. He was rated as " Cap- 
tain's servant," in conformity with the then existing 
custom by which commanders of ships were permitted, 
under this designation, to initiate promising youths into 
the mysteries of seamanship. It was with the same 
qualification that Dorset's famous Admirals, Lord Hood 
and Lord Bridport, first went to sea.^ Three months 
passed away, and a letter addressed to his brother Joseph 
(now aged eighteen) arrives at Winterbourne St Martin 
(Martinstown), on the other side of Blagdon Hill, whither 
he had gone to learn something of practical farming. It 

runs as follows : — 

"Helena," Downs, 

March 6 th, 1782. 

Dear Brother, 

I received your letter on the i8th of last 
month and was glad to hear Father, Mother, Sisters and 
Brother and all our relations were well. We anchored 
here yesterday from Ostend where we went with a con- 
voy and to bring one back. I was going to wright to Father 
when we were at Portsmouth but our sailing from there so 
soon prevented me, and my having so much to say. We 
put in there from chesing of another Privateer which got 
away again after they had struck owing to very bad 
weather so bad that we could not hoist our boat out and 
it being very dark. The bow (boy ?) and Bounce ^ are 

Trafalgar. Another nephew, Francis, was an officer with Hardy on board 
the Triumph and Barfleur. The Grove, the home of the Robertses at 
Burton Bradstock, sheltered by a gigantic mulberry tree, has changed 
very little since 1781. It belongs now to Staff Commander Roberts, 
R. N., and is tenanted by Miss M. M. Roberts, who possesses many 
interesting relics of her nautical ancestors, including a fine portrait of 
Francis Roberts and several letters from Hardy to members of the 
Roberts family. 

1 See D. N. B. under Hood (Samuel) and Hood (Alexander), 
For much interesting information as to qualification of " Captain's 
servant," see The British Fleet, by Commander C, N. Robinson, 
p. 316. 

- Hardy's favourite dog at Greenwich Hospital, fifty-five years later, 
also bore the old name of " Bounce." 



22 SCHOOLDAYS AND EARLY EXPERIENCES 

safe on board. I was very angry with Bounce, he would 
pot know me till I had put on my old coat. Captn. 
Roberts likes him very much and everybody. He has 
promised when an opportunity offers to send me home 
to go to school for some time to learn navigation and 
everything that is proper for a sailor, therefore should be 
glad if you would ask Father to look out for a good 
school for me as I am resolved to learn everything as fast 
as 1 can. The close Mr Bagter sent are to large but 
they do prety well. Please to direct to me in the Downs 
as this is the place we always come to after our cruise is 
out. Capt. Roberts desiers his best compts. to you and 
all our family. Remember my duty to Father and Mother 
and Aunt Hardy and Love Sisters and Brother John 
and am Dear Brother 

Yours affectionately 

Thos. Masterman Hardy.^ 
Joseph Hardy 
Martinstown, Dorchester. 

The receipt of this letter must have given much 
satisfaction both at Portisham and Martinstown, for it 
bears the following endorsement in the handwriting of 
Captain Francis Roberts : — 

Dear Sir, 

I am happy to hear, by your letter to 
Thomas, that all your family are well. I thank you for 
'your information of my friends ; I have by the same post 
■received letters from them. Am glad to inform you that 
Thomas is a very good boy, and I think will make a com- 
plete seaman one day or other. He is now very desirous 
of learning ; and please to make my compliments to your 

' This letter was printed in the United Senncc Journa}^ November 
1839, with the spelling corrected. It is now reproduced as Hardy wrote 
it, by permission of its present owner, Mrs John C. Thynne, .Sir T. M. 
Hardy's grand-daughter. 



HARDY ONCE MORE AT SCHOOL 23 

father, and tell him I think in two or three months, if he 
approves of it, and can procure him a good school, to send him 
home for an education ; as it is impossible for him to learn 
everything that is proper for him on board ship. We were 
glad to find the dog safe ; I think him a very fine one. My 
best compliments to yourself and family, and am. 

Dear Sir, 

Your obedient humble servant, 

Francis Roberts. 

So far, at any rate, Hardy had justified his choice 
of the "wooden horse." On the 9th April 1782, his 
name disappeared from the books of the Helena, and three 
weeks later was entered under the same rating in those of 
the Seaford, to which Captain Roberts was promoted, and 
where he remained for exactly twelve months. For nine 
months, i.e., from 26th April 1783 to 24th January 1784, 
he seems to have remained on shore, and if current tradition 
on the subject may be trusted, went, for the purposes set 
forth in his own letter, to the Grammar School at Milton 
Abbas, then presided over by John Warton, a near relative 
of Thomas Warton, the poet laureate, and Joseph Warton, 
the author of the once famous critical " Essay on the Genius 
and Writings of Pope." The Rev. Herbert Pentin, Vicar 
of Milton Abbas, and secretary of the Dorset Field Club, 
writes as follows : " That Hardy was educated at Milton 
there is no doubt. The father of the old parish clerk in 
Mr Roberts's time (Roberts was appointed vicar in 1842) 
knew the boy Hardy well at school, and the anecdote 
related of him in Vol. XXV. of the Proceedings of the Field 
Club was found amongst Mr Roberts's papers." The story 
here alluded to by Mr Pentin is as follows : — 

"When Hardy (afterwards Admiral Sir Thomas 
Masterman Hardy — Nelson's friend) was at the (Milton 
Abbas) School, it is recorded that he mounted the abbey 
tower one day with another bo}', and they let down the 



24 SCHOOLDAYS AND EARLY EXPERIENCES 

headmaster's son (James Wood) over the tower to take 
a nest from the head of the stack pipe. Hardy then 
threatened to cut the rope unless Wood promised to give 
him two out of the four eggs." 

The absolute authenticity of this legend must certainly 
remain a matter of doubt. In the first place, the Rev. 
James Wood resigned his post as Headmaster of Milton 
School in 1780, when Hardy was only eleven and scarcely 
likely to indulge in so perilous an adventure. Moreover, 
in an official record published in 1808, Crewkerne School is 
clearly stated to have been the place of his early education 
and upbringing. If Hardy ever went to Milton Abbas at 
all, it was at the epoch of his career above indicated, when 
Mr Wood was no longer headmaster, although it is just 
possible his son may have remained at the school. The 
story itself little accords with the generous and open 
character of Hardy, whose constant aim through life was 
to take a paternal care of the youths under his command. 
At Milton Abbey still hangs a fine portrait said to be that 
of Hardy. It has been ascribed to Gainsborough, as well 
as to Beach (the latter a native of Milton). It represents 
a naval officer, in a captain's uniform, of the period of 
1780-81. It bears no resemblance whatever to the 
authentic miniature of Hardy which prefaces this volume, 
or either of the other acknowledged portraits of the 
captain of the Victory. Another painting, professing to 
portray the features of Hardy, is in the collection of the 
Baroness Burdett-Coutts, but its authenticity is denied by 
Hardy's descendants. By the kind permission of Mr 
Everard Hambro, the alleged Hardy portrait has been 
photographed, but competent critics have pronounced 
decidedly against its relation to Thomas Masterman Hardy, 
quite apart from the incompatibility of naval costume it 
discloses. 

The month of January 1784 once more sees the 
name of Thomas Masterman Hardy appearing on the 
muster-roll of the Carnatic guardship as "captain's 



HARDY REJOINS THE NAVY 2S 

servant." He continued to be thus rated until the i6th 
October 1785, but it has been alleged that he really 
remained at school during the vvhole of this time. Be this ' 
as it may, from this date until the 5th February 1790, no 
further mention of him occurs in the archives of the Navy 
Office. His father died on the 24th April 1785, at the 
comparatively early age of fifty-two. This is recorded on 
a memorial ring, which once belonged to Sir T. M. Hardy, 
and is now in possession of the Manfields of Portisham. 
Nanny Hardy was thus left a widow, with the care of a 
large family, of which several were still minors. It seems 
probable that from motives of economy, and possibly from 
an unselfish wish to assist his mother in her difficulties, 
Hardy at this juncture resolved, for a time at least, to 
leave the navy and join the merchant service.^ As far as 
can be ascertained, no correspondence or records exist 
which can thrown any light on Hardy's life and adventures 
in the mercantile marine. He doubtless acquired much 
valuable experience, which stood him in good stead 
throughout the whole of the brilliant career, which began 
on the 5th February 1790, when, just a month before his 
twenty-first birthday, he joined the Hebe as midshipman, 
under that brave Dorset sailor. Captain Alexander Hood, 
who, like his younger brother. Sir Samuel, was born at 
Kingsland Farm, Netherbury, at the head of the Valley 
of the Brit. 

I The biographer of Hardy, in the U7iited Service Journal oi 1839, 
Part 3, pp. 383-4, accounts for Hardy's temporarily joining the merchant 
service by the commission of some "youthful transgression," adding 
that he "shipped on board a West Indiaman in London in some 
inferior capacity and served for some time before his friends knew what 
had become of him." The present writers have failed to find any grounds 
for such an insinuation, and it must not be forgotten that the same 
biographer located Hardy's birth erroneously at Martinstown, which 
he actually described as "a small town near Dorchester." It was 
in Hardy's time, and is still, only a village of less than 400 
inhabitants. 



CHAPTER V 

HARDY AS MIDSHIPMAN AND LIEUTENANT [ 1 790- 1 79/] 

THROUGHOUT the whole of the latter half of the 
eighteenth century, the Hoods were the naval heroes 
par excellence of the Dorset littoral. Their exploits formed 
the constant subject of conversation in the chimney-corners 
of cottage, tavern, and farm, and afforded congenial material 
for many a stirring song and rudely-printed broadside. 
While Hardy was at Crewkerne School, he was within 
an easy walk of the homes of the Hoods at Mosterton, 
Little Windsor, and Kingsland, and we are indebted to the 
personal influence of Alexander Hood for the return of 
Hardy to his first love — the king's navy. His wish to 
do so was doubtless facilitated by his coming of age and 
inheriting his share of the paternal estate. 

After joining the Hebe frigate as midshipman, he went 
for several cruises in the Channel, and before the year was 
out (December 8, 1790) was promoted to be master's mate 
on board the same ship. This position he filled until the 
5th March 1792, when the crew was paid off. ,On the 
next day his name appears as " A.B." on the Tisiplione 
sloop of twelve guns. Captain Anthony Hunt. He was 
again rated as midshipman in the same vessel in the month 
of October following, and when Captain Hunt assumed the 
command of the Amphi trite frigate of twenty guns, in 
May 1793, he took Hardy with him (once rnbre as mid- 
shipman), a'nd they joined Lord Hood's fleet in the 
Mediterranean. The French Revolution had now broken 
out, and the story of Lord Hood's operations before 



HARDY OX BOARD THE "MELEAGER" 27 

Marseilles and Toulon, and the embarrassments caused by 
the dual command (for joint powers were exercised by 
Hood, then on board the ]^ictorj>, and the Spanish admiral, 
Don Juan de Lang'ara) has been often told. The golden 
opportunity which presented itself of entirely wiping out 
the fleet of the Erench Conv^ention was lost, but Hardy 
must have distinguished himself, for on the 10th November 
he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on board the 
Meleager frigate, Captain (afterwards Sir Charles) Tyler.^ 
It was now that Hardy first came in contact with Captain 
Nelson, for the Meleager was attached to Nelson's squadron 
off Genoa. In June 1794, Captain Cockburn (thirty-four 
years later, Hardy's immediate predecessor as First Sea 
Lord of the Admiralty) succeeded Captain Tyler in the 
command of the Meleager. Between midsummer 1794, 
and August 1796, Hardy remained on board this vessel, 
which served as a repeating ship in Hotham's two actions 
off Toulon (March 14 and July 13, 1795). During the last 
twelvemonth of that period, ?>., from July 1795 to August 
1796, the Meleager was employed in the Gulf of Genoa, 
under the immediate orders of Captain Nelson, to whom 
Cockburn (and it may be presumed Hardy) gave un- 
qualified satisfaction. On the 20th August 1796, Hardy 
(still only a lieutenant) moved with his captain into the 
Minerve^- a I^rge frigate lately captured from the French, 
and in which, in the following month of December, Nelson 
(who had become a commodore of the second class on the 
previous 4th April) was to hoist his broad pendant. 

On the 15th December 1796, the Alinerve and the 

' Wounded while commanding the Tonnant at Trafalgar. Died 
an admiral in 1835. 

2 On the 3rd July 1803, the Minet-iie, which played so important a 
part in the careeis of both Nelson and Hardy, struck on a cone in 
Cherbourg harbour and was compelled to surrender to the French. 
Her officers and crew were conveyed to Verdun, where such of them 
as could not escape were detained for many years. The MS. journal 
of William Sweeting, of Huntingdon-, one of the prisoners, rated as first- 
class boy in the ship's books, has lately been acquired by Mr Broadley. 



28 MIDSHIPMAN AND LIEUTENANT 

BlaiicJie sailed from Gibraltar, and five days later, off 
Carthagena, fell in with two Spanish frigates, the Sabina 
and the Ceres. The Minerve attacked the former, which 
was commanded by Don Jacobo Stuart, a descendant of 
the Duke of Berwick. After a prolonged resistance the 
Sabina surrendered, and Lieutenants Culverhouse and 
Hardy commanded the prize crew which took possession 
of the ship. Meanwhile the Ceres had struck her colours 
to the Blanche, but before a prize crew could be sent on 
board, a Spanish squadron of two ships of the line, accom- 
panied by two frigates, hove in sight. The Blanche at once 
made sail, and, being some distance to leeward, escaped, 
but the Minerve was only saved by the courage and adroit- 
ness of Hardy. He ran up the English ensign in the 
Sabina, with the humiliated Spanish flag floating beneath 
it, an indignity which so irritated the commander of the 
largest Spanish ship, that he stopped his pursuit of the 
Minerve, and made for the Sabina, which he soon recaptured 
after her masts had gone over the side, and thus Culver- 
house and Hardy became prisoners of war.^ They were 
conveyed to Carthagena, where they were promptly ex- 
changed for the unlucky scion of the House of the Stuart, 
who had surrendered his sword on board the Minerve, on 
the taking of his ship by the English. Hardy again joined 
the Minerve at Gibraltar, after her return from Elba, on 
9th February 1797, so that his enforced absence from his 
ship was little more than six weeks. 

On the following day, an incident occurred which not 
only demonstrated Nelson's regard and esteem for Hardy, 
but won for him the undying gratitude of his Y^ovsqI protege. 
The Minei've, with the Spanish in chase, was passing through 
the Straits of Gibraltar in order to join the admiral, Sir John 
Jervis, when a man fell overboard, and Hardy, without the 
slightest hesitation, jumped into the jolly-boat and put off with 

' Nelson's unqualified praise of this evidence of Hardy's courage 
and alertness will be found in Sir H. Nicolas's Collection of Nelson^ s 
Despatches (Hid Letters, ii. 315. 



NELSON SAVES HARDY FROM CAPTURE 29 

her crew to save the drowning sailor. The boat and Hardy 
in it were being fast borne by the current towards the leading 
enemy's ship. It seemed as though he must be taken prisoner 
once more ; but Nelson, who knew the value of a brave man, 
said: "By G — , I'll not lose Hardy; back the mizen topsail." 
It was instantly done ; the effect was electrical. The Spanish 
saw the Minerve slowing down, and at once themselves 
started shortening sail, and this allowed Hardy to be 
picked up by the Minerve^ which three days later joined 
the English Fleet just in time to take a frigate's part in 
the brilliant victory off Cape St Vincent (14th February 
1797), in which Nelson won the star of a K.B., which he is 
supposed to have preferred to a baronetcy. 

With the news of Jervis' glorious success ringing 
throughout the length and breadth of the land, begins 
most appropriately the newly discovered Hardy corre- 
spondence, to which the present chapter and those which 
preceded it, serve only as an introduction. The letter 
which Hardy addressed, after this momentous affair, to his 
brother-in-law, the Dorchester attorney, John Callard Man- 
field, has been lost, but one obtains a good notion of its 
contents from the communication which Manfield subse- 
quently addressed to Captain, afterwards Sir William 
Domett, another of the Dorset naval heroes of the Great 
War. Mr Manfield's epistle ran thus : — 

Dorchester, 18//^ April 1797. 
Sir, 

I ought to apologize for not answering your 
letter of 25 Febry long before now but very soon after I 
received it I read in the papers your having sailed on a 
cruise — since which for these last six weeks I have been 
\ery ill indeed and not able to attend to business of any 
kind. I observe what you say respecting the Estates at 
Westhay ^ in your brother's occupation and agree with you 
that a lease ought to have been granted before this time 
' Westhay, in Hawkchurch, Captain Domett's paternal home. 



30 MIDSHIPMAN AND LIEUTENANT 

but the reason why it was delayed was owing to the 
Tenements falling into hand from time to time as the 
Lives droppd. — But now I have prepared a Draft of the 
intended Lease of the whole in your brother's occupation 
which only waits for his Lordship, ^ coming into the 
Country when I will take care to get the lease executed. 
If anything should fall into Hand convenient to be 
occupied with what your Mother & Brothers have at 
present you might depend on my giving them the pre- 
ference. I have a Brother-in-Law (T. M. H.) in the Navy. 
He is now serving on Board the Minerve Erigate of which 
he is First Lieutt. and was with Admiral Nelson when he 
engaged and took the Spanish Erigate which was after- 
wards retaken by the Fleet and Mr Hardy (who was then 
2nd) with Mr Culverhouse the first Lieutt. was carried into 
Carthagena prisoners of war. However they got their 
liberty and joined the Minerve again two days previous 
to the late Glorious Action off St Vincent. If at any 
time it should lye in your power to serve him I shall 
consider it an obligation conferred upon me — and I trust 
on enquiry into his conduct he will be found deserving 
of it 

I am, etc., 

John Callard Man field. 
Captn. Domett. 



The covering letter \yritten by Captain Domett to 
his legal representative at Dorchester is missing, but its 
enclosure, i.e., a letter addressed to Domett by Sir Robert 
Calder, who had been knighted some ten weeks previously, 
on bringing home the first intelligence of Jervis's victory, 
speaks for itself It runs as follows : — 

^ The Earl of Dorchester who purchased the Mawkchurch estate 
from the Henley family. 



SIR R. CALDER PROMISES TO HELP HARDY 31 

"Vii.LE DE Paris," 
At anchor off Cadiz, 
28/// A/try 1797. 

Dear Domett, 

Many thanks for your kind 
congratulations, and for all }'our good wishes ; rest 
assured you have mine in return and I hope that we 
shall soon meet at Southwick to talk over all our adven- 
tures since we parted over a good Bottle of the best. 

Lieutenant Hardy of La Mitierve is very highly spoken 
of by all who know him and I shall have great pleasure 
whenever in my power to give him a helping hand not 
only as one in whom you are interested but from his 
general good character. I have the pleasure to tell you 
La Minerve is now gone on a very good cruize with the 
Lively and I am in great hopes they will have it in their 
power to do something to get both money and promotion 
to the first Lieuts. 

The Dons promise to come out when ready with a 
very large force, some say 33 sail of the line and 12 Frigates 
etc., etc. They also count upon having down from Toulon 
and Carthagena from 10 to 12 ships of the line and Frigates, 
possibly we may put a little salt upon their tails in their 
way to Cadiz should they attempt a junction. We have 
now here with us at anchor 22 sail of the line, one 50 gun 
ship, and 5 or 6 Frigates cruizing about us. We are all 
tolerably healthy and in very high spirits, so far so good, 
this goes a great way. 

I beg my respects to Lord Bridport and best regards 
to Rear Admiral Pole, 

I am. Dear Domett, 

Ever yours truly, 

Robert Calder. 

To Captn. William Domett 

H.M. Ship Royal George, Spithead. 
[Re-directed to Torbay, I'ostage is. gd.] 



32 MIDSHIPMAN AND LIEUTENANT 

The high hopes which Sir Robert Calder had imparted 
to Captain Domett were speedily realised. On the very 
next day after he had penned his encouraging epistle, the 
Miiierve and the Lively discovered the presence of a French 
brig of war, the Alutme, a beautiful vessel of i6 guns, 
in the Bay of Santa Cruz. Lieutenant Hardy was placed 
in command of the boats sent to cut her out. He per- 
formed the duty allotted to him in so dashing and skilful 
a manner that complete success rewarded his efforts. 
Although the taking of the Ahitine was effected in broad 
daylight, not a single man was lost, but Hardy received a 
wound in the head, from the effects of which he afterwards 
suffered at intervals. The Miitine was captured (29th May 
1797), and Hardy not only gained his promotion to the 
rank of commander, at the hands of Lord St Vincent, 
but was appointed to the prize, in the securing of which 
he had played so important a part. No one was more 
delighted at Hardy's success than Nelson, who hastened to 
express his warm approval of the appointment made, in 
the following words : — " My dear Admiral the Capture of 
the Mutine was so desperate an enterprise that I should 
certainly have promoted Lieut. Hardy so that neither you, 
Hallowell, nor Cockburn have any debtor account to me 
on this occasion. He has got it by his own bat and I hope 
will prosper." Thomas Masterman Hardy was only 
twenty-eight, and now commanded a ship of his own. 
He had got his " wooden horse " at last, and the gossips at 
Dorchester and " Possum " prophesied that his fortune was 
as good as made. From that time forth his relatives at 
home evidently thought it worth while to preserve the 
bulk of his correspondence. History will assuredly be 
no loser by the decision which they arrived at. 



CHAPTER VI 

HARDY AS COMMANDER OF THE "MUTINE" [JUNE l6, 
1797 — AUGUST 3, 1798] 

FOR the remaining months of 1797 and those of the 
following year which preceded the never-to-be for- 
gotten naval engagement at the mouth of the Nile, Hardy- 
was busily engaged in executing, with admirablepromptitude, 
the orders of Lord St Vincent and Sir Horatio Nelson. 
The Mutine, a fast-sailing brig and the only single-decked 
vessel in the squadron,^ was in constant requisition during 
the momentous events which culminated in the battle of 
1st August 1798. In the intervals of keeping up com- 
munication between St Vincent and Nelson, Hardy was 
lucky enough to capture a' few prizes, which not only helped 
to swell his balance with his agents, but materially increased 
his popularity with his crew. Few men ever had a more 
ardent love of glory or keener sense of duty to king and 
country, but Hardy after all was human, and his letters, 
especially the earlier ones, disclose a pardonable weakness 
both for prize-money and promotion. In April 1798, the 
successes of Bonaparte in Italy impelled the British 
ministers to impress strongly on Lord St Vincent the 
absolute necessity of striking a decisive blow in the 
Mediterranean, with the view of thwarting once and for 
all the projects of the Toulon fleet. " Either our Govern- 
ment," wrote the victorious French generalissimo at this 

1 Ccntlcinan^s Magazine^ vol xii., new series,- p. 650. 
33 ^ 



34 COMMANDER OF THE "MUTINE" 

time, "must destroy the English monarchy, or must expect 
itself to be destroyed by the corruption and intrigue of 
those active islanders." ^ The reply to this was Earl 
Spencer's despatch to Lord St Vincent informing him that 
reinforcements were to be sent out at once, and suggesting 
that Nelson might achieve such a triumph as would " bring 
about a new system of affairs in Europe which shall save 
us all from being overrun by the exorbitant power of 
France." This dispatch reached the Commander-in- 
Chief on the loth May, and was followed a week later by 
more urgent messages of the same nature. On the 19th 
May, Hardy was ordered to notify Nelson that a squadron 
of 10 ships of the line and the Leander of 50 guns, under 
the orders of Captain (afterwards Sir Thomas) Troubridge, 
were about to join him from Cadiz, in order to facilitate his 
operations against the enemy. A week later. Hardy, on his 
way to join Nelson, put in at Gibraltar, whence he wrote as 
follows to his brother, now occupying the family house at 
Portisham : — 

" La Mutine," Gibraltar, 
May 26th, 1 798. 
Dr Brother, 

We are bound to Naples under the Command 
of Sir Horatio Nelson & you may expect to hear of some- 
thing handsom being done very soon by his Squadron which 
at present is small but I believe will consist of eighteen sail 
of the Line. 

I hope Sir Horatio will have it in his power to do 
something for me before our Cruise is out. I iind by Sir 
Robert Calder^ my Friend Captain Domett has written to 
him in my behalf & Sir Robert appears very much inclined 
to assist me. Should Manfield write to Cap" Domett I 
hope he will not forget to add my thanks to him for his 
attention to me. I have sent my Journals To Mr Hartwell 
for the Meleager & La lilincrve. Should you or Manfield 

' Mahan's Life of Nelso?i, vol. i., p. 318. 

^ See Letter of Sir Robert Calder, Chapter v., p. 31. 



HARDY OX HIS WAY TO NAPLES 35 

go to London I'll thank }'ou to call on him & inquire if he 
has reed them & add I am very anxious to hear from him. 
Should you find he rides tlu High Horse act as you think 
proper & if he has not received my Prize Money for the 
Spanish Squadron do tell him it has been payable some 
Months by Cook & Halford, Strand. Should he be careless 
I think they had better be appointed, & I can easily send a 
Power of Attorney for that Purpose. We have been 
fortunate enough to have two Newtral Vessels condemned 
it is supposed ten Thousand Pound however if half I shall 
be satisfied as Appeals are dangerous. I shall not think 
of meddling with the Cash until twelve Months are expired 
after that period all will be safe. La Mutine was alone at 
their Capture. 

If you write to me within these two [months] from this 
Date I wish you to direct to me at Naples to the Care of 
Sir Wm Hamilton his Majesty's Consul, I'll thank you to 
tell Tulledge's Friends that he is well & I assure you he 
behaves remarkably well. J as Dine is on board the Hector 
he has applied to me to get him with me but as yet I have 
not been able he is well & desires to be remembered to his 
Mother. 

I thank you to give my duty, Love, &c., to all friends 
and remain, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Tell Ann I have written her a long letter but fear the 
conveyance was not good however shall write again from 
the first Port we put in not in the Mediterranean. 

Joseph Hardy, Esq., 

Portisham, near Dorchester, 
Dorset. 

The Mutine joined Nelson somev/here near Elba on the 
5th June, and Hardy found the Rear-Admiral was much 
depressed by an untoward series of accidents. The French 



36 COMMANDER OF THE "MUTINE" 

transports had successfully evaded his pursuit ; a storm had 
dismasted his flag-ship, the Va7iguard, and other mishaps 
had plunged Nelson in one of his gloomy and desponding 
moods. No messenger was ever the bearer of more 
welcome intelligence than his loyal and loving friend, 
Thomas Hardy. Sir Horatio Nelson now realised the 
fact that at last a supreme chance was to be vouchsafed 
him. The promised reinforcements arrived, although 
three frigates, upon which he greatly relied, stHl tarried 
at Gibraltar, and the ever-useful Mutine was all he had 
to replace them. On the 5th June the chase began. A 
fortnight later the Mutine conveyed Troubridge to Naples 
with letters from Nelson for Acton, the Neapolitan 
Premier, and Sir William Hamilton, the British Minister. 
On Troubridge rejoining the squadron, 10 miles off the 
Italian coast, Nelson sailed for Aboukir Bay. 

For the story of the Battle of the Nile the reader is 
referred to the pages of Captain Mahan and other standard 
authorities. Suffice it to say, the Mutine did excellent 
service. When Troubridge's ship, the Culloden, grounded, 
Hardy went to his assistance, and the continued absence 
of the missing frigates must have appreciably enhanced 
the value of the good work done by the only brig in 
Nelson's fleet. Once more, in the hour of victory, the 
wounded Admiral remembered his friend Hardy. Edward 
Berry, Nelson's flag-captain on the Vanguard, and often 
describes as his " right-hand man," was sent home with 
despatches in the Lcander, while the Mutine followed 
her with the duplicates. Hardy, however, was no longer her 
commander. On the 4th August 1798, one of Hardy's 
cherished dreams of promotion was realised. Two days 
before Berry sailed for England, Hardy replaced him as 
Nelson's flag-captain on board the Vanguard. At this time 
he was still on the sunny side of thirty. 



CHAPTER VII 

HARDY AS FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VANGUARD" iSLND 
" FOUDROYANT." WITH NELSON IN NAPLES AND 
SICILY. [4TH AUGUST 1 798 — I2TH OCTOBER 1 799] 

THE gratitude of England to Nelson was unbounded. 
The thanks of Parliament and a pension of ^2000 a 
year were voted him. He was also made a Peer of the 
Realm under the style of Baron Nelson of the Nile. His 
wound proved very troublesome, but it began to heal at 
last ; and after the essential repairs of the damaged ships 
had been effected, and the most worthless of the prizes 
destroyed, the Vanguard set sail for Naples, where she 
arrived on the 22nd of September towed in by a frigate, 
her foremast having gone by the board in a squall which 
she encountered a week previously. The arrival of her 
"two crippled consorts," on the i6th of the same month, 
enabled the King and Queen of Naples, as well as Sir 
William and Lady Hamilton, to prepare a series of those 
public rejoicings so dear to the hearts of the Neapolitans. 
Hardy is silent on the subject of the meeting of Nelson 
and Lady Hamilton and other incidents about which so 
much has lately been written. The succeeding four months 
must have been busy ones for Hardy. They were crowded 
with events as momentous to the future of Nelson as to the 
history of the kingdoms of Sicily and Naples. On the 
15th October, Hardy sailed in the Vanguard with Nelson 
for Malta, the blockade of which island had been resolved 
upon. Three other ships accompanied them. By the 5th 
November they were back in Naples, and on the 22nd of 
that month the Vanguard and the rest of the squadroii, 



38 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VANGUARD" 

with 5000 troops on board, set out for Leghorn. A week 
later the Vanguard, with Nelson and Hardy, returned 
to Naples. Then came the total rout of the Neapolitan 
rabble army, 40,000 of the soldiers bolting at the sight of 
barely 10,000 French. Nelson waxed furious. With grim 
humour he writes : " the Neapolitan officers have not lost 
much honour, for God knows they have but little to lose, 
but they lost all they had. Cannons, tents, baggage, and 
military chest — all were left behind." The invaders 
marched on Naples. The royal family, the English 
minister and his wife, the British residents, the most 
prominent sympathisers with King Ferdinand (irreverently 
called il vccchio Nasone — " old Nosey "), and the tactless 
Queen Caroline, went on board the flag-ship and three 
British transports which happened to be in the harbour. 
The King and Queen of Naples, as well as Sir William 
and Lady Hamilton, were the guests of Lord Nelson on 
board the Vanguard, freighted also with treasure in jewels 
and specie of enormous value. On the evening of 23rd 
December she sailed for Palermo, where she arrived three 
days later, after a most tempestuous passage. Never did 
Nelson or Hardy spend a more uncomfortable Christmas 
Day. Before the Sicilian coast was sighted, the youngest 
of the sons of King Ferdinand died of convulsions, in the 
arms of Lady Hamilton. Exactly one month later. Hardy 
addresses the following letter to his brother-in-law : — 

" Vanguard," Palermo Mole, 
Jan. 2(>/k, '799- 
Dr Manfield, 

I received your letter a few days ago and am 
much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken to 
settle between Mr Hartwell & me. I also very much 
approve of taking my business out of his hands. As he 
says I am indebted to him two hundred & fifty pounds & 
since that time I have drawn on him for at least one 
hundred pounds more It is necessary that should be 



MORE NEWS FROM NAPLES 39 

settled. I have therefore enclosed my Power of Attorney 
to Messrs Cook & Halford & written to them on that head. 
The day I received your letter I got my Commissions for 
the Aleleager, Falcon (I suppose Miititie) & Alligator all 
in a blank cover I suppose from Mr Hartwell tho' he has 
not even written me a word. The Commission given me 
by Lord Nelson was dated 2nd of August which was sent 
to Mr Hartwell, that from the Admiralty is dated the 2nd 
of October therefore I lose two months. If there are 
many Captains made between the 2nd of August & the 
2nd of October I shall lose that rank unless some good 
friend at home represents it to the Admiralty, should no 
one be made between those two dates it will be of little or 
no consequence. That will be easily seen by looking at 
the last Steel's List. The French have not as yet posses- 
sion of Naples but are within twelve miles of it and we 
have little doubt but they will soon garrison the City. 
Captain Troubridge is gone off Alexandria with three 
Bomb Vessels. I believe the intention is to make a dash 
which I hope and trust will succeed. The surrender of 
Malta is I believe near at hand. We have accounts today 
of our ships having possession but it wants confirmation.^ 
There is little doubt but the Vanguard will soon go to 
England with the Admiral & Sir William Hamilton's 
family. If I can get a frigate in this Country I shall not 
refuse, if not I think you will see me in the course of three 
months. I am sorry to hear of my Brothers illness but 
hope Spring will recover my Mother & him. Give my 
love to Catherine- & all my little Nephews and Nieces. 
Wishing you health & happiness I remain 
Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 
John Call. Manfield, Esqr. 
Dorchester, Dorset. 

' Malta did not, however, surrender until 5th September 1800. 
- Hardy's sister, the wife of John Callard Manfield. 



40 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VANGUARD" 
Three weeks later he again writes : — 

"Vanguard," Palermo Mole, 
Feby 17 th, 99. 

Dr Manfield, 

I received your letter of the 19th of Novr 
three Weeks ago & answered it the next day but as letters 
frequently miscarry & you wished to know if I approved 
of the exchange of Agents I again repeat my approbation 
& thanks to you for the trouble you have taken with that 
Obstinate Gentleman Mr Hartwell. I this day have sent 
my Power of Attorney &c. &c. to Messrs Cook^& Halford 
& have requested them to settle with Mr Hartwell & send 
me his Account.^ F suppose there wil be no difficulty in 
settling with him provided my Pay &c, does not amount 
to the sum which I am indebted to him as my Prize 
money for the ist of August will be greatly in my favour. 
I find the Admiral is not so anxious to quit this Country 
as when I wrote you last ; therefore my going to England 
greatly depends on Captn Berry's coming to join the 
Vanguard. 

The Politicks of this Country appears to me to be 
nearly in the same state as those of Naples were three 
Months ago & if I judge right, which I very much fear I 
do, the French will have possession of this Island in the 
course of this Summer & what will become of the poor 
Royal Family God knows but I suppose, we shall have to 
carry them to Trieste. 

The French have full possession of the Kingdom of 
Naples & have given it the name of Vesuvian Republick. 
We expect to have orders from this Court in a few days 
to make reprisals on all Neapolitans. The blocade of 
Malta will I fear be much prolonged owing to a Frigate 
having got in with a Quantity of Stores & Provisions, 
however as the winter is almost over I hope & trust no 
more will escape the indefatigable exertions of Captn 
' See Appendix, p. 294. 



THE RENDEZVOUS AT MAR IT I MO 41 

BalU I am vcn' sorry to hear of my Mother- & Brothers 
indisposition but hope soon to hear of their perfect 
recovery. Give my love to Catharine my little Nephews 
& Nieces & all friends. 

I remain, \-ours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 
John Calld. Manfield, Esq. 
Dorchester, Dorset. 

For five months we have no more letters from Hardy. 
In the interval, Naples had been taken possession of by the 
French (January 1799), who shortly afterwards withdrew, 
leaving only the fortress of St Elmo and one or two other 
forts occupied by their troops. A counter revolution now 
became possible, the project being doubtless diligently 
fomented by the fugitives at Palermo. The appearance in 
Mediterranean waters of a naval force under Admiral 
Bruix aroused Nelson from, the lethargy plainly hinted at 
by^Hardy, and he lost no time in summoning his ships to a 
rendezvous off Maritimo, so as to be able to assist Lord 
St Vincent or strike another blow on his own account. 
The order was dispatched on the 12th May. On the 23rd 
of that month, Nelson and 7 ships were waiting for 
reinforcements at Maritimo. No sooner did they arrive 
than Bruix, seeing his plans were thwarted ^ajid pre- 
sumably overawed ,by the demonstrations, precipitately 
retired through the Straits of Gibraltar. On the 8th June, 
Nelson, once more at Palermo, transferred his flag to the 
Foiidroj'ant, which had arrived there two days previously, 
taking Hardy with him. On Midsummer Day — a fortnight 
later — with the whole of his squadron, he entered the Bay 
of Naples, and apparently acting as representative of the 
king, annulled the existing armistice and demanded the 

^ Ball had been sent on the previous 4th October (179&) in the 
Alexander to conduct the blockade of Malta, and eventually became 
British Governor of the Island and was knighted. 

- Mrs Joseph Hardy died at Portisham in March 1799, 



42 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VANGUARD" 

surrender of the rebels. On the 14th July, Hardy thus 
writes to his brother-in-law at Dorchester : — 

" FOUDROYANT," NAPLES BaY, 
July ij,t/i, 1799. 

Dr Manfield, 

I received your letter a few days ago & take 
the opportunity of sending this by Liut Parkinson who 
takes home the Admiral's dispatches with the accounts of 
the surrender of St Elmo which Castle commanded the 
Whole City of Naples. Captain Troubridge & Hallowell 
had the Command of the Marines of the Squadron & after 
a close siege of ten days they got possession of it yesterday. 
The loss on our side has been very small that of the French 
about 20 killed and forty wounded. They set off to- 
morrow for Capua a garison town about sixteen miles from 
Naples, As the strength on our side will be very formid- 
able we soon expect to place the King of Naples on his 
throne. He is now on board the Foiidroyant wdAimg ihQ 
event. The lower & middling class of People who have 
little or nothing to lose all appear to be loyal. The 
Nobles are almost all Republicans & the greater part of 
them are now in irons on board the Fleet. One only as 
yet has been hanged/ but the tryals come on to-morrow & 
we expect that at least a hundred more will share the 
same Fate & the lowest Rank will be that of a Bishop or 
a Knight. The Queen & Royal family are still at Palermo 
but we expect very soon to go for them. We have been 
in the Foudroyajit about a month she is one of the finest 
two Deck Ships in the service but I do not think Lord 
Nelson will remain in her long as Lord St Vincent is gone 

1 Francesco Caracciolo, the Neapolitan leader, who had been 
captured in disguise and Ijrought on board the Foudroyant on the 
29th June 1799. After a trial, before a court-martial of Neapolitan 
officers, he was sentenced to death, and hanged at 5 P.M. from the 
fore yard-arm of the Minerve. This vessel belonged to the Neapolitan 
Navy, and must not be confused with Hardy's ship, La Mincrvc, origin- 
ally a French prize. 



HARDY COMES HOME 43 

home. I think it more than probable he will follow if not 
we shall I think go in to the Villc de Paris — however this 
is all conjecture — Lieut Parkinson came out in the 
Vanguard & has been ist Lieut about 4 Month it gives 
me great pleasure at this opportunity as he is a very good 
\'oung man & it will insure his promotion. I think it 
likely he will call on you & I am certain you will find him 
a very pleasant young man. I'll thank }'0u to tell my 
brother that I wish my proportion of every description 
(left by my Father & Mother) to be equally divided 
between my three unmarried Sisters & I shall be much 
obliged if you will beg of them to accept it. I have not 
yet heard from Cook & Halford but hope they have reed 
my books of the Mutine &c. &c. Give my best love to 
Catherine and the little ones & to all Friends & remain 

Dr Manfield 

Yours affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 
John Callard Manfield, Esq., 
Dorchester, Dorset. 

Hardy's service as flag-captain to Nelson on board the 
Foiidroyant was now drawing rapidly to a close. As he 
anticipated, Captain Berry (by this time Sir Edward) re- 
turned to the Mediterranean, and on the 12th October 1799, 
relieved him of the post which he had held for over fourteen 
months. Two days later, Nelson appointed him Captain of 
the Princess Charlotte. In less than a month he was on his 
way home, reaching London a week before Christmas, when 
he wrote the following brief letter to Dorchester, announc- 
ing his arrival : — 

Beaufort Buildings, 
Deer. \Zih, '99. 

Dr Manfield, 

I arrived last night too late to save the Post ; 
therefore it is likely you will see my Name in the papers 
before you receive this. 



44 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VANGUARD" 

I shall come in the Country as soon as I possibly can, I 
think the 24th will be the day, 

I remain, 

Dr Manfield, in great haste, 

Yours most sincerely, 

T. M. HaRDV. 
John Manfield, Esq., 
Dorchester, Dorset. 

On Christmas Eve the Dorchester coach deposited 
Nelson's flag-captain at the door of the " King's Arms." 
After a short drive over execrable roads. Hardy and his 
brother-in-law, Manfielc], werp welcomed by Joseph and 
John Hardy, and their three unmarried sisters, to the old 
home at " Possum," where the villagers accorded him the 
welcome he merited after his prolonged absence. 

The church bells rang out many a merry peel, and 
Thomas Hardy spent his Christmas in good old Dorset 
fashion in the shadow of the rugged hill now, surmounted 
by the memorial of his valour and victories. 



CHAPTER VIII 

hardy's holiday in ENGLAND. HE AWAITS THE 
RETURN OF NELSON 

HARDY'S sojourn with his kinsfolk at " Possum " was 
not destined to be of long duration. A week after 
the dawn of 1800 (then erroneously considered to be the 
first year of a new century), the Dorchester coach brought 
him back to London. Society as well as dear Dorset had 
now its claims on Nelson's flag-captain, and a presentation 
at court was, of course, inevitable. On the 8th January 
he thus writes from i Cecil Street, Strand : — 

Dr Manfield, 

I am this moment arrived from Court, there 
were so many presentations that the King had but little 
time to talk to any of us. Genl Stewart, Admirals Harvey ^ 
& Mitchell- were honored with the Order of the Bath. 
The Cermony was very short & simple. 

Lord Spencer has been out of Town until this Morning. 
I shall wait on him to-morrow morning, & should he give 
me any promises, I will let you know. There will not be a 
Drawing Room till the Birth Day, & I am advised to go 
to it, & I think I shall leave Town on that day or the day 
followiner, for Portsmouth. To-morrow 1 shall call on 



't>> 



^ Sir Henry Harvey [1737-1810]. 
- Sir Andrew Mitchell [[757-1806]. 



46 HARDY'S HOLIDAY IN ENGLAND 

Mary Thresher,^ Martha desired me to get her something, 
but I quite forget what it was, do inquire & let me know. 
With Love & CompHments, I remain, 

Dr Manfield, 

Yours most Sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Three months' elapse, and one hears of Hardy dining 
with Lady Nelson, who had already interested herself in 
his welfare. In a hitherto unpublished letter to her husband, 
dated lOth December 1799 (a week before Hardy's arrival 
in England), she says : " I long to hear what you have 
done for Captain Hardy. His character is indeed excel- 
lent." Hardy's solicitude for the comfort of Nelson's father, 
the venerable rector of Burnham Thorpe, is indeed touching. 
His next letter to Mr Manfield runs thus : — 

I Cecil Street, Strand. 
April i2th, 1800. 

Dear Manfield, 

I Dined yesterday with Lady Nelson ; Mr 
Nelson has been very ill but is getting better and can 
eat nothing but light food ; he expressed a wish to her 
Ladyship whilst at dinner that some Sea Cale may be 
procured for him & I verily believe there is none to be 
got in London. As I know Mrs Manfield has plenty I 
am certain she will spare me some & I recommend it to 
be sent by the Balloon ^ as the Guard comes to London. 
If he is asked I doubt not he will deliver it himself in 
Cecil Street & the Carriage had better not be paid as I 
think my being in his debt will assist his memory. 

Yesterday being Good Friday no business was done 
at the Admiralty, nor have I been able to see Lord Spencer 
as yet. When I do I will write again. Lady Nelson has 

^ Hardy's niece. Daughter of John and Elizabeth Thresher of 
Corfe Hill and Portisham. 

- A well-known Dorchester coach. 



THE AXTK-CHAMBKR OF THE ADMIRALTY 47 

not heard from Lord Nelson but thro' Mr Morris^ Nelson 
of the Navy Office, who I shall not see before Tuesday & 
from whom I expect some hints concerning his Lordship's 
movements. If Mrs Balston - should have some young 
Chicken or Ducks a Couple will be very acceptable to 
old Mr Nelson. Spinage would be a valuable article if 
the Country produces it fit for use. 

I am sorry I have no news for you, but hope Tuesday 
will furnish me with some. With Love and Coms. to all 
friends, 

I remain, Dr Manfield, 

Yours most sincerel}', 

T. M. Hardy. 

The results of this appeal for Dorset table-delicacies 
seemingly proved satisfactory. So much so that Lady 
Nelson desired to cultivate the vegetable her father-in-law 
longed for in her own garden. Three days later Hardy 
again writes : — 

April x^th, 1800, 

Dr Manfield, 

I'll thank you if you can Provide some Sea 
Cale Seed & send it as directed on the other side.^ If you 
can also inquire of some of the Gardners at Dorchester 
and inform Mr Fuller the manner in which it is sown Lady 
Nelson will be obliged to you as it is for her Ladyship's 
Garden 

Yours truly, 

T. M. Hardy. 
Mr Manfield, 
Dorchester, Dorset. 

Hardy now begins a dreary course of lobbying at 
Whitehall, an experience to which Nelson himself in days 

' Maurice Nelson, Lord Nelson's elder brother [1753-1S01]. 

^ One of Hardy's married sisters, then living in or near Dorchester. 

^ Mr Fuller, Cauldwell Hall, Near Ipswich, Suffolk. 



48 HARDY'S HOLIDAY IN ENGLAND 

gone by was not wholly a stranger. He writes no longer 
of sea-cale or spinach, but of his own professional prospects. 

Cech. Street, 

Apl. i()fh, 1800. 
Dear Man field, 

I shall not be able to see Lord Spencer before 
Tuesday next & as I have determined with Mr John 
Browne ^ to leave London on Thursday (should nothing at 
the Ameralty prevent me) I will thank you to desire John 
to send my Horse to your house by Wednesday next & 
Mr Browne's Servant will call for it on Thursday. There 
appears little doubt but Lord Bridport will strike his Flag 
very soon & it is equally clear in the Opinion of the folks 
in this part of the World that Lord St Vincent is to have 
the Command of the Channel Fleet. I waited on His 
Lordship the day before yesterday He was extremely 
polite & advised me not even to refuse a Troop Ship 
should it be offered me. Mr Browne received a very 
satisfactory letter from Jos yesterday. I expect to hear 
from you on Monday with the Name of the Man of whom 
I am to get a Saddle for you. 

Mr Bagster^ has not got a Measure for Mrs Balston 
later than the year '96 therefore he is afraid to begin her 
habit until he hears from her again — 

Give my Love to all the Family 

I remain Dr Manfield 

Yours most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

1 Francis John Browne of Frampton Court, sometime M.P. for 
Dorset. He held a commission as Captain in the regiment of Dorset 
Yeomanry raised to resist the threatened invasion of the Dorset httoral 
by Bonaparte. In 1801 the defence of the seventh division was 
allotted to him. It extended from the Fleet River (Weymouth) to the 
Bride or Bredy, and included Portisham, Abbotsbury, Kingston 
Russell, Shipton Gorge, and Burton Bradstock. His portrait by 
Thomas Beach is to be seen at Came House, Dorchester. 

- A lady's tailor of the period. 



HARDY IN SEARCH OF A SHIP 49 

The ante-chambering at the Admiralty (where thirty 
years hence he was to reign as First Sea Lord) continues. 
July comes round and Hardy is still waiting for a ship. 
He now writes : — 

No. 8 CEcn. Street, 
July 2^ih, 1800. 

Dear Manfield, 

Thank you for your letter & my friend 
Parker's^ long Epistle which if I was obliged to answer 
line by line I think I should eat nothing for these three 
days to come, however as there is no Fleet (except the 
prison) in this great City his letter will be answered in one 
side & an half. 

I am happy to hear that the Castle Yacht sails un- 
conivwn well & am sorry I had not the pleasure of being 
with you. 

Mary- & I slept at Salisbury & came on next morning 
in the Coach we arrived at Prospect House about 9 o'clock 
on Monday evening & her Governess was very happy to 
see her tho' a fortnight before the Vacation was ended. I 
have reduced the Impress to ;^33i : y -.^ %l expect to pass 
my Accounts as soon as I hear from the Pursur of the 
Vanguard whom I wrote to yesterday. I saw a letter 
from Leghorn, dated 23rd of June, saying that Lord 
Nelson had actually sail'd for Gibraltar in the Culloden on 
his way to England & he is hourly expected at the 
Admiralty ; however as I can always be in London so 
shortly after his arrival I am determined to quit Town as 
soon as I possibly can for no man would remain here for 
pleasure that could exist on bread and water in the 
Country. 

As I cannot determine on when I leave town I will 

' Parker vvasone of the many young naval officers in whose career 
Hardy took a kindly interest. He afterwards died at Deal, September 
28, 1801, of wounds received in the unsuccessful attack on Boulogne ; 
vide p. 71. 

- His niece Mary, daughter of J. C. Manfield. 

D 



50 HARDY'S HOLIDAY IN ENGLAND 

give you a line before I quit it. Give my love to Catherine 
the Children & all friends 

I remain Dear Manfield, 

Yours sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

P.S. — As I have no feviale correspondence I'll thank 
you to open all the letters that come for me. 

Everybody goes out of town and further lobbying 
would be a bootless task. Hardy resolves to give himself 

a holiday in Dorsetshire. 

London, 
July 2%ih, 1800. 

Dear Manfield, 

I leave London tomorrow evening in the Mail 
and will Dine with you on Wednesday 

Yours truly, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Nelson's homeward journey has occupied nearly the 
whole of the summer, and in October Hardy returns to 
London to await his arrival. 

New Exchange Coffee House, 
Strand, Ocfr. i^th, 1800. 
Dear Manfield, 

I did not write to you before because I had 
nothing to say. Lord Nelson's arrival has been hourly 
expected till yesterday when it was proved they knew 
nothing about it. 

I saw Mr Sylvester (the Messenger) who tells me he 
saw his Lordship on the 4th inst two stages this side 
of Dresden with Sir Wm & Lady Hamilton and my 
good friend Miss Knight ^ &c. The Roads are so 
extremely bad that they with great difficulty got on at 

' A literary friend of Lady Hamilton at Naples. Afterwards an 
authoress. 



LADY NELSON AWAITS HER LORD 51 

the rate of four Miles an hour with eight horses in each 
Carriage however he thinks we may expect them in about 
a week. Ned Balston ^ has been on board his Ship a week 
& is expected in town tomorrow. I wrote to John request- 
ing him to send the stock of my single barrell gun which is 
not come, but suppose I have only to blame the tardyness 
of Russell's Waggon. 

Give my love to Catharine the Children & all relations 

I remain 

Dr Manfield 

Yours sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

A fortnight passes and still no news of "his lordship" 
and his companions. Hardy has now secured lodgings in 
the West End near those of Lady Nelson. He writes as 
follows : — 

No. 9 Duke Street, 
St James's Square, Octr. y^th^ 1800. 
Dear Manfield, 

I suppose you have given me up for lost long 
ago ; however here I am within a half a Dozen Dores of 
Lady Nelson who arrived last Week to wait her Lord's 
arrival & I am just informed by Mr Wagstaff (the 
Messenger) that arrived this Morning from Vienna that 
his Lordship with Sir Wm & Lady Hamilton & Lord 
Whitvvorth had been waiting fifteen Days at Hamburgh 
for a fair Wind & he has no doubt but they .sailed last 
Sunday the Wind being then fair & the Frigate waiting to 
take them on board so I think we may expect to hear of 
his arrival within a day or two. Do tell Mr Oakley that 
the Hamper which he sent Lady Nelson was so badly 
packed that eighteen Bottles were broken & the corks so 
extremely short and bad that several had flown. However 

' Hardy's nephew, who by this time had entered the Navy under 
his auspices. 



52 HARDY'S HOLIDAY IN ENGLAND 

the Beer that remained was the best ever drank in Norfolk ^ 
therefore I think with the precautions above mentioned 
another hamper will not be amiss against his Lordship's 
arrival which you will have the goodness to order to be 
sent to me here as soon as possible. As Mr Bagster has 
not received the Beer ordered for him will you at the same 
time enquire if it is sent ; if not if there is any chance of its 
being sent ; the old Gentleman never sees me without asking 
me about it. 

Give my Duty to my Aunt when you see her & say I 
am indebted to her twenty-two shillings and sixpence. I 
received a good Basket of Game two or three Days ago. 
I suppose I am to thank Mr Travers - for it but do not 
know as the Direction was torn off before I saw it. Ned 
Balston has told you how much I am tired of London 
therefore I need say nothing on that head. I think what 
with the straggling hand, distance between the lines & 
sentences spun out as long as possible that I have occupied 
more than three sides where one and a half would have 
answered every purpose. Love to Catherine & all relations 
& Compliments to all friends 

I remain, Dr Manfield yours 

Most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

P.S. — I shall write to my brother John tomorrow or 
next Day. 

^ Dorset ale and beer has been famous for centuries. It still 
maintains its old renown in the twentieth. 

2 Richard Travers of Loders, another of the Dorset Yeomanry 
Captain of the Great War. He was assigned the ninth division in the 
scheme of defence, which extended from the mouth of the Bride to that 
of the Brit, and thence westwards to Lyme Regis. Captain Travers' 
portrait, painted in his prime by Beach, is to be seen at Came. He 
is buried outside the chancel door of the interesting and picturesque 
church of Loders, near Bridport. The Traverses were allied by 
marriage to the Roberts family of Burton ; and another picture of 
Richard Travers as an old man is in possession of Miss M. M. 
Roberts. 



NELSON AND HARDY MEET 53 

November arrives and still no Nelson. Hardy becomes 
more and more anxious and writes : — 

9 Duke Street, 
Novr. Zth, 1800. 

Dear Manfield, 

Notwithstanding all the Newspapers his 
Lordship is not arrived in town & when he will God only 
knows. His Father has lost all patience, her Ladyship 
bears up very well as yet but I much fear she also will 
soon despond. He certainly arrived at Yarmouth on 
Thursday last & there has been no letter received by 
anybody. Should he not arrive tomorrow I think I shal) 
set off for Yarmouth as I know too well the cause of his not 
coDiing. Sir Thos Troubridge waits today for his arrival 
but sets off this evening for Torbay, he thinks my going to 
Yarmouth advisable. He has spoken to Lord Spencer for 
me & in short done every thing in his power to serve me. 

I saw Ned Balston this Morning. He has not yet 
determined weather his health is equal to another Voiage 
but will write as soon as the Physicians give their answer. 
Bagster has reed the Game ; the Beer is not yet arrived — I 
dine with young George Bagster to-day therefore shall not 
close my letter till the Bellman comes to the dore however 
you may depend on hearing from me on Monday. I reed 
Catharine's order and shall not forget it. Give my Duty 
Love & Comps to all friends. I remain Dr Manfield 

Yours most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

I past 5 No News of Lord Nelson. 

The last letter had not reached Dorchester before 
Nelson arrived. Hardy hastened to meet him, and their 
old friendship is at once renewed in spite of Hardy's 
outspoken sympathy for Lady Nelson, who finally separ- 
ated from her husband a i^w weeks later — in the early 



54 HARDY'S HOLIDAY IN ENGLAND 

days of 1801. On the loth November 1800, Hardy writes 
from 9 Duke Street to his brother-in-law as follows : — • 

Dear Manfield, 

I beg ten thousand pardons for not writing 
by today's post but really his Lordship kept me till I had 
not a moment to spare & then told me I must go with him 
to dine at Guild Hall & as you will get a much better 
description from the papers than I can possible give I refer 
you to them. All things go well here & in a day or two 
you shall know more about it. He is certainly to be 
employed very soon and I leave you to guess the rest — On 
Wednesday I go to Court and Thursday to make our bow 
to the Queen — I shall not close this till tomorrow 
afternoon therefore wish you a good Night as I am to 
breakfast with his Lordship tomorrow at 8 o'clock Duty 
Love &c 

I remain Dear Manfield, 

Yours most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Tuesday nth 5 o'clock. I have nothing more to say 
than you must read Hardy insted of Gentlevian & Sir Edwd 
Berry, as the Editors have not yet found out my name. 



CHAPTER IX 

HARDY ONCE MORE NELSON'S FLAG-CAPTAIN. HIS 
COMMANDS OF THE " NAMUR," " SAN JOSEF," AND 
"ST GEORGE." THE BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN. 
[NOVEMBER 180O — APRIL 1801] 

THE high hopes excited in Hardy by the advent of 
Lord Nelson were speedily realised. Within a 
week of his attending the Lord Mayor's banquet of 1800, 
at the invitation of Sir William Staines, he obtained the 
long looked-for appointment. Nelson realised the im- 
portance of the task before him, and knew that he could 
have no better or more faithful a flag-captain than the 
resourceful Dorset sailor, in whom he had placed entire 
confidence during the whole of the Neapolitan and Sicilian 
troubles. On the 13th November 1800, Hardy writes 
thus from his quarters in Duke Street : — 

Dear Man field, 

I leave town in a few days for Dorsetshire, 
where I shall remain 24 Hours (at most) in my way to 
Plymouth & there to take the Command of the Namuv 
until the St Josef is ready which will be only a few days. 
The former ship is then to be paid off and all the men go 
to the other — I suppose the day for my departure will be 
fixed tomorrow, if so I will let you know — I am this 
moment ccme from Court where his Lordship was well 
received & your Friend Tom cut no small figure as hat- 



56 ONCE MORE NELSON'S FLAG-CAPTAIN 

bearer to the Hero of the Nile. I saw Mr Darner,^ but had 
not time to ask for my friends in Dorsetshire. My going 
out to Dinner I hope will be a sufficient excuse for not 
giving you more News as it is now h past five & the Bell- 
man waiting, yours 

Most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

P.S. — My appointment is not publick (tho' all the World 
knows it), say nothing about it but to my relations till you 
hear from me again. Doctor Bartlett must hold himself in 
readiness. 

By a letter on the same day, Hardy wrote as follows : — 

9 Duke Street, St James, 
November I'^th^ 1800. 

Dear Manfield, 

As I could not get a place in the Mail, I have 
taken one in the Mercury. I set off tomorrow morning at 
three o'clock. I believe we arrive at Dorchester about the 
same hour on Monday morning. If }-ou will have the 
goodness to order a bed for me at the King's Armes, I will 
be much obliged and will breakfast with you at 8 o'clock. 
Captain Ingram is this moment arrived with his two jolly 
Weymouth friends. He is uncommon well, but how he 
will get over the Stone Expedition I know not, 

Yours most Sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 
Mr Manfield, 

Attorney-at-Law, 
Dorchester. 



' Mr Lionel Darner, M.P. for Peterborough, a brother to the 
second Earl of Dorchester. Came House, near Dorchester, still 
belongs to the Dawson-Damers, Earls of Portarlington. It is there 
that the portraits of the Dorset Captains of the Great War are preserved. 



HARDY CAPTAIN OF THE "NAMUR" 57 

Next day (November 14th, 1800) he writes from 9 
Duke Street. 

9 Duke Street, Novr. \^thy 1800. 
Dear Manp^ield, 

I just received my Commission for the 
Nai)iur & leave London tomorrow night & hope to 
see you on Sunday. I shall not take my place till to- 
morrow as my Admiral changes his mind every hour 
therefore cannot say by what conveyance I shall come 
but by the Mail if possible. 

I have just reed the Beer but it has no,t been tasted yet. 
I remain 

Dr Manfield, Yours sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

P.S. — I fear I shall not be able see my friend Ingrani^ 
unless he comes to Dorchester. 

The Christmas spent on board the Nanmr wdA little less 
festive than his previous one at Portisham. Both of them 
presented a striking contrast to that terrible Christmas 
Day (1798) between Naples and Palermo, when the six-year- 
old Neapolitan Prince died in Lady Hamilton's arms. 
Hardy's next letter to Manfield reads thus : — 

" Namur," Hamoaze, Deer. wtJi, 1800. 

Dear Manfield, 

I received my Books &c. the day I got 
your letter. Do tell the Girls at Possum I will not trouble 
them to get Mince Meat for me as my acquaintances here 
are so numerous I never dine at home. You did quite 
rite in putting my name to the Game )'ou sent Lord 
Nelson. I wrote to Halford yesterday & did not forget 
to desire him to call on Mr Bryden & I will answer for it 

^ Then Captain, R. N., and a native of Burton Bradstock, where 
he died 3rd February 1826, aged 71. His tomb is still to be seen in 
the church there. It may be remembered that Hardy's first Captain, 
Francis Roberts, came from the same village at the western e.xtremity 
of the Bride Valley. 



58 ONCE MORE NELSON'S FLAG-CAPTAIN 

you will hear from Mr B very shortly. You had better 

Send Mrs Pitman's Papers to the Proctor and he will settle 
the remainder. I will thank you to pay Mr Yeatman & 
Mr Oakley, but for Gods sake send no more by land they 

are such d d raskels here that they charged ^1:2:6: 

for the carriage of the Beer & 5s for the Brace of hares, 
which is double the price from Dorchester to London. I 
have heard nothing of Mr Wallis or young Hamilton but 
suppose they are doing very well. I am much obliged to 
the Weld ^ Family for enquirys give my best Compliments 
to them and say I shall be happy to see them whenever 
they can make it convenient. I also hope you will make 
one of the party. Everything goes on as I wish on board 
San Josef I have orders to prepare the Naviur for paying 
off & I shall report her ready tomorrow. I had a letter 
from my friend Sir E. Berry yesterday where he Congratu- 
lates me on my promotion to San Josef & the happyness 
of serving with the Hero of the Nile. He hopes to keep 
the Pss Charlotte as that will give him a spell with His 
Lady. I partook of Part of the Mutton that was sent from 
Possum yesterday at Sir Thos. Pasley's ^ it was very good 
& the old Barontt was very much pleased with it. 

Deer. 13th. I had not time to send this till today. Mr 
Wallis is arrived & I have got Martha's Letter which shall 
be ansd when I have an opportunity. If John is fortunate 
enough to get some game for my friends here do tell him 
to pay the Carriage of it as it will be no present at the 
Price I paid. T. M. H. 

Plymouth Dock. 

Hardy now transfers himself and his crew into the San 
Josefs where he witnessed the dawn of the nineteenth 

' Of Lulworth Castle, Dorset. Mrs Fitzherbert's first husband was 
a Weld, and the Captain Weld who commanded a troop of Dorset 
Yeomanry during the Great War, eventually became a bishop and 
cardinal, and a candidate for the Papal throne. 

- Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart. [1734- 1808]. 



HARDY AT PLYMOUTH 59 

century. A few da\'s before this he again wrote to his 
brother-in-law : — 

"San Josef," Hamoaze, 
Deer. 2C)t/i^ 1800. 
Dear Man field, 

I enclose a letter to Martha in answer to one 
I reed from her yesterday. I am happy to hear you are 
got better. I thought you knew better than to allov/ the 
Merchant at Lothers ^ to gull you with so much Wine as 
lay you up for three Days. He was here the other day in 
very good spirits & said that you & Jos talked of coming to 
see me before I left Plymouth. I hope it is true & I advise 
you to be here within three Weeks or you will be too late. 
I have a very good Ships Company & everything got on 
very well. Give my Love to Catherine & the Children. 
I remain, 

Dear Manfield, 

Yours most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

As soon as }'ou have payd Mr Yeatman & all the rest 
of my debts I wish you to draw on Cook & Halford for the 
amount as it is as well in your hands as theirs. 

I believe I never paid my Aunt for the Lottery Ticket. 
Do it for me. 

Hardy begins the new century with the following 
kindly letter to Mr Manfield :— 

"San Josef," Hamoaze, 
Jany. Jt/i, 1801. 

Dear Manfield, 

As you cannot spare time to come to Plymouth 
before the latter end of the Month after that period Torbay 

' Loders, near Bridport. Sir Evan Nepean, Secretary to the 
Admiralty at the time of Trafalgar, lived at Loders Court, which he 
purchased in 1799. The merchant mentioned was probably Richard 
Travers, the genial Yeomanry captain. 



6o ONCE MORE NELSON'S FLAG-CAPTAIN 

will be sufficient as I think to sail for that place in lo Days 
if His Lordship arrives as we are ordered there as soon 
as possible. 

I am happy the Prints please. A Register Stove & 
Carpet, with the Hero of the Nile's Picture (which Jno 
Brown of course will get) cannot fail to make it the 
Handsomest Drawing Room in Dorchester. The King 
of Naples Picture will soon follow from Mr M' Arthur.^ I 
have heard nothing of young Hamilton. Do send to his 
Father & say we are almost ready for sea. 

Thank you for Harbin's - letters I have ansd it but I 
fear not to his satisfaction. Love to Catharine & the 
Childr. 

I remain, Dr Manfield, 

Yours sincerely, 

T. M. Hardv. 

Nelson now made up his mind to join his ship ; and 
Hardy writes the following characteristic letter to Mr 
Manfield :— 

"San Josef," Plymouth Dock, 
Jan>y. i6th, 1801. 

Dear Manfield, 

I am sorry his Lordship passed through 
Dorchester so late in the evening which of course pre- 
vented my countrymen paying him the respect due to his 
merit. He arrived here last night, comes on board on 
Monday next and I believe we sail for Torbay the latter 
end of the week. He tells me that he was taken so ill just 
before they arrived at Dorchester that he thought he would 
have died in the carriage. You no doubt have seen Mr 
Hamilton and I trust he will give you so good an account 

1 These were probably the pictures of Nelson and King Ferdinand 
now at Portisham House, and which are now reproduced by permission 
of Mrs Manfield and her son, Mr W. Hardy Manfield. 

^ Of Newton Surmaville, Yeovil. 



HARDY IN THE "ST GEORGE" 6i 

of my health that even Martha will be satisfied that Fagging 
agrees best with me. If any of my friends here have 
a wish to see San Josef they will find her at Torbay all 
the week after next as the Earl ^ has been good enough to 
say he will give us Seven days to put us to rights under his 
own eye. I reed a letter from Dr Sherive ' the other day 
requesting I would take a Mr Tucker.'^ I wish Ingram * 
could advise him to keep the youth at home as it is a very 
unseasonable time to send a Boy to sea. I find he still 
laments the great loss he has sustained in our cousin 
Christopher.-^ 

With Duty Love and Compliments I remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardv. 

On the 1 2th February 1801, Lord Nelson transferred hi.s 
flag to the St George (the San Josef being considered too 
heavy for the Baltic service), and took Hardy with him. 
The following letter was written by the latter when the 
complications with Denmark were paving the way to the 
Battle of Copenhagen. 

"Saint George," Spithead, 
Feby. 25///, 1801. 

Dear Manfield, 

I received your letter yesterday & am sorry 
to say that we have heard nothing of the Beer nor do I 

' Earl Spencer was at the head of the Admiralty, 1 794-1 801. A 
keen appreciator of the genius of Nelson, whom he sent to win the 
battle of the Nile. 

'^ Rev. Henry Sherive, LL.D., Rector of Bridport, Dorset, 1766-1791. 
Married T. M. Hardy's cousin, Martha Hardy of the Hyde, Bothen- 
hampton, where Dr Sherive was living in 1801. 

•' Belonging to an old Bridport family. 
Y'^ ■* Of Burton Bradstock. 

^ Rev. Christopher Hardy Sherive, M.A., succeeded his father as 
Rector of Bridport, where he died loth November 1800. Hutchins 
erroneously states that he resigned the living in 1801. 



62 ONCE MORE NELSON'S FLAG-CAPTAIN 

expect to unless you can find out the Vessel's Name and to 
whom consigned. His Lordship left Portsmouth for Town 
on Monday last & we expect him the beginning of next 
Week. He continues in good health but was rather low 
for a few days after quiting San Josef. However we are to 
return to her as soon as the business in the North is 
settled which we trust will be completed by the latter end 
of May. Sir Hyde Parker is expected down in a few days. 
The London waits here to hoist his Flag. The change of 
Adminstration ^ was rather sudden. We brought Sir Thos 
Troubridge from Torbay. As I have nothing to ask of 
course nothing can be done for me. Young Faddy is here 
& I wish I could say he was deserving of my notice, but I 
much fearful he will never do his Lordship or myself any 
credit. He was with us in the Vanguard which ship he 
quited not for his good conduct. 

Parker is gone to Southampton. He returns on Friday 
next. 

I saw the Thompson Family yesterday they are all well 
& desire their best compliments. — If I have an opportunity 
I shall not forget Mr Tucker in the Dockyard. With Duty 
Love &c &c 

I remain Dear Manfield, 

Yours most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Hardy's excellent seamanship was never more conspic- 
uous than in the voyage to the Baltic, and the operations 
which immediately preceded the engagement before 
Copenhagen. In all probability, he now profited by his 
five years' experience as a practical navigator while in the 
merchant service. In the pitchy darkness of the night 

' John, Earl St Vincent, succeeded Earl Spencer at the Admiralty, 
19th February 1801. Three weeks later, William Pitt resigned office, 
after a Premiership of eighteen years. A new Ministry was formed by 
Henry Addington, afterwards Lord Sidmouth. 



THE BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN 6^ 

before the battle, he made soundings in the channel from 
an open boat, going so near to the enemy's vessels that 
long poles or rods had to be used lest the sound of the 
heaving of the lead should arouse suspicion. Had Hardy's 
calculations been relied on rather than the questionable 
information of the pilots, none of the English ships need 
have grounded, the loss of life would have been less, and 
the victory achieved more decisive. Unfortunately, the Si 
George drew too much water for the shallows to be tra- 
versed, so Nelson shifted his flag to the Elephant, and 
Hardy's ship was unable to take an active part in the 
fighting of the 2nd April 1801. One of the most im- 
portant letters ever addressed by Hardy to his brother- 
in-law gives a detailed account of the action : — 

"St George," Copenhagen Roads, 
April ^th, 1 80 1. 

Dear Manfield, 

This is the first opportunity I have had of 
writing to you since we left Yarmouth. Our passage 
was rather tedious and attended with bad weather. How- 
ever, we arrived off Cronenburge Castle on the 30th of 
last month, when a plan of attack was formed against 
Copenhagen, and as the water is very shallow near that 
city it was thought necessary for Lord Nelson to shift his 
flag into the Elephant (Capt. Foley), and next morning we 
passed by Cronenburge where the ist shot was fired at us 
from the Castle and a heavy canonading kept up on both 
sides on our passing, without the least effect, the distance 
being too great. The next morning his Lordship, with 
twelve sail of the smallest line of Battle Ships and all the 
Frigates, Bombs, Fireships, Gun Brigs, &c., &c., passed 
thro' what is called the middle ground, and the next morng 
made the most daring attack that has been attempted this 
war (the Nile not excepted) was made, and after a very 
heavy loss on both sides, he was completely victorious, 
having taken and destroyed every ship and vessel that was 



64 ONCE MORE NELSON'S FLAG-CAPTAIN 

opposed to him, six of which was of the Line, the remain- 
ing twelve were Frames or floating Batteries. Our ships 
were also exposed to the fire of more than eighty pieces 
of heavy Cannon from the shore. The more I see of 
his Lordship the more I admire his great character, for, 
I think on this occasion, his Political management zvas, if 
possible, greater than his Bravery. The water was so sh"''' ^ 
that two of the Line of Battle Ships got on shore before 
the action commenced, a third owing to the current and 
light winds was not able to get into Action, and his Lord- 
ship, finding his little squadron very hard pressed by the 
Batterys after the ships had struck, the wind not sufficient 
to take off his Prizes and crippled ships, he very deliber- 
ately sent a Flag of Truce on shore to say that his orders 
were not to Destroy the City of Copenhagen, therefore, to 
save more efusion of blood he would grant them a truce 
and land their wounded as soon as possible. The Prince^ 
thanked him for his great humanity and entered into a 
negotiation that moment which allowed him to get off all 
the Prizes that was not sunk or burnt, and his own ships, 
five of which at this time were on shore within gunshot of 
the Batteries. His Lordship and myself was on shore 
yesterday, where, extraordinary to be told, he was received 
with as much aclamation as when we went to Loi'd Mares 
Show, and I really believe it would not have been a very 
hard business to have brought on a revolution in Denmark. 
We dined with all the Court, and after Dinner he had an 
audience with the Crown Prince for more than two hours 
and I will venture to say that his Royal Highness never 
had so much plain trooth spoken to him in his life. 

I shall not close my letter till the negotiation is con- 
cluded, which we expect will be to-morrow. Tho' I could 
not be with his Lord.ship my.sclf, 1 sent Messrs Gill & 
Walin, the former was slightly wounded, but Sir Hyde 

' Shallow. 

- Frederickj eldest son of Christian VII., and nephew of George 
m. He was born in 1768, and declared Regent, April T2, 1784. 



THE BOYS FROM DORSET 65 

Parker has promised to promote him as soon as he can do 
his duty, which, I expect, will be in a few days. Mr Walin 
is appointed Lord Nelson's Secretary, and I hope soon to 
get him into a good Frigate. The young Doctor has 
written to his Father, and I suppose has given a very full 
account of the Action. I regret very much that Poor 
Parker was not with us, as I have little doubt but it would 
have gained him the other step. Young Roberts is very 
well as are the rest of the youngsters from Dorsetshire, 
Roberts, as is customary with them all, has lost almost all 
his clothes, however, he will do well enough by and by. 

April 6th. — The Brig that takes Sir Hyde Parker's 
Despatches is now getting under weigh, and as his Lord- 
ship is on board the London, we do not know as yet * * 
{torn) the business is ended but hope for the best. Captn. 
Otway, Sir Hyde's Capt'' is charged with the despatches. 
Domett is very well, but, I believe, very much tired with the 
Situation, As I have had but very little time to write this, 
I hope you will excuse the scrall. With Duty, Love, & 
Compts. 

I remain. Dear Manfield, 

Yours most Sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy, 



CHAPTER X 

FROM THE BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN (2ND APRIL 1801) TO 
THE PEACE OF AMIENS (27TH MARCH 1802). HARDY, 
CAPTAIN OF THE " ST GEORGE" AND THE " ISIS " 

HARDY'S next letters home are written two months 
later from the bleak and inhospitable shores of 
Kioge Bay, where the fleets had been anchored since 
the 25th April 1801. On the 6th June he commenced a 
lengthy epistle to Mr Manfield, which he only completed 
on the 17th of that month. 

"St George," Kioge Bay, 
June 6f/i, 1 80 1. 

Dear Manfield, 

I received your letter of the 20th of April ' 
the Day I received one from Jos & that of the 6th of the 
same Month I got yesterday by Mr Cox. I am sorry to 
say that his conduct on board the Vanguard has been so 
very improper that Sir Thos Williams^ will not let him 
join the St Geoj'gc (at least for the present). As the Van- 
guard was but a short time with us Sir Thos had not an 
opportunity of explaining to me but I understand he 
feels that Mr Cox has been making a conveniejice of him & is 
actually borne on the Vanguards Books as Midshipman nor 
did he hint to Sir Thos his intention of quitting him till he 
had seen me & he informed me that he had his Captains per- 
mission to join the St George, & only waited my approbation ; 
however when I next see the Vanguard I daresay I shall 
be able to get him & you may depend on my giving him 
1 Admiral Sir Thomas Williams, G.C.B. [1762-1841]. 



LORD NELSON'S DESIRE FOR HOME 67 

such a lecture as he will not forget these twelve Months. 
I had just time to inquire a little into his Character from 
one of my old Ship Mates who is with him, & I am informed 
that he acknowledges how much he is ashamed of his late 
conduct & promises fair to turn over a new leaf when he 
joins the Flag Ship. I think you had better apprise his 
relations of this & add that I will do everything in my 
power for him. But he must alter his Conduct or quit the 
St George. 

\2tJ1. — I have not had an opportunity of seeing Captain 
Foley ^ of the Elephant but will not forget to enquire about 
Belninger when I do. I am sorry to hear of Mr Balstons 
illness but hope the Spring has quite brought him round. 
Give my best Compliments to my good friend Captain 
Ingram & tell him I Drank his health on the 4th and 
sighed when I thought of the Partner he introduced me 
to on that evening Twelve Months. The Weather is 
remarkably fine in the Country and I think nearly as 
warm as it is in the Mediterranean. The Crops of all 
description are remarkably fine & there is every prospect 
of a most plentiful Harvest. The export of Corn from 
this has been so great that the price of Bread is greater 
than in England, Lord Nelson is quite recovered but 
still anxious to go home & has again written to be super- 
seded but we hope to be all ordered home very soon as we 
think it impossible that anything more can be done in 
this part of the World, His Lordship talks of sending 
the Pylades home soon therefore you will in all pro- 
bability get this very soon. Parker is very well & desires 
his best compliments. I'll trouble you with my best 
compliments to Messrs Frampton - & Brown. It may 

' Admiral Sir Thomas Foley, G.C.B., commanded the Elephant at 
Copenhagen [1757-1833]- 

- James Frampton, of Moreton, Dorset [(769-1855], married Lady 
Harriet Fox Stran^vays, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Ilchester, Colonel 
of the Dorset Yeomanry. In this year (1801) as Major he had charge 
of the 5th division of the Dorset coast defences, reaching from Worth- 
barrow Bay to Ringstead Bay. 



68 COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

not be unpleasant for the former to hear that his Relation 
(by Marriage) Capt" Step" Digby^ is well, a very good 
young Man, much liked by Lord Nelson & I believe first on 
the hst for promotion. 

June xjih. — The Pylades is just going to sail for England 
with a fine easterly wind and I have little doubt that you 
will receive this in less than a Week. There is a Cutter 
just come in sight which we think is from England but his 
Lordship will not wait for her as the Wind is fair for 
England & foul for the Cutter. With Love to Catherine 
& all the children 

I remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours sincerely 

T. M. Hardy. 

Doubtless, the cutter brought the news that his lord- 
ship had been superseded, for Captain Mahan '^ says that 
on the 19th June Nelson left the Baltic in the brig 
Kite, and landed at Yarmouth on the first of the follow- 
ing month. 

A few days later, Hardy writes : — 

"St George," Kioge Bay, 
July Zth, 1 80 1. 

Dear Manfield, 

I wrote to Ann the other day requesting she 
would make me two or three Dozen of Shirts ; as letters so 
often miscarry you will have the goodness to mention it to 
her. It is very immaterial weather the Linen is purchased 

' Stephen Digby [1776- 1820] was the son of the "Mr Fairly" of 
Madame d'Arblay's Memoirs (see Mr Austin Dobson's Edition, vol. 
ii., p. 411, etc.). His mother, Lady Lucy Fox Strangways, was the 
daughter of the first Earl of Ilchester. He brought Lord Nelson 
home in the Kite, and a characteristic letter written to him by Nelson 
from Merton, on the 6th January 1802, is now in possession of his 
kinsman, Admiral Noel Digby. 

^ The Life of Nelson^ vol. ii., p. 117. 



OXCE MORE AT YARMOUTH 69. 

at Dorchester or in Town. Admiral Sir Thos Graves^ 
sailed from here }-esterday with a large detatchment of 
our Ships their destination is 7tot yet Pnblickly known. 
Everything goes on well in this Quarter & I have little 
doubt but w^e shall all be in England very soon, & what is 
to become of me I know not ; however Lord Nelson says he 
never will be employed again, & I shall have a fine Frigate 
but it is as much impossible for him to remain at home as 
it is for him to be Jiappy at Sea, therefore I expect soon to 
hear that he is gone to Egypt & I shall be ordered to 
follow him in the best way that I can. We learn by a 
Vessel that arrived from Yarmouth yesterday that his 
Lordship entered that Port on the 29th ulto. I am very 
Comfortable with Adml Pole^ but I am not anxious to 
remain with him or any other Adrnl (except Lord Nelson) 
therefore I shall make all the Interest I can to get into a 
frigate when we get to England. I have not seen the 
Vafiguard smcQ, of course have not got Mr Cox & as It is 
probable I shall quit this ship very soon, I think he had 
better remain where he is however that shall rest with 
himself. As our stay here is so very uncertain I think you 
had better not write till you hear from me again which shall 
be the next opportunity. 

With best Love to Catherine & the Children, 
I remain Yours sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

In August, reaches home two months later :^ — 

Dr Manfieli), 

We arrived off Yarmouth this Day we are 
ordered round to Spithead where I suppose we shall not 

' Admiral Sir Thomas Graves [1747-1814], second in command at 
Copenhagen, where he won his K.C.B. 

- Admiral Sir Charles Maurice Pole, G.C.B. [1757-1830], succeeded 
Nelson in command of the English Fleet in the Baltic, 19th June 180 r. 

•' This is the only undated letter found amongst the Hardy correspond- 
ence. It bears, however, the English postmark of loth August iSoi. 



70 COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

remain long therefore I hope to hear from you by return 
of post. As we have had no communication with the 
the shore I know nothng of what is going on in England. 

We have had a very good passage from Copenhagen & 
trust we shall soon be at Spithead. The Fishing boat that 
will take this on shore is now waiting I have therefore only 
time to wish you health &c. &c. With Duty love &c. I 
remain, 

Dear Manfield, 

Yours most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

I have not had an opportunity of seeing Mr Cox but 
shall not forget him when an opportunity offers. 

Hardy's days on board the S^ Geoi'ge were now 
numbered. The news of his being superseded is thus 
conveyed to Mr Manfield : — 

Portsmouth, Augt iZth, iSoi, 
8 dclock. 
Dear Manfield, 

This day to my great astonishment Captain 
NichoHs received a Commission for the St George & I am 
ordered to the Downes Immediately, & what Ship I am to 
go to I have not the least idea. There is an order come 
by Telegraph for a Cutter to take my things on board as 
soon as possible, therefor in all probability I shall sail this 
eveng ; however the Wind at present is not Fair, Everything 
as you may suppose is in a happy confusion ; however I shall 
leave my Servant Edward to take the greater part of my 
things to Mr Thompson's & Thos & I must do as well as 
we can till Edwd comes to us. To Make things better the 
St Geoi'ge is to sail this evening or tomorrow morning & I 
am obliged to leave all the youngsters behind in St George 
as I have no place for them. I am sorry to say that young 
Tucker's eyes are so very badd that he can scarcely see out 
of them & I very much fear he will be obliged to leave the 



AT PORTSMOUTH 71 

Service on account of it. I think Ann had better send my 
Shirts as soon as finished to the care of Mr Thompson as 
he will always have an opportunity of sending them to me. 
You shall hear from me as soon as I can give you any 
more information about myself. 

6 o'clock. — I can't sail this evening but should the Wind 
continue foul I go off by Land tomorrow morning. I am 
sorry to see by the Papers of to-day that his Lordship 
has met with the worst of it, and that poor Parker^ is 
wounded ; however as it is not confirmed I hope there is no 
truth in it. 

I reed Ann's letter to-day, I'll thank you to tell her 
that there is no great hurry for the remainder of the shirts. 
With love to Catherine the children & all Friends 
I remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

Hardy remained for some days in uncertainty as to his 
future. His next letter runs as follows : — 

Portsmouth, 
A ugust 20th, 1 80 1 . 
Dear Manfield, 

I embark on board the Vesuvius Bomb at 
12 o'clock this day for the Downes but strange to tell I 
have no orders from the Admiralty nothing but a private 
letter from Sir Thomas Troubridge desiring me to go to 
the Downes as fast as possible & that they would not 
forget mc, I have not received the Shirts but it is of no 
consequence as we must call at this place before we go 
abroad (should we be ordered) I very much fear that my 
little friend Parker has lost his thigh & Langford (who was 
in the Foudroyant with us) I much fear is also wounded, & 

^ Commander Edward Thornborough Parker, R.N., Aide-de-camp 
to Lord Nelson. He died of wounds received on the 15th August i8ot 
in the unsuccessful attempt on Boulogne (see pp. 49, 73, and 1 14). 



yk COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

very singular to relate that they are the only two young 
men that I strongly recommended to his Lordship. Our 
Relation Mr Robt Budden came on purpose to see me 
yesterday & is returned to Leamington with Adml Man ^ 
this morning ; he desires his Compliments to you & all 
friends. 

lO d clock. — I am this moment going on board & as the 
Wind is coming to the Westd I hope soon to write to you 
from the Downes. 

With Duty Love &c. I remain 
Dear Manfield 

Yoiirs affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 
Mr Manfield, 
Dorchester, Dorset. 

Five days later, he writes thus on his way to join the 

his : — 

"Vesuvius" off Dover, 
August 2^ih, 1 80 1. 
Dear Manfield, 

We arrived off this Port last Night & are now 
Weighing to proceed to the Downes. We have had a very 
pleasant passage tho' a foul wind all the way. I see by 
the Papers of the 21st Int that I am appointed to the his 
but I have not heard a word about it; however the 
mystery will be unriddled before I close this letter. I 
saw a Horse the other Day at Portsmouth so much like 
the Roan, that I could have s^orn it was that which I gave 
John even the No. 6 on the near Shoulder was not omited, 
but on inquiry I found it belonged to a Lord (I forget his 
name) in whose possession it has been more than Twelve 
months. I hear from the Fishermen that Lord Nelson 
sailed to the Eastward the Day before yesterday but his 
destination was unknown. I'll thank you to tell Mr 
Hamilton of Weymouth that I was very sorry to leave his 

' Admiral Robert Man. He was in command under Hotham at the 
fleet action of 13th July 1795. 



HARDY IN THE "ISIS" 73, 

son in the S^ George but it was impossible for me to take 
any of the young Gentlemen with me as I did not know 
what was to become of nie, nor db I at this moment ; how- 
ever Captain Nicholls has promised to take care of them 
& to advance any Money that may be necessary. They 
are all to return to me as soon as I am settled in a Ship, 
If you see Pearson of Steepleton & Roberts I'll thank you 
to tell them the same. 

Deal, A//^'-^. 26///. — We arrived last night too late 
to save Post. This morning I received my Commission 
for the /s/s & set off tomorrow to join her off Boulogne, 
& by Directing your letters at this Place they will be 
forwarded to me. Weather His Lordship is to Hoist 
his Flag or not with me I cannot learn but I should 
suppose not, as the /sts is but just Commissioned & I fear 
in rather a badish kelter. I am happy to 'say that I found 
my two wounded friends much better than I could have 
expected after the accounts we had seen, but I have often 
told you that there was no dependence on lampblack & oil. 
Parkers wound is certainly very bad. A Musket ball 
has passed thro' the Thigh very high up & completely 
broken the bone but he is in very good spirits & Doctor 
Beard ^ who is very clever Man says he is in great hopes of 
saving the Limb. Langford's- wound is a Musket Ball 
through the small of the Leg & it is hoped that the Bone 
is not Broken. I have been sitting with them all the 
Morning & they bear their misfortune like themselves. I 
suppose I shall see Lord Nelson in a Day or, two when it 
is probable I shall know what is to become of me. With 
Duty love & Compliments to all Friends 
I remain, 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

1 Dr Baird, T^'^fe Nelson's letters to Baird about Parker and Lang- 
ford, fios/, p. 1 1 3. 
-' See pos/, p. 113. 



74 COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

Aiigt. 2yfh. — I missed the Post Last evening. Lady & 
Sir Wm Hamilton arrived last Night, & Lord Nelson 
Anchored this Mong ; I hope he will not remain long ; he 
says he is quite tired of his present Comand & hopes we 
shall soon return to San Josef \ set off tomorrow morngfor 
the his. 

Hardy has now joined his new ship, the Isis, and writes 
again to Mr Manfield : — 

" I SIS," DUNGENF.SS, Scpir. 22,rd, 1801. 

Dear Manfield, 

I did not get your letter of the iith Inst till 
yesterday. We arrived here last Saturday the Weather 
not allowing us to remain off Boulogne any longer & the 
Equinoctial gales seem to have set in, it having blown very 
hard these last four Days. We return to our Station as 
soon as the weather is settled. 1 am sorry for Mr Damer's ^ 
indisposition and trust he will soon get the better of it. 
I'll thank you to return my compliments to him & His 
Lordship"^ when you see them. You have heard of course 
that poor Parker has lost his Thigh & I am happy to hear 
from a Gentleman who came from Deal yesterday that he 
was much better and there was great hopes that he would 
do well but I very much doubt it. x-\s Lady Hamilton 
has left Deal, we expect his Lordship here tomorrow 
should the weather moderate. The last time I saw him he 
told me he was determined to give up the Command on 
the 14th of this Month but the Admiralty has perswaded 
him to the Contrary, & I have no doubt but he will con- 
tinue the Command all the Winter ; he begins to think 
that Lord St Vincent has sent out Adml Pole to take the 
Comand from Lord Keith ^ if so It will be some time 
before the young Gentlemen from Dorsetshire can join me. 

' Lionel Damer, M.P. (see ante, p. 56), died 28th May 1807. 
2 George Damer, second Earl of Dorchester, born 1746, succeeded 
1798, died 1808, when the title became extinct. 

■' George Keith Elphinstone, Admiral Lord Keith [1746-1823]. 



DEATHS IN DORSET 75 

I am much better pleased with the Jsis than I was & I 
suppose in another Month I shall be quite sorry to leave 
her. The young Doctor is happy to hear that the Buggey 
is alive & I am sorry to hear of the Roans misfortune ; 
however accidents will happen in the best regulated 
P^amilies. I am astonished to hear that Bread still con- 
tinues so Dear where it will end I am at a loss to guess. 
In this part of the Country Sheep are £T) apiece Turkey s 
S. 8 Gees 6. & Duck & fouls in proportion I think I have 
taken a very unfavourable time to begin housekeeping Mr 
Pearson's Money is to go in part to pay my debts. If my 
Cousin the Doctor ^ should offer you young Tucker's Money 
I'll thank you to take it £i6 : 9 : is the sum but dont ask 
for it. With love to Catherine & the Children. Love & 
Compliments to all friends. 

I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

Three weeks later, he again writes : — 

"Isis," October \j\th, 1801. 

Dear Manfield, 

I did not receive your letter and Jos' with one 
inclosed for Tom till three Days ago. I missed it in my 
way to the Downs to which place I went for Commodore 
Sutton & arrived here last night. It grieved me much to 
hear by Jos' letter the Melancholly account of the Poor ' 
Doctor's Death ; his loss must be felt very severely by Mrs 
Sherive & Miss Hardy- but his loss is quite irreparable in 
the neighbourhood as a publick Character & I know no 

' Rev. H. Sherive, LL.D., of the Hyde, Bothenhampton, Bridport 
(see p. 61). Dr Sherive, who was some time Rector of Bridport, married, 
5th Sept. 1776, Martha, daughter and co-heir of Joseph Hardy, Esq., 
of the Hyde, Bothenhampton, and was buried there, 26th Sept. 
1801. 

- Miss Anne Hardy, who died at the Hyde, Deer. 1839, aged 97. 



y6 COPExNHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

Man that is equal to keep those Bridport Savages in 
order now he is gone. The Commodore was sent to me 
rather unexpectedly but I got so civil a Note from my 
friend Troubridge that nothing can withstand him ; however 
the Commodore is a Very good Man & we make it out 
extremely well. He expects as we do all to be ordered in 
within these ten Days & of course paid off as soon after as 
possible. I left Lord Nelson three Days ago very much 
displeased with the Admiralty for refusing him leave of 
absence, but I think they seem Determined to oppose him 
in everything he wishes. I begin to think Ld St V. wishes 
to clip his Wings a little & certainly has succeeded a little 
in the affair of Boulogne.^ Troubridge like a true Politician 
forsakes his old friend (who has procured him all the Honor 
he has got) & sticks fast by the Man who is likely to push 
him forward hereafter. 

My letters will come better if you will Direct them for 
me at New Romney as I have come here in preference to 
the Downes. I hope this will find you quite recovered & 
if any scolding would be of any service, you shall have it 
most heartily. I think bad eyes arise from cold & Cold 
from carelessness but Mrs Manfield must be to blame. I 
hope to be with you & then it will be time to think of my 
future residence. As yet I am quite undetermined what 
to be at. I think if I was to push hard I may get a Ship 
but I don't know whether it will not be as well to let it 
alone ; however a short time will determine on what is to be 
done. With best love to Catherine & the Children 
I remain Dr Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

Ti M. Hardy. 

In September of this year, Lord Nelson obtained leave 
by royal license to use the foreign title of Duke of Bronte 

' On the 15th August Nelson failed in his attack on the flotilla 
assembled at Boulogne. The British loss was 44 killed, 128 wounded 
(see Mahan's Life of Nelson^ vol. ii., p. 137). 



A KNIFE AND FORK AT BRONTE yy 

in Sicily, which had been some time before bestowed on 

him by the King of Naples. In November, Hardy writes 

thus from the Downs : — 

" I SIS," Downs, Novr. jf/i, 1801. 
Dear Manfield, 

The Weather has been so very bad that I 
did not get your letter of the ist Inst till the day before 
yesterday & have not had an opportunity of writing to you 
till now. The Papers has quite misinformed you respect- 
ing Lord Nelson's future destination as he has declared to 
me more than once that he was determined not to accept 
his Flag in Peace. Of Course you have seen His 
Lordship's speeches ; I only hope he will be guarded as we 
poor Sailors are quite out of.our element when on Shore, 
As there can be no secret in my last letter to Jos I now 
come to an open explanation. Lord Nelson has given me 
one hundred Acres in any part of his Estate at Bronte that 
I chose to point out, with apartments in his House, a Knife 
& Fork &c. (he being determined to reside there in peace) 
the former part I certainly have accepted & intend to keep, 
but the latter I have not yet determined on, nor shall I till 
I know the Company that will attend him there. His 
Lordships leave is renewed a fortnight i& I suppose at the 
end of that time it will be again renewed, therefore we do 
not expect to see him here again. When I got on shore 
yesterday after the Gale I was invited to Dine with Captain 
& Lady Charlotte Durham ^ & of course I could not refuse, 
her Ladyship was very pleasant and we had a long talk about 
Weymouth ; her Ladyship sets off today for Portsmouth & 
the Endyviion sails for that place as soon as the Weather 
will permit. 

The Bombay Anna Indiaman returned here the Day 
before yesterday with the loss of her Rudder & was very 
near lost off Margate. I am sorry for the sake of my 
friends Ingram and Festing that the Fencibles are 

' Admiral Sir Philip C. H. C. Durham, G.C.B. [1763-1845, ]one of the 
few sur\v^rs of the Royal George accident at Spithead. 



78 COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

redused, but hope that Burton Bradstock will be as pleasant 
to our Friend as Weymouth was. I have no doubt of Mr 
Nepean's^ success at Bridport particularly as our friends 
Travers-and Ingram^ are the leading Characters in that 
part of the Country. I am happy to hear that Joseph Weld * 
is to settle so near us & I think the Staffordshire estate will 
suit Lord St Vincent very well. I am happy to hear your 
eyes are got Better & I trust with the care you take of 
yourself you will continue well. I have seen a letter 
from Hill to Lord Nelson before his Lordship left us, & 
that which appeared in the papers he received on his arrival 
in London, he has received several nearly to the same effect 
all of which he intends publishing at a future Day. With 
Duty to my Aunt who I suppose is a near Neighbour by 
this time & Love to the Alderuians^ Lady Children &c. 

I remain 

Dear Manfield, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

1 Sir Evan Nepean (see a7ite, p. 59). He was duly elected as M.P. 
for Bridport in the place of Charles Sturt. He was again returned up 
till 1810. Sturt had also served in the Navy. When Prince William 
Henry was in the Prince George^ under Rear-Admiral Digby, the future 
M.P. for Bridport was a brother midshipman with H.R.H. The 
Prince and Mr Sturt having had some misunderstanding on the quarter- 
deck they agreed to go down to the orlop or cockpit to decide the 
matter, when after a long and very severe contest victory decided 
itself in favour of the latter, who was a greater adept in the art of 
boxing than his royal opponent. The generous prince did all in his 
power to conceal the affair from the admiral, and ever afterwards 
testified the warmest friendship for his victorious antagonist. See The 
Naval Atlantis^ by Nauticus Junior, 1788. 

^ See ante^ p. 52. 

■^ Admiral Ingram, see ante^ p. 57. Ingram House still stands at 
Burton Bradstock, a creeper-covered Queen Anne mansion of mellowed 
red brick, quite close to the Grove, the hoine of Francis Roberts and 
his descendants. 

* Joseph Weld of Lulworth Castle, brother of Cardinal Weld [1777- 
1862]. 

•'• Mr Manfield now became Alderman of Dorchester, and served 
the office of Mayor three years later. 



NELSON IN THE HOUSE OE LORDS 79 

I see you know very little of the Service to suppose I 
can have much time on my hands. You have seen by the 
papers that Admiral Lutwidge has strucf: his Elag & is 
gone to Portsmouth to sit on Sir Wm Parkers Court, 
martial' The Isis is now the Commanding officiers ship & 
great part of the duty falls on me, however I shall always 
find time to answer }'our letters punctually & occasionally 
give you two for one. I got a letter to Day from Martha 
I find sh(? is spending a few Days with our Relations in 
the East. 



Hardy again writes :- 



Dear Manfield. 



Isis," Downs, Novr. 15///, 1801. 



Not having heard from }-ou these ten Days I 
much fear your eyes are got worse ; however I can excuse 
you as business must be attended to. We continue here as 
usual anxiously waiting for the Definitive Treaty.- I see 
almost by every paper that Lord Nelson has been speaking 
in the House, I am sorry for it, and I am fully convinced 
that Sailors should not talk too much. You must not 
expect long letters now, for literally I have nothing to say. 
I suppose Martha is returned from Shapwick, if she is I will 
thank you to tell her she may expect a very long letter 
from me soon. I see by the Papers that Lord Eitzwilliam 
is one of the oppositionests to the Peace ; of course Lord 
Dorchester is of the same way of thinking, but if you have 
thought much on the subject I am of opinion you cannot 
agree with them, for I do not see any prospect of a better 
Peace being made had we continued the War for years to 
come. They appear to be getting too strong for Mr 

1 Admiral Sir William Parker [1743-1802]. His offence was only 
a technical one. He had sent two ships to the West Indies, when in 
command of the Halifax Station. He was acquitted of everything 
but indiscretion. 

- The Peace of Amiens was not finally concluded till 27th Marc^i 
1S02. 



8o COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

Addington in the lower house, I do not know any man 
capable of taking his place but Mr Pitt. They have 
stopped Mr Tierneys mouth & Mr Grey is quite silent ; you 
see we have all our Pluck. If John should happen to have 
a hare & a Phesant to spare, I will thank him to send it to 
Halford but it is of little or- no consequence. As petitions 
will be presented to His Majesty as soon as the Peace is 
settled I expect to -see that Alderman Manfield was the 
chosen Man from the Borough of Dorchester. 

With Duty to my Aunt & Love to Catherine the 
Children & all friends I remain Dr Manfield, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

In the following month, Hardy is evidently a little nettled 
at not getting his news of Lord Nelson at first hand : — 

"Isis," Sheerness, Z^^cr lO/"/;, 1801. 
Dear Manfield, 

The his went into Dock last .Monday & she 
is not found so bad as was expected. - She leaves the 
Dock on the 21st & I hope to be at the Nore in about 
a Week after, from thence it is probable she will be ordered 
to Portsmouth as there is little doubt but Lord Radstock ^ 
is to- hoist his Flag on board her. Captain Bligh who 
now commands the Theseus, will, I suppose exchange with 
me, as my friends at the Admiralty will not think it worth 
while to appoint another Captain for the short time she 
will be kept in Commission. I shall then have to pass 
accounts for five ships in about. 10 Months, which will 
cost me nearly the amount of my pay for that time, there- 
fore I fear I shall not add much to the 3 pr cent. Should 
any business or inclination bring you to Town I hope you 
will find a leisure hour to give me a. call. I saw in the 
papers of yesterday that Lord Nelson had waited on the 

^ Admiral William Waldegrave, G.C.B., first Baron Radstock 
[1753-1825]. 



HARDY AT SHEERNESS 81 

Admiralty previous to his taking the Command on a 
Foreign Station. I think it is not true as I had a letter 
from him three days ago, & I think he would have at least 
given me a hint ; however there is nothing certain in this 
life but Death. I see Lord St Vincent is quite recovered 
& I think I may add that he will continue so only as long 
as convenient, Sir Thos Troubridge is very ill. Tharlk 
you for sending Halford the Game ; & as he had got it, 
I think it but fair you should have the credit & thanks 
for it. I am sorry to hear that Mr Balston is so unwell 
but hope the Month of December will prove more favour- 
able than that of November. As this will be received on 
Saturday Jos & perhaps John will be in Dorchester & 
will get the Sheerness News anxious as you. 

With Duty to my Aunt & Love & Comps to all friends 

1 remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 
John Call. Manfield, Esqr. 

A note on the above letter runs thus : " 3rd distribution 
of the Action of the Nile to be paid 4, 5, and 6 Jan. 1802. 

2 William Tombs, Minotaur!' 

Hardy, always mindful of his Dorset friends on the 
eve of the first Christmastide of the nineteenth century, 

writes : — 

" Isis," Sheerness, Deer 21st, 1801. 
Dear Manfield, 

The Isz's is found so bad that she is to remain 
in Dock till the 5th or 6th of January, therefore I trust 
that Business or Pleasure will call you to Town before 
that Period, & that you will have a Day to spare which 
I think cannot be better employed than coming to Sheer- 
ness, where I shall be very happy to see you. Of course 
you have seen by the Papers that Lord Nelson has taken 
leave of the Admiralty but it is all humbug, as I hear.d 

F 



82 COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

from him a Day or two ago & he says that he will not 
be employed if he can possible help it ; but I am of opinion 
that Old St Vincent will not let him remain at home if 
he can possible help it. Peregrine Bingham of [Bingham's] 
Melcombe is Chaplain of the Isis, & I have not seen him 
since I have been in her, if you know where he is I wish 
you would tell him that I cannot continue him on the 
Books if he Does not join her. The Son of Hawkins the 
Gunsmith is a Midshipman on board the Waarzaanihind 
in this Harbour, he has served his time & goes to pass the 
1st of next Month; his appearance is not much in his 
favour, but his Captain (Hall) speaks very handsomely of 
him ; however at present it is out of my power to do any- 
thing for him. Lieutenant Hawkins of the Alonzo (late of 
the Culloden) is to be tried by a Court Martial in a Day 
or two I believe by the Pursur of the same ship for 
Quarreling. I am sorry to say that his Captain does not 
speak very favourably of him ; he is very young which is 
the only thing which can be said in his favour. I have 
seen him once or twice, & I think he has as little the look 
of a Gentleman as his Father. I will thank you to give 
my love to the young ladies at Possum, and tell them that 
I have plenty of time on my hand & am ready to answer 
all their Letters. I believe neither Ann or Augusta has 
written to me these six Months. With Duty to my Aunt 
Love and Compliments to Catherine the Children and all 
friends and Wishing you the Compliments of the Season 
I remain. Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

The eventful year 1802 begins with the following 
letter :— 

" Isis," Sheerness, 
/any bth, 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

In consequence of your application from Mr 
Pitt & a very Polite letter I received from Mr Fane, I 



THE BANTRY BAY BUSINESS 83 

requested ^ Captain Hall of the Waarzaavihiiid to let young 
Hawkins come in this Ship with an intention (if possible) 
of recommending him to the next Captain who may join 
the Ship & to my great astonishment yesterday I received 
a letter from him to say he was arrested for a Mess Debt of 
Sixteen Pounds, at the same time enclosing a Bill on his 
Father for that amount, requesting I would endorse it how- 
ever I have too often been taken in by those Gentlemen, & 
on inquiry to Day 1 am sorry to say his Character is by no 
means a good one, therefore his coming to the Isis is of no 
use as I cannot possible recommend him. The Isis does 
not come out of Dock till the 23rd ; she is getting a very 
good repair and the report now is that Sir Thos Trou- 
bridge is to be made an Admiral to hoist his Flag in her 
& go to the East Indies ; you know as much of the truth of 
the report as I do. Lord Nelson is determined not to be 
employed if he can help it. I think it by no means 
unlikely that they will make him hoist his Flag ; particularly 
if the Bantry Bay business"^ is not quite stopped as he is a 
popular Man amongst us ; however we have reason to 
believe it is all settled at least for the present. John will 
give you all the News & the manner in which we pass our 
time here. 

With Duty to my Aunt & Love Catherine & the 
Children. 

I remain, Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Mr Hawkins still remains in the Spunging House (for 
that is the name of the Prison) & I hear from Pretty good 
authority that he is in Debt pretty largely in Shcerness. 
If his Father wishes more information I will get him the 
best I can. 

• William Morton Pitt of Kingston Maureward [1754-1836], M,P. 
for Dorset, 1790 to 1809. 

- In December 1801 the Bantry Bay Squadron, commanded by 
Admiral Mitchell, mutinied. 



84 COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

The following letters speak for themselves : — 

" Isis," Sheerness, 
Jany 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

The Isis came out of Dock last Wednesdy. 
We are going on very well & I shall report her ready for 
Sea the latter part of this Week. What is to become of 
us is as yet quite unknown at least in this part of the 
World. Young Hawkins is out of Gaol ; how he got out 
is not known nor has he as yet made his appearance on 
board the Waaraaamhind. Captain Hall is so much dis- 
pleased with him that I think it more than probable he 
will be obliged to quit . her very soon. I had applied for 
him, but have refused to take him as I could not possible 
recommend him. I have heard nothing of Pereguine 
Bingham nor do I ever expect to hear of him again. 
There is great talk of Sir Thos Troubridge having the 
Command in the Est Indies ; tho' a particular friend of 
mine, I do not think we should make it out so well to- 
gether in the same ship as he is extremely hasty on 
Duty. If Jos Tombs is very anxious to receive the prize 
Money for the Nile I think you may get it by applying 
to Halford. As it is only sixteen shillings I think he 
may as well wait till you go to London or till I am paid 
off. My share comes to ^^"389 : 8 I understand there is 
to be another payment but it must be very small. The 
young Doctor reed a Letter from Thos Balston the other 
Day & I was glad to find that John was getting better. 
I hope he is quite recovered, I hope you will be called 
to town soon on a good errand that I may have the 
Pleasure of seeing you. I'll thank you to give my Duty my 
Aunt and Love to Catherine the Children & all friends. 
I remain, Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

I forgot that Wm Tombs was Petty Officer his share 
will be between four and five pounds. 



THE TREATY OF AMIENS 85 

" ISIS," NORE (SHEERNESS), 
Feby Wi, 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

We arrived here t;he Day befoire yesterdy our 
further destination is still a Secret, but I think it possible 
we shall be ordered round to Portsmouth & there be fitted 
for a Flag. I see by the Papers that the St George is gone 
to the West Indies. I suppose my Dorsetshire Friends are 
very anxious about their young relations which I left in her, 
& should the Yellow Fever carry any of them off, I fear I 
shall lose all my Credit at least amongst all the old Ladies. 
When I wrote to you last Mr tlawkins had joined his Ship 
& I find he behaves very well (at least for the present) ; he 
has not been to me & I have reccomend his, Captain to 
advise him to save himself the trouble as my mi];id is fully 
made up. 

Private letters from Town state that Lord Nelson is 
certainly going to the West Indies, but I have not heard a 
word from his Lordship nor do I believe he has the least 
intention of going. It cannot be long before we shall get 
the Definitive Treaty & then all our destinations will be 
known. Should they offer me a Frigate I do not think I 
shall refuse her but I do not feel very anxious about it. 

I conclude (as I have not heard from any of you lately) 
that John is quite recovered. With Duty to my .Aunt and 
Love to Catherine & Children. I remain :;j ; , 
Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

" I SIS," NORE, Feby 20//;, 9 o'clock at night. 

Dear Manfield, 

This afternoon, I reed orders to proceed to 
Spithead & tomorrow morning I shall sail for that place. 
What is to follow is yet a Secret, I have no doubt but we 
shall be ordered to be fitted for a Flag on our arrival. 
What is to become of me I know not (nor do I care) ; how- 



86 COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

ever I do not wish to sail under any other Flag but Lord 
Nelson's from whom I have not heard a word for some 
time, but I intend writing to him on my arrival at Spithead 
which I trust will be on Monday or tuesday next. 

With Duty to my Aunt & Love to Catherine the 
Children & all friends I remain, 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

"Isis," Spithead, March lofh, 1802. 
Dear Manfield, 

I have been waiting many days expecting to 
give you some news but nothing has yet transpired. Gore 
of the Midusa is arrived here & to fit with all expedition ; 
the report is that Lord Nelson is to go in her to the West 
Indies however all is a profound secret at Portsmouth, My 
relation Colonel Moriarty is here in the Standard who 
desires his respects to all friends. Portsmouth is as Barren 
of News as Sheerness was ; at least I find it so as I strictly 
attend to the Orders of the Admiralty (sleep on board) & 
of course am very little out of the Ship. William Pain I 
find is on Board the Maidstone & am happy to find his 
Captain speaks very well of him. Your old friend Dukey 
Prator is at Portsmouth & I think is fatter than ever. I 
saw Colonel Bingham ^ the Other day who was very civil, 
Peregrine is on board the Raminillies, at least he ought to 
be, but Parsons are privileged men on board Ships of War. 
Captain Meggs - wishes me much to Dine at the Dorset 
Mess but has not yet been able to prevail on me, as a trip 

' Colonel Bingham of Bingham's Melcombe [1741-1824]. He com- 
manded the Dorset Militia during the Great War. A fine mezzotint 
portrait of him is in existence. 

^ Captain (Thomas) Meggs (died 1819) belonged to the Meggs 
family of Bradford Peverel, but resided at Piddlehinton, where he is 
buried. He raised a troop of Yeomanry, and commanded in 1801 the 
eighth division of the Dorset Defences. His picture, by Beach, is to 
be seen at Came. 



FESTIVE PORTSMOUTH 87 

to Spithead is not very pleasant at 10 o'clock at Night. 
My friend Harry Garnett is appointed to the Jesscl as a 
Troop Ship, which is not very pleasant at this moment. 

With Duty to my Aunt & Love & Compliments to all 
friends. I remain, 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

Hardy appears to have greatly enjoyed the festive life 
of Portsmouth. The following letter was dated the day 
after the signing of the Treaty of Amiens, of which fact the 
writer was, of course, unconscious: — 

"Isis," Spithead, March zZth, 1802. 
Dear Manfield, 

Literally for want of something to say has 
prevented my writing to you before. We go on in the old 
way expecting the Definitive Treaty Daily. I had a letter 
a few Days ago from Lord Nelson, where he says he had 
not the smallest intention of going to the West Indies ; the 
other Day therefore (as I have often told you) lamplack & 
Oil cannot always be depended on, I saw Mr Morton Pitt 
& mentioned to him my reason for not taking young 
Hawkins, he was in as great a hurry as usual & only 
remained twenty-four hours at Portsmouth. After a 
num.ber of invitations from Meggs, I am to Dine to Day 
at their Mess ; however as I alway sleep on board I shall 
leave them at \ past 7. If they push the Bottle fast I 
shall not forget to mention my unfortunate Wound in the 
head that always makes me mad after the first Bottle. I 
rccd an ■ odd Letter from Tom Smith the other Day 
requesting I would get him made a Purser, or take him in 
any situation, as his liberty on shore was in Danger. I 
told him I was sorry it was out of my power as I daily 
expected to be paid off. I shall answer Martha's Letter in 



"88 COPENHAGEN— PEACE OF AMIENS 

a few days & give her the Chit Chat News of Portsea & 
Portsmouth Assembly where I was last thursday & am to 
be again on Tuesday next ; she will be astonished to hear 
jthat Lady Charlotte Durham was my partner last but you 
know that Captains at Portsmouth are Nobbs. With Duty 
to my Aunt & Love & Compliments to all friends. 

I remain, Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 



CHAPTER XI 

from the peace of amiens [march 2/, 1802] to 
hardy's appointment as flag-captain of the 

"victory" [JULY 21, 1803] 

A FEW weeks after Portsmouth was ablaze with 
illumination in honour of the delusive Peace of 
Amiens, Hardy sailed for the Bay of Biscay to convey 
H.R.H. the Duke of Kent ^ to the scene of his duties as 
Governor of Gibraltar, The following letters need no 
comment : — 

"ISls," Spithead, Apl T^rd, 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

This Morning I reed orders to prepare the 
Isis for the reception of the Duke of Kent who is going 
Governor of Gibraltar. I am ordered to go to London to 
wait on His Royal Highness & I leave Portsmouth this 
evening for that purpose. You shall hear from me in a 
day or two. 

Duty, Love, &c., 

Yours truly, 

T. M. Hardy. 

* II.R.H. the Duke of Kent [1767-1820], fourth son of George III. 
and father of Queen Victoria. He subsequently presented Hardy with 
a magnificent silver soup tureen, now in possession of Sir Evan Mac- 
Cregor, K.C.B. It bears his own arms on one side and those of Hardy 
on the other. 



90 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VICTORY" 

London, Apl '^ik, 
6 o'clock Eveng. 

Dear Manfield, 

In about five Minutes I shall break my fast 
for the Day. I have been on the Leg ever since 7 o'clock 
this morning, I have now done all my business & shall 
leave Town in the Portsmouth Mail at 7 this evening. I 
was obliged to go to Windsor yesterday to wait on the 
Duke I was reed very politely & Dined with Genl Guinn 
&c. &c. I stole three hours today to go to Merton where I 
saw his Lordship Sir Wm & Lady Hamilton. They are 
all extremely well & ner Ladyship was quite angry that I 
could not stay loi.ge . It is settled with the Duke of Kent 
that the his is to leave Portsmouth on the 17th Inst for 
Falmouth where he is to embark on the 24th if possible. 
If anything should call you near Ports"^ before that time I 
shall be happy to see you. 

My Dinner is now on the Table & I shall just have 
time to swallow it & Drink many happy returns of the 
Day to Jos & 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 



"ISIS," Si'ITHEAD, Apl 11///, 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

By not hearing from you I conclude some of 
you intend visiting Portsmouth shortly ; however you had 
better give me a line stating nearly the Hour of your 
arrival that I may be on the look out for you. I suppose 
you reed my letter of the 5th Inst which said I was to sail 
from Portsmouth on the 17th, & from Falmouth on the 
24th Wind & weather permitting. I reed a Letter 
yesterday from the Duke's Aide De Camp saying that all 
the Servants Baggage &c. &c. would be at Portsmouth on 
P'riday Morning (i6th) therefore if I get my orders (which 



HARDY AND THE DUKE OF KENT 91 

I have no doubt but I shall) We shall sail that evening 
or early next morning. The Thompson and Crone familys 
are well «& desire their best Compliments. Duty to, my 
Aunt & Love to Catherine & the Children. 

I remain, Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 



"Isis," Spithead, April 2ofh, 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

1 have just received my Orders & shall sail as 
soon as the remainder of the Dukes things are on board 
which will be this evening or early tomorrow morning, & 
as the Wind is foul it is possible we shall not be off 
Portland before Thursday or Friday but I shall not put in 
there If I can possible help it, as my good friends at the 
Admiralty would say that I wanted to go home. 

His Royal Highness is to be at Falmouth on Sunday, 
therefore I suppose he will pass thro' Dorchester on 
Saturday morning. 

My stay at Gibraltar will be very short & I am to 
return to Spithead to be paid off, but I have applied for 
employment & am partly promised. I hope it will be the 
Channel as I think to make some money by keeping a 
good look out after the Smugglers. 

I have been lumbered a great deal in my time, but I 
think never so much as at present ; we have received twelve 
Waggon Loads of Cases Trunks &c. &c. however the bar- 
gain is made. We must not grumble therefore but do as well 
as we can, I was rather astonished to receive a letter from 
Martha in London, I hope by this Mrs Balston is well 
enough to return home as I suppose she will soon be tired 
of London. If you wish to write to me at Falmouth the 
Letter must be there by Monday next as we sail as soon as 
possible after our arrival. 



92 FLA^-CAPTAIN OF THE "VICTORY" 

With Duty to my Aunt & Love to Catherine the 
Children & all friends I remain, 
Dear Manfield, 

a little Bothered, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

On his return from his four weeks' voyage, he writes as 
follows : — 

"Isis," Mother Bank, May 29///, 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

After a passage of twelve Days we arrived at 
this Anchorage last Night at 10 o'clock. I remain under 
Quarantine (I suppose only for a. few Days) Our Passage 
out was a very Pleasant one of thirteen Days & I had the 
satisfaction of landing my Royal Passenger in good spirits, 
& I believe much pleased with the Isis & her Captain. 
Our stay at Gibraltar was six days, the three last occa- 
sioned by Westerly Winds. As I found everything at 
Gibraltar nearly as I left it, & Provdence has been so good 
to me since my departure from Spithead that I have no 
disasters to relate. What is to become of the ship or 
myself is as yet quite unknown to me, & you shall be made 
acquainted with our destination as soon as known. I see 
nothing but Frigates at Spithead & as. we have no com- 
munication with anything but the Pratique Boat we shall 
get very little News till we have communication with the 
shore. 

As the Boat is waiting for this I nmst conclude with 

Duty to my Aunt & Love to Catherine the Children & all 

friends 

I remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardv. 



HARDY LEAVES THE "ISIS" 93 

" Isis," Portsmouth Harbour, 
June ^th^ 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

The Isis this Day Paid off & I suppose by 
tomorrows Post I shall know what is to become of me, I 
expect to be offered to remain as Adml Gambier's ^ Captn 
which I shall positively refuse. Mr Bonnett (once the 
Hair Dresser now the Publican & soon to be the Gentle- 
man, as he informs me he is to retire shortly on his fortune) 
has given me £^ : 10 :0 which I shall be obliged if you 
will pay to Mr Thos Slade stone mason who I understand 
lives at the bottom of the Towri. 

I am sorry you did not take Portsmouth in your way 
from London the other Day as we were out of Quarantine 
on Tuesday Morng. If I am not employed of course you 
will see me soon. If I am and can with propriety ask 
leave I shall and give you a call for a few days. 

With Duty Love &c. 

I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

Portsmouth, ////z^ 2o//;, 1802. 
Dear Manfield, 

I have just taken my place in the Mail for 
Tomorrow evg (Monday). I hope soon to hear what is to 
become of me. I intend going to the Spring Garden Coffee 
House, but my stay in Town shall be as short as possible, 
& I see nothing at present to prevent my being in Dorset- 
shire the latter end of the WeeJ<. I suppose the young 
Doctor arrived yesterday he will no doubt hammer out a 
long storey as to his Mother that will make her Hair 
stand on end on her head. I am just going to Dine with 
Mr Thompson. 

' James Gambler, afterwards first Baron Gambler [1756-1833], dis- 
tinguished himself on the " Glorious Flfst of June," and in the second 
attack on Copenhagen. 



94 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VICTORY" 

With Duty to my Aunt Love to Catherine & the 
Children. 

I remain I 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

Once more we find Hardy without a ship and an 
assiduous visitor to the waiting-room of the Admiralty.^ 
He was, however, very soon appointed to the AnipJiion^ his 
commission being dated nth July 1802. The next letters 
speak sufficiently for themselves. They show that, not- 
withstanding the estrangement between Nelson and his 
wife, Hardy contrived to maintain friendly relations with 
both :— 

Spring Garden Coffee, /««^ 24M, 1802, 
Dear Manfield, 

I saw Lord St Vincent yesterday & he has 
promised to give me a Ship very soon. I shall not remain 
in Town a moment longer than I am absolutely obliged to. 
I dine today with Geo Bagster tomorrow with Sir Thos 
Troubridge & if possible the Day after with Lord Nelson 
at Merton, & I think the Day after I shall take my depar- 
ture in the Mail for Dorchester, I breakfasted this Morn- 
ing with Lady Nelson I am more pleased with her if 
possible than ever ; she certainly is one of the Best Women 
in the World. As London is as barren of News as the 
Country I have nothing to add but Duty to my Aunt Love 

^ See British Fleets p. 150. Captain Marryat is said to have 
written on the wall the following lines : — 

" In sore affliction, tried by God's command. 
Of patience Job the great example stands ; 
But in these days a trial more severe 
•Had been Job's lot, if God had sent him here." 



HARDY IN LONDON 95 

& Complts to all Friends & in hopes of seeing you in a few 
Days. I remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 



Lobf DON, /«/;/ 8//z, 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

Sir Thos Troubridge did not return from 
Yarmouth till this morning, & I find the AinpJiion is at 
Dungeness the nearest town to it is Dover for which place 
I set out this eveng. I am to write an official Letter to 
the Admiralty for permission to send a Gun Brig to Ports- 
mouth, & Sir Thomas will manage the business for me. 
I will write to you as soon as I join the Ship & point out 
in what manner Tom is to proceed, my other Servant is 
waiting for me at Portsmouth but I shall not trust him 
with my things. I saw Ned Balston for a Minute I 
believe he dines with the Williams's tomorrow. There 
was a letter sent from the Coffee House for me the Day 
before I arrived I'll thank you to give me the heads of it in 
your next letter, as I understand it was from Mrs Walpole 
and she left Town before my arrival. You had better 
direct to me Aniphiori Dungeness Kent. With Duty to 
my Aunt & Love to Catherine the Children & all Friends. 
I remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

I do not know where there is a Chaplain on board 
the Avipliion but will tell you in my next. I fear it will 
be impossible to get my friend Geo Feaver into a Guard- 
ship. 

I wish you Success at Weymouth. 



96 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VICTORY" 

"Amphion," Downs, ////j/ \2th, 1802. 
Dear Manfield, 

I arrived here yesterday & joined the same 
day ; we sail tomorrow for Dungeness where your letters 
will always find me. Tell Tom Bartlett to go to 
Portsmouth & wait further orders. The Admiralty has 
promised me a Vessel to bring round my things, but is 
quite uncertain when she will be ready I shall direct to the 
young Doctor at Mr Thompsons where I think will be the 
best place for him to go. He had better go by the Coach 
as he may be wanted very soon you shall hear from me 
again very soon till then. 

I remain, in haste, 

Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionatel}^, 

T. M. Hardy. 

"Amphion," 
OFF Dover, //^(k \AiK 1802. 
Dear Manfield, 

The Admiralty has allowed me to send the 
Bloodhound Gun Brig to Portsmouth for my things I trust 
Tom is there ; if not hurry him off as fast as possible, & 
should the BloodJioufid be sailed before his arrival, he must 
make the best of his way to Lydd Kent about a mile from 
Dungeness Road. 

Yours in great haste, 

T. M. Hardy. 

"Amphion," Dungeness, /«/y 22;;^^, 1802. 
Dear Manfield, 

I am happy to hear (tho' not Victorious) you 
are so well .pleased with your proceedings at Weymouth ; 
but I trust yQU will be more successful against the Great 
Man at Dorchester, tho' I doubt not but you will have a 
very strong fever against you — I am sorry I had not an 
opportunity of paying my respect to Mr Weld & Family. 



ADMIRALS AND BISHOPS 97 

I'll thank you to give my Best Compliments to them when 
you see them ; I think there is but little chance of my being 
off the Isle of Wight, I inclose you a list of more expenses 
incurred by my young friend whilst off Cadiz. I have paid 
Captn Nicholls & will trouble you to receive the Money 
from their Friends. George Feaver has given up the 
thoughts of going to Sea as the emoluments (without 
trouble) do not amount to more than ;^ioo a year; with 
trouble I might safely add ^^50 ; however in those Days we 
all want to be Admirals or Bishops. I am rather 
astonished at not hearing from Portsmouth the BloodJiound 
left Deal the 15th. I suppose it is the D d Custom- 
house that stops them. With Duty to my Aunt Love to 
Catherine the Children and all friends. I remain 

Dr Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Tell John I have written to Captn Ganett & desired him 
to inform John how he would wish the Dogs to be sent. 
We have had very bad weather I fear bad for the Hay & 
Corn but good for Turnips. 

This is the Ninth letter I have written toDay so much 
for being a Commodore however I believe it will do me a 
great deal of good. 

More Dorset ale is now requisitioned for the table of 
the captain of the Aniphion. 

"Amphion," Dungeness, Augt zi^th, 1802. 
Dear Manfield, 

I have not written to you before literally for 
want of something to say, & I believe if I wait till I have a 
long story to tell, it will be sometime before you hear from 
me. I find by Mr Nevill (now on board the Aviphion) that 
my friend Mrs Walpole is only a Cousin to the Mr Walpole; 



98 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VICTORY" 

however I shall not forget to move her Interest with him 
when an opportunity offers. Young Hamilton of Wey- 
mouth is to join us soon (I believe by Water). If my 
Friend Mr Oakley should have any good Beer by him & 
Mr H. can take it without trouble, I will thank you to 
send me two Hampers, JWe . continue Cruising as usual 
without much chance of success. The Weather has been 
very fine for this last Month & I suppose you have every 
prospect of a Good Harvest. I had a long letter from our 
Friend Captain Ingram; I find the Burton^ Fish &c has been 
too good for him however a touch of Gout in September 
sometimes is a pleasant things, for the partridges. We met 
with a Gale of Wind last Night that drove us into the 
Downs ; however it is moderate now & we are just arrivd 
off this place. The young Doctor has received a Letter 
from Tom Balston & I find John Manfield is with him & 
well. When you see Mr Weld Til thank you to give my 
best respects to him & Family. I note you are in a fair 
way to beat the Great. 

^ I'll thank you to give my Duty to my Aunt. Love to 
Catherine & the Children and all friends 

I remain, Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

•< 26///, Doivns. — The Weather has been so bad that we 
bore up last night for this place. 

Later in the autumn, Hardy was ordered to convey 
Lord Robert Fitzgerald to Lisbon, where he had been 
appointed Minister — (Hardy dubs him Ambassador). 
The Dorset ale had arrived, but, sad to relate, did not 
maintain its habitual standard of excellency. 

^ The future Admiral (see ante). ■ There was evidently a great deal 
of conviviality at both Burton and Lodcrs in those days. 



A TRIP TO LISBON 99 

"Amphion," Spithead, Scptr z-,t/i, 1802. 

Dear Manfield, 

We arrived here this Morng per Telegraph 
from the Downs & I find my orders are to take Lord 
Robert Fitzgerald ^ to Lisbon as Ambasador ; you see my 
friend Tom Troubridge^ has not forgotten me. We are 
to be paid off on our return & reCommissioned. Thank 
}-ou for the Beer I hope it will be up ; I tasted a bottle 
the other Day & thought it rather Flat. I have not as 
yet learnt when his Lordship will be ready. I find the 
Tossum people are to have a visit from the Thompsons 
in a few Days (Charles & Ann). I thank you to remember 
me to them 

With Duty Love & Compt. I remain (in haste) 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

"AMphion," SpitheAd,- 
Ociober 20th, 1802, 8 ock morning. 

Dear Manfield, 

Lord Robert Fitzgerald & Family arrived at 
Portsmouth the Day before yesterday and the Weather 
had been so bad that they could not go on board. It is 
now very fine weather but the Wind still continues from 
the Westward. However I shall get them on board today 
and sail as soon as the Wind inclines from the Northd or 
i ]^2astd. There are a few Ships gone with Dispatches to 
different Places, but I do not think there is the least 
prospect of a War at least for the present. The Blenheim 

1 Lord Robert Stephen Fitzgerald [1765- 1833], sixth son of the 
first -Duke of Leinster, and younger brother of the ill-fated Edward 
Fitzgerald. He married Sophia Charlotte, daughter of Captain 
Fielding, R.N. Hardy relates her troubles on shipboard with grim 
humcKir. 

2 Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge, Bart. [1758-1S07]. He has 
evidently now risen in Hardy's estimation (see ante^ p. 84). 



100 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VICTORY" 

sails on Friday with Sealed orders. It is supposed for the 
Mediterranean. I am ordered to return to Spithead & 
that order has not been contradicted. If the Winds 
should be foul we shall certainly put into Portland Road. 

I past 4. — The wind continues so strong to the Westwd 
that the Family do not think proper to venture on board, 
but I hope tomorrow will be more Favourable. With 
Duty to my Aunt & Love & Compliments to all Friend 
I remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

"Amphion," Portland Roads, 
October 2^fh, 9 o'clock Night [1802]. 

Dear Manfield, 

We arrived here about two hours ago as Lady 
Robt Fitzgerald realy could not stand the fatigues of the 
Sea any longer, & how she is to get to Lisbon God only 
knows, as we have literally had very fine weather ever 
since we left Spithead which was only yesterday at 3 
o'clock in the afternoon. The Wind is not fair but we 
could make a very good Slant could I prevail on them to 
allow me to proceed. If ever married man was Blessed 
I think poor Lord Robert was last evening, and this 
Morning, out of a Wife eight Children, as many Female 
Servants a Secretary & Six Men Servants his Lordship 
had not a sole to put the Children to Bed & Dress them 
this Mor"^, but two Women belonging to the Ship^ ; however 
he bears it with the most Christian Fortitude & is worthy 

^ "The custom of carrying a certain number of seamen's wives to 
sea appears to have prevailed all through the eighteenth century. 
According to Marryat, Barker, Chamier, and others, the practice con- 
tinued to exist, more or less, until the peace in 181 7. Captains often 
took their wives to sea with them." — Commander C. N. Robinson in 
British Fleet^ p. 427. Lady Hardy was often at sea with her husband 
after their marriage in 1807 {ste fiosi). 



HARDY'S LADY PASSENGER loi 

of being cald a good Husband & a good Father. I have 
written this in hopes some Portland Boat will call along- 
side of us in the Morning or should the Wind remain 
Westerly I shall send a boat to Weymouth for Fresh Beef 
but the moment the Wind comes from the Eastward 
(which I trust will be in the course of the day) We shall 
be off 

I shall write to Jos by the same Conveyance that takes 
this & for want of something else to say shall give him 
nearly a copy of this. With Duty to my Aunt Love to 
Catherine the Children & in hopes of an Easterly Wind in 
the Morning 

I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

Portsmouth, Deer lofh, 1802. 
Dear Manfield, 

We arrived at Spithead this morning after an 
8 days Passage from Lisbon but I am sorry to say that 
we were thirty one Days going out, & the weather was not 
the most Pleasant in the World ; at least Lady Robert 
Fitzgerald did not think it so, for she talked of departing 
this Life more than o?ice but we landed her safe at last. 
What is to become of us I know not but suppose paid off 
in a few days. Mr Thompson (who I have just seen) 
desired me to say he had reced the game &c from Mr 
Balston & John & is much obliged. My stay at Lisbon 
was only six Days & I have brought no News from that 
part of the Country & have not been long enough here to 
learn any, but I learn from Mr Thompson there has been 
no news of us since w^e sailed, therefore determined to give 
you the earliest account possible of our arrival. With 
Duty to my Aunt Love to Catherine the Children & all 
friends. I remain Dear Manfield 
In great haste 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 



I02 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VICTORY" 

The Hardy letters of 1803 begin here: — 

"Amphion," Portsmouth Harbor, 
Jany jtk, 1803. 

Dear Manfield, 

I have not written to you before for want of 
something to say, & I am truly sorry that the present 
subject is so unpleasant. Poor Ned Balston's accident of 
course was known here a few days ago ; it must be a very- 
distressing thing to the Family. As the Papers did not 
mention his' Death I conclude he is safe. I wish I had been 
in the Downs I could have then gone to his assistance he 
must have lost a great deal of Property & I much fear his 
Voiage will also be lost to him.^ Let me know when you 
intend going to town & it is not unlikely but I shall meet 
you there. I expect we shall be paid off the latter part of 
this Month but it depends on the Shipwrights & their time 
is quite uncertain. Tell Augusta 1 reed her letter & shall 
write to her very soon. Miss Crone reed the Turkey, &c. 
& returns Thanks. With Duty to my Aunt Love to 
Catherine & the Children 

I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

" Amphion," Ports-mouth, 
Feby. 6t/i, 1803. 

Dear Manfield, 

I could not answer your letter yesterday as 
there was no post. We get Men so fast that I almost 
despare of seeing you except you take Portsmouth in your 
way to Dorsetshire. Our ist Lieut is now on leave of 
absence & I cannot possible quit the Ship till he returns, 
which I think will be in ten days."- I shall then try my 

' Hardy refers to the shipwreck described in one of Tegg's illus- 
trated pamphlets. 

2 This was due partly no doubt attributable to his own popularity, 
and partly to the fact that when peace was declared thousands of 



ORDERED TO CORK 103. 

friends at the Admiralty for two or three Days. If we are 
not ordered to hold ourselv^es in readiness before that time, 
but the Admiralty make it such a favor to grant leave thdt 
I really do not like to ask them, I learnt from a Captn 
Pearce of the India Co Service that Poor Ned Balston was 
still at Margate and that he was not yet out of Danger' I 
hope & trust his information was ill founded. Did you 
receive a Parcel for me some time ago from a Mr Pearce 
(late of the St George) ; if you did I wish you would send for 
it to London & give it to Halford to forward it to me the 
first opportunity. I hope Jos Ann & Augusta will remain 
as long as you I will slip up & see you when Bennett 
returns. With best love to them all 

I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

"AMPHION," SriTHEAD, 

March bth^ 1803. 

Dear Manfield, 

To my great astonishment yesterday I reed 
order to proceed to Cork without loss of time & I believe 
we sail for that place either tomorrow or tuesday. 

Our Friend Capn Domett is taken so ill that he has 
given up the Command, & who we are to have there I haVe 
not yet learnt. I conclude you are at Dorchester therefore 
shall direct to you there. I hope Ann got home safe & 
trust she is getting better. The Weather has been so bad 
that yesterday was the first time I landed since our arrival 

seamen were thrown out of employment, and were starving for want 
of work. As soon, therefore, as they began to commission ships in 
view of a fresh outbreak of hostilities, the men flocked down, and it 
was unnecessary to take the extreme measures for manning, which had 
been necessary in the last years of the old century, to provide crews for 
the Fleet. Again Hardy says he "cannot quit the ship because the 
first lieutenant is on T6ave of absence." This was strictly according to 
the regulations of the day. 



104 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VICTORY" 

at Spithead. I think living on board a Week has done me 
a great deal of good for I find myself quite recovered 
except a little pain in the Back & as that is a Family 
Complaint I must not Complain. Everything here is so 
barren of News that I have not a Word to say but Duty to 
My Aunt Love &c &c 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 



"Amphion," Spithead, 
March y:>th^ 1803. 

Dear Manfield, 

We arrived last Night too late for Post, 
We are ordered to be fitted for Foreign Service & what 
follows is yet to be learnt. The Papers I hear have 
appointed me to the CulLoden but all is unknown to me, I 
rather think Lord Nelson will hoist his Flag in this Ship 
for a Passage to the Mediterranean should the War go on, 
but to Day it is all Peace at Portsmouth. Our Passage 
from Cork was very tedious it was either a foul Wind or 
Calm the whole way. I was rather anxious as I feared old 
Nelson ^ would have sailed before my arrival. I am quite 
recovered and was never better in my life than at present. 
Young Roberts has joined but I have not seen him yet. I 
know you will excuse my scrall as you may suppose I have 
but little time to spare. I hope Ann Hardy is got well. 
Give my Duty to my Aunt Love &c &c as Catherine says 
is always the conclusion 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

1 The use of the endearing tenn "old Nelson" shows the strong 
friendship which existed between them. Although Nelson was only 
ten years older than Hardy, the latter always looked after the health 
and comforts of his chief with a paternal assiduity. 



LADY HAMILTON'S FUTURE 105 

"Amphion," St Helens, 
Ap. 6th, 1803. 

Dear Manfield, 

Here we are fitted for Foreign Service as 
full as an egg what is to follow is yet to be learnt. As you 
know I am not inquisitive I have not taken the trouble to 
ask but hold myself ready for the worst & then I shall be 
prepared for the best. The Papers (as you have seen I 
suppose) say Lord Nelson is to hoist his Flag here ; however 
that I suppose will be known in due time. I am sorry to 
hear Mrs Manfield has been so ill, give my love to her & 
tell her she must not gad about so much, Married Women 
are best at home, I am very sorry to hear poor Martha 
is so 111, but trust this fine Weather will bring her round. 
If you see young Wallis remember me to him & tell him I 
hope soon to hear of his Ship being in Commission. My 
friend Sir Fhos Troubridge is not worth one third of the 
Money that he was accused of selling out for, & he is the 
last Man in the world to do it. Our Friend Sir William 
Hamilton died on Sunday afternoon & was quite sensible 
to the last. How her Ladyship will manage to Live with 
the Hero of the Nile now, I am at a loss to know, at least in 
an honourable way. So soon as I know my destination (& 
am allowed to communicate it) you may depend on being 
informed. If you thought that I could receive my Shirts 
(that are at Possum) in 4 or 5 Days from this date I should 
like to risk it should we sail Mr Thompson will take care 
of them for me it would be as well to Direct them for me 
to his care. With Duty to my Aunt & Love &c &c 

I remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 



io6 FLAG-CAPTAIN OF THE "VICTORY" 

"Amphion," St Helens, 
April i-^rd^ 1803. 

Dear Manfield, 

I received my Shirts safe for which I am 
obliged. I am happy to hear you are all getting round 
again. I shall be happy to do anything I can for Mr 
Ferris but it appears by your letter he only wishes to be 
employed should the War go on. As I am not in the 
habit of making bargains I cannot give our Friend John 
Browne an answer till we knoAV for certain how it is to 
be. I conclude Lt Ferris is married. I wrote to Colonel 
Bingham a few Days ago on the subject of his Son. If 
you see him, do ask if he received my Letter. Tho' I 
am extremely angry with his son yet I should be happy to 
serve the Father. I had a letter from Captain Digby 
yesterday requesting I would take a Son of Charles 
Stl^angeways ^ of Maiden Newton. I refused (in a handsom 
way) because I think Mr S. might as well a let it come 
thro' some of my relations as Captn D. Nothing has 
transpired relative to our Sailing since I wrote last, & what 
is to become of us is yet to be learnt. I am in hopes that 
matters will be made up but I fear a Peace cannot last 
long. With Duty to my Aunt Love &c to all I remain 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

An unexpected slice of good fortune now falls to the 
lot of Thomas Hardy. Notwithstanding his loyalty to 
Lady Nelson and his unwelcome candour in the matter 
of Lady Hamilton, the Hero of the Nile, now on the point 
of starting in the Victory for the blockade of Toulon (the 
war which lasted for eleven years having been declared 
on the 1 8th May rSo3), insisted that Hardy and no one 

' A son of the Rev. Charles Fox Strangeways, B.C.L., Rector of 
Maiden Newton from 1787 to 1837. 



CAPTAIN SUTTON'S EXCHANGE 107 

else should be captain of the Victory, on which he had 
decided to hoist his flag. An exchange was accordingly- 
arranged with Captain Sutton ^ as shown in the following 
letter : — 

"AxMPHioN," St Helens, 
Alay 20/h, 1S03. 

Dear Manfield, 

I really have been so much employed that I 
have not had time to write & I can only tell you now 
that we are just getting under weigh. Lord Nelson is on 
board the Victor}', but as it is not quite certain weather 
we shall not be obliged to leave her (the Victory) Off Brest, 
my change with Captn Sutton does not take place till we 
have passed Old Adml Cornwallis.- His Lordship looks 
remarkably well and is in high spirits. As the Boat is 
waiting I can only promise to write to you again by the 
first opportunity. . - 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

' Captain Samuel Sutton entered the navy in 1777; served in 
several general actions with Sir J. Rowley and Lord Rodney. Was 
Lieutenant of the Culloden on the 1st June 1795, ^"d commanded the 
Alcmene at Copenhagen (1801). 

^ Admiral Sir William Cornwallis, G.C.B. [1744-1819], commanded 
the Channel Fleet in 1801 and from 1803 to 1806. 



CHAPTER XII 

NELSON AND HARDY ONCE MORE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 
THE BLOCKADE OF TOULON [i8TH MAY 1803 TO 3 1 ST 
DEC. 1804] 

ON the 1 8th May 1803, Lord Nelson hoisted his flag 
on board the Victory at Portsmouth. Two days 
later, he sailed for Brest on his way to Gibraltar and the 
Mediterranean. On the loth July, however, he was on 
board the Aniphion, with Hardy, off Algiers. The following 
important letter throws new light on the reason for this 
change of ships. On the day in question. Hardy thus 
writes to his relative at Dorchester : — 

"Amphion," off Algiers, 
July loth, 1803. 
Dear Manfield, 

Our stay at Gibraltar was so short & I was 
so much employed, that I had not time to give you a line, & 
in short I had nothing to say but that we arrived there on 
the 3rd Inst & sailed the 4th in the morning. We were 
fortunate enough to capture a Dutch Ship off Plymouth 
& should she be condemned (which at present is uncertain) 
I suppose I shall get a Thousand pounds as the Victory 
was the only Ship in Company. Since we left Gibraltar 
we have taken another Dutch Man & a french Brig but 
I believe their Cargoes are not Valuable. Mr Elliot ^ 

1 Hugh Elliot [175 2- 1 830]. Me eventually became a Privy Coun- 
cillor and Governor of Madras. 

108 



LORD NELSON ON THE "AMPHION" 109 

Minister for Naples leaves us tomorrow Morning in the 
Maidstone for that place, by whom I shall send this 
Letter and wether you will ever get it or not is quite 
uncertain. We have a fair Wind for Malta where I hope 
to arrive in about two or three Days. William Payne is 
1st Lieut of the Maidstone & is very well but complains 
he has not heard from his Friends for nearly twelve 
Months. We expect the Victory every Day & Captain 
Sutton is to have the Amphion. As Lord Nelson left 
England in the Victory you would be rather surprised to 
hear of his being in this ship, but the truth is it was 
necessary for her to make her appearance Off Brest with 
Adml Cornwallis, & as we were not fortunate enough to 
fall in with him, & the wind being fair His Lordship would 
not wait but thought it advisable to come on in this Ship. 
You may depend on hearing from me very often & I 
trust I shall not have reason to complain on your part. 
I shall write to Ann by the next conveyance which I 
think is Likely to be received before this. The Weather 
is very warm already I suppose it will be exceptionally 
hot at Malta however I trust our stay there will be very 
short. With Duty & love to all I remain 

Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 



It is not proposed to recapitulate in this volume the 
story of this period of Nelson's career, which has been so 
ably dealt with by Captain Mahan and other writers. The 
means of communication with England appears to have 
been far from satisfactory, or Mr Manfield was possibly 
over-occupied with his professional and municipal duties, 
and the cares of his coming mayoralty. Before the 
beginning of September, Hardy was evidently installed 
as captain of the Victory (his appointment dates from 



no THE BLOCKADE OF TOULON 

July 31, 1S03), for at the beginning of September he thus 
addresses Mr Manfield : — 

" Victory " off Toulon, 
Sept ^fh, 1S03. 
Dear Manfield, 

I have written to some of you every oppor- 
tunity since we left England, and tho' several vessels have 
arrived from Spithead lately, I have not heard a word from 
Dorsetshire, however I do not despair of a letter by the 
next arrival. My hands have been pretty full as you may 
suppose but all is nearly to rights now, I have been very 
unwell but am quite recovered, in fact the N.W, Breeze 
off Toulon is so salutory that it is almost impossible to 
be unwell. We get well supplied with beef, vegetables, 
&c from the Bay of Roses [Rosas] which is near our 
cruising ground and our men are all very Healthy, but 
I think there is every prospect of a war with Spain, when 
of course we must get our supplies from another quarter, 
which can be very easily done by sending to the Barbary 
States. The French has made a move by sending two 
frigates out, and it was with some difficulty they got into 
Calvi in Corsica, and I trust the next attempt will be 
attended with better success on our part ; and I have 
very little doubt but the fleet (which consists of 8 sail 
of the line) will make a Dust during the winter months. 
I hope the Business in Ireland ^ has not been of an alarming 
nature, and that government have taken strong measures 
to prevent a similar affair happening in future. I think it 
necessary that every step should be taken in England to 
prevent the Enemy landing, but in my own opinion the 
Corsican ne\cr intended an invasion except he found parties 
run high, which I trust is not the case. W^e have been 
very unfortunate since off Toulon in the way of Prize 
money, but upon the whole I have no reason to complain 
provided they condemn the Dutchman which wc sent into 

' Emmctt's futile insurrection of July 1S03. 



WAITING FOR THE FRENCH FLEET iii 

Plymouth. I long to hear that poor Ned Balston is again 
afloat ; if he is at home do remember me kindly to him. 
The 3-oung doctor ^ is doing very well and I think very 
much improved ; at present he is Lord Nelson's servant 
who is very fond of him, but I believe his attachment to 
his old master is such that he only considers himself as lent 
to his lordship. 

This will be sent by the first opportunity that offers ; 
till then God Bless you. 

Off Toulon, October 2i\th. — The J^Fonmouth leaves the 
fleet this day for Gibraltar by which I take the advantage 
of this. This is so barren a spot for the pen that I 
really have nothing to say but that we are anxiously 
waiting for the French Fleet, as there is no prospect of 
going into port till they have been beat 

With Duty to my Aunt & Love to all 

i remain Dear Manfield 

Yours affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

P.S. — I have sent young Hamilton &, Roberts with 
Captn Elliot of the Maidstone'^ 'm hopes of putting some 
money in their pockets as Capt E. is a very active 
fellow. 

In December he writes: — 

"Victory " off Toulon, Deer 5///, 1803. 

Dear Manfield, 

I received your letter of the 21st of September 
by the Excellent which is the first from Dorsetshire since 
I left England. If your Son John is determined to go to 
Sea the sooner the better I think. It will be necessary for 

1 Edward Bartlett. 

^ Afterwards Rear- Admiral Elliot. The second son of the Earl of 
Minto. He died after seeing a great deal of war service in 1863. 



112 THE BLOCKADE OF TOULON 

you to point out to him all the inconveniences attending 
our profession, & that he must make up his mind to en- 
counter numberless hardships ; with that & a good Constitu- 
tion I have no doubt but he will do very well. If I can 
manage to put him on the Books (as John Callard 
Manfield) I will but I am not quite certain that I can do 
it. I will inclose you a letter to a Friend that I am sure 
will take care of him, which you can send or destroy as 
you judge fit ; if you prefer his coming out to this Country 
I would recommend your taking him to our Friend Mr 
Thompsons & he will get him a passage by the first 
opportunity that offers. I am happy to hear you have had 
so good a Harvest. If you see Colonel Bingham tell him 
his Son is with us in the Victory, & when we take the 
French Fleet he may depend on his being promoted. I 
am sorry to hear that Martha & Augusta continue ailing 
but hope this Winter will bring them quite round. Do 
give my best respects to the Weld Family & John Brown 
& condole or Congratulate him as you think proper. My 
kind Complements also to Captn Ingram & tell him we are 
all uncommon well here & only wait for the French Fleet 
to come out. I am sorry to hear they have not given Ned 
Balston a Ship but trust he will not be forgotten much 
longer. I have had a letter from Admiral Brine ^ & I find 
all I have done about his Son is quite right. This is 
written in readiness to be sent first opportunity. 

Agincourt, Sound Island of Sardinia Deer 25th 10 
o'clock at Night. 

The Phoebe sails for Gibraltar tomorrow morning 
which is the first opportunity I have had since I reed )'our 
Letter. We hear there is a Cutter arrived off Toulon from 
England & I think I stand a fair chance of hearing from 
some of you. We have had some very bad weather, 

' Admiral James Brine, who commanded the Bclliqueux in the 
action with the Comte de Grasse on 5th Sept. 1781. He had two sons 
in the service, but which one is mentioned here it is impossible to 
say. 



A LETTER TO LANGFORD 113 

arrived here last Night to compleat our Water & proceed 
in a few Days for our old station. 

I have not been on shore nor Do I think I shall, it is a 
poor miserable place not capable of furnishing us with fresh 
Provisions. Wishing you all the Compliments of the 
season. I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

On the same day, he writes to Captain Langford ^ as 

follows : — 

"Victory" off Toulon, 
Deer •,t/i, 1803. 
Dear Langford, 

I am happy to see by the papers that the 
Fuiy is on so Active a Station and have no doubt but it 
will soon gain you the other step. I have a young Rela- 
tion who is anxious to go to Sea ; if you can make room for 
him in the Class, I shall be much obliged should you be 
able to comply with my request, and will write to his 
Father (Mr Manfield, Dorchester, Dorset), he will send the 
Youngster to you. We are going on in the old way here. 
Sir William Boulton ^ joined us the other day, and of 
course, is first for promotion. Old Potterdale Commands 
the Termagant,"^ Pearce, the Halcyon (a prize Brig), & 
Layman, the Weazle. You will have seen by the papers 
that George Elliott^ has got the Maidstone^ and I think 

^ Of Massingham, Norfolk. He was severely wounded in the 
attack on the Boulogne flotilla. (See Nelson's letters in Nelson, His 
Public and Private Life, by C. Lathum Browne, London, 1891, pp. 
274-75. A portrait of Captain Langford is in possession of his descendant 
Mrs Chamberlayne of Maiden Bradley, Wilts. 

- Captain Sir William Bolton, R.N., died 1st Dec. 1830. He 
married Catherine, niece of Lord Nelson (daughter of Thomas Bolton 
and Susanna Nelson). Her brother became second Earl Nelson on 
the 28th February 1835, and was the father of the present holder of the 
title (born 1823), who succeeded his father, ist November 1835. 

^ Captain George Elliott (afterwards Admiral Sir George Elliott, 
K.C.B., 1784-1863) was placed in command of a ship by Lord Nelson 
on the loth July 1803, and of the Maidstone frigate on the ist August 
following. He was then only nineteen. 

n 



114 THE BLOCKADE OF TOULON 

promises to make a very good Officer. I think Lord 
Nelson looks as well as I ever saw him, he desires to be 
kindly remembered to you. I am very happy to see that 
Admiral Thornborough ^ has not forgotten to erect a Monu- 
ment to our poor Friend Parker. Wishing you every 

success, 

I remain, 

Dear Langford, 

Yours very sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

To Captn. F. Langford, 

H.M. Ship Fiiry^ Downs. 

Captain Langford writes thus to Mr Manfield : — 

H.M.S. " Fury," Downs, 
March iifh, 1804. 

Sir, 

i had the pleasure of receiving Captn. Hardy's 

Letter from the Victory requesting I would receive your 

Son to the Fury. If there is any Person in the creation 

I could oblige — it would most certainly be him — to whom 

I am under numerous obligations. I have frankly stated 

to Captain H. there is at this moment no vacancy, neither 

do r at present see a possibility of receiving Him. My 

Complement of Men and Boys is and has been some time 

com^plete. Indeed I have now a young Gentleman on 

Board I am at a loss how to dispose of If I can get any 

of my friends on this Station to receive him till I have an 

opportunity of entering Him on the Fuiy Book it will give 

me great pleasure. If I succeed you shall hear from me. 

ill the Interval I am, 

Sir, Your obt. Servant, 

P'red Langford. 

Some months elapse. The tedious blockade still con- 
tinues without any stirring events as far as Hardy is con- 
1 Admiral Sir Edward Thornborough, G.C.B. [1754-1834] (see p. 73). 



A DINNER WITH LORD NELSON 115 

cerned Meanwhile, John Callard Manfield, the younger, 
joins the Navy. In August his uncle thus writes to the 
youth's father : — 

"Victory," Palma Bay, 
Island of Sardinia, Augt 6ih, 1804. 

Dear Manfield.i 

I received your letter of the 12th of May one 
from Martha of the 19th of the same Month by John who 
joined us two Days before in the Ambuscade & Captain 
Durban has been good enough to take men for me into 
that ship which I consider a very fortunate circumstance as 
he pays particular attention to the education of his 
youngsters & is himself very clever in his profession. 
John appears quite satisfied with his situation & has got 
the better of the Sea Sickness- He Dined yesterday with 
Lord Nelson & his Lordship was pleased to say he was 
very much like his Uncle only the Chin was a little longer, 
you may depend on my taking every care of him, & you 
may make yourself quite easy about his Money concerns, 
all that I will strictly attend to. Captain Durban speaks very 
highly of his Disposition and I have no doubt but he will 
do very well. As I conclude you will be very anxious to 
hear of his safe arrival I take the opportunity of the 
Childers going to Rosas (in Spain) this afternoon of sending 
this by her, & shall write to you again by the Kent^ who 
sails for England in about ten days & as the Ambuscade 
will not leave us before that time 1 shall make John Write 
to his Mother by the same Conveyance. We came here 
for the purpose of clearing the Victuallers & store ships 
that came with the Ambuscade ; the Prevoyant remained at 
Gibraltar at which place John joined Captain Durban ; our 
stay here will be but a few Days when we shall return to 
our old Station. I think this very extraordinary change in 
France ^ is likely to bring about Peace tho' I almost fear a 

* Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor in virtue of a decree of the 
Senate, dated i8th May 1804. He was crowned by the Pope at Paris 
on the 2nd December follovvin<r. 



ii6 THE BLOCKADE OF TOULON 

good one cannot be made with Bonaparte. However it is 
not necessary to fight with every Rascal one meets but to 
be on our guard is incumbent on us. 

I am sorry to hear from Martha that Aunt Hardy is 
not so well as she has been ; give my Duty to her & beg of 
her to make her self as comfortable as she can. With Love 
to Catherine & the Children. I remain, 
Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 
Hardy writes a week later : — 

"Victory," off Toulon, 
Augt lyth, 1804. 
Dear Manfield, 

I wrote to you some Days ago but knowing it 
to be quite uncertain whether you will receive it or not I 
take the opportunity of getting this ready as I know the 
Ke7it is to sail for England in a few Days. I shall now give 
you the heads of my last letter. John arrived safe in the 
Avibuscade on the 29th of July & did not make it known 
to me till our arrival in Palma Bay which was the ist of 
August. I received your letter and one from Martha & I 
concluded John had remained at Gibraltar as the Prevoyant 
was detained there to deliver stores ; however Captn Durban 
informed me he had a young Gentleman on board b)' the 
name of Manfield who he understood was my Nephew & 
Mr John made his appearance soon after. He looks very well 
& says he is quite pleased with his profession. Captn 
Durban is quite pleased with him & has been good enough 
to keep him in the Ainbuscade. He dined the next Day with 
his Lordship who was pleased to say my Nephew was very 
much like me except the Chin was rather longer therefore 
you will conclude mine is reduced a little. I have not seen 
the young gentleman since we left Palma but shall have 
him on board the first opportunity & I hope he has 
prepared a letter for his Mother ; if not I shall make him 



CAPT. DURBAN AND THE YOUNGSTERS 117 

get one ready & inclose it with this. Make yourself quite 
easy about his Money Concerns. I will undertake it all & I 
would recommend you not to send him out any Cloths, as I 
can get every thing he may want in this Country. I con- 
sider it very fortunate his being with Captn Durban as 
he takes a great deal of pains with the Education of the 
youngsters & is himself very clever in his profession. I 
fear Mr Thompson is quite angry with me for not writing 
to him oftener however I wrote the other Day and shall 
write again by this conveyance. I believe he feels much 
for the loss of Poor William, & Steel's list has I see killed 
his Son John, but your Son John tells me there is no truth 
in it which I am quite happy to hear. I have written to 
Martha this Day & I am only sorry I have not more news 
for her but we are rather in a barren spot. The Kent is 
just going to sail & your Son John has forgot to send his 
Mothers Letter he was very well last Night you shall hear 
from him the next opportunity. 

With Duty to my Aunt Love to Childn &c. I remain, 

Dr M, Yours Affy, 

T. M. Hardy. 



On the 20th August in the same year, he writes thus 
to Mr Noble at Malta : ^— 



"Victory" off Toulon, 
August 20th, 1804. 



My dear Noble, 



I was favoured with your letter of the 22nd 
of May {via Madaline) by the Belleisle at which place I 
hear your vessel was at her departure. Should we fall in 
with her I shall be happy to pay every attention to her 
officers. I sent your letter by way of Rosas by our friend 

1 Mr Broadley's collection of Nelson MSS. 



'ii8 THE BLOCKADE OF TOULON 

Sir Wm Boulton which I hope will be in England before 
the Convoy. I remain 

My dear Noble 

Yours most Sincerely 

T. M. Hardy. 
Edmund Noble, Esq., 
Malta. 
[Endorsed " Reed 31st Augt, Ansd ist Oct."] 

Now comes a charming and characteristic letter from 
Mary Manfield, the daughter of the Dorchester Alderman, 
to her brother John, serving with Captain Durban on 
board the Ambuscade off Toulon : — 

Dorchester, 
October 18///, 1804. 

My dear Brother, 

I was happy to hear by your letters that you 
<^ere well and liked being a sailor. My Mother hopes you 
will continue to write long ones every opportunity you 
have of sending them to England and I assure you I will 
always answer them equally long. We have not seen any 
account in the papers of the engagement you expected to 
have, I suppose you said it to alarm your Mother. William 
is gone to school to Mr x-ldams at Tiverton we have had 
one letter from him which was very well written for the 
first my mother wishes to go and see him before the 
vacation as he is very young to be sent 52 miles from 
home. I am happy to see you make good use of the 
Book I gave you ; it will amuse us to read your journal 
when you come home. The Yeomanry arc come here to- 
day they are to be quartered in the town for a week we 
are to have Mr J. Browne the two Welds, Uncle Hardy, 
and Uncle John to sleep here. They expect to be reviewed 
by the King, if they should be I hope I shall go out and 
•see them. I assure you I am very glad they are here, as 
it will make Dorchester a little gay, having such a number 



A WEYMOUTH BALL 119 

of soldiers in it. I shall be very much amused to see the 
f^entleman going with their bags for corn which I under- 
stand they are obliged to do. I have been staying a 
fortnight at Weymouth, with Aunt Ann at Mrs Warne's. 
I spent my time very pleasantly, in walking on the 
Esplanade and sailing, I went to the ball and danced 
with an Officer in the Navy to whom Captani Ingram 
introduced to me : I was at a play which was very crowded 
and hot, but however I had a very good view of the Royal 
Family, as I sat opposite them, I went on board the Royal 
Sovereign, she is fitted up very superbly, covered with 
gold and scarlet velvet ; the sea was unfortunately rough 
which made me uncomfortable the whole of the day. I 
can easily imagine what you must have suffered, from sea 
sickness at first : Weymouth has been extremely full for 
the first month the king was there, it was said there was 
not a bed to be got in the town, it is thining very fast 
now, the Royal Family are to leave it in a fortnight. My 
Mother wishes to know if you have written to Mr Thompson 
if you have not she desires you will do it, the first oppor- 
tunity you have of sending a letter, Miss Ann Thompson 
has been in Dorsetshire this last two months, she staid a 
fortnight with us, then went to Weymouth, and is now at 
Portisham ; I saw her last Monday, she was very well and 
said she believed her Sister Eliza was married last week 
& Father, Mother, and Ann join me in love to My Uncle 
and yourself and believe me to reniain 

Your affectionate Sister, 

M. MANFIELD, 

After perusing the letter, the Alderman adds a 
postscript : — 

P.S. — My dear John, 

If you want anything apply to your Uncle 
who has been so good as to say he will furnish you with 



I20 THE BLOCKADE OF TOULON 

everything you may want. He speaks well of you continue 
to deserve it and no doubt you'll prosper. God bless you 

Yours affectionately 

JNO Call: Manfield. 

The following letter is interesting as referring to the 
working of the impressment system^ as late as 1804. It is 
addressed to Mr Noble at Malta : -— 

"Victory," Madalina Islands, 
October 2'^rd, 1804. 

My Dear Noble, 

I was favoured with your letter of the 1st Inst 
by Phoebe & as yet have not seen the two men sent in lieu 
of Benjn Hambleton, but am quite satisfied with Captn 
Cassel's report of them, and have sent Hambleton on board 
Active for a Passage to Malta with a full discharge which I 
trust will be sufficient to prevent his being again impressed. 
I hope you have kept an account of the number of great- 
coats sent to me for I realy have no idea of the quantity as 
I disposed of them as fast as they arrived. 

There is no doubt but his Lordship will leave us for 
England very shortly and our loss of course will be very 
great but we are in hopes he will return in the Spring. 
Should I see the Old Maid I shall be happy to pay her 
every attention for you must recollect I have not seen a 
female face these sixteen months. 
Wishing you every Success 

I remain Dear Noble 

Yours very sincerely 

T. M. Hardy. 
Edmund Noble, Esq., [Seal 

Malta. T. M. H.] 

[Endorsed "Reed ist Nov," Ansd 9th Do.] 

* Many most interesting details about impressment and exemptions 
from it will be found in the British Fleet, pp. 104 and 412. A man 
impressed might provide a substitute, and this is probably what 
Hambleton did. 

'^ Nelson and Hardy MSS. in possession of A. M. Broadley. 



RUMOURS OF A SPANISH WAR 121 

A fortnight later Hardy writes : — 

"Victory," off Toulon, 
Nov. 6tk, 1804. 

Dear Manfield, 

The Ambuscade joined the Fleet the day 
before yesterday and I learn that John is well but the 
weather has been so bad I have not had an opportunity of 
seeing him ; and as it is probable he will not write by this 
conveyance I think it will relieve Catharine's mind to 
hear from this quarter as you doubtless have heard of the 
dreadful fever at Gibraltar. However we are quite healthy 
here and I have little doubt but we shall continue so from 
the great care taken by our worthy and good Commander 
in chief. His Lordship will certainly leave this country for 
England by the middle of this month and what is to 
become of me cannot be determined till it is known 
weather Lord Nelson gos home on leave or they supercede 
him. If the latter, it is more than probable that I shall 
quit the Victojy with his Lordship ; if the former of course 
I remain where I am till his return. In the event of my 
leaving the Mediterranean I think I cannot do better than 
leave John with Captain Durban and all his money matters 
shall be settled by me. Durban speaks very handsomely 
of him, and I have no doubt but he will make a good officer 
in due time. We have had a great deal of bad weather 
and much more must be expected before the winter is over. 
We have had some little idea of a Spanish war but there 
appears no prospect of it now (at least for the present). 
The account we have just received from Gibraltar is 
extremely bad but we are in hopes that the cold weather 
and heavy rains that prevail in this season will soon stop 
the dreadful ravages. Accounts from Malaga and Cadiz I 
am sorry to say are not less calamitous. I will thank you 
to give my best compliments to Mr Jno Browne and 
Captain Ingram. I hope the former will soon be one of 
the representatives of the borough of Wc\'mouth. The last 



122 THE BLOCKADE OF TOULON 

letter I had from home was from Augusta ; it was answered 
by the JoJin Bull cutter about the 1 3th of last month. You 
will know I hope that my relations do not trouble me with 
many letters. 

With best wishes for all friends. 

I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

Young Manfield in the following week thus writes to 
his father, now Mayor of Dorchester : — 

"Ambuscade," off Barcelona. 
Noyr iith, 1804. 

My dear Sir, 

I have been out on this Station very near six 
months and have received no letter from Home. I have 
wrote a great many to Mother and have expected answers 
but have received none. We have not been in port since I 
wrote you last but we have sent our boat ashore at Barce- 
lona but they will not send us off any fruit. We expect 
to hear of a war with Spain, qvery day as I suppose you 
have heard of the Engagement between four of our frigates 
and four Spanish, Ditto.^ We hear very little or no news so 
you must not expect a long letter I should not have 
wrote to you before I had received an answer, if Capt 
Hardy had not Commanded me. You promised to send 
me some newspapers but I have seen none yet, I hope 
in a little time the young Lawyer (William) will be able 
to write to me as I suppose he is the Officer already I 
assure him it will be better than going to sea. I suppose 
Mary is looking out for a Husband whoever marries her 
will h^-ve caught a Tartar I can assure him. Give my com- 
pliments to the members of the Club if it is met yet. 
Miss Cooper has left Dorchester I suppose and the Miss 
Thompsons Married, we are always at sea and have con- 

' An engagement which preceded the actual declaration of war. 



HARDY'S BET WITH NELSON 123 

tinual gales of wind. Give my love to Grandmo.ther and 
Aunt.Manfield and to my Friends at Martinstow'n, -Pprtis- 
ham and Gorton ^ and my complyments all Friends at 
Dorchester. My love to Mother Brother and sisters 
I remain Dear Father 

Your affectionate Son 

Jno Call. Manfield. 

Captain Hardy now congratulates his brother-in-law 
on his accession to the Mayoralty : — 

" Victory " off Toulon. 
Deer 31^/, 1804. 

Dear Manfield, 

I received your letter yesterday of the i6th 
of October by the Szviftsure and I suppose you will not 
be a little surprised at the sudden arrival of your son 
John which I conclude took place about Christmas Day 
at last. I betted his Lordship a dollar that Admiral 
Campbell would dine in England on that day. As Captain 
Durban was good enough to, put John on his books I 
thought it best for hini to remain in Aiiibuscade and I am 
happy to say his Captain speaks of him in the hand- 
somest manner. 

However I hope Mama will not be enough to 

wish him to come home as the movements of Ships now 
a day are so sudden that he will run a great risk of 
losing his passage and of course his ship. I recommend 
you not to send him any clothes, or at least as little as 
possible. Shirts he is not the least in want of, as I pro- 
cured him a dozen in addition to his former stock. I have 
every reason to believe the Ainbus<;ade will be ordered 
again to this station immediately. I have given up all 
thoughts of returning to England myself & it is by no 
means clear to me that his Lordship will, but he has not 
yet given up the idea. You remark my old ship {Ajnp/don) 
^ Corton is in Portisham parish. 



124 THE BLOCKADE OF TOULON 

has been lucky. I am glad of it. Should war be declared 
against the Spaniards the Fleet has done very well. It 
gives me great pleasure to hear that the King is so much 
recovered. I am sure we ought all to pray for a long 
continuation of his health. The Abby ^ must have been 
very much crowded. I think our friends Mr & Mrs 
Woodward must have had enough to do. I am sorry 
the poor EarP has not recovered the use of his legs. I 
am happy to hear of Mr Bingham's safe arrival & that 
he will be able to give a good account of himself to his 
Father. I suppose the farmers expect all to be ruined ; 
as ewes only fetch 50 shillings a head nothing can save 
them but Wheat getting up again to thirty pounds a load. 
I have written to Martha by this conveyance requesting 
her to try if my Aunt Hardy can make herself comfortable. 
I shall be happy to add anything to her income to enable 
her to do it. Sir John Orde is off Cadiz with 4 sail of the 
line ; it is conjectured that he is to have the command 
here but it is quite unknown to our good Admiral. 

I think since the thoughts of a Spanish War our 
Commander in Chief looks better & I conclude as troubles 
increase he will mend give my duty to my Aunt, Love 
to Catharine and the Children & all friends 

I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

I see by the paper you are elected Mayor, I wish 
your Worship much Joy. 

* This evidently refers to a wedding at Milton Abbey, Dorset, the 
seat of the Earl of Dorchester. 

^ George, second Earl of Dorchester, who died in 1808. 



CHAPTER XIII 

THE YEAR OF TRAFALGAR [1805] 

IT is unnecessary to recapitulate the story of Nelson's 
tantalising pursuit of Villeneiive, first through the 
Mediterranean and afterwards to the West India«r Two 
excellent maps showing the course of both fleets will be 
found in Mr Henry Newbolt's Tli.e Year of Trafalgar} 
Captain Mahan deals exhaustively with the subject in his 
Life of Nelson?- Hard}^'s first letter home in this eventful 
year of his life is as follows : — 

" Victory " 
OFF THE West End of Sicilv, 
Feby 22,rd, 1805. 

Dear Manfield, 

We are now on our way off Toulon after a 
Trip to Egypt in pursuit of the French Fleet without the 
good fortune to fall in with them ; and yesterday we learnt 
that they had returned to Toulon a few days after they 
saild, which was on the i8th of last month in a very crippled 
state having met with a heavy gale of wind on the 19th. 

Our good Commander in Chief's great zeal and activity 
pushed us in rather too fast ; however the error was on the 
right side (at least I think so) for by every account we can 
get, they were certainly bound to Alexandria, and if they 

' The Year of Trafalgar, London, John Murray, 1905, pp. Sand iS. 

2 The Life of Nelson, by Captain A, T. JvLihan, London, Sampson, 

Low & Co., 1897, voL ii., p. 267 et seq. 
12 j 



126 THE YEAR OF TRAFALGAR 

had not been TAYLORS instead of SAILORS it is more than 
probable we should have fallen in with them before they 
arrived at their destination. We have the satisfaction to 
hear that an eighty gun ship is wrecked at the entrance of 
the harbour of Ajaccio (in Corsica) and said to be totally 
lost. Some of their frigates are said to be missing and I 
trust some of our frigates will be fortunate enough to fall in 
with them, so that I think upon the whole the Emperor 
will not have much to brag of. How fortunate it is for us 
that he cannot cast sailors in a mould. We are not without 
hope that they will make another trial and we trust we shall 
have the good fortune to fall in with them. I think 
Bonaparte will not give up his favourite expedition for one 
failure. 1 see by the papers the arrival of \hQ Ambuscade 
at Spithead of course you have se^n' John, and as Lord 
Nelson has written for her to be allowed to return to this 
country immediately, I conclude I shall soon have the 
pleasure of seeing the young gentleman. My friend John 
Harbin late Chaplain of the Bellcisle is about to go to 
England and is good enough to take charge of a small box 
directed to you. It contains five gold chains one of each 
you will have the goodness to present to my five neices 
with their uncle's best love. If my sisters like them I will 
send an additional six the next opportunity but I am told 
they are only fit {ox yoimg ladies. 

March nth — off Tbuloti: — We have just received the 
unfortunate news of the loss of the Raven Brig, Captain 
Layman ^ who was made out of this Ship into the Weazle 
about eighteen months ago, which brig he also lost six 
months after he took command of her. You might recollect 
him on board the San Josef 'a. stout full faced man and you 
will agree with me he is D unfortunate. A cutter 

' Nelson took a great interest in Captain Layman, whom he con- 
sidered entirely free from blame in the matter of the loss of his ships. 
On the loth March 1804 he wrote to Lord Melville, "Captain Layman 
h-as served tne in three ships, [and I am well acquainted with his 
bravery, zeal, judgment, and activity ; nor do I regret the loss of the 
Raven compared to the value of Captain Layman's services. 



INQUEST OF THE FRExXCH FLEET 127 

bound to the Fleet with despatches is also taken b)- the 
F'rench Fleet and all the letters of both vessels are destroyed 
therefore I give up all hopes of hearing from you till the 
arrival oi the. Ambuscade. I conclude of course that mysisters 
wrote to me and that their letters are lost, I shall therefore 
write to them shortly. We have I am sorry to say received 
information that the Arion and Acheron (Bomb) are both 
taken. They .had a valuable convoy under their charge. 
We have not yet learnt but I fear a number of them must 
have fallen into the enemy's hands. 

Give my Duty to my Aunt Hardy who I hope is well. 
Love to Catherine the young folkes (I suppose I must not 
say children) and all Friends, 
I remain, 

Dear Manfield, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Nearly three months later he again writes : — 

" Victory," 
May gf/t, 1805. 

Dear Manfield, 

We passed thro' the Gut of Gibraltar 
yesterday and are now steering with a fair wind for Cape 
St Vincent when it is his Lordships intentipn to despatch a 
vessel for England. 

I am sorry to say we have heard nothing of the French 
Fleet since they left Cadiz which was on the loth of last 
month. It is therefore strongly believed by Lord Nelson 
that they are gone to the West Indies and of course we 
shall follow them, if we hear nothing of tjieir destination 
from Lisbon from whence we expect the Ainason will join 
us tomorrow. 

Thank God I am quite recovered from my late illness 
and was never better in my life than at present. I feel 
quite happy at going to the West Indies as, I am convinced 



128 THE YEAR OF TRAFALGAR 

it will agree with me and at least it will vary the scene. I 
have not heard from you since last October but I conclude 
your letters are lost in the Raven Brig. I shall put you to 
.an additional sixpence expense by enclosing a letter from 
you to John that you may have the satisfaction of destroy- 
ing it. I think my nephew John has acted a very wise 
part in quitting the Navy, for I fear his delicate constitution 
would not have agreed with our very rough and uncertain 
service. I am sorry he was so much neglected on board the 
Ambuscade as he appeared quite clean when he came on 
board the Victory which made me think ourselves fortunate 
that he should be in so good a ship. 

It is extremely unfortunate that the French Fleet 
should have so much the start of us. They were only nine 
days from Toulon to Cadiz and we were 26 from Sardinia 
(which is the same distance). However I recollect that 
poor Mr Thomas Russell recommended to my Aunt (or 
my Aunt to him) Patience and Perseverance which has and 
must be poor Lord Nelson's motto. 

I wrote to you by my friend John Harbin of Renown 
and sent some trifles for my neices which I hope will be 
received safe. The Renoivn had a narrow escape of being 
taken but we conclude she is arrived in England by this 
time with Sir John Orde's Squadron which also was 
obliged to hasten from off Cadiz. 

Lord Melville's business^ of course makes us all stare 
and to say truth I am sorry for him for I believe it was 
much his wish to befriend the Navy in spite of his being a 
Scotchman. I think the opposition will push Mr Pitt very 
hard ; however I sincerely hope they will not succeed. I 
shall not close this till I know our destination. 

]\Iay loth, 10 o'clock at night. — A vessel leaves for 
I^^ngland early tomorrow morning but I do not know her 
name. We are now off Cape St Vincent and his Lordship 

' First Lord of the Aclininilty, 1S04-05. Erased from roll of the 
Privy Council, 1805. Subsequently impeached for malversation, 
acquitted, and restored to the Privy Council. 



IN WEST INDIAN WATERS 129 

has made up his mind to bear up for the West Indies in 
the course of tomorrow. Our Fleet is in perfect health 
•and spirits. We are all in great hopes that we shall meet 
the French Fleet It will be needless for you to write to 
me till you hear from me again. 

With Duty to my Aunt and Love to Catharine and the 
Children. 

I remain, Dear Manfield, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Just a month later he again writes : — 

" Victory " off Antigua, 
June i2th, 1805. 

Dear Manfield, 

As I think it probable that the Captains 
Friends will be more anxious about him than he deserves, 
I shall take the latest opportunity of closing this letter. 

We arrived off Barbadoes on the 4th and there received 
accounts that the French Fleet had passed to the south- 
ward (supposed destined for Trinidad) on the 29th of May. 
We received on board Genl Sir William Myers and about 
one hundred and fifty Artilery men, and in the Fleet we 
have about two thousand soldiers. As the F. Fleet never 
passed to the southward of course we never saw them, 
and I am sorry to say that the different information 
we have received has as yet proved false. Yesterday 
we were informed by an American that he saw the F, 
Fleet at 5 o'clock that morning consisting of 18 sail of the 
line and 7 Frigates standing for Guadaloupe which I also 
believe to be a L}-e, however we expect to hear something 
about them from this Island when we communicate with it 
which will be in the afternoon. Our squadron consists of 
12 sail of the line which we think fully equal to twelve 
French and six Spaniards. I am quite recovered of the 
rheumatism and was never better in my life than at this 
moment. I think we have every prospect of very soon 

I 



I30 THE YEAR OF TRAFALGAR 

returning again to Europe but I realy have no great 
objection to remain in this country. I saw young Roberts 
of the Jason yesterday ; he is very well but I do not think 
he will ever set the Thames on Ere. 

June lyJi. — We have just rec€ived information that the 
F. Fleet passed this Island , (Antigua) on Saturday last 
steering to the northward and it is generally believed they 
are bound to Europe. We are now landing the troops 
and shall sail in a few hours for Gibraltar where you may 
direct to me as usual. I think we shall have had a pretty 
good round of it. We still hope to ketch the Rascals, 
(should they be bound to Cadiz) before they get there. 

With best wishes for you all 

I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 



In his next letter, written a month later, he once more 
recurs to the old question of prize-money, and his business 
relations with Messrs Cooke and Halford. 

"Victory" at Sea, 
July i^th, 1805. 

My Dear Manfield, 

I hope you will forgive my troubling you with 
this letter and I trust you will see it in the light I do. 

I have directed Halford to answer your Bills on me 
for One hundred and fifty Pound, and I shall be thankful 
to you if you will present fifty Pound to each of my 
unmarried Sisters with my best Love. It will serve them as 
pocket Money for the present and should I be fortunate 
enough to receive half the Prize Money that is supposed 
will come to my Share, it will enable me to do something 
permanent for them ; however I never calculate on profits 
till they are in my Agents hands, and as yet he has not 
received any very large sums on my account. This letter 



ONCE MORE OFF CADIZ 131 

will be directed by another hand and if it could be kept a 
secret from our relations I should like it better. I shall 
write another letter to you by the same Conveyance that 
takes this. From some little hints I have lately had I fear 
they are not more comfortable at Possum than they used' 
to be. I am sure you will forgive my troubling )'ou with'' 
this Commission and that you will believe 

1 am, 

My Dear Manfield 

Yours inost Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 



On the same day he commenced another letter which' 
may almost be described as a journal, and tells its own 
story of the return voyage to Europe. 

"Victory" at Sea, 
July 15///, 1805. 
Dear Manfield, 

We are now within fifty leagues of Cape St 
Vincent and as the wind is fair it is more than probable we' 
shall be in sight of it tomorrow morning. 

The movements of our good Commander in Chief are 
so rapid that I find it necessary always to be prepared with 
a letter, and I think it likely he will despateli a vessel to' 
England in a day or two. Nothing has been heard of the 
Enemy since I wrote to you last, which was by way at 
Lisbon on the 17th of June. We are still in hopes that 
they are not arrived at the place of their destination, and 
should they be bound to Cadiz or the Mediterranean there 
is still a chance left of our getting hold of them. 

We have had a very pleasant passage and our people 
continue excessively healthy notwithstanding the long time 
they have been without refreshments ; none of any sort 
having been received since we left Sardinia. 



132 THE YEAR OF TRAFALGAR 

His Lordship still talks of going home but so many 
events are about to take place that I give myself no 
thought on the subject, nor is it at all clear to me that I shall 
make one of the party as it is his intention to return again 
to this station. 

July 20ih. — We arrived at Gibraltar this morning and 
as yet have had no account of the French Fleet therefore 
we have little doubt but they are gone to some port in the 
Bay of Biscay. After our Water and provisions are com- 
pleat which will be in the cours of tomorrow we shall again 
sail for Cape St Vincent and I have no doubt but by that 
time their destination will be fully known. 

Vice Admiral CoUingwood with four sail of the line is 
off Cadiz so that we shall be fully equal to them should 
fortune at last favour us. I cannot say that I am sorry to 
find Sir John Orde ^ has struck his Flag, for in the first place 
he is senior to Lord Nelson, and in the next place he is a 
most unpleasant man to sail under. 

I was on shore this morning for a few minutes, and I 
find it as hot and unpleasant as ever, and the greater part 
of my old acquaintance I am sorry to say are dead. If 
they do not take the greatest precautions I very much fear 
the fever will again break out in Septr. 

July 2^th. — We have just received accounts that the 
Curieux Brig passed the Enemy's fleet on the 19th of June 
therefore no doubt remains but they are gone to the north- 
ward, and I think it more than probable that you will (very 
soon after the receipt of this letter) hear of the Victory and 
Squadron being off Brest. 

I am sorry to say that I have another attack of 
rheumatism tho' not quite so severe as it was last time. 
I shall therefore if possible procure leave to remain on 
shore a few weeks should we be ordered to England. 
We are now standing through the Gut and the Pickle 

* Admiral Sir John Orde, Bart. [1751-1S24]. Hardy evidently 
participated in Nelson's feelings of antagonism towards Orde. (See 
Laughton's The Nelsoti Manorial^ p. 90.) 



THE '* VICTORY" AT SPITHEAD 133 

Schooner takes his Lordships despatches to England this 
afternoon. 

With Duty to my Aunt and love to all. 

I remain Dear Manfield, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

In three weeks' time what Hardy prophesied happened. 
Lord Nelson went home in the Victory, and his next com- 
munication to Mr Manfield is written well in sight of the 
coast of Dorset. This letter runs as follows : — 

" Victory," 
August i2,fh, 1805. 
Dear Manfield, 

We are now standing in to Spithead and 
shall be at an Anchor in about an hour. As my health 
mends but very slowly ^ I have applyed to the Admiralty 
for leave of absence, therefore in all probability I shall 
have the pleasure of seeing my friends in Dorsetshire the 
latter part of this month 

His Lordship will strike his Flag so soon as we get 
Pratique which I trust will be in the course of the day. As 
for news I know none, except that we fancy ourselves very 
unfortunate after so many anxious moments to have 
missed the combined squadrons, but when we come to 
consider that our force was 1 1 sail of the line and theirs 
20 perhaps it will be as well to agree with Mr Pope 
" Whatever is is right." 

Let me hear from some of you soon With Duty to my 
Aunt and love to all. 

I remain Dear Manfield, 

Yours most Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

^ Hardy had been suffering se\erely from rheumatism. 



,.,i34 THE YEAR OF TRAFALGAR 

Lord Nelson at once proceeded to Merton, and Hardy 
evidently lost as little time as possible in going down into 
Dorsetshire. Mr Newbolt does not share the somewhat 
despondent views entertained by the captain of the Victory 
as to the practical consequences of the great sea-chase. 
He says,^ " On the 20th of August, Villeneuve ran south 
into Cadiz, unabled to face the combination of Cornvvallis's 
and Nelson's fleets. On the 25th, Napoleon, in bitter 
wrath, broke up his camp at Boulogne and marched 
against the Austrians. The British admirals had beaten 
the " Army of England." 

On the 1 2th of the previous month (July 1805) the 
court had migrated to Weymouth, the king, queen, and 
the royal princesses taking up their quarters as usual at 
Gloucester Lodge, their favourite seaside residence ever 
since their memorable visit of 1789, of which Fanny 
Burney became the amusing chronicler. The homely life 
of George HI. in Dorset had. been the object of the gibes 
of Wolcot and the caricatures of Gillray, but heedless of 
ridicule, the British sovereign pursued the even tenor of his 
ways, making excursions by sea, announcing naval suc- 
cesses either at the theatre or on the esplanade, and 
indulging in the sea-bathing for the excellence of which 
Weymouth was, and .still is, famous. In the audience 
chamber at Gloucester Lodge (now the dining-room of an 
hotel) George HI. had conferred with Pitt and Addington ; 
with Loughborough and Eldon ; with Cathcart and Dundas, 
and with all the great personages of the time. It was in 
the same homely apartment that the mordant pen of 
" Peter Pindar" had, ten years before, thus pictured an 
audience between Pitt and his ro\-al master : — 

" Lo, Pitt arrives ! alas, with lantern face. 
'What, hee, Pitt, hee what, Pitt, hee, more disgrace?' 
'Ah Sire, bad news ! A second dire defeat ! 
Vendee undone, and all the Chouans beat.' 

' Tile Year of Trafalgar^ Henry Newbolt, p. 22. 



WITH KING GEORGE AT WEYMOUTH 135 

* Hee, hee, what, what ? — beat, beat ? what, beat agen ? 
Well, well, more money — raise more men, more men.' 

* But mind Pitt, hee mind, huddle up the news, 
Coitr something, and the growling land amuse : 
Make all the sans-culottes to Paris caper, 

And Rose shall print the vict'r)' in his paper.'" 

Times had changed since then, and Bonaparte had 
succeeded the revolutionaries of 1793 as our national bug- 
bear and standing terror. Tradition says that Hardy (with 
Lord Nelson's knowledge) had paid a hurried visit to Lady 
Nelson, before setting out for " Possum," where he would 
be the near neighbour of the king, whose loyal and faith- 
ful servant he was. The sojournings of King George in 
Dorsetshire ended for ever in 1805. O^i the 7th of August 
their Majesties had given a gala dinner at the Royal Hotel 
(then as now one of W'eymouth's principal hostelries), in 
honourof the twenty-second birthday of the Princess Amelia. 
A few da}'s later much excitement was occasioned by the 
passing of a homeward-bound West Indian convo\-, and on 
the 27th August the news arrived of the death, on the 
previous day, of the king's brother, the Duke of Gloucester, 
at whose earnest recommendation \\"e\-mouth had first been 
patronised by the English court. It is recorded that grief 
kept the king and queen indoors for several days, but an 
intimation must have reached " Possum " that His Majesty, 
at any rate, desired to hear all the details of Nelson's 
voyage from the lips of the captain of the Victory. The 
Morning Chronicle now makes the following announce- 
ment : — 

Weynwuth, Tuesday Sept. 3, 1805. — "Captain Hardy, 
Lord Nelson's captain, was waiting the return of his 
Majesty (from his ride), and had a long conversation with 
him." 

Even then Hardy had earned the name of " Nelson's 
Captain," and so he is likely to be known for all time. 



CHAPTER XIV 

TRAFALGAR, OCTOBER 2 1 ST, 1805 

THE news of the arrival of the combined fleets at 
Cadiz reached London the very day before Hardy's 
interview at Weymouth with George HI., but the captain 
of the Victory could hardly have been cognisant of it.^ 
Probably the intelligence was communicated by signal- 
telegraph to the king,^ who may have at once summoned 
Hardy from Portisham only 7 miles away. Pitt's Govern- 
ment at once determined either to blockade the enemy's 
ships in Cadiz effectually or to compel them to give battle 
the moment they came out. Nelson, and nobody else, could 
strike the longed-for blow. By the 6th September, three 
days after his visit to Gloucester Lodge, Hardy is back at 
Portsmouth getting the Victory ready for the admiral's 
arrival On that day he writes to Dorchester : — 

Portsmouth, ^'^jJ/r 6///, 1805. 
Dear Man field, 

I arrived at Portsmouth at 6 o'clock on 
Wednesday therefore too late to save the Post on that day. 

' See Mahan, vol. ii., p. 328 ; Newbolt, p. 25,. 

- The telegraph of 1805 was an elaborate arrangement of slabs of 
wood encased in a framework on the principle of a Venetian blind, sa 
that each slab could be moved at will. Corresponding machines on 
various eminences connected London with the principal naval ports. 
In view of the constant visits of the Royal Family to Weymouth, that 
jilace had been included in this primitive system of signalling. 



ROBERTS OF BURTON 137 

Yesterday I was on board the Victory and it Blew so fresli 
I could not get on shore time enough to save post. As 
Lord Nelson is expected on Saturday, I thought it not 
worth going to Town therefore wait patiently his arrival. I 
continue to mend as fast as can be expected, and my friends 
here are surprised to see me look so much better in so short 
a time. I find by a letter from our Friend Davison ^ that 
Orioji (a Dutchman)- will be paid on Sunday I hope to 
Touch £20^0 at least. 

I have a small parcel I wish to send Mary Masterman 
but I fear sending it by the Cross Post. It may be lost 
therefore Shall put it in the hands of Mr Thompson to have 
sent the first opportunity. 

I remain in haste 

Dear Manfield 

Yours Affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

I think we shall sail Monday next. 

A week later he again writes : — 

Portsmouth, Septr I'^t/i, 1805. 
Dear Manfield, 

The Letter3 Parcel &c all came safe to hand 
for which accept my best thanks. The Victoty is gone to 
St Hellens and his Lordship is expected tomorrow morning 
at 9 o'clock of course we sail the same Da}'. I continue to 
mend as fast as can be expected and am in hopes that the 
Salt Air will again agree with me. My Cousin Budden has 
been to see me and dines here toDay. Roberts of Burton 

' Alexander Davison, clothing contractor to the Army. One of 
Nelson's closest friends, and a verj' frequent correspondent. He was 
the donor of the Nile medals, and acted as agent for the prizes taken at 
that battle. He caused a reliquary to be made of the eighty-four guineas 
found in Nelson's purse after Trafalgar, for the reception of a lock of 
Nelson's hair in a glass tube. This has recently been sold in London. 

^ Prize-money due for the capture of the Dutch ship Orion. 



138 TRAFALGAR 

has brought his Son who seems a fine lad. He is to be in 
the Pursing line.^ 

Give my Duty to My Aunt and love to Catherine and 
Mary. 

I remain, Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

On the following day, as Hardy expected, Lord Nelson 
arrived and hoisted his flag. They did not sail till the 15th 
September, and on the 29th of that month (Lord Nelson's 
forty-sixth birthday) joined the English fleet off Cadiz. 
On the 9th October, Nelson had issued his famous memor- 
andum as to the order of sailing being that of the order of 
battle.^ Hardy evidently realised that the supreme 
moment they had so long looked forward to was now near. 
The letter he wrote home' a few days after the informal 
conferences of the British commanders on board the Victory, 
breathes the old spirit of affection and solicitude for others. 
There was no blinking the gravity of the situation. 

"Victory," off Cadiz, 
Octr 13///, 1805. 
Dear Manfield, 

I enclose you a Codicil to m)- Will but trust 
it will not be operied by my relations for many a year. 
We are in daily expectation of the combined Fleet coming 
out but I fear they will think us too strong for them. 

' This certainly refers to Richard Francis Roberts, the eldest son 
of Richard Roberts of Ikirton Bradstock, and therefore the nephew of 
Hardy's first captain, Francis Roberts. He had probably already had 
some years' experience in the merchant service. According to the 
archives of the Public Record Office, he volunteered as an A.B. in the 
Victory on the loth September 1805, at the age of 20. Hardy promoted 
him to the rank of Midshipman two days before the battle of Trafalgar, 
and he finally quitted the Navy from the Gannet fifteen montlis later 
(r3ecember 8th, 1806). : " 

- See Mahan, vol. ii., p. 340 ct scq. 



POOR SIR RpIUCRT CALDKR 139 

I am liappy to say that my leg is getting much better 
and the Surgeon is in hopes of making a good Job of it 
and I am of the same way of thinking. I saw Mr Plow- 
man )-esterday. He is very well and says he has not 
heard from home for nearly twelve months, tho' he writes 
every opportunity. He appears to be a very good )'Oung 
man and his Captain speaks very handsomely of him. 
Perhaps it would be satisfactory to Colonel Bingham to 
hear that his son John is made a lieutenant into the 
Prince (Capt Grindall) but he is at Gibraltar in the 
Canopus and is not yet acquainted with his good fortune. 
I shall not write to his Father on the subject tho' I have 
assisted in the promotion of his son. I am sorry to say 
that my good friend Sutton late of the AmpJiion is so 
unwell that he is invalided and is returning to England 
by the same conveyance as takes this (the Prince of 
Wales) I hope poor Sir Robert Calder will get well over 
that unfortunate business. I heard from Martha the other 
day and shall write the next opportunity. I have seen 
John Browne's friend in the Prince, Mr Ferris and will 
be useful to him if it lays in my power. 

With every good wish for you all 

I remain Dear Manfield 

Yours affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

In the "remark book" of Midshipman Roberts,^ one 
finds the following entries as to what occurred on board 
the Victory during the days immediately preceding the 
battle :— 

'''Saturday igth October. — At 10 A.M. a ship was dis- 
covered to leeward in a calm or but very little wind 

' This book is now in possession of his kinswoman, Miss M. M. 
Roberts of Burton (see Preface). It seems probable from its contents 
that "young Roberts," evidently a ma.n- of superior education, although 
rated first as A.B. and afterwards as midshipman, was employed as 
Captain's Clerk or in some similar capacity. 



140 



TRAFALGAR 



(supposed to be a frigate), firing minute guns and making 
signals, but could not make out what they were. 

"At 10.30 observed her signal, which communicated 
that the combined fleets were coming out of Cadiz. The 
signal was immediately made by the Commander-in-Chief, 
and two guns fired to leeward for a general chase. Cadiz 
then bore of the fleet S. 88 E. dist. 16 leagues. Every ship 
immediately made all sail and chased accordingly, with 
very little wind which was from the westward. 

" At 1 1.30 another signal was repeated to us from the 
frigate (repeated to her by ships which were stationed for 
that purpose betwixt Cadiz and the fleet) that the enemy 
were out and had been three hours. 

" Employed on board the V/c/o/y getting up a thousand 
shot on each deck, stowing away chests, etc. etc., clearing 
for action. 

"At 12 P.M. a little more wind, nothing particular 
going on but preparing for action. 

"At 12.30 another signal was repeated to us from the 
frigate, communicating that the enemy were still at sea, 
steering S.S.E. The Defejice made the signal which was 
repeated to us, saying that she was within 4 miles of the 
Enemy's fleet. 

"In the evening a little breeze from the southward, 
going 3 or 4 knot ; made sail all the night. Sunday 
morning at daylight the fleet were upon the point of 
entering the Gut with a fine breeze, when we observed a 
frigate to leeward firing guns and making signals which 
was repeated to us by the Royal Sovereign, that the enemy's 
fleet were north. The Commander-in-Chief made the 
signal immediately to tack and shorten sail. 

" At 9 A.M. we lay too with a fresh breeze. Enemy's 
fleet steering for Cadiz. Victory tellegraphed to the Africa 
to paint the hoops of her masts yellow. 

"At 12 part of the Enemy's fleet anchored off Cadiz (or 
in Cadiz, which I am not positive of). The remaining 9 
sail did not anchor. 



DINNER AND GROG 141 

" At I P.M. filled and made sail to the westward. 

" At 4 the enemy put again to sea steering N.E.; made 
sail and stood towards them. Hazy weather with a fresh 
breeze from the S.W., dist. from Cadiz 7 or 8 leagues. 
Euryalus tellegraphed ' that the Enemy appeared deter- 
mined to push to the westward.' Victory tellegraphed ' I 
depend on your keeping sight of the Enemy during the 
night.' The whole of the Enemy's [Ships] were at this 
time at sea. 

"At 7.30 saw two of the enemy's ships from the deck 
on our starboard bow. Eresh breezes and lightening. 

" Sunday Evening. — Our look out ships showed their 
blue lights and sky rockets signifying that they were still 
in sight of the Enemy. English fleet to windward of the 
Enemy. 

" At 8.40 wore and stood away from them. Wind 
W.NAV. drawing them off from Cadiz as much as possible, 
they continuing on the samie tack in our wake. Our look- 
out ships continued showing their blue lights, rockets, and 
firing guns (making signals of the Enemy's position in the 
night). 

" Monday morning. — At daylight saw the Enemy's fleet 
in line of battle laying too the leeward. Dist. 10 or 11 
miles, consisting of 33 sail of the line, 5 frigates, 2 brigs. 
A very fine morning, but little wind. Enemy's fleet bear- 
ing E. by S. extending from N.N.E. to S.W.W. The 
signal was made by the Commander-in-Chief to bear up, 
and set all sails, even steering sails. English fleet in two 
lines consisting of 27 sail of the line and frigates schooner 
and cutter. Victory Commander-in-Chief leading the 
weather line and Royal Sovereign second in command 
leading the lee line cleared away everything for action. 

"At 10 A.M. — Beat to quarters. 

" At 1 1. — Dinner and grog. 

" Victory telegraphed General ' England expects that 
every man will do his duty.' 

" At 1 1-30. — Victoiy telegraphed to Royal Sovereign ' If 



142, TRAFALGAR 

the Tonuaiit cannot close, order other ships between,' when 
the Maj's took her place in the line, and the other ships 
closed. Royal Sovereign tellegraphed to the Victory ' The 
enemy's Chief appears to command in a frigate.' " 

Roberts here breaks off his own narrative with the 
words, " The remainder of this was taken from the Victory s 
/ogr 

It is not proposed to tell once again the now familiar 
story of the great naval battle of the 2ist October 1805. 
All writers on the subject are in agreement as to Hardy's 
honourable share in the laurels won, and the occurrences 
preceding and following the death-wound of Nelson in 
which he, as captain of the Victory, played an important 
part. These incidents may be conveniently summarised 
as follows : — 

Soon after the fighting began, Nelson and Hardy were 
walking on the deck of the Victory when flying splinters 
passed between them, cutting Hardy's left foot, and taking 
off the buckle of his shoe.^ " This is too warm work, Hardy, 
to last long," said Nelson. And so the two friends con- 
tinued on deck in the thick of the fight. Nelson conspicuous 
with his four stars, an object for the marksmen in the 
enemy's rigging. At about half-past one. Nelson turned 
suddenly as he walked, and' before rfardy could reach 
him, fell on his knees and hand. Hardy bent over him 
in tender inquiry. " They have done for me at last, 
Hardy," said Nelson. " I hope not," answered Hardy. 
"Yes," replied the other, "my backbone is shot through." 
A sergeant-major of marines and two seamen, at Hardy's 
orders, carried him below into the cockpit of the Victory, 
and thither the flag-captain came in the intervals of the 
crisis of the fight, to tell his admiral how the fortunes of the 
day inclined. It is significant to note that one of Nelson's 
chief anxieties as he lay dying was as to how Captain Hardy 

1 Vide illustration. The broken buckle is still treasured by Mrs 
J. C. Thynne, Sir T. M. Hardy's descendant. 



"ANXHOR, HARDY, AXCHOR" 143 

fared, apd when his flag-captain game to report the progress 
of the fight, and to say that twelve of the enemy had struck, 
Nelson said, " I hope none of our ships have struck." " I 
am a dead man, Hardy, I am going fast, it will be all 
over with me soon. Pray let my dear Lady Hamilton 
have my hair," and Hardy went to his post on deck 
again. When he returned to the dying hero he was 
able to report that 14 or 15 ships had struck, Nelson 
replied, "That is well, but I bargained for 20." And then 
Nelson went on to say, " Anchor, Hardy, Anchor," and 
when Hardy asked whether Collingwood ought not to 
make the necessary signal, he answered, " Not while I live, 
Hardy. No, do you anchor. Hardy; if I live I'll anchor." 
As Hardy left to return on deck, the final parting between 
him and Nelson, which was touching in the extreme, took 
place. " Don't throw me overboard. Hardy," said Nelso3i ; 
"take care of my dear Lady Hamilton, Hardy, take care of 
poor Lady Hamilton. Kiss me, Hardy." The flag-captain 
kissed him, and Nelson murmured, " Now I am satisfied. 
Thank God I have done my dut}'." Then Hardy, taking 
one last look at his friend, bent over and kissed his fore- 
head. Nelson asked who it w'as, and on hearing that it 
was Hardy, said, "God bless you. Hardy," and the two 
friends parted for the last time. The scene is realistic, the 
pathos of that parting is something too deep to be de- 
scribed by words. 

In the course of his lengthy extract from the log-book 
of the Victory^ Roberts interpolates the words, " This is 
incorrect," after the much-quoted phrase, " Partial firing 
continued until 4.30, when a victory having been reported 
to Lord Nelson, K.B., he died of his wound." ^ 

For an entire week Hardy had no leisure to take up a 
pen. He had no rest day or night. The Victory, with 

' Roberts probably means that firing continued some time after 
4.30 P.M. In his r€mark-book is a roughly drawn ])ut perfectly com- 
prehensible diagram of the order of battle, which is now reproduced. 



144 TRAFALGAR 

Nelson's body on board, was riding out the gale, which 
sprang up as soon as the last shot had been fired. It was; 
not till the 27th October that Hardy was able to give his 
friends at home the following modest account of the 
greatest sea-battle of naval history. 

" Victory," 
OFF Cadiz, 
Octr 27 ih, 1805. 

. Dear Manfield, 

We have on the 21st Inst obtained a most 
Glorious Victory over the Combined Fleets, but it has cost 
the Country a Life that no Money can replace, and one for 
whose Death I shall for ever mourn. Our Dear and ever 
to be lamented Lord fell in the Action and as it fell to our 
lot to lead the Fleet into Action, our loss has been rather 
great (54 killed and 80 wounded), however I have come off 
unhurt. The weather ever since the Action has been so 
bad that we have had some Difficulty to save our shattered 
ship, and have had no communication with any of the Fleet. 
I realy cannot say the exact number of ships taken but 
twelve we are certain of, tho' I much fear many of them are 
since lost and one or two taken into Cadiz as the gale for 
thease last 5 Days has not ceased blowing directly on that 
shore. Thos Bartlett is well and has written by this 
conveyance. It will also be satisfactory for Sam Clark (of 
Possum) to know that his son is well. The Victory is in so 
nude a state that she must be ordered to England, at any 
rate you will soon see me and I am determined to remain 
on shore some months. You will suppose my mind is not 
very easy and I am sure you will excuse this hasty scrall. 
We are this moment ordered to Gibraltar by Telegraph 
and I have only time to say that in hopes of seeing you 
soon. 

I remain, with good wishes for all, 
Dear Manfield, 
Ever }-ours most Affcctionatel}', 

T. M. IlARDV. 



ROBERTS'S REMARK BOOK 145 

Midshipman Roberts, Hardy's Dorset compatriot, had 
meanwhile contrived to add the following notes to his 
narrative of what happened after Trafalgar : — 

" Tuesday October 22nd. — Fresh breezes and cloudy. 
Employed knotting and splicing the fore and main 
•"'ggj^g) etc. Cape Trafalgar bore S.E. 2 E. dist. 11 
leagues. 

" Wednesday 2yd — Employed clearing the wreck of the 
mizen mast. Strong gales and heavy squalls from the 
westward. Sounded in 70 fms. Cadiz bore E. by S. dist. 
5 leagues. Mustered the ships company, carpenters 
employed stopping the shot holes. H.M.S. Polyp Jievms 
took us in tow. The high land of Rota bore E. b. S. 5 
or 6 leagues. Winds this day S. b. VV. and S. 

" Thursday 24.1/1. — Fresh breezes and squally. Em- 
ployed setting up the fore rigging. Got up a Jury fore 
top mast and a main top gall, yard for a fore top sail 
yard, and bent the mizen top sail for a fore top sail. 
Sounded in 60 fm. Observed a ship on fire astern. At 
9.45 she blew up. Strong gales and squally with rain 
at intervals. Winds this day S.W. and S. b. W. 

"Friday 2^tJt. — Strong gales and squally with rain. 
At 4.15 P.M. heavy squalls. At 5.10 carried away the 
main yard. Split the main top sail and main sail all to 
pieces. Cleared away the wreck, sounded every hour 
with 100 fm. no bottom. PolypJieinus increased her dis- 
tance from us supposing the hawser had parted. Hard 
gales and a heavy swell from the W.S.W. 

" At daylight saw the Royal Sovereign in the N.E. 
with signal 314 flying, made the signal to the Polyphemus 
with the Royal Sovereign pendts. At 7 wore ship. At 
8 more moderate. Heavy squalls at intervals. Africa, 
N.N.E. with the signal of distress, all her masts being 
gone. At noon, moderate breezes and squally, heavy 
swell from the W.S.W. Several sails in sight around us. 
Winds S.W. b. W. and W.S.W. 

" Saturday 26/'//.— Fresh breezes and hazy. Employed 

K 



146 TRAFALGAR 

rigging the jury main yard and fitting a main top sail 
yard. Neptune took us in tow. Bent the main sail. 
Sounded in 50 fm. Mud. Saw the land bearing E.b.N. p. 
compass. Fleet E.S.E. Winds this day W.S.W. & .W 

" Sunday 2'jtJi. — Moderate and hazy. Fleet in sight 
E.N.E. At 9.40 carried away the tow rope. Tried for 
soundings every hour ; no bottom. Saw the land over 
Conil Bay E.S.E. Squally with rain. Neptnne carried 
away her fore top mast. Made and shortened sail occas- 
sionally. At noon Cape Trafalgar bore N.E. 2 E. dist. 7 miles. 
Sounded in 29 fm. Winds this day W. by S. and W.S.W. 

^'Monday 28///. — Fresh breezes and cloudy. Steering 
for Gibraltar. At 7, anchored in Rosia Bay, Gibraltar. 
Found lying here H.M. Ships Prince, Tonnajit, TJuinderer^ 
Revenge, Colossus, and several men of war. Rear-Adml. 
Knight's flag flying on board the Endyniioji. St Juan 
Spanish prize at anchor here. Departed this life, Mr A. 
Palmer, Mid., of his wounds." 

It was not till five weeks later that the Victory reached 
St Helens. Hardy said to Capt. Parker of the Amazon, 
who was one of the first to come on board : " Parker, 
you and Capel have often talked of your attacking a 
French line - of - battle ship with two frigates. Now, 
after what I have seen at Trafalgar, I am satisfied it 
would be mere folly, and ought never to succeed." ^ The 
news of the arrival of the Victory was thus conveyed to Mr 
Manfield by Hardy's Portsmouth friend, Mr Thompson. 

PORTSEA, &,th Decnnber 1805. 

Dear Sir, 

It is with infinite pleasure I communicate to 
you the safe arrival of the Victory at St Helens this 
Morning she cannot get further to Day it being a Lee 
Wind and Tide. I could not learn at 3 o'clock that any 

' Life of Admiral Sir Williavi Parker, by Rear-Admiral Augustus 
Phillimore ; London, Harrison, 1876, vol. i., p. 308. 



RETURxN TO ENGLAND 147 

Boat is yet from her. I hope in God to meet my good and 
worthy Friend to Morrow well, he must have experienced 
a most fatiguing and melancholy time of it since the Action 
and the loss of his most brave and gallant Friend, It is a 
distressing sight to now see the Ships Flags and Pendants 
half Mast on the raelancholly occasion ; you may be assured 
of someones writing again to Morrow. 

With sincere Respect for yourself Mrs Manfield and 
family and all around you I remain, 

Yours most truly, 

Geo. a. Thompson.^ 

You will of course Communicate the Contents of this to 
the Family. 

^ The following note, written by Henry Thompson of Andover on 
7th December 1883, is attached to Admiral Nelson's chair now in the 
possession of Earl Nelson at Trafalgar House near Salisbury : — 

"This chair is the last chair the great Lord Nelson ever sat in. It 
was given by the Captain Thomas M. Hardy (to whom my grand- 
father, Anson Thompson, had been a friend in his youth) to my aunt, 
Isabella Thompson, and landed out of the Victory in 1805, after 
Trafalgar, and taken to my grandfather's house in Chapel Row, Portsea. 
After various removals it was given by my aunt to me. I would add 
that my aunt did twit Captain Hardy that he kept the Admiral's chair 
and gave her the one he used himself, upon which Sir Thomas assured 

her, and with a nautical oath confirmed it, that '' he\i be d d if that 

was not the Adj/tiraPs chair, and its fellow, in which he himself sat, was 
■broken in clearing the ship for action.^ It has never been repaired, but 
is to be given at my decease to the present Earl Nelson and his heirs." 
Lord Nelson has added, '''■ N.B. — A further proof of its authenticity is 
the matching, the covering, and legs of the sofa I already possessed 
from the Victory cabin, and also there is a soft place covered with silk 
on the right arm of the chair for the stump of his arm to rest ovi!' 



CHAPTER XV 

AFTER TRAFALGAR [1806-1816]. 

THE moral effect of Trafalgar throughout England was 
very great. On the Dorset littoral it can only be 
described as tremendous. For eight weary years the word 
invasion had been on everyone's lips, for it was very generally 
thought (on shore at any rate) that Bonaparte would in all 
probability endeavour to effect a landing at some point 
between St Alban's Head and Thorncombe Beacon. Between 
1797 and 1805, the staple topic of conversation had been of 
wars and rumours of wars ; there had been constant marching 
and counter-marching of Yeomanry and Militia ; elaborate 
pljans of supply in case of emergency had been frequently 
distributed amongst the farmers, and, as has already been 
mentioned, a chain of beacons-signals had been planned on 
the summits of all the highest cliffs and hills. 

It was then (and for years afterwards) that Dorset 
nursemaids overawed their refractory charges with the 
Refrain : — 

" Baby, baby, naughty baby, 

Hush, you squalling thing, I say ; 
Hush your squalling, or it may be 
Bonaparte will pass this way. 

Baby, baby, he's a giant. 

Tall and black as Rouen steeple ; 
And he dines and sups, rely on't, 

Every day on naughty people. 

Baby, Baby, he will hear you 

As he passes by the house, 
And he, limb from limb, will tear you 

Just as pussy tears a mouse." 

148 



THE BEACON ON BLAGDON HILL 149 

By a felicitous coincidence it has fallen to the lot of 
another Thomas Hard}- (like the captain of the Victoiy\ a 
man of Dorset), whose vivid pen-pictures of Wessex 
life have, during the past thirty years, been read, and 
admired by millions on either side of the Atlantic, to 
describe in soul-stirring verse the condition of the country 
he loves so well in the dark time of the Great War, Captain 
Hardy, as might be expected, figures prominently in T/ic 
Dynasts} While Nelson lay wounded in the cockpit of 
the Vtctojy, Captain Hardy is made to say in response 
to Nelson's query, " What are you thinking that you speak 
no word ? " 

"Thoughts all confused my lord — their needs on deck, 
Your own sad state, and your unrivalled past, 
Mixed up with flashes of old things afar — 
Old childish things at home down Wessex way, 
In the snug village under Blackdon Hill 
Where I was born. The tumbling stream, the garden, 
The placid look of the grey dial there, 
Marking unconsciously this bloody hour. 
And the red apples of my father's trees 
Just now full ripe." 

In the thick of tlje fighting on board the Victory, 
Hardy's mind doubtless went back to " Possum," for he 
knew full well that his brother Joseph had charge of 
the beacon on Blagdon Hill, which he had so often gazed 
at when going up or down channel. With Hardy's 
letter describing Trafalgar, was tied up the following 
memorandum : — 

To Mr Joseph Hardy, 

PORTISHAM. 
June 23rc/, 1804. 

Sir, 

I am directed by Lord Dorchester to desire 
that yoy will without delay, send me an account of the 
whole expense of erecting, and also watching the beacon 

1 The Dynasts, a drama of the Napoleonic Wars, by Thomas 
Hardy, part i. London : Macmillan & Co., 1904. 



ISO AFTER TRAFALGAR 

on Blagdon Hill from the beginning to the present time 
according to the form below, in order that the same may 
be discharged forthwith. 

(Signed) Edward Boswell, 
Clerk to the Lieutenancy. 

May 2nd, 1804. — Received of Mr Hardy £\, i6s. for 
attending to the beacon four weeks at 9s, a week. 

William Boyt X his mark. 

It would be curious to learn if Thomas Hardy, the 
Poet, was aware of the existence of honest William Boyt, 
who could only make his mark, although his family possibly 
vied in antiquity with that of the Turbervilles of Bere Regis, 
when he planned the following graphic scene as taking 
place on one of the neighbouring heights. 

First old man. — " Now Jems Purchess once more mark 
my words. Black'on is the point we've to watch, and not 
Kingsbere ; and Pll explain for why. If he do land any- 
where here about 'twill be inside Deadman's Bay and the 
signal will straightway come from Black'on.^ . . . The words 
of my Lord Lieutenant was whenever you see Kingsbere 
Hill beacon fired to the eastward or Black'on to the west- 
ward light up and keep your second fire burning for two 
hours. Was that our documents or was it not ? " 

' The following contemporary letter throws considerable light on 
the organisation of these Dorset beacons in and before 1805. Lord 
Dorchester, writing to Henry Bankes of Kingston Lacy, 12th October 
1803, says: — "I beg of you that you will give directions for an 
assemblage of faggots, furze, and other fuel, also of straw to be stacked 
and piled on the summit of Badbury Rings so as the whole may take fire 
instantly, and the fire may be maintained for two hours. It is to be 
fired whenever the beacon of St Catharine's is fired to the eastward, 
or whenever the Lytchett or Woodbury Hill beacons are fired to the 
westward ; but it is not to be fired from any demonstrations of any 
coast signals." The Story of Corfe Castle., by the Right Hon. George 
Bankes, M.P., p. 278. London : John Murray, 1853. 



TRAFALGAR HONOURS 151 

Scco)idold man. — " I don't gainsay it. And so I keep my 
eye on Kingsbere because that's most likely o' the two 
says I," 

In the interval of the news of Trafalgar reaching 
England and the arrival of Nelson's remains at Torts- 
mouth, few of those who had taken part in the battle were 
as much talked of as Hardy. The following letter, written 
within a fortnight of the victory becoming known, speaks 
for itself: — 

Mr Editor, 

In no great action in this or any preceding 
war has the Captain of the Comm'-in-Chief's Ship been 
forgotten, when the honours of our Sovereign have 
deservedly been conferred on the Flag Officers of the 
Victorious Fleet. The public are anxiously expecting that 
the brave Capt" Hardy, who was the immortal Nelson's 
Captain, and indeed he may be called the Captain of the 
Fleet, will not be forgotten, and will "receive soon the 
honours due to his gallantry." England expected that he 
would do his duty, and " he has done so." 
I am. Sir, 

Your humble Serv*, 
A Friend to the Valiant, 
AND A Constant Reader. 

London, Nov. \()fk, 1805.- 

On the 8th January 1806, the day before the final 
consignment of Nelson's "honoured remains" to their last 
resting-place in St Paul's, Sir Isaac Heard, Garter King of 
Arms, confirmed to Thomas Masterman Hardy and his heirs 
the ancient "coat" of the Jersey Hardys, with a difference 
of colour and the substitution of the heads of dragons 
instead of " wyverns." "^ On the next day Hardy, carrying 

' Naval Chronicle, vol xiv. (1805), p. ;})2>2). 
^ See .'\ppendix, p. 287. 



152 AFTER TRAFALGAR 

"the banner of emblems"^ just before the members of the 
Nelson family, was the observed of all observers, in the 
greatest funeral pageant which London had witnessed for 
centuries. 

On the 28th January, Hardy received, with the rest of 
the Trafalgar officers, the vote of thanks awarded them 
by both Houses of Parliament, and only two days later he 
was further honoured with the presentation of the freedom 
of the City of London, accompanied by a sword of the value 
of one hundred guineas. The civic address is now amongst 
the Hardy relics at Portisham. A month later (4th 
February) Hardy was created a baronet. The patent, a 
very formidable document indeed, with the Great Seal 
pendant, is still preserved at Portisham. The preamble 
to it runs as follows : — 

" Know ye that we of our especial grace, certain know- 
ledge and meer notion have erected, appointed & created our 
trusty and well-beloved Thomas Masterman Hardy, Esquire, 
Captain in our Royal Navy, a man eminent for family 
inheritance, estate and integrity of manners to and unto 
the dignity, state and degree of a Baronet." 

About this time the last will and testament of Lord 
Nelson, with its various codicils, was proved. Amongst 
the numerous bequests to friends was the following : — 
" To my worthy friend. Captain Thomas Hardy, all my tele- 
scopes and sea-glasses and a hundred pounds." The shorter 
of these telescopes, employed by Nelson at Trafalgar, now 
belongs to Lady Helen MacGregor, the widow of Hardy's 
grandson. The longer, used by Nelson prior to the loss 

' The nature of the flag borne by Hardy at St Paul's is seen in the 
accompanying contemporary illustration. This banner wSs evWently 
regarded as the one of the greatest importance, for the official ground 
plan shows Hardy's position in the ceremonial to have been just 
behind the chair of state occupied by the Prince Regent as principal 
mourner at the foot of Nelson's coffin. 



MEMENTOES OF NELSON 153 

of his arm, was given by Hardy in 1837 to his nephew 
by marriage, Lord Frederick Fitz Roy. Hardy also 
received from Lord Nelson's family a handsome memorial 
ring, with the initials " N. B." coroneted, and the word 
" Trafalgar " in enamel. 

Hardy's war medals are in possession of Lady Helen 
MacGregor, by whose permission^they are now reproduced 
for the first time. She also possesses the silver pencil- 
case he used to note the signals at Trafalgar, and which 
still shows the marks of his teeth, made while he held it in 
his mouth. 

It was apparently Hardy's task to convey to Lady 
Hamilton the incomplete letter begun by Nelson before the 
commencement of the battle. It is endorsed in her hand- 
writing — " This letter was found open on his desk and 
brought to Lady Hamilton by Captain Hardy.'' He also 
brought with him to Merton the coat worn by Nelson when 
he fell, and which afterwards, by the generosity of the late 
Prince Consort, became the property of the nation. 

Sir T. M. Hardy's town residence was now at 16 

Buckingham Street. Thence he writes to Manfield on the 

1 0th March : — 

16 Buckingham Street,' 
March lot/i^ 1806. 

Dear Manfield, 

Thank you for your letter and its inclosure 
which I got this morning, my trunk also was received in 
clue time. Mr John Browne left us yesterday and will 
give you an account of our proceedings. I have had so 
much to do since my arrival that I have not yet had an 
opportunity of paying my respects to Lord Dorchester, 
but intend calling tomorrow, if possible. I have not yet 
seen Mr Guy nor shall \ be in a great hurry. I did not 
forget to speak to Miss Crone and I think it all right. 

1 As this house still stands^ the attention of the London County 
Council is respectfully called to it as a fitting site for the erection of a 
commemorative tablet. 



154 AFTER TRAFALGAR 

Prosser of Charing Cross by my side and talks so fast that 
I can only say God bless you all. 

T. M. Hardy. 

A few days later he writes : — 

i6 Buckingham Street, 
iMarch 20 fk, 1806. 

Dear Manfield, 

Mr Nayler wants to know who was the Father 
of My Grand Mother Hardy, of course my Aunt can tell 
and then I believe the Pedigree will be finally settled, at 
least I hope so. My Friend Travers ^ has breakfasted with 
me almost every morning since his arrival in Town, and is, 
I assure you, in very high spirits. It is almost feared that 
Digby will not stand his ground as he has not arrived in 
Town according to promise. I have had an interview with 
Mr Grey and conclude I am soon to be employed, I dine 
with him next Wednesday. I have called three times at 
Lord Dorchester's, and he has always been out in his 
Carriage, therefore I conclude he is much better. Tell Jos 
when you see him that his Plows, &c., left London by 
Russel's Waggon on Feby 22nd, therefore I conclude they 
are save arrived at Dorchester. I have sent, directed to 
you, a small Clock for them at Possum. Bridge and 
Rundell has promised to send the Watches I took from 
Lulworth to their proper owners in a few days. 

I hopes of seeing you soon in this part of the World, I 
remain with Duty to my Aunt and Love to Catherine and 
Mary, 

Dear Manfield, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. IL\RDY. 
The Money is already for Jos. 

' Richard Travers of Loders (see ante). 



HARDY CONTESTS WEYMOUTH 155 

Hardy's Dorset friends were now desirous that he should 
enter the House of Commons, and he accordingly offered 
himself as a candidate for Weymouth, where he had seen 
the king the year before, and which was then described 
as one constituency "with two names (Weymouth and 
Melcombe Regis) sending four members to Parliament." 
Notwithstanding the heroic exertions of Mr Manfield and 
others, and despite all the glamour of Trafalgar, Hardy was 
seventh on the poll. In the following )-ear he again 
entered the lists, but with no better results. 

On the 27th March Hardy became Captain of the 
Sainpscvi, and a {cv^ weeks later of the TriuvipJi (15th May). 
Meanwhile, he wrote the following letter to his brother : — 

Plymouth Dock, 

May 12 fh, 1806. 

Dear Jos, 

I suppose before you get this you will see by 
the papers of my appointment to the TriinnpJi, so that I 
trust my friends will not allow that I was not in the wrong 
to accept the Sampson. 

We sail in a few days under the Command of Sir Richd 
Strachan,^ I believe, off the Western Islands. If I had 
been offered my choice of any Ship in the Navy, I should 
have taken the Ship I now have, and had they given me 
my choice of a Cruise, I should have chosen that which we 
are now going on, therefore, you will see I, as usual, fall on 
my Legs. As we are to sail so very soon, you may 
suppose I have not much time to spare, therefore, in hast, 
I remain, with Love to all. 

Dear Jos 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

The object of Sir Richard Strahan's expedition, in which 
Hardy was now to take part, w^ the pursuit of Admiral ' 
Willaumez, who was reported to have sailed for American 
' Admiral Sir Richard Strachan, Bart, (born 1760, died 1828). 



156 AFTER TRAFALGAR 

waters. A fairly full account of the movements of the 
squadron will be found' in the life of the late Admiral Sir 
William Hargood, who was then captain of the Bellisle} 
Strahan's force consisted of seven ships of the line, two 
frigates, and a brig. After cruising for some time between 
the Cape de Verde Islands and the Azores, the news 
reached Strahan at Funchal, on the 20th July 1806, that 
Willaumez was in the West Indies. They at once started 
in pursuit, but encountered some days later (iSth August) 
a terrible hurricane, in which both fleets experienced the 
most serious damage, and a fight became impossible. 
Hardy's trusty weather-glass warned him of the coming 
storm, and Hargood ascribes his safety to having followed 
Hardy's example in shortening sail, being aware, as his 
biographer tells us, of the superior quality of Hardy's 
marine barometer. The Admiral, however, in his eager- 
ness to come up with the enemy, continued to fly the 
signal " make more sail," and his vessel the Ccesar being 
dismasted in the gale, his flag was transferred to Hardy's 
ship the Triinnph. 

Sometime in the summer of the following year (1807), 
Hardy in the Triumph joined the squadron of Vice-Admiral 
Sir George Cranfield Berkeley, then in command of the 
North America station. From' Chesapeake Bay he wrote 
the last letter ever addressed to his brother-in-law, Mr J. C. 
Manfield, who died on the 21st June 1808, at the early age 
of forty-six : — 

"Triumph," Chesapeake, .•\merica, 
August ^th^ 1807. 
De.vr MANFIKI.I), 

I am really at a loss to know the reason that 
I have not heard from you every Backet. Letters reach 
me from people who I am not anxious to hear from, but 

^ A Memoir of Sir IVil/iain I/argood, by Joseph Allen, Esq., 
Cireenwicli. Printed for private circulation only, by Henry S. 
Richardson, 1841,' pp. 158-165. 



THE BLOCKADE OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 157 

none from Dorsetshire except one from Richd Roberts 
some Months ^go. I have written frequently to you I 
therefore conclude they m.ust all have miscarried. I got a 
letter from Halford dated ist of April he told me he had 
seen you a few Days before the date of that Letter. Our 
Blocade ^ has been rather tedious, and now to mend the 
matter the President of the United States of America has 
interdicted all of us and will not allow us the smallest sort 
of refreshment and I really begin to think that war with 
this Country is inevitable. You will have seen long before 

' The "blocade" Hardy refers to, was that of a portion of the 
French Fleet shut up in Chesapeake Bay by the presence, of the 
Triianph and her sister ships in these waters during the latter part of 
1807 and the commencement of 1808. The following certificate, given 
by Hardy to Francis Roberts, speaks for itself:^ 

"These are to certify the Right Hon^i'"- fhe Lords Commissioners 
of the Admiralty that Mr Francis Roberts' served as midshipman from 
1806 to 181 1 on board his Majesty's ships Triumph and Barfteurund&r 
my command. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 181 1 for 
his good conduct by Admiral the Hon^ie- Sir George Berkeley from 
the latter ship. During the time the Triumph was assisting to blocade 
a French squadron in the Chesapeak in 1807 Mr Roberts was entrusted 
with the command of the Hamilton, tender to the Triumph, where he 
was very active particularly after the affair of the Leander [" Say 
Leopard" in another hand written below], and the United States frigate 
Chesapeak, he with great perseverance got up to the town of Norfolk 
in a very dark night and made the result of the action known to 
Captain, now Vice-Admiral Douglas of H.M.S. Bellona then the senior 
ofificer in the Chesapeak who was on shore at that place. He received 
Captain Douglas on board the schooner before the account of the 
action was known at Norfolk and conveyed him to the Bellona in 
Chesapeak Bay. 

Lieutenant Roberts is the nephew of the late Captain Roberts who 
died on board the Success in the West Indies early in the war. I 
consider him a very deserving ofificer and beg to fecommend him to 
their Lordships' notice. 

Given under my hand in London this i8th day of September 

• 1830. 

T. M. Hardy, 

Rear Admiral." . 

2 A younger brother of Richard Francis Roberts of the Victory 
(see ante). 



158 AFTER TRAFALGAR 

you get this the affair that happened between the Chcsa- 
Jjeakc frigate and the Leopard} One would hardly suppose 
that the Jonathans could be so blind to their own Interest, 
but their Insolence is not to be borne with and they will I 
suppose oblige us to take and destroy the whole of their 
Trade. It will be a melancholly thing for me to increase 
twenty or thirty thousand Pounds which I can easily do in 
a fortnight. I literally write this to tell you I am well and 
in hopes of drawing a letter from you. I shall be at 
Halifax in October if you write by the Packet there is no 
doubt of my getting it. All the youngsters from Dorset- 
shire are well except young Dampier - who I think gets 
worse every Day. I wrote His Father on the subject a 
long time ago but no answer. I think If I had told him 
that his Son had made a Thousand Pounds I should have 
had an answer. Give my Duty to my Aunt who I hope 
continues as well as usual Love to Catherine the Young 
Ladies and all P'riends. I remain 
Dear Manfield, 

Yours Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

His projected visit to Halifax had important conse- 
quences, which he evidently did not foresee when he wrote 
to Dorchester, for on the 17th November he there married 
Miss Anne Louisa Emily Berkeley, the eldest daughter of 
his chief,'^ who was, as might be expected, considerably his 
junior. 

1 On the 22nd of June 1807, Captain S. P. Humphries of the Leopard 
(fifty guns) asserted the right to search for deserters, by causing the 
surrender of the American ship the Chesapeake^ after an action of 
ten minutes, because the latter refused to give up some British sea- 
man, who had deserted to his ship. This action caused much tension 
between the two Governments, and was one of the causes which 
led to the war which broke out five years later, i8th June 18 12. 

2 The Dampiers were a very old Dorset family of Huguenot origin. 
They possessed two residences in the Isle of Purbeck,'Leeson House 
in Langton, and Morton's House, Corfe Castle 

^ Sir George Cranficld I'.crkeley, G.C. 15. , Admiral in the Royal Navy, 



LADY HARDY'S PRIVATIONS 159 

Lady Hardy has left behind her some amusing notes of 
their early married Hfe. " We spent," she writes, " from 
December 1807 to April 1808 in that gloomy desolate bay 
(Chesapeake), not allowed to land, as the Americans were 
in such an exasperated state that they might have been 
very disagreeable. At last we were released, and I returned 
to Bermuda where my parents were." She often vividly 
described the incidents of those weary days to her grand- 
son, Sir Evan MacGregor. During the whole winter there 
was no fire in the cabin, and the ship was kept perpetually 
ready for action ; but she always stipulated with the Captain 
that should there be any fighting she was to come on deck 
and not remain below. She was a true Berkele}', whose 
courage was hereditary and traditional. She also proved 
a clever diplomatist. On her husband telling her she 
must never refuse to take wine with any particular officer, 
lest it might lead to quarrels, she accordingly quietly 
substituted a decanter of toast and water for the orthodox 
sherry, and so never shirked the ordeal thus imposed upon her. 

At this point the Manfield correspondence ceases. He 
died 2 1st June 1808, and was buried in he Hardy vault, 
beneath the chancel of Portisham Church. Hardy, however, 
was not unmindful of his other Dorset friends. In the 
year of Mr Manfield's death he once more returned for 
a short time to England, and in September wrote to Mr 
Richard Roberts at Burton Bradstock, whose younger son 
Francis was now serving with him as midshipman, the 
following characteristic letter : — 

"Triumph" Portsmouth 

Septr. 22d in the Evening 
1808. 

Dear Sir, 

It was not till this afternoon that I received 
your letter sent me by your son Frank owing (I believe) to 

and some time Lord High Admiral of Portugal, born 1753, second son 
of Augustus, fourth Earl of Berkeley ; married, 1784, Emily Charlotte, 
daughter of Lord George Lennox. Died 25th February' 1818. 



i6o AFTER TRAFALGAR 

his having mislaid it. . He now is in perfect health but you 
may rely on it that he shall not be allowed to go aloft or 
to do any duty that may in any degree indanger his health. 
May I beg of you to give my best compliments to Admiral 
and Mrs Ingram. I request also you will give my best 
regards to Mrs Roberts. 

I remain, Dear Sir, 

Yours very faithfully, 

T. M. Hardy. 

While cruising in lat. 47.3 and long. 4.25, during the 
early days of 1809, Hardy captured th^Joiige Fanny, galliot, 
bound from Bordeaux to Bergen laden with good French 
wine. Young Francis Roberts was sent home with her in 
command of the prize crew, he being rated as master's 
mate. The galliot, however,- was caught in a storm, and 
made shipwreck in Whitesand Bay on the 25th January. 

Meanwhile Sir John Borlase Warren had relieved Sir 
George Berkeley on the North America station, and the 
latter, accompanied by Lady Berkeley, had returned 
home on the Leopard flag-ship. Admiral Berkeley had 
already (December 1S08) been appointed to the chief 
command " on the coast of Portugal and in the Tagus " ; 
on the 17th May 1809, Hardy became captain of the 
Barjicnr, and in her, with Lady Hardy on board, proceeded 
to join his father-in-law in Portuguese waters. On Hardy's 
arrival the Admiral's flag was transferred to this ship, from 
which the Captain thus writes to Burton : — 

"Barfleur," Tagus, 
Sepfr 23</, 1809. 

My Dear Sir, 

Your letter of the 3d of August I found here 
on my arrival at this Port, and mentioned its contence to 
your son who is now so far recovered that he seems quite 
equal to do his Duty and has^ declined accepting of your 
offer. Should a relaps take place and the surgeon 



WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES i6i 

irecommend it I shall most certainly advise his trying !his 
mative air, and he sha'll have leave of absence for that 
purpose but we have icvery reason to hope that he will do 
very well. I .beg of you to offer my very best ■compliments 
.to Admiral and Mrs Ingram and I shall be most happy t® 
,give him an account of his nephew's promotion which I 
(hope is not far distant. Lady Hardy joins xne in .best 
tcompliments to Mrs Roberts and yourself 

I remain, Dear Sir, 

Yours very sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

"Richard Rop.e-rts, Esq^ 
Burton, Bridport. 

Hardy remained with Sir George Berkeley for about 
three years, receiving in iSiothe rank of Commodore in tHae 
Portuguese Navy.^ On the retirement of Sir G. C. Berkeley 
from active senvice in the autumn of j8iI2, Hardy came 
with him to England, and on the 8th October received a 
•commission as -captain of the Rainiilies {^Qwenty-mno. guns), 
•and proceeded to reinfoipce the N-orth America sq.uadiroia., 
war having been declared agaiiast the United States, lOth 
June 1812, Nearly a year later he writes to his brother 
^s follows.: — 

"".RAMILLIES," off BI.OCK ISLATSrt^, 
NOT FAR FROM NEW YORK, 

May 1st, 1 8 13. 

Dear Jcds, 

We are cruising off fhis Island to prevent iif 
possible the Sailing .of the United States and Macedoman 

^ Under date SeptennTDer i8iQ,.tbe Naval Otromcle,vo\. xxiv.,p.457., 
imakes .the fol'lowing announcement : — • 

" Notice that the Pcnrtuguese Government had cenferred on the 
Hon. Admiral Berkeley and Cajptain Sir Thomag Hardy, the former 
ithe rank of Commander-in-Chief, amd the latiter of a .Chief of Division, 
;in the Royal Armaida .of Portugal, and had recently doubled the 
ipay attaching to those ajppointments." 

X 



i62 . AFTER TRAFALGAR 

Frigates they are both ready for sea and laying at New 
York ; however I rather wish they would put to sea for the 
chance of our falling in with them. We have been 
fortunate enough to take several prizes tho' not valuable, 
yet they will all turn to account, but I never reckon on- 
Prize Money till I have received it. As young Burgis is a 
constant correspondent with Sister Thresher I have no doubt 
but you will get all the News of the Raniillies from him \ 
at least much more than I can give you. He is a very fine 
Boy and I have no doubt but he will turn out very well. I 
hope Mr Crawford will get Prize Money sufficient to repay 
me, for his friends have not supplied him with Sixpence 
and literally he could not walk the Quarter Deck without 
my assistance and he really behaves so well that I continue 
to advance him Money at my own risk. Fortunately for us 
Block Island has no Guns in it, therefore we get plenty of 
Water and Stock from it and we also get our Linen washed 
there.- The inhabitance are very much alarmed and of 
course they are most completely in our power, but as long 
as they supply us we shall be very civil to them. I have 
not heard from any of you since I left England and my last 
letter from Louise^ was Dated Jany 5th and we are quite 
out of the way of all News. However I will dispense with 
that for the sake of some good Prizes, and there are two or 
three India Men expected which we are looking out very 
sharp for. As it is possible Edward Bartlett might not hear 
from his Son, tell him that he is very well and goes on much 
to my satisfaction and Doctor Plowman is very well 
pleased with young Hodder. My Steward had the mis- 
fortune a few Days ago (whilst loading a gun) to blow a 
piece of his left Arm off and I very much fear if he will 
ever get the better of it ; he is a most excellent Servant 
and will be a very great loss to me. I have heard 
nothing of poor Thos Bartlett but much fear that he 
died soon after we left Portsmouth for I think I never 

' Lady Hardy. 



EARLY TORPEDOES AND SUBMARINES 163 

saw any Creature look worse than he did the last time I 
saw him. 

With best Love to all. I remain, 

My dear Jos, 

Yours most Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy, 

About two months later (25th June 1813), Hardy in the 
Raniillies was off New London in command of a squadron 
of ships of the line. He captured an enemy's schooner 
making for that harbour, and the boarding officer reported 
her to be laden with provisions. The crew, however, had 
escaped in the boats after planning a carefully-contrived 
arrangement of clock work and gunpowder, which they 
hoped would have destroyed the English ships. Hardy was 
not to be taken in ; he did not bring her close to the 
Ramillies, but ordered her to be secured alongside another 
.prize, and sent a prize crew of thirteen men under Lieutenant 
Geddes to take possession. They had no sooner got on 
board than an explosion took place, and the officer with 
ten of his men perished. 

Another attempt to blow up the Ramillies a month later 
is interesting, from the fact that it shows that submarine 
warfare was contemplated by the Americans at a much 
earlier date than is generally supposed. In July 181 3, 
whilst lying at anchor off New London, the deck sentinel 
suddenly sang out, " Boat ahoy," on seeing an object rise 
to the surface like a porpoise a few feet astern of his ship. 
The thing immediately disappeared ; so the sentinel fired 
an alarm gun ; all hands were called to quarters ; the cable 
u-as cut and the ship got under weigh with all possible 
dispatch. Once more the mysterious stranger rose to the 
surface, and before any guns could be turned on her, 
dived again and fastened herself on to the keel of the 
British ship, remaining there for half an hour, during 
^vhich time a man within her succeeded in drillincr a hoJe 



i64 AFTER TRAFALGAR 

through the copper of the Rauiillics, but whilst engaged in 
attaching a torpedo, the screw broke and the attempt failed. 
It turned out to be a diving boat " the invention of a gentle- 
man living at Norwich, U.S.," who by means of paddles 
could propel himself in her under water at the rate of three 
miles an hour, ascending to the surface and descending 
at pleasure. Commodore Hardy thereupon withdrew his 
squadron from New London, and issued orders to his 
ships to keep under weigh the whole time instead of lying 
at anchor.^ 

On 7th July 1 8 14, Hardy in the Rainillics with two 
transports, having on board the 102nd Regiment, joined 
with a land force under Lieut. Col. Pilkington, Adjutant- 
General, and proceeded up the Passamaquaddy Bay, 
anchoring off the town of East Port on Moose Island 
on the iith, whence the following summons was sent to 
the officer commanding Fort Sullivan : — 

On Board H.M.S. "Ramillies," 
OFF Moose Island, /z^/y 11. 

Sir, 

As we are perfectly apprised of the weakness of 
the fort and garrison under your command, and your 
inability to defend Moose Island against the ships and 
troops of his Britannic Majesty placed under our direc- 
tions, we are induced from the humane consideration of 
avoiding the effusion of blood, and from a regard to you 
and the inhabitants of the island, to prevent, if in our 
power, the distresses and calamities which will befall them, 
in case of resistance. We, therefore, allow you five 
minutes, from the time this summons is delivered, to 
decide upon an answer. 

In the event of your not agreeing to capitulate, on 
liberal terms, we shall deeply lament being compelled to 
resort to those coercive measures which may cause destruc- 



I 



^ GentlemtrHs Magazine^ 1813, ii., p. 285. 



HARDY'S SUMMONS TO SURRENDER 165 

tion to the town of East Port, but which will ultimately 
insure us possession of the island, 

T. M. Hardy, 
Captain of H. M.S. Rami I lies. 

A. PiLKINGTON, 

Lieut.-Colonel Covivianding. 

To the Officer commanding the 

United States Troops on Moose Island. 

On the refusal of the Americans to surrender, Hardy 
made every preparation for an attack, but as the boats filled 
with soldiers were approaching the shore, the American 
colours were hauled down, and the garrison became 
prisoners of war. The Allen and Frederick Islands were 
also subsequently occupied. In these last operations 
not a single life was sacrificed. The terms of the summons 
to surrender are curiously characteristic of Hardy's 
decision of character. In his dispatch of July 12th, 
1 8 14, Lieut.-CoL Pilkington writes: "To Captain Sir 
Thomas Hardy I consider myself under the greatest 
obligations, having experienced every possible co- 
operation, with an offer to disembark from his squadron 
any proportion of seamen or marines which I considered 
necessary." 

Having satisfactorily disposed of the islands in Passa- 
maquaddy Bay, Hardy was able to turn his attention to 
the town of Stonnington, the inhabitants of which had 
excited his wrath by their activity in preparing the torpedoes 
which had so narrowly missed destroying his ship. On the 
9th August the Raiiiillies, with the Pactohis (dispatch- 
brig) and Terror bomb, anchored off Stonnington. Two 
days later (an attempt at " boarding " the fort having 
failed on account of the shallowness of the water), the 
town was partially destroyed by bombardment. 

The Second American War, terminated by the Peace 



1 66 AFTER TRAFALGAR 

of Ghent, concluded on Christmas Eve 1814. A month 
later (January 181 5) Hardy was made a K.C.B., and 
returned to England in the eventful month which witnessed 
Wellington's crowning victory at Waterloo, the Ramillies 
bemg paid off five days before that battle. 



CHAPTER XVI 

HARDY IN COMMAND OF THE "PRINCESS AUGUSTA" 
YACHT AND THE "SUPERB" [JUNE 23, 1815 — 
AUGUST II, 1819] 

AT last the captain of the Victory was to obtain the 
brief respite from foreign service he had lately been 
looking forward to. By this time Lady Hardy, to whom 
he was devotedly attached, was the mother of three 
engaging daughters, viz., Louisa Georgina (who died 
unmarried), Emily Georgina (afterwards the wife of Mr 
William Chatteris of Sandleford Priory, Newbury ^), and 
Mary Charlotte (who became Lady MacGregor),and survived 
both her sisters, dying on the 29th April 1896. 

Ten days after the Rauiillies had been paid off, Hardy 
was appointed to the captaincy of the Princess Augustii, 
the royal yacht, generally stationed at Deptford. This 
command lasted very nearly three years. During the first 
part of that time Sir T. M. and Lady Hardy lived at 
3 Montagu Square, but towards the end of 18 17 they 
went to reside at Teignmouth in Devonshire. The first 
letter of Hardy's in the Dorchester collection, belonging to 
this part of his career, is addressed to his brother Joseph, 
and relates to a now forgotten lawsuit in which the 
gallant captain, as usual, scored a signal success over his 

1 Once the home of Elizabeth Montagu, Queen of the Blue Stock- 
ings [1720- 1 800]. • 

107 



ii68- "PRINCESS AUGUSTA" AND "SUPERB" 

enemies, who did not dare to face a trial, but allowed! 
jiudgment tO' go- by defaulit Hardy writes : — 

Montague Square, 
Jni7ie it^iy i8i6j 5 o'clock. 

Mr Dear Jos^ 

I am just returned from Serjent B'est.^ The 
bmsmess was brought before the Sheriff and as the party 
pleaded guilty the Damages are given at a Thousand: 
Pound's ^ you will see by the papers of Tomorrow all that 
transpired and all who were present seemed quite satisfiedi 
Iia haste I remain, 

Youxs Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 
I was not in Court. 

The slanders, though obviously ridiculous, did not endl 
Biere, Hardy's next letter speaks for itself :: — 

• J MoNTAGu-E Square, 
June I J thy 18 1 6. 

My dear Jos, 

I wrote you a long letter yesterday whichi 
would have reached you if I had had the misfortune to- 
Biave fallen m an unpleasant affair which took place at 4. 
o'clock yesterday afternoon between Lord Buckinghami 
and myself.^ His Lordship is the person whom I sus- 
pe€±ed tO' have been the author of the Anonymous letter,. 

^ Afterwards Lord Wynford, and one of Hardy's contemporaries at 
Crewkerne School (see ante, p. 20). 

2' The Times of Friday jth June r8i& alludes to the matter m the 
following terms : — "In the Sheriffs Comrt on Wednesday, Sir Thomas 
Mard'y obtained a verdict with ^{^ 1000. damages against the proprietors 
of the Mortiing Herald ior a libel contained in variows paragraphs last 
winter, insinuating that Lady Hardy had eloped with the Marquess of 
Abercorn." [John. James, fiirst Marquess of Abereorn, born 1756, died! 
18 1 8'.] 

3 Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chan-dos Grenville, first Duke- 
ef Buckingham, born 1776, succeedied his fatlier as Marquess iitb 
February 18 13, died 1839- 



HARDY'S DUEL 169 

and in fact all my domestic troubles. After exchanging a 
Shot the seconds would not allow us to proceed, so that it 
has ended nearly as it began, and I still suspect his Lord- 
ship to be the person, however now the eyes of the World 
will be on him, and most probably he will cease to trouble 
us. On Tuesday last I was taken into custody by the Peace 
Officers, owing to an anonymous letter having been written 
to Marlborough Street Office stating that a Duel was to 
take place on the following day between Lord Abercorn 
and myself, his Lordship was also brought up from the 
Priory (12 Miles from London) and bound over to keep 
the Peace, and as I had strong grounds to suspect Lord 
B to be the Writer of the letter, I took an oppor- 
tunity of saying something to him in strong language, 
which was the occasion of our meeting. I am certain that 
you will do me the justice to believe that I would not have 
brought my name under the discussion of the public if I 
could possibly have avoided it, but the infamous attacks 
which have been made on my Wife left me no alternative, 
and I hope by following it up with moderation & firmness, 
that I shall soon get the better of our enemies. Louisa of 
course is very much annoyed but she has born up against 
it with the greatest fortitude. Our three children have got 
the Measles but it is very favourable and they are doing 
remarkably well. I forgot to Say that Mr Fremantle^ 
attended Lord Buckingham & Lord March ^ was my 
second ; it will of course occasion a great deal of conversa- 
tion and of course it is very unpleasant. My time of late 
has been so much occupied that I have not seen Captain 
or Mrs Balston lately, but I purpose calling on them in the 
course of the day. I am getting a rough case made to 
hold a Dozen of Shirts which I will forward to you by 

^ Afterwards the Right Hon. Sir William Henry Fremantle 
M.P., Treasurer of the Household (born 1766, died 1850), In 1816^ 
M.P. for Buckingham. 

'^ Charles, Earl of March, subsequently fifth Duke of Richmond 
and Lennox (born 1791, died i860). 



I/O "PRINCESS AUGUSTA" AND "SUPERB" 

Russell's Wagon in a Day or two to remain at the 
Waggon Office Dorchester till called for, I am joined by 
Louisa in best love to you all. 

I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours most Affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 



Five days later he writes :- 



3 Montague Square, 
June 22nd, 1 8 16. 



My. Dear Jos, 

Many thanks for your kind letter and I assure 
you that I should not hesitate one instant in requesting of 
you to come to Town if I saw the least necessity for it, but 
it is pleasant to see that the greater part of London 
espouses our cause. I have put the business in the hands 
of Lord Sefton ^ who is indefatigable in our cause. Positive 
Proof we certainly have not, but everything short of that 
is in our possession and we have just learnt that the 
suspected person is laid up with a fit of the gout. We have 
not been troubled with any more annonymous letters & I 
now hope that we shall in future be allowed to rest quiet. 
My Rheumatism has troubled me very much, but as the 
cause is now removed, I have no doubt but I shall soon 
recover my health. Louisa has also been very unwell but 
I think she is getting better, the children are all doing 
remarkably well and in a few days will I trust be quite 
recovered. Sir George Berkeley has got a house at 
Moulsey about 12 miles from Town. We are going there 
on Tuesday next for a short time but if you should have 
occasion to write to me you might as well direct London, as 

' William Philip, second Earl of Seflon (born 1772, died 1838). As 
" Lord Dashalong," he is depicted in one of the best of Dighton's 
caricature portraits. He was a great dandy, and moved in the most 
fashionable society. 



LORD SEFTON AND HARDY 171 

I shall frequently be in Town. I sent off the Shrub by 
Russell's waggon on Thursday so that most probably it 
will be at Dorchester on Monday. I am quite sorry to hear 
so bad an account of poor Mrs White but hope the fine 
weather will soon restore her to health. I occasionally see 
the Balstons, Edward is very much taken up with his Ship, 
as she is to sail again very soon he purposes going into 
Dorsetshire only for one day. Pray give our best love to 
all, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours most affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 
Joseph Hardy, Esq. 

In September he writes: — 

3 Montague Square, 
Septrqth^ 1 8 16. 

My Dear Jos, 

I am again put off by the Admiralty till the 
1 8th with a promise, if the person is not then ready to try 
his experiment,^ I shall be allowed to proceed into Dorset- 
shire, so that I hope to be with you by the 20th & which 
I suppose will be quite soon enough for shooting, as I con- 
clude the corn will not be down before that time. We 
have not been in the least troubled by our Anonymous 
friend, but he has now made an attack on my friend Lord 
Sefton & I have been much alarmed fearing that a Duel 
with him could not be prevented, but I am happy to say 
that it is settled without comeing to that horrible ex- 
tremity. The worry again brought on my complaint in 
my leg, but I am now quite well again, Louisa & the 

' This refers to one of the many projects for new departures in 
marine construction brought at this time to the notice of the Admiralty. 
Hardy was always anxious to encourage inventors, as he already felt 
the time for great improvements and radical changes was at hand. 



172 "PRINCESS AUGUSTA" AND "SUPERB" 

children are quite well she joins me in best love to Mrs 
Hardy and all the family I remain, 
My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Early in the following year Hardy writes to his 
brother : — 

3 Montague Square, 
Febry -jth, 1817. 

Mv Dear Jos, 

I received your letter yesterday & should have 
answered it but I was in hopes of getting a Frank for 
to-day but no member has happened to come this way. 
I met Mr John H. Browne who told me that Sir William 
Oglander^ & Mr Purling- had both written to request 
that they might not be named as Sheriffs, I hope you 
have also written as Lord Bathurst^ told me, that he had 
but one voice, but it was the custom to name the first 
on the list & which I sincerely hope will be the case. My 
expenses this year has been rather more than I expected, 
which has put me a little behind hand with Halford, there- 
fore I should feel thankful if you would remit the money 
to him to be placed to my credit. I was at Court yesterday 
& it was the most crowded one that I ever remember to 
have seen. The Prince was looking remarkably well & I 
think that the late attack"* on him will be strengthening 
the Ministers more than anything they could possibly 
have done. I made use of the Heal-all, at the time 1 

' Sir William Oglander, sixth Bart, of Parnham, Dorset (born 1769, 
died 1852). Sheriff of Dorset, 18 18. 

- George Purling of Bradford Peverel Manor, Dorset (died 1840). 
Sheriff of Dorset, 1820. 

^ Henry, third Earl Bathurst, K.G. (born 1762, died 1834). 

^ The revelations of Tierney as to the extravagance of the Prince of 
Wales since becoming Regent. It was at this time that the ominous 
words, " Bread, or the Regent's head," were written on the walls of 
Carlton House. 



DEATH OF SIR GEORGE BERKELEY 173 

wrote to you last, and in three days the pain was quite 
removed, nor has it in the smallest degree since returned. 
Lady Hardy strained her ankle about the same time and 
after using it a few times the pain was completely re- 
moved, so that she swears by it as well as myself When 
you see any of the Possum Family will you thank them 
for the butter ^ which is so good that we are using it for 
breakfast in preference to the London fresh butter. Louisa 
& the children are all well, they join me in best love to 

you all, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Joseph Hardy, Esq., 
Dorchester, Dorset. 

In 1818 Sir T. M. and Lady Hardy went to reside at 
Teignmouth, while Joseph removed from Dorchester to 
Charminster, where he lived till his death. In February 
of this year Sir T. Hardy writes : — 

Teignmouth, Feby 21 th^ 18 18. 
My Dear Jos, 

I am sorry to acquaint you that I have this 

day received an account of the death of poor Sir George 

Berkeley.- He was seized with violent spasms on 

Wednesday last, and expired almost immediately, I am 

excessively glad that Lady Hardy is in Town as she 

will be a great comfort to her Mother, who is in a most 

deplorable state, as she never would allow herself to 

believe that he was in the least danger. I do not know 

if I shall be wanted in London as I can be of no use 

I shall not go unless they particularly desire it ; however 

' " The real Dorset " of Oicr Boys sixty years later. 

- Lady Hardy notes in the diary she kept at intervals, now in the 
possession of Mrs Thynne, that after the funeral, which Sir T. M. Hardy 
attended, she went to stay with her grandmother, Lady Louisa Lennox, 
at Woodend, and in returning to Teignmouth, slept on the night of 
1 8th May (1818) at Mrs Manfield's house in Dorchester. 



174 "PRINCESS AUGUSTA" AND "SUPERB" 

should they wish it I will go by the Mail and will give 
you notice of the Day which I pass thro' Dorchester, and 
if you are not otherwise engaged, I might hope for the 
pleasure of shaking you by the hand. I received William 
Manfields letter this morning and will attend to his 
directions respecting his chimney piece, I am sorry to 
hear that he has had a fall from the Grey, until the horse 
has had more practice in leaping I hope my Nephew 
will be more careful. I am happy to hear better accounts 
of Mr Balstons health, the children are all quite well & 
join me in very best love to you & Mrs Hardy, I remain, 
My dear Jos, 

Yours very affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

In May, Hardy resigned his command of the Princess 
Augusta, and remained without any appointment till the 
following November, when he returned (Nov. 30, 1818) to 
active service as captain of the "old" Superb, the same 
vessel which had accompanied the Victory home to England 
just before Trafalgar. During the interval it seems that 
Sir T. M. and Lady Hardy for a time lived at Plymouth,^ 
from which town, beloved of all naval men ever since the 
days of Drake and Hawkins, he wrote the following letter 
on Midsummer Day : — 

42 DuNSFORD Street, 

Stone House, near Plymouth, 
Ju?te 14th, 1818. 
MV DEAR Jos, 

My reason for going to Plymouth before I 
first intended was the danger I should run of getting a 
house in August, & as I had an opportunity of giving up 
that which I had at Teignmouth, I thought it advisable to 

' In Lady Hardy's diary, mention is made of numerous social 
gaieties at Plymouth, including eighty-five receptions as well as balls, 
dinners, and other festivities. She and her husband were amongst the 
guests who stayed at Mount Edgcuiribe during the Grand Duke 
Michael of Russia's visit. 



THE CHOOSING OF CHAPLAINS 175 

do so, I have taken this for a fortnight, to give Louisa time 
to suit herself, she & the children are not yet come, but I 
expect them this evening. Will you say to Admiral 
Ingram that I shall be most happy to do all I can for 
Lieut. Pitfield,^ but I have already made application for 
two, & I fear their Lordships will only give me one, how- 
ever, I will try, I recollect his Father very well, I have had 
already several applications from Chaplains, but I do not 
like to take one that is not known to me, or strongly 
recommended by some friend, now it appears by your 
letter that you have only seen him, Mr Brice, once or 
twice.- Will you, therefore, make enquiry about him & let 
me know in what ships he has served, so that I might know 
a little more about him before I reply to his request, as I 
am very anxious . to have a respectable Clergyman if 
possible. I have not written to John W^ard, but if you see 
him will you say that I shall give him timely notice. I 
expect to be commissioned about ist of September, which I 
hope will not prevent my paying you a visit, as I feel 
myself quite equal to a little partridge Shooting. I was 
not in the least hurt by my overturn in the Subscription,^ 
I fortunately fell on my head, and whether I partake most 
of the Hardy or the Masterman Breed, I know not, but 
I believe the brains that ought to have fallen to my share 
are transferred to some other branch of the family, as my 
head must be composed of a much harder substance. 

5 o'clock. — Louisa & the children are all arrived, they 
are quite well & join me in best love to you all. I remain, 
My Dear Jos, 

Yours most affectionately, 
T. M. Hardy. 

' Joseph Pitfield [1790-1858], of Symondsbury, Dorset. Taken 
prisoner in the Proserpine., 28th February 1809 ; escaped 4th February 
181 1. Distinguished himself at the bombardment of Algiers. 

2 Rev. Edwar-d Brice, B.A., Wadham Coll. Oxford [1785-1773], 
son of the Rev. George Tito Brice, Vicar of Canford Magna, Dorset. 
He married the sister of Francis Roberts of the Tfiuviph. 

^ A well-known coach. 



176 "PRINCESS AUGUSTA" AND ''SUPERB" 

Hardy, however, did not join the Superb till November. 
Four months later he writes : — 

"Superb," Plymouth Dock, 
March 27 ik, 18 19. 

My Dear Jos, 

I am very much obliged to you for yours of the 
15th instant. I am truly sorry to hear so bad an account 
of Mrs Balston, but sincerely hope the Spring will bring 
her about again. I am also sorry to hear so bad an 
account of Martha & Augusta, but I look forward to the 
fine weather for their recovery. I am much obliged to 
your County Member^ for his good opinion &c & pray 
return him my best respects when you next see him. 
Captain Gambler, Nephew, (I believe) to the late Mrs 
Pitt, is going to reside near Dorchester, he is married to a 
daughter of General Browne, Lieut Governor of Plymouth. 
I am much obliged to you for a very fine Cheese it is remark- 
ably good. Mr Colston was good enough to bring it to 
me^ I have sent you by the Balloon of this day (I hope) 
a fresh cod with a hund"* of oysters & we have taken the 
precaution to embowel it & I hope it will arrive good, it 
was alive when I bought it. The weather of late has 
been so unfavorable that no terbits have been caught. 
By todays conveyance I have also sent Mrs Thresher a 
cod & Trimmings, I hope it will arrive in time for the 
Wedding,^ but to say the truth I am not in the Secret but 
I wish them all much happiness, & should the purchase be 
made at Charminster I shall be enabled to visit my brother 
& Sister without the assistance of a horse ; however I do 
not think it possible that such an arrangement is likely to 
take place. I never before knew that Matrimony was 

' W. Morton Pitt, M.P. for Dorset. His first wife was Margaret, 
daughter of John Gambier. 

^ The "blue vinney " cheese of Dorset, like the Dorchester ale, has 
been famous from time immemorial. 

^ The marriage of Miss Thresher, Hardy's niece, of Corfe Hill to 
Tom Nicholls of Weymouth. 



OLD ADMIRALS AND YOUNG WIVES 177 

good for a Paralitic stroke, & I always have remarked 
that our old Admirals with young wives soon leave their 
spouses in quiet possession of their prize money: however 
I hope Tom Nicholls will be more prudent. Louisa & 
her eldest Daughter are going to Town, the second week' 
in April. Lady Emily has expressed a great wish to see 
them & I see no objection to their going ; as the new road 
is so much better than the old, as well as ten miles shorter 
they will go that way. If you see Admiral Ingram will 
you say that I am very sorry that I could not get Mr Cox 
with me, but Sir Henry Hotham has put him into the 
Lee on this Station, so that at a future day I do not despair 
of getting him with me. I am joined by Louisa & the 
children in best love to you all I remain, 
My dear Jos, 

Yours most affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

I hear Mary Manfield is still at Exeter. 

On the 1 2th August 18 19, Sir Thomas Hardy, K.C.B., 
was appointed Commodore and Commander-in-Chief on 
the South America Station, and hoisted his broad pendant 
on the Siiperb. Next day he writes to Nelson's old friend, 
Sir Benjamin Hallowell, K.C.B., as follows: — 

Plymouth Dock, 
August i2)th, 18 19. 
Mv Dear Sir, 

I will take out your son the moment the 
Ozven Glendower joins & place one of mine (if I have no 
vacancy) with Spencer. I can only repeat what I hastily 
stated to you at Lord Spencers " that your son shall be 
the first promoted by me," & I do assure you that it will 
give me the greatest pleasure to prove to you that I have 
never for a moment forgotten your kindness to me in 
former times, & I do not think you will feel greater pleasure 
in hearing of his promotion than I shall in communicating 

M 



178 "PRINCESS AUGUSTA" AND "SUPERB" 

it to you which I hope will be the day after he has served 
his time and is of age. I have got the duplicate of his time 
which I will take care of. I am quite glad you have 
communicated to Sir Geo. Cockburn ^ how things stand 
& I sincerely hope something will soon be done for you. 
Lady Hardy joins me in best regards I remain My dear 
Sir 

Yours most truly and sincerely 

T. M. Hardy. 

Rear-Admiral 

Sir Benjamin Hallowell, K.C.B.,^ 
Ealing, Middlesex. 

Shortly after this (Sept. 9, 18 19) Hardy set out for 
his new sphere of usefulness on the east coast of South 
America.^ 

* See ante. 

^ (Bom 1760, died 1830.) Assumed the additional name of Carew, 
1828. It was Sir B. Hallowell who gave Nelson the coffin made out of 
the timbers of the Orient. 

^ Lady Hardy says the house they rented from General Desborough 
in Durnford Street, Stonehouse, was at once given up, as she had settled 
to go abroad with their children. " There were no leave-takings. Sir 
Thomas hated them. He would never even allow anybody to see him 
off, saying that at such a time he was completely absorbed by his duties 
to his ship." 



CHAPTER XVII 

HARDY COMMODORE AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ON THE 
SOUTH AMERICA STATION [1819-1824] 

THE selection of Hardy for this particular command 
speaks volumes for the high opinion of his dis- 
cretion and ability, which must have been entertained 
both by Lord Liverpool and Robert, Lord Melville. 
Whenever he had been placed in a position requiring a 
combination of tact, foresight, and courage, he had always 
made his mark for good, raising, when the exigencies of 
the situation required it, the prestige of the English flag 
by some bold stroke of firm insistance. He had also more 
than once given evidence of diplomatic talents of no mean 
order. Hardy's biographer in Colbourne's United Service 
Journal} gives a very lucid description of the situation with 
which Hardy now had to deal and the difficulties he was 
expected to grapple with. " This command," he writes, 
" was one of the greatest possible importance." 

The War of Independence, or as the Spaniards termed 
it, the Revolutionary War, had generated anarchy and 
confusion everywhere : the interests of all parties had to 
be consulted, British trade to be protected, and a strict 
neutrality to be observed. At such a time the arbi- 
trator required to have a clear head and a vigorous arm, 
both of which were found in Sir Thomas Hardy : his 
conduct was the theme of universal praise ; the loser and 
' United Service Journal iox 1839, part iii., p. 385 et seq. 

179 



i8o THE SOUTH AMERICA STATION 

the gainer equally allowed the justice of his awards 
and he had the additional satisfaction of receiving the 
thanks of the Admiralty on his return from the station. 
In Marshall's Naval Biography, Captain Basil Hall says: — 

" Hardy was trusted everywhere, and enjoyed in a 
wonderful degree the confidence and esteem of all parties. 
His advice, which was never obtruded, was never suspected, 
and a thousand little disputes were at once settled amicably, 
and to the advantage of all concerned, by a mere word of 
his, instead of being driven into what are called national 
questions, to last for years, and lead to no useful end. 
When this respect and confidence had once become fully 
established, everything went on so smoothly under his 
vigilant auspices, that it was those only who chanced to be 
placed near the scene who could perceive the extent, or 
appreciate the importance of the public good which he was 
silently dispensing." 

The following correspondence between Hardy and hi^ 
brother throws some light on this portion of Hardy's life. 

"Superb," Rio de Janeiro, 
Novr iot/i, 1 8 1 9. 

My Dear Jos, 

I wrote you a hasty letter a day or two after 
our arrival at this place I now take advantage of the Packet 
who sails tomorrow to say I like the climate very much & I 
think the Country by far the most beautiful I ever saw. 
I have seen a great deal of Mr & Mrs Cunningham, they are 
good enough to give me a Bed when I sleep on shore, but 
I prefer living on board. I am sorry to say the climate 
does not seem to agree with young Ward ; altho' he is not 
absolutely ill, yet he is constantly unwell, & is troubled 
with a very unpleasant cough. He is however better now 
than he has been for some time. I forgot if I told you in 
my last letter the best mode of writing to me, but if }'ou will 
enclose your letters to John Hay Elsqr, Admiralty London 
he will forward them to me. I meet occasionally with some 



HARDY AT BUENOS AYRES i8i' 

of my old friends (Portuguese) who I knew at Lisbon & I 
receive the greatest civiHty from them all. We had a most 
excellent passage here from England & I landed all my 
passengers in high good humour. I am very much pleased 
with Mr Thornton & as we shall have some business to 
transact, it is very fortunate for us both, that we seem to 
understand each other. There is a Son & Daughter here 
of our old school fellow Dampier, She is married to a Mr 
May who is a Merchant here, & the Brother is a Clerk with 
him, She is really a Very nice woman & I believe her 
Husband is making money very fast, I frequently see him 
& of course talk of our Dorsetshire friends. Pray offer to 
Mrs Hardy my best love as well as to all my relations. 
I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours most affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

In the spring of the following year: — 

Buenos Ayres, March zi^th, 1820. 
Mv Dear Jos, 

I send by the Blossom who takes despatches to 
England tomorrow morning. This Country is in a sad 
troubled state having experienced three complete changes 
of Government, in as many months. The last which took 
place on the 12th of this Month was attended with a great 
deal of confusion & some alarm. A strong party, called 
the Montoneros entered the City by force, drove the then 
Governor from his Post & he took refuge on board some of 
the Ships in the Road. Some firing took place a Lieut 
Colonel was killed and another Officer badly wounded. 
Many robberies were committed & Houses broken open 
& Plundered. The Montoneros Bivouacked close to my 
Quarter, and as the English families living close to me, 
were dreadfully ariarined, I took three ladies and seven 
children under my protection, so with my own family which 



182 THE SOUTH AMERICA STATION 

amounts to seven, and about a dozen servants I think we 
were pretty well filled. 

Three of my Officers were robbed & their horses taken 
from them & an attempt was made to treat Mr Ward in 
the same manner, but he resisted with great firmness, 
galloped off & saved his horse & money for which he has 
gained great credit. We are now very quiet but I will not 
vouch for its long continuance as the parties are nearly of 
the same strength and their annemosity is very great ; 
however we must expect those things till a regular form of 
Government is established. The present people in power 
have published a secret correspondence with France which 
you will see in the English papers, it is making a great 
noise here & I have no doubt but it will gain strength by 
going to England. Mr Ward like myself complains very 
much at not having heard from Dorsetshire since we left 
England ; however we hope to hear by the next Packet 
which is expected from Rio de Janeiro in about a week ; our 
last accounts from England was 7th of Deer. They appear 
to be in a very troubled state in some parts of the Country, 
but I sincerely hope that the new Laws will keep you all 
quiet & those who are not satisfied with our Government 
should come to this nice Republican Country, where liberty 
is enjoyed only by the strongest & we live nearly by Club 
Law. Pray offer to Mrs H. & all the family my best love, 
I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

The next letter is written four months later : — 

"Owen Glendower," Buenos Avres, 
Jufy g//i, 1820. 
Mv Dear Jos, 

I was much gratified yesterday by the receipt 
of your letter of the i6th of Fcbry S: I hope the fine 



TROUBLES IN SOUTH AMERICA 183 

weather which you have now got, has put you all to rights. 
This is the finest climate I was ever in, this is your 
January & we have the Thermometer at night down to 
about 30 & the Day tho' a little cold it is quite delightful, 
but from the sad quarrels in the Country we cannot take 
the exercise we otherwise should. A Battle was fought on 
the 28th of June between what is called the Federal Troops 
& those of Buenos Ayres about 3 leagues from the City. 
The Buenos Ayrians were completely beaten. We are 
now blockaded by the Federals. The Town is so strong 
that they are afraid to enter it. Skermishes daily take 
place, & of course we keep out of the way. How it is to 
end we have yet to learn, but I hope the Federals will not 
enter the City for the sake of British property which is 
very considerable. I am very glad Mr Hay has written 
to you as I shall hope to hear from some of you occasion- 
ally. I shall reply to William Manfield's request & shall 
be very happy to do as he desires when I can find out 
who he means, but we have no such Midshipman on the 
Station as " Robinson " but I have no doubt some young 
man will soon let me know that he is recommended to 
me by Mr Cowper. I have not been at Rio de Janeiro 
since I first left it but I hear frequently from there. Mrs 
May & her family were quite well on the 21st of last 
Month ; one of her children had been unwell but it is quite 
recovered. I am in regular correspondence with Cunning- 
ham, I sent him the other day two horses & four Mules 
we having them very cheap here & at Rio they are very 
dear. He is now acting Consul & his son is Vice Consul ; I 
shall give him an account of the poor Admiral in my next 
letter. How he must have regretted the loss of so many 
good dinners. Tell him when you see him, that his friend 
Mr Cox is very well but has not grown in the least. I 
much fear that I cannot promote him for no one will die. 
As the River Plate is very much exposed for ships of the 
line, I have sent them to Rio de Janeiro & they will return 
again in August. 1 am quite happy to hear so prosperous 



184 THE SOUTH AMERICA STATION 

an account of Mrs Henning, before you get this I hope 
we shall have added a cousin to our family. Pray offer 
to her and Mrs H, my congratulations. 

How fortunate it is for our Service that all our wives 
are not so fond of us as our Niece is of Captn Balston, 
1 should be quite wretched if mine was to take it into her 
head to keep me at home. She writes me a very good 
account of our children they are the Beauties of Geneva, 
& I find Emrhy still bears the Bell ; Lou the most graceful 
& Mary is now become very good. 
I remain 

My dear Jos 

Yours affectionately 

T. M. Hardy. 

There is a silence of six months, and then he writes : — 

Buenos Ayres, 
Jany i^ih, 1821. 

My Dear Jos, 

We are all very busily employed packing up, 
as I am going to embark tomorow on board the Creole, 
and I purpose passing round Cape Horn, to see that part 
of ray Station. The voiage is said to be very boisterous 
but I have no doubt, but we shall do very well, I have 
not heard from you for some time ; my last letter from 
Louisa is dated 17th of August she was then at Lousanne 
near Geneva, and where she purposes remaining twelve 
months. The children were quite well and improving very 
much. 

Everything remain very quiet at Buenos Ayres, I 
sincerely wish that things looked so well in England, but 
I am sorry to see that the Radicals seem daily to gain 
strength. 

I hear frequently from Colonel Cunningham but I have 
not seen him since my first arrival in South America. Mr 



LORD COCHUaNE'S SUCCESSES 1S5 

and Mrs May are quite well ; one of the children was unwell 
but is now quite recoveried. I hope Mrs Hardy and all 
our Family continue in good health. Young Ward still 
continues with me; not having had an bpportunity of 
promoting him, he is a very good young man and I should 
be much pleased if I had an opportunity of providing for 
him. You will not hear from me again for some time, as 
my passage round, in all probability will be six weeks, and 
the conveyance of letters from the other side of the Andes 
to England is quite uncertain. We hear that Lord Cochrane 
has been very successful and has taken one of the Spanish 
Frigates. Most likely I shall have the pleasure of seeing 
him and I have no doubt but we shall agree very well. 
Pray offer my best love to Mrs Hardy and all our friends, 
I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

In the following November he again writes : — 

"Creole," Callao Bay near Lima, 
Novr. 29///, 1 82 1. 

My Dear Jos, 

I have not heard from you for a long time but 
probably I shall by the next opportunity. 

You will long ago have heard of the sad accident which 
Louisa and our Eldest Daughter met with ; however I 
suppose we must thank God that it was no worse, I heard 
from Little Lou three weeks after the accident, and she 
was doing very well her Mother was very much bruized 
but no bone broken, my wife was so anxious about her 
daughter that she quite forgot to mention herself 

I am going to reside at Lima for two months when I 
purpose returning to Valparaiso, and shall pop round Cape 
Horn, for Rio de Janeiro in April. 

Peru is now nearly in possession of the Patriots, and 



186 THE SOUTH AMERICA STATION 

our trade in Lima is very considerable. As there is no 
return for our Manufactories but Dollars and Bullion, a 
good proportion falls to our share to carry to England. The 
Superb will sail tomorrow with about a million and a half 
dollars, and this ship probably will take to Rio de Janeiro 
about the same sum, which will be forwarded home by 
some other ship of War ; I am doing very well, in fact 
much better than could have been expected. 

Young Cox is quite well as is Mr Ward, the latter com- 
plains much of not hearing from his family, do mention 
them when you write. 

My time of service will expire in October, and I expect 
to be relieved immediately. 

Give my best love to all my friends, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours most affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

I hope Mrs Hardy is well give my love to her. I have 
never seen our W'eymouth friend but I hear he made a 
very bad passage round Cape Horn. 

On New Year's Day 1822 his thoughts travel back to 
" Possum " w^here his brother John lay on his deathbed. 
He writes home thus : — 

Lima, y<:;;/y. \st, 1822. 

My Dear Jos, 

I received your letter of June loth a few days 
ago, and one from Mary Manfield at the same time. I am 
quite sorry to hear so bad an account of poor John's health, 
but sincerely hope that the abcess will take a favourable 
turn, or the consequences I much fear will be fatal. The 
summer season I hope will be found favourable for his 
complaint, and I trust long ere this that he is again 
restored to health. 



BUENOS AYRES AND ITS ITGS 187 

John Ward is very unwell the climate does not agree 
with him so well as it does with me, as I have enjoyed 
remarkable good health. Owing to the death of a Mr 
Lambert late Purser of the Alacrity, I have appointed 
John Ward to the Vacancy, and he is now certain of being 
confirmed which I am much pleased at, as it will give him 
with care, an independence for life. He is not seriously ill, 
but he was confined to his bed the last time I heard of him. 
He is at present on board the Creole at Callao, but the 
Alacrity is daily expected. 

Young Cox is under some alarm, for the fate of some 
of his money as he says he has seen in the Portsmouth 
paper, the failure of the House of Cox Patterson & Co. I 
own I have not seen it in the Paper and I sincerely hope it 
is not true. I am not surprised to hear of the death of 
poor Mr Edward Balston, the last time I saw him I did 
not think that he would have lived six months the sum he 
has died worth is something enormous. The Captain 
(Balston) I think has not chosen a good time to turn 
Farmer, however I hope it will only be on a small scale. I 
think you are quite right to have a little business, as 
it will be an amusement to you. I am rather astonished 
that Captain Thompson should have spoken so highly of 
the Buenos Ayres Pigs, they originally come from Spain, 
they are quite black, and in my opinion of the coarsest 
kind ; however I will take some of them to England and if 
the breed is approved of }'Ou shall have some of them. 
I am anxious to hear from you again, for your last account 
of poor John is less favourable, however we must hope for 
the best. With best love to all, I remain. 

My Dear Jos, Yours most affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

1 expect to be at Rio de Janeiro by the 1st of May. 

His next letter is one written six months later : — 



i88 THE SOUTH AMERICA STATION 

BOTAFOGO, NEAR RiO DE JANEIRO, 
July 2,rd, 1822. 

My Dear Jos, 

A few days ago I received your letter of the 
I ith April, and I am truly sorry to hear of the distressing 
state that poor John appears to have been in at the time 
you wrote, and from your account of him I much fear that 
there is very little hope of his recovery. Independent of 
the loss of a Brother, it will be a most distressing thing for 
our Sisters, and from the badness of the times I am at a 
loss to know what is best to be done, but I shall be most 
happy to do everything in my power for them. Thank 
God I have enjoyed my health and have sent home about 
fifteen thousand pounds, but I fear that my golden harvest 
is nearly at an end. 

I have left things tolerably quiet in the Pacific, but I 
fear that our troubles are about to commence in the 
Braziles, as the Government here seem determined to shake 
off the Mother Country. 

Young Cox is my acting Flag Lieut, and I sincerely 
hope that I shall be able to get him promoted. Poor fellow, 
I find that he has lost his Father, and a large proportion of 
his money was in hands of Cox, who it appears by the 
Papers has failed, and I hear that he is on his passage to 
Lima. He will arrive there at an unfortunate time, for all 
the mines are now filled with water, and for many months 
to come, there will be very little silver got. 

Colonel Cunningham (for that is the name he goes by) 
is quite well and Mrs C. as gay as ever. He was Deputy 
Consul General, but Mr Chamberlain is arrived which is a 
bad thing for our Piddle Town friend. 

As I have reason to believe that I shall be here for a 
few months I have taken a house near Cunninghams, and 
we are living very comfortable, having a whist party most 
evenings. I hear my little friend Plowman is doing very 
well, and I am quite sorry to learn that he has made so bad 
a choice. I have not heard from Lady Hardy since 



DEATH OF JOHN HARDY 189 

December but I am told that she is gone with her family 
to Florence which probably is the cause of my not hearing 
from her. Pray offer my best love to Mrs Hardy and all 
the family, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, Your affectio^iate Brother, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Hardy had now shifted his broad pendant into the 
Creole, from which ship he writes : — 

" Creole,-'' Rio de Janeiro, 
Sept 7ih, 1822. 

My Dear Jos, 

I have not heard from you since last April, 
but I have seen in the Portsmouth Paper that Poor John 
died on the 25th of that Month. In common with you all, 
I very much lament his being taken from us, his loss I fear 
will be very much felt. 

My troubles have again just commenced. The Brazil 
Troops at Bahia have resisted the King's forces, and that 
City is in great confusion. As we have a considerable 
Trade there, I feel it right to go there, and shall sail for 
]3ahia in a day or two. 

My time of service on this Station has expired, and I 
expected to be relieved, but as yet I have not heard who 
is to be my successor. Thank God I continue to enjoy 
my health, and I wait with patience the Orders of the 
Admiralty. 

I have got a house close to Cunninghams, and as I 
have been at some expense in fitting it up, of course I am 
sorry to quit it. Mr Hetherly son to Mrs Cunningham who 
you might recollect at Piddle Town ^ is going to Bahia with 
me for change of Air, he has been very unwell and I hope 
the change of scene will do him good, he is the Vice Consul 
at this place. 

Mrs May has been in England some time, and is 

^ A village six miles from Dorchester, now called Puddletown. 



i'90 THE SOUTH AMERICA STATION 

expected out again very soon ; her Brother Mr Dampier is 

here, and is a very fine }'oung man. I have lent Mrs May 

my house during my absence which I should hope will not 

exceed two months. Young Cox still continues my Flag 

Lieut he is not }'et confirmed, but I am in great hopes that 

I shall be able to get him Promoted when I arrive in 

England. Pray offer my condolence to all our family, 

I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

A month later he again writes : — 

"Creole," Bahia, Coast of Brazil, 
October 6th, 1822. 

Mv Dear Jos, 

I did not receive your letter of the 3rd of June 
until a few days ago owing to my having left Rio de 
Janeiro, sooner than I first intended, but my letter to you 
of the 7th of September will have shown that the death of 
Poor John had reached me thro' the Portsmouth paper. 
From the account you give of his late illness and sufferings, 
it must have been a happy release, both for him and our 
Sisters. The account you gave of Augusta's health is very 
uncomfortable, but I hope she will bear up against the loss 
we have all sustained. I think his Will has been judi- 
ciously made, and I hope the Ladies will take your advice, 
and give up, at the least, one of the Farms, altho' their loss 
in the sale of stock will be considerable, yet probably the 
first loss may be the least. 

Fortune has been ver\' kind to me, and I shall be most 
happy to make my Sisters an annual allowance of £z^O 
each, which I feel I can afford out of my present income. 
I have sent home about Eighteen Thousand Pounds, and I 
hope to increase that to Twenty before my return.^ 

' Hardy here refers to the freight of treasure by a ship-of-\var, 
then a legitimate source of gain to everybody concerned, from the 



HARDY AND HIS DAUGHTERS 191 

I have left the Pacific and Buenos Ayres tolerably 
quiet, but I fear we shall have some trouble in the 
Brazil. This place is in Latitude 13 South, and very 
hot it is, but thank God I continue to enjoy excellent 
health. 

I have not heard for some time from John Ward, but 
he was quite well in June and on his way to Valparaiso 
from Lima, in the Alacrity. 

Young Cox is still acting as my Flag Lieut, and I shall 
do all I can to get him confirmed, he is a very clever fellow, 
and a great favourite of mine. 

I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing the Reverend 
Mr Penny, you will have heard that he quitted the Doris, 
and is residing at Pernambuco, which place is between 
three and four hundred miles to the North of Bahia. 

I am quite sorry at what you tell me about Tom 
Nicholls, but am not much surprised at it. 

I find I have got a Weymouth young man on board as 
my Secretary's Clerk, his name is Edward Thorne,' I am 
very much pleased with him, and shall give him the first 
vacancy as Purser should one occur during my stay in 
South America. 

The accounts I get of my children are very flattering,- 
and I am very anxious to see them. I was always of 
opinion that Emily would be the handsomest, but her 
Mother would not allow it. Louisa is a Berkeley and PLmily 
a Hardy ; little Mary is between the two, and I understand 
is very much improved, Louisa has quite recovered the 
fall she had, it happened in April 1821. Her Mother is so 
j)artial to Lusanne that she talks of remaining there until 
my return. I hope Mrs Hardy is recovered of her 

Admiralty downwards. Greenwich Hospital also had its share of the 
profit. At this particular time it added materially to Hardy's income. 
It was then regulated by a Proclamation, dated 12th July 1819. This, 
with other enactments, has since been modified by a " Proclamation 
respecting the conveyance of public and private treasure," issued on 
the loth August 1888. 

' See/oj/, chapter xx. p. 222. 



192 THE SOUTH AMERICA STATION 

Rheumatism. Pray offer to her my best love as well as 
to all, my Relations, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Once more the broad pendant of Commodore Sir T. M. 
H.ardy is shifted to the Doris, from which he writes : — 

"Doris," Bahia, 
Jan. isf, 1823. 

My Dear Jos, 

I have been in daily expectation of the arrival 
of a packet from England, but as she is not come, the 
Conway, which takes this letter, will sail early tomorrow 
morning for Spithead, with a tolerable good lot of Dollars. 
I have not heard from you for some time, but I hope that 
" no news is good news." Probably the papers will alarm 
our friends for the safety of the British in this quarter, and 
I own that our situation is not enviable as we are com- 
pletely surrounded by the Brazilians, who almost daily 
attack the Portuguese, but the ground is very strong and 
can be defended with great ease. 

Provisions are very scarce and dear, a couple of fowls 
cannot be purchased for less than thirty to forty shillings 
sterling, and other necessaries in proportion, but I manage 
to get a little from Rio de Janeiro, where I have sent the 
Creole to refresh her Crew. I was in hopes to have finished 
my troubles, wheii I left all quiet in Spanish South America, 
but this new Emperor of Brazil^ seems determined to drive 
all the Portuguese out of this Country, and the Butes '^ 
Interest is so connected with Lisbon that individuals must 
suffer. I wrote to you on the 6th of October, and I think 

' Pedro I. crowned Emperor ist December 1822. He abdicated 
7th April 1831. 

- The meaning of this phrase is not clear, unless the "Butes" 
describe some commercial house of business. 



BAHIA AND ITS CLIMATE 193 

I told you that I was to remain out a little longer. Of course 
I feel grateful to my friends at home for their good opinion 
of me, and I sincerely hope that I shall continue to give 
satisfaction, but I find it very difficult to please my 
Countrymen. As probably you will see by some of the 
papers, Dan. Cox now stands first on my list for Promo- 
tion, and I hope he will soon be provided for, I continue to 
enjoy good health, but I do not like the climate of Bahia. 
I have not had an opportunity of seeing the Reverend Mr 
Penny, but I hear that he is quite well at Pernambuco. 
Pray offer to Mrs Hardy and all the family my best love, 
I remain. My dear Jos', 

Yours most affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

John Ward was .quite well at Valparaiso when I last 
heard from him. 



N 



CHAPTER XVIII 

HARDY REAR-ADMIRAL. HE RETURNS HOME, ESCORTS 
THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO LISBON, COMMANDS 
THE EXPERIMENTAL SQUADRON AND STRIKES HIS 
FLAG [1824- 1 827] 

IN January 1824 Hardy reaches England in the Creole to 
which once again he has transferred his pendant. 
Lady Hardy is now living at Florence with her daughters, 
and the commodore, who now makes the United Service 
Club his headquarters, acquaints his brother with the news 
of his arrival in the following letter : — 

GODALMING, on my way to London, 
/an. 2^ih, 1824. 

My Dear Jos, 

I left the Creole off Cowes assisting to get off 
the Seringapatam which ship we found on Shore yesterday. 
We experienced some bad weather on our way to Ports- 
mouth, but kept clear of accident. I shall get thro' my 
business in Town as soon as I possibly can and then pay 
you a visit, but I fear it will be nearly a month before I 
can possibly go into Dorsetshire. 

My address for the present is United Service Club, 
Waterloo St., London.^ 

' The first United Service Club was in Charles Street. Hardy 
either refers to Waterloo Place, or Charles Street may in 1834 have 
been known as Waterloo Street. 



ONCE MORE IN DORSET 195 

With best love to all, I remain, in haste, 
My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

My Wife and Girls are all well at Florence.^ 

His next letter is written on his way home to 
" Possum " :— 

Portsmouth, Febry i^th, 1824. 

Mv Dear Jos, 

I am at last thus far on my way to Dorset- 
shire. I was obliged to come here, as I have many things to 
settle, but I purpose quitting Portsmouth on Sunday morn- 
ing and if possible will be at Dorchester on Sunday evening. 
I shall write to Mary Manfield tomorrow as it is possible 
that William might be out of Town. I have had a great 
deal to do in London and began to fear I should never get 
away. 

I have heard fronx Louisa ; they are all well and at Flor- 
ence, and as the oldest girl is rather delicate the Mother 
does not like to remove her for the present. In hopes of 
seeing you on Monday morning and with best love to Mrs 

Hardy, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Now intervenes a silence of more than two years (19th 
February 1824 to 4th August 1826). On 27th May 1825 
he became Rear-Admiral. Sir T. M. Hardy now ceased 
to be a Colonel of Royal Marines, having held that rank 

' Lady Hardy, in her diary for May 1824, mentions a visit paid to 
Florence and Leghorn by her husband. On returning together from 
Leghorn to Florence, a ball was given by them at their house in the 
Piazza San Maria Novello, " in return for much civility." Long rides 
were also constantly taken in the neighbourhood of the city, and the 
sojourn in Italy was ever after referred to as a most enjoyable 
experience. 



ig6 REAR-ADMIRAL 

ever since the 19th July 1821. In that capacity his pay 
was ;i^8o per annum. In the autumn of 1826 he is 
apparently living with his family in Regent Street. The 
following gossipy letter speaks for itself : — 

S. Regent Street, August ii,th, 1826. 
My Dear Jos, 

I had the pleasure of receiving your letter a 
few days ago. I hope the Claret will be found as good as 
Mr Casher promises. 

My friend Plowman rather over rates the Beauty of 
Emily, they are both however very good looking and 
most excellent girls. I am sorry to say that little Mary 
has got a very bad cough ; her Mother is of opinion that it 
is the Hooping Cough. I have been very much occupied 
at the Admiralty correcting Signals, and I fear we shall not 
finish before the latter end of this Month, but if I can get 
away I will pay you a visit early in September. The 
Galatea I believe is still at Portsmouth, I have not seen 
any of her Officers nor have I heard anything of young 
Bascomb, I have got an account of the money expended 
for him, which I will give you when we meet. I hope 
Cousin Jim shewed you the letter I sent him from Lord 
Napier ^ when you see him you may say that the Diamond 
will be in England the latter part of September she is now 
at Lisbon. Of course you have heard of Captn Garth 
having set off with Lady Astley. I suppose it will annoy 
the old General very much. The weather continues very 
warm and the harvest about London is quite finished, the 
wheat is very good and the Barley very short in straw but 
on the whole a saving crop. It is very difficult to get a 
Frank as every body are out of Town. Give my best love 
to Mrs Hardy, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours .affectionately, 

T. M. HAiiDV. 
' Francis, seventh Baron Napier [1758-1823]. 



IN THE DOCTOR'S HANDS 197 

A little later he writes : — 

8 Regent Street, Septr. zgf/i, 1^26. 
Mv Dear Jos, 

I am happy to inform you that my leg is 
nearly well ; the little Doctor put on a long face on Monday 
morning and said if he had been in Dorsetshire he would 
not on any account have allowed me to have stirred ; how- 
ever as I was in London he would begin with me in 
earnest, so he gave me the Black Pill and put on a Swinging 
Poultice. He now sees the necessity of attending to my 
stomach, and all is going quite right, and my Nose is not 
half so troublesome. 

My Committee ^ has also indulged me by sitting in my 
room instead of the Admiralty which has given me the 
advantage of a comfortable sofa. I am very anxious to 
hear how Mrs Hardy is ; I sincerely hope that she con- 
tinues to gain her strength ; pray give me a line to say 
how she is, Sir Edward Codrington - has been good 
enough to say he will take young Brown, but the Asia 
his P'lag ship, is not to be commissioned for a month to 
come. 

As we are sitting at 8 Regent Street I fear I shall not 
be able to get a Frank but I will go out at 4 which is the 
time we break up and try if I can find my friend Colonel 
Drinkwater.^ With best love to Mrs Hardy and hoping 
that I shall hear favourable accounts of her. I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours most affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

I have written to Augusta this day. 

1 Sir T. M. Hardy was at this time chairman of acomm,ittee deal- 
ing with the important subject of changes in naval construction. 

- Admiral Sir Edward Codrington [1770-185 1]. 

^ Colonel Drinkwater [1762- 1844] the historian 6f the siege of 
■Gibraltar. He subsequently assumed the additional name of Bethune. 



198 REAR-ADMIRAL 

Later in this year Rear-Admiral Sir T. M. Hardy was 
appointed to command the Experimental Squadron organ- 
ised for the purpose of deciding on the class of ship most 
suited to the changed conditions of naval warfare. He 
received his commission on 5th December 1826, and writes 
to his brother with reference to his new duties : — 

Portsmouth, Deer nth, 1826. 
My Dear Jos, 

I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of 
the 9th. I find that young Brown has run from the Asia ; 
it is not worth looking after him so let him remain with 
his Father. I am very sorry to hear so bad an account 
of Mrs Hardy, this damp weather is I fear much against 
her. Little Plowman says that my new command, will do 
more towards my recovery, than all that he can do for me. 
I hope he will prove to be right, for I am quite tired of 
blowing my nose. It certainly is much better than it was, 
but I am still annoyed by it, in all other respects I never 
was better in my life. My present command may be 
honourable but I fear that it will not turn out profitable ; 
however we must take things as they are, and hope for 
the best. The squadron which I am to command is built 
on experiment, and we shall go to sea for the purpose of 
trying which is the best ship of War. There are four 
Constructors, all of whom at present are friends of mine. 
As my opinion (alone) is to be taken at the Admiralty, 
I much fear that I shall lose three friends out of the four, 
however I hope and trust my opinion will be impartial ; for 
the rest I must take my chance. I have not heard any- 
thing more about the Warspite, when I do I will let you 
know. I have seen Miss Croan she is looking just the 
same as she did when you and I paid her Mother and 
Mrs Pope a visit in, what year shall I say, 1783 or for ought 
I know some years before that. I am to dine with her 
tomorrow to meet Mr Thompson, who is also very well. 
I hope VVm Manfield is getting better, his last letter told 



A CRUISE TO LISBON 199 

me that he had been unwell. With best love to Mrs 
Hardy, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Prior to his start on the "experimental" cruise, affairs 
in Portugal assumed a critical aspect Dom Pedro had, 
on the 2nd May previous, abdicated in favour of his 
daughter. Donna Maria da Gloria. The insurrection of the 
Marquis de Chaves, in favour of Dom Miguel in October, 
and the disturbances which followed, caused the Portuguese 
Government to seek the assistance of Great Britain in 
maintaining order, and Hardy, on 17th December, with his 
flag in the Wellesley, escorted the expeditionary force to 
Lisbon.^ He was soon back again at Portsmouth busy 
with the Experimental Squadron, his flagship being the 
Sibylle. 

Shortly after his return to England he thus writes to 
his brother : — 

Portsmouth, Feity. 22nd, 1827. 
My Dear Jos, 

I should have written to you before if I could 
have given you a favourable answer about Lieutenant 
Critchell, but I am sorry to say that I have so many of my 
own followers unemployed, that I cannot hold out to Mr 
Hawkins the least hope of success for his friend. I am 
sorry to hear that Mrs Hardy does not gain strength faster ; 
the cold weather I conclude is the cause. Our Connection 
Mr Frampton has requested of me to get one of his sons 
provided for, either in the Marines or otherwise, it is hard 
that a child should suffer for the sins of the father, but it is 

' A full account of this episode is to be found in the biography 
of Sir Charles Napier. Our action at that time doubtless laid the 
foundation of the friendship now existing between Great Britain and 
PortueaL 



,200 REAR-ADMIRAL 

quite out of my power to do anything for him. My 
Squadron are getting in a forward state, and I am in hopes 
of getting them ready for sea in a fortnight ; one of them 
the Satellite has had the misfortune to get on Shore last 
Sunday in a heavy gale, but fortunately she has not 
received any damage. My health continues quite good 
and I do not feel the cold as I used to do. I am sorry to 
say that my two elder girls are laid up at Paris with severe 
colds, which I am not much surprised at. Pray offer to 
Mrs Hardy my best love, I remain. 
My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Since writing the above, 'Mr Critchell has introduced 
himself to me, and as I have given him the same reply as 
stated in this letter, I hope he is satisfied ; if not I am very 
sorry for it. 

Of Hardy's opinions as regards the ship of the future at 
this period. Sir J. H. Briggs says : — 

" Sir Thomas Hardy was strongly impressed with the 
conviction that what the Navy stood most in need of were 
line-of-battle ships of 120 and go guns. He attached as 
much importance to three-deckers and 90-gun ships as 
Voltaire did to strong battalions, who is reported to have 
said with more truth than reverence that he observed that 
the Almighty generally fought on their side." ^ 

In the course ofthe summer the rear-admiral's flag is 
transferred to the Pyramus, and he thus writes to Mr 
Joseph Hardy about Portisham business : — 

Portsmouth, //^«^ 9///, 1827. 
Mv Dear Jos, 

I had the pleasure of seeing your letter this 
morning. I shall not at all object to pay the odd ;^5oo for 

' Naval Administratio7is^\rj '^'vc ].W,V>x\'g<gs. London: Sampson 
Low, 1897, p. 24. 



PURCHASE OF THE RICCARD'S ESTATE 201 

the Rickards ^ Estate as you recommend it, but I will not 
trouble you to advance the money. My money at present 
is out on Mortgage; I ha Ve called Six'Thousand Pounds in, 
but I fear it will be some months' before I can get it; 
however I have no doubt but Halford will advance the money 
if I stand in need of it ; however I will arrange with William 
Manfield when I see him. Thank Gt)d that I was not 
returned for Weymouth- I have nothing to do with Politics, 
they are all friends of mine, and I attend to my Orders. I 
did not intend to have informed you that I had been in 
correspondence with Mrs Walcott, because I knew it would 
vex you as my object is to oblige you and not your 
Nephew in Law. Their' folly shall not stand in his way of 
promotion, I have named him to His Royal Highness'^ who 
makes no promises, but says he will not forget him. If the 
young man has patience I think his promotion certain, but 
pray do not hint it to any of his connections, as it will be 
deemed by them as a promise from me. It has quite 
slipped my memory what I said to William Manfield, about 
young Bascombe, but I should think that I did not speak of 
his Father, for I consider him as an Orphan and as such I 
have taken him under my protection. I have seen him 
and he is looking- very well.' Lady Hardy with my girls 

^ Sir Andrew Riccard, Kt., 'Was a native of Portisham, of very mean 
extraction, and who, going to sea young, acquired a great fortune ; was 
an eminent merchant and President of the East India and Turkey 
Companies. He purchased the manor of Portisham. He was born 
1604, and died 6th September 1672. His daughter Christian married 
John, Lord ]5erkeley of Strattdn. The Hardys had been lessees of 
part of this estate, and now Sir Thomas Hardy purchased a portion 
which afterwards came to his nephew", William Manfield. 

2 xhe Right Hon. Thomas Wallace and Masterton Ure, Esq., this 
year (1827) became members for Weymouth. If Hardy was a candidate, 
as it certainly seems to have been the case, this was his third defeat 
for that constituency (see ante^ p. 155)- 

^ The death of the Duke of York in January 1827 made the Duke 
of Clarence next heir to the throne. In April of that year he had 
accepted the office of Lord High Admiral in the Canning administra- 
tion. He resigned the post in August 1828. 



202 REAR-ADMIRAL 

are quite well and staying at Dieppe. I hear that the 
youngest has grown very much & is much the prettiest of 
the three. I saw in the papers the melancholy death of 
poor John Balston, but I have not heard from Augusta 
since my return. I am sorry to hear that Mrs Plowman is 
unwell but I hope this fine weather will set her up again. 
Pray offer to her my best Compliments and with best love 
to Mrs Hardy, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Wm Manfield is not to be alarmed if he sees in the 
papers of my having sailed. I am only going out for two 
days to try some new guns. 

He next writes on the same subject : — 

Portsmouth, Septjfh, 1827. 
My Dear Jos, 

I am much obliged to you for your letter 
which I received this morning. I really am very anxious 
to see you before we sail, which will be very soon after the 
15th instant, and if you can make it convenient to come to 
Portsmouth I shall be delighted to see you. Our Ships 
are preparing for foreign service, but I do not think that I 
shall go abroad just now ; however I should not like to leave 
Spithead without seeing you and really I have not time to 
visit my friends in Dorsetshire. I am not in the least 
surprised at what you say about our beloved Sister, and I 
have no doubt but she will keep the little piece of ground 
which divides your property from that which I have 
purchased. I can give you a Bed. I am at Meradith's the 
Tailor 73 High Street opposite the Parade Coffee House. 
If you will give me a line to say at what time you will 
arrive I will look out for you. I have told William 
Manfield that the money to pay the remainder of the 



TRAFALGAR DAY, 1827 203 

purchase is now laj-ing in Cooke & Halford's hands, 
therefore the sooner it is paid for the better. I wrote to 
Mr Walcott a few days ago at Doulo (sic) but of course the 
letter will follow him, I fear that I shall find great trouble 
in getting him promoted for I do not think that he will keep 
a sufficient time on a foreign station. I have lately heard 
from my family at Dieppe they are all well and talk of 
spending the next Winter in England. 
Pray offer to Mrs Hardy my best love, 

I remain. 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours most affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

On Trafalgar Day Hardy struck his flag, and thus 
writes to his sister at Portisham : — 

8 Regent Street, October idth, 1827. 

Mv Dear Augusta, 

I was quite sorry to hear from William 
Man field a day or two ago that Martha had met with an 
accident, pray give me a line and tell me how she is. I have 
been very much hurried since my return from Sea and I do 
not quite see when I shall be quiet, for I set off this day for 
Portsmouth where I purpose to remain until Monday or 
Tuesday, when I shall again venture to this place. My 
flag is for the present struck and I do not as yet know if I 
am soon to hoist it again. I heard a few days ago from my 
Girls they are all quite well and at Paris. You had better 
send your letter here as my movements are so very 
uncertain. 

With best love to my Sisters, I remain. 

My Dear Augusta, 

Your affectionate Brother, 

T. M. Hardv. 



204 REAR-ADMIRAL 

Rear- Admiral Sir T. M, Hardy was evidently unconscious 
of the fact that' the twenty-second anniversary of the most 
memorable day in his life was destined to see the end of 
his active service as an officer in the Royal Navy. It had 
lasted exactly thirty-five years and three hundred and 
sixty-four days. 



CHAPTER XIX 

HARPY. JIESJS ON HIS LAURELS [1827-183G]. HE 
BECOMES FIRST SEA LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY IN 
THE GOVERNMENT OF EARL GREY [NOVEMBER 
1830— JULY 1834] 

A PROLONGED period of almost entire cessation 
from active employment followed the Trafalgar 
Day of 1827. He was still residing at 8 Regent Street, 
where he remained for another two years, removing in 
the autumn of 1829 to Addison Villa, Kensington. 
Amongst the Hardy papers at Dorchester is a portion 
of a letter dated the 4th February 1828, which shows that 
he was still negociating for the purchase of the Rickard 
(generally written Riccard) property at Portisham.^ He 
refers also to Captain Elliot, who now filled his old post 
on board the Victory. Hardy's keen interest in Dorset 
affairs remained unabated, although he had done for ever 
with electioneering at Weyjnguth. 

8 RpGENT Street, Febrj /^th, 1828. 

My Dear Jos, 

I cannot resist enclosing you a letter which 
Captain Elliot of the Victory has sent me which he re- 
ceived from Sir Thomas Staines,- Should George Feaver 
to whom I have written come to you, pray advise him to 
take his boy out of the Service. William Manfield when 

' See ante, p. 201. 

^ Sir Thomas Staines, Capt. R.N. (born 1776, died 1830). 

205 ;; , 



2o6 RESTS ON HIS LAURELS 

in Town said that Rickard's Estate would be transferred 
to me in lo days. The Election ^ set him off and I have 
heard no more about it. 

For nearly a year and three quarters the corre- 
spondence leaves no trace, but in the Life of Admiral Sir 
William Parker'- may be found the following note, well 
worth quotation : — " i8th July 1829 — I have," writes Sir W. 
Parker, " unexpectedly this day received intimation from 
the Admiralty that they have nominated me to meet 
Vice-Admiral Sir L. Halsted, Rear-Admiral Sir Thos. 
Hardy, Commodore White and Captain E. Brace and 
Thos. Hayes in committee for the purpose of revising the 
Riggirig Warrant and Sea Store Establishment of the 
Navy ... I consider the measure very desirable, and 
they have wisely included Sir T. Hardy, who is unquestion- 
ably the best seaman, and most understanding on the 
points to be under consideration, in the service," 

A fortnight later, Hardy writes as follows to his old 
midshipman of the TriumpJi and Barfleur days : — 



United Service Club House, 
Pall Mall, 
Attgust 2)^d, 1829. 
My Dear Sir, 

Owing to my being out of Town I did not 
receive your letter of the i6th ultimo until my return. I 
fear that if it is out of my power to get you employed 
either in a packet or in the Transport Service. The 
former I think the best employment if you can get an 
appointment. Captain Bowles at present is out of Town. 
Should you prefer the Preventative Service I will with 

1 He evidently alludes to the Weymouth Election of 1828, when 
Edward Burtenshaw Sugden became Member in the place of Thomas 
Wallace. 

2 Life of Admiral of the Flect^ Sir William Parker, by Vice- 
Admiral Augustus Phillimore. London : Harrison, 1879, vol. i., p. 494. 



THE SMALL HOUSE AT KENSINGTON 207 

great pleasure interest myself with Captn. Bowles on your 
behalf. 

I beg to offer my best compliments to your Brother, 
and Should Commodore and Mrs Bullen be at Burton will 
you offer them my best regards 

I remain My dear Sir 

Yours very sincerely 

T. M. Hardy. 
To Lieut. Roberts 
Burton Bradstock. 

On the 23rd October 1829, he writes a letter to his 
brother, alluding to his change of residence, and the death 
of his brother-in-law and Dorset neighbour, John Thresher, 
of Up way. 

Portsmouth, October z^rd, 1829. 
Mv Dear Jos, 

Your letter of the 20th instant gave me the 
information of the death of our late Brother-in-law Mr 
Thresher^ an event which I own I was in some degree 
prepared for, as I thought him breaking very fast when 
last I was in the Country. In general occurrences of that 
nature tend to remove past differences, and I have to 
regret that the loss of our relation has not brought that 
consolation. I own from my short but frequent visits into 
Dorsetshire I never thought that the deceased was the 
cause of the unpleasant feeling which existed in the 
family, and I sincerely hope that the few years which may 
be spared to our Sister, she will employ them in making 
peace with her brother and Sisters. I have since received 
a letter from Captain Balston, but it had been detained 
in London two days. Lady Hardy has given up her in- 
tended journey to Paris and all have taken a small house 
at Kensington situated close to Holland House and she 
will take possession of it on Monday next. It is called 

' John Thresher, Esq., of Upway, died i8th October 1829, aged 82. 



2o8 RESTS ON HIS LAURELS 

Addison Villa, a finer name than Addison Cottage, which 
most probably would suit it better. I have been detained 
here longer than was first expected, but I think we shall 
finish pur labours in ten days when I shall join my family. 
They are all quite well. Our house is only taken for six 
months. I see no prospect of employment ; unfortunately 
they do not want any more Admirals, so I must wait 
patiently. I am rather surprised at Plowmans anxiety 
to be called father, probably he thinks it would make 
Mrs P. more obedient, pray remember me to him I am 
pleased to hear that Mrs Hardy is better and I sincerely 
hope we shall have a mild winter. Pray offer to her my 
best love, I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Your affectionate Brother, 

T. M. Hardy. 



A month later he writes from his new home : — 

Addisq^t, Road, Kensington, 
Nov. 26tk, 1829. 

My Dear Jos, 

You will see by the enclosed note that Bas- 
combe is in the Donegal at Sheerness. It is quite possible 
that he has not as yet written to his Brother to say so. As 
Sir Jahleel Brenton ^ is an acquaintance of mine I shall take 
an opportunity of thanking him for taking the youngster but 
I shall get him into a Sea going ship as soon as any of my 
friends are employed. I remain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardy. 

' Sir Jalileel Brenton, Vice-Admiral (born 1770, died 1844). He 
commanded La Mlncrvc when lost off Cherbourg in 1803 (see ante). 



A HOLIDAY AT SEAFORD 209 

The next letter (only a month before he became First 
Sea Lord at Whitehall) is as follows : — 

Seaford,! October 2<ith, 1830. 

My Dear Jos, 

We have spent a very pleasant month at this 
place, the weather having been delightful. We return to 
Addison Road on Friday next. Lady Hardy has derived 
great benefit from Sea Bathing and is now nearly recovered ; 
the young ladies are all quite well they all join me in best 
love to you and Mrs Hardy whom I hope is also well. 
When you see Cousin James will you thank him from me 
for a basket of game which he sent me a short time ago. 
The Farmers in this neighbourhood are quite tired of the 
dry weather as they cannot commence their wheat sowing ; 
however we have had a little [rain] this morning and I have 
no doubt but we shall now have enough of it. I have not 
heard of my Sisters since you last wrote to me, but I hope 
during this fine weather that they have laid in a sufficient 
stock of Health to carry them thro' the Winter. The 
Politics on the Continent continue very unsettled I think 
this Country will find great difficulty in keeping out of a 
War."^ I have applied for the East India Station, in the 
event of Sir Edward Owen ^ coming home, which they say 
he must do in consequence of ill health, but I cannot get 
Lord Melville to give me a promise. I remain 
My Dear Jos, 

Your affectionate Brother, 

T. M. Hardy. 

England was now in the throes of the reform agitation, 
which was to have such momentous consequence. George 

' Seaford in Sussex, 2| miles south-east of Newhaven. 

- The revolution in France was further complicated by the struggle 
between the Belgians and the Dutch. The position of affairs was for 
some time very threatening. 

^ Sir Edward Owen, Admiral (born 1771, died 1849). He did not 
return from the East India Station until 1832. 

O 



2IO RESTS ON HIS LAURELS 

IV. had died four months previously, and Sir Thomas 
Hardy's friend and fellow sailor had become King of 
England. On the 15th November the Tory Ministry of 
the Duke of Wellington was defeated, and William IV. sent 
for the leader of the Opposition, Earl Grey. In the Well- 
ington administration Robert, Lord Melville, had filled the 
post of First Lord of the Admiralty, an office which he had 
held with one brief interval ever since 1812. Lord Grey 
proposed Sir James Graham as Lord Melville's successor. 
The king at first demurred, and only agreed to the appoint- 
ment on the understanding that Hardy, with whose views 
he was in sympathy, and in whose ability and discretion 
he placed entire confidence, should replace Sir George 
Cockburn as First Sea Lord : Cockburn, by a strange coin- 
cidence, had also been one of Nelson's captains. Sir James 
Briggs, in his Naval Adiiiinistt'ations (p. 14), writes : — 

"Sir Thomas Hardy was no politician, had no seat in 
Parliament, and was selected solely on account of his 
high professional attainments. . . . He did not possess the 
gift of eloquence, and could not indite a despatch with the 
felicity of Sir George Cockburn though no one knew 
better than he what ought to be written, for nothing could 
be more true than the remark of Lord Nelson respecting 
him that Providence had imbued him with an intuitive 
right judgment. . . . Sir Thomas wa§ frequently heard to 
say ' that he could not argue against Cockburn, Croker, and 
Barrow,^ for they carried far too heavy a broad side for him. 
They would prove him wrong in two minutes though he 
knew he was right for all that.' " 

In another place (p. 15), Sir James Briggs, who had 
himself served under Hardy at Whitehall, says : " The 
brilliant services of Hardy as a naval officer are of world- 
wide fame, but his administrative abilities as First Sea 

' Sir George Cockburn was First Sea Lord of the Admiralty before 
Hardy's appointment. Sir John Barrow het^ the post of Secretary of 
the Admiralty for forty-one years, and John Wilson Croker was for a 
long time Political Secretary of the Admiralty. 



HARDY FIRST SEA LORD 2111 

T^ord of the Admiralty have never receiveci a fair meed 
of honour by the country at large, though thoroughly 

• appreciated in the service. He took a large and com- 
prehensive view of all subjects, and clearly foresaw the 
many changes which must inevitably take place in tHe 
navy... . . If Sir George Cockburn dreamt of the past, 
Sir Thomas Hardy. lived for the future; he was not only 
a reformer, but also a most prudent reformer,. for he .con- 
sidered how far the leading members of the profession 
would be likely to go with him, so as not to provoke 
needless opposition. He was unquestionably thirty years 
in advance of the opinions held by the admirals of that 
day; and seemed to behold, in prophetic vision, the mighty 
changes which science and steam are now effecting in tlie 

• naval service. He was strongly impressed with the^con- 
-viction that our. navaJ- superiority could only be maintained 

■ by large and powerful line-of-battle ships carrying heavy 
armament, as in action nothing could resist their con- 
kcentrated fire. He was no less an advocate for numerous 
and powerfully-armed frigates,. as indispensable append^es 
to a fleet. He considered all large sums of money expended 

■ upon small. craft as money wasted, as they must necessarily 
.become a prey to vessels of superior force. The policy of 

Sir Thomas was never to allow any foreign power to gain, 

■ even temporarily, an advantage over us. He .used to say, 
'Happen what will, England's duty is to take and. keep 

■ the lead.'" 

Sir Thomas Hardy lost no time in taking o\-Qr his 
new duties. His predecessor (who had always been hie 
senior and formerly his commanding officer in the navy^ 
^did his -best to make matters smooth ; and Sir James Briggs 
has placed on record an interesting conversation between 
them, on the occasion of Cockburn " waiting " on his former 
•Lieutenant on board the Meleager and Minei've,\.o\.2ik&\m, 
instructions on leaving for the command of the West 
.India Station, which .had been given him. Sir James 
:says Hardy always told him he felt in Cockburn's presence 



212 RESTS ON HIS LAURELS 

just as he did in the old days when their relations were 
so strikingly different. On the occasion of the above- 
mentioned interesting meeting, Hardy had requested Sir 
James (then an Admiralty clerk) to remain in the room. 
We are gratified, therefore, with the following characteristic 
account at first hand of what took place ^ : — 

*" My dear Hardy,' said Sir George, 'I have come to 
receive your instructions, as you know I am now under 
your orders.' Sir Thomas said, ' Pray make any correc- 
tions in them you think fit, sir ' ; when Sir George with a 
smile replied,' It is not for me, Hardy, to make corrections, 
but merely to offer any suggestion that may occur to me 
for your better consideration.' I then proposed to Sir 
Thomas Hardy that it might be perhaps agreeable to Sir 
George Cockburn to take the instructions home with him, 
so as to peruse them at leisure. Sir George said, ' This 
seems a good suggestion, Hardy. If you have no objec- 
tion I will take them with me,' which he accordingly did, 
and then left, to the great relief of Sir Thomas Hardy. 
As soon as Sir George had gone, Sir Thomas said, ' I 
really cannot believe I am First Sea Lord, the tables seem 
so entirely turned.' Is it not wonderfully strange that a 
man, the bravest of the brave, who, during the raging of 
the storm and the fury of the battle, would stand cool and 
collected and not lose his presence of mind for an instant, 
should be temporarily disconcerted upon finding himself 
in authority over one to whom he had for years paid pro- 
fessional obedience? Yet such is the effect of habit and 
discipline." 

The first letter from the Admiralty in the Dorchester 
correspondence is dated 30th March 1832, but before that 
its writer was nominated a Grand Cross of the Bath.- 

' Naval Adminish-atiotis^ p. 1 9. 

^ Either the officials took their time in sending in their bill of costs, 
or the new G.C.B. was in no hurry to pay them, for in possession of 
Mrs J. C. Thynne is the following document : — 

" Received, April 19th 1833, of I\ear-.\dmiral Sir Thomas M. Hardy, 



HARDY AS GODFATHER 213 

This was on the 13th September 1831. This letter is 
addressed to his nephew, William Manfield, then, like his 
father before him, a Dorchester solicitor. The First Sea 
Lord is evidently now in much request as a godfather 
" down Dorset way " : — 

Admiralty, March 2,0th, 1832. 
Mv Dear William, 

Doctor Plowman is anxious to Christen his 
two boys, and as I am to be Sponsor to Thomas Henry, 
I shall be much obliged if you will get my brother to stand 
Proxy for me, unless the Doctor will allow you to officiate 
for me. Lady Hardy and your cousins regret very much 
that they had not the pleasure of seeing you this morning, 
but they hope to be more fortunate when next you come 
to Town. 

With best love to your Mother and Sisters. I remain, 
My Dear William, 

Your affectionate Uncle, 

T. M. Hardy. 

In August Sir T. M. Hardy goes with Admirals Sir W, 
Parker and Dundas on a tour of official inspection to 
Devonport. 

Three months later he writes to his brother Joseph as 
follows : — 

Admiralty, November <^th, 1832. 
My Dear Jos, 

I am sorry to inform you that our oldest girl 
Louisa has taken cold, which the Medical men fear will 
fall on her lungs, if the greatest precaution is not taken. 

Bart., G.C.B., the sum of one hundred and sixty-four pounds, seventeen 
shillings and 2d., the amount of fees due to the several officers of the 
most Hon. Military Order of the Bath, upon his nomination to be a 
Knight Grand Cross of the said Order. 

"J. PULMAN, 

"^{^164, 17s. 2d. Receiver of Fees.^ 



2'i4: RESTS ON HIS LAURELS' 

Lady Hardy, as you may suppose, is very much alarmed' 
about it and has almost made up her. mind to go to- 
Malta with her, by the. next Packet, leaving the two 
youngest girls with me. I. hope that it is not so s€rious as- 
the Medical men imagine, but I am sorry to say she has^ 
nearly lost her voice. 

r have just received a fine turtle and I will send Mrs 
Hardy some in a few days. It will be ready dressed and' 
ail you have to do is to warm it and add a wine glass of 
Madiera with a little lemon juice ; not more' than one small 
lemon or half a large one. It shall leave London on 
Tuesday next per mail & it will keep two or three days.. 
I' have a good deal to do but my health continues as 
good as ever. All the rest of the family are quite well 
& join me in best love to you and Mrs Hardy. I 
cemain, 

My Dear Jos, 

Your affectionate Brother, 

T. M. Hardy.. 

On the 5th June 1833,. Hardy thus writes from the 
Admiralty to his friend, Sir W. Parker : — 

" You see by the papers that there has been a blow up 
in the House of Lords about the neutrality of Portugal, 
but you have come off with flying colours. There is to be 
a trial of strength on the same subject in the House 
of Commons to-morrow evening. If we are not more 
successful there h fear that we shall be in a bad way ; but 
r think the Commons will be on our side, and I do not 
think the Lords can turn us out" 

Five months later,. Hardy, still at his desk in Whitehall,. 
writes thus, announcing the approaching marriage of his 
youngest daughter to- Mr John Atholl Bannatyne 
MacGregor, who, in 1841, succeeded his fatiier as third.' 
baronet.; — 



APPLICATIONS FOR PROMOTION 215 

Admiralty, A'is'T/r 9//^, 1833. 
Mv Dear Jos, 

It was yesterday settled that Mary is to be 
married on Thursday next the 14th inst. It is to be as 
private as possible, and they are to spend the honeymoon 
at Stoke near Windsor at a Cottage of Lord Sefton's. 
The ladies are all quite well and join me in best love to 
you and Mrs Hardy. 

I remain, My Dear Jos, 

Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Hardv. 

Sir T. M. Hardy next writes :— 

Admiralty, Deer ^th, 1833. 
Mv Dear Jos, 

Perhaps you would like to send the enclosed 
to Mr Tizard. I have made fifty applications to the 
Admiral for the promotion of different people but have 
not been fortunate enough to get one promoted ; the fact 
is that we are reducing the Naval Establishments in all 
the different yards, and there is no promotion ; however 
if you particularly wish it I will write to Admiral Garnett, 
but I know that nothing can be done for Jos Hawkins. 

Lady Hardy and the two girls are at Woburn Abbey 
with the Duke of Bedford^ and Mrs MacGregor'^ and her 
Husband will return jto Town in a day or two. I have 
heard from William Manfield & I will let him know wheii 
the boy is to be sent. I remain. 

My Dear Jos, Yours affy., 

T. M. Hardv. 

' John Russell, K.G., sixtji Duke of Bedford (born 1766, died 1839). 
In view of Hardy's birth at Kingston Russell (see afite) it is a strange 
coincidence that Lady Hardy, through the Lennoxes, should be con- 
nected with that ancient family. In 1833, John, Duke of Bedford, 
was the owner of Kingston Russell. 

^ Sir J. A. B. MacGregor, Bart., was the father of Sir Evan 
MacGregor, K.C.B , now (1905) Permanent Secretary at the Admiralty. 



2i6 RESTS ON HIS LAURELS 

The First Sea Lord was evidently besieged with Dorset 
aspirants to naval employment Here are two of his 
replies : — 

Admiralty, Deer ^th, 1833. 
Mv Dear Jos, 

I have nothing whatever to do with the 
appointment or promotion of the men in the Victualling 
yards or I should be very glad to attend to the request of 
Joseph Hawkins. The patronage rests with Rear-Admiral 
Superintendent Garnett. 

I remain, My Dear Jos, 

Your Affectionate Brother, 

T. M. Hardy. 

Admiralty, April 23?-^, 1834. 
My Dear William, 

I have again made application to all my 
friends, and I hope that your wishes have been crowned 
with success. Pray let me see you before you go into 
Dorsetshire. 

I remain, 

Yours affectly., 

T. M. Hardy. 

About this time the First Sea Lord of the Admiralty 
became a Vice-Patron of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, 
and so remained till the day of his death. His engraved 
portrait may still be seen there. He had already been for 
many years a member of the United Service Club, where 
his bust now occupies a place of honour. He also belonged 
to the Royal Naval Club of 1765, and often attended its 
fortnightly dinners. In 1809, with his friends Berry and 
Blackwood, he had, in addition, joined the Navy Club of 
1785. These clubs since 1888 have been amalgamated 
under the designation of The Royal Naval Club of 1765 
and 1785. 



GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL 217 

Sir T. M. Hardy's useful presence in the councils of 
Whitehall was not to last much longer. On the 8th April 
1834, he was appointed Governor of Greenwich Hospital, 
in succession to Sir Richard Keats/ but it was distinctly 
understood (at King William's personal suggestion) that in 
the event of war Sir Thomas Hardy would again take the 
command of a fleet and serve his country on the high seas. 
A few weeks later Lord Grey (on acount of Irish complica- 
tions) resigned, and was succeeded by Lord Melbourne. 
Lord Auckland replaced Sir James Graham at the 
Admiralty, and soon afterwards Sir Thomas Hardy 
migrated from the Admiralty to the scene of his duties 
on the banks of the Thames. The following letter shows 
that before he quitted Whitehall he was already practically 
in harness at Greenwich : — 

Admiralty, May 12th, 1834. 
Mv Dear Lethbridge,^ 

I sent you last Eveng a lanthorn which was 
taken in the Ville de P^r/j^ which I shall be obliged if you 
will place with other curious things. I now send Com- 
mander Fleming's Letter. I also send you a letter from 
Mr Lene and shall be obliged if you can inform him what 
vessel his son belongs to. I remain, 

Dear Mr Lethbridge, 

Yours very truly, 

T. M. Hardv. 

1 Admiral Sir R. Keats (born 1757, died 1834). Nelson had the 
highest admiration for Keats, who in 1803 commanded off Toulon the 
Superb^ of which ship Hardy became captain fifteen years later. It 
was in 1803 that Nelson said, " Keats is one of the very best officers 
in His Majesty's Navy. I esteem his person almost equal to one 
f>ench 74-, and the Superb and her captain equal to two 74- gun ships." 

^ John Arscott Lethbridge, afterward one of Hardy's executors. 

^ A similar lantern still hangs in the hall of Portisham House, 
the roof of which, tradition says, is supported by oaken beams sent 
there by T. M. Hardy from "broken-up" battle ships. 



2i8 RESTS ON HIS LAURELS 

His Majesty purposes going to Church at the Hospital 
on the 1st of June. 

Allusion has been made to Sir T. M. Hardy's excusable 
slips in the matter of orthography, which here and there 
are observable in his straightforward, dowhright, matter- 
of-fact letters. Sir J. H. Briggs (to whom Hardy was a 
giant amongst First Sea Lords, and little less than a hero), 
gives the following anecdote on the subject which pre- 
sumably refers to an occurrence of 1831 : " At this time," he 
writes {Naval Adviinistrations, p. 32), the officer in com- 
mand of the Channel Squadron was Vice-Admiral Sir 
Edward Codrington. He was a Trafalgar captain and the 
hero of Navarino. Unfortunately he had, about this time, 
involved himself in some unpleasantness by imprudently 
preferring certain charges against Captain Dickinson of 
the Genoa, which he failed to substantiate. The squadron 
being ready for sea, Sir Thomas Hardy asked Sir James 
Graham, just as the Board was breaking up, what orders he 
wished him to give to Sir Edward Codrington. He replied,. 
" I think you had better send the squadron to cruise for 
three weeks or a month for the purpose of gunnery and 
exercise. Write a minute to that effect, and give it to Mr 
Briggs to bring to me." I went with Sir Thomas Hardy 
to his private room where he wrote as follows : " Vice- 
Admiral Sir Edward Codrington to proceed to sea with the 
squadron under his command, and to cruise for three weeks 
for the purpose of exercise, and gunnery off the ' Silly ' 
Islands." I took the minute to Sir James, and handed it 
to him with a grave face. He smiled upon reading it, and 
said, " A very proper place, Mr Briggs, for that admiral to 
cruise. Nevertheless, we had better insert the ' C ' before 
it falls into the hands of the }'oung gentlemen of the 
office." 

It is only common justice to the memory of Sir Thomas 
Hardy to place on' record in this volume the following 
minute made by Sir James Graham before quitting office : — 



SIR JAMES GRAHAM ON HARDY 219^ 

Admiralty, 

4/// June 1834.. 

Understanding that in the new Patent constituting 
this Board, the name of Sir Thomas Hardy, the Governor- 
of Greenwich Hospital, will not appear, and myself being 
about to leave an office, in which I have had. the honour of 
serving with Sir Thomas for three years and a half, \ 
cannot omit an earnest recommendation to the Board,, 
that a mark of respect, which was granted to Sir George- 
Cockburn, should be tendered to Sir- Thomas Hardy ; and 
that he should be requested to nominate a Commander, a 
Lieutenant and a Mate for promotion by the Board, before- 
he leaves this Office, as a special mark of- gratitude for his 
services, and of admiration of his Character. 

It appears to me conducive to the public good, that 
this Justice should be rendered to exemplary Merit by 
Colleagues,, who can best appreciate it. The Naval- 
Character of Sir Thomas Hardy will live in the Annals of 
his Country, while Nelson and Trafalgar are remembered :; 
it is right, that his Civil Services should be recorded at 
the Admiralty, with some mark of gratitude and respect,, 
which are so justly due. 

J. R. G. Grah.-ul. 



CHAPTER XX 

SIR THOMAS HARDY, BART., G.C.B., GOVERNOR OF GREEN- 
WICH HOSPITAL (1834-I839). HIS DEATH THERE 
20TH SEPTEMBER 1839 

THE last post to which Sir Thomas was ever appointed 
must have been one in many ways after his own 
heart. Amongst his predecessors at Greenwich Hospital — 
the Royal Palace converted into a great naval asylum by 
the munificence of King William and Queen Mary in 1694 — 
were his own ancestral kinsman, Admiral Sir Charles 
Hardy (who had died there a little more than half a 
century before), as well as such distinguished sailors as Sir 
G. B. Rodney, Samuel, Lord Hood (another Dorset " sea- 
dog "), and Sir Hugh Palliser. Congratulations came to 
him from all sides. Sir William Parker wrote from Lisbon 
expressing his hopes that Hardy would " hold the position 
long with uninterrupted pleasure." 

One of the most prominent characteristics of Hardy's 
generous and kindly nature was a solicitude for the comfort 
and happiness of those placed under his command. His 
anxiety about the young officers and sailors of his various 
ships (as constantly shown in his letters to Dorchester) is 
often quite touching. Even at that period when the navy 
served as a sort of refuge for the very dregs of society he 
believed in treating the British sailors as rational human 
beings, instead of as animals amenable only to fear of 
punishment. In the matter ()f discipline, Sir Thomas 



HARDY AMONGST THE VETERANS 23i 

Hardy was far in advance of his times. He was the first 
who had the courage to trust to the honour of his men and 
to dispense with the patrol of boats round the ships for the 
prevention of desertion. He was in the habit of granting 
shore-leave for forty-eight hours at a time, with no security 
for their punctual return but their pledged words. The 
result was the creation of an esprit de corps, and on one 
occasion, when weighing anchor to put to sea, the whole 
crew was apparently in a ferment of dissatisfaction. It soon 
became known that the cause of the commotion was the 
continued absence of two of the sailors on leave, which their 
comrades regarded as a breach of good faith reflecting on 
them, one and all. The missing men were seen approaching 
in a boat, rowing might and main. Three cheers were given, 
not for them, but for " Cap'n Hardy." At Greenwich Hospital, 
Sir Thomas Hardy found a new sphere for his geniality 
and human sympathy. He rapidly became as popular 
with the pensioners (many of whom had served under him) 
as he formerly was with the middies and " captain's servants." 
Many abuses prevailed at Greenwich Hospital when he 
arrived there, which Hardy at once set himself to remedy. 
His biographer, in Colbourne's United Service J oicrnal} writes 
as follows: — "With his great kindness of heart,he endeavoured 
to do away, as much as possible, with the sentence of 
expulsion from the Hospital — which sentence, as it carried 
with it the loss of all claim to re-admission as well as 
forfeiture of pension, he considered highly objectionable, 
and we believe it was rarely, if ever, resorted to by him. 
But another sentence, the resistance of which not unfre- 
quently led to expulsion, was felt by him to be of a nature 
too degrading to be passed upon an old sailor — that of 
wearing a bright-yellow coat with red sleeves. This punish- 
ment was commonly inflicted by the Council when a man 
had been found drunk upon a Sunday. We are far from 
advocating drunkenness on any day, and particularly upon 
the Sabbath ; but it must be borne in mind that on that day, 
' 1839, part iii., p. 385. 



222 GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL 

more than on any other, the pensioners are visited by their 
■children and friends — an adjournment to the ale-house seems 
to follow as a matter of course — an extra pint of porter, or 
a glass of grog too much, is administered, and the old man 
.'forgets that it is Sunday. It is surely not such an offence, 
great though it be in a certain light, as to render it neces- 
sary to degrade that man from his station amongst his 
fellows by putting upon him. a badge of infamy. It was in 
this light that the humane Governor viewed the offence 
and the punishment, and he never suffered.it to be carried 
.into execution. He also requested and obtained his late 
Majesty's consent to the substitution of trousers for knee- 
'breeches in the dress af the pensioners — an alteration 
which conferred an incalculable degree of comfort upon the 
.pensioners. But that which most endeared him to every 
■one was his amiable simplicity — a simplicity arising from 
pureness of heart and intellect, which shed upon all his 
■actions a soft and pleasing light. .He was a Christian in 
.profession and practice." 

After Hardy's death a Dorset sailor, Mr Edward Thorn, 
who had served with him as purser in the South American 
Station (1821-1827),^ speaking at Dorchester, rendered an 
•eloquent tribute to his large heartedness and consideration 
for others. Mr Thorn assured those who were assembled 
to do honour to Hardy's memory, that no Governor of 
Greenwich Hospital had ever enjoyed anything like so 
large a measure of popularity with every class of its 
.inmates. Shortly before his death, the visitor had over- 
heard one of the pensioners exclaim : " There goes our 
.good old Governor : God bless him. We honour the very 
ground he treads on." 

At Greenwich, Hardy found his, post no sinecure. In 
addition to his routine duties, he had to arrange the 
•ceremonial for state visits paid there by the king and 
queen on the anniversaries of great naval victories, when 
ithey happened to fall on Sundays. The " Sailor King " 
■' See a/ifc, Y>. 191. 



THE SAILOR KING AT GREENWICH 223 

made these " progresses " one of his rules of Hfe. An 
allusion to the earliest of these royal pilgrimages to 
Greenwich occurs in one of the last letters written by Sir 
T. Hardy from the Admiralty. The following communica- 
tion relates to the thirty-eighth anniversary of the Battle of 
Camperdown : — 

GreIenwich Hospital, 
Octr. 2,rd, 1835. 

Mv Dear Elliot, 

I have received His Majesty's commands to 
inform you that he wishes the Board of Admiralty, now in 
London, and also Sir John Barrow to attend Divine Service 
in the Chapel at this Institution on Sunday the iith 
instant. A Guard of Honor of Royal Marines is also to be 
provided from Woolwich. I am also commanded to invite 
you to dine at St James Palace on that Day at 7 o'clock. 
Frock Dress. 

I remain, M)- dear Elliot, 

Yours very truly, 

T. M. Hardy. 
This I hope to deliver in person. 

Endorsed — 3 Octr. — Direct Commandant of Woolwich 
to furnish a Guard of Honor consisting of 100 men to 
receive His Majesty at Greenwich Hospital at half after ten 
o'clock on Sunday the iith instant. Orders as on former 
occasion, viz., 17 July 1835. — J. H. B. 

The following account of the proceedings appeared in 
the Annual Register for 1835: — "A large body of the 
Metropolitan Police, together with the constabulary force 
of Greenwich, attended in the avenues leading to the 
Hospital, as well as within the bounds of the Hospital 
itself, to preserve order. A strong detachment of Royal 
Marines was stationed in the great quadrangle of the 
building, and a giiard of honour, selected 'ffom the same 
Corps, was formed in a line, extending f"rom the great hall 



224 GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL 

to the chapel. Exactly at half-past eleven o'clock, His 
Majesty, accompanied by the Queen and Prince George of 
Cumberland,^ and attended by the Royal Suite, in six 
carriages, each drawn by four horses, and escorted by a 
detachment of the 8th Hussars, entered the western gates 
of the Hospital, the band of the Royal Marines performing 
the National Anthem in a most spirited style, and pro- 
ceeded to the chapel. The lower part was chiefly filled by 
the veteran inmates of the institution ; those who h9.d 
served under Admiral Duncan on the eleventh of October 
1797, were conspicuously placed by themselves in a 
situation opposite to the Royal pew. The Reverend Dr 
Cole, Chaplain to the institution, having read the prayers, 
the Bishop of Hereford - ascended the Pulpit, and preached 
a sermon, having selected as his text Ephesians, chapter iv., 
verse i.^ At a quarter before two o'clock their Majesties 
and suite left the chapel, and proceeded to Town." 

Nearly three weeks later. Hardy thus writes to his 
daughter, Mrs MacGregor : — 

Greenwich Hospital, 
Octr. 20, 1835. 
Mv Dear Mary, 

Thank you for your little note which I 
received a few days ago. We were fortunate in having a 
fine day on the i ith, and as you will have heard from your 
sisters that every thing went off quite as well as we could 
wish. I dined after at St James', where I had to make a 
speech, which annoyed me more than fighting the Battle, 
for which I had to return thanks to His Majesty on the 
compliments paid to the Officers and Men of the Nile. 

I am glad to hear that my Grandson is so well. 

In the following year, Sir Thomas Hardy appears to 
have met the clever but unfortunate Letitia Elizabeth 

' Afterwards King of Hanover. 

2 Edward Grey, D.U., Bishop pf Hereford [1832- 1837]. 
' " Ij therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk 
worthy of the vocation wherewith yc are called." 



"L. E. L.'S" rOEM ON HARDY 22^ 

'Landon at Greenwich. He never could for a moment 
foresee that this young and enthusiastic woman was pre- 
destined ten months later to predecease the veteran of 68, 
She subsequently addressed him the following poem, the 
'Original of which, signed " L. E. L. " ^ is now amongst the 
Dorchester conresipondence in possession of Mr H. A. 
Huxlable : — 

'" Silence is now upon the seas, 
The silent seas of yore ; 
The thunder of the cannonade 
Awakes the wave no more. 

The battle-flag droops o'er the mast, 

There quiet let it sleep ; 
For it hath won in wilder hours 

Its empire o'er the deep. 

Now let it wave above their homes, 

Of those who fought afar ; 
The victors of the Baltic Sea, 

The brave of Trafalgar. 

Upon a terrace by the Thames, 

I saw the Admiral stand ; 
He who received the latest clasp 

Of Nelson's dying hand. 

Age, toil, and care had somewhat bowefl 

His bearing proud and high ; 
But yet resolve was on his lip, 

And fire was in his eye. 

I felt no wonder England holds 

Dominion o'er the seas : 
Still the red cro&s will face the world 

While she hath men like these. 

And gathered there beneath the sun. 

Were loitering veterans old ; 
As if of foirmer victories 
And former days they told. 

' " L. E. L. ".afterwards Mrs Maclean (born 1802, died 1838), 



226 GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL 

No prouder trophy hath our Isle, 

Though proud her trophies be, 
Than that old Palace where are housed 

The veterans of the sea. 

Her other domes — her wealth, her pride. 

Her Science may declare ; 
But Greenwich hath the noblest claim — 

Her gratitude is there." 

During the latter part of their residence at Whitehall 
(after Sir Tliomas Hardy's nomination to Greenwich), and 
subsequent to their removal to the hospital, Lady Hardy 
jotted down in her diary many short memoranda as to 
the various functions which took place there. As early as 
May 1834, one finds a note to the effect that "the King 
sent for Sir Thomas Hardy to tell him he meant to go 
with the Queen to attend Church at Greenwich Hospital 
on the 1st June,^ and desired that Lady Hardy also should 
be there to receive their Majesties. The King desired 
that all the survivors of Lord Howe's action should be 
placed on cross benches, to distinguish them. — The 
governor's house not being yet ready, the King and Queen 
could not be entertained, but Sir Thomas and Lady 
Hardy dined at St James's Palace next evening with 
the Misses Hardy." 

On Saturday, ist August, in the following year (1835), 
William IV. and Queen Adelaide came to a breakfast at 
Greenwich, " His Majesty having desired Sir Thomas and 
Lady Hardy to invite a suitable party to meet the Queen, 
the Tory's being then in favour." " It was a lovely day," 
writes Lady Hardw " The King and Queen and all the 
Court came down by water in barges, and made a most 
beautiful procession, about 100 guests. The Queen brought 
her sister the Duchess of Saxe Weimar, Lady Brownlow, 
Lad)' Denbigh, Miss Mitchell, Miss Bagot, Lord Howe 
(chamberlain to the Queen), Lord and Lady Jersey, Lord 

1 Sunday June ist, 1834, the fortieth anni\ersary of Lord Howe's 
"Glorious first of June." 



A ROYAL PICNIC AT GRKEXWTCH 



■zi-j 



and Lady Mansfield and their daughters." Sir George 
and Lady Seymour and Lady Hardy's three nephews, 
Lord Ipswich (afterward Duke of Grafton),^ Lord Charles 
FitzRoy (present Duke of Grafton),^ and Lord Frederick 
FitzRoy, were also present;^ Sir Thomas took the Queen 
down to Luncheon in the large dining room — and the 
King took Lady Hardy. The others went to the other 
rooms, where the daughters of the house presided. Their 
Majesties stayed till 6 o'c. and went back by water. The 
Thames was lined with Barges full of people* and there 
were bands of music all along the river to Whitehall 
where they disembarked. The Band of the Royal Marines 
from Woolwich pla\'ed in the Court before the house." 

In the course of 1836 the new railway from Greenwich 
to London Bridge was opened. Lady Hardy made up a 
party for a trial trip, and the journey both ways was 
effected in twenty minutes. She adds that "none of the 
guests had ever travelled before in the new fashioned 
manner." Sir Thomas Hardy declined to go at any price, 
saying it was a needless risk to run, and, until his death 
four years later, could never be persuaded to enter a 
railway carriage. 

The year of Queen Victoria's coronation was a very 
busy one for the indefatigable governor of Greenwich 
Hospital, now in his seventieth year. In May he was 
constantly driving up to London to attend the meetings 
of the Commission on the " Defences of the Harbours 
and Coasts of England," of which he was a member. 
He took a very active part in its deliberations. Doubt- 
less his advice and experience often proved valuable. In 
the late Admiral Colomb's Memoir of the late Admiral 
Sir Cooper Key (1898), mention is made of Hardy's in- 

1 The sixth Duke of Grafton (born 1819, died 1882). 

^ The seventh Duke of Grafton (born 1821, and alive at the 
centenary of Tmfalgar). 

^ Born 1823, and still living. 

'' This fete is evidently the one illustrated in the rare colour-print, 
dated ist .\ugust 1838, and now reproduced. 



228 GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL 

genuity in the matter of a radical change in the mounting 
of guns afloat. "The great improvement," writes Admiral 
Colomb, " but only for carronades and lighter guns, had 
been the invention of Sir Thomas Hardy — Nelson's 
' Trafalgar ' Hardy — where the gun-carriages, without trucks, 
slid in and out on iron rails which were fixed to a wooden 
slide fastened to the ships side by a pivot, so as to allow of 
the gun being trained in its port. There was an arrange- 
ment called a compressor attached to the carriage, which, 
dropping through a slot in the centre of the slide, could be 
set to grip carriage and slide together, and so check the 
recoil of the gun when fired, reducing the sudden strain 
on the breeching, and perhaps enabling the space necessary 
for recoil to be reduced." 

Sir Thomas and Lady Hardy were amongst those who 
attended the Coronation of Queen Victoria, on the 28th 
June 1838. Lady Hardy notes that they were "in the 
Abbey from 5 a.m. to 7 P.M." On the 5th July, Marshal 
Soult, the French Ambassador, came to see the hospital, 
en route for a review at Woolwich. He was accompanied 
by the Prince de Ligne and the Marquis de Miraflore. Sir 
Thomas Hardy's almost daily drives to London continued 
during the whole of the remainder of the year. In the 
early summer of the following year (1839), the last of 
Hardy's life, the widowed Queen Adelaide (who shared 
her late husband's deep interest in Greenwich), came down 
to lunch and see over the hospital. She was accompanied 
by the Duchess of Saxe Weimar, Lord Howe, Lady 
Georgina Curzon, and Lady Bedingficld. 

On the loth January 1837, Sir T. M, Hardy by seniority 
became Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Amongst the few 
Hardy papers at Greenwich Hospital, is a letter acknow- 
ledging the receipt of the notice of this promotion, and 
less than a month later — viz., 7th February — he was 
unanimously elected to the honourable and much-sought- 
after position of an IClder Brother of the IVinity House. 
He attended the Special Court held on that day, and 



HARDY'S LAST VISIT TO DORSET 229 

subscribed the necessary declaration. On the 20th June 
1837, Hardy had to mourn the loss of his true friend, King 
William IV., whom he had known intimatel}' during the 
later portion of his career, and who was but three years 
his senior. During Hard)-'s tenure of office at Greenwich, 
William IV. had placed a bust there in memory of his 
predecessor Keats, and had always promised to pay the 
same honour to Hard\' if he survived him. This, however, 
was not to be, and there is still preserved at Portisham a 
lock of silvery white hair, sent to the Governor by the 
widowed queen, and bearing an inscription in Hardy's 
handwriting. 

Once more the old admiral turns his face Dorsetwards, 
This time he does not arrive there in either the " Subscrip- 
tion " or the " Balloon." His visit is announced to his 
brother in the following letter : — 

Greenwich Hospital, 
August \2th, 1838. 

Mv Dear Jos, 

As my friend Lord Seaford will pass through 
Dorchester in his way to Falmouth, he has been good 
enough to give me a place in his carriage, but he is not 
yet quite settled the day that we are to quit London, but 
it will be either on Sunday Monday or Tuesday next, and 
as we sleep at Salisbury I will write to you again before 
we leave London. Lady Hardy and the girls start in a 
Steamer for Scotland on the 19th inst. 

We heard of Mary Manfield & I believe she will dine 
with us tomorrow. I am joined by my Family in best love 
to \ou and Mrs Hardy. 

I remain, My Dear Jos, 

Your affectionate Brother, 

T. M. Hardy. 

I have written to William ]\Ianfield. 



250 GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL 

As far as can be ascertained, this was the last time 
Hardy ever saw his beloved " Possum," where his sister 
still inhabited the old house which had been for long a 
property. One can imagine " Jos " (now a septuagenarian) 
coming over from Charminster to show the Governor over 
the Rickard estate. It is hoped that partridges were 
abundant that autumn in the Portisham fields, and that 
the brothers (now soon to part for ever in this world) 
had many a pleasant chat of old times in the room 
adorned with naval relics over " a bottle of the best." 

In November 1838 "Tom" Allen, Lord Nelson's old 
body servant, died in Greenwich Hospital, where, through 
the instrumentality of the Governor, he had passed the last 
years of his life in comfort.^ Hardy wrote on the 29th 
November expressing his regret at the " loss of poor Tom 
Allen," and a little later once more gave proof of his char- 
acteristic warmth of heart and his constant regard for his 
old shipmates, great and small, by causing a memorial to 
be erected in the Hospital cemetery, bearing the following 
inscription : " To the memory of Thomas Allen, the faithful 
servant of Lord Nelson, born at Burnham Thorpe, in the 
county of Norfolk, 1864, 3-"^ died at the Royal Hospital^ 
Greenwich, on the 23rd November 1838." 

Well before New Year's Day (destined to be the last of 
Hardy's life) he was, as shown by his action in the matter 
of Allen, back again at the hospital. In the letter he now 
writes to his brother, he shows once more the old desire 
to give a deserving youngster a helping hand. 

GREENwacH Hospital, 
ijtk Jafiry, 1839. 

Mv Dear Jos, 

I send you an extract from a letter I have 
this day received from Captain Napier- of the Potvcrful. 

' See Nelsonian Reiiiiniscences, by G. S. Parsons, R.N., edited by 
W. H. Long. London : Gibbings & Co., 1905. 

■■^ Afterwards Admiral Sir Charles Napier, G.C.H. [1786- 1860]. In 
1839 he was sent to the Mediterranean with the rank of Commodore. 



SYDNEY SMITH ON HARDY 231 

"If you will send down your young friend I shall fill 
up the necessary papers for him." 

\'ou had better desire Mr Phelps to proceed as soon 
as convenient to Sheerness and if he comes by way of 
London call upon me. 

My health continues quite good and I hope my leg 
is a little better. 

I remain, Yours affectionately, 

T. M. Haruv. 

In March the Rev. Sydney Smith — the witty Canon of St 
Paul's — sent the Governor of Greenwich Hospital a volume 
of sermons. Having received an expression of apprecia- 
tion from Lady Hardy, he wrote her the following letter : — 

Mv Dear Lady Hardy, 

I would rather have the approbation of Sir 
Thomas Hardy than that of several Bishops. If Bishops 
approved, the sermons must be pompous, intolerant and 
full of useless Theology. If Sir Thomas likes them they 
are true, honest and useful, and if you add your sanction 
then at least I am not dull, and I feel that I am helping to 
pay off the debt we all owe you for looking so well as you 
do and talking so agreeably. 

Ever yours, 

Sydney Smith. 

March 26, 1839. 
33 Charles St., Berkley Square. 

As yet there was no sign of a final break in Hardy's 
health. He is only troubled by his old enemy — rheu- 
matism, and in May he was able to welcome Joseph Hardy 
and " Cousin Tom " on their return visit to Greenwich. He 
was apparently as full of activity as ever, and managed to 
attend certain official meetings in London. 



ZJ2 GOVERNOK OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 

Greenwich Hospital,. 
April 2()th, 1839. 
My Dear Jos, 

I am enjoined by the ladies to say that we- 
shall be delighted to see you and Cousin Tom on Tuesday 
the 7 of May L shall be in London on that day to attend! 
the Naval and Military Commission, and if you will tell me 
where I can pick you up, I will call for you and take you tO' 
Greenwich, The Commission assembles at 1.2 o'clock at 
No. LO Downing Street, Whitehall and we generally break 
up. a little before 3, when I will call for you,, but probably 
Cousin Tom will call at 10 Downing Street 5 minutes 
before 12 when he will find me at the door. 

My health is slowly improving but my hands continue 
very weak.. 

I am joined by the ladies in best love to you and Mrs. 
Hardy and we all beg to express our regret that Mrs. 
Hardy should continue so unwell. 

I remain,' My Dear Jos,, 

Your affectionate Brother. 

T. M. Hardy. 

This is the last letter of Hardy to be found in the- 
Dorchester correspondence. He became seriously ill 
during the late summer, but retained his consciousness, 
almost to the last. When all hope was abandoned and 
Hardy knew his fate, he bade farewell to his wife and 
children and. his beloved brother Joseph, who, with a few 
intimate friends, surrounded his bed, and faced death with 
the stoical courage and resignation one would have expectedi 
of the captain of the Victory. With admirable calmness, he 
discussed the details of his funeral, and gave certain instruc- 
tions as to the distribution of a few personal mementos. 
The certificate of his demise on the 20th September 1839' 
states that he died from "torpor on paralysis of the 
intestines." 

Eight days later all that was mortal of " Dear Hardy"' 



HARDY'S FUXERAL 233 

was .aid to real in the now abandoned mausoleum of 
the old cemetery belonging to the hospital, where, not- 
withstanding later alterations, his body still remains. The 
following description of the funeral appeared in the G.entle- 
vians ]\Iagazine (1839, Part IL, p. 65.2): — "On Saturday 
28th Sept. the remains of this-gallant officer were consigned 
to their last home." . . . The funeral was in some respects, 
a public one, but Sir Thomas Hardy himself had strictly 
enjoined his executors, Sir John Dean Paul, Bart., John 
Arscott Lethbridge, Esq., and Sir George Francis Se\'mour,. 
Kt., to avoid any ostentation in the last obsequies. At 
II A.M. the procession set out from the Council Room in 
the fo^llowing order : — 

Six boatswainSj two and two. 

Crew of the Governor's barge. 

Colours with crape. Mace with crape. 

Muffled Drum and Fife. 

Warder's Gang. 

Warders, two and two. 

Fifty pensioners, two and two. 

The Governor's guard with halberds covered with crape. 

Medical Officers, juniors. Military Officers, juniors. 

Sir J. Brunton, the Lieutenant Governor. 

Chaplains in Surplices. 

Pallbearers. Pallbearers. 

Lieut, Fikon. r^^^ g^^^. Lieut. Tucker. 

Lieut. Rivers. ' Lieut Bedford. 

Capt. Huskisson. Capt. Larkan. 

Mourners. 

Commissioners of the Hospital. 

Civil Officers of the Hospital. 

Civil Officers of the Schools. 

The late Governor's Household. 

Pensioners who served with Sir Thomas Hardy in the Victory 

and other Ships. 

Two inspecting boatswains. 

Amongst the mourners were : — Lord Euston, Mr Fitz- 
hardinge Berkeley, the Hon. Captain Berkeley, Sir John. 
Paul, Mr Lethbridge (the executors), .Sir Richard Dobson,. 
Chief Medical Officer of the Hospital. Mr Jessep, the long. 



234 GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL 

and faithful friend of the deceased admiral, and formerly his 
purser on board the Rnmillies, and his secretary until 
appointment to Greenwich Hospital in 1834. Mr W. 
Manficld of Dorchester and Mr Balston (nephews to Sir 
Thomas). 

Two of the Pallbearers, nameh', Lieutenant Rivers 
and Captain Huskisson, were in the Battle of Trafalgar. 
The former was Aide-de-camp to Sir Thomas Hardy in the 
Victory, and lost a leg a short time before Lord Nelson 
was wounded. The latter was a midshipman on board the 
Defejice. 

With Sir T. M. Hardy was buried a small print of 

Nelson by which he set some store. This circumstance 

gave rise to certain rumours at the time which are thus 

disposed of by the biographers of the United Sennce 

Journal : — 

" The veneration entertained for Nelson by the subject 
of our memoir was greater than is even generally imagined. 
A paragraph has gone the round of the newspapers, respect- 
ing a small print of the hero, called a miniature, which, it 
has been stated, was constantly worn round the neck of the 
subject of this memoir, and that it was his dying request 
to have it placed in the coffin that inclosed his own 
remains. That it lies buried with him is true ; in all other 
respects the paragraph is void of foundation ; but as he 
was known to have entertained a great value for the picture 
it was placed by him in death." ^ 

The following short obituary notice was penned for 
the Gentleman's Magazine by an official of Greenwich 
Hospital, subscribing himself R. H. G. : — "On Sept. 20, 
at Greenwich Hospital, Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas M. 

1 In the Memoirs of Sir William Hargood, published two years after 
Sir T. M. Hardy's death, Mr Joseph Allen writes : — "The late good 
Sir Thomas Hardy permitted only one of his letters to escape destruc- 
tion — that one was the first he wrote after leaving his home [see ante, 
p. 21]. It was found in a drawer, after his lamented decease, together 
with a small portion of Ldrd Nelson's hair ; which proves that the 
letter was highly prized by him since it was f)laccd with such a relic." 



"AN APPRECIATION OF HARDY 235 

Hard)', Bart., G.C.B., Governor of that Establishment, 
eminent for that judgment and self possession without 
which deeds of honour and arms are seldom achieved, 
perpetually awake to the various duties of his command, 
anxious for the improvement of the service to which he 
had devoted himself, equal to every difficulty which it 
could present, yet not above its most trivial details, 
detecting with intuitive facility whatever might require 
correction, and applying the due remedy, passing readily 
from the sharpest reproof to the very gentleness of human 
nature in her best forms; ahvav's mindful of those who 
shared with him the toils and iperils of warfare, or were 
otherwise deserving of encouragement. Sir Thomas 
Hardy will descend to posterity as one of the truest 
models in that profession to which the State is so much 
indebted for its securit)-, its wealth, and its renown." 

R. H. G. 

2 is/ Sept. 1839. 

As Sir T. M. Hardy left no son, the baronetcy died with 
him. From Greenwich Hospital his widow and unmarried 
daughters removed to 3 ' Chester Square, where they took 
up their abode ; and thence Lady Hardy writes, five 
months later, the following letter to Mr Joseph Hardy, 
her brother-in-law :— 

3 Chester Square, 

February 2^th^ 1840. 

Dear Mr Hardy, 

I write a few lines not expecting you to 
give yourself the trouble of answering me, unless your arm 
has quite recovered its use, but to tell you that Mr 
Lethbridge will pay you a visit shortl}- as he is on a visit 
in Devonshire & will take Dorchester on his way back but 
it will probably be only for an hour or so. 

We are all very well & comfortably settled. 

Emily was a little quaking and thin, & so I let her go 



236 GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL 

by the railroad with the MacGregors to Liverpool about 
three weeks ago, & she stayed with Lord & Lady Sefton at 
Croxteth for ten days & they brought her back a week ago 
in very good care. She had a good deal of riding and the 
change did her great good. The reports of her marriage 
to ]\Ir Bruce have been very prevalent, but it is not the case 
& you never need believe anything that you may hear till 
you heaj it from me, as I shall make it a duty as well as 
pleasure to let you know the instant anything of the kind 
could be in question. The MacGregors went on from 
Croxteth to Edinburgh where he had business for his 
father to transact, & they are now on a visit near their own 
home at a Lady Lucy Grant's and will soon get back to 
Birnam Lodge which is the place they rent near Dunkeld, 
The children are quite well & were not the least trouble- 
some on the journe}'. Little Ally ^ and Emmy - grow more 
& more beautiful & the latter is the most engaging little 
creature that ever was & walked alone before she left us. 
I hear great praise of Prince Albert from all sides. I have 
not seen him as of course I do not go out any where likely 
to meet him. Sir George Seymour^ returned the Badge & 
ribbon of the Bath at the Levee & brought me a very kind 
message of condolence from the Queen who spoke most 
handsomely of your poor brother & lamented the loss the 
Navy had had in him. He was admitted into the Royal 
Closet for this audience which is not usually done on such 
occasions, but it was as a mark of respect to the memory of 
him who had worn that Order. 

Colonel & Mrs Dawson Damer were at Cairo & she has 
been travelling about on a Camel's back all through the 
Desert, and seems to be as able to bear fatigue as the 
Colonel, but so can all women if they like what they are 

' Mr AthoU MacGregor (born 1836, living 1905). 

- Emily Louisa MacCiregor, who married Viscount Stormont, and 
is the mother of the fifth Earl of Mansfeld. 

■' Sir G. F. Seymour, Admiral, (i.C.B. fborn 1787, died 1870), one 
of the executors to Sir T. .M. Hardy's will. 



LADY HARDY REMARRIES 237 

doing, believe me My Dear Mr Hardy with your Nieces 
kindest duty & love to }'ou & Mrs Hardy, 

Yours affectionately, 

L. E. Hardv. 
Pray remember me to Augusta when }'ou see her. 

Lady Hardy, who afterwards remarried with Lord 
Seaford, survived her first husband for nearly forty years, 
dying on the 2nd November 1877, at Hampton Court, 
where she is buried. Her eldest daughter Miss Louisa 
Hardy, and her youngest daughter Lady MacGregor (who 
died in 1896) are buried in the same place. 



CHAPTER XXI 

IIARIJV MEMORIALS AT GREEiNWICH HOSPITAL AND 
IN DORSET : HARDY PORTRAITS 

OF the illustrations of the never-to-be-forgotten death 
scene on board the Victory, which began at half-past 
one and ended at half-past four on the afternoon of the 2 ist 
October 1805, the number is almost infinite. They vary 
from rare and beautiful mezzotints and colour plates down 
to the roughest and rudest woodcuts and glass-pictures, 
which at one time were to be found in almost every 
cottage. In all of these the figure of " Cap'n Hardy" is 
little less prominent than that of Nelson himself. In 
the printed descriptions below many of them the name 
of Hardy is often associated with that of his illustrious 
chief — " Nelson giving his last commands to Hardy," 
" Kiss me Hardy," etc. In the majority of these engrav- 
ings the attempt at any accurate likeness is of the 
faintest. Most of them were produced and published 
at high pressure, either in the days which immediately 
followed the arrival of the news of Trafalgar in England, 
or in the first fortnight of 1806, when the eyes of all 
England were directed to the great funeral pageant at 
St Paul's. This can hardly be said of the beautiful and 
artistic colour-print of the scene. on the deck of the Victory 
just after Nelson had received his death wound,^ now repro- 
duced. It was engraved b)' Charles Turner, after a painting 

' In the collection of A, .^L Droadlev. 



MEMORIALS AT GREENWICH 239 

by J. Parry. Below it arc the words of the familiar Nelson 
signal. It was published more than a year after the battle, 
viz., on the 21st November 1806. The publisher was Mr 
Vittore Zanetti, of 87 Market Street Lane, Manchester. 
The face and figure of Hardy, as portrayed in this picture, 
bear a sufficient if not striking resemblance to the hitherto 
unpublished miniature in possession of Mrs Manfield of 
Portisham, which forms the frontispiece of this volume, as 
well as to the recently discovered profile bust in Poole clay, 
and the large three-quarter-length portrait in oils by Evans, 
painted at the instance of King William IV. for Greenwich 
Hospital, while Hardy was Governor. This has been very 
frequently engraved by H. Robinson and others. There is 
a good photogravure reproduction of it in Sir J. H. 
Briggs's Naval Aduiiiiistratioiis. Some replicas of the 
Greenwich picture also exist, one of them being now in 
possession of Mrs Thresher of Corfe Hill, Weymouth. 

In addition to the Evans portrait in the painted 
chamber, there is a bust of Hardy in the chapel of Green- 
wich Hospital. This was placed there by public subscrip- 
tion three years after his death. The sculptor was 
William Behnes, a former student of the Ro}'al Academy, 
who, in a letter dated 9th August 1842, agreed to provide 
for the sum of ;^300, a bust exactly similar to that which 
Chantrey had executed of Hardy's predecessor, Sir R. G, 
Keats.^ To the fund thus organised, of which Sir George 
Seymour, one of Hardy's executors, was apparently the 
moving spirit, Queen Adelaide contributed no less than 
^50 ; Miss Augusta Hardy of Portisham giving a similar 
amount. Hardy's old friends and shipmates figure ex- 
tensively in the list. Amongst them were Sir George 
Cockburn, Sir R. Hussey, Sir Henry Digby, Sir P. C. H, 
Durham, Sir Charles Rowley, Sir J. Beresford, Sir J. 
Whitshed, and Sir G. Martin. 

1 William Behnes, sculptor (died 1864). He was much in vogue as 
a sculptor of portrait-busts between 1820 and 1845. ^^ died in 
complete destitution, having quite outlived his fame. 



240 HARDY MEMORIALS 

The following inscription was placed below the bust on 
a tablet surmounted by a medallion of Nelson, and the 
words : " England expects every man will do his duty." 

ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF 

VICE-ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY 

BARONET AND G.C.B. 
GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL 

THE FRIEND AND COiMPANION-IN-ARMS OF NELSON 

EMINENT FOR JUDGMENT AND SELF-POSSESSION ; EVER ANXIOUS 

FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE SERVICE TO WHICH HE HAD 

DEVOTED HIMSELF; EQUAL TO ALL ITS DIFFICULTIES AND 

DUTIES, AND CONVERSANT WITH ITS MINUTEST DETAILS. 

THE NAME OF THIS GALLANT AND DISTINGUISHED 

OFFICER WILL DESCEND TO POSTERITY AS ONE 

OF THE NOBLEST ORNAMENTS OF THE 

PROFESSION TO WHICH ENGLAND IS SO 

MUCH INDEBTED FOR SECURITY 

AND RENOWN 

DIED 20TH SEPTEMBER 1839, AGED JO YEARS 

Never probably did any public movement meet with 
more unanimous approval and general enthusiasm than 
that for commemorating the " valour and virtues " of 
Thomas Masterman Hardy in the county of his birth. 

On 2nd of March 1844, Lord Ilchester presided at a 
public meeting in the Town Hall, Dorchester, convened by 
the Mayor (Mr Charles Criswick), " for the purpose of 
considering the best mode to be adopted for carrying into 
effect the wishes of many influential persons in the towns 
of Dorchester and Weymouth, as well as the general feel- 
ing of the county of Dorset that the public services of the 
late Admiral Sir T. M. Hardy are highly deserving of 
some public testimonial which would be most appropriately 
placed on some conspicuous spot in this his native 
County." 

The " Portlandcrs " offered to provide the whole of the 



DORSET HONOURS HARDY'S MEMORY 241 

stone if the projected column might adorn the " Verne," one 
of the heights of their peninsula, but the consensus of 
opinion pronounced itself strongly in favour of the 
"beacon-mound" on Blagdon Hill, principally because 
it had once belonged to Hardy, and was in close proximity 
to Portisham Village and other localities connected with 
his boyhood, in addition to being the very spot he had 
selected years before for the erection of a tall rick of furze 
faggots which;should serve as a "sea mark" visible miles 
awa\' to ships going down Channel. 

The projectors of the memorial, now known throughout 
the length and breadth of Dorset as the " Hardy 
Monument," were not aware that it also dominated his 
birthplace at Kingston Russell ; but many doubtless re- 
membered that it was there that Joseph Hardy and William 
Bo}'t, during the last phases of the Great War (when on the 
1st of June 1805, the parole word of the Dorset Yeomanry 
was " Victory " and the counter-sign was " Howe,") 
awaited, flint and tinder in hand, the expected signal 
which would have told all England, in the course of 
a few hours, that the " Corsican Ogre" had at length 
affected a landing on the Dorset littoral. Blagdon Hill, 
having been chosen as the site, the design (a massive 
column with no sort of claim to artistic merit), sent in by 
Mr Arthur Dyke Acland, was selected. Mr William 
Manfield, Hardy's nephew, gave the ground, and promised 
to provide the necessary stone from his quarry at Luckham's 
Pond. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Flo}'er, 
wife of Mr John Plover, one of Dorset's representatives 
in Parliament, and High Sheriff of the County, on the 
2 1 St October 1844, the thirty-ninth anniversary of the 
Battle of Trafalgar. The base of the column is 830 feet 
above sea-level, and the structure rises 72 feet in height, so 
that the corona at the top is 905 feet above the waters of 
Weymouth Bay. Subscriptions poured in from every town 
and village in Dorset ; and four )-ears later (after the 
satisfactory carr\'ing out of the scheme), the Hardy 

Q 



242 HARDY MEMORIALS 

Memorial Committee issued, on the I2th June 1848, 
a final balance-sheet headed by a vignette of the " Monu- 
ment," showing that they had received and expended 
^^609, 1 6s. 

It soon became a veritable place of pilgrimage. 
Throughout the " fifties " and the " sixties " of the last 
century it was the practice of summer visitors to Wey- 
mouth, Dorchester, and Bridport to regard the climbing of 
Blagdon Hill as almost de i^igueur. And what a treat 
awaited them after ascending the steep spiral staircase 
which led to the summit of Mr Acland's massive pillar ! 
Looking seawards, the eye rests on an unbroken panorama 
of coast-line extending from the Isle of Wight and St 
Catharine's Point on the east to Start Point and the 
Tors of Dartmoor on the west. It has even been said 
that on an exceptionally clear day one can see the 
Nelson column, far away to the east on the crest of 
Portsdown Hill in the hinterland of Portsmouth and the 
Solent. Far down below lie clearly spread out as if on a 
map, Weymouth and the Backwater, as well as Portland 
and the Chesil Beach, whilst St Aldhelm's Head and the 
Purbeck Hills to the left, and Thorncombe Beacon with 
Golden Cap beyond it to the right, stand out in prominent 
grandeur. Landwards the view is almost equally magni- 
ficent even if not so extensive. Pillesdon Pen and 
Lewesdon Hill with Lambert's Castle tower up above 
peaceful valleys and snug-lying hamlets, the prospect 
towards the north-east being bounded by the beacon- 
heights of Bulbarrow and Lytchett. 

When the novelty wore off, the stranger was content 
to look at the Hardy column from a distance. It was 
neglected, if not forgotten — no sustentation fund existing; 
and a flash of lightning completed the havoc which time 
had begun. The monument became unsafe, and the 
internal staircase was closed. Five years ago, however, 
the structure was completely restored by the insti'umentality 
of Colonel Robert Williams, M.P. of Bridehead, in whose 



THE KARDY MONUMENT 243 

grounds the river Bride takes its rise. There is no fear' 
of the Hardy monument ever again becoming a ruin, for 
the inscription over the doorway now runs as follows : — 

ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION, IN THE YEAR 1844, 
IN ]\IEMORY OF 

VICE-ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY 

BART., G.C.B. 

FLAG-CAPTAIN TO LORD NELSON 

ON H.M.S. "victory" AT THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR 

RESTORED I90O 

AND PL.^CED IN CHARGE OF THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PLACES 

OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTY BY THE 

DESCENDANTS OF SIR THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY, 

ON WHOSE LAND IT STANDS 



Hardy, however, needs no visible memorial to keep his 
memory green in the fair countryside from which he sprang. 
His name and exploits^ have become, as it were, part and 
parcel of Wessex folklore. In out-of-the-way nooks and 
corners of West Dorset the " Not mortually I hopes my 

' During the whole of the nineteenth century, the opinions as well 
as the deeds of Hardy find frequent mention at the hands of nearly all 
naval historians. In Captain Basil Hall's Fragments, i., p. 165, is 
found Hardy's reply to a query put to him as to the behaviour of the 
captain of the French privateer, Milan, captured by the Endyinion 
on the 8th November 18 10, after a prolonged chase. "This French- 
man's conduct may teach us the important lesson that an officer should 
never surrender his ship whatever be the force opposed to him, "while 
tliere remains the slightest possible chance of escape. The privateer you 
speak of had very nearly slipped through your hands ; and had he 
knocked away one of your sticks, probably would have done so. It is 
always useful to have good practical examples of what perseverance 
and well-directed zeal may accomplish, especially with very small 
means. I think I have known more than one ship captured, 
which might, perhaps, have baffled their enemy had they been as 
stoutly defended as your little privateer. Don't let us forget her 
example ; for it is no matter whence instruction comes — from friend or 
from foe — provided it be good" 



244 HARDY MEMORIALS 

Lord " is still heard when the mummers enact their 
Christmas play. It speaks volumes for the enduring fame 
of Thomas Masterman Hardy amongst successive genera- 
tions of Dorset men and women, that he is invariably 
spoken as Hardy tout court. It is always Hardy or possibly 
" Cap'n " Hardy, just as Nelson is Nelson only for Norfolk 
and the whole world. It has, however, been reserved for 
the still living Thomas Hardy, to give us in his drama 
of The Dynasts yet another reason for the constant holding 
in remembrance of his great namesake. Never have the 
moments of supreme anxiety, which followed the last shot 
and the last surrender at Trafalgar, been more graphically 
described than in the lines : — 

"'Pull hard and make theJNothe, or down we go,' one says, says he. 
We pulled ; and bedtime brought the storm ; but snug at home 

slept we. 
Yet all the while our gallants, after fightmg through the day. 
Were beating up and down the dark sou' west of Cadiz Bay, 
The dark 
The dark 
Sou' west of Cadiz Bay. 

The victors and the vanquished then the storm it tossed and tore^ 
As hard they strove, those worn-out men upon that surly shore. 
Dead Nelson and his half-dead crew, his foes from near and far, 
Were rolled together on the deep that night at Trafalgar, 

The deep 

The deep 
That night at Trafalgar." 



CHAPTER XXII 

CHARLES BULLEN, CAPTAIN OF THE "BRITANNIA," 
AT TRAFALGAR [ 1 768- 1 85 3] 

OIDE by side with the Hardys and the Weares, 
>--^ beneath the quaint and historic Church of St Peter at 
Portisham, rest the bones of one of Dorset's soldier sea- 
men — Bullen Reymes by name. Migrating to Dorset in 
the early days of Charles I.'s reign, he acquired Gerard's 
Waddon in that parish by marrying the co-heiress of 
Thomas Gerard ; fought as colonel in the royalist army 
during the Civil War ; suffered sequestration of his estates 
in consequence ; and, when the Dutch fleets threatened the 
coasts of England after the Restoration, became a seaman, 
and Vice- Admiral of Dorset (1674). 

Bullen Reymes was ancestral kinsman to Charles 
Bullen of the Britannia, the eldest of Dorset's three 
captains at Trafalgar. The Bullens of Dorset trace their 
ancestry from Simon Bullen of Salle, in Norfolk, who, in 
the thirteenth century, married the heiress of Robert Malet 
From him descended Jeffrey Bullen, Lord Mayor of 
London (1456), the father of Thomas, Earl of Wiltshire, 
and grandfather of Lord Rochford and Queen Ann Boleyn. 
From William, a brother of the Lord Mayor, branches of 
the family spread to Lincoln and to Ireland ; of the latter 
family, Jeffrey Bullen, Governor of Kinsale, under the Earl 
of Essex, claimed kinship with Queen Elizabeth. In 
the seventeenth century a member of the family came 

245 



246 CHARLES BULLEN 

into Somerset and held an estate at Cathanger, in Fife- 
head, under the Wyndham family. It has always been 
handed down that this migration took place under the 
influence of Bullen Reymes, whose brother-in-law, Francis 
Wyndham, was like the BuUens, a scion of an ancient 
Norfolk stock.i 

Charles Bullen was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 
the loth September 1768. His father, John Bullen of 
Weymouth, was son of Richard Bullen of Seavington St 
Mary, and grandson of William Bullen of Cathanger, 
Somerset. His mother was a native of Newcastle-on-Tyne, 
being the daughter of Charles Liddell and a cousin of the 
great Lord Chancellor Eldon, who by his acquisition, on 
the 25th April 1807, of Encombe, in Purbeck (the ancient 
seat of the Cullifords and the Pitts), also became a Dorset 
worthy. One other son, the issue of this marriage, Richard 
Bullen, born at Newcastle in 1779, and educated at Wadham 
College, Oxford, served as captain in the 2nd Royal North 
British Regiment of Dragoons — the Scots Greys — and his 
descendants received special permission to use the Arms 
under the Heralds College grant of the year 18 17. 

The greater part of Charles Bullen's early youth was 
spent in Dorset where his father resided. Weymouth was 
an ideal home for the future admiral. Ships of all sizes 
visited that port ; officers of the Royal Navy were well 
known to his father, who himself was a naval surgeon, so 
that young Charles must early have been imbued with a 
love of the sea. Occasionally, no doubt, he enjoyed a little 
sailing excursion down the coast to Charmouth where 
lived his uncle, Simeon Bullen, and a family of young 
cousins. On other occasions the more lengthy voyage in 
a coasting vessel to Newcastle took him to his maternal 
grandparents and his Northumbrian cousins, whilst an 
overland journey into Somerset to visit his paternal 
grandfather brought him through tlie typical Wessex 
scenery of the road from Dorchester, Maiden Newton, 
• See Bullen pedigree, Appendi.\ I. 



A TEN-YEAR-OLD SAILOR 247 

and Crewkerne to the little village of Seavington St Mary, 
the hume of RicharcJ Bullen and Elizabeth his wife. 

An event of momentous importance for the future career 
of the youthful Charles Bullen took place in the autumn of 
1778. He had just celebrated his tenth birthday, when 
home to Weymouth, with the honours of promotion to 
flag rank fresh upon him, came Rear-Admiral Marript 
Arbuthnot' As he was a relation of the Bullen family 
and a native of Dorset, one can well imagine the delight of 
the embryo Trafalgar hero in listening to his kinsman's 
talcs of gallant exploits of seamanship, to say nothing 
of the attraction of the cocked hat and naval uniform. 
War was declared with France on the 6th February 1779, 
and the Admiral was sent out in command of the North 
America Station, where a French fleet was expected to 
arrive, and through the Admiral's influence, John Bullen 
received an appointment as Surgeon-General, whilst his 
youthful son, Charles, was entered in the Navy, i6th 
February .1779, as first-class volunteer on board the 
Europe, a 64-gun ship, under Captain William Swiney. 
The Europe served as the admiral's flagship, in which 
Arbuthnot and his Dorset kinsmen sailed for American 
waters the May Day following. They reached New York 
on the 25th August, six weeks after the French Fleet, 
under D'Estaing, had unsuccessfully attempted to get 
their ships close enough in to attack that place. Here they 
awaited, during the autumn, the return of the same enemy, 
who, however, were expending their strength in a futile 
attack on Savannah. 

Two days before Christmas, Charles Bullen was trans- 
ferred into the Loyalist sloop, Captain J. P. Ardesoif, in 
which he sailed three days later, under Arbuthnot himself, 
from Rhode Island, to assist in the only real success which 
befel the English arms during the war of American Inde? 

1 A portrait of Admiral Arbuthnot is in fhe possession of Colonel 
Bullen of Catherston. Another, by Thomas Beach, is owned by the 
Rev. W. H. Beach of the Mythe, Stoke Bishop, Bristol. 



248 CHARLES BULLEN 

pendence. It must have been a bitter training school 
for the youthful volunteer ; the voyage proved very 
stormy, the weather being so severe that Americans 
looked back upon the winter of 1779-80 as the coldest 
season of the decade. The key to the enemy's position 
was turned by Arbuthnot's fleet ; when crossing the bar 
his ships captured Mount Pleasant, Fort Moultrie, and 
the harbour (9th April), after which the fall of Charleston 
was only a matter of days (12th May 1780). 

Serving shortly afterwards in the Rowivn, a 50 -gun 
ship (Captain George Dawson), Bullen was at sea in the 
heavy gale which totally dismasted her while escorting a 
large convoy from New York to Quebec. After this he 
returned to the Loyalist^ serving in her as A.B. and mid- 
shipman, thus showing that he had thoroughly taken to his 
naval life. For two months he was rated in the Halifax, 
lOth June to nth August 1781. Arbuthnot, however, 
after sundry differences of opinion with Admiral Rodne}-, 
asked to be recalled on the plea of health, and in the 
summer of 1781 went home. The Bullens, father and son, 
returned to England with him. 

Young Bullen now spent several years in completing 
his education, until at the age of seventeen he joined the 
Culloden, 74, as midshipman, under Captain Sir Thomas 
Rich, serving in the Channel for two years. On 26th 
September 1788 he moved into the Leandcr, 50 guns, 
the flagship of Rear-Admiral Joseph Peyton, in which 
he spent two years and a half in the Mediterranean. 
During this service he was promoted to be second lieu- 
tenant, 9th January 1791, quitting that ship two months 
later for the Merairy, 28 (19th March), in which he acted 
for six weeks under Captain Augustus Montgomery. From 
her he was confirmed, 9th August 1791, into the Eiaydice, 
24, Captain George Lumsdaine. He returned to England 
at the end of the year, and went on half pay for twelve 
months. It was during this interval of release from active 
service that one of his cherished dreams was accomplished 



BULLEN'S COURAGE 249 

At the age of t\vent)--three he married Miss Wood of 
Martock, one of his distant Somerset cousins, and spent 
many happy months on shore. 

On the eve of the war of the French Revolution he 
once more took service under Captain Sir Thomas Rich 
on board the Culloden, 22nd December 1792, in which he 
sailed for the West Indies, and took part in the unsuccessful 
attack on Martinique in the April of the next year. 
Returning to England early in 1794, BuUen continued 
exactly one year on half pay (12th January 1794 to 13th 
January 1795). He then became first lieutenant of the 
Rainillies, 74, Captain (afterwards Sir) Henry Harvey, 
and joining the Channel Fleet, under Lord Howe, took 
part in the actions of 28th and 29th May as well as the 
"Glorious First of June." Harvey having been for his 
services promoted to flag rank, Sir Richard Hussey 
Bickerton became captain of the Rainillies, with whom 
Bullen then sailed to the West Indies, and served there 
and in Newfoundland waters until the end of 1795. He 
then returned home and joined in the same ship, Admiral 
Duncan and the North Sea Fleet. A short period of service 
once more in the flagship of Admiral re}'ton, the Ovcryssel, 
64, lasted from 19th September to 23rd December 1796, 
when he spent the Christmas holidays on half pay. 

Bullen's next appointment was on board the Monvwiitli, 
a 64- gun ship of the North Sea Fleet, which he joined, 2nd 
February 1797. It was here that he first served under the 
Earl of Northesk whose flag-captain he was destined to be 
six years later at Trafalgar. On this ship one of the most 
tragic scenes of Bullen's life took place. The Mutiny of 
the Nore broke out on 27th May following. Captain, the 
Earl of Northesk, was detained a prisoner on board his own 
ship, and further excesses would have occurred had not 
Bullen, with admirable promptitude, pistol in hand, drawn 
a line on the deck, saying, " the first man who steps beyond 
this line I'll shoot him dead." The mutineers released 
Northesk, and sent him to lay their grievances before the 



250 CHAR1.es BULLEN 

king, and to return with the royal answer within fifty-four 
hours (6th June). The captain, however, never came 
back, and after the suppression of the mutiny resigned his 
post, being succeeded by Commander, afterwards Rear- 
Admiral, James Walker, under whom Bullen distinguished 
himself in Duncan's great victory of Camperdown (nth 
October). As the Monvio)itk was bearing down on the 
enemy before the battle, Walker thus addressed his crew : 
" My lads, you see your enemy ; I'll laj^ you close aboard, 
and give you an opportunity of washing the stain off your 
characters in the blood of your foes. Now go to your 
quarters and do your duty." 

They so far acted up to his words, that two prizes 
fell to their share in the fight, each being a 50-gun ship 
One of these was the Alkmaar ; Bullen was sent to take 
possession of the other, the Delft. He found her in a 
pitiable condition, full of wounded, and leaking badly. 
The guns of the MonnwutJi had done great execution, 
killing two officers and 41 men, and wounding one officer 
and 75 of the crew. Her mainmast yard had been 
shot away, and the sails and rigging cut to pieces. 
Sending the captain of the prize with two officers and 
90 men on board the Monniouth^ Bullen set Heilberg, 
the late first lieutenant, who happily had escaped being 
wounded, to assist him with the men under his com- 
mand to prevent the ship from sinking. For three days 
they successfully accomplished their purpose, until the 
14th October, when a storm arose which placed the vessel 
in imminent risk of foundering. With 10 feet of water 
in the hold, and no chance of stopping the leaks or of 
j)umping her out, all hope of saving the prize was at length 
abandoned. Lieutenant Bullen explained this to Heilberg, 
tcllincr him that at a certain signal he should embark him- 
self and his men into the long boat, and inviting him to 
avail himself of this op|)()rtunit}' of saving his life. " But 
how can I leave these unfortunate men," replied the latter, 
pointing to the wounded sailors, wiicwn it had been found 



BULLEN. AND.HEILBERG 251 

necessary to bring on deck, since the hold was full of water. 
Lieutenant Bullen was much struck with this answer, and 
exclaimed, " God bless )'Ou, my brave fellow ! here's my 
hand ! I give you my word, I will stay with you." He 
then ordered his own men to save their lives by leaving the 
ship in the long boat, whilst he himself remained to assist 
the Dutch. The Riisseil soon sent her boats to the assist- 
ance of the Dutch ship, and brought off as many of her crew 
as could be put on board, after which they lost no time 
in making a second vo}'age to the Delft with equal success. 
But few of the wounded could be got off, although the 
two officers had united their efforts to accomplish that 
purpose, and still remained with them in the vessel, together 
with three subalterns and about 30 seamen. They were 
still cherishing the hope that the Russell's boats would a 
third time come to their rescue, when the fatal moment 
arrived, and on a sudden the Delft went to the bottom. 
Bullen sprang into the sea, and providentially reached his 
own ship ; but the unfortunate Heilberg perished, the 
victim of his courage and humanity.^ 

For these services Bullen was, on 2nd January 1798, 
deservedly promoted to be commander. Leaving the 
j\[o)iinoiith the same day, he enjoyed three and a half 
years in England on half pay. His home during that 
period was in Dorset, where he resided with his wife and 
family at Weymouth, now basking in the sunshine of royal 
favour and patronage. In the summer of 1801 Charles 
Bullen once more went to sea. As commander of the 
Wasp frigate of 18 guns (23rd June) he sailed to the coast 
of Guinea, where he again distinguished himself A powerful 
combination of native chiefs was at that time threatening 
the very existence of Sierra Leone as a British Colony. So 
successful, however, was he in protecting the interests of 
his country that he was promoted to be post-captain, 29th 
April 1802, after which, in the following August, he returned 
home to spend nine months ashore once more on half pay. 
' Steele's List, March 1803. 



252 CHARLES BULLEN 

When next he entered active service good fortune 
awaited him in the shape of prize money. In the summer 
of 1803 Captain Jahleel Brenton of the Minej've'^ frigate 
of 38 guns, serving in the blockade off Cherbourg, was 
wounded by a block falling on his head. Bullen at 
Weymouth was easily accessible, and so took his place 
on 9th May, serving under Sir James Saumarez off 
Guernsey. He had the good fortune to fall in with a 
valuable convoy of vessels loaded with naval stores, which 
he brought safely into Spithead. His total of captures 
in less than a month amounted to twenty-three French 
merchantmen, and a frigate of the largest class. Napoleon's 
threatened invasion was now occupying the attention of 
the naval authorities as well as the minds of all dwellers 
on the southern littoral. Organisations for coast defence 
put Dorset and Devon in readiness for any emergency in 
the case of attack from seaward. Bullen was, therefore, 
chosen, being still post-captain, to command the Plymouth 
district of Sea Fencibles, 14th July 1803, an appointment 
which he held until i 5th May of the following year, when 
the immediate prospect of invasion had been for the 
moment dispelled. Meanwhile, in November 1803, he took 
command also of the flotilla which was fitting out in the 
Thames. 

Northesk, who had just been promoted rear-admiral, 
23rd April 1804, calling to mind Bullen's good service on 
board the JMonmoutii, appointed him his flag-captain in 
the Britminia, 100 guns, 3rd June 1804. In her he 
served with the fleet off Brest, under Cornwallis, until 
August in the following year, when he was detached 
under Sir Robert Calder to reinforce the fleet ofl" 
Cadiz. It is in this capacity that Bullen ranks as one 
of Dorset's three captains at Trafalgar. As the fourth 

' lUillcn left the Mincrvc 3rd June. On the 2nd July following, 
this ship ran ashore on a cone of the Cherbourg breakwater during a 
fog. Brenton and his crew became prisoners of war (see note, p. 27, 
anti:). He was exchanged in 1806; the rest remained prisoners until i8i^. 



THE "BRITANNIA" AT TRAFALGAR 253 

ship^ in the weather Hne, led by Nelson himself, the 
Britannia came into action only ten minutes later than 
the Victory ; engaged three of the enemy's ships, and 
after passing through the line, firing broadsides right and 
left, pursued the flying van, with the loss of 10 killed and 
42 wounded. Bullen brought home three prizes, received 
the King's gold medal, and after his ship was paid off 
(20th June 1806), spent fifteen months on half pay, his 
Trafalgar prize money, amounting to over ^,"3000, 
proving a most welcome addition to his finances. It 
is unfortunate that Bullen's " Trafalgar letter " - to 
his friends at home should not be extant, otherwise it 
would be here recorded, as the letters of other Dorset 
captains on that memorable occasion have been. It is 
not generally known that Bullen was a skilled draftsman, 
and used to send to his wife sketches of most of the 
places which he visited. Some of his drawings are still 
preserved in the possession of Lady Mitchell, the widow 
of Admiral Bullen's great-nephew, Colonel Sir Charles 
Bullen Mitchell, G.C.M.G., formerly governor of the 
Leeward Isles, who died during the Boer War, holding 
the same position in Natal. 

Bullen's next command was the Volontaire frigate of 
38 guns, to which he was appointed, 7th September 1807. 
In this ship, for more than three years, he did excellent 
service off the French and Spanish coasts. He had the 
honour of conveying the Due d'Orleans and his brother, the 
Comte Beaujolais, to the Island of Malta, and commanded 
occasionally the inshore squadron off Toulon. On the 
declaration of war between France and Spain he did useful 
work on land by undertaking an expedition from Fez to 
Tangiers, as the result of which he induced the Court of 

Mt is a matter of family tradition that as the Britannia was 
sailing up to meet the enemy, Bullen had a serious difference with 
Admiral Lord Northesk, refusing,innomeasured terms, to obey his order 
to shorten sail. 

2 John Wells, senior midshipman on board the Britannia^ wrote 
an account of the battle, which he sent home to his parents. 



254 CHARLES BULLEN 

Morocco to furnish the Spanish patriots with supplies 
during the hostilities. 

Several dashing exploits raised his reputation during 
the year 1809. He captured the Island of Pomegue near 
Marseilles, and destroyed Fort Rioux near Cape Crois- 
sette. The latter success was effected by the boats of the 
Volontaire, which he sent in under Lieutenant Isaac 
Shaw, who destroyed the battery of 14 guns, bringing 
away five vessels which had taken refuge under its shelter. 
Again on the 23rd October of the same year, when off 
Cape Saint Sebastian, he signalled to Lord CoUingwood 
the valuable information which led to the pursuit and 
destruction, by Rear-Admiral George Martin, of two French 
line-of-battle ships, the Robiiste and the Lion. Shortly 
afterwards he assisted the boats of Captain Benjamin 
Hallowell's squadron in the capture of a valuable convoy 
of three men-of-war and seven merchant ships in the Bay 
of Rosas. 

His good services caused him to be appointed the 
next year to command a small squadron on the coast of 
Catalonia, with orders to co-operate with the Spaniards 
against the French. In this work he was eminently 
successful, and his letter dated, " Off St Sebastian, the 
28th September 18 10," displays his modesty in alluding 
to those actions in which he took so great a part. " I 
beg to report that on the 5th inst. the Spanish army 
under Gen. O'Donnell left Tarragona, and on the 13th 
got to Arrans de Mar, at which place he divided his 
forces, himself taking the road ta Besbal ; and so rapid 
were his movements the enemy was not apprised of his 
arrival till within a quarter of an hour of entering the 
town. This happened on the 14th, when a smart action 
took place, but of very short duration, when the French 
General Swartz with 500 men were taken prisoners. 
On the same day St Philion, Palarhos, and Beger were 
severally attacked and all surrendered, the total of French 
taken being about 1400 men besides cannon, etc., etc., 



BULLEN IN THE BAY OF ROSAS "255 

so that this coast from Rosas, with the exception of 
the Medas Islands, is again in the possession of the 
Spaniards. ... I was yesterday at Escala in the Bay of 
Rosas where the French had a depot of corn, etc., all of 
which 1 have got on board this ship." 

BuUen's service in the Volontaire frigate was now 
drawing to a close. On the 13th December 18 10, Palamos 
was again attacked, the magazine blown up, and all but 
two ships in the harbour taken, and those not burned were 
brought out. In retiring, the troops gave the enemy some 
advantage by returning along the wrong road, with tlie 
result that several were killed, wounded, or made prisoners. 
Amongst the latter was Captain F. W. Fane of the 
Cambrian frigate, 40 guns, in consequence of which 
accident Bullen was transferred to that ship on New 
Year's Day 181 1. He writes to Admiral Sir C. Cotton 

three months later : — 

"Cambrian," off Rosas, 
ibth April, 181 1. 

Sir, 

1 have great pleasure in sending you by the 
Blossom the important intelligence of the surrender of 
Figueras to the Spaniards on the loth inst., and that 
St Philion and Palamos were taken possession of by the 
Cambrian and Volontaire on the 12th and 14th; the guns 
all embarked and the batteries destroyed. I am now on 
my way to Rosas and Cadaques, and I have reason to hope 
the latter place with Selva will also shortly be ours. . . . 
I purpose remaining off here with the Volontaire ready 
for anything that may offer. ... I also beg to inform you 
that a large settee deeply laden with grain for Barcelona 
from Port Vendee was the night before last most hand- 
somely cut out from under the Medes Islands, and batteries 
by the boats of this ship led by Lieut. Conolly without a 
man being hurt. 

' 1 have the honour to be, etc., 
■ Charles Bullen.^ 

Ce/iflc7nin's Magazine, 181 1, i., 576. 



'c'7/lJf2's 




256 CHARLES BULLEN 

His hopes were realised in regard to Cadaques, at 
which place he captured no less than nineteen merchant 
vessels ; but at Selva he himself nearly lost his life whilst 
he was serving in a battery on shore. He was there 
so severely wounded that quitting the Cambrian, 9th 
December 181 1, he returned home invalided. For the 
three following years Bullen was on half pay, until loth 
November 18 14, when he took command of the Akbar, 50, 
and served under Admiral Sir Thomas Byam Martin, 
superintending the partition of the fleet and naval stores 
at Antwerp. Afterwards he proceeded in the same 
ship, under Rear-Admiral Edward Grififith, to North 
American waters, serving on the Halifax station until 
the Akbar was paid off, on the ist January 1817. Whilst 
serving on this ship he was nominated Companion of the 
Bath (4th June 1815), and this probably led him, when he 
returned home, to spend some of his prize money in 
obtaining from the Heralds College a grant of his coat of 
arms with the Trafalgar augmentations, dated 3rd November 
1817, the preamble of which document is interesting from its 
reference to Bullen's share in the victory of Trafalgar (see 
Appendix). After close upon seven years at home Bullen 
again entered active service on the 12th December 1823, 
being appointed Commodore on the west coast of Africa, 
hoisting his broad pendant on board the JMaidstonc of 
42 guns. Here he did excellent service for a period of 
three and a half years in a very trying climate, acting 
in co-operation with Lieut-Col. Sutherland in the 
Ashantee War (1824-26), and being the means of restor- 
ing to the enjoyment of their liberty nearly 10,000 
slaves. 

During the three years following his leaving the 
Maidstone (15th September 1827 to 22nd July 1830), 
the commodore and his wife resided in Dorset, making 
l^urton Bradstock for some time the place of their 
abode. In his letter to Captain Francis Roberts of 
that place, dated 3rd August 1829, Sir Thomas Master- 



A CROP OF HONOURS 257 

-man Hardy thus referred to his fellow Trafal^r 
•captain : ^ — 

" Should Commodore and Mrs Bullen be at Burton will 
you offer them m}' best regards." 

Bullen's foreign service being now over, he was at the 
age of sixty-two, appointed Superifttendent of Pembroke 
Dockyard (22nd July 1830) and captain of the Royal 
Sovereign, yacht. It is this period of his career to which 
Admiral the Hon. Sir Henry Keppel refers in his diary 
thus : " 1847, July 8, Visited Sir Charles Bullen, who gave 
me a model of the Dido. He had been captain of Pembroke 
Dockyard when she was building." - 

Promotions now fell in quick succession upon the 
Dorset captain. He became a Knight Commander df 
the Hanoverian Guelphic Order (13th January 1835), 
and on the 25th February following was dubbed 
Knight Bachelor, receiving his promotion to flag rank 
when he was in "his seventieth year (loth January 1837). 
His work being now done, he retired from active service on 
the 1 2th March of the same year, and settled at Southamp- 
ton with his wife and family. His promotions, however, 
•contiaued, for he was advanced in the Order of the Bath 
to be a Knight Commander, 1 8th April 1839. Three years 
.later he was left a widower, loth July 1842, after fifty 
years of married life, and shortly afterwards he settled at 
Shirley, Hants. On 12th July 1843, a good service pension 
•of iJ^300 a year was accorded him, and three years Jater 
(9th November 1846), he was advanced by seniority to the 
rank of Vice-Admiral, receiving ast the age of eighty-fouir 
his Grand Cross of the Bath, and becoming Admiral of the 
Blue (30th July 1852). 

Less than a twelvemonth later he departed this Hfe ful 
of years and honour (2nd July 1853), at the age of eighty-six, 
and was buried at .Shirley, where a tablet .in the Church of 

^ See a}7te^ p. 207. 

2 Life of Admiral the Hon. Sir Henry Ke'ppcl. London': Macmillan, 
3899, vol. ii.,p. 5i- 



258 CHARLES BULLEN 

St James sets forth in a few lines the story of his long 
and honourable career, 

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF 

ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES BULLEN, G.C.B., G.C.H. 

WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE, JULY 2, 1 853 
AGED 86 

HIS LIFE WAS DEVOTED TO THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY, AND HE 

RECEIVED FROM HIS SOVEREIGN MANY HONOURS FOR THE ACTIVE 

PART TAKEN IN THE GLORIOUS ACTIONS OF LORDS DUNCAN, 

HOWE, COLLINGWOOD, AND NELSON. THIS LAST TRIBUTE 

OF AFFECTION IS PLACED HERE BY HIS NEPHEW, 

RICHARD BULLEN 

A portrait of Sir Charles Bullen hangs in the Painted 
Hall at Greenwich Hospital, of which Colonel J. B. S. 
Bullen, D.L., J.P., of Catherston Manor, Dorset, possesses 
a replica. The former is now reproduced by permission of 
the Lords of the Admiralty. 



CHAPTER XXIII 

HENRY DIGBY, CAPTAIN OF THE "AFRICA," 
AT TRAFALGAR [177O-1842] 

TWELVE centuries ago, when Dorset could boast of an 
Episcopal See within its territorial limits, Sherborne 
held the proud position of bishopric and ecclesiastical centre 
of the county. The bishop was lord of the manor and castle ; 
the town was the capital of Wessex ; the abbey and school 
flourished abundantly, and royalty made its abode there in 
life, choosing it as its resting-place in death. When, 
therefore, nearly four centuries later (1072) Sarum took the 
place of Sherborne in church life, the manor and castle 
came into, and continued in, the possession of the Bishops 
of Old and New Sarum down to the days of " Good Queen 
Bess." How Her Majesty, the last of the Tudors, acquired 
the castle and manor, and bestowed it on Sir Walter 
Raleigh, need not be told here. Suffice it to say that in the 
year 16 16 the whole estate came into the possession of Sir 
John Digby, afterwards Earl of Bristol, the descendant of 
an ancient family settled at Tilton in Leicestershire in the 
times of the Norman kings. There have been Digbys at 
Sherborne Castle ever since, though the Earldom of Bristol 
became extinct on the death of the third earl in 1698, for the 
estates then reverted to the fifth Baron Digby, whose grand 
father, nephew to the first Earl of Bristol, had been raised 
to the peerage on the 29th July 1620. This title is still in 
existence, though Sherborne Castle is no longer the seat of 



26o HENRY DIGBY 

the head of the family, for Henry, the seventh baron, who 
was created Earl Digby in 1765, left the estate to his son 
the second earl, who, dying a bachelor in 1856, bequeathed 
Sherborne Castle and manor to the heir of his sister, Lady 
Charlotte Maria, who had married William Wingfield, from 
whom descends the present Mr Wingfield Digby of 
Sherborne. It is of a nephew of the first Earl Digby 
that this chapter treats — Henry Digby, the captain of the 
Africa at Trafalgar.' It is significant to note that of the 
twelve ships of the line forming the weather division at that 
famous battle three were captained by Dorset men, and 
that these three were almost of the same age. Digby 
was the youngest of the three Dorset captains, whilst 
Bullen was the eldest, though only sixteen months 
separated them in point of seniority. 

Henry Digby was the eldest of the four sons of the 
Very Reverend the Hon. William Digby, D.C.L., Vicar 
of Coleshill, Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, Dean of 
Worcester and afterwards of Durham. His mother was 
Charlotte, daughter of Joseph Cox and niece of Sir Charles 
Sheffield, Bart, of Normanby Park, Lincoln. Henry Digby 
was born at Bath on the 20th January 1770, and baptised 
at St James' Church in that city on the i6th February fol- 
lowing. Everyone in the west of England, with any preten- 
sions to a position in society, spent the winter at Bath in those 
days. Shortly before his birth, his father was appointed 
Dean of Worcester, and further promoted in 1777 to the 
same dignity at Durham, so that in the shadow of two of 
England's most beautiful cathedrals the early boyhood of 
the future captain of the Africa was spent. 

Two of his brothers were baptised at Worcester 
Cathedral, viz., William (1774), who afterwards became 
Prebendary of Worcester and Vicar of Coleshill ; and 

1 A sketch pedigree in the Appendix shows at a glance the connec- 
tion of the two branches of the Dorset Digbys with the parent stem at 
Coleshill, as well as the descent from Admiral Sir Henry Digby of the 
present owner of M interne, the tenth Lord Digby. 



THE TWO ADMIRALS DIGBY 26i 

Sheffield, baptised 1/76, who died young. The other two 
brothers, Charles George (born 1780), and Joseph (born 
1786), were natives of Durham, and both did excellent 
service in the navy, the latter of them rising to the rank of 
Vice-Admiral. Besides these children, Dean Digby had 
six daughters, and of the whole family of eleven, ten were 
living at the death of their father, in September 1788, as 
well as at the time when their mother died three years later 
(27th June 1 791). 

Henry Digby was early imbued with the desire to go to 
sea. His famous uncle, Admiral Robert Digby, the naval 
governor and instructor of Prince William Henry, after- 
wards King William IV., had invested his prize money in 
the purchase of the manor and estate of Minterne Magna, 
whither young Henry, whom he looked upon as his heir, 
often went to spend his holidays amidst the scenery of 
the county identified so closely with the history of his 
family. So it came about that as soon as he was 
thirteen the name of Henry Digby was entered on the 
muster-roll of the /rtj-^/^, 2nd April 1783, with the rank of 
captain's servant.^ After a month in the Jason, Digby 
removed to the Vestal, ist May 1783, where he con- 
tinued ten months under the same rating until 6th 
March 1784. After six weeks' holiday he was entered 
on the Royal Chaj'lotte, i6th April 1784, in which he con- 
tinued till the end of the year, when he joined the Europa, 
50 guns, as captain's servant, but was almost immediately 
promoted to be an A.B., and soon became midshipman. He 
served in this ship under Admiral Innes for more than two 
years and a half, most of that time being spent in theWest 
Indies. Returning to England in the summer of 1787, 
he was appointed to the Janus as supernumerary on the 
4th July 1787, and on board that ship and afterwards on 
the Salisbury as midshipman, he served on the North 
America Station under Commodore (afterwards Admiral) 
John Elliot, Commander-in-Chief of Newfoundland, whose 
' See ante, p. 21, and/<;j-/, p 293 (footnote). 



262 HENRY DIGBY 

flag-captain was [Sir] Erasmus Gower. Digby returned to 
England in November 1788, just after his father's death, 
and on loth December 1788 joined the Racehorse sloop as 
A.B., and afterwards was rated as " master's mate." In this 
ship he served for nine months in the North Sea, in the 
home waters, and off the coast of Scotland, being principally 
engaged in checking the smuggling trade, which at that time 
was rife in those parts. Leaving that ship, 22nd September 

1789, he spent eleven months at Sherborne and Minterne, 
during which he obtained his certificate (ist October 1789)1 

His next employment was on board the BelleropJion, 
which he joined on the 5th August 1790, serving a short time 
as midshipman under Commodore (afterwards Sir) Thomas 
Pasley, in the Channel Fleet, during the Spanish armament 
of that year. His period of probationary service being now 
completed, he was promoted to be lieutenant, ist October 

1790, joining the Lion (Captain the Hon. Seymour Finch) 
as fourth lieutenant (22nd October), and shortly afterwards 
proceeding, under Admiral Cornish, to the West Indies. 
In less than a year, returning to England, Digby went on 
half pay for a year and eight months (i6th September 1791 
to 4th May 1793), the reason of this being, doubtless, his 
mother's death and the amount of business which he, as 
eldest son, had to do in settling family affairs. As soon as 
he was free again to serve his country, he received an 
appointment as first lieutenant in the Eutydice (5th May 
1793) in which ship he served nine months with the 
Channel Squadron in home waters, removing into the 
Proserpine on the i6th February 1794, and thence into the 
Pallas as second lieutenant six weeks later (25th March). 
Here he did good service, notabl}', when, on the occasion 
of the accidental burning of the Boj'ne, 98, at Spithead (30th 
April 1795), he, in the jolly boat of the Pallas, was the 
means of saving many of the crew of that unlucky ship. 
This was no easy task, for all the guns were loaded and 
went off one by one as the flames mastered the ship, 
wounding and killing in every direction. 



PRIZES AND PRISONERS 263 

Three weeks afterwards Digby became first lieutenant 
on board the Dictator (20th May), where he remained 
three months, and then received his promotion to the rank 
of commander (24th August), and proceeded with the 
expedition to Ouiberon Bay, on the Incendiary fire ship. 
Upon his return home he was employed in the Channel on 
detached service, and was subsequently under the orders of 
Admirals Lord Hugh Seymour and Sir Alan Gardner 
(afterwards Lord Gardner). In October 1796, Digby was 
sent on a secret expedition with troops, etc., off the Texel, 
under the orders of Sir R. H. Bickerton, but the service 
was stopped by the decision of a council of war on board 
Admiral Lord Duncan's flagship, the Venerable. Digby, 
however, was not forgotten. Two months later he received 
his commission as post-captain (19th December), and 
four days later took command of the Aiirora frigate, 32, 
sailing in her to Lisbon with a convoy. For a year and 
three quarters he served with distinction, cruising between 
the Azores and the northern coast of Spain, under the com- 
mand of Lord St Vincent, being engaged most of that period 
in the arduous and exciting work of protecting British com- 
merce, and inflicting all possible damage on the ships 
and trade of the enemy. He holds almost a record for 
prize-taking during so short a period. No less than forty- 
eight merchantmen were captured or sunk, whilst of war 
ships there fell to his share the French privateers Neptune, 
14, St Bias, 8 (though she was afterwards given up on 
Lord St Vincent's decision, that being Spanish, she was 
too near a fort on the coast of Portugal at the time of her 
capture), La Marie Atme, UAigle, and L'Espiegle, each 
mounting 14 guns, L'Aventure of 10 guns, LEgalite 
a corvette of 20 guns, and the Velos Aragonesa pierced 
for 30 guns, in which were three of the mutineers of the 
Herinione. The grand total of these captures amounted 
to 124 guns, and no less than 744 prisoners. Digby, as 
captain of the Aurora frigate, gained further laurels 
in the summer of 1798. He was cruising off the 



264 HENRY DIGBY 

Spanfsh coast, and on the i6th June, pursued several 
merchantmen until they ran into the Bay of Curmes for 
shelter. Nothing daunted, he sent two boats, under the 
orders of Lieutenant Henry Lloyd, into the bay, and the 
fugitives were successfully destroyed. Three days later he 
chased a convoy of six vessels into the harbour ©f Gedeira,. 
but losing the wind and being nearly land-locked, he had 
tO: tack out again. On the 22nd June he chased a ship,, 
apparently a corvette or privateer of 20 guns, off Cape 
Machichicao. The stranger hauled in under a fort at 
Baquoi, where she hoped to be in safety, but Digby sailed 
in, and the Anroi-as broadsides did their work so effectually 
that the enemy drifted on to the shore a helpless wreck, 
whilst the Aurora, in spite of the incessant fire from the 
fort, got clear away without loss or damage. 

Quitting the Aurora on the 20th September 1798, Digby, 
four weeks later, received the command of the Leviathan, 
74 (I'Sth October)^ which ship carried^ the broad pendant 
of Commodore Duckworth, and in her he proceeded to join 
Lord St Vincent in the Mediterranean, where he' took a 
prominent part in the capture of the Island of Minorcac 
The LeviatiuDi conveyed the troops to that Island, and 
covered the land operations which were so effectually 
carried out between the 7th and 15 th November that 
Minorca capitulated after only eight days' investment. 
The- success of this expedition' won for Duckworth a 
baronetcy and promotion to the rank of rear-admiral, so 
that Digby became his flag-captahi; His eminent fitness 
for cutting , out expeditions, however, caused Digby to be 
chosen to command the Alcmene frigate, 32 (8th March); 
in which he was as usual successful in' one of his dashing 
adventures. On the 3rd April he cut out Le Depit, 8, 
which v/as taking refuge beneath the guns of a fort near 
Malaga. On the 12th May he was again- flag-captain in 
the Leviathan off Cadiz with. Lord Keith, and Sir VVilliami 
Parker, whence on the 30th of that month, Duckworth'.'j 
squadron was detached und.cr orders to join Lord Nelson; fl 



THE CAPTURE OF THE "COURAGEUSE" 265 

off Palermo. Arriving there on the 7th June, Digby 
for the second time went on a cruise in the ALanene. 

He was not long in getting oiice more into the work 
which was so much after his own heart, for on 22nd June, 
whilst executing a sweeping movement off the island of 
Corvo, he sighted a French privateer boardmg an American,, 
and gave chase. The winds were light, but for four whole- 
days he kept up pursuit, till on the 26th he brought her 
to an action, and after a running fight forced her to strike 
her colours. She proved to be La Courageuse, of Bordeaux,. 
Captain Jean Bernard, with 28 guns and 253 men. A 
month later he made another capture,, which he describes in 
his own words thus :. — 



H.iVr.S. "-Alcmene," 
River Tagus, ^o July 1799. 

Mv Lord, ^ 

L have the honour to acquaint }'ou that I 
stood into the harbour of Vivero on the i8th imst. towards 
sunset and running between two Spanish vessels at anchor 
distant from each other near two cables length I sent 
Lieuts. Warren and Oliver with parties armed to board 
them and make out which service they executed in a 
spirited and masterly manner. On their appearance under 
sail two forts and a detached gu-n opened round us which 
I returned. The heavy smoke of my guns, and day closing 
prevented the enemy directing them to effect. 

One of the prizes named Le Felmdaddi sKxp between 
seven and eight thousand tons pierced for 22 guns is 
loaded with hemp, a ^qw lower masts and ship timber; 
the other named El Bisajrro, a brig near 400 tons, 
wath ship timber and iron, botli bound to the arsenal at 
Ferrol. 

I am obliged to Mr Hammond commanding the 
PJiccnix privateer lugger of Jersey for the intelligence ; he- 
followed in and gave every assistance to the prizes. On the 



266 HENRY DIGBY 

25th inst. I sent him in chase and he captured a French 
sloop from St Domingo bound to Bordeaux. 

I have the honour to be &c. 

H. DiGBY. 
To Admiral 
The Earl of St Vincent. 

Again he writes four days later, concerning another 
prize : — 

H.M.S. "Alcmene," 
In THE Tagus, 3 August 1799. 
My Lord, 

I have the honour to acquaint you that I 
captured on the ist ulto. the Deux A;;iis French brig of 
marque, of 6 guns and 60 men bound to St Domingo 
from France. 

I have the honcUr to be &c. 

H. DiGBY. 
To Admiral 
The Earl of St Vincent. 

It was not, however, until nearly three months later 
that the richest capture of prizes that ever he made fell to 
his share. On the i6th and 17th of October 1799, in the 
Bay of Biscay, when in company with the Naiad, Triton, 
and EtJialion frigates, he had the good fortune to intercept 
two richly-laden Spanish frigates, the Thetis, 36 guns, 250 
men, and the Santa Brigida, 40 guns and 300 men, on 
their way home from Vera Cruz. They were carrying 
three million dollars, besides valuable merchandise, and 
the prize money of each of the English captains amounted 
to more than ^^40,730. It took fifty military waggons to 
convey the specie from Plymouth Dock to the Citadel on 
the 4th December following, each waggon having the Union 
Jack, British ensign, and pennant flying over the Spanish 
colours, the whole being escorted by the captains, officers. 



A Rl-:CORD HAUL OF PRIZE MONEY 267 

marines, seamen, the Somerset Cavalry, and the band of 
the Plymouth Volunteers. In addition to these war ships, 
Digby, whilst in command of the Alcviene, captured twenty 
merchant vessels, and his prize money, according to his own 
statement, amounted to ;^5 7,000 before he was thirty years 
of age, to which he added ;^6300 more in the next six 
years. 

Certainly a warm welcome awaited the successful 
captain when he returned to England early in 1801. 
Many a man would have retired on his laurels after 
gaining so much prize money, but Digby, after ten weeks' 
half pay (1st March to 13th May), was ready for work on 
the North America Station, and became captain of the 
Resistance, a frigate of the largest class, in which he sailed 
for Quebec with a convoy. On his way out he captured 
the Elisabeth, a French letter of marque from Cayenne 
bound for Bordeaux, which was the last vessel taken in 
that war. After holding his appointment one year, he 
returned from American waters after the conclusion of 
peace, and went on half pay for more than three years 
(9th May 1802 to 19th July 1805). 

Three months before Trafalgar, he entered on active 
service once more as captain of the Africa, 64 (20th July 
1805), ^nd was ordered to join Lord Nelson's squadron off 
Cadiz without the least delay. He was lucky enough to 
reach the commander-in-chief a few days before the memor- 
able 2ist of October, and in that crowning victory, as is well 
known, the Africa played a brilliant and unique part. She 
was the smallest line-of-battle ship on either side, with a 
complement of 490 men and boys, there being only two 
other sixty-four gun ships present. And yet true to 
Digby's dash and courage, she had the temerity to attack 
the largest ship in the enemy's fleet, mounting 140 guns. 
The story is well known, but will always bear telling again. 
The Africa having had the misfortune to lose sight of the 
fleet during the night, found herself at daybreak several 
miles to the north of the English fleet, and therefore came 



268 HENRY DIGBY 

into the battle on a line of her own, heading for the leading 
ship on the nearest column, that is to say the Victory. 
Forty minutes before the action began, Lord Nelson 
signalled her to " make all possible sail with safety to 
the masts." When the Royal Sovereign opened fire, the 
Africa was broad on the Victory's larboard beam, nearly 
abreast of the first ship of the enemy's van and well within 
range. As she passed onwards she exchanged broadsides 
in succession with ship after ship of the- enemy, receiving 
much less damage than might have been expected. Lord 
Nelson's plan, however, was that the van should be isolated 
rather than attacked, so that he signalled to the Africa to 
" engage more closely." In consequence of this, Digby bore 
down ahead of the Santissima Trinidada^ 140, a four 
decker, the largest ship of those days which was already 
engaged by the Neptune. " In twenty-eight minutes, the 
whole of her masts went by the board, when she struck. 
Sent Lieut. Smith with a party to take charge of her," 
records the Africa s log. L'pon reaching the quarter-deck, 
Lieut. John Smith asked whether the Santissima Trini- 
dada had surrendered. A Spanish officer advanced to meet 
him, and replied, " Non, non," pointing at the same time to 
one Spanish and four French sail of the line then passing to 
windward. For want of masts the Santissima was settling 
fast to windward of the two fleets, so that- having only 
a boat's crew with him, the lieutenant of the Africa quitted 
the Spanish vessel (the crew of which, singularly enough, 
permitted him to do so), and returned on board his own 
ship, which then pushed on into the thickest of the fire, and 
in a most gallant manner brought up alongside the French 
ship hitrcpide, 74, and in spite of the superiority of force 
to which she was opposed, maintained the contest for three- 
quarters of an hour, when, the Orion coming to her assist- 
ance, the Frenchman struck his colours and was taken 
possession of " in this brilliant action the Africa sustained 
great loss, having had her main topsail yard shot away, and 
her bowsprit and three lower masts so badly injured that 



THE "AFRICA" AT TRAFALGAR 269 

none of the latter could afterwards stand. Her remaining 
masts and yards were also more or less injured, her rigging 
and sails cut to pieces, and her hull, besides other serious 
damage, had received several shots between wind and 
water." ^ 

She suffered also considerably in the storms which 
succeeded the battle. R. F. Roberts, midshipman in the 
Victory, records in his " remark book," under date Friday 
25th October: " At- 8, Africa N.N.E. with the signals of 
distress, all her masts being gone." 

Digby wrote the following modest account of his 
exploits to his uncle. Admiral Robert Digby of Minterne, 
Dorset, eleven da}'s after the battle : — 

" Africa " at sea, off the Straits, 
November is/, 1805. 

Mv Dear Uncle, 

I write merely to say I am well, after being 
closely engaged for six hours on the 21st of October. For 
details, being busy to the greatest degree, I have lost all 
my masts in consequence, of the action, and my ship is 
otherwise cut to pieces, but sound in bottom. My killed 
and wounded 63, and many of the latter I shall lose if I do 
not get into port. Out of so many great prizes, it has 
pleased God that the elements should destroy most, 
perhaps to lessen the vanity of man after so great a victory. 

I will give you a rough sketch of the lines going into 
action ; more minute it shall be hereafter. 

I beg my love to Mrs Digby, and remain, 

Your affectionate nephew, 

H. Digby. 

With the rough sketch he added the following post- 
scripts : — 

" I really have no time to say more, surrounded as I am 

' Ralfe's Navai Biography—KisioucaX Memoirs of Admiral Sir 
Henry Digby, C.B. 



2 70 



HENRY DIGBY 



by the wounded men in my cabin, and in all sorts of 
employ, completing jury masts &c. &c. and I will thank 
you to say so to Dr Shiffand my brothers and sisters." 

''The Africa was, with many others, dispersed by variable 
winds, and perceiving the French signals during the night, 
I took a station at discretion, and was the means of being 
early in action the next day, engaging the van as I ran 
along to join the English lines." 

"After passing through the line, in which position I 
brought down the foremast of the Santissima Trinidada, 
mounting 140 guns ; after which I engaged, within pistol- 
shot, Ulntn'pide, 74, which afterwards struck and was burnt, 
Orion and Conqueror coming up." 

"A little boy that stayed with me is safe. Twice on the 
poop I was left alone, all being killed or wounded. I am 
very deaf, with a sad pressure over my breast." ^ 

Ten years later,' in consequence of some adverse 
criticisms as to Digby's action in the battle not being 
approved of by Lord Nelson, Sir Thomas M. Hardy, the 
renowned flag-captain of the immortal hero, wrote thus to 
his Dorset friend and companion-in-arms : — 

Putney, /««^ 27//^, 1815. 
My dear Digby, 

On my arrival here last night I found your 
letter of the 21st instant, and I cannot sufficiently express 
my surprise at hearing that a Captain of the Navy had 
informed you that Lord Nelson was displeased with }'Our 
conduct on the 21st October. I beg to assure you that 
Lord Nelson expressed great satisfaction at the gallant 
manner in which you passed the enemy's line ; and I assure 
you he appeared most fully satisfied with the conduct of 
the Africa. I shall be most happy personally to contradict 

' A Sailor's Life under Four Sovereigns., by Admiral the Hon. Sir 
Henry Keppel. London: Macmillans, 1899, vol. i., pp. 12-14. 



IN RETIREMENT AT MINTERNE 271 

the report, if you will inform me of the Captain's name who 
conveyed it to you. 

I remain yours most sincerely, 

T. M. Hardy. 

For his services at Trafalgar, Digby was mentioned in 
Collingwood's despatches, and, with his brother officers, re- 
ceived the thanks of both Houses of Parliament. He 
was also presented by the King with the gold medal 
to commemorate the victory. In addition to which the 
prize money which fell to his share amounted to ^973, 
whilst his portion of the Government grant of ^300,000 
reached the goodly sum of ^2389, 7s. 6d. 

Returning to England after the battle, Digby quitted 
the Africa, 19th February 1806, and went on half pay. 
Two months later he married (17th April 1806) Lady Jane 
Elizabeth Coke, daughter of the first Earl of Leicester, and 
widow of Charles Viscount Andover.^ She survived her 
second husband twenty-one years, dying on the 29th 
April 1863. 

Three children were the issue of this marriage, the 
elder son being Edward St Vincent who succeeded his 
cousin as ninth Baron Digby in 1856, and is the father of 
the present peer whose name, Edward Henry Trafalgar 
Digby, perpetuates his grandfather's gallant share in 
England's most famous naval battle. 

In 181 5, on the death of his uncle, Admiral Robert 
Digby, he inherited the Minterne estate in Dorset, once 
the property of the ancestors of the great Duke of 
Marlborough, where he resided for the rest of his life. 
He did not sever his connection with the navy, for he was 
ready to serve his country the moment he should be 
required. Promotion came to him according to seniority. 

^ Admiral Keppel, p. 7, says : — 

" Lady Andover, who was early a widow, married secondly the 
good-looking and distinguished Captain Digby who commanded the 
Africa at Trafalgar." 



ZJZ 



■HENRY DIGBY 



'In 1815 he was nominated a Companion of the Bath. 
He became rear-admiral on the 12th August 18 19, and 
vice-admiral on the 22nd July 1830; was nominated to 
the dignity of K.C.B. in March 1831, and appointed 
Commander-in-Chief of the Nore at Sheerness, ist August 
1840, which post he held sixteen months, retiring on 
1 2th December 1841. He became Admiral of the Blue 
(23rd November 1 841), and died at Minteme House on 
19th August 1842, aged seventy-three. He was buried in 
the parish church where for so many years he had wor- 
shipped. 

On a large brass on the south wall of the nave of 
Minterne Church may be read the following inscription : — 

IN MEMORY OF 

SIR HENRY DIGBY, K. C. B., 

ADMIRAL OF THE "BLUE" 

BORN JANUARY 20, \^^0 ; I>IED AUGUST I9, 1842 

HE COMMANDED H.M.S. "aTRICA" IN THE MEMORABLE ACTION OPF 

TRAFALGAR, OCTOBER 21, 1805. BY HIS GALLANTRY AND DARING 

OBTAINED THE MARKED APPROBATION OF ADMIRAL HORATIO, 

VISCOUNT NELSON, AND THE TKANKS OF PARLIAMENT 

ALSO OF HIS WIFE 

JANE ELIZABETH 

ELDEST DAUGHTER OF THOMAS WILLIAM COKE, 

EARL OF LEICESTER 

AND 

RELICT OF CHARLES NEVISON, VISCOUNT ANDOVER 

BORN DECEMBER 22, 1777; DIED APRIL 29, 1863 

JN TESTIMONY OF THEIR SINCERE AND DUTIFUL AFFECTION, THEIR 

.SONS, EDWARD ST VINCENT, LORD DIGBY, AND THE HON. AND 

REV. KENE1.M HENRY DIGBY, M.A., HAVE .CAUSED THIS 

MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED 



APPENDIX A 



THE MUSTER-ROLL OF THE VICTORY 

October 21, 1805 

Up to the present time it has never been possible to obtain 
anything like an accurate or complete list of the British sailors 
who took part in the Battle of Trafalgar. Two very interesting 
volumes have lately come into the possession of Messrs Maggs of 
109 Strand. They consist of two bulky roughly-bound folios of 
stamped receipts. The earlier, dated August 1806, deals with the 
division /ro rata of the ^300,000 voted by Parliament for the 
whole of the British fleet. The later volume, dated April 1807 
onwards, shows the distribution of the Trafalgar Prize Money and 
Bounty Bills. 

From these records, by permission of Messrs Maggs, the com- 
plete muster-roll of the H.M.S. Victory is here presented, contain- 
ing the names of every one on board the ship who took part in 
the glorious victory of Trafalgar, October 21, I805. 

The heading of vol. i. is : — 

"H.M.S. Victory. 

" We whose names and marks are hereunto subscribed being 
the captain, officers, and company of H.M.S. Victory under the 
command of the late Rt. Hon. Lord Nelson at the battle off Cape 
Trafalgar on the 21st October 1805, do acknowledge to have 
received by ourselves or our legal representatives through the 
hands of Messrs C. Cooke and J. Halford for and on account of 
the Rt. Hon. Lord Howick, John Earl Bpencer, and Lord H. G. 
Petty, trustees for the distribution of ^300,000 voted by Parlia- 
ment, the several sums expressed against our names being the 
amount of our proportions of the said grant. And we do hereby 

■'73 S 



274 APPENDICES 

discharge our said trustees as well as the said Messrs Cooke and 
Halford from all further demand on account thereof : — 
"* Lord Visct. Nelson Adml. /i8,5T7, 13s. 6d. Pd. exors. 

Lord Collingvvood „ 4,629, 8s. ^d. 

Lord Northesk „ 4.629, 8s. 4d. 

Sir Thos. Louis „ 4,654> os. od. 

John Knight, Esq. ,, 4,629, 8s. 4d." 

The following 18 ships crews are contained in these volumes : 
H.M.S. T^iclorj, Capt. T. M. Hardy. 

„ Neptune^ Capt. Tho. F. Freemantle. 

,, Orion, Capt. Edw. Codrington. 

„ Polyphemus^ Capt. Richd. Redmill. 

,, Prince^ Capt. Richd. Grindall. 

,, Revenge^ Capt. Robt. Moorsom. 

,, Royal Sovereign^ Capt. Edw. Rotheram. 

„ Spartiate^ Capt. Sir Eras. La Eorey, Bart. 

„ Swiftsnre^ Capt. W. G. Rutherfurd. 

,, Tdmeraire, Capt. Eliab Harvey. 

,, Tonnant^ Capt. Chas. Tyler. 

,, Thunderer^ Lieut. John Stockham. 

,, Euryalus^ Capt. the Hon. H. Blackwood. 

,, Naiad^ Capt. Thos. Dundas. 

,, Phoebe^ Capt. Hon. T. B. Capel. 

„ Striiis, Capt. Wm. Prowse. 

,, Pickle (schooner), Lieut. J. R. Lapenotiere. 

,, Entreprenante^ Lieut. John Power. 

,, Enterprise (cutter), Lieut. R. B. Young. 

N.B. — The other 15 ships which fought at Trafalgar were 
presumably dealt with in the volumes including the earlier letters 
of the alphabet A to L, which are missing. 

Vol. ii., in possession of Messrs Maggs, is headed as follows : — 

" H.M.S. Victory. 
" We whose names and marks are hereunto subscribed, being 
the captain, officers, and company of His Majesty's Ship Victory at 
the Battle of Trafalgar on the 21st October 1805, under the com- 
mand of the late Rt. Hon. Lord Nelson, do acknowlege to have 
received of our agents, Messrs Chris. Cooke, and Willm. Rd. 
* Deceased at time of payment. 



APPENDIX A 



275 



Ctisway, by ourselves or our legal representatives, the several sums 
expressed against our names, being the amount of our respective 
proportions of the proceeds of 4 French ships and Spanish ships 
captured on that day, together with Bounty Bills for the enemy's 
ships destroyed. And we do hereby discharge our said agents 
from all demands on account thereof." 

First Cfass {i) — 6 Aug. 1806, /2389, 7s. 6d. Share Gov. Grant; 10 Apr. 
1807, /973 Prize Money. 

T. M. Hardy, Esq., Captn. 

Second Class (11) — ^161 each of the Gov. Grant; ^65, iis. each for 
Prize Money. 



Jno. Quilliam, Lieut. 

G. M. Bligh, Lieut, (wounded). 

John Yule, Lieut. 

John Pasco, Lieut, (wounded). 

Andw. King, Lieut. 

Thos. Atkinson, Master. 



Edw. Williams, Lieut. 

Geo. Brown, Lieut. 

Alex. Hills, Lieut. 
*Wm. Ram, Lieut. 
*Chas. Wm. Adair, Capt. Marines. 



Third Class (16) — ^108, 12s. of the Gov. Grant each ; ^44, 4s. 6d. each 
for Prize Money. 



Wm. Rivers, Gunner. 

Wm. Chaseman, Masr. Mte. 

Alex J. Scott, Chaplain. 

Thos. L. Robins, Masr. Mte. 

Walter Burke, Purser. 

Saml. Spencer, Masr. Mte. 

Wm. Beatty, Surgeon. 

Wm. Henry Symons, Masr. Mte. 

Wm. Willmet, Boatsn. 

Fourth Class (63) — ^26, 6s. each 
for Prize Money. 

Adams, Jas., Qr. Masr. Mte. 
Andrew, Geo., Sees Clerk. 
Bookless, Robt., Coxswain. 
Brown, Lane, Yeo, P. Room. 
Bailey, Thos., Gunr. Mte. 
Brown, Jno. (5), Gunr. Mte. 
Barton, Rob. C, Mid. 
Bulkeley, Rd., Mid. (wounded). 
Carslake, Wm. Jno., Mid. 

* Those marked thus were 



James Green, Masr. Mte. 

Wm, Bunce, Carpr. 

Thos. Goble, Masr. Mte. 

Jas. G. Peake, Lieut. Marines 

(wounded). 
Lewis B. Reeves, Lieut. Marines 

(wounded). 
Lewis Roatley, Lieut. Marines. 
*John Scott, Secretary. 

from Gov. Grant; ^10, 14s. each 

Clements, Michl., Ships Carpn. 
Cormach, John, Bos. Mte. 
Gary, Hy. Mid. 
Dixon, Chrisr., Qur. Mas. 
Dowden, Saml., Sergt. Mar. 
Elliott, Will, Mastr. of Arms. 
Ebbs, John, Gunr. Mte. 
Eaves, Fras., Yeo. Shts. 
Fenwick. Geo., Gunr. Mte. 

deceased at time of payment. 



276 



APPENDICES 



Ford, Hy., Qur. Masr. 

Felton, John, Mid. 

Fearall, Danl, Sergt. Mar. 

Grindall, Festing, Mid. 

■Gillman, John, Sergt. Ms. 
, Henley, Danl., Ships Carpr. 

Hanniford, Josh., Boatn. Mte. 

Harrington, Daniel, Mid. 

Johnson, Jas., Qur. Mas. Mte. 
*Johnson, Thos., Qur. Mas. 

King, Thos., Qur. Mas. Mte. 
*King, John, Qur. Mas. 

Kidd, John, Carpr. Mte. 

Lovitt, Peter, Qur. Mas. 

Lessimore, Arthr., Qur. Mas. 

Leaky, John, Carpr. Mte. 

Lyons, John, Mid. 

Mannell, Wm., Qur. Mas. Mte. 

Maloney, Ml., Qur. jNIas. Mte. 

Ogilvie, David, Mid. 

Poad, Jas., Mid. 

Pollard, John, Mid. 
*Palmer, Alex., Mid. 



Picken, Oliver, Mid. 

Rivers, Wm., Mid. (lost a leg). 

Robertson, Jas., Mid. 

Roberts, Rd. F., Mid. 

Spencer, Thos., Yeo. Shts. 

Smith, Wm. (i), Sail Mr. 

Spencer, Wm. (i), Yeo. P. Room. 

Stevenson, Benj., Qur. Mas. 
*Smith, Robt.,1 Mid. 

Sach, Andw.j Yeo. Shts. 

Smith, Neil, Ass. Surg. 

Sibbald, Jas., Mid. 

Seckar, Jas., Sergt. Mar. 

Thorling, Jno., Qur. Mas. 

Twiney, Thos., Qur. Mas. 

Thovez, Php., Mid. 

Thresher, Thos., Mid. 

Welstead, Jno., Bos. Mte. 
^Whipple, Thos., Clerk.^ 

Westphall, G. A., Mid. (wounded). 

Wright, Jas., Bos. Mte. 

Westenburgh, Wm., Asst. Surg. 



Fifth Class (728) — ^4, 12s. 6d. each for Gov. Grant ; ^i, 17s. 6d. each 
for Prize Money. 



Astie, Chas., Ab. 
'Anderson, Thos. (i), Ordy. 
Andrews, Isaac, L.M. 
Aslett, Anthy., L.M. 
Antoine, Antonia, Ordy. 
Abrahams, Wm., Ab. 
Anderson, John (i), Ab. 
Aunger, Geo., Ordy. 
Appleby, Jno., Ordy. 
Arthur, Jno., L.M. 
Atkins, Wm., L.M. 
Aldridge, Jas., Ab. 
Archibald, Jas., Ordy. 
Anderson, Hans, Ab. 
Adams, Wm., Ab. 
Ansell, Thos., Ab. 



Aldcroft, Israel, Ordy. 
Abbott, John, Marine. 
Altomaro, Gaetano, Marine. 
Annison, Josh., Supy. 
Ashton, Wm., Supy. 
Borthwick, Geo., L.M. 
Bentole, Jas., L.M. 
Bird, Thos., Ordy. 
Barry, John, Ordy. 
Bryan, Thos., Ordy. 
Biggs, Wm., Caulkrs. Mte. 
Brown, Josh., Ordy. 
Brown, Jno (i), Ab. 
Brashett, Jno., Ab. 
Barkas, Saml., L.M. 
Butler, Wm., Ab. 



* Those marked thus were deceased at time of payment. 
^ Roberts, in his Remark Book, calls him John Smith. 
"^ Captain's Clerk (Roberts). 



APPENDIX A 



277 



Beagan, Jas., L.I\T. 

Brown, Josh., Ordy. 

Brasby alias Brazil, Jas., Qu. Gr. 

Bush, John, Ordy. 

Barnett, Wm., Gunsmith. 

Burton, Geo., Ordy. 

Bond, Wm., Ab. 

Bell, John, Ordy. 

Burgin, Jos., Ordy. 

Booth, Wm., L.M. 
*Bowler, Jho., L.M. (Pd. to his 
father John, 9 Apr. 1807). 

Butcher, Hy., Ab. 

Brown, Jno. (3), Ordy. 

Buchan, David, Ab. 
*Brown, Wm. (i), Ab. (Pd. to 
Mary Thomson, administrator, 
19 May 1807). 

Bird alias Boyd, Chas., Ab. 

Barrow, Wm., Ab. 

Brannon, Timy., Qur. Gr. 

Boyle, Bernard, Ordy. 

Blake, David, Ab. 

Beaumont, Wm., Ab. 

Benbow, Saml., Ab. 

Buckley, Corns., L.M. 

Brown, Wm. (2), L.M. 

Browis, Wm., Ordy. 

Blumberry, Peter, Ab. 

Button, Jos. (2), L.M. 

Brady, Will., Ordy. 

Boll, Hy., Ordy. 

Barret't, Jos., Ab. 

Bacon, Richd., Ab. 

Beard, Phinias, Trumpeter. 

Barrett, Thos., Ab. 

Bell, Wm., Ordy. 

Bowe, Patk., Ab. 

Booth, Thos., L.M. 

Boyes, Chas., Ab. 

Bush, Fredk., Ordy. 

Browne, Jas., Ordy. 

Bowen, Robt., Ab. 

Benjua, Josh., Ordy. 



Baptish, Jno., Ab. 

Bomkworth, Jno., Ordy. 

Bartlett, Thos., Ab. 

Bateman, Jno., Ordy. 

Burlingham, Jno., L.M. 

Belson, Robt., Ab. 

Black, Hugh G. W., Boy. 
*Berry, Jas., Drumr. Marines. 

Bagley, Richard, Marine. 

Brookes, John, Marine. 

Blackhorn, Thos., Marine. 

Bagley, Wm., Marine. 

Bagley, Jas., Marine. 

Buckley, Thos., Marine. 

Brown, Jacob, Marine. 

Brice, John, Marine. 
*Brennan, John, Marine (Pd. to 
John Wolfe of Cork foT the 
widow Johana, 17 Jul. 1807). 

Barlow, Wm., Marine. 

Buchanan, Jas., Marine. 
*Brown, John (r), Marine. 

Brown, John (2), Marine. 

Bradford, John, Marine. 

Browning, W. D., Marine. 

Bennett, Richd., Marine. 

Baker, Saml., Marine. 

Bullock, John, Marine. 

Beeton, Wm., Marine. 

Burgess, Jas., Marine. 

Bower, Vale., Marine. 

Borrow, Patk., Supy. 

Borrow, Philp., Supy. 

Carroll, Chas., Cook. 

Conn, David, L.M. 

Caharty, Patk., Ab. 

Cope, John, Ab. 

Chapman, Jas., L.M. 

Campbell, John (i), L.M. 

Connell, Josh., Ordy. 

Corten, Geo., L.M. 

Gary, Hy. (i), Ordy. 

Cooper, John, L.M. 

Connor, Jas., Ordy. 



Those marked thus were deceased at time of paymejit. 



278 



APPENDICES 



Collins, Rd., Ab. 
Colliver, Rd., L.M. 
Cornwall, Thos., Ordy. 
Caton, Jas., L.M. 
Chant, Isaac, Ab. 
*Cramwell, Hy., L.M. (Pd. to 

mother Jane, 17 Apr. 1807). 
, Cruize, Thos., Ordy. 
Callaghan, John, Ordy. 
Curry, Jas., Ab. 
Coates, Josh., L.M. 
Clarke, Hy. (i), Ab. 
*Cale, Wm., L.>L (Pd. to Ann Cale, 

II Sep. 1807). 
Connolly, Thos., Ordy. 
Cole, Nathl., Ab. 
*Cornwarder, John, Ordy. (Pd. to 

Eliz. Harris for the mother, 

21 Apr. 1807). 
Clarke, Jas., Ab. 
Collard, Thos., Ab. 
Clarke, Wm., Ab. 
Clarke, Hy. (3), L.M. 
Cooper, Saml., Ab. 
Campbell, John (3), Ab. 
Coleman, Benjn., Ordy. 
Curran, John, Ordy. 
Crawley, Timy., Ordy. 
Casey, Dennis, Ab. 
Clarke, Saml, Ordy. 
Casewell, John, Ordy. 
Collins, John (2), Carpr. Crew. 
Cepell, Jas., Armr. 
Cosgrove, Jas., Purs. Std. 
Camelaire, Eml., Ordy. 
Clarke, Geo., Ordy. 
Christopher, Jas., Ab. 
Caldwell, Wm., Ab. 
Chapman, Jas., Ordy. 
Crooke alias Crookes, Math., Ab. 
Castle, Wm., Ab. 
Clay, John, Boy. 
Carroll, Corns., Boy. 
Cogswell, Wm., Corp). Marines. 



Coulston, Geo., Marine. 

Crofton, Thos., Marine. 

Chappell, Chas., Marine. 

Cownley, Thos., Marine. 

Cowling, Wm., Marine. 

Coburne, Wm., Marine. 

Carrick, Wm., Marine. 

Crofts, Rd., Marine. 
*Cockran, Geo., Corporal. 

Cooke, Benj., Marine. 

Church, John, Marine. 

Cooke, Wm. (i). Marine. 

Cummins, Wm., Marine. 

Chambers, Tho., Marine. 

Cappell, Jacob, Marine. 

Cooke, Wm. (2), Marine. 

Chivers, John, Marine. 

Cloughton, Robt., Marine. 

Chevalier, Hy. Lewis, Retinae 
(Lord Nelson's Steward). 

Carr, Wm., Supy. 

Collingwood, Fras., Supy. 

Chappell, Chas., Supy. 

Catling, John, Supy. 

Cavanaugh, Arr., Supy. 

Dinton, Jas., Ordy. 

Dixon, Thos., L.M. 

Donnelly, Chas., Ab. 
*Daniels, Thos., L.M. 

Darby, Geo., Ordy. 

Davis, John (i), Ordy. 

Drake, Saml, Ordy. 

Duffy, Siam., Ordy. 
*Davis, Chas. (i), Ordy, 

Davis, Chas. (2), Ab. 

Darby, Robt., Ab. 

Darnold, Wm., Ordy. 

Dixon, John, L.M. 

Downes, Wm., Ordy. 

Dowding, Thos., Qur. Gr. 
*Davidson, Robt., Ab. (Pd. to his 
father Thomas, 2 June 1807). 

Dubine, Domk., Ordy. 

Dunkin, John, Ordy. 



Those marked thus were deceased at time of payment. 



APPENDIX A 



279 



Dennison, Thos., Ab. 
Davidson, Jas., Ordy. 
Dobbin, Peter, Ab. 
Dupuis, John, Ordy. 
Dobson, Isaac, Carpr. Crw. 
Dizmont, Danl., Ordy. 
Double, Rob., Carpr. Crw. 
Druce, Edw., Ordy. 
Doak, Wm., Boy. 
Downes, Wm., Marine. 
Dutton, John, Marine. 
Dean, Nichs., Marine. 
Dunn, John, Marine. 
Drummond, Rob., Retinue. 
Dear, Thos., Retinue. 
Edmund alias Henman, John, 

Ordy. 
Evans, Jas., Ordy. 
Evison, Thos., Ab. 
*Edsworth, John, Marine. 
Flynn, Matth., L.M. 
Ford, Wm., Ordy. 
Flemming, Wm., Ab. 
French, Geo., Ordy. 
French, Jas., Ab. 
Fennell, Jas., Ab. 
Forbes, Wm., Ab. 
Flynn, Bernd., Ordy. 
Fitzgerald, John, Ordy. 
French, Fras., Ab. 
Francois, John, Ordy. 
Fall, Wm., Ab. 
Fairman, John, Ordy. 
Foley, Thos., Ordy. 
Fisser, John, Ab. 
Ferrins, Wm., Ab. 
Foley, Stepn., Ordy. 
Finlay, Rob., Ab. 
Flight, Hy., Carpr. Crew. 
Farecloth, Rob., Ab. 
Ferris, Wm., Boy. 
Feagan, Jas., Marine. 
Ford, Wm., Alarine. 
Flinn, Edw., Marine. 



Garrick, Jas., Ab. 
Gibson, Rob., Ab. 
Gray, John, Ab. 

Graham, Thos., L.M. 

Griffen, Wm., Ordy. 

Gillett, Wm., Ordy. 

Goodchild, Thos., Ordy. 

Gasby, Saml., L.M. 

Grey, Edw., Ordy. 

Gibbons, Wm., L.M. 

Gallachan, Edw., Ordy. 

Gill, Jas., Ab. 

Green, Tho. (i), Ab. 

Green, Jas., Qur. Gr. 

Green, Tho. (2), Ordy. 

Graham, John, Ab. 

Gantlett, John, Ab. 

Griffith, Griffith, Ab. 

Griffiths, Michael, Ab. 

Gutlipster, John, Ordy. 

Godby, Philip, Ab. 

Gentile, Domque, Marine. 

Ging, Michael, Ordy. 

Graham, Tho., Ab. 
*Gordon, Josh., Ab. 

Giddice, Josh., Ab. 

Greenfield, Geo., Ab. 

Griffiths, Wm., Boy. 

Gregory, John, Marine. 
*Green, Jas., Marine. 

Graves, Geo., Marine. 

Green, Saml, Marine. 

Guinti, Giovanni, Marine. 

Geoghegan, John, Supy. 

Hall, Peter, L.M. 

Honnor, Wm., Qur. Gr. 

Highland, John, L.M. 

Hoffinan, Peter, Ordy. 

Hulbert, Jas., L.M. 

Hawkins, Benjn., Ab. 

Hayes, James, Ordy. 

Harris, George, Ab. 

Hodgkins, Josh., Ordy. 

Hartnell, James, Rope Mr, 



Those marked thus were deceased at time of payment. 



2S0 



APPENDICES 



Haggerty, John, Ab. 

Heath, John, Carpr. Crew. 

Hampton, Saml, Ordy. 

Hallet, Wm., Ordy. 

Hall, John, Ordy. 

Hunter, John, Ab. 

Hall, Wm., Ab. 

Hughson, Lawe., Ordy. 

Hartley, Matth., Ab. 

Howard, John, Ordy. 

Harrison, Wm., Ordy. 

Humphries, Wm., L.M. 

Hannam, Wm., Ordy. 

Harvey, Wm., Ab. 
*Herwin, Arthur, Ordy. (Pd. to 
mother Elizth.). 

Heaver, Richd., Ordy. 

Hardy, Jonn., Ordy. 

Hubert, Aaron, Boy. 

Huns, John, Boy. 

Huchinson, Wm., Boy. 

Haile, John, Marine. 

Hodges, Geo., Marine. 

Henrix, Thos., Marine. 

Harding, Henry, Marine., 

Harding, Robt., Marine. 

Hanbury, Wm., Marine. 
*Hillier, Danl, Marine. 

Harris, Isaac, Marine. 

Hines, James, Marine. 

Hawkins, Thos., Marine. 

Heath, Isaac, Marine. 

Hammond, Chas., Supt. 

Inwood, Wm., Ab. 

Jackson, Wm., Ordy. 

Johnson, John, Ordy. 

Jacobs, John, Ordy. 

Jefferson, John, Ordy. 

Jago, Thos., L.M. 
*Jewell, Richd., Ordy. (Pd. to 
Martha Jewell). 

Johns, Thos., Ab. 

Jones, Wm. (i), Ordy. 

Jameson, Saml, Ordy. 



Jarvis, Thos., Ab. 

Jones, James, Ab. 

Johnson, Wm., Ordy. 

J ewer, Andw., Ab. 

Jones, Morgan, Ab. 

Jones, Wm. (2), Ab. 

Jones, Wm. (3), L.M. 

Johnson, Saml., Ab. 

Jones, Peter, Ab. 

Jackson, John, Ab. 

Johnson, Ezechiel, Ordy. 

Johnston, Wm. (2), Ab. 

Ireland, Geo., Ab. 

Johnson, Thos., Boy. 

Jackson, John, Marine. 

Jennings, Hy., Marine. 

Joey, Wm.j Marine. 
*Jones, Wm., Marine. 

Johnson, Wm., Supy. 

Kendall, John, Ordy. 

King, Wm., Ordy. 

Kenney, Stephn., Ab. 

Kennedy, John (2), Ordy. 

Kennensaw, Steph., Ordy. 

Killy, Peter, Ordy. 

Killen, Peter, Ab. 

Kennedy, Archd., Ab. 
*Kennedyj Geo., Marine. 

Knight, Wm., Marine. 

Lambkin, Wm., L.M. 

Leeds, Thos., Ordy. 

Leek, Wm., Ab. 

Laundry, Thos., Ab. 

Legg, Chas., L.M. 

Lawrie, Thos., Ordy. 

Lavenny, Jas., Ordy, 

Lewis, John (i), Ordy. 

Loft, William, Ordy. 

Leary, Danl., Ab. 

Lay, Jas., L.M. 

Lewis, John (2), Ab. 

Lemon, John, Ab. 

Lovitt, Saml., Ab. 

Lenham, Jas., Qur. Gr. 



* Those marked thus were deceased at lime of payment. 



APPENDIX A 



281 



Leary, Jas., Ordy. 

Lovvrane, Chas., A'b. 

Lever, John, Ab. 

Lewis, Edw., Ab. 

Leggj Peter, Ordy. 

Levericks, Thos., Ordy. 

Longshavv, John, Ordy. 

Le Dam, Hans, Ordy. 
*Laing, Geo., Carpr. Crew (Pd. to 
Harry Laing, father). 

Lancaster, Hy., Boy. 

Ludford, Jas., Boy. 

Leech, Wm., Marine. 
*Lewis, Jer. G., Marine. 

Long, Jas., Drummer. 

Le Couteur, Nich., Supy. 

Lerosa, Degara, Supy. 

M'Pherson, Jos., L.M. 

Mansell, Jas., Ab. 

Munro, Danl., Ab. 

M'Kenzie, Lewis, Ordy. 

M'Beth, Alex., L.M. 

M'Pherson, Danl., L.M. 

M'Kennan, Langn., Ordy. 

M'Donald, Jas., Ab. 

Mann, John, Ab. 

Matthews, Tho. (i), L.M. 

Maloney, Tho., L.AL 

I^Iitchell, Pat., Ab. 

Magee, Peter, Ab. 

M'Laughlin, Jas., L.M. 

M'Guire, Edd., Ab. 

M'Donald, Mich., Ordy. 

Marsh, Hy., Ordy. 

Moon, Simeon, Ab. 

Manning, John, Ordy. 

Martin, Sam., Ordy. 

Murray, Robt., Ordy. 

Martin, Geo., Ab. 

M'Manners, Owen, Ab. 

Minute, John, Ab. 

Mason, John, Ab. 

Morris, Wrn., Ab. 

Marshall, John (i), Ab. 



Milebury alias Munbury, John, 
Arms. Mate. 

Morris, John, Ordy. 
*Muck, Wm., Ab. 

Miffen, David, Ab. 

Marshall, Wm. (i), Ordy. 

Marshall, John (2), Ab. 

Monday, John, Ordy. 

Mainland, Wm., Ab. 

M 'Williams, Andrew, Ab. 

M'Connell, John, Ordy. 

Moss, John, L.M. 

M'Dowell, Alex., Ordy. 

Murray, Josh., Ab. 

Morton, Wm., Ab. 

Mooney, Edw., Ordy. 

Marr, Edw., Ab. 

M'Donald, Ab. 

Merrygan, Pat., Ordy. 

M'Donald, John, Ordy. 

M'Donald, Angus, Ab. 

Murray, Alex., Ab. 

Murphy, John, Ab. 

Morley, Geo., Ordy. 

M'Connerky, Alex., Carpr. Crew. 

M 'Clements, Gilbt., Ab. 

Mullen, Ja5. S., Ab. 

M'Indoe, Archd., Ordy. 

Matthews, John, Ab. ■ 

Mitchell, Wm., Boy. 

Moss, John, Boy. 

M'Donald, Archd., Ordy. 

Matthews, Wm., Ab. 
*M'Pherson, Jas., Boy. 

Mitchell, Wm., Ab. 

Moss, Josiah, Ab. 

Magee, John, Marine. 

Morgan, John, Marine. 

Melvin, Jas., Marine. 

Matthews, Rob., Marine. 

Moore, John, Marine. 

M'Elroy, Thos., Marine. 

Mead, David, Marine. 

Marston, Thos., Marine. 



Those marked ihus were deceased at time of payment. 



282 



APPENDICES 



Molloy, Philip, Marine. 

Matthews, Benjn., Marine. 

Magolina, Ante, Marine. 
*Myers, Lamt., Marine. 
*M'Manus, Bernd., Marine. 

Mason, Geo., Supy. 

Morgan, Michl, Supy. 

Marat, Thos., Supy. 

Mason, John, Supy. 
*North, James, Ordy. 

Nutting, Rob., Ab. 

Norville, Rob., Ordy. 

NichoUs, Hy., Ordy. 

Nipper, Jas., Ab. 

Northwood, John, Marine 

NichoUs, Chas., Marine. 
*Norgrove, Jas., Marine. 

Nash, John, Marine. 

NichoUs, Hy., Retinue. 

NeviU, Hon. R., Supy.^ 

Neale, Pat., Supy. 
Ogilvie, Geo., Ordy. 
*Onions, Wm., Ordy. (Pd. to sister 
Sarah Stephens). 
Owen, John, Ab. 
Osborne, Wm., Ordy. 
Peters, V'aUer, L.M. 
PhiUips, Robt., L.M. 
Peters, John, Ab. 
PoweU, Richd., Ordy. 
*Park, Jas., Ordy. 
Penny, Alex., Ab. 
Palmer, Thos., Ordy. 
/Packett, John, Ab. 

y alias Fernie, Peter, Ab. 

Patterson, Wm., Ab. 

Prescott, Geo., Ordy. 

Prout, Tho., Ordy. 

Pain, John, L.M. 

Padaro alias Panaro, Fras., Qur. 

Gr. 
Pelcone, John, Ordy. 
Pille, John, Ab. 



Page, Jas., Ab. 

Pickering, Thos., Ordy. 

Pooley, Isaac, Ordy. 

Pillique, Stromblo, Ordy. 

Painter, Josh., Ab. 

Piercey, Tho., Ab. 

Pritchard, Robt, Ab. 

Pritchard, Wm., Ab. 

Pirch alias Nicholas, Nathl., 
Ordy. 

Pennell, Michl, Ab. 

Parker, Jas., Ordy. 

Price, Thos., Ab. 

Pitt, Geo., Ordy. 

Pope, Wm., Boy. 

Peppett, Jas., Boy. 

Portfield, Hugh, Boy. 

Perrion, Wm., Boy. 

Parry, John, Marine. 

Pritchard, Saml., Marine. 
*Perry, Wm., Marine. 

Pearson, Geo., Marine. 

Powell, David, Marine. 
*Palmer, John, Marine. 

Parnell, John, Marine. 

Pitney, Fras., Marine. 

PoweU, Thos., Marine. 

Padden, Edw., Marine. 

Porter, Abrm., Supy. 

Penning, Rob., Supy. 

Quinton, Geo., Qur. Gr. 

Recain, John, L.M. 

Ryan, Stephn., L.M. 

Ross, John (i), Ab. 

Ritchie, Peter, Ordy. 

Roberts, David, Ab. 

Reynolds, Peter, Ab. 

Ryan, Geo., Ordy. 

Read, Danl, Ordy. 

Richards, John, Ab. 

Ross, John (2), Qur. Gr. 

Randall, Thos., Ab. 

Richards, Saml., Ab. 



Those marked thus were deceased at time of payment 
' Afterwards X'iscoiint NeviU, Captain R.N. 



APPENDIX A 



'■^3 



Ross, Robt., L.M. 
Rawlins, John, L.M. 
Remmington, Stephn., L.M. 
Rome, John, L.M. 
Rowe, Michl., Ab. 
Russell, Wm., Ab. 
Rowe, Jas., Ab. 
Richards, Wm., Ordy. 
Rylett, Hy., Ordy. 
Robinson, John, Ab. 
Rey, John, Ordy. 
Rev, John, Ordy. 
Randall, Wm., Boy. 
Rawlinson, Jas., Boy. 
Robbins, Saml., Boy. 
Rayner, Saml., Marine. 
Rawlinson, Tho., Marine. 
Reece, Saml., Marine. 
Rogers, Jas., Marine. 
Rowland, Lewis, Marine. 
Reece, Wm., Marine. 
Richards, Nathl., Marine. 
Raymont, John, Marine. 
Rackhams, John, Marine. 
Riggan, John, Supy. 
Riceri, Simini, Supy, 
Swain, Wm., L.M. 
Shadd, Robt., L.M. 
Stiles, Hy., L.M. 
Smith, John (2), Ordy. 
Stevens, Saml., L.M. 
Stevenson, John, Ab. 
Saunders, Wm., Ab. 
Summers, John, Ordy. 
Stanford, Wm., Ordy. 
Stevens, Hugh, Armr. Mte. 
*Shaw, Wm., L.M. 
Stevenson, Anty., Ordy. 
Stake a/tas Hake,' Geo., Ab. 
Shimmel, Josh., Ab. 
Straker, Wm., Ab. 
Selby, Wm., Ordy. 
Smith, Tho. (i), Ab. 
Simms, Wm., Ab. 



Stapleton, Geo., L.M. 

.Sutherland, Jas., Ordy. 

Syms, John, Ab. 
*Smith, Geo. (i), L.AL 

Stevenson, Geo., Ab. 

Searle, Richd., Ab. 

Simpson, Tho., Ab. 

Stayham ah'as Strawn, Tho., L.^L 

Smith, Jas., Ab. 
*Smith, Wm. (2), Ordy. 

Smith, David, Ordy. 

Sedgwick, Thos., Qur. Gr. 

Smith, Geo. (2), Ab. 

Shinner, Wm., Ordy. 

Sarson, Wm., L.M. 

Sexton, Thos., L.I\L 

Smithson, Jas., Ab. 

Sayking, Chas., Ordy 

Starr, John, Qur. Gr. 

Stewart, Chas., Ab. 

Sheppard, Wm., L.M. 

Stacey, Jas., Ordy. 

Searchwell, Hy., Ab. 

Smith, Chas-, Carpr. Crew. 

Stallet, Andrew., Ab. 

Scott, Andrew, Sailmaker's Mate. 

Sullivan, Jerie., Ab. 

Smith, Wm. (4), Ab. 

Spencer, Wm. (2), Ab. 

Stewart, David, Ab. 

Stair, John, Ab. 

Studdy, Fras., Ordy. 

Sherman, Jas., Ordy. 

Smith, Jno. (3), Ab. 

Saunders, Isaac, Ab. 

Stead, John, Sailmaker's Crew. 

Sweat, Wm., Ordy. 
*Skinner, Wm., Ordy. 
*Skinner, Jas., Ordy. 

Scott, John, Boy. 

Smith, Geo., Boy. 

Sabine, Stephn., Boy. 

Saunders, John, Boy. 

Smith, Wm., Marine. 



Those marked thus were deceased at lime of payment. 



284 



APPENDICES 



Smith, John, Marine. 

Sutton, Geo., Marine. 

Sullivan, Corns., Marine. 

Smith, John, Marine. 

Sheppard, Wm., Marine. 

Scattergood, Wm., Marine. 

Salluzzd, Crescenzo, Marine. 

Staples, Richd., Marine. 

Spedillo, Gaetano, Retinue. 

Sarr, Jas., Supy. 

Sloane, Andrew, Supy. 

Thompson, Stephn., L.M. 

Thomas, Chas., Ordy. 

Tomlinson, Tho., CatJD. Crew. 

Thomas, Tho. (i), Ab. 

Thompson, Wm. (i), Ordy. 

Taylor, Alfred, Ab. (Pd. to Mother 
Isabella). 

Thomas, Jeree., Ab. 

Thomas, John (i), Ordy. 

Tarrant, Wm., Qur. Gr. 

Terry, John, Ab. 

Tobin, Richd., Ordy. 

Temple, John, L.M. 

Thomas, John (2), Ordy. 

/Thomas, Thos. (2), \r ■.. 

Xah'as Thomas, John (3),] 

Turner, Fras., L.M. 

Taylor, Wm., Ordy. 
^Thompson, Wm. (3), Ab. 

Thompson, Wm. (4), Ordy. 

Thompson, Robt, Ordy. 

Taylor, Geo. A., L.M! 

Tart, John, Ordy. 

Toole, Chrisn., Ab. 

Tater, Mark, Ordy. 

Twitchett, Robt., Boy. 
^Turner, Colin, Boy (Pd. to Mother 
Jane). 

Twitchett, Tho., Boy. 

Taft, Wm., Corpl. Mar. 

Turner, Wm.,- Marine. 

Thompson, John, Marine. 

Tuck, John, Marine. 



Tadd, Wm., Supy. 

Vincent, John, Qur. Gr. 

Vent, Jas., Ordy. 

Vava, Filippo, Marine. 

Upton, Robt., Ab. 

West, Jas. (i), L.M. 

West, Richd. (i), Ab. 

Wilkins, Hy., Ordy. 

Walton, John, L.M. 

Waddle, Wm., L.M. 

Wood, Wm. (i), Ordy. 

Wilkinson, Benj., Ordy. 

Walton, Wm., L.M. 

Willoughby, Tho., L.M. 

Warden, Alex., Ab. 

White, Richd., L.M. 

Wilson, Wm., L.M. 

Waters, Chas., Ab. 

Wood, Thos., Ordy. 

Welch, Wm., L.M. 

Welch, John, L.M'. 

Walker, John, Ab. 

White, Wm., Ab. 

Willan, John, Ab. 

Watson, Thos., Ab. 

Waters, Wm., Ordy. 

Wood, Wm. (3), L.M. 
nVharton, John, Ordy. (Pd. W. C. 
English for father John). 

Winnigle, Wm., Ab. 
nVaters, Edw., Ab. 

Whitton a/zas Bitton, John, 
L.M. 

Wood, Thos. (2), Ab. 

Wilkins, Geo., Ab. 

Williams, Jas., Ab. 

Warrandall, John, Ab. 

Which a/i'as Ulrick, Peter, Ordy. 

Williams, John (3), Ab. 
*Walker, John, Ab. 

Whitton a/ias Bitton, Thos., Carp. 
Cw. 

Williams, Richd., Ordy. 

Welsh, John (2), Ab. 



Those marked thus were dec.-ised at time of piymcnt. 



APPENDIX A 



285 



Walker, Geo., Ordy. 

Williams, John, Ordy. 
*Ward, Josh., Ordy. 

Wise, Edw., Ab. 
*Wilson, Geo., Boy. 

Worson, Thos., Boy. 

Wright, Wm., Marine. 

Wilton, Tho.j Marine. 
*Wilkes, Saml, Marine. 

Warner, Jas., Marine. 

Walker, Saml., Marine. 



*Wilmot, Geo., Marine (Pd. to 

mother Elizth.). 
Wells, Wm., Marine. 
Witchall, Chrisr., Marine. 
Ward, Edw., Marine. 
Wizzen, Geo., Marine. 
Webster, Wm., Supy. 
White, Wm., Supy. 
Ward, Geo., Supy. 
Yaul, Hans, L.M. 



* Those marked thus were deceased at time of payment. 



Totals. 
Class I i 

„ H II 

„ III 16 

„ IV 63 

„ V 728 

Total of the Victory 819 

Total of those deceased 56 

N.B. — Hardy's letter says 54 killed on the Victory. So does 
Roberts' Remark Book, adding that 57 were wounded. 
The official returns say 57 killed on the Victory. No 
other English ship had so many killed. It should be 
remembered that Nelson, writing to Sir T. Troubridge, 
2 1 St December 1803, said : "We are not stoutly nor in 
any manner well manned in t^e Victory., but she i^ in 
very excellent order. Thanks to Hardy, and 1 think 
woe be to the Frenchman she gets along side of." 



APPENDIX B 



R. F. Roberts, midshipman in the Victory, enters the follow- 
ing notes in his "Remark Book" : — 

" Defects to H.M.S. Victory., 5th December 1805. Thos. M. 
Hardy, Esq., Captain. 

" The hull is much damaged by shot in a number of different 
places, particularly in the wales, strings, and spurketing, and 
some between wind and water. Several beams, knees, and riders, 
shot through and broke ; the starboard cathead shot away ; the 
rails and timbers of the head and stem cut by shot ; several of 
the ports damaged, and port timbers cut off; the channels and 
chainplates damaged by shot, and the falling of the mizen mast ; 
the principal part of the bulkheads, halfports, and portsashes 
thrown overboard in clearing ship for action. 

" The mizen mast shot away about g feet above the deck ; the 
main mast shot through and sprung ; the main yard gone ; the 
main topmast and cap shot in different places and reefed ; the 
main topsail yard shot away ; the foremast shot through in a 
number of different places, and is at present supported by a top* 
mast, and a part of the topsail and crossjack yards ; the fore yard 
shot away ; the bowsprit jibboom and cap shot, and the spritsail 
and spritsail topsail yards, and flying jibboom gone ; the fore and 
main tops damaged ; the whole of the spare topmast yards, hand- 
mast, and fishes shot in different places, and converted into jury 
geer. 

"The ship makes in bad weather 12 inches water an hourv" 



APPENDIX C 



GRANT OF ARMS TO THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY, 

EsQ.j DATED i8tH JANUARY 1806 

To ALL AND Singular to whom these Presents shall come. Sir 
Isaac Heard, Knight, Garter Principal King of Arms, and George 
Harrison, Esquire, Clarenceux King of Amies of the south-east and 
west parts of Enghnd, from the river Trent southwards, send 
Greeting. 

Whereas Thomas Masterman Hardy, Esquire, Captain of His 
Majesty's Ship the Victory^ under the command of the ever-to-be- 
lamented Hero, Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, in the late 
memorable and glorious Engagement with the Combined Fleets 
of France and Spain off Cape Trafalgar, second son of the late 
Joseph Hardy of Portisham, in the County of Dorset, Esquire, 
deceased, hath represented unto the most noble Charles, Duke of 
Norfolk, Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England, that 
His Majesty having been graciously pleased to signify his inten- 
tion of conferring upon him the Dignity of a Baronet of the 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and being informed 
that the arms used by his family have not been duly registered in 
the College of Arms, and that such registry is necessary on the 
present occasion. He, therefore, requested the favour of his 
Graces'warrant to the Kings of Arms concerned, for their granting, 
confirming, and exemplifying the same, with such variations or 
distinctions as may be necessary to be borne by him and his 
descendants, and by those of his said late father, Joseph Hardy, 
deceased, viz., Joseph Hardy of Portisham, aforesaid. Esquire, John 
Hardy, Esquire, Elizabeth, wife of John Thresher, Gent., Anne 
Hardy, Mary, wife of James Balston, Gent., Catherine, wife of John 
Callard Manfield, Gent., Martha Hardy and Augusta Hardy, with 



288 APPENDICES 

due and proper differences according to the Laws of Arms. And 
for as much as the said Earl Marshal did, by warrant under his 
hand and seal, bearing date the seventeenth day of January instant, 
authorise and direct us to grant, confirm, and exemplify to the 
said Thomas Masterman Hardy the Armorial Ensigns used by his 
family accordingly. 

Know Yk, Thp:refore, that we, the said Garter and Clarenceux, 
in pursuance of His Grace's warrant and by virtue of the Letters 
Patent of our several offices to ^ch of us respectively granted, do 
by these Presents grant and exemplify to the said Thomas 
Masterman Hardy the arms following, that is to say : — 

Pean on a Chevron or, between three Escallops Argent, 
THREE Dragons' Heads erased of the Field, 

and for a Crest, 

Out of a Naval Crown or, a Dragon's Head Pean, 

as the same are in the margin hereof more plainly depicted, to be 
borne and used for ever hereafter by him the said Thomas 
Masterman Hardy and his descendants, and by those of his said 
late father, Joseph Hardy, deceased, viz., Joseph Hardy of Portis- 
ham aforesaid, Esquire, John Hardy, Esquire, Elizabeth, wife of 
John Thresher, Gent., Anne Hardy, Mary, wife of James Balston, 
Gent., Catharine, wife of John Callard Manfield, Gent., Martha 
Hardy and Augusta Hardy, with due and proper differences 
according to the Laws of Arms. 

In Witness whereof, we, the said Garter and Clarenceux 
Kings of Arms, have to these presents subscribed bur names, and 
affixed the seals of our several offices this eighteenth day of 
January, in the forty-sixth year of the reign of our Sovereign, 
Lord George the Third, by the grace of God of the United 
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the 
Faith, etc., and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight 
hundred and six. 

Seals and signatures of Sir Isaac Heard, Garter Principal King 
Arms, and George Harrison, Clarenceux King of Arms. 

From the original in the possession of W. Hardy Manfield, 
Esq., of Portisham House, Dorset. 



APPENDIX D.-PEDIGREE OF THE HARDYS OF PORTISHAM, CO. DORSET. 



r, Eiq.. dial 7lh April II 
























1. JOSEPH liAltnV. of a-™lnitn, », JOHN HAROY rf PortUtani, Emi.. a V™Ad«i.i Si. TIIOmAs » . ^ . , ,, 

CaDoiHUEwiihoBllinlUKInialon h™ 10. Am^I ItJlj "iUd^ «lh nl KlnK«oiJ Huwll. OUi April l.«»i "fJJ^PJJJi, 






Loi^ Bridr. Mill April ITt'l: ^vrttd Joiin 






'i-:Str '•"' 



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APPENDIX E 



WILLS OF THE HARDYS 

Thk will of John Hardy, senior, of Portisham, co. Dorset, 
gentleman, is dated the 8th May 1704. He desires that his body 
may be buried in the Parish Church of Portisham. To his son 
John Hardy, he bequeaths household goods and furniture. To 
his son Joseph Hardy, his large chests and other furniture. 
Residue to his daughter, Anne Hardy, whom he appoints to be 
executrix of his will. — Witnesses, Richard Baily, Edward Fooks, 
and Katharine Michell. Sealed with the Hardy Arms. 

The will was proved by the executrix at the Court of the 
Archdeacon of Dorset, the 6th March 170?, and is endorsed 
" Mr John Hardy Senr's Will." 

The will of Thomas Masterman of Kingston Russell, co. Dorset 
gentleman, is dated the 12th February 1763. He bequeaths 
legacies to several servants. To his son-in-law, Joseph Hardy, the 
younger, of Portisham, bequeaths the remainder of his estate for 
term of years in Carrents Farm, in Winterborne St Martin, 
Dorset, which he holds on a lease from William Pitt, Esq. Al 
the rest of his lands are bequeathed to his loving brother-in-law, 
Thomas Rawlins of Druce, in Puddletown, gentleman, Charles 
Masterman of Friar Waddon, gentleman, and to the testator's 
nephew, William Masterman of Abbotsbury, gentleman, executor 
in trust for the testator's daughters, Mary Masterman and Nanny 
wife of Joseph Hardy aforesaid, equally. Sealed with these arms 
— A cross coupe between four pears. 

The will was proved by the executors in the Court of the 
Archdeacon of Dorset, the 20th January 1764. 

289 ^ 



290 APPENDICES 

Will of John Hardy of Portisham, Dorset, gentleman, dated 
the 4th February 1809. He bequeaths all his personality, the 
stock on his farms, etc., to his sisters, Anne Hardy, Martha Hardy, 
and Augusta Hardy, to be equally divided, and he appoints them 
to be executrices of his will. Witnesses, John Templeman and 
Francis Oakley, junr. 

The testator died the 25th of April 1822. The will was 
proved at Blandford, in the Court of the Archdeacon of Dorset, the 
29th April 1823. Sworn under ^2000. 



The will of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, 
Bart., G.C.B., Governor of Greenwich Hospital, is dated the 
loth June 1839. , 

He appoints Sir John'., Dean Paul, Bart., Sir Francis 
Seymour, K.C.H.,abd John. Arscott Lethbridge,. Esq., to be his 
executors in trust ror the ecjual division of his estate between his 
three children, viz.," Louisa Georgina Hardy, Emily Georgina 
Hardy, and Mary Charlotte MacGregor, wife of John Atholl 
Bannatyne MacGregor,. Esq. His wife. Lady Anne Emily Louisa 
Hardy, is provided for under her marriage settlements. He 
bequeaths an annuity to his sister. Miss Augusta Sarah Master- 
man Hardy of Portisham, Dorset. Power is reserved to his 
executors to dispose as they shall think fit of all household effects 
which Lady Hardy might not choose to retain. 

..Testator died at Greenwich Hospital, the 20th September 
1839. , The will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canter- 
bury by the executors, the 7th November 1839. Sworn under 
/2 5,000. 

[Reference, P.C.C. 690, Vaughan.} 



The will of Joseph Hardy, ,E^sq., of Charminster, in^the county 
of Dorset, is dated the 7th March 1840. He bequeaths, to his 
three nieces, the daughters -of his late brother, Sir Thomas 
Masterman Hardy, Bart., the sum of XS^oo- ^^^ ^^"^ nieces, 
Mary Manfield and Anne Manfield, ;^iooo each. To his nephew, 
Thomas Balston, gentleman, of Broadway, Dorset, ^1000. An 
annuity of ;^IQ0 to his sister, Miss Augusta Sarah Masterman 
Hardy of Portisham, Dorset. Legacies to his servants. Life 
interest in his estate to his wife, Mrs Mary Hardy. Residue to 



APPENDIX E 291 

his nephew, WilHam Manfield of Dorchester, attorney at law, 
whom he appoints to be executor. 

The testator died at Charminster on the 6th May 1841. The 
will was proved by the executor in the Prerogative Court of 
Canterbury, on the 22nd July 1841. 

[Reference, P.C.C. 1841, No. 500.] 



292 



APPENDICES 



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APPENDIX G 

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT BETWEEN HARDY 

22ND May 1794 

Dr. 

1794. 

May 22. To paid Fees on his confirmed Commission - - ^116 

1795 

Feb. 17. „ paid his Draft, nth Oct. 1794, to G. Cockburn - 

18. „ pd. do.j Deer., to do. 

Dec. 31. „ interest, £;i, 13s. gd., and postage, 7s. 

^64 



40 








20 








3 





9 



1796. 

Jan. I. To balance of last year - ----- ^64 2 3 

10. „ pd. Draft, 4th Novr., to D. H. Garrott - - 30 o o 

Apl. 12. „ pd. do., 15th Feby., to Thos. Pollard - - 40 o o 

Oct. 17. „ pd. do., 1st Augst., to J. R. Willson - - 31 10 o 

Dec. 31. „ difference of in., ^5, 5s. 2d., and postage, 5s. 6d. 5 10 8 



«^i7i 



1797. 

Jan. I. To bal. of last year 

Mar. 9. ,5 pd. Draft, 20th Augt. 1796, to J. R. Willson 

Apl. 9 „ pd. do., 31st Deer. 1796, to J. Culverhouse - 

; June 4. „ pd do., 13th April 1797, to G. Cockburne 

Dec. 12. „ pd. do., 13th Octr. 1797, to J. Lampiere 

31. „ difference of int., ^10 IDS. od., and postage, 55. id, 



£^2>i 


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1798. 
Jan. I. To balance of last year - - - . - . ^^276 
. Mar. 10. „ pd. his Draft, 3rd Janry., to J. Lampiere - 

„ pd. do., 13th Janry., to Jn. Robin, Esq. - 
Nov. 28. „ pd. do., 1st Aug., to do 

14 „ pd. Fees on your Commissions as Comr., Az/tc/; 
and Post-Captain Alligator - - - - 
30. „ his Order, 5th Augst., to Capt. Berry 
Dec. 31. „ differenceof int., ^i3s 6s. 7d., and postage, 3s-6d 



76 


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Carry forward - £'S^(i 4 7 



^AND HIS AGENT, GEORGE HARTWELL 

TO i6Tn July 1799. 

Cr. 

1795- 
Dec. 31. Balance due G. H. .--.-- ^64 2 3 



£fiA 2 3 

1796. 
Apl. 16. By Prize Money of Poulain & Keys, Tisiphone for 
LOiitardo - - - - ^34 i 6 
„ Commission - - - - o 17 o 

^33 4 6 

jj Balance due G. H. 137 18 5 

i^iyi 2 II 

1797. 

Mar. 29. By Prize Money AmpJiitrite ior Pfince^^Royal of 
Swede fi, captured 5th Aug^t., 1793, ^"d an 
oil boat - - - ^o 4 o 

Dec. 31. „ Balance due G. H. 276 9 6 



^2 76 13 6 

1798. 
June 2. By Messrs Cook & Halford, P.M., 14th Feb. 

{Mineme) ^113126 

„ Commission - - - - 2170 

^iio 15 6 

Dec. 19. „ Wages, Tisiphone, ist May '92 to 

23rd May '93 - - - - ;^ 1 7 18 6 
„ Wages, AiJiphiirite, 24th May '93 

to 26th Nov. ... - 910 



/26 19 6 
Commission - - - - 0136 

• — ■ 26 6 o 



Carry forward - .^137 i 6 



STATEMENT OF 

Dr. 

1798. 

Brought forward - £386 4 7 



i:386 4 7 

1799, 
Jany i. To balance of last year ------ ^32 13 3 

12. „ paid his Draft, nth Octr. 1798, to Jos. Littledale 70 o o 
May 25. „ paid do. (no date), to Messrs Littledale & Brodrick 70 o o 
July 16. „ interest ----...- 334 




290 



ACCO U y,i:S—conitJiucd. 

Cr. 

1798. 

Brought forward - ^137 i 6 
Dec. 31. By Pay, Meleager, 27th Nov. '93 to 

31st July '96 ... - ^192 5 6 
„ Compensation - - - - 26 8 6 



Paid — ^218 14 o 

Carr Journals £0 1 6 
Passing do. 
and dispens- 
ing Order - o 17 6 

£0 19 o 

Commn. - - - - 5 9 6 

6 8 6 

212 5 6 

Dec 31 By do. do., ist to 19th August '96 - - 444 

„ Balance due to G. H. - - - - - 32 13 3 



^386 4 7 



1799- 
July 16. By cash of Messrs Cooke & Halford - - - £^7S ^6 7 



^175 16 7 



Errors Excepted, 

G. HARTWELL, 

London, i6th July 1799. 



APPENDIX H 

•GRANT OF ARMS MADE TO CAPTAIN 
BULLEN, C.B., ^rd^^^^oyember 1817. 

To all and Singular to whom these Presents shall come Sir 
Isaac Heard Knight Garter Principal King of Arms and George 
Harrison Esquire Clarenceux King of Arms of the South East 
and West Parts of England from the River Trent Souths^rds 
send Greeting. Whereas Charles Bullen Esquire a Post 
Captain in the Royal Navy and Companion of the Most 
Honourable Military Order of the Bath only surviving Son of 
John Bullen late of Weymouth in the County of Dorset 
Esquire deceased hath represented un,to Henry Thomas Howard- 
Molyneux-Howard Esquire commonly called The Right 
Honourable Lord Henry Thomas Howard-Molyneux-Hovvard 
Deputy (with the Ro3'al Approbation), to his Brother the Most 
Noble Bernard Edward Duke of Norfolk 'Earl Marshal and 
Hereditary Marshal of England that he is informed on an 
Examination of the Records of the College of Arms that the 
Armorial Ensigns used by his Ancestors have not been duly 
registered to his Family and being unwilling to continue the 
use thereof without lawful Authority he therefore requested 
; the favour of His Lordship's Warrant for our granting and 
assigning such Armorial Ensigns as may be proper and allusive 
to the Services of the said Charles Bullen more particularly in 
Command of His Majesty's Ship Britannia of 100 guns in the 
memorable and decisive Victory obtained over the combined 
Fleets of France and Spain off Cape Trafalgar on the 21st 



APPENDIX M zg^ 

of October 1805 to be borne by him and his -Descendants ynd 
by the Descendants of his younger Brother Richard BuHen 
Esquire late a Captain in the second or Royal North British 
Regiment of Dragoons deceased and by> Ms 'Uncle Simeon 
Bullen now of Charmouth in the County «f Dbrset aforesaid 
and his Descendants the whole according to the Laws of Aims 
And foreasmuch as His Lordship did by Warrant under his 
Hand and Seal bearing date the thirtieth day of October last 
authorize and direct Us to grant and exemplify such Armorial 
Ensigns accordingly Know ye therefore that We the said 
Garter and Clarenceux in pursuance of the said Warrant and 
by virtue of the Letters Patent of Our several Offices to each 
of Us respectively granted do by these Presents grant and 
assign to the said Charles Bullen Esquire the Arms following 
that is to say Ermine on a Cheveron Azure between three 
Bulls Heads erased Sable two Swords proper pomels and hilts 
Or the points saltireways encircled by a Wreath of Laurel Gold 
in the centre Chief point pendent from a Ribband Argent 
fimbriated of the second a Representation of the Gold Medal 
presented by His Majesty's Command to the said Charles Bullen 
for his Services in the said memorable and decisive Victory 
obtained over the Combined Fleets of France and Spain off 
Cape Trafalgar encircled by the word " Trafalgar " And for 
the Crest On a Wreath of the Colours Out of a Naval Crown 
Or Sails Argent the Rim inscribed with the Word " Trafalgar " 
a Bulls Head of the first charged on the Neck with an Anchor 
Sable between two Wings Azure as the same are in the Margin 
hereof more plainly depicted to be borne and used for ever 
hereafter by him the said Charles Bullen Esquire and his 
Descendants and the said Arms without the Medal in the centre 
Chief Point and the said Crest Avithout the word "Trafalgar" 
on the Rim of the Naval Crown to be borne by the descendants 
of his said late Brother Richard Bullen Esquire deceased and 
also by his Uncle the said Simeon Bullen and his Descendants 
with their due and proper differences according to the Laws of 
Arms In witness whereof We the said Garter and Clarenceux 
Kings of Arms have to these Presents subscribed Our Names 
and affixed the Seals of Our several Offices this third da}' of 
November in the Fifty eighth Year of the Reign of Our 
Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of the 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King Defender 



300 APPENDICES 

of the Faith &c. And in the Year of Our Lord One thousand 
eight hundred and seventeen. 

/ certify that the above is correctly copied from the Register 
of Nobility and Gentry vohime 2,0 folio 2,'i^ py<^sej7jed in 
the College of Anns. 

W. A. Lindsay, 
(Windsor). 
College of Arms, 
T/oth August 1905. 



APPENDIX I 



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W 



APPENDIX K 

THE SONG O'F THE BUT^TON VOLUNTEERS 

Amongst the papers of Mids-hitman R. F. Roberts of the 
Victoiy is a MS. cop}^, words and music, of the song of the loyal 
volunteers of Burton Bradstock, written on a folio sheet of paper, 
bearing the watermark 1801. 



Come my lads of courage true, 

Ripe for martial glory, . 

See the standard waves for you. 

And leads the way before ye. 

Chorus. — To the field of Mars advance, 
Join the bold alliance ; 
Tell the blood-stained sons of France, 
We bid them all defiance. 

II. 

Burton's sons were always brave 

On the land or ocean, 
Ready for to kill or save 

When honour's the promotion. 
Chorus. 

III. 

Burton long has had a boast, 
And right well deserving; 
For pretty maids a standing toast, 
Of nature's sweet preserving. 
Chorus. 



304 APPENDICES 

IV. 

Gallia's sons invasion plans {sic) 
Threat'ning to destroy us, 

Seize our maidens, houses, lands, 
And as slaves employ us. 
C/ionis. 



We must fight, or starve, or fly, 

Hope naught else remaining ; 
Or wives may faint and children die 

With no hand restraining. 
C/forus. 
Final Chorus — 

Lives are lent for Laws and King, 

When that they may need 'em ; 
Let us, then, in chorus sing. 

Give us death or freedom. 

A note says: "This music sounds tolerable well for fife and 
drum, and makes a good militar^ma^ch." 

On the back of the paper is the Bishoport postmark, and the 
address, "Lieut. B. A. Symes, ist Dorset Regt., Lewes Barracks, 
Sussex." 



Nv 



>^ 



INDEX 

The figures in square brackets refer 
to the notes only. 

AbeRCORN, John James, first Marquis 

of [i68], 169 
Aboukir Bay, 36 
Acheron, bomb, 127 
Acland, Arthur Dyke, 240 
Active, 120 . 

Acton, the Neapolitan Premier, 36 
Adams, iMr, his school at Tiverton 1 18 
Addington, Henry (afterwards Loid 

Sidmouth) [62], 80, 134 
Adelaide, Queen, 222, 224, 226-228, 239 
Africa, at Trafalgar, 5, HO, I45, 267- 

270 
Akbar (50 guns), 256 
Alacrity, 187 

Alcwene (32 guns) [107], 264 
Alexander [41] 
Alfred, King, defeats Danes in bwanage 

Bay, I 
Alkmaar, 250 
Allen Island, 165 
Allen, Joseph, Memoir of Sir William 

Haywood [I'^f] [234] 
Allen, Tom, Nelson's body servant, 230 
Alonzo, 82 
Amazon, 127, 146 

Ambuscade, I15, "6, 121-123, 126-128 
Amelia, Princess, 135 
America, war with, 160-165 
Amiens, Peace of, 79, 85, 87, 89 
Amphion, 94-109, 123 
Amphitrite frigaie, 26 
Andover, Charles, Viscount, 271 
Ann Boleyn, Queen, 245 
Annual Register, 223 
Arbuthnot, Admiral Marriot, 247, 248 
Ardesoif, Captain J. P., 347 
Arion, 1 27 
Ashantee War, 256 
Ashe, D.D., Rev. Robert Hoadly, 

Master of Crewkerne School, 19 
Asia, 197, 198 
Astley, Lady, 196 
Auckland, Lord, 217 
Aurora frigate (32 guns), 263, 264 

Bagot, Miss, 226 
Baglake Farm, 15 
Bagster, ladies' tailor, 48, 52 
Bagster, George, 53, 94 
Bahia, 188, 190 



304 



A 

drum, 

Oi 

addre 

Susse 



Ball, Captain, Governor of Malta, 41 

Balston, James, 17, 67, 81 

Bdlston, Mrs (Mary Hardy), 17, 47, 

48, 91 
Balston, Edward, 51, 53, 95, 102, 103, 

III, 112, 171, 187 
Balston, John, 84, 202 
Balston, Captain Thomas, 84, 169, 171, 

184, 187 
Balston, Mrs Thomas, 169, 1 71, 176 
Baltic, voyage to the, 62 
Bankes, Albert, of Wolfeton or 

Wolveton House, 13 
Bankes, M.P., Rt. Hon. George, The 

Story of Corf e Castle [150] 
Bankes, Henry, of Kingston Lacy 

[150] 
Bantry Bay squadron, mutiny of, 83 
Baquoi, 264 

Barfleiir [21] [157], 160 
Barrow, Sir John, Secretary of the 

Admiralty, 210, 223 
Bartlett, Dr Edward, 56, 96, 98, ill, 

162 
Bartlett, Thomas, 55, 96, 144, 162 
Bascombe, 201, 208 
Bathurst, Henry, third Earl of, 172 
Beach, Thomas, his alleged portrait of 
Hardy, 24 ; portrait of F. J. Browne 
[48] ; of Captain Meggs [86] ; of 
Admiral Arbuthnot [247] 
Beach, Rev. W. H. [247] 
Beaminster, 4 ; school, 18 
Beaujolais, Comte, 253 
Bedford, John Russell, Earl of, 13, 215 
Bedford, Lieut., pall-bearer at Hardy's 

funeral, 233 
Bedingfield, Lady, 228 
Behnes, William, sculptor of Hardy's 

portrait-bust, 239 
Belleisle, 117, 126, 156 
Bellerophon, 262 
Belliijiieiix [112] 
Bellona [157] 
Beresford, Sir J., 239 
Berkeley, Miss Anne Louisa Emily 

(afterwards Lady Hardy), q.v. 
Berkeley, Augustus, fourth Earl of [159] 
Berkeley, Lady (Emily Charlotte 

Lennox), 159 
Berkeley, Hon. Captain, 233 
Berkeley, Fitzhardingc', 233 
Berkeley, Vice-Admiral Sir George 
Cranfield, 156-158, 160, 161, 170, 173 
Berkeley, Lady, 160, 161 
Berkeley of Stratton, John, Lord [201] 
Berkeley, Christian, Lady {nee Riccard) 

[201] 
Bermudas, the, 3, 4 



304 



A 

drum, 

0) 

addre 

Susse 



2 
Bernard, Captain Jean, of Za Couragettse, 

265 
Berry, Sir Edward, Nelson's flag- 
captain on Vanguard^ 36, 40, 43, 54, 

58, 216 
Berwick, Duke of, 28 
Best, William Draper, Chief Justice of 

the Common Pleas (afterwards Baron 

Wynford), 20, 168 
Bickerton, Sir Richard Hussey, 249, 

263 
Bingham, Colonel, Dorset Militia, 86, 

106, 112, 139 
Bingham, Lieut. John, 124, 139 
Bingham, Rev. Peregrine, 82, S6 
Bingham, Sir Richard, 3 
Bisca}^ Bay of, 266 
Blackdown Hill, 5, 6 
Blackwood, Admiral, 216 
Blagdon Hill, beacon on, 149, 150; 

Hardy Monument on, 240 
Blake, Robert, 4 
Blanche, 28 
Blenheim, 99 
Bligh, Captain, 80 
Bloodhound, gun-brig, 96, 97 
Blossom, 181, 255 
Bolton, Thomas [113] 
Bolton, Catherine, Lady, [113] 
Bolton, Captain Sir William, R.N., 

113, "8 
Bombay Anna Indiaman, 77 
Bonnett, hairdresser, 93 
Bodwell, Edward, Clerk to the Dorset 

Lieutenancy, 150 
Botafogo, near Rio de Janeiro, 188 
Boulogne, failure of Nelson's attack on 

tlotilla at, 71, 76 [113] 
Bounce, Hardy's dog, 21 
Bovvles, Captain, 20b 
Boyne (98 guns), 262 
Boyt, William, 150, 24O 
Brace, Ckptain E., 206 
Brenton, Vice- Admiral Jahleel, 208, 252 
Brice, Rev. Edward, 175 
B;ice, Rev. George Tito [i75] 
Bride River, 12, 14, 15 
Bridge and Rundell, 154 
Bridport (Byrportte), 3 
Bridport, Admiral Alexander Hood, 

Viscount, 4, 5, 21, 48 
Briggs, Sir J. H., iVaval Administrations^ 

200, 210, 21 1, 218, 239 
Brine, Admiral Jaines, lit 
Bristol, first Earl of, 259 
Britannia at Trafalgar, 5, 252, 253 
1)1 own, I '17, iijS 
Biowne, C. Laihom, A-elsoti, His Public 



304 



A 

drum, 

O: 

addre 

Susse 



Yeomanry, M.P. for Dorset, 48, 67, 
106, 112, 118, ]2i, 139, 153 

Browne, John H , 172 

Browne, General, Lieut.-Gov. of Ply- 
mouth, 176 

Brownlow, Lady, 226 

Brownsee, or Branksea, Island, 2 

Bruix, Admiral, 41 

Brunion, Sir J., Lieut-Gov. of Green- 
wich Hospital, 233 

Bryden, Mr, 57 

Buckingham, Richard, first Duke of, 
Hardy's duel with, 168, 1 69 

Budden, Robert, 72, 137 

Buenos Ayres, 181-184 

Bullen, Admiral Sir Charles, 5 ; his 
ancestry, 245 ; birth and parentage, 
246 ; a ten-year-old sailor, 247 ; the 
ships he served in, 247, 248 ; his 
coiir.ige at the Mutinv of the Nore, 
249 ; at battle of Camperdown, 250 ; 
and Lieut. Heilberg, 2(;o, 251 ; on 
the Guinea Coast, 251 ; Flag-Captain 
of the Britannia at Trafalgar, 252, 
253 ; a skilled draftsman, 253 ; 
Superintendent of Pembroke Dock- 
yard, Captain of Royal Sovereign, 
3'acht, G.C.B., Admiral of the 
Blue, 257 ; Hardy's reference to, 
ihid. ; death of, and tablet to his 
memory, 257, 258 ; grant of arms 
made to, 298-3CO ; pedigree of, 301 

Bullen, Lady (;//« Wood), 249 

Bidlen, Colonel J. B. S., of Catherston 
Manor, Dorset [247], 258 

Bullen, Jeffrey, Lord Mayor of London, 

245 
Bullen, Jeffrey, Governor of Kinsale, 

245 

Bullen, Surgeon-General John, of Wey- 
mouth, 246, 247 

Bullen, Richard, of Seavington St 
Mary, 246, 247 

Bullen, Captain Richard, Scots Greys, 
246 

Bullen, Simeon, 246 

Bullen, Simon, of Salle, Norfolk, 245 

Bullen, AVilliam, 245 

Bullen, William, of Cathanger, Somer- 
set, 246 

Biillens of Dorset, the, 245 

Burdett-Coults, Baroness, 24 

Burgis, 162 

Burion, Dorset, 14, 15 

Burton Volunteers, the S.-ng of the, 
303, 304 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



3 

Cadaques, 255, 256 

Cadiz, the combined fleets at, 1 36, 140 

Ccesar, 156 

Calder, Sir Robert, 30, 34, 139, 252 

Callao Bay, Lima, 185 

Cambrian, 40-gun frigate, 255 

Came House, Dorchester, 48, 52, 56 

[86] 
Campbell, Admiral, 123 
Camperdovvn, battle of, 223, 250 
Canford Cliffs, Dorset, i 
Canopus, 139 
Cape St Vincent, Jervis' victory oS", 

29. 30 
Caracciolo, Francesco, Neapolitan 

leader, 42 
Carnatic guardship, 24 
Carolina, royal yacht, 8 
Caroline, Queen, 37, 38, 42, 134 
Casher, wine merchant, 196 
Cassel, Captain, 120 
Catalonia, Bullen's squadron off, 254 
Cuthcart, Lord, 134 
Cedeira, 264 

Ceres, Spanish frigate, 28 
Chamberlain, Mr, 188 
Chamberlayne, Mrs, of Maiden Bradley, 

Wilts [113] 
Channel Islands, 8 
Chantrey, his bust of Admiral Sir R. 

G. Keats, 239 
Charleston, Fall of, 248 
Charmouth, i, 5 
Chatteris, William, of Sandleford 

Priory, Newbury, 167 
Chatteris, Mrs {tiee Hardy), 167 
Chaves, Marquis de, 199 
Cheney, Sir John, 15 
Cheney, Sir Nicholas, Sheriff of Dorset 

(1322), 3 
Chesapeake, U.S. frigate [157], 158 
Chesapeake Bay, blockade of, 137 
Chesil Beach, 1 
Childers, 1 1 5 

Clarence, Duke of. See William IV. 
Clark, Samuel, 144 
Cochrane, Lord, 185 
Cockburn, Sir George, 27, 178, 210-212, 

219, 239 
Codrington, Admiral Sir Edward, 197 ; 

in command of Channel Squadron, 

218 
Colbourne's United Service Journal 
Cole, Rev. Dr., Chaplain of Greenwich 

Hospital, 224 
CoUingwood, Admiral Lord, 132, 254, 

271 
Colomb, Admiral, Memoir of the late 

Admiral Sir Cooj>ez-Jiej, 227 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



Combe, Rev. John de, Precentor of 

Exeter, 1 8 
Coiio.ly, Lieutenant, 255 
Conqueror^ 270 
Co'iway, 192 
Cooke and Halford, 35. 38, 4°, 43, 39, 

130, 203 
Copenhagen, battle of, 63, 64 
CLiik, Hardy ordered to, 103 
Cornish, Admiral, 262 
Cornvvaliis, Admiral Sir William, 107, 

109, 252 
Co-ton, Admiral Sir C , 255 
Counig€use, La, French privateer, 265 
Cowper, Mr, 183 
Cox, Lieutenant Daniel, 66, 69, 70, 177, 

183, 186, 188-191, 193 
Cox, Joseph, 260 

Cox, Patieison & Co., 187, 1 88 

Cranborne, i8 

Cruvfo d, Mr, 162 

Cregy, battle of, 2, 15 

Creo:e, 184, 185, 187, 189, 192, 194 

Crewkerne (Crokehoni) Grammar 
School, 19, 20 

Criswick, Charles, Mayor of Dor- 
chester, 240 

Critchell, Lieutenant, 199, 200 

Croker, J(;hn Wilson, Political Secretary 
of the Admiralty, 210 

Crone, Miss, 102, 153, 198 

Culloden (74 guns) 36, 82, I04 [107], 
248, 249 

Culverhouse, Lieutenant, 28, 30 

Cumberland, Prince George of (after- 
wards King of Hanover), 224 

Cunningham, Colonel, Deputy Consul- 
General, Rio de Janeiro, 180, 183, 

184, 188 
Cunuingham, Mrs, 180, 188 
Curieux brig, I J2 
Curmes, Bay of, 264 
Curzon, Lady Georgina, 228 

D.\MER, Lionel, M.P. for Peter- 
borough, 56, 74 

Dampier, Lieutenant, 158, 181 

Dampiers of Dorset, the [158] 

Danes, the, I 

d'Arblay, Madame, Memoirs [68] 

Davison, Alexander, Clothing Con- 
tractor to the Army, 137 

Dawson-Damers, Earls of Portarling- 
ton [56] 

Offence, 140, 234 

De ences of the Harbo.irsand Coasts of 
England Commission, JLtrdy a 
member of, 227 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



Delft^ 250, 251 

Denbigh, Lady, 226 

Desborough, General [178] 

D'Estaing, French Admiral, 247 

Dethick, Sir William, Garter King at 
Arms, 9 

Deux Amis, French brig of marque, 266 

Diamond, 1 96 

Dickinson, Captain, 2l8 

Dictator, zbl 

Dido, 257 

Digby, fifth Baron, 259 

Digby, Henry, seventh Baron, first Earl, 
260 

Digby, Edward St Vincent, ninth Baron, 
371 

Digby, Charles George, 261 

Digby, Edward Henry Trafalgar, tenth 
Baron, 271 

Digby, Sir Henry, 106, 239 ; his 
ancestry, 259 ; birth and parentage, 
260 ; the ships he served in, 261-263 ; 
his fitness for cutting out expeditions, 
264; captures La Lourageuse, 265; 
his richest prizes — a record hand, 
266 ; Captain of the Africa at Tra- 
falgar, 267-270 ; his marriage, 271 ; 
made C.B., K.C.B., and Admiral of 
the Blue, 272 ; death and burial in 
Minterne Church, Dorset, 272 

Digby, Sir John (afterwards Earl of 
Bristol), 259 

Digby, Admiral Joseph, 261 

Digby, Admiral Noel [68] 

Digby, Admiral Robert, 5, 261, 269, 
271 

Digby, Sheffield, 261 

Digby, Captain Stephen, 68 

Digby, the Very Rev. the Hon. William, 
Dean of Woicester and of Durham, 
260 

Digby, Rev. William, Prebendary of 
Worcester, 260 

Digby, Hon. Mrs William (Charlotte 
Cox), 260 

Digby, Wingfield, of Sherbourne, 260 

Digbys, the Dorset, 302 

Dighton, caricature of Lord Sefton, 
" Lord Dashalong" [170] 

Dine, James, 3j 

Dobson, Austin, his edition of Madame 
d' Arhlays Memoirs [68] 

Dobson, Sir Richard, Chief Medical 
Officer, Greenwich Hospital, 233 

Domett, Admiral Sir William, 5, 29, 30, 
34, 65, 103 

Donegal, 208 

Dorche.'ter Grammer School, 9, 18 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



of. 30 [56]. 74, 79, 150, 153, 124 

Doris, 191, 192 

D'Orleans, Due, 253 

Dorset, and her Sailors in British Naval 
History, 1-6 ; the Hardj-'s and their 
Jersey forbears, 7-1 1 ; the Napiers of, 
15 ; Field Club, 23; ales, 52, 97-99; 
nursemaids' refrain, 148 ; beacons 
[150]; butter, 173; "blue vini.ey " 
chee.-e, 176; Hardy Monument, 241- 
243 

Douglas, Vice-Admiral, 157 

Dnnkwater (afterwards Bethune) 
Colonel, historian of the Siege of 
Gibraltar, 197 

Duckworth, Commodore, 264 

Duncan, Admiral Loid, 224, 249, 250, 
263 

Durban, Captain, 1 1 5- 1 1 7, 121, 123 

Durham, Lady Charlotte, 77, «S 

Durham, Admiral Sir Philip C. H. C, 
77, 239 

Edward VI., 18 

El Bisarro (Spanish), 265 

Eldon, Lord, 134, 246 

Elephant, Ne son's flagship at Copen- 
hagen, 63, 65 

Eiizalieth, French brig of marque, 267 

Elizabeth, Oueen, 245 

Elliot, Hugh, Minister for Naples 
(afterwards Governor of Madras), 108 

Elliot, Admiral John, 261 

Elliott, Captain (afterwards Admiral), 
Sir George, :ii, 113, 205, 223 

Emmett's insurrection in Ireland, no 

Endytninn, 77, 146, 243 

Essex, Earl of, 245 

Ethalion frigate, 266 

Ethehvulf, King, i 

Europa (50 guns), 247, 261 

Etiryalus, 1 40 

Eurydice (24 guns), 248, 262 

Euston, Lord, 233 

Evans, his portrait of Hardy, 239 

Experimental Squadron, Hardy in com- 
mand of the, 198-200 

Fane, Mr, 82 

Fane, Captain F. W., 255 

Feaver, George, 95, 97 

Ferdinand, King of Spain, 13 ; of 

Naples, 37, 3^i, 42 ; his portrait at 

Portisham House, 60 
Ferris, Lieutenant, 106 
Festiiig, Captain, 77 
Fielding, Captain, R.N. [99] 
Filton, Lieutenant, pail-tearer at 

Hardy's funeral, 233 
Finch, Captain the Hon. Seymour, 262 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



5 

Fitzgerald, Lord Edward [99] 

Fitzgerald, Lady Robert (Sophia Char- 
lotte Fielding) [99], loo, loi 

Fitzgerald, Lord Robert Stephen, 
Minister at Lisbon, 98-100 

F"itzherbert, Mrs [58] 

FitzRoy, Lord Charles, seventh Duke 
of Grafton, 227 

FitzRoy, Lord Frederick, 153, 227 

Fitzwilliam, Lord, 79 

Fleming, Commander, 21 7 

Floyer, John, High sheriff of Dorset, 
240 

Flojer, Mrs, lays foundation stone of 
the Hardy Monument, 240 

Foley, Captain (afterwards Admiral) Sir 
Thomas, 63, 67 

Foudroyant, 41-43 

Frampion, Colonel James, Dorset Yeo- 
manry, 67, 199 

Frampton, Lady Harriet (jiee Fox 
Strangways) [67] 

Frederick, Prince Regent of Denmark, 
64 

Frederick Island, 165 

Fremantie, Sir William Henry, 169 

French Revolution, 27, 209 

Froissart, 15 

Fuller, Mr, of Cauldwell Hall, Ipswich, 

47 
Fury, 113, 114 

Gainsborough, his alleged portrait of 

Hardy, 24 
Galatea, 196 

Gambler, Admiral James, first Baron, 93 
Gambler, Captain, 176 
Gannet [138] 

Gardner, Admiral Sir Alan, 263 
Gdrneti, Captain Harry, 87, 97 ; Rear- 

Admiral, 215, 2i6 
Garth, Captain, 196 
Geddcs, Lieutenant, 163 
Genoa, 218 
Gentleman's Magazine [33], 233, 234 

[255] ,. 
George, King of Hanover, 224 
George 11., 8 

George III., 45, 124, 134, 135 
George IV., 209 
Gerard, Thomas, 245 
Ghent, Peace of, 166 
Gill, Lieuienant, 64 
Gillingham, 18 
Gillray's caricature, 134 
Gloucester, Duke of, 135 
Golden Cap Cliff, i, 14, 
Gore, Captain, 86 
Gower, Sir Erasmus, 262 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



Grafton, seventh Duke of, 227 

Graham, Sir James, 210, 217-219 

Grant, Lady Lucy, 236 

Grasse, C^mte de [112] 

Graves Admiral oir fhomas, second 
in comm md at Copenhagen, 69 

Greenwich Hospital, 6 [191]; Hardy 
Governor of, 217-232 ; bust of 
Admiial Keats at, 229; Hardy 
mem trials, portraits, etc., at, 238-240 

Grey, Earl, 80, 210, 2x7 

Grey, Dr Jbdward, Bishop of Hereford, 
224 

Griffith, Rear-Admiral Edward, 256 

Grindall, Captain, 139 

Gicernsevy 7 

Guinn, General, 90 

Guy, Mr, 153 

Halcyon b'ig, 113 

Haltjrd, of Cooke and Halford, 57, 81, 

34, 103, 157, 172, 201 
Hail/ ax, 24 S 
Hall, Captain Basil (^Fragments'), 82-S4, 

180 [243] 
Hallo well, bir Benjamin, 42, 177, 254 
Hahted, Vice-Admiral Sir L., 206 
Hambleton, Benjamin, 120 
Hambro, Edward, 24 
Hamilton, 157 
Hamilton, Sir William, British minister 

at Naples, 35-38, 50, 51, 74, 90, 105 
Hamilton, Lady, 37, 38, 50, 51, 74, 90, 

105, 106, 143; Nelson's last letter to, 

153 
Hamilton, Mr, of Weymouth, 72 
Hamilton, junr., of Weymouth, 58, 60, 

98 
Hammonrl, Lieutenant, 265 
Harbin, Mr, of Newton Surmaville, 

Yeovil 
Harbin, Rev. John, naval chaplain, 

126, 128 
Hardy, Miss Ann (Hardy's sister), 14, 

75 
Hardy, Miss Augusta (Hardy's sister), 

14, 239 _ 
Hardy, Miss C itherine (Hardy's sister), 

afterwards Mrs J. C. Manfield, 14, 17 
Hardy, Admiral Sir Chnrles, 7, 220 
Hardy, the younger. Sir Charles, M.P. 

for Portsmouth, Captain of the Jersey, 

Governor of New York (afterwards 

Governor of Gieenwich Hospital), 8 
Har ly. Miss Elizabeth (Hardy's sister), 

afterwar Is Mrs John Thresher, 14, 17 
ILirdy. Miss Emily Georgina, atler- 

wards Mrs William Chatteris, 167 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



6 

Hardy, Joane (Mrs William Weare), lo 

Hardy, Sir John, Solicitor-General of 

Jersey, destroys combined fleets of 

France and Spain in Vigo Bay, 7 

HarJy, John (Hardy's brother), 14, 17, 

186, 188-190 
Hardy, Joseph, of Portisham (Hardy's 

great-great-great uncle), 9, 10 
Hardy, Joseph (Hardy's father), 12, 13, 

18, 25 
Hardy, Mrs Joseph (Nanny Master- 
man, Hardy's mother), 12, 13, 25 
41 
Hardy, Joseph (Hardy's brother), 6, 14, 
17; Hardy's letters to, 21, 34, 155, 
161, 168, 170-177, 180-202, 205-209' 
213-216, 229, 230, 232 
Hardy, Mrs Joseph (nee White), 17 
Hardy, Miss Louisa Georgina, 167, 237 
Hardy, Miss Martha (Hardy's sister) 

14 
Hardy, Miss Mary Charlotte, afterwards 

Lady MacGregor, 167 
Hardy, Miss Mary (Hirdy's sister) 
afterwards Mrs James Balston, 14, 17 
Hardy, Philip, commissioner of garri- 
sons in Guernsey, 7 
Hardy, Thomas, T/ie Dynasts, a drama 

of the Napoleonic Wa'rs, 149, 244 
Hardy, Thomas, of Melcombe Reo-is 

Priory, 9, 18 * 

Hurdy, Sir Thomas, M.P. for Wey- 
mouth, 7 •' 
Hardy, Sir Thomas Duffus, Deputy- 
Keeper of the Public Records 8 
Hardy, Bart., G.C.B., Vice-Admiral 
Sir Thomas Masterman, Dorset's 
favourite naval hero : Commander of 
the Victory at Trafalgar, 5 ; monu- 
ment on Blackdown Hill, 6, 241-243 • 
Nelson's last words 10, 6,' 143 • his 
grandfather, 10 ; his birth, birth- 
place, and boyhood, 12-16- his 
schooldays, etc., 17-25; "Captain's 
servant m the brig Helena, 20 22 • 
in guardship Seaford, 23 ; in guard- 
ship Carnatic, 24; joins Hel,e as 
midshipman, 25; midshipman-lieu- 
tenant, 26-32; in Tisiphoue sloop 
26 ; Amphitrite frigate, 26; iMeUager 
frigate 27 ; first comes in contact 
with Nelson, I'nd ; Mtnerve frigate 
27-32 ; Nelson's praise of, 28, 32 ' 
saves a drowning sailor, 29 ; at Cape 
St Vincent, 29-31 ; his part in the 
capture of the Mutme, 32 ; commander 
ol the Miituie, 33-36; prize money 
and promotion, 33 ; at Gibraltar, 34 • 
flag-captain of the Va,i<r„n-,-J ....a 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



England, awaiiing Nelson's return, 
45-54 ; presented at Court, 45 ; once 
again Nelson's tlag-captain, com- 
manding Namur, San foseJ\ and St 
George, 35-65 ; battle of Copenhagen, 
55-65 ; voyage to the Baltic — his sea- 
manship, 62 ; captain of St George 
at Kioge Bay, 66-70 ; the Isis, 73- 
93 ; Nelson gives him a knile and 
lork at Bronte, 77 ; the Amphion^ 94- 
107 ; captain of the Victory, lie- 133, 
13S-146 ; blockade of Toulon, iio- 
124; his bet with Nelson, 123; 
Manfield's Mayoralty, 124 ; Trafalgar, 
125-147; makes his will, 138; his 
account of the battle, 144 ; Trafalgar 
honours, 151, 1 52 ; unsuccessful 
candidate for Weymouth, 155 : cap- 
tain of the Sampson and Triumph, 
155-160; of the Barfleur, captures 
the y6>.'^^ Fanny galliot, 160 ; of the 
Ramillies, 161-166 ; Commodore in 
the Portuguese Navy, 161 ; summons 
American troops to surrender off 
Moose island, 164; Princess Augusta, 
royal yacht, 167-174 ; v. Morning 
Herald, 168 ; his duel wi'h Lord 
Buckini;ham, 169; Superb, 174, 180; 
Commodore and Commander-in-Chief 
on the South American Station, 179- 
193 ; Creole, 1S9-191 ; Doris, 192 ; 
Rear-Admiral : returns home, escorts 
the Expeditionary F'orce to Lisbon, 
commands the Experimental Squad- 
ron, and strikes his flag, 194-204 ; 
chairman of a committee for dealing 
with changes in naval construction, 
197 ; purchases the Riccard Estate, 
201, 205 ; member of Commission 
for revising the Rigging Warrant and 
Sea Store Establishment of the Navy, 
2c6 ; Urst Sea Lord of Admiralty, 
21C-216; Governor of Greenwicli 
Hospital, 217-232; L.E.L.'s poem in, 
225 ; member of Commission on the 
Defences of the Harbours and Coasts 
of England, 227 ; attends Queen 
Victoria's Coronation, 228 ; Vice- 
Admiral of the Blue : Elder Brother 
of the Trinity Hou^e, 228 ; Sydney 
Smith on, 231; his death and funeral, 
232-234; "R.H.G.'s" apprjci.ition 
of, 235 ; his reference to Bullen, 257 ; 
on Nelson's satisfaction with Digby 
at Trafalgar, 270 ; Grant of Arms to, 
287, 288 ; official list of his naval 
services, 292, 293 ; statement of 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



7 

account between his agent George 
Hartwell and, 294-297 
Hardy, Lady (Anne Louisa Emily 
Berkeley) [ico], 160, 162, 167, 169, 
173, 174, 178; marriage, 158; her 
privations at Chesapeake Bay, 159; 
at Florence, 195 ; her diary at 
Greenwich Hospital, 226 ; attends 
Queen Victoria's Coronation, 228 ; 
Sydney Smith's letter to, 231 ; letter 
to Joseph Hardy, 235 ; marries Lord 
Seaford, 237 

Hardys, Dorset, and their Jersey for- 
bears, 7-1 1 ; the Fiampton, 9 ; wills 
of the, 289-291 

Hargood, Admiral Sir William, 1 56; 
Memoirs [2 34 J 

Hartwell, George, Hardy's agent, 34, 
38-40 ; statement of account, 294-297 

Harvey, Admiral Sir Henry, 45, 249 

Hawk church, 5 

Hawke, Sir Edward, Lord, his victory 
in Quiberon Bay, 8 

Hawkins, gunsmith, 82 

Hawkins, Lieutenant, of the A/onzo, 82 

Hawkins, Joseph, Midshipman of the 
Waarzaamhind, 82-85, ^7) ^99) 215, 
216 

Hay, John, of the Admiralty, 180, 183 

Hayes, Thomas, 206 

Heard, Sir Isaac, Garter King at Arms, 

II, 151 
Hehe frigate, 25, 26 
Heilberg, Lieutenant, 250, 251 
Heleyia brig, 20 
Henning, Mrs, 184 
Herald's Visitatiojis 0/^1565, 9 
Hercule, friendship, 4 
Hermione, 263 
Hetherly, I\lr^ 189 
H'ladly, Dr, Bishop of Salisbury and 

Winchester, 19 
Hodder, 162 
Hood, Alexander, 4 
Hood, Captain Alexander, R.N., 4, 25 
H od, Admiral Alexander, Viscount 

Biidport, 4, 5 
Hoo , Lieutenant Arthur, R.N., 4 
Hood, Admiral Sir Samuel, R.N., 4 
Hood, Admiral Samuel, Viscount, 4, 5, 
21, 220 ; his operations before Mar- 
seilles and Toulon, 27 
Hood, Rev. Samuel, 4 
Hoskins, Mary (Mrs Samuel Hood), 5 
Hotham, Admiral Sir Heniy, 27, 72, 

177 
Howard of Effingham. Lord, defeats 

Spanish Armada off Portland, 17 
Howe, Lord, 226, 228, 249 
Humboldt. Frederick Alexander, 12 



304 



A 

drum 
O 

addre 

Susse 



Humphne?, Captain s. r., ot the Leo- 

Hunt, Captain Anthony, 26 
Huskisson, Captain, pall-bearer at 

Hardy's funeral, 233, 234 
Hussey, Sir R., 239 
Huichin, History of Dorset [9] [61] 
Huxtable, H. A., 225 

IiXHESTER, Stephen, first Earl of, [68] 
Ilc!ie=ter, Henry Thomas, second Earl 

of [67] 
Uchester, Henry Stephen, third Earl of, 

240 
Impressment sytem, 120 
Incendiary fireship, 263 
Ingram, Admiral, 56, 57, 61, 67, 77, 78, 

98, 112, 121, 160, 175, 177 
Ingram, Mrs, 160 
In2;ram House, 78 
Ipswich, Lor^i, afterwards sixth Duke 

.of Gra'ton, 227 
A/'5, 72-93 

James I., 4 

Jajius, 261 

Jason, 130, 261 

Jersey, forbears of the Dorset Hard}'?, 
7-11 

Jersey, 8 

Jersey, Lord an-l Lady, 226 

Jervis, Admiral Sir Jolm. See St Vin- 
cent, Lord 

Jessel, 87 

Jessep, purser on the Ramillies, 233, 

234 
John, King, 2 
John Bull, cutter, 122 
Jonge Fanny, gal'iot, 160 

Keats, Admiral Sir Richard, Governor 

of Greenwich Hospital, 217 ; his bust 

at Greenwich, 229, 239 
Keith, Admiral George Keith Elph n- 

stone. Lord, 74, 264 
Kent, 1 1 5-1 1 7 
Kent, Duke of, Governor of Gibraltar, 

89 
Keppel, Admiral the Hon. Sir Henry, 

A Sailor^ s Life under Four Sovereigyis, 

257, 270, 271 
Key, Admiral Sir Cooper, 227 
Kights, the Dorset, rs 
Kingston Russell House, 6, 12, 13 ; 



304 



A 

drum 

O 

addre 

Susse 



8 

Motley's death at, i6 
Kioge Bay, 66, 68 
Kite, 68 
Knight, Rear-Admiral, Commander of 

Endymion at Trafalgar, 146 
Knight, Miss, literary friend of Lady 

Hardy, 50 

La Courageuse, French privateer, 265 
L'Aigle, French privateer, 263 
La Marie An?te, French privateer, 263 
Lambert, purser of the Alacrity, 187 
Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (" L. E. L.") 
afterwards Mrs Maclean, her poem 
on Hardy, 225 
Langara, Don Juan de, Spanish 

Admiral, 27 
Langford, Captain, of Massingham, 

Norfolk, 71, 73, 113, 114 
Larkan, Captain, pall-bearer at Hardy's 

funeral, 233 
Laughton, The Nelson Memorial [132] 
L'Aventure, French privateer, 263 
Layman, Captain, 113, 126 
Leander (50 guns), 34, 248 
Le Depit, 264 
Le Fehcidad, 265 
L'Egalite, French privateer, 263 
Le Hardy, or Hardi, Clement, Lieut.- 

Governor of Jersey, 7 
Leicester, first Earl of, 271 
Leinster, first Duke of [99] 
Leland, 3 
Lene, Mr, 217 
Lennox, Lord George, 159 
Lennox, Lady Louisa, 173 
Leopard [157], 158, 160 
U Espiegle, French privateer, 263 

Leihbridge, John Arscott, Hardy's 
executor, 217, 233, 235 

Leviathan (74 guns), 264 

Lewesdon, 4 

Liddell, Charles, 246 

Ligne, Prince de, 228 

Liliput Hill, Dorset, i 

Lima, I&6 

Vlntrepide (74 guns), 268, 270 

Lion, 262 

Lisbon, 98, 99 ; expeditionary force to, 
199 

Little Windsor, 4 

Lively, 32 

Liverpool, Lord, 179 

Lloyd, Lieutenant Henry, 264 

Loders, near Biidport, 52, 59 

London, 62, 64 

Long Bredy Church, 13 

Long, W. H., editor of G. S. Parson's 
Nehonia7i Remijiiscetices [230] 

Loughborough, Lord, 134 



304 



j^oyaiiM siou}), ^4/, ^40 
Lumsdaine, Captain George, 248 
Lutwidge, Admiral, 79 
Lyme Regis, I, 2, 5 
Lytton Chene), 14, 15 

M'Arthur, Mr, 60 

Macedonian irigaie, 161 

MncGregor, AihoU, 236 

MacGiegor, Emily Louisa (Lady 

Stormoni), 236 
MacGregor, Sir Evan [89], 159; 

Permanent Secretary at the Admiralty 

[215] 
MacGregor, Sir John Atholl Bannatyne, 

third Baronet, 214, 215 
MacGregor, Mary Charlotte, Lady 

(Hardy's daughter), 167, 214, 224 
MacGiegor, Lady Helen, 152, 153 
MachichicHO, Cape, 264 
Maclean, Mrs (" L. E. L."), her poem 

on Hardy, 225 
Mahan, Captain, Life of Nelson [34] 

[68] [76], 109, 125 [136] [138] 
Miiidsione (42 guns), 80, 109, III, 1 1 3, 

25b 
Malet, Robert, 245 

Malta, blockade and surrender of, 39, 40 
Man, Admiral Robert, 72 
Mantield, John Callard, 17 ; Hardy's 

letters to, 38-158; Mayor of Dor- 
chester, 78, 124 
Manfield, Mrs J. C. (Catherine Hardy), 

17. 239 
Manfield, John C, junr., 111-I15, 121, 

126, 128 
Manfield, Mary, 49, 118, 186, 195, 229, 
Manfield, William, I18, 122, 174, 183, 

195, 198, 201, 202, 205, 213, 229, 

234, 240 
Manfield, W. Hardy [6c] 
Mansfield, fifth Earl of [236] 
Mansfield, Lady, 227 
March, Charles, Earl of, afterwards 

filth Dukj of Ri hmond and Lennox, 
169 
Maria da Gloria, Donna, of Portugal, 

199 
Mariiimo, 41 
Marryat, Captain, his verses in the 

Admiralty waiting-room [94] 
Mars, 4, 142 

Marsliall, Naval Biography, 180 
Martin, Admiral Sir George, 239, 254 
Martin, Admiral Sir Thomas Byam, 256 
Martinique, unsuccessful attack on, 249 
Masterman, Thomas, of Kingston 
Russell and Wintercourne St Martin, 



304 



9 

12 

Rlay, Mr, merchant of Rio de Janeiro, 

i8i, 185 
May, Mrs, 181, 185, 189, 190 
Mayo, Dorset Committee [9] 
Medusa, 86 
Meggs, Captain Thomas, Do'set 

yeomanry, his portrait by Beach, 86, 

87 
Melbourne, Lord, 217 
Aleleager frigate, 27 
Melville, Robert, Lord, first Lord of 

the Admiralty, 126, 128, 134, 179, 

209, 210 
Mercury (28 guns), 248 
Michael, Grand Duke of Russia [174] 
Middleton, William, Abbot of Milton, 

Sherbourne, 18 
Miguel, Dom, of Portugal, 199 
Milan, French privateer [243] 
Milton Abbas Grammar School, 18, 23 
Minerve (38 guns) frigate, 27-32, 252 
Minorca, Island of, 264 
Minotaur, 81 
Minterne, 5 
Minto, Earl of [iii] 
Miraflore, Marquis de, 228 
Mitchell, Admiral Sir Andrew, 45 ; in 

command of Bantry Bay Squadron 

[83] 
Mitchell, Colonel Sir Charles BuUen, 

Governor of Leeward Isles, then of 

Natal, 233 
Mitchell, Lady, 253 
Mitchell, Miss, 226 
Monmouth (64 guns), III, liff^l^X 
Monmouth, Duke of, 2 
Montagu, Elizabeth, Queen of the Blue 

Stockings [167] 
Montgomery, Captain Augustus, 248 
Montoneros, the (S. America), 181 
Moriarty, Colonel, 86 
Morning Chronicle, 135 
Morning Herald, 168 
Motley, John Lothrop, dies at Kingston 

Manor House, 16 
Mutine French brig, 32-36 
Myers, General Sir William, 129 

Naiad frigate, 266 

Namur, 55, 57, 58 

Napier, Admiral Sir Charles, 199, 230 

Napier, Francis, seventh Baron, 196 

Napiers, the Dorset, 15 

Naples, in possession of the French, 
40, 41 

Napoleon Bonaparte, 12 ; crowned 
Emperor [115], 1 16; the Dorset 
nursemaids' refrain, 148 ; his threat- 
ened invasion of England, 252 

Nauticus Junior, The Naval Atlantis 
[78] 

Naval Chronic I' [ 1 5 1 ] 

Nayler, Sir Gcoige, York Herald, 
Garter King-of-Aims, 10, 154 

Nelson, Lord, 5, 6, 147 ; his squadron 

off Genoa, 27 ; praises Hardy, 28, 

32 ; at Cape St \'incent : knighted, 

and made Reai-Admiral, 29, 32 ; 

^,^^1 2 Battle of the Nile, 36; thanks of 



^,0. 



lO 

Orion, 137, 270 
Otvvay, Captain, 65 
Overyssel (64 guns), 249 



Parliament, and a peerage, 37 ; at 
Naples, Palermo, and Maritime, 37- 
41 ; returns to England, 53, 68 ; 
his portrait at Poitisham House, 60 j. 
Hardy's tribute to, after Copenhagen, 
64 ; lailure of his attack on Boulogne 
flotilla [76] ; Duke of Bronte, 76, 
77 ; in the House of Lo ds, 79 ; 
Har y's bet with, 123; Trafalgar, 
138-143; deith, 142, 143; funeral, 
152; will, 152, 153; his praise of 
Digby at Trafalgar, 270 
Nelson, Lady, 46, 47, 51, 53, 94, 106, 

135 

Nelson, Maurice (Nelson's elder 

brother), 47 
Nelson, second Earl [113] 
Nel'on, Rev. (Nelson's father). Rector 

of Burnham Thorpe, 47, 48 
Nepean, Sir Evan, Secretary to the 

Admiralty, 59; M.P. for Bridport, 

78 
Neptune, 146, 263 [268] 
Nevill, Mr, 97 
New London, Hardy's squadron at, 

163, 164 
Newbolt, Heniy, The Year of Trafalgar, 

125, 134 [136] 
Nicholls, Captain, 70, 73, 97 
Nicholls, Tom, 176, 177, 191 
Nicholls, Mrs T. {jiee Thresher), 176, 

^177 
Nicolas, Sir H., Co'lecliot of Nehoirs 

Despatches and Letters [28] 
Nile, Battle of the, 36 
Noble, Edmund, 117, 120 
Nore, Mutiny of the, 249 
North Ameiica Station, 267 
Northesk, Earl of, 249, 252 [253] 

Oakley's Brewery, Wej mouth, 52, 58, 

98 
O'Donnell, General, 254 
Oglander, Sir William, sixth Baronet, 

"172 
Oliver, Lieutenant, 265 
Orde, Admiral Sir John, 124, 128, r32 
Orient [17&] 



Plowman, Mrs, 202, 208 n^.->.« 

Plowman, Lieutenant, 139 , 

Plymouth, 174 ^^^^^ 
Pole, Admiral Sir Charles Maurice, 69, 

74 
Folyphemiis, 145 
Pomepue Island. 2i;4 ' « ' 



^o. 



lO 

Orion, 137, 270 
Otway, Captain, 65 
Oirei-yssel {t^ guns), 249 
Owen, Admiral Sir Edward, 
Owen Glendower, 177, 182 



!09 



Pactolus, despatch brig, 165 
Pain, William, 89 
Palamos, Catalonia, 254, 255 
Palermo, 38-41 
Pallas, 262 

Palliser, Sir Hugh, 220 
Palmer, A., Midshipman, 146 
Parker, Commander Edward Thorn- 
borough, A.D.C. to Nelson, 67, 71, 

73, 74 
Parker, Sir Hyde, 62, 65 
Parker, Lieutenant, R.N., 49, 114 
Parker, Admiral Sir William, 79, 146, 

2o5, 213, 214, 220, 264 
Parkinson. Lieutenant, 42, 43 
Parry, J., his Trafalgar picture, 239 
Parsons, G. S,, Nelsonian Reminiscences 

[230] 
Pasley, Admiral Sir Thomas, Bart,, 58, 

262 
Passamaquaddy Bay, 164, 165 
Patch, Rev. Robert Burnett, master of 

Crewkerne School, 19 
Paul, Sir John Dean, Bart., Hardy's 

executor, 233 
Payne, J. ^^TtfunA, Armorial 0/ Jersey , 8 
Payne, Lieutenant William, 109 
Pearce, Captain, India Co. Service, 103 
Pearce, Captain, of St George and 

Halcyon, 103, II3 
Pearson, of Steepleton, 73 
Pedro I , Emperor of Brazil, 192 ; 

abdicates, 199 
Penny, Rev., 191, 193 
Pentin, Rev. Herbert, Vicar of Milton 

Abbas, 23 
Peru, 186 

Peyton, Rear-Admiral Joseph, 248, 249 
Phelps, Mr, 231 

Philip of Austria, Archduke, 13 
Phillimore, Rear-Admiral Augustus, 

Life of Admiral of the Fleet, Sir 
William Parker [146], 206 
Phcebe, 120 

Phcpnix, privateer lugger of Jersey, 265 
Pickle schooner, 132 
Pilkington, Lt.-Col., Adjutant-General, 

164, 165 
Pillsdon, 4 

Pittield, Lieutenant Joseph, 175 
Pitman, Mrs, 58 
Pitt, William [62], 80, 128, 134 
Pitt, William Morton, M.P. for Dorset, 

82, 87, 176 
Pitt, Mrs W. M. inee Gambler), 176 
Plowman, Dr, 162, 18S, 19% 208, 213 
Plowman, Mrs, 202, 208 
Plowman, Lieutenant, 139 
Plymouth, 174 
Pole, Admiral Sir Charles Maurice, 69, 

74 
Polyphemus, 143 
Pomegue Island, 254 
Pomona, 4 



his 
nry 



MS. 



66 



his 
47] 

lOI, 

iry's 
'ard, 



•dy), 

5lls), 

^42], 



loral 

253 
orset 

Dther 



, 34, 

, 84. 



^ 4 



Pope, Alexander, " Whatever is, is 
right," 133 

Portarlinglon, Earls of [56] 

Portisham ("Possum"), 6, 9, 17, 18 

Portland Bill, 2, 3 

Portland, the peninsula of, I 

Portugal, critical aspect of affairs in, 
199 

Potterdale, Captain, 113 

Power] j(l, 230 

Prator, Dukey, 86 

Pretender, the, his bootless invasion of 

Plngland, 8 
Prevoyani, 115, 116 
Pivice, 139, 146 

Prince Consort, 153 """^ 

Prince George^ 78 
Prince of Wales, 139 

Princess Augusia, royal yacht, 167, 174 ,. p 

Princess Charlotte , 43 "' ■ 

Proserpine [175], 262 
Puiman, J., Receiver of Fees [213] 
Purling, George, of Bradford Peverel 

Manor, Sheriff of Dorset, 172 
PylaJe<, 67, 68 
Pyramus, 200 



Quebec frigate [20] 

Ouiberon Bay, victory of, 8, 263 



his 



MS. 



66 



Racehorse sloop, 262 

Radstock, Admiral William Walde- 

grave, first Baron, 80 
Raleigh, Sir Walter, 3, 259 
Ralfe, Naval Biography, 268, 269 
Ramillies (74 guns), 86, 161-164, 234, 

247 
Raven brig, 126, 128 
Reform agitation, 209, 210 
Regent, Prince, 172 
Renown (50 guns), 1 28, 248 
Resistance frigate, 267 
Revenge, 146 
Reymes, BuUen, 245 

Riccard, Sir Andrew, 201 "■}? 

Rich, Captain Sir Thomas, 248, 249 47] 

Rio de Janeiro, 180 
Rioux Fort destroyed by Bullen, 254 ^O'^i 

iry's 
'ard, 



dy), 

Jlls), 
St Philion, Catalonia, 255 
St Sebastian Cape, 254 
St \'incent. Sir John Jarvis, Earl, 28, 42]> 

33, 48, 74, 76, 78, 81, 82, 94, 263 ; 

his victory off Cape St Vincent, 29 ; 

succeeds Lord Spencer at Admiralty, 

62 
Salisbury, 261 
Samps<n, 155 
San Josif, 38, 60, 61, 126 
Santa Brigida (40 guns), Spanish 

frigate, 266 
Santissima Trinidada (140 guns), 268, lOral 

270 253 

Satellitj, 200 oi'set 

Saumarez, Sir James, 252 

Saxe- Weimar, Duchess of, 226, 228 ^^^'^ 

Seajord, guardship, 23 



2/0 

Satellile, 200 



MS. 



II 

Rivers, Lieut., pall-bearer at Hardy's 

funeral, 233, 234 
Richardson, Henry S., printer, [156] 
Richmond and Lennox, Charles, 5th , . 

Duke of, 169 "^s 

Roberts, Staff Commander, [21] ""^^ 

Roberts, Captain Francis, 20-22, 73, 78, 

[138], [157] 
Roberts, Francis, [21], [157], 159, r p 

[175] ^^' 

Roberts, Rev., Vicar of Milton Abbas, 

23 
Roberts, Richard, 137, 157, 159, 160 
Roberts, R. F. [20], 65, 104, 130, 138, 

139 [157]. 206; his "Remark 

Book" on Trafalgar, 139-142, I45, 

146, 269, 286 
Roberts, Miss M. M., [21], [52], [139] 
Robinson, Commander C. N., The 

British Fleet [21] [94] [lOo], I20 
Robinson, H., engraver of Evan's 

portrait of Hardy, 239 
Rochford, Lord, 245 
Rodney, Admiral Lord [107], 220, 248 
Romney, his portrait of Sir Charles 

Hardy in Greenwich Hospital, 8 
Rosas Bay, BuUen's exploit in, 254, 255 
Rowley, Sir Charles, 239 
Rowley, Sir J. [107] 
Royal Charlotte, 261 
Royal Naval Cluh^ 2l6 
Royal SovereigJi, II9, 140-I42, 145, 26S 
Ro)al Thames Yacht Club, Hardy 

Vice-Patron of, 216 
Russell, 251 
Russell, John Banger, of Beaminster, 

19 
Russell, Thomas, 128 ^°^' 

Russells, or Rousselles, of Portisham , 

House, 13 ''■y^ 

Sa/iitia, Spanish frigate, 28 ' 

St Alban (St Aldhelm), headland, I 

St Bias, French privateer, 263 

St Domingo, 266 

St Elmo, surrender of, 42 

Saint Esprit, 8 

St George, 61, 63, 66-70, 85 

St Philion, Catalonia, 255 

St Sebastian Cape, 254 -, 

St Vincent, Sir John Jarvis, Earl, 28, 42], 

33,48,74, 76, 78, 81, 82, 94, 263; 

his victory off Cape St Vincent, 29 ; 

succeeds Lord Spencer at Admiralty, 

62 
Salisbury, 261 
SampS( n, 155 
San Josef, 58, 60, 61, 126 
Santa Brigida (40 guns), Spanish 

frigate, 266 , 

Santissima Trinidada (140 guns), 268, ^°''=^^ 



66 



his 
47] 



dy), 
ills), 



253 
orset 



Saumarez, Sir James, 252 , 

Saxe-Wcimar, Duchess of, 226, 228 ^^^^^ 

Seaford, guardship, 23 

Seaford, Lon), 229, 237 

Sefion, William Philip, second Earl of 

(•' Lord Dashalong "), 1 70, 173, 214, ' \^' 

236 ' 4, 

Selva, 256 



3C 



Seymour, Lady, 227 

Seymour, Sir George Francis, Hardy's 

Hxecuior, 227, 233. 236, 239 
Seymour, Adminil Lord Hugh, 263 
Shaw, Lieutenant Isaac, 254 
Sheffield, Bart., Sir Charles, 260 
Sherborne, 259 
Sherive, LL.D., Rev. Henry, Rector of 

Bridport, 61, 75 
Sherive, Mrs Henry (.\Lirtha Hardy) ] 

[61], 75 
Slierive, Rev. Christopher Hardy, 

Rector of Bridport [61] 
Shift', Dr, 270 rt, his 

Shipton Beacon, 15 Henry 

Shirley, Hants, BuUen buried at, 257 
Sif^ylle^ 199 
Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Lord 

[62], 80, 134 M.P. 

Sierra Leone, 25 1 

Shide, Thomas, stone mason, 93 , 3 

Smith, Lieutenant John, 268 
Smith, Rev. Sydney, on Hardy, 231 
Smith, Tom, 87 

Somerset, John Beaufort, Duke of, 18 
Soult, Marshal Nicholas John de Dieu, t 

12 ; French ambassador, 228 
South American Station, Hardy Com- 
modore and Commander-in-Chief on 5 MS. 

the, 179-193 
Spanish Armada, 17 
Spencer, Earl, First Lord of the 

Admiralty, 34, 45- 46, 48, 53, 61, 62 
Staines, Captain Sir Thomas, 205 12] 

Staines, Sir William, Lord Mayor of 

London, 55 
Standard, 86 
Steele's List [251] 
Stewart, General, 45 

Stonnington, town of, 165 266 

Stormont, Emily, Lady (iiee Mac- 

Gregor), 236 
Strahan, Bart., Admiral Sir Richard, 

155, 156 r, h's 

Strangways, Rev. Charles Fox, 106 !l47] 

, roi, 

!tary's 

Iward, 



ardy), 

. , ^ holls), 

46, 176 
Thunderer, 146 
Thynne, Mrs John C, [7], [22], [142], 

[173], [212] 
Tierney, 80, 172 
Times, The [168] 
Tisiphone sloop, 26 
Tizard, Mr, 215 
Tombs, William, 81, 84 
Tonnant, [27], I42, I46 
Torpedoes in 181 3, 163 
Toulon, blockade of, 107, IIO-114 
Trafalgar, battle of, 1 36- 147 ; moral 

effect of, 148 ; the Britannia at, 253 
Travers, Captain Richard, Dorset 

Yeomanry, 52, 59, 78, 154 
Trinity House, Hardy an Elder Brother 

of, 228 
Triton frigate, 266 



12 

Strangways, Lady Lucy Fox, [68] 

Stuart, Don Jacobo, 28 

Studland Bay, 2 

Studley, John, 17 

Stuit, Charles, M.P. for Bridport, his 

quarrel with Prince William Henry 

on the Prince George, [78] 
Submarine in 1813, 163 
Success, 20, 157 
Sugden, Edward Burtensham, M.P. 

for Weymouth, [206] 
Summers, or Somers, Sir George, 3 
Summers, Matthew, 4 
Super/), 174-177, 180, 186, [217] 
Surveillante, [20] 
Sutherland, Lieut.-Colonel, 256 
Sutton, Commodore, 75, 107, 109 
Swanage Bay, i, 2 
Swartz, French General, 254 
Sweeting, William {^Minerve), his MS. 

Journal, [27] 
S-wiftsure, 3, 123 
Swiney, Captain William, 247 

Tegg's illustrated pamphlets, [102] 

Teignmouth, 173 

Telegraphy in 1805, 136 

Termagant, 113 

Terror bomb, 165 

Theseus, 80 

Thetis (36 guns), Spanish frigate, 266 

Thompson, Miss Ann, 1 19 

Thompson, Anson, [147] 

Thompson, Captain, 187 

Thompson, Henry, of Andover, his 

note attached to Nelson's chair [147] 
Thompson, Isabella, [147] 
Thompson, George A., 70, 71, 93, loi, 

105, 112, 117, 119, 146, 198 
Thorn 1 Edward, Hardy's secretary's 

clerk, 191, 222 
Thoinborough, Admiral Sir Edward, 

114 
Thorncombe Beacon, i, 4, 14 
Thresher, John, 17 [46], 207 
Thresher, Mrs John (Elizabeth Hardy), 

17, 46, 162, 176, 239 
Thresher, Mary (Mrs Tom Nicholls), 

46, 176 
Thunderer, 146 
Thynne, Mrs John C, [7], [22], [142], 

[173], [212] 
Tierney, 80, 172 
Times, The [168] 
Tisiphone sloop, 26 
Tizard, Mr, 215 
Tombs, William, 8r, 84 
Tonnant, [27], 142, 146 
Torpedoes in 181 3, 163 
Toulon, blockade of, 107, 1 10- 1 14 
Trafalgar, battle of, 136-147; moral 

effect of, 148 ; the Britannia at, 253 
Travers, Captain Richard, Dorset 

Yeomanry, 52, 59, 78, 154 
Trinity House, Hardy an Elder Brother 

of, 228 
Triton frigate, 266 
Triumph [21], 155-160 
Troubridge, Captain Sir Thomas, 34, 

36, 39, 42, 53, 62, 71, 76, 81, 83, 84, 

94, 95. 99, 105 
Tucker, Mr, of Bridport, 61, 62 



Tucker, Lieut., 73 ; pall-bearer at 

Hardy's funeral, 233 
Tulledge, 35 
Turner^ Charles, engraver of Parry's 

Trafalgar picture, 238 
Tyler, Captain (afterwards Sir Charles), 

27 

United Service Club, 194 ; Hardy's 

bust at, 216 
United Service Gazette [25] 
United Service Journal, Colbourne's, 

[22], 179, 221, 234 
United States, frigate, 1 61 
Ure, Mastenon, M.P. for Weymouth, 

[201] 

Vanguard, 36-40, 66, 69 

\^an Tromp, Admiral, 4 

Velos Aragonessa, 263 

Venerable, 263 

Vestal, 261 

Vesuvius bomb, 71 

\'ictoria. Queen, coronation of, 228 

Victory, Hardy Captain of, at Trafalgar, 

5, 106-144, 234, 238 ; Trafalgar 

Muster-RoU, 273-285 
Vigo Bay, 7 
VUle de Paris, 43, 21 7 
Villeneaux, 125 
Vivero, 265 

Volontaire (30 guns), frigate, 253-255 
Waarzaamhind, 82-84 
Walcott, Mrs, 201 
Walcott, Mr, 203 
Walker, Admiral, 250 
Walin, R.N., 64; Nelson's secretary, 

65 
AVallace, Rt. Hon. Thomas, M.P. for 

Weymouth, [201] 
Wallis, Mr, 58 
Walpole, Mrs, 97 
Ward, John, Pursuer of the Alacrity, 

175, 180, 182, 185-7, 191, 193 
Wareham, 2 
Warne, Mrs, 119 



BuUen), 249 
Woodward, Mr and Mrs, 124 
Wyndham, Francis, 246 
Wynford, Baron (William Draper Best), 

20, 168 

YeatmaN, Mr, 58, 59 
York, Duke of, [201] 

Zanetti, Vittore, publisher of Parry's 
Trafalgar picture, 239 



13 

Warren, Lieutenant, 265 

Warren, Sir John Borluse, 160 

Warspiti, 198 

Warton, John, master of Milton Abbas 
grammar school, 23 

Warton, Joseph, Essay on the Genius atid 
Writings 0/ Pope, 23 

Warton, Thomas, Poet Laureate, 23 

Wasp, frigate, 251 

Weare, William, of Portisham, 9 ; in- 
scription on his tomb, 10 

Weare, Mrs William (Joane Hardy), 10 

Weazie, 1 1 3, 126 

Weld, Captain, Dorset Yeomanry, after- 
wards a Bishop and Cardinal, 58, 78 

Weld, Joseph, of Lutworth Castle, 78, 
96, 98, 112, 118 

Wellesley, 199 

Wellington, Duke of, 12, 210 

Wells, John, 253 

West Bay, Dorset (formerly Bridport 
Harbour), i, 4, 14, 29 

Weymouth, 2, 8 

Weymo^ith, 7 

Wheatley, James, publisher, 19 

Whitchurch, 5 

White, Commodore, 206 

White, Miss, of Cerne (Mrs Joseph 
Hardy), 17 

White, Mrs, 171 

Whitshed, Sir J., 239 

William IV., 5, 210, 217, 222-224, 226, 
227, 229, 261 ; his quarrel, when 
Prince, with Charles Sturt on the 
Prince George [78] 

Willaumez, Admiral, 155 

Williams, Colonel Robert, M.P. for 
Bridehead, 242 

Williams, Admiral Sir Thomas, 66 

Wiltshire, Thomas, Earl of, 245 

Wim borne School, 18 

Wingfield, William, 260 

Wingfield, Lady Charlotte Maria, {fiee 
Digby), 260 

Wolcot, John, " Peter Pindar," on Pitt 
and the king, 134 

Wolfeton, or Wolveton, House, 13 

Wood, Rev. James, Head Master of 
Milton School, 23 

Wood, Miss, of Martock (Lady Charles 
Bullen), 249 

Woodward, Mr and Mrs, 124 

Wyndham, P'rancis, 246 

Wynford, Baron (William Draper Best), 
20, 168 

YeATMAN, Mr, 58, 59 
York, Duke of, [201] 

Zanetti, Vittore, publisher of Pany's 
Trafalgar picture, 239 



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