Lord James Saumarez (1^st Baron de Saumarez)

Notes on Officer

Baronet; Vice-Admiral of Great Britain; Admiral of the White; Knight Grand Cross of the most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, and of the Royal Swedish Order of the Sword; Doctor of the Civil Law; a Vice-President of the Naval Charitable, and of the Naval and Military Bible Societies.

The Norman descent, claimed by this family, is corroborated by its name, which is evidently of French extraction; and its founder is said to have followed the fortunes of William the Conqueror, from Normandy, and to have finally settled in the island of Guernsey. The original name was de Sausmarez, and is continued to be used by the eldest branch; but a few years since, the de and s were both dropped by the younger branches in England, in order to give it a more anglicised appearance.

The subject of this memoir is the third son of the late Matthew Saumarez, of Guernsey, Esq. where he followed the profession of medicine with great reputation, by his second wife, Cartaret, daughter of James le Marchant, Esq. He was born in that island, March 11, 1757, and commenced his honourable career in the sea service as a Midshipman, in 1770, on board the Montreal, commanded by the late Commodore Alms, and employed on the Mediterranean station, where he continued until 1775; having intermediately served in the Winchelsea and Levant frigates, under the several commands of the late Admirals Goodall and Thompson, and returning home in the latter ship.

Soon after his arrival in England, Mr. Saumarez joined the Bristol, of 50 guns, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Peter Parker, the late Admiral of the Fleet; in which ship he served, June 28, 1776, at the attack of Fort Sullivan, near Charlestown, in South Carolina, where the Bristol had 111 men killed and wounded, including her Captain and several officers; and Mr. Saumarez had a narrow escape, as a large shot from the fort, entering the port-hole, when he was pointing a lower-decker, struck the gun, and killed and wounded seven men who were stationed at it. Mr. Saumarez’s conduct in this desperate business, a full account of which is already given in our memoir of Admiral Nugent, was so much approved of by the Commodore, that he received an appointment to act as Lieutenant on board the Bristol, which was afterwards confirmed by Lord Howe. Subsequently to this, he was employed in America upon most important and active operations connected with the army, and had the command of the Spitfire galley, in which he rendered great services by clearing the coast of the enemy’s privateers, and driving on shore a ship very superior in force to that of his own. The Spitfire was unfortunately among the number of vessels which were burnt or destroyed to prevent them from falling into the enemy’s hands, when the French fleet, under Count d’Estaing, arrived off Rhode Island. Lieutenant Saumarez afterwards acted as Aide-de-camp on shore to Commodore Brisbane, and commanded a party of seamen and marines at one of the advanced posts. He then returned to England in the Leviathan, in which vessel he narrowly escaped shipwreck on the Scilly Isles.

Soon after his arrival, Mr. Saumarez was appointed one of the Lieutenants of the Victory, of 100 guns, carrying the flag of Sir Charles Hardy; and continued in that ship, under different flag-officers, until his removal, as Second Lieutenant, into the Fortitude, 74, with Vice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, who was at that time appointed to the command of a squadron fitting out in consequence of the rupture with Holland. In this ship he participated in the battle with the Dutch fleet, under the command of Admiral Zoutman, off the Dogger Bank, when the enemy were compelled to retire into the Texel, with the loss of one ship of the line. For his conduct in this action, our officer, after conducting the Preston, a disabled ship, (whose Captain, Graeme, had lost an arm) into port, was promoted to the rank of Commander, and appointed to the Tisiphone, a new fire-vessel, then fitting at Sherness.

On the 18th of the same month, his late Majesty, ever desirous of bestowing marks of approbation on his brave seamen, and highly gratified by the intrepidity they had so recently displayed, honoured Sir Hyde Parker’s squadron, then at the Nore, with a visit. After paying a just tribute of applause to the conduct of the Admiral, he desired the commanding officers of the different ships might be presented to him. When Captain Saumarez was introduced, the King immediately asked Sir Hyde, “Is he a relation of the Saumarez’ who went round the world with Lord Anson?” “Yes, please your Majesty," the Admiral replied; " he is their nephew, and as brave and as good an officer as either of his uncles.”

In the month of December following, the Tisiphone formed part of a squadron under Admiral Kempenfelt, when that brave officer captured a number of French merchantmen in the face of a superior force, commanded by Count de Guichen. This success was in a great measure owing to the zeal and activity of Captain Saumarez, who first discovered the enemy; and immediately standing towards them, succeeded in taking several of the transports, one of which, a ship of 30 guns, had 400 troops on board. He was then detached by the Rear-Admiral with the intelligence to Sir Samuel Hood, Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies, whom it was necessary to apprize of the sailing of this armament. On his passage, he very narrowly escaped capture by two French frigates; from which danger he rescued himself in the most masterly manner, by making a number of night-signals, and burning false fires, thereby inducing the enemy to suppose that his was the advanced ship of an adverse squadron.

On delivering his despatches to Sir Samuel Hood, Captain Saumarez received a commission, appointing him, though then under twenty-five years of age, to the command of the Russell, of 74 guns in which ship he took a distinguished share in the memorable action between Rodney and de Grasse, April 12, 1782, being at one time, during the heat of the engagement, separated from the main body of the English fleet, and exposed to the fire of many adversaries. The loss sustained by the Russell on this occasion consisted of 10 men killed and 29 wounded. Subsequently to this action the Russell, being found in a very disabled state, was sent to England as one of the escorts to the homeward bound trade; and soon after the war terminating, Captain Saumarez was enabled to enjoy an interval o repose; during which, he took a leading part in the establishment of Sunday schools in his native island, a trait in his character which does him as much honour as any of his professional exploits.

On the appearance of hostilities in the year 1787, our officer quitted his domestic enjoyments, and was appointed to the command of the Ambuscade frigate. The Spanish armament in the year 1790, again called him from an unwished for state of inactivity, and he was ordered to commission the Raisonable, of 64 guns. The dispute with Spain being adjusted, the ships were dismantled, and Captain Saumarez remained unemployed until the commencement of the French revolutionary war, when he obtained the command of the Crescent, of 42 guns, the crew of which, consisting of 257 men, were principally volunteers from the island of Guernsey.

In this ship, being on a cruize near Cherbourg, Oct. 20, 1793, he fell in with, and after a close action of two hours and twenty minutes, captured le Reunion, of 36 guns and 320 men, 120 of whom were either killed or wounded. The Crescent had not a single man hurt. This service procured him the honour of knighthood; and the merchants of London, who have ever been conspicuous for their partiality to naval merit, presented him at the same time with an elegant piece of plate.

When the Crescent was refitted, she sailed on a cruise in the Bay of Biscay, with the Hind, a smaller frigate, in company; during which the Club de Cherbourg, and l’Espoir, French privateers, were taken. Sir James Saumarez was afterwards attached to the squadron under Admiral M‘Bride, which formed a part of Earl Moira’s expedition in favour of the French royalists.

On the 8th June, 1794, the Crescent, accompanied by the Druid frigate, and Eurydice, a 24-gun ship, fell in with, off the island of Jersey, and was chaced by a French squadron, consisting of two cut-down 74’s, each mounting 54 guns, two frigates, and a brig. Sir James perceiving the vast superiority of the enemy, ordered the Eurydice, which was the worst sailor, to make the best of her way to Guernsey; whilst the Crescent and Druid followed under easy sail, occasionally engaging the French ships and keeping them at bay, until the Eurydice had got to some distance a-head; when they made all possible sail to get off. The enemy’s squadron, however, gained upon both in such a manner that they must have been taken, but for a bold and masterly manoeuvre. Sir James seeing the perilous situation of his consorts, hauled his wind, and stood along the French line, an evolution which immediately attracted the enemy’s attention, and the capture of the Crescent appeared for some time to be inevitable; but, by the assistance of an old and experienced pilot, she pushed through an intricate passage never attempted before by a king’s ship, and effected her escape into Guernsey Road, greatly to the disappointment of her pursuers.

In the month of Feb. following, our officer was appointed to the Marlborough, of 74 guns; and after a long cruize in that ship, removed into the Orion, of similar force; in which vessel he gave proof of his usual intrepidity in Lord Bridport’s action off l’Orient, June 23, in the same year. On this occasion the Orion was one of the first ships that came up with the enemy, and sustained a loss of 3 men slain and 10 wounded.

Sir James Saumarez was afterwards detached with two frigates to cruise off Rochfort, where he remained for six months, during the most tempestuous weather. He then resumed his station in the fleet off Brest, from whence he was sent to reinforce Sir John Jervis, whom he joined five days before the memorable battle off Cape St. Vincent, on which occasion the Orion was one of the six ships that attacked the body of the enemy’s fleet, and afterwards joined in the attack of the huge Santissima Trinidada, which, according to an entry made in the Orion’s log book, at length hauled down her colours, and hoisted English ones, but was rescued by several of the enemy’s fresh ships. In this engagement, already detailed in our memoir of Earl St. Vincent, the Orion had only 9 men wounded.

On the 30th April, 1798, Sir James Saumarez, who, subsequent to the above battle, had been employed in the blockade of Cadiz, accompanied Sir Horatio Nelson to the Mediterranean, and shared in the honours acquired off the Mouth of the Nile. The Orion was the third ship that doubled the enemy’s van, firing as long as her larboard guns would bear on le Guerrier; then passing inside of the Goliath, and being annoyed by a frigate, Sir James yawed as much as enabled him to sink this opponent by a tremendous fire; when he hauled round towards the French line, and took his station on the larboard bow of le Franklin and the quarter of le Peuple Souverain. In this celebrated conflict the Orion had 13 men killed and 29 wounded, including among the latter number her brave commander, who received a severe contusion on the side, notwithstanding which he refused the earnest solicitations of his officers to be taken below, and remained upon deck until the action ceased.

Sir James was, however, still able to take the command of the detachment sent to escort six of the prizes, with which he sailed for Gibraltar on the 15th, and while passing Malta fell in with a Portugueze squadron, under the Marquis de Niza. Being detained off the island by light airs and calms, our officer was waited upon by a deputation of the principal inhabitants, to solicit for a supply of arms and ammunition. The Maltese, at the same time, informed Sir James, that the French garrison at Valetta were driven to great distress, and that there was good reason for believing that the appearance of the British squadron would induce the enemy to surrender, if they were formally summoned. Accordingly, having obtained the concurrence of the Marquis de Niza, he, on the 25th Sept., sent in a flag of truce, with a proposal couched in the usual terms. After three hours deliberation, the French General, Vaubois, returned for answer, that he, Sir James Saumarez, had probably forgotten that they were Frenchmen who were at Malta; that the condition of the inhabitants was nothing to him, the English Captain; and that, as to the summons, the French did not understand the style of it. The nature of the service he had been ordered upon, left Sir James no alternative but to take advantage of the breeze that had just sprung up, and proceed on his destination, which he did after furnishing the islanders with arms and ammunition from the captured ships, which enabled them to annoy the enemy, and materially contributed to the ultimate reduction of that important fortress. The Orion arrived at Plymouth in November, and being found to want considerable repair, was paid off early in the following year.

Sir James Saumarez was now honoured for a second time with a gold medal and ribband; while the inhabitants of Guernsey, as a mark of attachment and respect, presented him with a magnificent vase, of considerable value. On the 14th Feb., in the same year, his late Majesty was pleased to confer upon him one of the Colonelcies of Marines, as a reward for his many and meritorious services; and after a short interval of repose, he was appointed to the Csesar, of 84 guns, one of the finest ships in the British service, and the first of that force on two decks ever built in England, in which he joined the Channel fleet, and cruised off Brest during a long and tempestuous period.

At the promotion which took place Jan. 1, 1801, Sir James Saumarez became a Rear-Admiral of the Blue; and on the 13th June following he was created a Baronet, with permission to wear the supporters belonging to the arms of his family, which have been registered in the Herald’s Office ever since the reign of King Charles II.

Subsequent to his advancement to the rank of a Flag-officer, Sir James commanded a division of the grand fleet stationed off the Black Rocks; and nothing can manifest in a stronger point of view the unwearied zeal with which he acquitted himself, than by stating, that no square-rigged vessel of any description either sailed from or entered into the port of Brest during the whole time he remained on that station.

On his return from this severe duty, the Rear-Admiral was ordered to prepare for foreign service; and, on the 14th June, he sailed from Plymouth with a squadron consisting of five sail of the line, one frigate, a brig, and a lugger, destined for the blockade of Cadiz, off which port he was joined by two more ships of the line.

At 2 A.M. on the 5th July, Sir James received intelligence that a French squadron had arrived from the Mediterranean, and after having made repeated attempts to push through the Straits, had anchored off Algeziras. He immediately bore up with the squadron, the Superb and Thames excepted, and made sail towards Gibraltar. The following morning, on opening Cabaretta Point, the enemy was discovered, and appeared to be warping close under the protection of the Spanish batteries, some of which were situated on an island about a quarter of a mile from the shore, others on commanding eminences to the north and south of the town of Algeziras, and the cross fire from which completely flanked the entrance to the harbour.

The plan of attack given out by Sir James Saumarez was, for the Venerable to lead into the bay, and pass the enemy’s ships without coming to anchor; the Pompée to anchor abreast of the inner ship; the Audacious, Spencer, Caesar, and Hannibal, to anchor abreast of the other French ships and the Spanish batteries; and the boats of the squadron to be lowered down and armed, in readiness to act where required.

At about eight A.M., the Venerable, then at a considerable distance to leeward, not being able to fetch further into the bay, returned the fire that had been opened upon the British as they advanced by the Spanish batteries on the island; and in half an hour after, the French ships joined in the cannonade. The Pompée soon after brought up in her allotted station, and commenced a most tremendous fire on the French Admiral; in a little while, however, she broke her sheer by a sudden flaw of wind, and was prevented from bringing more than a few guns to bear. The Audacious anchored astern of the Pompée; but, after a short time, was also baffled in bringing her broadside to a proper bearing. At about a quarter past nine, the Caesar dropped her anchor a-head of the Audacious, and opened her fire; and shortly afterwards the Hannibal, who, along with the Spencer, had been becalmed outside, got a breeze, and, anchoring a-head and within hail of the Caesar, united her fire to that of her companions. The Spencer next came into action; but, in spite of all her efforts, could not get much nearer than was sufficient to expose her to the heavy cannonade that continued to blaze from the numerous batteries by which the bay was defended.

A little after ten o’clock, Captain Ferris, having been ordered by Sir James Saumarez to go and rake the Formidable, cut his cable, and made sail to the northward. After standing in to a quarter less six, the Hannibal tacked for the French ship; shortening sail as she advanced, in order to be ready to hawl athwart her opponent’s hawse. Just, however, as Captain Ferris had got within hail of the French Admiral, the Hannibal took the ground; and, notwithstanding every possible effort was made to cover and get her off, she struck with such force that it was found impracticable. Captain Ferris made a most gallant resistance against the incessant fire of the Formidable, supported by the batteries and seven heavy gun-boats. At length finding it impossible to save the King’s ship, and for the preservation of the lives of the remainder of his brave crew, he was reduced to the painful necessity of ordering the colours to be struck.

The enemy’s ships during the battle continued to warp nearer the shore, by which means they had considerably increased the distance between them and their assailants. Sir James Saumarez resolving to use every exertion in his power, either to destroy or bring them off, ordered the cables of his squadron to be cut, with a view to stand closer in; but the unfavourable state of the weather, and a strong current, rendered all his endeavours ineffectual; and after a most severe conflict of five hours, he was compelled to withdraw his ships and proceed to Gibraltar, leaving the dismasted and shattered Hannibal as a trophy in the hands of the French.

The loss sustained by the British on this occasion was extremely heavy; it amounted to 121 killed, 240 wounded, and 14 missing; of which number, the Hannibal alone had 75 slain, 62 wounded, and 6 missing; the remainder of her crew were made prisoners. The French and Spaniards, according to their own published accounts, had 317 killed, including Captains Moncousu and Lalonde, and about 500 wounded. The ships and forts received considerable injury; five of their gun-boats were sunk, and the others materially damaged.

In the course of a few hours the British ships reached the anchorage in Rosia Bay. The Pompée, owing to her leaky state, was obliged to be towed strait into the New Mole; whither the Caesar soon followed her. Two days after, the Superb and Thames were observed in the Gut, with the signal for an enemy flying; and soon afterwards a Spanish squadron, of five sail of the line and three frigates, was seen from the rock to anchor off Algeziras. On the following day, another ship of the line, with a French Commodore’s broad pendant, arrived at the same place.

That the object of this reinforcement was to conduct the French ships and their prize to Cadiz was very apparent; and nothing could surpass the exertions of the British officers and men to get their vessels ready for sea. The Caesar being dismantled, Sir James Saumarez removed his flag to the Audacious. On the morning of the 12th, however, by working day and night, the crew of the Caesar got their ship in readiness to be warped out of the Mole; and the Rear-Admiral shifted back his flag to her. At three the same afternoon the Caesar weighed and put to sea, with the Superb, Spencer, Audacious, Venerable, and Thames, the Carlotta Portugueze frigate, the Calpe polacre, commanded by the Hon. G. H. L. Dundas, and the Louisa armed brig, but without the Pompée, who had not yet had time to take in her new masts.

At this moment the enemy, whose force now consisted, besides the Hannibal, of nine sail of the line, four frigates, two armed vessels, and a great number of gun-boats, were seen endeavouring to work out of the bay; but the wind, being light and baffling, rendered their progress very slow. The moment they had cleared Cabaretta point, Sir James Saumarez bore up in chace with a fresh breeze at east. The rock was covered by the garrison, who beheld with admiration the ardour which the British ships displayed, but could not believe it was their intention to attack a foe so superior. Confiding, however, in the zeal and intrepidity of those under his command, Sir James Saumarez determined, if possible, to obstruct the passage of this very powerful force to Cadiz, and accordingly directed the Superb to make sail and attack the sternmost ship in the enemy’s rear, using his endeavours to keep in shore of them.

At eleven the Superb opened her fire close to the enemy’s ships; and on the Caesar’s coming up, and preparing to engage one of the Spanish three-deckers that had hauled her wind, she was perceived to have taken fire, and the flames having communicated to a ship to leeward of her, both were soon in a blaze, and presented a most awful sight. No possibility existing of offering the least assistance in so distressing a situation, the Caesar passed to close with the ship engaged by the Superb; and by the cool and determined fire kept upon her, the enemy’s ship was completely silenced, and soon after hauled down her colours. The Venerable and Spencer having at this time come up, Sir James bore up after the enemy, who was carrying a press of sail, standing out of the Straits, and lost sight of them during the night. It blew excessively hard till day-light, and in the morning the only ships seen by the Caesar were the Spencer far a-stern, the Venerable and Thames a-head, and the Formidable some distance from them standing towards the shoals of Conil. Sail was immediately made by the Caesar and her consorts; but as they approached the enemy, the wind suddenly failed, and the Venerable was alone able to bring him to action, which Captain Hood did in the most gallant manner, and had nearly silenced him, when his own main-mast (which had been before wounded) was unfortunately shot away, and it falling nearly calm, the French ship was enabled to effect her escape, without any possibility of following her. This action was fought so near the shore, that the Venerable struck on one of the shoals, but was soon after hove off with the loss of all her masts, and taken in tow by the Thames. The crippled remains of the combined squadrons found shelter in the harbour of Cadiz; and Sir James Saumarez returned with the ships under his orders to Gibraltar.

Thus, during an eventful period of only seven days, two battles were fought by Sir James Saumarez, under peculiar disadvantages, and they contributed not a little to augment his reputation. The combined squadrons had on board a large body of troops, and were to have proceeded against Lisbon, which place it is most probable would have fallen into their hands, had they not been thus timely prevented from going thither.

In order to confer on him a signal mark of favour, the star and ribband of the most honourable military order of the Bath were transmitted by his late Majesty, and Sir James was invested with them by Lieutenant-Governor O’Hara, in the presence of all the officers of the garrison of Gibraltar. He also received the unanimous thanks of both Houses of Parliament, together with a pension of 1200l. per annum for life, and the freedom of the city of London, accompanied by a handsome sword. The vote of thanks was moved in the House of Lords by Earl St. Vincent, and seconded by Lord Nelson, who bore ample testimony to the exalted character of Sir James, and concluded with these words: “A greater action was never fought than that of Sir James Saumarez. The gallant Admiral had, before that action, undertaken an enterprise that none but the most gallant officer and the bravest seamen could have attempted. He had failed through an accident by the falling of the wind; for I venture to say, if that had not failed him, Sir James would have captured the French squadron. The promptness with which he refitted, the spirit with which he attacked a superior force after his recent disaster, and the masterly conduct of the action, I do not think were ever surpassed.”

A short interval of peace restored the Rear-Admiral once more to the arms of his family, and the society of his friends; nor did the war that speedily ensued deprive them long of his presence; for as the proximity of his native island to the French coast rendered it liable to an attack, he was, after serving for a short period at the Nore, appointed to the command at Guernsey, which he retained until his promotion to the rank of Vice-Admiral, when he was nominated second in command of the Channel Fleet, under Earl St. Vincent. His Lordship being absent on Admiralty leave, Sir James was employed in watching the enemy’s fleet in Brest, until the month of August following; when, upon the appointment of Lord Gardner to the chief command of the Channel Fleet, he resumed his former station. In the month of March 1808, Sir James was appointed to the command of a strong squadron sent to the Baltic for the protection of the Swedish dominions, on which station he continued upwards of four years.

Previous to his departure for England, Sir James received a most superb sword, which was delivered to him by Baron Essen, Aide-de-camp to the Crown Prince (Bernadotte), accompanied by a flattering letter from his Royal Highness, expressive of the sense which the Swedish Government entertained of his services. The whole of the hilt is elegantly set with brilliants, of exquisite workmanship, and of great value. On the 24th June, 1813, his present Majesty, then Prince Regent, was pleased, in compliance with the request of the late King of Sweden, to invest Sir James with the insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Swedish Military Order of the Sword, conferred upon him by that Monarch, as a distinguished testimony of his royal regard and esteem.

Sir James was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Blue, June 4, 1814. In the summer of 1819 he received the honourable and lucrative appointment of Rear-Admiral of Great Britain; and on the demise of Sir William Young, he succeeded that officer as Vice-Admiral thereof.

Our officer married, Oct. 27, 1788, to Martha, only child of Thomas le Marchant, Esq. (by a marriage with Miss Mary Dobree, two of the most antient and respectable families in the island of Guernsey), and by that lady has had several children.

Residence.– Guernsey.