Trafalgar: Gilding the Gingerbread - Sir Richard Strachan's Action, November 3rd, 1805.
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Trafalgar: Gilding the Gingerbread.
Sir Richard Strachan’s Action, November 3rd, 1805.
Bartlett Library Researchers © 2005
National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
~~~~~~~~~~
If anything could have marred Britain’s joy at the outcome of the Battle of Trafalgar it was the
escape of four French ships of the line. Part of the van of the Combined Fleets of France and
Spain, they were well ahead of the point where HMS Victory broke the enemy line. Spotted
late in the afternoon by the crew of the schooner Pickle, and other British vessels, as they
worked their way round the battle area, these four ships were engaged briefly by the last
ships in Nelson’s line. However, with their rigging in shreds, and spars shot away, there was
little the British ships could do to stop them withdrawing relatively unscathed. In his post-
Trafalgar dispatches, Lord Collingwood reported these ships as being - Formidable (80)
Rear-Admiral Doumanoir; Duguay Trouin (74) Monsieur Troufflet; Scipion (74) Monsieur
Berenger; and the Mont Blanc (74) Monsieur le Villegries [though their commander’s names
vary in different reports]. They were, however, not to escape scot-free.
Almost before most people in Britain had heard the details of the Battle of Trafalgar, these
would-be escapees had been captured and carried into Plymouth as prizes of war. Formal
dispatches about the battle off Cape Trafalgar, and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson,
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reached Falmouth per HM Schooner Pickle on November 4 ; were delivered to the Admiralty
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in London early a.m. on the 6 ; and became general public knowledge thereafter. On
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Saturday November 9 the Royal Cornwall Gazette carried the following brief paragraph,
which was assumed by many observers and readers to relate to enemy prizes of war being
brought home from Trafalgar –
‘Several ships were seen last evening from the heights near Falmouth, passing to the
eastward. As the wind lately has been fair from that quarter, it is conjectured that they are a part of
Lord Nelson’s fleet and prizes. Amongst them were a frigate with her fore-topmast disab’ed; and a
line-of-battle ship having another in tow, totally dismasted.’
But, these were not ships returning from the Battle of Trafalgar with their prizes. The
disabled frigate proved to be the Revolutionaire, which, along with the other unidentified
vessels, was part of Sir Richard Strachan’s squadron – towing home their prizes from a
separate engagement with the French. However, arriving as they did in an English port well
before any of the Trafalgar ships came home, they took the initial limelight and a great deal of
reflected glory. Only the day before, Lloyd’s List, the British maritime newspaper [then
published twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays], had reported key elements of the Battle of
Trafalgar. On the following Tuesday it reported the engagement with, and capture of, these
would-be escapees from that fight.
‘The Formidable, of 80 Guns, Dugay Trouin, Mont Blanc, Scipion, of 74 Guns each, which
had separated from the remains of the Combined Fleet after the Action off Cape Trafalgar, were
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taken the 4 Inst. off Rochefort, by the Squadron under command of Sir Richard Strachan,
consisting of the Cæsar, Hero, Courageux, and Namur Men of War, Revolutionaire, Phoenix,
Santa Margaritta, and Æoleus Frigates, after an Action of 3 hours and a half. The Enemy had
between 5 and 600 killed and wounded; our loss about 30 killed and 100 wounded. – The Cæsar,
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Courageux, Hero, and Revolutionaire arrived at Plymouth the 10 with the Prizes, which are all
dismasted.’
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Unfortunately no surviving edition of the Royal Cornwall Gazette for Saturday the 16
November has yet been found. This undoubtedly carried much more news about the Battle of
Trafalgar itself and the death of Nelson, along with reports of local celebrations. It would also
have reported the triumphant arrival of Sir Richard’s ships at Plymouth. The edition for the
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following week [23 ] has however survived, and in addition to further follow-up reports on
Trafalgar and those local celebrations for which there was no space in the former [now
missing], a whole column was given up to reporting Sir Richard Strachan’s squadron’s spiritedengagement – apparently as seen through the eyes of one on board the frigate Santa
Margaritta.
A major part of the British plan to frustrate Napoleon’s threatened invasion of England was
the blockade of the French naval ports, An effective blockade preventing delivery of essential
supplies to the invasion ports by sea, and denying the presence of any significant French
naval force to escort that invasion force safely across the Channel. In the late summer of
1805, a significant naval force was maintaining the blockade of Brest, when news came in of
the Rochefort squadron having attacked a homeward bound convoy. Dubbed the ‘invisible
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squadron’ by the City of London, this squadron had been wreaking havoc amongst British
shipping for most of the summer of 1805. This time they had engaged a homeward bound
fleet of south sea whalers and eastern traders, sailing under convoy of HMS Calcutta, of 54
guns, Captain Daniel Woodriff, from St. Helena. The merchant ships had scattered when
attacked and made their way home safely - but the Calcutta had been captured in a brave
defensive engagement which enabled her charges to escape unharmed.
On learning of her capture, Captain Sir Richard Strachan (carrying his Commodore’s
flag in the Cæsar, of 80 guns), was detached from the blockading fleet off Brest with a small
squadron of British ships to locate, engage and destroy the Rochefort squadron, which was
reported to have been making for Ferrol – and possibly recover the Calcutta.
Just as the British fleet off Cadiz was forced to ride out a succession of gales following
the Battle of Trafalgar, so too were the ships of Sir Richard’s squadron some hundreds of
miles to the north – though they had no inkling that the great battle had been fought. Forced
to gain sea-room to ride out these gales, Sir Richard’s official dispatch on his engagement
with the French opens with ‘Being off Ferrol,’ [about the southerly limit of their patrol area]
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‘working to the westward. With the wind westerly, on the evening of the 2 we observed a
frigate in the N.W. making signals ….’ This dispatch being written-up on board Cæsar on the
evening of the engagement, when Sir Richard then gave their position as lying ‘… west of
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Rochefort 264 miles….’ The action had taken place well out in the Bay of Biscay.
3
As the account in the Royal Cornwall Gazette, later disclosed, at the time the enemy were
first discovered they were about ‘50 leagues to the N.W. of Cape Ortegal (the other ships of
the squadron being at that time extended over a very large space, for the greater probability
of discovering the Rochefort squadron)’. Sir Richard’s ships were then well strung out in trying
to detect them, and the frigate sighted from the Cæsar on the evening of the second proved
to be the Phoenix, of 36 guns, under Captain Baker. Coming up with her at about 11 p.m. the
commodore was informed that the Phoenix had been chased by vessels from the elusive
Rochefort squadron, which was then in sight. Captain Baker was immediately sent on to
advise the ships-of-the-line astern of Sir Richard, that he intended to attack. ‘The enemy
being now in sight of the Commodore to the E.N.E. six sail in a close line, gave chace; but,
part of the British squadron being far astern, soon slackened sail for them to come up – Lost
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sight of the enemy on the moon setting.’
The six enemy ships lost sight of were never positively identified, but were probably
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vessels of the Rochefort squadron. At daybreak on the morning of the 3 the frigate Santa
Margaritta, also of 36 guns, was sent ahead to the E.N.E. to scout out the enemy. About nine
a.m. she sighted four enemy sail ahead – assumed to be those she was looking for, but which
subsequently proved to be a different squadron.
It was possibly one of these two French squadrons that Captain Sykes of HM Sloop Nautilus
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had been forced to avoid on November 2 , delaying him several hours in his private race
against Lt. Lapenotiere on board HM Schooner Pickle to be the first home to England with
the Trafalgar news. [see Trafalgar : The Race for Glory]
Receiving the signal ‘Enemy in Sight’, the British squadron took-off in chase of the Santa
Margaritta, she then being well ahead and the only British vessel within sight of the enemy.
The chase to the E.N.E. was a prolonged one, continuing throughout that day, and into the
1
The Naval Chronicle, (Ed. N.Tracy), Vol.III: 1804-1806, London (1999), 140-41.
2
The Naval Chronicle, (Ed. N.Tracy), Vol.III: 1804-1806, London (1999), 241.
3
Royal Cornwall Gazette, Truro, November 23, ‘Extract of a Letter, dated Plymouth, 20th Nov.’
4
Ibid.
2following night. During that night the Phoenix again closed with the commodore, having
delivered his orders to the other ships of the squadron. Marginally faster than the ships of the
line, the Phoenix was now ordered to range ahead and support the Santa Margaritta in her
pursuit of the enemy ships.
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The Royal Cornwall Gazette, quoting from the letter from Plymouth of November 20 ,
picks up the story on the following morning. -
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‘4 at daybreak, Margaritta very far a-head.
Half past 6 A.M. Margaritta skirmishing with the enemy’s rear.
Half past 7, ‘Margaritta repeatedly firing broadsides from the Southward on the starboard
quarters of their two rear ships, for three hours and three quarters by the ships books, before any
other British ship could come up to her support’. Wind E.N.E. The, enemy at this time extending
nearly E. and W. continued an E.N.E. course on four parallel lines, each ship having on its larboard
quarter the starboard bow of that following next from the westward, Le Duguay Trouin leading, and
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the Scipion closing the rear; the latter on the Margaritta’s larboard bow.’
The Santa Margaritta clearly held the weather gage of the last French ship, but the
observation that the wind direction and the course of the French ships and their pursuers
were E.N.E., cannot be correct as no ships of that period could sail within five or six points of
the wind – say 60 or 70 degrees. That evening, when Sir Richard was writing his official report
on board the Cæsar, he gave the wind as being in the south-east. This was a much more
likely quarter, and while the wind could have shifted about during the day, a south-easterly
wind fits well with the manoeuvres of the two opposing squadrons.
‘About 11 A.M. the Phoenix came up in Le Scipion’s wake, brought her broadside to bear
on the enemy’s larboard quarter, and commenced firing.
Half past 11, the Commodore, to the Southward of the Margaritta, followed by the Hero
and the Courageux, endeavouring to close with the enemy. The Æolus frigate also [to] the
Southward. Enemy formed line in the Duguay Trouin’s wake. Squadrons engaged partially.
Duguay Trouin tacked, followed by the other French ships in succession, and stood to the S.W.
under easy sail, each ship bringing her lee bow toward the starboard quarter of that next her a-
head. Phoenix unable to gain the wind of the enemy, who had just tacked, past to the leeward,
raking their van ship, and received her fire. The Santa Margaritta soon followed, raked the enemy’s
van ship, and, ‘immediately bringing her own head nearer the wind, past along her side on the
opposite tack, firing and receiving broadsides, but never leaving herself in a situation to be raked.
Past under the bow of each of the others and alongside, raking each in turn, and tacking (after
passing the enemy’s side) with her own stern against the quarter of the last ship, and her bow
under the next; by that means never exposing herself to be raked by the enemy, but receiving all
their fire on her side. All this within pistol shot!’ Margaritta continued on larboard tack, for the
purpose of stopping some dangerous shot holes between wind and water, and of repairing her
rigging, it being very much cut. Meanwhile the Cæsar, Hero and Courageux had tacked, and,
having first had an opportunity of seeing with the greatest admiration, the gallantry and masterly
manoeuvres of the Santa Margaritta, in passing the enemy’s line, each respectively closed with an
opponent, and renewed the fight.
Half past 12 Namur came up, tacked and opened her fire on the Duguay Trouin.
Revolutionaire to leeward of the enemy. 1 P.M. [Revolutionaire] got to the windward, under a
very heavy fire, and joined our squadron.
Half after 2 P.M. three of the enemy’s ships being nearly disabled, the fourth endeavoured,
under a press of sail to escape. The Revolutionaire and the Phoenix gave chace, firing on her
quarters.
Three of the enemy had struck before 3 P.M. About 2 P.M. the Duguay Trouin struck,
Captain Gardner of the Hero, seeing with what gallantry the Santa Margaritta harassed the
enemy’s rear during the chace, ordered all hands on deck to animate them by the example. Le
Scipion acknowledges to have lost 8 men killed and 13 wounded by the fire of this ship alone,
before the Phoenix had come up; and Le Formidable 2 or 3 killed and several wounded on one
deck only. I was told by an officer of the Santa Margaritta that after receiving the broadsides of the
four enemy’s ships, they looked round them expecting to see their deck covered with killed and
wounded, and they found with joy and astonishment, that they had not lost a man! The only man
killed was by a stern gun of the Formidable, during the chace, whilst the ship lay nearly in her
wake, and on the quarter of Le Scipion. The sailors of our squadron have named the Santa
Margaritta the ‘Little Caesar,’ and Sir Richard Strachan was much gratified on hearing it. I well
know that he never speaks of her conduct but with the highest praise. It is much to be regretted that
the shortness of his official letter, precluded his entering into particulars; or no doubt he would have
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written as favourably of her as he speaks.’
5
Ibid
6
Ibid
3While the above report makes much of the Santa Margaritta’s role, her long engagement
was essentially restricted to the chase, when her duty was to harass and delay the enemy
while the ships of the line came up. This she did admirably, and was later ably assisted by the
Phoenix, but the ‘battle’ proper, the decisive action, was fought between the opposing ships-
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of the line. On Monday November 4 , 1805, at about the same time as Lieutenant
Lapenotiere was setting out on his epic post-chaise dash from Falmouth to the Admiralty in
London with the Trafalgar dispatches, Sir Richard Strachan’s squadron opened their
engagement with the four Trafalgar retirees.
The action proper was fought in two stages. During the first stage, prior to the French
line tacking, the opposing ships were sailing roughly E.N.E., on the starboard tack, with the
vessels ranged against each other as follows –
Cæsar, 80 Sir Richard Strachan - Douguay Trouin, 74 Captain Troufflet
Hero, 74, Hon. Captain Gardner - Le Formidable, 80 Rear-Admiral Dumanoir
Courageux, 74 Captain Lee - Le Mont Blanc, 74 Captain le Villegries
With the British frigates harassing - Le Scipion, 74 Captain Barouger
Throughout this stage of the engagement the British frigates continuously harassed the
enemy, snapping at their heels as and when they could without hindering their own ships.
Just after noon, the Douguay Trouin tacked to the southward, followed by the other French
ships tacking in succession. The British line now tacked together, reversing their order in the
line, but gaining a distinct advantage in the process. And, shortly after executing this
manoeuvre the Namur caught up and joined the British line. Now four against four, with the
opposing ships all on the larboard tack with the British squadron still holding the weather
gage. Heading approximately S.W., they now lined up thus. –
Hero, 74, Hon. Captain Gardner - Douguay Trouin, 74 Captain Troufflet
Namur, 74 Captain Halstead - Le Formidable, 80 Rear-Admiral Dumanoir
Cæsar, 80 Sir Richard Strachan - Le Mont Blanc, 74 Captain le Villegries
Courageux, 74 Captain Lee - Le Scipion, 74 Captain Barouger
This time the British frigates ranged to leeward of the French ships, engaging their lee
side and effectively doubling the line. By shortly after three o’clock the battle was virtually
over. The French ships were dismasted and unmanageable, and were unable to continue the
fight. Surrendering with honour, to Sir Richard’s surprise he now learnt that he had not been
engaged with the Rochefort squadron after all, but with four ships from the Combined Fleets
of France and Spain from Cadiz. The British ships now set about making their ships fully
seaworthy again, while spare hands swarmed over the four prizes. Their crews secured below
decks, the British seamen effected such emergency repairs as they could for their passage
back to England, and six days later, with their prizes all in tow Sir Richard Strachan’s
squadron entered Plymouth in triumph.
This side action was later deemed to be an extension of the Battle of Trafalgar, in so far as
the Trafalgar rewards were concerned. Sir Richard himself was duly promoted to Rear-
Admiral of the Blue, and his four prizes were all taken into the British fleet, rendering
substantial prize money for Sir Richard, the officers and men of his squadron. And [though not
so rare an occurrence as might be thought] the crews of the ships of the squadron were
allowed ‘shore leave,’ as noted by the PLYMOUTH JOURNAL. –
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‘On account of the glorious victory off Cape Ortegal, the 4 inst. by Rear-Admiral Sir R.
Strachan’s squadron, he and the several Captains of the men of war composing his squadron,
gave leave for a proportionate number of the crew of each ship to go on shore for two days
recreation; of course all the coaches, &c. were put into requisition in Plymouth and Dock, “and
drive me out a guinea’s worth of coaching” all the go. Most of those eccentric fellows wore love
crepe ribbon above their left elbow, in respect and affection for their beloved hero, the late Lord
Nelson. When the portion of seamen now ashore return on board, a like leave will be given to the
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remained of the ships companies in turn.’
7
Ibid.
4There were great celebrations throughout Devon and Cornwall, and as indicated above, the
four enemy prizes were all taken into the British fleet where they quickly became effective
fighting units of the Royal Navy. Of the four the Duguay Trouin [the tenth of that name] was
destined to become the most famous - but under the name of HMS Implacable. As the
Implacable she enjoyed a distinguished career under British command, surviving into
venerable old age, finally as a training ship. Surviving the Second World War, she was found
to be beyond economic repair - in a time when financing ship restoration projects was
unimaginable]. Decommissioned, she was towed out into the Channel and scuttled by the
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Royal Navy on December 2 1949 some ten miles southeast of the Owers light-vessel, flying
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both the white ensign and French tricolour.
The Battle of Trafalgar was undoubtedly considered a great British victory by the nation, but
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for the people of the west country Sir Richard Strachan’s victory of November 4 1805 was
every bit as impressive, and effectively put the gilding on the gingerbread!
8
Alan McGowan, ‘The First HMS IMPLACABLE,’ The Mariner’s Mirror, Vol.91, No.2 (May 2005),
306.
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