My Battles > Vice Admiral Lord Nelson's Dispatch to the Admiralty

11. The attack on Boulogne, 15 August 1801: Vice Admiral Lord Nelson's Dispatch to the Admiralty

To Evan Nepean, Esquire, Admiralty

Medusa, off Boulogne, August 16th 1801

Sir,

Having judged it proper to attempt bringing off the Enemy's Flotilla moored in front of Boulogne, I directed the attack to be made by four divisions of Boats for boarders, under the command of Captain Somerville, Cotgrave, Jones, and Parker, and a division of Howitzer Boats under Captain Conn.

The Boats put off from the Medusa at half-past eleven o'clock last night, in the best possible order, and before one o'clock this morning, the firing began and I had, from the judgement of the Officers and the zeal and gallantry of every man, the most perfect confidence of complete success; but the darkness of the night, with the tide and half-tide, separated the Divisions; and from all not arriving at the same happy moment with Captain Parker is to be attributed the failure of success.

But I beg to be perfectly understood that not the smallest blame attaches itself to any person; for although the Divisions did not arrive together, yet each (except the fourth Division which could not get up before day) made a successful attack on that part of the Enemy they fell in with, and actually took possession of many Brigs and Flats, and cut their cables. But many of them being aground, and the moment of the Battle's ceasing on board them, the Vessels were filled with volleys upon volleys of musketry, the Enemy being perfectly regardless of their own men, who must have suffered equally with us; it was therefore impossible to remain on board, even to burn them.

But allow me to say, who have seen much service in this war, that more determined and persevering courage I never witnessed and that nothing but the impossibility of being successful from the causes I have mentioned, could have prevented me from having to congratulate their Lordships. But although in value the loss of such gallant and good men is incalculable, yet in point of numbers it has fallen short of my expectations.

I must also beg leave to state that greater zeal, and ardent desire to distinguish themselves by an attack on the Enemy, was never shown by all the Captains, Officers and Crews of the different descriptions of Vessels under my command. The Commanders of the Hunter and Greyhound, Revenue-Cutters, went in their boats in the most handsome and gallant manner.

Among the many gallant men wounded I have with the deepest regret to place the name of my gallant good friend and able assistant, Captain Edward T. Parker, also my Flag Lieutenant Frederick Langford, who has served with me many years; they were wounded in attempting to board the French Commodore.

To Captain Gore of the Medusa I feel the highest obligations; and when their Lordships look at the loss of the Medusa on this occasion they will agree with me that the honour of my Flag, and the cause of their King and Country, could never have been placed in more gallant hands. Captain Bedford of the Leyden and Captain Gore very handsomely volunteered their services to serve under a Master and Commander; but I did not think it fair to the latter, and I only mention it to mark the zeal of those officers.

From the nature of the attack only a few prisoners were made; a Lieutenant, eight seamen and eight soldiers are all they brought off.

Herewith a send the report of the several Commanders of Divisions and a return of the killed and wounded.

I have the honour to be &c.

Nelson and Bronte

Captain Somerville was the Senior Master and Commander employed.

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