My Battles > Personal letter to HRH The Duke of Clarence

3. The Battle of Hyères, 13 July 1795: Captain Horatio Nelson's personal letter to HRH The Duke of Clarence

Agamemnon, 15 July 1795

Sir,

Not having had any signification to the contrary, I still presume to suppose that an account from me of the operations of this Fleet is acceptable to your Royal Highness.

On the 13th at daylight we got sight of the Enemy, about six leagues south of the Hyères Islands. A signal was then made for a general chase.

At noon the Victory, Admiral Man, with captain, Agamemnon, Cumberland, Defence and Culloden, got within gun-shot of the Enemy, when the wind failed us and threw us into line abreast. A lights air soon afterwards coming from the eastward, we laid our heads to the northward as did the Enemy and the Action commenced.

It was impossible for us to close with them and the smoke from their Ships and our own made a perfect calm; whilst they, being to windward, drew in shore; our Fleet was becalmed six or seven miles to the westward. The Blenheim and Audacious got up to us during the firing. The Alcide struck about half-past two and many others were almost in as bad a state; but she soon afterwards took fire and only two hundred men were saved out of her.

At half-past three the Agamemnon and Cumberland were closing with an eighty-gun ship with a Flag, the Berwick and Heureux, when Admiral Hotham thought it right to call us out of Action, the wind being directly into the Gulf of Frejus where the Enemy anchored after dark.

Thus has ended our second meeting with these gentry. In the forenoon we had every prospect of taking every Ship in the Fleet; and at noon it was almost certain we should have had the six near ships. The French Admiral, I am sure, is not a wise man, nor and officer. He was undetermined whether to fight or run away; however I must do him the justice to say he took the wisest step at last. Indeed I believe this Mediterranean Fleet is as fine a one as ever graced the Ocean.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your Royal Highnesses most obedient servant,

Horatio Nelson

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