My Battles > Captain Horatio Nelson's letter to his wife

2. The Battle of the Gulf of Genoa, 13/14 March 1795: Captain Horatio Nelson's letter to his wife

Agamemnon, March 14th 1795 half past 8 at night

My Dearest Fanny,

Yesterday morning at daylight, the French fleet being very far to windward, the Admiral made the signal for a general chase. By carrying a press of sail one of their ships carried away her main and fore top mast which enabled us to get up with her, although a French frigate took her in tow.

The Inconstant, Captain Fremantle, gave her in her distress a broadside but the firing killed him 4 men and obliged him tack off. The Agamemnon being very far to windward of the English fleet at a quarter before 11 o'clock got within shot of him, the Ca Ira - late Couronne of 84 guns, now 92 and 1300 men.

By management I kept clear of his broadside and only received a few broadsides, the other being his stern-chasers. In two hours the French fleet bore down and obliged me to quit him. A French 74 took him in tow.

Today (14th) at daylight the Ca Ira and Censeur, who had her in tow, were about 4 miles from us and we, getting fair wind, stood in line of battle between the two ships and their fleet but it getting calm as they drew with them they cut up our van ships most amazingly. The Illustrious and Courageux are entirely dismasted and the Captain very much cut up. Then came Admiral Goodall in the Princess Royal and Agamemnon fighting both sides for their assistance. When getting alongside the Ca Ira and Censeur they struck and my first lieutenant George Andrews, as gallant an officer as ever stepped, took possession of them.

Admiral Hotham seems to have given the business up and thinks we have done enough, whilst Goodall and myself think we have done nothing in comparison to what we might, would the Admiral have pursued the victory.

God almighty bless you and believe me ever your most affectionate husband

Horatio Nelson

Lord Hotham's Action, 14 March 1795
[By kind permission of Sim Comfort Associates]

Top of Page