My Battles > Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson's 'Account of Proceedings ' to Admiral Sir John Jervis

8. The attack on Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 23/25 July 1797: Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson's 'Account of Proceedings ' to Admiral Sir John Jervis (*)

Theseus, off Santa Cruz, 27 July 1797

Sir,

In obedience to your orders to make a vigorous attack on Santa Cruz in the island of Tenerife, I directed from the Ships under my command, 1000 men, including Marines, to be prepared for landing under the direction of Captain Troubridge. And although I am under the painful necessity of acquainting you that we have not been able to succeed in our attack, yet it is my duty to state that I believe more daring intrepidity was never shewn than by the captains, Officers and Men, you did me the honour to place under my command.

Having embarked the men on board the frigates, attended by all the boats of the squadron, scaling ladders and every implement which I thought necessary for the success of the enterprise, I directed that the boats should land in the night between the Fort of the north-east side of the bay of Santa Cruz, and the Town, and endeavour to make themselves masters of that Fort, which done, to send in my Summons.

Although the Frigates approached within three miles of the place of debarkation by twelve o'clock, yet from the unforeseen circumstance of a strong gale of wind in the offing, and strong current against them inshore, they did not approach within a mile of the landing-pace when the day dawned, which discovered to the Spaniards our force and intentions.

On my approach with the Line of Battle Ships, Captain Troubridge came on board to consult with me what was best to be done and was of the opinion that if they could possess themselves of the heights over the Fort above mentioned that it could be stormed. I gave my consent and directed the Line of Battle Ships to batter the fort but this was found impracticable, not being able to get nearer the shore than three miles, from a calm and contrary currents. Nor could our men possess themselves of the heights as the Enemy had taken possession of them.

Thus foiled in my original plan, I considered it for the honour of our King and Country not to give over the attempt to possess ourselves of the Town; that our enemies might be convinced there is nothing which Englishmen are not equal to.

At 11 o'clock on the night of the 24/25 July, the Boats of the Squadron containing between six and seven hundred men, one hundred and eighty men on board the Fox cutter, proceeded towards the Town. We were not discovered till within gunshot of the landing place when I directed the Boasts to cast off from each other, give an hurrah and push for the shore.

A fire of thirty or forty pieces of cannon, with musketry, from one end of the Town to the other opened upon us but nothing could stop the intrepidity of the Captains leading the divisions. Unfortunately the greatest part of the Boats did not see the Mole but went on shore in a raging surf which stove all the Boats.

I was wounded in the arm early in the action and obliged to be carried off the beach but I cannot but express to you my admiration of the firmness which Captain Troubridge and his brave associates supported the honour of the British flag. Notwithstanding all their difficulties, they pushed over the Enemy's line wall and batteries and formed in the Great Square of the Town. They marched against the Citadel but found it far beyond their power to take.

At daylight Captain Troubridge, seeing the impossibility of any assistance from the Ships, sent Captain Hood with a message to the Governor. And here it is right that we should notice the generous and noble conduct of Don Juan Antonio Gutierrez, the Spanish Governor. The moment terms were agreed to, he directed our wounded men to be received into the hospitals and all our people to be supplied with the best provisions that could be procured.

I have the honour to be, sir, with the greatest respect,

Your most faithful and obedient Servant.

Horatio Nelson

(*) Webmaster's note

Sir Horatio Nelson was severely wounded in he attack on Tenerife and was not able to write a full report of the action to Sir John Jervis. The above account has therefore been collated from Sir Horatio's brief official dispatch and from rough notes in his Private Journal.

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