HMS HECLA

[Bomb vessel]

THE BOMBARDMENT OF ALGIERS

When Admiral Lord Exmouth was ordered in 1816 to obtain the release of Christian slaves from the Barbary Powers, his proposal that he should bombard Algiers with five sail of the line caused the Admiralty to express some surprise. Nelson had once mentioned 25 line-of-battleships as the force required for such an enterprise.

However Exmouth accepted full responsibility for his plans, his confidence was supreme and he was allowed to proceed. Within two months of this decision his fleet was commissioned, manned by volunteers and the battle fought and won. Intense enthusiasm prevailed in the fleet. James shared the Crusading spirit which animated the expedition and wrote pages on the subject - as well as a condensed history of Algiers from 1620 onwards, so he was rather surprised at the appearance of the released slaves - who when produced for inspection, were clean and well looked after. Every ship (including a Dutch squadron) was closely engaged in the action which James describes.

It was a triumph for Exmouth and his volunteers, and there was only one hitch in the programme. It might have been very serious, for ammunition ran short in the ships. The Dey gave in just in time.

Exmouth himself had a narrow escape. He was struck in three places, a cannon shot tore away the skirt of his coat and his spectacles were broken.

1816

ON PASSAGE TO ALGIERS

Sunday, July 28th

The squadron consisting of the following ships sailed, Queen Charlotte, 100 guns, Impregnable 98, Minden 74, Albion 74, Superb 74, Leander 60, Granicus 36, Hebrus 36, Glasgow 40, Severn 40, Prometheus 16, Cordelia 10, Britomart, 10, Mutine 18, Infernal 12, Beelzebub 8, Hecla 12, Fury 12, Heron 18. In the evening the Squadron hove to off Falmouth.

August 1st

We are now off Cape Ortegal.

August 6th

General memorandum from Lord Exmouth

To, Rear-Admiral David Milne, and the respective Captains of the Squadron.

It is the intention of the Commander-in-Chief to take his station for the attack of Algiers, if the wind admits, as soon as the ships arrive in that Bay and the Dey's answer to his demand is returned or the time for its reception elapsed. If an attack is not immediately practicable the ships will, after they anchor, send their spare Topmasts, Yards and Jib booms to the Bombs and Transports as underneath, viz :-

Queen Charlotte . . to Beelzebub.

Impregnable . . . .to Hecla.

Superb . . . . . . .to Infernal.

Albion . . . . . . .to Fury.

Minden . . . . . . .to Trafalgar.

Transport Ships will be prepared to anchor by the Head or Stern, as the prevailing wind may render necessary, and follow the example of the Flagship's as nearly as possible if no positive inconvenience arise therefrom. All boats will be hoisted out, the Launches prepared for Howitzers and the Flat Boats for Carronades and Rockets, and the Jolly Boats must attend the latter with ammunition. The Launches must in the first instance be prepared with Hawsers in them ready to carry out anchors and not prepare for other service until the ships are all placed. The Commander-in-Chief leaves to the judgement of the respective Captains the use of the Iron Cables; he means himself to bring up with Rope Cables, and when brought up, to lash the chains on the Cable to ride by, paying out so much cable as will put them under water for safety from grape shot. If the wind should oblige the Squadron to anchor previous to any attack, the Launches and Flat Boats will be prepared for night service, and care is to be taken to afford the crews as much rest as possible, and as the land winds generally prevail very early in the morning, the ships will carefully watch the Admiral's motion at night, and be ready to weigh at dawn of day. Twelve-pound Carronades having been supplied to the Barges and Yawls, these boats are to be kept ready prepared to move in aid of, or protect the Launches on the least alarm, and will proceed to one of the two Brigs which will by signal be pointed out, have charge of the night, without delay, unless called for by any heavy fire attacking the Boats already throwing shells and rockets.

Signed. EXMOUTH.

August 7th

This morning we made the Rock of Lisbon, distant about 30 miles.

GIBRALTAR.

August 9th

In the evening we anchored before the rock. A squadron of Dutch frigates under command of a Vice-Admiral is lying here. It is reported that the Algerines have erected several Batteries, mounted many guns, are constantly at their posts, and bid us defiance. A few gunboats will accompany the fleet. Every preparation necessary for the attack is being made by the ships. All Bulkheads, and Lumber of all sorts, have been sent on shore, so that the ships are quite clear for action

Top chains for the cables, spare Hawsers etc., have been furnished to the Ships, and Grapnels to all launches; 1 Brig, 1 3-masted schooner, 30 or 40 gunboats, 3 or 4 mortar boats.

[The following description of Algiers seems to be in the wrong part of the diary and should be read in conjunction with the entry of Tuesday 27th Aug. Ed] The Mole is strongly fortified and defended by nearly 400 guns, protected also by the batteries of the walls of the City. Against this strong place the grand attack will be made. The Dey's house which stands in the middle of the City, is the most elevated building and has a flagstaff to the right; near it on the left is the prison in which the Christian slaves are confined. Out of the City to the left is the Palace of the Dey, called the Emperor's Fort, defended by 50 guns. The works on the land side are strong, but the whole of the sea face of the Town and the Bay are studded with very strong Batteries. There are here 5 forts, each having three tiers of guns, and 5 forts with two tiers. The principal batteries which will oppose the attack of our ships at the Mole contain altogether about 450 guns, of which 103 are 32-pounders, 170 are 18-pounders and the remainder are 24-pounders and 12 pdrs. Besides these 450 guns, there are several Mortars. From an inspection of Captain Ward's plan it appears that about 250 guns will bear on the ships that attack the mole.

From a calculation of the number of guns which the broadside of all our ships will present to the Enemy's works, it appears to amount to about 360, besides 8 mortars. To these may be added 5 or 6 gunboats and rocket boats, together with about 30 boats, launches, barges, etc., carrying in the whole 30 Carronades.

There are numerous batteries along the Bay of Algiers, the number of whose guns is not known, and they have Mortar batteries in their rear. Various contradictory reports, as is usual on these matters, prevail, as to the state of preparation of the Algerines.

An Officer yesterday informed me that he had heard that a vessel was at Algiers on the first of this month, and witnessed general exercise of the Algerines at their guns.

Yesterday all the armed boats of the squadron had a general exercise, both in firing at a mark, and in rowing. The weather is pleasant, but the temperature is much below its usual degree for this place. At daylight the Squadron got under way; by noon the whole of the vessels were out of the Bay. The Dutch Vice-Admiral with 6 frigates are added to our force; these it is said are to join in the attack on the batteries. We have also 5 gunboats. The explosion vessel is a sloop-rigged small vessel and has on board 300 barrels of gunpowder. The object desired by the use of this vessel is by towing her into the Mole, then setting fire to her, that by the great explosion the batteries may be shaken down or damaged, and the enemy thrown into consternation, when the ships are to land people to spike the guns.

August 16th

The wind is now dying away, to our regret, as we are all anxious to see the issue of this expedition. The Prometheus was dispatched to Algiers before we sailed from Portsmouth. She has now returned to the Admiral and brings intelligence that the Dey is quite ready to negotiate or to fight with us. He has detained three boats' crews, 15 men, 3 midshipmen and one Surgeon of the Prometheus. The wife of the English Consul and one of his daughters made their escape and are on board the Prometheus. The surgeon of this ship was privately carrying the youngest child down to the boat when it cried and was betrayed. The surgeon was seized and detained until next morning. The Consul was detained in the hands of the Algerines; they sent off the child next day.

Sunday - 25th August

On the 16th the wind came from the East, exactly contrary to our course and hostile to our wishes; this wind continued until this morning, when after a few hours of a calm, a gentle breeze sprung up from the westward. Yesterday at noon the fleet fired a salute in compliment to the Dutch Squadron.

THE ACTION

Tuesday - 27th August

At day light this morning the City of Algiers appears in sight; the winds being variable and light, the Fleet approached the Bay very slowly. At a little after nine the Severn, frigate, entered the Bay of Algiers having a flag of truce flying, and detached a boat, with a flag of truce conveying a letter from the Prince Regent to the Dey of Algiers. A French frigate was seen standing out of the Bay and also some merchant ships. For a few hours the wind was contrary, but about noon the sea breeze set in and now the ships made sail with effect. As we passed the Admiral, he hailed us, desiring us to make haste and get into our station. At half past twelve a general signal was made to prepare to anchor and engage the Enemy. At this time the Severn was standing out of the Bay, and the Admiral lying to, waiting for the sternmost ships to come up, and also waiting the return of the boat with the flag of truce. The Infernal, Bomb, commanded by Commander the Hon.Geo. Percival, led in, followed by the Beelzebub, Commander W. Kempthorne, Hecla, Commander W. Popham and the Fury, Commander C.R. Moorsom.

At half past one we anchored the Hecla in 30 fathoms, with the stream anchor ahead, and a hawser astern; we then ran out two kedges, and placed our larboard broadside to the Lighthouse Battery, the Mole head bearing W by N. and the Lighthouse Battery NW by W, distant about 1800 yards. Before we entered the Bay all our boats were hoisted out, hawsers were coiled on the after part of the Quarterdeck, all the lumber that could be found was placed on the deck in the Captain's cabin, and gun room, and all the hammocks were placed on the lumber, This was done to protect the magazine, in case of shells falling on board, butts of water were also put in the fore and main tops.

The City is defended on the sea side by numerous batteries having heavy and very long guns, mostly of brass, and a great part of the works are bomb-proof. Wherever a gun could be placed, there guns are found, in all directions. The City faces the E; its circumference is about 2 miles. The distance between the two points, that form the bay is 7½ miles; from each point to the City are numerous strong well constructed batteries. The walls that surround the City are planted with cannon and have bastions at certain parts; at the top of the town are very strong forts; one leading out of the town has a draw-bridge. On the outside of the walls many iron spikes are fixed, on which criminals are suspended alive and let fall from the top of the wall. Every battery and fort having a red flag, the great numbers of these waving in the air added to the fine appearance of the works, which like the houses, were all white; the muzzles of the guns were painted red. Near the centre of the City appeared the palace of the Dey, or sovereign of Algiers, having a large purple standard flying from a tall green staff; on its summit was a gilded crescent. Whilst we were standing towards the town I saw three persons near the flag; one of them, dressed in a Scarlet robe, I believed to be the Dey. The Algerines were all ready to receive us and the batteries were thronged by troops; the great numbers of these and the very numerous batteries that appeared on every side, caused in the minds of most of us strong doubts of our success. It appeared evident that if the Algerines were ever so little skilled in firing, destruction would be the fate of many of our ships. The Algerine ships were seen in the Mole, behind the Mole and Lighthouse Batteries, having their top masts struck and their colours flying. When the bombs had anchored, the Admiral made sail towards the City, the boat with the flag of truce having returned with the Dey's refusal to accept the terms offered by the British Government. The Admiral now made the signal to know if all the ships were ready. The gallant and daring manner in which the Admiral stood towards the enemy was beyond all praise, but astonishment was raised to the highest pitch when we beheld the Admiral anchor under the mouths of the enemy's guns. The distance from the shore was only half the length of the Queen Charlotte (or 45 yards) so that this ship seem

ed to be ashore to those who beheld her at a short distance. The other ships followed according to order; but the Leander kept close to the Queen Charlotte, and passed ahead of her that she lay at the mouth of the Mole, exposed to the Batteries on the Town walls, whilst the Admiral by his judicious position was only exposed to the fire from a very small part of the Mole Batteries, near the extremity of them. These Batteries had two tiers of guns, the lower tier was in a casemate, Bomb proof, and the guns were 32-pounders. The Admiral had arranged his crew thus; the men on the lower deck were to anchor the ship, those on the upper deck to clew up the sails, and those on the middle and main decks to fire their guns.

The novel appearance to the Algerines of so many ships had brought crowds of the rabble down to the Beach in front of the Batteries, whilst they stood gazing at the ships as they were standing in; little suspecting the destruction that awaited them.

The Admiral had no sooner anchored and clewed up his sails than the battle commenced on the part of the Algerines, who, at 10 minutes before three in the afternoon, fired one gun from the Lighthouse, exactly opposite this ship; this we have since been informed was a preconcerted signal, and the gun was fired, I am disposed to think, by the Dey himself, as he is said to have been in the Lighthouse all the period of the battle.

This gun being fired, the Queen Charlotte and the other ships, with the whole line of the Enemy's works, opened instantly a most fierce fire, and a very terrible and destructive battle raged, without any intermission, till the hour of twelve at midnight, when the Infernal fired the last shell, and the enemy ceased, a few minutes afterwards.

By half past three the Admiral had silenced several guns abreast of him; at 4 o'clock he announced to the fleet by telegraph that we should be successful; he made the signal to the Impregnable. At 4 - 15 a fire was seen in the Mole, and the Admiral made the signal for all the armed boats to be ready. At 5 minutes past 5 an Algerine frigate, in flames, passed out of the Mole close by the Admiral. At 7 o'clock a fresh fire was seen in the Mole - a fire was seen in our mizzen top; it was soon extinguished. At half past 8 the Explosion vessel was towed towards the lighthouse Battery and blown up, leaving a column of dense smoke, but the noise occasioned by the explosion of 300 barrels of powder could not be distinguished by me, so incessant and dreadful was the cannonading. At this time our rockets were skimming in the air in awful but splendid style; the ships were firing as fast as the guns could be loaded, and the fire from their guns alone made them visible. The City of Algiers was enveloped in flames and smoke, the vessels in the Mole were burning furiously, the shells and rockets skimming the atmosphere and occasionally the Mole was seen to peep from behind the clouds; at other times the heavens were veiled in darkness, not a star could be perceived. But the sky over the City was vividly illuminated. The Enemy at first opened a most tremendous fire; so thick did the shot fall, that the agitation of the surface of the sea was such as would have been produced by a violent hail shower; we expected from the commencement of the battle that we should be severely handled, that many of us should be killed, and perhaps the ships should be sunk; if such were are fears before we felt the enemy's shot, when judging alone from the quantity of shot and shells that fell on all sides of us, it may be readily imagined that we expected they would be realised after some of the enemy's shot had struck us. After sunset the enemy's fire was kept up with great spirit and regularity from all the batteries that could reach the ships, yet, the fire was much slacker than it had been, not only on the side of the Algerines, but also on our part. This was owing on the part of the enemy to many of his guns being disabled, and batteries damaged and on our side to the fatigue of the men, and their numbers being lessened, by the killed and wounded. This deficiency of fire on the part of the ships was compensated by the numerous gunboats, launches, etc.; the 4 bombs however, threw their shells unremittingly. The. sky was so vividly illuminated that we read and wrote on deck by that light alone. It was intended by the Admiral to send the Explosion vessel into the Mole, but the success that had followed our operations in that quarter rendered her unnecessary; she was therefore blown up, as before mentioned near the lighthouse battery; the explosion did no damage to the enemy, at least I judge so, because the battery continued to fire as before. During the Battle several explosions on shore were heard; our shells were seen very distinctly to fall, and whenever they struck the top of a house it was known by a cloud of dust rising, this being the ruins of the house. The Enemy fired many stone shots, the noise of which was a buzzing, perfectly distinct from the noise caused by his shot, or shells. At half past eight the Admiral changed his position in order to avoid one of the Algerine frigates that was in flames and drifting on board the Admiral, whose situation was now very perilous. When the Leander first took her Station, the Algerines rushed to their flotilla, and gunboats, intending to board this ship, which being perceived, the Leander fired her 42-pounder carronades, loaded with grape, and disconcerted this project of the enemy. At a quarter after nine the Leander took the Admiral's first position, she fired but seldom. At half after nine an officer came from the Impregnable requesting assistance; that ship was soon after towed by boats to a distance from the Batteries. During the engagement I saw with regret, that her situation was one very much exposed to the enemy, who frequently hulled her The Dutch Admiral and his squadron together with our frigates was stationed to the left of the town, and behaved with great gallantry. The first of the Enemy's frigates that was destroyed, was set on fire in a very brave manner by Lieut Woolridge of the Marine Artillery, who boarded her under a heavy fire from the enemy and threw firebrands into her holds; the next two frigates were destroyed by means of carcasses fired from the carronades in the launches; these frigates being on fire, communicated it to the remainder of the Algerine navy. So great was the musketry from the enemy, that the Admiral was frequently obliged to shut his lower deck ports.

At half after ten the fire of the ships nearly ceased; a few guns were fired occasionally. The Admiral and fleet were now seen very slowly moving from under the under the Enemy's batteries, whose fire now began to freshen; the Bombs continued to hurl destruction on the City and their fires were returned by the Lighthouse and the batteries to the right of it. No ships having been opposed to this part of the Enemy's works, these were in good order.

At 11 o'clock the bombs prepared to slip and follow the Admiral the firing of guns on both sides having ceased and the enemy now throwing his shells with pretty good precision over this ship into the midst of the fleet.

The heavens now seemed to wage war on the merciless Algerines. The most vivid and violent forked lightning appeared, followed by rapid and tremendous claps of thunder over the city, which presented a picture beyond my powers of speech to describe. All that is gloomy, all that is awful, sublime and magnificent, were now seen in different parts of this splendid picture. The storm was accompanied by occasional torrents of rain; this I regretted, as it seemed to moderate the fires that were raging on shore. There were seen at this time the hulls of three of the Algerine frigates, slowly drifting in a regular line, through the bay, burning with a steady flame. When the ships stood into the Bay, they were favoured with a fair breeze; they were now, on quitting the Batteries, urged slowly onwards by a gentle breeze from the land. At midnight we slipped our stream cable and dropped out three quarters of a mile. At half past two o'clock on the morning of the 28th we anchored with the kedge and furled sailed. Our people had not had any refreshment since noon of the preceding day, consequently they were excessively weary and all laid themselves on the deck and speedily sunk into a sound sleep. Thus ended one of the most fierce combats ever recorded in history, in its duration and ardour quite unprecedented. Numerous were the single acts of heroism displayed by individuals during the battle. I certainly did not think that there would be any fighting; the fire of the signal gun therefore inspired me with joy at not being disappointed. Thanks to the Almighty, none of my brave shipmates were hurt. Several shot entered the ship, two went below water, one of them into the Light Room the door of which it knocked down, together with a man who was carrying a bag of powder. I have mentioned that the Impregnable was towed out of the Line and the same thing happened to the Leander who was towed out by the Glasgow, not being able to set any sail except the mizen topsail.

AFTER THE ACTION

Wednesday - 28th August

At 4 o'clock in the morning I went on deck and with a telescope surveyed the shore; the City was yet burning in many places, and numerous places were enveloped in smoke.

Heavens! what a contrast between the appearance of Algiers yesterday and that which is now presented; with much difficulty did I recognise the Lighthouse and Mole Batteries. They no longer shone with resplendent whiteness; a great part of the Lighthouse itself was demolished, the whole of the sea Batteries in front were defaced; under the walls of the town were smoking the last remnants of the Algerian frigates. On the mountains were seen numerous groups of women and children, who had fled from the City. In another part were beheld parties of Algerines carrying the wounded from the Batteries. Turning one's eyes towards another part of the mountains there were perceived parties of Cavalry marching towards the City, on the walls of which in vain one looked for the flags that so proudly waved in the air the day before, At daybreak I was desired to go on board the Infernal, Bomb. On my arrival there I found that during the action her spring had been shot away, and being from her position particularly exposed to the angle of a heavy line of Batteries, she had suffered severely; she was raked several times; she had lost 2 killed and had 17 wounded some of them dangerously. She had 50 shot in her hull, all her rigging and spars destroyed, a shot passed into her magazine, went through three barrels of powder and lodged in a fourth barrel. Her hull masts, etc., were greatly damaged and she made much water (she had 7 feet in her hold). I assisted in and performed some surgical operations, the Surgeon being much fatigued. During the action he was stationed in the spirit room, a place of great security. I was placed where it was believed I should be out of danger, but this proved to be false. I therefore quitted it frequently, and repaired on deck, by which I was gratified extremely, as I coolly observed the progress and glorious success that attended the battle.

At 6 o'clock the Admiral made the signal for the ships to send a list of their killed and wounded, and a statement of the damages they had received. We now learnt that our loss was great, there were 129 killed, and 789 wounded on the part of the English, and 3 killed and 52 wounded on the side of the Dutch, making a grand total of 983. The loss fell particularly on the Queen Charlotte, Leander and Infernal. The Impregnable had 233 round shots in her hull, above 100 were below water, also 15 in the main mast; being doubled she was saved from sinking. She had 60 men killed and wounded at once by accidents at an early part of the action, owing to an explosion of her powder boxes, on the main, middle and lower decks. Some of the ships have suffered greatly in their masts and yards. The Enemy fired Iron Bars, Bayonets. many of which were found sticking in the masts, pieces of copper, stink pots, etc.

Most of our ships expended nearly all their Powder and Ball. The Albion borrowed powder from the Prometheus sloop, during the action. The Queen Charlotte has only a few shot left in the lockers. It is calculated that during the Bombardment we threw 800 shells from the 4 Bombs. The A1gerines threw their shells in a very excellent direction; many of them burst so closed to us as to spatter the water on our decks. The Impregnable expended 20 tons of powder, 120 tons of shot, and 54 rockets of 32 pounds. We now received orders to prepare to renew the bombardment; the ships were unable to do anything more except the sloops of war and gunboats.

AM August 28th

The Admiral now addressed the following memorandum to the Fleet:

Queen Charlotte. Algiers

General Memo. August 28th , morning

The Commander--in-Chief does not know whether to congratulate himself upon the complete success of yesterday's attack, or the honourable and noble support he received from the Rear-Admiral, Captains, Officers, Seamen, Marines, and Troops he had the honour to command, which he can never forget.The Commander-in-Chief hopes Vice-Admiral Baron Van Capellen will convey the same sentiments to our ancient allies under his command and accept himself his thanks for the cordial and handsome support he afforded him.

Signed EXMOUTH.

This was followed soon afterwards by a letter [vide copy of it inserted in the month of October in this book], with a flag of truce to the Dey; the flag approached to within a short distance of the town, and then waited; after a short time an Algerine boat came out and parleyed; the Turk in the boat was seen to raise his hands in a pitying manner, and point to the Town. It then returned to the shore, leaving our boat. At this time one of our small vessels having approached too near one of the forts at the bottom of the Bay, a very brisk fire was opened on her.

The Wasp, Brig, arrived from Malta; she heard the firing when 60 miles from Algiers.

At half past one an Algerine boat with a standard flying was seen approaching our flag of truce, and immediately after three guns were fired from the town. This was a signal to the Admiral that the Dey had accepted the terms he refused yesterday. The Admiral wrote to the Dey requesting a speedy answer, as he was anxious to commence fresh operations; this perfectly intimidated the Dey. Had he refused we should have renewed the bombardment and the Admiral would have sent to Gibraltar for a supply of ammunition.

After the 3 guns were fired, the Admiral announced to us by telegraph that peace was made. We soon saw the Algerine boat pass us and go on board the Admiral; it conveyed the Captain of the Port or Marine Minister, an officer of high rank among the Algerines.

August 29th

At noon I went on board the Queen Charlotte and there saw the English consul, Col. Macdonald. During the bombardment he was confined in irons in a dungeon under the Palace of the Dey. He requested to be confined in a certain room in his own house and this was refused, and Providence seems to have interposed in his favour, for his house suffered considerably by our shot; 5 large ones pierced that room which he selected. His wife and daughter were on board a transport, witnesses of the Battle.

Wrote to Capt. King. The Ister, frigate, with Rear-Admiral Penrose, the Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean arrived this afternoon; he did not even know of the expedition being ordered against Algiers, and is very much chagrined at the neglect he has received from the Admiralty not having communicated to him that an expedition of so much importance was coming out.

August 29th

Peace. At 5 o'clock in the evening the Algerines fired guns, in communication of their having signed a Treaty of Peace with Lord Exmouth, who returned the salute.

August 30th

At 7 o'clock this, morning the Batteries fired 21 guns, the Dey having signed a Treaty with the Dutch. The Admiral now addressed the following Memorandum to the Fleet

Queen Charlotte, Algiers Bay,

August 30th.

General Memo.

The Commander-in-Chief is happy to inform the fleet of the final termination of the strenuous exertion by the signature of Peace, confirmed under a salute of 21 guns on the following conditions dictated by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of England.

1st. The Abolition for ever of all Christian slaves.

2nd. The delivery at noon to-morrow to my flag of all slaves to whatever nation they may belong that are in the dominion of the Dey.

3rd. To deliver to my flag all monies received by him for the redemption of slaves since the commencement of this year at noon also to-morrow.

4th. Reparation has been made to the British Consul for all losses he has sustained in consequence of his confinement.

5th. The Dey has made a public apology in presence of his officers and Ministers and begged pardon of the Consul in terms dictated by Captain Brisbane of the Queen Charlotte.

The Commander-in-Chief takes this opportunity of again returning his public thanks to the Rear-Admiral, Captains, Officers, Seamen, Marines, Royal Sappers and Miners, Royal Marine Artillery and the Royal Rocket Corps, for the noble support he has received from them throughout the whole of this arduous Service, and he is pleased to direct that on Sunday next a Public Thanksgiving shall be offered up to Almighty God for the signal interposition of His Divine Providence during the conflict which took place between His Majesty's Fleet and the ferocious enemies of mankind. It is requested that this Memorandum may be read to the ships' Companies.

Signed. EXMOUTH.

I am informed that the Dey has made a present of 3,000 dollars to the English Consul for his imprisonment; he says he is very sorry he treated him so ill and that he did so in a heat of passion. In the evening we were all delighted with a cheerful spectacle, the embarkment of the Christian slaves. There were about 1,200 and they were all frantic with joy.

On their arrival at the beach it was with difficulty our officers could keep them from overcrowding the boats. They prostrated themselves on the earth, kissed our men's feet and shouted vociferously "Jesu Christo - Viva George." All cheered as they passed the ships, and we returned their cheers as did also Lord Exmouth himself. On being put on board the Transport they ascended the rigging and yards and seemed to be in a delirium of joy. The transition from slavery to liberty was so sudden a thing, so unexpected, that it seemed to these poor men as a dream. The slaves consisted of natives of Naples, Spain, Sardinia, Genoa, Portugal, Holland, etc., some having been captives 13 years.

They all looked healthy, were very clean and well clothed. Very different to what we expected to see, and infinitely superior to prisoners in England or France. On enquiring I learn that the slaves have a very small allowance of provisions from the Algerines that they are worked hard and often punished with stripes, but that their situation is ameliorated by servile offices which they render the Turks, who pay them or make them presents, and they are also occasionally assisted by their own Consuls. The average sum demanded as the ransom of a slave, I am informed, is 1,000 dollars. The name of the present Dey is Omar, a man of middle age, ignorant of letters and of a hasty, suspicious temper. He succeeded his Uncle 18 months ago, who was assassinated; very few of the Deys die natural deaths. The treasures in the Palace of the Dey are said to amount to 90 millions of dollars. A few days before our arrival a father and 4 sons, Jews, were flayed alive for some offence. The Jews are punished with the utmost severity for the most trifling offence.

As our boats were leaving the shore with captives, an Algerine in concealment fired a musket; the ball went through the sail of the boat; this has been reported to the Admiral who sent a threat to the Dey. To prevent such accidents recurring, the Dey has disarmed all his Moorish and Arab troops.

August 31st

Queen Charlotte, Algiers Bay,

General Memo. August 31st.

The Commander-in-Chief permits communication with the shore but he earnestly desires that no mark of triumph or contempt may be offered to a fallen enemy which can provoke or irritate the minds of the people, and he recommends that too great a number of officers may not go on shore together, as it might have the appearance of triumph, and that no person do remain on shore after 4 o'clock.

Signed. EXMOUTH.

The Admiral also ordered a list to be sent to him of all the Midshipmen who have served their time and have passed their examinations. It is reported that they and likewise all the first Lieutenants will be promoted.

August 31st

At noon I went ashore with some of my messmates and proceeded to the Consul's house. We there obtained one of his servants for a guide, as he had a smattering of the Spanish and Italian languages.

I was surprised at the wretched state of a City that at a distance appears so handsome. The City is crowded with inhabitants, and hundreds of Arabs are lying about the streets enveloped in woollen wrappers. The Algerines had received positive directions not to insult us; whether from this order or from fear of us I know not to which it may be attributed, but they behaved very orderly to us. I and my companions went into a coffee house filled with Turks, who resigned their places to us; they also accommodated me with a draughtboard. The Turks imagined that we should not pay for our coffee, but as conquerors demand it. Several houses in the street where the Palace stands were in ruins, and the shells had done great mischief. Many of the Mosques or Churches were damaged, some nearly demolished. The ruins of the houses obstructed the passage in some of the streets. During our excursion we were suddenly stopped and forced to turn up a street by a Janissary who stood with his sabre drawn, stopping all who attempted to pass. I conjecture that the wounded enemy lies in that part of the city. We have not been able correctly to ascertain the loss the enemy sustained, but from the enquiries made by the Consul it is said to amount to ten thousand. (11 Children I am informed were killed in one house by a shell). The Dey acknowledges to have lost 400 of his Janissaries; of the Moors and Arabs he makes no consideration. He was informed so early as the first of the month that an expedition was coming against him; he exerted himself to get his flotilla in readiness; he caused the slaves to remove the 24-pounder guns from the Mole Batteries, and replaced them by 36-pounders, and ordered a large body of troops to be ready. During the battle he had 10,000 Turks and 60,000 Moors and Arabs in the City and sea defences. To prevent the troops that were in the Mole and Lighthouse Batteries from quitting their posts, the Dey caused the gates that lead from the town to these batteries, to be shut.

On my return to the Mole I had an opportunity of ascertaining the mischief we have done to the navy of Algiers. I found that all the shipping was destroyed except a galley of 40 oars, a brig of 16 guns, a schooner of 12 guns (all rotten), 5 gunboats, two Mortar boats; all these vessels were damaged in their masts, hulls and rigging; 5 gunboats are also on the stocks, the storehouses were damaged, but none burnt; on looking into them, they seemed to be filled with heaps of rotten stores, rotten cordage, old wood, heaps of Brass ship guns, etc. Our shots were seen sticking in the walls of these store-houses, and at the foot of them were seen here and there heaps of our shot; these were so plentifully showered on the enemy, that the grape shot served the Arab boys to play with as marbles.

To-day Admiral Milne shifted his flag to the Leander, which ship has now sailed for England. By the Leander the Admiral sent the Public Dispatches.

August 31st

The Minden and gunboats have also sailed for Gibraltar. This evening the Dey sent off the Monies he has received this year from the Sicilians and Neapolitans, amounting to 375,000 dollars. The Admiral has written to all the Courts of Europe, informing them of the late battle and of the abolition of slavery. The slaves are gone to their respective countries.

September 1st

To-day we performed a just duty in offering up our humble thanks to the Supreme Being for His Mercies to us and Divine aid in the late battle. The Admiral visited the Dutch ships, who manned yards, cheered and saluted.

This evening I was called in consultation on board the Infernal and had the pleasure of performing a rather rare and capital operation.

September 3rd

At 8 this evening we took advantage of the land breeze, and made sail from Algiers, bidding adieu to the scene of our late gallant operations. Our departure will cause much joy.

September 4th

To-day the Admiral made the signal that we may put our guns below, being at peace with all the world.

GIBRALTAR

September 13th

At length we arrived this morning at Gibraltar, after having experienced baffling light winds for several days; we separated from the Admiral three days ago, and found him and the squadron lying here. He arrived yesterday and was saluted by 21 guns. The fortress then gave him 3 salvos, or discharges of 60 guns, as a mark of respect and applause for his late victory. During our passage from Algiers, we fell in with the Brabant, Dutch 74, hastening to seek glory at Algiers; disappointment is her lot.

In consequence of the late victory, all the men who have been sent to the Fleet on account of smuggling will receive a pardon.

I have been blessed today by receiving a letter from my beloved Mary.

SCILLY ISLES TO THAMES ESTUARY

October 4th

Previous to the separation of the ships Lord Exmouth showed the gratitude of a warm heart, in the following signal. "The Admiral in parting can never forget his obligations for the noble support he has received from his honourable and gallant friends." This was immediately gratefully received by all the ships loudly cheering the Admiral; every breast was warmed by the fine sensations this parting scene infused into the heart, nor did it end here; the Impregnable fired 17 guns, as did other ships. Again the noble Exmouth displayed his tattered flag and colours, and bade us farewell in a salute of 15 guns.

October 9th

Today we anchored at the Little Nore and hoisted the quarantine flag; all the men-of-war manned their rigging and cheered us on our return from Victory. On the 10th we were ordered up to Stangate Creek; when passing Sheerness very heavy cheers were given us by all the ships; this token of my country's approbation filled my breast with raptures. I felt elated by pride, on being now, for the time in my life, made sensible of the worth of the service to which I belong.

At a few miles below Woolwich the ship came to an anchor to discharge her guns and powder here. I quitted her and repaired to London where, Thanks to the Almighty, I had the happiness of embracing my dear wife and children after an absence of exactly three months.

DEPTFORD

October 24th

Today the Hecla was put out of commission.