January 19th 1805
Diary Entry - Lord Nelson
January 19th, 1805
Hard gales N.W. At three, P.M. The Active and Seahorse arrived at Madalena, with information that the French Fleet put to sea from Toulon yesterday. These Frigates were close to them at ten o’clock last night, and saw one of them until two o’clock this morning. Unmoored and weighed.
At twenty-eight minutes past four, made the general signal for each Ship to carry a light, and repeat signals during the night, made by the Admiral. Ran through the Passage between Biche and Sardinia at six o’clock. At thirty-five minutes past, another.
At seven the whole Fleet was clear. Sent Seahorse round the Southern end of Sardinia, to St. Peters, to look out for them, but to prevent the Enemy, as much as possible, from seeing her; and the monet Captain Boyle discovered them, to return to me. From their position when last seen and the course they were steering, S or S.b W., they could only be bound round the southern end of Sardinia.
At nine, P.M. bore away along that Island with the following Ships - Victory, Donegal, Superb, Canopus, Spencer, Tigre, Royal Sovereign, Leviathan, Belleisle, Conqueror, Swiftsure, and Active Frigate. During the night it was squally, unsettled weather. At forty-eight minutes past eight, burnt a blue light; at half-past ten, down topgallant yards, and struck topgallant masts. At midnight, moderate breezes and clear.
At two, burnt a blue light, and at four burnt another, and made more sail. At thirty-five minutes past seven,Active made the signal for a sail; immediately afterwards, that the strange Sail was a Vessel of War, which proved to be the Seahorse. At fifty minutes past seven, made the signal that Spencer and Leviathan were to be a Detached Squadron; delivered the Honourable Captain Stopford a letter to that effect, directing him to keep on my weather-beam with them, being fast-sailing Ships, to act as occasion might require.
At fifty-five minutes past eight, made Active’s Signal to close nearer the Admiral, and at twenty-five minutes past night, made the general signal to “Prepare for Battle”. At twenty-five past eleven, made the same signal,to “Form the established Order of sailing in two columns” and the signal to “Keep in close order.” Spencer and Leviathan separated from this Order, to be the readier to push at any detached Ships of the Enemy.
All night very hard gales from S.S.W to S.W., which continued throughout the next day; during great part of the time we were under storm staysails.
To Captain Thomas, H.M. Ship Ætna.
Victory, January 19th, 1805
Sir,
The French Fleet put to sea yesterday, and were seen last night at twelve o’clock, steering South, or S. b W., then supposed in the latitude of Ajaccio, going ten or eleven miles per hour. They are therefore, from this account, bound round the South end of Sardinia. It is therefore my intention to proceed to the Southward, and endeavour to intercept them. If you do not hear of us in a few days, you must take the Transports to Malta, and then endeavour to join me, wherever you may hear I may be.
I am, Sir, &c.
NELSON & BRONTE
The Letters and Dispatches of Lord Nelson, vol. VI, ed. Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas (London: Henry Colburn, 1845), p. 324 - 327.
