The letter

To David Beattie ( Captain of HMS Powerful, 74,)

Dearest Father,

I hope this letter finds you in good health in Jamaica. For my part I am settling in well. Captain Boyle is a very good captain and Hera is a happy ship.

It is the start of the forenoon watch this day being the twenty eighth day of may in the year 1794. I do not hope to send this to you any time soon so will, as is my fashion, continue to add until a packet ship bound for home finds us. We have just closed on flag, to relay that the enemy fleet has been sighted. The French fleet seems most eager to engage us as they made no move to steer away. We await further orders from Lord Howe. I have just been recalled to duty so must continue this letter later, God and time permitting.

It is now just after the first bell of middle watch. We received orders to ‘chase and engage the enemy’ and made all sail in readiness to follow these orders. The rest of the fleet was then given orders to chase also, but this day was for the flying squadron to show why we are so called. All was going well until the wind, ever a fickle creature as you well know, turned on us. Gales forced us to shorten sail most of the afternoon. We finally brought the French to task about three bells into the second dog watch but darkness hindered us soon after and we were once again ordered to close on flag for the night. We are even now showing our unique light so our own fleet does not mistake us for an enemy frigate in this darkness. We remain cleared for action and on alert so no hot meal is available to us or the hands. I must go rest now while I am able less my ability to do my duty suffers. I will write more when I can.


It is now two bells into the first watch on the twenty ninth of May. Today was an eventful day. I shall endeavour to recount it in order, but I beg your indulgence if I stray.

Daylight revealed that our ships of the line were on an opposing tack to the French fleet. As you know this meant that our first in line Caesar, 80, was now opposite the rear of the French line therefore our vessels were not as well suited their counterparts. We had 74’s paired with three deckers! They couldn’t even bring their guns to bear let alone attack with any result add to that the enemy retained the wind gage and Audacious was also missing, so our numbers were reduced, all in all it was not the best start we could have hoped for. We had a good breeze but it was to no true avail, given the circumstances.

Flag signalled Caesar to break the enemy line, there was no acknowledgement so the signal was repeated a few times. I assume the Gazette has already posted more factual information on this incident than I am privy to at this time. If not we are as much at a loss as you are as to his actions.

A great many of us now felt that our use was minimal. This was a battle for the leviathans of the fleet, third rates and upward. Sensing this drop in moral Captain Boyle called all hands aft. If I live to be a hundred I will not forget his words to us all. I quote them here;

“I now that many of you now feel our duty done, gentleman, let me assure you our role is still as vital now as it has ever been. We are an eye of the fleet, it will be because of us that essential signals are received and relayed, because of us the French frigates do not threaten the sterns of our liners. Remember that, men, each man jack of us is a vital part of this action, more importantly you are vital to Hera and to me. Do your duty this day and no man, of high or low birth, can ever say you were not as much a part of this action as any aboard a first rate, let alone a third. I wish you all luck this day, whatever it may bring. Hera needs you, I need you and so does the fleet.”

His words were met with cheers, which grew as Lord Howe steered his flag ship, Queen Charlotte so as to pierce through the French line.( perhaps he grew weary of seeing his plan go to ruin?) Either way the fog struck just at that moment, so thick at times we could barely see a hundred feet in any direction. Our ships had been under general chase orders so once the fog finally cleared our ships were in utter disarray, barely two remained on the same tack, the French on the other hand were still in perfect formation. I have faced battle before and to the satisfaction of all on board acquitted myself well, as I have previously written you about, so you know, father, that I am no coward. So when I say that fear gripped my heart you know it is meant. All I could think on was what if the French attempted to break our line before we could put our fleet to rights? Even as I write this I shudder at the thought. We were however lucky and able to restore our ships to there correct tack and proceed as though the fog had never happened with Lord Howe steering Queen Charlotte through the French fleet, despite some liners not even being able to bring their guns to bare. By two bells of the first dog watch our fleet had reformed on the opposite side of the French fleet, with us inflicting much damage on them with little done to our own side. Many assumed we would be ordered to complete our victory, especially as we now had the advantage and at least three hours of daylight left to us. We did not and I am at a loss as to why, but I am only a midshipman and do not presume to know the mind of an Admiral! All I do know is that once again we remain cleared for action and so no hot meal is forthcoming. I must get my rest now, for who knows what tomorrow will bring?

It is now the Monday the second of June in this year of 1794, our ship is slowly returning to normal, but I will endeavour to fill you in on what has occurred since my last addition. The last two days of May were plagued by fog, unable to do much but stay on station. It finally cleared yesterday. After another cold meal we manoeuvred ourselves onto our assigned station, so as best to relay the flag’s signals, it was not long before ‘bare down’ was being hoisted up the lines. Defence, 74, under the command of Captain Gambier leapt immediately into the lead, it appeared at one point that an effort was made for her to reduce sail, this only increased her speed as the wind chose that moment to back of a point, perhaps fearing to look cowardly she made no further effort and went into the fray with great spirit.

The fighting that followed was chaotic, as they generally are. The French managed to gain reinforcements so they out-numbered our ships of the line.

Defence was well punished for her eagerness, I sought her out whenever the smoke cleared enough to do so. The last I saw she was completely without masts with a first rate moving in on her stern, I was both fearful and envious. When the smoke cleared again the first rate was moving off and Defence was still afloat. The fighting was over by the start of the afternoon watch. Twelve French ships were disabled, compared to only seven of ours. We had the signal to renew the attack bent on but we did not received the order until much later. This meant of the twelve disabled ships we captured only seven. Again I must admit I am not privy to the same information as the Admiral, the gazette will surely have given you more information than have been able, I fear my view was limited by duty and smoke. I must close now, father, a brig is homeward bound and I wish to send this to you as soon as possible, hopefully the Admiralty will see that you receive it in due course.


Your ever loving and dutiful son, Ian Beattie. (Midshipman of HMS Hera)



Historical Note:

This letter is fictional, I have aimed at getting it as close to the style as possible, hence the wording and length. These letters were more a narrative than the type we are used to these days as ships bound for home were not very frequent. There was no Hera on the books in 1794 (nor was there, to the best of my knowledge was there a Captain Boyle, Captain Beattie or a Midshipman Beattie.) Though all other ships and people were real. This was a fascinating battle in that it is one of those rare ones in which both sides met their objectives. For the British fleet it was a victory over the ‘New’ France, a way to establish their dominance on the waves, for the French it was diversion aimed at keeping the British fleet occupied long enough for much needed supplies from America to be landed in France, due to the delays and damage inflicted on the British fleet this was accomplished.

Watches: (bells were sounded to mark off each half hour of a watch, so one bell of first watch would be 8:30pm)

First watch 8pm - 12am

Middle watch 12am – 4am

Morning watch 4am – 8am

Forenoon watch 8am – 12pm

Afternoon watch 12pm – 4pm

First Dog watch 4pm – 6pm

Second Dog watch 6pm – 8pm


(Total Word Count: 1687)