THE ELISABETH

The remainder of the day and the foUowing night passed without any other incident.

The next day, 20th July, towards nine in the morning, the watch signalled a fleet of fourteen sail. Three great inen-of-war escorted this convoy. The strongest separated to give chase to the Nantes vessels. The Du Tcillay forced on ail sail to avoid an engagement wbich might compromise the aim of the expédition, but the Elisabeth sailed quietly in order to induce the English vessels to foUow it.

At the Sound of the cannon fired by the enemy, the Prince, seizing the first weapons within reach, rushed to the poop to take part in the action. Seeing him appear suddenly, his hair floating in the wind, bis face iuiiamed with the smell of powder, the ' ship owner ' ^ at his watch-post coldly invited him to witbdraw. ' Sir ALbé,' said be, ' you forget your rôle ; your place is not hère, go down to the passenger cabin and help us with your prayers.'

Charles Edward resigned himself unwillingly, and the ship which carried him continued to draw oft'.

At half-past 11 the Elisaleth had quite lost sight of tlie convoy and of the escorting ships. Captain Douaud, seeing the success of his cunning, and thinking that the Du Teillay, which had also disappeared from the horizon, was now safe from ail danger, shortened sail to allow the enemy to corne up, who, at a distance of about two miles to windward, performed exactly the same manœuvre. The Elisabeth boisted her peniiant at the head of the mainmast, and hung out the French flag, the ^^waviug folds of which were saluted with one gun.

The enemy only displayed the French pennant, then remained an hour and a half iu this situation. M. Douaud, then convinced that he only wauted to gain time for the other two vessels to give their aid, continued his route. The Englisbman conformed to this movement, hanging out the flag at the fore and at the stern, and maintaining exactly his distance. At last the Elisabeth lowered the main topmast, and at 4 o'clock the enemy, arrived within gun range, opening the combat by a bail from his lower battery. ' Fire ! ' conimanded the French captain, and the Elisabeth sent her volley, which the English parried by trying to pass before her. ' Helm starboard ! ' called out Captain Douaud, and the vessel, broadside on, forced the enemy by volleys, supported by her artillery and musket shots, to shut her lower battery to load again. But thèse two first volleys had completely disabled the Elisabeth, pierced and swept by a shower of projectiles and of old iron, part of this shot forbidden by the laws of war. Thus deciniated, the French could not attempt to buard, as had been the

■ ['Armateur.'— Tr.]

intention of the brave Douaud. Struck by a bail in the middle of the body at the third round, he fell panting, as did several of his officers.

Lieutenant Bart, a worthy grand nephew of the hero of Dunkirk, took the command, and far from slacking, the action only became more violent. At 8 o'clock the English had only 5 pièces in a condition to be fired, and the luusketry stopped completely.

About half-past 10 some words spoken by the help of a speaking trumpet vaguely reached the ears of the French commander. Very probably the enemy was yielding. For a quarter of an hour his artillery was quite silent, yet the combat was still prolonged. He fired three more shots.

At 11 o'clock another attempt at parley was made with as little success as the preceding. However, as only the Elisabeth fired, M. Bart ordered to cease firing, but the gunners, too excited, sent six more shots, having either not understood or not heard the captain's order, which the officers, almost ail wounded, could no longer transmit to the batteries.

The English, seeing the firing continue, doubtless imagined that their adversaries had decided to sink them. In this suprême danger they most carefully pointed one of their last pièces, the bail from which killed the helmsman and broke the wheel of the rudder of the Elisabeth, which, completely dismantled, fell immediately to larboard. They profited immediately by this fatal accident, in hastening away, although they were the worst handled, their topgallant-mast was eut, the poop and the main-yard carried away.

The darkness of the night, and the extrême care with which he hid his lights, favoured the enemy in his retreat. M. Bart had hoped to hâve sent men on board ^ in the morning. Great then was his surprise when at 4 o'clock he perceived the ship nine miles to windward. The Elisabeth was absolutely unable to sail, her crippled masts were only held by the two great shrouds and one at the mizen-mast. Complète victory escaped her. Maurepas' company, led by its intrepid Captain, the Chevalier de Nansize, accomplished wonders, the second captain was very seriously wounded, two lieutenants, two sublieutenants, three volunteers killed.

The unfortunate Captain Douaud gave proofs of a stoical and rare composure. Cut through the middle of his body, he said to those who wanted to help him, ' Set me aside, my friends.' Thèse were his last words.

M. Bart showed himself as a man worthy to bear this name, illustrious for ever. His valiant crew seconded him with courage above ail praise. Fifty-seven men, iucluding twelve officers, had lost their lives during this terrible combat, which lasted five hours, and on the deck or in the body of the ship lay one hundred and seventeen wounded, eighteen of whom were officers. Total thirty officers and one hundred and forty-four men ' hors de combat.'

' [' /^mariner.' — Tr.]

The Lion, which was the name of the English vessel, carried 74 guns, amongst which between decks were French pièces of 37. This gave her a great superiority over the frigate, which was only armed with pièces of the calibre of 24. Captain Brett ^ was dangerously wounded and lost ail his lieutenants.

The Elisabeth, which counted 150 balls in her shell, of which twelve were at the water level, had in great haste to take refuge at Brest. This glorious combat was therefore a real disaster for the Claimant, from whom it carried off a large portion of help in arms, in ammunition, and in the capable officers which she carried and who were so necessary to him.

Thanks to the cleverness of her captain, the Du Teillay passed amidst the English cruisers without being stopped. She anchored in the Hébrides, situated to the West of Scotland, and on one of which the Prince landed the 28th July according to some, the Ist August according to others. The inhabitants, almost half savage [!], hardened by fatigue and hard privation, soon declared themselves for him.

When the news of this bold passage and fortunate debarkation was spread in France and in Europe, the Claimant became the object of gênerai admiration. Every one praised the courage of which he had given proof, on board so small a vessel going to conquer three kingdoms, knowing that a price was set on his head.

TRANSLATOR'S APPENDIX B. [See Page 17.]

The Lyon in Mourning : a collection of journals, etc., relative to the aflairs of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, by the Kev. Eobert Forbes, A.M., Bishop of Koss and Caithness 1746-1775, gives two accounts by eye-wituesses of Prince Charles Edward's voyage to Scotland, one entitled ' Journal of the Prince's imbarkation and arrivai, etc., taken from the mouth of jEneas MacDonald (a banker in Paris and brother of Kinlochmoidart) when he was in custody in London,' 1746-47 ; the other. Notes 'taken from Duncan Cameron, brought up in the Island of Barra, sometime servant to Locheil, and directed by ^neas MacDonald to attend the party.' The following excerpts are subjoined for comparison with the Journal of Captain Durbé, and although quoted from the

1 Sir Piercy Brett, Admirai of the Blue subsequently, and knighted by George ii. The French writer erroneously supposes him to hâve ultimateïy become Lord Percy, misled doubtless by the Christian name.

hyon, the two Journals are combined according to the plan of Chambers's Jacobite Memoirs, and respectively marked [M] and [G].

[M] ^ ' At a proper time the Prince went in disguise directly on board the ship lying in the Loire, being the river which goes immediately from Nantz (Nantes) to the sea. Hère he found eight gentlemen . . . ready to accompany and assist him in this expédition. They were, the Marquis of Tullibardine alias Duke of Athol, Sir John MacDonald (a French officer), Mr. ^neas Mac- Donald (a banker in Paris), Mr. Strickland, Mr. Buchanan, Sir Thomas Sheridan, Mr. O'Sullivan and Mr. Kelly. To thèse I maj^ add a uinth, viz. Mr. Anthony Welch, the owner of the ship which carried the Prince. He staid on the coast of Scotland about three weeks, and did the Prince considérable service. . . .

' On Saturday the 22nd'' of June 1745, the gentlemen being ail incog. to the crew, set sail out of the river Loire for BeUisle, on board a vessel of one hundred and ten tons called La Boutelle^ carrying sixteen guns, and commanded by Captain Durbe,* having first sent expresses from Nantz to the young gentleman's father at Rome, to the King of France and the King of Spain, acquainting them with the expédition, and desiring the two last to send arms, ammunition, and money to Scotland, which request was in part complied with.

' On the 23rd, being next day, they anchored at Bellisle, where they continued till the 4th July waiting for the Elisaheth, their convoy, a French ship of war, of sixty-four guns and about five hundred men, commanded by Captain D'Oe or D'Eau. During the stay at this island the Prince took great delight in fishing. The better to conceal himself he never would be shaved from his leaving Nantz to his arrivai in Scotland.

' Next morning, being the 5th of July, both ships set sail with a fair wind, which continued so till the 7th, when it blew a brisk gale, but the next day was a dead calm. On the 9th,* being in the latitude of 47 degrees 57 min., and west from the Meridian of the Lizard thirty-nine leagues, they descried a sail to windward which proved to be a British man-of-war, of fifty-eight guns, called the Lion, Captain Brette commander, which immediately bore down upon them. [C] * She came within a mile or so of them, when the captain of the Elisabeth came on board the frigate and told Mr. Welch if he could assist him by keeping one side of the Lion in play at a distance, he would immediately put ail things in order for the attack. Mr. Welch well knowing the trust he had on board answered him civilly, and told him it was what he could not think of doing, and withal remarked to him, it was his humble opinion that

Mr. MacDonald's narrative is indicated by the letter M. — Tr.]

Julian calendar. — 2d July Gregorian. — Tr.]

"French 'Dutillet.'—TR.l

;'Durbé.'— Tr.]

Julian culendar. — Tr.]

Duncan Cameron's narrative. — Tr.]

he should uot think of fighting unless lie should happen to be attacked, because his business was to be convoy to the frigate in the voyage. However, he said as he pretended not to any command over him, he might do as he thought proper.

' The French captain to ail this replied, that from the Lions appearing and disappearing so often it seemed as if she were looking eut for another ship to assist her, and if she should happen to be joined by any other they no doubt would fall instantly on the Elisabeth and the frigate and devour them both, and therefore he behoved to think it the wisest course to iîght the Lion, when single, because the Elisabeth in that case was fit enough for the engagement, and would bid fair enough to give a good account of the Lion. Upon this the French captain drew his sword, took leave of Mr. Welch and his company, went on board the Elisabeth with his sword still drawn in his hand, and gave the necessary orders for the attack.

' Immediately the Elisabeth bore down upon the Lion (each of them consisting of about sixty guns and therefore equally matched) and began the attack with great briskness. The fight continued for five or six hours, when the Lion was obliged to sheer off like a tub upon the water.

' About the time when the captain came on board the frigate, the Prince was making ready to go on board the Elisabeth, for more air, and greater conveniency every way, the frigate being crowded with the gentlemen, the servants, and the crew. His friends reckoned it very lucky that he had not gone on board.

' The frigate ail the time of the engagement lay at such a small distance that (as the Prince observed to several friends in Scotland) the Lion might hâve sunk her with the greatest possible ease ; but, he said, it was their good fortune that the Lion had despised them and thought not the frigate worth the while. Besides, the Lion found enough of employment for ail her hands, in playing her part against the Elisabeth.

' During the time of the fight, the Prince several times observed to Mr. Welch what a small assistance would serve to give the Elisabeth the possession of the Lion, and importuned him to engage in the quarrel ; but Mr. "Welch positively refused, and at last behoved to désire the Prince not to insist any more, otherwise he would order him down to the cabin.

• After the fight was ail over, Mr. Welch sailed round the Elisabeth, and inquired particularly how matters stood with the captain and the crew. A lieutenant came upon deck from the captain, who was wounded and in his cabin, and told Mr. Welch that between thirty and forty ofScers and gentlemen, besides common men, were killed and wounded, and that, if Mr. Welch could supply him with a mainmast and some rigging, he would still make out the voyage with him. Mr. Welch replied, that he could not furuish him with

either mainmast or riggiug, aud tliat although he should liave happened to be capable to serve him in thèse things, yet he would not hâve made it his choice to lose so much time as it would require to put the Elisabeth iu some better order. He desired to tell the captain, it was his opinion that he should, without loss of time, return to France, and that he himself would do his best to make out the intended voyage. The Elisabeth accordingly returned to France, and the fiigate continued her voyage to the coast of Scotland. [M] Before she set sail, ail her lights were put out, except that for the compass, which still was so close confined that not the least ray could émit. This caution was observed every night, through the whole voyage, till their landing in Erisca. On July 11 th she was chased, and made a clear ship to engage, but, trusting more to their speed than to their military power, they made ail the sail they could, and escaped ail pursuers. The 15th and 16th they had a rough sea and tempestuous weather ; then they had fine weather till about midnight on the 20th, which was very stormy. The 21st being very mild, they sounded, and found ground at one hundred and eight fathoms. On the 22nd they made a small island, called Bernera, being the southernmost of the Western Isles of Scotland, near the latitude of 57. On the 23rd they arrived at the island of Erisca, belonging to Clanranald, which lies betwixt the isles of Barra and South Uist, having been eighteen days at sea from July 5th. . . . [G] When they were near the shore of the Long Isle, Duncan Cameron was sent out in the long boat, to fetch them a proper pilot. When he landed he accidentally met with Barra's piper, who was his old acquaintance, and brought him on board. The pilot piloted them safely into Erisca. . . . [M] They were scarce arrived, when they espied two sail, which they apprehended to be ships of war, and therefore got out ail their money, arms, and ammunition on shore as fast as they could. Ail went ashore. . . . Their fears, however, were soon dissipated, by finding the ships proved only merchautmen. [The Prince having returned on board] [M] they set sail about the 26th of July 1745, and coastiug about the isles between Skye and Mull and landing some of their passengers, proceeded to . . .' [The narrative says 'Loch Shiel,' but a footnote in the Jacobite Memoirs, by the editor, Mr. Chambers, corrects this, stating, ' The Prince landed July 25th^ at Boradale in Arisaig from an arm of the sea called Lochnanuagh.'] [M] ' They unloaded the ship, whose cargo consisted of brandy, a thousand stand of arms, a proportionable quantity of ammunition, and some provisions. . . . About the 3rd or 4th of August they had cleared the ship.' [The narrative goes on to state that the Prince sailed to Kinlochmoidart on the llth of August, but gives a short notice of Mr. Welch's subséquent movements.] ' Hère it must be remarked that Mr. Anthony Welch, the owner of the Doutelle, an eminent merchant of Nantz, after

' [A note by the writer of the French work explains that this date of the Julian Calendar corresponds with Captain Durbé's date, 5th August, by the Gregorian Calendar. — Tr.]

having landed bis passeugers aud cargo as above mentioned; towards which expense the Prince gave him £2000 sterling, and knighted him, niaking liiiu a présent of a gold-hilted sword, which cost eighty louis d'ors, and was bought for the Prince against the intended Dunkirk expédition in 1743 ; this merchant, I say, after landing bis passengers, went a privateering, having a letter of mark, and was of signal service to the Highland army, by taking six or seven prizes, the chief of which were loaded witb meal. The biggest of thèse he ransomed for £60 sterling, and also tbe otbers in proportion, on condition the owuers would carry their lading and sell it to the Prince, etc. ; but if they did not bring certificates of that, then the ransom was to be three times as much. This Mr. Welch chiefly trades Martinico. He bas twenty-four merchantmen and priva-

teers, one of which took man-of-war, in , and sold it to the King

of France for 15,000 livres.'

In a paper entitled ' A Jacohitc Privateer,' Mr. V. Hussey Walsh bas given some détails regardiug the Irish ref ugees abroad, a few extracts from which may serve to explain the history of the branch of the Walsh family which settled at St. Malo and at Nantes.

' The capitulation of Limerick (1691) was followed by the migration of many thousands of native birth, as well as those descendants of English settlers in Ireland who had become in course of time " Hiberniores ipsis Hibernis." 14,000 Irish troops paraded before General Ginkell outside the walls of Limerick City. 1406 soldiers mustered at the Dutch General's quarters, 2000 returned tv their own homes, but the pick and fiower of King James's army elected to leave their native land and seek their fortune on the continent of Europe.' ' Many who had not beeu included in the Articles of Limerick followed in the wake of the original emigrants, and this émigration continued throughout the reigus of Queen Anne and of the first two Georges to such an extent that Irish names are still to be found amongst the highest nobility and in every rank of society in France, in Germany, in Spain, and in Portugal.'

' No seaport on the north coast of France became in the course of time more crowded with men of Irish birth thau was St. Malo, in Upper Brittany, towards the end of the seventeenth century.'

Philip Walsh was one of the most remarkable of ail those Irish and Scotch Jacobites who settled at St. Malo. He was baptized at Dublin, 8th December 1666, the son of James and Margaret Walsh. His father forfeited his property of Ballynacooly in the Walsh mountains of County Kilkenny, April 15, 1665;

he was nomiually reinstated by Charles ii., but the order was never carried out. The Ballynacooly family were descended from James, the third son of Walter Walsh of Castlehoel, High Sheriff and Governor of the county for Queen Elizabeth, and through him from a long line of ancestors who traced back to Philip Walsh, who obtained the original grant of the estâtes from Henry ii. (of England). The father of Philip Walsh (of St. Malo) was a captaiu in the Prench navy, and it was on board his ship that James ii. (vu.) fled from Kinsale to France in 1690. The son was a lieutenant under his father's orders, and the King made them a solemn promise that he would always take a fatherly interest in the family fortunes. The young mau served at first on board his father's and cousin's vessels. Early in June 1692 James II. (vil.) began to issue commissions to privateers, amongst them the St. Aaron, under the command of James Walsh de Valoio, a ship very successful in getting prizes. Philip Walsh, profiting by thèse prizes, was able to fit out the Amitié, a frigate of 200 tons, 20 guns, and 140 men, with which he sailed from St. Malo, September 1693. His ventures proving very successful, he married, January 1695, in the Cathedral Church of St. Malo, Anne, daughter of James Whyte, of Waterford and St. Malo. In 1708, having been appointed captain of the Curieux, 600 tons, 40 guns, 230 men, Captain Walsh was sent off by the St. Malo nierchants with another ship, the Diliycnt, to the Eed Sea, to engage in the new coffee trade. They liad some severe fighting with Dutch ships, of which they took possession, and they eventually landed at Mocha, January 1709. Walsh, however, died of a malignant lever. Sept. 11, 1708, his body being thrown overboard a few days later.

The fortunes of the two most distinguished of his sons appear in the course of this work and in the Genealogical Tables.

Universitaa BIBLIOTHECA