a fleet to the West Indies. Previous to his departure from England, he took the liberty of calling the attention of the first Lord of the Admiralty to the state and position of the enemy’s squadron in the roads of Isle d’Aix, it being his opinion that the whole of the ships there might be brought out by a coup-de-main. After some correspondence on the subject, Mr. Grey named a day and hour for the discussion of this affair at the Admiralty, where the Admirals Pole and Markham, and also Mr. Tucker, the Secretary, were present. The following appears to have been Captain Wood’s proposal:
That an equal number of line-of-battle ships to those of the enemy at that time moored off Isle d’Aix, in a line a-breast, nearly N.E. and S.W., should be selected. That each of those ships should have an addition to her complement of 200 seamen and 100 marines. Each Captain to be made acquainted with the ship of the enemy he was to lay on board on the weather bow, the weathermost ship of the enemy to be called number one, according to the state of the wind. The general bearing of the enemy’s squadron from the usual anchorage of the British in Basque. Roads was S.E., and consequently a S.W. or N.E. wind, a leading one in or out of d’Aix Roads, and the attacking ships might have varied their position so as to bring the enemy’s squadron nearly two points more to leeward, according to the wind. The time proposed for the attack was about two hours before day-light, and after the enemy’s ships had tended to the ebb-tide, boats properly protected being previously placed on the edge of the Boyart shoal and Isle d’Aix with lights darkened towards the enemy. Launches with carpenters and axes ready to cut the enemy’s cables, and every man being fully acquainted with what he was to do. A sufficient number of small craft ready to proceed with anchors and cables. The attacking squadron to be led in by the Latona, and to pass to windward of the enemy’s weathermost ship; and when she had passed, to burn a false fire, or to shew two lights, at which time each attacking ship was to bear up and lay her opponent on board on the weather bow. The vessels to be immediately lashed together. After cutting the cables, their sails to be loosed; by which, and the assistance of the ebb-tide, they might have been brought out to Basque Roads in half an hour, or less. Frigates and small craft to have kept up a fire to amuse the battery on Isle d’Aix, and to assist as otherwise directed. Any number of ships might have been ready in Basque Roads to secure the prizes.
Notwithstanding the apparent practicability of this plan, it was considered by those who had to deliberate on the propriety of attempting its execution, that there was more to be risked than gained. Captain Wood’s opinion was therefore over-ruled.
The Latona formed part of the squadron under the orders of
