J.S. McLennan, Louisbourg: From Its Foundation To Its Fall (Sydney: Fortress Press, 1969)

© Fortress Press

Chapter 11

APPENDICES

A. LIST OF PRIZES TAKEN OFF LOUISSBOURG 

1755. 

June   8. Torbay and Dunkirk took Alcide, 64.
           8. Fougueux took French dogger. 
           9. Fougueux and Defiance took the Lys, 64. 
         19. Litchfield took a brigantine from Martinico for Louisbourg. 
         20. Mars captured a snow, L'Aigle, Rochelle to Louisbourg. 
         26. Arundel took a snow, St. Maloes to Cape Breton. 
July    2. Arundel took a fishing schooner, G. of Cancer to Louisbourg. 
         20. Defiance took a French snow, Prudent, to Dunkirk, from Bordeaux to Louisbourg. 
         20. Arundel took a sloop from Louisbourg. 
         21. Terrible took a schooner from Louisbourg to Nants. 
         25. Adrundel took a schooner from Martinico to Louisbourg. 
Aug. 13.Terrible took a snow, Bourdeaux to Louisbourg. 
         13. Litchfield took a snow, also schooner and shallop. 
         19. Dunkirk took a snow, Michault, Martinico to Louisbourg. 
         21. Edinburgh and Dunkirk took two French ships, the St. Antonia and Duke de las Court, 
               Bourdeaux to Louisbourg. 
         22. Dunkirk took the St. Clear, Bourdeaux to Louisbourg. 
         22. Litchfield took a French ship. 
         23. Litchfield took the Emmanuel, Bourdeaux to Louisbourg. 
         21 to 23. Arundel employed sacking and destroying fishing - station at Port a Basque. 
         24. Dunkirk took a French snow.  
Aug. 25. Dunkirk and Litchfield took the snow, Three Friends, St. Malones to Louisbourg. 
         26. Augusta took a French schooner. 
Sept. 1. Success took a French snow, Bourdeaux to Quebec. 
         1. Success took a French dogger, Bourdeaux to Louisbourg. 

1756. 

May  22. Success captured French schooner. 
         24. Success fired on an Indian boat. Also on Indians on shore. 
         29. Norwich took French dogger, Rochfort to LouisboLirg. _ _ _ 
May 29. Fougueux took French dogger, Old France to Louisbourg. 
         29. Litchfield took Douchess of Pontchatrain, Rochfort to Louisbourg. 
June   2. Success took French schooner. 
         13. Litchfield and Norwich took L'Arc-en-Ciel, 52 guns, 550 men. Louisbourg. L'Oruebt to
               Louisbourg
         16. Centurion took storeship Equity, Rochfort to Louisbourg. 
         20. Hornet took schooner. 
July    8. Jamaica captured brig, Rochfort to Louisbourg. 
         10. Grafton took two fishing-boats. 
         21. Jamaica took a French ship which she chased ashore. Seized also a fishing-shallop. 
Aug. 13,14. Schooner and sloop chased on shore - captured by the boats of the Litchfield and Grafton.
         13. Centurion drove a vessel into the harbour of Neganish. 
         14. Centurion and Hornet captured do., a schooner from Quebec to Louisbourg. 
         24. Jamaica took a schooner, an illicit trader, from Piscadue to Newfoundland. 
Sept.   4., 5. Litchfield landed at Leganish Bay - took fish, burnt stages, shallops, etc. 
           7. Centurion took sloop loaded with fish. 
           7. Fougueux took three French shallops and a small sloop in Gaspée Bay. 
           9. Fougueux and Centurion took a snow, Quebec to Gaspée. 
         10. Fougueux and Centurion took a schooner, St John's to Quebec. 
         11, 12. Fougueux and Centurion employed in destroying the fishing village of Little Gaspée. 

PRIZES TAKEN 1757 BY HOLBURNE'S SHIPS 

May  13. Dunviddie recapture. 
         19. Snow. 
June   4. La Hercule, St. Domingo to Bordeaux. 
           6. Dauphin, Cap. François to Bordeaux. 
           9. Ship, St. Domingo to Bordeaux. 
         24. Schooner, St. Eastatius to Salem. 
Aug. 24.Ketch, Rochefort, an illicit trader to Louisbourg. 
         28. Providence, Rochefort to Louisbourg. 
Nov.   6. English Snow, recapture. 

This statement has been compiled from Log-Books in the Record Office. The spelling has not been changed. 

B. LETTER FROM BOSCAWEN TO HIS WIFE " 

                                                                                                           "June 26, at 8 A.M., 1755. 

" My dearest Fanny cannot think how easy I find myself since I despatched the Gibraltar for England, the account I have given of myself good or bad being gone from me, has taken a great burden from my spirits, thus to begin a war between two great and powerful nations, without an absolute order, or declaration for it, now and then gives me some serious thoughts, _ some will abuse me , but as it is on the fighting side, more will commend me, had I been lucky enough to have fallen in with more of them I should have been more commended, not but that I have the secret satisfaction to know that I have done all that man could do in this part of the world, which no man that has not seen can be any judge of, the sudden and continual fogs the cols [sic] in this Southern latitude at midsummer and our first coming on the coast the dismal prospect of floating islands of ice sufficient to terrific the most daring seaman, I know what I have done, is acting up to the spirit of my orders, I know it is agreable to the King the ministry and the Majority of the people, but I am afraid they will expect I should have done more, the whole scheme is the demolishing the naval power of France, and indeed the falling in with those that have escaped me and demolishing them, would have been a decisive stroke and prevented a war, but what I have done will add fewel to the fire only, and make them complain at all the Courts in Europe if our great men dare begin first in Europe they will yet take some of them on their return, they have no provisions to stay here all the winter, if they attempt to stay all their men will perish  ..."

THE STORM IN I757

"When the month of September Came, the Equinox brought the most furious tempest ever known in the memory of man. The sea at the same time rose to such a prodigious height, Ferdinand de Chambon, the officer on guard at the " Grave " was obliged to quit his post with his detachment, to avoid being drowned, after standing their ground until the water was up to their knees. It began about twelve at night, and continued with the same force until twelve next day at noon. The evening before being fair, clear and calm, the English fleet was in its usual station near the entry of the harbour, and everybody imagined it impossible for them to get clear of the land and avoid being dashed against the rocks. The next morning we expected to see the coast all covered with wrecks. 

"The inhabitants of the Country brought us each moment news of the dismal state of the English fleet.

" All their ships were shattered and dispersed ; five of them were seen together driving before the wind towards Newfoundland without masts. 

"Several others were in the same Condition. A fifty- gun ship was lost at the distance of four leagues from Louisbourg; but the crew being saved, a detachment was immediately sent to them to prevent their being butchered by the Indians. In short it was evident that five French men of war, if they had gone out of the harbour in quest of the English, would have been sufficient to pick up and take all that was left of the English fleet ..." [1]

An officer on the French vessel Fleur de Lys tells the same tale of woe : 

"We have gone through the most violent gale of wind seen here for a long time, though they are frequent. Last Thursday (the 22nd) it was fine and quite calm ; out at sea we noticed a mist which spread towards the harbour in the night. On Friday there was a slight S.E. wind with a little fog. Saturday it veered from S.E. to E.S.E. nice and fresh. An English vessel was at that time very near the shore, she set sail as fast as she

1. Chevalier Johnstone, Quebec Hist. Soc., Campaign of Louisbourg.

could for the open sea ; after mid-day the wind veered to the E. so that was in her favour. The wind got stronger from this direction so I let go the big anchor before night fall, very carefully so that it should hold fast. At 11 o'clock at night the wind got very violent, but two hours after midnight it was even stronger, till 11 o'clock this morning, when it veered to the south and soon to the S.W. I have never seen anything like it. At 3 A.M. the Dauphin Royal dragged her anchor, fouled the Tonnant and broke her bowsprit ; the Dauphin Royal's rudder was broken. At 11 the Tonnant was ashore, but the wind having changed by then to the South, she floated with the tide, her rudder was carried away, her mizzen mast cut off, and she is now much like the others, but without bowsprit, mizzen mast or rudder, worst of all she is taking much water. 

"The hawser of  l'Abènaquise parted, this frigate has been thrown ashore, and I do not doubt but many of our ships would have bad the same fate if the wind had lasted another hour ... " - Sunday, 25th Sept. 1757. Log- Book of the Fleur de Lys. 

We read also in the Anonymous Journal written by one of the officers of De La Motte's squadron, on board L'Inflexible : 

" Since the 23rd the winds in the E. and S.E. parts of the island, were constantly from the S.E. and were fresh enough, with much fog and rain to make us fear a storm, and so it began on the 24th in the afternoon, without much violence at the outset, but at 1 o'clock in the night it turned into a most terrible hurricane, there was not a single ship of our squadron that did not drift, although each had four anchors under her bows ; by daybreak our situation was lamentable. During the night Le Dauphin Royal fired a canon as signal of distress. In spite of our wish to assist them, we were unable to do so. The sea was so dreadful that it made us shudder. The cable of the Dauphin Royal broke, she was instantly thrown on Le Tonnant where she broke her rudder, the whole of the gallery of the poop was destroyed, but these damages were inconsiderable compared with those sustained by Le Tonnant, whose bowsprit was broken, also the figurehead and cut- water ; and she was thrown, while thus entangled, on the Royal battery, where she struck with violence. We were even surprised that she could resist the shock, the mizzen-mast was promptly cut away to lighten the stern which was the portion that was suffering most ... If at noon the wind had continued for another hour and not changed to the south and south- west, nine or ten of our vessels, including that of our Admiral, would have been driven ashore. It is impossible to imagine such a dreadful spectacle as that which met our eyes. The frigate, l'Abènaquise, the cable of which was parted, was instantly thrown up on the beach, along with 25 merchantmen, several of them high and dry. More than 80 boats and skiffs of the squadron were tossed by the waves and smashed, most of them on the shore, a number of the men on board them perishing. More than 50 schooners and boats met the same fate. By 3 P.M. the hurricane having greatly abated, I went in our boat to help ours. Sailors, who have been more than 50 years afloat, say that they never saw the sea so awful. The ramparts of the town were thrown down, and the water inundated half of the town, a thing which has never been seen. The sea dashed with such tremendous force on the coast that it reached lakes two leagues inland .... " 

The incidents connected with her salvage are briefly told as follows by one of the French officers at Louisbourg : 

"During the afternoon of the 27th a boat arrived with a report that whilst passing St. Esprit they saw a number of people on the shore, and also many others on the prow. Upon this information we sent, next morning, four schooners with sixty grenadiers and one hundred soldiers, who were forced back by contrary winds, and went by land. The same day a person of the locality brought in his boat Captain Thems (Thane), second captain of the said ship who is on board with us, also two sailors. We learn that it was the Tilbury 60 guns, formerly part of the Holburne squadron. The Captain, and the commander of the grenadiers were drowned) as well as half the crew. Our troops had great difficulty in reaching the scene of the wreck, owing to the floods in many localities which the gale had caused the sea to submerge. We were anxious to give the shipwrecked prompt assistance, for fear of the fury of the Indians, who might possibly get there first. This they did, but they behaved very well under the circumstance, their conduct surprising us. When a company of savages, 150 strong, made their appearance, not one of the English, although half dead with hardship, expected to escape, but a chief came forward and reassured them, saying : 'Fear not, since the hurricane has brought you to shore we are coming to your relief, but if you had come to make war upon us, not one of you would be safe, and we would take all your scalps.' The Indians themselves went on board the ship to help the others get off. The living were not plundered at all, but as the dead arrived on the shore they searched them ..." [1]

The following facts are taken from the log-books of the English squadron:

Captain, Sept. 25, I 757. - " Fore stay sail, Main and Mizen stay sail all blown away and Main sail split to pieces . . . . 9 1/2 foot water in the Well, and 9 in the Magazine which washed away all the Powder . . . but the Wind shifting and with the assistance of an Iron Tiller got clear of the Rocks." 

Devonshire, Sept. 25, I757. - "At 1/2 past 3 A.M. the mainsall split all to Pieces. At 6, the Mizen split to Rags, it then blowing a meer hurricane of wind and a very high sea which made a free passage over us." 

Lightning, Sept. 25, 1757. - " At 4 A.M. it blowing an excessive hard Gale of Wind we split our Mainsail which blew quite away. At 7, we Shiped a Sea Abaft which stove in the Dead Lights, very much damaged our stores and a great quantity of our Bread. The Breakers scarce a cable's length from us." 

Newark, Sept. 25, I 757 - " Excessive hard gales. Cut away best bower anchor lest it shoud bulge the ship. Threw overboard 6 upper deck guns and carriages to ease the ship, 8 vessels seen with masts gone, etc. . . ." 

Terrible, Sept. 25, 1757 - "Sunday. The first part strong gales and squally, the middle and latter very strong gales and squally thick weather, with Rain. . . . Saw 15 Sail of Ships, 10 with their masts gone, in Distress. At 10 freed the Ship of Water, 1/2 past Saw the Land betwixt St. Esprit and Fouché, W.N.W. about 2 miles, and not one mile from the Breakers . . . .  Saw one Ship in the Breakers, some near the Shore, Some to an Anchor with their masts gone, and some standing off as we did." 

Orford, Sept. 25, 1757 - ". . . At noon wore ship to the S'ward saw several of our Ships some of them having lost their Masts. Saw the Land from the N.W. to N. distance 4 or 5 Miles the Wind shifted to the Westward." 

1. Moreau St. Mery, Vol. 24, f. 3.

State of the Squadron under the Command of Vice-Admiral Holburne, September 28, 1757: [1]

"1757, Sept. 28. - Windsor, Kingston, Northumberland, Newark, Orford, Terrible, Somerset. In company with all their Masts standing. 

" Bedford, Defiance. All their Masts sent to the Eastward to take two, ships in tow. 

" Invincible, Captain, Sunderland. Fore masts and Bowsprits standing, and have raised jury masts to carry them into Port : are in tow. 

" Nottingham. Spoke to by the Orford, yesterday, wants no assistance ; has a Fore Mast Bowsprit and jury mast. 

" Grafton, Nassau. Have been seen with no Masts nor Bowsprits standing. 

" Devonshire, Eagle. Have been seen their Fore Masts and Bowsprits onlv standing. 

" Prince Frederick, Centurion, Tilbury. We have no certain Accounts, but some of these must be the Ships the Bedford and Defiance went after. 

" Nightingale. Has lost her Mizen Mast and Maintopmast. " 

It is generally thought that the Tilbury is lost, and every soul perished, and we are in some pain about the Ferret, as she must have been in the Storm ; We had lost Company for two days, and she is a very indifferent Sloop, sails badly and very crank. The cruizer who I had sent to Halifax to hasten the water out to us was very near foundering having been under water several times, with the loss of his boats, guns, and mizen mast and every one thing above water ; some of the Ships have lost a few Men and guns and Anchors ; Bread and Powder greatly damaged, having had so much Water in them. Booms and Boats many gone.

                                                                                       (Signed) "FRA. HOLBURNE." [2] 

Holburne's fears proved groundless with the exception of the Tilbury. She was wrecked on those rocks near St. Esprit, which still bear her name, and it may be that the gold which has been in recent years found on this shore, was cast up by the ocean from the ship's hold. Her Captain, Henry Barnsley, was drowned, but her First Lieutenant, Thane, was among those saved. Her complement was 400 men, of whom 280 were saved. [3]

C. THE FIGHT BETWEEN HOLMES AND BEAUSSIER 

SIR, - I desire you would please to acquaint their Lordships that on the 26th July I was Cruizing in His Majesty's Ship Grafton with the Nottingham, Hornet, and Jamaica Sloop off Louisburg about Three Leagues S.b.E. at Eight A.M., the Man at the Mast head discovered four sail to the N.E. which was directly to Windward, we gave Chace and made our first Board to the Southward, they steering directly for us till within two Leagues we tacked in hopes to have cut them from their Port, and they hauld in for it. Half past one P.M. they came to an anchor in their Harbour and a little after we brought too about a League from it and hoisted our Colours, the lighthouse bearing North where we lay, at four made Sail to the Eastward, soon as it was dark dispatched the Hornet with the inclosed Letter to Captain Spry and then stood on as before till three o'clock, when we 

1.  Admiral's Despatches, vol. 481. 
2. Ad. Des. vol. 1 /481.
3. Ad. List Book, 32. 

tacked and stood in for the Land at seven in the Morning (the 27th); the Man from Masthead call'd he saw six sail under the Land about Eight o'Clock. I could see four ships in chace of us, and I could with my Glass make them to be Men of War, and see the French Commodore's white Pendant very Plain, on which I stood from them to the S.E., about a point from the Wind which drew them from their Harbour and thought it the best of our sailing, for I judged them above our match, or they would not have come out of Port again in so few hours, I believe they only put their Sick and Lumber on Shore and took Troops off for they were very full of Men ; half past One P.m. the headmost of the French Squadron a Frigate of about Thirty-Six Guns, fired on the Jamaica sloop which she Return'd and rowed at the same time, on the Nottingham and our firing at the Frigate she hauld her wind and the Jamaica bore away to the S.W., which the French Commandant observing made a Signall for the two Frigates to chace the Sloop which they immediately obey'd, about two the Nottingham fired her Stern Chace at the French Commandant which he returned with his Bow, and soon after I fired mine, finding our Shott reach'd each other, Hauld up my Courses, bunted my Mainsail and Bore down on the French Commodore, being about a quarter of a mile from him it fell calm and we began to Engage, he being on our Starboard side, the other large French Ship a Stern of him, and the Nottingham on our Larboard Bow, the two Frigates a Mile from us and the Jamaica something more. Tho' the French Commandant held us so cheap at first by sending his Frigates away, he was so Sensible of his mistake that soon as there was wind he made the Frigates signal to rejoin Him and fearing they did not come fast enough to his Assistance bore down to them, and we followed, at Seven they were all close together, at dusk the Action ceased, they standing to the Southward and we to the S.S.E., light airs, our Men lay at their Quarters all night expecting to renew the Action, in the Morning at day light the French ships bore N.W.b.W. distance four or five Miles, going away with little wind at E.S.E. right before it for Louisburg, we wore and stood to the Westward, but they never Offer'd to look at us, the wind fresh'ning, they sailing much better than our ships and the Weather growing hazey, lost sight of them about noon, their chief fire was at our Masts, which they wounded and cut our Stays and Riging pretty much, I had one Lower deck Gun dismounted and one upper, Six olden kill'd, and Twenty odd wounded, which is all the damage the Grafton received. I here inclose you Captain Marshall's Letter with his Boatswain and Carpenter's reports of the Damages received in the Action. The Jamaica's Mainmast was shott and is Condemned by Survey, I sent her to Halifax with the inclosed letter and the worst of my wound'd men, Employ'd fishing, my Main Mast, the 29th being thick Weather could not venture in with the Land as was the 30th till noon, when stood in and at 4 brought too, little wind at South, at 6 Cabroose point N.b.W. 1/2 W. Three Leagues and Louisburg lighthouse N.b.E. 1/2 E. Four Leagues no ships off the Harbour nor could I see plain what was in, it being hazey over the Land, soon as it was dark stood away to the Westward for Halifax with the Grafton and Nottingham the 1st August join'd our ships there and as I wanted much to know the force of the french Ships and from whence they came on my arrival at Halifax I advised with Govr. Lawrence and Detach'd Major Hale of the Garrison to Louisburg with a Flag of Truce in a Schooner on pretence of treating for the Exchange of Captain Lieut. Martin of the Train who was taken by the Indians in the Harbour of Passmaquady, and carried to that place, one of my Petty Officers I have sent as Master of the Schooner, but as she is not return'd I can only give their Lordships my Opinion of the ships. The Commandant I judge, to be a 74, the other a 64, and two Frigates of 40 and 36 guns. On the 7th I said from Halifax with his Majestys ships, Grafton, Fougueux, Litchfield, Norwich, Nottingham, Centurion, Hornet, and Jamaica sloop, the Success has since join'd us and [1] am now with the Squadron off Louisburg, - I am, &c., 

                                                                                                                         CHAS. HOLMES. 

"Grafton at Sea, 
        " Louisburg N.W.b.N. Six Leagues, 
         " the 25th August 1756." 

EXT. OF LOG OF THE Grafton (70)

July 26, 1756. - " ... At 1/2 past 10 saw 4 Sail in the N.E. made sail and gave Chace Do. Clear'd ship for Action they bore down to us we kept our Wind which they Observing hauld in for Louisburg. Continued our Chace but they having the Advantage of the Wind of us got into Louisburg Harbour we found as follows a 74 gun ship a 64 with 2 frigates of 32 Guns each Come from Quebeck."

July 27, 1756. - " ... Still Continuing our Chace at 1/2 past 1 P.m. they Anchord in Louisburg Harbour Brought too and Hoisted our coulers at 5 the Hornett parted Company for Halifax . . . in Company the Nottingham and Jamaica . . . at 7 A.M. saw 4 sail under Scatary which we judged to be the trench Squadron Come out wore and bore away they gave us Chace out all reefs and made all the Sail we Could set Clear'd Ship for Action. In Company the Nottingham & Jamaica the French squadron bearing N.W. about 2 Leagues we being becalm'd & they Having a fresh breeze Coming up to us."

July 28, 1756. - " ... At 1/2 past 1 a trench frigate gave Chace to the Jamaica & began to fire at her but upon the Nottingham and our fire at him he hauld his wind the french Comodant at the same time began to Engage the Nottingham Do. we haild the Nottingham desiring he would drop a stern that we might Come to a Closer Engagement with the trench Commandant. Continued engageing him with the Nottingham on our Larbd. bow & the trench Commadant on our Starboard side with the 64 gun ship on our Starbd. quar. till 6 o'clock in the Afternoon at which time the Commadant set his foresl. & bore away Do. set Our foresail & followed him he made Sigl. as we suppose for Assistance by hoisting a white Flag at His Main Topmt. Backstay from His mast head downward, and two white Pendants at his Larbd. main yard Arm on which the 2 Frigates drew Close to him and Engaged t'll 40 minutes after 7 when they hauld to the So. wd. & we to the S.S.E. being both Sides pretty much Shattered in our rigging we had 5 Men kild & 13 Wounded several Guns Dismounted at 6 A.M. saw them N.W. 5 miles wore Ship & Stood to the Wt.wd. in Company the Jamaica and Nottingham. 

Aug. 1, I 756. - " In Halifax Harbour." 

26, 1756. - "Heard the report of several guns in the harbour of Louisburg." 

(Cruizing about Louisburg until 7 Oct. No mention of entering the harbour.) 

EXT. OF LOG OF THE Nottingham (60)

July 28, 1756. - " . . . Begun to fire our Stern Chaces on a Frigate that was Going to Bd. the Jamaica & keeping a Continual fire on her Obliged her to Sheer off a short time after we begun to Engage the French Comdr. with our Starbd. Guns Do. hauld up the main Sail at 1/2 pt. 1 Our Comdr. begun to Engage the 64 Gun Ship at 1/2 Pt. 3. The French Comdr. made the Frigates Sigl. to Chace the Jamaica we keept on a Continual fire we Received from them Shott through our Sails two Shott through the Head of the Main Mast, one through the Main Topmast an other that splinterd him abaft, beside several Shott in our Hull. The French squadron Consisted of one of 74 Guns one of 64. one of 40 the other of 36 Guns. At 1/2 pt. 7 left off Engaging the French hauld the Wind and Stood to the westwd. with a Light Brieze Employed securing the Main Topmt. at 12 getting Pouder filld and getting Shott up and making Wadds ready to Engage at 4 A.M. Tackd to the Wt.wd. the Ship ready to Engage as before. At 7 Empld. overhaulg. the Rigging and Repairing what was Shott away, & Securing the Lower Deck Guns & Gunners Stores at 9 Saw the French squadn. Bearing N.N.W. 4 Leags. Steering for Louisbourg. The Comdr. & Jamaica In Company." 

Aug. 1, 1756 .- " In Halifax Harbour." 

7 to 27, 1756. - "Another cruize off Louisbourg. (No mention of her entering the Harbour.) 

                                                                             " Grafton AT HALIFAX ye 8th October 1756. 

" SIR, 

" As I had certain Intelligence that the French Men o' War that were in America were sail'd for Europe and there being no Danger to be Apprehended from anything they could attempt on this Coast, I thought it most Conducive to the good of His Majesty's Service and to distress the Enemy to seperate the Squadron. . . . While they were on these different Services I continued with His Majesty's Ships Grafton and Nottingham on the Station of Louisburg, where I received the enclosed letter from Major Hale of Colo. Lascelle's Regt. who Govr. Lawrence and I prevaild on to go in a Flag of Truce to Louisburg (he being Master of the French Language) in order to discover what we could of their Men of War and to learn if there were more Expected. He went under pretence . . . to treat for the exchange of Capn. Lieut. Martin. As their Lordships will by these letters receive an Account of what Damage the French sustain'd in the Engagement,  I inclose you my Officers reports of ours. 

                                                                                                        "I am, &c., 

"JOHN CLEOLAND, Esq."                                                                           " CHAS. HOLMES. 

GUNNER'S REPORT OF THE DAMAGES 

"An Account of Carriages Disabled, and Powder fired in the Engagement with four French Men of War on board His Majesty's Ship Grafton Commodore Chas. Holmes Esqr. Commandt. off of Louisburg on the 27 July 1756." 

                        {Broke by a Shot from the Enemy ............................ Fore    ...      One.
"32 Pound      {Bad Sprung by long firing ......................................   Do.     ...      Five.
Axeltrees        {    Do.       Do.          Do.     ......................................    Hind   ...      One. 
"18 pound Axeltree Broke by a Shot from the Enemy ...................   Hind   ...      One. 
"32 pound Cap Square Broke. ........................................................     ...       ...      .One. 
"The above render'd Eight Guns unfit for Action till repaired. Powder fired in the Action Barrls. & pds. . . . Ninty-nine, & ten pds. 

                                                                                                     (Sign'd) "JNO. SMYTH, Gunr."

COPY OF THE CARPENTER'S REPORT OF THE DAMAGES. 

"The Report of the Damages done to His Majesty's ship Grafton Charles Holmes Esqr. Commander on the 27 July 1756 by engaging with four sail of French Men of War of Louisbourg. 

TO THE HULL OF THE SHIP 

" Received Seven Shott between wind and water. 
" Do. In the Ships Sides Twenty Nine Shott. 
" Do. In the Counter of the Ship Two Do. 
" The Stern laid open, and quarter Gallerys Shott to pieces, the quantity of Glass broke, One Hundred and Ninety Seven Pains. 
" The Cistarn of the Chain Pumps part of the Bottom and end entirely Shott away. 
" Part of the Supporter of the Catt head shott away and the Round House and Tunnel shot all away. "Ten Iron Stantions in the West and quarter Shot away with the Mens Hammocks and Twenty Broke. " The Three Poop Lanthorns Shot to pieces and the Top Light much Damaged. 
" Two Cranes of the Gangway Shott to pieces. 
"Sundry Dammages done to Ladders, Grating, Boats, &c." 

TO THE MASTS OF THE SHIP 

"One Large Shott through the Body of the Main Mast Eleven foot from the uper Deck. The Cheek of the Main Mast Shott to pieces about the Middle of the Cheek in length. 

"The Foremast One Shott of two Inches & a half Diamiter five Inches in just above the Collar of the main Stay. 

"The Flying jib Boom One Third in from the outer end the upper part Cut Two Inches in with a Shott. [1]

                                                                             (Sign'd) "MELBOURNE WARREN, Carpr." 
(copy) 

                                                                                                                " Nottingham at Sea, 
                                                                                                                       "28th July 1756. 

"SIR, - I herewith send you the Boatswain & Carprs. Reports of the Damages Received on board his Majesty's Ship Nottingham under my command, yesterday in the Time of Action with four sail of French men of War. I hope the Main topmast will stand till I have an Opportunity of Rigging an other, it being very much Wounded, but I have secur'd him with the Hatch bars and a strong wolding over 'em, the Head of the Main Mast, being shot afore & abaft the Mast, just above the Barrel of the Main Yard, is only what the Carpenter can Repair, without getting out the Mast, so that we shall soon be to rights again.-I am, &c., 

                                                                                                                              S. MARSHALL. 

"To CHARLES HOLMES ESQR." 

1. There is also a long report of damages given by the boatswain - 2 full foolscap pages. This has not been copied.

"DEAR SIR, - I desire you will immediately send me out any Ship that may be ready to come to Sea to join me of St. Esprit or between that and Louisburg. I have had an Action with the French Squadron who I have made bear away for their Port. My Main Mast being much Wounded I was afraid could not secure him at Sea but hope I have by fishing him very well and am now going to see if the said Gentlemen have a Mind for any more of it. I would have the Ships join me as fast as they can get Ready, without waiting for Each Other. After any One ship joins me I shall Cruize off Louisburg and Scatary agreeable to our Rendezvous. Capn. Hood will give you the Particulars of the Action and of their Force. - I am &c., 

                                                                                                 (Sign'd) " CHAS. HOLMES.

"Grafton at Sea 
           "at Noon Louisburg bore N.E.b.N. 10 or 12. Leagues 
           "July ye 29th, I756. 
"To Capn. Spry, Fougueux by the Jamaica Sloop. 

D. CAPTAIN HALES' REPORT

                                                                                                       " HALIFAX, Septem. the 13th, 1756. 

"SIR, - I take the opportunity by Mr. Clewitt to give you some Account of my Expedition to Louisburg and to Assure you how Sorry I am that I could neither get out of that Harbour time Enough to inform you of what it was of the Greatest Consequence for you to know, nor get a Sight of your Squadron when the French thought proper to dismiss me. 

" On the Third of August as you may remember I saild from Halifax and on the 5th I arrived at Louisburg where I found Le Heros Mont. Beaussier of 74 Guns L'Illustre, Montallete 64, La Serene Brugnon 36 L'Alicrone, Larrigaudiere 30 Guns being the same Ships which you Engaged. Le Heros close to which I was moor'd had 22 Shott which I counted in her Larboard Side about a Dozen in Different parts of her Stern. One Shot in her Rudder, Her three Topmasts disabled her Main Main Mast fish'd from top to Bottom, Her shrouds & rigging Cutt to Pieces, and altogether in a Condition which did great Credit to the Grafton, her kill'd and Wounded upon a Comparison of all Accounts Amounted to one Hundred the other Ship and the Frigates had not Sufferd any damage at all that I could learn, these Ships came from Quebec and their Orders to Land a Sum of Money at Louisburg was as they say the Occasion that they did not Engage you the Evening you first Saw them, but I have good reason to think that they put into Louisburg for a Reinforcement of Men, etc. The Reason that they did not renew the Engagement the Next day but run into Harbour was, as an Officer of the Heros confess'd to me because that ship was so much disabled. I cannot omit in this Place a Compliment which a French Captain paid you, Mr. Brugnon the Capn. of the Serene in a Letter which he sent by me to a French Officer at Halifax has these Express'd Words, Les Englois ont fait des Merveilles leurs Cannon a 6t6 Services Comme de la Musqueterie. 

"These have arrived at Quebec this Summer the Abovementioned Ships together with Le Leopard of 64 Guns the Concord and Sauvage Frigates who brought over two Regiments Le Sarre & Rousillon. The three last sailed Seperately for France before my Arrival at Louisburg the four others of your Acquaintance after waiting till the Heros was ready (upon which they had work'd incessantly) sailed out of Louisburg Harbour at about 7 o'Clock on Friday Evening 13th August, and I supposed according to Intelligence they had Received from without steer'd a Course all night by which with the assistance of a Fogg in the morning they had the good luck to Escape you. On Saturday the 14th as the True reason for which I was detain'd Ceased the Governour dismissed me and the Instant I got my Letters which was 5 in the afternoon I stood out of the Harbour towards your station we steer'd S.E. some time and then brought too the wind blowing fresh at S.W. on Sunday morning being 12 Leagues to the Eastward of Scatery we stood in for the Land and as it was Clear and we Saw Nothing of your Ships I flatterd my self you had got Sight of and was in pursuit of the French Ships and immagining my Stay could be of no Service I made the Best of my way to Halifax where I arriv'd on Wednesday the i8th there is not at present a Single Ship or Frigate at Quebec or Louisburg that I am sure of and have reason to think that none are Expected. " 

By a Calculation which I made by Counting the Officers I have good reason to think there are not above eleven Hundred men at Louisburg 'tis probable they have Spared part of the Garrison to Cannada, they are greatly distress'd there for meat drink and Shoes and I assure you fish dress'd different ways makes up great part of their Entertainments ; what I have farther to Add is with Regard to One Baptisto Dion who is on bd. the Fougueux and whose history is as follows, he Came Pilot last Summer to a French Flag of Truce and was detain'd by One of the Admirals as an English Subject and was put on board The Fleet in Quality of a Pilot. Mr. Beaussier the Captain of the Heros and Mr. Drucour the Governour of Louisburg bave both made Strong remonstrances to Mr. Lawrence about his being detain'd and Mr. Beaussier said he had as much right to detain my Pilot, it is Certain the Man was formerly an Inhabitant of Nova Scotia but it is as Certain that be Abandoned long since his Habitation and that his wife and children are now at Louisburg. If I may be Permitted to give my Opinion I should think it better to Release him for otherwise the French will detain the first person they get into their Hands or do something that will put an End to all Commerce and Understanding between us which an Exchange of Prisoners or other Business renders often Necessary during a war. 

                                                                    "Your most obedient Servant, 
                                                                                                     (Sign'd)                "JOHN HALE."

 E. CAPTAIN HOOD'S REPORT 

                                                                                                                          "Jamaica at Sea, 
                                                                                                                               " August 25th, 1856. [sic]

"SIR - Agreeable to your orders I have had a look at Louisburgh. Falling in to the westward Monday afternoon I stood verv near in, then ran close along shore to the Eastward, so that nothing in the Harbour escap'd my Notice, where were only Two Topsail vessels. And as I thought it of some consequence to know where the men of war were gone to, that engag'd you on the 27th past I did my utmost to gett a Fishing Shallop ; and not succeeding with the Sloop, made all the sail I cou'd off the Land just at dusk, and as soon as it was dark stood in again : At 12 sent the Lieutenant in the Pinnace to go & lie under the Land to the Eastward of the Lighthouse, with directions to seize the first he cou'd. In the meantime I stood off and on ; and at day light was close in, took up the pinnace & a shallop she had taken with four men, whom I have examin'd seperately, and found to tell the same story. One of the Topsail Vessels in the Harbour is the large storeship, that unloaded at Millidue quite unrigged, & the other a snow from Rochfort. The Men of War sail'd for France fifteen days since, and were join'd at Sea by a Frigate call'd the Concord, from St. Ann. There names and force are as follows; The Hero, a new ship of  74 guns, the Illustrious of 64, the Perfect of 36, & Serene of 30. Upon my asking how the French came not to engage the English on the 26th they say they went in to put some money on shore, and gett men, and that they press'd a great number that night. I then asked them, whether it was not expected, by the people on shore, that the English wou'd be taken ; They reply'd every one made sure of it ; and it is allow'd the English behav'd well. They likewise tell me that their Commandant had 26 men kill'd on the Spot, that Fifty died of their wounds in three or four days, and that above a hundred more were wounded : that her Lower masts were so shatter'd, as scarcely to be made serviceable by Fishing to carry her home. Her sides full of shot Holes, and had Nine and Twenty shot between wind and water; many of them thro' and thro'. The other large Ship but little damag'd ; and the Frigates came off in the same manner. I have made enquiry about Major Hale, who went with the Flag of Truce. They say he was detain'd, till the men of war were gone, and sail'd next day. . . . 

"This is the amount of what I have collected from the French Men (who are inhabitants of Louisburgh) who are now on board the Jamaica, and shall be glad to know whether I may be permitted to let them go : I promis'd I would interceed in their behalf with you, if they wou'd tell the Truth ; and I believe they have done it, by their agreeing so exactly in what they have said. - I am &c.,

                                                                                                                              "SAMUEL HOOD. [1]

"TO CHARLES HOLMES ESQR."

1. Samuel Hood was the future Admiral Viscount Hood.