Transcription © Donald E.

Pusch 2008, Some Rights Reserved

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Extract from the log of the Torbay regarding the capture of the Chariot Royal

Entry of November 30, 1756, the log of the Torbay (A Journal of the Proceedings on
board his Majesty’s Ship Torbay, the hon[ora]ble Augustus Keppel Commander, between
the 1st of February 1756 & the 31st of January 1757), National Archives of the UK,
Public Record Office, Admiralty Records, ADM 51/1001, part 2. Photocopy provided to
the author by Roger Barrington, April 2002. Transcription by Donald E. Pusch.

[“Remarks” recorded for Tuesday, November 30, 1756, near latitude 47° 20' west, 1° 4'
north, bearing to Cape Finister: S ¾ W at 7 leagues.]

Fresh gales and hazey latter little Wind James Ewing was punished with
one Dozen Lashes for Drunkeness at 6 PM Lost Sight of the prizes the
Chase E ½ S Cleared1 Ship and Continued the Chace ½ past 6 Lost Sight
of the Chace at ½ past 7 Saw her a Little open upon the Lee Bow fired
fired [sic] Several of our Bow guns at her which She Returned with her
Stern Chaces2 at 12 I thought Wee Came Neer Enough to Shorten Saill
hauled up the Mainsaill But finding She Stole from us at ½ past
Set it again at 3 am She hauled up which Brought us Close to her
fired Most of our guns alow and Aloft into her, She Continued a Brisk
fire from her Stern Chace which Shot away our Top Gal[lan]t Sheets3 &
Cutt our Saills and Rigging in Severall Places Which hindered us
from Coming up till Day Light When She Struck4 Sent our Boat
on Board found her the Chariot Royalle a french kings Store Ship
of 30 guns and 140 Men Commanded by Mons[ieu]r Large Cap[itai]ne de Brulote
Loaded with amunition and Stores Sent a Lieu[tenan]t two Midshipmen and
25 Men on Board found Wee had killed [of] her [crew] three and Wounded Severall
others, at noon Saw two of the prizes to Windward

1
Clearing the ship, in this context, meant preparing her for combat.
2
Guns mounted at the stern for use in firing at a chasing vessel.
3
Ropes affixed to the lower corners (clews) of a square sail set on a yard.
4
The act of lowering the ship’s as an indication of surrender.