13/9/1796.




THE TRINIDAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Publication No. 178.

A Report of the arrival of the Spanish Fleet at Trinidad.

Source :-Public Record Office. State Papers Admiralty.
Adm. 1/319.

Published by the courtesy of the Master of the Rolls and the
Deputy Keeper of the Public Records.

H.M.S. Prince of Wales,
FORT ROYAL BAY, MARTINIQUE,
13th September, 1796.

Rear Admiral Harvey to E. Nepean, Esq., Secretary to the Board
of Admiralty.
SIR,

On the 12th inst. I received an account by the Tourterelle
stationed off Grenada and Tobago that on the 7th inst. she
fell in with a Spanish squadron of two Ships of the Line,
one Frigate and a vessel armed en flute with troops.

From the observations made by Captain Boys (a copy of
whose report I enclose) it appears that their ships have been
expected for some time at Trinidada with troops for the
garrison.

Captain Fellowes in the Alarm who is Senior Officer on
the Grenada station will in consequence of my former order,
strictly attend to the movements of this Spanish squadron
which will probably move from Trinidada after landing
the troops.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient and humble Servant,


HENY HARVEY,









CAPTAIN BOYs REPORT.
Tourterelle,
FORT ROYAL BAY, MARTINIQUE,
i3th September, 1796.

On the evening of Friday last (the 6th inst.) I was informed
by the Governor of Trinidada that he had received dispatches
brought by a Spanish Frigate at that time at anchor on the
north side of the Island which acquainted him of the
approach of a Spanish squadron which he had long expected
out with recruits for his garrison.

On the 7th inst. in the morning, I sailed and on clearing
the second Bocas, discovered a large ship at anchor about
five leagues to the eastward and at a great distance from
the land. On working up to her I discovered three ships
at anchor about two leagues to windward of the first.

About noon they got under weigh and came down under
easy sail and finding them to be the Spanish squadron about
four in the afternoon, I stood pretty close to them and saluted
the Admiral (who carried his flag at the Mizen) with 15 guns
who soon returned the salute with an equal number.

Two of the ships hauling out towards the Tourterelle
I tacked from them and stood off for about a quarter of an
hour but finding they all bore away for the Bocas, I wore
and made sail after them and ran within hail of them.

The squadron consists of an 8o, a 74, a large frigate and
a small two decker armee en flute and very full of men and
apparently in good order. The armee en flute appeared
to have chiefly soldiers on board.

About seven they anchored in very deep water off the
Bocas and I hauled off to the northward making sail for
Grenada.
THOMAS BOYS.