486 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1809. 



Kangaroo, in the West Schcld, 

 off" the Kaloot, Aug, II, 

 1809. 



Sir — I beg leave to acquaint you, 

 for the information of the Lord 

 Commissioners of the Admiralty, 

 that I am this moment going up to 

 Bathz in South Beveland, which has 

 been attacked by a strong detach- 

 ment of the enemy's flotilla, and 

 which, by Sir Richard Keats's re- 

 ports, consists of two frigates, one 

 bearing a vice-admiral's flag, thirty 

 brigs, eight luggers or schooners, 

 and fourteen gun-boats. 



I was under the necessity of de- 

 taining our flotilla to prevent sup- 

 plies being thrown into the garri- 

 son at Flushing, and to assist in 

 cutting off its communication with 

 Cadsand, which service was effec- 

 tually done, except during the late 

 heavy gales which drove the gun- 

 boats from their stations, and pre- 

 vented our ships entering theScheld, 

 from the circumstance of their not 

 being able to weigh their anchors. 

 Since the weather has moderated, 

 the wind has provokingly drawn 

 round to the south-east. Which is 

 the only obstacle that prevents lord 

 William Stuart, with a squadron of 

 ten heavyfrigates, passing Flushing, 

 as well as rear-admiral lord Gard- 

 ner, with the effective line-of-bat- 

 tle ships, taking up the anchorage 

 in Dykeshook Bay, where I intend 

 his lordship shall remain, with the 

 view of having the assistance of 

 that squadron in our farther opera- 

 tions against the eneriy, and even- 

 tually to proceed up the Scheld. 



The divisions of the army under 

 the earl of Rosslyn and marquis of 

 Huntley, landed on south Beve- 

 Jand on the 9th. 



The cavalry and ordnance ships, 

 with the brigs ami some sloops of 



war^havepassed through the Slough 

 into the west Scheld, and are now 

 availing themselves of every favour- 

 able tide to proceed to Bathz. I 

 am also endeavouring to warp the 

 Pallas and Circe through by the 

 same channel, and with every pro- 

 bability of success. 



Sir Home Popham was detached 

 with some gun-vessels for the pur- 

 pose of sounding the river, and of 

 joining Sir Richard Keats at Bathz. 



The batteries are not yet ready 

 to open on Flushing, therefore I 

 hope to be here again in time to co- 

 operate with the army in the attack 

 on that garrison. 



I am concerned to add, that the 

 enemy has cut the dyke to the right 

 of the town, and the island is likely 

 to be inundated. I have ordered 

 rear-admiral Otway to send the 

 Monmouth and Agincourt to Eng- 

 land for water, as soon as they can 

 be got down from Zierickzee ; and 

 earnestly intreat that other means 

 may be adopted for supplying the 

 army and navy from England, as I 

 apprehend all the water in this island 

 will be spoiled by the inundation, 

 and that there is not more in the 

 other islands than is necessary for 

 the subsistence of the inhabitants. 



Their lordships must be aware, 

 that in this extensive and complir 

 cated service, it is impossible for 

 me to enter so fully into detail as I 

 could wish, especially as our ar- 

 rangements must vary in propor- 

 tion with the movements of the 

 enemy. 



In my absence I have directed 

 rear-admiral Otway to superintend 

 the several duties relative to the in- 

 vestment of this island, and to cor- 

 respond with the Admiralty on all 

 matters of service. 



Captain Dobbie, who acted in 



the 



