THE BROME-WALTON FAMILY. 
237 
armed boats, the latter was commanded by the plucky Captain- 
Lieutenant John Yorke, B.A., of the Heights of Abraham celebrity 
(Master, Owen Edwards) C and, although the Navy take credit for 
capture, within one hour, of the stone fort of Aix, which they pounded 
two miles off with their 18-prs., this result was undoubtedly due to the 
splendid shell practice of Captain Yorkers Bomb-ship, which threw 
some 13-in. shells at two miles range with such effect that “ all of them 
had either fallen within the fort or in the (dry) ditch/ 12 working havoc 
with the garrison and the main wall. With the precedent, in 1755, of 
the demoralising effect of shell fire at Fort Beau-sejour by Captain 
Charles Brome (Chapter IV.), the speedy surrender of Fort Aix — 
notwithstanding its garrison of 600 men, and armament of 8 14-in. 
mortars, 16 18-prs., 14 14-prs., and 2 12-prs. (brass) “ of exquisite 
workmanship” 1 2 3 '—ceases to excite surprise. 
The English Admirals were hood-winked by the French Protestant 
pilots, and could not get up the Channel, although the Prudente, a 
French 74 gun-ship, sailed in front of them right up to Bochfort; and 
the Generals were divided in the council of war—-that refuge of the 
timid which “never fights ” 4 -—one insisting upon communication with 
the fleet as a sine qua non of landing, the other (Conway) advocating a 
dash at Bochfort by land; while the attitude of the Admirals was highly 
honorable : “it is not for us, said they, to dictate to Generals the con¬ 
duct of laud operations, but since these cannot decide upon action we 
will return to Englandand to England, accordingly, the expedition 
returned—arriving at Spithead on 6th October. 
“ It is impossible to describe the murmurings and discontent that 
resounded through the kingdom when this mighty armament, on which 
the nation had formed such prodigious hopes, returned without having 
so much as effected a landing on the French coast.” 5 Pitt threw the 
| customary sop to Cerberus, thirsting for a victim, by resort to a general 
court-martial on the Commander-in-Chief of the expedition, which 
ultimately acquitted the General of the charge of “disobedience of 
orders,” and the proceedings diverted the attention of the people; 
while the infinite resources and indomitable energy of the Premier were 
| exerted in devising further and greater enterprises for the coming year, 
on the same lines of policy, to open up fresh markets for trade and to 
crush France in Germany by maritime expeditions against her colonies 
and harbours. 
The Channel Islands. 
The year 1758 began with still further securing the safety and effi¬ 
ciency of Jersey and Guernsey for defence; vast sums were expended on 
the fortifications, provision of ordnance, and placing the “ Boyal Jersey 
1 Captain Voiko must have Rad powerful influence: he has everywhere crossed my trail in track¬ 
ing the Bromes; and would seem, to deserve a regimental Memoir. He died as Colonel and 
second in command of the Portuguese Artillery. —B.H.M. 
2 “ Naval and Military Memoirs (1804), Vol. II., p. 71. “ A bomb will fly, at an elevation, 
two miles and three quarters,” “ Gentleman’s Magazine ” (1758), p. 5. 
3 “ Beatson,” Vol. II., p. 71. 
j 4 “ Frederick the Great,” by Colonel C. B. Brackenbury, It.A., p. 154. 
5 “Naval and Military Memoirs ” (Beatson), Vol. II., p. 74. “ Annual Register,” 1758. 
