Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Invasion.
dezvous in any One port in all France ( I mean Avith safety ) , except perhaps in the harbour of Brest . And , as so large a number would necessarily breed great confusion , even there they could not come out all at once , but must sail in different divisions , Avith convoys attending each division . This circumstance , as it Avould necessarily divide their strength , would g ive the English fast-sailing frigates , cutters , cruisers , Avould
& c . great adA'antage over them . The very same thing happen , were they to sail from different ports ; Avith this additional disadvantage—that the different squadrons would be less able to a £ t in concert ; and that the troops on board one division Avould be more at a loss to know Avhat was become of their companions in the expedition , where to look for them , or ' when to'join them .
II .- The Sailing of the Grand Armament . Let us how suppose the above-mentioned difficulties , some way or other , all got over ; arid then Ave are to enquire . what would naturally ensue . " A mdst prodig ious number , at least iooo vessels for different kinds of transports , together Avith 50 or 60 frigates , cutters , adviceboats & c & c . are out of portand are now ' under sail . "
Grant-, . gone , ed . " And AA'hilst they are steering their course toAvards England , the Grand Navy of . France is keeping the Grand Navy cf England at bay ; . or , having beaten it , is riding triuriipliafit ' on the English seas . " For argument ' s sake , and iri order to treat our CROAK B RS in their . OAVII , way , let this be granted also . But then" AVC have a . rig ht to ask , what kind of sailors can you suppose it possible for' our enemies ta procure
for navigating these transports , and thes ^ convoys , after haying provided so amply before for their great ships of war ? This is a neAV difficulty ,- which requires a solution ; for the French mariners , at the A'ery best , are not expert on their own coasts , much less on ours : and in the present case , their best are supposed to be already p laced on board their grand fleet ; so that the residue must be very bad , if indeed a ' ny sailors
at all . And yet with a fleet of transports , manned with such insignificant creatures as these , poor England and Ireland are to be invaded ! : And to be conquered 1 Nay , what is still more extraordinary , this fleet , manned with such ignorant sailors , and filled with sea-sick soldiers , and Sea-sick affrig hted horses , are never to run foul of each other , night or day ; nor are their commanders to mistake one signal for another , or commit any material blunder Avhatsoever ! These things are surely very strange and new : the like is not to be found in the . history of mankind .
' Besides , AA'hen this numerous fleet is out at sea , a most uncommon dexterity and the most skilful manoeuvres become necessary on another account . Transports of every kind are unfit for fi g hting ; and the more crouded they are , the less capable of making a good defence . Therefore , ' -when they are attacked , their business is to fly , and to leai'e the battle to be fought by those frigates , cutters , fee . which were appointed to conduit , guard , and protect them . NOAV , in such scenes of distraction and confusion , it is hardly possible , even for the most expert set of sailors , and the coolest commanders , not to make some fualmis-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Invasion.
dezvous in any One port in all France ( I mean Avith safety ) , except perhaps in the harbour of Brest . And , as so large a number would necessarily breed great confusion , even there they could not come out all at once , but must sail in different divisions , Avith convoys attending each division . This circumstance , as it Avould necessarily divide their strength , would g ive the English fast-sailing frigates , cutters , cruisers , Avould
& c . great adA'antage over them . The very same thing happen , were they to sail from different ports ; Avith this additional disadvantage—that the different squadrons would be less able to a £ t in concert ; and that the troops on board one division Avould be more at a loss to know Avhat was become of their companions in the expedition , where to look for them , or ' when to'join them .
II .- The Sailing of the Grand Armament . Let us how suppose the above-mentioned difficulties , some way or other , all got over ; arid then Ave are to enquire . what would naturally ensue . " A mdst prodig ious number , at least iooo vessels for different kinds of transports , together Avith 50 or 60 frigates , cutters , adviceboats & c & c . are out of portand are now ' under sail . "
Grant-, . gone , ed . " And AA'hilst they are steering their course toAvards England , the Grand Navy of . France is keeping the Grand Navy cf England at bay ; . or , having beaten it , is riding triuriipliafit ' on the English seas . " For argument ' s sake , and iri order to treat our CROAK B RS in their . OAVII , way , let this be granted also . But then" AVC have a . rig ht to ask , what kind of sailors can you suppose it possible for' our enemies ta procure
for navigating these transports , and thes ^ convoys , after haying provided so amply before for their great ships of war ? This is a neAV difficulty ,- which requires a solution ; for the French mariners , at the A'ery best , are not expert on their own coasts , much less on ours : and in the present case , their best are supposed to be already p laced on board their grand fleet ; so that the residue must be very bad , if indeed a ' ny sailors
at all . And yet with a fleet of transports , manned with such insignificant creatures as these , poor England and Ireland are to be invaded ! : And to be conquered 1 Nay , what is still more extraordinary , this fleet , manned with such ignorant sailors , and filled with sea-sick soldiers , and Sea-sick affrig hted horses , are never to run foul of each other , night or day ; nor are their commanders to mistake one signal for another , or commit any material blunder Avhatsoever ! These things are surely very strange and new : the like is not to be found in the . history of mankind .
' Besides , AA'hen this numerous fleet is out at sea , a most uncommon dexterity and the most skilful manoeuvres become necessary on another account . Transports of every kind are unfit for fi g hting ; and the more crouded they are , the less capable of making a good defence . Therefore , ' -when they are attacked , their business is to fly , and to leai'e the battle to be fought by those frigates , cutters , fee . which were appointed to conduit , guard , and protect them . NOAV , in such scenes of distraction and confusion , it is hardly possible , even for the most expert set of sailors , and the coolest commanders , not to make some fualmis-