Thomas Louis

REAR ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS LOUIS Bt.,

List of ships he served in.

The Fly

Southampton 1771

Kent 1774

Thetis 1775

Bienfaisant 1778 Lieutenant

Mackworth 1781 Commander

Quebec 1793 Captain

Cumberland

Minotaur 1794

Conqueror 1804

Leopard 1804 Rear Amiral

Canopus 1805 - 1807

From Paigton Parish Church

Note the memorials to members of the old Paignton family of Belfield. Said to have been of Lancashire origin (Belfield is a suburb of Rochdale), the family produced the famous "Madame Gould" of Lew Trenchard (nee Margaret Belfield), whose brother Samuel was Vicar here for 60 years (1732-92). Samuel's daughter was married in this church to Admiral Sir Thomas Louis, who saved Nelson's life at the Battle of the Nile and was later the only Englishman to be Governor of Rome. Sabine Baring-Gould, hymn writer and novelist, was Madame Gould's great-great-grandson. The Lady Chapel was refurbished as a Chapel in 1907.

From the ?Lloyd?s Nelson Collection?, Edited by Warren R. Dawson pub. 1932

The original spellings have been left (NW)

Page 180 L.60 A.L.S. Captain Thomas Louis to Lord Nelson

Chilston Newton Abbott Jany 16th 1803

My Lord

I have had the Honor of receiving your Lordships letter of the 11th Instant and that of my good friend Lady Hamilton of the 13 - I can never sufficiently Express my Gratitude for the warmth in which you have interested yourself in my behalf the recollection of your Lordships letter will ever be highly gratifying to me and tho? the result has not been so favorable to our wishes your Lordships taking it up so kindly is so great a Mark of your attachment to me that it never can be erased from my Memory and considerably lessens the disappointment.

How truly happy should I feel myself my Lord were it ever in my power in the least degree to be useful to your Lordship. My best respects to all at Merton-

and I beg to remain

Your Lordships Faithful

and grateful Humble Sert

THO : LOUIS

Page 181 L.62 A.L.S. Captain Thomas Louis to Lord Nelson

Chilston Newton Abbott March 8th 1803* (see letter in National Maritime Museum dated 13 March from Nelson to Louis reproduced below- NW)

My Lord

The Kindness with which your Lordship entered into my views respecting sending my Son to India induces me to be troublesome to you again in his behalf I doubt how far I might attempt getting him into one of the publick offices to bring him forward in the diplomatic Line which would be my next wish to that of India -

If that is not practicable I think of placing him at Woolwich cou?d I obtain from my Lord Chatham an appointment of a Cadet he is now fourteen and in order to lose no time I have written my Lord Chatham upon the Subject-I am well aware at the same time how very essential a Line from your Lordship wou?d be to Strengthen my application to Lord Chatham which I make no doubt wou?d procure the (Page 2=1 verso) desired appointment-I have Two sons unprovided for and I am sorry to say altho my Services during my Life have been devoted to the Publick that I find the greatest difficulty in getting my Sons forward, but I shall ever feel most grateful to your Lordship for the kindness and attention with which you have endeavour?d to assist me-My best wishes attend all at Merton.

and I beg to remain

Your Lordships Faithful

and grateful Humble Sert

THO : LOUIS

Page 182 L.63 A.L.S. Captain Thomas Louis to Lord Nelson

Plymth Dock March 26th 1803

My Lord

I have the pleasure to inform your Lordship of my having joined the Conqueror at Plymouth - I think her a very fine Ship and Equal to the Minotaur - I have now only to hope that she may be as useful to Your Lord-Ship whenever you may be pleased to call upon her Services tho? I agree with you very much that I do not think we shall go to War-Appearances are strong for it and I only wish Jonny came for war to Man us-Several Ships here, Sir Edward Pellew, Murry, Bullen, Sutton and yesterday arrived Admiral Campbell whose flag goes to the Culloden. No doubt (Page 2=1 verso) we shall soon hear when your Lordship moves-I hope you enjoy your health as well my friends Sir William and Lady Hamilton to whom I beg my best regards.

I remain

My Lord

Your much obliged

& faithful Servantt

THO : LOUIS

P.S. Pray command me if I can serve in any Shape whatever- Youngsters of any thing else.....

Page 213 L.63 A.L.S. Rear Admiral Thomas Louis to Lord Nelson

Canopus off Cadiz August 31st 1805

My Lord/

Here I am performing the great Character off Cadiz with a part of your Lordships Squadron keeping watch upon the enemies Movements, that consist of Thirty Five Sail of the Line, in all Forty Six Sail Frigates Etc. Etc. I cannot help saying that I wish and expect very soon to see your Lordships hand writing at the bottom of my Order, believe me it would be one of the first comforts I cou?d name-Stopford Hallowell, Bayntum and Malcolm form my party, you will say I am a very fortunate fellow to have such valuable and good Company, believe me my Lord I feel it, and to compleat the whole wou?d be (Page 2=1 verso) the sight of your Lordships Flag once more among us-I have enclosed the list of our party, and as we all stand in the Line of Battle I want to see the Victory in the Centre then I think we shou?d be just the thing for a party whatever, Sir Richard Bickerton I am sorry to say has been very ill indeed and the faculty advise his going to England. I think they say it is a Liver Complaint. I hope he will get the better of it, he is a valuable good man- Cap Hallowell is near me and begs me to say he intended writing your Lordship but as I am in the Act of doing it, desires me to say every thing thats kind for him, he cannot help thinking your Lordship upon your passage out at this moment, and that my letter will miss you, I beg you will remember me very kindly (Page 3=3 recto) to Lady Hamilton and all my friends at Merton Accept my best wishes-

and believe me

with Every Respect & Esteem

Your Lordships faithfull

and obliged friend

THO. LOUIS

PS. Captain Austin

begs his best respects

My Son is gone to Naples

with Orders to Capt Sotheron.

L.80 D.S. Rear Admiral Thomas Louis to Lord Nelson

Memorandum,

The Ships during the Night are always to Keep in Open Order, and each in the Wake of its leader, that In Case the Admiral should judge it necessary from the situation of the land, or other Circumstances to Wear, and haul to the Wind or the other Tack, ahead of his second astern, there may sufficient room for him to do so without risque of getting foul, This movement will not in general be made and never without previously burning a false fire or blue light; and the necessary lights will be shown forward as he comes round to denote his Intention of keeping the Wind; The Ships of the Squadron must be prepared to act accordingly.

Should any Ship discover strange Sails in the Night particularly out of Cadiz and have occasion to make Signals to denote it, it is recommended that particular attention be paid to; specifying the number seen in manner as directed in the Signal Book, to avoid Confusion and prevent mistakes.-

It is requested each Ship will take any opportunity of Sounding with Cross bearings of some fixed objects on shore, in Order to ascertain bow far they may stand in with safety during the Night or in thick Weather.

Canopus off Cadiz 1 Sep. 1805

THO. LOUIS

To the Respective Captains

Etc

Copy of letter from Nelson to Louis at the National Maritime Museum * (see also Lloyds correspondence, letter dated March 8th above, as the letter below relates)

March 13th 1803

Picaddily

My dear Louis

I saw Lord Chatham yesterday and he says he shall with pleasure render every service to your son.

Lord St. Vincent told me that you had not applied for a ship, when you did you should have directly and if there is war, he would send you to me, which you may be sure I shall very much like, but, I still hope for peace and am ever

My dear Louis

Nelson and Bronte

THE BATTLE OF SAN DOMINGO FEBRURARY 1806.

ENTRY FROM THE LOG BOOK OF HMS CANOPUS CAPTAIN FRANCIS AUSTEN - DATED 6TH FEBRUARY 1806.

"At daylight the frigate ahead 6 or 7 miles - est. of the land NEE + (unreadable) nearest part 3 or 4 leagues. Acasta made signal for sail 1/4 past 6.

"That strange sail had been observed to fire guns 1/4 past, for 8 sail ?NW" 1/4 before 7

"Enemy's ships of war are at anchor" 10 before 7, "Enemy's ships are getting under way" - 5 before 7 "Enemy's ships of the line". At 7 saw 8 sail under the land standing to the westward under a ? of sail An'd signal "Prepare for battle - at 8 siga "Engage as coming up with the enemy + take station for mutual support" 5 past 8 siga "Make all sail possible preserving the same order". - Perceived the enemy force to consist of one three decker, four two deckers, two frigates + a corvette. At 10.15 the Superb commenced a fire on the enemy van 10.20 The Northumberland + Spencer began firing - 10.30 opened our fire on the fourth ship of the enemy line, at that time engaged by the Spencer and graping close across her bows, with one broadside brought her masts by the board. Stood on towards the 3 decker, firing occasionally at her + two other of the enemy's ships, as we could get our guns to bear. All the squadn. in action". At 10,45 the Atlas ran on board us + carried away her bowsprit, but got clear without doing material damage. 10.50 the dismasted ship struck as did shortly after two others. Engaged with the 3 decker, which appeared to be pushing for the shore. At 11.50 gave her a raking broadside which brought down her mizzen mast + appeared to do great damage her stern quarter. At 12 she ran ashore. Wore ship + fired our larboard broadside at the remaining two decker, which was also making for the shore. At 12.10 discontinued the action, employed knotting and splicing the rigging and getting the ship in a manageable state. Most of the braces and bowlines as well as most of the standing rigging being shot away.

The Agamemnon, Spencer and Atlas each fired for a short time on the 2 decker but could not prevent her from running on shore which she did at 12.30, her masts being all gone and she a perfect wreck. Perceived the 2 frigates + corvette standing away to leeward under all sail. Donegal in possession of one captured ship. Acasta a second + Magicienne the 3rd. Northumberland to leeward having lost her mainmast + mizzen topmast - mustered the ship's company and found 8 men killed and 26 wounded -

Damages sustained, The foremast shot through in 2 places a little below the Foreyard. The main top mast cut nearly half through 16 feet below the crosstrees ? Main and Mizzen masts slightly wounded. The sails and rigging much cut - got down Maintop gall'yards + struck the mast ? and ? strapping it to the topmast as a ?fisk. At 4 the Admiral went on board the Superb - employed as before in repairing the damages and clearing the ship. Carpenters stopping shot holes. Received 15 prisoners from L'Alexandre - close reefed the Topsail. At 6 the Admiral returned on board. Est of St. Domingo NS?? distant from the neares part 3 leagues - at 8 filled

- 1/4 past 9 hove to. Spoke to an American schooner from Curacao bound for New York. At 12 ? and clear. Superb ? 3 miles squadron + prizes in company.

LIST OF SHIPS.

ENGLISH LINES GUNS MEN

SUPERB 74 590

NORTHUMBERLAND 74 590

SPENCER 74 590

AGAMENON 64 490

CANOPUS 80 700

DONEGAL 74 590

ATLAS 74 590

FRIGATES

ACASTA 40 320

MAGICIENNE 36 250

KINGFISHER 18 121

EPERVIER? 16 95

FRENCH LINES

LE DIOMADE 80 90

L'IMPERIALE 120 1300

L'ALEXANDRE 80 1080

LE JUPITER 74 700

LE BRAVE 74 700

FRIGATES

LA COSSITTE? 40 350

LA FILILITE 40 350

LA DILIGENTE 40 350

[ORIGINAL LOG BOOK IN THE READING ROOM OF THE NATIONAL

MARITIME MUSEUM, GREENWHICH.]

http://forum.sailingnavies.com...

The following are from notes made by Louis Woollcombe August 23 1932.

Selections made from the correspondence of Admiral John Markham 1801 - 4 & '06-07.

Naval Records Society MCMIV

Page 50.

From St. Vincent again to Markham, dated 'Hibernia', near Ushant, 16 May 1806,

" Ignorant that Rear Admiral Louis would be on the way to relieve poor Thorbrough, in case of Sir J. Warren not arriving in due time, I named Sir Samuel Hood to Lord Howick, who cannot fix on a fitter man, & if you made a promotion it will be better still...."

Page 56

From St Vincent, dated Rochetts, 26 June 1806,

"George Murray is the flag officer, of all others, I should succeed Rear Admiral Stirling. I have many & insuperable objections to Rear Admiral Louis, more of a private than a public nature...."

Page 352.

From Sir Samuel Hood to Markham, dated 'Centaur, off Demerara, 25 Sept, 1803.

" Should not the public conduct of officers require the aid of the Commander in Chief? Captain Maxwell, Nourse & Woollcombe are those I have been particularly interested about, & shall hope, if I am not thought too anxious, they will meet the approbation of Lord St. Vincent. The latter is a son in Law (step son) of Louis' sister & a relative of Lord Hood...."

(This reference is to Edward Woollcombe 1784 - 1824)

Two letters from Sir Thomas Louis whilst off Egypt in 1807. (From 'Admiral Sir Thomas Louis, BT' by Henry Brackenbury Louis, pub. by St. Edward's College, Malta1951)

Sir John Duckworth: H.M. Ship Royal George: Palermo or elsewhere.

Aboukir Bay: April 24th, 1807

Private.

My Dear Sir John,

You will be not a little surprised to find the siutation I am at this moment placed in, and what will be the event of our further movements I cannot say, our Army so reduced in every point, as well as the Squadron under my orders being very short of provisions, so that I must earnestly request you will send something off immediately to inform me what I am to do. Alexandria is now the only thing in our possession, with the appearance of every supply from the land side being thrown in to our assistance being very shortly stopped. I am well aware the General will make immediate application to me to draw our strength together in order to support and maintain the place, and should the present appearance of affairs come too quick upon us we must in that case make the best move off we can. This, my dear Sir John, is one of the most distressing moments I ever experienced and until I hear from you I shall have a heavy weight laying upon my mind...

I shall be looking out hourly to hear from you, after giving the supposed time the Wizard may take in going and returning, and I trust in the meantime to hear from you. What makes me so very desirous to send off in this hasty way is knowing the idea you must have formed of our safety as well as being well supplied, in consequence of Alexandria falling so easy. For no person could suppose that Rosetta would have held out so long and stuborn; and that of cutting us up in the manner they have done exceeds everything. Not a man killed or even wounded that fell in their hands but their heads were taken off and sent to Cairo, and also mangled in a way most horrid to describe. You shall know the state of our provisions. The Army have only eight weeks. All this my dear Sir, will I trust lead you to send me your orders and advice how to proceed. It is true our Country may have great views in taking Alexandria, which place is at this moment surrounded by enemies of a most cruel and barbarous nature.

I hope you will make out my letter, which I write in the greatest hurry and fully employed about watering the Army as well as the Navy, before the enemy have placed guns to prevent our entering the Nile below St. Julians.

God bless you, my dear Sir,

Ever believe me,

Your faithful and sincere

Thos. Louis

Copy of the last letter written by Sir Thomas Louis to Sir John Duckworth.

Private

Canopus, Alexandria, May 1st, 1807

My dear Sir John,

My last by the Wizard I trust you have received. I wrote it in great haste and at the despondent moment. You know well, my dear Sir, how much my wishes are not to remain in this part of the world and as my health has never been such in this climate to enable me to carry on my duty as I could wish, I greatly fear with this sort of complaint I have had upon me since my last trip to the West Indies that any length of stay here will render me quite unfit for the Service I could wish to perform and what might be expected from me. This my dear Sir, makes one the more anxious and, with that kind and friendly offer of yours to order me down, induces me to repeat my wishes to you - and that you will have the goodness to arrange it as early as possible. Indeed I am in hopes, while I am writing this, that your commands to that effect are on the passage out, and in case of accidents I may soon receive the duplicates, in case such an Event should take place. The pleasure it will give me to go down and serve near you I can hardly express. Should I not have that good fortune I trust I may, Sir, soon go home, as I well know in the Hot Months I shall be fit for nothing. However, all this I leave for you my good friend, to settle.

The business we have had since you left us is beyond anything I ever expected, and I too much fear the persons here whom you have depended upon have been deceived in all the reports from Arabs and Mamelukes; and I very much fear Major Missett's advice was given without sufficient ground to work upon. If it turns out such many a brave fellow has suffered by it, and he has a great deal to answer for it to his Country. What are we to do with Alexandria without possession of an inch of ground near it or any friends whatever in the country to come forward to assist us, without supplies, a small army one half Foreigners to maintain the place? I must confess I am not versed deep enough in Politics to find out what service Alexandria barely can be to old England, unless to drain our finances.

I shall be upon the look out daily for the necessary articles being sent from Malta for the ships under my orders. Provisions, wines and spirits, we shall soon be in want of; and I very much fear after the small sum is expended that you yourself left with me that great difficulties will arise in procuring the few necessaries that may be had. Money is scarce and Bills are not negotiable. All this points out a very pleasing prospect before us. The General means to remain in possession of Alexandria if possible until he hears from below. I have delivered several passports to Vessels to push for different Articles we are in want of, but I fear little or no dependance can be placed in them and doubtful if one half will return and perhaps the other half detained in the ports they push for. All this is truly serious work. Oh, that I were seated near my good wife at Cadewell! I should feel much better satisfied.

I send you the detail of all our movements here with Captain Hallowell's letters, by which you will see what disasters we have met with, part of which very unaccountable in my opinion, and I fear the Honour and Credit our former Army gained in this country has been very much reduced by the small party that have been lately carrying on the war at Rosetta. The easy fall of Alexandria has been dearly paid for and I fear we have not seen the worst. I shall endeavour during my stay here to assist all in my power for the security of the Army. I am now in the Harbour with the Canopus and the Tigre, Standard cruising to the northward as a lookout, Apollo watching Aboukir Bay and Rosetta, where there is at this time ten Gun Boats openly fitted and must be watched in case they intend moving their troops across, which are in great numbers by all accounts we have received. I hope, in the midst of all our misfortunes, the French and Turkish Squadrons will not appear. For the former we must trust to you and the latter to the Russians, on whom I fear no great dependance can be placed, as I strongly suspect they have gone back to Corfu; but this is only a surmise of mine.

I suppose the General will remain here if possible until he hears from General Fox. In that case we must put our wits together and make the best appearance we can. For my part I do not see the use of staying with the country in its present state, but a short time will decide our movements. I think I have written to Mr. Forrest to say it will be a good speculation for Vessels from that country to proceed with corn, wine and oil, to Alexandria. If the General does not receive Troops and dollars, what will become of him I know not.

God bless you, my Dear Sir John,

Accept the best wishes of

your sincere and faithful friend,

Thos. Louis

Sir Thomas Louis died on the 17th May,. 1807, as recorded in the log of the Canopus: "Sunday, 17th May, 1807 - at Alexandria: 10.30 (pm) Departed this life Rear Adm.l Sir Thos. Louis Bt."

THE DEATH OF REAR ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS LOUIS

The Admiral, according to a contemporary account, when walking on shore the previous day had complained to some of those around him of a little pain. " On his return on board he ate his dinner with his usual appetite and went to bed in very good spirits, having felt much relieved during the evening, and expected a good night?s rest. Unfortunately he was again attacked about four in the morning of the 17th, and immediately medical advice, both from the Army and Navy, was sent for, his attendants being apprehensive of danger. The physicians and surgeons quitted the Canopus and went on shore about noon, leaving the Admiral in their opinion free from all dangerous symptoms." About 3 p.m., however, the patient grew suddenly much worse. The doctors, who returned on board the Canopus towards 4 p.m., gave up all hope of recovery. Sir Thomas remained sensible, except for a little wandering at times, to the last half hour of his life. Shortly after 10 p.m. in the presence of Thomas Shortland, his Flag-Captain, and his secretary, Mr. Nichelson, he breathed his last.

The above also appeared in The Times of 22 July 1807, however it had the following ending:

"His family and friends may feel confidently assured that every possible attention was paid to the Admiral during his short illness and every means which human wisdom could suggest made for his recovery. His remains were sent by the Bittern sloop of war to Malta to be interred near those of Sir Ralph Abercromby."

From this website http://forum.sailingnavies.com... accessed 20th May 2009

The Times, September 12, 1807:

" ... His Majesty has been graciously pleased by his Order in Council, to direct that a pension of 200l(£) per annum, be settled on the widow of the late Admiral Sir Thomas Louis, who died in the Canopus, of 74 guns, off Egypt. ...."

Also

'The Hamilton & Nelson Papers Vo. II has several letters from Louis which give interesting personal glimpses. He was devoted to Nelson and Lady Hamilton and in a letter to Lady H. unburdened himself when he thought Earl St Vincent had broken a promise to 'take notice' of his son: '

'I was absolutely promised by Lord St V. that he would make him a captain when he was ready, if his Lordship was living and in a situation to do it. When I found he was gone without noticing him it was a death stroke to me. .....His mother and I have suffered greatly, and poor fellow, what will be his suffering when he finds all my Lord St V's promises are nothing but air? What are we born for? Surely not to deceive and make our fellow creatures miserable......' and so on, in a very bitter tone. (Letter dated 'Leopard, Dungeness, June 9th 1804]

He also wrote very movingly to Lady Hamilton expressing his condolences on Nelson's death. After several paragraphs expressing his personal grief and sense of loss, he continues:

It would be a great gratification to me to have something that was once really his as a token of remembrance of the man I loved and had the highest respect for, which shall be handed down to my posterity. I never made such a request before and never shall again, for no man can ever have the warmth of my heart and soul so strong and sincere.' [Letter dated Canopus, off Cadiz, November 9th 1805]

The amourial description is from the website below:

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=50551, accessed 16th Novermber 2006

Louis, of Cadwell, 1806. ? The late Admiral Sir Thomas Louis, of French extraction, was, for his gallant services in the West Indies, created a baronet in 1806, and was succeeded in the title by his son now Sir John Louis, who is a captain in the navy.

Arms: ? Az. a lion rampant, Arg. charged on the shoulder, with an eagle displayed, S.; on a chief wavy Erm., an anchor erect of the third; the shank surrounded with a naval coronet; the rim Az., the stern and sails, Proper.

Crest: ? A griffin's head erased, between two wings elevated, Or, in the beak a fleur-de-lis, on the breast a trident erect, Or.

Supporters: ? On the dexter side a British sailor, habited, Proper, his exterior hand supporting a staff, thereon hoisted a flag, Arg., charged with a cross, G. surmounted by a pair of wings, Or, and inscribed with the words St. Domingo, in base, Sable.

On the sinister an allegorical figure, representing the Nile, the head and the upper part of the face concealed by a veil, Arg., the mantle Vert., inscribed with hieroglyphicks; wreathed about the waste with bulrushes, Proper, and in the exterior hand an ancient rudder, Or.

Perring, of Membland, or Memland, in the parish of Holbeton, 1808. ? John Perring, Esq., alderman of London, and of Memland, in Devonshire, (which estate was purchased by his uncle, Peter Perring, Esq.,) was created a baronet in 1808.

Arms: ? Argent, on a chevron, Sable, between three leopards' faces of the fields, as many fir-cones, Proper.

Crest: ? A fir-cone, Proper.

From: 'General history: Baronets', Magna Britannia: volume 6: Devonshire (1822), pp. CVIII-CXXII. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=50551. Date accessed: 16 November 2006.

A note for an article on the history of ships called the President.

"The third President was the French Presidente captured by Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis in the Bay of Biscay in September 1806 and was eventually broken up in December 1815. She was awarded the Battle Honours of Java 1811 and San Sebestien 1813 as well as being noted for bringing Lucien Bonaparte and his family to England as a refugee in December 1810."

The chase for this ship lasted 17 hours.

Louis

Ship named after him.

A British name retained. Sir Thomas Louis (1759-1809) commanded HMS Minotaur during Nelson?s significant victory over the French in the Battle of the Nile at Aboukir Bay 1 August 1798.

(DE-517: dp. 1,140; l. 289'5"; b. 35'1"; dr. 8'3"; s. 21.5 k.; cpl. 198; a. 3 3", 9 20mm., 2 dct., 4 dcp., 1 dcp. (h.h.); cl. Evarts)

DE-517 was laid down by the Boston Navy Yard 9 July 1943; launched 13 August 1943; transferred to the United Kingdom under lend lease 9 November 1943; and commissioned as HMS Louis (K-515) the same day. She served the Royal Navy during the remainder of World War II. As a frigate, she operated on convoy escort and ASW patrols in the Bay of Biscay, the North Atlantic, and Arctic waters. After the Allied victory in Europe, the British returned her to the custody of the U.S. Navy at Philadelphia 20 March 1946. She was sold to the State of Pennsylvania 17 June 1946.