432
addenda to flag-officers.
tical situation of the squadron under Nelson, it became a question between him and the captain of the fleet whether he should make the signal to leave off action; but as that measure was strongly opposed by Captain Otway, it was determined that the captain of the fleet should proceed to Lord Nelson to ascertain the situation of affairs: he went below to adjust some part of his dress; but whilst he was so doing, Captain Otway solicited and obtained leave from Sir Hyde Parker to execute the intended mission. At this moment a boat was passing the London; she was instantly hailed, and Captain Otway pushed off in her, with that promptness and alacrity which are congenial with his whole conduct and character. The boat had on board a large hawser; but Captain Otway would not wait to have it discharged; and in that dangerous vehicle passed through the enemy’s fire to the Elephant. Had a shot struck her, she must have sunk like a stone; but Captain Otway fortunately reached his destination in safety. Before he got on board, the signal to leave off action was made: it was, however, disregarded by Nelson; and as Captain Otway had verbal authority from Sir Hyde Parker that the battle should continue if he saw there was a probability of success, the action was continued till the enemy submitted; and Captain Otway had thus the opportunity of being present at that most interesting and important event. His exertions, however, did not terminate with the fight. On the 2d April he displayed his activity and courage; and on the 3d he became equally celebrated for judgment and presence of mind. But before we narrate his conduct on that occasion, we shall insert the particulars of the circumstance alluded to, from Clarke and M‘Arthur’s Life of Nelson. They say, ‘Finding that one of the line-of-battle ships, the Zealand, which had struck the last, and was under the protection of the Trekroner, had refused to acknowledge herself to be a captured ship, and made some quibble about the colours and not the pendant having been hauled down, his Lordship ordered one of our brigs to approach her, and proceeded in his gig to one of the enemy’s ships which were within that battery, in order to communicate with the commodore, whose flag was still flying on board the Elephanten. When he got alongside, he found it to be his old acquaintance Muller, whom he had known in the West Indies He invited himself on board, and acted with so much ability and politeness towards his friend and the officers assembled, that he not only explained and gained the point in dispute about the Zealand, but left the ship as much admired by his enemies, as he had long been by those who were his intimate friends in his own fleet.’ This account is followed by Mr. Southey, who, in addition, says, that ‘it was a brig and three long-boats that Nelson ordered upon this service; and that when he had gained the point with the commodore, through his own dexterity and urbanity, the men from the boats lashed a cable round the Zealand’s bowsprit, and the gun-vessel towed her away.’ Now whatever merit belonged to this enterprise (and certainly it was merit of the very highest order), it is due
