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Folios 243-244: John Erskine Douglas, HMS Bellona off Willoughby Point, Virginia....

Catalogue reference: ADM 1/1729/105

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This record is about the Folios 243-244: John Erskine Douglas, HMS Bellona off Willoughby Point, Virginia.... dating from 1807 June 24 in the series Admiralty, and Ministry of Defence, Navy Department: Correspondence and Papers. It is held at The National Archives, Kew.

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Full description and record details

Reference
ADM 1/1729/105
Date
1807 June 24
Description

Folios 243-244: John Erskine Douglas, HMS Bellona off Willoughby Point, Virginia. Is transmitting a duplicate of his dispatches of the previous day to Vice Admiral Berkeley, also a copy his orderof 1 June which he hopes will fully explain the reasons Captain Humphrey felt he had to adopt the measures he did.

Folio 245: enclosure with folios 243-244. List dated 22 June 1807 of deserters from the Royal Navy found on board USS Chesapeke. L.P. Humphreys, HMS Leopard at sea. Deserters from HMS Melampus: William Ware, Daniel Martin and John Stronn alias Story. Deserter from HMS Halifax: John Wilson, alias Jenkin Halford.

Folios 246-247: enclosure with folios 243-244. John Erskine Douglas, HMS Bellona off Willoughby Point, Virginia. 24 June 1807. Duplicate of folios 243-244.

Folios 248-249. enclosure with folios 243-244. Copy of Order dated 1 June 1807 of Vice Admiral George Cranfield Berkeley of the White, Commander from coast of Nova Scotia to Bermuda, Halifax, Nova Scotia. In view of the blatant parading of men who have deserted from the Royal Navy and joined the USS Chesapeake the Capatins of HMs Belleisle, Bellona, Triumph, Chichester, Halifax and Zenobia are ordered, should they meet with USS Chesapeake to search the ship for the deserters.

Folios 250-251: enclosure with folios 243-244. Letter dated 22 June 1807 by L. S. Humphrey, HMS Leopard at sea, to Captain Douglas. Gives detailed report of his exchanges with Commander James Barron of USS Chesapeake. On coming within hailing distance of the Chesapeake he sent a message demanding the return of the deserters. That there were deserters was denied and the Commander rrefused to comply. Humpherey sent a shot across the bows but this did not have the desired effect. He then shot into the Chesapeake. Returned fire did not make contact with the Leopard. The Chesapeake then surrendered. Humphrey insists that at all times he was trying to avoid confrontation.

Folios 252-253: enclosure with folios 243-244. Letter dated 23 June 1807 by John Erskine Douglas, HMS Bellona, off Willoughby Point, Virginia to Vice Admiral Berkeley. Encloses Captain Humphey's report. States that he has seen the damage done to USS Chesapeake and regrets that men were killed. However he feels that the action taken was necessary to carry out Berkeley's order.

Folios 254-255: enclosure with folios 243-244. Duplicate of folios 252-253.

Folios 256-257: enclosure with folios 243-244. Duplicate of folios 250-251.

Folios 258-259: enclosure with folios 243-244. Duplicate of folios 248-249.

Held by
The National Archives, Kew
Former department reference
Cap D130
Legal status
Public Record(s)
Language
English
Closure status
Open Document, Open Description
Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C12806194/

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Series information

ADM 1

Admiralty, and Ministry of Defence, Navy Department: Correspondence and Papers

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Catalogue hierarchy

Over 27 million records

This record is held at The National Archives, Kew

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Within the department: ADM

Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and related bodies

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Within the series: ADM 1

Admiralty, and Ministry of Defence, Navy Department: Correspondence and Papers

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Within the piece: ADM 1/1729

Letters from Captains, Surnames D. (Described at item level)

You are currently looking at the item: ADM 1/1729/105

Folios 243-244: John Erskine Douglas, HMS Bellona off Willoughby Point, Virginia....

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