Folios 137-138: William Granger, HMS Semiramis, off Oporto. In pursuance of directions...

Folios 137-138: William Granger, HMS Semiramis, off Oporto. In pursuance of directions from the Honourable Vice Admiral Berkeley to proceed off this place and render assistance to His Majesty's Army under the Command of Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Wellesley [1st Duke of Wellington] in his attack upon the enemy here and the Neighbourhood, and having arrived as above on Tuesday last and taken the necessary steps to prevent supplies being thrown into the Enemy by Sea, in anchoring this ship and HMS Nautilus at short distance from the Bar, likewise sending every night Boats in shore manned and armed. He reports that at 6 0.clock this morning he received a letter from the Commander in Chief of the British Army acquainting me that the Town of Oporto was yesterday taken possession of by the Troops under his Command and requesting he allow HMS Nautilus to take an Officer with his dispatches to England. Has therefore sent Captain Thomas Dench to Head Quarters with directions to return with the bearer of them with all possible expectation, as he has my order to proceed with the sloop to Plymouth or the nearest Port he can fetch. 17 May 1809:- From the hard Gales at W.N.W. having prevented Captain [Thomas] Dench's return with Sir Arthur Wellesley's dispatches. I have embraced this only opportunity of making you acquainted with the above intelligence by HMS Nonpareil Schooner.