Folios 200-202: William Hargood, HMS Belleisle, off the Capes of Virginia. Reports...

Folios 200-202: William Hargood, HMS Belleisle, off the Capes of Virginia. Reports he has been cruising off the Capes since 1 August when he separated from Vice Admiral Sir Richard Strachan. Describes the damage his ship suffered in the heavy gale of 18 and 19 August, after which he waited for a week at the rendezvous and then proceeded to the Western Islands. He was joined by HMS Bellona and HMS Melampus, which had escaped damage in the gale. He learned from pilot boats that the French warships Patriot, 74 guns, and Cybele, had arrived in the River Chesapeake heavily damaged in the same gale, the Patriot going to Annapolis and the Cybele to Norfolk. They were part of the squadron under Contre Admiral Jean Baptiste Philliberet Willaumez. He cruised off the Cape for some time in case he could intercept any French vessels. The Éole of 74 guns, heavily damaged, was towed into the Chesapeake by several American vessels, but he was able to intercept the Impétueux, as he reported in his letter of 15 September. HMS Moselle from Barbados has joined him, and he will send her to the Commander in Chief, Halifax, with an account of his proceedings and a list of stores needed by the Bellona and Melampus. Encloses a copy of his orders to Captain John Erskine Douglas of the Bellona, whom he will leave on station when he takes the Belleisle to England to repair the damaged outlined in the enclosed report. Reports that the morning after the gale, the Impétueux exchanged signals with Admiral Willaumez' flagship the Foudroyant, was dismasted and making for Havana under jury rig. Le Cassard was reported to have been in poor condition before the gale and is presumed to have foundered. The officers of the Impétueux says that the Véteran separated from the squadron before the gale without permission.

Folios 202-203: enclosed with folios 200-202. Copy of orders dated 18 September 1806 from Captain William Hargood, HMS Belleisle, off the Chesapeake, to Captain John Erskine Douglas, HMS Bellona. Orders HMS Bellona and HMS Melampus to remain on station to watch the movements of the enemy and prevent any more getting into the River Chesapeake. Once he is satisfied that no French ships can be repaired and no more are likely to arrive, he should carry out his original orders from Vice Admiral Sir Richard Strachan. He is sending a copy of these orders to Vice Admiral Sir George Berkeley.

Folios 203-204: enclosed with folios 200-202. As ordered by Captain William Hargood of HMS Belleisle, Carpenters Thomas Weeks, HMS Bellona and John Dickson, HMS Melampus, and Carpenter's Mate Mark Selam, HMS Bellona, report their survey of the Belleisle, 13 September 1806.