1

BRAVE BENBOW DOCUMENTARY SCRIPTAn adaptation of the book ‘Brave Benbow’

By William A. Benbow

First Draft by William BenbowOctober, 2011

A documentary in two parts

US Copyright 1-524591891 November 2010

PART ONE

Roots: 1651 – 1666Learning his Trade: 1667 – 1687

A Call to Arms: Benbow rejoins the Navy: 1688 - 1690The Channel War (War of the English Succession): 1690 – 1692

The Channel War: 1693 and 1694

2

3

Visuals Audio

CLIP: Ships fighting

TITLE: BRAVE BENBOWSUB-TITLE: THE BENBOW MUTINYDOCUMENTARY

SONG: The Death of Admiral Benbow

THE DEATH OF ADMIRAL BENBOW

Come, all ye seamen bold, lend an ear, lend an ear,Come, all ye seamen bold, lend an ear:'Tis of our admiral's fame,Brave Benbow called by name,

How he fought on the main you shall hear, you shallhear,

How he fought on the main you shall hear.

Brave Benbow he set sail for to fight, for to fight,Brave Benbow he set sail for to fight;Brave Benbow he set sailWith a sweet and pleasant gale;

But his captains they turned tail in a fright, in afright,

But his captains, they turned tail in a fright.

Says Kirkby unto Wade, 'I will run, I will run,'Says Kirkby unto Wade, 'I will run.I value not disgrace,Nor the losing of my place;

For my enemies I'll not face with a gun, with a gun,For my enemies I'll not face with a gun.

'Twas the Ruby and [Bredah] fought the French, fought theFrench,'Twas the Ruby and [Bredah] fought the French;For there was ten in all,Poor souls, they fought them all;

They valued them not at all, would not flinch, wouldnot flinch,

They valued them not at all, would not flinch.

Hard fortune that it was by chain shot, by chain shot,Hard fortune that it was, by chain shot,Our admiral lost his leg,And of his men did beg,

'Fight on, my British boys; 'tis my lot, 'tis my lot;Fight on, my British boys; 'tis my lot.

4

PAINTING: NMM BHC2546 Admiral JohnBenbow, by Godfrey Kneller,

NARR:

Historians describe Admiral Benbow as a mystery.

He never won a major battle as admiral. His deathreceived little if any notice from the Navalauthorities or Government of his day. Yet, he hasalways been a popular hero – a model of thehonest, brave British tar.

How did he become such a legendary hero.

This painting of Admiral Benbow was done forthe Royal Court, just before his final voyage to theWest Indies. It is interesting because unlike mostformal portraits of military leaders, Benbow is notholding the traditional staff of office, but isbrandishing a sword: he was a fighting Admiral.And as a fighting Admiral his name is renownedin story, folksongs and scores of British pubs.

PICTURE:

CLIP: Panning shots of inside of pub

NARR:

Robert Louis Stevenson begins Treasure Island injust such a pub as this: The Admiral Benbow inPenzance, Cornwall.

At the only pitched action in which hecommanded a fleet, at the Battle of Santa Marta,also known as “The Action of August 1702”, onthe Spanish Main, the captains of his ships failedto give him proper support – practically ran away.Benbow fought on as long as he could, but wasforced by his captains to call off the fight.

Yet Benbow was later remembered as “the Nelsonof his day”. Ballads were sung and his heroicdeeds were written on paper “broadsheets” andposted on the walls of sailors’ favourite pubs.And scores of these watering holes were renamed“The Admiral Benbow” just like this one inPenzance, Cornwall.

Benbow’s history began in the year of his birth ona blood-soaked field near Worcester in 1651.

5

Roots: 1651 - 1666

CLIP:On Screen title: “Battle of WorcesterSeptember 3, 1651”

A vastly outnumbered troop of cavalry loyal tothe King, known as “cavaliers”, are chased andcaught by parliamentary cavalry called“roundheads”. Their leader surrenders his swordto spare further bloodshed upon the promise ofquarter for his life and that of his men.

ROUNDHEAD:Yield or die.

BENBOW:(to his men) No, it is over, put

down your arms. (reverses hissword and hands it to Roundheadleader) Sir, I am Colonel JohnBenbow: we accept your promise ofquarter and so yield.

ROUNDHEAD:Quarter is granted upon the

surrender of all your weapons.You are prisoners all.

ENGRAVING: NMM PAD2630 Charles II,pub by Clemendt de Jonge

NARR:

In 1651 Charles Stuart brought a Scottish Armysouth into the northern counties of England in aneffort to regain his father’s throne. Charles I hadlost his head in the English Civil War betweenthe King and Parliament.

6

ANIMATION: MAP OF CHARLES’MARCH

NARR:

As the younger Charles progressed throughShrewsbury and south to Worcester he called forloyal followers to rise to his cause and fight theParliamentary forces led by Oliver Cromwell.

PAINTING: Battle of Worcester by ThomasWoodward, City of Worcester

PAINTING: Cromwell NMM BHC2638

NARR:

At Worcester Charles met Cromwell’s army andwas roundly beaten by the Roundheads. Hebarely escaped with his life by hiding in a tree.

7

ENGRAVING: Cromwell at the Battle of WorcesterFrom Cromwelliana published by Machell Stace,Westminster, 1810.

NARR:

Most of those who had answered his call toarms were caught, including several Earls, andmany senior officers of his army including anumber of Colonels. The victoriousParliamentary army, enraged over the escapeof Charles, decided to make an example oftheir most well known captives: one was theCavalry Colonel: John Benbow.

Woodcut: Colonel John BenbowFrom the Loyall Martyrology 1665

NARR:

Benbow had once served as a Captain in theParliamentary forces and so was considered atraitor for changing sides. His formercommander was now Governor of Shrewsbury,and chaired his Court Martial. He did notrecognize the legitimacy of Benbow’s Royalcommission as Colonel, so tried him as aCaptain.

This picture of Colonel John Benbow is fromthe cover of a booklet published in 1665 afterCharles II was finally restored to his throne. Itis titled “The Loyall Martyrology” and tells ofthe loyal Royalists who died fighting for theirKing.

8

PICTURE: Shrewsbury Castle

CLIP: Video around castle

NARR:

Colonel Benbow was convicted of Treason andexecuted. The promise to spare his life wasignored. Colonel Benbow was shot in his hometown: in the cabbage garden of the Castle atShrewsbury. He is said to have died bravely.

PICTURE: Colonel Benbow’s gravestone

CLIP: Video of St. Chad’s Church, grave

NARR:

Colonel Benbow is buried in the Church Yardof St. Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury.

Inscription:

“HERE LIETH THE BODY OFCAPTAINE JOHN BENBOW,WHO WAS BURIED YE OCTOBER 16, 1651

His estate was probated by a kinsman,also named John Benbow.

9

COAT OF ARMS of BENBOW NARR:

Colonel John Benbow’s family were minorgentry from the Newport area of Shropshire,just a few miles from the county seat,Shrewsbury. One of the more prominentmembers of this tribe had risen to be Clerk ofthe Crown in the early 1600s. The NewportBenbows used a coat of arms, made up of twobows between two bunches of arrows; and acrest of a Harpy, a savage mythological birdwith the head of a woman, that snatches upopponents for punishment by the Furies.

The arms are those of a warrior; weaponsready. One version has an arrow through theHarpy’s breast.

PICTURE: Milton Alms dish

CLIP:Video of Milton Manor, St.Blaise Church, Almsdish.

NARR:

A strong connection between Colonel Benbowand our Admiral Benbow is seen in theadmiral’s use of this coat of arms.

In Admiral Benbow’s day, the use of a coat ofarms was a coveted sign of nobility. It markedyou as a gentleman, a person worthy ofrespect. It is significant that Benbow chose theNewport Arms of Colonel Benbow for his ownuse. By doing this he clearly claimed aconnection to the martyred Colonel and to hisnoble roots.

There are three remaining pieces of evidenceshowing his use of the Colonel’s arms. Afterhis death, his daughter Katherine gave a SilverAlms dish with this coat of arms to the parishChurch in Milton, near Oxford. This wasAdmiral Benbow’s summer home. A similarcoat of arms appears on Admiral Benbow’sgrave marker, and on that of his son.

In addition Benbow is known to havedisplayed his coat of arms on his home inDeptford. It clearly was important to him to somark his family’s status and heritage.

10

ENGRAVING: NMM PAD4368 AdmiralBenbow by John Chapman 1797

NARR:

The future Admiral John Benbow wasprobably born in the same year as theColonel’s death, 1651.

His daughter, Katherine, recounts that ColonelBenbow, this hero of the English Civil War,was his uncle.

No record has been found of the Admiral’sbirth, but this is understandable: parish recordswere not well kept during Cromwell’s rulewhen the English Church was persecuted.

However, his grave marker proclaims he wasin his 52nd year in 1702.

This engraving shows a youthful AdmiralBenbow, in the armour of a warrior, like hisuncle.

PICTURE: Mardol Street, SHREWSBURY Sby T.S. Boys, Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery

CLIP: Video of old Shrewsbury, St. Marys Church

NARR:

Admiral Benbow’s upbringing in Shrewsburyis confirmed in his 1703 obituary. This statesthat young John attended the ‘free school’ inShrewsbury as a youngster. We know thatlater, Admiral Benbow’s sister, Elinor, ran acoffee house in Shrewsbury, and is buriedthere in St. Marys Church yard.

There is a tale that Elinor kept a portrait oftheir uncle, the martyred Colonel, in her coffeehouse, and that one of his judges, upon visitingher coffee house, was marked by blood on hishands when he pulled off his gloves.

In later years Admiral Benbow made regulardonations to St. Marys Church and wasentertained by the Shrewsbury town council inJune 1698.

11

ENGRAVING: Cotton-Hill HouseGentleman’s Magazine Dec.1809

NARR:

A tradition grew up in Shrewsbury that thehouse where Admiral Benbow lived as a youthwas on Cotton-Hill. It came to be known asBenbow House. The story evolved thatBenbow was the son of a tanner, apprenticed toa butcher, and ran away to sea. For years a keyhung on a tree in front of the house,supposedly left by the youngster. Under it waswritten: “Admiral John Benbow, Born 1651,The Nelson of the 17th Century”.

We do know that the Newport Benbowsowned tanneries, so they may have been

connected to this Shrewsbury family.

CLIP:Video of re-enactment of Royalists andParliamentary battle, or stills.Images of Civil War cavalry from Richard Clark

NARR:

In Katherine’s account there were twobrothers, both of whom served as Colonels inCharles’ army. One of these Royalist officerssurvived and was her grandfather.

This family history is further reinforced in theAdmiral’s obituary which states that theBenbows had lost their wealth and status dueto their loyalty to the Stuart monarchy.

12

DRAWING: Tower of London, British Museum, byWenceslaus Hollar

ENGRAVING: NMM PAD1431

CLIP:Video of exterior and interior of the Tower.

NARR:

Katherine tells a tale of the Admiral’s fathermeeting the restored Charles II in the Tower ofLondon, where he worked as an armourer, alittle before the third Dutch War of 1665.Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist, records justsuch a surprise visit by the King to the Toweron November 8, 1664.

The King had come to the Tower to examinethe magazines and arms. There he spotted thegood old colonel, whom he had not seen inmany years and who now had a fine head ofgrey hairs. The King immediately embracedhim.

CLIP: Admiral’s father meets Charles II at Towerof London

CHARLES:My old friend Colonel Benbow,

what do you here?

BENBOW:I have a place of fourscore

pounds a year, in which I serveyour majesty as cheerfully, asif it brought me in fourthousand.

CHARLES:Alas!" said the King," is

that all that could be foundfor an old friend at Worcester?Colonel Legge, bring thisgentleman to me to-morrow, andI will provide for him and hisfamily as it becomes me

NARR: (VO)Unfortunately the old man was overcome withthe King's gratitude and goodness, and sittingdown on a bench, there breathed his last,before the King was barely out of the Tower.So, both Colonels fell martyrs to the royalcause, one in grief, and the other in joy.

13

ENGRAVING: NMM H1730 Rotherhitheriver frontage and Angel tavern

NARR:

Katherine’s story is supported by the localhistory in the Rotherhithe area of London, justacross the Thames from Tower Hill, thatAdmiral Benbow was raised in thatneighbourhood. This would place the Admiral,as a young teenager, quite close to the Londondocks and Thames River shipping.

ENGRAVING: Shrewsbury MuseumService P/2005/0822) sy9665, Prospect of theTown of Shrewsbury and the Severn River

NARR:

The Admiral’s obituary indicates that becauseof his family’s poverty, he was forced to beapprenticed to a waterman, following the deathof his father. Watermen were the sailors whomanned the boats that took freight andpassengers across and up and down the riversand canals, including the Severn River. It islikely that young Benbow returned to hisextended family in Shrewsbury and foundemployment with kin on the Severn. There arerecords of Benbows owning River Boats in the17th century on the Severn.

So he was “bred to the sea”, learned his tradefrom the bottom up, and became a professionalsailor, called a “tarpaulin” or“tar” after the oiled canvas coats the sailorswore in bad weather.

14

CLIP: Admiral Benbow Pub, Shrewsbury BENBOW COMMENTATORS:

Bob:So, the evidence that we havesuggests that Admiral Benbowwas born around 1651 to theancient family of the NewportBenbows, with a tradition ofsacrifice for one’s King andCountry.

Fred:Yes, and into a family that

had lost their place in societybecause of their loyalty andsense of duty. The young ladwas raised in Shrewsbury duringthe 1650s and moved to Londonin the 1660s when his fatherfound employment in the Towerafter the Restoration ofCharles II.

Bob:And following his father’s

death, when he was a youngteenager, he apprenticed to awaterman in the Severn shippingtrade, probably in the familybusiness.

Fred:We can imagine that he was

raised with tales of thefamily’s past glory and heroic

deeds. And then what?

Bob:Well, the obituary tells us

that “Afterwards he us'd the seasand set up for a Privateer in theWest Indies”

Fred:Let’s be off then, to the WestIndies.

15

Learning his Trade: 1667 - 1687

MAP: West Indies NARR:

The Severn flowed into Bristol, which servicedthe major West Indies trade.

We can imagine that young Benbow, boredwith the mundane to and fro of a waterman,jumped at the chance to seek fame and fortuneas a privateer in the distant and exoticCaribbean. Benbow would have been in hislate teens at the end of the 1660s when thegovernment of Jamaica encouraged privateers.

Privateers were local seamen who werelicensed by the government to harass Spanishpossessions and shipping in the Caribbean.

ENGRAVING: Henry Morgan, Bridgeman ArtLibrary and NMM PAD2636

CLIP:Video of Port Royal, Fort Charles

NARR:

Like pirates they could attack enemy ships orcolonies and capture them as ‘prizes’. Thedifference was that they carried a letter fromthe English governor as a license. Thisallowed them the protection and safe haven ofPort Royal, the English capital of Jamaica.

Henry Morgan, was the leader of theseprivateers, and led many of these attacks.

16

ENGRAVING: Spanish destroyed by CaptainMorganBridgeman Art Library and NMM PAD5126

NARR:

Benbow would have learned his fearless andfierce fighting tactics from Morgan. Hewould have learned to lead by example tocharge into the fray, to fight up close: shiphard against ship, to terrorize and then boardthe enemy.

This Engraving shows Morgan destroyingSpanish ships and capturing their treasure.

CLIP: Ships fighting on the Spanish Main fromfilm.

NARR:

But, the privateers were too successful. Spainsigned the Treaty of Madrid with England inJuly 1670, recognizing English possessions inthe Caribbean.

In exchange, England agreed to curtailprivateering in the Indies.

So this lucrative and rapid route to restoredfortune was blocked to our young seaman.

Benbow and the other privateers had to takeup more civilized positions in merchant shipstrading in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

17

PAINTING: Jean-Baptiste du Casse, WikipediaMusee de France

NARR:

It is worth mentioning one other famousPrivateer: Jean Baptiste du Casse. He rose tofame when privateering came back into voguewith the French wars in the 1690s.

Du Casse began his career in the perilousslave trade, became leader of the Frenchbuccaneers, a French Admiral, and governorof Saint Domingue on Hispaniola. In the1680’s and 90’s he preyed on Dutch, Englishand Spanish merchantmen. He raided Englishsettlements on Jamaica, and in 1696 joined ina successful raid on the great port ofCartagena on the Spanish Main. He was thelast of the great buccaneering leaders.

And he was Benbow’s nemesis.

PAINTING: NMM BHC3582 English two decker

Clip: A ship of the line rushing through the waterfrom film (ostensibly the Rupert).

NARR:

The first official mention of our futureAdmiral is when young John Benbow joinedthe Royal Navy in 1678. Pay book recordsindicate one of his first ships was the 42 gunPhoenix which he joined as a Master’s Mateor junior navigator in January 1678, when hewould have been about 27 years old.

The Phoenix was part of the squadron ofVice-Admiral Arthur Herbert, destined for theMediterranean.

It was customary for merchant seamen toenter the Navy at one rank lower than theirmerchant station, so Benbow probably hadexperience as a master of merchant ships.On merchant ships the Master was theCaptain as well as the navigator, so Benbowcame with considerable experience as aprofessional seaman.

This painting by William van de Velde theYounger is of the Resolution, a sister ship toHerbert’s flagship, the Rupert.

18

ENGRAVING: Admiral Lord Torrington, BritishMuseum, AN397141

NARR:

Herbert served as vice-admiral or second-in-command in the Mediterranean station untilMay 1679 when he accepted full command.

He later became Admiral, the Earl ofTorrington, and was a major patron andpromoter of Benbow’s career.

MAP: Mediterranean

ETCHING: NMM PAD6938, Tangier, byWenceslaus Hollar

CLIP:Video of Tangier shoreline

Narr:

19

COPPER ENGRAVING: Tangier c.1618

COPPER ENGRAVING: SALE c.1618

COPPER ENGRAVING: Algiers c1690

NARR:

The coast of North Africa was thick withpirates. 160 British merchant ships werelisted as captured by Algerians between 1677and 1680. This translates into a probable7,000 to 9,000 British men and women killedor taken into slavery in those years

England’s response was to base a squadron ofwarships to patrol the Barbary coast,particularly around Moroccan ports such asSale, and Algiers.

Their main base was Tangier, at that time anEnglish possession.

These three Copperplate engravings showTangier, Sale, and Algiers in the 1600s.

20

PAINTING: NMM BHC0893 Action with Barbarypirates.

NARR:

Shortly after Herbert’s fleet arrived off CapeSt. Vincent, in March, 1678, the Phoenixengaged the Tiger, a large Algerian ship of 40guns. The Rupert and the Mary came to herassistance. Herbert closed to within halfcannon shot before he unleashed hisbroadsides.

The battle was extremely close and vicious asthe Algerian fought on despite having lostabout two hundred men. The Rupert sufferedabout fifty casualties, many on thequarterdeck including the death of alieutenant and many officers. Herbert himselfsuffered a wound to his eye but fought onuntil the Tiger struck its colours, indicatingsurrender.

Benbow benefitted from Herbert’s need toreplace his deceased officers. On April 30,1678 Herbert promoted Benbow to theRupert. He must have fought well to havecaught the attention of his superiors.

He was promoted again in June 1679 to theposition of Master of the Nonsuch underfuture Admiral George Rooke. Benbow musthave excelled in his trade as a professionalseaman and navigator, and clearly had gainedthe patronage of Admiral Herbert.

In July 1680 Clowdesley Shovell took overcommand of the Nonsuch. Shovell also laterbecame an Admiral of renown, and booster ofBenbow’s career.

This Painting, by Willem van de Velde, theYounger, gives detail of an Action withBarbary Pirates, about 1678. Again, we see alarge English two-decker such as the Rupertengaging on both sides.

In the left foreground is a damaged Barbaryship.

21

PAINTING: NMM BHC0323 NARR:

In March 1681 Benbow ran afoul of one of theother ship’s captains

The Adventure under Captain William Boothengaged the Algerian Golden Horse. The shipsfought to a standstill until a distant ship appearedunder Turkish colours. Boot h broke off, fearingthat he was outnumbered, but was dismayed to seethe Golden Horse surrender to the late comerwhich turned out to be the Nonsuch, now underCaptain Francis Wheeler with Benbow still asMaster.

Captain Wheeler refused to share the prize or torelinquish the Algerian’s colours to Booth. Backin Tangiers, the tension escalated between theofficers and men of the two ships.

This Painting by Willem van de Velde, theYounger, shows an English two decker and aBarbary two decker in Action, around 1680. TheBarbary ship is on fire.

CLIP:Benbow in Tangier Pub

Benbow and a group of his Nonsuch mates sneerand snicker at a table of Adventure junior officers.

Benbow:“Landlord, I am surprised you serve Poltroons inthis establishment. You’ll drive away all yourdecent trade."

At which point the 2nd lieutenant of the Adventurebristled back:

Lieut:“And I am surprised that you serve those whohide behind false colours; Aye, and steal thecaptured colours rightly due the real victors“

Benbow:“Tis not we who are false: twas your CaptainMilksop who kept his ship a full canon shot towindward while we hotly engaged the enemy. Nodoubt he feared soiling his fine pantaloons."

A general melee breaks out.

22

PICTURE: Gibralter, NMM PU7006

CLIP:Video of Gibraltar shoreline

NARR:

Booth brought charges against Benbow. On April20, 1681 Benbow appeared before a court martial held inthe Bay of Gibraltar. Admiral Herbert, now of theBristol, presided. The evidence was well attested to andthere was no avoiding a conviction, despite Herbert'ssympathies. The Admiral did however devise a meansof easing the punishment.

CLIP: Benbow’s Court martialHerbert:

"John Benbow, Master of the Nonsuch, uponexamination hath been found only to have repeatedthose words after another. It is therefore orderedthat for repeating these publicly he shall forfeit threemonths pay - as master, to be disposed of for the useof the wounded men on board the Adventure. Andshall likewise ask Captain Booth pardon on boardhis Majesty's ship Bristol declaring that he had nomalicious intent in speaking those words, all thecommanders being aboard, and a boat crew of eachship's company."

CLIP: Benbow apologizing on the Bristol.Benbow:

“Sir, I do ask your pardon. I did not intend to injureyou by my words. I declare before this companythat I meant no disrespect."

Captain Booth appears unmoved.

Booth:“You sir have an uncivil tongue, and a roughermanner about you. Take this as a lesson from yourbetters. I dare say you’ll not go far in this navy. Ipray I do not have to set eyes upon you again."

At which point he turns abruptly and moves to theGreat Cabin, where a noon meal had been set for thecaptains. Benbow, his throat acid with bile, movesto return to the Nonsuch.

23

PAINTING: NMM BHC0890 EnglishMerchant ship in a Mediterranean Harbour

NARR:

This was, no doubt, the most difficult thing Benbowever had to do: he never forgot it. And no doubt hebore a lasting resentment to Booth’s type of officer:snobbish, lordly, and overly cautious.

In November of 1681 the Nonsuch was orderedback to England where her entire company werepaid off and disbanded. This was a low time for theRoyal Navy, with very few ships employed in activeduty.

After his public humiliation, and with little call forhis services, Benbow decided he’d had enough ofthe Royal Navy.

Again he must have felt his path to restore thefamily’s fortunes was blocked. The navy nowoffered little promise of the recognition and respecthe yearned for.

Instead, with several of his former shipmates, hefound employment commanding merchant shipstrading with the Mediterranean. Records show hewas master of the 80 ton London with four guns andeight men in 1683; the 90 ton Joseph with ten gunsand eleven crew in 1684; the Malaga Frigate of 130tons, fourteen guns and eighteen men in 1685.Eventually he purchased his own ship, the Benbowfrigate. His old commander, Arthur Herbert isknown to have financially assisted his protégés insuch ventures.

This painting by Willem van de Velde, the Youngershows an English Merchant Ship in a MediterraneanHarbour. She is flying a St. George’s flag andpendant. Another ship fires a salute.

24

ENGRAVING: NMM PAD2187 Deptford andGreenwich, pub. Alexander Hogg

CLIP:Video of Deptford, St. Nicholas Church

NARR:

During his early years in the Royal Navy Benbowmarried Martha who bore him several children.Those who survived to adulthood were Martha bornin 1679, John in 1681, Katherine in 1687, andWilliam in 1690. There were three sons namedRichard, the survivor born in 1696.

The dates for Martha junior and John junior suggestMartha probably accompanied her husband on hisnaval station in the Mediterranean.

The family established themselves in Deptfordduring these years as he furthered his career asMaster and owner of merchant ships.

ENGRAVING: Barbary pirates attacking anEnglish ship: NMM PAG6895

NARR:

There are several accounts of Benbow fighting offpirate attacks in these years. It was noted thatBenbow was the first to have introduced the practiceof heaving his ship close to the enemy beforepouring in the broadside; a practice he no doubtlearnt from Captain Morgan and used in fighting offpirates in the Mediterranean.

One such attack upon Benbow’s own ship, theBenbow Frigate in 1686 is quite notable.

This engraving shows an English ship attacked by

Barbary pirates, circa 1669 – 1681.

25

CLIP from film Benbow Mutiny: The Benbow Frigate and the Sallee Rover: 1686

EXT. ESTABLISHING SHOT - OCEAN - MERCHANT SHIP - DAY

The lone merchant ship rocks quietly, luft into the wind, almostmotionless, appearing deserted.

A sallee rover mother ship coasts nearby, flying its red flag withcrescent moon and stars. Cannons bristle from several port holes.

A low BELLOWING builds into a CACOPHONY OF SCREAMING BARBARY PIRATES.

Two galleys race INTO FRAME, and grapple the merchant ship from bothsides.

Ferocious pirates swarm up the steep sides of the helpless prey; streamover the rails and into the centre of the ship with fangs bared.

The waist fills with the pirate horde who madly search for an enemy todevour.

No resistance. Confusion. They press towards the ladders and stairs atthe bow and stern.

Suddenly all hell breaks loose.

Defenders leap up to man the hammock filled rails of the Quarterdeck andForecastle;

Swivel guns disgorge shrapnel, slicing and dicing the teaming mass ofhowling pirates. Blood and guts everywhere.

Men slipping and sliding as they backup seeking refuge.

Muskets fire from the fore and main tops into the bleeding mass.

Steady and disciplined pistol fire erupts from the Quarterdeck andForecastle. The swivel guns quickly reloaded, again unleash their fireand brimstone, scything through the beaten and trampled mass below.

The pirates attempt to save themselves by retreating back to the siderails.

Seamen wade in with axes and swords, led by a BURLY WARRIOR who SCREAMSpiercing Saxon curses.

Some of the rogues escape to their galleys.

The attacked SHIP FIRES ITS CANONS directly into the fleeing galleys,sending them quickly to the bottom. The mother ship flees from witheringbroadsides.

26

It is over as suddenly as it began. The deck is left a morass ofwrithing bodies.

The Crew begins to shift the enemy wounded and bodies to the side toheave them overboard.

The burly warrior, CAPTAIN JOHN BENBOW, stops them with a SHOUT.

BENBOWAvast there.I'll have their heads. Yes, their headsput them in a pork barrel. Feed what'sleft to the fishes.

The men look puzzled, then go to work with a vengeance. We see themraise their weapons: axes and swords.

CLOSE on the transom to show the name of the ship "BENBOW"

INT. CADIZ - CUSTOM HOUSE - DAY

SUPERIMPOSE: "1684: CADIZ, SPAIN, CUSTOM HOUSE"

Captain Benbow, man on a mission, stands before several customs’MAGISTRATES, accompanied by a husky black sailor carrying a sack overhis shoulder.

MAGISTRATE

We do apologize, Captain Benbow: we valueyour trade. But we can permit no exceptions.Please, show us the contents of your sack

BENBOW

As I told your officials, these are but saltprovisions for my own use.

MAGISTRATE

Senor, por favor

BENBOW

Very well, since you insist...in truth, if you likethese, they are at your service...Caesar - open thesack on the table.

Caesar, the sailor, empties the sack of heads upon the Magistrate'stable: heads role out, some bounce to the floor, to the amazement of thestunned Spanish authorities.

Shock gives way to lusty laughter and cheers and cries of "Piratas!".

27

Engraving: Pirate Heads from Brave Men in Action

Scrimshaw by Dennis Holland: Pirate Heads based onEngraving: Pirate Heads from Britain’s Sea Kings andWilliam Van de Velde the Younger painting of Barbary two deckerin action circa 1680.

NARR:

The Spaniards were veryimpressed that this Englishmanhad managed to behead a fullthirteen of the dreaded Barbarypirates, the villains who werestrangling Spanish trade. Theytreated him and his men to agreat fiesta and paid himroyally for each of the severedheads.

Some accounts aver thatBenbow made a journey to theSpanish court, where he wasreceived with great testimoniesof respect. And that theSpanish King wrote a letter ofcommendation to the EnglishKing James II, who, in turn, issaid to have offered Benbow aship in the Royal Navy.

There is no corroboration ofBenbow being offered such acommission in 1687. Indeed,other events were overtakingKing James. This Royal crisiscoincided with Benbow’sreturn to the Navy in 1688.

28

A Call to Arms: Benbow rejoins the Navy: 1688 - 1690

Visuals AudioPAINTING: James II, NMM BHC2798 NARR:

A rather dramatic political event occurred in1688 which prompted Benbow’s return to theRoyal Navy. King James II had inherited thecrown of England in 1685 when his brotherCharles II died. James was openly a RomanCatholic and antagonized his subjects by tryingto force toleration of his religion. The majorityof the English were fearful of Catholicism andpreferred the stability of the Anglican statechurch. Benbow’s old commander, ArthurHerbert, fell from grace due to his opposition.

PAINTING: William III, NMM BHC3095 NARR:

On July 10, 1688 James’ opponents invited theProtestant Prince William of Orange fromHolland to come to England in force to restoretheir religion. One of the prominentEnglishmen who encouraged William to invadeEngland was Benbow’s patron, Arthur Herbert.Another was Edward Russell, also a navalcommander out of work and out of favour.

William was a grandson of the English kingCharles I, and had married his cousin Mary, theProtestant daughter of James II. Together theybelieved they had a credible basis for a claim tothe English throne.

29

PAINTING: Hellevoetsluys NMM BHC0325 NARR:

William made Herbert Vice-Admiral ofRotterdam, and placed him in charge of hisinvasion fleet. There is a tradition thatBenbow, as one of Herbert’s protégés, wasone of the pilots for the invasion. Recordshave been lost or destroyed but there areseveral sources indicating William’s shipDen Briel contained the best of the Englishpilots that Herbert and Russell brought withthem. In the Fall of 1688 William gatheredhis armada of 50 warships and 225transports at the Dutch port ofHellevoetsluys.

They were crammed with15,000 infantryand thousands of horses, twenty-oneartillery pieces, military stores, fodder,food, a mobile smithy and a printing press.

After a false start on October 19, Williamfinally had a favourable wind and set sail onNovember 1.

This painting illustrates the harbour ofHellevoetsluys crowded with William’sinvasion fleet.

MAP: William’s Route to London NARR:

His armada, guided by a score of Englishpilots, initially sailed north west, apparentlyheading for a landing at Harwich orYorkshire; but with a change in the windthey were forced to sail west up theChannel to the south west coast of England.

The Easterly wind which drove them upChannel kept the English fleet trapped inthe Thames estuary. William landed atBrixham in Torbay November 5, 1688, andbegan his march towards London.

30

PAINTING: William III Landing at Torbay NMMBHC0326

NARR:

By the 9th of December his advancebattalions had reached Exeter. As hemade his way through the countryside,defections to William mounted in thenavy, army and governing class.

This painting shows William’s landingat Brixham in Torbay.

PICTURE: Milton Manor near Abingdon

CLIP:Video of Milton Manor

NARR:

On December 11 he rested his troops inAbingdon near Oxford and was with theCalton family at Milton Manor whennews was brought of James ll's flight toFrance, allowing William to journey toLondon unopposed and accept the thronefor himself and his wife Mary.

Benbow later developed close ties toMilton, owning the Milton Dower house,and there is a local tradition that he firstcame to Milton in William’s entourage.His daughter, Katherine, later marriedthe Lord of Milton Manor, Paul Calton.

31

Etching: James landing at Kinsale, Mansell Collectionfrom Life and Times of James II, by Peter Earle

See also NMM PAI4928

NARR:

One of William’s first acts as King wasto make Herbert First Lord of theAdmiralty and Commander-in-Chief ofthe fleet in the Channel.

The first major naval action occurred inMay1689 at Bantry Bay. A French fleethad landed James and 5,000 troops atKinsale on the Southern Irish coast.

Here we see the Irish welcoming Jamesat Kinsale.

MAP: Route to Bantry Bay NARR:

For most of April, Herbert with a fleet of19 warships searched for the French onthe Irish coast and around Brest, themajor French Atlantic port. Hisflagship, the Elizabeth, was captained byDavid Mitchell, an old friend from thetime that Benbow was on the Tangierstation.

32

PAINTING: Chateau-Renaud, Musees de France NARR:

On April 30, 1689, Herbert finallyfound a French supply fleet of 24 warships, four fire ships and a number oftransports at Bantry Bay near thesouthern tip of Ireland, under the Comtede Chateau Renaud.

Engraving Outhevaite, Jean Jacques, Bataille NavaleDe Bantry, Gagnee Par Chateau-Regnaud (1689)

NMM: PAD5155

NARR:

Early on May 1, 1689, the Englishentered the bay against the wind whichwas blowing directly out of the bay. TheEnglish had difficulty getting their shipsto form a decent battle line with the windblowing towards them; whereas theFrench, with the wind at their backs,were able to achieve a very orderly line.

33

PAINTING: Bantry Bay NMM BHC0329 NARR:

At the end of six hours the English driftedout of range. The outnumbered Englishships had been badly mauled, with over300 casualties. Herbert described his shipsas so disabled in masts and rigging thatthey were in no condition to follow theFrench.

Herbert limped back to the Scilly Isles andwas back in Portsmouth by May 8th. TheFrench did not press home their advantagebut withdrew to Brest.

As a reward for confronting the FrenchWilliam made Herbert Earl of Torrington.

PAINTING: Spithead, Portsmouth NMMBHC1005

NARR:War with France was declared May 11and both countries rushed to build up theirfleets. The English had a tremendousreserve of merchant seamen, and evenhired some armed merchant vessels to fleshout their fleet.

Paperwork caught up with the realities ofthe rapidly expanding navies: the firstsurviving record of Benbow back in thenavy is on June 1, 1689 which shows himcommissioned as third lieutenant ofHerbert’s flagship, the Elizabeth, underCaptain David Mitchell, at Portsmouth.This was a significant shift in status forBenbow: from the warrant officer standingof a Master to the more prestigious rank ofLieutenant, a commissioned King’s officerand a gentleman.

This major promotion supports the traditionthat he joined William’s naval forces at thetime of the invasion and was probablyrewarded with this new rank for hisservices at Bantry Bay. His entry on thebooks of the Elizabeth includes a referenceto a previous ship’s pay ticket, indicatinghe came from another ship.

This painting by Peter Monamy shows thefleet coming to anchor at Spithead, just offPortsmouth.

34

PRINT: Chatham dockyard, NMM PAH9712 NARR:One of Herbert’s most pressing problemsafter the fiasco of Bantry Bay was therefitting of his ships to make them ready forsea again. Subsequent assignment of Benbowto the dockyards of Chatham and Deptfordsuggest that he may well have been given thetask as one of Herbert’s staff officers toorganize this refit of the fleet.

Here we see Chatham dockyard at the mouthof the Medway river. Daniel Defoe describedit in 1724 as the chief arsenal of the RoyalNavy of Great Britain.

INK SURVEY:

Chatham dockyard 1698, Br. Library024862 images on line Kings 43 ff7v-8

NARR:Benbow was rapidly promoted by Herbert,not to 2nd Lieutenant or even 1st lieutenant,but to Captain: on September 20, 1689:Captain of the third rate ship York; October29, 1689: Captain of the third rateBonaventure; and on November 12 Captain ofthe 104 gun Britannia, the newest of the FirstRates.

This rapid movement from ship to shipsupports the view that Benbow was taskedwith assessing their readiness for sea andgetting these ships up to an acceptable stateand then moving on. Herbert was quiteconcerned regarding the ability of thedockyards to fit, rig, and restock the requiredships for the 1690 season.

The Britannia, moored at Chatham dockyard,and built to be the pride of the English Navy,was so badly designed that she could barelycarry any sail. She had never been to sea andneeded considerable fitting out to make herready. This was Benbow’s urgent task and toaccomplish this Herbert appointed him MasterAttendant of the Chatham dockyard. TheMaster Attendant was the professionalseaman in charge of keeping the fleet fit forsea with supplies and repairs. It was over ayear till the Britannia was ready for sea, inMarch 1691.

These Surveys of Deptford and Chathamdockyards were made for the King and showimprovements between 1688 and 1698.

35

Deptford dockyard 1698, Br. Library, Deptfordplans and drawings ff 65v-66

PAINTING: Eddystone Lighthouse NMMBHC1796

CLIP:Video of Trinity House in London

NARR:

Chatham was the only dockyard with dockscapable of servicing the large First Rates.Benbow requested a move to the Deptforddockyard and was transferred there in March1690. Deptford was designed to support thesmaller more efficient third and fourth rates.

He may well have preferred to be in DeptfordDockyard as a result of his experience with theunwieldy and poorly designed Britannia. Heclearly favoured the smaller faster, more seaworthy third rate ships which he was used tofrom his Mediterranean days. He may havesensed that the future of the Navy was in fastermore manoeuvrable ships and Deptford was atthe centre of the development of thesesmaller vessels or frigates. Or he may just haveappreciated the 50% higher salary paid toDeptford officers.

He continued to hold the office of MasterAttendant for the next six years, until hereached flag rank; although at the same time hewas frequently employed at sea during thefighting season.

In the same month, March 1690, Benbow alsoreceived his Master’s Certificate from TrinityHouse. Trinity House was the professionalorganization responsible for navigation, whichincluded lighthouses, buoys, etc. It set examsfor Masters in the Royal Navy. Benbow waslicensed to take charge as Master of naval shipsof the First Rate, from the Thames westwardand southward to and within theMediterranean. Herbert was at the time theMaster of Trinity House and no doubt wantedBenbow to have the necessary certificate to beMaster of his First Rate flagship and fleetnavigator.

Painted by Isaac Sailmaker is the EddystoneLighthouse near Plymouth circa 1708. This wasthe first successful offshore-rock lighthouseand is an excellent example of the work of

Trinity House.

.

36

The Channel War (War of the English Succession) 2 Major Battles: 1690 - 1692

Visuals AudioPAINTING: Royal Sovereign NMM

BHC3614NARR:

Captain Benbow was Master of the Fleet in one ofthe most significant naval actions of this war. InMay of 1690 he was again at sea, Master ofAdmiral Herbert’s flagship, the Royal Sovereign.It was not unusual for a Captain to be the Master ofthe flagship. In this capacity Benbow wasresponsible for navigating the fleet, seeing that itgot into position for battle and managed to keep itsline in response to the wind, current and tide. Hewould be one of the main staff officers advisingHerbert as the battle unfolded.

ENGRAVING: NMM PAD2672 ComtedeTourville, by Antoine Trouvain

NARR:

The French under Admiral Comte de Tourvilleleft Brest on June 13 with a fleet of 76 warships inthree squadrons, plus frigates, store ships and 18fire ships. Fire ships were smaller ships designed tobe set ablaze and crash into the enemy. The Frenchfleet cruised up Channel, and on June 23 were offthe Isle of Wight when they sighted allied ships.

37

Map: The Battle of Beachy Head, 1690

CLIP:Video of Beachy Head shoreline

NARR:

Herbert’s fleet numbered only 34 English and21 Dutch ships. Seeing himself sooutnumbered, he let his fleet drift Eastward upthe Channel on the flood, hoping forreinforcements.

His fleet was divided into three squadrons:the Dutch or White squadron in the Van orfront of the battle line, the rear or Bluesquadron under Sir Ralph Delavalle, and theRed or centre commanded by himself. Thetwo fleets moved slowly up Channel.

Herbert had wanted to avoid a battle which hecould easily lose for fear that James II, withhis army gathering at Brest for an invasion ofEngland, would be able to cross the channelwithout opposition were the fleet to be lost.He argued strongly to ensure the maintenanceof the “fleet in being”

Unfortunately Herbert’s rival, Russell, back inLondon, was able to persuade the Queen toorder Herbert to attack. So at dawn on June30, on the ebb tide, and with the wind fromnorth-north-east, Herbert reluctantly boredown towards the French.

DRAWING: Battle of Beachy Head ApproachFrom Naval Warfare in the Age of Sail by BrianTunstall, Ed. Nicholas Tracy

NARR:

The Dutch van, under Evertsen pressed homethe attack with their 21 ships against theFrench van of 26. There were great gapsbetween the allied squadrons, with their linestretched in order to cover the French line andprevent a doubling up by the French on alliedships at either end.

This drawing from Naval Warfare in the Ageof Sail shows the English as they approachedthe French line.

38

PAINTING: Vue du Combat de Beachy HeadNMM PAF4537, PW4537

NARR:

The French van or leading ships managed todouble on the Dutch and place thembetween two fires. Delevalle in the rear tookhis greatly outnumbered blue squadron towithin musket shot (300 yards) of theFrench rear. But Herbert’s Red squadronwas for the most part ineffectual and out ofrange in the centre.

This painting by Nicolas Ozanne shows theFrench dominating the battle.

ENGRAVING: Beachy Head NMM PAD5160 NARR:

At five in the afternoon, after anengagement of eight hours, the Englishsurprised the enemy when they anchoredwith all sails set as the ebb tide began tomake. The French were caught unaware anddrifted out of range with the tide. Later inthe evening, when the flood of the tide setin, Herbert resumed his retreat towards theThames estuary.

The Dutch had been badly mauled. Theallies lost up to 14 ships, mostly Dutch,Tourville lost no ships at all.

Benbow, as Master of the Fleet, deservescredit for the coordinated surprise anchoringof the fleet and for successfully navigatingthe fleet in its retreat. There was almost nowind, and the fleet slowly retreated upchannel by skilfully ‘working the tides’.

This engraving of a Gudin painting isanother French illustration of the battle: theEnglish did not memorialize it.

39

CLIP:“Benbow expert”

Benbow Expert:

The King and Queen blamed Herbert for thelosses, sent him to the Tower, and ordered aRoyal Commission. A telling witness wasCaptain John Benbow, who hotly defendedhis mentor’s courage and integrity. In hisdeposition taken in July, he testified asmaster of the fleet at Beachy Head: heargued that Herbert had brought theSovereign to within one half gun shot of theenemy for over an hour.

Herbert argued at his court martial inDecember that the Dutch had gone intoaction too soon. And that by retreating hehad maintained the ‘fleet in being’, thuspreserving the realm by preventing asubsequent French landing.Like Benbow, 20 of the 27 officers on thecourt martial had been mentored by Herbert.Not surprisingly, Herbert was acquitted. Buthe was still in disgrace, dismissed from allhis offices and never employed at sea again.

So Benbow lost his strongest patron.

PAINTING: Edward Russell, NMM BHC2993 NARR:

The English realised victory at sea was amatter of numbers, and in October 1690 theEnglish Parliament voted over half a millionpounds for building 27 new warships.

Edward Russell, later Earl of Orford, wasappointed sole commander of the fleet.

Benbow returned to the Deptford dockyardand his task of outfitting the growing fleet.His position as one of the Navy’s seniorprofessional seamen remained secure.

During the uneventful fighting season of1691 Benbow joined Russell on theBritannia as one of his staff officers with theposition of Second Captain.

This painting is of Russell pointing at the1692 naval action of Barfleur and LaHougue.

40

DRAWING: Britannia, NMM PAJ2557, PT2557 NARR:

In the Spring and Summer of 1692Benbow, was again on board Russell’sflagship the Britannia, now as Master of thecombined Anglo Dutch Fleet comprised of82 ships of the line. His old friend DavidMitchell was Captain of the Fleet.

Benbow simultaneously continued his roleas Master Attendant at Deptford dockyard aswell; so moved back and forth between thefleet and the dockyard.

This drawing by Willem van de Velde theElder shows the 100 gun Britannia at thistime.

MAP: Battle of Barfleur, May 19 – 24, 1692

CLIP:Video of Barfleur shoreline

NARR:

On May 19 the French under the Comte deTourville approached Russell's fleet withonly forty-five ships of the line near CapeBarfleur on the Normandy coast. In thehazy weather he did not realize the size ofthe allied fleet and so rushed to engagehoping for another Beachy Head.

41

CLIP: Ships fighting from film.

NARR:

The van of the French hotly engaged theDutch and their centre and rearfuriously assaulted the red squadron ledby Russell himself.

For the moment the French actuallyoutnumbered the English ships theywere attacking as the blue squadronunder Rooke was a good deal astern orbehind and three miles to leeward ordown wind. It would take some time forthem to join the battle by sailing as bestthey could against the wind.

DRAWING: Barfleur – stages of the battle from “TheDefeat of James Stuart’s Armada 1692” by PhilipAubrey.

NARR:

It is unknown if Benbow was on boardthe Britannia during the battle, or backat Deptford. Several historians placehim at Barfleur. If with the fleet at thattime, he would have been in the thick ofthings as the Britannia was closelyengaged by Tourville in the SoleilRoyal.

Finally a wind change permitted therear of the red or centre squadron underShovell to break through the Frenchline. The Dutch at the head of the linedoubled the French van, trapping it withfire on both sides.

Shortly after, the whole of the bluesquadron under Rooke broke the Frenchrear. In late afternoon, fog stalled thebattle and the French fled in disorder.

In this drawing by Philip Aubrey we seethe stages of the battle as theoutnumbered French are encircled bythe Dutch and English.

42

SCRIMSHAW: based on painting by LudolfBackhuyzen

PAINTING: Barfleur NMM BHC0332

NARR:

This unique illustration of the Battle ofBarfleur is Scrimshaw on Mammoth Ivory,by Chris Lehwalder, after a painting byBackhuysen. It shows the Soleil Royalsurrounded by Dutch and Englishincluding the Britannia on its right.

Here we see the Britannia, this time on theleft, again engaging the Soleil Royal on theright, in this painting by Richard Paton.

DRAWING: La Hougue from Philip Aubrey

CLIP:Video of La Hougue shoreline

NARR:

Three French ships, including the SoleilRoyal, were burnt at Cherbourg byDelaval.

Several French ships escaped furtherwestward past Cap de la Hague andthrough the treacherous waters of theAlderney Race. The English feared tofollow without a competent pilot.

Russell in the Britannia had followed theenemy ships fleeing to the East. These tookrefuge in the bay of La Hougue whereJames' invasion army was awaitingtransport. James’ flag flew over the fort ofSt. Vaast signalling his presence.

43

PAINTING: La Hogue, National Gallery ofArt, Washington

NARR:

Russell blockaded the bay and on May 23 and24 sent in two hundred boats and fire shipsunder the command of Rooke . It is quitepossible that Captain Benbow accompaniedRooke, since he was quickly acquiring areputation for piloting in Channel waters.

The English had to brave the cannonade fromthe forts, musket fire from the beach and shipsboats and even some French cavalry whowaded into the surf. Nevertheless theysucceeded in burning twelve ships of the lineand eight or ten transports. On the cliffsabove, James watched the destruction of hishopes for an invasion.

This painting by Benjamin West shows theclose hand-to-hand fighting.

CLIP:Benbow Expert

Benbow Expert:The Battle of Barfleur was not considered acomplete success. Russell was thought to haveengaged the enemy in a half-hearted manner;thus allowing too many of the French toescape. He was removed from the commandand replaced by a triumvirate of Admirals:Delavalle, Killigrew, and Shovell.

At the end of the Summer, Benbow wasrewarded by a special Admiralty order whichdirected he be paid both as Master of DeptfordDockyard and as Master of the Fleet.

It is possible that he may have been inDeptford during the battle, ensuring the fleetwas resupplied. As well as some of his lettersdealing with Deptford Dockyard business nearthe time of the battle, we can place him inDeptford just two weeks before Barfleur wasfought. On May 4, 1692 Benbow was electedunanimously an Elder brother on the board ofTrinity House, like his mentor Herbert wasbefore him. The Elder Brothers were thegoverning Board of Trinity House. They werethe most senior professional seamen of theland. Benbow had been fast tracked to thisesteemed position just three months after hehad been elected a Junior Brother. The Juniorand Senior brothers held their annual electionsin Deptford in May, so Benbow would haveattended for the celebrations.

44

The Channel War

CLIP:Video of St. Malo shoreline,

Machine Vessel or ‘Infernal’ VesuviusFrom Marine, Diderot/D’Alembert

PAINTING: Thomas Phillips, John Benbow, SirRalph Delavalle, NMM BHC2547

PAINTING: Russell, Benbow, DelavalleGovernment Art Collection 6436

NARR:

The French response to the major loss of Barfleurand La Hougue was to develop a new and highlysuccessful naval strategy of waging war againstEnglish and Dutch merchant shipping.

The Channel ports along the French coastspawned hosts of wolf packs of privateers or asthe French called them: corsairs.

The English answer was to attack the corsairbases. Benbow’s dash and enterprise in theseoperations made him into a national hero,especially with the mercantile community

Because of the difficulty of causing any realdamage to these fortified ports, from the sea, theEnglish revived a 16th century Dutch invention: aship full of explosives, called an ‘Infernalmachine’. This was a converted fire ship, loadedwith several tons of powder in casks, over whichwas placed a load of bombs, old cannon andscrap-iron.

One of Benbow’s earliest expeditions utilizingthese new ‘machines’ occurred in the fall of1693. He was ordered to accompany the fleet’smilitary engineer, Captain Thomas Phillips, inan attack on St. Malo

This triple portrait shows Engineer Phillipsholding a plan of fortifications, Benbow in thecentre with a quadrant, and their admiral, SirRalph Delavalle, Admiral of the Blue. Theplacing of Benbow in the centre suggests that hehad probably commissioned the work. Thepainting thus shows how he wished to beportrayed: as the essential element between thetechnical armourer and the naval hierarchy; andas the one who could deliver the goods.

He also could be reaching out to Delavalle as apatron, now that he has lost Herbert and Russellwas out of favour.

Interestingly, after the death of Phillips, thepainting was copied, and a reinstated AdmiralRussell took Phillips place on the left.

45

DRAWING: Bomb vessel : NMM J0394

Chart: Plan of the attack in 1693 on St.Malo: National Archives MPF 1/178

NARR:In the 1693 attack on St. Malo Commodore Benbow leda squadron of 12 warships, four bomb vessels, and tenbrigantines. Bomb vessels were of recent Frenchinvention and used two mortars which were short fatcannons that fired exploding and incendiary shells. TheEnglish began using them in the late 1680s. The attackbegan on the 16th. The bomb vessels threw aboutseventy bombs a day into the town. On the 19th Benbowand Captain Phillips took in the Vesuvius, one of the new‘infernal machines’, a converted fire ship of 300 tons,and full of explosives.Unfortunately it grounded on a rock within pistol shot ofits destination (forty metres) and prematurely explodedthere. Nine of her crew were killed or injured. Thisshook the town like an earthquake, breaking all the glasswithin three leagues and blew off the roofs of threehundred houses. As well the greatest part of the sea wallwas destroyed. A French account describes theexplosion as terrible beyond description. Benbowcaptured an out-lying fort taking 80 prisoners and 60cannon, burnt 30 privateers, many merchant ships andtransport vessels and set the town on fire in many places.It was reported that the great cathedral at St. Malo waslaid in ashes. Captain Phillips was one of those mortallywounded and died shortly after on Benbow’s ship.

This 1693 French chart of St. Malo harbour shows thepositions of the attacking ships including the Admiral,the ships of the line, the frigates, the bombs, and themachine.

CLIP:Benbow stands before the court martial.

CLIP:Tourville receives his sword from the JudgePresident.

NARR:Benbow was dissatisfied with the result and courtmartialled Captain Henry Tourville of the Mortar bombvessel for not going in close enough.

BENBOW:I depose that the said Captain Henry Tourville was(together with other of the bomb vessels) ordered in uponservice before St. Malo on the 17th and 18th of the saidmonth November, and did accordingly go in twice beforethe place, but with little or no effect, not being nearenough, (as the deponent believes), to do execution.

NARR:He was however unable to procure a conviction. Benbowclearly had high expectations of those he commandedand was impatient with unsatisfactory efforts and results.

46

PAINTING: John Lord Berkeley of Stratton,Wikipedia

ETCHING: Plan of attack on Camaret Bay, NMMPAG7019

CLIP:Video of Camaret Bay and Brest shoreline

NARR:

However, Benbow’s next major action was not asuccess: the attack on the major French port ofBrest was a complete fiasco. In June 1694, hereported to the flagship of Admiral John LordBerkeley, who had been appointed by Russell tocommand the Channel fleet.

Their target was Camaret Bay near the mouth ofthe Bay of Brest. Berkeley led a large squadron ofthirty-six English and Dutch ships of the line, fivefrigates and thirteen fire ships, as well as fortyassorted transports. The fleet included 10,000troops.

Berkeley sent in a squadron of nine men of war tocover the landing of troops. One of the captains inthis squadron was John Constable, who would laterparticipate in the Benbow Mutiny. With hisexpertise in coastal probing Benbow probablyaccompanied this squadron into the bay.

Unfortunately the attack faced fierce French firefrom forts and shore batteries. The English wereforced to withdraw. Only about one hundred troopsescaped out of several hundred who landed. In thethree hours that the covering squadron was trappedin the bay over a hundred seamen were killed.

It was later alleged that John Churchill,subsequently, Duke of Marlborough, had warnedthe French. Many Englishmen were hedging theirbets by maintaining correspondence with the exiledKing James in France in case he succeeded inretaking his crown.

This Etching shows the plan for the attack onCamaret Bay. Brest is in the lower left quadrant.

47

ENGRAVING: Bombardment of Dieppe 1694

ENGRAVING: Bombarding of Dieppe1694

ENGRAVING: Bombarding DieppeNMM PAH7635

CLIP: Video of Dieppe shoreline

NARR:

Over the next couple of years while servingunder Admiral Berkeley, Benbow led the attackson most of the Channel ports.

In July 1694 they successfully bombardedDieppe . About eleven hundred bombs andincendiary carcasses were fired on the townwhich was set on fire in several spots. TheNicholas machine vessel was exploded againstthe town pier. When the squadron departed mostof the town was in flames and was largelydestroyed.

This antique engraving is taken from a 1701German book and shows the explosion of theNicholas against the town wall.

Another view of the mortar bombardment ofDieppe is shown in this 1735 engraving.

Colonel Richards succeeded Phillips as the fleetadvisor on mortars and bombs.This vivid night scene credits Colonel Richards,with the development of these bomb vessels. ADutch engineer and inventor, Willem Meester,was also instrumental in promoting the‘Machine’ vessels like the Nicholas.

48

ENGRAVING: Havre de Grace NMM PAF4616 NARR:

Throughout 1694 Captain Benbow commandedthe in-shore squadron of bomb vessels andmachines against the French channel portsincluding Le Havre, La Hogue, Cherbourg,Dunkirk and Calais.

This engraving is of a later bombardment of LeHavre.

CLIP: Present Day, Portsmouth Pub BENBOW COMMENTATORSFred:

Benbow’s come a long way from awaterman on the Thames.

Bob:He certainly has: he holds therank of post Captain, he’s beenMaster of the Channel Fleet inone and possibly two majorbattles, he’s Master Attendantat Deptford Dockyard in chargeof repairing and outfitting thefleet, he’s an Elder Brother atTrinity House.

Fred:And he’s been put in charge ofleading the inshore squadronthat bombards the channel ports,pioneering the use of mortarvessels and infernal machines.

Bob:And he’s learned an importantlesson: in both major battleshe’s seen the senior Admiralsacked for not pressing thefight forcefully enough.

Fred:He should do well then with hisown style of ferocious fighting.He may even take some heads.

Bob:He’s already shown hisimpatience with anyone notpressing the fightwholeheartedly. It will beinteresting to see what effecthis bull dog approach has onboth friends and enemies.