What Frederick was up to
Posted by Caroline on October 09, 1997 at 08:48:05:
In response to (Again) St. Domingo?!?!, written by Rachel on October 07, 1997 at 18:09:42
Rachel, I suspect that the reason why you were not answered before is because we have no experts in Naval warfare in Pemberley! St Domingo was not a major battle, and the web resources that I know of do not mention it. However, here's a little bit of info.
Jane Austen's brother Frank was involved in this battle, and some of the Jane Austen biographies do mention it. Here's a bit from "Jane Austen, a Family Record" by Dierdre le Faye.
" After his disappointment at missing Trafalgar, Frank was to some extent consoled by taking part in Sir John Duckworth's cruise to the West Indies and in the victory over the French at St Domingo on 6 February 1806. He wrote to Mary Gibson the next day to assure her of his safety, and in the following weeks, as the squadron sailed homewards with three prizes, the officers received votes of thanks from the president and council of St Kitt's Nevis and from the House of Commons "
If you are interested in the ins and outs of manoevring ships in battle, try the Conway book in the bibliography. Ed Allen's website, on the links page has photographs of ships of the time.
If you find out any more than this, perhaps you could pass the information on!
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