What happened on 6 November?

[Cimqag]

I have been reading the log of Captain Edward King of HMS Ariadne (Channel Fleet) in which, on 6 November 1804, he wrote "...fired a Salute, of 27 Guns, in memory of the day".

I have tried to find out what happened on a previous 6 November to warrant firing a 27-gun salute but with no success. Can anyone enlighten me, please?

I'm new to naval history and apologise for not knowing something that's probably common knowledge to everyon on this forum!

Anne

[alexlitandem]

I think the most `famous' 6th of November from the period might be considered to be 6th November, 1799.

On which date SPEEDY engaged in a most brave action. Speedy was in action against fifteen ( according to Capt. Douglas Morris ) Spanish gun-boats and achieved the successful defence of of a convoy, off Gibraltar.

This from another part of this site:

QUOTE:

On 6 November SPEEDY was lying off Europa Point with her convoy, the transport ship UNITY laden with wine for the fleet and a brig bound for Livorno, when 12 Spanish gunboats mounting 14 x 24-pdr guns between them came out to attack her and UNITY.

Capt. BRENTON covered the escape of UNITY by opening fire with grape and musketry as he sailed through the attacking boats.

Although they were driven off they caused much damage to SPEEDY's sails and hull preventing her from sailing to Gibraltar and she had to run into Tetuan Bay with water up to the lower deck to plug the holes.

Two seamen, Patrick BLAKE and William PRING, were killed and one, Thomas RILEY, wounded.

The naval medal was awarded to the survivors in 1847.

Capt. BRENTON was promoted to Post Captain and SPEEDY sailed from Livorno to Port Mahon so that he could take over command of GENEREUSE on 19 April from Lord COCHRANE who had brought GENEREUX in after her capture.

END QUOTE.

[Cimqag]

Alexlitandem
Thank you so much for this. That's great! I doubt I'd have found that out left to my own devices. The Captain's log entry now makes much more sense. Much appreciated.
Anne

[ionia]

On the other hand, it might have been meant for the 5th November. It was not unusual to fire a salute to mark the confounding of the Gunpowder Plot - I do not know when this custom ceased.
_________________
Ionia

[Cimqag]

ionia
Many thanks for your suggestion. I too had wondered if it was intended as a Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night celebration but it didn't seem the sort of thing that the Navy would fire a salute for - but I suppose they might have done. Another mystery!
Anne

[ionia]

The firing of a salute in memory of the Gunpowder Plot ceased as a result of an Admiralty circular of 1833 so it would still have been the practice in 1804. The number of guns would have been at the Captain's discretion but 27 seems excessive as anniversary salutes were not to exceed 21 guns (1731 Regs.).

There is an interesting article on gun salutes in the Mariner's Mirror Vol. 45 p. 325.
_________________
Ionia

[PMarione]

Are you sure it was a 27 guns salute and not a 21 or 17 guns salute? Both are only one number from 27.

From what I read on the web the 21 guns salute was for royalty.
They certainly liked their salute: one has the impression that more gunpowder was used in salutes than in anger!

In Falconer's Dictionary there is a lenghty article on "salutes" p 429 (you can find a pdf version on this very website: http://www.ageofnelson.org/Document11.html)
It also gives "saluting days":
Queen's birthday: 18 January (21 guns)
King Charles' Restoration: 29 May (17)
King's birthday: 4 June (21)
King's coronation: 22 September (21)
King's accession: 25 October (17)
Gunpowder plot: 5 November (17)

Like Ionia said it's possible that it was on the 5th november as the day was going up to noon in the RN logs.

@+P

[Cimqag]

PMarione and ionia

Very many thanks for your help. I looked again at my photocopy of HMS Ariadne's log for 6 November 1804. At first glance (or even a proper look) the number appears to be 27. However, on looking at it through a magnifying glass, the 2 has been overwritten with a 1 which is sloping and coincides with the diagonal stroke of the 2.

So, you're right: it is 17, and that fits perfectly with Falconer's Dictionary which states "Gunpowder plot: 5 November (17)". The log precedes this statement with A.M. which also fits with what you said about logs' days going up to noon.

Thank you for the reference to Falconer's Dictionary. Ideal for me to 'translate' all the technical terms. I will also look at the article in Mariners' Mirror.

I can see that a whole new world is opening up for me! Your help is much appreciated - many thanks again.

Anne