Diary of William Smythers Esq. - ‘The Great Sea Battle’

9th July 1745
After what seemed like an age, where the hours turned into weeks, we were able to close in on our targets. Capt. Hardy, the Squadron Commander, was stationed in the very vessel I was travelling in – H.M.S. Neptune. This allowed me to have a glorious insight into how the good Captain’s orders were put into action.

Hardy was concerned to ensure that the rebel vessels were not unduly alerted to our presence at an early stage in the battle, thus ensuring our complete surprise of their mutinous crews.

To this end we made good time, however, from the starboard horizon we did spot the sails of a single vessel, an armed merchantman or pirate, which with time we saw flew the French and Jacobite colours.

Soon there was great activity on the three French Frigates which as we approached we saw were at anchor, their crews were scrambling in the utmost disorder to raise their anchors and set sails.

As ranges closed we exchanged our first shots, and I must say that I have not heard such a thunderous roar of guns in my life, it would certainly put fear into the hearts of the rebellious crews at the receiving end of such fire. With the squadron running in line the first of the French vessels was able to break away from it’s moorings and as it sailed forth laid a terrible cannonade into the bow of the ‘Apollo’, which was leading the Royal Navy line. So powerful the attack that the vessel noticeably slowed in the water.

The other two French vessels were then able to slip their moorings and both sailed past the Apollo and turned starboard – as these naval fellows say – unleashing fire on the slowing vessel.

At this stage Captain Hardy issued the order for all vessels to take their own quarter, as the rebel vessels attempted to break through the Royal Naval line the Apollo was able to lash it’s self to the French Frigate ‘Montpellier’ and a frightful slaughter did follow and Capt. Vallance was able to claim the vessel as a prize.

Two other French vessels – ‘Dunkirque’ and ‘Lyons’ did manage to break through after taking some sever damage from our guns. The French Privateer – ‘Le Dolphine’ also attempted to break through the lines but was stopped by mighty fire from ‘H.M.S. Venus’ under the command of Capt. Sears.

10th July 1745
Captain Hardy spends the rest of the night re-organising his force and in the morning the damaged ‘Apollo’ and the prize ships ‘Montpellier’ and ‘Le Dolphine’ were dispatched to Campbelltown for repair and safety.

On interrogating his prisoners who were of two sorts – Regular French Officers who were given the appropriate Honours of War, the others were Scottish ‘Gentlemen’ taken from the Privateer, who will be handed over to the authorities in Campbelltown.

From the questioning and a brief search of the captured vessels an letter from the so called ‘Prince’ Charles Edward Stuart was found requesting French forces to be sent to East Anglia. What is also clear is that the pretender was landed on the Island of Mull, on the 8th July but has since moved to the Mainland with an escort of Highlanders.
Lord Lovatt’s Regiment. – 150 men, Tried