|
|
10. General view of Lord Keith’s system of defence of the entrances to the rivers Thames and Medway formed upon a reference to the scheme of defence established in the last war, to a consultation with three Elder Brethren of Trinity House and the subsequent approbation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
(undated ; probably June, 1803).
Stations |
Number of ships recommended |
Ships actually |
| Margate Roads | 1 or 2 ships of the line and a reasonable proportion of smaller vessels | Texel, 64; three gun vessels |
| Queens Channel | 2 ships of the line and ditto | Vlictor, 44, |
King’s Channel |
2 ships of the line and a reasonable proportion of smaller vessels |
Leyden, 68 |
Goldermeres Gatt |
1 ditto and ditto; |
Beschermer, 54 three gun vessels |
Buoy of the Rough |
A ship of the frigate kind chiefly for passing signals to Hoseley |
Tisiphone, 16 |
Hoseley Bay |
One ship of force and a pro portion of smaller vessels |
Antelope, 50, |
The large ships to be considered stationary. Two-thirds of the gun brigs are to be employed cruising for the protection of trade, interception of privateers etc. as far west as Beachy Head and as far north as Yarmouth. Those to the westward under the immediate direction of R. Adm. Montague; those to the northward under that of R. Adm. Thornborough; and those off Orfordness, the Sunk, Shipwash etc. under that of Commodore Sir Sidney Smith stationed in Hoseley Bay.
LLoyd, C . (eds.) (1955) The Keith Papers, vol III, 1803-1815. Navy Records Society, pp. 18-19
Web Page: Rickard, J (24 July 2006), Keith to Secretary of Admiralty, http://www.historyofwar.org/sources/acw/napoleonic/nrs1955/1_1_10.html.html