HMS ALEXANDER’S MARINE GRENADIER DETACHMENT

BATTLE 17th February 1800

At daylight on the 17th February, Alexander sighted ships to windward, and Lt. Harrington fired a gun and made the appropriate ‘enemy in sight’ flag signal.

Nelson on Foudroyant, in company with Northumberland, Audacious and El Corso, saw Alexander in chase of a line-of-battle ship, three frigates, a corvette and some transports. At 0800 hrs, one of the armed store ships, the Ville De Marseilles, struck after a few shots were fired at her by Alexander, and Capt. Gould of Audacious and Capt. Rickets of El Corso took charge of her. She was loaded with salt meat, brandy, wine and clothing.

By this time the main squadron was seen approaching from southward. Nelson had got Foudroyant under way, and making all possible sail joined chase, with Northumberland hard on his heels. By 1330 hrs they were nine miles N.W. of Gozo, when the smaller French ships tacked together, and managed to pass to windward out of gunshot of Alexander and other ships; they turned out to be the 28-gun frigate Badina with two corvettes and several transports, carrying some 3,000 troops and supplies fresh out of Toulon, and now they managed to make good their escape.

But the French ship of the line could not follow their example, or she would have come within gun range of Alexander, here Success, being to leeward, made her move, captain Peard altering course towards the enemy. Success raked the line-of-battle ship with several broadsides, suffering several casualties as she did so from the heavier broadside of the French ship.

By 1630 hrs the heavier Alexander and other ships came within gunshot and Nelson ordered two rounds to be fired at the French ship, to see if it still wanted to fight such superior force. After firing one broadside to preserve her honour the French ship struck her colours and surrendered. She turned out to be the 74-gun Genereux, bearing the flag of Rear Admiral Perree. Perree had received a splinter wound in his right eye, and then had his right thigh torn off in the battle with Success; this had affected the fighting spirit of the ship.

Nelson sent Andrew Thomson, 1st lieutenant of Foudroyant, together with Northumberland, to take charge of the prize Genereux, receiving from her some 147 French prisoners. Alexander set course with the three ships to Syracuse at 1800hrs arriving on February 21st. Some other French troops caught prisoners were put ashore at Marsaxlokk.

By 1st March Alexander was back off Valletta in the blockading squadron and the siege went on.

HMS ALEXANDER’S MARINE GRENADIER DETACHMENT

Are you thinking of joining the elite marines of Captain Alexander John Ball’s flagship of the Anglo-Portuguese Squadron, HMS Alexander, under the command of marine Captain Cresswell?

If the answer is yes you will be recruited into HMS Alexander's Marine Grenadier Detachment. We are a group who re-enact military life on the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino in the period 1798-1800. Our activities include garrison life at historical sights; parades through the streets of old towns; regular drill sessions to practice arms exercises and marching; and camps under canvas in the countryside. During these events actual battles against French re-enactors are often organized complete with musket firing using black powder and bayonet charges!

You will have a six month probation period to see if you are fit to be a British marine. During this time you will be treated as one of our own. Should you be accepted into our ranks you will be given the ‘King’s shilling’.

There is a certain amount of financial output involved in getting kitted out as a marine but you do not have to fork out any money initially because we have spare equipment at our depot that you can borrow for your first few events. If you decide to get more involved at some point you can start to purchase gear.

A loan of up to 700 euro can be arranged for you to get started. There are no deposits involved. We set up an account for you and you just pay 35 euro a month for all uniform clothing, equipment and arms bought.

The Historical Re-enactment Group of Malta has kindly made this loan available so as to help people wishing to join our ranks. You will also get paid for some of the Historical Re-enactment Group of Malta's events which we attend and this wage will also go towards your purchases. All equipment is supplied by us from local and foreign sources.

See you on board HMS Alexander, 74-gun ship-of-the-line of His Majesty’s Royal Navy.

God save His Majesty King George III!