Napoleon and the Boulogne Flotilla.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 4292, 23 February 1884, Page 12 (Supplement)

Napoleon and the Boulogne Flotilla.

The following description of the incident I when, Napoleor^ nearly occasioned the destruction of {'Boulogne flotilla hasheen forwarded-tCj tty , Revue Politique el LiMraWe from, a priv«a jmemoir; The writer, who •was an eye-wSWiess, says :—" One morning, when the Bißperor.was mounting his horse; he announce! that' he intended to hold a ■review of !his naval forces, and gave the I "order that the vessels which-lay in'the I ■harbour skould alter their positions, as the 'review was to he held on the opeii sea. He startod'isn his usual ridej giving orders that everything should be arranged on his return, the tioae of which he indicated. His wish was communicated to Admiral Bruix, who responded with imperturbable coolness that he was very sorry, but that the review coiild not take place that day. Consequently hot a vessel was moved. On his return from his ride the Emperor asked whether all was ready. He was told what the Admiral had said. Twice tho answer had to lie repeated to him before he could realise its nature^ and then violently stamping his foot on the ground, he sent for the Admiral. The Emperor met him half-way. With eyes burning with rage, he exclaimed in an excited voice, ' Why have my orders not been executed ?' With respectful firmness, Admiral Bruix replied, ' Sire, a terrible st inn is brewing. Your Majesty may convince yourself of it; would you without need expose the lives of so many men ?' The heaviness of the atmosphere and the sound of thunder in the distance more than justified the fears of the Admiral. 'Sir,' said the Emperor, getting more and more irritated, 'I have given the orders once more ; why have they not been executed ? The consequences concern me alone. Obey !' * Sire, I will not obey,' replied the Admiral, ' Yoa are insolent !' And the Emperor, who still held his riding whip in his hand, advanced toward the Admiral with a threatening gesture. Admiral Bruix stepped back and put his hand on the sheath of his sword and said, growing very pale, ' Sire, take care !' The whole suite'stood paralysed with fear. The Emperor remained motionless for some time, his hand lifted up, his eyes fixed on the Admiral, who still retained his menacing attitude. At last tho Emperor threw his whip on the floor. M. Bruix took his hand off his sword, and, with uncoveredhead, awaited in silence the result of the painful scene. Rear-Admiral Magon was then ordered to see that the Emperor's orders were instantly executed. ' As for you, Sir,' said the Emperor, fixing his eyes on Admiral Bruix, ' you leave Boulogne within twenty-four hours and depart for Holland. Go!' M. Magon ordered the fatal movement of the fleet on which the Emperor had insisted. The first arrangements had scarcely been made when the sea became very high. The black . sky was pierced by lightning, the thunder rolled, and every moment the line of vessels was broken by the wind, and shortly after that which the Admiral had foreseen came to pass, and the most frightful storm dispersed the vessels in such a way that it seemed impossible to save them. With bent head, arms crossed, and a sorrowful look on his face, the Emperor walked up and down on the beach, when suddenly the most terrible cries were heard. More than twenty gunboats filled with soldiers and sailors were being driven towards the shore, and the unfortunate men were vainly lighting against the furious waves, calling for help which nobody could give them. Deeply touched by the spectacle and the heartrending cries and lamentations of the multitude which had assembled on tho beach, the Emperor, seeing his generals and ollicers tremble with horror, attempted to set an example of devotion, and in spite of all efforts to keep him back, he threw himself into a boat, saying, ' Let me go ! let me go ! they must be brought out of this.' In a moment the boat was filled with water. Tho waves poured over it again and again, and the Emperor was drenched. One wave larger than the others almost threw him overboard and his hat was carried away. Inspired by so much courage, officers, soldiers, seamen, and citizens tried to succour the drowning, some in boats, some swimming. But, alas! only a small number could be saved of the unfortunate men. The following day more than 200 bodies were thrown ashore, and with them the hat of tho conqueror of Marengo. The sad . day was one of desolation for Boulogne and for the camp. The Emperor groaned under the burden of an accident which he had to attribute solely to his own obstinacy. Agents were despatched to all parts of the town to subdue with gold the murmurs which were ready to break out into a tumult."