Project 5: Captain's log, pt.1

[Background info] When the American War of Independence broke out, the Dutch Republic found itself indecisive. There was great popular sympathy for the nascent USA, but government circles and more importantly the 'Stadtholder' William V were staunch supporters of Britain. Having fought three vicious naval wars in the mid 17th century, the Dutch and Brits had been good friends and allies since the personal union under the King and Stadtholder William III.
The Republic - a federal state very dependent on the goodwill of the constituent provinces - at the time was a second rate military power, having neither the money nor the inclination to keep both a large army and navy. As a result, neither of the two services was particularly strong. Armed support, had the Republic wanted to provide it, was out of the question. Nor did the Dutch join the suppression of the revolt as requested by Britain.
However, it was still a important trading state and financial powerhouse, which strongly believed in free trade above all. Having reputedly sold weapons to Spain during its own war of independence from exactly that country, it cannot have been a surprise that the Dutch figured they'd trade with both Britain and the United States, particularly through the colony of St.Eustace in the Caribbean. Essential supplies for the revolt flowed through the island to the US to the great annoyance of Britain.
In 1780, Russia, Sweden and Denmark started a leage of Armed Neutrality which the Dutch Republic was interested in joining. To preempt this, Britain declared war on the Dutch Republic - the Fourth Angl0-Dutch war - capturing many merchant ships in a short matter of time.

The entire Dutch fleet - divided in five admiralties, a remnant of the federalist constitution - only consisted of a few dozen ships. Consequently, the Dutch presence in the Mediterranean in 1781 consisted only of two warships: Castor, capt. Melvill van Carnbee a 36-gun frigate and the frigate Briel, capt. Oorthuys, 36 guns. The ships belonged to the Admiralty of the Meuse (the Rotterdam admiralty). As the older in rank, Melvill therefore was in command of this small squadron.

In late May the squadron received orders to leave the Mediterranean and rendez-vous with a convoy of East Indiamen on their return voyage and escort them home to the Netherlands. On May 29th, the frigates sighted two British counterparts near Gibraltar, so I'll let the log take over (translated from the 18th Dutch which is not always very easy to understand!):

(Preface): Journal kept by me on board the frigate of War Briel, crewed by 230 heads among them 51 soldiers and mounting 36 guns: 26 pieces of 12lbs, 2 of 6lbs and 8 of 4lbs and one of 1/2lbs (probably a swivel gun). Kept by me Geerardus Oorthuys, sailing as first officer on above vessel under command of the honorable gentleman captain I. van Gennep and at his death at Rotterdam put in command by his royal highness the Lord's Prince of Orange on December 18th and confirmed in my command by their high mightinesses [the Rotterdam admiralty] on December 27th.

Tuesday May 29th 1781: During the night watch the wind was NE-by-N, topgallant breeze [~ beaufort 3], during the day the wind turned NE to S, fresh topgallant breeze, heading WSW. Spotted two frigates to the NNW from our position, streaming English ensigns and signals for Gibraltar. As far as could be seen, one had 14 guns on his gun deck apart from the quarterdeck. Seeing our commander [Melvill] do so, we raised our ensign and made ready to engage, fastened our topgallants and reefed our main sails. At that time the reported frigates lessened sail and lowered their ensigns and seemed to drift [or drifted to leeway]. When we saw the commander increase sail, we did so too and set our course for the Straits [of Gibraltar] and raised Europa point [the southernmost point of the cape] at 8 'o clock. Two miles away to the NNE, we see some frigates and ships at Gibraltar, but could not distinguish them through the hazy air. In the afternoon the wind (NE) increased to a strong topgallant breeze [4 Bft] and later topsail breeze [5 Bft], heading west. The above frigates turned with us and faster as well and at 9.30 they came alongside although still out of range. However, we noted our commander give a broadside to the one in front, so we gave one to the one alongside us which was closer. They hove away to avoid combat, to my mind because the breeze was getting to strong. We loaded all our guns with sharp again and blew off the other broadside [presumably on the side facing away from the English frigate], because those had been loaded for a long time and we wanted to be ship-shape and in good order if we got engaged with our enemy. We see the above frigates sail away and cut in front of commander and make sail for us, staying outside of gun range however around noon. Passed cape Trafalgar to the NE-by-E 3 miles out according to our dead reckoning of 35°40'N). Wind ESE, small gale (7 Bft), heading NW by W, WSW during the first watch, a rainy sky in the SW, sometimes rain and thunderflashes; very changeable weather. Saw the frigates following us, but staying out of range. Remained at quarters for engagement with the enemy, who seemed to avoid such, presumably because of the unsteady weather, rainy sky, high seas and thick rain with strong flashes of thunder.