NOTES

1. The article in Mariners Mirror vol. 28 states that approval for the Sea Fencibles was given by the King in Council on 14 March 1798. However recommendation for raising the Sea Fencibles had been given three days before: Parliament Street, IIth March 1798. (PRO. Kew 06/148 P.49,50)

(To) Lords Committee of the Admiralty.

My Lords', His Majesty's confidential servants havIng taken Into full consideration a plan communicated to them by Earl Spencer for raising a corps of sea fencibles, to assist in the defence of this Kingdom against Invasion, and it appearing to them that in such an emergency the most essential advantages might be expected from a force Of this description, they have thought it their duty, under the present circumstances, to recommend to His Majesty to give the necessary orders for its being carried into execution and I have. accordingly received the King's commands to transmit to your Lordships a copy of the plan in question and to signify to your Lordship's His Majesty's Pleasure that the necessary steps are forthwith to be taken for the formation of a corps of sea fencibles either in conrormily to the suggestions and Terms of the said plan, or with such alterations as may occur to your Lordships, with a view to render the plan more efficient, or to deminish (sic) the expense to-be incurred in any of the details of its execution.

The following letter is an example of their expansion: Parliament street, 7 June 1798. (PRO. Kew W06/148 P.82,83)

(To) E. Nepean Esq.

Sir, I am directed by Mr.Secretary Dundas, to Incise a copy of a proposal transmitted to him by the Lord Lieutenant of the' County of Glamorgan from Lieutenant John Jones, to raise a Corps'ofSea Fencibles for the protection of the coast from Wormhead to the Bay of Swansea, and I am to desire that you will lay the same before the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty for the Lordships determination. and move their Lordships to communicate the same to the Marquis of Bota.

A description of the Sea Fencibles duties appears in Steel's Navy List for March 1810, where their distribution is headed by the following note:

"Sea Fencibles are the sea-faring men within the undermentioned districts, who enrol themselves to serve in case of invasion. They are not at any time subject to the Impress, nor ballot, therefore to the amount of about 20,000 are In constant voluntary, readiness to serve their country when called upon, many, of whom have already been in combat with the enemy. They are trained to the pike service, and where there are forts, to the use of great guns, as well as in gun-boats, where any are established. They are commanded by Captains, with Lieutenants under them, in the several towns of the district".

Horse Guards, 21st June 1803. (PRO. Kew WOI/625 P.329 to 331)

(To) Right Honble. Lord Hobart

My Lord, I beg to request your Lordships earliest attention to the, following objects, some of which have been more immediately brought under my view by the reports of the General Officers commanding in the Southern and Eastern Districts:

1st. That the utmost dispatch should be used in reestablishing the signal posts along the coast.

2nd. That the Sea Fencibles should again be enrolled upon the same or a similar plan to what was adopted in the last war, under the superintendence of active and intelligent naval Officers. General Sir David Dundas states that until this is done no essential service have been more immediately brought under my view by the reports of the General Officers commanding in the Southern and Eastern Districts:

1st. That the utmost dispatch should be used in re-establishing the signal posts along the coast.

2nd. That the Sea Fencibles should again be enrolled upon the same or a similar plan to what was adopted in the last war, under the superintendence of active and intelligent naval Officers. General Sir David Dundas states that until this is done no essential service can be expected from the Sea Batteries upon the coast of his District, where the enemies Privateers have begun to appear.

I am, My Lord, yours, etc, Frederick.

One example of the "teething" problems of reenrolment can be found in the following letter: (PRO. Kew WO 1 /626 P.417,418)

Extract of Resolutions:

At a special meeting of the Lieutenancy of the County of Cornwall held at the White Hart Inn, St. Austell on Monday the 3rd day of October 1803: Present, the Right Hble. the Earl of Mount Edgecumbe Lord Lieutenant, the Right Hble. Lord De Dunstanville, M. General Cawell, etc., etc., etc.

Resolved: That it appears to this meeting that government have in pay a great number of Sea Fencibles at present of little or no service to the public for want of proper arms; Ordered therefore, that the Lord Lieutenant be requested to apply to the General of the District, most earnestly requesting, that a proper number of gun-boats be furnished by government. That the Sea Fencibles may be employed therein, which in the opinion of this meeting will give a material protection to the coast of Corn wall.

Resolved, That no answer having been received from the Admiralty to the Lord Lieutenant's representation of the Defenceless state of the northern coasts of Cornwall, this meeting requests the Lord Lieutenant to renew the application and exert his best endeavours to procure a speedy and satisfactory reply.

PRO. Kew, ADM. 28/34, Disbursement Accounts of the Sea Fencibles from North Foreland to East Swail. Submitted by Captain Middleton. Pay of Lieutenant Belden: July. 1803 L£ 7 4s 6d Aug. 1803 £ 13 3s 6d Sep. 1803 £ 12 15s Od Oct. 1803 £ 13 3s 6d Nov. 1803 £ 12 12 15s 0d Dec. 1803 £ 13 3s 6d Jan. 1804 £ 13 13 3s 6d Feb. 1804 £ 12 6s 6d Mar. 1804 £ 13 3s 6d Apr. 1804 £ 12 15s Od May to June. 1804 £ 13 3s 6d June to July. 1804 £ 1 9s 6d

REFERENCES

More Sea Fencibles

1. The Corps of Sea Fencibles
2. The Sea Fencibles in Action
3. Instructions for the Sea Fencibles (Manuscript)
4. Notes and References