The first volume of Sir John Ross's Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez opens not with a sweeping naval panorama but with a genealogy of the Saumarez family, including a “Curious Record” that grounds the admiral in Guernsey's local history. Ross, a captain in the Royal Navy himself, draws on original family papers to construct a narrative that alternates between third-person biography and first-person letters and journals. The early chapters detail Saumarez's education, his decision for the navy, and his first commands, with the text punctuated by official orders and personal reflections. Readers encounter a work that is part family chronicle, part official record, and part intimate correspondence—a hybrid form that demands attention to shifts in voice and source.

Genealogy and Early Career

The memoir begins with a genealogy chapter that may seem dry but establishes the Saumarez family's long presence in Guernsey. Ross then moves quickly to Saumarez's childhood: the visit of the Duke of Gloucester to the island, his schooling in London, and his first sea service aboard the Solebay. The excerpts show a pattern of careful documentation—dates, ship names, and locations are given precisely. Saumarez's early promotions are recorded alongside specific actions, such as the attack on Fort Sullivan, where his “gallant conduct” earned him a lieutenancy. The narrative voice is formal, but occasional details—like a “providential escape from shipwreck”—hint at the personal drama to come. Readers should note how Ross weaves official correspondence into the story, a technique that becomes more prominent later.

The Voice of the Journal

A striking shift occurs when Saumarez's own journal entries appear. After the Battle of the Nile, his entry of 18 August 1798 reveals a more intimate voice: “I soon had them sorted, and out of about twenty for myself I selected four from you, which were read with an avidity you will better conceive than I can describe.” The direct address to his wife (or close correspondent) and the description of reading letters “till daylight” bring the reader close to his emotional state. Ross does not gloss these passages; he lets them stand. The journal also records practical details—ships under command, prize vessels, and orders from Nelson—but the personal interludes are what distinguish this memoir from a mere naval chronicle. The contrast between the formal third-person narrative and Saumarez's own prose is one of the volume's most instructive features.

Orders and Command Structure

The excerpts include two orders from Nelson to Saumarez, dated 12 August 1798, directing him to take charge of prize ships and proceed down the Mediterranean. These documents are reproduced verbatim, with Nelson's signature and the formulaic language of command: “You are hereby required and directed.” Ross uses such orders not only as evidence but as structural elements, embedding them in the narrative to show the chain of command and Saumarez's responsibilities. The reader sees how naval communication worked—through written orders, despatches carried by captains like Berry, and the constant movement of ships. The inclusion of these official texts alongside personal letters creates a layered picture of Saumarez's world, where duty and personal life intersect. The memoir thus serves as a primary source for understanding late-eighteenth-century naval administration.

The Hazardous Voyage Home

After the Nile, Saumarez's journal describes a “tedious and hazardous voyage” home with prizes and a squadron. The entry captures the anticlimax after battle: the disappointment of missing letters, the “day after the fair” feeling when ships arrived too late. Ross titles this section with Saumarez's own phrase, “tedious and hazardous voyage,” and lets the journal carry the story. The reader follows the slow progress, the management of prizes, and the constant need for provisions. This section exemplifies how Ross uses the correspondence to show the less glamorous side of naval life—the waiting, the logistics, the separation from family. The journal's detail about sorting twenty letters and reading them “with an avidity” underscores the emotional cost of service. For a first reading, these passages reward close attention to tone and detail.

Readers approaching this volume should be prepared to navigate between Ross's biographical framing and Saumarez's own words. The correspondence and journals are the heart of the work, offering direct access to the admiral's thoughts and experiences. Pay attention to the dates and places: they anchor the narrative in a specific historical moment. The genealogy and early chapters provide context, but the later sections, especially the Nile aftermath, show the memoir's distinctive value as a personal record of naval command.