Huetson commands Castle-Sallogh, which some 50. Foot. A Lieut. of Foote commands
in Talbetstone, with some 60. Foot, I am certaine they have not tenne daies
provision. Ormond forces is given out 11000. Foot and 3000. horse.
Thursday June 15. Dublin June 6. 1649.
Right Honourable, A Letter from the Navy.
Uppon the 21. of May, we anchored before Kingsale bay, The condition of the
enemy in Kingsale stands thus, they have 13. ships there, whereof divers of,
them are very considerable ones, which revolted the last Summer, The Constant Reformation, a ship of 52. peeces of Ordinance, is Admirall, Commanded by P. Rupert
The Convertine with 42. peeces is Vice-Admirall, commanded by P. Maurice; the
Swallow with 36. peeces is Reare-Admirall, commanded by Sir John Minne; the James
with 29. peeces, the Blackmore-Lady 16. peeces, a Scottish ship with 24. peeces, the
Arke a prize taken from a Merchant, had 20. peeces, but 6. of them are taken
out for the James; the Culpepper a prize taken from the Ginney Company is in fitting,
her Guns a shore: A Washford Frigot with 12. or 14. Guns: The Roebucke,
and 3. little Vessels, to man all these, they have not above 600. Seamen, and many
of these being taken prisoners, and forced to serve them, would saine get away if
they could; but P. Rupert went to Waterford and Washford, to try how many more
he can procure thence, that so if he can get men, he may fight with us. P. Rupert
dares not trust the Seamen, And therefore keepes all his Souldiers, which are about
200. called his Life-Guard, aboard his ship where he lodgeth every night. Provisions
are very dear at Kingsale, a high Excise being laid upon everything: The
strength of this Town is their Fort, commanded by Col. Brocket, a creature of Inchiquins:
this Fort secures the Harbour and Town, P. Rupert thought by a Stratagem
to have surprized it, but being discovered, was prevented by the Governour.
Had not we come hither at the very time we did, within a few dayes their Admirall
with some more had been gone to Waterford and Washford, to joyne with those Frigots
and then we must have danced a Wild-goose chase after them, no body knowes
whither, or else the Merchants in all probability, would have suffered much by
them, but the wise disposer of all things ordered it better in his providence. Upon
the 22. we took some Fishermen that came out to fish, by whom the Admiralls
learned a little Intelligence, and sent into the Town by them a licence, that all Fishermen might freely come out to fish, without any molestation; but P. Rupert would
not suffer any to fish, for feare of giving us Intelligence. Upon the 23. Seaven of
their Seamen who had been taken prisoners, and forced to serve with them, came
away to us. Upon the 24. we had storming fowle weather, so that there was no stirring.
Upon the 25. the Enemy began to make a little Fort, and drew thither some
Ordnance upon the point near the entrance into the bay; whereupon we suspecting
they intended to keepe in, the darkest time of the night, some of them might steale
out by the shore, and get away, we weighed Anchor, and stood in near to the bay,
and there we anchored again, causing divers boates and the Admiralls Ketch to lye
at the mouth of the bay, each night to observe and give notice of their motions.
Vpon the 28. the wind blowing strongly, there arose a very great storme: June 1.
The wind continuing, and blowing hard Westerly with much Sea, we were forced
to bear up for Mildford-Haven, or else we should have been driven into St. Georges
Channell, and about one a clock in the afternoon, we came into Milford Harbour.
Vpon the 5. about 4. a Clock in the morning, we weighed Anchor and sayled from
Milford-Haven towards Kingsale, but by stormy weather, were forced for shelter
under Lundee Island where we now are at Anchor. June 6. 1649.