by John Marshall

“ I have also completed a percussion lock for great guns, a water-proof tube to facilitate the tedious operation of unloading a gun to insure an effectual broadside, admirably adapted for shells and heated shot, and increasing the rapidity of firing, the gun will traverse as far as the size of the port will admit, the trucks being brought back more to the angle of resistance, whilst the gun is prevented tipping by a pivot piece. ”

“ All ships previous to leaving harbour, in still water, should take the extreme angular bearing of their guns. All the guns (by the plan I proposed to your Lordships some years since) should be concentrated to one angular point, and the points of bearing painted on the binnacle head; by which means a ship in chase would not be kept too much away to bring the bow guns to bear. The whole broadside, when concentrated and discharged by unerring principles, the elevation and line of sight in one focus, under the guidance of the captain by word of command, requires no comment. ”

“ Having submitted several inventions to the late Board of Admiralty, amongst others a traversing carriage, in 1824, I may venture to state that the improvement I have now added to the old carriage, so admirably adapted to co-operate with the army, simple and efficient, whilst its celerity of motion, by a train wheel, elevating screw, improved truck, &c. enables half the number of men to work the gun. ”

“ Only one transporting gun-carriage could be obtained, and the seamen employed in dragging the guns were, on rounding the main road, exposed to the enemy’s fire. On this occasion. Lieutenant Tayler’s fertile genius produced a substitute, “by the adoption of which,” said the late Vice-Admiral Billy Douglas, “many brave fellows would have been saved at the Cape of Good Hope.” Sir Charles Hamilton and the late Sir Joseph Yorke likewise, when Lieutenant Tayler submitted his plan to the Admiralty, strongly recommended it, but to no purpose – “it was not the establishment!” ”

“ Captain Tayler immediately took possession of the castle, which he found to contain 7 long guns (24 and 12-pounders) , 2 carronades, 2 brass howitzers, and a large proportion of powder, shot, shells, and ordnance stores; but no provisions, except a quantity of bread scarcely fit to eat. In a letter to the governor of Bilboa, dated June 23, he says:–
“I have hoisted the Spanish standard, and shall defend it against any predatory attack the enemy may attempt by sea, until a force is sent for its protection. The enormities committed by them at Castro are such as almost to exceed belief. ”

“ In firing from carronades, quoins were used: indeed carronades should invariably be fired with quoins, screwing the gun tight down on the quoin, to prevent the piece from rising when fired.
“With the present elevating sights, it is morally impossible to elevate and point a gun when under weigh, from not having the line of sight and elevation in one focus. At point-blank, with my sights, not one shot will be fired in vain, as the rolling or veering of a vessel will not affect the aim, when the objects are in one with the sights. ”

“ In addition to the improvement suggested at Brighton, of non-recoil trucks, my plan contained an elevating screw, of momentary action, which not only raised the gun, but gave the degree of elevation corresponding to any range, the scale of which was painted on the carriage, whilst the traversing circle gave the line of the object fired at; consequently a ship steered to one point, or moored with springs, might fire with the greatest rapidity, as the gun would run in and out in the same line of fire. ”

“ As soon as every thing was embarked, the squadron weighed and proceeded to Bermeo, where the troops were landed yesterday morning.
“I have the highest gratification in mentioning the cheerful, yet fatiguing exertions of every officer and man employed. Captains Bremer and Tayler contributed, by their advice and assistance, every thing possible for the defence of the place, and the safety of the garrison; indeed one universal feeling of the warmest admiration seemed to animate every one in saving so many brave men’s lives. The garrison consisted originally of 1200 men ”

“ A sailor and a black man (servant to Colonel Arnold) were subsequently rescued, in accomplishing which the cutter had two oars broken and another of her crew much bruised.
The above 24 individuals, and 6 men who got hold of the main-top, which carried them clear of the reef, were all that Lieutenant Tayler could save, unassisted as he was by any other boat. Indeed, the Leopard’s cutter was so full, that the men could not be removed from the top until her yawl joined company, at which period there was not a single ship in sight. ”

“ A laniard passing through the wad enables the gun to be at all times unloaded with facility; and if the cylinder were used for loading, the rapidity of firing would be increased, as it would require only once ramming home with a short rammer; indeed carronades might be loaded without the use of a rammer by this invention; and all accidents by fire being left in after spunging, be entirely prevented. The cylinder may be used for shells and hot shot. The saving of cordage and powder by the use of the cylinder would be very considerable. ”

“ Upwards of 3000 persons were murdered in cold blood; infants at the breast were not spared; women, and even children only 11 years of age, were violated; nearly the whole of the town burnt to ashes, and the misery of the few surviving inhabitants beggars all description.”
It is scarcely necessary to add, that Captain Tayler’s “promptitude and zeal,” were highly commended by Lord Keith and Sir George R. Collier, the latter of whom reported that “14 of the savage authors of these excesses were taken at Bilboa, after the evacuation of Castro, and deservedly put to death.” ”

“ The facility afforded to military men in carrying into effect their inventions at Woolwich, no doubt creates a stimulus, and gives them a decided advantage over naval men in bringing science to the acme of perfection. ”

“ Captain Tayler has always been considered the first broad-swordsman in the naval service; and the very same exercise which he introduced in the Leopard, Maida, Spencer, Heroine, Goldfinch, and Sparrow, has since been adopted at the Horse Guards ”

“ One broadside effectually discharged into a ship would destroy her. The sides of the gun carriage being perfectly clear, the grape and canister cases were slung in a neat manner, ready at a moment. There was also a case of tin cylinders for loading, containing 24 rounds. These are most important for expedition and economy. The difficulty of getting out a shot with a ladle, and afterwards the wet powder, when the water has got into the gun, or loading in rough weather, is thus completely obviated. Ships going into battle woTild frequently reload if practicable. ”

“ The following is a verbatim copy of an epistle written to Captain Tayler the day before he left her:–
“Honord Sir,– By the request of the Ship’s Company we have now made bold to trouble you with a letter, to inform you of the treatment we have met with since it has been your misfortune to receive the wounds, and before unknown to you. Our usage from the first Lieut. has been so very indifferent, that some of us have nearly been in the act of putting an end to our lives. As it is our misfortune to loose yon, we request to be drafted or a change of Lieut. ”

“ When refitted, the Sparrow was attached to the squadron employed on the north coast of Spain, where Captain Tayler soon rendered himself eminently useful in surveying different harbours, particularly Socoa and St. Jean de Luz, and in ascertaining the strength of the different French garrisons along the shore of Biscay; drawing plans of the enemy’s works, and obtaining correct information respecting their forces in the interior of that province. ”

“ The sights I had the honor of transmitting, I gave to Captain Parish in the year 1812, and he states that, after witnessing the surprising precision with which the captains of his guns fired at a cask, he called a boy who had just Joined, and directed him to point a gun and fire when the sights were in one focus with the object to be fired at. ”

“ The quantity of powder for each range will not be correct if damp or deficient in strength; but the recoil force is shown at every discharge, and the range by the index always visible to the eye. I have tried this plan, and found it to answer upon a small scale, and hope the utility of the invention will attract the attention of your Lordships to so important an object. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) ⁠“J. N. Tayler.” “To the Right Hon. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.” ”

“ When obliged to come into harbour for provisions, &c. she seldom remained at anchor upwards of 30 hours; her crew, on those occasions, were always granted permission to go ashore, one watch at a time; and, although limited to 6 hours’ leave, they never broke it: the discipline on board the brig was so well-established, that only 5 men were punished at the gangway in a whole year; and not a man was ever allowed to be “started.” ”

“ They also sent a strong body of men behind the rocks to annoy our people with musketry, but they were soon dislodged by the fire of a 4-pounder on the island, and two companies of Spanish troops. A battery for another 24-pounder was begun by Captain Tayler, on the island, flanking the enemy’s principal work, and the gun mounted and ready for firing at day-light on the 11th. ”

“ The marksman has complete controul over the elevating and pointing of the gun, and can guide it to the object during the operation of running out, a most important acquisition to the science of gunnery ”

“ On his return home from Zealand, he was specially employed, as first of the Maida, in dismantling the prizes, and clearing them of their valuable cargoes.
The Maida was paid off, at Portsmouth, Mar. 9, 1808; and in Aug. following, Lieutenant Tayler joined the Spencer 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral (now Sir Robert) Stopford, and employed in the blockade of l’Orient. While serving under that officer, he landed at Quimper and distributed placards relative to the occurrences in Portugal and Spain. ”

“ The enemy were discovered also constructing a large battery to the S.W. of the town, within 100 yards of the wall, under cover of a large house, against which the guns of the castle could not be brought to bear. A long brass 12-pounder was mounted on the castle, by the assistance of our people, but it unfortunately burst, after having been fired a few times. The whole of the 9th a heavy fire was kept up on both sides, and every exertion made to strengthen the defences. ”

“ I have directed the Royalist and Sparrow to convey them to Corunna, with a company of artillery, part of the late garrison of Castro; and I shall remain with H.M. sloop under my command, to impede the enemy’s communication by sea, and prevent any merchant vessels from falling into their Lands. I have the honor to be, &c. ”

“ Two strong main beams under the deck, resting upon either gunwale, with a strong sleeper bolted to the cross beams. On the latter (or on either gunwale) an iron socket is fixed to receive a counterpoise beam connected with the centre mortar box, which traverse on a circular platform to fire over either side, supported on sleepers independent of the counterpoise , a spindle, fixed to the mortar box, passes down the hatchway and is fixed to an air vessel floating in a box ten feet square, which will support a ton weight (although the pressure would be optional from one cwt. to a ton) . ”

“ Finding it impracticable to take any person from the stern or quarters. Lieutenant Tayler next proceeded under the bows, and, watching the rise of the sea, succeeded repeatedly in throwing a block, with the boat’s halliards and sheets attached to it, over the stump of the bowsprit [3] . ”

“ The Admiralty would not appoint Captain ____, to the ____, as flag-captain to Sir ____ ____, and he was a captain of eighteen years. I feel much obliged by the offer of such an officer to serve under the flag of his old friend. I am, my dear Tayler, very truly yours,
(Signed) ⁠“P. C. H. Durham.” On the 23d Nov. 1831, Captain Taylor forwarded to the Marquis of Lansdowne a Plan for the Registry of Seamen. The following are extracts of his correspondence with the Admiralty on the subject of his various inventions:– [5]
“Parliament Square, Feb. ”