SS: Le Napoleon Traditional Cache
Knagur Green: Due to no response from the CO after the request to maintain or replace the cache, I am archiving it to, stop it showing on the listings and/or to create place for the geocaching community
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A bit of a walk along the coast to this cache that forms part of the Shipwreck Series. For the series methodology and more info visit SS: Shipwreck Series via the related web page link.
One of the first ships to run aground off the west coast of Cape Point Nature Reserve was this French privateer with 250 French marines on board. In order not to fall into the hands of a British Naval frigate the Narcissus which had hunted her for two days she was run ashore here. Two weeks later the marines were seconded by the dutch and involved in the battle of Blaauwberg.
Here is the letter from the commander of the Narcissus.
His Majesty's Ship Narcissus
2 Leagues off the Cape of Good Hope
Christmas Day 1805.
Sir, Yesterday afternoon while we were anxiously looking out in the ship I command for the Squadron and convoy under your orders, we discovered a ship coming from the land about Table Bay in chase steering down before the wind; she approached within eight or nine miles, and then hauled her wind from us. We instantly pursued, and kept her in view until half past nine at night, when the weather became so thick that we lost sight of her.
Judging, however, from her fast sailing she was a Ship of War, and most likely push back for the Cape Town to give intelligence of our being on the coast, I plied to windward all night to cut her off, and at daylight had the pleasure of seeing her, though still at a considerable distance to windward. At 9 o'clock we neared fast, and fearing she would make in for the shore I used every endeavour to prevent it, but without effect, as she was still to windward of us, and after various manoeuvres to escape close to the surf along shore, and both keeping up a partial fire, we compelled her to run aground.
Soon after we observed her three masts and bowsprit go by the board and her boats went adrift. The people on board from a Dutch sloop captured by ourselves informed us the vessel we ran on shore was a French ship Le Napoleon of 32 thirty-pounder (short guns) and 250 men, and had sailed from Table Bay. She had on board the Ordnance & Company of L'Atalante a French frigate lately lost there.
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(Decrypt)
Haqre ebpx
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