Lot n° 3
Estimation :
1500 - 2000
EUR
Result with fees
Result
: 2 250EUR
WORK CAMP. - CONGREVE (William). Signed manuscript,... - Lot 3 - Osenat
WORK CAMP. - CONGREVE (William). Signed manuscript, in English and French, with autograph addition and appendix, entitled "Memoir containing some of the principal points for the formation of a system of mortar boats to bombard Boulogne", ILLUSTRATED WITH 2 ORIGINAL DRAWINGS, one with autograph caption (ink and pen). [1804]. 23-(3 including the last white) ff. in-folio, remnants of green silk ties. ONE OF THE FATHER OF THE MILITARY USE Rocket, THE BRITISH ARTILLERY OFFICER AND INVENTOR WILLIAM CONGREVE (1772-1828) played an important role in the evolution of techniques during the Napoleonic era: By perfecting a Chinese model used by the troops of the Sultan of Mysore, he developed in 1805 rockets that were used in the bombings of Boulogne (1805, 1806), Gaète (1806), Copenhagen (1807), Danzig (1813), in the Anglo-American War (1812 and 1814), as well as in the battles of Leipzig (1813) and Waterloo (1815). William Congreve was also one of the first to propose armouring warships. THE EMPIRE AT FONTAINEBLEAU MONDAY 22 MARCH 2021 6 PROJECT TO BOMBARD BOULOGNE FROM THE BAY WITH EMBARKED MORTARS. In this brief, William Congreve first indicates the strategic stakes of an action on Boulogne, presents the tactical data of the problem (a French flotilla concentrated in a protected basin), indicates the general principles of the solution he proposes (mortar fire from the bay), and describes a plan of attack based on three lines of vessels of different sizes, for a lightning bombardment of one hour, including twenty minutes of paroxysmal bombardment. He finally details the technical characteristics of these ships, lougres in first and second line, bricks in third, all ballasted with sand for ballast, reinforced at the level of the decks, and carrying a mortar oriented in the axis of the keel. WILLIAM CONGREVE IS HERE PART OF THE RESEARCH PROGRAM INITIATED BY PRIME MINISTER WILLIAM PITT, ALONGSIDE TECHNICIANS SUCH AS ROBERT FULTON, TO FIND A WAY TO REDUCE THE MARITIME PROJECTION CAPACITIES OF NAPOLEON I TO NIL, WHICH PREPARED A DESCENTE IN ENGLAND SINCE BULGARIA. Several of his technical memoirs on the subject were published, including Memoir on the possibility, the means, and the importance, of the destruction of the Boulogne flotilla (London, J. Whiting, 1806) and Explanation of the plan and intention of the project mortar boat (ibid., 1807). "England perhaps never had a more important enterprise to accomplish, than the destruction of the Boulogne flotilla: whether the security and comfort of her own subjects be contemplated or her respectability in the eyes of Europe - the continual and insolent threats of invasion -, the incessant accumulation of armament within sight of our shores is not to be endured by a great nation.... There seems little doubt but that "the most certain mode of destroying the flotilla, collected there, must be by the fire of mortars" because secured as it commonly is in an inner bason with sluices, no fire vessel can approach , while the mere act of throwing shot can at best but produce a temporary inconvenience easily repaired. The two principal points therefore in the bombardment of Boulogne are small vessels to carry the mortars near enough to the harbour, and such missiles as shall inevitably lodge on board the vessels they may strike so as to give the full effect of their fire... It is considered that the enemy can take no means to frustrate the attack... In fact, by such an attack he would be reduced to a complete dilemma. If he remain in his harbour this bombardment must destroy him. If he dare to leave it he exposes himself to every possible annoyance, to our squadron, to our fire ships, & to the elements, against which perhaps he is least of all prepared to contend... "The first drawing is a plan of Boulogne showing the position of the British fleet (9 x 19.5 mm, f. 10 v°), and the second drawing is a longitudinal section of a ship equipped with a mortar (6.5 x 17 mm). In his hand, William Congreve then gave a copy of the "observations" that Charles-François Du Périer dit Dumouriez, then in exile in England, had entrusted to him in his memoir on September 30, 1804. The general said he considered that "all the details in the memorandum are in accordance with the rules of the art, full of genius," and himself proposed additional provisions to ensure the safety of the ships, and suggested that everything should be ready in October or November 1804 so that action could be taken before Bonaparte had his flotilla disarmed and wintered, "which would make the effect of the bombardment, whose success would be much more complete if it destroyed the entire armament, less important. He asserts: "... This expedition is worthy of the English Navy, will cover it with immortal glory, will destroy the credit of Buonaparte in the spirit of Europe & especially of the French.
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