HMS Anne Galley

France entered the war against Britain in 1743, leaving the Royal Navy's Mediterranean fleet at risk from the combined French and Spanish forces. On 9 February 1744 the fleet, comprising 38 vessels under Admiral Mathews, encountered a combined French and Spanish fleet of equivalent size off the port of Toulon. On the following morning both fleets formed lines of battle. Anne Galley was placed behind the centre of the British line but light winds and heavy swell kept the fleets apart throughout the day. At midday on the 11th, Admiral Mathews observed that the French and Spanish were seeking to depart without fighting, and gave the signal for immediate engagement.[9]

The subsequent battle centred around the Royal Navy flagship HMS Namur and the Spanish flagship Real Felipe. Both became disabled, with Real Felipe losing its masts and suffering around 500 casualties.[10] Seizing the opportunity, Mathews ordered Commander Mackie to bring Anne Galley forward to set the Spanish flagship ablaze.[11] Mathews had expected that the 70-gun HMS Essex would provide covering fire for Anne Galley but her captain, Richard Norris, refused to do so. When asked by his officers why he would not support the fire ship, Norris replied "We must not go down [to her aid]. If we do, we shall be sunk and tore to pieces."[12]

The Spanish observed Anne Galley's unsupported approach and opened fire with the remaining guns aboard Real Felipe as well as those of the 70-gun Hercules. The fire ship was repeatedly struck in the hull, and quantities of gunpowder were blown from the compartments across the decks and into the hold. To avoid casualties Commander Mackie ordered all but five of the crew to take to the boats, which were trailed on the far side of the ship to shelter them from enemy fire. Those still aboard busied themselves by opening the gun ports and scuttles and clearing the deck chimneys to ready the ship for being set alight. While they worked, Commander Mackie waited on deck holding the fuses that would light the explosives stored below.[11]

Despite these preparations, the fire ship was now so damaged that she seemed likely to sink before she reached the Real Felipe. A Spanish launch was also approaching Anne Galley with the intention of towing her away. Mackie went below and opened fire on the launch with Anne Galley's waist guns, but to no avail. Eventually, Real Felipe's gunfire hit Anne Galley's bows and may have ignited the loose gunpowder scattered about the fire ship's hold.[13][14][15] Other authors reported that the gunpowder was ignited by sparks from Mackie's attack on the launch.[11] Either way Anne Galley promptly exploded, killing Mackie and all others aboard.[11][16] According to one observer she was "within her own length", or roughly 100 feet (30 m), from the disabled Real Felipe when she sank.[11][16] Those of Anne Galley's crew who had already taken to the boats before the explosion survived the fire ship's sinking and were able to make their way back to the British line.[11]

Naval historian William Clowes describes Mackie's handling of Anne Galley at Toulon as demonstrating "great ability and gallantry."[11] Despite this the fire ship did no real damage to the Spanish, with Real Felipe subsequently towed to safety by other vessels.[lower-alpha 3]

Captain Richard Norris of HMS Essex was court-martialed for cowardice following his failure to support Anne Galley, but the trial was abandoned in deference to his father, Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Norris. The younger Norris avoided a second court-martial for the same offence by resigning his Navy commission in February 1745.[18]