In the annals of Irish history, few episodes are as dramatic and ill-fated as the expedition led by Theobald Wolfe Tone in the waning days of 1796. The ambitious plan to liberate Ireland from centuries of oppression and tyranny faced insurmountable challenges, culminating in a stormy Christmas and a retreat that drew comparisons to the legendary Spanish Armada.
The 23rd of December marked a pivotal moment in Tone’s audacious campaign. The fleet, already diminished by the tempestuous weather, faced a critical decision. Tone passionately proposed that he, as Adjutant-General, should lead a landing with any willing volunteers. The offer hung in suspense as the Council of War, headed by Grouchy, convened to deliberate. Their decision, however, was not the anticipated green light for an immediate landing but a determination to make an audacious move into landing.
The joy in Tone’s heart was short-lived as a wild easterly wind resumed, tossing the remaining ships and thwarting any progress towards the Irish shores. The ships found themselves within a tantalizing fifty yards of land, yet the elements conspired against them. Tone, the Irish Adjutant, endured moments of anguish as Christmas Day dawned.
By the 26th, the weather had escalated into a tempest, extinguishing any hope of a successful landing. Tone, undeterred, proposed a daring alternative – to sally out and make for Limerick. Unfortunately, communication with Grouchy, the Admiral, was impossible until the next day. The turning point, however, came on the evening of Christmas Day when the Admiral’s frigate sailed by with orders to cut the cable and immediately set sail. The Irish expedition was in disarray.
On the 26th, Tone, in his diary, reflected with a bitter irony, comparing their misfortune to England’s escape during the Spanish Armada, attributing the defeat to the relentless weather. The 27th brought even more dreadful conditions, compelling all vessels to move out. In the midst of preparations to depart, Generals Charin, Harty, and Humbert, along with Tone and others, held a sombre Council of War. They reluctantly decided to make for the Shannon.
December 28th unfolded as a day of hurricane-force winds, putting most vessels at imminent risk. Tone’s ship, in particular, faced a perilous situation. Struck by a dreadful sea, the ship’s quarter-gallery was shattered, and the hold filled with water. The hope was fading fast.
On the morning of the 29th, the Commodore issued a final decree – all ships were to steer for France. It was a heartbreaking end for Tone and his compatriots. The closing entry in Tone’s diary on the 31st of December 1796 captured the depth of the tragedy. The revolutionary leader wrote, “This is the last day of the year 1796, which has been a very remarkable one in my history.”
As we reflect on this pivotal moment in Irish history, we are reminded of the passion and courage of Theobald Wolfe Tone. His visionary address to the Irish people, printed at Brest, resonates through the ages. In it, he declared, “At length, the time has arrived when every friend to the liberty and independence of Ireland may venture to speak the truth.” Tone’s expedition might have ended in failure, but his words echo as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who strive for freedom, even in the face of storms both literal and metaphorical.
Weekly Freeman’s Journal – Saturday 04 April 1914
