commander-in-chief on this station, was dispersed on various services, nor would it collectively have been sufficiently strong to have opposed the enemy.

1797.-No event of importance occurred on the American station in the year 1797, excepting the loss of La Tribune, Capt. Scory Barker, of 44 guns, and 280 men, in the month of November. She struck on a rock, and sunk close to the southward of the entrance into Herring Cove, near Halifax. Four of her crew escaped in the jolly boat, and eight were preserved by the skill and courage of a boy, but thirteen years of age, who first ventured out in a small skiff, and set an example which was soon followed. Except these, all the officers and the rest of the crew were swallowed up in the deep.

1798.-The Rover sloop of war was lost in a gale of wind in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; Capt. G. Irwin and the crew were saved.

May 25.-De Braak, of 14 guns, Capt. J. Drew, working into the Delaware River, upset in a heavy squall of wind. The captain and 34 of the crew perished.

June 21.-The Princess Royal packet, Capt. J. Skinner, with the mail on board for New York, with great gallantry, for two hours, engaged L'Avanture, of Bourdeaux, carrying 16 guns, and 85 men, when the Frenchman, much disabled, took to his sweeps and made off. The Princess Royal had but 6 guns mounted, and 49 people on board, including passengers and boys.

In consequence of Captain Loring, in the Carnatic, having stopped and searched an American vessel of war, the President of the United States issued an order to resist by force every attempt of the like na

ture.

1799. This year Adm. Vandeput commanded the squadron on the Halifax station, where the cruizers were actively employed in protecting the trade. Several attempts were made to destroy the dock-yard at Halifax by fire, all of which fortunately failed.

1800.-In June, Vice-Adm. Sir Wm. Parker arrived, and took the command on the Halifax Station. Several privateers this year were fitted out by the merchants and traders in Nova Scotia, which proved very successful, particularly the bg. Rover, Capt. Godfrey, of 14 guns and 55 men.

1801.-The Cleopatra and Andromache, frigates, Capts. Israel Pellew and R. Lawrie, when cruising off Cuba, attempted with their boats to cut out a convoy of Spanish vessels, which were at anchor in Levita Bay, protected by three large gun vessels. The enemy, as the boats drew near, prepared for the attack, and discharged a tremendous volley of grape and langrage, notwithstanding which, the boats pushed on, and carried one of the gallies. But, being at length nearly destroyed, the assailants were compelled to retreat to their ships. The loss sustained was Mr. Taylor, first lieutenant of the Cleopatra, 2 midshipmen of the Andromache, and 9 seamen killed, 1 midshipman, and 16 men wounded.

1805, February 17.-Capt. Sir Robt. Lawrie, of the Cleopatra, 32, brought to and sustained a most severe action with the French frigate La Ville de Milan, of 46 guns and 350 men. The Cleopa tra had only 199 men, and though there was this disparity in size of the ships, complement of men, and weight of metal, the action lasted more than three hours before the Cleopatra surrendered. A long chase had preceded it, which was occasioned by the Ville de Milan having dispatches for France, with orders not to speak any

B 3

thing

thing during the passage, which she endeavoured to obey. The Cleopatra, however, having got within about a cable's length of the enemy, luffed close to the wind, and gave her two broadsides, which was returned, and a warm action commenced. About five, having shot away his main-top-sail yard, the Cleopatra forged a-head, although the mizen-top-sail was squared, and both jibstay and halliards gone, with neither fore nor main clue-garnets left to haul the courses up, the running rigging cut to pieces, so as to render it impossible to either shorten or back a sail, and both main and spring stays shot away, the mainmast only supported by the storm staysail-stay; Sir Robert was induced to cross the enemy's bow, and by hauling up, to have raked him, instead of exposing the Cleopa tra's stern to the fire of 25 pieces of cannon from his broadside; but in this attempt a shot struck the wheel, the broken spokes of which became jammed against the deck. The Cleopatra thus rendered ungovernable, the enemy, with the wind upon his quarter, gave her the stem, running his head and bowsprit over her quarter deck, just abaft the main rigging, and under cover of a very heavy fire, attempted to board her, but was bravely repulsed. The Cleopatra exchanged a few musketry with him; but his great advantage in height, and superior numbers, as well as by his musketoons in the tops, cleared her decks, and in at her ports, most of her sails laying shivering, or partly a-back, and borne down by so heavy a ship (having been intended for a 74), going almost before the wind, and much sea running, appearing to cut her asunder at every send, Sir Robert saw no prospect of saving the Cleopatra, or the lives of the numerous wounded that were then below; but on the suggestion of the first lieutenant, an attempt was made to hoist the fore-topmaststaysail, and the spritsail-topsail was directed to be set also, in the execution of which orders, every man was knocked down by the musketry and other small shot as they made their appearance. At a quarter past five, they succeeded in boarding, and the Cleopatra was compelled to surrender. More gallantry and bravery could not have been displayed by both officers and men of so young a ship's company, many being under twenty years of age, and only three marines, who had not joined that corps more than two weeks before they were embarked. The Cleopatra had 22 killed and 38 wounded. February 25.-Capt. Talbot of the Leander, 50, recaptured the Cleopatra; and her conqueror, La Ville de Milan, was in her turn captured without firing a shot. It then appeared that Monsieur Reynaud, the captain of this ship, had been killed by the last shot fired from the Cleopatra. The French officers spoke highly in praise of Sir Robt. Lawrie's perseverance in so long a chase, and of his brave conduct, and that of his officers and men, in so severe an action. They even acknowledged, that had not the Cleopatra forged a-head of La Ville de Milan in the latter part of the action, she must have surrendered to the Cleopatra.

July 3.-The Cambrian, 38, J. P. Beresford, after a chase of twenty-two hours, captured the Matilda French privateer, of 20 guns and 95 men. On the 6th, Lieut. Pigot, in this captured privateer, made the river St. Mary's, where he had information of two ships and a schooner.. On the 7th, he proceeded twelve miles up a narrow river, through a continual fire of the militia and riflemen, until he got within shot of a ship, brig, and schooner, lashed in a line across the river. He engaged them for an hour; the schooner grounded; he had recourse to his boats, and after an obstinate re

sistance,

sistance, carried the ship. He then obliged the men to quit the brig and schooner, and took possession of them; after which, he turned his fire on the militia, about one hundred, and a field-piece, who were completely routed. Lieut. Pigot received two wounds in the head by musket balls, and one in the leg. Lieut. Masterman, of the marines, who most ably seconded him, wonderfully escaped unhurt, though his clothes were shot through and through. The ship was the Golden Grove, and the brig the Ceres of London, taken by a Spanish priv. of 6 guns and 70 men, two months before. The enemy had armed the ship with 8 guns, 6 swivels, and 50 men; the brig was defended by swivels and small arms. The British had two men killed and 13 wounded; the Spaniards 25 seamen, with 5 Americans killed, and 22 wounded.

1806, September 9.-Capt. Honeyman, of the Leda, 38, drove on shore, near Monte Video, a spanish priv. and sent the cutter, pinnace, and launch, to bring her off or destroy her. Lieut. Parker, in the cutter, boarded her, and found her pierced for 14 guns; but she had none on board, and was deserted by her crew. Finding it impossible, from the rough sea and state of the vessel, to accomplish his object, he cut her cable, that she might drift further in amongst the breakers.

September 14.-The Belleisle, 80, W. Hargood, being off Cape Henry, in company with the Bellona, 74, J. E. Douglas, and Melampus, 36, Step. Poyntz, in endeavouring to join Rear-Adm. Sir R. Strachan, discovered a line-of-battle ship to leeward, under jurymasts, standing in for the Chesapeake, to which chase was immediately given; and on taking possession of her, she proved to be L'Impetueux, of 74 guns and 670 men, one of the squadron which had been cruising under Rear-Adm. Willeaumez, having separated from him and four more sail of the line in a heavy gale, wherein she lost all her masts, her bowsprit, and rudder. About noon, perceiving two suspicious vessels in the offing, Capt. Hargood got under weigh with the Bellona, directing Capt. Poyntz to receive the crew of L'Impetueux, and set fire to her, which he effected.

1807, February 3.--Monte Video surrendered to the British force. See MONTE VIDEO.

1809, February 10.--Capt. Scott, of the Horatio, 38, with the Driver (sp.), 16, Chas. Claridge, under his orders, had a most desperate action with a French frigate. At three quarters past twelve, the contest began; in a short time, the first lieutenant, Manley Hall Dixon, was badly wounded, and soon afterwards the captain. The succeeding lieutenant, the Hon. Geo. Douglas, fought the ship through the action in gallant style. It continued about an hour and thirty-five minutes, when the Latona, 38, H. Pigot, hove in sight, and exchanged a few shot with the enemy, who immediately brought to on the farboard tack, and every mast went by the board. She proved to be La Junon, of 44 guns and 323 men. Her loss in killed and wounded amounted to 130 men. Her captain expired soon after the action. The Horatio had 7 killed and 26 wounded; the Latona 6 wounded, and the Driver 1.

August 6.-After a chase of eighteen hours, at twenty-five minutes past nine, a. m. Capt. Mounsey, of the Bonne Citoyenne (slp.), 18, commenced an action with a French frigate, which, for the undaunted courage displayed, as well as for the slaughter and damage that ensued, is almost unexampled and incredible. It continued, with unabated fury, until sixteen minutes past four, p. m.

when

when Capt. Mounsey's powder being nearly all expended, he determined to carry his opponent by boarding with all hands, when, at the instant of laying her aboard, she struck her colours. Thus ended a conflict most obstinately maintained for six hours and fifty minutes, during which the enemy fired more than seventy broadsides, whilst the sloop, not less sparing, discharged one hundred and thirty-nine, alternately from the starboard and larboard sides. She proved to be La Furieuse, a French frigate of the largest class, that escaped from the Saints, on the 1st April, commanded by Capt. Le Marant Ker Daniel, pierced for 48 guns, but having only 20 mounted, forty soldiers at small arms, her full proportion of officers, and a complement of 200 men, besides a colonel, two lieutenants, and a detachment of the 66th regiment of the line; partly loaded with sugar and coffee, and sailed from Basse Terre, the 14th June, bound to France. She was reduced to a perfect wreck, having fourteen shot-holes between wind and water, and five feet water in her hold. She had 35 killed and 36 wounded.

The sloop was likewise a mere wreck, and it was with the greatest exertions that they both got into Halifax. The sloop had only 1 killed and 5 wounded, which Capt. Mounsey attributed to the lowness of the Bonne Citoyenne's hull, and being so close under the enemy's guns.

Ac

1811, May 16.-Capt. A. B. Bingham, of the sloop Little Belt, 14, when cruising between Capes Henry and Hatteras, was attacked by the United States frigate the President, of 44 guns, Commodore Rogers, who, after a close action of three quarters of an hour, made sail from him, giving no reason for his most extraordinary conduct. About eight o'clock the following morning he bore up and hailed, and offered to send a boat on board, which was assented to. cordingly one came with a message from the Commodore, purporting that he lamented much the unfortunate affair that had happened, and that, had he known the inferiority of Capt. Bingham's force, he should not have fired at him. Upon being asked his motives by the latter for firing at all, his reply was, that the first gun was fired at him, which Capt. Bingham asserted was positively not the case. Capt. Bingham had cautioned both the officers and men to be particularly careful, and not suffer any more than one man to be at each gun; nor is it probable, that a sloop of war, within pistolshot of a large 44-gun frigate, should commence hostilities. He offered Capt. Bingham every assistance he stood in need of, and submitted to him that he had better put into one of the ports of the United States, which he declined. The Little Belt had 9 killed and 23 wounded, most of them, apprehended by Capt. Bingham, mortally.

1812, August 19.--The Guerriere, 38, J. R. Dacres, had a close and severe action of near two hours, with the American frigate Constitution, of very superior force, both in guns and men (of the latter almost double), when the Guerriere, being totally dismasted, she rolled so deep as to render all further efforts at the guns unavailing, and it became a duty to spare the lives of the remaining part of her valuable crew, by hauling down her colours. The masts fell over the side from which she was about to be engaged, in a very favourable position for raking by the enemy. A few hours after she was in possession of the Constitution, it was found impossible to keep her above water; she was therefore set fire to and abandoned, a satisfactory proof of her being defended to the last extremity. Though

the

the great disparity of force in favour of the Constitution was calculated to ensure such an issue to the unequal contest, yet the brave Capt. Dacres, no doubt esteeming British skill, gallantry, and prowess, sufficient to compensate for his ship's inferiority in other respects, ascribes the loss of her merely to the early fall of the mizen-mast, which enabled his opponent to choose his position.

The Guerriere had 15 killed and 63 wounded: amongst the former were the second lieutenant, H. Ready; W. White, captain of the forecastle; and G. Griffiths, quarter gunner: amongst the latter were Capt. Dacres; first lieutenant, B. Kent; and R. Scott, masNone of the officers quitted the deck till the firing ceased. The Constitution mounted 30 twenty-four pounders on her main deck, and 24 thirty-two and 2 eighteen pounders on her upper deck, and had 476 men. Her loss 9 killed and 11 wounded.

ter.

The unfortunate loss of the Guerriere's masts, the absence of the third lieutenant, second lieutenant of marines, three midshipmen, and twenty-four men, reducing the crew to 244 men and 19 boys, on coming into action; the advantage of the enemy, from his marines and riflemen, in close action, and his superior sailing enabling him to choose his position, will altogether distinguish the defence of the Guerriere as brilliant as any upon record, and worthy of a conspicuous place in the page of our naval annals. Capt. Dacres, in his letter, stated the conduct of Capt. Hull and his officers to be that of a brave, humane, and kind enemy.

October 18. After a most gallant resistance of fifty minutes, the Frolic (bg.), 18, Tho. Whinyates, was captured by the American sloop of war Wasp, of 20 guns. The Frolic had, the day before, with the homeward-bound fleet under convoy, from the bay of Honduras, encountered a most violent gale of wind, in which she carried away her main-yard, lost her topsails, and sprung the maintopmast. She was repairing these damages, when the enemy made his appearance, and the unfortunate result of the contest might naturally be anticipated from the disabled state of the ship. About ten o'clock the battle began. The superior fire of the Frolic's guns, at the onset, encouraged the expectation of a speedy and favourable result, but the gaff and head-braces being shot away, and no sail on the mainmast, the brig became unmanageable, and the enemy succeeded in taking a position to rake her, while she was unable to bring a gun to bear. After lying some time exposed to a most destructive fire, she fell with the bowsprit betwixt the enemy's main and mizen rigging, still unable to return his fire. At length he boarded, and made himself master of the brig, every officer being wounded, and the greater part of the men killed or wounded, not twenty remaining unhurt.

The Wasp was taken, and the Frolic recaptured, the same afternoon, by the Poictiers, 74, Sir J. P. Beresford, who esteemed the conduct of Capt. Whinyates to have been so decidedly gallant, that he continued him in the command of the Frolic.

December 29.-Capt. Lambert, of the Java, 36, being off St. Salvador (coast of Brazil), fell in with the American frigate Constitution, Commodore Bainbridge, when a most severe and sanguinary action ensued, which lasted from ten minutes past two, p. m. with the intermission of an hour, till fifty minutes past five. From the commencement of the action, the Constitution endeavoured to avoid close quarters, in which he succeeded by firing high and disabling the masts, shooting away the head of the Java's bowsprit with the jib

bcom,