be la Volontaire frigate, of nearly 1100 tons, and mounting 46 guns, with a complement of 360 men on board.
“I congratulate their Lordships that, by this capture, detachments of the Queen’s and 54th regiments, consisting of 217 men, who were taken in two transports, in the bay of Biscay, are restored to his Majesty’s service.”
Previous to Sir Home Popham’s departure for South America, la Volontaire was manned with as many sailors as could be spared from the squadron, and sent to St. Helena for the purpose of affording protection to the homeward bound Indiamen, provided that she could be rendered sufficiently effective, by a small levy on each ship, and the additional aid of some troops, to take charge of such a fleet. The assistance which her commander received from the officer in charge of the late Dutch garrison, has been noticed at p. 618 of Vol. II. Part II.
Captain Percy’s post commission bears date Sept. 25, 1806; and in the following year we find him commanding the Comus 22, which ship formed part of the squadron under Sir Samuel Hood, at the occupation of Madeira, Dec. 26, 1807.
In 1808, Captain Percy was appointed to la Nymphe frigate, on the Lisbon station, from whence he conveyed General Junot to Rochelle, after the convention of Cintra[1]. In 1810, he commissioned the Hotspur of 42 guns; and on the 1st Sept. 1811, he appears to have displayed very great zeal and ability in the presence of the Cherburgh squadron, which he decoyed nearly into mid-channel, hoping to keep them in play until the arrival of the blockading force under Captain Pulteney Malcolm. On this occasion he allowed the enemy to approach so near to the Hotspur that the first shot from her bow-chaser, fired when they gave up the pursuit, went through the main-sail of their centre ship; and he continued to harass them until they regained their anchorage, which was only about a quarter of an hour before the British squadron came up with him. The following is a copy of his official letter to Captain Malcolm, reporting the result of an attack upon seven French brigs, each mounting 3 long 24-
