colours. The moment we could get possession, it became necessary to put the heads of both ships off shore, as well from the apprehension oi grounding, as to get them clear from a battery which had been firing at both of us during the whole action, those on shore not being able from the darkness to distinguish one from the other; fortunately the tide set us round the point, and we anchored soon afterwards in Vauville bay, in order to secure our masts as well as we were able.
“The prize proves to be l’Etoile French frigate, mounting 44 guns (28 eighteen-pounders on the main-deck, and the remainder carronades), with a complement of 320 men[1]; she was commanded by Mons. Henri Pierre Philibert, Capitaine de frigate, who was returning, together with la Sultane the other frigate[2], from a four months’ cruise to the westward. L’Etoile is a very fine ship, quite new, and sails well; she had 40 killed and upwards of 70 wounded; her remaining masts are shot through, and her hull is extremely shattered; she had four feet water in her hold at the time she surrendered. We are also a good deal cut up, several of our guns dismounted, and I have to regret the loss of some brave men, 13 killed, and 25 wounded, some of them, I fear, dangerously. Amongst the former was a most promising young gentleman, Mr. P. A. Crawley, who fell early in the action.
“I cannot. Sir, sufficiently express to you how much I have to admire in the conduct of every one whom I had the pleasure to command upon this occasion. I beg most earnestly to recommend Mr. Robert Milborne Jackson, the senior Lieutenant; as also to give my best testimony to the exertions of the junior Lieutenants (Messrs. George Addis and Horatio Bennet Cock), together with Lieutenants Griffiths and M‘Laughlin, of the marines. To Mr. M‘Gowan, the Master, I am much indebted, for the skill and care with which he conducted the steerage of the ship, during a period of much difficulty and peril. Mr. Maddocks, the Purser, very handsomely volunteered his attendance on deck, where he rendered good service. I cannot close this letter without observing, that I derived the greatest assistance from the professional ability of Captain William Sargent, R.N., who was serving on board with me as volunteer; and I notice with great pleasure the care and attention of Mr. Boyter, Surgeon, not only towards our own men, but to those of the enemy also, I have the honor to be, &c.
It is stated that Captain Palmer received an honorary medal from the Board of Admiralty, for his skilful and gal-
- ↑ The Hebrus mounted 26 eighteens on the main-deck, and her established complement was 284 officers, men, and boys. We believe that l’Etoile’s carronades were only twenty-fours, whereas the British frigate’s were 32-pounders.
- ↑ La Sultane was taken by the Hannibal. See Vol. II. Part I. p. 296.
