was under the necessity of making the the signal to disperse. The Calypso bore up for that part of the convoy that was running to leeward. The corvette, which had been seen some time before, was standing for the ships that had kept their wind; I immediately made sail to relieve them, and had the good fortune to capture her. The enemy were previously chasing the ships to leeward, and I was happy to observe them haul their wind, I suppose on perceiving the situation of the corvette; but this, as well as their other manoeuvres during the course of the day, appeared so very undetermined, that they did not take the necessary steps to prevent our obtaining possession of her; nor had they brought to any of the convoy at dark, notwithstanding they had been near them for twelve hours: ond their situation was such as to give me sanguine hopes not any have been captured. The squadron proved to be Spanish, from St. Domingo, bound to the Havannah, consisting of the Asia 64, Amphitrite 44, and Galgo of 16 guns[1].”
El Galgo was conducted to Jamaica by Lieutenant Dillon, who became first of the Crescent on her arrival at Port Royal; where it was ascertained that only one ship had fallen into the enemy’s hands, and that she also might have escaped, if her master had paid proper attention to the signals and motions of his superiors.
We next find the Crescent cruising in the gulf of Mexico, where she intercepted a Spanish armed packet. Returning from thence, through the gulf of Florida, she also captured, after a long chase and two hours’ running fight, the Diligente, French national brig, mounting 12 long 12-pounders, with a complement of more than 100 men.
This latter prize was taken possession of by Lieutenant Dillon, whose attention was soon drawn to a noise below; and, on listening, he plainly heard some one threatening to blow up the vessel. Rushing down to the magazine, he there found the republican captain in a state of intoxication, and in the act of holding a lighted candle to one of the powder-barrels, with the diabolical intention of carrying his menace into effect, but which was thus providentially frustrated through Mr. Dillon’s knowledge of the French language. Had any other officer of the Crescent been sent to take possession instead of him, there is no doubt that every person on board
- ↑ The Crescent was a 36-gun, 18-pounder, frigate; the Calypso, a ship-sloop, rated at 16 guns.
