This second action continued for 25 minutes, during which time the yards of the two brigs were locked, and their ports nearly in one[1]. At 1-10 P.M., or thereabout, le Trompeur blew up abaft, and in five minutes more she went down by the head: the Pelican’s boats were immediately hoisted out, but only 60 of the gallant Frenchmen could be saved. Mr. Ussher, however, had the satisfaction of rescuing the heroic captain, who smilingly, and with great sangfroid said, when presented to Lieutenant White, “Ah ! Monsieur, le Trompeur a été bien trompé.” The loss sustained by the Pelican on this occasion, was only one man killed and nine persons wounded[2].
On the 2d April, 1798, Lieutenant Ussher was sent with two boats, containing 14 men, to look into the different creeks about Cumberland harbour and St. Jago de Cuba, in search of a privateer which had committed great depredations on the coast of Jamaica. On the 4th, the boats’ crews being much fatigued, he landed in a sandy bay near the latter port, reconnoitred a wood by which it was skirted, and placed a centinel on a commanding height, as well to prevent surprise as to report any vessel that might be seen approaching. His other men, with the exception of a boat-keeper, then lay down on the beach to take some rest, but were suddenly roused by a volley of musketry from 60 or 70 soldiers, who rushed forward with fixed bayonets, and seemed determined to give no quarter. The innate courage of British sailors never appeared more conspicuous than in the desperate conflict that now took place:– every inch of ground was fought to the water’s edge, our gallant fellows knocking down many of the Spaniards with their fists, which the latter seemed to dread as much as they did the cutlass.
On arriving at the sea-side, the enemy began to drag the
- ↑ A carronade pointed by Mr. Ussher, at the muzzle of one of le Trompeur’s guns, blew the latter from its carriage, and capsized it down the main-hatchway.
- ↑ Mr. James haa been misinformed as to the force of le Trompeur: he describes her as a brig “of 12 long French 6-pounders, and 78 men and boys.” See Nav. Hist. 2d edit. Vol. II. p. 129.
