the grasp of Rear-Admiral Villaumez, who afterwards steered to the northward, in the equally vain hope of intercepting the Jamaica convoy. His subsequent disasters have already been partially noticed, in our memoir of Sir William Hargood, K.C.B.[1].
Captain Carteret formed a junction with his own Admiral off the island of St. Thomas, July 6; and after witnessing the flight of M. Villaumez before an inferior British force, he was sent to Barbadoes, from whence the Scorpion accompanied Sir John Borlase Warren to the coast of America, in pursuit of the same French squadron.
It appears to have been the intention of the latter officer to send Captain Carteret back to his proper station as early as possible, he having withdrawn him from thence without consulting Sir Alexander Cochrane, in consequence of there being only one frigate, and not a single sloop or smaller vessel attached to his own squadron. Circumstances , however, rendered it necessary for him to detain the Scorpion, and Captain Carteret was thus kept in ignorance of his promotion, whilst at the same time his appointed successor, having arrived in the West Indies, had the mortification to find himself without a command, or the least chance of obtaining one, at that period of active warfare.
After several months had elapsed, the Scorpion was directed to escort a French prize-brig to England; and on her arrival Captain Carteret was placed under the orders of Admiral Young (who then commanded at Plymouth), it being determined that he should remain in that sloop until superseded by the officer originally nominated to succeed him. By this arrangement, he was afforded an opportunity of capturing a formidable French privateer named le Bougainville, of 18 guns and 93 men, after a long chase, and a running fight of 45 minutes, off Scilly, Feb. 16, 1807. The enemy on this occasion had several men killed; the Scorpion not a man hurt. Captain Carteret had previously assisted at the
