The Sirius picked up the Nereide’s boat with Lieutenant Deacon on board; and on the 32d, at 11-10 A.M., arrived off the island, and exchanged numbers with the Nereide, still at anchor within it; and who immediately hoisted the signals ‘ready for action,’ ‘enemy of inferior force.’ Having, from the situation of the French squadron, decided on an immediate attack. Captain Pym made the signal for the master of the Nereide. Mr. Robert Lesby accordingly went on board the Sirius, to conduct her, as he supposed, to the anchorage at the back of the island. the Sirius now made all sail, with the usual E.S.E. or trade wind, and bore up for the passage; and at 2-40 P.M., agreeably to a signal to that effect from the Sirius, the Nereide got under weigh, and, under her staysails only, stood after her consort down the channel to Grand Port. At 4 P.M., having still the Nereide’s master on board, but not her black pilot, who was the only person that knew the harbour, the Sirius unfortunately grounded upon a point of the shoal on the larboard side of the channel; and, having run down with her square-sails set, and consequently with a great deal of way upon her, the ship was forced a considerable distance on the bank. The Nereide immediately brought up, and Captain Willoughby went on board the Sirius, to assist in getting her afloat[1].”
Instead of la Nereide following the Sirius, she preceded her; and Captain Willoughby, being personally well acquainted with Port S.E., would have led Captain Pym safely alongside the enemy, had not the latter officer carried so much sail that he was obliged to yaw about, in order to avoid running aboard la Nereide – it was in consequence of his being under this necessity, that the Sirius grounded. Mr. James should have added, that the master of la Nereide knew less of Port S.E. than any other officer belonging to her, as he was always left in the command of the ship, whilst Captain Willoughby and his Lieutenants were either on shore or employed in sounding the harbour:– in fact, Mr. Lesby had never before been so far in as the spot where the Sirius grounded on the 22d August.
“At 10 A.M., Aug. 23, the Iphigenia and Magicienne were seen beating up for Isle de la Passe; and Captain Willoughby immediately sent his master, who had returned from the Sirius, to conduct them to the anchorage. * * * *. At 4-40 P.M., by signal from the Sirius, the four frigates got under way; and, preceded by the Nereide with her black pilot on board, stood down the channel to Grand Port. * * * * * *.
- ↑ Nav. Hist. v, p. 413.
