on our course under an easy sail: at near sun-set they were close in our rear, and I was in momentary expectation of an attack there, and prepared to support it; but at the close of the day we perceived them haul to windward. I sent Lieutenant Fowler, in the Ganges brig, to station the country ships on our lee-bow, by which we were between them and the enemy; and having so done, he returned with some volunteers from them.
“We lay-to in line of battle all night, our men at their quarters: at day break on the 15th, we saw the enemy about 3 miles to windward, lying-to; we hoisted our colours, offering him battle if he chose to come down. The enemy’s four ships hoisted French colours, the line-of-battle-ship carrying a Rear-Admiral’s flag; the brig was under Batavian colours.
“At 9 A.M. finding they would not come down, we formed the order of sailing, and steered our course under an easy sail; the enemy then filled, and stood towards us.
“At 1 P.M. finding they proposed to attack and cut off our rear, I made the signal to tack and bear down on them, and engage in succession, the Royal George being the leading ship, the Ganges next[1], and then the Earl Camden. This manoeuvre was correctly performed, and we stood towards him under a press of sail. The enemy then formed in a very close line, and opened their fire on the headmost ships, which was not returned by us till we approached nearer. The Royal George bore the brunt of the action, and got as near the enemy as they would permit her. The Ganges and Earl Camden opened their fire as soon as their guns could have effect; but before any other ship could get into action, the enemy hauled their wind, and stood away to the eastward, under all the sail they could set. At 2 P.M . I made the signal for a general chase, and we pursued them till 4 P.M.; when fearing a longer pursuit would carry us too far from the mouth of the straits, and considering the immense property at stake, I made the signal to tack: at 8 P.M. we anchored in a situation to proceed for the entrance of the straits in the morning. As long as we could distinguish the enemy, we perceived them steering to the eastward under a press of sail. The Royal George had one man killed and another wounded, many shot in her hull, and more in her sails; but few shot touched either the Camden or Ganges * * * * * *.
“I received great assistance from the advice and exertions of Lieutenant Fowler, whose meritorious conduct in this instance, I hope the Hon. Court will communicate to the Lords of the Admiralty.
“From Malacca, I despatched Lieutenant Fowler, in the Ganges brig, to Pulo Penang, with a packet from the Select Committee to the captain of any of his Majesty’s ships, soliciting convoy to this very valuable fleet. * * * * * *. We arrived at St. Helena the 9th June, under convoy of H.M. ships Albion and Sceptre[2].” * * * * * *
The squadron under Mons. Linois consisted of the Ma-
- ↑ Another 1200-ton ship.
- ↑ See Suppl. Part I. p. 146.
