HENRY WHITMARSH PEARSE, Esq.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
[Post-Captain of 1809.]
This officer received his first commission about Oct., 1796; served as a Lieutenant in the Victory, under Nelson; and was promoted by his lordship, May 8, 1804, to the command of the Halcyon brig, mounting 14 twenty-four-pounder carronades and 2 long sixes, with a complement of 94 officers, men, and boys. His subsequent exertions for the protection of the trade, and destruction of the enemy’s armed vessels in the vicinity of Gibraltar, gained him the warmest approbation of that illustrious chieftain. On the 20th Sept. 1804, he captured l’Esperance French privateer, of 10 guns and 54 men.
In Dec. 1806, Captain Pearse fell in with three Spanish cruisers; and after an action, highly creditable to him and his crew, succeeded in obtaining possession of the largest, a polacre of 14 long twelves and 72 men. The following is a copy of his official letter to Lord Collingwood on this occasion:–
“H.M. sloop Halcyon, Gibraltar, Dec. 18, 1806.
“My Lord,– I beg leave to inform your Lordship, that on the 13th instant, at 8 A.M., Cape St. Martin’s S.S.W. 6 leagues, I perceived three sail (a ship, a brig, and a xebec) standing out from under the land towards me; being on contrary tacks we closed fast. When within four or five miles, I discovered they were vessels of war, and shortly after they steered directly for me. Seeing they were superior, and five settees coming from the same quarter, I judged it prudent, as they seemed determined to bring me to action, to close with them as soon as possible, and decide the contest before any assistance could be given by the others. At 10-30, being nearly within musket-shot, they hoisted Spanish colours, and commenced action. As soon as I got abreast of the second vessel, I got on the other tack, and brought them to closer action, which lasted till 12 o’clock, when their fire slackened. At half-past, being almost a calm, the brig and xebec hauled away to the southward, assisted by their boats and sweeps; the ship, then nearest us, endeavouring to do the same to the northward. We swept after her, and in an hour got close alongside, when she struck her colours, and proved to be a polacre privateer, the Neptuno dios de los Mares, from Denia, going on a cruise between Minorca and the coast of Africa, with the other two in company; who, I am sorry to say, made their escape, but not before their fire had been silenced. The five settees, when within three miles, seeing the ship deserted, returned into the port of Denia.
