mentioned in an official letter from the late Sir George Collier to Rear-Admiral (now Sir Eliab) Harvey; of which the following is an extract:–
“Minerva, off Cape Finisterre, June 23, 1806.
"Having reason to believe there were some lugger privateers in Finisterre bay, under the protection of the fort, I last night, it being calm, despatched two boats from H.M. ship under my command to scour the bay. From among the volunteers for this service, it fell to the lot of Lieutenant Mulcaster, first lieutenant, accompanied by Lieutenant Menzies, R.M. to command the cutter; the barge was directed by Lieutenant Ogle Moore.
“This forenoon, I had the satisfaction to see the boats returning, accompanied by five Spanish luggers and chasse roardes, mostly laden with wine, bound to Ferrol and Corunna. Lieutenant Mulcaster speaks very handsomely of the support he received from the officers, petty officers, seamen, and marines, employed on this occasion. I feel I should be deficient in my duty did I omit to state the circumstances attending the execution of this service, so creditable to Lieutenant Mulcaster and his companions.
“The first object was the fort, mounting 8 brass guns, 24 and 12-pounders, which commanded the vessels. This was carried in a most neat and masterly manner by the bayonet and pike, before the guard had either time to raise the drawbridge or discharge a 12-pounder, which had been brought to face the gate (a fishing-boat having apprized them of the approach of our boats). Part of the Spanish guard laid down their arms, and are now on board; the rest escaped.
“As the day began to dawn, and as the men were much harassed from a long row to the shore, and a fatiguing march over a heavy sand, the party were obliged to confine themselves to spiking the guns, and throwing some of them into the sea, ere they took possession of the vessels. The circumstance from which I derive most pleasure is, that this service was executed without a man being hurt on either side, although the boats in their return, during a calm of near three hours, were exposed to the fire of a 2-gun battery on a hill to the southward of the town.”
This was considered by Earl St. Vincent as “a very neat exploit,” conducted by an officer whom he “felt great pride in acknowledging as an elève” of his own. On the 29th July, 1806, his lordship transmitted to the Admiralty “another instance of the enterprising spirit of Lieutenant Mulcaster.”
“Minerva, off Oporto, July 12, 1806.
