On the 9th Sept. 1796, the Victorious, in company with the Arrogant of 74 guns, had a very severe action off Ceylon[errata 1], with six heavy French frigates, commanded by M. de Sercey. The brunt of this conflict was borne by the Victorious, whose loss consisted of 17 men killed and 56 wounded; among the latter was her commander, Captain William Clarke, whose place, on his being carried below, was most ably and gallantly supplied by Lieutenant Waller[1]: the Arrogant had 7 slain and 27 wounded. Both ships were greatly disabled in their masts, yards, rigging, and sails; and the French squadron received so much damage, as to be under the necessity of proceeding to Batavia, where three out of the six frigates were compelled to undergo a complete repair. The delay occasioned by this kept de Sercey in port at a very critical season: and so far the action contributed to preserve from spoliation much valuable British property, afloat in every part of the eastern hemisphere.
Jn the following year, Lieutenant Waller was removed into the Suffolk 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Rainier, by whom he was made a Commander, and appointed to the Albatross of 16 guns, in June 1799; but that vessel being in the Red Sea, he acted as Captain of la Sybille frigate, until he had an opportunity of joining her.
During the night of Nov. 12, 1800, Captain Waller fell in with, and after a smart action, during which the enemy attempted to carry the Albatross by boarding, captured l’Adele French privateer of 12 guns, pierced for 16, with a complement of 60 men, several of whom were killed and wounded. On the 24th March, in the following year, he had also the good fortune to intercept la Gloire of 10 guns, pierced for 18, and 130 men. These marauders had committed great depredations on our trade; and their capture was considered of so much importance, that the Madras Insurance Companies presented Captain Waller with a sword and a piece of
- ↑ The first Lieutenant of the Victorious was absent in a prize. For a detailed account of the action, see James’s Nav. Hist. v. 5. p. 432, et seq.
town, one of the sailors swore, ___ ___ ___ that for once in his life he would swim in wine; and jumping in the head of a vat, was almost immediately satiated with that enticing beverage.
- ↑ Correction: Ceylon should be amended to Acheen, in the island of Sumatra
