of which latter event will be found under the head of Retired Captain Inglefield.
The Galatea, of which ship Mr. Brooking was the only Lieutenant, was one of the most active cruisers on the American station; and in the course of a single cruise of six weeks, was fortunate enough to capture two large letters of marque, a formidable privateer, which had done much mischief to our trade, and the Recovery, an armed ship belonging to the United States. The latter vessel sustained a running fight of considerable duration; and, considering the number of men absent from the Galatea in her former prizes, and the manner in which that ship was crowded with prisoners, it would not, we think, have reflected any disgrace on the remainder of the British officers and men had she effected her escape; as it was, her capture must be considered highly creditable to them.
In 1782, Captain Andrew Barclay, under whom Mr. Brooking was then serving as first Lieutenant of the Prudent, gave him an order to act as Commander, in the St. Lucia sloop of war; but he does not appear to have been confirmed to that rank until 1794, when he received a commission appointing him to the
On the 27th July, the American squadron, accompanied by a fleet of transports, having on board a large body of troops, commanded by General Lovell, arrived in the river, and began to cannonade the sloops of war and battery; which was so ably returned, that the enemy in their repeated attempts to land were repulsed. On the third day, however, they succeeded, under cover of a tremendous fire, which obliged the picquets to retire into the fort, the attack and defence of which was carried on with great spirit until the night of Aug. 13th, when on a sudden the American fire ceased. At day-light, on the following morning, to the astonishment of the garrison, it was discovered that the enemy had abandoned their works, and reembarked their troops and artillery. This mystery was soon cleared up by the appearance of Commodore Sir George Collier, in the Raisonable 64, with three frigates, two 20-gun ships, and a sloop of war, entering the river, having sailed from Sandy Hook to their relief. The American Commodore at first drew up his squadron, and made a shew of resistance; but on the approach of the British frigates, his resolution soon failed, and a most ignominious flight took place, which terminated in the capture and destruction of the whole rebel force, consisting of one frigate, three ships of 24 guns each, one of 22, twelve ships, brigs, &c., mounting in the whole 194 guns, and twenty-one sail of transports, besides two brigs of war previously taken by the squadron.
