stantly made sail to prevent her getting into Anse-la-Barque. Whilst stretching inshore, Captain Mainwaring assembled his officers and ship’s company, consisting altogether of 192 men and boys, pointed out to them the superior force of the enemy, and assured them that if they did not despair of coping successfully with their republican foe, he would lead them into action with sincere pleasure. “To glory or death!” was the enthusiastic response, and in less than 30 minutes the ships were closely engaged. The battle continued an hour and three quarters, during which time there was little or no wind, and the sea perfectly smooth. The combatants being greatly cut up in their sails and rigging, and Captain Mainwaring seeing no likelihood of terminating the action speedily, except by boarding, availed himself of a light breeze that now sprung up, and being a little to windward of his opponent, kept away for that purpose; but in attempting to cross the Pensée’s stern, was thrown on his back as above stated, and before he could recover himself from the shock sufficiently to give the necessary orders the enemy had put his helm up, and run athwart l’Aimable’s bows. He soon after made sail before the wind, and by daylight next morning had increased his distance about six miles, although no effort was wanting on the part of Captain Mainwaring to overtake him, all possible sail having been set in pursuit, the stays slackened, the wedges of the masts loosened, and the ship brought to her best sailing trim by the shifting of guns, &c., to bring her to her proper bearings. About 8 A.M., on the 23d, the French commander, observing the inferiority of the frigate opposed to him, hove to, with the seeming determination of renewing the action. Preparations were now made for lashing the Pensée’s bowsprit to l’Aimable’s main-mast; but on Captain Mainwaring arriving within pistol shot of the enemy’s weather quarter, the latter filled and set his courses, having first greeted the British frigate by pulling off his hat to her commander and waving it over the hammocks, his officers following his example. This apparently chivalrous salutation was very naturally returned; and our countrymen’s feelings may readily be conceived when they found it a mere ruse de guerre. L’Aimable, however, immediately bore up; and her flying-jib-boom passing close to the Pensée’s taffrail, she had an opportunity of pouring in a broadside through the enemy’s cabin windows. A very close action now commenced, both ships running before the wind under their top-sails alone, and was kept up for nearly half an hour; when the Pensée having fore-reached on l’Aimable sheered off, and succeeded in effecting her escape. The trivial loss sustained by the latter must be attributed to her antagonist having fired high. The slaughter on board the former is easily accounted for, she being much loftier than l’Aimable, whose guns had but little elevation given them.”
Three days after this gallant affair, l’Aimable arrived at the island of St. Thomas, where she found the Pensée with her main-mast out, and obtained correct information of her loss.
