was at the same time so much cut up by the Wolverene’s shot as to render it impossible for her to proceed.
Captain Wight’s abilities as a seaman were no less conspicuous than his zeal and bravery as an officer on this occasion, he having taken charge of the Wolverene upon her pilot declining to conduct her within gun-shot of the heavy battery to which she was about to be opposed, and laid her within pistol-shot of the enemy’s works, where her keel was only a few inches free of the ground. His spirited example was followed by the officers under his orders, their pilots having likewise disclaimed all responsibility. This gallant exploit being performed in sight of tire garrison at Marcou, he received the most hearty congratulations on his return to that anchorage, and afterwards had the satisfaction to hear that the Admiralty highly approved of his conduct. The enemy, it appears, had 4 men killed on the beach; but although their troops came down to the margin of the water, the British had not a man slain or wounded by their fire. The Wolverene, however, had three of her crew dreadfully shattered by an explosion on board one of the sloops, and suffered some damage in her sails and rigging.
In the following month Captain Wight captured a vessel laden with naval stores, near Havre; and on the 4th Nov. in the same year he drove a French cutter on shore to the westward of Cape Barfleur, where it is supposed she went to pieces during a gale of wind from the southward, which obliged him to haul off and leave her surrounded by breakers. Five days after this event he encountered a tremendous storm, the disastrous effects of which among the shipping in the Channel have seldom if ever been exceeded. The Wolverene’s escape, indeed, may be considered miraculous, as she actually struck on the Goodwin Sands, bu^ providentially forced her way into the North Sea, and arrived at Yarmouth in safety. The anxiety experienced by his family at this critical period may be inferred from the following passage contained in a letter written to him by Commissioner Schanck, on hearing of his arrival at that port:
