was endeavouring to escape through the Passage du Raz; but the tide proving contrary, and the wind easterly, obliged her to anchor at the mouth of the passage. This afforded Captain Hood an opportunity of attacking her, which he performed in a most noble and gallant manner, laying the Mars so close alongside the enemy, as to unhinge several of the lower-deck ports. In this situation a most bloody conflict commenced, and continued an hour and a half, when she surrendered. Towards the close of the battle Captain Hood received a wound in the thigh, which proved mortal; he lived to receive the joyful news of the enemy’s submission, and expired covered with immortal glory[1]. She proved to be l’Hercule, of 74 guns and 700 men, the first time of her being at sea, from l’Orient, going to join the Brest fleet. The carnage on board the enemy’s ship must have been dreadful; upwards of 400 men were killed and wounded; her hull on the larboard side was shockingly burnt and torn to pieces. The loss sustained by the Mars amounted to 17 killed, 5 died of their wounds, 60 wounded[2][3], and 8 missing, in all 90[4].”
The subject of this memoir was soon after appointed to the Hazard sloop of war, employed on the Irish station, where he captured le Neptune French national ship, formerly the Laurel English East Indiaman, of 10 guns and 53 men, having on board 270 soldiers, from the Isle of France, bound to Brest. The enemy having brought all his guns on one side, made an obstinate defence of an hour and fifty minutes, and had upwards of 20 men killed and wounded. The Hazard had only 6 men wounded.
From this period Captain Butterfield was employed in keeping up a communication between the flag at Cork and the different squadrons cruising off Ireland. In Nov. 1798, he assumed the temporary command of the Foudroyant, an 80-gun ship, vacant by the death of Sir Thomas Byard, on the 30th of the preceding month; and after conducting her from
- ↑ Captain Hood was a nephew to Lords Bridport and Hood. He received a musket-ball in the faemoral artery.
- ↑ Among the wounded were Messrs. George Argles and George Arnold Ford, third and fifth Lieutenants of the Mars. The former officer, however, remained at his post, and acquired as much credit for his bravery in the action as for his local knowledge and professional skill, which enabled him to pilot the Mars alongside the enemy. The conduct of Mr. John Bowker, the second Lieutenant, was also very exemplary. Both these gentleman have since attained post rank.
- ↑ Errata: see Supplement Part 2 p 432. In teh previous footnote after wounded, insert officially reported; and after second lieutenant, insert who had a fair claim to be included in the report
- ↑ The cost of simply making good the damages l’Hercule had sustained by the fire of the Mars, was estimated at 12,500l.
