that officer first entered the same bay for the purpose of establishing a strict and active blockade, which was afterwards most rigidly enforced by the Junon and other frigates under the orders of Captain Burdett; to whose memoir we must refer our readers for a copy of the general order issued by Rear-Admiral Cockburn on the 4th Mar. 1813, acknowledging the “gallant, active, and zealous conduct of every officer and man of the small squadron” employed on that arduous service.
On the 20th June following, Captain Sanders being at the entrance of Norfolk river, in company with the Narcissus and Barrossa frigates, was attacked by fifteen American gun-boats, several of which were disabled, and the whole compelled to retreat, after an action of three hours, during which the Junon had 2 men killed and 3 wounded. Fortunately for the enemy, the shoalness of the water, and their proximity to the shore, enabled them to effect their escape[1].
In the following month Captain Sanders was entrusted with the blockade of Delaware Bay, where the boats of the Junon and Martin gallantly attacked and carried an American gun-vessel, mounting one long 32-pounder and one 4-pounder, with a complement of 35 men. Great credit is due to Captain Sanders for the promptitude with which he despatched the boats on this service, the enemy’s vessel being part of a flotilla that had come out to attempt the destruction of the Martin, then lying aground on the outer ridge of Crow’s Shoal, and not more than two miles and a half from the beach. This gallant affair will be more fully spoken of in our memoirs of Captain H. F. Senhouse and Commander Philip Westphal.
Captain Sanders continued actively and successfully employed on the American station till Sept. 30, 1813, when he was obliged to exchange into the Sybille frigate and return to England for the recovery of his health, which had by this time become much impaired by a long and laborious course of service, during which, as we have already shewn, he had assisted at the capture and destruction of three first-rates, eleven other
- ↑ The Narcissus and Barrossa used every exertion to close with the enemy, hut owing to the tide could not reach their stations till the gun-boats were about to retire.
