were severely, and himself and all the remainder, 5 in number, slightly wounded.
Subsequent to this exploit we find Lieutenant Pym serving in the Ethalion frigate, and assisting at the capture of the Thetis, a Spanish treasure ship[1], on which occasion his commander, the present Rear-Admiral Young, when writing to Lord Bridport, made the following mention of his abilities and meritorious conduct:
“I beg leave to recommend to your Lordship’s notice Lieutenant Pym, the senior officer: the able assistance I received from him on the quarterdeck, and his indefatigable exertions in shifting the wounded masts and yards on board the Thetis, do him the utmost credit.”
We now lose sight of the subject of this memoir till his advancement to post rank, April 29, 1802; and from that period find no mention of him till his appointment to the Atlas of 74 guns, which ship he commanded in the action off St. Domingo, Feb. 6, 1806[2]. His conduct at St. Paul’s, in the island of Bourbon, Sept. 21, 1809, was thus described in a respectable periodical publication:
“The capture of St. Paul’s was effected by the cruising squadron from off the Isle of France, under Commodore Rowley[3], assisted by a party of the 56th regiment, and some Bombay sepoys, under Lieutenant-Colonel Keating. It appears that the soldiers, 136 royal marines, and 100 seamen, were lauded before day-break, and soon carried three of the forts. The squadron went in, fired their broadsides, and then hauled out. The Sirius frigate stood in again; and Captain Pym[4], anxious to avail himself of the only opportunity that offered, anchored her within half-musket shot of la Caroline French frigate, two captured East Indiamen, and a brig of war, in which position he opened so heavy a fire, that in twenty minutes the whole of them struck their colours. Both navy and army joined in praise of this brilliant enterprise, declaring they had never seen or thought it possible for a ship to keep up so tremendous a fire as the Sirius did on that occasion; and we understand it was principally owing to the very great exertions of Captain Pym, his officers, and crew, that the two Indiamen were saved from being burnt.”
Captain Pym displayed his usual zeal and ability whilst assisting at the reduction of Bourbon, in July, 1810[5], after
- ↑ See Vol. I, p. 684.
- ↑ See Vol. I. note at p. 262.
- ↑ For a list of the squadron and other particulars, see Vol. I, p. 626 et seq.
- ↑ Captain Pym was appointed to the Sirius in 1808.
- ↑ See id. p. 627 et seq.
