which he resumed his former station off the Isle of France, arid succeeded in obtaining possession of l’Isle de la Passe, situated near Port Sud-Est, the works on which were gallantly stormed by a detachment of sailors and marines, under the immediate directions of Lieutenant H. D. Chads.
Subsequent to this event the Sirius, whilst cruising off Port Louis, recaptured the Wyndham, a British East Indiaman, recently taken by two French frigates and a corvette, under the orders of M. Duperré; and Captain Pym learning from some English sailors whom he found on board, that that officer had forced his way into Port Sud-Est, immediately hastened thither for the purpose of attacking him, and rescuing another of the Hon.E.I.Company’s ships, which he had captured in company with the Wyndham.
On his arrival off l’Isle de la Passe, Captain Pym was joined by the Nereide, a 12-pounder frigate, under the command of Captain Willoughby, whom he had left in charge of that post, and who had used every effort to prevent the French squadron from entering the harbour[errata 1]. That gallant officer having instantly declared his readiness for action, and the situation of the enemy affording a prospect of success, Captain Pym decided on an immediate attack; but his intentions were unfortunately frustrated by the Sirius running aground in the inner passage, and remaining fast for many hours, during which the enemy moved farther in, erected several batteries, prepared the Indiaman for defence, and strengthened the crews of the frigates and corvette.
In consequence of this accident, and the enemy’s increased means of defence, Captain Pym was under the necessity of deferring the attempt until the arrival of the Iphigenia and Magicienne frigates, commanded by Captains Henry Lambert and Lucius Curtis, whom he had already recalled from their stations to the northward.
Those ships having joined company on the 23d Aug., and Captain Pym being assured by persons who professed to know the navigation that he was past all danger, and could run direct for the enemy’s line, the signal was made to weigh at five P.M., and each ship pushed for her station, viz. the Sirius alongside the French Commodore, Nereide to bring
- ↑ Correction: used every effort to prevent the French squadron from entering the harbour should be amended to succeeded in decoying the enemy into the port
