up between him and the corvette, Iphigenia abreast of the other frigate, and Magicienne between her and the Indiaman; but, sad to say, just as the enemy’s shot began to pass over them the former grounded on a small bank, where she remained immoveable; and the Magicienne also stuck fast in a position that prevented her from bringing more than six guns to bear. To add to this misfortune, Captain Lambert was prevented by a shoal from closing with his opponent, whose cables had been cut shortly after the Iphigenia opened her fire; and the enemy were in consequence enabled to direct their whole attention to the Nereide, whose heroic commander had taken the station intended for the Sirius, and persisted in maintaining the unequal contest, until every officer and man under his orders were either killed or wounded[1].
During the ensuing night every exertion was made to get the Sirius and Magicienne afloat, but all without effect, the nature of the ground, and the squally state of the weather, rendering it impossible to move them a single inch in any direction. At day-light on the 24th the Nereide was discovered lying on her broadside, a perfect wreck; and the enemy’s ships also aground, but in such a position as enabled them still to annoy the Magicienne, 28 of whose crew were killed and wounded on this disastrous occasion. Thus situated, and having no prospect of immediate succour, Captain Pym was under the painful necessity of burning his own ship and her unfortunate consort, after which he retired with their officers and men in the Iphigenia to l’Isle de la Passe, and there resigned his command to Captain Lambert, who being almost destitute of provisions, and having expended nearly the whole of his ammunition in the late contest, was obliged to capitulate to a French squadron sent from Port Louis, under Commodore Hamelin, on the 28th of the same month[2].
Although this enterprise proved so unfortunate, no possible blame can be attached to Captain Pym, whom we subse-
- ↑ See Captain Nisbet Josiah Willoughby, C.B.
- ↑ The Iphigenia’s loss in the above action was 5 men killed, and 12, including her first Lieutenant, wounded. The Sirius does not appear to have had a man hurt. M. Duperre acknowledged a loss of 37 slain and 112 wounded.
