Diego Garcia. After procuring a large supply of turtle, and good water, I left that harbour on the 27th Aug., and proceeded on the execution of the particular service pointed out in your orders of the 22d July; and on the 2d instant, in sight of these islands, H.M. sloop fell in with a French national corvette, and after a few ineffectual manoeuvres on her part, from the superior sailing of the Victor when going large, I had the pleasure of bringing her to a close action at 6 h 45> P.M. The disguised state of the Victor did not long deceive the enemy. The second broadside proved sufficient, the corvette hauling her wind and endeavouring to escape, which, in about twenty minutes, I was sorry to observe, by having almost solely directed her fire at our masts and sails, she had a fair prospect of effecting; for, on her tacking under our lee, I endeavoured to wear, with the hope of boarding on her bow, when I had the mortification to find both lower and top-sail braces shot away on the starboard side, as well as the preventer ones and bowlines; and before others could be rove, the corvette was half a mile to windward. Night fast approaching, added to the chagrin I felt on observing the enemy sail better than the Victor on a wind. The chase continued all night, frequently within gun-shot; and at sunset the following day, from the wind having favoured the cdrvette, she was four or five miles to windward. In the night of the 4th we lost sight of her; when, probably by tacking, she escaped. In this affair I had one man wounded with 2 musket-balls, and Mr. Middleton, Master’s Mate, slightly; the damage sustained in the hull was trifling, but the fore-mast was shot through, and our sails and rigging were much cut.
“Judging from the course the corvette was steering when first seen, she must be bound to these islands, I pushed for them, and towards sunset on the 5th she was again seen, running in for this anchorage. I kept under easy sail till dark, when the Victor was anchored; and at day-light I had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy moored with springs in the basin, or inner harbour, with a red flag at the fore (as a signal of defiance). Being unacquainted with the channel, and having no pilot, Mr. Crawford, the Master, though ill of a fever, and Mr. Middleton, being volunteers, were sent to sound, which service they completely performed; nor did the latter gentleman desist, till repeatedly fired at by a boat from the corvette.
“The extreme narrowness of the channel, added to the wind not being very favourable, compelled me to use warps and the stay-sails only, which exposed the ship to a raking fire for some minutes, till shoaling our water, I was obliged to bring up. Having two springs on the cable, our broadside was soon brought to bear; and at 11h 45' A.M. a well-directed fire was opened, which was kept up incessantly from both vessels till 2h 20' P.M. when I plainly perceived the enemy was going down; in a few minutes her cable was cut, she cast round, and her bow grounded on a coral-reef.
“Mr. M‘Lean, the first Lieutenant, with a party of officers and men, were sent on board; though scarce had they put off, ere we discovered
