On the 12th Dec., in the same year, while cruising to the westward of Cadiz, the Terpsichore discovered an enemy’s ship about four miles on the weather quarter. Chase was immediately given, and continued, with much manoeuvring on both sides, for nearly 40 hours; during which, from the weather being extremely squally, the Terpsichore sprung her top-masts. At length, however, the stranger, finding it impossible to avoid an action, brought to; and about 10 P.M. on the 13th, Captain Bowen had the satisfaction of getting alongside. A most spirited battle immediately commenced, yard-arm and yard-arm; and, after a hard contest of nearly two hours, the enemy was obliged to surrender. She proved to be la Vestale, French frigate, of 36 guns, and 270 men, 30 of whom, including her commander, were killed, and 37 wounded. The Terpsichore, whose complement, from various causes, had previously been reduced to 166, officers, men, and boys, sustained a loss of 4 killed and 19 wounded; among the latter were Mr. Fane and Captain Bowen’s brother, who was the only Lieutenant then on board.
Both ships had by this time drifted near the rocks of St. Sebastian, and it was with great difficulty that the Terpsichore could gain an offing, after putting the Master and a boat’s crew on board la Vestale. On the following morning, Captain Bowen stood in and anchored a-head of his prize, then totally dismasted, riding in shallow water, between Cadiz and Conil. In the evening, a favorable slant of wind gave him an opportunity of getting under weigh, with la Vestale in tow; but the hawser getting foul of a rock, he was obliged to abandon her, and stand off again for the night. During his absence the prisoners rose upon the small party of Englishmen, and the next morning he had the mortification to see a number of Spanish boats towing her towards the harbour, which she reached in safety, notwithstanding all his efforts to prevent her. Captain Bowen, after a painful detail of the unfortunate sequel to the exertions of himself and his brave followers, adds – “As we feel conscious of having done our duty to the utmost of our power, we endeavour to console ourselves with the expectation of our conduct being approved.” How well this expectation was answered, the
