“On my coming on board, I found the sails and rigging so very much cut as to render the ship not in a state to be worked, and therefore anchored at the back of the surf, about a mile and a half to the N.E. of the town: this situation was the best I had in my power to take, both for defence, and to prevent her falling into the possession of the enemy if overpowered.
“A battery of three guns at the town, under the command of Colonel A. Campbell, of H.M. 74th Regiment, had kept a fire on the enemy whilst within reach, but now we were too far distant to receive any support from it. I sent on shore to request guns might be brought on the beach nearer us: this I have since been convinced was totally impracticable, or it would have been done. We prepared again for action; and whilst thus employed, the enemy wore and stood towards us: the Marengo, after having repeatedly tried the range of her guns, came to an anchor abreast of us, and about a mile distant; dewed up her top-sails, furled her courses, and commenced cannonading. This threatening appearance of being determined to persevere and to succeed, only served to animate the officers and men of H.M. ship to greater exertions of defence with the lower-deck guns, the only ones that would reach the enemy, for she was too far distant for the carronades; but all the enemy’s shot reached us[1]. In the mean time one of the frigates kept under sail on our quarter, nearer than the Marengo, and annoyed us much by her fire; the other frigate carried off the Indiaman from her anchorage in the road. At 1-15 P.M., nearly two hours after this cannonading had commenced, and which had been kept up with much vigour on both sides, the Marengo cut her cable, hoisted her jib, and stood to sea. By some of her last shot our cable was cut, and we made some sail, and got further off shore before we brought up with the sheet anchor. When the Marengo first made sail, I supposed she intended to make a short stretch, tack, and renew the action nearer, and therefore made all necessary preparations to receive her; but she, the frigates, and the captured Indiaman stood to sea, and a little before sun-set bore up to the N.E., towards the bottom of the bay. What damage the enemy has sustained, or from what cause they declined further contest with us I cannot tell.
“After this full account of the transactions of the day, I feel it a duty incumbent on me not only to repeat the high sense I have of Lieutenant Philips’ services, but likewise to inform you that the other Lieutenants of this ship, David Pringle, Richard Coote, and William Fairbrother Carroll, displayed great gallantry and spirit on the occasion; the last-mentioned, though a young officer, has seen much service, and as his commission is not yet confirmed by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, may I request that you will be pleased to represent his great merit, to induce their Lordships to do it? To the zeal and energy of Lieutenant Warring, R.M. I am much indebted.
- ↑ The Centurion had long twenty-fours on her lower-deck, and 32-pounder carronades had been substituted for the long twelves which she had formerly mounted on the main-deck.
