me, and am happy to find it had the desired effect; for tins partial action brought the whole of the squadron down, except the Sylph brig, which was detached after the Brothers. At five the headmost line-of-battle ship began firing her bow-chase guns, which was returned by the Calcutta’s stern-chasers, still running to the southward under all possible sail, but with very little wind. As the iine-of-battle ship was close upon our starboard quarter, and the Thetis about a quarter of a mile on our larboard quarter, I was of opinion the sooner I attacked the line-of-battle ship the better, as disabling her was the only chance remaining of escape. I immediately put the helm aport, and when within pistol shot commenced the action; which was instantly returned by the enemy, and continued without intermission for fifty minutes.
“As I was under the necessity of bringing the ship to action under all possible sail, she was soon completely unrigged by the enemy’s fire, Finding the ship totally unmanageable, and our escape rendered impossible, by the near approach of the rest of the enemy’s squadron, I saw that it would be only sacrificing the lives of my people to contend any longer, and I was therefore under the painful necessity of ordering his Majesty’s colours to be hauled down. At day-light next morning I had much satisfaction in finding that His Majesty’s ship had not been uselessly sacrificed; for the ships of the convoy being all out of sight (except the Brothers, which was brought in by the Sylph), I trust they will arrive in safety. I am further gratified, that in consequence of their escape, information will be given of this powerful squadron cruising immediately in the tract of our homeward bound trade; and the certainty, if my convoy arrived safe, of a superior squadron being immediately sent after them, determined the Commodore to quit that latitude, and run to the S.W., but not till he had captured seven sail of the Illustrious’s convoy, and destroyed twenty-four neutrals in the course of the cruise, to prevent information of his situation.
“During the action, both with l’Armide frigate and la Magnanime line-of-battle ship, though in the face of the squadron, the officers and men I had the honor to command did their duty like men, so truly courageous, that no superior force had power to depress them. Much praise is due to Mr. J. Tuckey, my first Lieutenant, Lieutenant R. Donovan, and acting Lieutenant, J. Collas, for their spirited conduct and active exertions during the pursuit by the enemy and subsequent action; and though His Majesty’s ship has been captured, I trust the country has been materially benefited by the escape of the convoy, and its subsequent consequences.”
Captain Woodriffe, his officers, and crew, after being three months on board the French squadron, and experiencing very bad treatment, were landed at Rochelle, and marched from thence to Verdun, a distance of 600 miles, in the inclement
