Lieutenant of the Panther 60, Captain John Harvey, immediately after the defeat of Don Juan de Langara, in Jan. 1780. His commission was confirmed by the Admiralty, Oct. 3d, in the same year.
Soon after Mr. Vaughan’s promotion, the chief command of the naval force employed in the defence of Gibraltar, devolved on Captain Harvey; and never perhaps was cool judgment and firm resolution more necessary, than in the dangerous situation he was soon placed in. During the night of June 6, 1780, a bold and well-concerted effort was made by the Spaniards to destroy the British squadron; several fire-ships were sent over for that purpose, attended by a large number of boats. Don Barcello’s squadron lay at the entrance of the bay to intercept the British, if they should cut their cables and endeavour to escape. Many favorable circumstances seemed almost to ensure success: the wind was moderate from the N.W., the night cloudy, and, considering the season of the year, uncommonly dark: the foremost of the fire-ships was within hail of the Enterprise frigate before they were discovered – not a moment was to be lost, the danger was instant and alarming: to endeavour to avoid it by putting to sea, was to fall into the hands of the enemy.
Captain Harvey, with great coolness and presence of mind, ordered all his boats out to grapple the fire-ships, and tow them on shore – the largest, equal in size to a 50-gun ship, drove past the New Mole head within the distance of 150 yards! Not only the size of the ship, but the violence of the heat, rendered it impracticable for the boats to grapple her: had she got within the mole, every vessel lying there, together with the storehouses in the naval yard, must have been destroyed. Three others were secured together with chains and cables; yet with uncommon resolution and activity, the British seamen separated, and towed them ashore. The Panther was in the utmost danger: three of the enemy’s ships were directed towards her: one, notwithstanding the exertions of the boats, came so near as to melt the pitch on her side; and as some of the sails were set for canting her, part of the crew were constantly employed in wetting them. By the strong light of these seven ships, all blazing at one time, two other vessels of the same description were seen on the larboard
