course of the following month, he received the approbation of the Admiralty, for the zeal and gallantry displayed by him in an action with two frigates under the batteries of la Hogue, the particulars of which have already been given under the head of Captain Charles Grant, C.B.[1]
The Niobe was subsequently employed watching the port of Havre, and on the 4th March, 1811, captured le Loup Marin privateer of 16 guns and 64 men. On the 24th of the same month, she assisted at the destruction of one of her above mentioned antagonists, near Cape Barfleur, by a squadron under the orders of Captain (now Rear-Admiral) Macnamara[2], of whose official letter the following is a copy.
“Sir,– Having sailed from St. Helen’s in H.M.S. under my command, in the afternoon of the 23d inst., I stood over to the French coast under easy sail all night; and at day-light the next morning, Barfleur light bearing S.E. distant about twelve or thirteen miles, I observed a large sail S. by E. running along the shore. I immediately gave chase, and obliged her to haul in for a small rocky bay, about one mile to the westward of Barfleur light-house, where she anchored with the loss of her rudder; at eight, the lee tide making strong, I was under the necessity, to avoid the rocks and shoals which surrounded us, to anchor H.M.S. about two miles to the northward of the enemy, which proved a frigate of the largest class. I had previously called in the Amelia frigate, the Goshawk and Hawke sloops, and ordered them to anchor, thinking an attack by boats practicable when the weather tide should make.
“At noon, the Niobe joined from the eastward: the flood making at four P.M. the squadron weighed, and having relinquished the plan of attack by boats, on account of the rapidity of the tides, I ordered the Niobe, by signal, to lead as close to the enemy as the safety of the ships would admit; which was performed with great judgment, the Amelia and Berwick following in succession.
“Surrounded by rocks and shoals, our fire could only be partial in the act of wearing; at six P.M. I hauled off; and on standing in this morning with the intention of renewing the attack, the enemy set fire to the frigate, and I had the satisfaction of seeing her burnt to the water’s edge * * * *
“I am, &c. &c.
“Sir Roger Curtis, Bart., Admiral of the
“Red, &c. &c. Portsmouth.”
