then in the Sheldrake, a new 16-gun brig, addressed an official letter to the commander-in-chief on the Guernsey station, of which the following is a copy:–
“Sir,– I have the honor to inform you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that H.M.S. Constance, in company with the Sheldrake, Strenuous (gun-brig), and Britannia (hired cutter), weighed on the 12th instant, at 6 a.m., from the anchorage at Chausey, with the tide of ebb, and a light breeze at S.E.: on standing in to reconnoitre St. Maloes, a sail was discovered off Cape Fréhel, to which the squadron gave chase, employing their sweeps nearly the whole way; it was soon discovered, by her manoeuvres, that the chase was an enemy, who about noon succeeded in getting into Bouche d’Herqui, hauling close in with the rocks, carrying out bow and quarter springs, and otherwise preparing for an obstinate defence, covered by a battery on the hill, as well as field-pieces and musketry, brought down for that purpose; in this state they waited to receive us. Their determined appearance only increased the ardour of the brave Captain Burrowes, who, I am sorry to add, fell by a grape-shot in the heat of the action. The Sheldrake, by superior sailing, had the good fortune to lead into action, followed by the Strenuous, the squadron being anchored within pistol-shot of the enemy, with springs on their cables: at 2 .m., a most spirited fire commenced on both sides, which was supported with great gallantry and obstinacy on the part of the enemy’s ship till 4 p.m., when it pleased God to give us the victory! I sent my first lieutenant to take possession of her, and the British colours were immediately hoisted. She proved to be the Salamandre, French frigate-built ship, mounting 26 long guns, manned, by their own account, with 150 men, and commanded by a lieutenant de vaisseau (Mons. Salomon), who was killed in the action: she was from St. Maloes bound to Brest, and laden with ship-timber.
“H.M S. Constance having taken the ground, and the prize being also aground, every exertion was used to get both ships off; but, I am sorry to add, without success; the fire of the cannon and musketry from the shore becoming now so galling and tremendous, that the people could not show themselves on deck. The Constance having had both cables cut during the action, and the warps, which had been run out to heave her off, being shot away at the moment of her floating, she drifted with the wind further on the rocks, which obliged the officers and crew to abandon her. Observing, however, that as the tide rose she began to float, I was induced, great as the risk was, to make another attempt to save her, which also proved unsuccessful, those employed on this service being either killed or made prisoners. Night now closing on us, it became necessary to consult the safety of the Sheldrake and Strenuous, the latter with her fore-top-mast shot away. At break of day, on the 13th, I stood in to see if any thing further could be done, and was happy to observe the Constance high and
