dry on the rocks under the battery, and lying keel up, a perfect wreck[1]; the prize, which had not drifted so far in, I succeeded in totally destroying by fire, at low water: I have saved about 100 of the officers and crew of the Constance, and of those missing I hope most are made prisoners, though I fear some may have fallen in the second attempt to recover H.M. ship.
“The lamented death of my respected friend. Captain Burrowes, leaves me the duty of bearing testimony to the determined courage, coolness, and ardour displayed by every officer and man in the squadron. I must particularly mention the assistance I received from my first lieutenant, Richard Kevern, a most meritorious old officer, whom I presume to recommend to their Lordships’ favorable notice[2]. I must also bear testimony to the zeal and bravery of Lieutenant John Nugent, commanding the Strenuous gun-brig, who on this, as well as on former occasions, has shown himself a gallant and zealous officer. Mr. William Lawrence, my second lieutenant, to whom I committed the service of destroying the prize, performed it very much to his own credit and my satisfaction. I am sorry to state that Mr. Henry Frazer, master of the Sheldrake, who volunteered in the most gallant manner to accompany Mr. Richards, first lieutenant of the Constance, in the second attempt to save that ship, is amongst the missing. I herewith have the honor to enclose as correct a list of the killed and wounded as I have been able to obtain; also a list of prisoners saved from the prize.
“To Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. K.B.
&c. &c. &c.”
Constance, of 22 guns, – Captain Alexander Saunderson Burrowes and twelve seamen and marines killed; Mr. Daniel M‘Cawley, boatswain, and one man badly wounded; Lieutenant George Spencer Richards and nine men slightly wounded.
Sheldrake, of 16 guns, – One man killed, two wounded.
Strenuous, of 14 guns, – Mr. Robert Bond, midshipman, and four men wounded, only one of the latter severely.
Taken out of the Salamandre, – nine wounded men, two of whom were in a dying state. Commander Thicknesse adds, in a postscript, as follows:
“Lieutenant Lawrence saw about thirty killed lying on the Salamandre’s decks, and I conceive the slaughter on board her must have been very great, Numbers of her crew escaped in boats, and by swimming to the shore, on her striking.”
