the harbour of Marin, in the bay of St. Ann, Martinique, induced me to suggest a plan for the capture of this vessel, more destructive to commerce than any other which has appeared in these seas; and for this purpose I attempted, against a strong sea breeze and lee current, to beat up from off the Diamond Rock to the place where she lay at anchor. It was not until the 16th in the morning that I was able to accomplish it, when, having reconnoitred the harbour of Marin, together with the batteries on each side of it, and also one above the town, I determined on the attempt. I therefore ordered sixty seamen belonging to his Majesty’s ship under my command, with Lieutenants Cole and Furber, and a detachment of sixty marines of the same ship, under the command of Lieutenants Beatty and Boyd, to carry the enterprize into execution; the former in their boats to attack the privateer, and the latter at the same time to endeavour to surprise, or in any event to storm. Fort Dunkirk, a battery of nine guns[1] on the starboard side of the harbour. It was necessary to do so, to cut off the militia from rendezvousing on Marin Point, which being immediately in the track of coming out, and where doubtless they would have been joined by the troops from the fort, would have much annoyed the boats on their return. The Drake having joined me, and Captain Ferris volunteering his services, I directed him to take the command of the seamen, and to add to them fourteen from the Drake. All things being prepared, the boats with the seamen, towed by the Drake, and the marines in four boats, towed by the Swift hired cutter, at eleven p.m. proceeded off the mouth of Marin harbour, and by estimating the time it would take for the boats to row up to the privateer, which vessel lay three miles from the entrance of the harbour, both parties set off so timely as to commence the attack at the same instant; and I am happy to add, that about three a.m. on the following morning, by very spirited and judicious attacks, both parties succeeded; the fort was completely surprised, the prisoners, fifteen in number, taken, and sent on board the cutter, the guns were dismounted and spiked, their carriages totally destroyed, and the magazine blown up; the barracks were spared, as a large and ripe field of canes adjoining must have inevitably been destroyed had they been set fire to.
“The boats with the seamen passed one battery undiscovered; but the privateer was on her guard, and commenced a very heavy fire on them, who nevertheless in the most prompt and gallant manner boarded, and in a few minutes carried her. Two men were found dead on her deck, and fourteen were wounded. As many of the enemy threw themselves into the sea, several must have been drowned. I am sorry to add that the Blenheim had one man killed, and two wounded, and the Drake three wounded, one dangerously.
- ↑ Six long 24-pounders and three eighteens.
