either of the frigates; and also, that I observed from the mast-head, in the offing, that large detachments of cavalry were coming in all directions to protect the gun-vessel on shore. Upon your being informed of these circumstances, you took your own and the Carnatic’s boats, gallantly rowed up to the gun-vessel, boarded and set her on fire; then got off your own frigate, by being able to lay out an anchor, and then heaved off Bagot’s fine new frigate, which, upon his death shortly after, you had given to you as a reward for being the sole cause of saving both ships.”
On the 7th April, 1799, eight days after the capture of l’Alexandre and le Revenge, French privateers, a Spanish armed brig, and some coasters, oh the south side of Porto Rico[1], the boats of the Trent cut out two Spanish armed vessels from Aguada Bay, at the N.W. end of the same island[2].
The following is an extract of a letter written by Captain (now Sir Thomas) Ussher, in Nov. 1826:–
“I am most anxious to add my testimony to that of others in stating the meritorious and gallant services of my friend Sir Robert Otway, when I was lieutenant of the Trent. In a national point of view it is right to do so, for it is right that services and activity like his should be recorded as examples to the service. He is, in my humble opinion, one of the best seamen in the service, certainly that I ever sailed under, and as undoubtedly the most active. It is also most true of him, that he had courage to execute whatever his head planned, however daring might be the attempt. There was also so much method in his manner of carrying on the service, that his ofBcers and men, though in a constant state of activity, had perhaps as much leisure as any other ship’s company, and no one was more attentive to the comforts of both officers and men. I may also mention that the Trent was considered the most perfect man-of-war in the West Indies, and always ready to go into action in five minutes: there was no unnecessary display on board of polished bolts or nail-heads; but every rope and spar was in its place, and the decks constantly kept clear. When at sea, and after the men had been exercised at quarters, the captain visited every gun, and saw that it was ready and in order; after which inspection not a rope-yarn or chip was to be seen at or near any of the guns. With respect to nerve or presence of mind in real danger, no man possessed more; as an extraordinary instance of which I may state the following:
“When cruising off the coast of South America, I was ordered by
