from Demerara to Martinique, discovered on her lee bow, and at once bore down upon, two sail, which proved to be Spanish privateers ; one, a cutter, of 12 guns and 109 men, the other a schooner, of six guns and 68 men. An action immediately commenced between the George, then on the starboard, and the two privateers on the larboard tack. At the expiration of 40 minutes, the two latter evinced an intention to board. The helm of the George was instantly put a-lee, in order to preserve the weather-gage ; but the sloop unfortunately missed stays, and, in the act of wearing, fell on board the cutter. The schooner having now gained a position on the George's weather quarter, both vessels immediately grappled the sloop, and made two vigorous but unsuccessful attempts to board. Having, in these assaults, killed the George's sailing-master and seven men, and wounded her commander and 16 men, the two privateers, at the third attempt, carried the British vessel ; but not without having paid dearly for their victory, their united loss amounting to 32 men killed, and many more wounded.

A more heroic defence than this little affair exhibits has seldom been witnessed. The George, at the moment her colours were struck, had lost more than half of her crew ; that crew having been originally less by three-fourths than the number of her opponents.

On the 5th of January, at 11 p.m., Ushant bearing east-north-east distant 94 leagues, the British 18-pounder * 40-gun frigate Pomone, Captain Robert Carthew Reynolds, steering to the eastward with a fresh breeze at west-south-west, crossed a ship standing under easy sail to the north-west. Chase was instantly given ; and, as the stranger, deceived probably by the thickness of the weather as to the Pomone's strength, made no effort to escape, the two ships were presently alongside. An action now commenced ; nor was it until the strange ship, whose force was only 26 guns, had lost her mizenmast, and received eight shots between wind and water, that her crew called out for quarter.

Possession was forthwith taken of the Cheri privateer, from Nantes, Captain Chassin, mounting, on her main or single deck, 26 long 12, 18, and 24 pounders, mixed, with a complement of 230 men ; of whom 15, including her gallant commander, were killed, and 19 wounded. The privateer's fire had done some injury to the Pomone, having killed one, and wounded four of her men ; and, besides cutting away much of her standing rigging, had so damaged the fore and main masts, that it became necessary for their immediate preservation to fish them.

As soon as the prisoners had been shifted, and the Pomone's carpenters had plugged the principal shot-holes in the prize, the Pomone prepared to take her in tow ; when the officer in

* See p. 106.

^ back to top ^