1798 - Capture of the Seine


 
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Naval History of Great Britain - Vol II
1798 Flora and Mondovi 221

powerful aid in bringing it to a consummation. The Mermaid, on the other hand, was unable to take any share in the engagement. The heavy loss sustained by the French ship, places Lieutenant Bigot's defence in a highly creditable light ; and it must be admitted, that the troops on board the Seine, with their women, children, and baggage, were rather an encumbrance than a benefit.

On the 30th, at daylight, the British 38-gun frigate Phaëton, Captain the Honourable Robert Stopford, 36-gun frigate, San-Fiorenzo, Captain Sir Harry Neale, and 12-pounder 32-gun frigate, Triton, Captain John Gore, hove in sight, and were called in by signal from the Jason, it appearing that two large frigates, a brig, and several gun-boats - were coming out from Rochelle, with the view of driving away or capturing the British frigates. The French were induced, however, to put back, on witnessing the junction of Captain Stopford's squadron. Had the latter not been present, the state of the British frigates, with only the Mermaid in a condition to give battle, would have been extremely critical.

In the course of this day, by throwing overboard her guns, and by the San-Fiorenzo's assistance, the Seine was hove off, and, being a very strong ship, escaped without any material damage, beyond what she had sustained by shot the Pique could not be got off. She was therefore destroyed, and her crew turned over to the prize ; which, on her arrival in port, Captain Milne, his officers, and ship's company, were allowed, very justly, to commission as the British 38-gun frigate Seine.

We are pleased to see it stated in a respectable French work, that Lieutenant Bigot, on being carried to England, was treated with all the respect and attention due to his bravery and good conduct. He was also sent back to his country by the first exchange ; and the directory, to evince their opinion of his merits, promoted Lieutenant Bigot to be a capitaine de vaisseau without passing through the intermediate rank of a capitaine de frégate.

On the 13th of May, the British 18-pounder 36-gun frigate, Flora, Captain Robert Gambier Middleton, chased the French Venetian-built brig-corvette, Mondovi, of 18 guns (12 brass 6, and four iron 12-pounders), and 68 men, commanded by Lieutenant Jean-Baptiste Bonavie, into the port of Cerigo in the island of that name, in the Archipelago.

Being resolved to attempt the capture or destruction of the corvette, and yet finding it impracticable, owing to the narrow entrance to the harbour and the commanding situation of the forts, to follow her with the frigate, Captain Middleton intrusted the service to the Flora's boats under the orders of first Lieutenant William Russel, assisted by Lieutenant. William Hepenstall, Lieutenant Richard Parry of the marines, Mr. Morton,

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