already particularized, Captain William Bolton, parted comply from Vice-admiral Mitchell's squadron, stationed near the Vlieter, in quest of a Batavian republican ship and brig, of which intelligence had just been received. On the same evening, as soon as the ebb tide commenced, the two sloops anchored abreast of the Texel. At the return of flood they got under way ; and, in the afternoon of the following day, the 10th, when the tide again ebbed, they anchored on the edge of the flack or flat, abreast of Wieringen. Here it became necessary to lighten the Arrow from 12 feet eight inches to 12 feet. That done, the two sloops, on the 11th, stood over the flack, carrying shoal water from one side to the other.

On the morning of the 12th they again weighed, and as they approached the Vlie-island, saw a ship and brig at anchor in the narrow passage leading from that island to Harlingen. These, as the British ships advanced, displayed Batavian republican colours, and were evidently vessels of some force. The Arrow and Wolverine, having the British and the ancient Dutch colours flying together, stood direct for the enemy ; and, when within half gun-shot of the brig, which was the nearest vessel, the Dutch colours were hauled down, and Captain Portlock made the signal to engage, intending the Wolverine to close with the brig, while the Arrow passed on towards the ship.

The Wolverine anchored, in a very masterly manner, at the distance of about 70 yards on the weather quarter of the brig having hove on the spring until her broadside could be brought to bear, the Wolverine fired one shot, to try the disposition of her opponent ; whereupon the Batavian republican brig Gier, of 14 long 12-pounders and 80 men, fired three guns to leeward and then hauled down her colours. Captain Bolton immediately took possession of his prize, and, agreeably to his orders, sent her pilot to conduct the Arrow to the ship, Captain Portlock's Dutch pilots having declined to take further charge of the vessel.

The Arrow now pushed on towards her opponent, and had to work to windward against a strong tide, which retarded her progress. Meanwhile the enemy's ship, which was the Draak, Captain Lieutenant Van-Esch, mounting two long 32, and 16 long 18 pounders, with six " 50-pound" brass howitzers, lay with springs on her cables, so that her broadside was directly opposed to the Arrow ; who, from the moment the Draak opened, her fire, had to sustain it for 20 minutes, before she could bring a gun to bear in return, and became, in consequence, much cut up in hull, rigging, and sails. At length the Arrow got within 70 or 80 yards of her opponent, and, after taking a proper position, opened her broadside. The contest was maintained, with mutual spirit, for about 15 minutes ; when, the Wolverine being

* See p. 314

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