1810	Light Squadrons and Single Ships	244

brig's bows ; but the Rinaldo frustrated the manoeuvre, by putting her helm hard a-port and running her jib-boom between the privateer's jib-stay and foremast.

By this evolution the two vessels were brought close alongside. The Frenchmen, being all upon deck, now attempted to board, but were repulsed by the Rinaldo's crew ; who, in their turn although only 65 in number, including several boys, boarded from the fore-chains, in the most gallant style, led by Lieutenant,, Edward Gascoigne Palmer, and soon cleared the privateer' decks and compelled her crew to call for quarter. This promptly decided and very spirited affair cost the Maraudeur her captain and four men wounded, two of them very severely ; but no one was hurt belonging to the Rinaldo. While the latter was occupied in exchanging prisoners, the other lugger effected her escape into Calais. The prize was a fine fast-sailing vessel belonging to Boulogne, only 13 days off the stocks, pierced for 18 guns, and, as a lugger, of very large dimensions.

On the 17th of December, at 3 h 30 m. p.m., while stretching out from St.-Helen's, on her way from Spithead to her station off Dover, the Rinaldo discovered four logger-privateers in the offing, lying to, with all their sails lowered down. Knowing it would be useless to chase them, Captain Anderson altered his course and steered in-shore to the northward, with the view of decoying the privateers within the reach of his brig. To enable them to overtake her about dark, the Rinaldo trimmed her sails by, and kept in such a position as to prevent their making her out to be armed. The manoeuvre succeeded, and the four luggers made all sail in chase of the British brig.

At 5 p.m., the Owers light bearing west-north-west distant half a mile, the two largest luggers came up under the Rinaldo's stern, and, hailing her in a very abusive manner to strike, poured in several volleys of small arms. The Rinaldo, being all prepared, allowed the privateers to come close upon her quarters, and then tacked, thus bringing a broadside to bear upon each of them : she then wore round on her heel, and poured a second broadside, within pistol-shot, into the larger of the two ; who having discovered her mistake, was endeavouring to escape by bearing up. This well-directed fire brought down the large logger's masts and sails ; and immediately the latter called for quarter, and requested boats to be sent, as she was sinking.

Just at this moment the second lugger, who had hauled her wind on receiving the first broadside, ran down upon the bow of the Rinaldo, apparently with the intention to board, keeping up as she advanced, a constant fire of musketry. The brig immediately hauled off from the disabled privateer, and attacked the other, who, running within the light, lowered down her sail and called also for quarter. In wearing round and manning her boats, to assist the one, and take possession of the other lugger, the Rinaldo was carried by the calm and strong ebb-tide on

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