1810	Light Squadrons and Single Ships	296

contest, and is further of opinion that the Néréide was not surrendered to the enemy until she was disabled in every respect so as to render all further resistance useless, and that no blame whatever attaches to them for the loss of the said ship." To this testimony in favour of the Néréide we shall merely add, that the noble behaviour of her officers and crew threw such a halo of glory around the defeat at Grand-Port, that, in public opinion at least, the loss of the four frigates was scarcely considered a misfortune.

The arrival of the Windham recaptured Indiaman in the bay of St.-Paul, Isle Bourbon, on the evening of the 22d of August, informed Commodore Rowley of Captain Pym's projected attack upon the French frigates in Grand-Port. At this time, in consequence sequence of a previous arrangement between Lieutenant-colonel Keating and the commodore, the flank-battalion of the 86th regiment was held in readiness to embark on board the Bombay transport, in order to establish a strong military post upon Isle Platte, or Flat island. With the view of co-operating more effectually with Captain Pym, the Boadicea took on board two of the flank companies and a detachment of artillery, and sailed the same evening; and the Bombay, with the remainder of the force, and a supply of provisions both for Isle de la Passe and Flat island, was directed to follow as expeditiously as possible. Owing to baffling winds, the progress of the Boadicea became very tedious ; and on the 27th in the morning, she picked up the Magicienne's barge, with Lieutenant Wauchope and 14 men, despatched by Captains Pym and Lambert, with letters (part of them duplicates of those brought by Lieutenant Watling), acquainting the commodore with the unfortunate issue of the attack upon the French squadron in Grand-Port.

On the 29th, at daylight, the Boadicea made Isle de la Passe, and perceived two frigates lying to off the island. These were the Vénus and Manche ; the former still engaged in receiving prisoners from the Iphigenia and Isle de la Passe. The Astrée had, the preceding evening, been detached to cruise between the isles of France and Bourbon, but was seen to windward by the Boadicea, as the latter, with signals flying, approached the Iphigenia, under a hope that she was still in Captain Lambert's possession. When the Boadicea was nearly within gun-shot, the Vénus, making a signal to the Manche, that the admiral's motions were to be disregarded, crowded sail after the British frigate. The Boadicea thereupon tacked and stood off ; and presently the Vénus made a signal to her consort to join in the chase. In a short time the two French frigates hauled off from the Boadicea ; but, wishing to draw them down as far as possible from their station, in order to give the Bombay an opportunity to succour the Iphigenia, and to favour the escape of both, Commodore Rowley again stood towards the Vénus and Manche. On this the latter resumed the chase, and

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