1811	Hawk and French convoy	335

sent to attack the brig ; and, after receiving the broadside of the Pluvier, Lieutenant Gardner boarded and carried her, with no greater loss on the British side, than himself and two seamen wounded.

The prize being fast on shore, the ebb tide running rapidly, and the Semiramis in only 25 feet water, Captain Richardson found it necessary to takeout of the Pluvier the remainder of her crew and burn her ; a service soon executed. The Semiramis then stood out to join the Diana, who had anchored in the Gironde out of gun-shot, in company with the Teazer and the five vessels late under her charge ; one of which, the transport Mulet, mounted eight swivels, with a crew of 42 men, and was laden with ship-timber. At 1 h. 30 m. p.m. the Pluvier exploded ; and thus was consummated an enterprise, planned with judgment, and executed with skill and gallantry.

After lying tolerably quiet for several years, the famous Boulogne flotilla began again, this autumn, to be seized with fits of restlessness. It consisted at this time of 16 prames, or ship-rigged gun-vessels, mounting 12 long 24-pounders, with 112 men each ; 28 brigs, with false keels, mounting from three to eight long 24s, and occasionally a large mortar, with from 70 to 80 men each ; eight schooners of 10 guns and 40 men each, and between 200 and 300 gun-boats, rigged chiefly as luggers, some with one, others with two, long 18 or 24-pounders and 26 men each.

On the 19th of August, at 2 p.m., the island of St.-Marcouf bearing west by north distant six leagues, the British 16-gun brig-sloop Hawk, Captain Henry Bourchier, observed from the mast-head a convoy of French vessels steering for Barfleur. All sail was immediately made in chase ; and, on her near approach, the Hawk discovered that the convoy was under the protection of three gun-brigs and two large luggers, the latter carrying from eight to 10 guns, and the former from 10 to 16, and apparently well armed. These five armed vessels immediately hauled out from their convoy, with the evident intention of giving battle to the British brig, and the latter hove to in readiness to receive them.

At 3 h. 30 m. p.m., Pointe Piercue bearing north-west half-west distant four miles, the action commenced within half pistol-shot, and continued, with great spirit on both sides, until the Hawk succeeded in driving on shore two of the brigs and the two luggers, with 15 sail of their convoy. While in the act of wearing to prevent the third brig from raking her, the Hawk took the ground ; whereby that brig and a few of her convoy, although they had previously struck, effected their escape. During an hour and a half that the Hawk was employed in lightening herself of booms, spars, anchors, and a few of her guns, she lay exposed to incessant discharges of artillery and musketry from the shore. Having got again afloat, the Hawk

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