1814	Light Squadrons and Single Ships	278

packet Duke-of-Marlborough, Captain John Bull, from Falmouth with a mail, bound to Lisbon. At 4 h. 20 m. p.m., observing that the strange brig had altered her course to avoid her, the Primrose fired a gun and hoisted her colours, a small blue ensign, at the gaff-end, and continued in chase. Shortly afterwards, when the Marlborough was about seven miles distant, the blue ensign was hauled down, and, that the stranger might see it more distinctly, a large red one hoisted in its stead. At 6 h. 50 m. p.m. the Primrose fired a shot at the strange brig, which, from her yawing about, was supposed to be a captured English merchantman ; any thing, in short, but a king's packet, as she had no lower studding-sails or royals set.

On first observing herself chased by the Primrose, whom she took for an American privateer, the Marlborough had hoisted the private signal, but the end-on position of the two vessels, their distance apart, and the circumstance of the flags being only half the established size, prevented the Primrose from making them out. After being up about two hours, by which time the Primrose had approached to within five miles, the private signal was hauled down, and the ensign and pendant only kept flying. As soon as it became dark the private nightsignal was made, or rather was attempted to be made, for it appears that no one on board the packet, except the gunner, knew the difference between a blue light and a false fire. At 7 h. 55 m. p.m., the Marlborough opened a fire from one of her two brass 9-pounders out of the stern ports, which was so well directed, that it cut some of the rigging about the bowsprit and foremast of the Primrose, and passed through her main course. The fire was repeated from both stern guns, and continued to be destructive to the rigging and head-sails of the Primrose ; who, from the breeze freshening, was now fast approaching.

At 8 h. 15 m. p.m., ranging up on the Marlborough's larboard quarter, at the distance of about 100 yards, the Primrose shortened sail; and Captain Phillott hailed once, and his second lieutenant, who had a loud voice, twice. The only answer returned, was the discharge of three guns, and immediately afterwards of the packet's whole broadside ; whereby the master, Mr. Leech, and two men were mortally, and three slightly, wounded on board the Primrose. The latter now began firing as her guns could be brought to bear; but, owing to the manoeuvres of the Marlborough, the Primrose found a difficulty in firing with any effect. The Primrose then steered for the packet's quarter to run her on board, but was prevented from doing so by a bin or spare-yard that had been rigged out from her stern. The sloop's head-braces being at the same time shot away, her head-sails came aback, and she was unable for the present to close. Quickly refitting herself, the Primrose again made sail, and, closing, reopened her fire. That of the Marlborough soon slackened ; and, on Captain Phillott again hailing,

^ back to top ^