Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp1.djvu/202

  and 1 mortar, with a complement of 75 men, near the Calvados rocks, on the coast of Normandy, seven days after the above rencontre:–

“Sir,– In obedience to your order of yesterday, I joined the Barbadoes and Goshawk, off Calvados; and deeming the destruction of the enemy’s force practicable, particularly as my pilot assured me that he could take the ship within pistol-shot without any risk, I immediately proceeded to attack them. At 6 P.M., when within gun-shot, the ship unfortunately grounded, which prevented their complete destruction. I however succeeded in sinking one, and driving two on shore. The Barbadoes had driven one on shore the day before; but having her broadside to us, she kept up as heavy a fire as the others.

“From the Hotspur being aground for four hours, and the whole of the enemy’s fire from the brigs, a battery, and some field-pieces being directed upon her, I am sorry to say, that we have lost, in the performance of this service, 2 midshipmen and 3 seamen killed, and 22 seamen and marines wounded; we have also received considerable damage in our hull, masts, and rigging.

“Captains Rushworth and Lilburn rendered me every assistance in their power, with boats, hawsers, &c. but, from our situation, they could not succeed in drawing the enemy’s fire from the Hotspur.

“I cannot find words sufficiently strong to express my approbation of the conduct of every officer and man in H.M. ship under my command; their steady and active conduct, under a heavy raking fire for four hours, is deserving the highest praise. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)“.”

Whilst employed on the Channel station, Captain Percy captured l’Imperatrice Reiné, French ship letter of marque, pierced for 20 guns, with a complement of 50 men; and the Chesapeake, American schooner, of 5 guns and 29 men.

In 1813, the Hotspur was ordered to Rio Janeiro, and sent from thence to Buenos Ayres, on which station Captain Percy continued for a period of two years. He returned to England, and was put out of commission at the close of 1815. Captain Percy married, in Dec. 1820, Elizabeth, third daughter of Morton Walhouse, of Hetherton, co. Stafford, Esq. His brother, the Hon. William Henry Percy, was made a Post-Captain in 1812.

