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  her gun on a slide, which might at pleasure be lowered into the boat’s bottom as ballast, or raised to fight, either advancing or retreating. This boat, simple in her design, was highly approved of by Earl St Vincent, but justly condemned by many as being very clumsy, the builder having made a mistake in her scantling.

At the renewal of hostilities, Captain Brenton was appointed to the Merlin, an old collier fitted as a sloop of war, and mounting sixteen guns between decks; in which vessel he was frequently engaged with the enemy’s flotilla and land batteries in the neighbourhood of Havre. On the 27th Oct. 1803, he drove on shore, and directed the destruction of a French privateer of 2 guns and 30 men.

In Dec. following, Captain Brenton was sent by Captain R. D. Oliver to destroy the Shannon 36, which frigate had run on shore under the strong batteries of Tatihou island, near La Hogue, from whence the enemy were about to remove her, as she had sustained but little damage.

It will be seen by reference to the first three pages of this volume, that the Merlin formed part of the squadron under Captain Oliver, at the bombardment of Havre, July 23, and