Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp2.djvu/175

 

“L’Isle de la Passe, August 26, 1810.

“Sir,– By my last you were informed of my intention to attack the frigates, corvette, and Indiaman in this port.

“Magicienne having joined just as the re-captured ship was about to make sail, I sent Captain Lambert orders to bring her and the gun-brig with all despatch off l’Isle de la Passe; and that the enemy in Port Louis should not be alarmed, I made all sail round the south side, and although blowing very hard, reached l’Isle de la Passe next day. At noon, Nereide made signal ‘ready for action;’ I then closed, and from the situation of the enemy, decided on an immediate attack; and when her master came on board as pilot, made the signal to weigh, but when within about a quarter of an hour’s run of the enemy, he unfortunately put me on the edge of the inner narrow passage. We did not get off, and that with wonderful exertion, until 8 o’clock next morning. At noon on the 23d, the Iphigenia and Magicienne came in sight; the enemy having moved further in, and making several batteries, as also manning the East India ship, and taking many men on board the frigates, I called them to assist in the attack: having all the captains and the pilot on board, and being assured we were past all danger, and could run direct for the enemy’s line, we got under weigh (at 4-40 P.M.) and pushed for our stations, viz. Sirius alongside Bellone, Nereide between her and the Victor, Iphigenia alongside Minerve, and Magicienne between her and the East India ship. Just as their shot began to pass over us, sad to say, Sirius grounded on a small bank, not known; Captain Lambert gained his post, and had hardly given the third broadside before his opponent cut her cable. Magicienne, close to Iphigenia, ran on a bank, which prevented her bringing