Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp2.djvu/225

 29, 1799; from which period we lose sight of him, until his appointment to the Helena sloop, on the Irish station, about March 1806. In 1809, he captured the following French privateers:–

On the 19th April, 1810, after a chase which continued from day-light until 9 P.M., Captain Worth likewise captured le Grand Napoleon, a new and well-appointed brig privateer, of 280 tons, mounting 12 English 18-pounder carronades and 4 long guns, with a complement of 124 men. His advancement to post rank took place Oct. 21, in the same year.

During the latter part of the war, Captain Worth successively commanded the Bulwark and Venerable 74’s, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral (now Sir Philip) C. Durham, on the North Sea, Channel, and West India stations. In Dec. 1813, the latter ship captured le Jason French letter of marque, pierced for 22 guns, mounting 14, with a complement of 54 men: this prize was laden with silks, wines, and various other articles of merchandise, from Bourdeaux bound to New York. The following are copies of the Rear-Admiral’s public letters to Mr. Croker, reporting the capture of two very fine frigates, a few days after that of le Jason:–

“Venerable at Sea, Jan. 16, 1814.

“Sir,– I have the satisfaction of stating, that this day, at 9 A.M., the Cyane, made a signal for two strangers in the N.E., which were immediately given chase to; and owing to the very superior sailing of the Venerable, I was enabled to come up within gun-shot of them at the close of the day, leaving the Cyane far astern. On ranging up with the leeward-most (the night was too dark to distinguish her colours), desirous of saving her the consequences of so unequal a contest, I hailed her twice to surrender; but the evasive answer returned, obliged me to order the guns to be opened, as they would bear: upon this the enemy put his helm up, and, under all sail, laid us on board, – for which temerity he has suffered most severely.

“The promptitude with which Captain Worth repelled the attempt to board, was not less conspicuous than the celerity with which he passed his men into the enemy’s frigate, and hauled down her ensign. I have much pleasure in naming the petty officers who distinguished themselves on this