Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/181

 La Preneuse was a French frigate of the largest class, commanded by Mons. l’Hermite, an officer of distinguished talents, who had cruised with much activity and success against our trade in the Indian seas. The manner in which her destruction was effected, is thus described by Mr. James:–

“On the 11th Dec. 1799, in the forenoon, the British 74 gunship Tremendous, Captain John Osborn, and 50 gun-ship Adamant, Captain William Hotham, cruising of Port Louis, in the Isle of France, discovered and chased the Preneuse; who, finding it impossible to escape from the Adamant, ran herself on shore on the west side of the river Tombeau, about 3 miles from Port Louis, and near to some batteries. At 3 P.M. the frigate cut away all her masts; and at 3-30, in conjunction with the batteries, opened a fire upon the Adamant, who was using every exertion to work up to her. At 5-30 P.M. the latter opened a fire in return; and in about 15 minutes afterwards, the Preneuse hauled in her ensign from the quarter, as a signal of submission; whereupon the Adamant discontinued the action.

“After a communication between the two British captains, Captain Osborn consented that two boats of the Adamant and one of the Tremendous should be sent in to attempt to destroy the French frigate. Accordingly, at 7 P.M., one 12 and two 6-oared cutters, containing about 35 men, and placed under the orders of Lieutenant Edward Grey, put off from the Adamant, to execute the service entrusted to them.

“At about 8 P.M., the French batteries began firing shot and shells at the boats and at the Adamant, who was still working up towards the object of attack. At about 9 P.M., just as the boats were getting alongside of the Preneuse, two of her launches, filled with men, pulled from her towards the shore. Shortly afterwards, Lieutenant Grey and his party, under a heavy fire still kept up from the batteries, gallantly boarded the French frigate. Having removed Captain l’Hermite, 14 or 15 other officers, and a few men, all that remained in her, and, greatly to Lieutenant Grey’s credit, saved as much as possible of the private property belonging to them. Lieutenant Grey set fire to and destroyed the Preneuse, and returned to the Adamant without the loss of a man.”

This officer’s promotion to the rank of commander took place April 29, 1802. From Mar. 1803 until Aug. 1810, he superintended the impress service at Hull, where, by his zealous and unremitted exertions, he secured the services of no less than 2,305 seamen; a number considerably greater, we believe, than ever had been raised at that port by any of his predecessors.

Captain Grey’s next appointment was, Aug. 12, 1812, to