Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp4.djvu/80

 

The official answer to this communication was:-

“My Lord,– Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your lordship’s letter of the 28th June, transmitting one from Captain Nicolas, of the Pilot, detailing the particulars of a severe action with a French ship of war, of very superior force, which, from the disabled state of the Pilot, succeeded in effecting her escape, I have their Lordships’ commands to express to you their approbation of the gallantry displayed by Captain Nicolas, his officers, and ship’s company, on this occasion. I am, &c.

(Signed)“.”

“To Admiral Lord Exmouth, K.C.B.”

Mr. Barrow’s letter was dated Aug. 14, 1815; and Captain Nicolas’s advancement to post rank took place on the 26th of the same month. His brother, then an officer of upwards of six years’ standing, who was senior lieutenant of the Pilot, and wounded, in her spirited action with la Legère, has not yet been promoted.

An instance of heroism occurred during that action, which has seldom been surpassed, and which is scarcely rivalled by even Greek or Roman valour.

The Pilot having had her main-top-sail-yard shot away, the people were employed aloft in preparing to send up another, and were in the act of reeving a hawser for the purpose when a voice was heard from the captain’s-cabin (to which, as is usual in brigs, the wounded were sent, and through the skylight of which the mainmast is visible) exclaiming “you are reeving the hawser the wrong way.” This proved to be the case; and on looking down to see who had detected the mistake at the mast-head, it was found to be John Powers, quarter-master’s-mate, who was at the moment lying on his back on the table under the skylight, undergoing the amputation of his thigh, his leg having just before been carried away by a round shot. The man who under such circumstances can think only of his duty,