Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p1.djvu/241

Rh , in his Naval and Military Memoirs:– “The Apollo, being on a cruise in the North Sea, with some other frigates, at half-past seven in the morning of the 15th June, gave chace to a cutter in the S.W. quarter, in obedience to a signal from the Cleopatra, Captain Murray, the senior officer. Captain Pownall continued in chace of the cutter until half-past ten, when being nearly within gun-shot of her, a large sail was perceived, to all appearance a cruiser, standing towards the Apollo, whose Captain made for her; and having fetched within three miles, she hauled her wind, and crossed his ship, standing to the northward, the steeple of Ostend then in sight. At eleven o’clock she tacked, and stood to the southward. The Apollo did the same, until she brought the chace abaft the weather quarter; and tacked at 12 o’clock. At half-past 12, the Apollo passed her close to leeward, received and returned her fire, tacked immediately, in a few minutes got close along side, and engaged her with all sail set, she standing in for Ostend, and continuing a running fight. When the action had lasted upwards of an hour, Captain Pownall was unfortunately killed by a ball which went through his body. The command devolved on Lieutenant Edward Pellew, who, following his brave Captain’s example, maintained a well-directed fire for more than an hour longer; when finding his ship in only three fathoms and a half water, and but two or three miles from the shore, a little to the westward of Ostend, he judged it prudent, with the advice of the officers of the ship, to wear, and bring to, with her head to the northward. He intended to renew the action, as soon as the sails could be taken in, which, from the situation of the ship in chace, and action, were all set, much torn, and only one brace left. In a few minutes after this, the enemy’s foremast and main-top-mast fell by the board, with the main-top and main-yard; and the ship was to all appearance aground, as she heeled very much, did not bring up to the wind, and was in a very shattered condition. Ostend at this time bore S.S.E. distant from the shore about two miles. While the officers were perusing the strict orders they had against violating the coasts of neutral powers, the enemy’s ship fired a gun to leeward, seemingly with a design to claim protection. This was answered by two or three guns from the garrison. On this, Mr. Pellew desisted from his intention of renewing the action, and drew off; the Apollo’s masts being much wounded in several places, her rigging greatly damaged, and three feet water in her hold, occasioned by several shot which she had received between wind and water. The officers and crew of the Apollo behaved with the greatest bravery and good conduct. Besides the gallant Captain Pownall, 4 seamen and 1 marine were killed in the action, and 16 seamen and 4 marines wounded. The enemy’s ship was the Stanislaus, a merchant frigate, pierced for 32 guns, but had only 26 twelve-pounders mounted. By assistance from the shore, she was got was made Commander, in the Hazard sloop stationed in the North Sea. His Post commission bears date May 31, 1782. At the peace in 1783, Captain Pellew is said to have commanded the Dictator, of 64 guns, in the river Medway; and,