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296 In the ensuing autumn, Sir W. Sidney Smith fell in with l’Assemblee Nationale, of 22 guns, which endeavoured to elude his pursuit in the labyrinth of rocks before Treguier; but the attempt proved fatal to her, for she struck on the Roenna, and soon after filling, fell over. The Diamond’s boats were immediately sent to the relief of the crew. Her own boats, which were towing her, saved as many as they could contain; those of the English however, were not able to preserve more than nine in addition to the former. According to the account of the survivors, about twenty perished, exclusive of the Captain, who was washed off the wreck a few minutes before the British could get alongside. The swell was so great that the vessel went to pieces very soon after, and the Diamond was obliged to anchor, to avoid a similar fate.

On the 17th March, 1796, our officer having received information that a convoy, consisting of a corvette, four brigs, two sloops, and three luggers, had taken shelter in the small port of Herqui, near Cape Frehel, proceeded thither with the Diamond, Liberty brig, and Aristocrat lugger. Notwithstanding the channel was narrow and intricate, he stood in and attacked the enemy’s batteries, which were most gallantly stormed and carried by a party of seamen and marines, under Lieutenant Pine of the Diamond, and Lieutenant Carter of the latter corps, both of whom were badly wounded, the latter mortally. The French vessels were all burnt with the exception of one of the luggers, which kept up her fire to the last. The corvette was l’Etourdie, of 16 guns. In this attack 2 seamen were killed and 5 wounded, exclusive of the before mentioned officers.

On the 18th of the following month, the indefatigable commander of the Diamond had the misfortune to fall into the hands of the enemy. Being on a reconnoitring expedition off Havre with the boats of his frigate, he captured a French lugger privateer, which by the strong setting of the tide into the harbour, was driven a considerable way up the Seine, above the forts. In this situation he remained the whole night; and the dawn of day discovering to the enemy the lugger in tow of a string of English boats, a signal of alarm was instantly given. Several gun-boats and other armed