Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/11

Rh accompanied by a large cutter, and made sail towards the British frigates. Sir Harry Neale, with great firmness and resolution, notwithstanding the disaster which had befallen the Amelia, made the signal to prepare for battle, and manifested a readiness to meet the enemy. When he had run a little to leeward, he shortened sail, that the Amelia, whose crew had by this time with great exertions and activity cleared the wreck, might close and keep under command with her fore and mizen top-sails. The enemy soon arrived up with the British frigates, and a brisk action ensued. As the French ships kept edging down on the islands of Houat and Hedic, it obliged the English commanders to bear down three times to close with them, by which they became also exposed to the fire of the batteries on these islands. After engaging an hour and fifty-five minutes, the enemy wore and stood in towards the Loire, two of them in a shattered condition. The loss sustained by the St. Fiorenzo was 1 man killed and 18 wounded. The Amelia had 2 slain and 17 wounded. The loss on board the enemy’s squadron is said to have been very severe, but was never correctly ascertained.

This action, as gallant and well fought as any during the war, reflects the highest honor on the officers and men concerned in it. They were so near the land, that they could see the shore lined with spectators. When the enemy retreated the British seamen gave them nine hearty cheers, whilst their own batteries actually fired on them. After the battle, the St. Fiorenzo captured a French letter of marque from Cape François, laden with sugar, coffee, and indigo.

In the spring of 1801, Sir Harry was appointed to the Centaur of 74 guns; and subsequently to the Royal Charlotte yacht, the command of which he retained until May 1804, when he became one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. In the ensuing month of July, he vacated his seat at the Board, on being appointed to the Royal Sovereign, a new yacht, from which he afterwards removed into the London of 98 guns, attached to the squadron under Sir John B. Warren.

On the 13th March, 1806, at 3$h$ 30’ A.M. the London, being to windward of the squadron, fell in with a line-of-battle ship and a frigate; and after a running fight which continued from before day-light until 43 minutes after nine, in