Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/220

644  gave chace, and in less than an hour arrived close up with her. The superior sailing of the Penelope enabled our officer to place her so that she became only casually exposed to the enemy’s stern-guns, whilst she repeatedly raked le Guillaume Tell within musket-shot, and with such effect that, just before the dawn of day on the 31st, the latter was reduced to her head-sails and spanker, and these were greatly damaged by the Penelope’s fire. The Lion and Foudroyant, ships of the line, were thus enabled to come up in succession, ana bring the enemy to close action, which continued with great fury on both sides for several hours, when le Guillaume Tell being totally dismasted, and, in consequence of her violent motion, unable to keep the lower-deck ports open, struck her colours, and was taken possession of by the Penelope. The total loss sustained by the British squadron appears to have been 17 men slain and 110 wounded; that of the enemy, about 200 killed and wounded.

Captain Dixon, the senior officer present on this occasion, in his official letter to Commodore Troubridge, declared that he had not language to express the high sense of obligation he felt himself under to Captain Blackwood, for his prompt and able conduct in leading the Lion and Foudroyant to the enemy; for the gallantry and spirit so highly conspicuous in him, and for his admirable management of the Penelope. “To your discriminating judgment” adds he, “it is unnecessary to remark of what real value and importance such an officer must ever he considered to his Majesty’s service.” The French Admiral also did ample justice to Captain Blackwood’s conduct, as appears by his letter, published in the Moniteur, in which he ascribes his capture to the heroic intrepidity of the commander of the English frigate, in previously bringing him to action, and damaging his rigging.

The Penelope towed the prize into Syracuse, after which she returned to her station off Malta, and assisted in the blockade of that island until its surrender, Sept. 5, 1800.

On the 7th Jan. 1801, Captain Blackwood received the royal permission to accept and wear the insignia of a Commander of the Sicilian Order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit.