Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/408

 200 pieces of cannon mounted on the batteries, stands unparalleled in our naval annals, as combining the most judicious disposition of attack with the most daring gallantry; and as we cannot be too minute in transmitting to posterity every particular relative to such glorious deeds of enterprise, we think it will be gratifying to our readers to blend in our narrative of this exploit many authentic and interesting facts, that do not appear in any of the official accounts that were published.

Towards the latter end of Oct. 1799, Captain Hamilton having received orders from Sir Hyde Parker, to cruise between the island of Aruba and Cape St. Roman, near the Gulf of Maracaybo, for the ship in question, which from information was said to be on the point of sailing for the Havannah through that channel, he immediately proceeded off Porto Cabello, and found the intelligence that had been received in every particular correct.

Notwithstanding the Hermione was moored head and stern between two very strong batteries at the entrance of the harbour, the honor of his country and the glory of the British navy were (as he emphatically expresses himself,) great inducements for him to make an attempt to cut her out. Accordingly, on the morning of the 25th Oct., after spending two days in reconnoitring and arranging his plan, he proceeded to the attack with a chosen band of 100 men.

Being discovered by two Spanish guard-boats, at the distance of three-quarters of a mile, the frigate had time to prepare for the encounter, and to discharge both her main-deck and forecastle guns, which were considerably depressed, and pointed to a centre. Two of the English boats, in the confusion, ran foul of the guard-boats, each mounting a long 12-pounder; but after some scuffle, and considerable delay, cleared themselves, and united in the attack. Captain Hamilton, with the Gunner, and 8 or 10 men from his boat, got first on board, and took possession of the forecastle without much resistance. The gig got up on the larboard bow, and came to the assistance of the Captain, under the command of the Surgeon, Mr. M‘Mullen; the black cutter, commanded by a Lieutenant, was beaten off, and could not board on either gangway. The red cutter, under the orders