Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/188

 , Lively, Medusa, and Amphion, formed a junction off Cadiz; when Captain Sutton of the latter frigate gave intelligence, that the ships Captains Moore and Hamond were sent to look after had already arrived, but that four others were hourly expected, and that they would probably make the high land of Monte Figo, near Cape St. Mary’s, in Portugal, for which neighbourhood the British squadron immediately steered. The result of their rencontre with the Spanish ships, under the orders of Rear-Admiral Bustainente, has already been noticed. The Lively, on that occasion, having compelled the Clara of 36 guns and 300 men to surrender, after half an hour’s close action, was ordered to pursue the Fama, which ship had made sail from her opponent, the Medusa. At half an hour past noon Captain Hamond succeeded in bringing her to action, which continued until l$h$ 15' P.M. when she surrendered, and was taken possession of by the Lively, whose superior sailing alone prevented the Spanish Commodore, Zapiain, from effecting his purpose, of running the Fama on shore to avoid being captured. The total loss sustained by the Lively was 2 men killed and 5 wounded. She arrived at Spithead, accompanied by the Fama, on the 17th Oct. exactly one month after leaving the Nore.

Captain Hamond was subsequently sent with secret orders to the squadron stationed off Cadiz, under the orders of Sir John Orde, by whom he was despatched in Nov. 1804, to reconnoitre Carthagena; and after the performance of that service, to cruise off Cape St Vincent, where he captured the San Miguel, a Spanish merchant ship, from Ornoa to Cadiz, having on board 196,639 dollars, four cases of wrought plate, 2,064 bales of indigo, and other valuable articles. The same day (Dec. 7th) he observed Captain Lawford, of the Polyphemus 64, capture the Santa Gertruyda, a frigate of 36 guns, laden with a cargo of very great value. It is necessary to observe in this place, that all these treasure-ships were disposed of as droits of the Crown, and only one-fourth of their proceeds given to the captors.

Towards the latter end of Mar. 1805, the Lively received