Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/280

 , of 42 guns and 350 men; Fame corvette, 28 guns, 260 men; Sparviere brig, 8 guns, 98 men; and Achilles cutter, 10 guns, 80 men. These vessels, favored by light and partial breezes, succeeded in reaching the mole of Naples; and as Captain Brenton was sensible they would never leave that place of shelter whilst menaced by two British frigates, he directed the Success to cruise from five to ten leagues S.W. of Capri, himself continuing in the bay.

At day-light on the 3d, he had the pleasure of seeing the enemy’s squadron, accompanied by eight Neapolitan gunboats, each carrying one 24-pounder and 40 men, standing towards the Spartan in a close line. At 7$h$ 56' A.M., he exchanged broadsides with the Ceres, then within pistol-shot, and soon after, passing along their line, cut off the Achilles and gun-boats from the main body. This obliged the enemy’s frigate, corvette, and brig, to wear for the purpose of renewing their junction; in which attempt they were foiled by the Spartan taking her station on their weather beam. A close and obstinate contest ensued: light and variable winds led them near the batteries of Baia, under which the Ceres sought protection. The crippled state of the Spartan not allowing her to follow, she bore up, and after raking the frigate and corvette, succeeded in cutting off and boarding the Sparviere. The Fame having lost her fore-top-mast, effected her escape with the assistance of the gun boats, by whose fire the Spartan had been severely galled.

For a considerable time during the battle, Captain Brenton stood upon the capstern, cheering his crew, and watching the enemy’s manoeuvres. Whilst thus employed, one of his officers requested him not to expose himself in such a manner: his reply was, “I am in no more danger here, than I should be any where else.” Soon after a grape shot struck him on the left hip, and shattered the ilium: the wound was for some time considered to be mortal. Numerous were the instances of patriotism and individual fortitude displayed by our heroic countrymen, during this unequal conflict. One of the wounded sailors, upon being told that he must lose the whole of his arm, exclaimed, “Well, take it whenever you like; it is not mine, but my king’s.” The Spartan’s total loss on this glorious occasion, amounted to