Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/417

 by M. Papineau, Lieutenant de vaisseau, with a complement of 85 men, and without loss on either side. It adds to the lustre these officers and men achieved, the humanity they displayed to the overpowered captives in putting them below without the force of arms, and an unnecessary effusion of blood. It was at this time that alarm was given, and the batteries opened their fire upon the ships; when Captain Richardson, in a manner which characterizes the officer and seaman, pursued, drove on shore, and burnt, under the guns of the batteries, le Pluvier French national brig, of 16 guns and 136 men, whose Captain I have before spoken of, was decoyed on board.

“Having obtained the object in view, I anchored in the Gironde, out of gun-shot, to repair the damages sustained by the different vessels. The services I received from Captain Richardson, the officers and ship’s company of the Semiramis, merit my warmest acknowledgments; and I should be committing a great injustice to the officers and crew I command, were I not to speak in terms of the highest admiration of their steadiness and zeal throughout the whole affair. Could I add stronger encomiums to one than another, it would be from the great assistance I received from Lieutenant Parsons, and Mr. David Bevans, the Master, whose unremitted attention in piloting the ship, in the most intricate navigation, greatly tended to insure the object of pursuit. I enclose you a letter from Captain Charles Richardson, narrating his attack upon the brig, and enclosing a list of wounded in the affray.”

(Signed)“.”

“As soon as the Diana ran on board the enemy’s outside brig, her consort immediately cut her cable and made sail for the beach near the battery of Royan, where she grounded. I followed in to five fathoms, anchoring with a spring; the broadside was brought to bear on the enemy’s brig, and bow-guns on the battery, within grape-shot of both.

“After engaging some time, I found the guns of the enemy’s vessel almost silenced, and perceived the boats haul up to quit her.

“At this time the barge, pinnace, and cutter rejoined me; I ordered Lieutenant Gardner, with these boats, immediately to board the enemy, which was gallantly effected after receiving her broadside. She proved to be the French national brig Pluvier, of 16 guns and 136 men.

“The prize being fast on shore, the ebb-tide running most rapidly, and my own ship in only twenty feet water, I found it necessary to burn her, which being completely effected I made sail to join you.”

The Semiramis on this occasion had only 3 persons wounded: Captains Ferria and Richardson received the thanks of the Admiralty “for the peculiar neatness” to use the words of the late Mr. Perceval, “with which they had conducted the business .” Among numerous captures subsequently made