Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/448

 the latter frigate. Another ship of similar force to la Pomone was enabled to escape in consequence of the Alceste having unfortunately lost her main-top-mast when leading into action, and being afterwards much disabled in her sails and rigging.

From a letter written by one of the Active’s officers, we learn that about the middle of the action, Captain Gordon, while giving his orders with the greatest coolness, lost his leg. He was standing on a shot-rack, and leaning on the capstan, when a 36-pound shot came in through a port-hole, grazed the carriage of a carronade, took off a seaman’s leg, and struck the Captain on the knee-joint, carrying all off as if it had been done with a knife, and leaving the leg hanging by the tendons. Although he instantly fell, he did not become insensible, but calmly directed the first Lieutenant (William Bateman Dashwood) to fight the ship, and, as he was being carried below, told the second Lieutenant (George Haye), who commanded on the main-deck, to do his best, should any mischance befal his senior officer. As though these words had been prophetic, poor Mr. Dashwood very soon after lost his arm, and was likewise conveyed below. Mr. Haye then assumed the command, and closed the action. When the Alceste came up with the Active, Captain Maxwell, liberally considering la Pomone as the fair trophy of the latter ship, most nobly and honorably sent the sword of the French commander to Captain Gordon, as his right by conquest.

The Active on this occasion had 8 persons killed, and 27, including 2 mortally, wounded. Her opponent’s loss has been stated, where we find Captain Maxwell drawing his brave friend’s character in the most lively and glowing colours:– he says “it is with poignant regret I inform you” (Captain Charles Rowley), “that Captain Gordon has lost a leg: but, thank God, he is doing well; his merits as an officer I need not dwell upon, they are known to his country, and he lives in the hearts of all who have the happiness to know him.”

Captain Gordon fortunately survived the amputation of his limb, and, returning soon after to England, rapidly recovered his health. In the autumn of 1812, he was appointed to the