Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/519

 “A short time after day-light, steering N.W. by W. with the wind from the southward, in lat. 29&deg; N. and long. 29&deg; 30' W., in the execution of their Lordships’ orders, a sail was seen on the lee beam, which I immediately stood for, and made her out to be a large frigate under American colours. At 9 o’clock, I closed with her, and she commenced the action, which we returned; but, from the enemy keeping two points off the wind, I was not enabled to get as close to her as I could have wished. After an hour’s action the enemy backed and came to the wind, and I was then enabled to bring her to close battle. In this situation I soon found the enemy’s force too superior to expect success, unless some very fortunate chance occurred in our favor; and, with this hope, I continued the battle to two hours and ten minutes; when, having the mizen-mast shot away by the board, top-masts shot away by the caps, main-yard shot in pieces, lowermasts badly wounded, lower rigging all cut to pieces, a small proportion only of the foresail left to the yard, all the guns on the quarter-deck and forecastle disabled but two, and filled with wreck, two also on the main-deck disabled, and several shot between wind and water, a very great proportion of the crew killed and wounded, and the enemy, who had now shot a-head, comparatively in good order, and about to place himself in a raking position, without our being enabled to return his fire, being a perfect wreck and unmanageable log; I deemed it prudent, though a painful extremity, to surrender his Majesty’s ship; nor was this dreadful alternative resorted to till every hope of success was removed, even beyond the reach of chance; nor till, I trust their Lordships will be aware, every effort had been made against the enemy by myself, my brave officers, and men: nor should she have been surrendered whilst a man lived on board, had she been manageable. I am sorry to say our loss is very severe; I find, by this day’s muster, 36 killed, 3 of whom lingered a short time after the battle; 36 severely wounded, many of whom cannot recover; and 32 slightly wounded, who may all do well. Total 104.

“The truly noble and animating conduct of my officers, and the steady bravery of my crew, to the last moment of the battle, must ever render them dear to their country.

“My first Lieutenant, David Hope, was severely wounded in the head, towards the close of the battle, and taken below; but was soon again on deck, displaying that greatness of mind, and exertion, which, though it may be equalled, can never be excelled; the third Lieutenant, John Bulford, was also wounded, but not obliged to quit his quarters; the second Lieutenant, Samuel Mottley, and he, deserve my highest acknowledgments.