Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p2.djvu/271

 conduct” as senior lieutenant of the Alexander 74, in an action with a French squadron, of which we find the following official account:–

On board the Murat, at Brest, Nov. 23d, 1794.

“Sir,– The arrival of the Canada must long since have informed their lordships of my misfortune, in losing H.M.S. Alexander, late under my command, having been taken by a squadron of French ships of war, consisting of five 74’s, three large frigates, and an armed brig, commanded by Rear-Admiral Neilly: farther particulars I herewith transmit you for their lordships’ information.

“We discovered this squadron on our weather bow, about 2-30 on the 6th instant, being then in lat. 48&deg; 25' N., long. 7&deg; 53' W., the wind at west, and we steering N.E. I immediately braced sharp up, with the larboard tacks on board, and without signal, the Canada being close to us. We passed the strangers a little before four o’clock, the nearest of them only about half a mile distant, but could not discover what they were. Shortly after we bore more up, let the reefs out of the top-sails, and set steering-sails. About 5, perceiving, by my night-glass, the strange ships to stand after us, we crowded all the sail we could possibly set, as did the Canada, and stood still more to the eastward. About day-break the Canada passed us, steering more to the northward than we did. Two ships of the line and two frigates pursued her, and three of the line and one frigate chased the Alexander. About 7-30 the whole of them hoisted English colours. About 8-15 we did the same, upon which they hauled down the English and hoisted French. At 9 or shortly after, observing the ships in pursuit of the Canada draw up with her, I made the signal to form a-head for mutual support (being determined to defend H. M. ships to the last extremity), which signal she instantly answered, and endeavoured to put in execution; but the enemy seeing her intentions, hauled more to starboard to cut her off, and thereby obliged her to steer the course she had done before. We continued firing our sternchasers at the ships pursuing us, from 8-30 till near 11, when the three 74’s came up, and brought us to close action, which we sustained for upwards of two hours. During this period, the Alexander had become a complete wreck; the main-yard, spanker-boom, and three top-gallant-yards were shot away; all the lower masts shot through in many places, and expected every minute to go over the side; all the other masts and yards wounded, more or less; nearly the whole of the standing and running rigging shot to pieces; and the sails torn into ribands: her hull was much shattered, and, making a great deal of water; she was with difficulty floated into Brest.

“At 1, the the other ships had quitted (the Canada, and were coming fast up with us; the shot of one of them soon afterwards passed over us. Thus situated, and cut off from all resources, I judged it adviseable to