at high water, and the falling tide rendered her immoveable. At nine o’clock, the increasing danger of the frigate compelled Captain Joyce to fire several guns, as signals of distress: the generous and humane De Winter despatched his small vessels to her assistance; but the violence of the wind and sea rendered it impossible to approach her. The masts were now cut away, and orders given for the formation of a raft, every hope of saving her being abandoned.
At day-light on the morning of the 29th, none of the English cruisers were in sight; and the display of British colours keeping the small vessels of the enemy at a distance. Captain Joyce called a council of his officers, who unanimously agreed that no prospect of escape remained; a French ensign was then hoisted over the English, when the schuyts advanced towards the wreck, and picked up the raft, on which were 36 men; but this was all that could be done on that day, the whole of which was passed by the remainder of the Manilla’s crew in awful expectation of immediate dissolution.
The gale abating on the evening of the 29th, the Dutch boats made another attempt to reach her; guns were discharged at intervals during the night, to indicate her situation; but it was not until the ensuing morning that they were enabled to come alongside; when, with a perseverance which reflects honor on the name and character of the Dutch, they succeeded in rescuing the whole of the survivors[1] from destruction. Captain Joyce having seen every man off the wreck, then got into a boat, and was carried to the French squadron in the Texel. The next day he and his officers were landed and sent to Verdun, where they continued as prisoners till the conclusion of the war.
- ↑ Nine men were killed and twelve others wounded, by the blownig up of a box containing cartridges, into which a spark emitted from a blue-light had fallen.
