In ten minutes afterwards, Captain Halliday, who was lying-to on the larboard tack, at some distance outside the brig, exchanged shot with the enemy’s advanced frigates: meanwhile the store-ships, favored by the wind and protected by their friends, got into Toulon.
Having accomplished this object, the French squadron under Rear-Admiral Baudin, in the Majestueux of 120 guns, continued working out, in the hope, apparently, of capturing the Philomel, whose commander now made all possible sail to get clear of the enemy. At noon their two headmost frigates opened a fire upon the brig, which she returned with her stern-chasers. About half an hour afterwards, the Repulse also commenced firing her stern guns; but finding that the shot of the frigates were passing over the Philomel, Captain Halliday instantly bore up to keep astern of her, and treated them with so heavy and well-directed a fire, that, in the course of a quarter of an hour, they wore, and joined the line-of-battle ships, several of which were also, by this time, far advanced in the chase. By 5 P.M. the whole of Mons. Baudin’s division were again at anchor in the outer road. At the time this daring act was performed by Captain Halliday, the British fleet was out of sight to leeward, except one 74 and a frigate, both of which were about 9 miles distant in the same direction. In a spirit of honorable gratitude. Captain Guion thus appropriately telegraphed the Repulse, “You repulsed the enemy, and nobly saved us; grant me permission to return thanks.”
Captain Guion was posted into the Rainbow of 26 guns, Sept. 26, 1811; and we subsequently find him actively employed in co-operation with the patriots of Catalonia. His last appointment was, Nov. 29, 1822, to the Tribune frigate.
Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
ROBERT WORGAN GEORGE FESTING, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1811.]
Son of Commander H. Festing, R.N. who died at Andover, in 1807; and nephew to the late Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Grindall, K.C.B.[1]
