upon one of the enemy’s encampments, and threw shells, with considerable effect, into a battery which had given great annoyance to the British ships. In the course of the ensuing night, the republicans threw up three field-batteries purposely to get rid of such an unwelcome and troublesome visitor; one of three long 18-pounders right abreast of his vessel, and but little more than 300 yards distant; another, of two long 9-pounders, on her bow; and the other, of two howitzers, right a-head. These all commenced firing at day-light on the 20th, and a heavy cannonade was kept up on both sides until nearly dark, by which time the vessel was in a sinking state, having received about forty shot under water, and more than sixty above. Scarcely was the last man removed from her when she went down, with her colours nailed to the head of her tottering mast. Strange to say, only one of her crew was killed, and the wounded did not exceed six or eight in number.
Lieutenant Gourly was next appointed to command the Vigilant, of 10 guns, and employed in forwarding supplies to the garrison of Toulon, from a bay about 7 miles distant. On this service he continued four weeks, almost every day annoyed by the enemy’s musketry, but without sustaining any serious loss. We subsequently find him cruising on the coast of Italy, and assisting at the sieges of St. Fiorenzo and Calvi. After the reduction of Corsica, Lieutenant Gourly joined the Britannia, a first rate, bearing the flag of Vice -Admiral Hotham, by whom he was appointed to command the Vanneau armed brig, recently captured from the French, and employed in carrying despatches to various parts of Italy. A circumstance occurred in the spring of 1795, which we cannot forbear relating.
Ten musters of merchant vessels, and a little boy, who had been taken prisoners by the French, and kept in close confinement for two years, obtained their liberty at the above period, and arrived at Bastia, in a cartel, without cloaths or any means of subsistence; no person there knew any of them – no one would give them money for their bills on England. The Vanneau came from the adjacent coast, while they were
