most gallantly attacked and carried last night, in the Vlia Stroom, by a party of volunteers, in three boats from the Quebec, under the command of the first lieutenant, Stephen Popham, seconded by Lieutenant Richard Augustus Yates.
“And to do justice to the distinguished gallantry of Lieutenant Popham, and the officers and men employed upon this service, I must state to you. Sir, that in running past the Vlie and Schelllng yesterday evening, to resume our station before the Texel, the schooner was discovered at an anchor within, and Lieutenant Popham immediately offered his services to make an attempt upon her; accordingly, the frigate was brought to without the sands, in sight of the enemy, and the boats immediately despatched; and although we saw the engagement at half-past nine o’clock, it was not till after a long and anxious night that we had the extreme joy of seeing the schooner beating out of the enemy’s harbour, through the very intricate navigation of the passage, with the British colours flying over the French.
“I understand that the boats had to pull against a very strong tide, and found the enemy fully prepared for the attack, and closely surrounded by sands, on which they grounded; in this situation, they received three distinct broadsides from cannon and musketry, within pistol-shot; but, notwithstanding, they extricated themselves and boarded. The enemy contended the point on deck, and the French captain, Galien Lafont, a member of the legion of honor, was killed in personal contest by Lieutenant Yates.
“I am sorry now. Sir, to state the loss sustained on our side.[1]
“Lieutenant Popham speaks in the highest terms of the spirit and good order maintained by Lieutenant Yates, Mr. M‘Donald, master’s-mate, in command of the third boat, Mr. Duncan, clerk, Mr. Charles Ward, gentleman volunteer, and the whole of his party; la Jeune Louise carries six 12 and eight 9-pounder carronades; the remainder of her crew, consisting of 60 men, were some of them landed that morning, sick, and others in a prize at sea. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To Vice-Admiral Sir Edw. Pellew, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
The subject of this memoir was made commander, Aug. 1, 1811; from which period we lose sight of him until May 6, 1814, when, in the Montreal of 21 guns, formerly the Royal George 23[2], he assisted at the capture of Oswego, situated on the river of that name, near its confluence with Lake Ontario. On that occasion, “he anchored his ship in the
- ↑ One man killed, one drowned, one wounded; on the enemy’s side, two killed and one wounded.
- ↑ See p. 93.
