and largest of the French vessels, which they attacked so warmly, that after a short resistance she struck. By this time the other came up, and being instantly attacked in the same manner, soon also surrendered. They proved to be la Resistance, of 48 guns and 345 men, and la Constance, of 24 guns and 189 men. The total loss sustained by the enemy was 18 killed and 15 wounded. The British ships had not a man hurt. The prizes were taken into the service; the name of la Resistance was changed to the Fisgard, in consequence of these being two of the French squadron which had recently landed a party of convicts, disguised as soldiers, in the Bay of that name, on the coast of Wales.
Soon after this event, the St. Fiorenzo was fitted up to carry the Princess of Wirtemberg to Germany. Previous to her sailing, the mutineers at the Nore endeavoured to seduce her crew from their duty; but finding their loyalty was not to be shaken, she was ordered to anchor close under the stern of the Sandwich, on board of which was the chief ringleader, Parker. A few days after, much to the honor of her commander, the officers, and patriotic crew, she effected her escape, and proceeded to Harwich. On the 7th June following, the thanks of the merchants, ship-owners, insurers, and others concerned in commerce and navigation, were voted, at a meeting held at the Royal Exchange, to Sir Harry Neale, &c. &c., for their spirited conduct in carrying the ship through the mutinous fleet[1].
On the 8th Oct, 1798, the Royal family and a number of the nobility partook of a public breakfast given by Sir Harry on board the St. Fiorenzo, in honor of Sir Horatio Nelson’s victory at the Nile.
In the month of April following, the St. Fiorenzo being off Belleisle, in company with the Amelia, discovered three French frigates at anchor in the Great Road, with their topsail yards ready hoisted to come out. A heavy and sudden squall of wind unfortunately carried away the Amelia’s main top-mast, and fore and mizen-top-gallant masts. The enemy, encouraged by this accident, immediately got under weigh,
- ↑ For an account of the mutiny at the Nore, see p. 160, et seq.
