following, assisted at the capture of four French ships of the line, by the squadron under Sir Richard John Strachan[1]. The total loss sustained by the British on this occasion was small; a circumstance to be accounted for by the enemy firing high, and our vessels closing suddenly. The Courageux had only 1 man killed and 13 wounded.
For this important service, Captain Lee, with his brave associates, received the thanks of Parliament, and was honored with a gold medal, similar to that which was struck by order of his late Majesty, commemorative of Earl Howe’s victory[2]. A valuable sword was also awarded to him by the Committee of the Patriotic Fund[3]. He afterwards commanded the Monarch, another 74, employed off Rochefort, under the orders of the late Sir Samuel Hood.
On the 25th Sept. 1806, at one A.M., being on the look out several miles in advance of the squadron, Captain Lee discovered seven strange sail, of which he gave notice by signal to the Commodore, and immediately made sail in pursuit. At day-light they were perceived to be five large French frigates and two brigs, one of the former bearing a broad pendant. At five, the Monarch, from her previous position and good sailing, arrived nearly within gun-shot of the enemy, and continued nearing them until a quarter past ten, when she brought three of the frigates to close action, which continued without intermission for upwards of two hours, and terminated in the capture of l’Armide and la Minerve, each mounting 44 guns, French 18-pounders on their main-deck, and 30-pounder carronades on their quarter-decks and forecastles. The third frigate engaged by the Monarch (la Gloire, of 46 guns,) hauled off on the approach of Sir Samuel Hood, who lost his right arm immediately after getting into action. She afterwards surrendered to the Centaur and Mars, which latter ship had already pursued and captured l’Indefa-
- ↑ See p. 289.
- ↑ See p. 75, et seq.
- ↑ The Patriotic Fund was established by the merchants, underwriters, and other subscribers to Lloyd’s Coffee House, July 20, 1803. From that period to March 1, 1820, the subscriptions amounted to 595,000l.; the greatest part of which has been paid away in annuities and donations. About 21,000l. appears to have been expended in swords, vases, and other honorary marks of distinction.
