tion of la Calliope French frigate, and capture of part of her convoy laden with naval stores[1]. At the latter end of the same year, in company with the Phaeton, she took la Daphne, of 30 guns and 276 men, in the Bay of Biscay. In the ensuing autumn, the same ships, being off Bourdeaux, captured la Flore, of 36 guns.
After seeing the last mentioned prize safe into Plymouth, Captain Durham was employed watching a French squadron, with a large body of troops on board, destined to join the rebels in Ireland. He kept company for three weeks, experiencing much bad weather, until the enemy appeared off the Irish coast, and were encountered by Sir John B. Warren[2]. The Anson, in consequence of a press of sail, unfortunately carried away her mizen-mast, main lower, and top-sail yards, on the night of the 11th Oct. 1798, just as she was closing with the sternmost of the French ships; and her Commander, officers, and men, flattering themselves they should be fully repaid for all their fatigue and anxiety. By indefatigable exertions, the ship was got in a state fit for service, and joined in the latter part of the action, engaging five French frigates for a considerable period, and sustaining a loss of 4 officers and 11 men badly wounded, four of the latter mortally. On the 18th of the same month, Captain Durham, in company with the Kangaroo sloop, fell in with, and after a gallantly disputed action of an hour and a quarter, captured la Loire, pierced for 50 guns, mounting 46, with 664 seamen and soldiers, 48 of whom were killed, and 75 wounded. The Anson had 2 men killed and 14 wounded. La Loire had on board cloathing complete for 3000 men, 1020 muskets, 200 sabres, 360 pouches, 25 cases of musket ball cartridges, and one brass field-piece, with a great quantity of ammunition and entrenching tools. She had previously been severely handled and much crippled by the Mermaid, a small frigate commanded by the late Captain Newman.
In addition to the above mentioned national vessels, the Anson, during the time she was commanded by Captain Durham, captured several French and Spanish privateers.
