On the 9th June, 1794, five days after the surrender of that important place, Mr. Moubray was appointed to command the Fly sloop of war, and ordered to convey Captain Rowley and Lieutenant-Colonel Whitelocke, the bearers of the despatches relative thereto, to England. In the ensuing month of December, we find him escorting H.R.H. the Duke of York from Helveotsluys to Harwich; and subsequently assisting at the capture of two Dutch line-of-battle ships, one frigate, two sloops of war, nine East Indiamen, and about sixty other vessels in Plymouth Sound. He was afterwards employed in convoying the trade to and from Gibraltar, and the different ports in the Channel.
Captain Moubray’s post commission bears date April 10,
flank a ravine at the back of the fort; whilst the Irresistible, 74, Captain J. Henry, and the Europa, 50, Captain G. Gregory, kept under sail to throw in a broadside when opportunity offered, as well as to keep off a body of the enemy’s horse, and some brigands, who appeared disposed to annoy the landing of the troops, which was completely effected by five o’clock in the evening, under the direction of Captain T. Affleck, of the Fly sloop. Although the fort returned the fire of the ships but slowly after they were placed, and sometimes appeared quite silenced; yet the enemy kept the colours still flying, and fired a shot now and then till six o’clock in the evening, when a most tremendous thunder storm and deluge of rain put an end to all firing. At half past eight, Captain Daniel, of the 41st regiment, with 60 men, stormed and carried the fort, with the loss of Captain Wallis, of the 22d regiment, and six men killed, Captain Daniel and three men wounded.
Arrangements were now made for landing the whole of the troops, and to make a general attack upon the sea batteries and heights which defended the town. But on the evening of the 3d, some deserters came off to the Europa, and informed the Commodore, that the commissaries, with the principal part of their force, had made their escape towards Aux Cayes, to avoid being surrounded by the British troops; by which means the town and shipping were saved, as they had prepared several merchant-ships with combustibles, and moored them in such a situation as to set fire to the whole.
On the morning of the 4th, the ships of war got under sail, and hoisted the British colours on the sea batteries; while the Brigadier-General landed with the troops, and took possession of the town on the land side.
The loss sustained by the navy at the attack of Port-au-Prince, amounted to 5 seamen killed and 16 wounded. On this occasion, no less than 13,790 tons of shipping, with an immense quantity of sugar, coffee, cotton, and indigo, fell into the hands of the captors.
