but owing to the destructive effects of the French musketry, his orders could not be carried into effect. At a quarter past five, the enemy succeeded in boarding, and the British colours were reluctantly hauled down. Immediately afterwards the Cleopatra became a perfect wreck, not a spar standing but the mizen-mast; and her commander fully expected she would have foundered before the ships could get clear of each other.
No language can do sufficient justice to the perseverance in the chace and gallant conduct of Sir Robert Laurie in bringing a ship of so superior a force into action[1], and in maintaining it. La Ville de Milan was nearly double the size and force of the Cleopatra, being 1200 tons burthen, and carrying French 18-pounders on her main-deck; whereas the latter had only English 12-pounders, and 190 men, several of whom were on the sick-list. The following morning the French ship had only her fore-mast and bowsprit standing; and was otherwise so much cut up as to be incapable of offering the slightest resistance when fallen in with, six days after the action, by Captain Talbot of the Leander, a 50-gun ship, who also recaptured the Cleopatra[2].
From this period, we find no mention of Sir Robert Laurie until the latter end of 1811, when he was appointed to the Ajax, of 74 guns, and soon after ordered to the Mediterranean, where he continued till towards the conclusion of the war. He was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, July 19, 1821.
Residence.– Maxwelton, Dumfriesshire.
- ↑ La Ville de Milan was from Martinique, bound to France with despatches, and having orders not to speak to any thing during the passage; every effort was made to avoid being brought to action by the Cleopatra.
- ↑ The loss sustained by the Cleopatra in the action with la Ville de Milan, was 20 killed and 38 wounded; 2 of whom mortally, and 18 dangerously.
