Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/439

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HON. SIR CHARLES PAGET.
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had sustained a loss of 8 men (including her second Captain) killed and 9 wounded by the Endymion’s bow-chasers.

Captain Paget subsequently intercepted several richly-laden Spanish merchantmen coming from South America; but is said to have realized nearly 50,000l. less than he otherwise would have done, in consequence of an agreement he had entered into with Captain Thomas Elphinstone, of the Diamond, that they should share with each other whatever prizes were made during their continuance on the same station; an engagement which Captain Paget most strictly fulfilled. The Endymion also captured la Colombe, French corvette, of 16 guns, off Ushant, June 18, 1805.

In the night of March 8, 1806, the boats of the Egyptienne, into which ship Captain Paget had recently removed, made a most gallant attack upon l’Alcide, a large French privateer, frigate built, and pierced for 34 guns, which they succeeded in cutting out from under the protection of two batteries in Muros harbour. This exploit was performed under the directions of Captain Handfield, late first Lieutenant of the Egyptienne, who was serving as a volunteer on board her, in consequence of his promotion not having been officially communicated to him.

From this period we lose sight of Captain Paget till the summer of 1808, when he obtained the command of the Revenge, of 74 guns. In 1810 he was employed in the blockade of Cherbourgh; and whilst on that service, captured le Vengeur, a French lugger, of 16 guns and 78 men. He was subsequently appointed to the Superb, another third rate, belong ing to the Channel fleet; and during a cruise in the Bay of Biscay, he took several prizes; among others the Star, an American brig, of 6 guns and 35 men, and Viper letter of marque, of the same force. In 1814, we find him employed on the coast of North America, under the orders of Sir Alexander Cochrane, by whom he was entrusted with the command of a squadron stationed off New London; and during his continuance there, he appears by his zeal and activity to have given the enemy great annoyance, particularly in an attack upon Wareham, at which place upwards of 2,500 tons of shipping, together with a valuable cotton mill belonging to a company of merchants at Boston, were destroyed by the boats