On the 10th June, 1805, at 7 A.M. a division of the French flotilla, consisting of two corvettes and fifteen gun-vessels, carrying in the whole 51 guns, 4 eight-inch mortars, and 3 fieldpieces, accompanied by fourteen transports, sailed from Havre, bound to Fécamp; and when about mid-way between those places, were chased by Captain Adam, who was cruising off the coast with the Falcon sloop of war, Clinker gun-brig, and Frances armed cutter, under his orders. At about 9h 30' la Chiffonne, then in 10 fathoms water, considerably a-head of her companions, and close in with the flotilla, opened her fire upon the enemy’s van; but in a quarter of an hour, shoaling her water, was compelled to haul farther off. At about 10h 30', by which time the Falcon and Clinker had closed, she recommenced firing; and shortly afterwards one of the French vessels was observed in flames, which were, however, soon extinguished; at the same time some of the other vessels ran on shore. Towards noon la Chiffonne again hauled out into deeper water. Two hours afterwards the attack was renewed, and at 3 h 15; P.M. one of the enemy’s brigs had her fore-topmast and main-mast shot away. As the British passed along the coast, the forts kept up an incessant fire of shot and shells, and continued to do so until the flotilla, &c. had completely sheltered themselves under the batteries at Fécamp. The engagement did not cease till past four o’clock; by which time la Chiffonne had been much cut up in her rigging, received a shot between wind and water, besides several higher up, and sustained a loss of 2 men killed, and 3 wounded. The Falcon suffered in rigging and sails, and had 4 men wounded; the Clinker, 1 killed and 1 wounded. The French admit a loss of 3 killed and 12 wounded, including the commander of a gun-brig.
Towards the latter end of the same year we find Captain Adam commanding the Resistance, a fine new frigate, in which he captured l’Aigle, a French privateer of 14 guns and 66 men, near the Owers, Dec. 27, 1807. On the 8th Mar. 1807, his boats destroyed an armed schooner, and a chasée maree, in the port of Archové, near Cape Machicaco. This service was performed under the directions of Lieutenant Corbyn, who had previously carried a battery which commanded the harbour.
