leeward, without her fore and main-top-masts. This was the ship that had escaped from the Mermaid and Kangaroo, and one of those which the Anson had engaged on the 12th. On the preceding night (17th), the Anson and Kangaroo joined company; and Captain Durham, thinking the latter’ s services might be useful in the Anson’s disabled state, ordered Captain Brace to remain with him. The Kangaroo, since her late disaster had, with creditable alacrity, replaced her fore-top-mast; and, as soon as her old antagonist was discovered, got up her top-gallant-masts, and made sail in chase.
The Anson, being far to leeward of the Kangaroo, was, of course, first up with the enemy; and, at about 10h 30' A.M., a spirited action took place between the two ships. At 11h 45', the Kangaroo came up under a press of sail, and received a shot from the Frenchman, accompanied by several vollies of musketry. To this salute, Captain Brace immediately replied by a broadside; and shortly after, the enemy’s mizen-mast fell. Already reduced to a defenceless state by the Anson’s powerful fire, she then surrendered, and was taken possession of by a boat from the Kangaroo.
The prize proved to be la Loire, of twenty-eight long 18-pounders, twelve long French 8’s, and six brass 24-pr. carronades. At the commencement of her first action (on the 12th), she had on board 664 men, including troops; 48 of whom were killed and 75 wounded, between that day and her capture. The Anson, in this last affair, had 2 men killed and 14 wounded. The Kangaroo, whose force was sixteen 32pr. carronades and two long 6’s, with a complement of 120 men, escaped without any loss. Captain Brace took la Loire in tow, and proceeded with her to Plymouth.
In Feb. 1800, the Kangaroo captured le Telegraph, French brig privateer, of 14 guns and 78 men; and re-captured an American ship and two British merchantmen. On the 25th of the same month, she fell in with le Grand Decide, a privateer, carrying eighteen brass 12-pounders and 150 men; the action which ensued, was fought in good style at close quarters, and lasted upwards of fifty minutes, when the enemy hauled off; and, although every exertion was made by Captain Brace to renew the engagement, succeeded in effecting
