POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.
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under the necessity of returning without finding it, as it had been silenced a considerable time by our fire; it opened again, however, about ten o’clock, and continued engaged with the ship till near midnight, when she was out of range.
“While these occurrences were taking place, Mr. Bertram with his party had walked on over land, and joined Mr. Baird, the Midshipman, who had been sent to take possession of the schooner which had run on the rocks, as soon as she had made out our determination of entering the port. On the road, he was met by a part of the schooner’s crew, consisting of about 60 men; they gave and received a discharge of musketry, but on our people advancing with the pike and bayonet, took to flight, leaving several dead on the road. Mr. Bertram’s anxiety to save the schooner induced him to persevere, for several hours, in attempting to get her off (which was rendered impracticable from her having gone on shore at high water), during which time a large body of infantry had been collected, and galled our men so excessively with musketry, that it became absolutely necessary to set her on fire, which was accordingly done about one A.M., when she soon blew up, and at day-light there was not a vestige of her to be seen. From the papers I have in my possession, the schooner appears to have been l’Apropos, commanded by Mons. Lagary, Lieutenant de Vaisseau, who had arrived with despatches from the Isle of France, on the 24th Dec.; she mounted twelve 8-pounder carronades, but pierced for 16 guns, with upwards of 70 men. She had yesterday put to sea, but returned to an anchor on a signal being made for an enemy. She appeared to me the largest schooner I ever saw; our officers inform me she must have been upwards of 250 tons burthen, copper-bottomed, and in all respects a most complete vessel. * * * * * * The Emerald’s damages are trifling to what might have been expected, which I account for by the enemy not being able to distinguish where the shot fell; and having taken a bad elevation, most of them passed over her. When the boats returned, after firing the schooner, we weighed, and had the good fortune to obtain a light air of wind, that sent us just out of the reach of the batteries, when we were obliged again to anchor, otherwise our situation this morning would have been by no means pleasant, as the Spaniards must by that time have unspiked the guns in the outer fort, and at day-light six gun-boats were seen pulling from the westward. About 8 A.M. a light breeze springing up, we weighed and made sail towards them. When within about two gun-shots of the enemy, it again fell perfectly calm, and they had the temerity still to row for us. Finding the ship’s broadside could not be kept towards them by the boats, I ordered the anchor to be let go with a spring, and when within reach of grape, opened a fire, which they received and returned with tolerable spirit for about half an hour, when they made the best of their way into Veres Bay; and as several shot were seen to strike them, I have no doubt they were considerably damaged; the total want of wind prevented me from following and destroying them. I cannot conclude this letter, my Lord, without once more expressing how highly I appreciate the behaviour of every