“The weather-gage gave the enemy a prodigious advantage, as it enabled them not only to choose their position, but their distance also, which they did in such a manner as to prevent the carronades of the Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevost from having much effect; while their long guns did great execution, particularly against the Queen Charlotte.
“Captain Perry has behaved in a most humane and attentive manner, not only to myself and officers, but to all the wounded.
“I trust that, although unsuccessful, you will approve of the motives that induced me to sail under so many disadvantages, and that it may be hereafter proved that, under such circumstances, the honor of his Majesty’s flag has not been tarnished. I have the honor to be, &c.
(enclosure.)
“Sir,– I have the honor to transmit you an account of the termination of the late unfortunate battle with the enemy’s squadron.
“On coming on the quarter-deck, after your being wounded, the enemy’s second brig, at that time on our weather beam, shortly afterwards took a position on our weather bow to rake us; to prevent which, in attempting to wear, to get our starboard broadside to bear upon her, a number of the larboard guns being then disabled, we fell on board the Queen Charlotte, running up to leeward of us, and in this situation the two ships remained for some time. As soon as we got clear of her, I ordered the Queen Charlotte to shoot ahead of us if possible, and attempted to back our fore-top-sail to get astern; but the ship lay completely unmanageable, every brace cut away, the mizen-top-mast and gaff down, all the other masts badly wounded, not a stay left forward, hull shattered very much, a number of the guns disabled, the enemy’s squadron raking both ships ahead and astern, and none of our own in a situation to support us, I was under the painful necessity of answering the enemy, to say we had struck, the Queen Charlotte having previously done so. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To Captain Barclay, &c.”
Of 345 officers, sailors, soldiers, provincialists, and boys, the total number on board the British squadron, no less than 41 were slain and 94 wounded. Captain Barclay’s remaining arm was injured, and apart of his thigh cut away. Amongst the other officers who suffered were Lieutenant S. James-Garden, of the Newfoundland Rangers, killed; and Lieutenants George Bignell and F. Rolette (R.N.), Henry Gateshill
