within a short range of grape shot, we commenced our fire, which continued until two o’clock, when the enemy was seen in apparent confusion, and one of their row-boats sunk. They soon afterwards retreated, and I have every reason to believe, from the well-directed fire of the Rose, with considerable loss. I have to lament that during this time (it being a perfect calm, and the ship only managed by the assistance of a boat towing, and her sweeps) I had not the power of checking a spirit of enterprize evinced by the enemy, seldom equalled, as they were at the time the action ceased a distance of nine miles from the land. It affords me great pleasure when I relate, that considering the time and manner we were engaged, little injury has been sustained, having had no one killed, and but five slightly wounded, owing, as I presume, to the precaution taken, of keeping the men down at their quarters, during upwards of an hour’s destructive fire to our hull, rigging, and sails. The ship having received nineteen shots in her hull, wheel shot away, the main yard and mizen mast rendered unserviceable, besides rigging and sails much cut up. I beg to speak in the highest terms of approbation of the conduct of my officers and ship’s company, and to add, that had a better occasion given scope to their spirit, and animated conduct which prevailed, I have every reason to feel the fullest confidence in the result.
The enemy’s boat sunk I took on board, which proved to have been an English six-oared cutter, with the arms, &c. still in her. I have the honor, &c.
“To Captain Pater, H.M.S. Caroline.”
On the 10th May, 1810, Sir James Saumarez, then in Yarmouth Roads, wrote to Captain Mansell as follows:–
“Sir,– Having transmitted for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter addressed to Captain Pater, detailing the particulars of an attack made on H.M. sloop Rose, under your command, when off the Scaw, by four of the enemy’s gun-vessels, in which great gallantry and good conduct was displayed by you and the officers and crew of the Rose, I have the satisfaction to inform you that their Lordships have signified their approbation of your conduct in the above-mentioned action. I have the honor to be, &c.
In 1812, Captain Mansell was presented by Viscount Cathcart, the British ambassador at St. Petersburgh, with a valuable diamond ring, which his Lordship had been directed by the Emperor Alexander to forward to him, as a mark of the high sense that monarch entertained of his services, especially in conducting safely through the Belt a Russian squadron, under the orders of Vice-Admiral Crown. In the course of the same year, he was honored by King Charles
