The Sun.
London, England, 1803-11-02 00:00:00

TliE PATRIOTIC FUND.

t't is perhaps not one of the least beneficial
efrefts of this noble Insti►ution, that traits of lieroilkt,
and set vices of essential merit, which would other.
wise be overlooked or forgotten, are brought before
the Public, t►• be rewarded, not by the li'►cr.i!i:y ►►l
the Nation only, but with its admiration and es.ettn.
We have before had en opportunity of mentioning
the very gallant cnterprixe executed by Lieutenant
Rower', commanding His Majesty's Cutter Shier-
in'taking two Chasse Marees, but we are sa.
•tisfied that the Public will derive pleasure from the
narrative contained in a letter which that Officer has
addressed to t!►e Chairman of the Fund at LLOYD'S.
it is written with all the modesty, but at the same
time the warmth and feeling of a British Seaman,
and certainly records a very gallant display of cool.
ness and courage.

"'*lR,
" As it appears the intention of the Patriotic Fund to give
rewards and encouragement to acts of enterprize, I think it
is but justice to a gallant man that is at present under my
command in this utter, to make his behaviour known to
you ; more especially as I feat front his never having filled
either of the atationa required by the Admiralty in their
Letter, a copy of which I enclose for your perusal, that it
will not be in their power to promote him.—l hope I shall
not incur• for a moment the supposition that I am indireitly
making any application 'tor toy own benefit. The Com-
mission I have the honour of bearing will I am confident hot
allow 'you any more to oiler, than my, own teelings would
allow me to accept, any pecuniary gratification, but it is not
So with the 'poor fellow I am interesting myself about, and
who, exclusive of Ins bravery, is a very good charatler.—On
the 9th ult. in the morniu, the Sheerness Cutter, under my
conlinand, having .the look aut, on the Ettneli Fleet in Brest,
observed two Chasse Marees stealing tow..iras that putt close
in shore ; we immediately gave delve • and soon strove the
sternmost onshore. I. direCtly ordered the Mate to take the
boat with seven hands and attempt to bring heron; in this he
succeeded, the'erew on his approach deaerting.fier. While
this Boat was thus employed, I continued chasing the other,
which by this time was nearly Live miles from us and close
under a Batilry, , about nine miles to the Eastward of the
Bee du Raz, but at ten o'clock it Whin; calm, the only, mode
of pursuing her I had left was by
ftl a small boat which we
carry suspended over our stem, and which with aOe dim.
culty will contain five men. On my acquainting my crew
that this was my determination, and asking who would
volunteer to accompany me, John Marks the Boatswain, and
three others immediately came forward. With these four
men I diredly rowed else, her, she being then four miles
distant and approaehing fast to the shore by the aid of her
sweeps. When we had pulled nearly two hours, she ran on
shore under the Battery, about a stone's throw from the
beach, where by this time thirty soldiers with theirmus-
quets were collected to. pruted her ; however we continued
our pursuit, on our laying her on board on one side. the crew.
deserted her from the other, and the soldiers commenced a
heavy fire of musqueity on us to give yod some idea of it,
forty-nine musquet balls were lodged in the *idea anti masts
of the Chasse Maroc. Though there was no wind, we hoisted
the ture-sail, that they might not see how to point weir
musquets at us while we were engaged in cutting tier cable
and getting knob; but it was not hoisted a moment betere
they shot away the halliarals ; notwithstanding this,, the tide
flowing, we got her oft; and neither myself nor one at these
men were hurt ; when we got her oil lie ground, we towed
her with our boat, but OM not proceeded one third or a mile
before a French Boat, with an Officer and nine men armed'
with blusqttets,' which had followed us unseen in the wake.
at theChaas6. hlaree as we were busily engaged in towing,
appeared close alongside of us, and' tiere it war that 'lcahn
Marks the Boatswain, so particularly distinguished himself.
Without a moment's hesitation or waiting for my orders, he
leaped on board the Cliaas6 Manx unarined,-and rail to the
Side the French boat was laying her on board ; his sudden ap-
ralfinCe stopped the Frenchman, and I sin confident he was
a minute unarmed opposed to the French boat's crew,
before myself and the other three with- our musquets and
anuniinitien could get to his assistance, for Our boat %%ea so
very small anti ticklish, that only one man could at the same
time get out easily without upsetting her.— The Frenchman
seeing we were determined to oppose his boarding us, alter a
very weak attempt, though exedly double our number,
sheered oft; and at some distance contented hirMCJI 'Van
keeping my alt inetfietuel tire of musquetry,, and we broug ht
off our Prize; though the Battery opened their guns on us as
we towed her eft; they did us no damage. If, Sir, the co n-
du6t of this brave fellow deserves tit the opinion of the Di-
fedora of the Patriotic Fund any remuneration, will you be so
'obliging to favour me with a Letter, addressed to me, Com-
mander of His Majesty's Cutter Sheerness. off Brest. To
be left at the Admiral's Office, Plymouth.
" I am Sir, •
" Your very obedient Servant,
" HENRY ROWED.
41 SL eerneLlp off Seen, 011. t."