The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-06


Msjefty's Hoop Sheldrakc, to Sir James Sau-
narez, Bart. X. B. Rear Admira! of the Red
His Mgety's rip SbridraAe, ST. Aabin',
Bay, Jtriey, on. II, 1906.
SIR,
have the honor to inform you, for the in
formation of the Lords Commiiiioners of the
Admiralty, that his MajeRy's fhip Conftaucc,
an company with the Sheldrake, Strenuous,
and Britannia hired cutter, weighed on the 10th
inf. az A. NJ. from the anchorage at Chancey,
with the tide of Ebb, and light breeze at S.
E.--on Handing in TO reconHotre St. Maloes,
fail was difcoyered of Cape Frehcl, to which
the fquadron gave chaie, employing their
fweeps nearly the whole way; it was foon diff
covered by her manoeuvres, the chafe was an
enemy, who about noon fucceeded in getting
into Bouche D'Arkie,N hauling clofe in with the
rocks, and carrying out bow and quarter
iprngs, and otherwite preparing for an obftinate
defence, covered by erong battery of guns
on the hill, as well as field-pieces and mufquet-
~, employed by the troops brought down for
that purpofe; in this rate they waited to re-
ceye US; their determined appearance only in
created the ardour of the brave capt. Burrowes,
(who / am forty to add, fell glorioufly by a
grape fhot in the heat of the aeton.) The
Sheldrake, by hyperion failing, had the good
fortune to lead into action, followed by the
Strenuous, the fquadron being anchored with
IN piftol ihot of the enemy, with fprings on their
cables at P. Nj. a mott fpirited fire COM
rnenced on both lidcs, which was fupported
with great gallantry and obftinacy on the part
of the enemy's fhip, till P. NJ. when it pleafed
God to give US the victory; fent my irR lieu
tenant to take poifefiion of her, and the Britfh
colours were Immediately hoihed. She proved
to be the Salamander, French frigatc built
flip, mounted with twenty-6x long / and Is
FOUNDERS, and manned, by their own account,
with $50 men, commanded by lieut.. de Vaif-
teau, who was killed in the aetion-he was
bound from St. Maloes to Brett, with fhip tim
Der.
His Majefy's nip Confance having taken the
ground, and the prize alto aground, every ex-
erton was ufed to get both flips off but
am iorrY to add, without fuccefs the fire of
the cannon and mufqnetry from the fhore, be-
coming now 70 calling and tremendous that
the people could not thew themfclves on deck !;
the Conhance having cut both her cables during
the action, and the wharps which had been run
ont to heave her off, fhot away at the mo-
ment of her floating, fe drifted with the wind
on fhore, further on the rocks, which obliged
the officers and crew to abandon her, (without
firing herr the decks being filled with wound
ed obfervins however, as the tide rofe, The
began to float, was induced great as the rifque
was, to make another attempt to fave her,
which alSo proved unfuccefsful, thofe employ
ed on this iervice being either killed or made
prifoners. Night now clofing on us, it became
necefary to confult the fafety of the Sheldrake
and Strenuous, (the latter with her fore-top-
n1aif ihot awaY;) at break of day food in TO
fee if any thing further could be done, and
washappy to oblerve the Conftance high and
dry on the rocks under the battery, and lying
keel up, perfect wreck the prize, which
ad n0t drift ed "a far in I ded -
de&roying by Gre, at low water; have faycd
about 100 of the officers and crew of the Con.
Rance; of thofe milIing, l hope NOT are made
prifoners though fear fome may have fallen
IN tie fecond attempt TO recover his Maefty's
nip.
The lamcnted death of my refpeaed friend,
capt. Burrowes, (who, had he lived, would have
given your Lordfhips more clear and detailed
account than am able to do, of this affair."
leaves me the duty of bearing tefimony to the
determined courage, coolnefs, and ardour, diff
played by every officer and man in the fquad-
ron. muft particularly mention the afiiAance
received from my frt lieutenant, Richard
y ,Kevern, a mott meritorious and old officer,
whom prefume to recommend to their Lord
fhip's favorable notice. | mutt alto bear tcf-
timany to the zeal and bravery of Lieut. Nu-
GENT commanding the Strenuous gun-brig,
who on this, as well as former occafions, has
ever fhcwn himfeR gallant and jealous officer
Lieut.. William Lawrence, my fecond Lieut..
70 whomI committed the fervice of denroyipg
the prize, performed it very much to his own
sredit aud my fltsfadion. am forty to Rate
that Mr.. Henry Frazer, mater of the Shell
drake, who volunteered in the moft gallant
manner to accompany Mr.. Richards, firR lieu.
tenant in the Couaance, in the fecond attempt
10 fave the dip, are amongft the milling.
herewith have the honour to enclofe as cor
Tra a lin Of the killed and wounded, as, from
circumstances, have been able TO obtain al
a'fo = III Of piloners faved from the prize.
have the honor TO be, Sc.
(Signed) JOHN THICKNESSE.
z ar hi'virai Sir JamsS SaRnAres, Bart.
md 8 &c. S5e. Gasrgfy.
L s AS Lieuf. Liwrence faw about 80 xii
SD wing on the Salamapder's decks, conceive
the 17ughter or board her muit have been We
~ great. Numbers Of her crew efcaped il
boats, and by fwimming to the Anre, on he
adking.
(Signed)
JOHN THTCKNRSSE.
killed-Capt. Blrrowes, one ferieant OF ma
Tines, three qusrter-mSaers, one boatfwain'
mate, four; others fince dead Of their wounds
Badly wounded--One bostfwain's mate, 4
marine and ieventcen Eighty wounded.
The number of killed and wounded on boar
she Salamander, not known.
PHI ADFTpT Dec o.