The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-07-24


and under every sail that could be set, ia
'vored by the fresh wind, made bold and
determined attempt to run between me and
the shore, under cover of the numerous
batteries with which it is lined in that part
placed the Northumberland to meet them
as close as i could to the Point de Pierre
Laye, with her head to the shore, and the
main topsail shivering, and made dispositi-
ons for laying che OF them along sde-but
they hauled SO very close round the point.
following the direction of the coast to the
eastward Of X, that, in my ignorance OF the
depth of water near the shore, did not
think it practicable, consistent with the
safety of his Majesty's ship drawing near
IS fcet) 10 prosecute that plan. l therefore
bore up and steered parallel to them at the
distance of about two cabcIs length, and o.
pened the broadsides on them, which was
returned by very animated and well di-
rected fire of round grape, and ether des-
Crip5iOns of shot, supported by three bate
Yies, for the space of twenty one minutes,
and syas very destructive to our sails and
rigging. Ny object during that time was
to prevent their hauling outside the dry
rock named lie Gaul, but in steering suihci
emily close to il to leave them no room to
pass between TIE and it, and at the same
time to avoid running on it myself, the ut
most difficulty and anxiety was produced
by the cloud of smoke which driftsd ahead
of the ship and totally obscUred it. Howe
yer, by the care and attention OF Mr. Hug,
Stewart, the Master, the ship was carried
within the distance OF her own length on
the southwest side, in quartcrl-ess seven
fathoms, and the enemy were in consc
qrence obliged, as their only alternative,
90 attempt passing within it, where there
was net water enough, and they all groun
ded, under every sail, on the rocks between
it and the shore.
The sails and rigging of the Northum-
berland were 50 much damage, that was
obliged to leave the enemy to the effect OF
the falling tide, it being only one quarter
ebb, while repaired the rigging and shift
ted the foretopsai, which was rendered en-
tirely useless-working to windward during
that time under what sail ] could set, &c
prevent falling TO leeward---in which inter
val, at five O'Clock, the Grower joined, and
fired on the enemy occasionally. At twenty
eight minutes after FIVE anchored the
Northumberland in six and half fathoms
water, Point de Pierre Laye bearing \. w.
half ". the citadel of Port Louis e. three
quarters =. and the rock named lie Crau
n. half E. two cables length distant, with
her broadsidc bearing on the enemy's two
frigates and brig, at point blank range, all
of them having fallen over on their sides
next tho shore as the tide LETT them, and
exposed their copper to us, and the main
i
and from thirty-four minutes after five
till forty-nine minutes past six (Which was
near the time oflow water) q deliberate and
careful fire was kept up OH them, at which
time, believing had fully effected the OBJ
Ject OF my endehvors, the crews having
quilted their vessels, all their bottoms being
pierced by very many of orr shot, so low
down as teinsure their filing OH the risin.
tide, and the leading fr;gatc being COM
pletely in flames, communicated to the hull
from fire which broke out in her foretop
and got under sail. Three batteries fired
at the ship during the whole time she was
at anchor, and although the position was SO
far well chosen that she was out of the
."~7~HUrry svesSels were Dcasr- GO .-hich
her, and did as much execution in the hull
as all the hire had been exposed to before
directed the Commander of the Grow
Ter to stand in & fire, to prevent the enemy
from returning to their vessels after had
ceased.
At five minutes before eight, the frigase
on fire blew up with an awful explosion,
leaving no remains of her visible. At the
close of the day anchored for the night,
out of reach of the batteries on both sides,
Point Taleet bearing n. n. w. half w. S. f.
point OF Groa S S. w. half West the enc
my's vessels n. by L. At ten, the other
frigate appeared to be on FIRE also (some
smoke having been seen on board her from
ti!e ti'he the niNhG CeaSed) and at halt past
ii, TIE flames burst forth FROM her ports &
every part with une&tinguishable fury, which
unlocked for event leaving me nothing
more to attempt in the morning, the
brig being quite OIL her beam ends, and
very much damaged by our shot in e.
very part OF her bottom even very near her
keel, weighed anchor at midnight with the
Growler in company, prof;ting BY the bright
ness of the moon TO get to sea but it was
so near calm that made very little pro-
gress and therefore saw the f,igate burning
from head 10 stern at night, and explode at
thirty five minutes after two III the morning
ofyesterday, leaving a portion Of her after
part still burning till it was entirely CONSUME
ed and in the course Of the day, had the
satisfaction to see. from off the n. w. point
of Croa, n third fire and explosion in the
same spot which could have been 70 other
than the brig"
PIYMoUT Enc. June Arrived here
on Thursday morning beautiful American
ship, of about 500 tons buTthen,. called the
Gen. Gates, belonging 70 New-York, Mar
fer master, from Bordeaux, with very
valuable cargo, consisting of brandy. wine,
silks, &c. detaned by the Belle Poulc fri
gate, Capt. Crisbane, in company with the
AbercrOmbie man of war, Capt. Fable
Dryade fIjgate, Capt. GALWAY and the
Aramide frigate, Capt. Dunn. The Gene
Il I'LL