The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-07-15
United States Sloop Hornet.
off Tristan d'Ancuba,
March Is. 1915.

past ten, when about TO anchor, off the north
end OF the Island of Tristan d'Ancuba, a sail
was seen to the southwark and eastward,
steering to the westward, the wind fresh from
tie :. D w. In a few minutes she had pas
sed on 10 the westward so that we could not
see her Tor the land. ] Immediately made
SAIL to the westward, and shortly after getting
SIGHT OF her again, perceived her to bear up
before the wind. hove too for him to come
down to us. When she had approached
near, flied the maintopsail, and continu ID
to yaw the ship. while she conunusd to come
down; wearing occasionally to prevent her
passing under our stern. At 10 u. NJ. being
nearly within musket shot distance, she haul
e.. her wini on the starboard tack, aoisted
English colours, and fired q, gun. We iMme-
diaIey iuXcd too. hoisted our ensign, & gave
the enemy a broadside. The action being
thus commenced, quick and well directed
hre was Kept up from this ship, the euemy
gradually drifting nearer 10 Us, when at LII
55m be bore up, apparently 10 run us on
board. As soon as l perceived he would
certainly fail on board, called the boarders
so as TO be ready to repei any attempt to
board us. At The instant every officer and
man repaired to the quarter deck, where the
tAvo Vessels we're coming in contact, and ca
gerry pressed Inc to permit them to board
the enemy ; but this would not permit, as
t w2s evident from the commencement of the
action that orr fire was greatly superior both
in quickness and effect. The enemy's bow
spirit came i'll between our main and miZen
rigging, on our starboard side, affording him
an opportunity to board US, if such was his
design, but no attempt was made. There
was considerable swell on, and as the sea
lifted US ahead, the enemy's bowsprit carried
away our mizen shrouds, stern davits * span
ker boom, and he hung upon eur larboard
quarter. At chs moment an officer, who
was afterwards recognized to be Mr.. M'Do-
maid, the first lieutenant, and the then COM
manding officer, called out that they had sur
rendered. directed the marines and mus
ketry-men to cease firing, and while on the
taifral asking if they had surrendered, re-
ccived a wound in the. neck. The eEeny
just then got clear of us, and his foremost and
bowsprt being both gone, and perceiving US
wearing to give him fresh bro; Clside, he a
gain called out that he had surrendered. II
was with difficulty l could restrain nv
crew from firing into him again as he had
certainly fired into US after having surrender
ed. From the firing of the first gun, to the
last time ire enemy cried OUT that he had
urrendered, was exactly % minutes by the
watch. She proved to be his Britannia Ma
jesty's brig Penguin, mounting sixteen 80 Id.
carronades, two long 12's, a twelve Id. car
ronade on the topgallaut forecastle, with swi-
veiS on the capstern and in the tops. She had
a spare port forward, SO as to fight both her
long guns of side. She sailed from England
IN September last. She was shorter upon
deck than this ship by two feet, but she had
greater length OF keel, greater breadth of
beam, thicker sides, and higher bulwarks
than this ship, and was. IN all respects,
remarkably fine vessel of her class. The e.
ne,ny acknowledge complement of 1872 IL
OF them suPernumerary marines from the
Midway -, received on board in conse-
quence OF their being ordered to cruise for
the American privateer Dung Wasp. They
acknowledge also a loss of II killed, and %
wounded; but MIR. Mayo, who was in charge
OF the prize, assures me that the number of
killed was certa My greater. Among the
Killed is captain Dickinson, who fell at the
close of the action, and the boatswain a
nong the wounded, is the second lieutenant,
purser, and two midshipmen. Each of the
nidshIpmen lost leg. We received on
board, in ali lib prisoners, 4 of whom have
SIncegdIed CT their wounds. Having removed
the prisoners, and taking on board such provi-
slons and stores would be useful to us. /
sCutted the Penguin this morning before day.
Light, and she went down, AS she was COM
pietely riddled by our shot, her foremast and
bowsprt both gone, and her mainmast so
crippled as to be incapable Of being secu-
red, 1T seemed unadyisable, at this distance
from home, to attempt sending her to the u.
States.
This ship dil not receive a single round shot
IN her hull, or any material wound in her
Spars the rigging and sails were very much
cut; but having bent a new suit of sails, aud
knotted and secured our rigging, we are now
completely ready, in all respects, for any SER
vice. We we're 8 men short of Complement,
and had 9 upon the sick list on the morning of
the action.
Enclosed is a list Of killed and wounded. |
lament to state that Lieutenant Conner is
wounded, dangerously. l feel great solicitude
OH hsacccunt, as hc is an officer of much
promise and his loss would be serious loss
to the service.
1t is most pleasing part Of my duty to ac-
qnaint you, that the Conduct of Leutenants
Conner and Newton. Mr.. Mayo, acting lieut..
Brownlow Of she IN grin SEALING master Rom.
ney, and the other officers, seanen and ma
rines have the honor to Command, was in
the highest degree credltable 70 them, and
IL for my warnest recommendation. !
cannot indeed do justice to their merits. The
satisfaction which was diHused throughout
the ship, when it was ascertained that the
stranger was an eDemys soop Of war, and
the alacrity with witch every one repaired TO
quarters, fully assured me that their conduct
IN action would be marked with GOODNESS and
intrepidity.
] have the honour to be, your obedient ser
want