The Irish standard., 1905-08-05

light on the succeeding day, it was
nearly a dead calm, and mist cleared
away, the two strangers were seen at
no great distance, with English colors
flying. They were now distinctly made
out to be a sloop of war that rated 16
guns. and brig of IA. The sea was
perfectly smooth. and there being no
wind, the light cruisers We're enabled
| to sweep up, and to select their posi-.
tions, while the Alliance lay almost a
log on the water. without steerage
! way. Owing to these circumstances,
| it was noon before the vessels were
near enough to hail, when the action
commenced. For more than an hour
the Alliance fought to great disadvan-
tage. the enemy having got on her
| quarters, where only a few of the
aftermost guns would bear on them
The advantage possessed by the Eng
lish vessels, in consequence of the
calm, at one time, indeed gave their
people the greatest hopes of success,
for they had the fight principally to
themselves. While things were in this
unfortunate state, Captain Barry re-
ceived grape-shot through his shoul-
der, and was carried below. This
additional and disheartening calamity
added to the disadvantages of the
Americans, who were suffering under
the close fire of two spirited and per-
severing antagonists. Indeed, so con-
fident of success did the enemy now
appear to be, that when the Ensign of
the Alliance was shot away, this fact
coupled with the necessary slackness
of her fire, induced their people to
quit their guns, and give three cheers
for victory. This occurred at mo,
ment when slight breeze struck the
Alliances sails, and she came fairly
under steerage way. A single broad.
side from manageable ship changed
the entire state of the combat, and
sent the enemy to their guns again,
with a conviction that their work yet
remained to be done. After manly
resistance, both the English vessels in
the end, were compelled to haul down
their colors.
The prizes proved to be the Atalan-
ia 16, Captain Edwards, with crew of
130 men, and the Trepassy IA, Captain
Smith, with crew of 80 men. Both
vessels were much cut up, and they
sustained joint loss of Al men in
killed and wounded. The Alliance did
not escape with impunity; having had
IL men killed and 21 wounded, princi-
pally by the fire of the enemy while
they lay on her quarter and across her
stern.
Captain Barry made a cartel of the
Trepassy, and sent her into an English
port with the prisoners, but Atalanta
was retaken by the enemy's squadron
that was cruising off Boston, while at
tempting to enter that harbor.
Page 129 ib. The favorite ship, the
Alliance 32,* Captain Barry, was much
*Note (D One of the traditions
Of the service states that the Alli-
ance was chased this year, by the
enemy's two-decker, and that she
ran fifteen knots by the log, with
the wind abeam, in making her
escape.
employed this year (17S2) her superior
sailing making her vessel in con-
stant demand. Among other services
that she performed this ship was sent
to Havana for specie, whence she
sailed. in company with the Louzun, a
ship loaded with supplies. Shortly
after quitting port, some enemy's ves-
sells fell in with them, and gave chase.
While running from this force, large
sail was seen on the Alliances
weather bow, which was soon made
/ out to be French so, of two decks.
Exchanging signals, and supposing
, that the French frigate would sustain
him, Captain Barry Immediately wore
round and brought the leading vessel
of the enemy to action; the others
maneuvering in way to engage the
attention Of the fifty, the latter, kept
her wind; and after a sharp fight of
more than half an hour. the English
ship engaged with the Alliance, find.
I ing herself hard pushed, made signals
to her consorts to join, when Captain
Barry hauled off. The Alliance now
! stood for the French ship, and speak
ing her, it was determined to bring
the enemy to action again, In COM
pany. On making sail in chase, how.
ever, it was soon found that the fifty
was too dull sailor to give the least
hope of overtaking the enemy, and the
! attempt was abandoned
| In this action, the Alliance had 8
killed and II wounded; while it Is said
that the loss of the enemy was very
heavy. Some statements placed the
latter as high as 81 men; but no &C
counts can be discovered that give a
very clear account of the affair. The
English vessel engaged was the Sibyl
rating 20, and mounting 80 guns. She
is said to have 81 killed and more
than so men wounded. The other yes
sells in company were frigates. One