every Officer and Man belonging to the Squadron is fully entitled to my best Thanks and Praises. I have the Honor to be, &c. W. H. RICKETTS. La Magicienne.-5 wounded. Veffels captured in Guadilla-Bay. Le Brutus Privateer, of Nine Guns. One Ship. Extract of another Letter from Vice Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Knt. to Evan Nepean, Efq. dated on board His Majefty's Ship Queen, in Port Royal Harbour, the ft of January 1798.. I AM to defire you will be pleased to acquaint the Right Honorable the Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty, that, fince my Letter of the 29th of October, the French Corvette La Republique Triomphante, of Fourteen Guns and One Hundred and Ten Men, has been captured by His Majesty's Ships Severn and Pelican. BULLETIN FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE OF APRIL 28th, 1798. Admiralty-Office, April 28, 1798. Copy of a Letter from the Right Honorable Admiral Lord Bridport, K. B. to Evan Nepean, Efq. dated on board His Majefty's Ship Royal George, at Sea, the 22d Inflant. I SIR, HAVE the Satisfaction to acquaint you, for their Lordships' Information, that L'Hercule, of Seventy-four Guns, was taken by His Majefty's Ship Mars laft Night. The enclofed Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Butterfield will beft fhew to their Lordships the Spirit and Judgment manifefted upon this Occafion. No Praife of mine can add One Ray of Brilliancy to the diftinguished Valour of Captain Alexander Hood, who carried his Ship nobly into Battle, and who died of the Wounds he received in fupporting the just Cause of his Country. It is impoffible for me not to fincerely lament his Lofs, as he was an Honor to the Service, and univerfally beloved; he has fallen gloriously, as well as all thofe who are fo handfomely fpoken of by Lieutenant Butterfield. I have appointed him to the Command of L'Hercule, to carry her into Port; and I have given' a temporary temporary Appointment to Captain James George Shirley to command the Mars, and Lieutenant George White, Firft of the Royal George, to command the Megara. Lieutenant Henry Combe, the Second, will deliver to you this Dispatch. I MY. LORD, I have the Honor to be, &c. BRIDPORT. Mars, at Sea, April 22, 1798. BEG Leave to acquaint your Lordship, that the Ship chafed by His Majefty's Ship Mars Yefterday, per Signal, endeavoured to escape through the Paffage du Raz, but the Tide proving contrary, and the Wind Eafterly, obliged her to anchor at the Mouth of that Paffage, which afforded Captain Hood the Opportunity of attacking her, by laying her fo clofe alongside as to unhinge fome of the Lower Deck Ports, continuing a very bloody Attion for an Hour and a Half, when the furrendered. I lament being under the Neceffity of informing your Lordship, that His Majefty has, on this Occafion, loft that truly brave Man, Captain Hood, who was wounded in the Thigh late in the Confli&, and expired juft as the Enemy's Ship had ftruck her Colours. This Ship proves to be L'Hercule, of Seventy-four Guns and Seven Hundred Men, her firt Time at Sea, from L'Orient, to join the Brest Fleet. I cannot fufficiently commend the Bravery and good Conduct of the furviving Officers and Men, who merit my warmeft Thanks: I mult particularly recommend to your Lordship's Notice Mr. Southey, the Signal Midshipman. Lieutenants Argles and Ford are the only Officers wounded. Captain Hood and Captain White, of the Marines, are killed. Lieutenant Argles, though badly wounded, never quitted the Deck. From From a Number of the People being with Lieutenant Bowker in Charge of the Prize, I cannot at prefent inform your Lordship the exact Number of Killed and Wounded, but from the best Information Circumftances afford, I think about Thirty killed, and as many wounded, moft of them dangerously. I have the Honor to be, &c. W. BUTTERFIELD. Admiral Lord Bridport, K. B., &c. &c. Sc. D BULLETIN FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE or MAY if, 1798. Admiralty-Office, May 1, 1798. Extra of a Letter from the Right Honorable Admiral Lord Bridport to Evan Nepean, Efq. dated on board His Majefly's Ship the Royal George, at Sea, the 26th of April 1798. HE EREWITH you will receive, for their Lordfhips Information, a Copy of a Lift, tranf mitted to me by Captain Stirling, of the Killed, Wounded, and Miffing of the Mars, on the 21ft Inftant. Lift of Killed and Wounded, &c. on board His Majelly's Ship Mars, in Action with the French National Ship L'Hercule, the 21ft of April 1798. Alexander Hood, Captain, killed. James Blythe, (2d) Midshipman, killed. Seamen. -11 killed, 3 died of their Wounds. George Argles, Third Lieutenant, wounded. George Arnaud Ford, Fifth Lieutenant, wounded. Boys.-2 wounded. MARIN ES. |