Pasley

1 Ship Commander

Service History

Notes on Ship

On the 28th of October, Cape de Gata bearing west-north-west distant 20 leagues, the Pasley fell in with and was chased by the Spanish privateer polacre-ship Virgen del Rosario, of 10 guns (pierced for 20), eight of them long 12, and two long 24 pounders, with a crew of 94 men. Being to windward, the Rosario soon neared the Pasley, and an animated engagement commenced. After the action had continued about an hour, the Pasley, having had her gaff and most of the stays and main rigging shot away, found her opponent's guns, upon the whole, much too heavy. As the readiest mode to reduce this inequality, the Pasley ran athwart the hawse of the Rosario, and lashed the hitter's bowsprit to her own capstan. The British crew in an instant were on the Spanish ship's decks; and, after a sanguinary hand-to-hand struggle of about 15 minutes' duration, carried the Rosario.

The Pasley's loss amounted to her gunner, Mr. James Pooke, and two seamen killed, her commander (shot through the left shoulder), master (Ambrose Lions, mortally), first mate (George Davie), and five seamen wounded. The loss on board the privateer was very severe: it consisted of her first and second captains, second lieutenant, two prize-masters, and 15 seamen killed, and 13 officers and seamen wounded. Considering the great disparity of force between the two vessels, this must be pronounced a very gallant affair on the part of the Pasley and the judgment, promptitude, and valour displayed by Lieutenant Wooldridge on the occasion, gained him not only the just applause of his superiors, but that to which he had an equal claim, the rank of commander.

On the 21st of July, soon after daylight, the island of Cabrera bearing north-east distant six or seven leagues, the British hired brig Pasley, mounting fourteen 12-pounder carronades and two long sixes, with a crew of 54 men and boys, commanded by Lieutenant [William Wooldridge], fell in with a Spanish man-of- war xebec, of 22 guns; which at 7 a.m. hailed the Pasley and desired her to send her boat on board. The reply to this was a broadside within pistol-shot distance; and the Pasley continued to engage her superior opponent until 8h 15 m; when the xebec ceased her fire, and taking advantage of the calm which had followed the heavy firing, pulled away with her sweeps. The Pasley used her sweeps, but the xebec having more sweeps and more men out-pulled the British brig, and before night reached the island of Ivica. In this very creditable affair to the Pasley, the latter had one seaman killed and two wounded.