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Le Riboteur | 27585 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal Guns | 4 | ref:692 | |
| Nationality | République Française | ||
| Operator | Private Owners | ||
| Acquired | 1799 | BG | |
| Home Port | Dunkerque - Flanders | ref:692 | |
| Shipyard | Unknown | BG | |
| Category | Privateer | ref:692 | |
| Ship Type | Schooner | BG | |
| Captured | 13.5.1799 | BG | |
Admiralty-Office, May 18, 1799.
Extract of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Dickson to
Evan Nepean, Esq
dated on board His Majesy's Ship Monarch, off the Texel, the 14 Instant. Here with I transmit, for their Lordships' information, a Letter from Lieutenant Searle, commanding the Courier Hired Cutter, acquainting me of his having captured the Ribotteur French Schooner Privateer, on the 13th Instant.
Sir , Courier, off the Texel, May 14, 1799.
I having received orders from Captain Cobt , 1AL of His Majesty's Ship Glatton, to proceed from Yarmouth Roads and put myself under theCommand of Captain Sotheron, os the Latona, I
left Yarmouth the i i t h Instant, and on the Morning
of the 12th I observed a Brig i n t h e Act of
capturing a Merchant Sloop, about 8 or 9 leagues off Winterton; I immediately made all sail, and at Half past One brought her to close Action, proving to be a French Privateer of 16 Guns of Six and Nine-Pounders: We continued in close action an Hour and Forty Minutes, when, after every exertion being used, her superiority of sailing, together having the advantage of the wind, he accomplished her escape, though I flatter myself in that shattered state as to render her incapable of continuing her cruize : We continued in chace of her till midnight, when it came on thick and foggy weather, we lost sight of her. At daylight in the morning we perceived a vessel in the North-East ; supposing it to be the Brig we had previously engaged, again made sail ; at Eight came up with and captured the Ribotteur French Schooner of 6 Three-Pounders, Two of which were thrown overboard in chace, and 26 Men, which we found to be in concert with the Brig abovementioned. I have to observe, that at the time of my engaging the Brig, a Lugger Privateer was then laying at some distance to Leeward, but shewed no inclination to assist the vessel we were then engaging. I have the pleasure and satisfaction to inform you, that no Men could have acted with a greater spirit of gallantry than all on board the Courier and have particularly to mention Lieutenant Campbell of the Latona and Lieutenant Glanvill of the Ranger, for their great assistance during the whole of the engagement, as well as Messrs. Trescott and Campbell, mates of the Latona, and Mr. Willis, mate of the Ranger.
I am sorry to add we had 5 Men wounded, but have every reason to believe the enemy suffered considerably more.
I have the Honor to be, Sir, &c. &c. &c
T. S E A R L E