Scourge

Posted by Jon Miller on Friday 19th of June 2026 16:08

London, 18 September 1780: Captain Fortescue, of his Majesty’s sloop Scourge, in the Downs, in his letter to Mr Stephens of the 16th instant, gives an account, that on the 15th at ten in the morning, he discovered a sail bearing down upon him; that about four o’clock, being within hail, and receiving no answer, he concluded her to be an enemy, therefore fired a broadside into her, when she hoisted French colours, and returned the fire. After an engagement of half an hour, she struck, and proved to be the Charlotte privateer, of Dunkirk, of 16 six-pounders, and 120 men, commanded by Monsieur du Casso., who was dangerously wounded in the action. The first Lieutenant and ten men were also wounded, and four killed. She is a new ship, having been only three months off the stocks, and eighteen hours from Dunkirk, from whence she had sailed to intercept the trade bound to Ostend and Flushing. The Scourge carries sixteen guns and eighty men. It does not appear that she had any men killed or wounded. [Exeter Flying Post, 22 September 1780]