Scout

Posted by Brian on Wednesday 3rd of February 2016 13:20

His Majesty's Ship Scout, at Sea March 30, 1807
I beg leave to inform your Lordship, that, on the 27th instant, at half past 11 A.M. I observed a Spanish Felucca Privateer to windward, with top-sail yards and top-gallant yards across. At half past twelve, observed him to anchor under Cape Plata; and made all sail to windward in chase; but, owing to light variable winds, and the tide setting to the westward, was not able to get within gun-shot of him before five P.M. At that time he had his vessel moored with springs on his cables, and a stream anchor on shore, that kept him end on; he had two long twenty-four pounders in his bow, which went over and over us as we were working in shore. At half past five opened our fire on him; and in ten minutes forced him to cut his cables, and run on shore. I think that some of our shot must have struck him between wind and water, as he was not two minutes on shore before she was full of water, and fell on her broadside; at that time our grape shot was going over him. She was one of the largest privateers on the station; I am informed mounted ten guns, two long twenty-four pounders, and two long six pounders and six twelve pounder carronades; said to have betwixt ninety and one hundred men on board, of which he must have lost a great number, as the surf was high on the beach, which prevented me from sending my boats in to cut away his masts, which was the only thing that could be done, as the sea was going half mast up on board of him; they brought a heavy gun down on shore to bear on us, but I am happy to inform your Lordship did us no damage: I have no person hurt on board. On the 28th I stood into the bay to see what was become of him; I found him a complete wreck, with his mizen mast over the side.
I have the Honour to be etc.. W. Raitt