Come and ask, answer or inform.
Le Bellone | 15331 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal Guns | 30 | ref:692 | |
| Nationality | République Française | ||
| Operator | Private Owners | ||
| Acquired | 1799 | ref:692 | |
| Home Port | Bordeaux - Guyenne | ref:692 | |
| Shipyard | Unknown | ref:692 | |
| Category | Privateer | ref:692 | |
| National Rate | Quatrième Rang | ||
| Ship Type | Frigate | ||
| Sailing Rig | Ship Rigged | ||
| Captured | 9.7.1806 | ref:692 | |
His Ship Powerful, Buck-Bay , Trimcomale, 16th July, 1806.
SIR ,I have the honor to inform you, that on Wednesday the 9th instant, being at anchor in this bay. I received information, by a ship from Colombo, that La Bellone Privateer had returned to her old cruizing ground, off Dondra Head ; in consequence of which I instantly put to sea, and sent direction to Captain Bastard of the Rattlesnake, (who was in the inner harbour, taking in the Iron Ballast of the Sheerness, agreeably to your orders, to follow, and join me on the Basses, which he did the next morning at daylight. My Intention was, it possible, to beat up as far as Tengall, into which place La Bellone had chaced the ship above mentioned; but on saturday morning, being to the Southward of the Great Basses, I found so much wind and such a heavy sea, thit the crippled state of my masts obliged me to bear up and run for the Little Basses, intending to keep close in shore under their Lee. The morning being very thick, the Rattlesnake had fortunately separated in the afternoon ; about a quarter past 3, being about 7 miles to the Northward of the Little Basses, a ship was discovered on our weather beam, steering free, with steering sails set ; we were soon convinced it was La Bellone, and very shortly alter we had the pleasure to see the Rattlesnake broad on his weather-quarter, so tbat he could not haul his wind from us, without being forced to action by her , he therefore preferred the chance of crossing between us and the shore, having at that time a strong laud wind, and we lying nearly becalmed ; in this hope he was deceived, and was by l'ne o'Clock within gunshot of us, at which time he hoisted his colours, and fired a broadside at us, and continued a running fire until a quarter before 7, at which time, finding there was no possibility of getting from us.
He struck his colours and brought to. I am sorry to add, we had 2 men killed and 11 wounded ; the enemy acknowledge only 1 killed, and 6 or 7 wounded.
I have the Honour to be, &c.
R. PLAMPIN.