Hussar

Posted by Brian on Thursday 28th of January 2016 23:57

On board his Majesty's ship Thetis, Halifax Harbor, May 28, 1795 Orders from Rear-Admiral Murray to cruise off the Chesapeake, to intercept the Three French Store-Ships then lying in Hampton Roads and ready for Sea, I proceeded, on the 2d Instant, with His Majesty's Ship Hussar, and on the 17th Instant, at Day Break, Cape Henry bearing E. by S. distant Twenty-Leagues, we discovered Five Sail of Ships standing to the,. N. W. with their Larboard Tack's on Board. We, soon perceived that they were "Ships of Force; Two. of them appeared to carry from 28 to 30 puns on. their main deck ports, One of which had lower deck ports, the three others from 20 to 24 guns. On observing us standing towards them they formed a line of battle ahead and waited to receive us. At nine A.M. I made the Hussar's signal to to prepare to engage the second ship of the enemy's van, intending, in the Thetis to attack the center ship from the van carrying a broad pendent. By this time we had got within half a musket shot, when the firing commenced on the side of the enemy, which was soon afterward returned by his Majesty's ships. Before eleven we had closed with the Enemy, and the Hussar had compelled the Commodore and his Second a-head to quit the Line, and make Sail to the E. S.E. The Fire of both Ships then fell On the Centre Ship and those in the Rear. At a Quarter before Twelve the Three Ships struck their colours 4 the two in the rear attempted, notwithstanding, to make off, One of which was soon brought-to by the Hussar. Within an Hour after the largest Ship struck, her Main and Fore Masts went over her Side. On taking Possession we sound her to be La Prevoyante, pierced for 26 Guns on the Main Deck, with Four other Ports, which can be cut out at Pleasure, and Ten Ports below : She had only 24 mounted, Part of which they shifted over during the Action. The Ship that the Hussar had taken Possession of is called La Raison, carrying 18 Guns, but pierced for 24, which, with the other Three, had escaped from Guadalupe on the 25th Ult. and were bound to one of the American Ports to take in a Cargo of Provisions and Naval Stores for France. I am sorry to say that we had Eight of our belt Men killed, and Nine others wounded, some of them badly ; the Hussar has been more fortunate, having only Two wounded. From the Fire of the Three Rear Ships being principally directed at the Thetis, our Rigging and Sails were almost cut to pieces, our Lower Masts and Yards shot through, which, with the other Damages we received, prevented me from pursuing the Enemy, and to take Possession of those that had struck. The Damages sustained by the Hussar appeared to me in Proportion to ours; these Considerations, joined to the Information I had received, which I here enclose, made it absolutely necessary that I should not Risk the Separation cf the Two Ships, which must have been the case, had either of us followed the Enemy, La Prevoyante is a very fine ship, about 143 feet long, but not so broad as the Thitis, she can carry with ease 40 guns; is only two years old. La Raison is also a very fine ship and is coppered; and I trust they will both answer for his Majesty's service. Being employed in taking on prisoners, and repairing our damages during the night, it was my intention to proceed at daylight after the enemy, in company with the Hussar, leaving the prizes under the charge of Lieutenant Saville, of the Prince Edward Cutter, who joined soon after the action and used every endeavor to arrive up while engaged, but a fresh breeze of wind springing up early in the morning, enabled them to get out of sight before daybreak. I therefore proceeded with the Hussar and the prizes to this port in order to obtain the necessary repairs