Salisbury

Posted by Brian Stephens on Saturday 5th of April 2014 23:06

Edinburgh Advertiser March 17, 1780
Extract of a letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Parker, commander in chief of his Majesty's ships at Jamaica. Dated at Fort Royal January 1780

On the 25th of November a considerable body of Spaniards invested St. Fernando de Omoa, and on the 28th the garrison and the crew of the Porcupine, were so reduced by a pestilential disorder which raged amongst them that it became necessary to evacuate the fort after having spiked the guns, and embarked the ammunition and stores.
The 8th instant, the Salisbury, commanded by Captain Inglis, brought in here a Spanish private ship of war of 50 guns named the San Carlos, commanded by Don Juan Antonio Zaveletta from Cadiz bound to Omoa laden with brass canon, shot, musquets and other military stores for the fort. Captain Inglis has shown good conduct and a becoming spirit as well before as during the action.

Sir. On the 12th of last month at day break, being then off Porto de Sall, (in the Bay of Honduras) we saw two sail to the eastward, the one a large ship, the other a sloop, to which we gave chase, it being then light breezes. After different maneuvers, and the strange ship making some private signals through the day, at six in the evening we got pretty near, when she hoisted Spanish ensign and pendent. At half past six we fired some shot, which was immediately returned; and continued closing, with a constant fire on both sides, till past eight o'clock when her main mast went overboard, and she surrendered. Her mizen mast also went during the night. She proved to be the Saint Carlos of 50 guns, 38 twelve pounders, 16 of which are brass, 12 six pounders, and three hundred ninety seven men. Having on board 12 twenty four pounders brass canons, a quantity of shot and shells, five thousand, ? and of arms etc. The sloop made off in the night. In the action there were four men killed on board the Salisbury, and fourteen wounded, five of which died of their wounds: Mr. Miller the master, much wounded, but is in a fair way of recovery. The Salisbury suffered much in her sails and rigging which was immediately set about repairing, as also in putting into as good a state of sailing, and defence as circumstance would admit of, under the command of Lieutenant Haynes, first Lieutenant of the Salisbury.
Charles Inglis.