ed to Portsmouth, bringing specie to the amount of 820,000 dollars, Jan. 31, 1826; and was paid off at Woolwich on the last day of the following month.
Agents.– Messrs, Stilwell.
ALEXANDER SHIPPARD, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1806.]
The first mention we find of this officer is contained in the following official letter from Captain Robert Honyman to Lord Keith, dated off Boulogne, Oct. 31, 1803:
“My Lord,– I have the honor to acquaint you, that this morning at 9 o’clock, six of the enemy’s sloops, some of them armed, under convoy of a large gun-brig, were discovered coming out of Staples, and standing to the eastward towards Boulogne; I immediately made the Harpy’s signal, as well as the Lark’s, to chase in that direction. The Admiral Mitchell cutter I perceived off Boulogne, and Lieutenant Shippard, her commander, immediately ran down within musket-shot, and commenced a very spirited and well-directed attack upon the brigs and sloops, which he continued in the most gallant manner for two hours and a half, driving the brig and one of the sloops on the rocks. I have great pleasure in bearing testimony to the intrepidity which was displayed in attacking so superior a force, especially when under cover of their numerous batteries on shore, and feel myself bound injustice to Lieutenant Shippard, for his gallant conduct this day, to recommend him to your lordship as an officer highly deserving every thing I can say in his favour. I enclose his report to me, and am sorry to perceive he has suffered so considerably: I also regret the strong winds off shore prevented the squadron from rendering that assbtance we were all anxious to do. I have the honor to be, &c.
Lieutenant Shippard’s report informs us that a shell fell on board his cutter, which wounded her mast and cross-jack-yard in several places; also that she was repeatedly hulled, and one of her guns dismounted by the enemy’s shot. The French brig is said by him to have mounted “twelve 32-pounders,” whereas the Admiral Mitchell had only an equal number of twelves. The complement of the latter did not exceed 35 men, 2 of whom were badly, and 2 slightly wounded.
The gallant and determined conduct of Lieutenant Shippard, which called forth such pointed commendation from Captain Honyman, and also obtained him his commander-in-chief’s
