Madagascar, May 20, 1811[1]. The Eurotas, on the contrary, had not been ten months in commission; and although her guns were of larger calibre than la Clorinde’s, those on the main-deck were by no means so effective: she was also greatly inferior to the enemy in physical strength, there being an unusually large proportion of boys among her crew. Lord Keith’s opinion of the manner in which she was manoeuvred and fought is thus expressed, in a letter addressed to Captain Phillimore, dated at Plymouth, Mar. 2, 1814:–
“I have had the honor to receive your letter of yesterday’s date, giving an account of the capture of la Clorinde French frigate, after a most severe conflict between her and the ship you command. I have not failed to represent to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the action reflects the highest honor upon your own bravery and professional skill, and upon that of your officers and ship’s company. You will be pleased to acquaint them, that I most highly approve of the zeal and good conuct which they have shewn on this occasion; and while I regret exceedingly that you have been so severely wounded, I entertain a flattering hope that his Majesty’s service, and the country at large, will not long be deprived of your valuable services.
Captain Phillimore was nominated a C.B. June 4, 1815; appointed to the William and Mary yacht, April 13, 1820; and knighted by Earl Talbot, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whilst in attendance upon the Viceroy. His next appointment was, Mar. 15, 1823, to the Thetis of 46 guns; in which frigate he sailed for Mexico, with the commissioners appointed to enquire into the political state of that country, Oct. 19, in the same year; and returned to Plymouth, bringing 400,000 dollars and 300 bales of cochineal, from the Havannah, Mar. 18, 1824.
In May following, intelligence having been received of the defeat and death of Sir Charles M‘Carthy, commanding H.M. troops on the western coast of Africa, Sir John Phillimore was despatched thither, with a detachment of the Royal African corps, and supplies for Cape Coast Castle, where he arrived at a very critical period; the Ashantees having just encamped close to the town, and an attack from them being hourly expected.
