ters, in which they agreed it was impossible to get the ship off: having the same report yesterday from Captain Curtis, and that his men were falling fast, I ordered Magicienne to be abandoned and burnt; and as the enemy’s frigates cannot get off, I thought it most prudent to preserve l’Isle de la Passe, by warping Iphigenia for its support; and having no prospect of any other immediate protection, I considered it most advisable to quit my own ship, then within shot of all the enemy’s posts and squadron, and only able to return their fire from two guns[1]. After seeing every man safe from Sirius, Lieutenant Watling and myself set her on fire; and, I trust, Sir, although my enterprise has been truly unfortunate, that no possible blame can be attached to any one: never did captains, officers, and men, go into action with a greater certainty of victory; and, I do aver, that if I could have got alongside of Bellone, all the enemy’s ships would have been in our possession in less than half an hour. My ship being burnt, I have given up the command to Captain Lambert, and have recommended his supporting and protecting this island with Iphigenia, and the ships’ companies of Sirius and Magicienne. Provisions and water will immediately be wanted.
“I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)S. Pym.”
We have already stated that Captain Lambert was obliged to capitulate to the Port Louis squadron, on the 28th of the same month[2]: la Nereide’s glorious defence is thus described by one of Captain Willoughby’s commissioned officers, in a letter to the author:
“The French force in India was now divided, and it was considered expedient instantly to make an attack, as the enemy lay exposed, except from the difficulties of the navigation; they were moored, mth springs on their cables, in the form of a crescent, and supported hy two flanking batteries.
- ↑ The Magicienne’s total loss amounted to 8 killed and 20 wounded. La Bellone hove herself off on the 26th Aug., and the other French ships were also afloat by noon on the 27th. The Sirius, if actually, “within shot of all the enemy’s posts and squadron,” was wonderfully fortunate, for she had not an officer or man hurt from the beginning to the end of the business.
- ↑ See Vol. II. Part II. p. 718; and at p. 717 make the following correction:– for used every effort to prevent the French squadron from entering the harbour, read succeeded in decoying the enemy into the port.
