“It affords me particular pleasure to inform you, Sir, that this exploit was performed without any loss on our part, two men only being slightly wounded. I have been rather more circumstantial in this detail, than perhaps the mere capture of a privateer justifies, but I feel I should not do justice to the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Forrest, the judgment he exhibited, and the brave and cool conduct of the petty officers and men under his command, which he speaks of in high terms, had I neglected relating every circumstance that took place, which has excited admiration and emulation in the breasts of the spectators; and I must beg to add, that the general conduct of this officer, ever since he has been under my command, has been such as to entitle him to my approbation. The captured schooner, whose name I can only guess at from a letter found on board, the only paper left, is the Mosambique, pierced for 14 guns, with 10 eighteen-pounder carronades mounted; she is from Guadaloupe, and fitted for a three months’ cruise, to all appearance perfectly new, copper-bottomed and fastened, sails apparently well, and seems calculated for the King’s service.
(Signed)“James O’Bryen.”
“To Commodore Hood.”
The subject of this memoir was made a Commander Jan. 22, 1806; and in the following year we find him regulating the Impress, and acting as agent for prisoners of war, at North Yarmouth. His next appointment was to the Prometheus sloop of war.
The capture of three Russian gun-vessels, each mounting 2 long 18-pounders, and an armed transport, by a detachment of boats under the orders of Captain Forrest, at Fredericsham, in the Gulph of Finland, is thus officially described by the senior officer of the squadron to which the Prometheus was at that time attached.
“H.M.S. Princess Carolina, Aspo, July 26, 1809.
