stance by a red-hot shot, which lodged in a case of hats stowed very near the magazine.
The Kite subsequently assisted in rescuing the Marquis de la Romana and his patriotic army[1]; on which occasion Captain James’s officially reported to have been “indefatigable in his exertions in the various duties assigned him.”
At 10 P.M., on the 3d Sept. 1808, a few days after Rear-Admiral Keats had sailed for Gottenburgh, with the Spanish troops under his protection, the Kite, then at anchor off Sproe island (Minx gun-brig in company), was attacked by the whole of the enemy’s flotilla, then in the Great Belt, consisting of 22 vessels, each mounting two long 24-pounders, and manned with from 65 to 70 sailors and soldiers ; making a total of 44 guns, and nearly 1500 well-armed men.
Expecting an attack, as it was then nearly calm. Captain James had prepared for such an event, by sheeting home the top-sails, and having every other sail loosed in readiness to be set at a moment’s warning. The cable was immediately cut; but, unfortunately, a gun-boat which he had in charge got under the Kite’s bows, and could not be removed for a considerable time, during which, many of the Danes approached within musket-shot, keeping up a very heavy fire. The Kite at length paid off; but when before the wind, and with top-gallant-sails set, the breeze was so very light that she had scarcely steerage way. The Minx likewise cut, but was unavoidably at too great a distance to render her consort much support, nor was there any possibility of their closing with each other.
At 11 o’clock, being then surrounded by the enemy, and in momentary expectation of their rowing alongside, Captain James had the satisfaction to see one gun-vessel sink, and several others collecting round the spot to pick up her crew. The contents of every gun that could be brought to bear were immediately discharged among them, and from that time the Danes contented themselves with a distant cannonade, until midnight, when they ceased firing altogether; leaving the Kite in a very shattered condition,
