In March 1808, Captain Shirreff assisted at the capture of Deseada, – a service thus described by his senior officer, in a letter to Sir Alexander Cochrane:
“On the 29th instant I weighed from Marie Galante, with the vessels named in the margin[1]; and on the 30th, at 3-30 P.M., the boats, under the command of Captain Shirreff, with a detachment of seamen and marines from each vessel, under their respective commanders (who gallantly volunteered their services on the occasion), stood towards the shore, which was defended by a battery of two 9-pounders, completely commanding the narrow entrance of the harbour, together with ihe national troops and militia, amounting to about 70 men, who opened their fire upon the boats, when I found it necessary to anchor the squadron with springs on the cables, and commence a cannonading, which soon silenced them, and at 4 o’clock the French flag was struck; the boats landed at 4-30, hoisted the British flag, and the whole island surrendered without further opposition. I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, that this capture has been effected without loss; the commandant, national officers, and troops, are made prisoners of war, and the militia have laid down their arms.
“I should not do justice to the merit of Captain Shirreff, were I not to express in the highest terms my entire approbation of his conduct, together with that of Captain (William) Ward, and all the officers and men employed on this service.
The inhabitants of Deseada having generally taken the oath of neutrality, and their batteries, containing 3 long 24-pounders, 4 nines, and 2 sixes being destroyed, Sir Alexander Cochrane did not leave any force on that island, but stationed the Lily, Express, and Mosambique there for its protection from the enemy’s cruisers, as well as to prevent the arrival of any troops from Guadaloupe. On the 21st of the following month, Captain Shirreff’s little squadron captured le Jean Jacques, French letter of marque, pierced for 18 guns, but with only 6 long 9-pounders mounted. This vessel had been sent from Bourdeaux for the express purpose of cruising in the Caribbean seas; and from her superior sailing, she would most likely have proved a great annoyance to the British mer-
