JAMES BLACK, Esq.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
[Post-Captain of 1813.]
Obtained the rank of lieutenant July 20, 1799; and was wounded on board the Mars 74, Captain George Duff, at the memorable battle of Trafalgar[1]. His commission as commander bears date Sept 8, 1810; at which period he was appointed to the Port d’Espagne sloop. We next find him in the Weazle brig, of 18 guns, on the Mediterranean station.
On the 22d April, 1813, at day-light, the island of Zirona then bearing W.S.W., distant about 4 miles. Captain Black discovered an enemy’s convoy close to the main land, making for the ports of Tran and Spalatro, to which he immediately gave chase. As he neared them, the merchant vessels separated, the greater part, together with 10 gun-boats, bearing up for the bay of Boscaline; these he continued in pursuit of under all sail: at 5-30 A.M. they anchored in a line about a mile from the shore, hoisted French colours, and commenced firing at the Weazle; the wind blowing strong at S.E. directly into the bay, her sails and rigging were considerably damaged before she could close with them; and seeing the enemy erecting batteries on shore. Captain Black was at first unwilling to go close in, but at six he anchored with springs upon his cable within pistol-shot of the enemy, and commenced action with them: they stood his fire for about 20 minutes, when the whole cut, ran closer to the shore, and again opened theirs; their increased distance was now too great for the Weazle’s carronades to have their proper effect; – she therefore cut, ran within half-pistol shot, and renewed the fight: the enemy then opened their fire from three heavy guns on shore placed at the distance of 30 yards apart, and from 200 or 300 muskets on the heights immediately over her: she continued engaged in this manner until 10 o’clock, when three of the gun-boats struck their colours, two were driven on shore, and one was sent to the bottom. The remainder were soon reinforced by four vessels of similar
