with cotton, indigo, &c. During the whole of her career, she was always most actively employed, either in cruising against the enemy; in affording protection to the trade between Nova Scotia, and the West Indies, or in the blockade of the American ports. The following letter was addressed to Captain Hickey, by his ship’s company, in Feb. 1813:–
“Sir,– Perceiving by the Halifax newspaper, that a scandalous report (far from the character of British seamen) has arisen, that the crew of H.M.S. Orpheus, and other ships on this station, would not fight in case of falling in with an American frigate, and having read the letter from the crew of the Orpheus to Lieut. Fayrer, for the information of Captain Pigot[1], the crew of the Atalante do most readily coincide in their comrades’ representation, and their loyal disposition for their King and Country; and beg it may be made known also, that should an opportunity occur, the Atalante will never surrender, even to a superiority of force; that all on board are loyal and true, and have devoted their lives to the service of their beloved Country.”
(Signed by 17 petty and non-commissioned officers).
The subsequent loss of the Atalante, is thus described by Captain Hickey: –
“On Thursday the 4th Nov. 1813, having received orders from Captain Oliver, of H.M.S. Valiant, to proceed to Halifax with despatches, and for the purpose of completing provisions and getting new cables, I sailed from off New London about 10 o’clock in the forenoon, having then not quite 14 days’ provisions on board. At day-light on Monday morning, the land was discovered between Cape Sable and Shelburne, bearing from N.N.W. to N.W. by N., distant about 7 or 8 miles. At 8 A.M. on Monday, the weather became foggy, and we lost sight of the land. At noon, same day, the weather was quite thick and hazy, very little wind between S.S.W. and W.S.W., steered N.E. by E. and N.E. by E.½.E. sounding frequently – made but 24 miles distance in 24 hours, and the soundings corresponding with the chart. The whole of Tuesday thick foggy weather; continued to steer N.E. by E. till 6 P.M., when the course was altered to E.N.E. Moderate breezes, the ship going from 4 to 5 knots, the deep-sea lead kept going every two hours until 4 A.M. on Wednesday, after which it was hove every hour. At day-light on Wednesday, the officer of the watch called me and reported the soundings, to the best of my recollection 61 fathoms: I then judged we must be approaching Sambro light-house, and directed a fog signal-gun to be fired, which I repeated at intervals of fifteen or twenty minutes, the ship going under easy sail (top-sails and jib only), at the rate of four or five knots.
