ment was, May 29, 1809, to the Sheerwater a 10-gun brig, fitting at Chatham for the Mediterranean station.
An attempt made by a division of the Toulon fleet to cut off the Sheerwater, while she was employed in watching a French convoy at Bandol, on the 20th July, 1810, has been noticed at p. 650 of Vol. I. Part II. The gallant and steady manner in which she was conducted on that occasion, particularly while under the fire of two of the enemy’s ships, was viewed with no small degree of admiration by all the inshore squadron, and obtained for Captain Sibly, his officers, and crew, the highest encomiums from their Commander-in-chief.
In Dec. 1810, Captain Sibly assumed the command of the Swallow brig; and on the 26th July, 1811, he captured, near Sicily, la Belle Genoise privateer, of 2 guns and 37 men. The following is his official account of an action between the Swallow and two French national vessels, dated off Frejus, June 16, 1812:–
“Sir,– In pursuance of your directions by signal yesterday to look out, W. by S., and information by telegraph of a convoy being at anchor, off the islands of St. Margarittas, I used every exertion to get to the westward; and at day-light this morning saw them under weigh, protected by a brig of the largest class, a schooner, and several gun-boats; H.M. sloop under my command was then becalmed.
“The enemy’s brig and schooner made all sail towards us, having a light breeze in shore, apparently with intention of bringing us to action; but on our getting a breeze, about 6 A.M., they hauled their wind, tacked, and used every exertion by sweeps and boats to avoid us; which they effected, and stood towards Frejus. My hopes were now small of their giving us a meeting; but a little after noon, the breeze freshening, they again stood off, and being on opposite tacks, we neared each other fast, the schooner keeping a little to windward of her consort. Being now certain of weathering the brig, at 1 P.M. I closed, passing her to windward within 30 yards, and wore close under her stern, in the hope of keeping her head off shore; but, unfortunately, our head-braces being shot away, I was not able to keep so close as I intended, by which means he got his head in-shore in spite of all my efforts; and I had the mortification, after a close action of about 40 minutes, to be obliged to haul off, to avoid the enemy’s batteries on shore, my opponents making all sail in shore. I have no hesitation in saying, the enemy was completely beaten, his fire having slackened so much, that but a single gun was fired from him, while we were in the act of wearing off shore.
