“I am sorry to say, we have suffered much from the schooner being able to take a position to annoy us the whole time we were engaged; and it is with sincere concern I have to state the loss of several brave men. The pleasing task now remains to inform you of the gallant support I received from my first lieutenant, Mr. Daniel O’Hea; Mr. John Theed, acting lieutenant; Mr. James Crocker, master; and Mr. Eugene Ryan, purser (who volunteered his services on deck); all of whom are entitled to my greatest praise; also Mr. Cole, master’s-mate, whom I frequently before had occasion to mention in terms of the strongest approbation. Nothing from my pen will ever do justice to the steady gallantry of the brave fellows I had the honor to command; and I have only to regret we were so circumstanced, that their exertions were not crowned with that success that must inevitably have attended, had we been further from the enemy’s shore. I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.
(Signed)“E. R. Sibly.”
“To Captain Josias Rowley, H.M.S. America.”
The Swallow mounted 16 thirty-two-pounder carronades, and 2 long sixes, with the usual boat-gun: her established complement of officers, men, and boys was 120; but she went into action with only 109 on board, of whom 6 were killed and 17 wounded. Her principal opponent carried 14 twenty-four-pounder carronades (French calibre), 2 twelves, 2 long sixes, and 180 men, including many volunteer seamen, and a detachment of soldiers, sent to her from Frejus. The schooner mounted 14 eighteen-pounder carronades and 2 long sixes, and is stated to have had on board 113 persons. The enemy’s total loss must have been very great, for the brig alone, out of her regular crew, had 14 killed and 28 wounded. Several private accounts of this sanguinary action are given in the Naval Chronicle, vol. xxviii, pp. 194–196.
The subject of this memoir subsequently acted as captain of the Blossom, a post-sloop, employed in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar, where he cruised with tolerable success against the American trade, then returning home uninformed of the war with England[1]. On his being superseded in the command of that ship, he returned to the Swallow, the boats of which vessel captured a French government transport, of 4 guns, close to Port d’Anzo, Sept. 16, 1813. The particulars
