two sail, and after an hour’s chase closed with the nearest, which sustained the Melampus’s fire for 20 minutes, without offering the least resistance, and then surrendered. She proved to be la Resolue, of 40 guns and 500 men, (including troops embarked on board her for the purpose of joining the rebels in Ireland,) 10 of whom were killed, and several wounded. Her companion, the Immortalité, of 42 guns, was afterwards taken by the Fisgard. On the 15th April, 1799, Captain Moore captured le Papillon French privateer, a fine vessel, mounting 10 long nines, and 4 brass 36-pounder carronades, with a complement of 123 men. Three days afterwards he chased le Nantois, a private ship of war, of 14 guns and 150 men, which overset, and all on board perished. In the succeeding year, the Melampus was ordered to the West Indies, where she continued during the remainder of the war[1].
Soon after the renewal of hostilities against France, in 1803, Captain Moore obtained the command of the Indefatigable, of 46 guns, in which ship he was for some time employed on Channel service.
In the month of Sept. 1804, government having received information that orders had been given for arming the Spanish navy, and that the French General Bournonville had received permission to march through Spain towards Ferrol with 1,500 sailors and artillery-men, for the purpose of manning the ships lying at that port, the British Minister at Madrid was instructed to remonstrate with the Spanish government; to require the immediate recall of all orders for the equipment of any maritime force; and in the event of not receiving a satisfactory answer, to leave that capital without delay. At the same time orders were given to prevent any Spanish ships of war from entering into or sailing from Ferrol, and to detain all vessels having specie on board.
On the 5th of the following month, Captain Moore, who had been detached from the Channel fleet to cruize for the treasure-ships then expected from South America, being off
- ↑ In addition to the captures already mentioned, Captain Moore, whilst commanding the Melampus, appears to have taken the following privateers; Le Rayon, 6 guns, 54 men; le Mercure, 16 guns, 103 men; a Spanish felucca, 1 gun, 35 men; and assisted at the capture of la Belliqueux, of 18 guns, and 120 men.
