paign, was left off Genoa to blockade la Vestale, a French frigate, of 36 guns; la Brune, of 32 guns; two brigs, mounting 16 guns each; several cutters, gun-boats, &c.
Notwithstanding this immense disparity of force[1], it was not until the fifteenth day after his arrival off that port, that Captain Macnamara had the satisfaction of seeing them venture out. The weather was at this time extremely hazy, and the wind blowing hard. Running the Southampton close aboard of la Vestale, he soon compelled her to surrender; but when about to take possession, his mizen-mast went by the board, of which, and the increasing density of the atmosphere, the enemy took advantage, re-hoisted her colours, and went off before the wind after her companions.
Chagrined as Captain Macnamara was at this event, it was not long before another opportunity offered of distinguishing himself. On the evening of June 9, 1796, the present veteran Admiral of the Fleet, at that time Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, discovered a French cruizer working into Hieres bay, near Toulon; and immediately singling out the Southampton, called her commander on board the Victory, pointed the enemy’s ship out, and directed him to make a dash at her through the Grand Passe. The Southampton was instantly under weigh, and passed the batteries on the N.E. end of Porquerol island, in view of the British fleet, which, with agonizing suspense witnessed the boldness of an attempt, that scarcely any thing but complete success could have justified. Sir John Jervis, on this occasion, even refused to give a written order for the undertaking; he only said to Captain Macnamara, “bring out the enemy’s ship if you can; I’ll give you no written order; but I direct you to take care of the King’s ship under your command.” This enterprise was executed in a most masterly manner, and, as the Admiral’s letter expresses it, with “admirable skill and alacrity.”
It is impossible to do justice to the merit of those employed in this achievement. A better idea of its formidable nature cannot be given, than by Captain Macnamara’s public letter to Sir J. Jervis.
- ↑ The Southampton was only a 32-gun frigate.
