from Brest, but which had altered its course and entered the Mediterranean. He returned to England June 22, 1802, and in the month of August following, was appointed to the Sirius frigate, in which, on the renewal of hostilities in 1803, he made several valuable captures.
During the summer of 1805, the Sirius was employed in watching the port of Ferrol; and in the encounter between Sir Robert Calder’s fleet, to which she was attached, and the combined squadrons of France and Spain[1], had 2 men killed and 3 wounded. Captain Prowse was afterwards placed under the orders of Lord Nelson, and was one of the last persons with whom that great commander ever conversed, being with him on board the Victory for several hours previous to the commencement of the battle of Trafalgar, and remaining by his side until within gun-shot of the enemy’s line[2].
Our officer was subsequently employed in the Mediterranean, under the orders of Lord Collingwood, to whose favorable notice he recommended himself by his exertion and zeal on many occasions, but particularly by the gallantry evinced by him, April 17, 1806, in attacking a very formidable flotilla of the enemy off the mouth of the Tiber, and compelling the French Commodore to surrender.
The flotilla consisted of one ship, three brigs, and five heavy gun-vessels, mounting on the whole 76 long guns, and 21 carronades (2 of which were 68-pounders) . These vessels, when attacked by Captain Prowse, were lying to in compact order of battle, within two leagues of the mouth of the river, and near a dangerous shoal. The action was commenced within pistol-shot, and continued with great vigour on both sides for two hours, when the ship struck her colours. It being now 9 P.M. and the Sirius much crippled, owing to the smoothness of the water having enabled the enemy to use their guns with the greatest effect, Captain Prowse was prevented from pursuing the others, a circumstance much regretted by him, as several were greatly disabled previous to their sheering off, and had it been day-light would most probably have shared the fate of their leader. The prize proved to be la Bergere, of 18 long 12 pounders, 1 30-pounder carronade, and 189 men; a remarkably fine vessel, commanded
