North Sea. On the 25th July, he fell in with the Freya, a Danish frigate, convoying several merchant vessels near Ostend. Captain Baker hailed her, and intimated his intention of sending a boat to examine them. The Danish commander replied, that if such an attempt was made, he would fire into the boat. Captain Baker, however, persisted, and the Freya immediately fired several shot, which missing the boat, struck the Nemesis, and killed 1 man. A most spirited action ensued, and lasted for about twenty-five minutes, when the Danish frigate being much crippled, and having 8 men killed and wounded, struck her colors. The whole of the vessels were then conducted into the Downs.
A question immediately arose between the British and Danish courts, on the right of searching neutral vessels under convoy; the former maintaining that armed vessels escorting fleets, afforded no security against their carrying illegal cargoes; and the latter asserting that such inspection was not warranted by precedent, the best assurance for such fleet containing no warlike stores being its sailing under the flag of the neutral country. A temporary adjustment of the affair was effected by Lord Whitworth, who had proceeded to Denmark, supported by a strong squadron under Vice-Admiral Dickson; notwithstanding which, a confederacy was formed by the northern powers against Great Britain, and the respective parties prepared for that state of warfare which was terminated by the battle off Copenhagen, on the glorious 2d April, 1801.
Captain Baker’s next appointment was to the Phoebe, of 36 guns, on the Irish station; and on the renewal of hostilities against France, in 1803, he obtained the command of the Phoenix, of the same force, in which ship he had the good fortune, Aug. 10, 1805, to capture la Didon, a remarkably fine French frigate, of 44 guns and 330 men. The action commenced at 9h 15' A.M., and lasted three hours, within pistol-shot. The superiority of la Didon’s sailing, added to the adroit manoeuvres of her commander, convinced Captain Baker of the skill and gallantry he should have to contend with, which was fully evinced by the stubborn defence of the ship, until she became a perfect wreck. The loss sustained by the Phoenix in this conflict was 12 kill-
