ship, and after an hour’s running fight, brought her to close action, which lasted for 25 minutes, when the Fisgard became perfectly ungovernable, the whole of her running rigging being cut to pieces. The enemy taking advantage of her crippled situation, endeavoured to make off; but by the active exertions of the Fisgard’s officers and crew, in replacing the damages, she was soon enabled to close with her opponent, and renewed the battle with great spirit and resolution, which terminated in an hour and 50 minutes, by the surrender of l’Immortalité, a fine new frigate, mounting 42 guns, 24-pounders on the main-deck, and long nines, with 42-pounder carronades on the quarter-deck and forecastle. She was one of the squadron that composed the expedition to Ireland[1], and had on board 580 men, including troops, of which number her brave Commander, his First Lieutenant, General Menage a passenger, 7 other officers, and 44 men were killed, and 61 wounded. The Fisgard, whose crew was new and inexperienced, had 10 men slain and 26 wounded.
Subsequent to this event, Captain Martin was placed under the orders of Sir John B. Warren, and employed in various services on the coast of France, among which the following are the most important: On the morning of June 23, 1800, an attack was made by the boats of the squadron, under the immediate directions of Captain Martin, on some armed and other vessels in Quimper river. Two parties of marines were landed, one on each bank of the river, in order to protect the boats in the execution of this service, which were going on with expedition to the attack; but it was then found that the enemy had removed to an inaccessible height up the river. The British then immediately landed, and stormed and blew up three batteries, on which were mounted seven 24-pounders, together with their magazines.
On the 1st of the following month, the Commodore having been informed that a ship of war and a number of merchant vessels were lying within the island of Noirmoutier, destined for Brest, resolved to attempt their destruction. Captain Martin was appointed to head and direct this enterprise; and
