with the sweeps, I had the mortification, about twelve o’clock, to see her fire several guns at our prize that we had taken the day before. Owing to the good conduct of the master, 12 men who were on board the prize battened down 26 Spaniards, and made their escape in a small boat. At day-light a breeze of wind sprung up, which enabled us to fetch her. At eight o’clock, she being within gun-shot, tacked, and made all sail from us, rowing with her sweeps at the same time. We chased her until noon, when they, finding she had the heels of us, shortened sail, wore, and stood towards us, with a red flag flying at the main-top-gallant-mast head. At half-past twelve, being within pistol-shot, we began to engage her, with the wind upon the larboard quarter. At two, observing her fire to slacken, I thought it a good opportunity to lay her on board; but at that instant she wore, and came to the wind on the starboard tack: finding us close upon her starboard quarter, and from our braces and bow-lines being shot away, our yards becoming square, she took the opportunity to put before the wind, and made all sail from us. We immediately wore after her, firing musketry at each other for 20 minutes, and so soon as the lower-masts were secured, set our studding-sails, and continued the chase until seven P.M. when we lost sight from her superior sailing. I then hauled our wind, and made short tacks all night to fall in with our prize; at day-light saw her to windward; at ten P.M. retook her, with 10 Frenchmen on board. I learn from the prizemaster, the brig is called the Papillon, 360 tons burthen, pierced for 18 guns, mounting 14, four 12 and ten 9 pounders, manned with 160 men. We had 5 men killed and 4 badly wounded. I have to regret the loss of Lieutenant Button, and Mr. Johnson, Boatswain, amongst the killed. I beg leave to recommend to your Lordship’s notice Mr. Marshall, Master, for his good conduct during the action. Every praise is due to the ship’s company for their good behaviour. As all our lower-masts, bowsprit, main-boom, both topmasts, and most of the yards were shot through, with all the standing and running rigging cut, I thought proper to put into Lisbon to repair our damage.
“Hugh Downman.”
The credit which our officer acquired on this and other occasions was such, that he received the thanks of the British Factory at Oporto, accompanied by a piece of plate, value 50l. as an acknowledgment of his services, and a token of their gratitude. In the course of the same year, we find him commanding the Santa Dorothea frigate. His post-commission bears date Dec. 26, 1798.
Amongst the captures made by Captain Downman while commanding the Santa Dorothea, we find the San Leon, a Spanish brig of 16 long six-pounders and 88 men[1]; a brig laden with wheat, and the Santa Anna of 10 guns: the two
- ↑ The Strombolo, Perseus, and Bull Dog, assisted at this capture.
