Vice-Admiral Sawyer’s squadron had by this time been reinforced by several frigates, and he had sent them to join the Shannon at Long Island. Captain Broke was on the point of sailing again, when Sir John B. Warren arrived from England and assumed the chief command. Intelligence being received soon after of the wreck of the Barbadoes on Sable Island[1], the Shannon was despatched to bring off the crew and specie saved from her; which service being performed in company with the Bream schooner, she again returned to Halifax, bringing with her an enemy’s privateer taken on the way. During a subsequent cruise with the Tenedos, Nymphe, and Curlew, under his orders, Captain Broke intercepted the Thorn, American brig privateer, of 18 long 9-pounders and 140 men, and recaptured a British merchant vessel.
Sir John B. Warren resolving to spend the winter at Bermuda, Captain Broke was left in charge of the naval force stationed on the coasts of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and New England. In December he escorted a homeward bound fleet half way across the Atlantic; and being impeded in his return by adverse winds, went round the Azores, but without having the good fortune to meet with an enemy. On the 21st March 1813, he was joined by Captains Oliver and Capel, in the Valiant and la Hogue 74’s, when the former officer relieved him in the command of the northern stations.
The Shannon and Tenedos soon after separated from the squadron in a gale, and steered for Boston, which port they reconnoitred on the 2nd April. Observing the American ship Congress ready for sea, the President nearly so, and the Constitution under repair, they then returned to the rendezvous to make their report. It was at this time that the ill-fated Chesapeake got into Boston through the eastern channel.
The Commodore having taken a station off New York, and left Captain Capel in command of the squadron before
- ↑ See Captain Thomas Huskisson.
company with the Shannon, the latter on the 28th August. Left thus by himself, Captain Broke maintained his station off the enemy’s coast; and previous to his departure from thence compelled the Essex of 46 guns and 328 men to seek for safety in an ignominious flight.
