“I should not omit to mention to their Lordships, the admirable conduct of Mr. De Mayne, the Master, who placed the ship so ably at the commencement of the action, and his unremitting assiduity till the enemy kept away. My most grateful thanks are due to Lieutenant Simpson, of the marines, and Mr. John Collman, the Purser, who exerted themselves to the utmost; as well as Mr. Saunders, of the African corps. Having received the greatest assistance from Lieutenant Reeve, invalided from his Majesty’s sloop Kangaroo, who was wounded more than once during the action, I appointed him to act as first Lieutenant of the ship. Mr. Samuel Umfreville, Master’s-Mate, a deserving and valuable officer, as second; and Mr. Edward Robinson, Master’s Mate, who received a severe wound, as third.
“The crippled state of the ship, and deplorable condition of the wounded, having rendered the object, for which I sailed from Sierra Leone, abortive; and having every reason to conclude, that the state of the enemy must have been such, as to have greatly foiled him in his intended operations, he being much cut up about his hull, I thought myself justified in not remaining on the coast, and therefore proceeded, with the intention of touching at Madeira or the Western Islands, for refreshments for the sick, which the badness of the weather prevented, and I arrived here this day.
“I must not omit to report to their Lordships the high sense I entertain of the humane and skilful attention of Mr. Williamson, Surgeon, and Mr. Burke, his Assistant; as also that of Mr. Stewart, late Assistant-Surgeon of the Daring, to the wounded, since this sanguinary conflict.
“I should also state, that although our numbers were apparently strong at the commencement of the action, yet from the length of time we had been on the coast, being much reduced by sickness, we had barely our complement fit for duty, and they much enervated. I have the honor to be, &c.
“John Wilson, Croker, Esq.”
There appears a difference between his letter and one written by Lieutetenant Chads, late of the Java, respecting the Frenchman’s weight of metal; see p. 498.
