This affair occurred March 5, 1800; and from that period until Feb. 19th, in the following year, we find no particular mention of Captain Barlow. On the latter day, being near Gibraltar, he discovered an enemy’s frigate close to Ceuta, steering under a press of sail to the eastward. At 7h 30’ P.M., he had the good fortune to bring her to close action, which was maintained with unremitting fury within pistol-shot about two hours; the French commander resolutely opposing the animated and skilful exertions of Captain Barlow, until his ship was almost a wreck, with five feet water in her hold, several of her guns dismounted, and her decks encumbered with dead and dying men. At length she surrendered, and proved to be l’Africaine of 44 guns and 315 men, besides 400 troops and artificers, under the command of General Desfourneaux, having on board 6 brass field-pieces, several thousand stand of arms, and a great quantity of ammunition, from Rochefort bound to Egypt.
The tremendous and well-directed fire from the Phoebe, was productive of dreadful slaughter on board l’Africaine, whose loss amounted to 200 men, including M. de Saunier, Chief of Division, with many of the principal sea and land officers slain, and 143 wounded[1].
The Phoebe, although her net complement, including 18 boys, was 261, had sailed from Cork 7 men short, and had since manned and sent to Gibraltar one recaptured vessel, and another detained under suspicious circumstances; so that the total number on board was only 239. Of these but 1 man was slain, and 12 wounded.
For his courage and excellent conduct on this occasion, Captain Barlow was deservedly rewarded with the honor of knighthood, June 16, 1801, and soon after appointed to the Triumph of 74 guns; in which ship he served on the Mediterranean station until the latter end of the year 1804, when she returned to England, and was put out of commission. In the autumn of 1805, Sir Robert obtained the command of the London, a second rate, from whence he was removed into the Barfleur, a ship of the same class, some time previous
- ↑ A return to this effect, signed by her commander, Captain Majeadie, whose name appears in the latter list, was presented to Captain Barlow; but the former officer at the same time stated, that the report probably fell short of the actual loss sustained, especially in killed.
