DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0202
176 ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FRENCH FLEET.
world. He appeared concerned at my early misfortunes
in life, and promoted me immediately to be his principal
cabin boy, in which capacity I continued to serve him until
our fleet came within sight of the enemy.
Three months after my coming on board the
Brunswick, our fleet fell in with that of the French,
which brought on the ever memorable action of the 1st
of June; an event which will ever be remembered with
heartfelt satisfaction by the brave fellows who shared the
toils of that auspicious day, and indeed by every lover of
our glorious constitution and country. I cannot enter
into a minute description of the action, being in the first
part so busily engaged, and in the latter so much wound-
ed ; and shall, in consequence, commit a description of
the part our gallant crew took in this exploit by what I
afterwards was informed while lying under cure of the
wounds I got while employed on board a ship, the glory
of every one who had the felicity of belonging to her, I
mean “ the Brunswick.”
This ship sustained a most tremendous conflict, being
singly engaged for a considerable time with three seventy-
fours. One of these she sent to the bottom; another,
conceiving her much weakened from her exertions, de-
termined to board, and manned her yards and shrouds,
with a view of running up along-side, and flinging in all
her crew at once. She observing this, with the greatest
intrepidity and coolness, reserved a whole broadside, and
waited her approach. The enemy now drew near, and in
one discharge the Brunswick brought every mast by the
board, and scattered her crew" like so many mice upon
the ocean. The other seventy-four yet remained, and
now attempted to close with the Brunswick, harassed
and enfeebled by her amazing efforts. At this moment
the Ramillies, commanded by Captain Hervey’s brother,
came up, and running in between the Brunswick and the
Frenchman,
world. He appeared concerned at my early misfortunes
in life, and promoted me immediately to be his principal
cabin boy, in which capacity I continued to serve him until
our fleet came within sight of the enemy.
Three months after my coming on board the
Brunswick, our fleet fell in with that of the French,
which brought on the ever memorable action of the 1st
of June; an event which will ever be remembered with
heartfelt satisfaction by the brave fellows who shared the
toils of that auspicious day, and indeed by every lover of
our glorious constitution and country. I cannot enter
into a minute description of the action, being in the first
part so busily engaged, and in the latter so much wound-
ed ; and shall, in consequence, commit a description of
the part our gallant crew took in this exploit by what I
afterwards was informed while lying under cure of the
wounds I got while employed on board a ship, the glory
of every one who had the felicity of belonging to her, I
mean “ the Brunswick.”
This ship sustained a most tremendous conflict, being
singly engaged for a considerable time with three seventy-
fours. One of these she sent to the bottom; another,
conceiving her much weakened from her exertions, de-
termined to board, and manned her yards and shrouds,
with a view of running up along-side, and flinging in all
her crew at once. She observing this, with the greatest
intrepidity and coolness, reserved a whole broadside, and
waited her approach. The enemy now drew near, and in
one discharge the Brunswick brought every mast by the
board, and scattered her crew" like so many mice upon
the ocean. The other seventy-four yet remained, and
now attempted to close with the Brunswick, harassed
and enfeebled by her amazing efforts. At this moment
the Ramillies, commanded by Captain Hervey’s brother,
came up, and running in between the Brunswick and the
Frenchman,