"Raleigh" was one of the
twelve-pounder frigates built under the naval Act of 1775. With her
consort the "Alfred," she left the American coast in the summer of
1777, bound for France, in search of naval stores that were there
awaiting transportation to the United States. Both vessels were
short-handed.

On the 2d of September the two vessels overhauled and captured the
snow "Nancy," from England, bound for the West Indies. Her captain
reported that he had sailed from the West Indies with a fleet of sixty
merchantmen, under the convoy of four small men-of-war, the "Camel,"
the "Druid," the "Weasel," and the "Grasshopper." The poor sailing
qualities of the "Nancy" had forced her to drop behind, and the fleet
was then about a day in advance of her.

Crowding on all canvas, the two American ships set out in hot pursuit.
From the captain of the "Nancy" Capt. Thompson of the "Raleigh" had
obtained all the signals in use in the fleet of Indiamen. The next
morning the fleet was made out; and the "Raleigh" and the "Alfred"
exchanged signals, as though they were part of the convoy. They hung
about the outskirts of the fleet until dark, planning, when the night
should fall, to make a dash into the enemy's midst, and cut out the
chief armed vessel.

But at nightfall the wind changed, so that the plan of the Americans
was defeated. At daylight, however, the wind veered round and
freshened, so that the "Raleigh," crowding on more sail, was soon in
the very centre of the enemy's fleet. The "Alfred," unfortunately,
being unable to carry so great a spread of canvas, was left behind;
and the "Raleigh" remained to carry out alone her daring adventure.

The "Raleigh" boldly steered straight into the midst of the British
merchantmen, exchanging signals with some, and hailing others. Her
ports were lowered, and her guns on deck housed, so that there
appeared about her nothing to indicate her true character. Having
cruised about amid the merchantmen, she drew up alongside the nearest
man-of-war, and when within pistol-shot, suddenly ran up her flag,
threw open her ports, and commanded the enemy to strike.

All was confusion on board the British vessel. Her officers had never
for a moment suspected the "Raleigh" of being other than one of their
own fleet. While they stood aghast, not even keeping the vessel on her
course, the "Raleigh" poured in a broadside. The British responded
faintly with a few guns. Deliberately the Americans let f