"`Sir,--I have the honour to acquaint you that, on the night of the
10th of November, cruising in the Channel, with the wind from South
East, and foggy, a large vessel hove in sight, on our weather bow.'

"You see, I didn't say we perceived a vessel, for that would not have
been correct.

"`As she evidently did not perceive us, we continued our course
towards her; the men were summoned to their quarters, and, in a very
short time, were ready to uphold the honour of the English flag. The
first collision between the two vessels was dreadful; but she
contrived to disengage herself, and we were therefore prevented
carrying her by boarding. After repeated broadsides, to which, in her
disabled and confused state, she could make no return, she gradually
increased her distance; still, she had remained in our hands, a proud
trophy--I say, still she had been a proud trophy--had not the unequal
collision'--[it was a very unequal collision, for she was a much
smaller vessel than we were]--`carried away our foreyard, cat-head,
fore-top-gallant mast, jibboom, and dolphin-striker, and rendered us,
from the state of our rigging, a mere wreck. Favoured by the thick
fog and darkness of the night, I regret that, after all our efforts,
she contrived to escape, and the spoils of victory were wrested from
us after all our strenuous exertions in our country's cause.

"`When all performed their duty in so exemplary a manner, it would be
unfair, and, indeed, invidious, to particularise, still, I cannot
refrain from mentioning the good conduct of Mr Smith, my first
lieutenant; Mr Bowles, my second lieutenant; Mr Chabb, my worthy
master; Mr Jones and Mr James, master's mates; Messrs. Hall, Small,
Ball, and Pall, midshipmen; and Messrs. Sweet and Sharp, volunteers.
I also received every assistance from Mr Grulf, the purser, who
offered his services, and I cannot omit the conduct of Mr Spikeman,
clerk. I am also highly indebted to the attention and care shown by
Mr Thorn, surgeon, who is so well supported in his duties by Mr
Green, assistant-surgeon, of this ship. The activity of Mr Bruce,
the boatswain, was deserving of the highest encomiums; and it would be
an act of injustice not to notice the zeal of Mr Bile, the carpenter,
and Mr Sponge, gunner of the ship. James Anderson, quarter-master,
received a severe contusion, but is now doing well; I trust I shall
not be c