by John Marshall

“ 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. ”

“ Fortunately, being so small an object, she was hit by only one shot, a 48-pounder, which struck one of her guns, and then split into three pieces, but providentially did not injure a man. This was the first act of decided hostility committed against Great Britain; and on the 15th of the following month, Captain Barlow, being off Gravelines, captured le Patriote privateer, the first armed vessel taken from the French republic. ”

“ Captain Barlow obtained post rank May 24, 1793; commanded the Pegasus of 28 guns, one of the repeating frigates to Earl Howe’s fleet, on the memorable 1st June, 1794 [1] ; and subsequently the Aquilon and Phoebe frigates, the latter mounting 44 guns, with a complement of 261 men.
His appointment to the latter ship was in Dec. 1795; and on the 10th Jan. 1797, he captured l’Atalante, a French corvette of 16 guns [2] . On the 21st Dec. following, being on a cruise to the westward, he discovered and immediately pursued an enemy’s frigate ”