by John Marshall

“ Towards the close of 1798, or early in 1799, Lieutenant Brenton was promoted to the command of the Speedy, a brig mounting fourteen 4-pounders, with a complement of 60 men. On the 9th Aug. in the latter year, he chased three of the enemy’s armed vessels into a small bay, near Cape de Gatt, where they moored in a close line, within a boat’s length of the beach. The Speedy engaged them an hour and three quarters under sail, before she could gain soundings, although not more than a cable’s length distant from the rocks ”

“ At day-light on the 3d, he had the pleasure of seeing the enemy’s squadron, accompanied by eight Neapolitan gunboats, each carrying one 24-pounder and 40 men, standing towards the Spartan in a close line. At 7h 56' A.M., he exchanged broadsides with the Ceres, then within pistol-shot, and soon after, passing along their line, cut off the Achilles and gun-boats from the main body. This obliged the enemy’s frigate, corvette, and brig, to wear for the purpose of renewing their junction; in which attempt they were foiled by the Spartan taking her station on their weather beam. ”

“ Two strong forts in the neighbourhood immediately opened their fire upon her, and were soon assisted by a division of gun-vessels from the road, including two heavy brigs. Every thing that men could do, both to extricate their ship from her perilous situation, and to employ effectively the few guns that could be brought to bear, was done by Captain Brenton, his officers and crew. ”

“ On the 2d of the following month, the Spartan and Mercury blew up the castle of Ceseratico, destroyed a battery of two 4-pounders, burnt a large vessel laden with iron, captured twelve others, partly laden with grain, and brought off a great quantity of hemp and iron, which had been collected in the magazines. ”

“ Rear-Admiral Duckworth, in reporting this affair to the Admiralty, said, “It is but justice to Captain Brenton to observe, that his exertions and gallantry at all opportunities, do him the highest honor.”
Captain Brenton’s next encounter with the enemy was on his entering the Gut, with a transport ship and a merchant brig under his protection from Lisbon, Nov. 9, 1799. On that day two Spanish schooners, each carrying .two long 24-pounders and 50 men; ten other vessels of one 24-pounder, and 40 men each ”

“ At length, after sustaining a fire of several hours’ duration, by which la Minerve was greatly damaged in her hull and masts, 12 men killed, and 14 or 15 badly wounded, she was obliged to strike her colours. ”