by John Marshall

“ The necessity of retreat was painful to every one on board the Belvidera. The stem and quarters are damaged, main-top-mast shot through, and cross-jack-yard cut away in the slings; the sails are also damaged, With some standing and running rigging. The President must have suffered considerably from the excellent direction of the two quarter-deck guns by Lieutenant John Sykes, first of this ship, an officer of seventeen years standing; and the firing of the two 18-pounders was very quick arid well-directed by Lieutenants William Henry Bruce, and the Hon. ”

“ From her he removed into the Queen Charlotte of 100 guns, which ship formed part of Lord Bridport’s fleet in the action off l’Orient, June 23, 1795 [4] . We subsequently find him serving as first Lieutenant of the Doris frigate, commanded by Lord Ranelagh, and employed as a cruiser in the Channel.
In 1797, Mr. Byron was appointed flag Lieutenant to Sir Hugh C. Christian, K.B., whom he accompanied to the Cape of Good Hope in la Virginie, of 44 guns. He there joined the Tremendous 74, from which ship he was promoted to the command of the Cornwallis brig in Mar. 1798 [5] . ”

“ His nearest opponent was the President, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Rodgers, and mounting thirty-two long 24 pounders, and 22 carronades, (42-pounders,) exclusive of top guns; with a complement of 475 men. The Belvidera mounted twenty-six long 18-pounders, and 16 carronades, 14 of which were 32-pounders, the other 2 only nines. She had on board only 230 officers, men, and boys. ↑ This was done to prevent the possibility of any such charge being laid against the Belvidera, as had been made so much of in the case of the Little Belt. ”

“ James Ker, the Master, for his speedy refitment of the rigging, as it was shot away, and his spirited activity in resetting the studding sails, as their haliards were cut. Much praise is due to Lieutenant James Campbell of the royal marines, for the determined example he shewed to his party. ”

“ The West India fleet just alluded to were that day, at noon, in lat. 39° 35' N., long. 61° 38' W. From the course that Commodore Rodgers was steering when first discovered by the Belvidera, and from the circumstance of his bringing a westerly breeze from the American coast, it is obvious that he had every chance of coming up with the convoy. ↑ See Vol. II. Part I, p. 370. ↑ The enemy being a clean ship just out of port, sailed much better than any of the British squadron, either in light or strong breezes. ”