by John Marshall

“ On the 18th of the following month twenty-nine gun and mortar-boats made a second attempt to destroy her and other ships lying at anchor off BuenaVista, and were supported by the Spanish land batteries with a very animated cannonade. The mortar-boats composed the centre division, and the whole flotilla were drawn up in a line-of-battle extending about two miles. They got their distance the first round, and retained it with such precision, that almost every shell fell within fifty yards of the San Miguel, which was the principal object of their attack. ”

“ The Brilliant being raised again a few days after the enemy’s defeat, Mr. Crawford re-embarked with her crew, and continued in that frigate till the departure of Captain Curtis with the fleet under Lord Howe [5] , when he was removed by Sir Sir Charles H. Knowles into the San Miguel of 72 guns, a Spanish ship that had been driven on shore near the garrison and compelled to surrender, in Oct. 1782 [6] .
On the 12th Nov. the enemy’s flotilla made an attack upon the San Miguel, but did not succeed in doing her any material damage. ”

“ The ardour of the peasantry is beyond all description. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) ⁠“George M‘Kinley.” “To the Hon. Vice-Admiral Berkeley [7] .”
During the ensuing siege of Vigo by the French army under Marshal Ney, Captain Crawford commanded a party of seamen and marines landed from the Lively and Venus to assist in the defence of the castle, where he continued till the defeat of the enemy at the bridge of San Payo, and his consequent retreat towards Lugo ”