by John Marshall

“ Devon was successively appointed to the Shannon 38, Captain (now Sir Philip B. V.) Broke, with whom he visited the arctic regions; and Crocodile 22, Captain the Hon, George Cadogan, of which ship he was first lieutenant when she conveyed the future Duke of Wellington to the shores of Portugal, in 1808. Towards the end of the ensuing year, he obtained the command of the Brevdrageren gun-brig, mounting twelve 18-pounder carronades, with a complement of 50 officers and men. ”

“ At 30 minutes past noon, in close action within musket-shot, the second brig commenced tiring upon us; observed the Algerine sweep round and haul out of the battle; – she soon after made the signal to discontinue action, which was, however, impracticable on my part. Thus finding ourselves in the midst of the enemy^s squadron, with scarcely a prospect of escape, I resolved that they should not find an easy conquest, and, with the colours of my country displayed in every conspicuous part of the vessel, prepared to defend His Majesty’s brig until the last extremity. ”

“ A light air springing up from the N.W., with the help of sweeps and boat towing, we fortunately, by 2 p.m., were only within long range of shot: the enemy’s sails being clewed up, prevented her taking advantage of the breeze, which favored our escape. ”

“ The approbation of the Admiralty was further marked, by the promotion, in Sept. following, of the Brevdrageren’s sub-lieutenant; but her commander did not obtain superior rank until nearly twenty months afterwards, during which period he was most actively employed on the Heligoland station, where several of his crew were killed and wounded in various skirmishes with the enemy. Among other captures made by him in 1812, were a French lugger privateer, and an armed custom-house vessel, the latter cut out from the port of Delfzyl, in the river Ems. ”

“ The chase now again commenced, and continued, within gun-shot, until sunset; the enemy keeping up a teasing fire, but unable to bring us to action. At 9 p.m., night coming on, the enemy left off chase; we, however, continued sweeping from them until midnight, when our people were quite exhausted, having been nearly 30 hours at the sweeps and in action.
“No language of mine can describe the bravery and exertion displayed by the gallant fellows under my command, and my sincerest thanks are due to every individual on board the Brevdrageren, whose crew, officers included, consisted only of 47 ”