by John Marshall

“ H.M. ship lying an unmanageable wreck, I directed the mizen-top-sail to be cut away, and endeavoured to set a fore-stay-sail, in hopes of getting the ship before the wind, but without effect. The second ship having opened her fire, with the great advantage the enemy had by having both his ships under command, enabled him to take and keep his raking position, and pour in a heavy and destructive fire, while H.M. ship could only bring a few quarter guns to bear. ”

“ At one o’clock, two of the enemy’s ships were observed coming out of port, and soon discovered to be in chase of H.M. ship; the headmost gained fast, and the sternmost slowly. I continued under the same sail, endeavouring to draw them as far as possible, which also tended to extend the distance of the chasing ships. At 15 minutes past twelve (midnight) , on the enemy’s coming alongside, I found her to be a frigate of the largest class. ”

“ The Ceylon, on quitting Madras, was 47 men short of complement; but she had there embarked 100 soldiers, part of whom were to serve as marines, so that, including Major-General Abercromby and his staff, she had about 295 persons on board at the commencement of the action. Her loss consisted of 10 killed, 5 dangerously, 8 (including Captain Gordon) severely, and 18 slightly wounded. We have already stated that she was retaken in the course of the same day by H.M. sloop Otter, in company with the Boadicea frigate [1] . ”