by John Marshall

“ A shell also fell on board the Harpy, and killed one of her crew, but did not explode. The Immortalité was twice struck by shot in the hull, and had 4 men slightly wounded. The British squadron now hauled off, whilst some of the French vessels were compelled to run on shore on account of the shot-holes in their hulls; and the remainder bore up for the road of Boulogne. On the two succeeding days some slight skirmishes took place, but nothing decisive could be effected on account of the batteries; nor was any injury done to Captain Owen’s division, beyond a wound in the Cruiser’s bowsprit. ”

“ Of the conduct of Lieutenant Marshall on former occasions I have had to speak, and you, Sir, know full well the high opinion I had of this most estimable officer. It was his fate to fall; and no one could fall more admired, or more regretted. ”

“ Captain Owen, in his letter to the Rear-Admiral, says, “from the manner in which our grape-shot covered the enemy’s vessels, their loss in men must have been very great – I never saw guns pointed better, or so coolly.” Early in the ensuing year the Immortalité captured El Entrepreda Conine, a Spanish privateer, of 14 guns and 66 men.
The following letter, which never appeared in the London Gazette, records the particulars of an action with a part of the Boulogne flotilla on the 18th July 1805. ”

“ The enemy was for the most part driven from their batteries, the inhabitants flying to the country, and judging from the direction in which many of the shells burst, they must have suffered much.
“On a service of this nature, we cannot expect to escape unhurt: I have, however, pleasure in reporting, that, although the enemy’s fire, especially from Dieppe, which is very strong in batteries, was heavy and well-directed, and many of their shot took effect, our loss has been but small. The Perseus has one man missing, and the serjeant of artillery is wounded. ”

“ In the French version of this affair,, no mention is made of the presence of the British. All is ascribed to the fury of the gale, which did, indeed, play havoc among the enemy’s flotilla. The exact number of gun-vessels that foundered, or were stranded, is not stated ”

“ On the following day, a second division of gun and mortar-vessels weighed, and, joining their friends between Vimereux and Ambleteuse, formed a total of sixty brigs and more than thirty luggers. Napoleon himself, it appears, was at this time in the road in his barge, attended by two of his Generals and Admiral Bruix. ”

“ The House of Assembly at Jamaica, has recently passed a vote of thanks to him for his prompt attention to the commercial and naval interests, charing the period of his, command on that station.
Agents.– Messrs. Maude. ”