by John Marshall

“ The prize proved to be the Spanish brig Marincrito, of 303 tons, one of the most beautiful vessels ever seen afloat, mounting five 18-pounders, with a complement of seventy-seven officers and men, of whom fifteen were killed or drowned, four desperately wounded, and several others severely and slightly. She had on board 496 slaves, of whom, horrible to say, owing to the necessity of confining them below during the action, and perhaps aided by terror, 26 were found dead, although the hatches were opened the instant that complete possession had been obtained. ”

“ Lieutenant Ramsay, in consideration of the superior number of guns of his adversary, as well as to spare, if possible, the lives of the wretched slaves, resolved upon boarding without delay; fortunately a light air favored his intentions, and the helm was put a-starboard. Meanwhile the men were ordered to lie down, to be sheltered from the enemy’s fire. Two steady men were to be ready to lash the vessels together ”

“ Of the remainder of the slaves, 107 were in such a state, from want of air during their confinement below, that it was thought advisable to land them at Fernando Po, as the only chance of saving their lives, and of these about sixty died: the rest were ultimately put on shore at Sierra Leone. The Black Joke had only one man killed, and Lieutenant Ramsay, Mr. Bosanquet, and five men wounded, the former officer severely. ”