by John Marshall

“ The boats had formed in a line, and were within gun-shot of two of the largest, when Lieutenant Saurin ordered them to pull up and board one which he imagined to be an armed vessel. The enemy were silent until the pinnace gave them a shot from a small brass piece mounted in her bow, upon which several of them instantaneously opened their fire. She continued to advance, and had got alongside the immediate object of attack, when a carronade was discharged into her, loaded with landgridge-shot and musket-balls, which made a dreadful havoc among her crew. ”

“ On finding that she was subdued, the others turned their fire upon her, nor did they discontinue it until she was towed out of gun-shot. The slaughter on the part of the British was likewise dreadful – the pinnace alone had no less than 20 officers and men killed and wounded; Lieutenant Saurin was shot through the right wrist and left arm, his neck-cloth was cut through the different folds, and his sabre broken by a ball. Lieutenant Webb, R.M. was shot in the leg, and Mr. Holbrook (junior) , midshipman, through the body. The assistant-surgeon also was wounded, in one of the other boats. ”

“ Mr. Saurin obtained the rank of commander Dec. 12, 1812; and a pension, the present amount of which is 300l. per annum, Feb. 24, 1813. He was appointed to the Hope brig, July 6, in the latter year, and promoted to post rank June 7, 1814. ”