by John Marshall

“ On the 12 May, 1799, Lieutenant Searle discovered a large brig in the act of capturing an English merchant sloop, near Winterton, on the coast of Norfolk. Regardless of the enemy’s superior force, which was very manifest, he immediately made sail, brought him to action, and continued at close quarters for an hour and forty minutes, during which the brig received considerable damage; but being a better sailer than the Courier, and having the advantage of the wind, she was at length enabled to escape. On this occasion the British cutter had only 5 men wounded. ”

“ In the execution of this service, the Grasshopper had one man killed, and her commander and three seamen severely wounded [6] ; besides suffering greatly in her hull, masts, sails, and rigging. The Rapid was likewise much cut up, and had three persons badly wounded. The enemy’s loss must have been very severe, as the captured gun-boats alone had 40 killed and wounded.
After his promotion to post rank, April 25, 1808, Captain Searle was appointed in succession to the Fredereickstein 32, Elizabeth 74, and Druid frigate [7] . ”

“ H.M. sloop Grasshopper, Dec. 12, 1807. “Sir,– I have to acquaint you, that yesterday, when looking out off Cape Palos, agreeably to your directions, I discovered a number of the enemy’s vessels at anchor under the Cape: his Catholic Majesty’s brig San Josef, of 12 twenty-four-pounders and 99 men, commanded by Don Antonio de Torres, got under weigh, and came out to attack H.M. sloop under my command, accompanied by the two Spanish vessels of war named in the margin (viz. Medusa, of 10 twenty-four-pounders and 77 men; and Aigle, of 8 guns, same calibre, and 50 men.) . ”