by John Marshall

“ Upon consulting with the commander of the Blossom, who was in a 5-oared gig, Captain Shipley determined to make an attempt on the Gavotte, whose exact position he had ascertained when taking his last view of the Carlotta; and as the tide was still flowing, he directed the boats to remain stationary until the turn thereof. Unfortunately, the heavy rains which had recently fallen in the interior caused the ebb tide to make much sooner after slack water than he could possibly have been aware of, and consequently with greater strength than it had done when he last rowed up the river. ”

“ James says, with a complement of “150 men [9] .” At length, deeming it practicable, he resolved to attack the frigate on the night of April 22, 1808, provided the wind was favorable – the other requisites, tide and darkness, he knew would be in his favor.
Imitating the example of Sir Edward Hamilton at Porto Caballo, Captain Shipley determined not to trust the management of so important an expedition to any one but himself, although he meant the honor of success should belong to Captain Pigot, who then commanded the Blossom sloop of war, and whose boats were to assist in the enterprise. ”

“ We cannot close this memoir without first stating that the ships commanded by Captain Shipley were always remarkable for their high state of discipline: the management of the great guns was a part of the service he particularly exercised his men in; and he expressed the highest satisfaction on hearing the manner in which the Comus, with a crew entirely of his own making, behaved at the capture of a Danish frigate, soon after he left her to join la Nymphe [10] . He never inflicted punishment until he had consulted his pillow ”

“ Whilst at anchor off the bar of Lisbon, the lamented subject of this memoir spent a great portion of his time in administering to the comfort of the Portuguese emigrants who succeeded in escaping from French tyranny, and threw themselves upon the mercy of the British; giving them up his cabin, and affording them every accommodation in his power. This, however, was not the only object that engaged Captain Shipley’s attention, for his mind was principally bent on cutting out the Carlotta, a fine frigate of 44 guns ”

“ On the night appointed, Captain Shipley, accompanied by his brother, pushed off from la Nymphe, in a 6-oared gig, and was immediately followed by seven boats, containing upwards of 100 volunteer officers, seamen, and marines. To distinguish friends from foes in the dark, each of the sailors had a piece of white cloth in the shape of a crescent sewed upon the right sleeve of his jacket: Captain Shipley himself was distinguished by a white handkerchief bound round his arm by Mr. Charles Shipley, a few minutes before the enemy opened their fire. ”

“ The sincere regret evinced by every one for his untimely, though glorious fate, is a proof how much he was beloved. On hearing of his death, the whole of la Nymphe’s crew shed tears. Sir Charles Cotton, in a public letter to the Admiralty, says, “I feel extreme regret at the painful necessity of thus recording the death of Captain Shipley, who was a most excellent, brave, and highly meritorious officer.” Sir Samuel Hood wrote to Mr. Charles Shipley as follows:– “No one knew his worth as an officer better than myself ”

“ Shipley a great favorite with Captain Barlow, who, in a letter to the Dean, his father, written after the capture of la Nereide French frigate [3] , says, “your son behaved very spiritedly indeed in the action; – you know he is an old warrior.” ”

“ Eyre endeavours to console Mr. Shipley by saying, “I do not indeed know a young man in our profession, whom we could have looked forward to with such fond hopes as to your poor brother. The concern I feel I cannot easily express ”

“ His brother’s fall being noticed by Mr. Charles Shipley, that young gentleman immediately jumped back into the gig, and by calling out “Save your Captain,” induced the coxswain and his five companions to return also, and push off in search of their beloved commander. ”