by John Marshall

“ Rear-Admiral Stirling seeing no advantage could result from any effort of ships against a strong fortress, well defended at all points, and which, from the shallowness of the water, could not be approached within a distance to allow shot to be of any use, disposed his ships so as to prevent any escape from the harbour, as well as to impede the communication between Colonna and Buenos Ayres, and confined his whole attention to give every possible assistance in forwarding the siege, by landing guns, ammunition, stores, provisions, and everything required by the Brigadier-General. ”

“ In the meantime, Captain Milne, of the Pique, eager to renew the combat, and not hearing himself hailed from the Jason, ran a-ground with such violence that his ship bilged, and it was found necessary to destroy her; upon which Captain Stirling directed her officers and crew to take possession of the prize, which with much difficulty, and by great perseverance and activity, they got afloat. She proved to be la Seine, from the Isle of France, bound to l’Orient, of 42 guns and 610 men, (including soldiers,) 170 of whom were killed, and 100 wounded. ”

“ On the 11th Oct., in the same year, the Jason being in pursuit of a French convoy near Brest, struck upon a rock with such force, as to baffle every exertion of her officers and men to get her off; she in consequence soon filled; the crew got on shore, and surrendered themselves prisoners of war, excepting 6, whom Captain Stirling permitted to take a boat, by which means they effected their escape, and arrived safe at Plymouth on the 15th [2] .
In the month of Feb. 1799, our officer was appointed to the Pompée, of 80 guns, which ship he commanded in the battle off Algesiras, July 6, 1801. ”