by John Marshall

“ On the 9th Sept. 1796, the Victorious, in company with the Arrogant of 74 guns, had a very severe action off Acheen, in the island of Sumatra [errata 1] , with six heavy French frigates, commanded by M. de Sercey. The brunt of this conflict was borne by the Victorious, whose loss consisted of 17 men killed and 56 wounded; among the latter was her commander, Captain William Clarke, whose place, on his being carried below, was most ably and gallantly supplied by Lieutenant Waller [3] : the Arrogant had 7 slain and 27 wounded. ”

“ Both ships were greatly disabled in their masts, yards, rigging, and sails; and the French squadron received so much damage, as to be under the necessity of proceeding to Batavia, where three out of the six frigates were compelled to undergo a complete repair. The delay occasioned by this kept de Sercey in port at a very critical season: and so far the action contributed to preserve from spoliation much valuable British property, afloat in every part of the eastern hemisphere. ”

“ This officer is a son of the late Captain Jacob Waller, R.N. [1] He was made a Lieutenant into the Asia of 64 guns, soon after the commencement of the French revolutionary war, and served on shore at the reduction of Martinique in 1794. On his return to England he joined the Victorious 74, which ship formed part of the squadron under the orders of Sir George Keith Elphinstone, at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope, Sept. ”