by John Marshall

“ The enemy’s fire began to slacken; we then gave three cheers, and with two of our guns, double-shotted, raked them, which must have made great slaughter; and at half-past two the enemy was taken in tow by two row-boats, who towed them in-shore, we still firing on them with our two guns, until three o’clock, when they were out of our reach; we then manned our sweeps, towed the cutter’s head towards the offing, began to clear the wreck, and by five o’clock had our main-sail, jib, and fore-sail set, but they were more like riddles than sails, after a four hours’ hard-fought action. ”

“ The enemy’s force, as I learnt from a Danish vessel, which had been lying alongside them in Almeria bay, consisted of one with three latteen sails, two long 18-pounders, six smaller guns, and 75 men; another, three latteen sails and jib, five guns, and 45 men; two others, two sails, two guns, and 25 men each. ”