I INTRODUCTION. 



tominandcd on the forecastle. Captain Cooke was mft*- 

 tally wounded, and Lieut. Hardyman, Avho succeeded to the 

 command, observes, *' the scene which presented itself on 

 La Forte's deck was shocking; the number she had killed 

 cannot be accurately ascertained, as many had been thrown 

 overboard during the action, but from every calculation I 

 have been able to make, the number killed must be from 

 150 to 160 men, and 70 wounded ; the first and second 

 captain, the first lieutenant, Avith several other oflScers, are 

 included among the number killed. The Sybille had only 3 

 men killed and 19 Avounded,two of whom afterwards died." 

 La Forte was the largest frigate in the French navy ; she 

 mounted 52 guns, 24 and 12 pounders, and had 420 men. 

 The Sybille mounted 44 guns, 18 and 12 pounders, and had 

 370 men. In an action with a ship of such superior force, in 

 which so dreadful a slaughter was sustained on the part of 

 the enemy, the vast disparity in the number of killed and 

 wounded affords a striking instance of the great advantage 

 which English coolness possesses over the momentary 

 ardour of French impetuosity, and, at the same time, 

 shews what may be effected by good seamanship and good 

 gunnery. After this action Mr. Tuckey returned to the 

 Suffolk, and received from the Admiral a new acting com- 

 mission for his meritorious conduct. 



In August 1799, he was sent by the Admiral, in the Braave, 

 Avith dispatches for Admiral Blankett, then commanding 

 a squadron in the Red Sea. At the Seychelles islands 

 they captured a ship proceeding to Europe Avith an em- 

 bassy from Tippoo Sultaun to the French Director}'. The 

 ambassadors concealed themselves several days in the 

 Avoods, Avhere they Avere discovered by Mr. Tuckey, for 



