hi the Pacific Ocean. 



induced to do so, as I had gained certain intelligence that the 

 Tagus, rated thirty-eight, and two other frigates, had sailed for 

 that sea in pursuit of me. I had also reason to expect the arrival 

 of the Racoon from the north-west coast of America, where she 

 had been sent for the purpose of destroying our fur establishment 

 on the Columbia. A rendezvous was appointed for the Essex 

 Junior, and every arrangement made for sailing, and I intended 

 to let them chase me off, to give the Essex Junior an opportunity 

 of escaping. On the ^8th of March, the day after this determi- 

 nation was formed, the wind came on to blow fresh from the 

 southward, when I parted my larboard cable and dragged my 

 starboard anchor directly out to sea. Not a moment was to be 

 lost in getting sail on the ship. The enemy were close in with 

 the point forming the west side of the bay ; but on opening them 

 I saw a prospect of passing to windward, when I took in my 

 top-gallant sails, which were set over single reefed top-sails, and 

 braced up for this purpose. But on rounding the point a heavy 

 squall struck the ship and carried away her maintop-mast, pre- 

 cipitating the men who were aloft into the sea, who were drowned. 

 Both ships now gave chase to me, and I endeavoured in my dis- 

 abled state to regain the port ; but finding I could not recover 

 the common anchorage, I ran close into a small bay, about three- 

 quarters of a mile to leeward of the battery, on the east side of 

 the harbour, and let go my anchor within pistol shot of the shore, 

 where I intended to repair my damages as soon as possible. The 

 enemy continued to approach, showing an evident intention of at- 

 tacking us, regardless of the neutrality of the place where I was 

 anchored. The caution observed in their approach to the attack 

 of the crippled Essex was truly ridiculous, as was their display of 

 their motto flags, and the number of jacks at their mast heads. 

 I, with as much expedition as circumstances would admit, got 

 my ship ready for action, and endeavoured to get a spring on my 

 cable, but had not succeeded when the enemy, at fifty-four mi- 

 nutes after three p. m. made his attack, the Phoebe placing herself 

 under my stern, and the Cherub on my starboard bow. But the 

 Cherub soon finding her situation a hot one, bore up and ran un- 

 der my stern also, where both ships kept up a hot raking fire. I 

 had got three long twelve pounders out at the stern ports, 

 which were worked with so much bravery and skill, that in half 

 an hour we so disabled both as to compel them to haul off to 

 repair damages. In the course of this firing, I had by the great 

 exertions of Mr. Edward Barnewall, the acting saiKng master, 

 assisted by Mr. Linscott, the boatswain, succeeded in getting 

 springs on our cables three different times — but the fire of the 

 enemy was so excessive, that before we could get our broadside 

 to bear, they were shot away, and thus rendered useless to us. 

 Voyages and Travels, No. XLVII. Vol VIII. r 



