170 



porter's journal. 



was written previously to his returning me my sword, 

 will show his opinion of our conduct. 



My loss has been dreadfully severe, f^fty-eight killed, or 

 have since died of their wounds, and among them lieute- 

 nant Cowell ; thirty-nine were severely wounded, twenty- 

 seven slightly, and thirty -one are missing — making in all 

 one hundred and fifty-four, killed, wounded, and missing, 

 a list of whose names is annexed. 



The professional knowledge of Dr. Richard Hoffman, 

 acting surgeon, and Dr. Alexander Montgomery, acting 

 surgeon's mate, added to the assiduity and the benevolent 

 attentions and assistance of Mr. D. P. Adams, the chaplain, 

 saved the lives of many of the wounded — those gentlemen 

 have been indefatigable in their attentions to them ; the 

 two first I beg leave to recommend for confirmation, and 

 the latter to the notice of the department. 



I must, in justification of myself, observe, that with our 

 six twelve pounders only we fought this action, ourcarro- 

 nades being almost useless. 



The loss in killed and wounded has been great with the 

 enemy ; among the former is the first lieutenant of the 

 Phoebe, and of the latter, Captain Tucker of the Cherub, 

 whose wounds are severe. Both the Essex and Phoebe 

 were in a sinking state, and it was with difficulty they 

 could be kept afloat until they anchored in Valparaiso 

 next morning. The shattered state of the Essex will, I be- 

 lieve, prevent her ever reaching England, and I also think 

 it will be out of their power to repair the damages of the 

 Phoebe, so as to enable her to double Cape Horn. All the 

 masts and yards of the Phoebe and Cherub are badly crip- 

 pled, and their hulls much cut up ; the former had eigh- 

 teen twelve pound shot through her below her water line, 

 some three feet under water. Nothing but the smoothness 

 of the water saved both the Phoebe and Essex. 



I hope, sir, that our conduct may prove satisfactory to 

 our country, and that it will testify it by obtaining our 

 speedy exchange, that we may again have it in our power 

 to prove our zeal. 



Commodore Hillyar (I am informed) has thought pro- 

 per to state to his government that the action only lasted 

 forty-five minutes ; should he have done so, the motive may 

 be easily discovered — but the thousands of disinterested 



